Forged For Growth

Every business has a story behind it—and this show is all about getting it straight from the source. We interview business owners and leaders to talk through what they’ve learned, what they’ve built, and what they’d do differently if they had to do it all again. Expect real conversations, real experience, and takeaways you can actually use.

Forged For Growth is a business podcast hosted by StrategiqHQ.com, with 53 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

StrategiqHQ.com hosts Forged For Growth, a business show with 53 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Forged For Growth

  Translating Cybersecurity for Business Leaders with Michael Faas

  Aug 18, 202626 min

  Episode Summary How Echo Cyber helps growing companies connect business goals with practical cybersecurity leadership. Brian talks with Michael Faas about his path from studying computer programming, pivoting away from computer science after calculus, and turning a part-time IT job into a 25-year cybersecurity career. Michael explains why his work often centers on translating between technical teams and executives, how businesses can balance security with convenience, and why even small companies are big enough to be targeted. They also discuss SOC 2, cyber insurance, project prioritization, vulnerability risk, AI security concerns, and why founder-led companies often need CTO-level thinking before they need a full-time CTO. Key Takeaways Cybersecurity leadership often depends on translation: helping executives and technical teams understand each other and align security work with business goals. Security and convenience exist in tension, and the goal is to reduce risk without preventing the business from operating. Small and mid-sized companies are still targets because attackers often use automated tools to find easy opportunities rather than hand-selecting every victim. Vulnerability prioritization should consider both severity and likelihood, not just the scariest score on a scanner report. Many companies reach out for help when customers ask for SOC 2 compliance, cyber insurance costs rise, or leadership realizes they need security guidance but does not know where to start. A fractional CTO or cybersecurity advisor can help founder-led companies prioritize projects, unclog stalled initiatives, and decide what to start, pause, or kill. AI can be powerful, but companies need to understand what AI systems can access, how they are governed, and whether the output actually improves the business process. Timeline Early 00:00:00 Michael’s introduction, name pronunciation, and early path into IT 00:01:00 Starting in computer programming, switching to sports management, and turning IT into a career 00:02:00 College, career paths, and why practical ability matters as much as formal education 00:03:00 Calculus as a roadblock and the difference between theoretical and practical learning 00:05:00 Michael’s 25-year career in IT, enterprise security, and translating between technical teams and executives Middle 00:07:00 Bridging the gap between IT teams, leadership, and day-to-day business needs 00:08:00 Balancing security with convenience so the business can still operate 00:09:00 How excessive controls can push people to work around security 00:10:00 Why small businesses are still big enough to be hacked 00:11:00 Moving companies away from being the lowest-hanging fruit 00:12:00 Prioritizing vulnerabilities by likelihood as well as severity Late 00:14:00 Why companies usually call Michael: SOC 2, cyber insurance, and unclear security needs 00:15:00 Finding stalled projects and prioritizing the work that reduces the most risk 00:17:00 Providing CTO-level guidance without requiring a full-time CTO hire 00:18:00 When AI projects should be delayed, refined, or stopped 00:19:00 AI access, data governance, secure permissions, and prompt injection risks 00:22:00 Learning from failed AI experiments and evaluating whether automation is worth it 00:23:00 Michael’s sweet spot with founder-led companies from roughly $10 million to $50 million in revenue 00:24:00 Helping companies decide when they actually need a full-time CTO 00:25:00 Where listeners can connect with Michael and take the Echo Cyber assessment Links and Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfaas Company: https://echocyber.io

