In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Amber Goetz, founder of Active Media, a high-performance web and SEO agency that's been turning websites into lead generation machines since 2005. With over 500 websites under her belt and clients pulling in over $10 million through organic search, Amber has spent two decades learning what actually works in SEO.

Key Takeaways

• Start with market research: Validate search demand, competition levels, and real market need before building your business

• Fix messaging first: Address root causes (messaging and site health) before driving traffic—visitors leave for competitors if your foundation is broken

• Demand transparency: Quality SEO agencies provide visual dashboards, share keyword rankings, and educate clients rather than hiding behind "secret sauce"

• AI content is dead: Mass AI-generated blog posts no longer work; Google rewards human-reviewed, human-edited content that provides genuine value

• Optimize for AI now: Implement schema markup and voice search optimization immediately—DIY website builders are falling behind

• Focus local SEO efforts: Update Google Business Profile constantly (offers, photos, reviews every ~10 days) for local businesses

• Red flags in SEO agencies: Avoid anyone promising overnight rankings or not requesting Google Analytics/Search Console access

• Trust your instincts: Combine gut feelings with solid data when making business and technical decisions

Amber Goetz - The Active Media

Website: https://www.theactivemedia.com/ and https://goetzgo.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambergoetz9/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seowithamber/

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/

Website: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/

Personal site: https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com

• (00:00:00) - The End of Human-edited Content
• (00:00:37) - Amino Podcast
• (00:01:39) - The One Startup Tip You'd Get Wrong
• (00:03:09) - How To Turn A Completive Audit Into a Proposal
• (00:07:12) - How To Lead an SEO Team With Transparency
• (00:09:33) - Top SEO Executives: The Shift in Search
• (00:11:47) - How to Optimize Your Site for AI Search
• (00:13:18) - How to Optimize Your Website for AI & Small Business SEO
• (00:19:08) - Several Red Flags For Hiring An SEO Agency
• (00:21:07) - Go With Your Gut

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Aya Kikimova, founder of LeapEngine, a digital marketing agency that brings Fortune 500-level strategies to startups and small businesses at a fraction of the cost. Aya shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to the US from Kazakhstan at 16, not knowing how to type on a computer, to managing over $50 million annually in ad spend at Microsoft and earning the prestigious Platinum Club Award given to just 0.01% of the company.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• AI in Marketing [00:00-04:00]
• The GPS Framework [06:00-08:00]
• Marketing Myths [16:00-19:00]
• ROI Measurement Mistakes [28:00-32:00]
• AI Implementation Strategy [22:00-26:00]
• Key Takeaways

• Ensure business readiness before marketing investment
• Test attribution by pausing different channels
• Setting expectations - Focus on lifetime value, not short-term returns
• Choose AI tools with human guidance and verification

Aya Kikimova – LeapEngine

Website: leapengine.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akikimova

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/

Website: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/

Personal site: https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com

• (00:00:00) - The Lockbook
• (00:00:49) - Starting a Business With 0.01% of the Company
• (00:02:28) - How Is AI Affecting Your Company's Business?
• (00:05:06) - How to Get Your Business Profile on Google Maps in 2 Minutes
• (00:15:01) - MR: Marketing Myths that Small Businesses Fall for
• (00:20:56) - How to Integrate AI into your Business?
• (00:25:47) - How To Train an AI Tool for Google Ads
• (00:27:48) - MT: Small Business Marketing ROI

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Jamie Uppenberg, co-founder of Runway Group, a specialized firm helping FinTech startups navigate complex regulatory landscapes while building scalable compliance programs. As a former chief compliance officer at five different FinTech companies, Jamie brings rare operational expertise to an industry often dominated by theoretical approaches.

Jamie shares her hard-won insights on the two critical mistakes that sink most FinTech startups: either over-investing in product perfection while neglecting marketing, or the inverse—building impressive marketing campaigns without a solid product foundation. She emphasizes the importance of finding the MVP sweet spot and maintaining disciplined spending, especially as investment dollars have tightened in recent years.

