Bold Business Podcast

The Two-Year Test: Would You Still Want to Own Your Company? Forget distant five- and ten-year plans—if you picture your role two years from now, what would need to change? Hear the mindset and tactical pivots that make the next 24 months transformative for you and your business. Whether you are steering a boutique firm, scaling a mid-market powerhouse, or navigating a large enterprise, reducing operational friction and increasing data visibility for real-time decision making is something you can influence today. Meet your business advisors: Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors Dean Barta, Founder and CEO at Barta Business Group Jess Dewell, Managing Partner and Growth Strategist at Red Direction In this 3-part discussion, they will discuss: The Reality Audit. Acknowledging issues isn't enough—claiming is about taking full responsibility to drive intentional results. Design 2+ Years Ahead. Lean in to the cadence of your existing productivity and priority framework. The Execution Bridge. (Moving the Needle) Move the needle by stacking priorities and how to do it.  Move beyond surface acknowledgment; truly own where your business stands to enable meaningful growth and change.

"Stamina is a trap." Most small business owners already know it. But knowing it and actually building a business that doesn't depend on your constant intervention are two very different things.   We've normalized the grind,  the packed schedule, the heroic push through chaos, the belief that if you just work harder, longer, the growth will come. And somewhere in all that muscling through, we stopped asking the more important question: are we doing the right work, or just a lot of it?   "If you are relying on your ability to outwork the chaos, you are already losing."   Jess Dewell, Growth Strategist at Red Direction and host of the BOLD Business Podcast, introduces the Business Basecamp framework, a three-part approach designed to get you off the plateau and back into the growth zone without burning out in the process.   What emerges isn't a productivity hack or a planning template. It's a rethinking of how leaders show up — moving from constant intervention to systems-led execution, from reacting to leading, from surviving the pace of change to setting it.   In this episode: Why reflection isn't looking backwards — it's the most strategic thing you can do right now How "distraction debt" quietly suffocates growth, and how to start paying it down The real reason smart leaders don't take action — and what to do instead How to protect your "core magic" as your business scales and your role shifts What strategic accountability actually looks like when chaos is the norm   "Growth isn't about doing more. It's about becoming a responsive decision maker."   This is one of those episodes that reframes the whole game, not by adding more to your plate, but by helping you finally work on the right things.   Jess also shares the 11 Essential Resources for Dynamic Growth, a free curated collection of podcasts and articles covering everything from mastering the Intentional Pause to building your own Present Retreat.    Designed for self-starters and lifelong learners, these are the actual tools Red Direction uses to help businesses break through their strategic ceilings. You can download it here.   It is BOLD to stop muscling through and build the foundation instead. This episode shows you how.   -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

"Good ideas come to me easily." It sounds almost too simple. But what if your creativity isn't actually the problem - what if it's the way you've been trained to chase it?   We've built entire careers around productivity systems, packed calendars, and the belief that output is the measure of value. And somewhere in all that busyness, we lost the thing that actually drives innovation: the ability to slow down and let ideas find us.   "You're not going to get good ideas if you're running around on the hamster wheel with your hair on fire. They just don't have any place to be."   Jess Dewell brings together three practitioners who approach this problem from very different angles - Catherine Morgan (business consultant and transitions strategist), Claire Uncapher (intuitive life coach), and Dr. Janice Campbell (acupuncturist and somatic practitioner) - for a conversation that's equal parts practical and perspective-shifting.   What emerges isn't a case for self-care. It's a case of rebuilding your relationship with time itself. For trusting the pause. Recognizing that the traits you've spent years working around - the slowness, the tangential thinking, the need for space - might be exactly where your best ideas live.   In this episode Why your physical and internal environment shapes your output more than any strategy or tool How to run a 2-minute experiment this week that can crack open creative thinking The difference between self-care and mindfulness as a genuine business practice What it actually means to trust yourself - and why most of us were trained out of it early How to reframe the traits you see as weaknesses into your sharpest creative assets   "Mindfulness is life. Not just self-care." It's "the ultimate productivity hack". This is one of those conversations that quietly shifts how you see your own work.   It is BOLD to intentionally build the conditions for creativity. This episode shows you how.   If you want to reclaim your strategic clarity, break free from reactive operations, and ensure you're focused on the right priorities for growth, explore the Present Retreat™ approach. This will help you lead with intention and make the time you already have more impactful — so you can see and seize your next big opportunity.  -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The leap from leading yourself to leading others is one of the most underestimated transitions in business. The self-awareness, discipline, and clarity that made you effective as an individual contributor don't disappear — they evolve. And the leaders who thrive are the ones who learn to extend those qualities outward. In this episode, Jess Dewell sits down with Tim Fortescue, Founder of 40 Watt Coaching, to explore what it really takes to build a team that moves with purpose. They dig into how honest self-knowledge becomes the foundation for trust, how the way you communicate your vision determines whether your team feels aligned or adrift, and why slowing down to reflect is often the fastest way forward. You'll also discover how to uncover your grandest ideas and plan for them — planting seeds for the future, knowing your key performance levers, and finding what keeps you going when things get hard. Because the small wins matter: they build momentum, reinforce how your company does its best work, and deepen relationships through shared success. This episode is a practical and honest look at what truly drives performance — in yourself and in the people around you — and how to build the kind of momentum that compounds over time, one small win at a time. --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Scaling a business isn't just a strategy — it's an act of faith. It demands the willingness to change course, challenge ingrained habits, and make decisions that are uncomfortable but necessary.   What really happens when things get hard? The answer lives in the decisions most business owners avoid: narrowing focus, eliminating bottlenecks, and making bold pivots before the market forces your hand. The shift to specialization, the ability to read and respond to market signals, and the discipline to leverage systems for clarity and execution — these are what separate businesses that survive from those that scale.   Long-term business ownership is built on recognizing what others overlook. Team alignment, having the right people in the right roles, and anticipating changes in customer needs aren't soft advantages — they're the foundation of a business that remains relevant over time. And when business models must evolve to keep pace with the market, the owners who endure are those who move with intention rather than reaction. Jess Dewell talks with Erik Dodier, EOS Implementer, about being in business long term, the Business Instinct required to remain relevant, and why it is BOLD to be ruthlessly focused on scaling from $10M to $100M.   —---------   If you're ready to build the kind of business that doesn't just survive uncertainty but leads through it, check out the Driving Solutions Strategic Intensive program, designed to support leadership teams through high-stakes strategic decisions.    -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.  

