Close Up Radio
Close Up Radio with veteran award-winning broadcast TV and radio hosts/media personalities Jim Masters and Doug Llewelyn is an exciting, informative, entertaini
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Close Up Radio Spotlights Marketing and AI Expert Jeff Pedowitz of The Pedowitz Group
Alpharetta, GA - When entrepreneurs share their stories, few can say they’ve gone from building a regional franchise empire straight out of college to steering the evolution of enterprise marketing technology, and then authoring multiple books about what they’ve learned. This is the story of Jeff Pedowitz, founder and CEO of The Pedowitz Group.Jeff Pedowitz’s career took off in a way that no career counselor could have foreseen. After earning his marketing degree, Pedowitz dove headfirst into franchising as the owner-operator of 35 Subway sandwich shops. His business flourished, but as his friends moved into the software world, jokes about “making sandwiches” became less funny and more motivating.“I ended up selling out my shares, went back to school for programming, and joined Computer Associates,” Pedowitz recalls. “From there, I ran a professional services group, then moved into marketing and consulting roles at software companies, which set me up for what came next.”Inventing Revenue MarketingThe pivotal moment came in the early 2000s when Pedowitz encountered Eloqua, one of the first companies to crack the marketing automation puzzle. As Eloqua’s director of professional services, he helped shape many of the best practices that would eventually become the industry standard. Training Eloqua’s early partners, Jeff noticed his ideas were fueling their growth. “That’s when I thought, why can’t I build a business on what I’m creating?” he shares.That realization led to the birth of The Pedowitz Group, with Jeff’s wife stepping in as his business partner. Nearly 19 years later, The Pedowitz Group remains very much a family affair.Pedowitz saw early on that companies often fell into the trap of buying the latest marketing technology without a real plan. “A lot of businesses lead with tools, not strategy,” he explains. “The result? A big spend, low adoption, and disappointing ROI.” He compares buying the hottest software to chasing after the latest gadget or a flashy new car. “It looks great in a demo, but unless you’ve thought through how it fits into your business, you’ll be left wondering why it didn’t solve your problem.”For Pedowitz, the key is always strategy first, ensuring that marketing, sales, and technology are pulling in the same direction to deliver measurable revenue results.Moving Marketing from Cost Center to Revenue DriverPedowitz doesn’t mince words on the century-old reputation of marketing departments as “arts and crafts” teams. “For the longest time, marketing was about branding, storytelling, and having fun. Rarely were marketing departments held accountable for revenue,” he notes.That all changed with the rise of new technology and data-driven expectations. Under Jeff’s leadership, The Pedowitz Group pioneered the concept of “revenue marketing,” which puts marketers on the hook for generating repeatable, scalable revenue in partnership with sales.“In ‘Rise of the Revenue Marketer,’ our business partner, Dr. Debbie Qaqish, literally wrote the book on revenue marketing,” explains Pedowitz. “Organizations that understand revenue marketing have seen their CMOs become true leaders at the executive table.”Adapting to AI and Social MediaLooking at today’s marketing landscape, Pedowitz recognizes the seismic shifts that social media and AI have brought. “Social media made marketing personal and transparent, while AI is now changing the game all over again,” he says.While some fear that AI will replace jobs and lower the bar for quality, Jeff argues that it’s more about what you do with the technology than the tool itself. “AI can make average writers good and good writers better, but using it requires active engagement and critical thinking,” he explains.He is clear-eyed about the debates around AI’s impact, energy consumption, and ethical questions, acknowledging both the opportunities and the risks. “I see AI as a productivity tool that, if approached thoughtfully, lets you do more better and faster,” emphasizes Pedowitz.Published Thought Leader and Ongoing InnovatorJeff Pedowitz is never content to rest on his laurels. He has authored four books including “F the Funnel,” which challenges outdated models of customer engagement, and “AI Revenue Architect,” introducing new frameworks for connecting data and systems with the power of AI. His upcoming works include “AI Agents Made Simple,” a practical guide for businesses looking to leverage AI without fear. His first work of fiction, “The Attic and the Algorithm,” is an adventure that races through history to reveal how religions have used the tools of marketing to shape belief—sometimes to uplift and unite, sometimes to manipulate and control.About The Pedowitz GroupThe Pedowitz Group is a leading consulting firm specializing in marketing technology, revenue operations, and AI-driven growth strategies for B2B enterprises with $100 million-plus in revenue, complex sales cycles, and distributed teams. Founded by Jeff Pedowitz, the company partners with organizations to turn marketing into a primary driver of revenue and success, guiding them to build scalable, repeatable revenue engines.For more information about Jeff Pedowitz and The Pedowitz Group, please visit https://www.pedowitzgroup.com/, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C66VN3CS/, and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09442WW5V/
Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Spiritual Connector and Sacred Guide Mahana Mazur of Mahana Sacred Way
Dearborn, MI -- Mahana Mazur was born with the first name Mary but as she became increasingly aware of her extraordinary gifts, she realized she was more than merely a single entity, and so her new name evolved. Mahana, she believes, has a sacred and spiritual undertone and best reflects her work as spiritual guide and transformational coach. She calls what she does showing people the sacred way and often connects with numerous higher dimension beings, and downloads from such source, while providing direction. She helps us all to live life from the heart, guided by intuition rather than fear.Mahana enables people to adopt self-enhancing New Ways of Being that will propel life forward-- in a positive, purposeful direction. She helps them discover their personal power and inner wisdom by connecting to what is within you. This helps us when we experience the inevitable bends and turns of life, dealing with the unexpected and perhaps traumatic in a more harmonious, balanced and connected way.“I invite people to go into the body, and the heart, and find the answers. We all have four powerful and sacred centers. Our heart is one of them, and it helps us learn what we want or don’t want out of life, how to be open to possibilities and willing to do things. The heart gets us back to the higher self so we can dream again.”Mahana says her work is gentle and effective, and it helps people stand in their power. We are all able, with the right guidance, to live abundantly, self-heal, and overcome fears and bad memories that were tucked away in the subconscious. The key is to reconnect with the heart, discard limiting beliefs, and find your concept of divinity.Perhaps one reason people quickly trust Mahana and let her figure out what is going on is that she has a natural capacity for empathy and healing. For over 30 years she was an RN in the OR and Birthing specialty. She still maintains her license, but changed her life course at 45, to support a husband with fears of cancer and death that prompted her to explore alternative health tools like Psych K, spiritual messengers, and subconscious wounds.Mahana kept growing, exploring, and searching deeper and forging new connections to get where she is today. Mahana has a transformational coaching practice that help people move through the gateways within and activate their sacred centers. In November she launched a new online self-paced course that involves conducting messages, (usually from archangel Michael or Gabriel) in the coaching and guidance. She says other one-to-one opportunities exist, with the goal of helping yourself so you can eventually help others find clarity and love. Sometimes, she believes, working directly on the spirit, instead of the mind, is the best course of action.Mahana helps clients in many ways. People can shift consciousness inside, direct their emotions to the best places, tap into sacred energy, and align with the authentic and inner self. It is also about stepping outside of our comfort zone. This elevated existence is a highly effective and beneficial way to live. Imagine getting along better with others, staying true to who you are, making positive changes when necessary, and living with greater courage and purpose!Mahana invites the curious to take the leap, starting by listening to her new podcast.For more information on Mahana and the Sacred Way, please visit her website www.mahanasacredway.com
Part 1: Close Up Radio Spotlights Jeremy Haster of HGP Investments
Bradenton, FL - Jeremy Haster is on a mission to help organizations leverage the power of strategic intelligence to strengthen decision-making, enhance resilience, and unlock new market opportunities. As a recognized strategic thinker and thought leader, Mr. Haster attributes his success to an unwavering work ethic — a principle that has guided him through a remarkably diverse career spanning investment research and analysis, risk intelligence, copywriting and specialty contracting.Since 2024, he has served as principal of HGP Investments (the advisory practice of Highpoint Growth Partners LLC) in Sarasota, Florida, delivering specialized project contracting and consulting solutions that enhance the value of your organizational assets and market dominance while safeguarding them from internal vulnerabilities and external risks. He leads strategic research and advisory initiatives, drawing on proprietary data analysis and market intelligence techniques to evaluate financial trends and identify promising new innovations, opportunities, investments and blind spots. His approach is rooted in uncovering high-quality, low-risk opportunities that create long-term value for clients and partners. By combining rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods with strategic insight, he has built a reputation for delivering reliable, intelligent and highly accurate strategic assessments, action plans, contingency plans and emergency response plans that are easy to read and understand, easy to use and implement and are immediately actionable.Jeremy emphasizes how Strategic Intelligence has become essential to modern corporate decision-making. Organizations can use intelligence-driven insights to navigate uncertainty, make smarter choices, and stay ahead of emerging risks. Jeremy exemplifies how Strategic Risk Management—when implemented correctly—acts as a performance multiplier, protecting organizational value while driving stronger results for stakeholders. Together, these disciplines form a powerful blueprint for building companies that are both adaptive and resilient.Long before entering the world of finance, Mr. Haster demonstrated a talent for navigating high-stakes environments. In 2017, he founded Specialty Contracting Group, LLC, in the Denver metropolitan area. His work in threat identification, disaster planning, and risk mitigation has provided essential support to clients facing complex recovery scenarios after unexpected disasters. Under his leadership, the firm handled and led specialized contracting projects, including government-supported research projects involving covert information operations, open-source intelligence, and advanced AI systems development in the area of algorithms and influence campaigns.He also serves as a non-executive director for R3D Roofing, LLC and K2 Disaster Response in Golden, Colorado. Since 2017, he has contributed to strategic planning for these organizations, which specialize in disaster restoration, including flood, fire, and mold remediation as well as contents recovery and rebuild services.Earlier, from 2010 to 2017, Mr. Haster was president of CW Inc. in Boulder, Colorado, where he oversaw design-build and management of retail