In this episode of Prometheus Chats, I sit down with Elliot Boudard, founder of Social Gem, a company specializing in user-generated content (UGC) marketing. Elliot shares the power of authentic, relatable content in today's digital marketing landscape and why traditional influencer marketing is quickly becoming obsolete. Episode Highlights: What makes UGC more effective than traditional advertising and celebrity endorsements How Social Gem grew from a chance meeting in Mexico to handling over 10,000 ads last year The science behind creating hooks that stop users from scrolling Why watch time is the most important metric in social media marketing How brands can leverage relatability to build trust with potential customers The current state of AI in UGC marketing and why human connection still matters Social Gem's unique approach to fully managed UGC campaigns Elliot breaks down the psychology behind effective marketing content, explaining why people don't want to be "sold to" and how subconscious selling through entertainment and relatability leads to significantly better results. He also shares practical insights on what it takes to grow a successful marketing agency, emphasizing the importance of hiring the right people and creating a positive company culture. Whether you're a business owner looking to understand the modern marketing landscape or a creator interested in UGC opportunities, this episode offers valuable insights into what actually works in today's saturated digital environment. Find Social Gem at: Website: socialgem.io Instagram: @socialgem.io Facebook Group: Social Gem's Daily Marketing Tips

In this episode of Prometheus Chats, host Damion sits down with the celebrated web novel author, Jack Sherwin (a.k.a. JKS Manga), known for his hit series 'My Vampire System'. They discuss Jack's transition from being a music teacher to a full-time writer, the evolution of web novels, and how Jack garnered a massive following by publishing his works digitally. Dive deep into Jack's creative process, the impact of reader feedback, and the realities of monetizing web novels. This conversation offers insights into balancing commercial success with creative passions and navigating the unique challenges of the digital literary world.  To learn more about JKS Manga or to read My Vampire System, check out his website or the My Vampire System page on WebNovel.  https://www.jksmanga.com/my-vampire-system https://www.webnovel.com/book/my-vampire-system_16709365405930105   CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Prometheus Chats 00:57 Meet JKS Manga: The Author Behind the Name 02:08 The Digital Revolution in Publishing 02:32 The Journey to Becoming a Writer 04:47 The Art of Web Novel Writing 07:48 Inspiration Behind the Series 11:32 From Musician to Full-Time Writer 18:47 The Challenges of Consistent Writing 23:53 Monetizing Web Novels 28:54 Experiencing Stories Together 30:04 Balancing Passion and Commercial Success 31:12 Understanding Market Trends 35:10 Reader Feedback and Story Development 36:28 Marketing and Promotion Strategies 38:40 Future of the Web Novel Industry 43:02 Building a True Following 48:04 Traditional vs. Digital Success 54:48 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Dive into the world of independent filmmaking with industry veteran Ray Ellingsen in this eye-opening episode of Prometheus Chats. With over three decades of experience as a writer, producer, and film financier, Ray pulls back the curtain on the often-overlooked business side of bringing movies to life. Discover why treating filmmaking as a business is crucial for success, learn the secrets of audience building and networking, and uncover the common pitfalls that trip up aspiring filmmakers. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, Ray's practical advice and insider knowledge will revolutionize your approach to the film industry. Don't miss this chance to gain invaluable insights that could make or break your next project!

Description: In this inspiring episode of Prometheus Chats, we sit down with Mara McCann, the visionary founder of Zhive Media. Mara shares her journey from small-town Iowa to creating a groundbreaking media and talent incubator for Gen Z creators and entrepreneurs. Discover how Zhive is bridging the gap between intuition and action, empowering young voices, and revolutionizing the way we approach content creation and entrepreneurship. Mara offers invaluable insights on building a company with intention, the importance of mentorship, and the power of trusting your own voice in business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a content creator, or simply curious about the future of media, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice. Don't miss Mara's powerful message: "Don't listen to anybody else but yourself." Tune in to learn how Zhive is shaping the next generation of creators and leaders!   Connect with Mara and Zhive: You can find Mara McCann on LinkedIn @MaraMcCann | Follow @ZhiveMedia on social platforms | Visit Zhive.com/community for the blog | Check out Zhive's YouTube channel for interviews and content | Creators, entrepreneurs, mentors, and potential investors are encouraged to reach out!

