Your Next Move

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.

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.

Breaking into established markets requires strategic vision, passion, and relentless execution. This episode explores how to spot opportunities and think like a disrupter. 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.

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.

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.