Podcasts about COO

Wow, this episode is so critical for the state of all content, copy, story telling and branding, I wish everyone in digital commerce could listen! Anna Rillahan, COO of Talkoot and Dan Flood, Head of Customer Growth for Talkoot join me at eTail Boston for an incredible conversation. Talkoot is faster product content operations for the AI ERA. They work with some of the biggest brands in the world and share how and why they are helping brands achieve optimal content at scale! Having consistency across multiple platforms, countries and marketplaces is more important now than ever! Always Off Brand is always a Laugh & Learn!   eTail episodes are brought to you by TALKOOT! Go to https://talkoot.com/ to find out how you can scale your content, copy, story telling. Faster Product Content Operations for the AI Era!     FEEDSPOT TOP 10 Retail Podcast! https://podcast.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/?feedid=5770554&_src=f2_featured_email   GUEST Anna Rillahan  LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-rillahan/ Website: https://talkoot.com/   GUEST Dan Flood   LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/dtflood/ Website: https://talkoot.com/ Huge Shout Out to everyone at eTail for the great support and giving us the place to record at their great events.    QUICKFIRE Info:   Website: https://www.quickfirenow.com/ Email the Show: info@quickfirenow.com  Talk to us on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quickfireproductions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quickfire__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickfiremarketing LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickfire-productions-llc/about/ Sports podcast Scott has been doing since 2017, Scott & Tim Sports Show part of Somethin About Nothin:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/somethin-about-nothin/id1306950451 HOSTS: Summer Jubelirer has been in digital commerce and marketing for over 17 years. After spending many years working for digital and ecommerce agencies working with multi-million dollar brands and running teams of Account Managers, she is now the Amazon Manager at OLLY PBC.   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/summerjubelirer/   Scott Ohsman has been working with brands for over 30 years in retail, online and has launched over 200 brands on Amazon. Mr. Ohsman has been managing brands on Amazon for 19yrs. Owning his own sales and marketing agency in the Pacific NW, is now VP of Digital Commerce for Quickfire LLC. Producer and Co-Host for the top 5 retail podcast, Always Off Brand. He also produces the Brain Driven Brands Podcast featuring leading Consumer Behaviorist Sarah Levinger. Scott has been a featured speaker at national trade shows and has developed distribution strategies for many top brands. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6/   Hayley Brucker has been working in retail and with Amazon for years. Hayley has extensive experience in digital advertising, both seller and vendor central on Amazon. Hayley lives in North Carolina.  LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-brucker-1945bb229/   Huge thanks to Cytrus our show theme music "Office Party" available wherever you get your music. Check them out here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cytrusmusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cytrusmusic/ Twitter https://twitter.com/cytrusmusic SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VrNLN6Thj1iUMsiL4Yt5q?si=MeRsjqYfQiafl0f021kHwg APPLE MUSIC https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cytrus/1462321449   "Always Off Brand" is part of the Quickfire Podcast Network and produced by Quickfire LLC.  

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Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this empowering episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Drea Lynn, a remarkable attorney, entrepreneur, and author who shares her inspiring journey of leaving the corporate world to pursue her true calling. After facing significant challenges, including overcoming six figures of debt, Drea developed a unique framework to help others make intentional career moves rather than impulsive exits.Drea reflects on her diverse career path, revealing how each experience, from her time in church ministry to her role as COO, has shaped her approach to consulting and business strategy. She candidly discusses the emotional turmoil of stepping away from a seemingly successful career and the lessons learned from her unexpected transition into entrepreneurship.Listeners will gain valuable insights into recognizing the signs of needing a change, the importance of strategic quitting, and how to leverage existing job roles for future success. Drea emphasizes the significance of building relationships, acquiring skills, and understanding that stability is often an illusion in the corporate world.Throughout the episode, Drea introduces her book, *Smart Quit*, which outlines her four-phase approach to transitioning careers: Prepare, Position, Pivot, and Profit. She encourages listeners to view their current jobs as potential investors in their future endeavors, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in career decisions.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The journey of rebuilding after leaving a corporate career- Key signs that indicate it might be time for a strategic quit- How to leverage your current job for future entrepreneurial success- Insights from Drea's book, *Smart Quit*, and its practical framework- The importance of resilience and learning from failure in entrepreneurshipFor more information on Drea Lynn and her work, visit www.howtosmartquit.com and explore her resources for those looking to make intentional career transitions.Support the show

Can your business run without you? This question is a bit of a two-parter.First there's the day-to-day. Your team, your SOPs, your business's ability to keep things moving whether you're there or not.Then there's the bigger picture. Quality control, vision for the future, the judgment calls nobody else can make for you. That's what this week's episode is all about.We're breaking down:Why revenue isn't the tell-all metric. The year Kira ran her business almost entirely without her, and what it cost long after the P&L still looked fine.The four things that stay yours, no matter what you delegate. What quality looks like going out the door, the relationship context living in your head, the "no list" you enforce without saying it out loud, and the escalation logic your team is guessing at.What getting laid off from her own COO job taught Kira about culture. Thirteen and a half years in, and how a right-hand person can quietly absorb the whole business without anyone deciding that on purpose.Season 3 runs on questions like this one. Subscribe to the newsletter to keep the conversation going every week.

Discover how behavioral science expert Kurt Nelson helps entrepreneurs master mindset, team leadership, and motivation in this insightful episode.What sets thriving entrepreneurs apart? We look into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurial success with Kurt Nelson, PhD, founder of the Lantern Group, podcast co-host, and behavioral science expert.From humble Midwestern beginnings and ice cream shop lessons to advising Fortune 500 companies and solo entrepreneurs alike, Kurt shares eye-opening perspectives on how the right mindset and emotional intelligence drive lasting impact.In this episode, you'll get:Key lessons from Kurt's journey. Why understanding human behavior is essential for business successReal-life stories tackling burnout, uncertainty, and how to reset your entrepreneurial driveThe science of motivation: why non-cash incentives can outperform cash, and how leaders can build high-performing, resilient teamsPractical strategies for developing self-awareness, overcoming limiting behaviors, and building supportive company culturesThe rising importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in the age of AI and remote workPacked with practical insights for entrepreneurs at every stage, this conversation will help you simplify challenges, improve decision-making, and become a better leader, no matter your business size.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Three key takeaways for entrepreneurs and leaders:Human behavior is the heart of business. Whether working with a Fortune 500 or a five-person startup, success depends on understanding how people think, feel, and make decisions. Behavioral science isn't just theory, it's your competitive advantage.Self-awareness unlocks growth. The best leaders don't just manage others, they reflect deeply on their own actions, biases, and communication patterns. Bringing a mirror to your habits may be the most challenging step, but it's the foundation for meaningful change and leadership impact.EQ will set you apart in an AI-powered world. As technology levels the playing field on technical intelligence, emotional intelligence (EQ) becomes the new differentiator. Building trust, connection, and empathy is more critical than ever. Your team and clients can feel the difference.Running a business doesn't have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it's easy to be so busy ‘doing' business that you don't have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year. An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast. Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Copyright 2026 Glenn HarperMentioned in this episode:Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs PlusRunning a business takes vision, grit… and the right financial partner. At Harper & Company CPAs Plus, we don't just crunch numbers—we empower entrepreneurs. From proactive tax strategy and accounting to business advisory services, our team helps you keep more of what you earn and scale with confidence. Whether you're launching, growing, or preparing for exit, Harper & Company is in your corner with expert guidance built for business owners like you. Visit www.harpercpaplus.com to book a complimentary discovery call today - or call us at 614-456-7222. Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus

Ariel Parnes is the co-founder and COO at Mitiga. In this episode of Mitiga Mic, he joins host Brian Contos and Brandon Allen, leader of cyber defense at Mitiga, to discuss SAFE, including what it is, why it's important, and more. This series is brought to you by Mitiga, the leader in Agentic Runtime Security for cloud, SaaS, and AI, delivering Zero-Impact Breach Prevention. To learn more about our sponsor, visit https://www.mitiga.ai.

