Ryder Meehan is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Upgrow, a performance-driven digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, paid media, and conversion optimization for B2B tech companies. With over 20 years of experience, he led digital marketing teams at Samsung, Microsoft, Razorfish, Fossil, and Tatcha. Ryder has managed more than $1 billion in Google Ads spend and has been featured in Forbes and Business News Daily. He has also contributed to university-level digital marketing curricula and frequently speaks at industry events.

What does it take to scale a digital marketing agency in an era where attention is scarce and competition is fierce? In a landscape flooded with AI-generated content and ever-rising client expectations, standing out requires more than just performance metrics or clever ads. How do the most effective agencies build not only campaigns but enduring client relationships?

According to Ryder Meehan, a seasoned digital marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience, the key is combining performance-driven execution with a deep understanding of the audience. He highlights how agencies must evolve beyond simply running Google Ads or optimizing SEO. They need to immerse themselves in client pain points, audience behavior, and competitive messaging. By building robust brand research documents and conducting SERP-level competitor analysis, agencies can craft campaigns that speak directly to what matters. Ryder also emphasizes how thoughtful use of AI can elevate, rather than dilute, marketing effectiveness when it's guided by strong inputs and human editing.

In this episode, host John Corcoran sits down with Ryder Meehan, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Upgrow, to talk about building a scalable marketing agency in a noisy digital world. They discuss how to turn early consulting gigs into a full-fledged agency, why message clarity is the new performance lever, and how to weather market volatility through smart positioning. Ryder also offers advice on using AI tools responsibly without losing creative edge.

Zhubei is the Co-founder of Venture Education, a Beijing-based consultancy that provides market intelligence on K–12 education in China to organizations worldwide. Before co-founding Venture Education, she taught English to thousands of university volunteers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Committee and coordinated between CCTV and its overseas partners.

Adam Horowitz is the Principal of Lever Capital Partners, a Las Vegas-based firm specializing in complex commercial real estate financing across the United States. He founded the company in 2009, leveraging his extensive experience to arrange debt, mezzanine, and equity financing for prominent real estate developers and owners.

Paul Carroll is the Founder and CEO of Avion Wealth, a Houston-based wealth management firm that assists clients in making smart financial decisions aligned with their goals and values. With a background in the US Air Force and degrees from the University of Maryland and Texas A&M University, he has built a firm managing approximately $850 million in assets.

Jeff Luther is the Founder and CEO of Home-Probe, Inc., a home inspection company serving the greater Atlanta and Charleston areas. Since establishing the company in 2002, he has grown it into one of the most referred home inspection firms in the Southeast, emphasizing high standards and client satisfaction.

Reinventing a business in the face of crisis demands clarity, community, and the courage to pivot. From collapsing industries and personal challenges to leadership breakthroughs, how do today’s top entrepreneurs find their footing and come back stronger?

Zhubei reflects on navigating China’s sudden education crackdown while caring for a sick child — and how mentorship, empathy, and her EO community helped her rise again. Adam Horowitz shares lessons from launching a commercial real estate firm during a financial crash and the importance of building a strong network to weather any storm. Paul Carroll recounts his unexpected transition from airline pilot to financial advisor after 9/11 reshaped his future, and Jeff Luther explains how EO helped him rebuild and scale after devastating downturns in the real estate market.

In this episode of the Rising Entrepreneurs Podcast, recorded live at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Leadership Conference in Honolulu, you’ll hear how Zhubei, Adam Horowitz, Paul Carroll, and Jeff Luther turned adversity into opportunity. Learn how EO’s support system fueled their resilience, helped them redefine success, and gave them tools to lead with purpose.

Ashley Du is the Founder of Meaningful Beginnings, a premium childcare provider in San Francisco offering licensed early education for children aged 0-5. She started the business in 2013 from her home after identifying a gap in high-quality, affordable childcare options. Under her leadership, the company has expanded into multiple centers and is known for its nurturing environment and Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum. Ashley also mentors aspiring daycare owners and leverages her real estate expertise to support their growth.

Some entrepreneurs are driven by vision; others are fueled by hardship. But what happens when both collide and a business becomes more than just a business?

