The Business RoundUp with Melissa Bill

Paying Forward Through Innovation and Education: Interview with Pedro Espinoza

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, we are joined by Pedro David Espinoza a TED speaker, entrepreneur, AI investor, and author. Pedro shares how he is invested in the future by empowering underserved communities through technology and entrepreneurship. 
In this episode, he shares insight into:
What prompted him to start Pan Peru USA, a nonprofit organization that trains Andean women in rural Peru to become entrepreneurs by marketing and selling handmade alpaca garments.
How Pan Peru USA has scaled under his leadership, from empowering one woman to over 100, with support from Fortune 500 companies such as KPMG, Bristol Myers Squibb, MSCI, and Western Union.
Discuss SmileyGo, a platform that has helped companies invest smarter by connecting them with nonprofits. The platform indexed the data of 1.5 million NGOs.
His journey as the founder & CEO of SmileyGo, an app that indexed the data of 1.5 million NGOs in addition to having users in 30 countries. 
His book – Differences That Make A Difference, which attracted 100 CEOs as contributors such as Pat Gelsinger who wrote the foreword. 

Illuminate XR: Redefining the Future of Learning Through Virtual Reality

Join us as we explore the world of virtual reality and AI with Colin Cooper and Meghan Freeman, Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of Illuminate XR. In this interview, Cooper and Freeman discuss the future of XR as it relates to school education and how it's now assisting numerous companies in their training processes. In this episode we dive into:
The great advancements in AI and how it's making an impact in various industries and in education.
How immersive learning is changing the way we take in information.
A recent TEDx talk where they discuss the need for schools to prepare students for our changing world.
New projects on the horizon and insight into advancements we'll likely see in 2026 and beyond.
Don't miss this episode as we take a journey into the future of learning!

Rethinking America's Education System: Interview with Justin MacDonald

Join us for an insightful look into reshaping the education system with Justin MacDonald, Head of The Academy at District Church. In this episode we dive into how The Academy at District Church is leading a bold, new movement to reimagine K–12 education through a Christian, purpose-driven lens.
Justin shares the idea behind their concept of running a school similar to a successful company and teaching students to do the same, plus the following: 
How this approach can foster a better school environment.
Steps to producing a higher number of graduates and more young entrepreneurs.
How The Academy is run like a business, and they teach students to do the same.
Their 6-week sprints and agile design methodology. 
If you want a new outlook on our resolving America's education dilemma, then don't miss this episode!

Essay Grader AI: A Beacon of Relief for Overloaded Teachers

In this episode, we speak with Chan Yerneni, Founder of EssayGrader.ai - the leading AI-powered grading platform for teachers across the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. 
Yerneni shares background on company and how its grown to over 100,000 registered teachers on the platform after only 18 months. Plus:
How EssayGrader.ai supports teachers and schools in almost 30 U.S. states, as well as school districts including Texas.
Ways the platform actively supports the Texas Education Agency’s STAAR readiness standards.
How AI is transforming the way teachers approach grading and feedback.
How EssayGrader.ai is building a fast-growing multi-million-dollar business.
Discover how AI is helping to streamline the workflow of teachers worldwide!

Rayburn Electric on Keeping Up with Texas's Growing Power Demand

Energy and the power grid continue to be at the forefront of discussions across the United States. Join us in this episode as we catch up with Chris Anderson, General Counsel at Rayburn Electric Cooperative to discuss how this electric energy solutions provider is redefining Texas's evolving energy sector, plus:
How Anderson is leading Rayburn through a period of incredible change, growing assets from $300M to more than $1B.
The Impact of Winter Storm Uri and how it was a wake-up call for a lot of Texas utilities.
What steps Rayburn has taken to strengthen the grid and better prepare for extreme weather.
Rayburn's acquisition of a new generation facility after Winter Storm Uri and plans to build a second one.
How do these facilities help you manage risk and keep power prices more affordable?
North Texas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S.
New types of demand—like large-scale commercial and industrial users.
The future of energy mixing including natural gas, hydro and nuclear.
Join us for this inside look into the energy sector and be sure to subscribe to get notified on newly released episodes!

Gifts, Swag and Sponsorship: Accent Financial Offers Tax Tips for Influencers

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Otto, President of Accent Financial Services to explore the rise of a new type of employment - social influencers and creators. Ryan discusses the IRS and its need-to-know guidelines for this industry. He offers insight and tax advice on:
How tax preparation for influencers differs from other contractors.
Advice on properly filing and reporting gifts, promo items and brand deals.
What types of revenue and income are taxable.
Why it's necessary to follow proper IRS filing procedures.
This is a great episode to explore whether you're an established influencer or one that's just starting your rise to fame. Be sure to listen, follow and subscribe for updates on new episodes.

Solving the Hidden Dangers of EMF: Interview with EMF Specialist Cory Hillis

In this episode, we speak with Cory Hillis, the visionary President of EMF Solutions and a Certified EMF Specialist & Trainer, about the 
hidden harms of EMF exposure and how it's affecting our families, children and even pets.
 
Hillis dives deep into how, and to what extent we are all exposed to EMFs on a daily basis, plus the following: 
EMF, otherwise known as “Electromagnetic Frequencies”, and how this man-made electromagnetic radiation is bombarding us via modern day technology including our cell phones.
The invisible enemy and how it enters the home and work.
Signs of exposure to EMF and ways you can protect your home and family.
Studies on the EMF exposure and what they have determined.
How we can forge a safer way to live with modern technology moving forward.
Join us for this information packed episode to find out what's at the heart of the EMF conundrum, plus actionable tips for fixing the issue. 

Revolutionizing Recruitment with AI: Insights from Suited CEO, Matt Spencer

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Matt Spencer, the founder and CEO of Suited, as he discusses how the thriving startup is seeking to change the legal and finance industry’s recruiting process. 
Spencer gives insight into how the platforms algorithms are designed to upend the traditional way firms hire by placing less weight on things like test scores, and greater emphasis on other factors like personality and value system. Plus, the following:
Discusses the evolution of recruitment technology, particularly the integration of AI in hiring processes.
Shares insights on how Suited aims to enhance decision-making in recruitment while ensuring data privacy and security.
The changing landscape of hiring, the role of recruiters, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI deployment in the industry.
Plan for the company's expansion into other industries.
Please subscribe and follow The Business RoundUp and get early access to new episode releases!