Most operators never learn to fight autopilot, the quiet enemy of excellence.In this episode, Lindsay Smith sits down with Mike Fedorov, COO of Applied AI Labs. With 26 years in operations and supply chain, as a former Accenture Director and Mars operations leader, Mike built his reputation staying on-site, in the detail, close to where the work breaks.He shares his philosophy that a COO's first job is to keep the lights on, and the second is to keep them on better, explaining why flat structures are replacing layers of management, how AI works best as a coordination layer, and the defining power of mentorship in his career.Sponsored by:STS Capital Partners - Your expert guides on the journey to an Extraordinary Exit™. To learn more about STS Capital Partners and how they achieve maximum value by Selling to Strategics™, complete the inquiry form here: https://stscapital.com/coo-alliance/Timestemped Highlights00:00 The Future of Flat Organizational Structures01:44 What Applied AI Labs Does02:38 The COO's Real Job: Keep the Lights On, and Better05:11 A COO Who Watches Two Operations at Once08:08 Scaling After Excelling: The Contractor Approach09:18 Why Flat Structures Are Replacing Layers of Management11:01 What Big Companies Get Right About Operations12:45 Nimbleness vs. Routine: Autopilot as the Enemy of Excellence16:06 How AI Actually Helps Operations: The Coordination Layer18:44 AI as a Copilot, Not a Replacement20:06 AI in Recruiting: What Works and What Fails27:34 Defining Moments: The Power of Mentorship30:52 How to Find and Structure Mentorship38:55 What's Next for Applied AI Labs43:55 Personal Growth: Knowing What You Don't KnowAbout the guestMike has 26 years of experience in operations and supply chain, as a former Accenture Director and, before that, leading operations planning and execution for Mars. He has run and turned around operations for some of the most complex and demanding companies in the world, and has saved major clients that were ready to walk. He leads engagements the way he has always worked: on-site, in the detail, close to the people who know where the work breaks. Operators trust Mike because he has done their job.Mentioned ResourcesMarsAccentureAbout the Co-HostLindsay Smith is an experience-driven growth strategist and former Chief Strategy Officer. She previously scaled a new region without a traditional sales team or bloated marketing budget by turning relationships, culture, and execution into revenue. She is the author of No One Needs Another Company Mug, Stop Branding, Start Experiencing, and helps leadership teams use experience as a competitive growth lever.Important LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance – The World's Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron's book: Second in Command, Unleash the Power of Your COO BookClaim your FREE copy: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

How does a nuclear energy startup with roughly a million dollars in revenue become an $8 billion publicly traded company sitting on $3 billion in cash? In this episode of Business For Good, Paul Shapiro sits down with Caroline DeWitte, Co-founder and COO of Oklo, to find out what investors are betting on and why the company believes it can deliver.   Oklo is building compact nuclear powerhouses that use fast neutrons to extract up to 95 percent of the energy in nuclear fuel, compared to roughly five percent in conventional reactors. The company plans to run its first plants on recycled fuel from a reactor that operated from the 1960s through the 1990s, turning what most people consider nuclear waste into a viable energy source. DeWitte explains how the system shuts itself down through natural physics if something goes wrong, eliminating the need for the layers of backup systems that drive up costs in traditional nuclear plants.   The conversation traces Oklo's evolution from a one-megawatt micro-reactor concept to 75-megawatt powerhouses designed for data centers and utilities. DeWitte discusses how Sam Altman became an early backer and longtime board chair, why the company chose to go public through a SPAC during what she calls the doldrums after the SPAC rush, and how President Trump's reactor pilot program allowed Oklo to begin construction under an accelerated Department of Energy pathway.   Things You Will Learn: How fast reactors can recover up to 95 percent of the energy in nuclear fuel, compared to roughly five percent in conventional water-cooled reactors. Why Oklo's reactor design shuts itself down through natural physics without any human intervention. How the company went from a grad school idea to an $8 billion publicly traded company backed by Sam Altman. Why President Trump's reactor pilot program dramatically accelerated Oklo's construction timeline. How Oklo brought a reactor from a greenfield site to nuclear criticality in under a year.   Tools & Frameworks Covered: Fast Reactor Technology: A nuclear reactor design using fast neutrons and liquid sodium cooling that can fission elements conventional reactors cannot, enabling fuel recycling and dramatically higher energy extraction from uranium. Nuclear Fuel Recycling: A process for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel so that up to 95 percent of its energy content can be used, reducing the volume and half-life of remaining waste from thousands of years to a few hundred. Reactor Pilot Program (DOE Pathway): A federal framework allowing the Department of Energy to work with the NRC on reactor reviews and permit early construction, significantly compressing deployment timelines for advanced nuclear companies.   #NuclearEnergy #AdvancedNuclear #CleanEnergy #NuclearInnovation #EnergyInfrastructure #Oklo #BusinessForGood

DR'We Know We Got This Wrong': Target Apologises and Pulls 'Offensive' Halloween Costume After Racist Backlash; Target Executive Chair Brian Cornell Sells 50,000 Shares for $8.2 Million; WHO DO YOU BLAME?Executive Chair/former CEO (since 2014) Brian Cornell: still 21% influence!CEO Michael Fiddelke: 16% influence; started at Target in 2003; formerly COO and CFOWhy does the corporate page not list his years of service in two separate bios??Dmitri Stockton: 8 years tenure; the double-DEI hater (Deere & Company) Mr. Stockton provides the Board with senior leadership, marketing / design / brands, human capital management, capital deployment, information security / data privacy, financial management, risk management, reputation management, and sustainability and governance skills developed over his more than 30 years of service with General Electric Company in senior leadership positions with escalating levels of responsibilityMarketing / Design / Brands: Target's brand and focus on style and design are the cornerstones of our strategy to offer a preferred shopping experience for our guests that differentiates us in the marketplace.Reputation management: To be successful, we must preserve, grow, and leverage the value of our reputation with our guests, Team Members, vendors, and our shareholders and appropriately respond to crisis events affecting them.A random executive?Chief Merchandising Officer Cara Sylvester: joined Target in 2007Chief Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer Kiera Fernandez: joined Target in 2001Chief Stores Officer Adrienne Costanzo: joined Target in 2004Black CFO representation falls 25% from 2021 peak as diversity levels off: The number of Black finance chiefs in Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies ticked down to 15 this year, according to the report from Crist Kolder Associates. WHO DO YOU BLAME?Tractor Supply Co.: Fully eliminated its DEI goals, retired carbon emission targets, and withdrew sponsorships from social and cultural events.Deere & Company: Ended participation in social awareness parades and pledged to eliminate diversity quotas and identity-based affinity group funding.Target: Scaled back its "Racial Equity Action and Change" roadmap, modified its strategy for Pride Month merchandise, and adjusted internal diversity goals.Walmart: Ended key equity training programs, modified its third-party seller guidelines, and scaled back specific minority supplier programs.Lowe's: Ended participation in external LGBTQ+ advocacy surveys and consolidated its employee resource groups under a centralized oversight structure.Ford Motor Company: Scaled back internal diversity targets, stopped participating in third-party workplace index surveys, and unlinked executive pay from DEI metrics.Harley-Davidson: Discontinued its dedicated DEI function, eliminated diversity quotas for supplier contracts, and ended HRC index reporting.Molson Coors: Removed DEI quotas from executive incentive plans and stepped back from external diversity rankings.Meta: Reorganized its human resources departments, eliminating specialized DEI teams and specific supplier diversity programs in favor of broader recruitment practices.Amazon: Phased out several internal affinity programs and explicit representation targets for hiring.McDonald's: Retired numerical demographic goals for senior management roles and paused external workplace diversity surveys.Goldman Sachs: Ended its policy requiring companies it takes public to have at least one diverse board member.The double (and triple?) dippers:Dmitri Stockton: director at Target & DeereJohn May CEO/Chair Deere & Ford Motor directorMarvin Ellison: CEO/Chair at Lowe's after 15 years at TargetJim Farley: CEO Ford Motor & McDonald's director & former Harley-Davison director MMTrump 2.0/ElonShareholder opposition to executive pay eases globallyEurope: NO VOTES for past year fell nearly 6 percentage points year-over-year to 25.2%, the lowest average level since at least 2018.United States: Say on Pay Average Support (S&P 500): Rose to 90.4% (up from 89.7%). Failed Votes (12 years tenure, only 4 of the 11 directors got tagged as having meritThe number of committees - SIX different committees with SIX members in each (except audit which is 5) for 10 directors at the time - they needed to add ANYONE because they were exhausted from so many committee meetingsRich Stoddart DRMember of Nom/CG (also Audit, “Innovation”, and “Social Responsibility”)Was CEO of Leo Burnett - advertising agency that handled massive portion of Nestle USA advertising. Presley was CEO of Nestle USA.Callaway Golf CEO met with backlash over apology for Good Good video depicting abuseThe ad: In the footage, Good Good personality Garrett Clark charges at Alexis Miestowski, knocks her onto the grass, then stands over her and says, "Do not touch my new driver."The company issued a statement on Friday, but CEO Chip Brewer did a social media post this morning stating: "That approval should never have happened. Mistakes were made, and we are taking the matter very seriously. I want to make it clear that we sincerely apologize for the video." He did not apologize to women.WHO DO YOU BLAME?EVP and President of Callaway Golf Glenn Hickey who leads sales and marketing, whose prior work includes being a bond trader and getting a business degree from San Diego State, but was absent for the “don't shove a woman in an ad” lesson (possibly)Good Good and its CEO Matt Kendrick who made the ad for Callaway and posted, “Interesting that @CallawayGolf asks us to make an ad then approves it then asks us to take the fall then drops us in a coordinated media blitz and covers it up by giving a million dollars away thinking everyone will be ok with it. 30 for 39 will be legendary.” He also apologized. But clearly more annoyed at Callaway than, you know, sorry for women?The women on the board and the management team - they should have caught this before it got out! Oh, what? There's TWO women on the board (one auditor who is ex-Boeing, a company with no challenges, and the other a Chief People Officer at a food company) and ONE woman in management (Chief People Officer)? None of whom would have seen the ad??? Oops.Tom Dundon - who, according to the Callaway 2026 Proxy Statement, has been a director since “not applicable” - but does own more than 10% of the stock and has 56% influence over the company according to Free Float data MM

How do you lead through uncertainty when the path forward isn't clear?Manoj Leelanivas has done it at extraordinary scale. Today he's President of HP Solutions. Before HP, he helped lead a major transformation at Juniper Networks, moving into new markets, building belief across thousands of employees, and helping create an enterprise business approaching $3 billion.In this episode, Manoj shares the leadership lessons behind that transformation, including why people don't resist change...they resist uncertainty, how small wins can create momentum for massive change, and why speed with learning beats waiting for certainty.He also shares the courageous question an employee asked that changed the way he leads, why he had to reinvent himself as he moved from engineer to business leader, and what he's learning about innovation inside one of the world's most iconic technology companies.If you're leading a team through change, making decisions without all the answers, or trying to turn disruption into growth, this conversation is for you.Manoj Leelanivas is President of HP Solutions and former COO of Juniper Networks.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Mike Wood, COO at Jarrett Companies, shares his journey in the construction industry, highlighting the growth and structuring of the company, including its expansion into full-service MEP and new divisions. He discusses building successful teams, leadership evolution, and fostering self-awareness to avoid burnout. Mike emphasizes the importance of honesty, respect, and trust in leadership, as well as navigating difficult conversations. He outlines the benefits of a double check system, enhancing client relationships, and the significance of clear communication and documentation. The episode also covers investing in technology, such as CRM implementation, and reflects on two decades of business experience.