According to Ashley Du, a seasoned entrepreneur who transformed her side hustle into a fast-growing childcare brand, success stems from believing in yourself when no one else does. She highlights how overcoming self-doubt and a scarcity mindset was just as crucial as mastering systems and operations. That inner shift laid the groundwork for scaling effectively and sustainably. Ashley also learned, through painful setbacks like embezzlement and culture breakdowns, that smart delegation and strong leadership are non-negotiable for long-term growth. Her resilience and adaptability ultimately turned adversity into structure, vision, and impact.

In this episode, John Corcoran speaks with Ashley Du, Founder of Meaningful Beginnings, to talk about building a scalable childcare business through grit and vision. They discuss how personal hardship shaped her leadership, why systems are essential for growth, and how she navigated a crisis that nearly derailed her company. Ashley also shares what sobriety taught her about clarity and control.

Chad Nikkel is a Business Guide at Next Level Growth, a firm that helps entrepreneurs and leadership teams scale their companies while maintaining a work-life balance. With over 25 years of experience, he has founded and scaled 11 businesses, including facilitating seven acquisitions and four high-value exits.

Ashley Richards is the Founder and CEO of E Squared Marketing, a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping service-based businesses grow through smart strategy, standout content, and meaningful connections. Ashley is passionate about creating flexible work environments, particularly in supporting working mothers in balancing their careers and families.

Vincent Moiso is the Founder and President of VIS Business Group LLC, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, sales, and operations for small businesses in the flooring industry. Vincent is actively involved in industry organizations and has contributed to various technical committees and educational programs.

Don Williams is the CEO of Don Williams Global, a consulting firm that assists businesses in enhancing sales, marketing, and customer experience strategies. Don also hosts The Proven Entrepreneur Show, which shares insights on business growth and leadership.

Building a business is not just about strategy or hustle. For many entrepreneurs, real growth comes from community, vulnerability, and stepping up to lead. What does this look like in practice

Chad Nikkel built and exited 11 companies, learning a painful lesson about bankruptcy after losing millions in a deal gone wrong. Ashley Richards turned a blurry season of diapers and deadlines into a thriving agency that champions working moms. Vincent Moiso walked away from a stalled partnership, started fresh, and ran companies spanning consulting, litigation, and manufacturing. EO carried Don Williams through a brutal divorce, and saying yes to service helped him lead one of the most impactful events in the organization’s history.

In this episode of the Rising Entrepreneurs Podcast, recorded live at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Leadership Conference in Honolulu, you’ll hear how these leaders turned setbacks into purpose, why serving others can be the most powerful growth strategy, and how EO continues to shape their journeys.

Genevieve Barter is the President of Palmeira Home + Health, a leading home healthcare provider delivering personalized skilled nursing and therapy services to patients in the comfort of their homes across multiple states. After more than eight years working in home health, she acquired the company she loved to close the gap between small caregivers and large, impersonal providers. Under her leadership, Palmeira has expanded into multiple states while maintaining a human‑touch, goal‑oriented approach to care.

Building a meaningful business in healthcare isn’t just about strategy or margins — it’s about mission, service, and resilience. What drives someone to stay committed in an industry that demands so much and changes so fast? And how do you scale a business that keeps compassion at its core?

According to Genevieve Barter, a second-generation entrepreneur and home health leader, staying grounded in purpose is what keeps the business and its people moving forward. She highlights that the best companies are built not only with operational systems but also with a deep understanding of the human element behind care. That foundation helped her navigate everything from industry burnout to supply shortages during the pandemic while continuing to expand across states. For her, empathy isn’t a soft value; it’s a competitive advantage that attracts top talent, earns patient trust, and fuels sustainable growth.

In this episode, John Corcoran sits down with Genevieve Barter, President of Palmeira Home + Health, to talk about how she built a multi-state healthcare company rooted in compassion. She shares how family legacy and unexpected turns led her to leadership, why resilience matters more than perfection, and what it takes to thrive in a people-centered business. Genevieve also talks about leading through crisis and the post-pandemic challenges facing the industry.

Michael Hsu is the Founder and CEO of MEASURE × HACK, a financial literacy and business performance company that helps entrepreneurs understand and manage their money through systems and metrics. He is also the Founder and CEO of DeepSky, a leading CFO consulting and outsourced accounting firm.

Lisa Riley is the Owner and President of multiple Tulsa-area Pinot’s Palette studios, part of a US paint‑and‑sip franchise offering guided canvas painting with wine and cocktails. Under her leadership, she expanded to three locations and built a reputation for creativity. Lisa also works as a professional food stylist.

