Growth Department

Build faster. Spend less. Keep control.  In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey and no-code expert Xan Hong , founder of Drive Phase Consulting , reveal how founders ship MVPs in weeks, connect tools with APIs, and launch AI agents that act like real team members. You’ll hear how Xan built his first app to track an ice cream truck with his daughter and how that moment turned int...

Ethical persuasion is not slick sales tactics or trickery.  Ethical persuasion is a super power that unlocks how people truly make decisions and how to communicate in ways that feel genuine for everyone involved. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Patrick Van Der Burght, a Cialdini Certified Trainer and co-author of How to Hear Yes More Often . Patric...

Curious about AI but short on time? This episode of the Growth Department podcast gives leaders and operators a plain-English playbook. Chelsey sits down with AI engineering leader and author Sairam Sundaresan to unpack what actually moves the needle. No jargon. Just practical wins you can plug into your business this week. You will hear how Sairam thinks about AI literacy for leaders, why simple...

Modern buyers are tuning out the cold pitch, so smart founders and sales leaders are changing how they sell. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey sits down with Joe Candido, founder of Fifth Element Associates and best selling author of Leadership Selling , to explore how sales leaders can ditch outdated tactics and start leading with outcomes that matter. Joe breaks down why...

You don’t need a massive following to see real results on LinkedIn. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey sits down with Kayla Ihrig, founder of Writing From Nowhere , to uncover how entrepreneurs can grow their visibility and revenue on LinkedIn with just 30 minutes a day. Kayla shares her best strategies for clear positioning, daily engagement, and creating content that build...

AI is changing marketing fast. Wes Towers used it to rebuild Uplift 360 and create the most profitable year in company history, all while doubling down on authenticity.  In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey and Wes break down the systems , content , and team moves that let a boutique agency serve construction brands at a higher level. You will learn how Uplift 360 helps builde...

Every founder and executive leader wants a high-performing team. But when cracks start to form in your company culture, performance and retention take the hit. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Janice Brathwaite , CEO & founder of Workplace Transformations, creator of the Workplace Transformation Method™, and an expert in helping organizations di...

Clean data. Clear revenue. Is this dream-come-true world in a CRM possible? In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Jasz Joseph, Founder & HubSpot Strategist, human-centered growth advocate, and connector of people and opportunities. Jasz shares how lean teams can get more from HubSpot without adding more complexity. After years working for top HubSpot...

What if we could prove that prioritizing inclusion = a more profitable way to run your business? In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey talks with Joseph Santana, executive advisor, inclusion strategist, and host of the ERG PowerTalk® Podcast . Together, they explore how companies can move inclusion beyond HR checklists and turn it into a measurable business advantage. Joe is th...

When culture feels confusing, growth stalls. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey sits down with organizational strategist and author Matthew Person to unpack why so many company cultures quietly break down and how his “Square Management System” helps leaders create alignment, trust, and scalable clarity. Matthew brings nearly 25 years of experience helping companies create an...

Growing a transferable business starts with clarity. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Stephen Wolford of Foresight Growth Advisors to explore what it takes to build a company that gives you freedom today and flexibility tomorrow. Stephen shares how to remove owner dependency, improve financial visibility, and strengthen leadership so your business r...

What if your brand could become the trusted voice your audience looks for first? In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Arias WebsterBerry shares how he built multiple businesses by shifting from random acts of marketing to conversations at scale. He breaks down Social Authority, his blend of smart PR and consistent content, and shows how creative-first thinking gives founders a real gr...

In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Liora Dudar shares how she co-founded Overtone haircare in a kitchen, grew it into a nationally loved, eight-figure e-commerce brand, and led it through a successful exit. Now as a coach, she helps founders navigate how to clarify their mission, set and hold accountability, and lead with resilience. We dig into people-first leadership, values that...

Budgeting season is here, and it’s more than just numbers in a spreadsheet. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Marcus Rien joins Chelsey Reynolds to walk founders and leadership teams through a practical, people-first approach to building a 2026 budget. From setting sales goals to holding teams accountable, Marcus shares how to create a process that inspires confidence and alignment...

What if your company had one number that could keep everyone focused and driving results? In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Lee Benson, serial founder, investor, and creator of the MIND Methodology. With three major exits under his belt, Lee shares how leaders can identify their most important number, align every department to it, and build a culture...

What happens when a successful corporate HR executive trades in the boardroom for bookshelves, coffee, and community? In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Tenia Davis, PhD, to talk about her bold leap from the C-suite to founding a bookstore café and podcast studio in Homewood, IL. Tenia shares why she walked away from a thriving career in human resourc...

The 2026 planning season is the perfect chance to sharpen your sales strategy and set your team up for a strong year. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with seasoned Chief Revenue Officer (and now executive sales recruiter) Steve Levitt to share the playbook every sales leader needs to plan, hire, and hit ambitious growth goals From comp plans and hiring...

On this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Dr. David S. Cohen, founder of DS Cohen and Associates Group and author of the new book Selecting the Best: Fostering a Workforce Driven by Values for Lasting Success  to explore the art of values-based hiring.  Dr. Cohen shares how identifying and hiring for behaviors rooted in authentic company values leads to stro...

When your business is just starting out, you wear every hat. You sell, you market, you manage operations. But real growth comes when you learn how to delegate with confidence, build authority in your niche, and put scalable systems in place. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Dennis “DM” Meador, a lifelong entrepreneur and marketing strategist who has...

What if the fastest way to grow wasn’t fear or control, but compassion ?  In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Dr. Bruno, TEDx speaker, researcher, and author of The Art of Compassionate Business , joins Chelsey Reynolds to explore how trust, generosity, and empathy create a flywheel of performance that benefits employees, customers, and leaders alike. You’ll hear from his research: w...

Wendy Jensen spent decades leading corporate teams and strategy in a fast-paced environment at a major internet company. Then she walked away to start something entirely her own— a purpose-driven retail and lifestyle brand rooted in Scandinavian values, family heritage, and genuine human connection. In this episode, Wendy joins host Chelsey Reynolds to share how she left executive leadership to bu...

When sales, finance, and operations pull in different directions, growth stalls. But when those teams align, momentum builds fast. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Marcus Rien (scratch golfer, COO, and CFO turned founder of Waves CPAs) to explore how founders can create operational clarity, unlock faster decision-making, and build systems that suppo...

In this transformative episode, host Chelsey Reynolds sits down her own coach, Carri Scuba, executive coach and founder of Core Vision Concepts. They dive deep into what coaching really is, how to know if it’s for you, and why more high-achievers are turning to coaching to regain clarity, balance, and power in both work and life. Carri shares her personal journey of walking away from corporate bur...

Can a business scale without sacrificing the soul of its founder?  According to  Rochel Marie Lawson, an Ayurvedic nurse practitioner, wellness entrepreneur, and founder of Blissful Living for You, the answer is yes . In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds and Rochel explore how holistic wellness and energy alignment are not just feel-good extras, but essential tools fo...

If your business isn’t showing up on Google, you’re missing more than just a few clicks, my dear!  In this episode, digital marketing expert Sean Boyle breaks down exactly how to set up and protect your Google Business Profile so you can rank higher, attract local customers, and avoid the dreaded “suspension” message that’s catching even experienced business owners off guard. We cover: Step-by-ste...