Second Bite Podcast

Hosted by Todd Taskey

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143

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

This is the Second Bite Podcast where we talk with top entrepreneurs and CEOs about creating valuable companies through creative transactions.

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60 recent

June 11, 202623 min

PE Insight Series: Green Flags in Due Diligence: Behavioral Signs of Founder Commitment

In the third episode of the PE Insight Series, Todd Taskey interviews eight private equity executives about the behavioral signs that reveal a founder's commitment to post-close growth beyond financial rollover. In this episode… Rollover equity may align incentives, but it doesn't always reveal whether a founder is truly ready for the next chapter. What signals do private equity investors look for when deciding if a founder is genuinely committed to building long-term value? Chad Scripps, Lee Minkoff, Larry Shagrin, Thomas Cooperrider, Stuart Coleman, Jamie Kennedy, Brian Shmidt, and Bill Sommerschield discuss founder commitment beyond financial rollover. With host Todd Taskey, they explain how founders signal real alignment, the importance of team exposure and succession planning, and how curiosity, candor, and growth planning shape investor confidence.

June 4, 202617 min

PE Insight Series: Non-Negotiable Attributes of a Scalable Platform Investment

In the second episode of the PE Insight Series, Todd Taskey hosts eight private equity executives to discuss the non-negotiable attributes they look for in scalable platform investments. In this episode… Scaling a company after a platform investment takes more than capital and ambition. What do private equity investors consider non-negotiable before backing a business for rapid growth and exit? Bill Sommerschield, Chad Scripps, Lee Minkoff, Larry Shangrin, Thomas Cooperrider, Stuart Colman, Jamie Kennedy, and Brian Schmidt discuss what makes a platform investment scalable. With host Todd Taskey, they talk about the importance of founder alignment, how strong teams and systems support growth, and the market traits that help drive successful exits.

May 28, 202622 min

PE Insight Series: What PE Firms Actually Change To Drive Multiple Expansion at Exit

In the first installment of the PE Insight Series, Todd Taskey hosts eight private equity executives to discuss how firms can create value and drive multiple expansion during the hold period. In this episode… Private equity value creation is rarely about one sweeping change. More often, it comes from a disciplined set of upgrades that make a company more scalable, predictable, differentiated, and attractive to the next buyer. Which changes matter most? Brian Schmidt, Bill Sommerschield, Chad Scripps, Lee Minkoff, Larry Shagrin, Thomas Cooperrider, Stuart Coleman, and Jamie Kennedy discuss multiple expansion. With host Todd Taskey, they share how professionalization, go-to-market improvements, enhanced data, recurring revenue, and strategic M&A drive value.

May 21, 202627 min

$10M Revenue Tripled in 3 Years

John Sharkey is the CEO of Spinnaker SCA, a leading supply chain services firm providing end-to-end supply chain strategy, planning, and execution consulting services. He is also the Global Supply Chain Practice Leader at Publicis Sapient, where he leads supply chain strategy, client success, team development, and financial performance. With over two decades of experience in large-scale supply chain transformation, John is a trusted advisor to organizations across retail, manufacturing, distribution, and high-tech industries. In this episode… Merging two companies is rarely as simple as matching complementary services on paper. What does it take to turn a complicated first transaction into a successful second bite? John Sharkey, CEO of Spinnaker SCA, shares how the company merged with SCApath, partnered with Black Lake Capital, and scaled through organic growth and acquisition. With host Todd Taskey, John explains how they chose the right PE partner, integrated teams and go-to-market strategy, and adapted leadership inside a larger global company.

April 23, 202629 min

They Bought Their Agency Client… Then Scaled It Into an Industry Standard

Chad Dudley, cj Advertising Chad Dudley is the CEO of cj Advertising, a full-service marketing agency for personal injury law firms. He is also the Founding Partner of Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, a prominent personal injury law firm. With decades of experience in legal marketing, Chad has consulted with over 200 law firms across the US. In this episode… What does it take to grow a professional services business beyond its core offering? When the time comes, how do you know it's the right moment to sell? Chad Dudley, CEO of cj Advertising and Founding Partner of Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, discusses scaling a law firm and marketing agency simultaneously. With host Todd Taskey, Chad shares how consulting led to acquiring cj Advertising, why a holistic growth approach transformed client results, and how trust and team alignment shaped a successful exit.