Lorraine Corcoran is the Co‑founder and CEO of Nyrah Beauty, a science‑driven, plant‑infused skincare company. A mechanical engineer with over 25 years of experience in product development, she led the formulation, manufacturing, and innovation of products in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries.

Marina Byezhanova is the CEO of Brand of a Leader, a global personal‑branding agency that helps entrepreneurs and executives build thought leadership voices. Born in Soviet-era Ukraine, she is a global speaker, university instructor, and has been featured in top-tier media like Inc., Forbes, Fast Company, and WSJ.

Building a business is never a straight line. From personal health challenges to financial missteps, global disruptions, and emerging technologies, entrepreneurs are constantly faced with moments that demand reinvention. The ones who thrive are those who lean into community, stay adaptable, and turn setbacks into catalysts for growth.

For Michael Hsu, losing track of his company’s finances forced a wake-up call and a return to disciplined money management. Lisa Riley’s cancer diagnosis and appearance on a business reality show helped her reimagine her franchise and earn national recognition. Lorraine Corcoran shifted a manufacturing business during COVID and launched a skincare brand focused on hormonal health. Leveraging AI allowed Marina Byezhanova to restructure her agency and gave her a renewed focus on high-impact talent and innovation.

In this episode of the Rising Entrepreneurs Podcast, recorded live at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Leadership Conference in Honolulu, you’ll hear how four founders embraced crisis, leaned on community, and came out stronger through clarity, creativity, and change.

Ashish Patel is the Founder and CEO of Simpat Tech, a custom software development consultancy. With a background in engineering and product management, he has scaled the company to become a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner in Application Development. Ashish is also the Owner and Manager of Austin .NET User Group.

Starting a business often entails facing uncertainty about when to take risks, how to scale, and how to differentiate in a competitive market. Many founders struggle to balance growth while maintaining culture and controlling costs, especially when talent demands skyrocket. How can entrepreneurs scale while managing financial, operational, and cultural challenges?

Software developer and entrepreneur Ashish Patel scaled his company by starting small, securing early mentorship, and leveraging nearshore talent to manage costs without sacrificing quality. Ashish partnered with a trusted colleague to build a development team in Mexico, where he facilitated cultural alignment to enhance collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of investing in company culture through regular in-person visits and open communication.

In this episode, John Corcoran hosts Ashish Patel, Founder and CEO of Simpat Tech, to discuss scaling a software development company. Ashish shares his immigrant and entrepreneurial upbringing, how he leverages AI for coding efficiency, and the role of mentorship in his entrepreneurial journey.

Brooke Kimbrough is the Agency Owner of Roots Surrogacy, a boutique agency that facilitates ethical, relationship-driven surrogacy journeys for intended parents and gestational carriers. A former surrogate, Brooke co-founded the agency in 2015 to create a personalized and compassionate experience grounded in transparency and mutual respect. With over a decade of experience in the field, she leads an all-female team dedicated to supporting diverse families, including LGBTQ+ and single parents, throughout their path to parenthood. Brooke is also the founder of Families Without Borders, an agency offering affordable surrogacy options in Mexico to make family-building more accessible.

Surrogacy offers a life-changing path to parenthood, but it also comes with emotional, legal, and medical complexities that many don’t fully understand. What makes a surrogacy journey successful, and how can intended parents and surrogates navigate these challenges together?

According to Brooke Kimbrough, a leading expert with firsthand experience as a surrogate and agency founder, success begins by building deep trust and clear expectations between all parties. She highlights the importance of emotional support, careful surrogate screening, and understanding the medical realities that impact pregnancy success rates. While surrogacy creates beautiful new families, it can also involve loss, complicated legal landscapes, and the challenge of matching intended parents with surrogates. By prioritizing relationships over transactions, Brooke helps intended parents overcome these obstacles and experience the joy of growing their families.

In this episode, John Corcoran is joined by Brooke Kimbrough, Agency Owner of Roots Surrogacy, to discuss creating meaningful surrogacy journeys for diverse families. They explore the emotional highs and lows of surrogacy, how to match surrogates with intended parents, and the evolving legal landscape of surrogacy. Brooke also shares how her personal experience inspired her to launch her agency.