Liftoff with Keith: Conversations with Super Founders and Growth Experts sharing useful insights

AI won’t fix a broken go-to-market strategy. In fact, it might expose everything that’s already wrong with it.
In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Max Hoffer, founder of Stackfinder and Head of AI Go-to-Market Systems, explains why companies can have a great product but still struggle to build a repeatable revenue engine.
From fragmented tools and poor CRM data to slow lead follow-ups and broken marketing-sales handoffs, Max breaks down the hidden revenue leaks that prevent businesses from growing efficiently — and why adding AI before fixing these fundamentals can make things worse.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why AI amplifies existing GTM problems instead of automatically solving them
The common revenue leaks hiding in marketing and sales processes
How to audit your website, lead routing, CRM, and buyer journey
Why speed-to-lead and consistent follow-up matter
How to assess whether your business is ready for AI
Practical ways to introduce AI into your workflows without overcomplicating things
Why customer conversations and call recordings can improve marketing and product decisions
How to use data to communicate recommendations and drive better business outcomes
Max also shares practical ways to identify bottlenecks, measure the impact of AI, and start with one workflow rather than trying to automate everything at once.
About Max Hoffer
Max Hoffer is the founder of Stackfinder and works on AI go-to-market systems. His work focuses on helping businesses identify revenue bottlenecks, improve workflows, and understand where AI can make a meaningful difference.
Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/
Connect with Max:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-hoffer-70079a47/
Website: https://stackfinder.com/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285
Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/
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#AI #GoToMarket #RevenueGrowth

Buying and selling bulky secondhand items can be complicated. From coordinating pickup and delivery to handling payments and building trust, the logistics often make the process harder than it needs to be.
On this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Ari Kimmelfeld, founder of Commonplace, shares how he is building a marketplace that makes buying and selling large secondhand items easier. Starting with Pelotons, Commonplace expanded into categories such as furniture, appliances, and hot tubs, combining secure payments, vetted delivery partners, and added buyer and seller protection.
Ari discusses the challenges of scaling a marketplace, why logistics became the foundation of the business, and how founders can identify the metrics that actually matter instead of chasing traffic and social media views.
In this episode:
How Commonplace makes bulky secondhand transactions easier
Building trust through delivery, secure payments, and warranties
Expanding from Pelotons into multiple product categories
The operational challenges of scaling marketplace logistics
Why qualified buyers matter more than vanity metrics
How sellers can save time with pricing suggestions and cross-listing
Lessons on validating demand and prioritizing what moves the needle
The future of secondhand shopping and AI-driven product discovery

Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Ari:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arikimmelfeld
Website: https://trycommonplace.com/
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589
Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/
Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285
Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/

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AI is changing how companies hire, manage employees, and get work done. But are businesses prepared for the HR, compliance, and workplace challenges that come with it?
In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith sits down with Sara Skowronski of EOS HR and AI Consulting to explore how small businesses can adopt AI while protecting their people, data, and organization.
With 25+ years of HR and employment law experience and expertise in AI consulting, Sara shares a practical perspective on where AI and HR intersect, from hiring and employee policies to training and productivity.
They discuss:
Why every company needs an AI policy
The HR risks of employees using personal AI tools
How AI can affect hiring and recruitment
Why humans must remain involved in AI-assisted hiring decisions
How AI can dramatically reduce repetitive HR work
Why AI training needs to be specific to each role
The difference between AI literacy and simply knowing how to use ChatGPT
Who should own AI implementation inside a company
How small businesses can increase productivity without immediately increasing headcount
Sara's AI Clarity Roadmap
How Sara uses a personal AI chief of staff to stay focused
Why clear expectations remain one of the most important parts of managing employees
If you're a founder, HR leader, or business owner trying to understand how AI will change your workforce, this conversation offers a practical starting point.
Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/
Connect with Sara:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraskowronski
Website: https://eoshr.com/
Speaker Kit: https://go.eoshr.com/speaker-kit
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589
Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/
Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285
Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/
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#AI #HR #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanResources #FutureOfWork

Due to some video connection challenges the host wasn't on the video feed for the first few minutes of the programs
What if your battery didn’t need to be replaced every few years?
In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith speaks with Raouf, co-founder and CEO of CTRL ENERGY, a Paris-based energy startup building a different approach to battery technology.
CTRL ENERGY is developing ZERO, a repairable, modular and scalable portable battery, alongside LEPO, a stationary energy storage system designed for a much longer operating life. Raouf explains how his previous experience in the energy sector led to the company's focus on repairability, reuse and battery recycling.
The conversation covers:
Why CTRL ENERGY chose to bootstrap a hardware deep tech company
How ZERO is designed to be repairable, modular and scalable
Using 3D printing and automated microfactories for localized manufacturing
Why CTRL ENERGY is building a community around product development
The company's Kickstarter strategy and early customer traction
How ZERO and LEPO serve different markets and business models
Battery recycling and the afterlife of battery cells
The role of AI and automation in manufacturing
The challenges of getting deep tech hardware funded in Europe
Why founders should build a working prototype as early as possible
Why building a community can give hardware startups an advantage
Raouf also shares his perspective on why hardware is becoming easier to build and why there is still significant room for innovation outside the current AI boom.
Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/
Connect with Raouf:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raoufremidan/
Website: https://ctrl.energy/
Learn more about CTRL ENERGY and ZERO:https://go.nomorezero.com/
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Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/
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What if safety isn't just a compliance requirement, but one of the most important foundations of leadership, culture, and business performance?
In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, we sit down with Brian L. Fielkow, recognized business leader, board director, advisor, former CEO of Jetco Delivery, and author of Making Safety Happen, to explore how leaders can build organizations that remain strong when the pressure is high.
Brian shares lessons from decades of operating and advising businesses where safety, risk, and performance are closely connected. We discuss why safety should be treated as a core value rather than simply a department, how leadership shapes employee behavior, and what it takes to create a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up when something isn't right.
From managing operational risks to building trust, accountability, and psychological safety, this conversation offers practical insights for founders, CEOs, and business leaders who want to build companies that are both safe and productive.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why safety is a business responsibility, not just the job of a safety department
The difference between a compliance culture and a genuine safety culture
How leadership influences employee behavior and organizational performance
Why psychological safety encourages employees to speak up and report risks
Building accountability and learning from near misses
How companies can balance growth, productivity, and risk management
Identifying hidden risks during periods of rapid growth
The importance of clear, practical, and understandable processes
Hiring for both technical competence and attitude
Why humility and the ability to course-correct matter in leadership
How leaders reveal their culture when things go wrong
Why maintaining culture requires continuous investment
Brian also shares examples from his experience at Jetco Delivery, including how listening to frontline employees can uncover risks and lead to meaningful improvements.
Whether you're a founder scaling a business, a CEO managing operational challenges, or a leader working to build a stronger company culture, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on leadership, safety, and sustainable performance.
About Brian L. Fielkow
Brian L. Fielkow is a recognized business leader, board director, and advisor known for his work in safety, risk, and organizational performance. He previously served as CEO of Jetco Delivery and is the author of Making Safety Happen.
Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/
Connect with Brian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfielkow
Book: https://www.amazon.in/Making-Safety-Happen-Productive-Profitable-ebook/dp/B0GX2ZXGFY
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589
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Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/
Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.