Stacie Porter Bilger is the Founder and President of Proof Digital, a business growth-marketing agency that blends modern marketing tools with traditional sales funnel processes. She spent the first 20 years of her career working with businesses to strategize development and connect them to investors. Before founding Proof Digital, Stacie worked for several Chambers of Commerce and startups like the Indiana Venture Center. Her commitment to leveraging cutting-edge digital tactics has revolutionized business growth strategies, cementing her status as a digital marketing thought leader.

Sustainable business growth requires leaders to continually evaluate how their organizations operate, adapt, and improve. By staying open to new perspectives and creating an environment where people and ideas can thrive, businesses can become more resilient and better prepared for long-term success. What approaches can leaders use to strengthen their organizations and support meaningful growth?

This compilation episode brings together practical insights from BJ Lippert, Tyler Breadlescomb, Carrie Schroeder, Ken McLoud, and Nicole Donnelly. These business growth experts explore the value of letting capable employees step up, leveraging customer feedback to strengthen content strategy, inviting consultants and advisors to uncover overlooked opportunities, and applying AI to specific workflows rather than replacing entire roles. They also emphasize giving employees dedicated time to learn, collaborate, and share new ideas.

In this special episode of Proof Point, Stacie Porter Bilger revisits key conversations about people-centered leadership and practical innovation. From delegation and audience engagement to consulting, automation, and team development, the episode shows that lasting progress depends on combining effective tools with human judgment. Together, these lessons offer leaders a practical framework for creating more efficient, responsive, and growth-oriented organizations.

John Overton is an engineer, podcast producer, and graduate of the Round Table Recording Arts program. He is the founder of Popular Rapture, a podcasting company, and is responsible for co-production and recording of the Follow D$ Podcast, Conversation Piece Podcast, and North Indy Podcast. In addition to podcasting, John's expertise extends into voice-over work, audiobook recording, mixing, and mastering. He is also an artist and composer, specializing in Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop, and Electronic.

AI search is changing how people find local businesses, and most small business owners don't fully understand what that means yet. Is it just the next evolution of SEO, or something businesses need to approach completely differently? And once you understand it, what should you actually do about it this week, not eventually?

In this episode, John Overton flips the script and interviews Stacie Porter Bilger, Founder and President of Proof Digital, breaking down AI search in plain terms. Stacie explains why the fundamentals of good SEO still apply, why PR and credible mentions now carry as much weight as backlinks, and why businesses that show up in AI-generated answers tend to see higher conversion rates. She also shares a real case study of a client who landed some of the biggest deals in their company's history after being structured and found for a specific search term in AI results.

In this episode of Proof Point, John Overton sits down with Stacie Porter Bilger, Founder and President of Proof Digital, to break down AI search and what it means for small businesses. Stacie covers the new rules for being found online, how reviews, PR, and site structure factor into AI results, and the exact steps a small business should take this week to get ready.

John Overton is an engineer, podcast producer, and graduate of the Round Table Recording Arts program. He is the founder of Popular Rapture, a podcasting company, and is responsible for co-production and recording of the Follow D$ Podcast, Conversation Piece Podcast, and North Indy Podcast. In addition to podcasting, John's expertise extends into voice-over work, audiobook recording, mixing, and mastering. He is also an artist and composer, specializing in Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop, and Electronic.

AI is changing how customers find and choose a business, but the fundamentals of good marketing haven't gone anywhere. Knowing what problem you solve, who you serve, and how to make it easy for someone to trust and pay you is still the foundation everything else sits on. The businesses winning right now aren't the ones chasing every new tool. They're the ones who nailed the basics first and then layered AI on top with a plan.

Stacie Porter Bilger, Founder and President of Proof Digital, sits down with John Overton to talk through what that looks like in practice. She walks through why your website and social content now have to speak to AI bots as much as to humans, why she treats AI like a new salesperson who needs training and context, and why Claude has become her favorite platform for coding and safety even as Gemini and ChatGPT hold their own ground. Stacie also gets specific about cost, the data points that actually prove a marketing effort is working, and the AI policy every business should have in place before a team starts using these tools. It's a grounded, practical look at where AI genuinely helps small businesses and where the old rules of marketing still apply.

In this episode of Proof Point, recorded in partnership with Round Table Recording Company, host John Overton interviews Stacie Porter Bilger, Founder and President of Proof Digital, on building AI into a small business marketing strategy without losing what makes that business trustworthy in the first place.

