Putting together an IPO is no easy feat. Just getting your finances in order can be a herculean effort. Add in the laundry list of compliance requirements, and it simply becomes too much for most firms to handle on their own. That's especially true for young companies in emerging industries like biotech or AI, where corporate governance may have taken a backseat to product development.  Enter, Mike Aiello. He's the CEO and managing partner at Centri Business Consulting, one of the country's fastest growing accounting and advisory firms. Mike founded Centri in 2011 with a focus on capital markets, transactions and emerging growth organizations. It has since grown from its Philadelphia, mid-Atlantic roots to eight offices nationwide, with around 250 staff providing support to more than a thousand companies.  Mike walks us through the massive undertaking that is IPO preparation, and how Centri guides their clients through that process. He also shares his thoughts on the current state of IPOs and SPACs, and explains why he feels optimistic for the future of capital markets. Highlights: Mike's path to founding Centri (3:14)Centri's menu of services (6:26)The state of the IPO market (8:34)SPACs (12:09) Getting ready for an IPO (13:56)Working with AI companies (15:39)Recruiting talent from 'The Big 4' (18:05)Importance of corporate culture (19:22)Priorities for growth (21:57)Upcoming 'Capital Markets Conference' (25:28)Links: Centri LinkedIn Centri Twitter Centri Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Summary:    It's early in the 2025 reporting season, but new trends in the restaurant and foodservice space are already emerging. 2024 was a difficult year and the industry is still adjusting—navigating the same pressures of inflation, labor costs, and economic shifts, plus some new challenges. Consumer habits continue to evolve, and technology is playing a bigger role than ever.    Today we're joined by Michael Halen, the Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. At Bloomberg, Michael publishes company-specific and industry-focused research on everything from how new government policies will impact business to the shifting demographics that affect consumer behavior. Michael makes frequent appearances as a TV and radio guest and is the host of Bloomberg Intelligence’s restaurant-focused podcast titled Choppin’ It Up.    In this episode, Michael breaks down the biggest takeaways and predictions for 2025. As we enter the new year, what’s setting the winners apart? Which trends have staying power, and what can last year’s challenges tell us about the road ahead? And most importantly, what should restaurant leaders be looking out for to stay ahead of the curve?    Highlights: Michael's path to his role at Bloomberg (3:08)The winners and losers from the last few years (6:01)Regional differences in consumer behavior (7:53)Impacts of inflation on the restaurant industry (9:22)The role of strategic pricing (11:41)The role of AI and automation (16:12)Make America Healthy Again (18:30)Recent trends and what they say about the future (23:48)  Links: Michael Halen on LinkedIn Bloomberg Intelligence LinkedIn Bloomberg Intelligence Website Podcast: Choppin' it Up by Bloomberg Intelligence ICR on LinkedIn  ICR on X ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Summary:    Personalization has reshaped nearly every industry, turning one-size-fits-all solutions into tailored experiences. Think self-serve kiosks in fast food or streaming algorithms curating content just for you—consumers now expect products to adapt to them, not the other way around. In the health and fitness space, where no two people share the same habits, goals, or motivations, personalization is crucial to progress. So why hasn’t mass personalization taken hold in the space? Because it takes more than just offering choices—it requires an approach that adapts in real time and integrates seamlessly into people’s lives. Today’s guest is leading this shift, using cutting-edge innovation to make personalized health and fitness more accessible than ever.   Today, we're sitting down with Kevin Duffy, CEO of iFIT, the global leader in connected fitness. Kevin is a seasoned executive with experience leading both private equity-backed and public consumer-branded technology companies.    Some of Kevin's core strengths include steering organizations through transformative organic growth, completing integrated accretive acquisitions, and delivering superior investor returns. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Economics from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.    In this episode, Kevin unpacks how iFIT is revolutionizing connected fitness by making mass personalization a reality. He discusses the technology driving adaptive workout experiences, the role of data in shaping individualized fitness journeys, and why the future of health and wellness hinges on meeting people where they are.   Highlights: Kevin describes the path to his current role at iFIT (2:57)What iFIT is and what makes their technology and software unique (4:41)The importance of customization and personalization in health and wellness (7:11)iFIT's unique habit-forming AI software (9:00)Kevin discusses the recent NordicTrack partnership (11:03)Business scale and prospects for continued international expansion (12:53)Kevin walks us through iFIT's recent software updates and advancements (15:18)How user data helps enhance iFIT products (18:01)The management team and company culture at iFIT (19:15)Major fitness trends to watch in 2025 (20:45)How iFIT balances innovation with investment (24:10)Goals for the future (26:03)Links: Kevin Duffy on LinkedIn iFIT on LinkedIn iFIT Website ICR on LinkedIn  ICR on X ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.