Ceo Podcasts: Ceo Chat Podcast + I Am Ceo Podcast Powered By Blue 16 Media & Cbnation.co

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless acknowledges that his last 12-week year fell short of expectations, largely due to a lack of focus and consistency, despite putting in considerable time and effort.    Looking ahead, he plans to make sales his top priority—specifically aiming for 12 total sales: four CEO clients, two Franchise Sales, and six CEO Hacks.   He recognizes the strength of his brand and how clients are increasingly informed and influenced, which makes his existing reputation a key asset.    Gresham expresses renewed motivation and clarity, emphasizing that consistent sales are the game-changer that will allow him to scale, build his team, and create sustainable 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 out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsle

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares a powerful insight into the importance of pacing and sustainability in both physical fitness and his journey as a franchise broker.   After going for a jog on Father’s Day, he recognizes that while he could have pushed himself to go farther, stopping at 2.5 miles was the smarter, more sustainable choice.    He reflects on how, at the beginning, he tried to go all in—chasing quick wins and putting in intense effort, but that approach left him teetering on burnout.    Now, he's learning to value the small, consistent steps—the equivalent of simply lacing up his shoes, as the true markers of progress.    Additionally, Gresham emphasizes that respecting the journey, knowing his limits, and investing in long-term momentum is what will allow him to thrive over the next 5, 10, or more years, just as he has done in his digital marketing career.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise

Michael Erath is a battle-tested entrepreneur who built a $45 million global manufacturing company, lost it all in the 2008–2009 crash, and came back stronger.    He's an Inc. 5000 CEO and the founder of Next Level Growth, where he helps entrepreneurs eliminate chaos, scale smarter, and build organizations that run with precision.    He reflects on how his experience shaped his leadership philosophy and led him to create a coaching firm focused on helping CEOs eliminate chaos, scale strategically, and build elite organizations.    Michael discusses the core ideas behind his book, Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations, which breaks down the essential principles behind building a business that runs smoothly and sustainably without burnout.   Additionally, he advocates for building operating systems grounded in foundational principles rather than standardized models, and highlights the importance of validating talent, aligning on purpose, and driving organizational clarity.   Website: Next Level Growth  LinkedI

Fred Diamond is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Excellence in Sales. The Institute helps sales leaders around the globe acquire, motivate, retain, and elevate top-tier sales talent.   He shares his journey from corporate marketing roles at Apple and Compaq to launching IES as a lead-generation effort that evolved into a full-scale organization serving global sales leaders.    Fred highlights how the Institute supports sales professionals through membership programs, leadership development events, and its award-winning Sales Game Changers Podcast.    Fred explains the critical role of sales in business success and notes that even the best product won’t survive without effective selling.   Fred also shares his productivity system, inspired by Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning, which includes daily early rising, exercise, journaling, and goal visualization.   He emphasizes the importance of delegating tasks that others can do better, so leaders can focus on vision, growth, and team-building.    W

Sacha Cohen is the founder of Grassfed Media, a strategic communications agency focused on supporting conscious companies and mission-driven organizations.    With a career spanning journalism, branding, PR, and digital strategy, Sacha brings a holistic and values-driven approach to helping clients amplify their message and connect with the right audiences.   Her agency has worked with high-profile clients such as National Geographic, the American Kidney Fund, the Partnership for a Healthier America, and Equinox Restaurant.   She emphasizes the importance of storytelling, especially for smaller businesses without in-house marketing teams, and credits her unique perspective.   Sacha also highlights the value of a strong morning routine and mind-body-spirit practices in fueling her work.   She encourages others to focus on their own path, avoid comparing themselves to others, and lead with kindness—a key yet underrated quality in strong leadership.   Website: Grassfed Media  LinkedIn: Sacha Cohen  Instagram: @s

In this special episode, Gresham’s reflection reveals a deep personal understanding of his franchise broker journey as a long-term process, much like training for a marathon.    Gresham shares how trying to push himself too hard — whether running close to four miles or in his business — led to physical and emotional burnout, reminding him that pacing and patience are essential.   He acknowledges the importance of continuing to build skills and relationships without feeling pressured to force results.    He’s mindful about spending on marketing and wants to generate genuine opportunities rather than just quick fixes.   Additionally, Gresham plans to join a networking group to cultivate connections and maintain momentum over time. 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.

