I Am Ceo Podcast Powered By Cbnation.co & Blue 16 Media #iamceo

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares how he’s using ChatGPT to help him work through business ideas. He calls it his "CEO hack," noting that it serves as a virtual sounding board for brainstorming and coaching.    He discusses recalibrating his 12-week goals, realizing that some earlier targets weren’t as realistic or achievable as he thought.    Gresham also recognizes that while securing sales, building a strong lead-generation foundation is critical for long-term success. He mentions experimenting with both buying leads and focusing on generating his leads.   Gresham explains the difference between lead measures (actions you take daily that drive results) and lag measures (the delayed results, like sales, that come after).    He discusses the reality of a long sales cycle in the franchise industry, acknowledging that it can take several months (or even a quarter) to convert a lead into a sale.    In addition, Gresham highlights the importance of staying accountable to his goals and regularly ch

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless acknowledges that he has the advantage of an additional marketing company, but he recognizes that growth and success don’t come instantly and that there’s a lot of experimentation involved.   He notes that he hasn’t worked with franchise brokers, franchisees, or anything related to franchising before, which means it’s all new territory for him. Despite this, he’s excited about the opportunity, as it could open up a new avenue for leads and business growth.   Gresham believes that buying leads is always an option but wonders if it makes sense to pursue it immediately or if he should give other strategies a chance first.   Gresham reflects on the importance of understanding one’s comfort zone when making decisions, particularly when people are dissatisfied with their current jobs or situations and looking for new opportunities.   In addition, he considers that the number of people interested in buying franchises isn’t as large as those interested in digital marketing, b

Dean Stanzel is the founder of Top of Mind Gifts and Strategic 3D Cards. Dean’s business focuses on providing creative and memorable gifts, such as Cutco knives and pop-up cards.    Dean emphasizes his mission to create Top of Mind Awareness through carefully chosen gifts. He explains that having a client say they would refer you doesn’t automatically mean they will; it’s all about staying fresh in their minds.    He believes it’s important to understand your clients and employees, taking time to empathize with their needs and frustrations.   Dean highlights the importance of truly understanding and connecting with others, whether clients, employees, or colleagues.    Dean recommends the book "Giftology" by John Ruhlin, which teaches how to use gifts to build strong relationships and foster business growth.   In addition, Dean emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where people feel valued and appreciated, which drives them to put in extra effort and go the extra mile for the organization.   Web

Phil Lashley is a sought-after framework designer specializing in visual storytelling, with over 15 years of experience creating custom visuals and animations to simplify complex concepts.   His work has been featured by major brands like The Drew Barrymore Show, Adobe, Microsoft, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing.   His passion led him to study Visual Effects and Motion Graphics at the Art Institute, though he initially struggled to grasp how commercials were produced.   Phil’s approach is like a visual translator—he helps clients clarify their message and uses visuals to make it unforgettable.   Phil emphasizes the value of childlike imagination in staying creative. He believes that as adults, many people lose touch with their innocent creativity because of societal limitations.   In his work, Phil keeps his team small and virtual but ensures constant communication and support for those who work with him.   Phil also believes creative expression can be the shortcut to making ideas unforgettable and ach

Gwendolyn Jones shares her insights from the conference, discussing how it reaffirmed her belief in the power of pursuing dreams and visions given by God.    Gwendolyn talks about her health struggles in her 50s, including weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression—all linked to stress.   As she lost weight and regained her health, she realized the importance of addressing belly fat for overall wellness and, thus, began helping others with the same issue.   She provides guidance on how to set goals and manage expectations and shows measurable results in just six weeks, such as a reduction in waist sizes and improved energy levels.   Gwendolyn’s unique approach focuses specifically on belly fat, addressing its underlying causes, like fatigue, sleep issues, and joint pain.    She stresses the importance of establishing healthy habits early to prevent future health issues.    Website: Eliminate Belly Phat   LinkedIn: Dr. Gwendolyn Jones   Previous Episode: iam244-certified-health-and-wellness-coa

Dominique of Baked Beans Bakeries explains that her aunt started her cupcake business to raise money for her son, who has developmental challenges with his limbs. Over time, the company became a passion project for her aunt. She later expanded to a food truck, which she plans to set up this summer.   Dominique explains that she initially considered making her baking business a non-profit, but realized it would be complicated.   One cause she is passionate about is mental health, and she hopes to incorporate this into her business’s mission.   Dominique acknowledges that she’s still figuring out where she’s headed in life, but feels more confident now about where her interests and passions are taking her.   Dominique believes her maturity sets her apart from other preteens, as she wasn’t raised to be loud or overly open about everything in her life.    She emphasizes waiting for God’s calling and trusting that whatever path comes will be right, even if it’s something unexpected.   Instagram: bakedbeansbakery  

