Raise Up Podcast

In this episode of the RaiseUP Podcast, hosts Charlie Grimm and Athena Grimm explore how leaders can balance work, personal interests, and life without burning out. They discuss what happens when work and personal life overlap, how to trust your team while traveling, and whether it’s ever healthy to work on a personal trip. Together, they share practical insights on modeling balance as a leader an...

In this episode of the RaiseUP Podcast, hosts Charlie Grimm and Athena Grimm dive into coaching-style conversations on hiring, delegation, and growth. They share personal lessons on how their hiring philosophy has evolved, what it really takes to let go and delegate, and how to recognize when it’s time to scale. Together, they unpack common leadership mistakes and reveal the systems that have tran...

Hiring Mistakes Every Leader Must Avoid Hiring wrong is one of the most expensive leadership lessons. 🎙️ On this episode of the RAISE UP MINDSET PODCAST , I share the story of a hiring decision I got wrong—and how I rebuilt my system to prevent it from happening again. 📍 Listen now at RaiseUpMindset.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Power of Intentions: Transforming Life, Leadership, and Relationships || Raise Up Podcast Episode Overview In this episode, Athena is joined by her long-time friend and fellow entrepreneur Kimberly Fisher to explore the transformative power of intentions. They share personal stories and insights about how setting clear intentions has shaped their lives, businesses, and relationships. From impr...

Reflecting on 25 Years: Growth, Leadership, and Vision for 2025 || Raise Up Podcast Episode Overview In this New Year’s Eve episode, Athena and Charlie reflect on 25 years of business ownership, sharing stories from their journey and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. They discuss how adapting to change, fostering authentic leadership, and allowing space for personal and professional growt...

Leading with Cheer: Navigating the Holiday Season with Empathy and Strategy || Raise Up Podcast Episode Overview In this Christmas Eve episode, Athena and Charlie discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of leading a team during the holiday season. With reflections on fostering connection, balancing employee needs, and maintaining high morale, they share insights into how BAC navigates Dece...

Empowering Teams: Building a Culture of Accountability and Growth || Raise Up Podcast Episode Overview In this episode, Athena and Charlie delve into the dynamics of leading a business while away, highlighting the importance of fostering a self-sustaining team culture. They explore how empowering team members to make decisions and embrace accountability creates a resilient organization. Through re...

Beyond the Comfort Zone: Lessons from Travel, Health, and Leadership Circles || Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie recount their recent travels and transformative experiences, offering listeners an inside look into their journey of personal and professional growth. They discuss their participation in conferences like Awaken and Inner Circle, their exploration of health and wellne...

Debt Management and Maintaining Healthy Bank Relationships | Raise Up Podcast We talk about the vital resources and networks that can support your business journey, from CPAs to insurance brokers and beyond. We'll share stories about the significance of partnerships, profitability, and the art of managing contracts. Charlie will offer valuable lessons on adapting to change and maintaining focus on...

Transforming Incident Reports into Storytelling Tools for Better Operations | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie explore how stories—whether generated by leadership or employees—play a crucial role in shaping a company's culture. They discuss the importance of incident reports, not just as a compliance tool but as a narrative that helps in decision-making and improving processes....

Investing in Employee Safety: Advanced Security Measures and a Positive Work Culture | Raise Up Podcast In today's episode, we're diving into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of workplace dynamics—safety and security. We'll explore how safety extends beyond just physical measures, touching on employee comfort and mental well-being. Charlie will share his first-hand experience implementing ad...

Navigating Stress and Support in Professional and Personal Life | Raise Up Podcast In this special Q&A session, we'll be diving into the importance of maintaining positive energy in the workplace, especially when dealing with recurring challenges and team dynamics. We'll also discuss balancing professional and personal life, handling business disagreements, and how a supportive relationship ca...

Harnessing Social Media for Company Growth with Amie Haakenson || Raise Up Podcast Our special guest, Amie Haakenson, HR Director for BAC Transportation, joins hosts Athena and Charlie to explore the nuances of hiring practices, employee retention, and the importance of authentic brand storytelling. Amie shares her insights on using social media as a vital training tool, shaping both the company's...

Transforming HR: The Heart and Soul of Scaling Your Business || Raise Up Podcast In this insightful conversation, we delve into the critical role of Human Resources in business growth and development. Join our hosts, Athena & Charlie, as they sit down with Amie Haakenson, the HR Director at BAC Transportation, to explore the evolution of HR from mere compliance to a vital resource for employee...

Balancing Fun and Seriousness: How to Lead with Joy | Raise Up Podcast In today's episode, Athena & Charlie tackle the dynamics of maintaining a positive yet effective work environment. They explore the delicate balance between injecting fun and staying serious, the importance of remaining present, and the art of receiving feedback. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they un...

Local Issues and Businesses: Discussing Homelessness, Safety, and Facility Expansion | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, we tackle the root causes behind pressing problems like expanding hospital facilities, rising public safety concerns, and the growing homelessness crisis. We'll explore the power of collaboration across political and community lines to implement practical, immediate solutions. C...

Protect Your Finances: Tools, Tips, and Real-Life Stories from the Trenches | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, we delve into the essential topic of financial vigilance and identity theft. Join us as we share real-life experiences and offer practical advice on how to monitor your accounts and protect your financial well-being. From utilizing tools like Rocket Money and Lifelock to setting up multi...

From Weight Loss to Confidence: Charlie’s Path to Better Health and Clear Decisions | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm delve into the crucial elements of stress management, personal growth, and decision-making. Charlie shares his transformative journey in health and nutrition, revealing how mindful eating and lifestyle changes have not only improved his physical well-bein...

Mentorship and Growth: Lessons from John Schwartz and Raise Up | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm continue their insightful conversation with John Schwartz, founder of Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security, diving into the crucial role of mentorship in John's entrepreneurial journey. Hear John share stories of the mentors who shaped his path, while Athena and Charlie also...

Collaboration and Success: John Schwartz on Growing Perfectionist Auto and Sound | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm are joined by John Schwartz, owner of Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security, to discuss their close relationship and journey of growing their businesses together. Learn how John’s expertise helped BAC and AMT thrive with support from Compustar and Perfection...

Deposits and Withdrawals: The Role of Generosity in Entrepreneurship | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm explore how generosity plays a crucial role in the success of businesses and entrepreneurs. Athena shares her belief that generosity is a key component of their business philosophy, while Charlie highlights her memorable quote, "You can't make withdrawals without making...

Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs: Transform Your Mindset | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm dive into the concept of limiting beliefs, exploring how they shape your interactions with the world and offering practical strategies to overcome them. They share their own experiences with these mental barriers and provide insights on how to move past self-imposed limitations....

Mentorship Matters: How to Navigate Both Sides of the Mentor-Mentee Relationship | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm continue their reflection on insights gained from their recent master-mind groups. They dive deep into the world of mentorship, discussing how to find the right mentor, the qualities of a good mentee, and their personal experiences as both mentors and mentee...

Freedom, Health, and Industry Wisdom: Athena & Charlie's Palm Springs Recap | Raise Up Podcast In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm return from their recent trip to Palm Springs, where they dive into the valuable lessons learned at the Awaken and Inner-Circle master-mind groups. They discuss the power of industry-specific groups, the liberating experience of being debt-free, and the impor...

In this episode, Athena and Charlie Grimm sit down with Bill and Kimberly Fischer from Main Event Grill & Catering to discuss their lives as serial entrepreneurs. The Fischers open up about the challenges they face in balancing focus on current projects while taking on new ventures. They also share how the Covid pandemic, rather than shutting their business down, actually pushed them towards s...