About Conceptual Minds
We’re on a mission to help your business market smarter and grow faster!
Yushan Pan, MA, Computer Science
Data Analysis & Computer Science WunderkindAt work, Yushan focuses on driving value for clients by analyzing and optimizing digital campaign/ website performance, and helping with adoption of new technologies, such as marketing automation software.
At home, Yushan loves playing soccer and watching matches with his cat. If he’s not at home, he’s probably traveling on a mission to explore all 50 US states (so far, he’s visited a whopping 27)!
Kabir Tuteja
Content Writer
Kabir is a budding marketer who is involved in promoting the businesses as well as educating the consumers on various products and services through his content writing skills.
Learning new skills at each step from the experts in his team, he is determined to master the industry.
At home, he loves staying updated on the financial markets, listening to R&B music and exploring new places to hangout with friends and family.
Alec Gray
Business Development Manager
Alec Gray is the Business Development Manager at Conceptual Minds, where he focuses on building people-first processes that drive growth and long-term success. He thrives on helping others achieve their goals and has a track record of launching and scaling sales teams with a customer-first mindset at the center of his work.
Outside of work, Alec enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, reading, gaming, and relaxing with his two cats. A fan of fantasy, sci-fi, and personal growth, he brings curiosity and creativity into everything he does. He also hopes to be good at golf one day
Taran is the Founder and CEO of Conceptual Minds.
Prior to launching Conceptual Minds, Taran honed his skills in a variety of roles at several transportation related organizations. He has literally lived the movie (albeit accidentally) – Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
He served as an Airport Planner in his early career, was a key member of United Airlines’ Washington Dulles Airport Operations transition team, led National Sales & Customer Service teams for an entertainment distribution start-up within the Amtrak network, and oversaw Sales & Marketing for an investor backed mobile tire start-up.
Taran launched Conceptual Minds to focus on his true passion – helping small to mid-sized businesses reach new heights by unleashing their full marketing potential.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Florida Tech and his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Maryland University College. He resides in the Washington DC region with his wife and son.
An avid sports fan, he follows the Green Bay Packers, Texas A&M Aggies, Washington Capitals, and the US National Soccer teams. He also enjoys music, traveling, and biking.
Our Core Beliefs
We treat your money like is money.
We know you can’t afford to waste money in areas where it won’t deliver results and offer up solutions proven to do just that, always up front with options, never leaving you guessing.
We think outside the box (and your industry).
We get big ideas from the top leaders in marketing and use our expertise in your industry to create powerful solutions often leaps and bounds ahead of your direct competitors.
We’re all about client transparency and education.
We don’t believe in withholding information or leaving you out of decision making and will always keep you informed on what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next.
We’re hyper-focused on maximizing your ROI.
Above all else, we want to understand your business goals and needs so we can help create, regularly monitor, and improve marketing solutions that get you the biggest bang for your buck.
Our Core Team
Our core team may be small, but we’re mighty in more ways than one. Together, we make up a high-energy, results-oriented, and mission-driven unit fueled by getting our clients results that make a difference to their bottom line. We also have a number of other team members supporting us and our clients.
Taran Sodhi, MBA
Fearless Leader & Master Marketer
Taran Sodhi, MBA
Fearless Leader & Master MarketerAt work, Taran is either pitching a winning client strategy, coaching a client or a staff member on identifying the best step forward or brainstorming the next big idea to propel our clients to reach even greater heights!
As part of giving back, Taran has become a regular fixture as a judge for Top Shop Award by Tire Review and in 2020 he also had the privilege of being a judge for Women In Automotive Communication Award.
At home, Taran is usually hanging out with his wife and son, enjoying a good meal, cheering on his favorite sports teams (Packers, Capitals, and Texas A&M Aggies), working out, or off on his next travel adventure.
Recently Published Work
- Big Data And Your Tire Dealership | Tire Review, May 2020
- A Guide to Branding for Auto Repair Businesses | Tire Review, Oct 2019
- A Marketing Conundrum: Should You Advertise on Yelp? | Tire Review, June 2019
- Marketing Basics for Tire Dealers: Tools to Succeed in the Digital Age | Tire Review, Apr 2019
- Yelp For Tire Shops: Monetizing What Makes Many a Manager Mad | Tire Review, Nov 2018
- Search Engine Marketing: Making Sense of Paid Search | Tire Review, Apr 2018
- How to Use Facebook Custom Audiences for Social Target Marketing | Tire Review, Jan 2018
- Marketing Your Tire Dealership | Tire Review, July 2017
Emily Goldman
Direct Mail Manager
Emily Goldman
Direct Mail Manager
Born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, Emily brings a passion for marketing and a keen eye for detail to her role as the Direct Mail Manager She has honed her skills and expertise in planning, coordinating and executing direct mail campaigns by blending creativity with strategic vision to meet the needs and goals of her clients. Emily holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland. In her free time you'll usually find her hiking with her dog, Daisy, spending time with family and friends, playing the piano, staying active at the gym, and doing DIY projects around the house.