Past successes can provide valuable insights, but it's important to recognize that they belong to a different time. While experience is beneficial, the ever-changing business landscape means that relying solely on past achievements can be misleading.    It's essential to understand that perfection is not a realistic goal and can sometimes become a barrier in your leadership journey. By accepting this reality, your approach to growth can transform, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. This discussion invites you to reevaluate your perspective on risk, failure, and self-advocacy.   In this program, you will hear that undesired results are justified by numbers and metrics, that decisions are always flexible and not irreversible, and that past successes don't guarantee future achievements.    In a conversation with Jess Dewell, Coach Kevin Voisin, CEO of We Live Legend, LLC, highlights the significance of continuous learning, adaptability, and honest self-reflection. These practices help to eliminate hidden feelings of guilt and shame, ultimately paving the way for future success and exploring how to move beyond past successes and open up new possibilities, even when the outcomes are uncertain.   —---------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business.   -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

We often think of innovation as loud—the flashy announcements, the social media hype, the constant spotlight. But the most profound changes happening right now are quietly being built behind the scenes.    The real disruptors aren't chasing notoriety; they are chasing root problems.    When you align a team around a mission that actually matters, you create an invisible force. That culture of shared purpose becomes the leverage needed to challenge industry giants who have benefited from the broken system for years.    The most valuable work isn't always visible. It's the daily, intentional effort to chip away at complex issues, build technology that works seamlessly in the background, and prioritize substance over facade.    In this Bold Business Podcast episode, Jess Dewell spoke with Sufian Chowdhury, CEO and Co-Founder at Kinetik, about what it really takes to disrupt an industry. If you want to make a real impact, look for the quiet, difficult problems. That is where the future is being shaped.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Stop attempting to fit into a mold that was never intended for you. Your dreams may need a reality check to prevent them from slipping away, ensuring you don't unintentionally drift further from them.    Following a plan, establishing habits, and achieving goals may seem straightforward, but if you're not genuinely engaged in the journey, you're likely confined by standards that don't serve you.   This discussion focuses on demonstrating your commitment to yourself and the people around you. It emphasizes the importance of embracing your truth and building a life that reflects your core values. The foundation of strong self-discipline may begin with the promises you make to others.   It involves letting go of the acceptable, mastering the subtleties of time and energy management, and cultivating the skills essential to success. The resulting advantage is reaching your most significant long-term objectives while remaining authentic to yourself throughout the journey.   Jess Dewell talks with Bolanle Williams-Olley, CFO of Mancini Duffy, about the significance of challenging 'norms' to achieve one's ambitions and why it takes courage to break away from them.   -------------------   Is the Daily Grind Clouding Your Business Instinct? Check out Present Retreat: a repeatable leadership practice designed to strengthen business instinct and strategic clarity, Download your FREE GUIDE here. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Many mid-market companies tend to hit a wall around the eighth year. The very processes that helped you get to this point are now what's holding you back from moving forward. This panel discussion aims to break the cycle of 'future-proofing' and focus on what it takes to stay relevant.   Introducing your Future-Maker panel:   - Christy Maxfield, President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors - Dean Barta, Founder and CEO of Barta Business Group - Jess Dewell, Managing Partner and Growth Strategist at Red Direction   Tune in to explore the differences between playing defense and offense, the unintentional growth throttling that can occur, the power of curiosity, and how true accountability fuels progress.    This episode offers practical insights—from empowering teams and celebrating small victories to building a business that supports succession and growth. You'll find valuable tips to shift your mindset, prioritize effectively, and cultivate a culture that embraces the future.   Your business's success hinges on the decisions you make today. Each small victory, combined with a commitment to accountability, accelerates your momentum. Whether you're focusing on staying competitive or planning an exit strategy, this episode provides a bold perspective and actionable strategies to help you become a true future-maker.   --------------------   If you want to move from daily uncertainty to unwavering confidence, lead with clarity, make sharper decisions, and build a business that not only survives but thrives through change, check out the Driving Solutions Strategic Intensive program.   -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Making decisions is more than just picking an option; it's an art that influences your path forward, impacts your relationships, and challenges your values. By embracing your unique personality and strengths while being mindful of your leadership weaknesses, you can discover the best ways to support your company and uplift your team.   In this exciting episode, you'll explore whether you're truly taking the right risks.   Get ready to uncover three vital steps for managing mistakes, understand the feeling of being poised to take bold action, and learn about three critical areas you need to watch to protect your business from potential failure.   Join Jess Dewell and her guest, Bew White, Executive Chairman of Summer Classics/Gabby, as they discuss the crucial role of decision-making in business.    They explore the ups and downs of valuable experiences, revealing that while the journey may be tumultuous, the rewards can be incredibly satisfying!   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The era of having all the answers is over. Today, it is becoming the norm for founders and management teams to lead without knowing exactly where they are headed. Change is occurring across every aspect of business and how we conduct it, and it will continue to impact the workforce.   This transformation isn't solely about achieving efficiency and cutting costs. It also involves adopting new mindsets not only to survive in business, but also to significantly increase your impact in the years to come.   In this program, you will learn about the traits necessary to grow your business 300 times with AI, the three steps to embrace and integrate AI into your operations, and the importance of understanding what NOT to do amidst a multitude of choices.   Jess Dewell speaks with Steve Brown, an AI futurist, about why humility, experimentation, and vision have become essential superpowers for modern executives. They discuss how small and mid-sized companies can lead in an AI-first economy rather than keep up, and how to be BOLD and strategically prepare for the next evolution of your company, even when it feels unimaginable.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the ""Growth Framework Reset"" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Your character and skills often outweigh your credentials in today's ever-evolving world.   True growth stems from the challenges of difficult conversations, and effective leaders can use these moments of discomfort to tap into the potential that already exists within their systems, processes, and teams.    Honest self-reflection is essential for setting goals, adapting to changes, and navigating uncertainty. A crucial takeaway from this discussion is that the concept of "enough" is a personal measure rather than a comparative one.   In this program, Jess Dewell engages with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, Co-Founders and Co-Authors of "The Business of You," as they explore the tough questions that drive growth. They emphasize strengthening your connection to core values and using your character skills to address uncertainty head-on.    You'll discover how to take greater ownership in times of challenge, how to lead yourself effectively, and what it truly means to be BOLD as you navigate friction to propel your success forward.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