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  Forged For Growth

  Cleaning Up Salesforce Architecture and Storage with Sean Fielding

  Aug 7, 202627 min

  Episode Summary How Sproket Logic helps companies improve Salesforce architecture, performance, data storage, and long-term usability. Brian talks with Sean Fielding about his path from joining a Salesforce practice in 2010 as employee number two, helping grow it to more than 100 employees, building products, exiting in 2022, and then launching Sproket Logic in earnest. Sean explains why Salesforce is “easy until it’s hard,” how implementations drift over time, and why architecture, adoption, and guardrails matter before systems become messy. They also discuss Email Scrubber, the cost of unused Salesforce storage, why user adoption has to start early, and how consultants can offer honest recommendations without shaming internal teams. Key Takeaways Salesforce implementations often start simple, but without architecture, guardrails, and periodic audits, they can drift as companies grow and change. Sproket Logic focuses heavily on Salesforce consulting, including architecture, audits, performance improvement, development, and product work. Email Scrubber helps companies identify Salesforce data storage issues and reclaim storage that may otherwise become expensive over time. Adoption problems often begin before launch when end users are not included in the planning and implementation process. Bad data can come from well-intentioned forms, defaults, shortcuts, and workflows that do not match how people actually work. Consultants are most effective when they present risks and options clearly instead of attacking prior decisions or embarrassing internal teams. Long-term Salesforce work depends on trust, relationships, and understanding why a system became the way it is before recommending changes. Timeline Early 00:00:00 Sean’s background and introduction to Salesforce around 2010 00:01:00 Growing a Salesforce practice to 100-plus employees and exiting in 2022 00:02:00 Starting Sproket Logic after realizing a larger company environment was not the right fit 00:03:00 How sales and client needs shifted before, during, and after the pandemic 00:04:00 Sproket Logic’s consulting focus and Salesforce product development Middle 00:05:00 Why Salesforce can become messy when implementations lack architecture and guardrails 00:06:00 How software systems drift as businesses grow, change, and add users 00:07:00 Why companies should invest in structure after spending heavily on software 00:08:00 The importance of involving actual users before implementation decisions are finalized 00:09:00 Why adoption has to begin early instead of being forced after launch 00:10:00 Finding hidden user workflows that leadership may not know exist 00:12:00 How small process decisions can turn into unreliable data Late 00:15:00 What Sean typically finds during Salesforce audits and architecture reviews 00:16:00 Salesforce data storage limits and why storage overages can become expensive 00:17:00 Cleaning up outdated records, old emails, unused files, and unnecessary clutter 00:18:00 How Salesforce storage costs can add up and why runway matters 00:20:00 Breaking through business apathy around systems that are expensive but tolerated 00:21:00 Presenting recommendations without damaging pride or internal relationships 00:23:00 Why context matters before judging old systems or prior implementation decisions 00:25:00 Where listeners can connect with Sean and learn more about Sproket Logic Links and Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-fielding-500818b/ Company: https://sproketlogic.com/

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  Forged For Growth

  Building Reliable Print Software Through Perseverance with Gil Newsom

  Jul 30, 202623 min

  Episode Summary How RocketPrint Software grew from a business failure into a long-running storefront and quoting platform for the commercial printing industry. Brian talks with Gil Newsom about launching the company in the early days of online selling, building software around real customer needs, and staying focused on ease of use for printers who need practical tools rather than programmer-oriented complexity. Gil explains how RocketPrint evolved through customer requests, why not every feature idea should be accepted, and how strong support and reliability have helped the company retain customers for years. They also discuss entrepreneurship, perseverance, AI-driven competition, making software sticky, and why building a product is only half the challenge. Key Takeaways A past business failure can become the stepping stone to a stronger opportunity when entrepreneurs stay open to what comes next. RocketPrint Software grew by listening to printers, adding useful features, and keeping the product simple enough for non-programmers to use. Customer feature requests can reveal valuable market needs, but software companies still need discipline to avoid bloating the product. Long-term success in software depends on more than building a good tool; it also requires support, reliability, relationships, and perseverance. AI may make it easier for people to build new software quickly, but selling, supporting, and maintaining that software is still a major challenge. Making software sticky means helping customers use it to grow their own businesses and deepen their dependence on the platform. Timeline Early 00:00:00 Gil’s background in software for commercial printing and multi-location print collateral management 00:01:00 How a previous business failure led to the opportunity that became RocketPrint Software 00:02:00 Launching the software, gaining early customers, and growing through real printer needs 00:03:00 Gil’s role as the idea person and entrepreneur behind the product 00:04:00 Why ideas are easy, but implementation and perseverance create real value Middle 00:05:00 Moving from failure into a new opportunity with the printing industry 00:06:00 Avoiding software bloat while still adding features customers need 00:08:00 Using a strategy to implement new features without overwhelming users 00:09:00 How to say no to bad feature ideas while still encouraging useful feedback 00:11:00 Thinking beyond your own assumptions and learning from competitors without copying everything 00:13:00 Rocket Quotes, quoting complex print jobs, and building flexible plug-and-play functionality Late 00:14:00 Growing in the early internet era through calls, email outreach, and website traffic 00:15:00 Knowing early that the software had traction because it helped generate real revenue 00:16:00 Maintaining growth as competitors phase out or stop supporting customers well 00:17:00 Why support, reliability, and direct customer access still matter 00:18:00 AI, new software competition, and why building the tool is only part of the challenge 00:20:00 Making software sticky by helping printers expand customer storefronts 00:21:00 Gil’s future education-focused project in North Carolina 00:22:00 Where listeners can connect with Gil and learn more about RocketPrint Software Links and Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilnewsom/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocketprint-software/