environments for multi-unit seasonal retail concepts in Colorado and Wisconsin and advanced the company’s direct-response advertising capabilities. His creative leadership helped position the firm as an innovator in high-impact “pop-up” retail environments.Earlier still, from 2007 to 2012, he worked as a real estate investment specialist with Westernbay Real Estate Investments, LLC in the Denver area, identifying profitable opportunities and executing successful transactions. Prior to that, from 2003 to 2007, he served as a business finance broker at Capstone Financial Associates, LLC, helping businesses secure essential funding and originating residential mortgage loans.His entrepreneurial mindset emerged early. During his college years, Mr. Haster launched Storm Fireworks Inc., a seasonal retail chain, and operated a summer painting franchise. These ventures gave him firsthand experience building and running companies — a foundation that continues to shape his business instincts today. He has been blessed with a lifetime of experiences.With his down-to-earth practical approach, Jeremy is a pro at what he does. Throughout his distinguished career, he has been active in several professional organizations, including the Risk Management Society, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, and the Veblen Directors Program. These affiliations reflect his commitment to industry best practices and executive leadership.Mr. Haster holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He also briefly attended Concord Law School before choosing to pursue a different professional path. His academic background supports his abilities in proprietary research, predictive intelligence, and business development.His career, however, is not limited to professional achievements. Mr. Haster remains civically engaged as a supporter of the Christian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. He values family life with his spouse, Kristyn, and their three children — one daughter and two sons. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, food, reading, writing, and political science, interests that fuel both his creativity and analytical strengths.Looking forward, Mr. Haster plans to continue his behind-the-scenes work in information operations and AI system innovation while expanding his public presence through publishing and speaking engagements. He also intends to pursue opportunities to serve on corporate boards, further broadening the impact of his leadership and expertise.For more information, please visit: www.hgpinvestments.com
Part 1: Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Susan Schall of SOS Consulting
Front Royal, VA - Susan O. Schall is a woman with an extraordinary set of skills and engineering education that she parlayed into an engineering career followed by a consulting practice. While her PhD is in industrial engineering, and manufacturing operations are a major segment of those she supports, her work impacts many different operations, processes and levels of leadership. She has delivered $250 million in results driven by process improvements and organizational health methods. In addition to providing operational management for SOS Consulting (clearly derived from her name) Susan volunteers for ABET, a nonprofit global accreditor of STEM education, aligned with her expertise in engineering and quality.SOS Consulting was formed in 2004 in response to a friend who sought her out for assistance delivering Six Sigma training to a global food and beverage manufacturer. Recognizing her experiences and approaches have broad application, Dr. Schall diversified her offerings and provides training, coaching and thought leadership for a variety of clients and business segments.“SOS Consulting creates a means for everyone to contribute and create an organization that is more effective and positioned competitively. Most of the clients are smaller manufacturers, teams who have been ignored by the local, state and federal economic development groups. Everything is changing all at once for them. We enable these organizations to deal with productivity, quality, technology, and organization health in this sea of change.”While the bottom line is always ROI and turning a profit, people make it all happen. The best places to work recognize this, and create a workplace where everyone can flourish, impacts the bottom-line. Those who do, see a higher return than those who do not (upwards of 13%). She enjoys making that kind of impact.Dr Schall has over 30 years of experience that she leverages in all of her engagements. Client industries have included higher education, and non-profits as well.Dr. Schall met with our hosts before and will review some principles she discussed in the past. She will also bring listeners up to speed on things that have occurred lately, for herself and in industry. She will talk about manufacturing challenges, including finding people to fill skill gaps and disappearing trades, such as welders and truck drivers. She will also talk about a forthcoming book, based on the 220+ blog posts she has created over the last 9 years. And she will discuss what it’ means to turn data into good decisions.“We live in an age where we have access to more data than any time in human history, yet most people are uncomfortable using statistics. I teach people to think statistically, to look at the data as a story, and make good decisions using it.”Susan will devote one episode of her extended 4-part series to what she calls The Six Essentials to Healthy Manufacturing One of them is this concept of statistical thinking. Another is cohesive leadership; the specific skills and vision it takes to inspire team cooperation and motivate people towards change. Strategic clarity is another key element. Many of these principles can be viewed in her SOS logo design.In addition to operational and leadership improvements, Susan believes it is important to strengthen relationships with suppliers, customers, and stakeholders around a company.Dr. Schall’s website further enforces the message: if we don’t execute on organization health and process improvements, we cannot stay competitive in a sea of change. There are new challenges arising daily: digitization, tariffs, and geopolitical conflicts that impact manufacturers and their ability to thrive.Learn more about her mission, philosophy and consulting practice in these two December shows.For more information about Dr. Schall, visit: www.execute2compete.com