This special episode of Top Floor comes from a webinar hosted by the Hospitality Creator Summit. Scott Frisch, COO and EVP at AARP, was scheduled to join the Summit in person, but travel issues had other plans. Instead, HCS co-founders Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri brought the conversation online, with Susan emceeing a fireside chat about one of hospitality's biggest opportunities: the longevity economy. Scott has spent two decades at AARP with a front-row seat to the economic muscle of Americans 50 and older. With AARP's latest research putting their annual travel and leisure spending at a staggering $1.4 trillion, Anna, Anthony, and the HCS community dig into the billions, blind spots, and hot buttons that make a difference to this group of travelers. What You'll Learn - What $1.4 trillion in annual travel spending actually buys - When America crosses a demographic line it has never crossed before - Why hospitality keeps designing for 25-year-olds while the real money skews gray - How steamers and irons became a generational battleground - How a $12.5 trillion economy still cannot find the light switch - How loyalty programs quietly stopped mattering as much as everyone assumes - Why anticipation beats algorithms when it comes to actually knowing your guest Key Takeaway: The longevity economy already rivals the world's biggest economies, and hospitality brands willing to rethink design, service, and marketing for it stand to win over the fastest-growing group of travelers in America. Our sponsor, Lodgify, has a special Labor Day promo from August 25th to September 8th. Using code TOPFLOOR60, our audience will get 60% off their Professional and Ultimate plans (one- or two-year plans). This is a huge deal, so jump on it quickly! Scott Frisch on LinkedIn Anthony Melchiorri on LinkedIn Anna Blue on LinkedIn AARP's Longevity Economy Outlook Report Hospitality Creator Summit Join the Top Floor Mail Club

A native of Columbia, SC, Ben is Co-Founder of Ready2Retire™, the leading retirement planning firm for people who want to retire with confidence. Ben greatly appreciates customer service and client satisfaction, honed from over 20 years of experience, and is recognized nationwide as a top retirement, insurance, Medicare, and Social Security planner.He has over 2,000 clients and has educated over 10,000 people. Ben is also President and COO of Insurance Advantage, an employee benefits agency he co-founded 13 years ago. Ben has previously served as COO of a human resources staffing firm and as Vice President of Asia and Europe for an American software company.Ben has extensive experience in economic development and consulting and worked as a Business Recruiter for South Carolina. Since Ben opened the Japan office in 2012, South Carolina has received over $2.2 billion in investment. In 2014, he was hired to write the Strategic Plan for the State of South Carolina.Based on ten years working overseas in Japan, Brazil, & Spain, he wrote the Amazon Best Seller The Global Superstar: How Your Students Can Develop an Advantage over Global Competition to help students prepare for careers in this changing economy. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Morehouse College, an International MBA from The University of South Carolina, and certificates from UNC and Temple University.He's conversant in Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. He has served on numerous boards, including the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Association, the SC Chamber of Commerce, and the Columbia (SC) Chamber of Commerce. He's a member of the Nashville City Club and the Nashville Kiwanis Club.Ben splits time between his homes in Nashville, TN, and Columbia, SC, with his wife Kim, their two wonderful daughters Anna & Kate, and their dog Sophie. He loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and helping his clients win.Learn More: https://www.ready2retire.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ben-green-co-founder-of-ready2retire-author-of-retire-rich-in-the-new-economy

In this episode of Front Cover: A Rough Notes Podcast on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network, Jason Cass sits down with Robbie Smith, Co-Founder of Oakbridge Insurance the agency featured on the September 2026 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: Robbie reflects on Oakbridge Insurance earning a spot on the cover of Rough Notes Magazine Oakbridge Insurance formed five and a half years ago when four Georgia agencies came together The firm now generates over $210 million in revenue across nine Southeast states Business mix spans 60% commercial P&C and surety, 22% personal lines, 18% employee benefits Third party capital from Corsair Capital and now Audax Private Equity fuels growth and M&A A COVID era frustration with failed internal perpetuation sparked the idea behind Oakbridge Insurance Valuing agencies the way they're run, tracking KPIs like shareholder and producer age Structuring deals so the "last generation" gets cash while the "current generation" earns equity Oakbridge Insurance's four guiding principles: opportunity, excellence, collaboration, and community Passing leadership to a new CEO, president, and COO as Oakbridge Insurance targets its next five years Reach out to: Robbie Smith Jason Cass Visit Website: Oakbridge Insurance Rough Notes Magazine Produced by PodSquad.fm

In this episode of Inspiring Women, host Laurie McGraw (EVP, Transcarent) sits down with Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, the nonprofit working to grow the power and influence of women and non-binary venture capitalists. Paige breaks down why having the title of "partner" no longer guarantees real decision-making power inside VC firms, and why that gap is quietly blocking capital from reaching women and non-binary founders. She shares the data behind All Raise's mission, the current headwinds facing women raising their own funds, and where she sees the biggest opportunities for change over the next five years. In this conversation: - Why titles don't equal power in venture capital - The data on returns from firms with more women partners - Only 1.6% of U.S. AUM is managed by women and people of color - Why deal attribution and board seat quality matter as much as headcount - The three groups of women founding their own VC firms - How the wealth transfer to women is creating new investing opportunities - All Raise's next five years: community, data, and storytelling About the guest: Paige Hendrix Buckner is CEO of All Raise, a nonprofit accelerating the success of women and non-binary venture capitalists. She previously served as All Raise's Chief of Staff and Interim CEO, and was COO of Founder Gym before that. About the host: Laurie McGraw is EVP at Transcarent and host of Inspiring Women, a podcast featuring conversations with women shaping the future of business and leadership.

Watch on YouTube:  Fifteen years of growth, partnership, and community support have helped Beds for Kids transform the lives of families experiencing furniture poverty. In this episode of Stories from the River, Manny Rodrigues, President and COO, welcomes Zach Smith, Executive Director of Beds for Kids, to discuss the organization's journey from a garage operation to a 44,000-square-foot warehouse serving up to 1,500 families each year. Zach highlights the role of donors, volunteers, and community partners in helping provide families with essential furniture and create homes where children can sleep, study, and families can gather. The conversation also explores the many ways Memory Makers, students, corporations, and community members can get involved. More than meeting an immediate need, Zach explains how a furnished home can provide dignity, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging. Follow Beds for Kids on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bedsforkids  Learn more - https://bedsforkids.org/  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.    Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com    Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

A native of Columbia, SC, Ben is Co-Founder of Ready2Retire™, the leading retirement planning firm for people who want to retire with confidence. Ben greatly appreciates customer service and client satisfaction, honed from over 20 years of experience, and is recognized nationwide as a top retirement, insurance, Medicare, and Social Security planner.He has over 2,000 clients and has educated over 10,000 people. Ben is also President and COO of Insurance Advantage, an employee benefits agency he co-founded 13 years ago. Ben has previously served as COO of a human resources staffing firm and as Vice President of Asia and Europe for an American software company.Ben has extensive experience in economic development and consulting and worked as a Business Recruiter for South Carolina. Since Ben opened the Japan office in 2012, South Carolina has received over $2.2 billion in investment. In 2014, he was hired to write the Strategic Plan for the State of South Carolina.Based on ten years working overseas in Japan, Brazil, & Spain, he wrote the Amazon Best Seller The Global Superstar: How Your Students Can Develop an Advantage over Global Competition to help students prepare for careers in this changing economy. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Morehouse College, an International MBA from The University of South Carolina, and certificates from UNC and Temple University.He's conversant in Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. He has served on numerous boards, including the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Association, the SC Chamber of Commerce, and the Columbia (SC) Chamber of Commerce. He's a member of the Nashville City Club and the Nashville Kiwanis Club.Ben splits time between his homes in Nashville, TN, and Columbia, SC, with his wife Kim, their two wonderful daughters Anna & Kate, and their dog Sophie. He loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and helping his clients win.Learn More: https://www.ready2retire.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ben-green-co-founder-of-ready2retire-author-of-retire-rich-in-the-new-economy

While the trade war continues to heat up, the Made-in-Canada movement is surging. We speak with former CBC broadcaster and social media influencer, Tod Maffin, about his online Canadian marketplace, Main Street Canada. We also speak with Jacquelyn Corbett, owner of the Toronto-based children' s clothing brand, Mini Mioche, and Ashley Chapman, the COO of Chapman's icecream, about the challenges ahead, and how they are shifting away from their American customers and suppliers.

