Business

IDOL Talent Connects Certified Instructional Designers with Companies Seeking eLearning Solutions

Published

1 year ago

August 19, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Credit: IDOL courses

By: Mae Cornes

As companies increasingly seek innovative eLearning solutions, the demand for skilled instructional designers is rising. IDOL Talent, a unique staffing agency connected to IDOL courses, effectively bridges this gap by connecting certified instructional designers with businesses needing comprehensive eLearning solutions. IDOL courses initiated this program as part of its broader mission to transform the field of instructional design and online learning.

The Genesis of IDOL Talent

Founded by Dr. Robin Sargent, IDOL courses has rapidly become a leading instructional design education provider. Recognizing the need for a streamlined process to connect graduates with employers, Dr. Sargent launched IDOL Talent. This staffing agency uses the robust training provided by IDOL Academy, making sure that businesses receive top-tier instructional design services from well-prepared professionals.

“IDOL Talent was created to address a clear need in the market,” Dr. Sargent explains. “Companies often search for skilled instructional designers, but they find it challenging to locate qualified candidates. IDOL Talent makes certain our graduates are ready for the job and easily accessible to potential employers.”

Training and Certification: A Comprehensive Approach

IDOL Academy, the flagship program of IDOL courses, offers a thorough curriculum designed to prepare students for the demands of the instructional design field. This career school includes practical training, mentorship, and opportunities for real-world application.

The Academy’s comprehensive method is reflected in its impressive statistics: over 3000 students were trained, and 100% of graduates landed jobs within six months.

The curriculum covers essential software skills, multimedia production, and advanced instructional design techniques. Students also receive 1:1 career coaching and build extensive portfolios through real-world externships. These elements guarantee that graduates possess the skills and readiness to demonstrate their capabilities to potential employers.

Connecting Talent with Opportunity

IDOL Talent’s model is straightforward yet effective. It is a conduit between companies needing instructional design services and IDOL Academy graduates ready to step into these roles. This benefits both parties: businesses gain access to a pool of well-trained professionals, and graduates find employment opportunities that match their training.

Companies like IBM, Coursera, and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) have already partnered with IDOL Talent to fulfill their instructional design needs. These partnerships underscore major organizations’ trust in IDOL Talent’s ability to provide qualified candidates.

Real-World Impact

The impact of IDOL Talent extends beyond individual placements. Establishing that companies have access to skilled instructional designers, IDOL Talent significantly enhances the quality and effectiveness of corporate training programs. This leads to improved employee performance and greater organizational success.

Dr. Sargent notes, “Our goal is to create a win-win situation. Companies get the proficiency they need, and our graduates get the opportunity to apply their skills in meaningful ways. We find it incredibly rewarding to see the positive outcomes for both sides.”

Challenges and Solutions

One of the challenges IDOL Talent faces is maintaining a steady pipeline of qualified candidates. The rigorous training provided by IDOL Academy guarantees that graduates are well-prepared, but the rapid growth of the eLearning market means that demand often outpaces supply.

To address this, IDOL courses continually update its curriculum, reflecting the latest industry trends and input from hiring managers. This guarantees that graduates are always equipped with current skills.

Another challenge is making sure that the placement process is smooth and efficient. IDOL Talent employs a robust matching system to align candidates’ skills and experiences with employers’ specific needs. This system has proven effective, but IDOL Talent must make ongoing adjustments to keep up with evolving market demands.

The Future of Instructional Design

As the field of instructional design continues to progress, IDOL Talent is poised to play a crucial role in shaping its future. The agency’s success highlights the growing recognition of instructional design as a critical component of corporate training and development.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a steady growth rate for instructional design positions, driven by the increasing adoption of eLearning across various sectors. IDOL Talent’s ability to provide well-trained professionals positions it as a critical player in this expanding field.

IDOL Talent is a vital resource for companies seeking effective eLearning solutions. The agency facilitates advanced and effective corporate training programs by connecting businesses with skilled instructional designers. Under the leadership of Dr. Robin Sargent, IDOL courses and IDOL Talent are meeting current demands and paving the way for the future of instructional design.

“Our mission is to support the continuous improvement of workplace learning,” says Dr. Sargent. “Through IDOL Talent, we’re helping companies achieve their training goals while providing our graduates meaningful career opportunities. It’s a dynamic partnership that benefits everyone involved.”

