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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless Jr. frames the show as a resource for anyone building a business, emphasizing the value of sharing real‑time experiences and encouraging listeners to subscribe for more content. He then recounts his personal experience with layoffs, beginning with his first layoff in his early twenties, describes the fear, disappointment, and feeling of being misled that came with a reduction in force, noting how the instability of early jobs forced him to confront the reality that no one—​not even CEOs—​is immune to job loss. This turning point sparked a mindset shift: rather than waiting for another opportunity, he decided to “burn the boats” and pursue entrepreneurship, recognizing that the stakes would feel far higher later in life when family responsibilities increase. Seeing franchising as a hybrid path that blends entrepreneurial ownership with a proven business model, Gresham explains why he gravitated toward this avenue. He is compiling resources, such as a “layoff survival l