EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Comply-YES: Compliance Challenges for Credit Unions

What if compliance isn’t a roadblock — but your biggest business advantage?

In this episode of Expert Connexions, host Julie Holton Smith together with Melissa Osborn, Chief Operating Officer of Comply-YES!, explore how compliance done right can accelerate growth, especially for small but mighty credit unions and community-based organizations.

Melissa shares what it means to lead with intention in a heavily regulated space — and how even the most complex compliance strategies can empower businesses to scale with confidence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How compliance can fuel innovation instead of slowing it down
✅ The biggest regulatory risks most small businesses overlook
✅ Why “preventative compliance” could save your business
✅ How credit unions are quietly holding entire communities together
✅ What leadership looks like when the stakes are high

💡 As we approach Women’s Equality Day, this episode highlights one of the many women leading with purpose and reshaping industries from the inside out.

About Our Guest:
Melissa Osborn is the COO of Comply-YES!, a consultancy helping credit unions and non-profits build scalable compliance strategies that reduce risk and maximize growth. With over two decades of experience in financial services, Melissa is a respected voice in regulatory strategy, risk management, and inclusive leadership.
Learn more at: www.comply-yes.com/about-us/

About Our Host, Julie Holton Smith:
Julie is a 3x Emmy Award-winning producer, entrepreneur, and Principal Strategist at mConnexions. As host of Expert Connexions, she curates purpose-driven conversations with industry leaders to help you grow, lead, and succeed with clarity and confidence.
Learn more at: www.mconnexions.com

📢 Subscribe now and don’t miss our new upcoming mini-series!

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Startups and Community: Purpose-Driven Leadership

What if the secret to breakthrough innovation lies in embracing failure as your greatest teacher?

In this episode from Startup Grind Conference 2025, host Julie Holton Smith sits down with Pastor Tom Arthur of Sycamore Creek Church, a leader who’s revolutionizing how we think about community building, risk-taking, and sustainable growth.

From launching church campuses to running food business incubators, Tom shares unconventional wisdom that will transform how you approach your next venture.

What You’ll Discover:
✅ Why “failing fast” isn’t just for tech startups, it’s essential for any growing organization
✅ The power of cross-industry networking
✅ How to apply billion-dollar acquisition strategies to potential partnerships
✅ Why global networking matters even in your local community initiatives

Tom’s journey from divinity school to becoming a startup ecosystem co-founder proves that innovation knows no industry boundaries. His insights on building platforms for others to succeed will give you fresh perspectives on leadership, community engagement, and sustainable business growth.

About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is a 3x Emmy Award winner, marketing strategist, and an entrepreneur. As the founder of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with purpose-driven leaders to help you grow and lead with intention.

About Our Guest:
Tom Arthur is a Pastor at Sycamore Creek Church. He specializes in church adoptions, community incubation, and bridging the gap between faith-based initiatives and startup innovation. His work includes launching multiple church campuses and operating food business incubators.
📢 Don’t miss our special mini-series featuring leaders from the Startup Grind Conference 2025!

Special thanks to Foster Swift, LEAP & the Lansing Regional SmartZone for supporting this series.

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: The Hypeman’s Playbook: Art of Pitch Power

Tired of pitches that fall flat? Ready to become the ONLY choice instead of just another option?

In our next episode from the Startup Grind Global Conference 2025, host Julie Holton Smith sits down with Rajiv ‘RajNATION’ Nathan, the Chief Pitch Artist and mastermind behind the Que PASA Elevator Pitch Formula® that’s helped founders raise as much as $20 million and crush their sales quotas.

What You’ll Master:
✅ Why “Don’t be the best, be the ONLY” transforms how investors see you
✅The fatal mistake 90% of startups make in their pitch decks (hint: it’s not about features)
✅ How to make your audience feel SEEN instead of sold to
✅ The secret to turning skeptical listeners into co-creators of your vision
✅ Real examples from NavFlex and other winning pitches that raised millions

Raj reveals why successful founders stop positioning against competition and start creating their own category. This isn’t theory — these are actual strategies.

