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In this special episode, Gresham Harkless emphasizes the importance of embracing the full journey, specifically the difficult and uncomfortable parts that often signal real growth.    He acknowledges that while many people begin a new venture hoping for quick success, true development often doesn't start until the challenges arise — what he refers to as the "failure reps," moments where things get hard and self-doubt creeps in.    Gresham recommends that these painful, questioning moments shouldn’t be seen as signs of failure or misdirection, but rather as powerful indicators that you're on the right path and being stretched toward growth.   Moreover, Gresham frames struggle not as something to avoid but as a key part of the process, where resilience is built, purpose is tested, and deeper breakthroughs are unlocked. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfra

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the symbolism of the number 212 — the temperature at which water boils, to illustrate a key truth about progress and transformation.    He emphasizes that transformation doesn’t occur because of a single moment, but rather due to the consistent build-up of actions and discipline leading up to it, much like how water only begins to boil after being gradually heated.   Gresham expresses a mix of frustration and clarity, acknowledging that while progress can feel slow or invisible at times, it's often right before a breakthrough that challenges intensify.    In addition, he discusses the value of maintaining consistent, purposeful actions, confident that these ongoing efforts will eventually produce tangible, meaningful results — the moment when things truly start to shift. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://blue

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is re-evaluating his direction after realizing that his current goals, including his 12-week plan, may not align with what truly needs his attention.    He feels that he has a large network of relationships and leads that he hasn’t fully leveraged and now sees the importance of focusing on cultivating those existing connections.    Gresham points out that operationally, things have improved with a stronger team and better systems in place, which allows him to focus more deeply on core growth efforts.   He also reflects on the disappointment of the Blue Star franchise not scaling as planned, but he sees this year as foundational—an opportunity to simplify, experiment, and rebuild.    Gresham is transitioning into a phase of clarity and intention, centered around rebuilding through focused growth, meaningful connections, and a streamlined approach to strategy.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise

Anush Newman is the CEO and co-founder of JMAN Group, a leading data consultancy that specializes in empowering private equity firms and their portfolio companies with data-driven insights and solutions.   Founded in 2010, JMAN Group now serves over 88 private equity funds and 152 portfolio companies across 38 countries, with a team of more than 300 consultants.   Anush emphasizes the firm's unique ability to integrate disparate data sources into unified, actionable systems, setting a strong foundation for advanced analytics and AI tools.    He shares that success comes not just from strategic decisions but also from being financially aware, clear on what sets your business apart, and emotionally anchored through family and balance.   Website: JMAN Group  LinkedIn: Anush Newman   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get

Hadeel Ghaida is a dynamic entrepreneur, podcast host, and co-owner of Spotlight Revenue, a marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses grow through results-driven lead generation.    Hadeel is the host of The Warriorz Podcast, a show inspired by her training in Krav Maga, which has shaped her understanding of what it means to be a true warrior—resilient, courageous, and driven by purpose.    Hadeel discusses deep self-awareness and constant self-reflection, which she cultivates through journaling, gratitude practices, and poetry inspired by artists like Tupac.    She recommends that entrepreneurs take their time, follow their instincts, and build a business around what truly matters to them, not what’s trending.   Website: Spotlight Revenue  LinkedIn: Hadeel Ghaida   Previous Episode: iam335-podcaster-and-co-owner-helps-businesses-grow-their-customer-base-and-increase-sales   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE

For 20 years, Matt was an executive in the radio industry before becoming an investor and the founding CEO of the School of Rock.   In five years, Matt grew the franchise from five locations to 55 schools, the largest of music schools in the world.   In 2012, he opened the first One River School of Art and Design in Englewood, New Jersey, and he franchised the concept in 2017, with 12 locations, with up to five more expected to open this year.   Matt believes that creativity is essential—not just for artists, but as a foundation for problem-solving, innovation, and emotional well-being.    He focuses on empowering and mentoring his team, prioritizing personal development and strong culture over rigid efficiency.    Over time, Matt has come to deeply value self-awareness and patience. He now shares these lessons with others and recommends using tools like Clifton Strengths and Born to Build to uncover personal strengths and build more cohesive, capable teams.   Website: One River School  LinkedIn: Matt Ross  I

Gresham Harkless shares a powerful personal experience about sleep training his son, using it as a metaphor for change, growth, and the value of small adjustments.    He discusses trying a new method where the baby is placed down drowsy and picked up when crying, then laid back down once soothed—ultimately teaching the baby to self-soothe.   Gresham realizes that success came not from a massive change but from a subtle shift in approach, and connects this experience to broader life and business insights, especially for people considering entrepreneurship or franchising.    Gresham emphasizes that meaningful change doesn’t always require a complete overhaul; often, we’re closer to success than we think and may already be doing parts of what’s needed without realizing it.    In addition, he advocates for others to reflect on what they can control and change in their own lives, reinforcing the idea that lasting change often starts with us.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franch