April 2, 202623 min

Take the Cash (NO Second Bite) and Start Fresh

Jordan Choo is the former Managing Partner at Kogneta, a digital marketing agency that helps local and franchise businesses scale through data-driven strategies. As an experienced digital marketing leader, he has over a decade of experience in advertising, analytics, and growth strategy. Jordan also hosts Agency Automators, a podcast about SEO automation. In this episode… Building and selling a business isn't always about maximizing the final number — it's often about timing, energy, and personal priorities. What happens when the cost of continuing outweighs the potential upside? Jordan Choo, former Managing Partner at Kogneta, shares his experience selling a sub-$1M agency. With host Todd Taskey, Jordan explains how industry shifts like AI influenced his decision, what he learned from stepping away for nearly a year, and the importance of understanding your "why" before exiting a business.

March 12, 202637 min

Agency Collective to "Saturday Morning Call Agency" - The Agital Story

Eric Ashworth is the CEO of Agital, an integrated marketing services company. As a seasoned marketing executive with over 25 years of leadership experience, he has built and led multiple high-performing marketing organizations and agencies. Before joining Agital, Eric was the President of SGK and led agency and marketing solutions initiatives at Quad. In this episode… Marketing is evolving as technology reshapes how brands reach and engage customers. What does it take to build a modern marketing organization that can keep up with constant disruption? Eric Ashworth, CEO of Agital, explains how agencies are evolving to serve SMB and mid-market brands in a rapidly changing digital landscape. With host Todd Taskey, Eric shares his journey from brand marketing to building global agency networks, what founders should consider when selling their agencies, and how AI and integrated marketing will reshape the future of the industry.

February 26, 202637 min

10 Acquisitions in 4 Years: A Blueprint for Creating a PE-Backed Powerhouse

Eric Bertrand is the CEO of Mod Op, an eight-office digital advertising agency serving Fortune 500 and middle-market companies. Under his leadership, he drove strategic growth through acquisitions and positioned the company as a future-forward platform agency with a broad suite of end-to-end capabilities. As a PE and VC fund manager, Eric invested over $400 million in more than 50 companies across media and entertainment, retail, consumer products, and IT. In this episode… M&A is rapidly evolving in the marketing industry. With the rise of digital technologies and private equity, how can CEOs navigate growth and change? CEO of Mod Op, Eric Bertrand, discusses the strategic growth of his agency through acquisitions and private equity partnerships. With host Todd Taskey, Eric shares his journey from private equity to agency leadership, the value of an integrated service platform, and the key attributes he looks for in acquisition targets.

February 12, 202634 min

How BarkleyOKRP Scaled to 700 People and Maintained Its Soul

Katy Hornaday is the CEO of BarkleyOKRP, one of the largest independent full-service advertising agencies in the US. She joined the company as a Creative Director and helped facilitate the 2024 merger of Barkley and OKRP. In this episode… In an industry crowded with holding companies and boutique shops, building something that stands apart requires difficult choices, clear values, and a long-term vision. What does it take to grow a modern agency without losing its unique culture? CEO of BarkleyOKRP, Katy Hornaday, discusses building an independent agency with both scale and soul. With host Todd Taskey, Katy explains her path from creative to CEO, how BarkleyOKRP approaches private equity partnerships, and how a clear strategic thesis guides growth, culture, and acquisitions.

February 5, 202628 min

From VC Bust to PE Success - The New Engen Story Part 2

Justin Hayashi is the CEO of New Engen, a performance-driven, digital marketing and growth agency. He co-founded the company in 2016 and also serves on its board of directors. Before New Engen, Justin led customer acquisition and analytics at Zulily, where he drove e-commerce growth. In this episode… Private equity-backed growth isn't always straightforward, especially in a rapidly shifting digital media landscape. What does it take to build acquisition momentum while staying ahead of changing content, platforms, and client expectations? CEO of New Engen, Justin Hayashi, discusses building a modern marketing services platform through disciplined M&A and innovation. With host Todd Taskey, Justin shares how board-level strategy shapes acquisitions, why short-form video and UGC are central to growth, and how New Engen is preparing for global expansion.