Innovation in Progress

Ellen Macks, founder and owner of Ella's Flats, a company specializing in healthy seed crackers, shares her journey from discovering a recipe to launching a successful business, emphasizing the importance of product quality and the challenges of scaling in the competitive food industry. She discusses the role of technology in managing her business and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Jamie Smith, CEO and co-founder of Innovative Pet Lab, discusses the company's mission to provide at-home testing solutions for pets, focusing on chronic conditions. She shares insights on the challenges of fundraising, the importance of technology in pet health, and the company's strategic market approach. Jamie also highlights the significance of clinical trials and data utilization in validating pet health products.

Sam Mason, COO, and Mike Roberto, VP of Commercial Operations at Major Metals Company, discuss the evolution of their family-owned steel manufacturing business. They delve into the importance of technology, particularly the implementation of a new ERP system and the exploration of AI to enhance operational efficiency.

Jordan Sand, CEO of Cold Water Technologies and Happy Scratch, discusses the innovative journey of creating a product aimed at alleviating pet itching through a unique technology derived from the slaughter industry. He shares insights into the challenges of transitioning from scientific research to e-commerce, and the lessons learned in entrepreneurship.

Michael Shores, Director of Operations at Woodhaus, discusses the company's focus on commercial millwork, his personal journey in the industry, and the ongoing implementation of an ERP system to streamline operations. He emphasizes the importance of work ethic, the need for skilled labor in construction, and offers advice for the next generation entering the workforce.

Joanne Cheng, Director of Revenue Operations at Nulo Pet Food, discusses her role in implementing technology and AI to drive efficiency and profitability in the pet food industry. She shares insights on the importance of CRM systems, the challenges of technology adoption, and the future trends in personalization and AI within the industry.

Kevin Price, Founder and CEO of Accucode, shares insights on business growth, challenges faced during the pandemic, innovative software solutions like For Work and highlights future strategies, including the integration of AI to enhance operational efficiency and the development of new market channels.

Todd Mozer, Founder and CEO at Sensory, Inc., discusses the evolution of embedded AI technology, particularly in voice recognition & command systems. He shares insights on the challenges faced by his company in navigating economic uncertainties and the impact of large language models (LLMs) on the industry. 

In this conversation, Steve Hofford, COO of Darwin's Natural Pet Products, discusses the company's journey, challenges in the frozen pet food market, and the importance of technology and AI in enhancing customer experience. 

Miguel Medina, VP of Operations at Strongarm Designs, discusses the company's focus on creating ergonomic and ruggedized Human Machine Interface (HMI) workstations and the role of digital transformation & AI in enhancing productivity and efficiency. 

Joaquin Rodriguez, Director of Operations for Sauce Essentials discusses the complexities of navigating regulations, the differences in business models between manufacturing and branding, and the importance of technology in streamlining operations.

Carey & Co.'s mission is to provide comprehensive back-office services, including accounting, operations, HR, and technology, specifically tailored for nonprofits. Christy emphasizes the importance of technology in nonprofit operations and the challenges organizations face in adapting to rapid technological changes.