In a world where every choice is navigated with limited information, you may find yourself stepping into the unknown, missing key insights, or even underestimating potential risks. However, the clarity of your vision and your commitment to your goals will ultimately dictate your journey to success.   Your business strategy should be aimed at the long-term — fostering growth and profitability while embracing whatever challenges and opportunities come your way.    Building a robust network of peers is crucial. Whether it's through a mastermind group or a board of directors, surrounding yourself with trusted allies allows you to brainstorm ideas, share experiences, and seek expert guidance when trying to steer your growth journey.   In this program, Jess Dewell sits down with Geneve Huxley, the Founder and CEO of Huxley CPA Consulting. They discuss the common obstacles companies face and explore how to harness powerful financial insights to overcome them.   Tune in for practical advice on how to track what truly matters, discover three dynamic tools to amplify the effectiveness of your decisions, and learn how to firmly establish your business goals.    --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Transform complaints into golden opportunities and bring enthusiasm to your customers by empowering your team to swiftly address friction points.   Embracing change is essential, and it's perfectly fine to reconsider past decisions. Flexibility is key to successfully navigating today's growth landscape. Take proactive steps by delegating responsibilities, launching experiments, and truly listening to your customers — even if you haven't established a perfect system yet.   In this episode, you'll discover that managing energy is just as crucial as having the right systems in place, how to eliminate barriers, and the importance of letting go of processes that hinder growth.    Jess Dewell welcomes Solomon Thimothy, Co-founder and CEO of oneIMS, exploring his journey to uncover BOLD growth opportunities within his company and to redefine the CEO growth strategy through continuous adaptation.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Are you underestimating your actual level of control? Learn why redirecting your attention from the obstacles you can't change to the factors you can influence can transform your business growth.   "Control the controllables" is more than just a saying; it's a powerful mindset. Not only does it help you excel in your field, but also it reveals the best path forward. By recognizing how to use your resources effectively in any situation, you gain greater control over your circumstances.   In this episode, you'll discover the importance of acknowledging what you want to avoid, allowing you to eliminate unproductive tasks. When faced with situations beyond your control, shift your focus to how you can influence outcomes. You'll also learn to reframe setbacks, using them as opportunities to strengthen your foundation and achieve your goals.   Jess Dewell welcomes Apollo Emeka, Managing Director of Apollo Strategy Group, to discuss how to infuse fulfillment into your major decisions and why it's BOLD to master the basics, ultimately leading to a sense of satisfaction as you act on your aspirations.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

True sacrifice involves letting go of distractions and negative influences, rather than letting go of the people or things you truly care about. Our personal stories — both the ones we share and those we keep to ourselves — play a crucial role in shaping our leadership.   Establishing boundaries and being ruthless in your priorities, even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone or distancing yourself from loved ones, is essential for determining your success.    Remember, who you were yesterday doesn't dictate who you need to be to fully embrace life and take action toward your biggest dreams.   In this episode, you'll discover the power of sharing your story, even while you're still living it. You'll learn that releasing what doesn't serve you makes room for gratitude, and that sacrifice isn't about what you lose — it's about filtering out the noise.   Jess Dewell chats with Benny Mobley, a Legacy Coach, about the importance of reclaiming your authority through small, consistent daily efforts. They explore how to overcome limiting beliefs and embrace authenticity to build the resilience needed to thrive as an entrepreneur.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

If your job as CEO hasn't changed in three years, your company might be outgrowing you. To elevate your business 10x, it's essential to reassess your role as CEO, make tough calls, and prioritize with unwavering focus. These are the key areas where you can unlock significant value for yourself, your team, and your customers.   Jess Dewell from Red Direction, Christy Maxfield of Purpose First Advisors, and Dean Barta from Barta Business Group have an open discussion about how you might be the bottleneck hindering your business growth.   Here are key notes you don't want to miss:    ** Assess and sharpen your focus - The greatest obstacle to growth often lies in avoiding tough decisions. Failing to make a choice is still a choice — and it can dilute your impact. Set aside dedicated time (like a focused retreat) to review your priorities, clarify the true value you provide, and eliminate the "busywork" that distracts from strategic advancement.   ** Differentiate your roles for clarity and growth - Many business owners find themselves unintentionally wearing the CEO hat, which can pose challenges. Ask yourself: would you hire yourself for this role? Establish clear job descriptions for both CEO and Owner to define your responsibilities, promote effective delegation, and identify where you can add the most value — then focus relentlessly on those areas.   ** Unleash your greatest asset: YOU - Sustainable and exponential growth begins when leaders evolve authentically, delegate tasks that no longer align with their strategic vision, and cultivate habits that keep them in their zone of genius. Keep in mind: the value you realize for yourself directly influences the value your company delivers to customers and prospective buyers.   After the discussion, your expert panel shared their biggest takeaway:   Dean Barta: Separating the roles of owner and CEO: Assess whether you would hire yourself to be the CEO of your company.   Christy Maxfield: This about making sure that you can unlock more value for your customer, about unlocking more value for you as an owner, about unlocking more value for a future buyer.   Jess Dewell: Your ability to make decisions will get easier, stronger, and clearer. That ensures that you are evolving and assessing as you go.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

