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"Turning Point," hosted by Blaine Bertsch, the CEO of Dryrun, dives into the captivating journeys of entrepreneurs. Each episode features seasoned business owners sharing their challenges, pivotal moments, and triumphs. With open and honest interviews, you'll hear stories of resilience and victory that define the entrepreneurial spirit. Don't miss an episode! Subscribe, follow, and like "Turning Point" for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complex ...
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"FinFactor," hosted by Dryrun CEO, Blaine Bertsch, brings you into the world of top CFOs and top finance professionals. Each episode features insightful interviews with industry leaders who share their expertise on managing business finances, tackling complex financial challenges, and driving organizational success. Through engaging conversations, you'll gain valuable insights into the strategies and practices that define effective financial management. From finance technology to CFO best pr ...
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Business, Beer & BS with Mike & Blaine

Mike Milan & Blaine Bertsch

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Dive into "Business, Beer, and BS" with seasoned entrepreneurs Mike Milan and Blaine Bertsch! Each episode is a lively mix of business insights and casual conversation fueled by cold beers and real talk. Mike and Blaine share their rollercoaster journeys of running businesses and tackling real-world challenges with humour and honesty. Expect practical tips, unforgettable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. It’s the perfect blend of expert advice and laid-back fun. Don’t miss out! Su ...
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In a world where technology and business intersect, the 'Product Led Growth Leaders' podcast was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between innovation and leadership in the SaaS industry. Our founder, Thomas Watkins, recognized a need for a platform where the brightest minds in business and technology could converge. This podcast is more than just a series of conversations; it's a beacon for CEOs and product owners who are shaping the future of SaaS products. It's a space where ideas are ...
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show series
 
Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of Dryrun Financial Modeling Software, Blaine Bertsch. Blaine shares his journey from design and consulting to founding Dryrun, driven by the cash flow challenges he faced in his previous agency. The discussion highlights the critical importance of cash flow management for businesses with…
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Send us a text You’ve built a name, a logo, and a business you’re proud of—so should you trademark it all before someone else does? Or is that just lawyer bait? This week, Mike and Blaine debate whether small businesses really need to worry about brand protection, and when it makes sense to spend the money. From horror stories of stolen names to th…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the President, Founder, and CEO of Saritasa, Nik Froehlich. Nik shares his professional journey, from a construction business to founding Saritasa, aiming to bridge the communication gap between business leaders and developers. The discussion covers Saritasa's approach to software development, including innovat…
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In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch is joined by lease accounting expert Greg Kautz to dive into the evolving landscape of lease management. They unpack the growing complexities introduced by new accounting standards, the ongoing reliance on spreadsheets, and the shortcomings of traditional ERP systems. Greg offers practical insights on ho…
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Send us a text From CRMs to chatbots to five different task apps—you’ve got tools for your tools. But are they helping, or just adding chaos? This week, Mike and Blaine unpack the tech overload hitting small business owners in 2025. They’ll dig into why more software isn’t always the answer, how to tell if a tool is costing you more than it saves, …
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In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Adam Nathan, CEO of Blaze, to explore the mindset, experiences, and strategies that have shaped his entrepreneurial path. Adam shares lessons from his time at Apple and within government administration, revealing how a deep understanding of human needs and societal challenges has guide…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, reflects on the podcast's journey, celebrating its milestone. He shares valuable lessons learned, highlights standout episodes, and acknowledges remarkable entrepreneurs featured on the show. Thomas underscores the podcast's purpose of fostering discussions around product-led growth (PLG) and providing actionable insights…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Principal Product Growth Consultant of Teq Crew, Elliot Koss. Elliot shares his career journey and discusses his latest venture, Career Amplifier, a platform designed to simplify the job search by providing tailored job notifications. Elliot delves into the challenges job seekers face, the importance of net…
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Send us a text Hiring feels like fishing in a dry pond lately—everyone’s looking, no one’s biting. This week, Mike and Blaine tackle the real reasons small business owners struggle to hire and keep great people. From job posts that scare applicants away to training that burns time but not results, they break down how to stop relying on unicorn hire…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Tekyz, David Hirschfeld. David discuss the challenges software startup founders face, particularly in validating product-market fit. David emphasizes the importance of understanding customer problems over falling in love with a product. He introduces his "Launch First" methodology, which …
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CPO of Spryker, Elena Leonova. Elena shares her journey from a business analyst in Ukraine to a product management executive in the U.S. She discusses the complexities of B2B commerce, especially for high-value products requiring a consultative sales approach. Elena emphasizes the importance of user experie…
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In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch is joined by Adam Katz for a deep dive into the world of foreign exchange and B2B payments. They explore the payment challenges that CFOs face—from hidden FX fees and inefficiencies to the importance of data and building relationships with FX providers. Adam shares expert insights on how businesses can n…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO of PlatypusOS, Matthew White. Matthew discusses the challenges business founders face in leveraging technology and how his companies aim to solve these issues. Qebot offers a marketplace for online and mobile advertising solutions, while PlatypusOS integrates various SaaS tools into a single, AI-enhance…
