

Magnetic Rise Podcast
Hosted by Cikizwa A Vilakazi · Cikizwa Vilakazi
- 18
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2024
- First episode
- 3K
- YouTube views
About Magnetic Rise Podcast
Join us in uncovering the real stories behind the scaling journeys of B2B companies. We explore the highs and lows, the victories and setbacks, and the strategic decisions that have led companies to rise, scale, and secure funding.
- Publisher
- Cikizwa Vilakazi
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 14 Oct 2024
- Latest episode
- 7 Nov 2025
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.

7 Nov 2025
Jimi Gibson: The Art of Branding and Performance | Magnetic Rise #17
Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Jimi Gibson, Thrive Agency's VP of Brand Communication, about using magic principles to improve marketing, emphasizing personal branding and authentic connections to build trust.

7 Jul 2025
The Journey of an Entrepreneur - Zahid Muhammad | Magnetic Rise #16
Entrepreneur Zahid Muhammad discusses his transition from corporate life to e-commerce, sharing insights on overcoming burnout and building multiple income streams in an interview with Cikizwa A. Vilakazi.

27 Jun 2025
From Film to Fulfillment: Paul Shrater's Entrepreneurial Journey | Magnetic Rise #15
Paul Shrater, CEO of Minimus Brands, recounts his transition from the film industry to e-commerce, revealing strategies for scaling a business and adapting to evolving marketing trends, in this interview.

8 Jun 2025
Unlocking SEO Success: Insights from Justin Crawmer | Magnetic Rise #14
Host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Justin Crawmer, founder of Webtek, who shares SEO and digital marketing insights for B2B companies, highlighting content strategy and customer understanding.

21 May 2025
From Employee to Entrepreneur: Sandra Kokotovic's Journey | Magnetic Rise #13
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Sandra Kokotovic, a successful entrepreneur and digital marketing expert. Sandra shares her journey from a traditional job to building multiple seven-figure businesses, emphasizing the importance of mindset, stress management, and effective team management in the digital age. She discusses the rewards and challenges of being a digital nomad, the necessity of adapting one's mindset for entrepreneurial success, and the strategies she employs to manage stress and uncertainty. Sandra also reflects on her early business decisions and offers insights into building a productive remote team, highlighting the significance of trust and hiring the right people. Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sandrakokotovic (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrakokotovic/) Check out SnapAdvantage: snapadvantage.com (https://snapadvantage.com/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

20 May 2025
Navigating the Future of AI in Business - Alejandro Mainetto | Magnetic Rise #12
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi engages with Alejandro Mainetto, a technology executive and thought leader in AI and digital transformation. They discuss the evolution of AI, its integration into business strategies, the significance of customer experience, and the future role of AI in B2B companies. Alejandro emphasizes the importance of defining clear business goals, investing in external expertise, and prioritizing employee experience to drive successful digital transformation. Connect with Alejandro on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amainetto (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amainetto/)Email Alejandro directly: amainetto@gmail.comCheck out CXO Partners: cxo.partners (https://cxo.partners/)Check out Scient One: scientone.com (https://scientone.com/) ----If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations.👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform!The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow.Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/)#MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

26 Mar 2025
The Importance of Franchising - Hossein Kasmai | Magnetic Rise #11
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi speaks with Hossein Kasmai, a seasoned entrepreneur and franchise expert. Hossein shares his journey from being an electrical engineer at Motorola to becoming a successful entrepreneur with multiple business exits. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of scaling businesses through franchising, and common mistakes made by entrepreneurs in the franchising process. The conversation also touches on alternative growth strategies and the significance of brand preservation in franchising.Connect with Hossein on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hossein-kasmai (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hossein-kasmai/)Check out Franchise Creator: franchisecreator.com (https://franchisecreator.com/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

8 Feb 2025
Revolutionizing Learning: Juliette Denny's Journey | Magnetic Rise #10
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi speaks with Juliette Denny, an innovator in the EdTech space, about her journey from the software industry to founding Zavmo.ai, an AI-driven personalized learning platform. They discuss significant shifts in the learning and development sector, the importance of building trust with clients, and how Zavmo.ai personalizes learning experiences. Juliet emphasizes the need for curiosity in education and the potential of AI to revolutionize learning. Check out Zavmo.ai (Iridescent Technology):iridescenttechnology.ai (https://iridescenttechnology.ai/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company:strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