My guests are: David Park and Dr. Andy Robinson, the CEO and President/COO, respectively. Topics:The LG offtake agreementHow deals get doneThe market tailwindStandard's path to FIDThe DLE journeyAdvantages of Smackover brineTightening specificationsBi-carbonationThe buildSafetyCultureThe Smackover's LT potentialThe midstream

Most accounting firm owners assume the big, PE-backed players have an unbeatable head start on AI. In this state-of-the-industry conversation, Joey Kinney, Virtual CFO at Anders, pinch-hits for Tom Wadelton and sits down with Adam Hale, Partner at Anders, for an unscripted look at where AI is actually changing accounting advisory work right now. Fresh off a live Basis AI conference with the top 100 firms in the room, Adam explains why smaller, faster-moving firms may have more room to close the gap than anyone expects. From there, the conversation covers what happens when clients start showing up with their own AI-built financial analysis, why tracking 50 KPIs is the same as tracking none, how the COO role is quietly folding into the CFO seat, and why Adam believes the traditional CPA firm staffing pyramid is about to flip into a diamond. They also get into an honest conversation about trust: what it actually takes for a young, AI-fluent advisor to be believed in the room. If you're trying to figure out how AI changes your firm's pricing, staffing, and advisory model over the next year, this episode is a working session, not a keynote.  ▶️ Why Smaller CPA Firms Have the AI Advantage with Joey Kinney and Adam Hale.Episode resources: ● Website: https://anderscpa.com/ ● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com ● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/Quotes:Adam Hale: "One of the biggest takeaways is they're not very far ahead either, in this entire space. Smaller firms really have an opportunity here to make up a lot of ground."Joey Kinney: "If you're tracking 50 KPIs, you're tracking no KPIs, because you don't have any KPIs at 50."About the HostsJoey Kinney, CPA, pinch-hits as host for this episode. He's a Virtual CFO at Anders. Coming from an accounting family, Joey began learning about basic accounting principles from his parents as a teen. From there, he continued to build his experience by taking on a variety of roles in the accounting and financial industry. Joey enjoys helping business owners navigate the ever-changing business landscape. He loves being a trusted advisor who can help his clients achieve their personal and professional goals.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-kinney-cpa-60658188/ Adam Hale, CPA, Partner and Managing Director of Advisory at Anders, is dedicated to transforming traditional accounting practices through innovative Virtual CFO services. With over 20 years in public accounting, Adam has been instrumental in the ideation and development of CPA training courses.Website: https://anderscpa.com/about/your-anders-team/#adam-haleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhalecpa/Tom Wadelton is out this episode, back next time.About the ShowThe Modern CPA Success Show is the go-to podcast for accounting firm owners eager to enhance profitability and master Virtual CFO services. This podcast leverages combined expertise in delivering top-tier Virtual CFO services across North America.Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458888Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndersCPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anders-cpa/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anderscpa/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andersvcfo#VirtualCFO #AccountingAI #CPAFirmGrowth

This week, we speak with Allyson Satin, COO of the Ares SPACs, and Paul Wood, Co-Head of SPAC Investment Banking at BTIG. 2026 has already been a breakout year for SPAC issuance, and deals are moving through the pipeline faster than they have in years. We discuss what's driving the rebound, why sponsor quality is rising to the top, and how SPACs are competing with a strong traditional IPO market. Plus, we look ahead to the fall and Q4 for any positive or negative catalysts that could affect the SPAC market. Give it a listen.

For our first-ever video podcast episode, we headed to the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to speak with Allyson Satin, COO of the Ares SPACs, and Paul Wood, Co-Head of SPAC Investment Banking at BTIG.. 2026 has already been a breakout year for SPAC issuance, and deals are moving through the pipeline faster than they have in years. We discuss what's driving the rebound, why sponsor quality is rising to the top, and how SPACs are competing with a strong traditional IPO market. Plus, we look ahead to the fall and Q4 for any positive or negative catalysts that could affect the SPAC market. Give it a listen.

Mike Krupit is the founder and CEO of Trajectify, where he helps growth-stage technology, manufacturing, and professional services companies bridge the gap between early success and scalable leadership. With more than 30 years of experience as a CTO, COO, and CEO, Mike has led organizations through rapid growth, IPOs, M&As, and even bankruptcies—giving him rare, real-world insight into what actually works when the stakes are high. Known for his practical, candid approach, he helps founders and CEOs build courage, align their organizations, and unlock momentum from the inside out.      

Leaders have more advice, tools, and resources than ever. So why are so many still overwhelmed? Don Gregori says we've been missing the bigger picture. He's the COO of First Factory and author of The Emergent Leader, a book about leadership, self-mastery, and building a strong brand. We're talking about what it takes to become a leader and build something that really lasts. What You'll Learn in This Episode How building yourself and building a brand are the exact same project Why empathy needs to be treated as a hard skill for managers What separates "emergent" leadership from static management models How to avoid getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new tech tools Why AI should serve the individual rather than replace human judgement Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:46) Building Yourself vs Building a Brand (04:30) Empathy as a Core Management Skill (06:08) Defining the Emergent Leader (09:34) Navigating Modern Information Overload (12:32) Managing Stress and Fear in Leadership (18:33) The Theater and Business Connection (22:34) Managing AI and the Human Element (28:44) A Brand That Made Don Smile About Don Gregori Don Gregori is the Chief Operating Officer of First Factory, a nearshore software development firm, and the author of The Emergent Leader. With a background spanning technology, strategy, and the performing arts, he focuses on self-mastery, organizational culture, and navigating rapid industry change through empathetic leadership. What Brand Has Made Don Smile Recently? During a recent trip to Maine, Don was brought a smile by Gelato Fiasco—a local favorite in Brunswick—and Middle East Coast, a regional brand making exceptional tahini-forward hummus. Resources & Links Connect with Don on LinkedIn. Check out his book, The Emergent Leader. Learn more on his website. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Listen & Support the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with TJ Schier, founder and CEO of SmashSwing, to unpack building a new category in golf entertainment, validating an idea against real customers instead of your own conviction, and what eighteen years at Chuck E. Cheese's taught him about designing experiences. TJ traces his path from Chuck E. Cheese's, where he left as VP of Field Support, through two decades as a speaker and consultant in franchising and competitive socializing, to COO of BigShots Golf, and now founding SmashSwing. He shares why he insists the product is something other than a golf simulator, how he worked through early resistance to a product people had no reference point for, and what long-term strategy looks like when you're selling something the market doesn't have a category for yet. The conversation also gets personal. TJ talks about involving his family in the business, why he'd rather give his kids experiences than things, and his approach to parenting: set the guardrails, then let them do their own thing. He draws the line himself between that and delegation — the instinct that makes a good manager is the one that makes a good parent. Expect a practical view of market validation, a non-traditional career path worth studying, and a working definition of success from someone who has built inside large companies and from scratch.

Greg Hoover spent his career at the top of the relocation and moving industry, with CEO, COO, and President roles at Bekins Van Lines, A. Arnold Relocation, New World Van Lines, and Atlas Van Lines. Two years ago he was outsourced, that turned into consulting work, and it has since grown into Third Star Consulting and a book called Lead Anyway: Ordinary You, Extraordinary Impact. His argument is that leadership does not require a title, a position, or anyone's permission. Key Discussion Themes: • Why waiting for a title or role before you lead keeps people sitting back, and what it looks like to lead from wherever you already are • The 80/20 rule, and how letting go of perfect got a 132-page book finished in three weeks after years of stalling • Kindness and empathy as the entry point to leadership, including the neighbor and the flower beds • Communication as the first act of leadership, and why people fill an information void with the worst version of the story • Focus over complexity in small business, running five plays well instead of building 300 Listener Takeaway: The effort to get from 80 percent to perfect is rarely worth what it costs, and the thing you never ship helps nobody. Greg's book sat unwritten for years because he believed it had to be 300 pages. Once he dropped that number it was done in three weeks. Connect with Greg: Website: https://thirdstar.net Cohort Workshop: https://leadanywaylive.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-l-hoover-1368243/ About the Host: Entrepreneur Conundrum is hosted by Virginia Purnell, founder of Distinct Digital Marketing, where she builds human-driven AI systems that help business owners get their time back (and get seen). New episodes every Monday. Work with Virginia: https://www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiapurnell Listen to the Full Episode: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/greghoover

If you've ever worked in New York, you may know the feeling. The city is fun, and you may even have your own "big, badass office", but those long commutes are expensive. They drain you of precious time and key family moments- that you're missing. John Duffin interviews Derek Fredrickson, a fractional CEO and longtime COO who has lived in Paris for 10 years. Derek shares how he left a Wall Street career during the 2008 financial crisis to join his entrepreneur wife's coaching business, where they aligned on complementary “front stage/backstage” roles and grew to multiple seven figures. Derek explains how their family planned a move abroad, first considering Switzerland, then choosing Paris, and how they prepared by shifting the business online in 2015, using Skype/Zoom and asynchronous tools, while maintaining critical non-negotiables: no nights or weekends. Derek describes using nightly gratitude at dinner to help his kids adapt. He also outlines his COO approach: shifting founders from operator to owner, focusing on systems and accountability, implementing processes in phases (do it for you, together, then by yourself), delegating outcomes, not tasks, and using a “North Star” why and delegation audit to guide change.To learn more about Derek Fredrickson, check out the links below.https://thecoosolution.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/https://www.facebook.com/derekfhttps://www.youtube.com/@TheCOOSolution00:00 Remote Work Prep00:50 Podcast Welcome02:36 Why France03:37 Wall Street Exit06:12 Train Aha Moment08:14 A Family Affair- Joining Wife's Business09:33 Risk And Safety Net14:30 Life After Leap16:28 Plan To Move Abroad18:49 Settling In Paris21:39 Business Goes Online23:18 Family Gratitude Ritual25:10 Fractional COO Insider26:53 Bob Is The Bottleneck27:23 Operator To Owner Shift29:51 North Star Why Question32:24 Careful COO Integration33:32 Three Stage Process Rollout36:35 Make It Up Make It Real37:37 Delegate Outcomes Not Tasks40:44 Accountability Culture Metrics42:45 Hiring His Own COO45:42 Delegation Audit Steps48:03 Gratitude Family Wrap Up