A fuzzy strategy comes with real costs, and that lack of clarity can diminish true value. Think you're scaling well? Think again. It's crucial to support a bold vision with clear direction and regular reality checks.   Identifying your unique growth factor while staying focused on the core problem can be quite a challenge, particularly as your company faces new constraints and friction points.    You, your team, and your investor partners will achieve the most significant milestones by collaborating through difficulties.   In this program, you'll learn how to address the "stay in your lane" mindset that might be holding you back, why it's essential to disrupt your own company before the market does, and how to achieve strategic clarity.   Jess Dewell and Melanie Nabar, Vice President at Volition Capital, unpack how unclear objectives and scattered initiatives can waste resources and opportunities. They provide actionable steps to help maintain your momentum and emphasize how BOLD founders challenge themselves as leaders to embrace continuous learning and transformation.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Being curious and stepping into new dynamics are tangible signs of bold leadership. It requires committing to courageous practices that ultimately make the greatest impact both in business and beyond. And it starts with you, as an authentic individual. Bringing more of yourself to every moment of your day will give you MORE energy.    You can have "space" in your meetings, conversations, or company culture to unlock your team's best ideas. It is the intangible connections that transform how your business scales, grows, and belongs together.    Embrace experimentation — after all, we all do it already. Be intentional about tuning in to the people around you, and work to overcome any feelings of shame or embarrassment that may hold you back from acknowledging how interesting each person is.    Jess Dewell talks with Heather Hester, Founder of More Human More Kind, about being BOLD and acting with courage even when it feels uncomfortable or risky, and about being brave and honest about mistakes and strategic challenges to reach your growth potential.    Tune in to explore what you're already doing successfully, which will help you enhance those efforts and demonstrate positive energy management and trust-building behaviors. You'll also learn about the concept of "Brave Belonging" and how cultivating curiosity can energize your team.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Endings often go unnoticed. It's easy to push back project deadlines and adjust our expectations for results, but calling for a definitive stop to review our progress can be much harder. We might feel the urge to dive right into tactics to achieve results, yet what we're truly after is a clear, overarching goal—whether that's increasing something or changing the status quo.   When launching a product, crafting your business's narrative, or entering a new market, a lack of clarity makes it challenging to recognize when we've hit our desired outcome. It's crucial to step back, evaluate our plans, the actions we've taken, and the results we've achieved to decide whether to move forward or make necessary tweaks. We need to acknowledge when we've arrived, even if the path we took wasn't what we originally envisioned.   In this episode, you'll discover the significance of milestones for tracking your progress, how endings can pave the way for new beginnings, and that the journey from executing a plan to reaching our goals is rarely a straight line.   Jess Dewell hosts Pam Didner, the Founder of Relentless Pursuit, LLC, and Mickie Kennedy, President of eReleases, to explore why it's bold to reflect on how endings can actually help us thrive.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

This episode originally aired on GoalChat, hosted by Debra Eckerling, a goal strategist and the creator of The DEB Method.   The panel features Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, who specializes in operations and strategy; Jeannette Seibly, a results-driven leadership coach; and Isioma Utomi, a consultant focused on leadership and productivity. Together, they explore modern leadership development and share their views on past and current leadership trends.    Each expert brings their unique flair to the discussion: Jess passionately advocates for the significance of purpose in leadership, Jeannette shares her insights on the art of effective communication and the power of self-promotion, while Isioma focuses on achieving impactful results that truly matter.    Whether you lead a department, are a valued team member, operate as an entrepreneur, or work as a consultant guiding others, this conversation will highlight the essential role you play in your leadership journey.    --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The depth of your knowledge opens up new opportunities. The more you learn, the more you realize there's so much left to explore, which is why curiosity is key. Asking questions like, "What's going on behind this process?" or "What discoveries can help our industry improve?" is crucial. Also, consider what we might be doing that could inadvertently create new problems for our customers.   Sometimes, the way our industry works can be frustrating, which might motivate us to develop solutions to address its shortcomings. To make this happen, it's super important to have a team that's not only knowledgeable but also curious about new ways to do things. Even with a great team, we need to commit to using the info we have, looking for knowledge gaps, and connecting with experts who have a deep understanding of the field. This teamwork can highlight areas that are ready for product and process innovation.   In this podcast episode, you'll find out how to build a successful business by shaking up the foundation repair industry and pushing for better solutions for those who need them. You'll also see how a curious mindset has led to patents and inventions that have changed the game in this sector.   Your host, Jess Dewell, chats with RK Bob Brown, Founder of Spatial Vision, to discuss the importance of focusing on one solid idea and using that strength to drive growth.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Yesterday's playbook is useless for tomorrow's problems. Smart companies evolve their people, keep clarity around priorities, navigate uncertainty and grow.   The Gauntlet of Growth for sustainable growth has six parts: sharpening focus, calibrating culture, strengthening leadership, elevating talent, aligning structures, and amplifying communication. These insights are derived from hands-on work with high-growth companies that help founders and leaders scale their organizations.   In this episode, you will learn what it truly means to navigate change, how your role as a CEO evolves alongside your company, and the importance of aligning your actions throughout the organization to create a stronger company.   Jess Dewell talks with PeopleCap Advisors, Co-Founders Meg Crosby, Principal, and Howard Cleveland, Leadership Coach and Confidante, about how to lead in uncharted territory amid rapidly changing markets. They discuss what it means to be BOLD in your willingness to adapt as a founder, emphasizing the value of experimenting, failing, and learning to make confident decisions in new situations.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Are you responsible FOR your team or TO them? It takes courage to confront and transform the internalized shame and disgust that can affect our ability to harness anger as a force for good.   The next time you experience feelings of anger or shame, take a moment to pause and ask yourself, "Is this truly mine, or did I absorb it from someone else?" You may be surprised by what you find. This reflects the underlying myths society holds about anger. Any unresolved feelings of anger or shame could negatively impact your well-being, hinder your focus, and affect your business's bottom line. Self-accountability starts with recognizing and channeling your emotions as fuel for growth.   In this program, you will learn that you are only responsible for your own feelings, how to distinguish between healthy and reactive anger, and the importance of doing the necessary self-work (behind the scenes) to become whole. This enables you to show up fully in the world.   Jess Dewell speaks with Bronwyn Schweigerdt, a psychotherapist and host of the "Angry at the Right Things" podcast, about the role of emotions, how to transform shame into strength, and how to be BOLD by building self-trust and using emotions for assertive action.   -------------------- If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Business teams thrive or struggle based on the attitude of their leadership. As a leader, you have the power to influence and uplift your team's environment, creating a significant impact through clear internal communication and a strong external presence.   Are you building an opportunity or obstacle into your company culture? Both conscious and unconscious beliefs shape self-image, behavior, and relationships. By managing your self-talk, you can control your outcomes. It's possible to take action that shifts your mindset so you—and your organization — can bounce back stronger each time.   In this episode, you will learn that it's okay to return to familiar strategies to achieve progress. Your beliefs shape and dictate your actions, and we will discuss the steps to becoming a conscious creator.    Join Jess Dewell and Coach Cudjo, President of Human Optimization 3.0, as they explore what it means to be BOLD in tapping into your full potential.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