In this special episode, Gresham emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the human side of business, especially in roles like consulting or coaching, where the focus can often become overly process-driven.    He shares personal context about managing the demands of work, life, and fatherhood, and uses this as a lens to empathize with the emotional and mental challenges that candidates may also be facing.    Gresham recounts a recent experience with a highly engaged candidate who became unresponsive, only to later reveal he was dealing with significant personal issues.    He also reflects on the broader increase in emotional and mental stress he senses in people today and encourages fellow consultants to create safe, empathetic spaces for their clients.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the transformative impact of a recent float therapy session, describing it as a powerful and possibly spiritual experience that helped him release internal pressure and emotional weight.   Gresham notices a lingering sense of lightness and freedom from the constant need to have all the answers or carry every responsibility—a feeling he’s now motivated to integrate into his daily life.    He recognizes the compounded difficulty of building a business while managing personal responsibilities and emotional burdens, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is never isolated from the rest of life.    Gresham aims to carry that sense of ease and release into both his personal life and his approach to starting a new business, with a desire to operate from a place of presence rather than pressure.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to

Gresham Harkless reflects on a pivotal transition toward simplifying and refocusing his strategy.    He acknowledges the need to scale back temporarily on Google Ads, recognizing that without a clearly defined and responsive client avatar, those efforts serve as inefficient amplifiers.   Gresham shifts his attention toward organic and relationship-driven methods, particularly leveraging the podcast and blog as tools for discovery, outreach, and opportunity generation.    Gresham emphasizes the importance of identifying a real, urgent pain point, such as layoffs or workforce reductions, that can prompt quicker decisions from potential clients seeking career reinvention through franchising.    He plans to reengage with past podcast guests and consolidate client information using tools like Pipedrive, aiming to create a more organized and effective system for tracking and nurturing relationships.    Moreover, his focus is on letting go of tactics that aren’t producing meaningful results and doubling down on the

Stephanie Postell is the dynamic CEO and co-owner of Anchor Heating and Air, one of Charleston’s fastest-growing and most respected residential HVAC companies.    With a background that spans education, entrepreneurship, and personal training, Stephanie brings a unique, people-centered approach to business leadership in the trades.    A two-time She Shines Award winner and founder of the She Means Business Conference, Stephanie is a passionate advocate for women in male-dominated industries and a sought-after speaker on topics like business growth, branding, and leadership.   Stephanie emphasizes that by investing in top-tier tools, benefits, and support for her team, she's eliminated excuses and reduced anxiety, allowing her staff to show up confidently for customers in crisis.    She also highlights the importance of surrounding herself with people who push her to grow, leading with authenticity, and staying grounded in service to both her employees and her community.    LinkedIn: Stephanie Postell   Chec

Jinal Sampat is a visionary jewelry designer and the founder of Sampat Jewellers, a brand known for its elegant fusion of tradition and modernity.    With a background in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, Jinal brings a unique design sensibility to her craft, reimagining traditional Indian Mangalsutras into contemporary, wearable wedding chains for today’s modern woman.   Jinal discusses how a blog post showcasing conceptual designs unexpectedly brought in organic leads, validating her niche and sparking the business’s direction.    She emphasizes the importance of staying focused, following the 80/20 rule for productivity, and working on the business rather than getting lost in it.    Jinal offers candid advice about entrepreneurship, including not relying on friends and family for support, embracing storytelling in product design, and building a brand grounded in authenticity rather than imitation.    Website: Sampati  LinkedIn: Jinal Sampat  Instagram: sampatjewellers   Check out our C