Mallory is joined by Rob Zinkan, founder of Navigate Gray, to discuss the career trajectories of higher education chief marketing officers. While corporate CMOs often advance to executive roles like COO or CEO, higher ed CMOs frequently face limited upward pathways, often moving laterally to other campuses or exiting the sector entirely. Rob shares insights from analyzing nearly 100 organizational charts, highlighting the need for institutions to intentionally integrate marketing leaders into core strategic planning and build leadership capacity to develop true enterprise leaders. What Comes After the CMO? - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day Break | Free Speech, Free For All Friday --- 00:00 - Monologue 28:05 – Jenny Story, COO of Patriot Mobile. Story discusses the importance of reactivating Christian churches and encouraging people of faith to become more engaged in their communities. She examines what pastors and congregations can do to stand boldly for their beliefs and why she believes faith and civic activism must work hand in hand. 38:13 - Monologue 57:33 – Rep. Tim Walberg, Representative for Michigan's Fifth Congressional District and member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Education and the Workforce Committee. Walberg discusses the latest U.S.-Canada trade developments before turning to Vice President Vance's visit to Michigan and the intensifying battle for control of the U.S. Senate. He also examines the Republican strategy for defeating Abdul El-Sayed and the issues likely to define the upcoming midterm elections. 1:16:33 - Monologue 1:25:38 – Steve Dulan, professor and attorney. Dulan discusses the latest Second Amendment developments, including the question of whether AR-15-style rifles are constitutionally protected. He examines the legal arguments surrounding the issue and what a potential Supreme Court decision could mean for gun owners and firearms laws nationwide. 1:35:45 – Dan Papineau, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. In the Michigan Chamber Business Brief, Papineau explains how Michigan elections are administered at the local level by trained bipartisan teams operating under established procedures. He also highlights the essential role poll workers play in keeping Election Day operations running smoothly and securely. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... Episode 24 is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/UrGZQdE62jA

Guy Bartlett is ex military, but now helps others when they are buying businesses. He is the author of Business Magic. In his 30 years he's closed more than 200 deals, sitting on both sides of the table. He will buy, operate and grow UK businesses and help founders do the same. Guy Bartlett discusses M&A strategy for founder-led businesses.Summary of the PodcastKey Takeaways"Done-for-you" M&A Service: Fidelis Advisory acts as a fractional M&A director for founders, providing a lower-cost, lower-risk alternative to full-time hires."Triangle of Success" Philosophy: Prioritizes the business's health alongside buyer and seller needs to ensure a stable, long-term outcome for all stakeholders.Seller's Emotional Exit: The process starts by defining the seller's post-exit lifestyle needs, then structuring the deal to meet that financial goal.AI as a Force Multiplier: AI's value is in improving efficiency and augmenting human capital, not in acquiring standalone AI companies.Guy Bartlett's Background & ServicesBackground: 41 years in the Army Reserves.Services:Fidelis Advisory: "Done-for-you" fractional M&A director service.Business Buyers Club: "Done-with-you" coaching and network.Experience: 150+ transactions, from £200k to €15M.Client Profile: Ambitious founders (late 30s–mid 50s) of businesses with £5M–£20M turnover.Fidelis Advisory network (5k+ database, 18k+ LinkedIn followers)The "Triangle of Success" M&A PhilosophyCore Principle: A successful acquisition balances the needs of three entities: the buyer, the seller, and the business itself.Seller-Centric Process:Define Lifestyle Needs: Determine the financial sum required for the seller's desired post-exit life.Value the Business: Conduct an independent valuation.Bridge the Gap: If the valuation is lower than the required sum, structure the deal to bridge the difference (e.g., earn-outs).Buyer-Centric Criteria:Passion: Genuine interest in business, not just profit.Financial Literacy: Basic understanding of P&L, cash flow, and the balance sheet.People Skills: Ability to work with all stakeholders.Balance Sheet Health Check:Inverted Pyramid: A healthy balance sheet has high current assets and low liabilities.Shareholder Funds: A gently rising curve indicates stability.Asset Scrutiny: Verify the true value of assets like stock.Acquisition Strategy & AIStrategic Fit: The primary driver for an acquisition is cultural alignment, not just financial metrics.Example: A failed M&E group acquisition was due to cultural mismatch and geographic distance.AI in M&A:Current Role: A force multiplier for efficiency (e.g., pricing, contracts).Future Role: Unlikely to involve acquiring standalone AI companies, as the market is too volatile and lacks a dominant player.SaaS Vulnerability: Traditional SaaS models are at risk from AI-powered, bespoke solutions.The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-HostsGraham ArrowsmithGraham founded Finely Fettled in 2014 to provide data from The UK High Net Worth Database to marketers targeting affluent and high-net-worth customers. He's the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, creating lead generation AI Agents & Workflows and introducing the MeclabsAI Platform. Graham is an inCruises Independent Partner, and is building up interest from people around the world in the World's Largest Travel Membership - inCruises. You can sign up and access 21,000+ cruises, hotels and tours by clicking HEREKevin ApplebyKevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He's the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com

Tom Gozney hit rock bottom with addiction at 21 and spent nearly a year in a South African rehab facility. What saved him back home wasn't a business plan - it was a brick oven he dug into his garden, because cooking pizza for his friends was the only way he could socialise without alcohol at the centre of it. He noticed something: after a few weeks, people stopped bringing beer and started bringing toppings. That shift in behaviour became the entire thesis of the brand. Fifteen years later, Gozney is valued at over $100 million, did $8.5 million in the first four hours of its Dome launch, and forged the portable pizza oven category from scratch. In this interview, Tom breaks down why he redesigned a fully tooled product weeks before shipping after watching a Steve Jobs documentary, how a synchronised Instagram launch with 30 influencers generated 27,000 signups, and the imposter syndrome that made him underprice his own ovens for years. What you'll learn in this interview: • Why he says he's selling a shift in human behaviour, not hardware or pizza • How he got his first oven sale by leaflet-dropping a restaurant with genuinely terrible branding • The £5K loan from his mum that funded the first fibreglass mould and website • Why he scrapped a fully tooled steel design weeks before shipping - and retooled it in silicone in a month • The Richard Branson exchange that put an oven on Necker Island and fuelled the Rockbox launch • The synchronised 30-influencer Instagram drop that drove 27,000 signups before a single unit shipped • How the Dome launch did $8.5M in four hours, crashed the site, and triggered death threats over a pizza oven • Why going straight to big factories doesn't work before you've proven volume - and how middlemen killed his early margins • How he rebuilt his entire supply chain by recruiting a board and COO who'd done it in outdoor grilling • Why imposter syndrome made him underprice for years - and what finally gave him conviction to charge premium If you're building a physical product brand, wrestling with manufacturing and margins you don't yet understand, or scared to price for the value you've actually built, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about brand, product obsession, and building something bigger than yourself. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH TOM GOZNEY Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/tomgozney/ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/gozney/ Website → https://www.gozney.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast- it's time for Episode 164 with my special guest, Michele DiMeo. Michele, aka "The Restaurant Diva," is a restaurant executive, entrepreneur, franchise leader, speaker, and host of the syndicated Dine & Dish Podcast. With more than 30 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Michele serves as COO and co-founder of MONTE Restaurant Development Group and President of Squisito Franchise Enterprises. Michele and I talk about getting into the hospitality business, what hospitality really means to us, and we swap some war stories. Michele was a delight, and I know you'll enjoy getting to know her. This episode was a blast. Check out the Dine & Dish podcast on all platforms, and thanks so much for listening to this one.