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless opens up with a sense of grounded clarity and renewed focus as he begins a new 12-week cycle—his fourth so far.    He emphasizes a strong commitment to sales and digital marketing as key priorities, particularly exploring ad campaigns to drive traffic to his newsletter.    At the same time, he’s leaving space for creative opportunities, like expanding his CEO Hacks project, which he hopes could become a meaningful income stream.    Gresham shares a personal motivation—maintaining ownership of his condo—which symbolizes the broader financial freedom he’s aiming to achieve through consistent, focused execution. 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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares an update about the internal push and pull of staying committed to his path. He recently spoke with a coach who encouraged him to invest in software and buy leads—something he’s been intentionally avoiding since day one.   While he understands why many others go that route, he questions its effectiveness, especially since widespread adoption hasn’t necessarily led to widespread success.    Gresham explains that he’d rather build something more sustainable and aligned with his strengths, even if it’s harder and takes longer.   Gresham emphasizes his desire to build his business organically, leveraging his digital marketing expertise and exploring platforms like Google Ads and Facebook, though with mixed results so far.   Juggling multiple ventures — including digital marketing, affiliate revenue from CEO Hacks, and the franchise business, Gresham reflects on where to focus his energy without losing the original vision.   Moreover, he’s taking a step back to reme

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is having a powerful realization—he’s not just building a business, he’s stepping into his true calling.   After connecting with another nearby broker, he sees clearly how fast the Franchise Brokers Association is evolving, moving toward a model that elevates content creators and influencer-type leaders.   Gresham is embracing his role as a connector, the person who brings the right people together and tells the stories that matter.    He’s exploring the co-brokering model to create more opportunities through collaboration rather than competition, and he envisions building a platform where his strength in content and connections can shine.    By integrating this approach into his “CEO Hacks” brand, he’s unlocking a bigger vision: helping entrepreneurs find the right franchise could be one of the ultimate hacks for success.    Gresham is leaning into what lights him up—storytelling, connecting, and creating—and recognizing that this is his sweet spot.   Blue Star Fra

Dominik Angerer is the CEO and co-founder of Storyblok, a leading headless CMS platform used by major brands like Tesla, Netflix, Adidas, and Pizza Hut.    He started coding at 15, worked as a freelance developer across Europe, and by 19 was leading teams focused on e-commerce.   In 2017, he co-founded Storyblok to solve real content challenges faced by businesses. Since then, the company has grown into a global, fully remote organization with over 230 employees and more than 200,000 users in 130 countries.   He discusses the importance of focus, recalling how early on, they spread themselves too thin trying to build multiple tools until a mentor advised them to solve just one problem exceptionally well.   Dominik highlights their commitment to user experience, including scientific studies proving Storyblok’s joyfulness for content teams, and shares productivity tips like speed reading and the importance of cross-cultural communication — recommending The Culture Map.    Dominik’s role centers on accountabilit

Robin Catalano is the founder of Robin Catalano Digital and Content Marketing, where she helps small and mid-sized businesses, particularly women-led brands, discover and express their unique voices through powerful storytelling and smart strategy.    Robin has written over 1,000 blog posts, published more than 75 articles, and edited more than 350 books for top-tier publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Workman.   As the travel editor for Greylock Glass, she explores lesser-known destinations throughout the Northeastern U.S., bringing rich, narrative depth to her features.    She emphasizes the importance of investing in quality services, staying authentic to one’s business path rather than mimicking others, and being generous with connections and referrals.    Her structured morning routine, which includes journaling, reading, and meditation, fuels her creativity and focus.   Website: Robin Catalano  LinkedIn: Robin Catalano   Previous Episode: iam352-creative-content-writer-tells-

Dr. Trevor Cates is the author of the bestselling book Clean Skin From Within and host of The Spa Dr. Podcast.    She’s also the creator of a natural and organic skincare and supplement line designed to support healthy skin from the inside out.    Known for her PBS special Younger Skin From Within, Dr. Cates blends her journey of overcoming chronic skin issues with her professional expertise in holistic and integrative medicine.   Dr. Cates emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of skin issues through the "clean skin from within" philosophy, which focuses on nutrition, mindset, detoxification, and non-toxic topical care.    She also shares key entrepreneurial insights, including the value of staying focused, building a loyal community, leveraging tools like Trello for team organization, and aligning health with productivity.    Website: The Spa Dr.  LinkedIn: Dr. Trevor Cates   Previous Episode: iam338-author-and-skin-care-doctor-helps-clients-achieve-confidence-and-beautiful-skin Check out