Michelle Pellizzon is a former professional dancer turned tech entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Holisticism, a wellness tech company dedicated to making holistic and alternative health care more accessible, inclusive, and empowering.    Drawing from her diverse experience in the arts, technology, and holistic health, Michelle launched Holisticism as a modest passion project, one that rapidly grew into a vibrant digital community of more than 45,000 members.   Michelle believes the heart of Holisticism’s success lies in its community-first approach, built on truly listening and empowering people to take control of their healing journeys.   She highlights the importance of meditation for mental clarity and burnout prevention, and encourages CEOs to focus on making the next best decision rather than chasing perfection.    Website: Holisticism   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless showed appreciation for his development so far, even if results haven’t matched his initial goals, recognizing that unpredictable market conditions and widespread hesitation have added complexity to the path.   A recent coaching session prompted him to recalibrate his target client profile and shift focus toward building referral relationships, particularly through rejoining a BNI networking group and leveraging his podcast as a platform to connect with potential partners.   He recognizes the importance of using digital marketing not just for direct leads but as a tool to foster strategic connections and enhance credibility.    Gresham admits he wasn’t in the right place to begin his journey this way—balancing fatherhood and a steep learning curve—but he’s now more equipped to move forward with clarity and a focus on building meaningful relationships.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the importance of maintaining momentum and acting with speed in business.   Gresham shares insights from a recent call with a potential client tied to a traditional franchise brand, which highlighted major gaps in digital marketing and innovation, areas where many franchisors still fall short.   This experience emphasizes a clear gap in the market and reaffirms Gresham’s belief that there's a real opportunity to support and add value in this space.   Gresham recognizes that staying active, testing ideas with low risk, and leveraging networking groups are essential steps forward.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to l

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is thoughtfully considering how to join a networking group like BNI in a way that aligns with both his business goals and personal responsibilities. He’s confident that joining is the right move; it’s not a question of if, but how.   He’s aware of the standard 90-minute weekly meetings and the risk of overcommitting, and plans to stay engaged without getting pulled too deep into group roles.   Gresham plans to be intentional, focusing on meaningful one-on-one meetings, continuing his professional development, and using the connections he builds to create valuable content such as podcasts.   Additionally, he intends to stay engaged, form genuine connections, and ensure each interaction adds value, all while staying aligned with his bigger-picture goals. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment

Gresham Harkless reflects on the challenges of a long and uncertain sales process, particularly in selling a business opportunity that lacks the clear, proven system of a traditional franchise.   He acknowledges the difficulty in balancing patience with the need for continuous improvement and occasional pivots, while also recognizing the value of sticking to what works.   Despite not having closed deals yet, Gresham celebrates small wins, such as successfully handing off prospects to his Zor and providing ongoing coaching.   Gresham plans to reinvigorate his approach starting on day 201 by joining a BNI networking chapter and focusing more on content creation, especially leveraging his podcast, to build momentum. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co Check ou

Bruce Clay is widely known as the “Father of SEO” and a pioneer in the digital marketing space since 1996.    He went on to build Bruce Clay Inc., a leading company that helps businesses get found online through SEO, paid ads, content, and social media.    Bruce is the author of the popular book Search Engine Optimization All-in-One for Dummies and has trained thousands of people through his website SEOtraining.com.   He discusses how AI is reshaping SEO, likening it to a new “Wild West,” and the importance of adapting to modern SERP (Search Engine Results Page) features beyond traditional rankings.   Bruce introduces his methodology using 12 personas to map user intent and strategically place intelligent, question-based calls to action (QCTAs) that convert.    He highlights how SEO, PPC, content, and AI must now work in tandem under a unified brand strategy.    Additionally, Bruce emphasized that brand visibility and sentiment are becoming critical ranking factors in AI-driven search.   Website: BruceClay  L

David Cancel is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and technology leader best known as the founder and Executive Chairman of Drift, the leading platform for conversational marketing and sales.    With a career spanning five successful startups, including Performable, Compete, and Ghostery, David has built a reputation for creating high-growth products and scaling world-class teams.    David shares how his upbringing in an entrepreneurial household influenced his career and how Drift was born out of a desire to modernize outdated sales and marketing tools that no longer fit today’s buyer-centric landscape.   He explains that traditional lead capture methods, like forms and email nurture sequences, are obsolete in a world where customers expect real-time, 24/7 access to solutions.    David emphasizes that true innovation isn't just about software — it requires a complete cultural and data model shift, similar to how the social graph disrupted CRMs.    David advocates for embracing mentorship and collective knowle

Alice Turpin-Johnson is a relationship coach and educator who helps individuals and couples create emotionally fulfilling, stable relationships without losing their sense of self.    Alice shares her journey from being a high school teacher to launching her coaching practice, driven by her passion for emotional literacy, resilience, and empowering others to take creative control of their relationships.    Alice emphasizes a personalized, human-centered approach, coaching clients to access their clarity, desires, and communication tools to build lasting love.    She discusses how much having a solid support system matters in business and life, and reminds us that it’s totally normal if some people don’t get what you’re doing — they’re just not your people.   Alice advocates for others to believe that meaningful love is always within reach, and it starts with owning your feelings and taking charge of your relational choices.   Website: Alice TJ Coaching and Education  LinkedIn: Alice Turpin-Johnson   Previous E