Your Next Move

Hosted by Inc. Magazine

BusinessInterviews guests

RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Your Next Move features authentic and insightful conversations with some of today’s most innovative and exciting entrepreneurs and business leaders, and Capital One Business is proud to produce this series in partnership with Inc.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 8, 202624 min

The Discipline It Takes to Rebuild a Business

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. senior editor Rebecca Deczynski sits down with Ebony Wilkins, president and CEO of Aalis Management Consulting, a government contracting firm ranked No. 369 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. The company provides acquisition support, financial management, and digital transformation services to more than 10 federal agencies. Wilkins explains how consistency, discipline, and regular self-assessment helped make Alice Management Consulting a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree. She also recounts how she rebuilt the company after losing every contract and watching its revenue fall to zero during the early days of the pandemic—and why persistent follow-up is the key to turning professional relationships into new business. Drawing on her experience as an Army veteran, Wilkins shares how a mission-driven mindset influences her leadership, hiring, and company culture. Plus, she discusses preparing employees to work with AI, helping government agencies navigate digital transformation, and finally transitioning from working in her business to focusing on its long-term strategy.

September 1, 202655 min

How to Build a Platform for a Market That Doesn’t Exist Yet

Leah Solivan of TaskRabbit and Joanna Strober of Midi Health discuss funding, infrastructure decisions, and AI opportunities that are rewriting the rules.

August 25, 202624 min

Yama Group Is Reinventing Healthcare Communications

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. senior editor Tim Crino sits down with Yann Deredec, cofounder and chief growth officer of Yama Group, a San Diego–based pharmaceutical and biotech marketing agency making its second consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000. Yan explains how a lack of creativity in healthcare communications inspired him to leave the corporate world and launch Yama Group during the 2009 financial crisis. He also shares how the company has remained profitable without outside investment, why developing strong leaders has been one of its greatest challenges, and how a “blue ocean” strategy helps the agency pursue distinctive opportunities rather than compete in crowded markets. The conversation explores Yama Group’s immersive patient-simulation platforms, which help doctors navigate complex treatment decisions and engage with lifelike virtual patients. Yan also discusses the need for responsible AI guardrails in healthcare, the risks surrounding sensitive patient data, and how reduced research funding could affect medical innovation.

July 8, 20261 hr 1 min

Disrupting Industries and Creating New Categories

Breaking into established markets requires strategic vision, passion, and relentless execution. This episode explores how to spot opportunities and think like a disruptor. It features insights from Olipop’s Ben Goodwin and Netic’s Melisa Tokmak, two founders who’ve scaled their businesses by challenging traditional industries and introducing consumers and clients to innovative alternatives.

June 23, 202624 min

Copyright, Capital, and the Future of Music

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. staff reporter Brian Contreras sits down with Paul Goldman, founder and CEO of music copyright administration company Music, ranked No. 2,959 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Based in Nashville, Music helps artists, publishers, and rights holders navigate the complex world of royalties, copyright, and intellectual property through a technology platform that manages more than 25 million copyrights worldwide. Paul shares how the company evolved from a scrappy startup into a growing industry player, why the next phase of growth requires a different approach to capital and asset management, and how founders must shift from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy as their businesses mature. He also discusses the challenges of scaling company culture, lessons learned from navigating sudden industry disruptions, and why resilience matters more than ever in today's business environment. Plus, Paul explains how Music's patented AI technology is helping untangle the massive data challenges behind music royalties and why he believes the future of the music industry depends on creating more balanced relationships between technology platforms, rights holders, and creators.

June 16, 202627 min

The Business of Bringing People Together

In this episode of Your Next Move, Inc., staff reporter Ali Donaldson sits down with Susan Sutherland, founder and CEO of Just Events Group, the parent company behind JustRight Destination Management and Just Marry, ranked No. 1,326 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Susan reflects on leading an events company through the uncertainty of COVID, the explosive return of in-person experiences, and why human connection remains the foundation of her business. She shares lessons on building a people-first culture, maintaining transparency during difficult times, and creating career growth opportunities that keep employees engaged in a high-pressure industry. The conversation also explores the role of AI in event planning, the challenges of scaling a service-driven company, the realities of working alongside family members, and the trends shaping the future of events—from immersive experiences to changing food-and-beverage preferences among younger generations. Susan offers an honest look at leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and what it takes to sustain growth when success depends on both relationships and trust.

