Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Watch the full episode here: inspiredinsider.com/mark-rampolla-interview
Mark Rampolla is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, a private equity firm that invests in and supports purpose-driven consumer brands focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. He is a visionary entrepreneur and investor who works closely with founders to scale impactful businesses and build enduring companies. Mark is also the Founder and former CEO of ZICO Coconut Water, having pioneered the global coconut water category and led the company through its acquisition by The Coca-Cola Company. He later reacquired ZICO and continues to play a leadership role in shaping its growth and strategy.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mark Rampolla, Co-founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, to discuss why most brands fail and how to build one that wins. They explore the power of niche market entry, the importance of product discipline, and how to identify winning consumer brands. Mark also shares advice on redefining success beyond financial outcomes.
Watch the full episode here: inspiredinsider.com/mark-rampolla-interview
Mark Rampolla is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, a private equity firm that invests in and supports purpose-driven consumer brands focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. He is a visionary entrepreneur and investor who works closely with founders to scale impactful businesses and build enduring companies. Mark is also the Founder and former CEO of ZICO Coconut Water, having pioneered the global coconut water category and led the company through its acquisition by The Coca-Cola Company. He later reacquired ZICO and continues to play a leadership role in shaping its growth and strategy.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mark Rampolla, Co-founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, to discuss why most brands fail and how to build one that wins. They explore the power of niche market entry, the importance of product discipline, and how to identify winning consumer brands. Mark also shares advice on redefining success beyond financial outcomes.
![[Top Agency & SaaS Series] Critical Balance of Human Connection and AI with Dr. Amy Osmond Cook](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a91t16113eM/mqdefault.jpg "[Top Agency & SaaS Series] Critical Balance of Human Connection and AI with Dr. Amy Osmond Cook
Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, is the Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Fullcast, an AI-native go-to-market platform that helps companies align strategy with revenue execution. A seasoned marketing executive, she has led high-growth companies like Simplus, PathologyWatch, and Onboard from Series A to acquisition. Dr. Cook founded Stage Marketing, a successful full-funnel marketing firm, and has a PhD in Communication from the University of Utah. She is a recognized thought leader in business and healthcare marketing and has taught at ASU, BYU, and the University of Utah.
In this episode… What happens when the friction between sales and marketing slows down growth, even in companies with great products? Can AI truly fix that gap — or does real acceleration still depend on how people and teams work together? And what does it take to scale revenue without losing alignment along the way?
Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, a seasoned marketing and RevOps leader, explains that growth accelerates when AI-powered systems are combined with strong human alignment across sales and marketing. She highlights how Fullcast unifies forecasting, commissions, territory planning, and revenue operations into one platform to remove friction and improve execution. The result is faster alignment, clearer visibility, and more predictable revenue outcomes. She also shares how strategic acquisitions and deep data integration helped build a scalable system that still prioritizes onboarding and client relationships.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, to talk about AI, RevOps, and scaling revenue through better alignment. They discuss building Fullcast through acquisitions, using AI for forecasting and commissions, and improving sales territory planning. Dr. Cook also shares insights on onboarding, post-sale relationships, and maintaining trust during growth.")
![[SaaS Series] Revenue You Lose When You Stay Live With Melissa Kwan](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aMNyUgzxhoI/mqdefault.jpg "[SaaS Series] Revenue You Lose When You Stay Live With Melissa Kwan
Melissa Kwan is the CEO and Co-founder of eWebinar, an on-demand video platform that turns prerecorded videos into interactive experiences with chat for demos, onboarding, and training. Before eWebinar, she founded Spacio, a real estate technology platform acquired by HomeSpotter in 2019. A three-time bootstrapped founder with more than 15 years of startup experience, Melissa specializes in B2B sales, business development, and building profitable companies with limited resources. She is also the host of the ProfitLed Podcast and the author behind the Your Founder Next Door newsletter.
In this episode… Scaling a SaaS business often means finding ways to grow without sacrificing your time, energy, or values. But what happens when the message that inspired you to build your product no longer resonates with customers? How do you break through a growth plateau while staying true to the business you want to build?