If you’re interested in learning more about instructional design, whether it’s to use it in your current career or you are looking to transition careers, we are hosting a webinar on August 15th at 6pm EDT. Sign up here to learn more about what IDOL Academy can do for you.

Business

Derik Fay and the Quiet Rise of a Fintech Dynasty: How a Relentless Visionary is Redefining the Future of Payments

Published

56 mins ago

October 17, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Long before the headlines, before the Forbes features, and well before he became a respected fixture in boardrooms across the country, Derik Fay was a kid from Westerly, Rhode Island with little more than grit and audacity. Now, with a strategic footprint spanning more than 40 companies—including holdings in media, construction, real estate, pharma, fitness, and fintech—Fay’s influence is as diversified as it is deliberate. And his most recent move may be his boldest yet: the acquisition and co-ownership of Tycoon Payments, a fintech venture poised to disrupt an industry built on middlemen and outdated rules.

Where many entrepreneurs chase headlines, Fay chases legacy.

Rebuilding the Foundation of Fintech

In the saturated space of payment processors, Fay didn’t just want another transactional brand. He saw a broken system—one that labeled too many businesses as “high-risk,” denied them access, and overcharged them into silence. Tycoon Payments, under his stewardship, is rewriting that narrative from the ground up.

Instead of the all-too-common “fake processor” model, where companies act as brokers rather than actual underwriters, Tycoon Payments is being engineered to own the rails—integrating direct banking partnerships, custom risk modeling, and flexible support for underserved industries.

“Disruption isn’t about being loud,” Fay said in a private strategy session with advisors. “It’s about fixing what’s been ignored for too long. I don’t chase waves—I build the coastline.”

Quiet Power, Strategic Depth

Now 46 years old, Fay has evolved from scrappy gym owner to an empire builder, founding 3F Management as a private equity and venture vehicle to scale fast-growth businesses with staying power. His portfolio includes names like Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships, BIGG Pharma, Results Roofing, FayMs Films, and SalonPlex—but also dozens of companies that never make headlines. That’s by design.

Where others seek followers, Fay builds founders. Where most celebrate their exits, Fay reinvests in people.

While he often deflects conversations around his personal wealth, analysts estimate his net worth to exceed $100 million, with some placing it comfortably over $250 million, based on exits, real estate holdings, and the trajectory of his current ventures.

Yet unlike others in his tax bracket, Fay still answers cold DMs. He mentors rising entrepreneurs without cameras rolling. And he shows up—not just with capital, but with conviction.

A Mogul Grounded in Real Life

Outside of business, Fay remains committed to his role as a father and partner. He shares two daughters, Sophia Elena Fay and Isabella Roslyn Fay, and has been in a relationship with Shandra Phillips since 2021. He’s known for keeping his personal life private, but those close to him speak of a man who brings the same intention to parenting as he does to scaling multimillion-dollar ventures—focused, present, and consistent.

His physical stature—standing at 6′1″—matches his professional gravitas, but what’s more striking is his ability to operate with both discipline and empathy. Fay’s reputation among founders and CEOs is not just one of capital deployment, but emotional intelligence. As one partner noted, “He’s the kind of guy who will break down your pitch—and rebuild your belief in yourself in the same breath.”

The Tycoon Blueprint

The playbook Fay is writing at Tycoon Payments doesn’t just threaten incumbents—it reinvents the infrastructure. This isn’t another “fintech startup” with a flashy brand and no backend. It’s a strategically positioned venture with real underwriting power, cross-border ambitions, and a founder who understands how to scale quietly until the entire industry has to take notice.

In an age where so many entrepreneurs rely on noise and virality to build influence, Fay remains a master of what can only be called elite stealth. He doesn’t need the spotlight. But his impact casts a long shadow.

Conclusion: The Empire Expands

From Rhode Island beginnings to venture boardrooms, from gym owner to fintech force, Derik Fay continues to build not just businesses—but a blueprint. One rooted in resilience, innovation, and long-term infrastructure.

Tycoon Payments may be the latest chess piece. But the game he’s playing is bigger than one move. It’s a long game of strategic leverage, intentional legacy, and generational wealth.

And Fay is not just playing it. He’s redefining the rules.