Yushan Pan, MA,
Information System
Data Analysis & Marketing Analysis
Kabir Tuteja
Content Writer
Jordan Bartels
Reputation Manager
Jordan Bartels
Reputation Manager
Jordan oversees reputation strategy for Conceptual Minds’ automotive clients, ensuring every review response aligns with each brand’s voice, tone, and standards. Known for his precision and commitment to process, he builds systems that help shops strengthen trust, improve ratings, and stand out online. His foundation in reputation management was built in the hospitality industry, and he now enjoys bringing that same level of care and consistency to the automotive world.
Originally from Iowa, Jordan earned his BA in Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa and now calls sunny Orlando home. He enjoys basketball, football, baseball, and MMA. Jordan is a proud Iowa Hawkeyes fan and also roots for the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Cowboys, and St. Louis Cardinals. He collects sports cards and memorabilia and values faith, family, friends and the simple things in life. When he has down time, you’ll find him by the pool with a good cigar. .
M. D.
Brand Strategist
Sophia Meurer
Promotions Manager
Sophia Meurer
Promotions Manager
Sophia started in the automotive world by selling tires and handling customer service at a small startup company in 2010. Since then, she has worked with Conceptual Minds in various aspects of marketing, honing her understanding of the industry. She brings a solid knowledge base of both the consumer and the auto shop spheres. She currently works in the promotions department, as well as internal editing and quality assurance. Outside of work, she stays busy with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys reading, crafting, volunteering, and spending time with her family and friends. She loves to laugh and enjoys the little things in life.
Ann Buderus
Sr. Account Executive
Ann Buderus
Sr. Account Executive
Ann Buderus brings extensive automotive aftermarket experience to Conceptual Minds, with a career focused on helping automotive repair organizations improve operations, adopt technology, and successfully grow their businesses. Her experience spans independent repair shops, multi-location operators, franchise and enterprise organizations, giving her a strong understanding of both the individual-shop environment and the complexities of managing growth across multiple rooftops. Ann specializes in helping automotive businesses connect their marketing strategy with real-world operational goals, including increasing car count, identifying location-specific growth opportunities, improving customer acquisition, and scaling across multiple markets. She is passionate about customer success and believes the strongest partnerships are built on accurate data, transparent communication, practical recommendations, and a clear understanding of each customer's business objectives. At Conceptual Minds, Ann works closely with customers to identify where marketing can have the greatest impact and develop strategies designed to support sustainable, measurable growth
Philip Kline
Marketing Automation Expert
Philip Kline
Marketing Automation Expert
Philip is a CRM and communications professional with more than eight years of marketing experience across service, healthcare, tech, and nonprofit industries. With an emphasis on email marketing, automation, and integrations across marketing / sales / customer success lifecycles, Philip specializes in using contact management tools to implement seamless and effective communication journeys.
Professional certifications and expertise center around HubSpot, SharpSpring, Eloqua, MailChimp, Zapier, and similar tools. A proud Philadelphian (go Birds!), Philip enjoys exploring new parks and cities with his wife and sons./p>
Becky Strohl
Social Media Maven
Becky Strohl
Social Media Maven
Becky Strohl has more than a decade of experience professionally writing and developing marketing strategy for clients ranging from nonprofits to international brands. She specializes in content creation, social media strategy, brand messaging, and targeted marketing campaigns.
Her passion for creative writing and history with language, education, and marketing has put her in a unique position to help brands effectively tell their story. Becky enjoys seeing brands positioned for success and moving towards their full marketing potential.
Becky received a Bachelor's from UC Berkeley and is currently pursuing her Master's in Marketing from Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, writing, dressing up for Halloween, and taking care of her boxer dog, Bella, and her fat cat, Keeta Fajita.