In the pursuit of success, many people become fixated on future goals, often missing a vital ingredient for achievement: the power of taking a pause. How we manage our time dramatically influences what we can really accomplish.   Welcome to an exciting ENCORE episode of the BOLD Business Podcast! This conversation originally aired on Seeds of Wisdom by author Rachael Wolff.   Jess Dewell, a strategic growth consultant, dives deep into the transformative concept of pausing in the world of business, unravelling what pausing truly means, the incredible power it brings, and how it serves as a strategic tool for more thoughtful decision-making, heightened creativity, and more decisive leadership.    By shifting from reactive to responsive behaviors, you'll discover how a simple pause can pave the way for greater success. Don't miss this opportunity to rethink your approach and embrace the art of the pause!   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. --------------------   You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website. 

Unlock your competitive edge by planning earlier than everyone else. Strategic planning is more than an annual box to check; it is a time to reflect, reorient, and reengage your company with its long-term objectives, and to align today's priorities with them.    The true cost of distraction goes beyond just affecting mental focus; it impacts your bottom line. It's not only about lost productivity; on average, it takes about 23 minutes and 15 seconds to switch between business activities. Even though we are working effectively, the time lost hinders our company from maximizing its available resources.   In this episode, you will hear how not to overthink reflection, the importance of taking time to understand your current position before moving forward, and tips for conducting productive deep work sessions.   The panelists in this "It's Your Business" conversation are all business advisors:  Christy Maxfield, President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors; Dean Barta, Founder and CEO of Barta Business Group; and  Jess Dewell, Growth Strategist at Red Direction. They discuss a three-part framework designed to unlock your business's growth potential and explore pathways for strategic re-engagement.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Your success relies on your ability to continually grow over time by ensuring that what you do today aligns with your long-term goals. It can be tough, and let's be honest, the word "preparation" often gets a dull reaction. However, without it, you won't fully understand how your current resources can impact the results you're seeking.    Three key factors really drive sustainable growth. First, what are your nonnegotiables? When two things are equally important, one must always take precedence. That shows your priorities and how everything gets done. Second, carve out protected time each week just for strategy—ideally, at least two uninterrupted hours. Third, being adaptable gives you a competitive edge. It's not just about individual adaptability; it's the team's collective response to change that really makes a difference.   In this program, Jess Dewell, a Strategic Growth Consultant at Red Direction and host of the BOLD Business Podcast, shares valuable insights on how to pinpoint your business's core to drive sustainable growth. She discusses strategies for managing growth while navigating the uncertainties associated with complex business issues.   Additionally, Jess explores how a well-defined growth strategy can help your company remain competitive in the market. She breaks down the three main ideas behind an effective growth strategy, highlighting the essential components for managing change and overcoming obstacles.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

There are invisible signals that differentiate bold business moves from costly mistakes. Calculated risks — financial, emotional, and strategic — unlock opportunities. In today's fast-paced environment, modern businesses need to embrace rapid change, particularly with the rise of AI. Start by focusing on what you know best: the strengths of your business, yourself, and your partners. Then, analyze how AI is impacting your industry and how your customers' needs and purchasing behaviors are evolving. In this episode, you will learn how to identify clues that indicate success or failure. You'll discover the importance of honing your skills to recognize when you're out of your depth and learn how to determine what results signify success. Remember, business success today is not defined by the same paths as in the past. The saying "don't judge a book by its cover" holds truer today than ever. Jess Dewell speaks with Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, about how to navigate mistakes by listening for your next big opportunity and what it truly means to be BOLD and committed to big moves. --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

How do you dare to innovate when there are mouths to feed and mortgages looming? It's time to cut through the theory — real, practical risk-taking is not just bold, it's smart and can lead to significant gains.   Life comes with constraints, but by embracing them, you can shift your perspective and unlock innovative solutions that go beyond the standard "workable" options. It's absolutely possible to pursue your biggest dreams while taking calculated risks that maintain your stability. While pragmatic risk-taking may not have the flashiest reputation, its potential for substantial, long-term rewards is undeniable.   In this episode, we dive into the reality of situational decision-making. Discover how to stay in tune with your business even from afar and learn how to rethink constraints to make the best choices for your next step.    Jess Dewell sits down with Rich Kahn, CEO and Co-Founder of Anura Solutions, LLC, to explore the art of controlled risk, the power of being BOLD, and the clarity needed to achieve your goals. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired to take your risks strategically!   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Not every industry trend is worth chasing after. How you allocate your time is something you can truly manage.    Leverage your experience to step up and embrace new, riskier challenges. Your time is your most valuable asset, and being open to failure demonstrates to yourself and your superiors that you are willing to take risks and explore new opportunities.    As technology evolves at lightning speed, stepping into situations that highlight your cross-functional curiosity can help you build essential skills while sharpening your business instincts.   In this program, you'll learn about the critical need for two-way communication when making significant decisions. Just because your competitors are doing it doesn't mean your company should follow suit. Remember, time is your only true currency, so use it wisely.    Jess Dewell discusses with Mahesh Guruswamy, Technical Advisor at Luster, the importance of being BOLD and the courage to raise your hand and accept complex business challenges.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The decisions you sidestep often carry the heaviest consequences. Embracing a “NO” can lead uncovering your greatest victories. Taking small, bold actions consistently over time equips you for the more significant leaps ahead.    Your mindset around confidence, setbacks, and daily activities can determine whether your business succeeds or fails. It's high time to stop shying away from the information that enriches your decision-making process. Those cozy chairs may remain unnoticed until you actively seek them out.   This conversation is about the importance of reaching out to the right people about your strategic ideas, as this can often be a limiting factor. Furthermore, you'll learn that developing your own decision-making framework is crucial for engaging with your growth strategy. It's all about taking consistent actions that enable your company to push forward, refine which ideas to explore, and then experiment with them.   In this UNCHARTED episode, Jess Dewell speaks with Rosco Graves Jr., Managing Director at Polaxis. They discuss the vital balance of optimism and realism necessary to confront the discomfort that comes with scaling, and what makes it BOLD to step away from the temptation of easy wins.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The potential of your business has a gatekeeper: the day-to-day conversations you engage in. From great ideas that never take off to the changes that promises bring, understanding our own communication patterns can help unlock growth.   Meaningful conversation is rooted in self-development and an open-minded approach to understanding others' perspectives. While there are many correct choices to make, only one can be selected at a time. It's important to ensure that the choices and promises made—whether to ourselves, our teams, or our company—support the future of the business rather than hinder it.   In this episode, you will learn how to identify cues that require closer attention, the true impact of promises on the bottom line, and how slowing down just a little can enhance your chances of success.   Jess Dewell speaks with Chuck Wisner, CEO of Wisner Inc., about what bold companies do to turn conflict into growth and how to break through conversational patterns that can sabotage innovation.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

