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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless emphasizes the importance of finding a brand that aligns with a potential franchisee’s skills, especially marketing executives, and asks about opportunities to implement independent marketing strategies.   Gresham discusses the challenges of understanding which candidates fit for specific brands, referencing a conversation with a brand founder who sought h...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless emphasizes the importance of being unique and running one's race.    In the competitive world of franchising, standing out and staying true to your vision is crucial. This advice is not just applicable to franchising but to any entrepreneurial endeavor.   On day 15 of the Franchise Brokers Conference, he shares valuable insights on starting the business by...

In this special episode, Gresh discusses day 11 of the Franchise Broker journey, highlighting the importance of understanding personal energy levels and managing commitments. Using a jungle gym analogy, he emphasizes embracing change and discomfort in new ventures, comparing it to a baby giraffe learning to walk. Gresh underscores the importance of embracing mistakes, prioritizing, and protecting...

Asmâa Methqal is a renowned global business consultant and strategic leadership facilitator who empowers leaders and businesses to unlock their potential and balance wealth and gender equality.   Asmâa combines business strategy with emotional intelligence, body movement, and intuition.   She uses group coaching and community-based learning to maximize collective wisdom, pushing clients to move be...

Peter Murphy Lewis is a fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) with expertise in various industries, including travel, software, and media.    Peter discusses how his business evolved, transitioning from a focus on strategy to a full-service marketing agency with a team of 15.   He emphasizes that CEOs often need support in defining the right marketing strategy before diving into execution.   Pe...

Noelle McKenzie is the CEO and co-founder of Leading Edge Personal Trainers, which helps clients transform their fitness through a mind-body approach.   Noelle developed a passion for personal training after rising from a walk-on athlete to a Division 1 track and field athlete.   Noelle emphasizes the importance of focusing on quality over quantity, targeting higher-level clientele, and maintainin...

Paul Jarvis is a seasoned writer and designer with over two decades of experience.   He is the author of "Company of One," and has worked with high-profile clients like Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal, Microsoft, and Mercedes Benz.   Paul transitioned into creating products, including books and software like Fathom, an analytics tool that respects user privacy.   He emphasizes the importance of creat...

In this special episode of the I Am CEO podcast, Gresh introduces the journey of starting the Bluestar franchise and announces the launch of a new sub-site within CBNation called Franchise CEO. Inspired by the founder of the Franchise Brokers Association, Gresh aims to document this journey to assist those starting franchises or any business. He shares snippets from the initial videos and encourag...

In this special episode, Gresh introduces the journey of starting the Bluestar franchise and highlights the Franchise CEO sub-site within CB Nation. He shares valuable insights from his training with the Franchise Brokers Association (FBA) founder, emphasizing the importance of documenting the journey for aspiring franchisees or business starters. Gresh encourages builders to keep building and be...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the importance of learning about franchise brands and connecting with people in the industry, including ResiBrands.   He discusses a niche within the franchise space—helping businesses turn into franchises, focusing on unique execution rather than innovative products.   He emphasizes how businesses can succeed by uniquely executing ideas, even...

Christie Lawler is the founder and owner of CJL Consulting, a beverage marketing agency, and the WITI Group, a nonprofit female leadership in the food and beverage industry.   She is also the host of the Lawler Out Loud Mixing Up the Mainstream Podcast and an advocate on several industry boards.   Christie is recognized for her leadership, including being named "Innovator of the Year" (2022) and "...

Catrina is the CEO and founder of Pure Skin Repair, a black woman-owned natural handcrafted skincare line.    Her skincare journey began in 2015 when she created a natural moisturizer for her daughter's eczema, which quickly grew into a thriving business recognized for its plant-based, cruelty-free products.   Catrina is recognized by the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business Initiativ...

Calvin Dark has built his reputation as a creative branding, media, and communications professional for diverse clients and partners.   In 2014, Calvin co-founded RC Communications to help clients find their voice to tell complex stories.    Throughout his career, Calvin held several leadership roles where he advised embassies, international organizations, foundations, and multinational corporatio...

