Mission CTRL

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Jeff Peduto, Consulting Partner at ERA Group, to unpack how businesses can stay competitive in an unpredictable economy, without sacrificing quality or customer experience.Jeff breaks down the real impact of rising tariffs and why many businesses feel stuck between absorbing costs or passing them on to customers. Instead of defaulting to price increases or switching suppliers, he shares a smarter approach: uncovering hidden savings within your existing operations to protect margins and maintain stability.Drawing from decades of experience in finance, operations, and process engineering, Jeff explains how ERA Group helps organizations identify inefficiencies across areas like vendor contracts, credit card fees, and operational spend - often uncovering hundreds of thousands (or even millions) in savings. He also dives into their risk-free model, where businesses only pay if actual savings are delivered, making it a low-risk, high-impact solution for growth-focused leaders.The conversation also highlights Jeff’s career journey, from recruiting to Lean Six Sigma process engineering to scaling companies and ultimately launching his own consultancy - all before joining a global network of over 1,000 specialists focused on cost optimization and operational excellence.Whether you’re a business owner feeling the pressure of rising costs or simply looking to run a more efficient operation, this episode offers practical insights and a key reminder: sometimes the biggest opportunity isn’t making more, it’s spending smarter.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Juan Paez-Romero, Business Performance Advisor at Insperity, to break down how he transformed his LinkedIn profile from a “set it and forget it” type of platform into a powerful engine for connection, storytelling, and business growth.Juan shares how showing up consistently, embracing vulnerability, and leading with authenticity helped him build a rapidly growing network and personal brand - earning him the nickname “the Obi-Juan of LinkedIn.” From unscripted videos to personal storytelling and creative content strategies, he explains why being human - not perfect - is what truly drives engagement today.The conversation also dives into Juan’s inspiring journey from immigrating to the U.S. from Ecuador at a young age, to becoming the first in his family to graduate college, and how his parents’ work ethic and sacrifices shaped his mindset around business, relationships, and community. Juan also shares how he’s leveraging LinkedIn to spotlight others through his “Cup of Juan” series, and how his role at Insperity helps small and mid-sized businesses streamline HR, support their employees, and prepare for long-term growth - including mergers and acquisitions.Whether you’re a business owner, job seeker, or someone looking to build a stronger personal brand, this episode is packed with practical strategies and a powerful reminder: people don’t connect with perfection - they connect with real.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Andrea and Angel Perez-Montero, the husband-and-wife founders of SmartCuts Academy, to discuss how passion, purpose, and partnership can transform a traditional trade into a powerful vehicle for inclusion.Angel brings more than 25 years of barbering experience, while Andrea is a special education teacher. Together, they combined their expertise to create SmartCuts Academy, a barber training program designed to give individuals with special needs and disabilities a real pathway to career skills, independence, and employment. Their idea recently earned them top honors at the M&T Small Business Accelerator, validating the impact of their mission-driven approach.The conversation dives into their personal journeys - from Angel’s early days cutting hair in the Dominican Republic to building a thriving barbershop community in Connecticut, and Andrea’s personal journey, military career and work supporting students who often graduate high school without clear career opportunities. Recognizing that traditional barber school curriculums aren’t designed for different learning needs, Andrea began developing a modified program that makes professional barber training accessible and achievable.Together, they unpack how Smart Cut Academy plans to partner with schools, state agencies, and local barbershops to create a pipeline for training and employment - equipping students with adaptive tools, inclusive instruction, and real-world opportunities in a field that desperately needs skilled professionals.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, educator, or community leader, this episode is a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something new - sometimes it means reimagining what already exists to create opportunity for everyone.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Jay Norris - founder of Startup Westport, creator of ThoughtPartnr, chairman of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and the visionary behind multiple ventures at the intersection of innovation, commerce, and community.Jay shares his journey from Detroit’s Motown roots to Howard University, from shaping cultural currency in the music industry (helping launch artists like Alicia Keys) to transforming real estate through tech-enabled transparency. Along the way, he reveals a consistent thread: building ecosystems where innovation drives economic opportunity and strengthens community.At the heart of the conversation is AI. As small and mid-sized businesses face a widening technology gap, Jay explains why AI is the next essential business channel and why adoption can’t be left to large enterprises alone. Through ThoughtPartner, he’s creating “training wheels” for SMBs by partnering with chambers of commerce nationwide, blending AI tools with human coaching to ensure businesses don’t just access information - they act on it.Whether you’re a founder, small business owner, or innovation leader, this episode is a blueprint for staying relevant in a rapidly evolving economy - proving that sustainable growth happens when humans lead technology, and community fuels progress.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Jamilah Prince-Stewart, CEO, and Duanecia Clark, Chief Strategy & Communications Officer of FaithActs for Education, for a powerful conversation about organized people, organized power, and what business leaders can learn from community-based organizing.From vaccine clinics and food distribution during the pandemic to housing initiatives and education advocacy, Jamilah and Duanecia share how they’ve built scalable systems rooted in relationships, accountability, and measurable outcomes. They reflect on their personal journeys from Harlem, the Bronx, New Haven, and Bridgeport, and how those experiences shaped their leadership philosophy and approach to driving change at scale.Together, they unpack how FaithActs mobilizes networks, develops leaders, and influences public policy — including helping move $150 million toward more equitable school funding in Connecticut and building a base of thousands of highly engaged voters. At its core, this is a conversation about strategy: how to align mission with action, build trust-based partnerships, and turn vision into tangible results.Whether you’re a business owner, executive, or emerging leader, this episode offers a masterclass in leadership, stakeholder engagement, and the power of organized people to move systems — proving that sustainable impact, in any sector, requires both conviction and execution.•••Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories