CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co

IAM2415 - Turning Challenges Into Triumph

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/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://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2414 - The Art of Breaking Eggs Confidently

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 overcoming obstacles in entrepreneurship.

 

• 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://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2413 - Celebrate Small Wins for Big Motivation

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 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 Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2412 - Financial Planner helps Individuals Manage their Finances Better and Escape Financial Stress

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 financial planning not only as the process of growing wealth but also as a means to align financial resources with personal goals and values.

 

Tremaine credits her diverse experiences—working at NASA, teaching math, and coaching cheerleading—as key factors in her success. 

 

She emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people to manage tasks and free up time for higher-level work.

 

Tremaine highlights the importance of aligning work and personal goals to live the life you want now, not waiting for some distant retirement.

 

Website: Mind Over Money 

LinkedIn: Tremaine Wills 

 

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 Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2411 - Founder and Radio Host Shares the Impact of Co-ops on Communities

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 communication and feedback, citing principles from The One Minute Manager.

 

LinkedIn: Vernon Oakes

 

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 Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2410 - Event Planner Helps Create a Great Client Experience with a Touch of Hospitality

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 stepping in to help when needed.

 

Dee highlights the importance of continuous learning and honing your craft. She also discusses that business owners should always learn something that replenishes them as well. 

 

Instagram: mdmassociatesdc 

Facebook: Events by MDM Associates

 

Previous Episode: iam240-event-planner-helps-create-a-great-client-experience-with-a-touch-of-hospitality

 

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 Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2409 - DMV Entrepreneur Specializes in Modern Headshots Photography

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 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 Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2408 - Franchise Broker Journey: Overcoming Day 36 Sales Slump

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: 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://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2407 - Franchise Success: Embracing Challenges

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 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://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2406 - Revitalize Your Routine!

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://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://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!