What would you do to forgive yourself and unlock your business' true potential? This is achievable when you regularly engage in honest assessment without judgment.   Servant leadership combines compassion with a strong focus on accountability. It involves genuinely caring for both the employees and the community your organization serves, while also maintaining high standards and holding everyone accountable for results. This approach requires self-awareness, enabling you to foster a culture of accountability where everyone can thrive.   In the launch of Season 9 of the BOLD Business Podcast, you'll discover that it is indeed possible to identify areas in need of improvement and make significant changes. You can reach for greatness because it is a tangible goal, and you can embrace your imperfections while forgiving your past self.   Jess Dewell talks with Tom Gegax, Gramercy Fund / Confessions of a CEO Film, about why it is BOLD to break the current expectation of what a CEO's role is.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The way you develop and execute goals, choose connections to form relationships, and overcome limiting beliefs may be at odds with your definition of success.   There are pitfalls associated with the power of goal setting, but you can begin right where you are. Question the goals you set to ensure they genuinely reflect your aspirations and are free from family or societal expectations. Discard any ego-driven goals to uncover your authentic objectives. By cultivating deep, meaningful relationships, you can build a support system that helps you courageously confront limiting beliefs while staying true to your authentic self.   When you demonstrate genuine care and value for others, you create a cycle of positive, impactful relationships at all levels, which in turn fuels your goals.   In this episode of the BOLD Business Podcast, you'll learn that relationships are central to everything in life. Your dreams matter, so it's essential to articulate them clearly for yourself. Every business has a plan, as you've already answered THE question.   It's time to tap into the human aspect of goal setting by listening to the conversation between Jess Dewell and David Steele, Founder / CEO of One Wealth Advisors and Co-Founder / Executive Chairman of Flour + Water Hospitality Group. They discuss the human elements of goal setting, and David emphasizes the importance of rigorously examining your own goals to ensure they are authentic and not based on ego or external pressure.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Partnerships play a vital role in the future of your business, whether you're just launching or you've been in the game for years. Interestingly, companies often fail not because of a poor idea, but rather due to partnerships that go awry.  In this episode of "It's Your Business," Jess Dewell, a strategic growth consultant, Christy Maxfield, a business consultant and Dean Barta, a financial advisor, offer valuable insights to help you strengthen your relationships, minimize risks, and secure your business's future.  They explore the often-overlooked potential of curiosity and mutual accountability, guiding you through five essential steps to evaluate your current partnership.  By doing so, you'll be equipped to engage in meaningful conversations with your partners. This approach transcends mere pleasantries, diving into the complex yet crucial discussions that can truly make or break your business. --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Commitment is truly your driving force. The extent of your commitment shapes the forward-thinking perspective that prepares you for effective change management.    Achieving product-market fit is crucial, even for established businesses, as customer needs and perceptions continuously evolve. By asking curious, probing questions, you can stay attuned to hidden opportunities or quick wins within your operations. Are you challenging your thoughts regularly?   In this episode of the BOLD Business Podcast, you will discover how documenting processes can simplify complexity, tackle the significant challenges faced by CEOs, and reveal the depth of insights that data can provide for decision-making.   Jess Dewell engages in conversation with La Tonya Roberts, Fractional COO at Harmony Consulting Group, discussing the importance of believing in yourself and remaining steadfast in your commitment—especially when it seems that no one else shares your vision. Together, they explore why it takes BOLDness to stay true to your vision amidst change.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

In today's marketplace, understanding your numbers is more than just a survival skill; it's essential for having honest and productive conversations with clients, as it provides clear evidence of where bottlenecks exist and why they occur.    Pursuing excellence often means taking risks, particularly in the constantly evolving supply chain landscape. Embracing failure is a crucial step toward discovering the best path forward, and committing to continuous improvement is vital.    While the idea of ongoing improvement can feel overwhelming, it encourages collaboration on how to enhance our processes and work with clients to uncover optimization and new opportunities.   In this episode of the BOLD Business Podcast, you'll discover that rapid changes are necessary to uphold standards and get the job done. By leveraging data and technology, you can identify problems and explore possibilities, while maintaining a clear focus on your goals to avoid confusion about opportunities.   Jess Dewell engages in a conversation with Colby Varley, Vice President - Partner at Advanced Transportation Services, discussing how he navigates the constant changes in the dynamic world of transportation logistics — from overcoming unexpected hurdles during peak holiday shipping periods to utilizing data to foster trust and long-lasting client relationships. He emphasizes that it's BOLD to embrace change by thoroughly understanding your business.   -—-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

The “grind” is often romanticized, yet there exists a wealth of joy, fulfillment, and accomplishment waiting for you beyond the brink of burnout.    Challenging your internal beliefs, especially the limiting ones, can feel daunting and overwhelming. Simply posing the question, “What else is possible?” provides a brief pause — just a moment is all it takes to reconnect with your core values and make intentional choices about how to engage in the present. Fortunately, there's a science-backed approach that can help shift the direction of your life.   In this episode of the BOLD Business Podcast, you'll discover that burnout is a stress disorder and learn how to move away from a zero-sum mentality. Instead, you'll focus on cultivating hypervigilance and awareness, understanding that the human body is designed to handle stress, which unfolds in stages with a beginning, middle, and end.   Jess Dewell engages with Scott Anderson, Burnout Breakthrough by Doubledare Coaching, to discuss the reality of burnout as an extension of stress that can be transformed. They explore why self-care alone is insufficient and may even exacerbate feelings of burnout, emphasizing that an internal mindset reset is the true key to overcoming burnout.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