Gresham Harkless discusses the idea of disrupting business norms—challenging traditional methods and doing things differently, even when others may not always understand or approve.    Gresham points out that there’s no single approach to business and entrepreneurship, as each person’s perspective and method is valid, and everyone has their way of "upsetting the apple cart."   Gresham shares his journey, noting his experience as a business owner for 11 years and working in a sports franchise where he managed contractors.   Gresham is inspired to create a charitable aspect within his business, naming a project "Blue Star" after his family members who passed from cancer, and he wants to donate a portion of business proceeds to cancer research.   Furthermore, he encourages people to remain true to themselves and pursue their unique paths, saying that authenticity is key in life and business. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchis

Gresham discusses how sometimes in life and business, you have to break things apart to make something new and better. This idea of “breaking eggs to make an omelet” symbolizes how, to progress, you might need to disrupt or change things completely.   He mentions that he is in the process of rethinking and rebuilding his digital marketing business, CBNation, and Blue Star.   After running the digital marketing business for 11 years, he has realized that it’s not in the form he initially envisioned, and he still believes in the power of creating media brands and content that solve real-world problems.   Gresham points out that true entrepreneurship is all about solving problems. He’s working on refining their purpose and focus so they can offer more targeted solutions.   He emphasizes that entrepreneurship is a journey, not a quick fix, and that it takes time to build a successful business.   Gresham strives to simplify complicated concepts and make them easily available, ultimately assisting individuals in ov

Gresham Harkless discusses the importance of celebrating small wins and understanding the incremental steps towards achieving success.    He shares insights from his digital marketing work, where he tracks important metrics such as impressions, engagement clicks, form fills, meetings, proposals, and closed business to monitor progress.   Gresham emphasizes the value of recognizing these smaller steps even when the final goal has yet to be reached.    Gresham highlights the need to celebrate each step and understand that success is a collection of many small achievements. 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 level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3

Tremaine Wills is an MBA, financial services agency owner, certified financial education instructor, and financial planner. Her mission is to help individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations manage their finances better and escape financial stress.  She also aims to help one million people become accredited investors and grow their net worth to $1 million.   Tremaine has been featured in reputable outlets like Forbes and Business Insider and has experience working with organizations like NASA and Teach for America.   After studying business at Hampton University, Tremaine worked as a financial specialist at a Fortune 500 company, where she gained hands-on experience in the finance industry.   Tremaine offered financial coaching, focusing on budgeting, debt repayment, and fundamental money management skills. Over time, she expanded into financial planning and built her own Registered Investment Advisory Firm (RIA), where she could develop deeper, more meaningful connections with clients.   Tremaine views fi

Vernon Oakes hosts the leading weekly national radio program for the U.S. cooperative community and is a general partner in Everything Co-op Communications, LLC, a media company focused on cooperative business models.    Vernon shares his journey, starting with his upbringing in Bluefield, West Virginia, and his experience attending Bluefield State College.    He delved into real estate, property management, and eventually, co-op housing, specifically limited equity co-ops.   Vernon explains that co-ops are businesses owned and controlled by their members. A well-known example is worker co-ops, where employees have a say in business operations and profits.   Vernon emphasizes that co-ops allow workers to petition for better pay and benefits from the government.   He highlights the importance of involving underrepresented groups, like Black women, in decision-making and leadership roles, as they often don’t receive the recognition they deserve in capitalist systems.   Vernon discusses the importance of communi

Dee McCoy is an event planner who worked with Akia on the design, décor, and aesthetic elements of the conference to make the environment engaging and visually pleasing, especially since it was a gloomy day outside.    Dee’s reasons for attending the event were threefold: to pour back into her business, to reconnect with her own work after focusing on clients' needs, and to introduce her daughter, a young entrepreneur, to the business world with a Christ-centered foundation.   She learns that clients often struggle to understand hotel jargon, and her goal became to bridge that gap, ensuring both the hotel’s needs and the client’s vision were aligned for successful events.   Dee helps clients execute their vision while ensuring the event meets both aesthetic and logistical requirements, such as negotiating contracts and managing budget expectations.   Her business is defined by the idea that “the difference is in the details,” and she takes pride in offering valuable advice and insights, even if it means stepp

Crystale Spearman is the founder of Eye Imagery, a photography business primarily focused on headshots for entrepreneurs and business owners.   Crystale organizes a monthly event called “Smize and Socialize” for female entrepreneurs, business owners, and bloggers, where they can network and get free headshots.   Crystale discusses Eye Imagery, focusing on her work with headshots, primarily for entrepreneurs and business owners who need professional photos for business cards, websites, and social media.   She emphasizes the importance of professional headshots for entrepreneurs, which are different from selfies and require a more thoughtful approach to ensure they look polished and professional.   Crystale learns the value of narrowing her niche and building her brand around what she truly loves to do.   Website: EYEImagery  LinkedIn: Crystale Vail Spearman   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 Vol