Mike Wittenstein is the CEO of Story Miners, a pioneer in customer experience design, and the founder of Galileo, a digital agency, and Storyminers, a customer experience consultancy, after working at IBM.   Mike emphasizes the importance of agility and customer outcomes in business success, drawing from his early leadership experiences and systems thinking learned at IBM.   Story Miners helps cli...

Gresham began with a blog called Hearpreneur, focusing on content for entrepreneurs. Over time, he realized that entrepreneurs were more interested in actionable advice than just stories. This led him to create CEO Blog Nation and expand into podcasts, videos, and blogs.   He emphasizes the importance of having a business that supports the podcast, as many podcasters struggle when their shows' con...

Gresham describes his businesses as largely virtual but with significant face-to-face networking before COVID-19.    He emphasizes how this personal connection was vital for educating potential clients, especially those unfamiliar with digital marketing.   Gresham shares how the pandemic forced him to adapt more to virtual environments. Although he was already working remotely, the surge in people...

Gresham Harkless believes that the secret to happiness is different for everyone. While money and material things are essential to some extent, pursuing happiness has less to do with money and more with personal connections and meaningful work.   Gresham perceives someone more committed to the business could improve control and productivity.   He utilizes technology to stay efficient, relying on t...

Fletcher Wimbush is the CEO of Discovered Performance Hiring Software, who has extensive experience in hiring practices and decades of experience tackling hiring challenges, including reference checking, aptitude assessments, and AI-driven talent selection.   Fletcher's system has helped over 2,000 companies and led to multi-million-dollar results in the hiring process.   Fletcher discusses that h...

Mark Anderson is a retired special agent and former instructor at the Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy. He is an expert in interviewing and investigative techniques.    Mark is the Director of Training and Development at Anderson Investigative Associates. He has worked with the FBI, NRC, and the New York State Office of the Inspector General.   Mark Anderson shares his extensive bac...

Cayla Craft, the host of the Mommy Millionaire Podcast, is a self-made millionaire, bestselling author, and lifestyle entrepreneur.   Cayla discovered network marketing and fell in love with health and wellness supplements.   By age 31, she had four companies and had shifted from nursing to entrepreneurship, with three kids at the time.   She emphasized that "you get what you tolerate," which moti...

Judy Schramm founded ProResource, a social media agency dedicated to helping CEOs enhance their online presence and achieve their business goals through effective personal branding.   Judy discusses how ProResource is her fourth business and how it evolved from a marketing and PR firm.   ProResource helps CEOs establish a strong personal presence on social media, particularly LinkedIn.   Judy emph...

Gresham discusses how stepping away from your business—whether for vacation or other reasons—can be a sign of a healthy business.   He shares his experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and desire to connect with others. Gresham discusses the importance of building a media presence in today’s business world, stating that every entrepreneur is essentially in the media business.   He emphasize...

Gresham Harkless discusses the importance of knowing your target market, their evolving needs, and outlines key questions that define business success and resource allocation.   He emphasizes the importance of market research, understanding ideal clients, and explores strategies for creating content that resonates with your audience.   In addition, he highlights the importance of focusing on one o...

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless emphasizes the importance of providing value in cold outreach, similar to a social media strategy.   Gresham discusses the need to understand the target audience deeply: "What keeps them up at night?" This understanding helps ensure that outreach is relevant and helpful, which leads to a win-win situation.   He highlights that businesses often resist chang...

Sean Douglas is a former U.S. Air Force member, three-time TEDx speaker, and an expert in resilience, leadership, and business positioning.   Sean is also the host of two podcasts (Create, Launch, Monetize, and From No Worth to Self Worth) and a two-time bestselling author.   He is also working on establishing an equine therapy ranch for veterans suffering from PTSD and anxiety in Michigan, a proj...