Clawing Back: TJ Pitre's Journey to Success
Release Date: 06/25/2025
Doubling Your Agency in 7 Days: Peter Lang’s Rapid Growth Playbook
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Peter Lang is a seasoned entrepreneur and M&A strategist who helps agencies and digital businesses grow through smart acquisitions and integration. He co-founded Uhuru Network in 2010, building it into a seven-figure digital sales and inbound marketing agency before exiting in December 2022. Peter is now Founder of Digital Agency Business, Owner of Digital Mastermind Group, and a board member at Lang Acquisitions, where he supports leaders and portfolio companies in driving growth through strategic M&A and collaboration. In this episode… Many agency owners struggle to break past...
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Ethical Innovation Through a Venture Studio Model With Clay Unicorn
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Clay Unicorn is the Founder and former CEO of Unicorn.Love, a venture studio that empowers entrepreneurs to build, scale, and exit high‑impact B2B companies. Under his leadership, Unicorn reached a $1.25 billion valuation and became known for its innovations in AI, technology, and venture development. Clay has been a consultant for some of the biggest names in tech: Google, Samsung, Facebook, and Comcast. He has played a pivotal role in launching and scaling ventures like Bowery, iPondr, and ReVision — turning bold ideas into multimillion‑dollar successes. In this episode… What do you...
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Winning Clients Like Winning Games: Travis Hoechlin on Sales, SEO, and Legal Marketing Growth
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Travis Hoechlin is the CEO of RizeUp Media, an agency specializing in helping law firms generate new clients, increase revenue, and grow their businesses through online marketing strategies. With over 15 years of experience in legal marketing, he has significantly contributed to the company’s rapid success, including making the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row. His expertise lies in managing various aspects of marketing, from website development to SEO and pay-per-click advertising. Travis previously worked in the mortgage business before channeling his competitive spirit and sales acumen...
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Rewriting the Rules of an Ancient Industry With Kyle Ewing
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Kyle Ewing is the Founder of TerraSlate Inc., a company specializing in waterproof and tear-proof paper solutions designed for high-durability environments, such as the military, medical, and restaurant industries. He has helped innovate the centuries-old paper industry by creating materials that resist water, chemicals, and tearing, positioning TerraSlate as a go-to brand for extreme-use cases. Kyle previously founded and sold Guerrilla Tags ID Systems, launched an all-electric rideshare startup to compete with Uber, and currently owns Big Island Honey Company, a premium Hawaiian honey brand....
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Mompreneur Life: Balancing Business and Motherhood With Chanie Gluck
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Chanie Gluck is the Founder and CEO of 4D Global, a medical billing and healthcare outsourcing company specializing in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM). 4D Global helps US-based medical billing companies scale by providing experienced offshore teams based in India, delivering cost-effective and efficient solutions. She has over two decades of experience in the industry, has led two successful companies, and has been recognized by the Titan 100, Forbes Next 1000, and Enterprising Women of the Year awards. Chanie is also the host of the Leaders in Medical Billing podcast and a respected voice in...
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Why the Next Big AI Boom Is in Blue-Collar Jobs With Mike Ghaffary
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Mike Ghaffary is a General Partner at Burst Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in marketplace, software, and AI companies. With an impressive background spanning roles at Canvas Ventures and Social Capital, as well as co-founding Stitcher, he has been instrumental in the growth of companies like Yelp and Eat24, demonstrating his expertise in scaling businesses. Mike has a background in computer science and holds both a JD and MBA from Harvard, and he’s invested in high-growth companies like Strava, Superhuman, Faire, and Optimizely. In this episode… The...
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Raising Resilient Kids: Eduardo Montano on Power Skills in the Age of AI
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Eduardo Montano is the Founder and CEO of Colegio Montano, a pioneering educational institution with two in-person campuses and a fully online school based in Guatemala City. A serial entrepreneur, he launched his first business at age 18 and has since founded more than a dozen companies across tech, education, and services — including Publinet, Prointel, MAC, S.A., and Escolaris. He is the bestselling author of Foro Familiar and EXTRAordinarios and a sought-after speaker who has addressed audiences of thousands throughout Latin America. Eduardo also serves on the global board of the...
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The Future of Software Development: AI and Senior Talent With Ashish Patel
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Ashish Patel is the CEO and Founder of Simpat Tech, a custom software consulting firm based in Austin, Texas. Simpat Tech specializes in custom software development, implementation, and consulting services, focusing on delivering straightforward and manageable software solutions for clients. Since its inception, Ashish has led Simpat Tech from a one-client operation to a fast-growing enterprise recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. He holds a BS in computer science from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in management information systems from the...
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Unlock Your Island Dreams: The Tax Savings Blueprint With Trevor McCandless
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Trevor McCandless is the Founder and Chief Entrepreneurial Officer at Fusion CPA, a boutique financial advisory firm specializing in tax planning, accounting, and business advisory services for growth-minded entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Fusion CPA has grown into a dozen-CPA powerhouse, delivering tailored financial strategies through its proven three-step framework — Stabilization, Strategy, and Scaling. Trevor holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida and a master’s in taxation from Georgia State University. He is a strong advocate for leveraging...
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GE’s Growth Playbook for Mid-Sized Companies With Kevin Poole
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
Kevin Poole is the CEO of Newport LLC, a national business advisory firm specializing in helping middle-market companies accelerate growth, improve profitability, and prepare for successful exits. Before joining Newport, he spent nearly two decades at General Electric during the Jack Welch era, holding senior roles, and later led a $100 million consulting practice at Capgemini. Kevin holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Miami and an MBA in finance and marketing from Columbia Business School. He now leverages his deep operational and consulting experience to...
info_outlineTJ Pitre is the Founder and CEO of Southleft, LLC, a front-end application design and development agency based in New Orleans. With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, he has grown Southleft into a multimillion-dollar agency, partnering with global brands such as IBM, Google, Caterpillar, and PetSmart, as well as community-driven organizations—all without relying on traditional sales or marketing methods. Before founding Southleft, TJ held prominent roles, including Director of Internet Front-End Development for Martha Stewart Living and web developer for Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant group.
In this episode…
Growing up in poverty can shape a person’s outlook in profound ways. For some, it creates limiting beliefs; for others, it becomes fuel for ambition. But how does one break free from generational cycles of hardship to build a thriving business in the competitive world of technology?
TJ Pitre found his escape in art, which led him down a winding path of freelance graphic design, web development, and ultimately entrepreneurship. Along the way, he worked with some of the biggest names in media, including Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart, honing his skills in front-end development. With encouragement from mentors and family, TJ launched Southleft, building an agency that bridges the gap between design and development while serving high-profile clients.
Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews TJ Pitre, Founder and CEO of Southleft, LLC, about his inspiring rise from poverty to business ownership. TJ discusses his early creative pursuits, his career working for Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse, and the leap of faith that launched Southleft. He also touches on growing up without financial stability, the pivotal role of mentors, and how he built long-term client relationships.