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  Forged For Growth

  Agile Coaching, Scrum Mastery, and Better Delivery with Liza Gonzales

  Jul 21, 202625 min

  Episode Summary How Vantage Point Collective helps teams improve delivery, reduce process drift, and use agile tools with more intention. Brian talks with Liza Gonzales about her career path from radio sales administration to graphic design, internal communications, Scrum mastery, agile coaching, and becoming a certified ProKanban trainer. Liza explains what Scrum Masters actually do, why the role matters even for high-performing teams, and how agile coaches can help organizations identify blockers, protect focus, and improve collaboration. They also discuss why leaders can unintentionally disrupt delivery, how to gather input from the people doing the work, and how Kanban flow metrics can make timelines more predictable. Key Takeaways Scrum Masters serve as facilitators, protectors, and information radiators for teams, helping them stay focused on goals and remove blockers. Agile frameworks work best when supported by guardrails, coaching, and consistent reinforcement; without that, old habits can creep back in. Combining a Scrum Master role with coding, product ownership, or other responsibilities can reduce focus and weaken the return on investment. Effective agile coaching starts by listening to leadership, product owners, and the people doing the work so the full picture is understood. Leaders may support agile in theory but still disrupt the process when urgent new priorities are inserted without considering the impact. Product owners need support and empowerment to balance stakeholder requests against what the product and end users actually need. Kanban flow metrics such as cycle time, throughput, work in progress, and aging work in progress can help teams forecast delivery using real historical data. Timeline Early 00:00:00 Liza’s background and early career in radio sales administration 00:01:00 Moving into graphic design, marketing, and internal communications at Nielsen 00:02:00 Working with technology teams and entering agile transformation 00:03:00 Discovering Scrum mastery and the servant-leader mindset 00:05:00 Starting Vantage Point Collective to train, coach, guide, and mentor teams Middle 00:06:00 What Scrum is and how it fits under the broader agile mindset 00:07:00 How Scrum Masters facilitate teams, remove blockers, and communicate with stakeholders 00:08:00 Why Scrum Masters remain valuable even for mature or high-performing teams 00:09:00 Comparing agile support to business operating systems and process guardrails 00:11:00 Why assigning Scrum Masters too many technical or product responsibilities can backfire 00:12:00 Supporting clients through Scrum mastery, training, coaching, and Jira workflow design Late 00:13:00 Liza’s process for assessing teams without immediately overturning everything 00:15:00 Helping leaders understand how their involvement can affect team focus and delivery 00:17:00 Building buy-in by listening to the people closest to the work 00:18:00 Improving failed production releases through team input and end-to-end testing conversations 00:20:00 Empowering product owners to evaluate stakeholder requests and protect the product 00:22:00 Using Kanban flow metrics and Monte Carlo forecasting to make timelines less ambiguous 00:24:00 What Liza is excited about next and where listeners can connect with her Links and Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-gonzalez-708b706b Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vantage-point-collective/about/

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  Forged For Growth

  Handling Sales Disruptors and Winning Better Deals with Paul Chapman

  Jul 10, 202639 min

  Episode Summary How technical sales teams can handle difficult personalities, protect their time, and improve win rates. Brian talks with Paul Chapman about his background in IT, pre-sales leadership, and building 4Disruptors around the four personalities that derail sales conversations: the techie, the distractor, the saboteur, and the inquisitor. Paul explains the role of pre-sales as the translator between technical teams and buyers, why selling at all costs damages long-term relationships, and how better qualification helps teams avoid bad-fit deals. They also discuss how to regain control of a room, when to walk away from an opportunity, why practice matters, and how preparation helps sales teams respond when a meeting does not go according to plan. Key Takeaways Pre-sales professionals help translate complex technical capabilities into buyer-focused business value. Selling at all costs can hurt both the customer and the company, especially when the solution is not a true fit. The four disruptors Paul focuses on are the techie, the distractor, the saboteur, and the inquisitor. Difficult personalities in sales meetings are often barriers to communication, not proof that the product is wrong. Strong qualification helps teams avoid wasting time on opportunities that are unlikely to close or unlikely to become healthy customers. Sales teams need to be prepared to reset the room, redirect the conversation, and sometimes walk away. Practice, role play, and shared expectations between account executives and solution consultants create stronger sales execution. Timeline Early 00:00:00 Paul’s background in IT, helping people use technology, and moving into pre-sales 00:01:00 The Chapman family connection to selling and Paul’s path into technical sales 00:02:00 What pre-sales means and how solution consultants support the sales process 00:03:00 Translating technical complexity for buyers and validating true product fit 00:05:00 Why forcing a sale damages trust and long-term customer relationships Middle 00:06:00 Launching 4Disruptors and identifying patterns in lost and won sales 00:07:00 The four disruptors: techie, distractor, saboteur, and inquisitor 00:09:00 Why sales teams need tools for handling difficult meeting dynamics 00:10:00 Managing the techie and avoiding “stump the chump” derailments 00:13:00 Knowing when an opportunity is not worth chasing 00:14:00 Avoiding overpromising and resisting bad-fit customer requests 00:17:00 Handling the distractor, whether intentional or unintentional Late 00:21:00 Recognizing the saboteur and knowing when an RFP may already be wired 00:23:00 Reading the room, identifying the real buyer, and engaging the right stakeholders 00:25:00 Managing the inquisitor and using silence to reset the conversation 00:28:00 Avoiding unnecessary enemies while still regaining control of the meeting 00:30:00 Why the right fit matters more than price, even when competing against free 00:32:00 Training teams through experience, mistakes, and better deal qualification 00:35:00 Why sales teams need deliberate practice before high-stakes customer meetings 00:36:00 Where listeners can connect with Paul and learn more about 4Disruptors Links and Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulechapman/ Company: https://4disruptors.com/

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