In this episode of Prometheus Chats, Damion interviews Christian Sørensen, founder and CEO of Podder, a platform that provides analytics for podcasts. Christian discusses starting Podder in late 2020 after initially wanting to build an advertising marketplace for podcasts. However, they soon realized there was a lack of reliable data in the podcasting industry to power something like that. So they pivoted to focus entirely on collecting and analyzing podcast data to provide insights to podcasters. Some challenges Podder faced included the decentralized nature of podcast listening across many platforms, GDPR compliance as a European company, and gaining credibility as newcomers to the industry. But Christian says they overcame these by staying small and nimble as a team, ensuring their platform was privacy-compliant, and persistently engaging with podcasters to keep learning and improving. Christian also reflects on the pivots and emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and says the most exciting success so far has been recently feeling like they really “found their groove” in solving podcasters’ problems after talking to enough users and honing the product.  Knowing that artificial intelligence is the clear topic du jour,  that Damion and Christian discuss how Podder is looking to leverage AI/ML to enhance their platform and workflows without aiming to replace human roles.  Overall, an insightful look into Podder’s founding story and Christian’s entrepreneurial journey building a startup in the podcast analytics space. He shares the challenges they faced and the importance of continuously engaging with customers, learning, and adapting.

Get inspired by the entrepreneurial journey of Betty Taylor, a successful hair stylist and salon owner - who also happens to be my mother. In this candid conversation, Betty shares how she built her business from the ground up, overcame challenges along the way, and empowered others to pursue their dreams. Listen as Betty recounts starting out as an independent contractor before recently opening her own salon. She offers advice on being open to learning new skills, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, and committing fully to your vision. Betty also discusses the motivation behind writing her book “Pastor of the Salon Chair”, which shares lessons from a 50-year career making clients feel beautiful inside and out. Whether you want to start a new venture or are just looking for some motivation, Betty’s story of perseverance and caring for others will give you a burst of inspiration. Tune in for an uplifting chat with a woman who lives out her purpose daily.   If you would like to contact Betty or learn more about here salon or book, you can visit her website: https://bettyssalon.com/   Order Betty's book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYB4K3WB

Navigating the Path from Educators to Entrepreneurs with AI In this Prometheus Chats episode, host Damien Martin speaks with former educators and co-founders of Alexandria’s Design, Dr. Charles and Marie Martin. They detail their journey shifting from teaching careers to launching their own instructional design company focused on corporate training. A key part of their success has been strategically leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude. The Martins share how they use these technologies to analyze content, generate ideas, increase efficiency, and develop innovative learning experiences for clients. While not replacing human work, AI allows them to handle complex assignments and focus on high-value creative aspects of instructional design. In addition, the conversation covers other topics including building remote teams, overcoming cash flow challenges, and maintaining work-life balance as a couple in business together. The Martins stress the importance of continually developing new skills and maintaining a future-focused mindset as entrepreneurs. Listen to the full discussion of how this power couple has leveraged AI and their complementary skillsets to find success in corporate training at www.alexandriasdesign.com.

Redefining Corporate Culture: A Chat with Christian Ortiz Have you been told that you need to fake it to make it in entrepreneurship? That being inauthentic can lead to success? It's time to ditch that outdated advice and embrace authenticity as a powerful tool for building a successful business. In this episode, we'll discuss how putting your mission first, establishing clear boundaries, and promoting diversity and inclusion can lead to greater success on social media and beyond. Don't let the drudgery of inauthenticity hold you back any longer. Join us and learn how to thrive as an authentic entrepreneur. Get to know Christian Ortiz, a dedicated entrepreneur who seamlessly weaves his personal values and beliefs into his professional endeavors. As the CEO and founder of Mod Atlas Media, Christian is committed to transforming the landscape of entrepreneurship and corporate culture by championing equity, diversity, and inclusion. A self-taught artist, photographer, and musician, Christian's entrepreneurial journey serves as a shining example of the power of authenticity in the workplace, motivating others to embrace their true selves in their professional lives. In this episode, we will cover: Uncovering the advantages of focusing on your mission rather than monetary gains in entrepreneurship. Bolstering authenticity at work and setting effective boundaries when dealing with clients. Leveraging the potential of social media to champion diversity and inclusion in your online world. Innovative and practical techniques for executing impactful social media marketing campaigns. Tailoring your messaging to connect with distinct audiences across multiple social media platforms. The importance of creativity on a zero-Dollar budget. Bringing Your Authentic Self to WorkIn a world where professionalism is often associated with concealing personal beliefs, bringing your authentic self to work becomes a courageous act. Emphasizing authenticity in the workplace cultivates an environment of open communication, trust, and understanding among colleagues and clients. This, in turn, contributes to better team collaboration, increased job satisfaction, and ultimately, better overall performance. During our conversation, Christian Ortiz stresses the importance of showcasing one's true self to clients and colleagues. As a proponent of workplace authenticity, Ortiz encourages entrepreneurs to be transparent about their beliefs and values from the beginning, setting the tone for stronger relationships with clients and collaborators. By doing so, Ortiz sees a significant improvement in the work environment that benefits the well-being and success of everyone involved.   "If you're all about the money, that's going to be very prevalent to anybody who you're trying to do business with, and it's going to reduce the purpose and what you're trying to accomplish with them. But if you're able to say the money is going to come regardless and I'm just going to keep doing me and I'm going to do it the right way, then the money is going to always be there, period" - Christian Ortiz   If you would like to learn more about Christian and his work at Mod Atlas you can find all of his contact information through his Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/OfficialChristianOrtiz

