In this episode of Career Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig sits down with Matt Diamante, the founder of Hey Tony, a thriving digital marketing agency specializing in SEO. Matt shares his unconventional journey from advertising intern to successful entrepreneur managing a global team of 13-14 professionals. Along the way, he reveals how his passion for SEO, resilience, and willingness to take risks transformed his career and the lives of his clients.

Matt’s story is one of perseverance and adaptability. After starting in traditional advertising, he pivoted to freelancing and eventually launched Hey Tony, where he helps businesses achieve visibility and growth through strategic SEO. From working on film sets to running viral campaigns that attracted millions of visitors, Matt’s career path is a testament to the power of grit and creativity.

This episode dives deep into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, including navigating the transition from solopreneur to agency owner. Matt also discusses his innovative approach to work-life balance, such as implementing a four-day workweek for his team, and the importance of data-driven decision-making in digital marketing.

Whether you're considering a career in tech or looking for inspiration to take your next big leap, Matt’s insights will motivate you to rethink what’s possible.

Key Discussion Points:
- Building an SEO agency from scratch
- Transitioning from solopreneurship to managing a team
- The role of resilience in career transformation
- Implementing a four-day workweek for better work-life balance
- Leveraging data and creativity in digital marketing
- Overcoming early career setbacks and finding your niche
- The impact of SEO on small business growth
- Navigating client relationships and revenue diversification
- The importance of experimentation in marketing strategies
- Advice for aspiring digital marketers entering the field
- Balancing creativity with data-driven decisions
- Lessons learned from viral campaigns and high-profile projects

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In this episode of Career Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig sits down with Michelle Jamison, the inspiring CEO of Seismic Wave Support. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Michelle shares her remarkable journey from starting as a nervous call center agent to leading a globally dispersed team as the CEO of a thriving customer experience and remote team management company.

Michelle delves into her career path, highlighting pivotal moments, lessons learned, and the mentors who shaped her leadership style. She discusses the innovative solutions Seismic Wave Support provides, including customer service, social media management, virtual assistants, and outbound sales. Michelle also offers insights into managing a distributed team across multiple time zones and fostering a collaborative culture that bridges global diversity.

Listeners will gain valuable advice on career transitions, building resilience, and finding work-life balance. Whether you're navigating your first job in tech or aspiring to lead a global organization, Michelle’s story is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Key Discussion Points:
- Building a career from call center agent to CEO: Michelle's transformative journey
- The importance of servant leadership and empowering teams
- Strategies for managing globally dispersed teams across time zones
- How Seismic Wave Support helps businesses scale sustainably
- Key roles within Seismic Wave Support: virtual assistants, lead conversion specialists, and digital marketers
- Adapting to evolving social media trends and platforms
- Lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic: resilience and adaptability
- Balancing work-life priorities with time-blocking and self-care practices
- The role of mentorship in career growth and leadership development
- Advice for career changers considering the tech industry
- Future plans for Seismic Wave Support under Michelle’s leadership

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Subscribe to Career Spotlight on your favorite podcast platform to stay inspired by weekly episodes featuring industry experts and career changers. Don’t miss out on actionable advice that can transform your professional journey.

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In this episode of Career Spotlight, we sit down with Deon Crasto, Principal Product Manager at Velocity Global, who shares his fascinating journey from software engineer to product management leader. With nearly a decade of experience spanning machine learning, healthcare tech, and global payments, Deon offers unique insights into navigating career transitions in the tech industry. His deep expertise in data science and AI has positioned him as a thought leader in the fintech space.

During our conversation, Deon reveals how his analytical background in data science shaped his approach to payment solutions and fraud detection. His career path includes impactful roles at OnDeck Capital, Livongo (acquired by Teladoc), and Checkr, where he developed innovative solutions for highly regulated industries. His work at OnDeck Capital revolutionized small business lending through machine learning algorithms, while at Livongo, he helped transform healthcare technology during a major acquisition. Now based in London, Deon brings a global perspective to product management and cross-border payment systems.

Deon shares candid insights about scaling products internationally and the challenges of building payment solutions that work across different regulatory frameworks. His experience leading teams through major organizational changes, including acquisitions and market expansions, provides valuable lessons for technology professionals looking to advance their careers in product management or fintech.

Key Discussion Points:
- Transitioning from software engineering to product management
- Building self-learning fraud detection models
- Managing product development in highly regulated industries
- Adapting to company acquisitions and organizational changes
- Balancing innovation with ethical AI implementation
- Navigating global payment systems and compliance
- Leading cross-functional teams and stakeholder management
- Career opportunities in financial technology
- Impact of AI on payment solutions
- Working across international markets
- Product management career progression paths
- Emerging trends in fintech and AI

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