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Send us a text If you’re running your 2025 business with a 2019 playbook… good luck. This week, Mike and Blaine tackle the real shifts happening right now—from tighter margins and higher customer expectations to the never-ending hiring puzzle. The old rules aren’t just outdated—they might be costing you money. Tune in for a fresh, no-BS look at how…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder of Right Angle, B Randall Willis. B Randall has a rich background in publishing and media and discusses the evolution of digital marketing and the challenges businesses face today. He emphasizes the importance of a clear value proposition and a running marketing engine, likening content to the fuel …
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Pyne, Roman Geugelin. Roman discusses the challenges of scaling onboarding during rapid growth and advocates for AI-driven solutions to automate and personalize the process. Key topics include understanding user motivations, identifying drop-off points, and the role of design partners in …
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Send us a text In business, missing the little stuff can cost you big. This week, Mike and Blaine zoom in on why attention to detail is the unsung hero of success—whether it’s catching a typo in a contract, noticing a shift in customer habits, or realizing your receipts don’t match your register. They’ll share real stories where overlooking the obv…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Bordo AI, Krunal Patel. Krunal discusses the challenges financial institutions face in managing vast amounts of data and how Bordo AI leverages artificial intelligence to provide deeper customer insights. He shares the inspiration behind Bordo AI, emphasizing context …
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Chief Innovation Officer of BetterEngineer, Marc Boudria. Marc shares his extensive experience in technology innovation, emphasizing the challenges of AI adoption and the importance of understanding user experience. He discusses the need for a pragmatic approach to technology implementation and highlights t…
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Send us a text One day everything's flowing, the next—BAM—your go-to partner's got a new plan, a new look, or a new direction. Sound familiar? This week, Mike and Blaine get personal, unpacking the behind-the-scenes drama from the past month and talking about what happens when a business changes something people have gotten used to. Whether it’s a …
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO and Founder of Inn8ly, James Hipkin. James highlights common pitfalls in website creation, stressing the importance of a customer-centric approach. He introduces the concept of "pathways" over traditional calls to action and underscores the need for websites to confirm customer needs. The discussion als…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO of VEXA Software Solutions, Molly Denham. Molly discusses her transition to the private sector, where she founded VEXA Software Solutions, a company offering virtual executive assistant services. The conversation highlights the crucial role of administrative support for executives, the inefficiencies fa…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the VP of Strategic Accounts at BetterEngineer, and CEO and Founder of SwingBy, Brooks Rhinehart. Brooks discusses his extensive background in operations and strategic consulting, focusing on his work at Better Engineers, which addresses engineering staffing challenges for startups and enterprises. Brooks also …
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Send us a text Nothing confuses (or annoys) customers more than a discount that’s hard to understand. "Buy one, get 37% off the second item—unless it's Tuesday?" Yeah, no thanks. This week, Mike and Blaine break down how clear, simple messaging can make discounts more effective, increase conversions, and keep customers happy. From the psychology be…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder of FobeSoft, Geordy Murphy. Geordy, with extensive experience in the hospitality industry, discusses the common challenges restaurant owners face in understanding and analyzing financial data. FobeSoft addresses these issues by providing real-time profit and loss statements, integrating with point-o…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder of Hevi, Paul Culvenor. Paul discusses his mining industry background and the complexities of managing large-scale contracts. He explains how Heavy's AI-driven platform helps users navigate contracts, understand risks, and ensure compliance in real-time. The conversation covers the limitations of…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO of Aptive Index , Jason P. Carroll. Jason shares his journey from a toxic sales job to transforming company cultures, notably at Champion National Security. He emphasizes the importance of core values, hiring practices, and having the right people in leadership roles. The conversation also touches on di…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Next Play, Sid El Saghir. Sid discusses his transition from big tech to startups and the mission of Next Play to enhance live sports viewing by addressing boredom during game breaks. Initially offering a physical card game, Next Play is now developing digital games. Sid emphasizes underst…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Face2Face, Nick Tomic. The discussion focuses on the communication challenges in the SaaS sector and how Nick's product enhances real-time interaction through video calls and screen sharing. Nick shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of human connection amidst automation. He disc…
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In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine sits down with Ken McKenzie, founder and CEO of Fresh Victor premium mixers, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from co-founding Republic Tequila to revolutionizing the cocktail mixer market. Ken shares insights on the evolution of the tequila industry, the role of personal relationships in business succ…
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Send us a text Running a business isn’t for the faint of heart—one wrong move, and suddenly, you’re stress-Googling “how to survive a cash flow crisis.” This week, Mike and Blaine tackle the biggest fears that keep small business owners up at night—from running out of money to that gut-dropping moment when a client “just disappears.” Is fear a busi…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Andrew Poles Executive Coaching, Andrew Poles. Andrew specializes in helping first-time founders transition from individual contributors to effective leaders. Andrew highlights the unique challenges these founders face, such as managing teams and meeting investor expectations. Andrew emph…
