CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co

Dave Hanley is a serial entrepreneur, with successful ventures, including the social media marketing agency Banyan Branch, which was acquired by Deloitte, and Shelfari, a social network for readers that Amazon acquired.   Dave started Tomorrow after feeling uninspired in his role at Deloitte. Tomorrow aims to help young families become financially stable by providing an easy-to-use app to create w...

Gresham Harkless is celebrating his 2nd anniversary and has traveled a lot recently.   Gresham attended a conference with around 200 brands and had the chance to meet with seasoned brokers.   He absorbed much valuable information about what successful brokers do, their mindsets, and how they approach the business.    Gresham emphasizes the importance of becoming skilled at lead generation while ke...

Gresham Harkless shares insights on his journey toward becoming a broker, emphasizing the importance of moving forward even when you're not fully ready.   He explains that while there were many reasons to wait for a "perfect" time—such as team transitions, personal life changes, and financial considerations.   Gresham emphasizes that there's no perfect time to begin; the key is to act now. He draw...

Gresham Harkless reflects on his 17th day in his franchise broker journey, returning home after attending a training conference.    Despite enjoying the conference and the beautiful setting, Gresham emphasizes that home is where his heart is.   He shares that the conference provided a wealth of information from various brands and training sessions, which he plans to review and reflect on more thor...

In this episode, we have Toni Harris Taylor also known as the "Networking Queen" and "Coach That Connects," who is a dynamic speaker, coach, and the founder of Global Multicultural Franchise Connectors (MFC).    Toni reflects on a life-changing experience she had 10 years ago when she was in a coma, which she views as a turning point in her life.    Toni shares a powerful analogy that while some p...

Ann-Marie Christell is a hairstylist business educator and founder of Serene Flow. She helps hairstylists grow their businesses with sustainable practices, blending mental health and business strategies for thriving businesses with ease.   With over 26 years of experience as a hairstylist, she also runs a successful e-commerce store and coached hundreds of hairstylists on balancing business growth...

Jamelle Sanders is an author, speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, radio host, and respected thought leader.    Jamelle has been featured on NBC, CBS, The Huffington Post, The Best U Magazine, and numerous other media outlets.    His organization focuses on providing resources, mentorship, and strategic planning for leaders and entrepreneurs, especially millennials.   Jamelle shares his mindset th...

Matt Gottesman is an international business strategist, brand architect, and purpose-driven entrepreneur.   He shares how his experiences with tech, branding, and consulting helped him transition into working with high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, and Cadillac.   Matt emphasizes the importance of energy and authenticity in brand building, explaining that he connects with people an...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on a particularly overwhelming period, both personally and professionally.   Gresham describes a hectic pace where he met with around 80 different franchise brands in a short time, likening it to "speed dating" due to the brief 5-minute interactions.   Gresham shares an epiphany regarding his approach to the broker business. He plans to lean heavi...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on his experiences during day 16 of his journey to become a franchise broker.   Gresham emphasizes the importance of understanding what makes a good fit between a brand and a potential candidate.   He points out the challenge of managing a business while learning the intricacies of franchising.   Gresham mentions the value of being part of a colla...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares a personal and professional update while reflecting on the importance of celebrating small wins and staying present in the journey.   He discusses a recent client interaction in which he didn't close any business but learned the valuable lesson of celebrating the progress made, such as having the first meeting.    Gresham emphasizes that even if thi...

Jonah Burlingame is a seasoned design strategist and consultant specializing in turning complex ideas into clear, actionable business strategies.   Jonah emphasizes the importance of partnering with senior leaders to understand the company’s strategy, goals, and challenges.   He believes that successful project execution requires aligning various teams early and making sure they collaborate toward...

Gregg Cantor is the President and CEO of Murray Lampert Design Build Remodel, a family business based in San Diego, California.   With over 40 years of experience, Gregg leads a four-generation family business celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.    Gregg emphasizes that its marketing approach is educational, not sales-driven. It aims to educate consumers on design, remodeling, and building,...

Silva Harapetian is a seasoned media consultant, business coach, author, and speaker. Silva's extensive 20-year career as a television journalist for major networks like NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox has equipped her with unique insights into storytelling and its impact on business growth.   She is a television personality and media expert who was featured in online and print magazines as well as televis...

Sarah Highfield is an International Yoga Teacher based in London, UK and is the founder of Yogagise Yoga.   Her journey from a PR career to becoming a renowned yoga instructor offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a successful business in the wellness industry.   Sarah emphasizes the importance of treating any business seriously from day one, including organizing finances, marketing...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless discusses the challenges and emotional aspects of starting a new business, comparing the process to the awkward, stumbling stage of a baby giraffe learning to walk.   He reflects on the fatigue that goes with juggling multiple responsibilities—personal, volunteer, and business-related—and acknowledges the struggle of managing energy and staying organized,...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on how they started their franchise broker business before they felt "ready," which has been a key part of their entrepreneurial journey.   Gresham emphasizes that it’s often beneficial to start things even when you're not fully prepared because you’ll make more progress than waiting until everything feels perfect.   He shares that they received a...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless made significant progress in learning about different franchise brands and connecting with potential business owners.   He highlights a conversation with ResiBrands, a brand he is interested in, and discovers a niche opportunity for businesses looking to transition into franchises.   Gresham emphasizes the importance of differentiating not just through inn...

John Marvin is a visionary entrepreneur, acclaimed columnist, and influential leader dedicated to empowering others to unlock their full potential.   As President and CEO of Texas State Optical, John has cultivated a thriving business network while spearheading initiatives in health and wellness consulting and eye care partnerships.   He played a key role in helping young optometrists start their...

In this episode, we have Sharlyn Martinez, a Latina entrepreneur and financial literacy expert dedicated to empowering underserved communities.    Her experience with her immigrant mother inspired her to focus on financial literacy and community empowerment.   Sharlyn founded Sin-Cere Consulting, focused on helping underserved communities navigate the home-buying process, Sin-Cere Multiservices, a...

Rachel Brenke is a multifaceted entrepreneur who has successfully balanced her roles as a lawyer, photographer, and business consultant.   Rachel found herself seeking a flexible career that could accommodate her unique circumstances.   Rachel helps entrepreneurs set up, strategize, and protect their businesses legally and emphasizes the importance of Liability Protection, Intellectual Property (I...

Laura Gmeinder is a passion igniter; she's a highly sought-after certified coach and national speaker.    Laura combines her expertise in adult education, coaching, and business development. She was honored as a BRAVA “Women to Watch” and In Business “40 Under 40” for her business savvy and community engagement accomplishments.   She emphasizes the importance of inner growth and self-discovery to...

 Gresham dives into the transformative power of AI and systems in business.   The discussion highlights how AI acts as a cheat code, freeing up time for creative tasks by handling routine operations.   Various AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are explored for their roles in content creation, strategic planning, and problem-solving.   Gresh emphasizes the importance of integrating thes...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless discusses how to leverage mindset and practical tools to build an impactful business.   Dr. Amanda Barrientez shares her expertise on mindset and the Law of Attraction and highlights the transformative power of AI in the business landscape.   Gresham talks about using tools like Canva, ChatGPT, and Jasper to manifest business goals and scale operations.   ...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless focuses on the concept of pretotyping and its importance for entrepreneurs and builders.   Gresham emphasizes that pretotyping helps entrepreneurs test, validate, and refine ideas before fully committing to them.   Testing ideas quickly with minimal investment allows businesses to iterate based on real-world feedback, leading to better results in the long...