Nicole Donnelly is the Founder and globally recognized AI Adoption Specialist at AI Smart Ventures, a company dedicated to helping teams integrate AI with clarity, confidence, and real‑world impact. As an award-winning prompt engineer, she has nearly two decades of entrepreneurial leadership experience combined with over a decade of guiding organizations to adopt AI effectively. Dedicated to making AI transformational, Nicole trains professionals and delivers hands‑on workshops, consulting, and strategy to streamline processes and drive growth. Her work has helped thousands adopt AI and saved millions of productivity hours.

AI is evolving rapidly, and teams across industries are experimenting with tools at every level of business. However, many of these experiments fail to deliver real, tangible results. To truly harness AI's potential, companies must transform scattered tools and ideas into cohesive systems that drive growth. But what does it take to build an AI stack that your team can consistently use and scale?

Nicole Donnelly, a global AI speaker and entrepreneur, says the answer starts with practical implementation — using AI to simplify workflows, strengthen marketing, and create scalable systems that actually deliver results. She explains that businesses must think in three layers: AI-powered SEO for visibility, generative AI for daily productivity, and autonomous agents for advanced automation. The real impact comes when teams combine these tools with strong systems and human oversight, ensuring their unique strengths aren't lost in automation. Nicole also emphasizes that early AI adoption provides a competitive edge, especially by structuring content and data in ways AI can easily discover and prioritize. Ultimately, success with AI isn't about using more tools — it's about using the right ones effectively and consistently across the organization.

In this episode of Proof Point, Stacie Porter Bilger sits down with Nicole Donnelly, Founder and AI Adoption Specialist at AI Smart Ventures, to discuss building an effective AI stack. Nicole details some AI tools for workflow automation, tactics for AI-driven SEO and content strategy, and how to drive team adoption. She also shares advice on training teams and maintaining a human touch in AI-powered systems.

Ken McLoud is the Founder of Laconic Tech, a technology company focused on helping businesses harness the power of artificial intelligence and custom software to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and unlock growth. Drawing on his experience in AI engineering and strategic consulting, he partners with clients to design solutions that integrate smoothly with existing systems and deliver measurable business results. Prior to founding Laconic Technology, Ken worked as a Design Engineer at Ruger Firearms, where he leveraged his technical expertise to develop innovative products.

AI is everywhere, and it's not slowing down. But most companies are still struggling to use it in a way that actually drives results. It's easy to get caught up in the hype, tools, and trends without seeing real impact. So how can businesses integrate AI in a way that truly supports people, improves workflows, and creates meaningful growth?

Ken McLoud, an engineer with over 15 years of experience building complex systems, explains that the most effective way to integrate AI is by using it to enhance human capability — not replace it. He emphasizes focusing on workflows instead of roles, identifying bottlenecks, and automating repetitive tasks to increase output without expanding teams. He also highlights the importance of aligning AI initiatives with real business problems, not chasing trends. The result is more efficient operations, better decision-making, and scalable growth. By combining strategy, implementation, and follow-through, businesses can turn AI into a practical advantage rather than a distraction.

In this episode of Proof Point, Stacie Porter Bilger sits down with Ken McLoud, Founder of Laconic Tech, to talk about the right way to integrate AI into your business. They explore using AI to enhance teams, building custom solutions for workflows, and avoiding the trap of trend-driven adoption. Ken also shares advice on identifying the right AI opportunities for long-term growth.

Carrie Schroeder is the Principal, Lead Executive Coach, and Sales Strategist at Polaris Advisors, a consulting firm that helps organizations align strategy, culture, and operations to drive growth and successful transitions. With over 25 years of global experience in sales, business development, and M&A integration, she specializes in unlocking human potential and improving team performance. She is also a Co-founder and Partner at The B2B Builder, a women-led consulting firm focused on accelerating growth for purpose-driven organizations. Carrie is known for blending strategic insight with a strong focus on people, leadership, and sustainable business impact.

Matt Curts is the Principal and Lead Culture and Operations Strategist at Polaris Advisors. With over 25 years of experience across finance, leadership, and consulting, he specializes in culture diagnostics, leadership development, and operational planning. He is also a Co-founder at Switchback to Simple, where he helps organizations unlock team potential through culture-focused training and conversations. Matt is known for guiding leaders to align purpose with performance and create healthier, more resilient organizations.

