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Gresham Harkless shares that he wasn't always a runner and didn't enjoy it initially, but he started running after the tragic loss of a friend's daughter to cancer. This motivated him to participate in his first long-distance run for the Lynn Marie Foundation.   Gresham emphasizes the importance of "running your own race," focusing on personal growth rather than comparing yourself to others. He found peace in this mindset, recognizing that progress comes with consistent practice.   Running became a way for Gresham to clear his mind, gain clarity, and avoid emotional, reactionary decisions in moments of uncertainty - it became a time for personal reflection.   Gresham recalls how early in his business journey, he didn't prioritize physical fitness and later recognized its importance for overall wellness.   Furthermore, Gresham point out how the discipline and self-awareness fostered through running have enriched his approach to both life and business. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse

Gresham Harkless reflects on the challenges and transitions he's facing in his entrepreneurial journey, particularly as a franchise broker. He mentions the potential loss of a client, which could impact his team and business.   Gresham discusses the unpredictable nature of business and life, likening it to a plate of spaghetti, where things often change unexpectedly.   He acknowledges the difficulty of losing clients, especially when the client had previously expressed optimism for the future. While unsure of the reasons behind the client's decision (possibly related to health or legal matters), Gresham recognizes that such challenges are part of entrepreneurship.   Gresham emphasizes the importance of staying adaptable and being open to new opportunities, even when things don’t go as planned.   Gresham also shares his new initiative, "connection broker," a project aimed at connecting people with their ideal franchise opportunities.    He mentions that despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful and is exploring

Gresham Harkless shares that he takes Wednesdays as a rest day, which he feels is crucial for recharging. He compares his need for rest to Jesus taking time off from his miracles, emphasizing the importance of rest in any journey.   Gresham reflects on his sales experience, explaining that rejection and indirect communication are part of the process.   Gresham reminds the importance of having a supportive environment and a positive network to stay motivated.   He emphasizes the need to stay positive, focus on the next opportunities, and let go of setbacks, using the metaphor of swinging from one monkey bar to another.   Gresham mentions that connecting with others in his class, bi-weekly, will be beneficial for mutual support and tracking progress. 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) - 

Volodymyr (Vlad) Panchenko is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry and artificial intelligence.    He's the founder and CEO of Portal.ai, an AI-driven platform designed to act as a COO and CMO for businesses, transforming how companies approach marketing and operations.   Vlad founded DMarket, a platform for trading in-game items, which was acquired by Mythical Games in 2023.    Vlad highlights the significance of managing mental health and building a solid, supportive partnership.   He discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with smart, supportive people and investing in good partnerships.   Website: Portal AI  LinkedIn: Volodymyr (Vlad) Panchenko   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 the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear

Darrick Horton is the founder and CEO of TensorWave, a leading AI compute and cloud solutions company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has a strong background in technology and has led successful startups focusing on data centers, cloud infrastructure, and semiconductor tech.   Darrick shares his early career at Lockheed Martin, where he worked on nuclear fusion technologies, but found the corporate structure limiting.   Darrick emphasizes the importance of understanding the balance between business, technology, and human elements in running a startup.   He also discusses the significance of clear vision-setting and overcoming obstacles as key to a CEO's role.   Darrick highlights the importance of constant learning, reading books by influential leaders like Ben Horowitz and Kim Scott, and recognizing the mindset required to succeed.    Website: TensorWave   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 Volum

John Lee Dumas, the founder and host of EO Fire (Entrepreneurs On Fire), an award-winning podcast with over 1,400 episodes and seven figures in annual revenue.   John explains how EO Fire has grown over the years, with 2,000 episodes and over 75 million listens to date.   He discusses the importance of providing value to the world, knowing that success will follow.   John emphasizes time blocking and how he uses Parkinson's Law to ensure focused and efficient work.   Additionally, John  values the ability to choose what he does daily, which contrasts with his previous experiences in the military and corporate world, where he had to follow orders.   Website: Entrepreneurs on Fire LinkedIn: John Lee Dumas    Previous Episode: iam233-host-of-eofire-shows-the-world-the-power-of-podcasting   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/iamce

Patti Stewart is a proud mom, owner, and chief instructor at Defense in Heels, a program dedicated to keeping women and children safe.   Patti is a former model, and an internationally certified self-defense instructor, passionate about educating others, especially women and kids, on self-defense. Her mission is to change crime statistics by empowering individuals to protect themselves.   Patti shares her journey of starting Defense in Heels and her passion for weapons and martial arts. She also offers specialized classes, including realtor safety courses and bodyguard training.   Patti emphasizes that self-defense training is crucial because, in stressful situations, muscle memory often takes over when the brain may freeze.    Patti believes passion drives business owners, helping them push through tough times.   She uses software for appointment reminders, thank-you notes, and follow-up systems, allowing her to focus on what she does best—training and teaching self-defense.   In addition, Patti recommends r