Kim Morales
Account Executive
Kim Morales
Account Executive
Kim started her career in the Automotive Aftermarket in 2005 with a startup company Identifix. She cut her teeth for quite a few years there and moved to Shop-Ware, another startup. And then moved to Todays Class and yes, you know, another startup. Her love for the repair shop owners brought her to Conceptual Minds. She currently works in the sales department. Outside of work she enjoys life in Las Vegas Nv with her many grandchildren. She loves spending time with family and friends. She loves to make others laugh.
Desiree Homer
Content Creator
Desiree Homer
UX / Content creator
Desiree Homer is a Midwest native (St. Louis Cardinals fan) and delights the world as a content creator. Her writing chops hail from 20+ years of career experience in sales, television, advertising, staffing, automotive, and marketing roles. You can always spot her personality and unique perspectives coming through in her writing, too.
Desiree Homer is a Midwest native (St. Louis Cardinals fan) and delights the world as a content creator. Her writing chops hail from 20+ years of career experience in sales, television, advertising, staffing, automotive, and marketing roles. You can always spot her personality and unique perspectives coming through in her writing, too.
Our Core Team
Our core team may be small, but we’re mighty in more ways than one. Together, we make up a high-energy, results-oriented, and mission-driven unit fueled by getting our clients results that make a difference to their bottom line. We also have a number of other team members supporting us and our clients.
Taran Sodhi, MBA
Fearless Leader & Master Marketer
At work, Taran is either pitching a winning client strategy, coaching a client or a staff member on identifying the best step forward or brainstorming the next big idea to propel our clients to reach even greater heights!
As part of giving back, Taran has become a regular fixture as a judge for Top Shop Award by Tire Review and in 2020 he also had the privilege of being a judge for Women In Automotive Communication Award.
At home, Taran is usually hanging out with his wife and son, enjoying a good meal, cheering on his favorite sports teams (Packers, Capitals, and Texas A&M Aggies), working out, or off on his next travel adventure.
Recently Published Work
- Big Data And Your Tire Dealership | Tire Review, May 2020
- A Guide to Branding for Auto Repair Businesses | Tire Review, Oct 2019
- A Marketing Conundrum: Should You Advertise on Yelp? | Tire Review, June 2019
- Marketing Basics for Tire Dealers: Tools to Succeed in the Digital Age | Tire Review, Apr 2019
- Yelp For Tire Shops: Monetizing What Makes Many a Manager Mad | Tire Review, Nov 2018
- Search Engine Marketing: Making Sense of Paid Search | Tire Review, Apr 2018
- How to Use Facebook Custom Audiences for Social Target Marketing | Tire Review, Jan 2018
- Marketing Your Tire Dealership | Tire Review, July 2017
Yushan Pan, MA,
Information System
Data Analysis & Marketing Analysis

Data Analysis & Computer Science Wunderkind
At work, Yushan focuses on driving value for clients by analyzing and optimizing digital campaign/ website performance, and helping with adoption of new technologies, such as marketing automation software.
At home, Yushan loves playing soccer and watching matches with his cat. If he’s not at home, he’s probably traveling on a mission to explore all 50 US states (so far, he’s visited a whopping 27)!
Business Development Manager
Kabir Tuteja
Content Writer
Content Writer
Kabir is a budding marketer who is involved in promoting the businesses as well as educating the consumers on various products and services through his content writing skills.
Learning new skills at each step from the experts in his team, he is determined to master the industry.
At home, he loves staying updated on the financial markets, listening to R&B music and exploring new places to hangout with friends and family.
Emily Goldman
Direct Mail Manager
Direct Mail Manager
Born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, Emily brings a passion for marketing and a keen eye for detail to her role as the Direct Mail Manager She has honed her skills and expertise in planning, coordinating and executing direct mail campaigns by blending creativity with strategic vision to meet the needs and goals of her clients. Emily holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland. In her free time you'll usually find her hiking with her dog, Daisy, spending time with family and friends, playing the piano, staying active at the gym, and doing DIY projects around the house.
M. D.
Brand Strategist
UX / Visual Designer & Brand Strategist
M.D. is a fiery design veteran focused on developing world-class experiences, strategies, and products through a human-centered approach. He advocates for user needs delivering innovative solutions that enrich customers' digital and physical interactions. His passion sits at the intersection of storytelling, design, technology, data, and research.
Rob Overman
Account Executive
Account Executive
Rob, a North Carolina resident originally from Austin and raised in Northern California, brings 20 years of automotive expertise. He launched his career in San Diego and has since worked with RepairPal, Shop-Ware, and Steer, as well as serving as a general manager of a Northern California repair shop. ASE-certified C1, Rob is known for selling with truth, trust, and transparency while helping repair shops and dealerships boost efficiency and profitability. A passionate fan of the 49ers, SF Giants, and Cal Bears, he also enjoys chess, golf, and championship-level bowling with his wife, Maria.
