CEO Podcasts consists of CEO Chat (CC), I AM CEO (IAM) & CBNation.TV (TV) podcast episodes. Value-packed episode including interviews & resources for CEOs, entrepreneurs, startups founders & business owners. The CEO Chat episodes are our long-form episodes w/ interviews and digital marketing resources. The I AM CEO episodes are laser focused (about 16 min.) w/ interviews & a discussion about what it means to be a CEO. Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co. Hosted by Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
Episodes
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
In this episode, Gresham reflects on the past year of planning, the emotional hurdle of acknowledging the time that has passed, and the excitement of welcoming a potential candidate—identified through LinkedIn—who may become his first deal.
He emphasizes transparency with prospects, encouraging them to voice disinterest openly to avoid ghosting and to keep the pipeline moving efficiently.
The episode highlights several practical insights: the need to target the right audience (shifting from business owners to non‑owners), the importance of addressing objections early, and leveraging data analytics backgrounds when matching candidates to franchise opportunities.
Harkless notes that while progress can feel uncertain—“moving forward or backwards”—the key is constant motion.
- Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
- Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
- Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
- Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - 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: 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!
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
In this episode, Gresham opens up about the internal doubts that have slowed his progress over the past two months. He wrestles with the classic “where’s the payoff?” question, balancing paid lead packs against the organic social media tactics that have yielded better results for him.
He also questions the “broad‑stroke” philosophy advocated by some brokers, noting that casting a wide net brings unqualified leads and dilutes focus.
Finally, Gresham commits to a step‑by‑step approach, experimenting with the new domain, building out content, and granting limited access to a partner who can help execute the plan.
He emphasizes the importance of consistency, creativity, and community collaboration, promising regular updates and encouraging listeners who are builders to keep moving forward.
- Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
- Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
- Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
- Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - 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: 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!
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
In this episode, we have Kevin Surace, a prolific Silicon‑Valley innovator, inventor of the first cellular‑data phone, early AI virtual assistants, and author of The Joy Success Cycle.
Kevin shares hard‑earned lessons about the true nature of the CEO role: setting tone, culture, and direction while spending most of the day handling the “crap” – unhappy customers, product glitches, personnel issues, cash flow, and missed sales targets.
His broader advice for entrepreneurs is to focus on solving real problems for real people who have real money, warning against chasing vanity projects that lack market demand.
Kevin believes great CEOs must have been good followers first, learning from mentors and mastering two‑way listening. While fostering consensus, a CEO must also make decisive calls to keep the business moving, because every day of inaction costs money.
Website: www.kevinsurace.com
LinkedIn: ksurace
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!
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
In this throwback episode, we have Grant Polachek, head of branding at Squadhelp.com—a top‑rated naming platform serving over 20,000 clients ranging from early‑stage giants like Nestlé and Pepsi.
Grant emphasized that effective branding sits at the intersection of copywriting, creativity, and business strategy, helping companies translate their vision into a compelling brand narrative.
He outlines a simple yet powerful naming framework: start by clarifying who you are and what you aim to create (the business plan), identify your audience, decide the desired perception and tone, and then develop secondary branding elements that capture the core idea.
Grant shares that their smart dashboard surfaces the four most critical naming factors, curates ideas, and delivers real‑time alerts, enabling rapid, data‑driven iterations that large companies now prefer over traditional agencies.
Website: www.squadhelp.com
Previous Episode: iam386-head-of-branding-helps-corporations-with-product-naming
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!
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
In this throwback episode, we have Marcus Taylor, founder and CEO of Venture Harbor, a young entrepreneur who launched his digital‑innovation studio at 25 without any external funding.
Starting with a love for coding and music at age 10, he merged those passions into building websites for bands and experimenting with online marketing.
Venture Harbor does not offer consulting services; instead, it maintains a portfolio of nine highly automated online ventures that are 99 % hands‑free, allowing the small core team to concentrate on creating a new venture each year.
Website: www.ventureharbour.com
LinkedIn: marcustaylor100
Facebook: MarcusTaylor100
Previous Episode: iam377-ceo-builds-multi-million-dollar-portfolio-of-online-businesses
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!
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
In this episode, Gresham walks listeners through his current stage: day 281 of his franchise‑broker path, experimenting with low‑cost investments to test scalability, and applying the “Who Not How” principle.
He draws parallels between franchise brokering and affiliate marketing, noting that both rely on cultivating long‑term relationships that culminate in sizable purchases.
Looking ahead, Harkless plans to bolster his outreach through newsletters, community‑building initiatives, and possibly leveraging existing team members as the “who” to drive growth.
With 12‑week goal frameworks focused on revenue rather than rigid tactics, he remains hopeful and committed to iterating on his strategy while inviting feedback and collaboration from his audience.
- Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
- Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
- Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
- Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - 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: 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!
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
In this special episode, Gresham dives into the practical challenges he’s facing, particularly around lead generation. After receiving a modest lead pack from his franchising organization, he realized that buying leads alone isn’t delivering the results he wants.
He’s now weighing two options: partnering with a low‑cost program that offers SEO‑optimized content and running minimal‑budget Facebook ads, or taking a DIY approach to create and execute the strategy himself using the resources and team he already has.
He feels torn between learning from an external expert and maintaining full control over the execution.
Finally, he outlines his strategic plan to consolidate traffic and leads across multiple domains. Because some of his sites already rank well, he proposes creating a sub‑domain on the strongest site, publishing SEO‑focused content there, and funneling the resulting leads back to his broker business under a broader “umbrella” brand.
- Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
- Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
- Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
- Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - 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: 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!
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
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- Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
- Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
- Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
- Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - 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: 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!
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
In this episode, Gresh shares the evolution of his franchise‑building process, noting that it took roughly a year to clarify his target market and strategy.
Initially, he aimed at individuals who had been laid off, but he soon realized the more lucrative audience comprises employed professionals who are silently considering additional revenue streams.
He explains the financing paradox: without a steady job, securing SBA loans is tough, yet a layoff eliminates the income needed to fund a new business.
Consequently, he refines his outreach to those on the brink of layoffs or actively seeking semi‑passive franchise opportunities that can coexist with a full‑time job or another venture.
After a brief dip in momentum over the past three months, he recommits to a new pivot, emphasizing daily progress, continual prospecting, and creativity in securing funding.
- Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
- Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
- Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
- Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - 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: 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!
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
In this episode, we have Dave Glaser, a two‑decade pedigree in enterprise payments—from early work at CyberSource, through senior roles at WorldPay and MasterCard.
Dave modernizes the decades‑old banking network and makes bank‑account payments feel as seamless as credit‑card transactions online.
His focus is narrowly honed on account‑to‑account flows, supporting both “pay‑ins” (receivables) and “pay‑outs” (payables) through a digital wallet that sits between the two, enabling businesses to move money internally before routing it to external bank accounts.
Dave stresses that effective leadership starts with trust, especially vulnerability‑based trust that allows teams to admit mistakes, learn, and move forward quickly.
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!