According to Melissa Kwan, a bootstrapped SaaS entrepreneur and experienced founder, sustainable growth starts with understanding what customers truly value — not what founders assume they value. She explains how shifting eWebinars messaging from saving time to driving business growth unlocked new opportunities, while customer conversations uncovered unexpected use cases like recruiting and onboarding. Melissa highlights why creating delightful user experiences, maintaining integrity in product design, and building a lean, remote team have been key to long-term success. She also shares how AI has accelerated her marketing and operations and why defining personal non-negotiables helped shape both her company culture and leadership approach.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Melissa Kwan, CEO and Co-founder of eWebinar, to discuss building a scalable, customer-centric SaaS business. They explore refining product messaging for growth, creating software customers genuinely love, and building a high-performing remote team. Melissa also shares how changing her self-talk transformed her confidence as a founder and marketer.")
![[Top Author & Direct Response Series] How Real Experience Becomes a Bestseller With Travis Cody](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/akAWJgF4j2U/mqdefault.jpg "[Top Author & Direct Response Series] How Real Experience Becomes a Bestseller With Travis Cody
Travis Cody is the Founder of Bestseller By Design, where he helps founders, consultants, and experts turn their knowledge and experience into bestselling books. With a background in Hollywood screenwriting, copywriting, and journalism, he is the author of 19+ books and has worked with leading marketers, including Russell Brunson and Brian Kurtz. He has helped clients achieve #1 Amazon rankings and raise millions in funding through strategic storytelling and publishing. Travis is also known for his creative approach to relationship-building, direct response marketing, and his perspective on the ethical use of AI in writing and publishing.
In this episode… Breaking into a new industry is often a mix of strategy, persistence, and relationships. While skills and credentials matter, real opportunities usually come through trust and connections built over time. How do entrepreneurs and creators establish credibility and grow meaningful relationships from the ground up?
According to Travis Cody, a writer and publishing strategist, breaking into new spaces requires a mix of persistence, creativity, and relationship-driven thinking. He explains that real breakthroughs often come from showing up consistently, taking unconventional action, and building genuine connections rather than relying on traditional gatekeeping systems. He highlights how combining storytelling with direct response principles can open doors that credentials alone cannot. Travis also emphasizes that humility and willingness to learn in new environments can accelerate trust and opportunity. Together, these approaches allow creators to stand out and build lasting influence even in highly competitive industries.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Travis Cody, Founder of Bestseller By Design, to discuss breaking into new industries through relationships, storytelling, and marketing strategy. They explore how Travis transitioned from screenwriting to publishing success, how creative outreach builds credibility, and how AI can be used ethically in writing. He also shares insights on direct response marketing and building authority through books.")
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Sequoya Borgman is the Founder and CEO of Borgman Capital, a private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing lower middle-market businesses across the United States. Since founding the firm in 2017, Sequoya has led investments in more than 20 companies and built a network of over 500 accredited investors.
With over two decades of mergers and acquisitions experience, including leadership roles at RSM US LLP and KPMG LLP, Sequoya brings expertise in deal structuring, due diligence, and value creation. His investment philosophy emphasizes trust, long-term value creation, and preserving the legacies of the business owners he partners with.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
• [0:00] Intro
• [4:10] Sequoya Borgman shares the humble beginnings that shaped his entrepreneurial journey
• [9:10] Why reading became Sequoya’s secret to lifelong learning
• [12:59] What happens when your first big deal falls apart
• [17:10] The challenge of replacing a founder after an acquisition
• [21:25] The top reasons private equity deals fall through at the last minute
• [28:20] Why Borgman Capital favors established, cash-flowing businesses
• [33:34] How Sequoya thinks about timing an exit
• [41:59] The idea behind Pass the Hat and direct access to private equity deals
In this episode…
Building a successful investment firm takes more than financial expertise — it requires resilience, calculated risk-taking, and the ability to keep moving when deals fall apart. But what happens when years of preparation lead to a major setback just as an entrepreneurial dream is beginning?
For Sequoya Borgman, a private equity leader with more than two decades of mergers and acquisitions experience, resilience, relationships, and a strong work ethic are essential to turning setbacks into opportunities.
Sponsor for this episode
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