About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and communications expert who helps businesses and nonprofits amplify their impact. As the founder of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with industry leaders to help you grow and lead with intention.
www.mconnexions.com

About Our Guest:
Rajiv ‘RajNATION’ Nathan is a Chief Pitch Artist, Startup Hypeman, and Startup Grind Chicago Chapter Director. For nearly a decade, Raj has perfected the art of storytelling for startups, helping visionaries raise capital, improve sales close rates, and build market-leading brands.
www.startuphypeman.com

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: The Future of Websites: Superpowered by AI Agents

Imagine AI agents booking your restaurant reservations, scheduling home repairs, and making purchases — all without you needing to browse websites or make calls.

In this fascinating episode recorded live at Startup Grind Conference 2025, host Julie Holton Smith explores the next evolution of websites with Jesse Flores, Chief Web Pro of SuperWebPros.

Jesse’s revolutionary “Super Sites” represent a fundamental shift in how the internet works.

What You’ll Learn:
✅ The coming shift from human-dominated to AI-dominated internet traffic
✅ How Super Sites eliminate the need for traditional web browsing
✅ Why this technology is a must-have for every webpage
✅ The business model disrupting service provider platforms
✅ How Michigan innovators are leading this technological revolution
This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the infrastructure being built for tomorrow’s internet, where AI agents will handle routine tasks while humans focus on higher-value activities.

About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and communications expert who helps businesses and nonprofits with their impact. As the founder of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with industry leaders to help you grow and lead with intention.
www.mconnexions.com

About our Guest:
Jesse Flores is the innovative founder of SuperWebPros, developing next-generation websites optimized for AI agent interaction. Operating from Lansing, Michigan, Jesse is at the forefront of the internet’s evolution toward AI-driven commerce.
Learn more at www.superwebpros.com

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EXPERT CONNEXIONS: AI, Athletics, and Adventure: 3 Startup Founders to Watch in 2025

From redefining access in sports to battling social isolation with AI and revolutionizing how we carry gear in extreme environments — fresh from The Startup Grind Conference 2025 — this episode of Expert Connexions brings you three powerful stories of innovation born from purpose.

Meet the Founders:
🏀 Christine Schwarz — Co-Founder of Virtual Round Ballers
Christine is breaking barriers in sports and gaming as the creator of Virtual Round Ballers, the first VR experience designed to bring realistic, one-on-one basketball to players of all abilities. Her mission? Make athletics more inclusive, immersive, and empowering. As a tech-driven entrepreneur and accessibility advocate, Christine is carving out space for players who’ve long been left out of the game.
www.virtualroundballers.com

💙 Dan Hungerford — Founder of EverFriends.ai
Dan is the visionary behind EverFriends.ai, an app that uses digital companions to help those who combat loneliness and early cognitive decline. With a background in tech and a passion for social connection, Dan is reimagining how AI can offer empathy, comfort, and companionship — especially when real people aren’t available. His work is deeply human at its core.
www.everfriends.ai

🗺️ Kevin Burnett — Founder of Trail Eagle Packs
Kevin is the founder of Trail Eagle Packs, an outdoor gear startup building next-generation backpacks for serious hikers and professionals. Focused on real-world use, rapid access, and rugged durability, Kevin’s innovation is born from experience and built for people who need their gear to work, no matter the conditions. He’s blending engineering, design, and purpose to elevate the outdoor experience.
www.traileaglepacks.com

About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is the founder of mConnexions marketing agency and hosts Expert Connexions, a show that features industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are redefining success. Julie uses her platform to share real stories and insights for business leaders, creatives, and dreamers alike. She’s also a strategist, speaker, and advocate for women in leadership and business innovation.

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Can You Copyright Artificial Intelligence (AI) Content?

As AI transforms industries, the law is racing to keep up. In this episode of Expert Connexions, we’re joined by Attorney Lindsey Mead of Foster Swift to explore the U.S. Copyright Office’s latest report on AI and copyright.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
✅ What “authorship” really means in the age of AI
How to protect your content if you use AI to brainstorm or create
✅ Where the legal gray areas begin (and how to avoid risk)
✅ What businesses should include in contracts & policies today
Don’t let legal gray areas become business risks, you need to know where the law stands and where it’s going.

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Building a Business While Giving Back: Digital Nomad’s Global Impact

From Digital Nomad to Global Change-Maker 🌍

Meet Victoria Levinsohn, a passionate entrepreneur who is turning the world into her workspace, one volunteer project at a time.