The conversation dives deep into Runway's unique methodology for building compliance programs from the ground up. Unlike traditional consultants who come from legal or regulatory backgrounds, Jamie's team has actually lived inside FinTech operations, understanding how these fast-moving companies actually function. Rather than overwhelming clients with every compliance gap at once, they create prioritized roadmaps that tackle the highest-risk areas first—typically starting with anti-money laundering and financial crimes prevention—while ensuring companies can maintain revenue and growth momentum.

Jamie explains how her approach differs from document-heavy compliance programs, focusing instead on operational excellence: "Can you do what this document says?" This practical methodology helps FinTech companies build programs that actually work when regulators and banking partners come asking for proof of compliance activities, not just policies on paper.

The discussion also explores Runway's integrated model, where compliance consulting works hand-in-hand with specialized FinTech legal counsel and strategic advisory services. This collaborative approach eliminates the common problem of conflicting advice from different vendors, allowing the team to synthesize legal requirements, operational realities, and strategic positioning into cohesive recommendations.

For founders considering building compliance programs in-house, Jamie offers crucial hiring advice: look for professionals who can build systems "with a Google Suite and a dream"—not just those accustomed to enterprise-level resources. She stresses the importance of objective reporting and clear communication about program progress, warning against purely anecdotal updates that leave leadership in the dark about their actual compliance status.

Whether you're launching a payments platform, building lending infrastructure, or creating the next generation of financial services, this episode provides actionable insights for navigating the regulatory challenges that can make or break FinTech ventures in today's environment.

Jamie Uppenberg – Runway Group

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-uppenberg
• Website: https://rnwy.group/

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR

• (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneurs Logbook Podcast
• (00:00:51) - Fintech Compliance Expert Jamie Uppenberg
• (00:01:45) - What's the One Thing All Startups Get Wrong?
• (00:03:57) - How to Find The Right Balance For Your Company
• (00:04:47) - Have You Got the Money to Grow?
• (00:06:05) - How To Get Fintech Companies To Be Compliant With the
• (00:11:26) - WSJD Live: The Fintech Compliance Program
• (00:16:38) - What to Know Before Hiring a Compliance Program Designer?
• (00:19:21) - Expertise in Fintech at Runway Consulting
• (00:24:58) - How to Reach Jamie Uppenberg on Podcast

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses, Zachary Bernard speaks with Axel Meierhoefer, founder of Ideal Wealth Grower. Axel, a former Air Force officer turned real estate investor, walks us through the “Ideal Wealth System” he developed after navigating a complex 1031 exchange during the Great Recession. Together, they tackle the common missteps new investors make, namely, focusing on individual properties rather than building a robust network of inspectors, lenders, property managers, and turnkey providers. Axel explains why performance, cash flow and returns, should trump the age-old mantra of “location, location, location,” and how securing one-year warranties and vetted partnerships can shield investors from unexpected repair bills, especially when they’re managing assets from thousands of miles away.

Zachary and Axel then dive into the mindset shift required to become the “king or queen of your own empire.” By treating each investment portfolio as a business, clients learn to assemble a team of “employees”, from appraisers to contractors, who work on their behalf, freeing them to focus on strategic growth. Axel breaks down the concept of the Time Freedom Point, guiding listeners through a simple exercise to calculate their monthly expenses, project cash-flow goals, and determine how many properties they’ll need to achieve true financial independence. He also shares how steady rent increases and paid-off mortgages compound over time, turning a modest real estate portfolio into a multi-million-dollar empire that funds your lifestyle on your own terms. Whether you’re just curious about real estate or ready to build passive income, this episode offers actionable insights for professionals seeking to escape the time-for-money trap.

