How can a customer-first mindset and AI-driven insight transform founder-led growth?

In this episode of Connect To Market, host Casey Cheshire welcomes Yogesh Mehra, Chief Marketing Officer at Neu, to dive into the power of connecting with customers more deeply than traditional marketing tactics often allow. Yogesh shares why many growth challenges are actually rooted in a lack of customer understanding, and how founders and marketing leaders can shift their focus to what really matters: the customer.

He explores how qualitative and quantitative research, combined with clear customer personas, can create a foundation for better decisions and more effective campaigns. From uncovering untapped market opportunities to integrating AI as a tool to amplify, but not replace, human creativity, Yogesh provides a framework for aligning marketing strategy with real customer needs. He also discusses the evolving role of marketing leadership, the importance of curiosity and agility, and how focusing on customer-first approaches drives growth.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why most growth challenges stem from a lack of customer insight, not tactics
• How to define and leverage customer personas to uncover new opportunities
• How to use AI as an amplifier of strategy and creativity, not a substitute for human judgment
• Why modern marketing leadership starts with curiosity, feedback, and a customer-first mindset

If you're a founder or marketing leader looking to build smarter, growth-oriented strategies rooted in real customer insight, Yogesh’s perspective will challenge your assumptions and elevate your thinking.

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Connect with Yogesh:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogeshmehra/
• Neu: https://neumoney.app/
• Substack: yogeshmehra.com

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Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/