Joe Pfender
Marketing Strategist/Partnership Development Manager
Joe Pfender brings nearly a decade of experience in digital marketing and business development, with much of that time focused on the automotive industry. His background includes digital marketing, partnership development, and translating complex marketing initiatives into practical, results-driven execution for operators. At Conceptual Minds, Joe focuses on strategic partnerships and direct growth initiatives, working closely with clients and partners to support sustainable, scalable growth. He is known for his consultative approach, strong industry relationships, ability to bridge strategy with execution, and true passion for helping businesses grow sustainably with progressive marketing.
Becky Strohl
Social Media Maven
Social Media Maven
Becky Strohl has more than a decade of experience professionally writing and developing marketing strategy for clients ranging from nonprofits to international brands. She specializes in content creation, social media strategy, brand messaging, and targeted marketing campaigns.
Her passion for creative writing and history with language, education, and marketing has put her in a unique position to help brands effectively tell their story. Becky enjoys seeing brands positioned for success and moving towards their full marketing potential.
Becky received a Bachelor's from UC Berkeley and is currently pursuing her Master's in Marketing from Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, writing, dressing up for Halloween, and taking care of her boxer dog, Bella, and her fat cat, Keeta Fajita.
Desiree Homer
Content Creator
UX / Content creator
Desiree Homer is a Midwest native (St. Louis Cardinals fan) and delights the world as a content creator. Her writing chops hail from 20+ years of career experience in sales, television, advertising, staffing, automotive, and marketing roles. You can always spot her personality and unique perspectives coming through in her writing, too.
Desiree Homer is a Midwest native (St. Louis Cardinals fan) and delights the world as a content creator. Her writing chops hail from 20+ years of career experience in sales, television, advertising, staffing, automotive, and marketing roles. You can always spot her personality and unique perspectives coming through in her writing, too.
Sophia Meurer
Promotions Manager

Promotions Manager
Sophia started in the automotive world by selling tires and handling customer service at a small startup company in 2010. Since then, she has worked with Conceptual Minds in various aspects of marketing, honing her understanding of the industry. She brings a solid knowledge base of both the consumer and the auto shop spheres. She currently works in the promotions department, as well as internal editing and quality assurance. Outside of work, she stays busy with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys reading, crafting, volunteering, and spending time with her family and friends. She loves to laugh and enjoys the little things in life.
Alec Gray
Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager
Alec Gray is the Business Development Manager at Conceptual Minds, where he focuses on building people-first processes that drive growth and long-term success. He thrives on helping others achieve their goals and has a track record of launching and scaling sales teams with a customer-first mindset at the center of his work.
Outside of work, Alec enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, reading, gaming, and relaxing with his two cats. A fan of fantasy, sci-fi, and personal growth, he brings curiosity and creativity into everything he does. He also hopes to be good at golf one day
Philip Kline
Marketing Automation Expert

Marketing Automation Expert
Philip is a CRM and communications professional with more than eight years of marketing experience across service, healthcare, tech, and nonprofit industries. With an emphasis on email marketing, automation, and integrations across marketing / sales / customer success lifecycles, Philip specializes in using contact management tools to implement seamless and effective communication journeys.
Professional certifications and expertise center around HubSpot, SharpSpring, Eloqua, MailChimp, Zapier, and similar tools. A proud Philadelphian (go Birds!), Philip enjoys exploring new parks and cities with his wife and sons.
Check Out Our Trophy Case
General – Local TV,
Bronze Winner
2020
The Telly Awards
Video Marketing
Automotive
Promotion
2019
Muse Creative
Awards
Video Marketing
Home Services
Promotion
2019
Muse Creative
Awards
Logo Design
Honorable Mention
2019
Muse Creative
Awards
Automotive Specific
Promotion
Honorable Mention
2019
Muse Creative
Awards
Best Financial
Services Website
2019
Web Marketing
Association
WebAwards
Best Shopping
Website
2018
Web Marketing
Association
WebAwards
Other Standard
of Excellence
2018
Web Marketing
Association
WebAwards
Best Home Building
Website
2017
Web Marketing
Association
WebAwards
Outstanding Website
Automotive
2017
Web Marketing
Association
WebAwards
We’d Love to Hear from You!
