Symplicity Conversations

Join us for an inspiring episode of Symplicity Conversations as we sit down with Becky Puckett-Wood, Vice President of Business Development at Inforum. Dive into Becky's journey from vendor to mission-driven leader, and discover how Inforum is accelerating leadership for women through strategic connections and community support.

We explore the magic of Inforum's networking, where relationships transform careers and busines...

Join host Catherine Ripley and Director of Marketing Doug Seites as they reflect on the first half of 2025 in this special episode of Symplicity Conversations.

Dive into the stories behind their business successes, personal transformations, and the vibrant community connections that have shaped their journey.

Discover how embracing change, celebrating achievements, and prioritizing personal well-being have fueled their gro...

Dive into an inspiring conversation with former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Monica Steimle-App, Senior VP at Rockford Construction.

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley explores the dynamic journeys of these remarkable woman leaders as they discuss the power of community-centered leadership, the importance of meaningful connections, and the impact of women supporting women in business...

Join us as Catherine Ripley and Alex Mead, Chief Technology Officer for City Innovations, dive into the world of AI, debunking myths and exploring its real-world applications. Discover how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are transforming industries and creating new opportunities for businesses of all sizes. 

From practical tips on integrating AI responsibly to insightful discussions on the future o...

Join Catherine Ripley as she sits down with Alicia Carlson and Camille Widme from Blue Team Alpha to explore the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Discover how Blue Team Alpha is helping businesses stay ahead of cyber threats with proactive strategies and robust incident response services. From the rise of AI-driven phishing attacks to the importance of fostering a security-conscious culture, this episode unpacks the c...

Join Catherine Ripley on Symplicity Conversations as she sits down with Camron Gnass, founder of Traction Brands, to explore the essence of effective branding. Discover how Traction Brands helps businesses grow with clarity and confidence by challenging conventional thinking and asking the right questions. 

Camron shares insights on the importance of positioning in the marketplace, the role of curiosity, and the impact of c...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, Catherine Ripley sits down with Roberta McCarter, the founder of Novus Data Journeys. Together, they take a look at the transformative power of data and the unexpected yet exciting leap into entrepreneurship. Discover how Roberta’s extensive experience with Fortune 100 companies led her to embrace the challenges and rewards of starting her own business. Explore the vital role of...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley dives into the transformative world of AI and automation with Alex Levin, Co-Founder and CEO of RegalAI, and Mandi Jarman, Strategic Director at RegalAI.

Discover how RegalAI is revolutionizing customer interactions by harnessing the power of voice AI to create meaningful connections. Explore the journey from skepticism to innovation as Alex and Mandi share ...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley sits down with Rene' Nutter of ABT Global. The two talk about how innovation, relationships, and community shape today's business landscape. 

Rene' shares her fascinating journey from culinary arts to government contracting, highlighting the pivotal role of networking and mentorship. They explore the intersection of technology and government, and how automat...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join host Catherine Ripley as she talks about our transformative success story with Sean Shaughnessy and George Foland from RingCentral. Discover how a major West Michigan grocery chain revolutionized its communication infrastructure through a landmark deal in the Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) space and how Symplicity landed the record-setting deal delivered big for...

We explore the dynamic world of leadership with Dr. Dino Signore, a renowned business psychologist. Host Catherine Ripley dives deep into the challenges and mindset shifts required to transition from a startup to a thriving second-stage business. Discover the importance of emotional intelligence, how to build a management team that complements your strengths, and the role of peer support in fostering innovation. Whether yo...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley dives into the impact of dreaming big and achieving remarkable milestones in business. Joined by Doug Seites, Director of Marketing at Symplicity, they discuss the significance of being nominated for and winning prestigious awards, such as their recent Intellisys Platinum Partner recognition, and how these achievements reflect the hard work and dedication o...

Join us for an insightful episode of Symplicity Conversations, where host Catherine Ripley sits down with Erin Stewart, Senior Director at Success KPI. Discover how businesses are leveraging data-driven insights to maximize success in an ever-evolving landscape. Erin shares her journey from starting in a mall kiosk to becoming a leader in data analytics, emphasizing the importance of relationships and strategic thinking. D...

In this episode of Simplicity Conversations, hosted by Catherine Ripley, we dive into the evolving landscape of IT services with Stephen Hackett, founder of 186Kloud. Explore Stephen's journey from channel management to founding a company focused on providing cutting-edge IT solutions. Discover insights into how businesses can adapt to technological shifts, with a special focus on the role of AI and cybersecurity in today'...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join host Catherine Ripley as she sits down with Nick Stevenson, Technical Account Manager at Symplicity Communications. Dive into an engaging conversation about the evolving landscape of business and technology, the importance of genuine relationships, and how Symplicity Communications is making a difference by prioritizing client needs over sales tactics. 

Discover insights on ...

Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as host Catherine Ripley sits down with Brian Cohen to explore innovation and community impact. Discover the inspiration and impact of the Confluence Thought Series, a groundbreaking initiative that brings innovation and community together in West Michigan.
Brian shares his journey from launching successful music festivals to creating dynamic platforms like the Conflue...

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley sits down with Matthew Burnell, founder and CEO of ClickBid, to explore the transformative power of technology in nonprofit fundraising. 

Matt shares the journey of ClickBid from its early days of replacing paper auctions with digital solutions to its current role in improving fundraising through innovative auction technology. We talk about the evolution of ...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Symplicity Conversations! Join host Catherine Ripley as she sits down with Jessica Reilly, Manager of Customer Success at Symplicity, to explore the pivotal role Operations play in driving innovation and success. In this episode, Jessica shares her unique journey from stage management at SeaWorld to leading operations at Symplicity. Discover how her transformative career shift was fu...

Our host Catherine Ripley sits down with Della Pretzer, Senior Regional Partner Manager at RingCentral to unpack the power of business relationships.

Discover how innovation and collaboration fuel success in today's business landscape. Catherine and Della discuss the power of partnerships, the journey to record-breaking achievements, and the evolving role of technology in enhancing customer experience. 

Learn valuable lesson...