Gresham Harkless shares his journey as a franchise broker, focusing on time management, entrepreneurship, and starting a business.    He emphasizes that many people delay taking action because they feel they need to have everything perfect and all their time available.    Gresham highlights the importance of focusing on the key activities that produce the most significant results rather than trying to do everything.   Gresham also discusses Parkinson's Law, which suggests that work expands to fill the time allocated for it.  He uses an example from his friend Dave, who transitioned out of his full-time job using "power hours"—intentional, focused time to make progress toward his business goals.    Gresham recommends that even dedicating a small amount of focused time, like an hour or 10–20 minutes, can significantly move things forward.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares how he was reminded that when people pray or manifest things, the answers may not come in the way they expect.    Gresham emphasizes the importance of being open to God's answers, even if they don’t align with one's expectations or desired methods.   He discusses his entrepreneurial journey, particularly in the franchise world, and how he’s learning to focus on the “why” of his goals rather than the “how.”   Moreover, Gresham is excited about the progress he’s made and remains committed to continuing his journey, without giving up.   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 Handbo

Gresham Harkless reflects on his journey as he approaches the 30-day mark of his current business phase, feeling like time has moved quickly.   Gresham shares that he feels a bit "in-between," trying to transition but unsure whether he can meet his goal by the end of the year, as he initially intended.   He mentions a podcast he hosted about being an AI-first company, discussing how AI can help humans focus on more meaningful tasks rather than replace them.   Gresham emphasizes the importance of moving forward despite uncertainty, as it will ultimately benefit him in the long run.   Despite feeling overwhelmed, he acknowledges the need to recalibrate, reassess his priorities, and keep progressing. 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

Renita Wolf is the founder of Poe Wolf Partners, a consulting firm focused on helping mid-market businesses with growth and operational improvements.    Renita specializes in business exit planning, focusing on presale preparation to ensure companies are well-prepared before approaching potential buyers or investors.    Renita emphasizes the importance of advance preparation—giving clients time to shore up any weaknesses and get their businesses ready for sale.   Her unique approach lies in simplifying complex business processes and breaking down information into understandable terms for her clients.   Renita advocates entrepreneurs to build a sustainable business with positive cash flow, and to create value and significance in their work.   Website: Poe Wolf Partners  LinkedIn: Renita Wolf, MBA   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://cbnati

James Hatfield is the Chief Revenue Officer at Liveswitch and with extensive leadership experience in companies like IQVIA and Sageworks. Liveswitch uses instant video to drive less, give more estimates, assess issues remotely, pre-qualify leads better, and document your work. With a simple click and no apps, LiveSwitch Contact is the fastest and easiest way to connect with customers and team members to make more money and save time. James co-founded a company that turned financial statements into plain language for small business owners, leading it to become an Inc. 500 company and eventually sold it to KKR. He emphasizes the importance of "grit" and resilience in business, especially in the face of rejection or adversity and advocates for collecting feedback and using it to improve your business, which he refers to as "delighting the customer." James recommends forming a personal board that includes people from different industries and backgrounds.   Website: LiveSwitch LinkedIn: James Hatfield   Check out

Krish Ramineni is the co-founder and CEO of Fireflies.ai, an AI startup in San Francisco that specializes in conversational analytics, including recording, transcribing, and analyzing sales and support calls.   Prior to Fireflies, Krish was one of the youngest product managers at Microsoft, where he worked on customer experience and analytics.   At Microsoft, Krish interacted with experts in NLP and data science, which sparked his interest in conversation tracking and voice analytics.   Krish uses Slack extensively to stay connected with his global team, having mini-conversations to stay informed without micromanaging.   He also uses Zapier to automate repetitive tasks, integrating tools into Slack for seamless communication and action.   Krish emphasizes the importance of visibility and transparency across departments to prevent silos and ensure teams are working collaboratively toward shared goals.   Website: Fireflies.ai  LinkedIn: Krish Ramineni   Previous Episode: iam229-ceo-focus-on-conversational-analy

