The Growth Game

Hosted by Paul Deluca, each episode of "The Growth Game" features conversations with top CEOs, Owners, and Executives from Staffing Companies across the USA and Canada. Whether you're in the trenches of startup challenges or steering a mammoth corporation, this podcast is your compass to all things business. Expect a holistic journey with business strategies, leadership philosophies, and life lessons, all shared with a diverse lineup of guests each week!

The Growth Game is a business podcast hosted by Meritus Capital w Paul DeLuca, with 27 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Meritus Capital w Paul DeLuca hosts The Growth Game, a business show with 27 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #5

  S4: EP 5: Staffing AI from the Inside Out | Avionté

  Aug 4, 202622 minS4

  In this prerecorded episode of The Growth Game Podcast, Paul DeLuca sits down with Brigid Isenmann, Chief Revenue Officer at Avionté, and Mike Metzger, who served as interim CEO during a pivotal period for the company. In June of 2026, Avionté welcomed new CEO Dirk Izzo — read more about that transition here . With Brigid's ten years on the agency side and Mike's 20 years in software, this conversation brings both the operator and the technology perspective to one of the most misunderstood conversations in staffing right now. They talk about: Why the AI hype cycle is leading staffing firms toward fragmentation instead of efficiency. How to identify the right pain points before choosing any AI tool. Why Avionté went through internal AI adoption first. How staffing technology is evolving around talent engagement and candidate matching for 2026. Why referrals and relationships drive growth in staffing technology just as much as in staffing firms themselves. If you're running a staffing firm and want to dig deeper into what Avionté is building, Avionté Connect starts tomorrow. Stop by and continue the conversation in person. Connect with Brigid Isenmann | Avionté Website | www.avionte.com LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/brigidisenmann LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/avionte-staffing-software/ #PayrollFunding #InvoiceFactoring #StaffingIndustry #StaffingTechnology #StaffingAI Paul DeLuca LinkedIn | / merituscapital Meritus Capital LinkedIn | / meritus-capital-inc- Website | https://www.merituscapital.com Rostyr, Powered by Meritus Capital Website | ...

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  Episode #3

  S4: EP 3: Staffing KPIs & Tax Planning Explained | Tom Sena

  Jun 10, 202614 minS4

  Staffing firms that track KPIs and financial data are outgrowing the ones that don't. Here's what 70% of staffing-focused accounting work actually reveals. In this episode of The Growth Game Podcast, Paul DeLuca sits down with Tom Sena, CPA and Tax Advisor at UHY, to break down what the financials of hundreds of staffing firms reveal about growth, tax strategy, and operational clarity. With a background that includes public accounting, startup CFO experience, and a national staffing practice led by 20-year industry veteran Jerry Grady, Tom brings a ground-level perspective on what separates staffing firms that are scaling from the ones running in place. They talk about: 🔎 Why a gut feeling isn´t a way to run a staffing firm. 🔎 How staffing data and margin visibility is becoming the real growth differentiator. 🔎 How multi-state tax complexity compounds fast and why staffing firms expanding across state lines need expert guidance early. 🔎 What Tom sees across his client base that separates the firms moving forward from the ones standing still. 👉 If you're running a staffing firm and making decisions without a clear handle on your numbers, this conversation will show you exactly what you're missing, and what it's costing you. #PayrollFunding #InvoiceFactoring #StaffingIndustry #StaffingKPIs #StaffingGrowth Connect with Thomas Sena (UHY-US) Website | https://uhy-us.com/professionals/tom-sena LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-sena-cpa-pfs/ Paul DeLuca LinkedIn | / merituscapital Meritus Capital LinkedIn | / meritus-capital-inc- Website | https://www.merituscapital.com Rostyr, Powered by Meritus Capital Website | ...

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  Episode #2

  S4: EP 2: The Tool is Only as Good as the Operator | Andy Kohler (Marsh McLennan)

  May 26, 202610 minS4

  <p>In this episode of The Growth Game Podcast, Paul DeLuca sits down with Andy Kohler, Staffing Insurance Broker at Marsh McLennan. They predict where the staffing industry is actually heading - and why the path looks different depending on who you are and how you're built.<br/><br/>Andy works with staffing companies across the country on insurance, risk management, and workers' comp. He sees inside hundreds of firms, including the exposures and operational gaps that most people don’t discuss openly.<br/><br/>Topics include:<br/><br/>🔎 Why middle market light industrial is gaining ground (and who's losing it).<...

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  Episode #1

  S4: EP 1: The Foundation Behind Staffing Growth | Mike Bartels (Becker LLC)

  May 13, 202612 minS4

  <p>In this episode of The Growth Game Podcast, Paul DeLuca sits down with Mike Bartels, Chief Development Officer at Becker LLC, to break down what actually enables a staffing firm to scale, and what causes it to stall.<br/><br/>With over 20 years of experience in business development and working closely with staffing firms on growth and M&A, Mike brings a practical perspective on what needs to be in place before growth can happen.<br/><br/>They talk about: </p><p>📈 Why growth breaks without strong operations. </p><p>📈 What “keeping your house in order” really means. </p><p>📈 The role...

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  Episode #8

  S3: EP 8: People Drive Staffing Growth | Dave Meyercord (Buffalo Run Advisors. LLC)

  Apr 28, 202626 minS3

  <p>In this episode of The Growth Game, Paul DeLuca sits down with Dave Meyercord, CEO of Buffalo Run Advisors, to unpack why so many firms stop growing and what it takes to break through to the next level.<br/><br/>With a track record of driving growth through stronger culture, tighter operations, and better execution, Dave brings a practical perspective on what actually moves a business forward.<br/><br/>They talk about:<br/>📈 Why growth stalls. </p><p>📈 What alignment actually looks like. </p><p>📈 How culture drives results. </p><p>📈 Where leadership gets it wrong.<br/><br/>👉 If you feel progress...

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