Close Up Radio Spotlights Forensic Accountant Bruce Smith of Smith Forensics
Fort Lauderdale, FL - When disaster strikes, businesses turn to more than just spreadsheets and ledgers. They need someone who can read between the lines, ask the right questions, and help piece together a financial future out of chaos. For more than four decades, Bruce Smith, CPA/CFF, CFE, CPIA, founder of Smith Forensics, has been that someone with a steady hand that turns forensic accounting into both an art and a science.Bruce Smith’s journey through the world of numbers began at the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1976 with a degree in investment and finance. After thirteen years as a controller for a major retail corporation in Milwaukee, Smith traded snow for sunshine, relocating to Florida in 1989 for a position with renowned accounting firm Arthur Young. There, Smith discovered his passion for forensic accounting, a field that would soon become his life’s work.In 1992, Smith launched his own practice with a focus on evaluating business interruption and property insurance claims. “Even as a child, I have always been interested in numbers and money,” shares Smith. “But forensic accounting is so much more than crunching numbers. It’s about understanding people, businesses, and the stories behind the numbers. Every engagement is different because every client’s story is unique.”Turning Complex Claims Into ClarityForensic accounting, as Smith describes, is a distinctly different specialty from traditional accounting. Rather than focusing on taxes or financial statement preparation, his role involves combing through financial records to determine the value of losses after disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms. “I don’t prepare taxes or standard financial statements,” he explains. “I use them for analytical purposes to calculate the real-world effects of a loss. My job is to help clients and insurance companies understand what was lost in order to settle claims fairly.”A standout case in Smith’s career involved a Florida roofing nail manufacturer affected by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. The insurance company’s forensic accountants had calculated the business interruption loss strictly using historical data. “But just before the storm, the client had purchased cutting-edge nail-making machines from Korea. They’d only used them for a few weeks, so their previous output did not reflect their true capabilities,” Smith recalls. After enlisting engineers from South Korea and conducting interviews with the manufacturer’s customers, Smith was able to demonstrate that potential production was far greater than the insurer’s initial calculations. The result: a settlement of $1.5 million versus the original $200,000 that had been offered.A Process Built on Curiosity and CommunicationSmith’s approach blends analytical rigor with investigative curiosity. Each engagement begins with interviews, not only to collect records but to understand how the business operates, what has changed recently, and what makes it unique. “Sometimes I dig into third-party sources, industry statistics, or even competitors’ data, especially when working with hotels or other service businesses. There’s always more to the story than meets the eye,” Smith emphasizes.Staying up to date in this rapidly evolving industry is a serious commitment. Smith regularly attends professional seminars, completes continuing education courses, and networks at multiple industry conventions each year. While artificial intelligence has created new efficiencies for routine tasks, Smith believes the human element remains irreplaceable. “AI helps with some of the repetitive work, but so much of what I do depends on talking to people, understanding their business, and negotiating with all parties involved. There’s no substitute for that.”Setting Expectations and Solving ProblemsSmith is known for his straightforward approach with clients, especially when discussing costs and timelines. The complexity of claims can vary greatly depending on the industry, quality of records, and responsiveness of business owners. “Manufacturing claims, for example, are usually more involved than those for retail businesses. It’s all about how well you can tell the story of the loss with the records available,” Smith explains.One specialized concept Smith often educates clients about is the “period of restoration” —the window of time between the disaster event and when the business can reasonably resume operations. “Defining this period is usually the most contentious part of any claim. There are always debates about whether repairs happened quickly enough or if improvements made during restoration extended the timeline. Once that’s settled, we can accurately assess the loss.”A Family Business With an Eye on the FutureLooking ahead, Smith is preparing the next generation. His son, a CPA, Certified Forensic Examiner and attorney, joined Smith Forensics a few years ago, providing fresh perspectives and an expanded skill set. “He brings a legal background that’s very helpful when reviewing contracts or collaborating with attorneys on complex matters,” Smith says with pride.Smith’s advice to aspiring forensic accountants is simple: master the basics of financial statements, sharpen your people skills, and never stop networking. “It’s a business built on relationships and curiosity. Every case is a puzzle, and you need both technical know-how and genuine interest in people to solve it.”About Smith Forensics:Smith Forensics specializes in forensic accounting services for insurance-related business interruption and property damage claims. Founder Bruce Smith brings more than 40 years of experience, industry certifications, and a client-centric approach to every engagement.For more information about Bruce Smith CPA/CFF, CFE, CPIA, founder of Smith Forensics, please visit https://smithforensics.com/
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