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Send us a text You should be working, but… suddenly, deep-diving into fantasy football stats feels mission-critical. Or maybe your office setup needs a feng shui overhaul before you can send that email. Mike and Blaine dig into the hilarious ways we avoid real work and why some distractions might actually make us better at our jobs. From procrastin…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the President of Spice Catalyst, David Fradin. David discusses the high failure rate of new products and the importance of a well-defined product market strategy. He critiques the "move fast and break things" mentality, advocating for a more deliberate approach. David introduces the SPICE framework and emphasiz…
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In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch and Mike Shum dive into the evolving world of private credit and debt financing, shedding light on the challenges businesses face in securing debt and managing financial data. They explore the critical role of transparency, the increasing complexity of debt structures, and how technology—specifically Cas…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Product Management Leader, Executive/Personal Coach, Facilitator, and Organizational Advisor, JC Landivar. JC shares his unconventional journey into product management, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs and strategic decision-making. He discusses the evolving landscape of product manage…
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Send us a text Think audits are just about taxes? Think again. Mike and Blaine dig into why every small business should audit its own systems, processes, expenses, and client records—before disaster strikes. From catching bloated costs to uncovering inefficiencies that are bleeding cash, they’ll show you how a proactive audit keeps your business ru…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Chief Accessibility Officer of AudioEye, Mike Paciello. Mike shares his journey from technical writing to founding web accessibility companies. The discussion highlights the evolution of web accessibility, emphasizing its importance in user experience (UX). Mike elaborates on the role of AI in enhancing acc…
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In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine interviews Borja Cuan, Co-Founder of Four15 Digital, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the foundational lessons that have shaped his career. From selling golf balls as a child to leading a successful digital marketing agency, Borja shares insights on mentorship, networking, and the operational strat…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder and Product Manager of Buska, Toni Dos Santos. Toni shares his extensive experience and insights, emphasizing the importance of business acumen in product management. He discusses his newsletter, "The Product Courier," which offers AI tutorials for product teams. Key highlights include the signif…
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In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine chats with Robert Grazioli, the Managing Partner of Bread, a Brooklyn-based Digital Agency. They dive into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, highlighting the unique challenges and growth opportunities founders face—especially those transitioning from service-based businesses to product development. They…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO of Engaging Webinars, Jeff Brandeis. Jeff discusses the challenges of virtual presentations, especially post-COVID-19, and the common issue of unengaging webinars. He emphasizes the importance of understanding audience needs and creating interactive, educational content rather than sales pitches. Jeff i…
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Send us a text Is forecasting in small business a game-changer or just another crystal ball gimmick? Mike and Blaine dive into the pros, cons, and occasional absurdities of trying to predict the future with spreadsheets. Can you really see what’s coming, or are you just guessing with extra steps? Tune in as Mike and Blaine debate whether forecastin…
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In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine sits down with Morgan Hines to explore the significant impact of travel expenses on small and medium-sized businesses. They dive into the hidden costs of corporate travel management, from human error in booking to missed savings due to lack of access to corporate travel tools. Morgan highlights how Navan is leve…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Business Coach for Tech Founders of Human Interfaces, Vladimir Baranov. Vladimir shares his extensive background, from programming trading systems to scaling startups and launching satellites. Vladimir focuses on the challenges faced by founders, particularly in transitioning from engineering to business mi…
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Send us a text Ever avoided something because it looked impossible, only to find out it was easier than tying your shoes? Mike and Blaine are tackling the myth of difficulty—those tasks, skills, and business moves that seem Herculean but are actually just smoke and mirrors. From taxes to tightrope walking (okay, maybe not that one), they’ll break d…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder of Sherlock, Mike Cofone. Mike shares his career journey from aspiring Olympian to data-driven sales expert. Mike covers challenges in email deliverability, transitioning to alternative communication methods, and leveraging AI in sales. Mike emphasizes the importance of direct outreach, gathering…
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In this episode of Turning Point, Eric Hui, founder of Terracea, shares his journey from corporate life to creating a cold-weather outdoor apparel brand. He discusses identifying market gaps, the challenges of product development, and the importance of funding through platforms like Kickstarter. Eric reflects on the resilience needed to overcome se…
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Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder of Basic Arts, Alex Smith. Alex discusses his transition from marketing to strategy, emphasizing the need to make strategic principles accessible to all founders. He highlights common misconceptions, such as the belief that a superior product guarantees success, and stresses the importance of findin…
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Send us a text Why tell when you can show? Mike and Blaine dive into the power of demonstration in business persuasion, revealing how a killer demo can turn skeptics into buyers. From sizzling steakhouse theatrics to showing off apps that actually work, they’ll break down why actions speak louder than words (and why that’s great for your bottom lin…
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