Have you heard these common myths about using data to enhance creativity? Myth #1: Data stifles creativity. Myth #2: Data is only for analytical minds, not creatives. Myth #3: Data can't measure the intangible aspects of creativity. Well fear not, I'm here to share how data can actually fuel your creativity and lead to greater success. Are you ready to learn more? If we're creating for an audience, we should know that audience, we should understand what they want, what their expectations are, if for nothing else so that we know how to deliver on the promise of what we said we were going to make, or to play with those expectations to delight and surprise audiences. -Damion Taylor Data-Informed CreativityThe use of data-informed creativity emphasizes a strategic blend of data insights and firsthand experience, elevating the creative process to produce exceptional content. This technique involves evaluating audience preferences, testing content, and refining strategies accordingly. It fosters an understanding of the audience and enhances communication, resulting in content that resonates with viewers. Data-informed practices provide a solid foundation for high-quality, engaging creative work that appeals to diverse audiences. During this episode, host Damion Taylor demonstrates the application of data-informed creativity in the creation of the animated series Tech Witch. Collaborating with writer Trey Livingston, the team successfully developed characters and a storyline based on personal experiences as well as data insights.With these methods, Tech Witch exemplifies the potential benefits and achievements when implementing data-informed practices into the creative workflow. If you would like to follow our creative journey, please follow us on social media or check out our Science Fiction and Fantasy scripted podcast: https://www.instagram.com/ifprometheus/https://www.instagram.com/animatedprometheus/https://imaginationandfantasy.podbean.com/

In this episode of Prometheus Chats, Damion shares a personal story of choosing between a flashy red convertible Mercedes and a practical brown Chevy Nova. But the decision is not just about the car itself, as he grapples with the balance between status and practicality. Will he make the right choice in the end? What is the right choice? Heck! Is there even a such thing as the right choice? This may be an unconventional way to talk about motivation, but who ever said conventional is our thing? Motivation is pivotal to company culture and decision making in business. So knowing and understanding motivations is obviously important. However, so often we don't take the time to question or even just check in with ourselves to understand the motivations for our own actions. Motivation can really drive outcomes. So be intentional about what you want to achieve, and let that drive your decisions.

My special guest is Julie Fry. Introducing Julie Fry, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Your Expert Guest, a company that supports thought leaders and mission-driven business owners in increasing their visibility through podcasts. With a background in sales and firsthand experience in building and selling a business, Julie understands the crucial role of relationships, company culture, and values in overcoming entrepreneurial obstacles. Her natural talent for connecting people has allowed her to create a successful and thriving business focused on making a difference. In her downtime, Julie can be found enjoying life with her family, including a cat and dog, in the beautiful Seattle area.   Julie Fry's journey from corporate career to entrepreneur was only the beginning; what came next was truly unexpected. Through a chance moment on a dog walk, she stumbled upon her newfound passion, and with her extraordinary gift for connecting people, she started a business that quickly flourished. But Julie's greatest success comes from her commitment to building strong relationships, shared values, and a positive company culture.   In this episode we discuss celebrating your accomplishments, overcoming challenges in business, navigating the challenges of a remote workforce and finding a supportive business community and resources for entrepreneurs.   Resources discussed in this episode are: SCORE Foundation The Power of Fun by Catherine Price (please note that we are Amazon Affiliates and may receive a small commission to support our podcast  if you purchase using this link) How to Be the Best Podcast Guest Ever Checklist   About Your Expert Guest Your Expert Guest is a podcast guest booking agency for female founders and impact-driven leaders that want to speak directly to their ideal client without spending HOURS on social media. Julie Fry and her team have booked over 1500 interviews for their clients and can track hundreds of thousands of dollars of business back to being a podcast guest on top-ranked shows.   Web + Social Links: Website - https://yourexpertguest.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yourexpertguest Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourexpertguest/ Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fryjulie/ Company LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-expert-guest  

