Summary

In this conversation, Ryan and Mike interview Marshall Darr, co-founder and CEO of Stretch Dollar, about the challenges small businesses face in providing affordable health benefits. They discuss the complexities of the healthcare system, the innovative solutions offered by Stretch Dollar, and the importance of making health insurance more accessible and understandable for employees. Marshall shares his journey in the startup world, the process of raising funds, and the future aspirations for Stretch Dollar as they aim to improve the lives of small business employees.

Takeaways

• Health insurance is complicated and expensive.
• Small businesses struggle to provide affordable health benefits.
• Stretch Dollar offers a fintech alternative to traditional health plans.
• The healthcare system in the US is a leading cause of bankruptcy.
• Navigating health insurance requires support and guidance.
• Raising funds for a startup involves facing many rejections.
• The goal is to make small businesses the best place to work.
• Innovative solutions are needed to address healthcare challenges.
• Employees should have the freedom to choose their health plans.
• The future of healthcare may involve more modular and flexible options.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:15 Overview of Stretch Dollar

04:16 Challenges of the US Healthcare System

06:43 Personal Frustrations with Healthcare

09:14 The Cost and Coverage of Stretch Dollar

14:59 The Limitations of Employer-Based Coverage

19:36 The Incentives of Health Insurance Companies

22:25 The History of Health Insurance in the US

25:23 The Future of Healthcare in the US

30:06 Building Stretch Dollar

32:21 The Mission of Stretch Dollar

36:55 Raising Money and the Decision to Seek Funding

40:54 How Stretched Off Works

43:34 Future Ambitions of Stretched Off

50:15 The Evolution of Medical Care and Insurance

56:29 The Importance of Offering Health Benefits for Small Businesses

01:02:16 Conclusion and Contact Information

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this conversation, Ryan and Mike speak with Avi Kumar, CEO of Kuware and Invisible PPC, about the evolving landscape of digital marketing, particularly in the context of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and the impact of AI. They discuss the importance of adapting to new technologies, ethical concerns surrounding AI, and strategies for effective lead generation. Avi shares insights on building a marketing agency without technical expertise and emphasizes the significance of quality over quantity in email marketing. The conversation concludes with thoughts on leveraging newsletters for lead generation and the future of marketing in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways

• Avi Kumar has a background in technology and marketing.
• Digital marketing is evolving rapidly, especially with AI.
• PPC strategies must adapt to changes in search behavior.
• Quality content is essential for SEO and AI optimization.
• Building a sustainable lead generation system is crucial.
• Agencies can leverage white label services to grow without technical skills.
• Quality over quantity is key in email marketing.
• Newsletters should focus on retaining subscribers.
• AI can enhance ad performance through data analysis.
• Understanding audience behavior is vital for effective marketing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Avi Kumar and His Background

03:20 The Evolution of Digital Marketing and PPC in 2025

06:16 AI's Impact on Search and SEO Strategies

09:19 The Future of Advertising in an AI-Driven World

12:09 Navigating Ethical Concerns in AI and Advertising

15:08 Effective Ad Strategies for Businesses in 2025

18:14 Leveraging AI for Creative Marketing Solutions

21:00 Building a Competitive Edge with AI Technology

24:09 The Future of Design and Marketing in an AI Landscape

28:15 Navigating the Future of AI in Business

35:35 Lead Generation Strategies for Sustainable Growth

54:45 Building an Agency Without Technical Expertise

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this episode of EGGS! The Podcast, Alejandro Szita, a mortgage broker and president of Prosperity Lending, shares his insights on the complexities of lending, particularly for self-employed individuals. He discusses his journey from Chile to the U.S., his experiences in the real estate and lending industries, and the challenges faced by self-employed borrowers. Alejandro emphasizes the importance of understanding the mortgage landscape, focusing on goals rather than just interest rates, and exploring various lending options for investment properties. He provides practical advice for navigating the current economic conditions and making informed decisions about property ownership.

Takeaways

• Alejandro Cita specializes in lending for self-employed individuals.
• Understanding money and lending is often complex and filled with conflicting information.
• Self-employed borrowers face unique challenges in securing loans.
• It's crucial to focus on your financial goals rather than just interest rates.
• The volume of interest paid over the life of a loan is more important than the interest rate itself.
• There are various lending options available for self-employed individuals, including bank statements and asset-based loans.
• Investing in properties that are already rented can simplify the lending process.
• Partnerships can mitigate risks when investing in real estate.
• The mortgage landscape has changed significantly since the 2008 financial crisis.
• Navigating the lending process requires clear communication of financial goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alejandro Cita and His Journey

01:58 Alejandro's Background and Early Experiences with Money

04:20 Transitioning into Lending and Real Estate

07:12 Understanding Self-Employed Borrowers

14:53 Challenges for Self-Employed Individuals in Securing Loans

22:32 Is It a Good Time to Own Property?

26:20 The Importance of Goals Over Rates in Mortgages

36:41 Lending Options for Investment Properties

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