What happens when you choose the less obvious or counterintuitive option at a fork in the road? The way you recognize the choice before you and how you approach making that decision can significantly impact what comes next. Establishing a routine is helpful; making and keeping promises to yourself is essential, and believing in yourself is a necessity.   In this episode of UNCHARTED, you will discover the benefits of keeping promises to yourself, how to embrace the unknown at each fork in the road, and how to reflect on your actions to see how you are shaping the future. You'll also learn to leverage the momentum that comes from small successes, which can accumulate over time.   Jess Dewell speaks with Tessa Thomas, Co-Founder of Pipeline Solutions, about harnessing the power of persistence and resilience in uncertain times, as well as what makes it BOLD to walk the less-travelled path.    —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Who truly holds the responsibility for your company culture? More importantly, does that person have the authority to shape and steer their development, or is it merely lip service?   To remain competitive and forge your own future, your organization will benefit from a clearly defined, actionable culture plan that everyone rallies around. Dedicating time and effort to outline and evaluate this plan is essential for fostering a culture that evolves year after year, enhancing your competitive edge in the process. It all begins with defining your core values.   In this episode of the BOLD Business Podcast, Jess Dewell welcomes Brett Hoogeveen, Co-Founder of BetterCulture, to discuss the often-overlooked 20% of culture, exploring what it encompasses and how to leverage it to outshine your competition. They also explore how to embody your core values to cultivate a lasting, growth-driven organizational culture.   You'll discover who is best positioned to take ownership of your organization's culture, gain two foundational questions to evaluate the strength of your engaged culture, and understand the significance of internal conversations for staying aligned with your plan. —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. --------------------   You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.  

Every choice has a consequence — success is intentional. The decisions we make for our companies have a ripple effect on society and the environment.    Interdependency exists in everything. Our businesses require customers to stay in business. Additionally, having options to access materials and technologies is essential for delivering goods and services. There are many interdependent parts of a company, and recognizing each point where we connect with people and entities outside our own orbit is empowering.    This depth of knowledge allows for curiosity and an understanding of how business is conducted, enabling you to make informed decisions knowing you have the correct information at your disposal.   In this program, you will hear that every choice has a consequence, that business success is intentional, and how to discern the signal in the noise using feedback loops. The biggest pitfalls of filtering information are that the filter may use unrecognized ideology or confirmation bias.    Your host, Jess Dewell, talks with Kevin Howard, Principal Consultant at Climate Changes Everything®, LLC, about how leadership is evolving and how, even in the midst of change, with planning, you can shape the success of your future.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Are you tired of constantly playing catch-up in a fast-changing market? This BOLD Business Podcast Panel discusses how to unlock your team's potential by fostering a creative and proactive business environment.   Discover how empowering your team to think proactively and solve problems creatively can reveal hidden growth opportunities and turn uncertainty into a competitive advantage.   Your host, Jess Dewell, leads a discussion on how maintaining curiosity, receptiveness, and an openness to new ideas — regardless of experience level — can help organisations stay competitive.   Join Jess and her guests, Brad Englert, Founder of Brad Englert Advisory; Grace Gavin, Co-Founder of Know Honesty; and Dr. Yaniv Zaid, CEO and Consultant at Dr. Persuasion, as they explore three key topics:   Perfection is the Enemy of Progress: Quit waiting for people to speak up with bold, creative ideas — the hard truth: your company culture might be scaring creativity into silence. Learn how to flip the script and empower every voice, not just the loudest.   From Command-and-Control to Trust-and-Inspire: Your leadership style can determine whether your business stays relevant or gets left behind. Hear real stories from leaders who broke out of the old-school, top-down mold — and what happened to the ones who couldn't.   Failure is the New Secret Weapon: What if you ran a “Failure Lab” at your company? Discover why sharing stories of screw-ups — not just wins — could be the untapped source of innovation and resilience your business needs right now.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Ignoring small problems now can lead to significant costs later. Are you hoping your team's missteps, inefficiencies, or cultural issues will just “work themselves out”?   In this episode of "It's Your Business," host Jess Dewell, a strategic growth consultant, is joined by Dean Barta, a financial advisor, and Christy Maxfield, a business consultant. They discuss how to identify the silent signals of larger issues and what to do when “business as usual” is no longer effective. They offer practical approaches and share hard-earned lessons from their direct experiences.   You will learn: Why overlooking small misalignments holds your team back and can even halt projects altogether. How to recognize the issues you may be ignoring. The skills you need to develop or enhance. How to engage in healthy confrontation that leads to better decision-making.   When you confront the actual conditions of your business, supported by data, you gain more value than simply relying on hopeful but unfounded narratives.   Use your voice with courage. Whether you're a CEO, consultant, or team leader, you'll gain actionable insights on embracing difficult truths, leading with intention, and creating lasting momentum. -------------------- If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or the Red Direction website.

Technology integration offers a significant benefit to companies and organizations that prioritize customer experience as a core component of their business operations, enabling them to maintain a competitive edge.  The delicate balance between optimization and deep connection to customers is where today's marketplace will separate companies that succeed now from those that succeed in the long run. It is time to ensure that you are flipping the script and prioritizing the experience and convenience of customer buying paths in your strategic growth decisions. In this program, you will hear what it takes to design your tech stack for user experience, that big data is less important today than thick data (and what that means for your company), and that creating your company's future relevance requires monitoring customer relationships in new ways.  Jess Dewell discusses AI and Intuitive Leadership with Krishna Raj Raja, Founder and CEO of SupportLogic, about the necessary elements to design customer experiences into the integration of new and emerging technologies, and why it is BOLD to future-proof your business by elevating customer experience.  —----------------- If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset“ approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website. 