My special guest this week is Sifu Gus Gates. Sifu Gus Gates is a distinguished Kung Fu instructor with over four decades of experience in the field. As the founder of The Village Kung Fu in Westlake Village, California, Sifu Gates has dedicated his life to helping his students reach their full potential through a unique style of Kung Fu that combines combative techniques with Zen philosophy. His passion for martial arts has taken him as far as China to train at the birthplace of Kung Fu, further enriching his knowledge and skills. Today, Sifu Gates is well-known for his ability to transform lives by teaching his students how to apply Kung Fu principles in combat as well as in their personal and professional lives.   Navigating the Mental and Emotional Aspects of Kung FuPracticing Kung Fu goes beyond physical fitness and fighting techniques; it encompasses mental and emotional aspects that contribute to growth and self-improvement. Learning how to manage stress, control emotions, and maintain balance in one's life are crucial components of martial arts that can be applied to daily interactions. Developing these skills in a controlled setting enables individuals to become more adept at handling real-world scenarios where stress and anxiety might be high. In his conversation with Damion Taylor, Sifu Gus Gates highlights the importance of building trust and fostering a positive environment for his students. By focusing on students' well-being and meeting them where they are, Gates creates a safe space for them to explore their emotions and develop a strong sense of mental security. This approach enables his students to cultivate resilience and learn how to respond thoughtfully to challenging situations, rather than reacting impulsively or fearfully.   Learn More About The Village Kung Fu with Gus Gates Website - www.thevillagewithgusgates.com   Instagram - @villagesifu Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063484451884  

Carlo is a friend and seasoned consultant dedicated to guiding life science companies towards success. With a unique approach, Carlo focuses on fostering a people-first culture, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building and maximizing every moment. He believes in helping individuals discover their strengths, allowing them to thrive within their teams.

My special guest in this episode is Bridget Brown, an ambitious engineer-turned-entrepreneur, who boldly committed to starting her own web design and marketing business, resulting in an adventurous journey of self-discovery, tenacity and growth.

When a Voice-Over Artist and Musical Director join forces to create a Fantasy/Sci-Fi podcast, Caitlin Martin, the Voice of Tech Witch, overcomes her fears to reach her goal and delivers a powerful performance worthy of the praise it has received. Today's episode is a throwback to January 2021 when we had a chance to interview singer and voiceover actor Cait Martin.We talk about:1. Overcoming Fear in Your Career - How Caitlin Martin Explored a Dramatic Career Shift During COVID 2. Exploring the Creative Process of Voiceover Acting - What Is the Trickiest Skill to Master?3. Bridgerton: Uncovering a Geeky Moment Through Music - How Music Can Enhance a Story.Cait Martin is an amazing voiceover actor, singer and performer. She has worked on many projects, including the popular podcast Tech Witch, and is now a contestant on season 23 of NBC's hit show, The Voice. Please follow her journey on Instagram and watch her epic performances on The Voice.   https://www.instagram.com/caitmartinsings/    If you are interested in listening to our Sci-fi/Fantasy podcast Tech Witch it can now be found on If: Imagination & Fantasy Podcast. Here's a link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HraMn5ClDjW6WFZnOsuGB?si=137a028810f1426b   We will resume publishing episodes on April 17th, 2023.   

From selling art online and setting up lemonade stands to mowing lawns and selling friendship bracelets, these pint-sized entrepreneurs have a lot to teach us about running a business. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets to their success!

Today my Prometheus co-founder, Gabriel Salinas, joins the podcast to talk about why we started Prometheus, the challenges along the way and the lessons we’ve learned.

Ebrahim Hasan is an experienced web developer and founder of BlankPage Agency, a web development and app development company based in Egypt. He has been freelancing for over 8 years and has grown BlankPage to 10 people in just two years!

How I Learned To Lead with Empathy

Prometheus Chats is a podcast about business and entrepreneurship like you have never heard before. From freelancers to people running organizations with hundreds of employees; from tech start-ups to movie producers - we will be exploring the full spectrum of what it means to run a business. That means in addition to talking about how to get the work done, we will talk about the do’s and don’ts of integrating work into our lives in a way that’s healthy.