Nicole Nelson is a certified holistic health coach, wellness influencer, and entrepreneur, who transitioned from a corporate job as an engineer at General Mills to pursue her passion for health and wellness.   Nicole launched her health coaching business, Living Well with Nick, in 2016, and has since helped others lead healthier, more authentic lives.   She earned her health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and started her business on the side.   Nicole describes her transition as life-changing and is grateful for the difficult experiences that pushed her to follow her true passion.   Her approach revolves around digestion and overall wellness, addressing clients’ personal lives and stressors that may affect their health.    Nicole attributes her business success to a focus on service, emphasizing the importance of listening to client's needs and creating a supportive environment.    Website: Living Well With Nic  LinkedIn: Nicole Nelson  Instagram: livingwellwithnic  

Gresham Harkless shares his reflections on his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that success is rarely a straight line.   He compares success to a plate of spaghetti—messy, complex, and filled with unexpected twists and turns.    Gresham acknowledges that many people mistakenly believe success is a flawless path without setbacks.   Gresham explains that persistence and resilience are key to overcoming setbacks, and while not everything will go perfectly, those who keep going are the ones who ultimately succeed. 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 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnati

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless believes in the importance of energy in life and business.   He recently had a conversation with a coach about transformation, where they discussed the concept of letting go of things that no longer serve you.   Gresham emphasizes listening to one's body and intuition and mentions how physical sensations, like anxiety, can be signals to explore deeper issues.    Gresham discusses the importance of staying in tune with their spirituality, reading God's word, and maintaining a relationship with Him to make informed transitions.   Furthermore, he refers to the essential of being open to change, especially self-initiated change.       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 ne

Gresham Harkless reflects on his entrepreneurial journey and emphasizes the importance of experimentation in business.   Gresham shares his experience, experimenting with different strategies and approaches is key to discovering what works, what you enjoy, and what aligns with your goals.   He emphasizes the value of data in understanding what's working—such as tracking impressions, clicks, conversions, or other key performance indicators (KPIs).   Gresham highlights the need for consistent experimentation, referencing how successful companies like Google encourage innovation through dedicated "experimental time."    In addition, he advocates entrepreneurs to create space for experimentation in their routines, analyze the results, and adjust accordingly. 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 so

James Jackson Leach is an entrepreneur from Austin, Texas, known for his work in business development, blockchain technology, and film production.   In 2014, James built his first bitcoin mining rig and has continued to support emerging blockchain platforms.   James is the inventor of two US technology patents, a mobile algorithm allowing content creators the ability to copyright intellectual property from their mobile devices straight to the Library of Congress.   James developed Crowdstake as a crowdfunding platform for film projects, where users could delegate their staking rewards from cryptocurrencies like Ethereum to fund films.   James emphasizes the importance of trial and error in entrepreneurship, reflecting that failures are opportunities to learn and grow.   He encourages entrepreneurs to recognize their progress by documenting accomplishments and being kind to themselves.   James advises focusing on where to allocate time and energy, especially when scaling a business.   Furthermore, James reflec

Donovan Ryckis is the award-winning, founder, and CEO of Ethos Benefits, a firm dedicated to advancing fiduciary-driven health insurance strategies for employers nationwide.    Donovan is known for pioneering strategies to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in employer healthcare plans, leading to significant savings for both employers and employees.   Donovan co-produces the Business of Benefits Podcast and has created a documentary called It's Not Personal, It's Just Healthcare.   Donovan emphasizes that employers, as leveraged buyers, have the power to negotiate healthcare plans.   He highlights the importance of transparency in their business model, where they openly disclose their compensation, ensuring alignment of interests with their clients.   Donovan underscores the importance of investing in education and health, citing these two areas as the ones he is willing to spend unlimited amounts on.    He advocates business owners not to be afraid of investing in programs or professionals, even if they don'

Carmen Wilde is a top-rated, Business Breakthrough and Behavioral Specialist who helps entrepreneurs make the switch from sporadic growth to wild success.   Carmen highlights the importance of seeing others succeed as a motivator, as it can show that anyone can achieve similar outcomes with persistence.   She provides quick answers for pressing business challenges, offering an on-demand service for entrepreneurs, especially those who need support late at night.   Carmen uses simple but powerful tools to solve complex business problems, boosting confidence in her clients.   Carmen's extensive experience as a successful corporate executive and entrepreneur in multiple countries allows her to empathize with clients.   Carmen shares her "live more to profit more" philosophy, emphasizing the importance of taking time away from work to refresh and recharge.   Website: Wilde Success  LinkedIn: Carmen Wilde   Previous Episode: iam226-business-breakthrough-behavioral-specialist-helps-entrepreneurs-switch-to-wilde-succ