In this solo episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen opens up about the state of his agency and how he's actively positioning for long-term success amidst a rapidly changing world.

From economic pressures like tariffs to the accelerating rise of AI, Matt breaks down how these forces are impacting service businesses—and how he’s turning disruption into opportunity. Instead of reacting with fear, he shares a grounded, strategic framework for expanding offerings, introducing AI and automation, and deepening consulting capabilities—all while staying rooted in his core strengths.

You’ll hear the nuts and bolts of how Matt built and launched new landing pages, repositioned service offerings, and even created a lead-gen funnel using tools like Canva, ChatGPT, Mailchimp, and WordPress—in a matter of hours. But more importantly, he reflects on the first principles behind why he’s doing it all.

If you’re a founder, service provider, or agency owner navigating the same turbulent waters, this is your behind-the-scenes guide to building with intention.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• AI is here—and it’s not just a threat: It’s a powerful tool that agencies can embrace to add value, not replace it.
• Speed matters: When the ground shifts, the builders who move fast are the ones who stay standing.
• Your clients still need you: Business owners want human guidance. Many don’t have the time or skill to implement AI on their own.
• Don't burn it down—build on what works: Unified Web Design isn’t being replaced, it’s expanding with AI-led services and consulting.
• Marketing infrastructure is critical: Even a quick-and-dirty funnel (like the “Three Smart Moves” guide) can plant seeds for future opportunities.
• Community and outreach still win: Reconnecting with your network and engaging in communities is as essential as ever.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen welcomes Eli Tansman, CEO and co-founder of Cygnostic. With deep expertise in cybersecurity and AI security, Eli shares his journey from military cyber operations to building a global company at the forefront of protecting modern development workflows.

Eli’s story is one of rapid evolution and intentional pivots—shifting from cybersecurity services to product-driven solutions that address the urgent challenges of AI, application, and cloud security. This episode digs into the shift from reactive to proactive protection, emphasizing the importance of building security directly into the development process—before vulnerabilities ever make it to production.

From real-time vulnerability detection to preventing prompt injection attacks on LLMs, Eli outlines how his team is redefining the security blueprint for a fast-moving digital world. He also shares how the reseller model enables startups to scale globally while maintaining localized security standards—without overextending their teams.

Whether you're building with AI, deploying in the cloud, or launching new software features, this episode offers an insider’s look at how to secure it all—intentionally.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Building Security Into Dev Workflows: They integrate integrate real-time vulnerability detection directly into the developer’s workflow—making R&D and security teams true collaborators (“BFFs”).
• AI Security Isn’t Optional: Eli explains how AI introduces new threat vectors—from prompt injections to LLM jailbreaks—and why catching these early is essential for both startups and enterprises.
• Proactive Cloud Security Is the New Standard: Instead of reacting to misconfigurations after deployment, their solutions stop them from ever hitting production—minimizing downtime and long-term risk.
• Specialization as a Competitive Edge: By narrowing focus to AI, application, and cloud security, they stand out in a crowded field—offering startup-friendly, deeply technical, and highly focused protection.
• Global Distribution Through Strategic Partnerships: Eli’s unique reseller model gives cutting-edge security startups global reach while keeping them focused on the U.S. market—bridging innovation with international demand.

In this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with Dan Bennett, founder of Hot Sauce Video, to explore how creativity, calm under pressure, and strategic reinvention can carry a business through adversity.

From playing in rock bands to helping entrepreneurs shine on video, Dan shares the building blocks of his journey — including how the pandemic pushed him to pivot hard and reimagine everything.

Whether you're an early-stage founder, solo creator, or scaling agency, Dan’s story is packed with practical wisdom for navigating uncertainty and building something that truly sticks.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Face fear with intention — Dan shares how he “played poker with fear” during COVID and found opportunity by leaning into service, not panic.
• Your superpower may surprise you — Authentic feedback from his network revealed that Dan’s calm presence was his greatest asset in a noisy world.
• Rebranding isn’t just about visuals — It’s about aligning your brand with who you’ve become and what truly resonates with your audience.
• Start scrappy, evolve smart — Hot Sauce Video began as a throwaway phrase and grew into a powerful, sticky brand.
• Build systems that suit your brain — From naps to Eisenhower matrices, Dan walks through how he structures his time and energy for sustained creativity.
• Let your clients be the heroes — Dan’s model empowers others to look and sound their best on video, proving that teaching can be as powerful as doing.

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This episode is a blueprint for turning chaos into clarity — and building a business with voice, vibe, and staying power.