Kicking Ass and Taking Names with Marlon Griffith, Esq.

In 2009, Brunson Cooper started his business as a side hustle with one small lobby project. After being passed over for another promotion and a conversation with his wife, in 2012 he decided to bet on himself — and never looked back. In this episode, Marlon sits down with Brunson — CEO of Corenic Construction and Black Enterprise-featured business leader — to talk about what it really takes to bui...

What does it take to become the kind of leader people actually want to follow? In this episode Marlon gets personal — sharing the leadership insights and growth strategies he has lived, taught and continues to practice. Originally delivered as a presentation to young Black men ages 16-18 at The 13th Man Leadership Academy, the lessons inside hit just as hard for adult leaders and business owners o...

Kevin Wideman didn't start out as a CEO — he started as an engineer. But through relentless personal growth, a commitment to his values, and a leadership philosophy built on people, he climbed to the top and transformed Koniag Government Services into a billion-dollar powerhouse. In this episode, Kevin takes us through the pivotal moments of his career journey — from his early days as an engi...

In this conversation, Marlon and Stuart Howard Sorkin delve into the intricacies of buying and selling businesses, emphasizing the importance of succession planning, business structure, and the factors that influence business valuation. Stuart shares insights on preparing a business for sale, retaining key employees, and understanding financial metrics like EBITDA. The discussion also highlights t...

In this engaging conversation, Duane Simpkins, championship head coach of the American University men's basketball team, shares his journey from a McDonald's All-American player to a successful Division One coach. He discusses the importance of mindset, character, and work ethic in building is championship culture in sports and life. Duane reflects on the lessons learned from legendary c...

Do you want to monetize your passion while keeping your “day job”? In this episode of 'Kicking Ass and Taking Names', host Marlon Griffith interviews Shauna Starks, a travel and marketing entrepreneur. Shauna asked herself a simple question; “why not get paid for doing something I love?” Shauna shares her journey of building a successful travel business while maintaining her full-time jo...

In this conversation, Marlon and financial coach Evangeline Harris discuss the critical relationship between personal and business finances, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and community support. Evangeline shares her personal journey from financial struggle to empowerment, highlighting her methodology for income optimization and the parallels between personal and business financi...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names, Marlon Griffith speaks with Antwone Harris, a retirement income specialist and owner of Platinum Bridge Wealth Strategies. They discuss the importance of financial planning, especially as individuals approach retirement. Antwone shares his journey into the financial industry, his passion for investing, and the significance of educating both children...

In this episode, Constance Carter, who built the largest African-American independently owned real estate firm in California, shares her journey as a successful entrepreneur and wealth activist, discussing her TED Talk on closing the wealth gap, the importance of community support, and her mission to empower Black women through the Net7 Collective. She reflects on personal hardships, the lessons l...

In this episode, Marlon interviews Kenneth Merritt, founder and CEO of Merritt Advisory Group. They discuss the importance of strategic and leadership advisory services for small to mid-sized businesses. Kenneth shares insights on common challenges faced by business leaders, the distinction between leadership and management, and the significance of cultural fit when hiring for the C-suite. The con...

In this episode, Paul Seabrook shares his journey from starting a solo law practice to building a multimillion-dollar family law firm. He discusses the importance of embracing failure, learning from experiences, and the significance of hiring the right team. Paul emphasizes the need for work-life balance and how he navigated the complexities of running a growing business. He also highlights the ro...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names, host Marlon Griffith interviews Jerry Holloway, the general manager of Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles, located in Northern Virginia. They discuss Jerry's approach to customer success through building a workplace culture that prioritizes employees, his journey in the automotive industry, and the multifaceted role of a general manager.  Jerry empha...

In this episode, Marlon Griffith Esquire hosts Allan and Kim Stephenson, franchise owners of Club Pilates. They share their journey from college to becoming successful business owners, highlighting their unique paths, the challenges they faced, and the inspiration behind their franchise. The conversation delves into their experiences, the importance of health and fitness, and the role of faith in...

In this episode, Marlon Griffith interviews Stacey Brown Randall, a business owner empowerment expert, who shares her insights on generating referrals without asking. Stacey discusses her journey from experiencing business failure to building a successful referral-based business. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the science and psychology behind referrals, building trust, and maintai...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names, host Marlon Griffith speaks with sales expert Chris Cocca about the critical elements of a successful sales strategy. They discuss the importance of having a documented sales process, the distinction between sales and marketing, and the need for accountability within sales teams. Chris emphasizes the significance of investing in training and develop...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and taking Names, host Marlon interviews Francis Joseph, a certified Profit First accountant, who shares her journey from aspiring doctor to successful accountant. They discuss the importance of proper accounting practices for small businesses, the roles of bookkeepers, controllers, and CFOs, and how to effectively use financial statements for growth. The conversatio...

Dr. Russell, currently the Executive Vice Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a trailblazing leader in orthopaedic care, shares his journey and philosophy on leadership. The episode dives into Russell's "Do Nothing" leadership approach, first introduced to him while as a student at the Kellogg Sc...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names, host Marlon Griffith sits down with Dave Chinn, founder of Negril Jamaican Eatery, to discuss the journey of building a successful restaurant business and beyond. From humble beginnings in Jamaica to running a beloved food institution in Washington D.C., Dave shares lessons on entrepreneurship, growth, navigating challenges, and the importance of fa...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names: The Business Owners Empowerment Podcast, we dive into the realities of entrepreneurship and sales with our guest Chad Baker. Chad helps business owners transform their sales process.  He shares lessons learned from trying to be everything to everyone to how focusing on a niche was the game-changer for business growth. Chad reflects on the challenges...

In this episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names, Marlon interviews Evelyn Aucoin, a financial expert, discussing the critical role of CFOs in business growth, how to identify red flags in financial professionals, and the importance of partnerships and equity in business. Evelyn shares her insights on effective financial management and offers valuable advice for business owners to prioritize action...

In this episode, Marlon interviews Evelyn Aucoin, a financial strategy and literacy expert, who shares her journey from a tumultuous childhood to becoming a successful business advocate. Evelyn discusses the importance of financial literacy for small business owners, emphasizing that understanding money math is crucial for making informed decisions. She highlights the role of a fractional CFO in g...

Join us for an insightful discussion with Marlon Griffith as we explore the world of entrepreneurship. Marlon shares valuable insights on resilience, innovation, and the power of purpose in business. Whether starting or seasoned in the field, this episode offers practical wisdom to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. Tune in for inspiration and actionable advice to elevate your business game.

In this engaging podcast episode titled "Conversation with a Corporate Leader," Marlon Griffith discusses with Nathaniel A. Davis his business triumphs, management insights, and impactful philanthropy. Gain valuable perspectives from a seasoned leader in this dynamic and inspiring episode.

Welcome to "Kicking Ass and Taking Names" podcast! Join host Marlon Griffith in the fourth episode, "A Conversation with a Fractional CEO," featuring the brilliant Janelle Sam. Gain insights into fractional leadership, strategic prowess, and navigating the business landscape. Get ready to be inspired and equipped for success in your professional journey. Tune in for a dynamic d...

In this episode of 'Kicking Ass and Taking Names', Marlon interviews Art Espy, a serial entrepreneur and Managing Director of Lighthouse Labs. They discuss the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of freedom, and the role of startup accelerators in fostering business growth. Art shares insights on the differences between lifestyle businesses and high-growth ventures, the significa...