Gresham Harkless shares an update about shifting priorities, the challenges he's facing, and the evolving direction of his business focus.   He admits that while he initially intended to dive fully into franchise brokering, he never completely stepped away from his digital marketing business, which has remained his foundation.   Now, he sees CEO Hacks taking on a more prominent role as it offers more flexibility and revenue potential, especially through affiliate partnerships and future subscription models.    Gresham is also reevaluating his outreach strategies, especially for his “Be Possible” initiative, recognizing the need to identify and test a clearer target audience.    Moreover, Gresham is committed to staying the course, adjusting his approach, and continuing to build forward with clarity and purpose. 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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on a strategic shift in his approach to lead generation, moving away from prioritizing quantity to focusing on the quality of leads, particularly in the context of his Google Ads campaign.    He initially aimed to collect as many leads as possible, but soon realized that this strategy resulted in mostly low-quality prospects.    Gresham emphasizes the importance of finding the right prospects rather than chasing volume and expressed a goal of securing 5 to 10 quality leads per month.   He highlights a major gap in public awareness around franchise opportunities, revealed through networking conversations and his experience with a BNI chapter application, which he ultimately paused due to interpersonal concerns.   Gresham remains optimistic and committed to adapting his strategy, exploring niche franchise opportunities, and using these regular updates as a grounding part of his routine to track progress and stay focused. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfr

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects deeply on the concept of starting anew, particularly in light of the uneven success between his digital marketing efforts, which are gaining traction, and his franchise brokering business, which hasn’t met expectations.   He emphasizes the difficulty, but necessity of sometimes stopping what’s not working and starting anew, while still leveraging the lessons and small wins gained along the way.   Gresham reconnects with the determined, focused attitude he had when first launching his business, locking in despite a lack of support or recognition.   He aims to pivot toward creating meaningful content, nurturing referral relationships, and embracing a new approach that aligns better with his 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 Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - htt

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares his surprise and disappointment that over 100 generated leads—mostly through Google Ads and Facebook—yielded limited traction, with only about 10 being truly qualified and just 1–2 currently viable.    He acknowledges that while the business model requires volume, speed, and a long-term mindset, external factors, like economic uncertainty and personal life events, have significantly influenced lead engagement and conversions.   Gresham chooses to reassess and pivot, deciding to step away from underperforming tactics and refocus on higher-trust strategies like LinkedIn networking, organic content creation, and tapping into warm relationships.   Likewise, he emphasizes resilience in the face of setbacks and expresses cautious optimism about the new strategic direction.   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

Kevin Gwynn White is the co-founder of Exbo Group, a financial operations firm that supports early and growth-stage companies in building strong, investor-ready finance functions.    With over a decade of experience at Ernst & Young, where he advised C-suite leaders on M&A, growth, and restructuring strategies, Kevin has developed a deep expertise in financial storytelling, strategic planning, and operational scalability.    His work at the venture capital firm Rethink Education further shaped his focus on helping startups bridge the critical gap between product vision and financial credibility.   Kevin discusses how Exbo provides fractional CFO services, outsourced accounting, and transaction support for both startups and funds, with a radical focus on value alignment and operational excellence.    Additionally, Kevin also shares practical leadership insights, such as conducting monthly priority audits and aligning calendar time with strategic focus.    Website: Exbo Group  LinkedIn: Kevin Gwynn Whit

Marc Andre has been self-employed as an internet marketer and blogger since 2008. He built successful websites in different industries like web design, photography, and finance.    Currently, he is working on growing a personal finance blog, VitalDollar.com, where he writes about saving money, managing money, and making money.   He discusses the importance of focus in business, prioritizing what truly moves the needle, resisting distractions, and sticking to proven strategies rather than chasing every new trend.    Marc emphasizes that success doesn’t require perfection from day one, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to start small, learn by doing, and build momentum over time.    Website: Vital Dollar   Previous Episode: iam341-internet-marketer-and-blogger-writes-about-money-matters-on-his-blog   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://cbna

Soulaima Gourani is a globally recognized entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker known for her bold insights on leadership, the future of work, and personal reinvention.   With accolades from the World Economic Forum, UN Women, and TED, Soulaima now focuses on preparing women for the future of work through Women Reignite, aiming to help 60 million women transition away from jobs at risk of automation.    She emphasizes the importance of taking full responsibility for your career, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to commit fully rather than straddling the line between employment and entrepreneurship.    Soulaima uses her “5Fs” model—Family, Finance, Fun, Future-proof, and Fitness as a strategic decision-making tool, helping her align daily actions with long-term goals both personally and professionally.   Soulaima also highlights the importance of trusting your inner voice, sharing that in her early days, she wasted too much time seeking others’ opinions instead of following her instincts.    Website: Sou

Gresham Harkless shares a powerful reflection on his journey through entrepreneurship, using an early sales training lesson — "I'm not a onesie," as a metaphor to emphasize that entrepreneurship is not one-size-fits-all.    He points out that while some individuals thrive by building businesses from scratch, others are better suited for structured, proven systems such as franchising.   Gresham explains that franchising is ideal for people who are coachable, system-oriented, and ready to take action, with opportunities available across nearly every industry.    Gresham wraps it all up with a powerful reminder: the path to success begins with self-awareness and alignment, because when you run your race, you can’t lose. 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