In today’s episode, Victoria shares how she blends her marketing expertise with a love for adventure and volunteering in communities around the globe.

She’s answering the question: “How do visionary entrepreneurs build businesses that go beyond profit and create long-lasting impact?” through the stories she’d lived.

What can entrepreneurs learn from Victoria’s unique journey?
✅ Social Media for Social Good: Using your skills to amplify voices and causes you care about
✅ Building Community Across Continents: The power of volunteering and real-world connections in today’s business landscape
✅ Creativity Beyond Borders: How to incorporate adventure and giving back into your business model

Tune in to hear how Victoria’s travels, nonprofit work, and creative initiatives are shaping a better world — and how you can incorporate some of her values into your own entrepreneurial journey.

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Building a Business While Giving Back: Digital Nomad’s Global Impact

Your Content Goes Here

From Digital Nomad to Global Change-Maker 🌍

Meet Victoria Levinsohn, a passionate entrepreneur who is turning the world into her workspace, one volunteer project at a time.

In today’s episode, Victoria shares how she blends her marketing expertise with a love for adventure and volunteering in communities around the globe.

She’s answering the question: “How do visionary entrepreneurs build businesses that go beyond profit and create long-lasting impact?” through the stories she’d lived.

What can entrepreneurs learn from Victoria’s unique journey?
✅ Social Media for Social Good: Using your skills to amplify voices and causes you care about
✅ Building Community Across Continents: The power of volunteering and real-world connections in today’s business landscape
✅ Creativity Beyond Borders: How to incorporate adventure and giving back into your business model

Tune in to hear how Victoria’s travels, nonprofit work, and creative initiatives are shaping a better world — and how you can incorporate some of her values into your own entrepreneurial journey.

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Powering Business Growth: Inside the 517 Entrepreneurial Movement

What happens when universities, business leaders, and local organizations come together to fuel innovation? A thriving startup ecosystem that’s reshaping the future of the entrepreneurial movement!

517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week is in full swing, bringing together some of the brightest minds in Michigan’s business and startup community.
But what’s really driving this transformation, and why does it matter beyond this week?

🎙️ In today’s episode, host Julie Holton Smith sits down with Harrison R. Leffel-Jones to explore the real impact of 517EI Week and what it means for the future of business in the Lansing region.

✔️ How organizations like Michigan State University, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), Lansing Regional SmartZone, and local partners are unlocking funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities
✔️ The resources available to startups — from funding to mentorship to strategic partnerships
✔️ The long-term impact of 517EI Week on businesses, startups, and the regional economy

Learn more about 517EI: https://www.517ei.com/

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Can AI Feel? VERN AI Brings Emotion to Tech

Think AI can’t pick up on tone, sarcasm, or frustration? Think again!

Craig Tucker is redefining emotional intelligence in tech. He’s answering the big question: Can artificial intelligence act more human and understand emotion?

He believes it can, and he’s proving it with VERN AI — a patented Emotion Recognition System.

In this episode, host Julie Holton Smith talks with Craig about how emotion-sensing AI is used in real time to decode tone, detect bias, and improve how we connect at work, in business, and beyond. As a founder, Craig opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, building VERN AI, leading with purpose, and why empathy belongs in every conversation, human or machine.

✔️ The tech behind VERN AI’s patented speech emotion recognition
✔️ Real-world use cases that show the power of emotional context
✔️ How AI tools like VERN AI can be used for crisis response, education, and DEI
✔️ Why human-centered design and emotional intelligence in tech is the future of customer service
✔️ Craig’s mission to make technology more accessible and inclusive

From chatbots to corporate training, the possibilities are endless when AI learns to listen on a deeper level.

📢 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve in tech, leadership, and purpose-driven innovation!

About Our Host, Julie Holton Smith
Julie is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and communications expert who helps businesses and nonprofits amplify their impact. As the Founder and Principal Strategist of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with purpose-driven leaders to help you grow and lead with intention. Learn more: www.mconnexions.com

About Craig Tucker & VERN AI
Craig Tucker is an entrepreneur and innovator committed to using AI for social good. As the founder of VERN AI, he’s created a platform that uses speech analysis to detect emotional cues, helping industries better understand, support, and serve their communities. Learn more: www.vernai.com