Growth isn't just about strategy, systems, or scale — it's about people. Yet many leaders still treat culture as a "nice to have" instead of a core driver of performance and valuation. What if the real bottleneck in your business isn't the market, but how your people are aligned, developed, and empowered?

Carrie Schroeder and Matt Curts, seasoned operators and advisors, emphasize that people-powered growth is the foundation of sustainable scale and successful exits. They explain that businesses often suffer from an invisible "relational drag" caused by misalignment, lack of trust, and unclear communication. Carrie underscores the importance of psychological safety and self-awareness in teams, while Matt highlights the need for leadership evolution — from doing the work to developing others. Together, they show how addressing these human dynamics unlocks performance, builds resilience, and increases enterprise value. They also stress that founders must detach from day-to-day operations to create transferable, sellable businesses, reinforcing that culture and leadership are not soft skills but strategic assets.

In this episode of Proof Point, Stacie Porter Bilger is joined by Carrie Schroeder and Matt Curts, Principals at Polaris Advisors, to discuss how culture drives scale and exit readiness. They explore founder dependency risks, leadership development gaps, the hidden cost of disengaged teams, and how to build a transferable business. Carrie and Matt also give advice on preparing early for succession and navigating the evolving M&A landscape.

Tyler Beadlescomb is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content at Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), a leading organization that manages the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and other major live events across Indiana. Tyler oversees brand strategy, creative direction, and content innovation, guiding multi-platform marketing that strengthens fan engagement and drives organizational growth. Before joining PS&E, he held senior roles at TikTok, FOX Sports, and the Oakland Raiders, where he built high-impact digital campaigns and audience development programs. His career is defined by data-informed strategy, creative leadership, and consistent results.

A compelling story drives emotion, and emotion drives loyalty — especially in sports. But how do modern franchises turn everyday moments into powerful stories that captivate fans year-round while also using data to fuel smarter decision-making? And what happens when storytelling meets a rapidly expanding fan base?

Tyler Beadlescomb, a seasoned leader in sports marketing and content strategy, says the answer starts with putting fans at the center of everything. He explains that great storytelling comes from understanding what fans feel, need, and celebrate — then layering data on top to personalize those moments at scale. He highlights how blending creativity with analytics helps shape year-round engagement, from social content to in-arena experiences. This balanced approach not only deepens loyalty but also expands the footprint of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever brands. Tyler shares real examples of how this philosophy drives consistency, sparks innovation, and connects diverse generations of fans.

In this episode of Proof Point, Stacie Porter Bilger sits down with Tyler Beadlescomb, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, to discuss how storytelling and data power the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever brands. They explore 365-day content strategy, the impact of player-driven narratives, and how fan behavior shapes creative decisions. Tyler also talks about the rise of global audiences and new opportunities in sports marketing.

Stacie Porter Bilger is the Founder and President of Proof Digital, a business growth-marketing agency that blends modern marketing tools with traditional sales funnel processes. She spent the first 20 years of her career working with businesses to strategize development and connect them to investors. Before founding Proof Digital, Stacie worked for several Chambers of Commerce and startups like the Indiana Venture Center. Her commitment to leveraging cutting-edge digital tactics has revolutionized business growth strategies, cementing her status as a digital marketing thought leader.

As AI transforms how we work, many business leaders still wonder where to begin. With the rapid acceleration of AI's capabilities, how can small and medium-sized businesses begin to implement it effectively without feeling overwhelmed? Is there a way to embrace it without sacrificing the personal touch that defines their brand?

Digital marketing expert Stacie Porter Bilger explains that businesses should approach AI with curiosity and start small, testing its capabilities on simple tasks first. She highlights the importance of integrating AI into existing systems, using it to streamline processes like project management and content creation. Stacie emphasizes that AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity, ultimately empowering teams to focus on what truly matters. By thoughtfully implementing AI into workflows, businesses can gain a competitive edge while maintaining a personal connection with their customers.

In this episode of Proof Point, Chad Franzen of Rise25 interviews Stacie Porter Bilger, the Founder and President of Proof Digital, about adopting AI to improve business efficiency. They dive into how businesses can take their first steps in AI adoption, how it can drive growth without losing human touch, and strategies for integrating AI into existing workflows. Stacie also shares tips on managing AI ethically and securely within your business.