June 2, 202623 min

The PR Playbook Founders Actually Need

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, recorded live at the Inc. 5000 Conference, Inc. staff reporter Chloe Aiello sits down with Ronica Cleary, founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, an award-winning public relations firm specializing in earned media. Cleary breaks down what “earned media” really means—and why credibility, not clicks, remains the most powerful currency for growing companies. Drawing on her background as a former journalist, she explains how brands can position themselves as truly newsworthy, navigate an increasingly complex media landscape, and measure ROI in a space where impact isn’t always easy to quantify. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping PR workflows and newsrooms, why SEO and generative search are becoming essential growth drivers, and how Cleary has evolved her go-to-market strategy beyond traditional networking. She shares candid insights on scaling a service business, building a strong remote culture, and adapting to the shift from traditional media toward podcasts and digital platforms. Looking ahead, Cleary outlines her vision for growth—doubling revenue while staying laser-focused on delivering high-impact earned media—and reflects on what it takes to remain indispensable in a rapidly changing communications industry.

May 26, 20261 hr 1 min

Navigating Consumer Habits—Beyond Trends

Building a brand that lasts requires understanding consumer behavior. Consumer expectations are constantly evolving, and building trust requires more than simply following trends. This episode explores how to achieve sustainable success, featuring insights from two industry pioneers, Joy Mangano and Manish Chandra, who’ve built enduring brands by understanding their audiences while adapting to change.

May 12, 202626 min

What Founders Get Wrong About Taxes

In this episode of Your Next Move, recorded live at the Inc. 5000 Conference in Phoenix, Inc. senior writer Sam Blum sits down with Kimberly Furrh, founder of Furrh & Associates, a certified public accounting firm ranked No. 4454 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. Furrh shares how she built her business from a side hustle in her living room into one of the largest accounting firms in Southwest Oklahoma—growing through strategic acquisitions, word-of-mouth referrals, and a bold expansion into business coaching. She explains why today’s entrepreneurs don’t just need tax preparation—they need education, guidance, and a “safe space” to ask the questions they’re often too embarrassed to raise. The conversation dives into the realities behind rapid growth, from managing thousands of clients with a lean team to hiring ahead of demand and reshaping company culture to prioritize learning and service. Furrh also breaks down common mistakes entrepreneurs make—from misunderstanding what’s tax deductible to improperly managing LLC structures—and why those missteps can have serious consequences. Plus, she offers a candid take on AI in accounting, the ongoing shortage of CPAs, and the lessons she learned the hard way after a devastating data loss nearly derailed her firm. For founders navigating growth—or just trying to get their financial footing—this episode offers practical insights on scaling smart, staying connected to your customers, and building a business that meets entrepreneurs where they are.

May 5, 202632 min

Scaling Pattern: Inside Tracee Ellis Ross’s Next Move

What does it really take to turn a deeply personal idea into a category-defining brand? In this episode of Your Next Move, award-winning actor, producer, and entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross sits down to unpack the 11-year journey behind building Pattern Beauty—a company rooted in both lived experience and a clear market gap. What may look like an overnight success was, in reality, shaped by years of rejection, iteration, and conviction in an underserved customer base. Ross shares how she navigated early skepticism around the size and value of the textured hair market, why she chose to build custom formulations instead of licensing existing ones, and how a pivotal partnership with Ulta Beauty helped bring her vision to life. She also gets candid about scaling challenges—from selling out too quickly at launch to building the operational infrastructure needed to sustain rapid growth. Along the way, Ross breaks down what she looks for in business partners, how she balances creative instinct with operational rigor, and why understanding your customer at a granular level is the foundation of any lasting brand. She also reflects on the transition from artist to CEO—and how storytelling, trust, and team-building remain central to both. Plus, Ross explains why celebrity alone isn’t enough to build a business, how Pattern expanded beyond her personal brand, and what it means to “professionalize” a company without losing its mission.