Gresham Harkless shares the harsh truth about sales in entrepreneurship – not every conversation will lead to a sale. It's crucial to accept that not every potential client will become a customer, no matter how much effort is put into the process.   Gresham discusses how candidates sometimes get cold feet due to the perceived risks, even when they see the opportunity and believe in the business.   He reflects on how often sales that seem certain don’t close, while those that seem unlikely can unexpectedly succeed.   He also mentions that in franchise sales, it's common to speak with 100 to 150 leads, but only one will convert to a franchisee.    One key takeaway from Gresham’s experience is the importance of moving quickly towards a yes or no answer to avoid wasting time.   In addition, he recognizes that sales is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and sometimes, talking to many people before finding the right fit. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory

Gresham Harkless discusses how challenging it can be to stay motivated, even when doing something like working out. He compares this to the challenges faced in business, such as losing clients, broken systems, and missed deals.    He emphasizes the importance of not comparing oneself to others, which can lead to frustration and distraction.   Gresham shares a lesson from a coach who identified three types of people: starters, maintainers, and finishers.    Throughout the journey, Gresham mentions how doing the hard, consistent tasks, even when they’re uncomfortable, ultimately pays off and builds the foundation for future success.    Furthermore, he encourages others to stay true to their race and focus on the daily steps that lead to long-term growth and opportunity.   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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless mentions how impatience can be both a superpower and a downfall for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs often want success quickly, but sometimes they give up or pivot too soon before seeing the long-term results.   Gresham notes that consistency is significant in business success, particularly in franchising. He refers to people with backgrounds in the military or government often succeeding in franchising due to their ability to execute tasks consistently.    Moreover, Gresham discusses how his journey involves learning about himself, focusing on his strengths, and aligning his actions with his true capabilities. He’s careful not to spread himself too thin but to stay focused on what works for him.   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://franc

Dan Craddock is a serial entrepreneur, running Sure Shot Screen Printing, launching a brewery called The Barking Barley, and having a creative agency, Metro Nova Creative.   Dan has been in the design and branding world for over 20 years. He’s passionate about making branding accessible to small business owners to help them succeed, believing that their success directly impacts community growth.   Dan shares his approach to educating clients about the branding process. He points out that while clients may be tempted to opt for cheap or AI-generated logos, those options lack the strategic insight necessary for long-term business growth.   He explains that a logo is more than just a visual mark – it's a tool to create an emotional connection with customers and to ensure that a business stands out in a competitive market.   Despite managing multiple businesses, he ensures to maintain a healthy work-life balance, spending time with his family and focusing on self-care, like going to the gym and spending quality t

Chloe Markham is an award-winning wellness coach, yoga teacher, and joyful living coach. She is the founder of The Yoga Revolution and Joy Unplugged, programs designed to promote mindfulness, movement, and mindset to help people experience happiness every day.    Chloe launched a Substack six months ago, where she writes about wellness, joy, and mindfulness, and she encourages others to join her there as it serves as an antidote to social media.   She describes herself as a "modern-day classical philosopher," helping clients use yoga and other tools to elevate their daily lives and experience more joy.   Chloe believes that the key to success in her business is maintaining a clear perspective on the "why" behind what she does.   She advocates for a flexible approach to morning routines—allowing for brevity when needed and letting go of guilt if the routine isn’t followed.   Furthermore, Chloe stresses the importance of learning to slow down, tune into one's body, and create the space to self-regulate, as this

Ashley Mason founded Dash of Social, a digital marketing consultancy specializing in social media management, SEO, paid ads, and public relations. She focuses on service-based businesses. Outside of work, she enjoys running and reading.   Ashley explains how Trello has been a game-changer in her business. Initially a pen-and-paper person, she switched to digital tools for project management and loves the visual, creative aspect of Trello.   Ashley emphasizes the importance of networking, particularly through a local Facebook group for women entrepreneurs. Consistently participating in this group, sharing her story, and offering free marketing advice have helped her build relationships and attract clients.   Additionally, she recommends starting small with marketing efforts, focusing on one or two platforms at a time instead of trying to do everything at once.   Website: Dash of Social  LinkedIn: Ashley (Mason) DiBiase  Facebook: Dash of Social  Instagram: dashofsocial   Previous Episode: iam236-marketing-cons

Kisha A. Brown is a passionate civil rights attorney and the founder/CEO of Justis Connection, an online platform designed to connect lawyers of color with communities needing legal resources.    She has extensive experience across the federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sectors and focuses on civil rights, police reform, and empowerment.   Kisha realizes that people often ask for legal referrals, but the process is inefficient, requiring multiple steps and often not connecting people of color with lawyers of color.    Kisha emphasizes that many people, especially from marginalized communities, lack access to legal professionals and knowledge about their rights.   Justis Connection helps people find the right lawyer for their specific legal needs, considering factors like language needs, budget, and proximity to public transportation.   Kisha connects her work to the legacies of influential Black leaders like Thurgood Marshall, believing that lawyers of color are responsible for serving their commun