Posting on LinkedIn once isn't thought leadership. Speaking on one panel isn't thought leadership. Real thought leadership is a strategy — and most professionals have never been given a clear framework to build one. Bill Sherman is COO of Thought Leadership Leverage, co-host of the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast, and lead co-author of The Thought Leadership Handbook — the book Scott calls the most intellectually rigorous, practically useful resource on thought leadership he's ever read. In this episode, Bill shares the framework he and his colleagues developed over 20 years of consulting with Fortune 500 executives, professional services providers, and emerging experts who want their ideas to travel further and earn more trust. You'll learn: The difference between being an expert and becoming a thought leader — and why the skills don't automatically transfer Bill's 20-word test: what every core idea must do to earn a "tell me more" The 4 elements of thought leadership: Core Idea, Content Library, Market Offerings, and Platform Identity — explained in full What a content library actually is (and why sticky notes on a wall is a perfectly legitimate starting point) Platform identity: how people talk about your ideas when you're not in the room — and why that matters more than personal brand Why most professionals suffer from "content insecurity" (imposter syndrome's cousin) — and how to push past it The paradox of knowledge-sharing: why giving away your best ideas makes more people come back to you Why the "keep it behind the paywall" instinct is the #1 thing holding thought leaders back How AI is absorbing generic expertise — and what makes your voice irreplaceable 3 action steps to shift from expert to thought leader and start building your platform today Bill also shares how The Thought Leadership Handbook came to exist — from 2.6 million words of podcast transcripts and two co-authors who said they'd never write a book. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/jCFNedZciu4 ---------------------------------------- If you are a successful law firm partner or law firm founder and want to hear about other options, please book a time on Scott Love's calendar here: https://calendly.com/scott-736/half-hour-phone-meeting-with-scott Or email Scott to connect with him at: scott@attorneysearchgroup.com ----------------------------------------

Business scaling is often portrayed as a race toward bigger numbers: more customers, more locations, more employees, and more revenue. But sustainable growth requires something far less glamorous and far more important: discipline. A company can generate demand and still struggle to scale. It can attract customers without having the systems to serve them, expand geographically while losing control of its financials, or create a strong brand without building the accountability required to consistently execute. The businesses that successfully move from entrepreneurial startup to scalable organization tend to build the infrastructure for growth while continuing to do the fundamental work that created success in the first place. For Dustin DiStefano, co-founder and COO of Franchise Operations at A Place at Home, that journey began with a problem close to home. Finding Opportunity in a Real Problem Long before business scaling became the objective, there was a family trying to figure out how to care for an aging loved one. DiStefano saw firsthand how difficult those decisions could become when his great-grandmother needed care. Living in rural Iowa, her options were limited, and moving into a nursing home took her away from the place she desperately wanted to remain: home. The experience exposed a problem that millions of families eventually encounter. An aging parent or grandparent suddenly needs help, and family members are left trying to navigate care options while balancing careers, children, finances, and their own responsibilities. That problem eventually became a business opportunity. At 28, DiStefano and his childhood friend and co-founder started A Place at Home with roughly $10,000 between them. The operation began in a basement before interviews moved to coffee shops and, eventually, a small executive office. There was no sophisticated corporate infrastructure behind them. There was simply a problem worth solving and two entrepreneurs willing to figure out how to solve it. Business Scaling Starts With Customer Value A Place at Home provides care for seniors, but the customer experience extends far beyond the person receiving that care. Families are often the ones trying to understand what happens next. They may be navigating hospital discharge, rehabilitation, insurance, veterans benefits, Medicare services, or decisions about how much care their loved one actually needs. Solving that larger problem became part of the company's value proposition. DiStefano describes home care simply: "It's really a customer service business." That perspective matters because business scaling becomes difficult when growth causes an organization to lose sight of why customers chose it in the first place. Marketing may attract attention, but customer experience determines whether the reputation behind that marketing continues to strengthen. For a service business, reviews, referrals, relationships, and trust can become some of the most valuable growth assets available. Reputation Has Become Part of the Growth Engine Today's customers rarely evaluate a business in isolation. They search online, read reviews, compare options, and increasingly use artificial intelligence platforms to help identify and evaluate potential providers. That makes a company's digital reputation much more than a marketing concern. It has become part of the infrastructure supporting business scaling. A Place at Home places significant emphasis on family feedback and encouraging customers to share their experiences publicly. Those reviews create a digital footprint that helps future customers evaluate the organization before they ever make contact. The lesson extends well beyond home care. Businesses cannot assume that doing good work is enough. Future customers need to be able to find evidence of that work through reviews, testimonials, referrals, search visibility, and customer stories. Scaling Requires Sales Activity A polished website and recognizable brand can support growth, but neither replaces a strong sales strategy. When A Place at Home was getting started, DiStefano and his co-founder spent much of their time developing relationships with referral providers rather than waiting for customers to find them. "Your number one is word of mouth and referral and partners. You've got to go out and do the calls." That principle became increasingly important as the organization began franchising. Business scaling requires repeatable activity, which means leaders need to understand which behaviors generate results and create systems that encourage those behaviors consistently. For A Place at Home franchisees, one of those measurements is meaningful conversations. A franchise owner having only a few meaningful conversations in a week cannot reasonably expect the same growth as an owner consistently having 25 or 30. The numbers create accountability. Instead of simply asking why the business is not growing, leaders can examine the behaviors that precede growth and determine what needs to change. Measure the Behaviors That Produce the Outcome Revenue matters, but revenue is ultimately a result. Strong operators also pay attention to the activities responsible for producing it. Meaningful conversations, referral relationships, opportunities entering the pipeline, conversion rates, customer feedback, and other leading indicators provide a clearer picture of what is happening inside the business before the results appear on a financial statement. DiStefano's franchise system eventually incorporated structured planning, quarterly priorities, scorecards, and coaching around specific performance indicators. The objective was not simply to tell franchise owners to grow. It was to identify the actions associated with growth and hold people accountable for executing them. "If you're not going to change your habits, you're going to stay where you're at." Business scaling becomes more predictable when leaders stop relying exclusively on lagging indicators and begin managing the behaviors that create those outcomes. Financial Discipline Cannot Be Optional Growth can hide operational weaknesses for a surprisingly long time, and financial management is one of them. Entrepreneurs often become skilled at generating revenue without becoming equally skilled at understanding the financial health of the organization behind that revenue. That becomes increasingly dangerous as a company scales. DiStefano encountered the problem when reviewing the books of franchise locations. Some owners were heavily focused on selling and operating their businesses but had not made bookkeeping the same priority. The solution was to create an internal bookkeeping service that standardized financial reporting across the franchise network. Years later, that decision created an unexpected advantage when franchise locations began moving through acquisition and resale processes because the financial records were already organized and normalized. A system created to solve an immediate operational problem ultimately produced value years later. That is one of the often-overlooked advantages of building infrastructure before it becomes absolutely necessary. Business Scaling Means Building Beyond Yourself Entrepreneurial businesses frequently begin with founders doing almost everything. They handle sales, customer service, operations, finances, hiring, and whatever problem happens to land on their desk that day. That versatility can be essential during the startup stage, but it cannot remain the operating model forever. Business scaling requires transforming individual knowledge into organizational systems that other people can understand, execute, and improve. Processes must be documented, expectations must be measurable, and financial information must be reliable. Employees and franchisees need coaching, while leaders need enough visibility into performance to recognize problems and opportunities before either becomes obvious. The organization gradually has to become capable of producing results without depending on the founder to personally create every outcome. That transition is one of the most important differences between owning a demanding job and building an enterprise. Discipline Creates Options DiStefano and his co-founder did not start A Place at Home with an acquisition as the end goal. They bootstrapped the original operation, raised relatively modest investments from friends and family when they began franchising, ran lean, and continued building. Years later, an opportunity emerged when a European home care organization looking to enter the North American market saw value in what they had created. The resulting acquisition allowed the original friends-and-family investors to realize roughly a tenfold return after seven years, according to DiStefano. The acquisition also created additional opportunities for the franchise system, including a program through which qualifying franchise owners could potentially sell their businesses back to the organization. Some franchise owners have already used that opportunity after spending years building their locations. That outcome illustrates one of the most important benefits of disciplined business scaling. A well-built business creates options. Owners may choose to continue growing, bring in investors, expand into new markets, develop leadership, create succession opportunities, or eventually sell. The objective does not have to be an exit, but building a scalable organization gives leaders more choices about what comes next. Passion Still Matters Systems, scorecards, financial reporting, and accountability are essential, but business scaling is not purely mechanical. There still needs to be a reason to keep going when the process becomes difficult. Entrepreneurship comes with uncertainty. There will be people who question the idea, markets that become more competitive, cash flow challenges, operational mistakes, and moments when walking away seems easier than continuing. DiStefano's closing philosophy returns to the motivation that started the journey: "Do something that you're passionate about. Don't do it because you think the industry is going to make you a lot of money." Passion alone does not build a scalable business. But passion supported by discipline, systems, measurable activity, customer value, and financial accountability can become a powerful foundation for growth. Business scaling is not simply about becoming bigger. It is about building an organization that is better equipped to handle everything that bigger demands. Watch the full episode on YouTube. Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central across your favorite social media platforms and catch the replay on The Business Growth Show Podcast for more conversations with today's leading business experts, entrepreneurs, and growth-minded leaders. About Dustin DiStefanoDustin DiStefano is the co-founder and COO of Franchise Operations at A Place at Home, a senior-focused care organization that has grown from a single operation into a franchise network with more than 70 locations across the United States. After launching the company with his childhood friend and co-founder, Dustin helped develop the systems, coaching, financial disciplines, referral strategies, and franchise support infrastructure necessary to scale the organization. His entrepreneurial journey has taken A Place at Home from a bootstrapped startup to a growing national franchise organization and ultimately through an acquisition that opened new opportunities for the brand and its franchise owners. About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has generated more than a billion dollars in sales worldwide by helping businesses attract loyal customers, increase visibility, and accelerate growth. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored eleven books, earned three U.S. patents, and advised organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. A recognized expert in business growth, customer acquisition, leadership, franchising, marketing, and AI-driven business strategies, Ford helps business owners and leaders identify opportunities, improve performance, and achieve sustainable results. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch Fordify LIVE at Fordify.tv.