Contact Information

Axel Meierhoefer – Ideal Wealth Grower

Website: https://idealwealthgrower.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameierhoefer/

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/

Websites:

• https://www.wefeatureyou.com/
• https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com

• (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook: Where to Start Your Business
• (00:01:11) - Axel Mayhofer
• (00:02:10) - What Would You Do Different in the Franchise Industry?
• (00:03:37) - Real Estate Network
• (00:12:05) - Real Estate Wealth Group
• (00:17:40) - Financial Freedom and Investing
• (00:25:48) - How to retire on a $10,000 a month income
• (00:27:35) - "When Will I Reach My Time Freedom Point?"
• (00:33:58) - How To Get In Touch With The Wealth Grower

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses, Zachary Bernard speaks with Patrick Burns, founder of Patrick Burns Co., a B2B brand-building and revenue-generating agency that helps companies accelerate their go-to-market efforts with strategic digital marketing. After cutting his teeth at two tech startups and earning a degree from Indiana University in 2014, Patrick launched his own firm in 2016. Since then, he’s amassed over 100,000 followers, generated millions of content views, and closed six-figure deals with industry giants like PwC, CVS, Honeywell, and State Street.

Patrick lays out his playbook for rapid, intent-driven growth. He walks through how his team uses a sophisticated technology stack—powered by tools like Clay for outbound campaigns and AI-driven workflows in ChatGPT—to identify prospects showing real purchase signals before engaging them. By splitting roles among dedicated specialists (an account manager, a marketing copywriter/tech operator and an SDR), Patrick ensures every campaign is executed with precision, high deliverability and messaging honed for conversion. On the content side, he shares why a blend of authentic thought leadership and emotionally driven, algorithm-friendly posts builds brand awareness without unrealistic lead-generation expectations, and how a consistent two-week publishing sprint can quickly book qualified inbound meetings.

Contact Information

Patrick Burns – Patrick Burns Co.

Website: https://www.patrickburns.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickburnsco1/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickburnsco/

Twitter: https://x.com/patrickburnsco

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/

Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ | https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press / podcast / TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com

• (00:00:00) - What would you do to grow your business faster?
• (00:00:35) - The Entrepreneurs Logbook Podcast
• (00:01:43) - What Would You Do To Build Your Startup From scratch?
• (00:03:17) - How To Get a Lead Out of Your Campaigns
• (00:05:23) - Cold Outbound vs. Outbound
• (00:06:38) - How to Create Content That Drives Results
• (00:10:21) - How To Structure Your Outbound Campaigns
• (00:12:03) - How to hire the right talent with AI
• (00:14:47) - How To Market Yourself to the Technology Industry
• (00:16:37) - Lead Generation: The Outbound Side

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses, Zachary Bernard speaks with James Onyks, CEO of Ohana Avertising. James walks us through his journey from launching Ohana in 2021 to building a full-service digital agency that blends creative storytelling with strategic growth. Early on, he learned the hard way that every founder needs a dedicated project manager from day one, a role he skipped and paid for by getting bogged down in fulfillment rather than sales and expansion. Drawing on ten years in marketing and a unique New York-to-Portugal perspective, James shares how he pivoted from straight ad management to offering fractional CMO services, helping enterprise clients craft holistic growth roadmaps without the overhead of an in-house hire.

Throughout the conversation, James breaks down real-world wins, like repositioning a product so it could sell in metropolitan bathtubs and driving a 30% sales uplift, and explains why creative strategy is just as vital as ad spend. He reveals his hiring philosophy of bringing on mid- to senior-level experts who need little hand-holding and deliver immediate impact, and how Ohana’s month-to-month, no-contract model builds trust and long-term partnerships. James even unveils the sentimental story behind the “Ohana” name, reminding him that business exists to support family, not the other way around. Tune in for actionable tips on scaling your agency, honing your offer, and becoming the proactive growth partner every business owner needs.

Contact Information James Onyks – Ohana Advertising

Website: https://ohanameansbusiness.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digital-advertiser/

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/

Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ + https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press, podcast or TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com

• (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast
• (00:00:49) - Interview
• (00:01:58) - What is the one thing that you would implement from day one of
• (00:03:48) - Fractional CMO Services
• (00:06:11) - How To Build a Growth Partner's Business
• (00:10:32) - How to Build a Creative Strategy
• (00:11:35) - How To Hire the Right Marketing Team
• (00:15:18) - How To Differentiate Yourself From The Competition
• (00:18:30) - The Ohana Logo

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary Bernard speaks with Tiffany Coletti Kaiser, CEO of Apiary Digital, about rethinking the traditional agency model and building something that scales on its own terms. Drawing on more than two decades of leadership in tech, CPG, and beyond, Tiffany explains why productizing your core service, finding that lowest common denominator clients really need, and packaging it as a turnkey solution is the fastest path to sustained growth. She and Zach discuss how a transparent, honest approach with clients (even being the first to say “we might not be the right fit for you”) not only builds trust but drives an industry-leading 98% client return rate and generates referrals that keep the pipeline full.

