In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Ryan Walker, Demand Generation Lead at Savvy Wealth.

They explore how Savvy Wealth is modernizing the wealth management industry through an AI-native platform that helps independent financial advisors scale their businesses while maintaining ownership of their clients and practices.

Ryan shares how his experience across consumer brands, startups, and marketing technology shaped his approach to demand generation and growth.

He also explains Savvy’s B2B2C business model, its revenue-sharing approach, and how combining technology, investment management, marketing, and operational support creates value for independent advisors.

The conversation explores effective advisor acquisition strategies, including staying top of mind with prospects who may only be ready to make a transition 5% of the time, building a scalable and measurable marketing funnel, and maintaining acquisition efficiency as the business grows.

Ryan also discusses Savvy’s rapid expansion from $1 billion to over $10 billion in assets under management, the importance of diversifying growth opportunities, and why financial advisors create their greatest value through long-term planning, decision-making, and behavioral coaching rather than simply picking investments.

Savvy Wealth website: https://www.savvywealth.com/

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Chantele Machado, Director of Marketing at Legacy Group Capital.

They explore the challenges of scaling a marketing operation in a rapidly growing real estate investment and private lending business, where multiple audiences, diverse markets, and lengthy sales cycles require a strategic approach.

Chantele shares how Legacy Group Capital expanded from two markets to ten while building its marketing department from the ground up. She discusses how her team prioritizes marketing efforts across investors, builders, homeowners, and real estate professionals, using seasonality and audience behavior to determine when and where to invest in advertising.

She also explains how implementing a CRM, tracking lead sources, and measuring average cost per lead and conversions have helped the team better understand marketing ROI despite extended customer journeys.

From identifying radio as a high-performing channel for investor acquisition to adapting campaigns around seasonal trends and market opportunities, Chantele offers practical insights into building scalable marketing systems, improving attribution, and navigating growth in a dynamic real estate industry. Learn more about their approach to real estate investment, private lending, and business growth.

Legacy Group Capital website: legacyg.com

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Keith Helfrich, Founder and Managing Director of Action (The Action Company).

They explore how organizations can build AI-ready data architectures and why clean, well-structured data is essential for successful AI adoption.

Keith shares his ground-up approach to solving complex enterprise data challenges, explaining how dimensional data modeling, semantic layers, and business ontologies help connect information, business rules, and organizational knowledge. He also breaks down the difference between data architecture and information architecture, highlighting how businesses can eliminate data silos and create consistency across systems.

The conversation explores how organizations can turn tribal knowledge into structured information that AI agents can understand and act on, as well as how combining deterministic processes with probabilistic large language models can make AI-powered analytics more reliable. Keith also shares practical advice for startups and mid-sized businesses, emphasizing the importance of starting with foundational data practices, prioritizing high-impact goals, and following a “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” approach to building scalable systems.

Action website: https://action.co

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Subhasis Ghosal, Marketing Director of iMocha.

They explore how iMocha evolved from a skills assessment platform into an AI-powered skills intelligence solution that helps organizations make smarter workforce decisions.

Subhasis shares how businesses can align employee capabilities with current and future skill demands, using workforce data to improve talent development, internal mobility, and strategic workforce planning. He also explains why building an AI-native SaaS product requires more than adding chatbots or automating reports, emphasizing the importance of creating genuinely intelligent experiences while maintaining transparency and ethical AI practices.

Subhasis discusses how founder-led growth, thought leadership, and community engagement help SaaS companies build credibility and bring innovative products to market.

iMocha website: https://www.imocha.io

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Lindsey Jeffreys, Executive Vice President of Global-Pak.

They explore how this family-owned industrial packaging business has grown from a two-person operation in a garage into a thriving company serving customers across multiple industries. Lindsey shares how Global-Pak is adapting its B2B marketing strategy through digital advertising, search engine optimization, and an online customer portal that makes purchasing bulk bags and industrial packaging products more accessible. She explains how e-commerce is helping the company reach smaller customers and new generations of buyers while maintaining the personalized service and long-standing relationships that have always defined its business.

Lindsey discusses how a strong company culture built on accountability, respect, and customer service can support sustainable growth while preparing the business for emerging technologies like AI.

For business leaders navigating digital transformation, evolving customer expectations, and the challenges of growing a family-owned company, this episode offers valuable insights into building a flexible business that embraces innovation without losing sight of its core values.

Global-Pak website: https://www.global-pak.com

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Rishi Bharathan, CEO of WiserAdvisor.

They explore how financial advisors can accelerate client acquisition through digital marketing, lead generation, and verified online reviews.

Rishi shares how WiserAdvisor connects consumers with financial advisors and how its acquisition of Indyfin helps advisory firms build trust, strengthen their online reputation, and stand out in an increasingly competitive market. He explains why verified client reviews and social proof are becoming essential for financial services marketing, particularly as consumers turn to AI-powered search engines and large language models (LLMs) to research and compare financial advisors.

The conversation also covers how review platforms can improve online visibility, help smaller registered investment advisory (RIA) firms compete with larger brands, and support more effective client acquisition strategies.

Rishi discusses the importance of compliance in collecting and publishing financial advisor reviews, the role of customer acquisition costs (CAC) in evaluating marketing ROI, and why online reviews may become a critical growth driver for financial advisory firms in the AI era.

WiserAdvisor website: https://www.wiseradvisor.com/

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Tom Kuslikis, President and CEO of EFCU Financial.

With nearly 92 years of history, EFCU Financial is navigating the future of community banking by balancing financial sustainability with its mission to serve members and strengthen local communities. Tom shares how the credit union is modernizing its technology, upgrading its loan origination and account-opening systems, and transitioning to a new core banking platform to create a more seamless digital banking experience.

He also explores strategies for attracting younger members, building relationships with the next generation, and preparing for the great wealth transfer as older members pass their assets to younger generations.

Beyond digital transformation, Tom explains how credit unions can differentiate themselves from traditional banks and fintech platforms through personalized service, financial literacy programs, scholarships, and community partnerships.

Discover how EFCU Financial is combining technology, long-term growth strategies, and purpose-driven leadership to remain competitive while helping members build financial security throughout their lives.

EFCU Financial website: https://www.efcufinancial.org/

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Meaghan Ferneau, Director of Demand Generation at CarltonOne.

Meaghan shares how she built a demand generation function and inbound marketing infrastructure from the ground up, transforming marketing operations into a data-driven engine for growth. She explains how optimizing the marketing funnel and strengthening sales and marketing alignment helped reduce lead outreach time from 17 days to just two and a half days within six months.

Meaghan also explores the importance of marketing attribution, lead scoring, and measuring pipeline contribution to demonstrate marketing ROI and secure greater investment. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in the rewards and recognition industry, she discusses balancing proven marketing strategies with experimentation to adapt to changing buyer behaviors.

She also reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome, building credibility as a leader, and using data to make informed decisions, challenge assumptions, and drive measurable business outcomes. Learn more about CarltonOne’s global rewards, employee recognition, sales incentive, and customer loyalty solutions at the official website.

CarltonOne website: https://www.carltonone.com/