5 Feb 2025
Unveiling the Secrets of B2B Marketing with Eric Eden | Magnetic Rise #9
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Eric Eden, a seasoned marketer with over 25 years of experience in B2B technology and marketing. They discuss Eric's journey into marketing, the evolution of marketing strategies, and the impact of AI on efficiency. Eric shares insights on emerging trends for 2025, the importance of remarkable marketing, and high-impact strategies that drive business growth. He emphasizes the need for creativity in marketing, especially for companies with limited budgets, and the significance of starting small and scaling effectively. Check out Workverse's website: (https://virtualcathy.com/)workverse.com (https://workverse.com/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

4 Feb 2025
The Power of Differentiation in Business - Barry LaBov | Magnetic Rise #8
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Barry LaBov, founder of LaBov Marketing Communications and author of 'The Power of Differentiation.' Barry shares his unexpected journey into the marketing world, the challenges he faced in the early stages of his business, and the key lessons he learned about differentiation, company culture, and customer experience. He emphasizes the importance of treating customers as individuals and the need for businesses to honor their unique qualities to succeed in a competitive landscape. Check out Barry LaBov's website: barrylabov.com (https://www.barrylabov.com/) Barry LaBov's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barry-labov-6965241 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-labov-6965241/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

22 Jan 2025
Mastering the Art of Networking - Devin Sizemore | Magnetic Rise #7
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Devin Sizemore, a master connector and entrepreneur, who shares his journey in networking and business growth. Sizemore discusses the importance of creating meaningful connections, actionable networking strategies, and overcoming networking anxiety. He emphasizes the need to shift from a sales mentality to a genuine approach in building relationships, providing practical tips and insights for listeners to enhance their networking skills. The conversation also touches on Sizemore's unique business ventures, including a cat cafe, and concludes with resources for further learning. Check out Devon Sizemore's website: devinsizemore.com (https://devinsizemore.com/) Devon Sizemore's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dpsizemore (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpsizemore/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

9 Dec 2024
Scaling Success: The Virtual Cathy Story - Cathy Baillargeon | Magnetic Rise #6
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Cathy Baillargeon, founder of Virtual Cathy, a virtual assisting agency. Cathy shares her journey of starting the business, the challenges she faced, and the importance of company culture in a remote work environment. She discusses key milestones, lessons learned, and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses while maintaining their core values. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about virtual work and highlights the unique aspects of Virtual Cathy that set it apart from other services. Check out Virtual Cathy: virtualcathy.com (https://virtualcathy.com/) Cathy Baillargeon's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cathy-baillargeon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-baillargeon/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

3 Dec 2024
Louis Balla on The Future of Consulting, ERP, AI and Beyond | Magnetic Rise #5
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi speaks with Louis Balla, Director of Sales and Marketing at Nuage Consulting Group. They discuss Louis's journey into sales and marketing within the consulting sector, the challenges agencies face while scaling, and the impact of AI on consulting strategies. Louis explains the importance of ERP systems for businesses looking to scale and shares a success story of ERP implementation. The conversation also touches on leadership styles, advice for overwhelmed leaders, and strategies for maintaining company culture during growth. Finally, Louis shares insights into Nuage's future initiatives and the value of networking in leadership. Check out Nuage: nuagecg.com (https://www.nuagecg.com/) Check out Beyond ERP (Louis' podcast): nuagecg.com/beyond-erp (https://www.nuagecg.com/beyond-erp) Louis Balla's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/louis-balla-88784a2a (https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-balla-88784a2a/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