Stamina is the new leadership approach, focusing on intentional quick wins to build your team's confidence and maintain progress in today's unpredictable marketplace.   Accountability is not only essential, it is everything. A shift in mindset involves claiming the outcome as your choice, taking responsibility for the outcomes that have occurred, and recognizing that radical accountability is crucial for creating lasting relevance for your company.   In this program, you will learn to fully embrace every action as your choice, be intentional, and claim accountability. You will discover that the challenging path is what builds resilience. Intentionality, combined with unconventional thinking, is essential for navigating through chaos.   Jess Dewell speaks with Ralph H. Groce III, President and Chief Operating Officer at Scroobious, about how today's leadership demands boldness and the willingness to break what is not yet broken.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you to keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

To unlock your company's full potential, it's essential to prioritize effectively while keeping an eye on future growth amidst everyday demands.    You're bombarded with advice, ideas, data, and they all can be urgent — but the actions chosen underpin your company's relevance and growth. It is up to you to decide what is practical and pragmatic and prioritize those actions. Leading with limits is crucial for your business.   Ideas, plans, ROI expectations are all part of the beginning. Once decisions are made, everyone gets moving — without knowing what the end looks like. Start adding endings before implementation begins. Without endings, even the best-run teams fall short and don't quite make it to the finish (because there isn't one!).   The outcomes of a growth strategy hinge on what we choose to prioritize. Our priorities reflect our values, and these values shape our work culture. Our achievements multiply when we deepen our understanding of each other and how we collaborate.   In this program, you will learn the power of using “no” as a boundary, why to create endings to achieve more, and why Present Retreat™ is the most powerful strategic tool amidst daily demands. Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction and your host, shares with you why it is BOLD to focus on doing as much impactful as possible.   Here's what to expect:  Boundaries are important, and saying NO is a crucial boundary. Quick changes and our never-ending to-do lists often lead to burnout. Strategies for managing too many good ideas. The Present Retreat: a powerful strategic tool at your disposal. Focus on impactful work — now and in the near future, balancing both interest and influence.   By making small shifts, you can create lasting positive impacts that build on the work you've already accomplished while leveraging existing skills and strengths.    If you recognize that you're already steering the direction of your company's future, this is the moment to pay attention — your breakthrough moments for future growth can come from making intentional choices among the wealth of ideas and advice surrounding you. —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset“ approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Welcome to this special episode of the BOLD Business Podcast, where we'll walk you through the highlights of the Finance Innovation and Excellence Summit - AmeriEuro 2025 (FInEx AmeriEuro 2025). This groundbreaking event has become a pivotal moment for the global finance community, hosted by Steve Rosvold, the innovative founder of CFO.University, alongside strategic growth consultant Jess Dewell. Steve has dedicated his career to transforming financial data into actionable insights, with a strong passion for empowering finance professionals to lead with confidence, think boldly, and make a lasting impact. If you're passionate about creating meaningful change as a CFO or finance leader, tune in to this summary to gain insights from global finance experts. They shared their thoughts on leading with agility, leveraging data, managing risks, and embracing innovation. An impressive lineup of speakers delved into the dynamic landscape of finance, exploring key themes such as Talent, Agile Finance, AI, Data & Analytics, Risk Management, and the Evolving Role of the CFO. Additional resources:  FInEx AmeriEuro - Panel 1 - AI and the CFO's Role in Driving Organizational Success FInEx AmeriEuro - Panel 2 - Guardians of the Bottom Line - Risk Strategies for CFOs FInEx AmeriEuro - Panel 3 - The Innovation Imperative: Transforming Data into Value FInEx AmeriEuro - Panel 4 - From Talent to Triumph – Driving Success Through People FInEx AmeriEuro - Panel 5 Finance on the Fly - Agility as a Competitive Edge FInEx AmeriEuro - Panel 6 The CFO's Vision Shaping the Financial Landscape of Tomorrow CFOs of Tomorrow: Lessons from the FInEx AmeriEuro Summit with Jess Dewell & Steve Rosvold -------------------- If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website. 

Do you have confidence in your team's ability to deliver — or do you continually find yourself covering for them? In this episode of "It's Your Business," we take a closer look at one of the most vital — yet often misunderstood — elements of business development: accountability. Discover how genuine accountability fosters trust, scalability, and a strong performance culture from the insights shared by Jess Dewell, the show host and strategic growth consultant; Dean Barta, financial advisor; and Christy Maxfield, business consultant. They discuss how accountability turns ambitious objectives into concrete, measurable outcomes and clarify what accountability genuinely signifies in today's business environment — encompassing personal responsibility and dedication, as well as nurturing trust and encouraging successful collaboration. You'll receive real-life examples, practical advice, tips for cultivating a culture where everyone comprehends and embraces their responsibilities, and insights into overcoming challenges directly — whether your team operates remotely, in a hybrid model, or face-to-face.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Don't just showcase your business as it might be — celebrate as it truly is! Highlighting the distinct offerings that address the specific challenges your company tackles is crucial.   Let's face it: subscription models aren't always the panacea for digital content. To navigate the complexities of monetization effectively, engaging with the real challenges and finding solutions that resonate with your unique work style is vital. As you embark on this exploration, you'll uncover valuable insights that will sharpen your approach to pricing in an ever-evolving landscape.   In this episode of UNCHARTED, discover the genuine cost of subscription fatigue and learn how to strategically choose marketing solutions that align with your company's mission. Join Jess Dewell in a thought-provoking conversation with Bob Bowdon, the visionary founder of VidaFair, who shares his journey in connecting with underrepresented markets.    —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

How much does your ego hold back your company's growth? It might be more than you realize. You could stunt your company's potential without a commitment to ongoing learning and a clear intention to achieve your most significant ambitions.   We know a lot about running a business yet often fail to act on it. The reasons behind this are numerous, but as days, months, and years pass, the rapid changes in technology, compliance, and planning are closely tied to your company's ability to remain relevant. This hinges on the proactive steps you take to evaluate and adapt to the evolution of your organization.   In this episode, you'll hear about valuable life lessons that carry over into the business world, how to engage in meaningful conversations while balancing your thoughts and feelings, and the critical importance of asking tough questions about disruption (as it can arise from unexpected sources).   Your host, Jess Dewell, sits down with Rohit Maini, the managing director at Apex Accountancy, to discuss the importance of being bold in the decisions you face today. He shares his journey of navigating company growth, both with and without the influence of his ego.   —-----------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. --------------------   You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.