In this week's One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau hosts Kathryn Outlaw, Co-Founder and COO of Spheros, a B2B SaaS platform that aims to unify client data into a single source of truth, enabling accurate, consented data sharing and supporting reliable AI agents. Kathryn talks about her entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind the startup, and the goal of making Spheros as essential as DocuSign for on-boarding.

The founder doing everything is why a business gets off the ground. It's also why it stops growing. Gwen Taniguchi, partner at Peek Advisory Group and a CEPA, has seen what happens when a founder mistakes being needed for being valuable. In this episode, she shares one dependency every business should eliminate first, the subtle signs that you're still more involved than you think, and what to fix before it costs you at exit. Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (01:19) Her path into operations and exit planning (07:01) The one dependency to eliminate first (09:58) Why founder dependency puts your team at risk (11:34) The link between owner involvement and valuation (15:26) Signals of founder dependency (18:16) Confusing activity with progress (21:04) The red flag she spots in the first hour (24:01) What good leaders do differently (25:57) What brought you JOY today? If you're a writer who wants to take control of your finances, read Mitlin Financial's  Write Your Financial Future: A Financial Guide for Authors: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/insights/blog/write-your-financial-future-a-financial-guide-for-authors/ Resources: Sending your child to college will always be emotional but are you financially ready? Take the College Readiness Quiz for Parents: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/college-readiness-quiz/ Doing your taxes might not be enJOYable but being more organized can make the process less painful. Get Your Gathering Your Tax Documents Checklist: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mitlin_ChecklistForGatheringYourTaxDocuments_Form_062424_v2.pdf Will you be able to enJOY the Retirement you envision? Take the Retirement Ready Quiz: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/retirement-planning-quiz/ Connect with Larry Sprung: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung About Our Guest:  Gwen Taniguchi is Partner & Operations Advisor at Peek Advisory Group, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and a former fractional COO. Gwen helps owners strengthen the financial and operational structure behind their business so they can make better decisions, reduce chaos, and build something that is more scalable, valuable, and less dependent on them. Connect with Gwen Taniguchi: Website: https://peekadvisory.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwentaniguchi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwentaniguchi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwentaniguchi/ Disclosure: Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest's content linked on this site.   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Everyone's telling you cohort financing is free money to scale. It's not, and the contract fine print is where that story falls apart.Josh Chandley (President & COO, Wildcard Games) sits down with Phil Mohr (CEO & Co-founder, Metica) and Martin Macmillan (Founder, Pollen Capital) to break down what cohort financing actually costs, who really takes the risk, and how founders keep getting burned by deals they don't fully understand. Martin lent almost $1B through Pollen VC with zero credit defaults over a decade. Phil looked at 40-50 games before Metica stopped writing new cohort deals altogether. Between them, they unpack the math the sales guys don't want you to run.Topics Covered:• UA financing vs cohort financing• Why receivables lending scaled down• The 80/20 mechanics of a cohort deal• Who actually takes the risk on a cohort• Cross-collateralization and disguised liens• What makes a good candidate for financing• Breakeven windows and LTV curve shape• The real annualized cost of cohort financing• How financing cost raises your effective CPI• Why finance and UA teams don't align• Getting free debt from your ad networks• Red flags in cohort financing contracts• What happens when a cohort underperforms• Debt plus equity hybrid dealsCHAPTERS: 00:00 Cohort Financing Hype00:36 Meet the Experts02:20 UA Financing Explained03:45 Receivables vs Cohorts05:20 How Cohort Deals Work09:04 Hidden Risks and Recourse11:06 Contract Traps to Watch15:39 Who Qualifies for Funding17:49 Payback Windows Sweet Spot18:54 LTV Curve and Game Types22:45 True Cost and IRR Math29:19 Financing Cost in UA Bids32:15 Data Truth and Real-Time Stops36:09 Cohort Risk And Timing37:01 Free Credit From Ad Networks38:40 Why Credit Lines Aren't Enough43:42 VC Versus Lender Mindset47:05 Questions For Cohort Lenders53:10 Bad Terms And Red Flags56:40 Evolving Financing Stack59:25 Exit Clauses And Flexibility01:02:42 Modeling Downside Scenarios01:07:54 Debt Plus Equity Strategy01:10:18 Final Advice And Wrap Up

In this episode of Business Brain, we start with a simple receipt that carried a big idea: a restaurant inviting you to text its COO directly, real number and all. You’ll hear why radical accessibility sends exactly the right message to your customers, how the age of personalization lets you automate and stay personal at the same time, and why every business is really in the customer service business. Small touches like proactive reports and easy feedback loops are how you build loyalty that lasts. Then we get into the hard stuff: what happens when a giant customer disappears overnight. Drawing on real names and real receipts from clients that once made up the bulk of the business and then imploded, we walk you through how to prepare instead of panic. You’ll learn to ask your team the uncomfortable question now, redeploy the resources a big client is paying to build, and why twenty small clients often beat one whale. Change is the only constant, so build the resilience that keeps everyone employed and keeps you living the charmed life.We dig into letting staff use all the AI they need and how AI text watermarking actually works. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs' Podcast #782 for Wednesday, August 26th, 2026 August 26th: National Dog Day 00:02:05 Text our COO – Making yourself accessible to your customers That guy that used to put his Social Security Number on billboards 00:04:59 We're in the age of personalization 00:08:30 SPONSOR: Hims. With Wegovy® at Hims, lose up to 20% of your body weight when combined with diet and exercise. Visit https://hims.com/businessbrain to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. 00:10:01 SPONSOR: SomniPods 3 sleep earbuds from Fitnexa: Flat enough to sleep on, and the app is the real prize: https://go.fitnexa.com/brain automatically applies $10 off (or use code BRAIN). 00:11:35 How to react to losing huge customers Paying attention to your large customers internal and external signals Changes aren't permanent, but change is. 00:18:05 Business Brain 782 Outtro This Episode's Big Takeway: The only constant is change. Be ready for it with your largest customer. What would happen if they disappeared tomorrow? Check out Business Brain Blueprints Tell Your Friends! Business Blueprints Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post Losing Huge Customers and Please Text our COO – Business Brain 782 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

If you work in tech long enough, there's a good chance you'll go through a layoff. Either your own, or one that leaves you wondering whether you're next. Shanon Olsen, COO of Henley Leadership, works with executives and organizations navigating growth, disruption, and change. In this episode, we talk about why layoffs should be understood as a cultural breakdown rather than a one-day event, what happens when founders build companies they aren't prepared to lead, and why CEOs can delegate just about everything — except culture. I've been on both sides of this equation, so I asked Shanon about how to stay committed to your work without making your employer your identity, why it's important to maintain relationships outside your company, how to assess whether a workplace is recovering after layoffs, and why staying in a job and exploring other possibilities don't have to be mutually exclusive. RUNTIME 48:52   EPISODE BREAKDOWN (2:05) When does a startup stop being a startup?  (9:37) If you're not ready to let someone go, you shouldn't be the CEO (14:57) Why layoffs are a "cultural breakdown"  (19:56) How should the CEO behave after layoffs?  (23:50) Building a culture that's resilient enough to weather layoffs (26:58) How to tell an employee WHY you're laying them off (32:38) " Identify what's your purpose outside of your position."  (39:13) How to tell if your company is recovering after layoffs  (44:23) Should you stay or leave after layoffs?  

In this episode, George is joined by Nikki Pepper, COO of Transforming Basketball, to discuss how her background in gymnastics, collegiate cheerleading, weightlifting, marketing, and coaching has shaped her approach to leadership and athlete development. Nikki shares lessons from her time at Reebok, the importance of building relationships and connecting with people first, and how constraints-led principles can be applied across different sports.   Chapters: 00:00 – Introducing Nikki Pepper and Her Journey to Transforming Basketball 02:00 – From Reebok to Transforming Basketball: Lessons in Business and Leadership 04:00 – Building Trust by Connecting With People First 06:00 – Relationships, Reputation, and Growing Through Others 08:00 – Applying Constraints-Led Principles Beyond Basketball 10:00 – Pressure Sets and Creating Competition-Like Environments 12:00 – Self-Talk, Emotional Regulation, and Visualization 14:00 – The Future of Transforming Basketball and Expanding Into Other Sports 16:00 – Why Information Without Implementation Isn't Transformation 17:00 – Lessons From the Rosetto Residential Summer Camp 19:00 – Transformative Tip    Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.app/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