26 Nov 2024
M. Curtis McCoy on The Power of Personal Branding | Magnetic Rise #4
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi speaks with entrepreneur M. Curtis McCoy about the significance of personal branding, resilience in business, and effective strategies for growth. Curtis shares his journey from various business ventures to focusing on personal branding, emphasizing the importance of being known in your industry. He provides actionable insights for podcast hosts on leveraging guest appearances to drive traffic and discusses the balance between earned and paid media. The conversation also touches on future trends in branding, success stories, and the qualities that distinguish great leaders from good ones. Curtis concludes with advice on focusing on solving problems for your audience to achieve business success. Check out News Wire Magazine: news-wire.com/magazine (https://news-wire.com/magazine/) M. Curtis McCoy's website: mcurtismccoy.com (https://mcurtismccoy.com/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

22 Nov 2024
Michael Doyle on The Critical Role of Branding In Business Growth | Magnetic Rise #3
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Michael Doyle, CEO of Brand Iron, discussing the critical role of branding in business growth. Michael shares insights from his extensive experience in branding and marketing, emphasizing the importance of a strategic approach to branding, common mistakes companies make, and the evolving landscape of branding in the age of AI. He also highlights the unique challenges faced by startups compared to mature companies and offers valuable advice for business leaders looking to enhance their brand's effectiveness. Check out Brand Iron: brandiron.net (https://brandiron.net/) Michael Doyle on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandiron (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandiron/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

9 Nov 2024
Kevin Barona on Building Cycore and Turning Compliance into a Competitive Edge | Magnetic Rise #2
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Kevin Barona, co-founder of Cycore, a leading cybersecurity company focused on protecting businesses with advanced security solutions. Kevin dives into his journey as an entrepreneur, sharing insights on building a passionate team, establishing cybersecurity as a foundational business strategy, and transforming compliance from a burden into a competitive advantage. For founders, investors, and leaders in B2B, this conversation offers practical advice on scaling securely and driving sustainable growth. Check out Cycore's website: cycoresecure.io (https://www.cycoresecure.io/) Schedule a call to learn more about Cycore: calendly.com/cycoresecure/cycoreadvisorycall (https://calendly.com/cycoresecure/cycoreadvisorycall) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

24 Oct 2024
Scaling Innovation: Nick Jain on Leading IdeaScale and Growing B2B Businesses | Magnetic Rise #1
In this episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi interviews Nick Jane, CEO of IdeaScale, discussing his journey in innovation management and the challenges of scaling businesses. Nick shares insights on institutionalizing processes, maintaining customer focus, fostering a culture of innovation, and the importance of understanding business economics. He emphasizes the need for leaders to create effective incentives and reflects on the influence of historical figures like Mary Shelley. Check out IdeaScale: ideascale.com (https://ideascale.com/) Nick Jain on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nickjain (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjain/) ---- If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or investor looking for real-world insights on growth, securing funding, and overcoming obstacles, you’re in the right place! Hit subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and don’t miss out on these incredible conversations. 👉 Ready to rise with us? Subscribe to Magnetic Rise on your favorite podcast platform! The Magnetic Rise podcast is created by Strategnetic, a B2B lead generation agency dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. Check out how Strategnetic can help scale your company: strategnetic.com (https://strategnetic.com/) #MagneticRise #B2Bsuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #Leadership #b2b #scalingbusiness #b2bsaas #b2bgrowth

14 Oct 2024
Magnetic Rise: Trailer
In this inaugural episode of Magnetic Rise, host Cikizwa A. Vilakazi introduces you to the podcast that dives deep into the real stories behind scaling B2B companies. Created by Strategnetic, Magnetic Rise brings candid conversations with founders, CEOs, and industry leaders about the wins, challenges, and pivotal moments on their journeys to growth and success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or investor, this episode sets the stage for the actionable insights and inspiring stories to come. Tune in, subscribe, and get ready to rise!
Who has been a guest on Magnetic Rise Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Jimi Gibson
- Zahid Muhammad
- Paul Shrater
- Justin Crawmer
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- YouTube views
- 3,227
- Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 62
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 68
- Engagement
- 0
Contact Magnetic Rise Podcast
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Magnetic Rise Podcast
Who hosts Magnetic Rise Podcast?
Cikizwa A Vilakazi host the show. Published by Cikizwa Vilakazi.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Magnetic Rise Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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