Tiffany then takes us inside Apiary Digital’s unique “apiary” collective: a senior-only bench of specialists who flex in and out of projects based on client needs, living their own lives while delivering half a billion leads each year. She shares concrete examples, from codifying executive LinkedIn thought-leadership offerings to diagnosing hidden funnel issues behind underperforming campaigns, and why measuring outcomes (leads, revenue impact) rather than vanity metrics (total ad spend) makes all the difference. Whether you’re launching a boutique consultancy or retooling an established shop, her hive-inspired model highlights the power of putting humanity and clear deliverables at the center of your growth strategy.

Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on how to:

1) carve out a repeatable, productized service that clients instantly understand;

2) assemble a network of experienced consultants who thrive under a flexible, transparent partnership; and

3) shift conversations from “how much can you spend?” to “what outcome do you really need?” Tune in for a fresh take on sustainable scaling, plain spoken, deeply human, and built to free you from the endless hunt for new business.

Contact Information
Tiffany Coletti Kaiser – Apiary Digital
Website: https://apiarydigital.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanycolettikaiser

Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/
Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ | https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press, podcast, or TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com

• (00:00:00) - How to Scale With a Small Company
• (00:00:42) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast
• (00:01:51) - What's the One Thing You'd Do to Reboot Your Company
• (00:03:35) - Possible Productization in the B2B
• (00:11:53) - Pushing the Minimum Experience Level at Apiary
• (00:18:28) - McKinsey: It's not about the Money we manage,
• (00:23:14) - What Makes Apiary Different?
• (00:29:20) - PODCAST: The Power of Podcasts

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook Podcast, Zachary Bernard speaks with Ashley Brown and Brianna Watson, co-founders of Impressions Visionary Solutions. From the outset, Ashley and Brianna emphasize the importance of “building the system, not the service.” Rather than diving headfirst into client work, they recommend first mapping a clear, intentional client journey, from inquiry and onboarding through delivery, using simple tools and workflows. As entrepreneurs test their offerings with early clients, patterns emerge. Those insights then inform the refinement of processes, creating space for creativity and minimizing the chaos of firefighting.

The conversation turns next to how AI and automation can amplify rather than erase the human element. Ashley and Brianna make a passionate case for preserving empathy at every step: pinpointing where clients need to feel seen and heard, then designing automations that support those moments without sacrificing genuine connection. They walk us through their approach, istening for each customer’s friction points, mapping the story of a purchase path, and automating repetitive tasks so teams can focus on high-value, human-driven work.

Finally, Ashley and Brianna tackle one of the biggest pitfalls in scaling service-based businesses: platform overload. They caution against chasing every shiny new tool and urge leaders to audit needs by department, choosing fewer, well-integrated solutions rather than a thousand half-used apps. Above all, Impressions Visionary Solutions stands out by leading with depth and authenticity, blending strategy with soul to help small and mid-sized businesses scale intelligently, efficiently, and empathetically.

Contact Information

Ashley Brown and Brianna Watson • Impressions Visionary Solutions

Website: https://www.impressionsvs.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-l-watson/ + https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybrowncreative/

Zachary Bernard • We Feature You PR

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/

Websites:

https://www.wefeatureyou.com/

https://zacharybernard.com/

Want press, podcast or TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com!

• (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast
• (00:00:55) - How to Build a Beautiful Business With AI & Intelligent Automation
• (00:01:50) - What Would You Do To Build a Startup From Day 1?
• (00:04:53) - Ashley and Brian on Their Split
• (00:05:40) - How To Automate Processes With Human Touch
• (00:10:01) - Will AI Amplify Human Touch in Design?
• (00:15:12) - Tech Stack Confusion
• (00:20:43) - How To Market Your AI-based Sales & Marketing