Learn the inside story of immigration, startups, and entrepreneurship with leading immigration attorney Tahmina Watson.What does it take to turn the challenges of immigration into entrepreneurial success? Tahmina Watson, founder of Watson Immigration Law, Forbes Business Council member, author, and advocate, sits down with Glenn Harper and Julie Smith to discuss her own immigrant journey, the realities of U.S. immigration law, and the mindset required to build both a meaningful business and life.In this candid conversation, listeners will learn:The personal story behind Tahmina's move from the UK to America and starting over as a legal professional 02:48How her experiences led her to become a specialist in immigration law for entrepreneurs and startups 07:43Practical insights into visa options and the unique barriers immigrant entrepreneurs face in the U.S. 27:05What it really takes to launch and grow a values-driven law firm, including team building and business lessons 33:01Methods for balancing entrepreneurship, meaningful work, and self-care, plus Tamina's surprising passion for bird photography 40:42Whether you're an aspiring immigrant founder, a business owner, or someone passionate about social impact, Tahmina's transparency and expertise will inspire you to turn personal challenges into professional purpose.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Takeaways:Navigating the path from immigrant to entrepreneur requires resilience, support, and the willingness to embrace new opportunities.The U.S. immigration system for entrepreneurs is complex and constantly evolving, and understanding visa options and legal nuances is critical.Building a business as an immigrant includes unique stressors; having a mission and outlets like bird photography can sustain long-term success.Authorship and advocacy can amplify your impact beyond client work and open unexpected doors.Running a business doesn't have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it's easy to be so busy ‘doing' business that you don't have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year. An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast. Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Copyright 2026 Glenn HarperMentioned in this episode:Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs PlusRunning a business takes vision, grit… and the right financial partner. At Harper & Company CPAs Plus, we don't just crunch numbers—we empower entrepreneurs. From proactive tax strategy and accounting to business advisory services, our team helps you keep more of what you earn and scale with confidence. Whether you're launching, growing, or preparing for exit, Harper & Company is in your corner with expert guidance built for business owners like you. Visit www.harpercpaplus.com to book a complimentary discovery call today - or call us at 614-456-7222. Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Teri Williams. Thanks! The transcript from this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass features a powerful and informative interview with Teri Williams, President, COO, and owner of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Teri Williams. Thanks! The transcript from this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass features a powerful and informative interview with Teri Williams, President, COO, and owner of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Teri Williams. Thanks! The transcript from this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass features a powerful and informative interview with Teri Williams, President, COO, and owner of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

In this episode, multi-business owner and mom of three Dani Lynnes joins the show to discuss her journey growing a seven-figure childcare center in North Dakota, alongside managing an Airbnb, a farm, a tote rental company, and a family sports schedule. Dani opens up about the pivotal moment that forced her to shift from a hands-on director to a systems-oriented COO, leading to the creation of "the dashboard"—a Trello-based organization system that helps busy moms and entrepreneurs streamline their lives, reduce decision fatigue, and reclaim their freedom. She also shares her raw perspective on navigating the comparison traps of social media, leaning into faith after the sudden loss of her father, and learning to prioritize health, sleep, and alignment over superficial markers of success. About Dani Lynnes Dani Lynnes is a business owner, systems strategist, and creator of The Dashboard—a simple operating system that helps established entrepreneurs organize their priorities, reduce overwhelm, and make confident decisions. As the owner of multiple businesses, including a successful childcare center, real estate ventures, and other entrepreneurial endeavors, Dani understands what it takes to balance growth, leadership, and family without sacrificing what matters most. Known for her practical, no-fluff approach, Dani teaches business owners how to create systems that bring clarity, increase productivity, and free up mental space so they can focus on the work that truly moves the needle. Her mission is simple: help entrepreneurs stop managing chaos and start leading with intention. Connect with Dani on LinkedIn Follow Dani on Instagram Check out Dani's freebie 30 Minute Weekly Reset   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a comment on iTunes   CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA! Instagram LinkedIn Christinalecuyer.com Book a Free Clarity Call Book Christina For Your Next Workshop

Should workforce transformation belong to HR? Bettina Dietsche, Group Chief People and Culture Officer at Allianz, doesn't think so. Bettina leads the people agenda for around 156,000 employees at Allianz. She came to HR after 25 years in IT and digital transformation, picking up the people function while serving as COO of Allianz Commercial during a company turnaround. That background shapes her view that HR's job is to challenge and push transformation onto the business agenda - not to own it.In this episode, David and Bettina discuss: Why she believes HR should challenge and nudge workforce transformation, while ownership sits with the businessHow 25 years leading IT and digital transformation, including a COO turnaround, shaped her approach to the CPO roleWhy she runs regular sessions with more than 60 CEOs across Allianz, and what that partnership actually looks like in practiceHer test for a healthy culture - what people do when no one's watching - and why she calls culture "the hardest currency"How Allianz builds daily AI habits into leadership, from "AI gem sessions" to asking each morning what AI can help with firstWhy she sees AI creating as many new early-career roles as it displaces, and how Allianz is reshaping graduate hiring around that This episode is sponsored by Valence. Nadia, Valence's AI coaching platform, connects talent strategy to the work employees are actually doing — offering coaching from the frontline to the boardroom, and surfacing organisational insights that weren't visible before.As the most widely deployed coach in the Fortune 500, Nadia is already helping global leaders like Nestlé, Delta, CVS, and Kraft Heinz transform talent at scale.Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Palmer reconnects with old colleague Don Gregori, COO of First Factory, to unpack core insights from Don's book, The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery. Drawing from a non-linear career path—ranging from theater major and aerial stunt coordinator to an 18-year tenure at Kaplan and scaling tech teams—Don shares practical strategies for authentic leadership, proactive stress management, and navigating AI workplace disruption. Key Takeaways

For episode 766 of the BlockHash Podcast, host Brandon Zemp is joined by Elisa Lu, COO and Co-founder of Memoket, an AI hardware company building the context layer between the physical world and AI. Before Memoket, she spent nearly a decade in brand commercialization and marketing leadership at Anker Innovations, where she grew brand revenue 6x in three years. At Memoket, she leads international operations and Marketing and is building the company she wished existed during years of running businesses on back-to-back conversations. Stop briefing your AI from scratch after every meeting. Memoket Gem ships August 2026. Grab your early bird spot for US$179 at memoket.ai — only 2,000 available!

Does your business still need you to make every decision, solve every problem, and make sure everything gets done? In this episode, I sit down with former Google, Apple, and Microsoft team expert Lia Garvin to talk about how to stop being the bottleneck and build a team that actually helps your business make more money. Lia shares the simple systems that can free up your time, make delegation easier, eliminate unnecessary meetings and expenses, and give your team the clarity to take real ownership. We also talk about how to know whether you have the wrong person or they simply haven't been led well, the conversations too many founders avoid, and how to create a culture of clear expectations without becoming a micromanager. If you're ready to get out of the weeds, stop carrying your entire business on your shoulders, and build a team that can grow with you, this episode is for you. Check out our Sponsors: Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci. Sign up for your $1/month trial period at http://Shopify.com/happy. Monarch Money -  Get your first year of Monarch Core for half off at http://Monarch.com with code EYH. Northwest Registered Agent - Visit http://northwestregisteredagent.com/EarnFree and start using free resources to build something amazing. Fabric - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at http://meetfabric.com/earn. Indeed - Indeed is giving Earn Your Happy listeners a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to help get your job the premium status it deserves. Just go to http://Indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on Earn Your Happy. Momentous - If you want to try Momentous Signature Spec Creatine, head to http://livemomentous.com and use code EARN for up to 35% off your entire first order. Brevo - Meet Brevo…the all-in-one marketing and CRM platform built to help you connect with customers, boost engagement, and grow your business smarter. Get started for free today—or use code HAPPY50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription. Just head to http://www.brevo.com/happy HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 How to turn your team from an expense into a revenue driver. 03:00 How Lia became the “team whisperer” at Microsoft, Apple, and Google. 06:10 What Lia learned about creating value when she felt like she didn't belong. 09:40 How to address team problems without putting people on the defensive. 12:00 The team problems Lia saw repeatedly inside some of the world's biggest companies. 16:10 Why Lia left Google to help entrepreneurs build better teams. 18:00 The leadership struggles business owners face when they start hiring. 20:15 The biggest misconception that keeps founders from creating systems sooner. 22:25 Where to start when you're already too busy to build systems. 24:55 How doing everything yourself is limiting your team and your growth. 26:10 How getting out of the weeds can directly impact your bottom line. 29:10 The simple weekly system that gives you visibility without micromanaging. 31:25 The delegation trap that keeps founders doing everything themselves. 32:50 The conversations that can save you from losing your best employees. 35:20 How to reset your company culture when expectations haven't been clear. 39:15 The first thing to fix when your founder and team are blaming each other. 41:40 Do you have the wrong employee, or are they being led the wrong way? 43:00 The 3 questions to ask before deciding a team member isn't working out. 46:00 How to give clear feedback without feeling like the “bad guy.” 49:15 How simple operational changes can save thousands and unlock more revenue. RESOURCES DM Lia the word “HAPPY” to get access to the Snippets app and create a simple weekly system for tracking your team's wins, blockers, and priorities. DM Lia the word “HAPPY” or head to liagarvin.com/happy to get her free guide for navigating sticky team conversations and having your own “sit down.” Learn more about Lia's Team Ops Playbook and fractional COO support at liagarvin.com Learn more about Loop at loriharder.com/loop Get on the waitlist for Mentor Collective Mastermind HERE! Try glōci for 40% off your first order with code HAPPY at checkout - head to getgloci.com FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow glōci: @getgloci Follow Lia: @lia.garvin

What kind of founder walks away from a multi-billion-dollar fintech company to start building rockets?Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, joins Joubin Mirzadegan to talk about life after one of the most consequential companies in modern finance, and why he's now betting on Cowboy Space Corporation, an orbital infrastructure company building AI data centers that ride to space inside its own rockets."I still have that dog in me," he says.Baiju opens up about building alone for the first time in 15 years and what he learned about product-market fit while scaling Robinhood through its most chaotic years.Connect with Baiju:XLinkedInConnect with Joubin:XLinkedIn​Email: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow Grit on LinkedInX​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins