IAM2439 – Global Consultant Helps Organizations Enhance their Productivity and Collaboration

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:16:47 -0400

Susan Levin is an expert consultant with over 25 years of experience working with thousands of employees across 40 countries.

Susan specializes in helping organizations recognize employee strengths, improve productivity, enhance teamwork, and provide strategic solutions.

She also teaches at Columbia University and is passionate about unleashing the authenticity of her clients to help them achieve their goals.

Susan explains her approach to coaching, mediation, and facilitation. She works collaboratively with clients to create co-designed strategies, focusing on activating their existing wisdom and strengths.

Susan believes that when people can show up as their true selves, they can contribute more effectively and feel more satisfied with their work.

She recommends platforms like Miro and Mentimeter, which allow participants to co-create and synthesize ideas in real time, making decision-making more efficient and informed.

Furthermore, Susan advocates taking risks and trying new opportunities, even if they don't meet all the qualifications or know exactly how things will work out.

Website: Dialogue for Solutions

LinkedIn: Susan Levin

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Transcription:

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Susan Levin Teaser 00:00

I really help them unleash their future vision. Where do they want to go? What kind of results do they want to get?

And to do this in a co-creative way means that I don't come in as a consultant with all the answers by any means.

But I create the opportunity and the roadmap for my clients to be able to decide how they want to move forward.

Intro 00:25

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:56

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I have an awesome guest on the show today. I have Susan Levin. Susan, excited to have you on the show.

Susan Levin 01:04

It's so good to be here with you, Gresh. Thanks for inviting me.

Gresham Harkless 01:07

Yes, I'm super excited to have you on and talk about all the awesome things that you're doing.

And of course, before we do that, I want to read a little bit more about Susan so you can hear about some of those awesome things.

And Susan consults with organizations to recognize what's working and discover employee strengths and apply these competencies to tackle challenges, improve productivity, provide strategic planning, and enhance teamwork.

As a facilitator, coach, and mediator, organizational development specialist, she has designed and delivered a wide range of projects for thousands of employees in more than 40 countries.

She engages in dialogues to explore their unique needs and develop strategic solutions, and working in partnership with her clients, she's mindful that her work is culturally relevant and impactful.

Susan also teaches at Columbia University Negotiation and Conflict Resolution graduate program with a focus on neuroscience, conflict and change management.

And one of the things I was kind of preparing for this interview and read a little bit more about Susan, and she's doing some phenomenal things.

She said her passion is to unleash the authenticity of her clients. so that they can apply their brilliance and talents to achieve their goals.

She believes that when people use their strengths at work, they get results. And her vision is to create workplaces, co-create workplaces that support employees to be at their best while enjoying what they're doing.

She has numerous accolades. She's an ICF certified PCC coach, mediator certified by the Supreme Court.

She's worked for more than 25 years, thousands of employees in the US and 40 different countries.

And one of the things I absolutely love is one of her United Nations clients in Haiti said, you help people be authentically who they are.

Susan, you're doing phenomenal things. Are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Susan Levin 02:49

Absolutely. Thanks so much for that introduction.

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Gresham Harkless 02:51

Absolutely. The easy part is reading. I'm sure there's a lot of work that you put in. So what I wanted to do to kind of kick us off is rewind the clock, hear a little bit more on how you got started, what I call your CEO story.

Susan Levin 03:01

Sure. So I had gone to graduate school for international affairs, and after I graduated, I got a job.

And while I was at this job, it was like an international telecommunications consulting firm, and I was an instructional designer there.

And I met people there who were doing freelance writing and instructional design and teaching.

And I thought, wow, freelance, what does that mean? And learned that you could be an independent entrepreneur and do this kind of work. And that really intrigued me.

So I turned 30 and I said, I'm going to give this a try. And so I didn't quit my day job until I was able to get a client that was also doing international conferences around telecommunications.

And that would be one piece of advice I would be sure to give your audience is sometimes you feel like, well, I'm going to go out on my own and be independent.

I'm going to hang my shingle up, but where is everybody? And so if you can, it's really best to keep that day job, maybe get one client.

And then as you scale up and you get more and more work, which is what happened to me, then I was able to leave the full-time job and gradually build my business.

Gresham Harkless 04:25

Yeah, that makes so much sense. I appreciate you so much in sharing that word of wisdom as well, too, because I think you hear all the accolades, things that you you've been able to do.

You think you snap your fingers and all the clients show up out of nowhere. But it is a process that it takes to ultimately kind of get there.

Susan Levin 04:40

Absolutely, absolutely. And I would say too, one story that's interesting is that when I started my business.

I was doing writing and editing and that sort of thing on international trade publications, nonprofits, travel writing even, which was a lot of fun to go out and then write about where I was going.

And then I'm an extrovert. And so it got a little bit isolating to be pretty much alone with me and my computer.

So I decided I wanted to pivot to do more group facilitation work. And one of my first assignments was to be part of a panel with a group of women NGO leaders, non-governmental organization leaders, from Eastern Europe.

And when it was my turn to get up and present to this group of, I think there were 60 or 70 people there, I couldn't remember anything I was supposed to say.

I was just so, that moment of suspended animation when, oh my gosh. So my colleague stepped up and filled in for me.

But fortunately, I didn't let that deter me. I got back on the horse. And since then, I have facilitated and presented to many, many, many groups all over the world.

Don't be dismayed on some of your first tries that maybe don't work so well.

Gresham Harkless 06:00

Yeah, I love that you shared that. It's so funny. I have this fail wall that I have actually in this room where I'm recording where I put all these quotes around failure and how failure is not the end unless you allow it to be.

So I love, that that happened in the sense that you not only didn't allow that to stop you.

But a lot of the work you're doing is probably helping people, understand like how powerful that could be when you are able to share your gifts.

And lean more into who you are, not kind of hit that roadblock and just kind of scurry away from it.

Susan Levin 06:29

That's right. Exactly. And, failure means you try. Failure means you're, you're innovative and if you can fail fast, that's a really good thing to do so that you can be adaptive and flexible and move forward.

Gresham Harkless 06:42

Yeah, absolutely. And so I wanted to drill down a little bit more and hear a little bit more on how you're working with and serving your clients.

Could you take us through a little bit more on what that looks like and how you're making the impact for the clients you work with?

Susan Levin 06:52

I think that, certainly in terms of being a certified coach and a certified mediator and a facilitator with lots of experience with different groups, I really help them unleash their future vision.

Where do they want to go? What kind of results do they want to get? And to do this in a co-creative way means that I don't come in as a consultant with all the answers by any means.

But I create the opportunity and the roadmap for my clients to be able to decide how they want to move forward.

And by asking a series of questions, whether I'm coaching individually or for a team, It really does bring up and draw the wisdom of my clients because it's there.

It just needs to be activated or recognized. And so I like to really work very collaboratively and in partnership with my clients.

So they also feel the satisfaction of having been able to move forward and become more productive, work better together as a team.

And then, of course, getting the important results that they're looking for and really speaking to the bottom line and improving the profitability of their organization.

Gresham Harkless 08:12

Yeah, absolutely. So do you feel like that's part of what I would like to call your secret sauce?

It could be for yourself, the business or a combination of both, but isn't that ability to be able to understand, all the aspects of like what's happening from a human standpoint within us to kind of meet people where they are.

So at the end of the day, they're able to use this tactically so that they can, at the end of the day, reach the goals that they want to reach.

Susan Levin 08:34

Absolutely. And I love that you recited the quote about that I help people be authentically who they are, which is really what I strive for.

Because I don't know that – I don't think we all start that way when we're in our places of work.

You don't be protective of ourselves and maybe not fully authentic. And it is so important to bring your full potential to the workplace.

That's where you feel most satisfied. That's where you can contribute the most. And so if I can create the space, and sometimes it does take psychological safety for people to feel like they can say what they need to say in order to move forward.

And so that is something that I really strive for. And I've been told that I do create those spaces. And so I'll keep doing it.

Gresham Harkless 09:28

Awesome, awesome, awesome. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit, and I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO hack.

So this could be like an app, a book, or even a habit that you have. What's something you lean on that makes you more effective and efficient?

Susan Levin 09:39

Yes. So, in this day and age, we do virtual work, we do in-person, we do hybrid quite a bit.

And so what I like to do is I like to tap into some of the platforms that are out there. There's something called Miro, which is a really great tool to be able to have people co-create together and see what other people are writing.

There's another one called Mentimeter. And so I like to use those kind of electronic tools because they can also have an AI function that allows synthesizing and analyzing information in the moment.

Because if I'm gathering opinions from a large group, and I've actually used these tools with like a group of 200 people, it's amazing, they can all get on their phones, and they can put in their input.

And then in moments, we are getting an output about what this huge group of people thinks.

And it just really helps to make better decisions, because you've got the analysis and the data in the moment in the room.

And so sticky notes are great. Use them a lot too, those little Post-it notes. But these kind of tools are really fast, and efficient, and accurate.

Gresham Harkless 10:55

Perfect, perfect, perfect. So what would you consider to be a little bit more of what I like to call a CEO nugget?

So this could be a word of wisdom or piece of advice. I like to say it might be something you would tell your favorite client, or if you hopped into a time machine, you might tell your younger business self.

Susan Levin 11:10

I would say go for it, right? Well, there's the Nike phrase, just do it. Sometimes we hesitate, we have self-doubt, we're not quite sure.

I know that sometimes if you say, and I've coached people, who are applying for for positions, say.

And especially now, there's been a lot of layoffs of people, and it's been very difficult for a lot of my colleagues and my clients.

And so maybe applying for a job, well, I've got maybe 7 of the 10 requirements, so I'm not going to apply.

Same thing for trying to get funding for your business, or trying to reach out and get that new client.

And I would say, just try. Just go for it. I've been very lucky in my business that new opportunities will come up that are still tangentially related to my core business.

But all along, I'm like, well, I'm not quite sure how to do it. But you know what? I'm going to figure it out.

And so I do. And I go for it. And I do the research. And I do my homework. And I test it and it has generally worked. So I would really say, just do it. Just go for it.

Gresham Harkless 12:25

Absolutely. I love that. And so now I want to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition, what it means to be a CEO.

And our goal is to have different quote unquote CEOs on the show. So Susan, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Susan Levin 12:37

Well, what it means to me is that I can be a master of my own destiny. And while I work a lot with other people, I have people that I contract to and that contract me.

I do get to be in the seat of my own power and make the decisions, choose the kind of work I want to do with the kind of people I want to work with.

And so I really, really appreciate that. It's been close to three decades now, so it's been a really, really long time.

And I just have so liked the fact that I can be the master of my own destiny. And I think the other thing that I appreciate, too, is sometimes in offices and workplaces.

There can be distractions of office politics and some gossiping that can go on. And so because I have my own business, I am not distracted by that.

And so I really do. appreciate that. And, even those people who work for other people, you can make it work for you, right?

So doing the very best you can, contributing the most you can, sharing your expertise, your experience, that will get recognized.

And so I think you can create your own enclave, even within a broader system.

Gresham Harkless 14:04

Yeah, that makes so much sense. And I think, as you said so well, having that mentality and that perspective ends up being such a huge thing.

So that you can make sure that you are creating and being the master of your own destiny and seeing what that looks like.

No matter if you're in a role or if you have your own position, you have 100,000 employees or you have one. It doesn't matter. You have that opportunity to do that.

And I think it becomes a really, really powerful place to be and almost a duty, for lack of a better term, when you're in that environment and have that opportunity.

Susan Levin 14:31

Absolutely. And the leaders that really show humility, that show care and concern for their employees, that have their back, all of that goes so far.

And people really appreciate it, especially when there's particularly tough times.

Gresham Harkless 14:46

Susan, truly appreciate you. And of course, I appreciate your time even more. So what I wanted to do now was pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional that you can leave with our readers and listeners.

And of course, let us know how best to get a hold of you to find out about all the awesome things that you're working on.

Susan Levin 15:01

Yeah, please, if you're interested in my facilitation, coaching, mediation, leadership development, change management, neuroscience capabilities, I'd love to hear from you.

You can reach out to me at my website, which is S L-E-V-I-N, at, it's a long one, Dialogue for Solutions, So that's D-I-A-L-O-G-U-E-F-O-R-S-O-L-U-T-I-O-N-S.com.

And I know that there is the people in this audience bring lots of wisdom and skills and abilities.

And I want you to continue to be able to express those and utilize those, because then you are benefiting not only yourself, but those around you.

And so please do share the wealth of your knowledge and experience. So I do individual coaching, I do team coaching.

So that that would probably be a good route for for an individual to work with me.

Gresham Harkless 16:08

Yes, absolutely. And of course, to make that even easier, we'll have the links and information that shown us as well too.

So everybody can follow up with you email you do all those awesome things. And definitely we'll talk with you soon.

Susan Levin

IAM2438 – Co-founder Helps People Stay Updated With Their Peers and Colleagues Through Video Blogging

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:16:23 -0400

Vikram Rajan is a co-founder of PhoneBlogger.net and VideoSocials.net—two marketing services tailored for attorneys, accountants, and consultants.

Vikram has been featured in Forbes and other major publications, and he shares his journey from working with his father, a management consultant, to launching his businesses focused on word-of-mouth referral marketing.

Vikram explains how he initially helped attorneys and accountants with marketing but soon realized the challenges of content creation, leading to the development of PhoneBlogger.net.

Vikram and his team created VideoSocials.net, a platform where professionals can record video blogs in a supportive, collaborative setting via Zoom.

Vikram credits his success to three core principles: convenience, comfort, and community. He believes that empowering his team through delegation and a strong company culture is key to business growth.

Website: Videosocials

LinkedIn: Vikram Rajan

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!

Transcription:

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Vikram Rajan Teaser 00:00

But we feel what really makes this powerful and magical is how we're able to engender that community and camaraderie.

I was saying that I don't use too often that people come to record, but they stay for the rapport.

And it's the way that everyone's able to help each other and really see one another grow. And because not only do we grow when we get feedback.

But even when we give feedback, we're reaffirming, edifying ourselves, and also, of course, helping that other person.

Intro 00:29

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:56

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast. And I have a very special guest on the show today.

I have Vikram of phoneblogger.net and videosocials.net. Vikram, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Vikram Rajan 01:06

Gresh, it's great to be here.

Gresham Harkless 01:07

No problem. Super excited to have you on. And what I want to do is just read a little bit more about Vikram so you can hear about all the awesome things that he's doing.

And Vikram is the co-founder of PhoneBlogger.net and VideoSocials.net. Both are word-of-mouth marketing services designed for attorneys, accountants, and consultants.

Vik has been published by Forbes, quoted by many, and is a frequent presenter at bar associations, CPA societies, and other professional associations.

While his staff works from across the country, Vikram works from his home office in Harlem, NYC.

Vikram, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Vikram Rajan 01:39

Yeah, looking forward to it.

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Gresham Harkless 01:40

Awesome. Let's do it. So the first question I had was to hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story and what led you to start your business.

Vikram Rajan 01:46 – 02:21

It's quite simple. Maybe 10, 15 years at this point. So it's been a little bit. So I first started as my father's right hand person, his apprentice, so to speak.

And my job when he left the main phone company here in New York, he decided to be a management consultant for small companies.

And so my job was essentially to introduce him to referral relationships who are mainly transactional attorneys, CPAs, who bring my father into their clients and help them with transition and process development.

Along the way, about six, seven years after doing that, I wanted to bring my own clients on.

At that point, I was from my early 20s to my late 20s, and a good number of essentially family friends, attorneys, accountants that were family friends around Long Island.

I turned to kind of hoping to do the same thing, to be brought in as a marketing consultant.

And a few of them wanted my help in the same way that I was helping my dad. And I was honored.

But I didn't really realize what I was getting myself into, and that there's a rather large cottage industry around practice management and practice marketing.

And then there are rules of the road, attorney advertising rules, their FINRA obligations, the AICPA governs, accountants.

I had to kind of learn the do's and don'ts, what they're allowed to say, can't say, must say, along with, of course, fine-tuning marketing for them.

Around word-of-mouth referral marketing, but using the internet as that was kind of fast-growing, and of course continues to be fast-growing, as you know.

And that became our focus, so created Practice Marketing Advisors, and then my book of business got really filled up.

I brought on a partner, Mark Bullock, my current partner. His plate got full. And then we started scaling to create a service called phone blogger and now video socials and go a little bit about the lessons around that. That's how it got started.

Gresham Harkless 03:37

Nice. Well, I know everybody always has the focus and goal and I was here to make sure the niche down.

And I think you spoke to it a lot as far as like understanding your market front, back, side to side, up and down.

You understand all the things you can do and cannot do. And that definitely is very important as far as marketing is knowing your audience more than.

Vikram Rajan 03:57

Yeah. Yeah. And, knowing what makes them tick. Also knowing what what they need, even sometimes before they even know they need it.

Gresham Harkless 04:04

Exactly. Exactly. So I wanted to drill down a little bit deeper in here, how you're working with clients, how you're serving the clients that you're working with, with your companies.

Vikram Rajan 04:12

Yeah, sure. So PhoneBlogger is kind of our main company. So the main need is that our clients, mainly attorneys, they're more lucrative business through word of mouth referrals, very often from other lawyers.

It's very similar to how like specialized doctors recommend each other, but they can't all do it all.

They can't all be experts in everything. So attorneys are very similar in that way. So they need to

stay top of mind with their peers, but also past clients and other referral relationships.

One of the simplest ways to do so is to send out an email newsletter. It doesn't get nearly as much hype as social media.

But more people took more email, more time today, more than any other social media combined.

An issue with email newsletters is the content. Who's going to actually sit down and write the articles?

And getting our clients to do it was a real pain in the neck. So we said, well, what if we brainstormed article ideas with our clients?

And we just set up a series of telephone interviews. And if they could say it in five minutes, we can type it up so that someone can read it in five minutes.

A blog article should be read in about 3-4 minutes, so that made sense and started working.

We started now having a regular weekly session with our clients, literally a 5-10 minute phone call, and everything else is taken care of.

That's really what we do at PhoneBlogger. And nowadays, when you go onto any of these social media sites, you go onto LinkedIn, let alone Facebook, every other post is video.

And we wanted to figure out a way in a very similar creative way, lack of a better word, force our clients to start doing video blogging.

They're all subject matter experts. They know what they're talking about. They're steeped in their practice and the area for decades.

So there's no reason why they should suddenly become nervous when there's a camera on them what I think to some extent we all do.

And so we wanted to create a safe environment, a place where they can practice, a place where they can feel comfortable and literally just talk to each other and present a topic and make it really easy.

So for example, we're using Zoom right now. So we bring together eight to 10 of our clients onto a Zoom video meeting, a video call.

And we each take two to three minutes to present a topic, essentially talking to around the room.

And everyone uses their laptops from their offices, they're around essentially the New York area now, but it could be around the country.

And once they record that two to three minute topic, we then stop and get some feedback from their peers right on the call.

And maybe over a period of time, even introductions like, hey, guys, I know someone who should watch that video.

That was really great. What you just talked about. I'll introduce you to that person. And that's powerful because that's referrals right on the call.

And then the next person goes and it's like a roundtable. So 45 minutes later, everyone on the video call has just recorded their video blog for the week.

They had fun. They got it done. They can click a couple of buttons right on our review page to post it on YouTube, on Facebook, LinkedIn.

They can put it on their website. If they think they can do better, they come back the following week and they record the same topic, get some more feedback and introductions.

And after one or two dress rehearsals, they got it down really well. And that's all they really need.

And after they do this about two, three times as kind of a video socials call, we have members now who are essentially good enough where they're happy with the result and they're doing weekly video blogging.

It's more like, hey, can we beat the clock? I mean, how close to two minutes can we get?

Kind of like breaking the four minute mile. We can actually do it and do it consistently and make it where they are video blogging on their social media and on their website effortlessly, again, together, fun and done.

Gresham Harkless 07:37

I don't know if you already touched on this, but I want to ask you for what I call your secret sauce.

And this is what you feel kind of distinguishes you or your organization. What do you feel kind of sets you guys apart?

Vikram Rajan 07:44

Convenience, and comfortability, and community happens to be all C's, but that was not planned.

Definitely the secret sauce of what we feel that we're starting to really catch on at video socials is the community aspect.

And there is technology behind it. We have a review page which upgrades the video into HD and APIs work with LinkedIn and Facebook, YouTube.

There's technology behind it. So that's a little bit of a secret sauce. But we feel what really makes this powerful and magical is how we're able to engender that community and camaraderie.

I was saying that I don't use too often that people come to record but they stay for the rapport.

And it's the way that everyone's able to help each other and really see one another grow.

And because not only do we grow when we get feedback, but even when we give feedback, we're reaffirming, edifying ourselves.

And also, of course, helping that other person. So that nurturing of relationships is really powerful.

And, they can take that offline, become referral relationships, but right in the room to do video blogging together, fun and done, is really that central core. So it's making sure everyone's helping each other.

Gresham Harkless 08:51

I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack. And this might be an Apple book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

Vikram Rajan 09:02

Tremendously having awesome people on my team. I think that's what everybody's looking for.

In terms of the answer, because my greatest hack is to make sure that it's somebody else's responsibility and they do a better job at it than I could do.

A, because they're focused, B, they do it so often. So it's like the faster I can get it off my plate, the better.

It feels almost like a test act. The faster I can hit the ball back to the other side, the better.

I know I said one saying once to my wife, and it wasn't meant to be a 50 cliche, but then she brings it up every now and then, sometimes uses it against me, that I know if I'm having to do something, something's going wrong in my company.

It's something like that, to paraphrase it, where it's like, look, if it's on my shoulders, something's wrong.

And that was really because of my partner, Mark. Before Mark, I was a solo professional, and everything was on my plate.

Not that everything got done, but it was on the plate, and something fell off, and I didn't realize it.

And Mark a was my partner, so then I stopped being solo, but for a long time, we were kind of two solos, kind of like that binary star kind of thing.

And then, as PhoneBlogger started, we had to bring on other people. We just couldn't do all the interviews and the edits.

So, we started developing this infrastructure of people, and that's really what transformed it.

A lot of them are on staff, they're employees, but didn't start out that way, contractors.

So, I think anyone, cooperate and grow, is another kind of tenant. CoGrow happens to be my father's company.

If a tenant's in there, having a team, making sure that it's not all on you. I think it's better for the clients.

It's better for you and your own lifestyle and happiness and being able to be with your family and work, work, work makes a dull boy.

And it's obviously great for other people. Look, sometimes it's said sarcastically that we're job creators.

But we ought to be job creators. And if it's not literally an employment job, we're helping someone else in their business because they're a freelancer or a contractor.

But I think the more that we're trying to take it all on ourselves, it is a disservice to the client, disservice to our family, disservice to our country and economy and other freelancers.

And other people around the world where we could be actually creating a better organization.

So I think all around is a triple win to create a team. My staff is phenomenal. I marvel at what they're able to do.

And I know, look, a lot of it is because they're able to focus on one aspect, but they're great at that aspect.

It's hard to be great at everything, can't be a jack of all trades, master of none. That's not a good way.

Unfortunately, a lot of CEOs or at least CEOs of smaller companies feel that way.

And, we need to be more of the maestro and can't see the forest from within the trees and all those cliches.

So I think it's extremely important. It gives us that headspace to really think of strategy, vision. knowing how all the pieces fit together, ought to fit together, can be improved.

And that is really our role. I mean, look, for me, as a day job, so to speak, I'm a sales professional, I'm selling phone blogs, I'm selling video socials.

So I try not to get twisted that, you know, I got to bring in clients. So that's my day job. So unfortunately, sometimes I can only really be the CEO in its true form in the evening hours.

And on weekends, or something like that, to carve that out during the day with my partner.

But the more I can put that hat on, the better off everyone is going to be.

Gresham Harkless 12:12

And that might be what I was going to ask you for next, which is a CEO nugget. And this is like a word of wisdom or piece of advice.

And I sometimes say, like, if you can hop into a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?

Vikram Rajan 12:25

Build that team, build that infrastructure. It's easy to say build systems, but then you end up with a bunch of manuals with no one else to do it.

So it's like, all right, you know, it's like writing a cookbook for yourself. It's like, well, that's nice, but I already knew how to make that meal.

If you didn't have anyone to teach it to. And it's actually, I think better have that other person start writing the cookbook.

They may not get everything right. It may not be a hundred percent your vision, but at least in the interim, they're writing it down.

They can kind of follow a manual and then you could kind of go in and massage that at my staff understand that that happens all the time.

We, I believe, make a small mess first, then clean it up. Part of that mess is bring someone on, someone that you can trust, has that character, has that work ethic, has a little bit of skills there.

They don't have to be an expert. I think, I forget all the cliches, but it's kind of like hire for character, not for competence or something.

It's not that you don't want someone competent, but it's higher for character that's way more important because the trust is there.

He or she will figure it out because they're going to do the right thing. And of course, sometimes you really need that, that degree or certification.

You need to know that they know what they're doing. But if all things being equal, obviously we want the person with integrity.

Everything else will work itself out when it comes to education. That's a good question.

Gresham Harkless 13:33

Nice. And I know you touched on this a little bit as well, but I want to ask you for what my favorite question is, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

And we're hoping to have different quote unquote CEOs on the show. So Vik, I wanted to ask you, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Vikram Rajan 13:46

I would say it's like being a maestro of an orchestra. The maestro may have gone through classical training through maybe a violin or the strings or one other type or the brass instruments or what have you.

But now he or she, when they're in the maestro role, know they're an expert musician in any one of those instruments per se.

Definitely not at the level of proficiency of the current musicians he or she is conducting, but it's really helping them be the best

IAM2437 – Entrepreneur, Investor and Author Passionate About Helping People Become Financially Free

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:16:12 -0400

Michael Blank is a successful entrepreneur, investor, and author specializing in apartment investing. He is the CEO of Nighthawk Equity, author of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, and host of the Apartment Building Investing podcast.

He shares how his journey began in software development, leading to a lucrative IPO, only to realize that true wealth comes from passive income.

After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, Michael shifted to real estate, initially investing in single-family homes before recognizing the greater potential in multifamily properties.

Despite setbacks—including a failed restaurant venture that cost him millions—he successfully pivoted to apartment investing.

Michael emphasizes the “Law of the First Deal”—a concept highlighting how securing the first investment accelerates financial independence.

Michael explains why single-family rentals often fail to provide true freedom and how apartment buildings offer a more scalable, sustainable path.

He also shares his top success habits, including the importance of morning routines and financial planning.

Website: The Michael Blank

LinkedIn: Michael Blank

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Michael Blank Teaser 00:00

And so most people then have having done three deals have replaced their income and they love it so much.

They just keep on going because it's so much fun. And the people have decided to get into that.

I mean, they've literally have covered their living expenses within one to two years of the point where they decided that they're gonna start with multifamily.

And that's out of all the shenanigans I've done, you know, everything I've done, it is the fastest, most reliable, most learnable business that you can start.

Intro 00:24

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:51

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast. And I have a very special guest on the show today.

I have Michael Blank of Nighthawk Equity. Michael, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Michael Blank 00:59

Hey, it's great to be here. Thanks so much for having me.

Gresham Harkless 01:01

No problem. Super excited to have you on. And what I want to do is just read a little bit more about Michael because he's doing some awesome things.

So you can learn a little bit more about him. And Michael Blank is an entrepreneur, investor and author of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing.

He's a coach and leading authority on apartment investing in the United States. As a CEO of Nighthawk Equity, bestselling author, host of the Apartment Building Investing podcast, columnist and real estate investor.

Mike's passionate about helping people become financially free in three to five years by investing in apartment building deals with a special focus on raising money.

Through Blank's investment company, Nighthawk Equity, he controls over $27 million in performing multifamily assets all over the United States and has raised over $6 million.

In addition to his own investing activities, he's helped students purchase over 2,300 units valued at $86 million through his unique deal desk and training programs.

Blank's been interviewed by top real estate podcasts including BiggerPockets, Joe Fairless, Best Ever Show, Get Rich Education, Cashflow Ninja, and many more.

The Michael Blank blog has been listed in the top 25 real estate investment blogs of 2018 by Leap Property Management, and he is a contributor to FlipNerd.

Michael, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Michael Blank 02:16

I am. Let's do it.

[restrict paid=”true”]

Gresham Harkless 02:17

Awesome. Let's do it. So the first question I had was to hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story. I want to let you start your business.

Michael Blank 02:23

Yeah. So, I mean, I was an entrepreneur at heart always, but I didn't know it until I was in probably my gosh, my early thirties.

So I was just, I was never surrounded by any of them. My dad was IBM for 40 years and none of my family was.

So I went to school and I got my good grades. I checked the boxes. I got into, into computer programming and I was in the right place, right time.

And I joined a company called Web Methods in the late nineties. We went public and put a bunch of money in my pocket, which was great.

And then I read Rich Dad Poor Dad and I was like, oh my gosh, It doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank. It matters how much passive income you had. And I had very, very little.

And so after some soul searching, I decided that I was going to abandon my background as a software person and my job.

And I figured I had enough runway. So I just quit my job and did a bunch of stuff all at once.

I started to flip some houses. I took some… I learned how to trade stocks and options.

And I've got into an apartment building course. But my big idea, Gresh, was restaurants. And this is because I was, those five guys burgers, they're actually from our area, Northern Virginia.

And so I knew some of the franchisees there and they're like, oh, this is great. You just would just cost this much to open.

You'll hire someone to run all these restaurants and you sit back and count the passive income.I'm like, sweet. That's exactly what Robert Kiyosaki talks about.

To make a long story short, I subsequently lost my IPO millions in that restaurant experience, added a couple hundred thousand dollars of unsecured lines of credit on top of that, almost lost my house, and I clawed my way out with real estate.

In my case, like so many, it was with single family house investing. So in my case, it was flipping houses, and I was making good money with it.

The problem was, after a while, we're buying two houses every month, and I had a team, and la la la, but man, it was a lot of work.

So I had gotten into this apartment building during this period. And meanwhile, the apartment building was sending me mailbox money.

After a while, I was like, man, I mean, I got to get out of this. I created my rat race, my own rat race for me.

So I was my own entrepreneur working for myself. But then I came to the realization that's not actually the end goal.

The end goal was financial freedom, meaning that I could do whatever I wanted. I could take a break.

I could keep going. I could work on my terms. I just found I couldn't. It was frustrating to me because I thought that's what my goal was.

And it turns out it wasn't. So I shifted to apartment buildings. And I started blogging about it on The Bigger Pockets and people were very interested, were asking me questions.

So I did some seminars, then I developed my syndicated deal analyzer and we put on some courses, online courses.

And today we have the podcast, we have the book, we have mentoring programs, we have live events.

And so our goal really is to help people become financially free with real estate. So many people are thinking single family houses, but then very few people actually quit their job as single family houses.

Most, 95% quietly do with apartment buildings. And that's what gets me really excited. Awesome.

Gresham Harkless 05:02

Awesome. Awesome. Well, it's definitely, great to hear, you've been able to, to get out of that.

Cause like you mentioned in the very beginning, a lot of times your reality or what's real or what can be possible in the world is sometimes what's around you.

But like you mentioned, like when you were introduced to these things, then you started to, it started to become your reality.

The next thing you know, you know, you're, you know, you have your own real estate empire.

Michael Blank 05:19

Yeah, I mean, I think you've got to be clear about what you want, right? So sometimes we just get on the ladder and we climb up and we get to the top and we realize the ladder was leaning up against the wrong wall. And that was my case.

And I just wasn't clear what I really wanted, right? So, here's the thing. And people who have quit their jobs, no one actually retires.

Like, who wants that? Maybe we retire for like a couple months and then you get really bored.

You're always going to be working. That's just the way that humans are wired, maybe in particular men, but just in general, we have to do something productive.

But within that, right, we want to be able to provide for families in a one hand, but we also want to control our time, we wanted to work on our terms.

And that's really what entrepreneurship allows you to do. The danger with entrepreneurship, as you know, is that we can always do more, we can always work harder. And so we start losing that life balance if we're not careful.

Gresham Harkless 06:08

Yeah, absolutely. And that's why I love, what you've been able to build, but also what you're helping others do.

And I know there might be people that are listening or watching. So could you tell us a little bit more on, those people that might be listening and watching maybe on the wrong ladder or maybe just in a nine to five and trying to figure out how to get out.

Michael Blank 06:23

Well, it depends, right? I mean, it depends. If someone is thinking real estate, which some listening, watching are like, oh, gosh, if I want to retire sometime in the next 10 years, maybe I should buy a rental property.

Maybe I'll try to write or buy a rental property every year, one every other year. And those are good thoughts to have, right?

People are already thinking, hey, this can't go on. People have different reasons why they can't go on.

But they're like, man, I got to get out of this thing in 10 years or five years for various different reasons.

And most people then gravitate towards single family housing investing. And that's because every time you go to the local real estate investing meetings, that's what 98% of people do and talk about.

But like I said, if I've studied it, and I have, I've written a book about it, and I interview people who have quit their jobs.

And most of them start with single families, like I did, and they realize the insanity of it, they realize that they can actually never get there.

And if you play this through, you could have maybe a portfolio of 40 rental properties.

But my gosh, that's a lot of properties to buy. Then you're going to manage it. And most people in a single family are going to do what?

They're going to manage it themselves. That turns into a nightmare. And a few that do go over the hump, they create property management companies.

I don't want to create a property management company. That's not really my idea of fun, but that's some way that people doing it.

But on the other hand, with multifamily, most people do three deals, three transactions, and they've covered their living expenses.

And this is because it's relatively easy to get into it starting, let's say, small. And then the second and third deal become progressively easier and bigger.

And so most people then, having done three deals, have replaced their income. And they love it so much.

They just keep on going because it's so much fun. And the people have decided to get into that.

I mean, they've literally have covered their living expenses within one to two years of, of the point where they decided that they're going to start with multifamily.

And that's out of all the shenanigans I've done, everything I've done, it is the fastest, most reliable, most learnable business that you can start.

Gresham Harkless 08:07

Yeah, that makes perfect sense. And I absolutely love that. And I love, because it's kind of like a hack within a hack, because like you mentioned, when you go to the real estate seminars, you're always hearing, it's a single family homes.

And that's the way to wealth, but you bringing in a different perspective and you knowing, cause you did it and you interview people that have done it.

And all those things and you understand that there's a definitely a better way, which I love that.

Michael Blank 08:26

Yeah, I mean, most people, when they hear that, they go, this is great, Michael, but how do I do it without experience?

Why don't I, why don't I landlord for five to 10 years and I'll learn my experience and the money I'm making, I'll roll it into apartments.

So the perception is that it's a, it's a very, an advanced strategy that requires lots of money.

And it is, but it isn't. So in other words, you don't actually need your own experience.

In fact, having single family house experience does very little. You get very little credibility, if none at all, from having flipped or landlord houses.

It's like a different world. And number two, you don't need your own money because you're going to end up raising it.

Even if you have money, if you have $100,000 or $500,000, I don't care. Okay, you have enough money to do one deal, then what?

Then you're going to be out of money. So either way, you're going to be raising money. So you don't actually need money to start with at all.

In the experience part, you overcome by educating yourself, which is easy to do, relatively inexpensive.

And then you build a team of people around you, like brokers, property managers, who are more experienced.

You have advisors. And then you talk about yourself confidently using the right words in terms of your team.

And all of a sudden to the outsider, you look incredibly experienced when you actually haven't done a single deal yet.

Gresham Harkless 09:32

Right. That makes perfect sense because you're leaning on the expertise of the strategy and also the people that are on your team, which is insanely important. And would you consider that what I would call it like your secret sauce, which you feel kind of distinguishes you and sets you apart? Is that part of it?

Michael Blank 09:45

I mean, Secret Sauce, I suppose, is my focus, my monological focus on the first deal. In fact, I coined something called the law of the first deal in my book, because it's so, so universal.

Like literally, I have not found a single exception to the rule where someone intentionally does a multifamily deal of any size, including a duplex.

And they always have quit their jobs in three to five years. And in fact, it's never that long.

It's normally one to two years. And that's very, very powerful. So all we have to do is help someone do their first deal, the bigger the better.

But if it's only a duplex, it still triggers a lot of the first deal. And that to me is very encouraging and very powerful.

Gresham Harkless 10:21

Right. And so the law of the first deal, could you talk a little bit more about that? About what exactly that is? Is that just getting the ball rolling? Or is there something more to that?

Michael Blank 10:28

A lot of the first deal, basically, it says that the first deal is the hardest to do, takes the longest, and is the smallest.

And there's obviously a lot of obvious reasons for that. But then what happens is when they've done that first deal, that small first deal, the second and third follow in rapid, almost automatic succession.

They happen without trying. And the reason for that is because once you've closed your first deal, the brokers that maybe were kind of brushing you off are like, oh my gosh, this guy did a deal.

So they start calling you with deals. And they start calling you with deals that aren't even listed yet.

That's where the magic is. Your investors are like, ah, let me see how Gresh does here with this first one.

I'm on the fence. Let's see what he does. And then he closes his first deal. Well, now they're going to come off the fence.

So it becomes much easier now to acquire new deals and to raise more money. And your confidence in your comfort zone expands so much as you do a deal.

So the progression is two units, 10 units, 25 units, 50, and then plus something, something like that.

So wherever your comfort zone is right now, if your comfort zone is 10 units, then the first deal might be a 10 unit.

The second deal might be somewhere between 25 and 50. And the third deal is going to be somewhere between 50 and a hundred typically that's the progression.

And then now you control, a hundred units and now you're, you're making about $10,000 a month.

Gresham Harkless 11:39

Yeah, that makes perfect sense. I absolutely love that. Cause the hardest part is usually just getting started.

So, when you're able to do that, then like, like dominoes stuff starts to fall over, you start to get bigger and better.

So I love that concept. And I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack.

And this might be an Apple book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

Michael Blank 11:56

Wow, good. A hack is something I started doing a few years ago, as I've always struggled with a morning routine, right?

And I knew I had to have one, but I just I still struggle with meditating and that stuff until I read The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

I don't know if you've read or not, who's listening, gotta read this book. It's a great hack because what it does is it shows you what to do with the first 60 minutes of the day, right?

So it's a rhythm of silence, of reading, of meditating, of praying, of writing, visualizing, and it kind of provides you a system for that.

You're like, oh, my gosh, now I know what to do. And it's just like this blueprint for what to do in the first 60 minutes.

And this is a lot of very, very powerful things, depending on what you're doing. You i

IAM2436 – Unleashing Your Brand’s Power

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 06:16:07 -0400

Gresham Harkless is conducting a brand presentation for a candidate but isn’t certain they will move forward. He views this as part of his learning process, gaining valuable experience through repeated practice.

Gresham recognizes that some candidates may seem like a perfect fit but don’t work out, while others may unexpectedly succeed.

He underscores the importance of customized presentations tailored to territories, business relationships, and cultural fit.

Gresham acknowledges that growth takes time—about 40 days post-training, he’s seeing movement but not at full speed yet.

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:01

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:28

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast. And this is a special episode of our I AM CEO Podcast.

And this is actually going to be a snippet of a snippet, so to speak. I'm just doing an intro because I've been starting to document my journey into starting what is now called Blue Star Franchise.

We're also going to do a kind of sub site within CB Nation called Franchise CEO. So you'll see some links in the show notes related to that.

But just wanted to give you a little bit more insight, give you a little bit more color in some of the aspects of why I'm actually doing this.

Because one of the things I was doing as I was going through training to start up this new business was realizing and hearing from the founder of FBA, the Franchise Brokers Association, that it'd be really cool to document your journey going through and building this out.

I think it's something that would be super helpful, obviously for people that are looking for and thinking about starting franchises.

But frankly, if you're starting anything, any type of business, I think it's really cool to kind of just even see the journey and how it's been going from there.

So I'm going to share a few of those snippets from the, from the first couple of videos that have been created.

But definitely, of course, subscribe to our YouTube, check out a lot more where I figure out exactly where we're going to post this.

So I'll have that information that's available to you. But regardless, if you're a builder, continue to keep building, continue to do your thing.

The world definitely needs exactly what you're trying to build and needs you to be your unique self.

So make sure to run your own race, because nobody can run your race like you. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

And today is brand presentation day. So I have a candidate and we're going to go through a brand presentation.

[restrict paid=”true”]

Not 100% confident necessarily that the candidate will continue on. But I know at the very least, one of the reasons I really wanted to get started as quickly as possible is so that I can get my reps in.

So I think that it could very well turn out that it's a great candidate. One of the things that I do remember that one of the people, one of the trainers said, was that a lot of times when you go through this process, there's going to be people you're going to be root for.

And those people are going to really connect with and say, hey, it'd be really awesome that you own this franchise and you find a really perfect fit.

And there's going to be others. You're going to be like, I don't think this is going to work out.

And it works out. And so I kind of feel like this is it. So that's why you kind of just continue to take the steps of the process.

And you don't try to say, oh, I think it's going to work or not going to work out. One of the things that you do a lot of times in sales is you try to gauge your time and energy.

You try to maximize the time and energy as much as you can, because you can't go 100% for every single candidate.

You can't go 100% for every single client and customer. So you have to kind of gauge and due to the best of your abilities and your spidey senses, I guess you can say, on what and how things are going to go.

But one of the things that I'm really excited about for this candidate is this candidate is in real estate as well, too.

So that's one of those verticals that you have a lot of really strong sales skills. And with those sales skills and the ability to build relationships and connections, it ends up being like a really great fit for something like a franchise.

And I found some that are a little bit more in that same kind of vertical. The thing and the reason I'm not a hundred percent sure on like how well this is going to work is because I hasn't taken a lot of the actions.

Hasn't done this Oracle, hasn't done the financial connection, I don't think he made that or followed through with that.

And it's the connection just to pre-qualify to see exactly how much he could be pre-qualified for.

I think one of the give and takes, and I had a call yesterday, an intro call, very first call with somebody, and a lot of it was like, hey, I only have 12 minutes to speak.

So we went through, bam, bam, bam, got the numbers, understand exactly what he's looking for.

But the reality is that he wants to, he said, you should have everything you need. And it's like, no, you don't have everything.

I don't have everything I need. And I think it's just somebody not understanding the process and not understanding like ultimately what you're trying to do.

And it's hard to do that in like a 10 minute, 12 minute session, because you also want to build that rapport and relationship.

So you have to kind of gauge those things. Even trying to set up a next appointment, it was pretty much like, no, I'm just talking on the phone with you for this.

You send me everything that you think might be a good fit. And for me, having heard from other brokers that have a lot more seasoned and have talked with a lot more people.

And even having been in sales positions, I understand that that's not necessarily the best way to do that.

And it's especially because a lot of these presentations are very customized. So you're figuring out exactly what, as far as territories, is available.

You're also figuring out exactly what's in their desire. You're figuring out the culture. You're figuring out what type of relationship they're going to have with the business.

So that's the first call. that I had with this client that I'm doing, brand presentation for kind of went like that.

But I think it went a lot better in the fact that, he's been available each time that I've reached out for our meeting.

So we're going to do it on Zoom. So hopefully that goes well. But outside of that just continuing to kind of find leads and opportunities.

I'm looking very much so into vending and seeing like how that turns about and just seeing what happens from there.

Like I think things are starting to move and it's been about a month or so. So you could kind of say like it's about 40 days or so.

And I would say probably two weeks after that we were in, we were in at the conference.

So it was another overload of information. So I just consider that to be an extension of training.

So I would say probably about a month, 40 days or so outside of training. Yeah, I mean, I think things are moving along okay.

You always want to go from zero to 60, but just continue to kind of take the process, build the steps and build that foundation.

Also with the digital marketing and all the businesses, really just like restructuring a lot of those.

So lots of change, lots of things happening, but I'm excited about, you know, some of the things that are happening and seeing how I can continue to kind of take the steps to where I want to be and where to go from there.

Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. And of course, looking forward to giving you more and more updates.

Outro 06:23

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by CBNation and Blue16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community.

Check out the latest and greatest apps, books, and habits to level up your business at CEOhacks.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.

IAMCEO Podcast Transcript

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Intro

00:01 - 00:28

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Grush values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I Am CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless

00:28 - 01:08

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I am CEO podcast. And this is a special episode of our I am CEO podcast. And this is actually going to be a snippet of a snippet. So to speak, I'm just doing an intro because I've been starting to document my journey into starting what is now called Blue Star Franchise. We're also going to do a kind of subcite within CB Nation called franchise CEO. So you'll see some links in the show notes related to that. But I just want to give you a little bit more insight, give you a little bit more color in some of the aspects of why I'm actually doing this, because one of the things I was doing as I was going through training to start up this new business was realizing and hearing from the founder of FBA, the Franchise Brokers Association, that it'd be really cool to document your journey.

Gresham Harkless

01:09 - 01:35

going through and building this out. I think it's something that would be super helpful, obviously, for people that are looking for and thinking about starting franchises. But frankly, if you're starting anything, any type of business, I think it's really cool to kind of just even see the journey and how it's been going from there. So I'm going to share a few of those snippets from the from the first couple of videos that have been created. But definitely, of course, subscribe to our YouTube. Check out a lot more where I figure out exactly where we're going to post this.

Gresham Harkless

01:35 - 01:51

So I have that information that's available to you. But Regardless, if you're a builder, continue to keep building, continue to do your thing. The world definitely needs exactly what you're trying to build. It needs you to be your unique self. So make sure to run your own race because nobody can run your race like you. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest

Gresham Harkless

01:51 - 02:20

of the day. And today is brand presentation day. So I have a candidate and we're going to go through a brand presentation. Not 100% confident necessarily that the candidate will continue on. But I know at the very least, one of the reasons I really wanted to get started as quickly as possible is so that I can get my reps in. So I think that it could very well turn out that it's a great candidate. One of the things that I do remember that one of the people, one of the trainers said, was that a lot of times when you go through this process, there's going to be people you're going to be root for.

Gresham Harkless

02:20 - 02:44

And those people are going to really connect with and say, hey, it'd be really awesome, you know, that you own this franchise and you find a really perfect fit. And there's going to be others. You're going to be like, I don't think this is going to work out. And it works out. And so I kind of feel like this is it. So that's why you kind of just continue to take the steps of the process. And you don't try to say, oh, I think it's going to work or not going to work out. One of the things that you do a lot of times in sales is you try to gauge your time and energy.

Gresham Harkless

02:44 - 02:47

You try to maximize the time and energy as much as you

Intro

02:47 - 02:47

can,

Gresham Harkless

02:47 - 03:23

because you can't go 100% for every single candidate. You can't go 100% for every single client and customer. So you have to kind of gauge and due to the best of your abilities and your spidey senses, I guess you can say, on what and how things are going to go. But one of the things that I'm really excited about for this candidate is this candidate is in real estate as well, too. So that's one of those verticals that you have a lot of really strong sales skills. And with those sales skills and the ability to build relationships and connections, it ends up being like a really great fit for something like a franchise.

Gresham Harkless

03:23 - 03:56

And I found some that are a little bit more in that same kind of vertical. The thing and the reason I'm not a hundred percent sure on like how well this is going to work is because I hasn't taken a lot of the actions. Hasn't done this Oracle, hasn't done The financial connection, I don't think he made that or followed through with that. And it's the connection just to pre-qualify to see exactly how much he could be pre-qualified for. I think one of the give and takes, and I had a call yesterday, an intro call, very first call with somebody, and a lot of it was like, hey, I only have 12 minutes to speak.

Gresham Harkless

03:56 - 04:23

So we went through, bam, bam, bam, got the numbers, understand exactly what he's looking for. But the reality is that, you know, he wants to, he said, you should have everything you need. And it's like, no, you don't have everything. I don't have everything I need. And I think it's just somebody not understanding the process and not understanding like ultimately what you're trying to do. And it's hard to do that in like a 10 minute, 12 minute session, because you also want to build that rapport and relationship. So you have to kind of gauge those things.

Gresham Harkless

04:24 - 04:55

Even trying to set up a next appointment, it was pretty much like, no, I'm just talking on the phone with you for this. You send me everything that you think might be a good fit. And for me, having heard from other brokers that have a lot more seasoned and have talked with a lot more people, And even having been in sales positions, I understand that that's not necessarily the best way to do that. And it's especially because a lot of these presentations are very customized. So you're figuring out exactly what, as far as territories, is available.

Gresham Harkless

04:55 - 05:28

You're also figuring out exactly what's in their desire. You're figuring out the culture. You're figuring out what type of relationship they're going to have with the business. So that's the first call. that I had with this client that I'm doing, you know, brand presentation for kind of went like that. But I think it went a lot better in the fact that, you know, he's been available each time that I've reached out for our meeting. So we're going to do it on Zoom. So hopefully that goes well. But outside of that, you know, just continuing to kind of find leads and opportunities.

Gresham Harkless

05:28 - 05:53

I'm looking very much so into vending and seeing like how that turns about and just seeing what happens from there. Like I'm, you kno

IAM2435 – Unveiling the Franchise Broker Journey

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 06:16:42 -0400

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is nearing day 40 of his journey and considers himself “ready” to start after completing training. He has an upcoming presentation and is preparing a deck for it.

Gresham acknowledges the challenge of juggling multiple responsibilities, citing the quote, “He or she who chases two rabbits catches none.”

He intends to refine his focus through a “detox” process—eliminating unnecessary distractions and making tough decisions about what to prioritize.

Gresham also mentions dealing with an issue at his rental property, which adds another demand on his time and energy, reinforcing the need for clear priorities.

In addition, Gresham emphasizes the importance of simplifying tasks and focusing on essential goals, particularly as he moves into his next 12-week planning cycle.

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:01

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:29

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast. And this is a special episode of our I AM CEO Podcast.

And this is actually going to be a snippet of a snippet, so to speak. I'm just doing an intro because I've been starting to document my journey into starting what is now called Blue Star Franchise.

We're also going to do a kind of sub site within CB Nation called Franchise CEO. So you'll see some links in the show notes related to that.

But just wanted to give you a little bit more insight, give you a little bit more color in some of the aspects of why I'm actually doing this.

Because one of the things I was doing as I was going through training to start up this new business was realizing and hearing from the founder of FBA, the Franchise Brokers Association, that it'd be really cool to document your journey going through and building this out.

I think it's something that would be super helpful, obviously for people that are looking for and thinking about starting franchises.

But frankly, if you're starting anything, any type of business, I think it's really cool to kind of just even see the journey and how it's been going from there.

So I'm going to share a few of those snippets from the, from the first couple of videos that have been created.

But definitely, of course, subscribe to our YouTube, check out a lot more where I figure out exactly where we're going to post this.

So I'll have that information that's available to you. But regardless, if you're a builder, continue to keep building, continue to do your thing.

The world definitely needs exactly what you're trying to build and needs you to be your unique self.

So make sure to run your own race, because nobody can run your race like you. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

And today is another day. I just wanted to talk a little bit around distractions. I think it's almost day 40 maybe.

But continue to kind of go through this journey to be a franchise broker, see what that looks like.

And I started to define like where I'm at based off of how I finished with training, because that's when you're quote unquote ready to kind of get started.

I have a presentation tomorrow, actually, so that should be good. Hopefully the press won't show up.

And I think he's excited, at least about the opportunities. And I have to try to find those great fits for him.

So getting the presentation, the deck to read together is what's going to be a really big focus.

[restrict paid=”true”]

But I just wanted to talk a little bit around distractions. There's a quote that he or she who chases two rabbits catches none.

And I think sometimes I feel like I might be, chasing too many rabbits and more than two.

And I think that figure out like what things to kind of filter out, what things are not going to be essential.

And what I said and I have as one of my 12 week goals is kind of to do detox, essentially. And to get rid of those things that aren't essential to where you want to be.

And I think that is going to be a huge thing that I continue to kind of work on. It means, of course, you have to make some really tough decisions.

But at the same time, you have to really go through and figure out what's happening, what's not happening, how to improve those things.

So with that being said, it's essential to continue to kind of take those steps in order to kind of get better, to improve.

But I think when you are kind of having your focus broken up, it can be a little bit more of a challenge for that to happen.

With that being said, I also have a rental property. A rental property, something has happened there.

So I have to check on that. So again, this is another thing that kind of takes away from your energy, your time and in your efforts and you have to really get very clear on what that is that you want to do and then kind of lean more into that.

So that's kind of like where I'm at. And that's kind of some of the things that I ultimately put into place and really figure out what to do and what that next step is going to be.

But more than anything else, I think it's just understanding that you have a tremendous opportunity to do some really great things.

And, sometimes when you see and have like so many opportunities, it can kind of get you to a place where you are stretched more than you want to be.

So that's something I got to continue to kind of work on, continue to kind of see how I can filter and detox the things that I'm focused on.

So that I could show up as my best self in all aspects of that I need. But that's one of the challenges that you have.

It's like, that's why you hear a lot of people, what they'll do is they're not trying to do all the things.

They're trying to do the things that is the most important, the most impactful, the most relevant to what they're ultimately trying to do.

And I have to figure out what that is. And I have to continue to kind of filter out those things and refined the things that I'm focused on so that I can show up as my best self.

And that's going to evolve and change. And I think that's the reality of kind of like where I'm at and what, what I could do.

So, it's exciting time, but at the same time, it's like, getting, letting go of that rung. So you can swing to the next one and just what that looks like.

So, this is it for today. A little bit of a quicker update. And yeah, just kind of go from there.

If you're working on anything, just try to figure out how you could make it simpler and focus those things.

And I think especially going into my next 12 weeks and my next goals, that's going to be something I'm really, really going to be focused on.

Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. And of course, looking forward to giving you more and more updates.

Outro 05:34

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by CBNation and Blue16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community.

Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe and leave us a five-star rating. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.

IAMCEO Podcast Transcript

Email Download New Tab

Intro

00:01 - 00:28

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Grush values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I Am CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless

00:29 - 01:08

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I Am CEO podcast. And this is a special episode of our I Am CEO podcast. And this is actually going to be a snippet of a snippet, so to speak. I'm just doing an intro because I've been starting to document my journey into starting what is now called Blue Star Franchise. We're also going to do a kind of subcite within CB Nation called franchise CEO. So you'll see some links in the show notes related to that. But I just want to give you a little bit more insight, give you a little bit more color in some of the aspects of why I'm actually doing this, because one of the things I was doing as I was going through training to start up this new business was realizing and hearing from the founder of FBA, the Franchise Brokers Association, that it'd be really cool to document your journey.

Gresham Harkless

01:09 - 01:35

going through and building this out. I think it's something that would be super helpful, obviously, for people that are looking for and thinking about starting franchises. But frankly, if you're starting anything, any type of business, I think it's really cool to kind of just even see the journey and how it's been going from there. So I'm going to share a few of those snippets from the from the first couple of videos that have been created. But definitely, of course, subscribe to our YouTube. Check out a lot more where I figure out exactly where we're going to post this.

Gresham Harkless

01:35 - 01:51

So I have that information that's available to you. But Regardless, if you're a builder, continue to keep building, continue to do your thing. The world definitely needs exactly what you're trying to build. It needs you to be your unique self. So make sure to run your own race because nobody can run your race like you. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the

Gresham Harkless

01:52 - 02:26

day. And today is another day. I just wanted to talk a little bit around distractions. I think it's almost day. 40 maybe, but continue to kind of go through this journey to be a franchise broker, see what that looks like. And I started to define like where I'm at based off of how I finished with training, because that's when you're quote unquote ready to kind of get started. I have a presentation tomorrow, actually, so that should be good. Hopefully the press won't show up. And I think he's excited, at least about the opportunities. And I have to try to find those great fits for him.

Gresham Harkless

02:27 - 02:55

So getting the presentation, the deck to read together is what's going to be a really big focus. But I just wanted to talk a little bit around distractions. You know, there's a quote that he or she who chases two rabbits catches none. And I think sometimes I feel like I might be, you know, chasing too many rabbits and more than, you know, two. And I think that figure out like what things to kind of filter out, what things are not going to be essential. And what I said and I have as one of my 12 week goals is kind of to do detox, essentially.

Gresham Harkless

02:55 - 03:32

and to get rid of those things that aren't essential to where you want to be. And I think that is going to be a huge thing that I continue to kind of work on. It means, of course, you have to make some really tough decisions, but at the same time, you have to really go through and figure out what's happening, what's not happening, how to improve those things. So with that being said, it's essential to continue to kind of take those steps in order to kind of get better, to improve. But I think when you are kind of having your focus broken up, it can be a little bit more of a challenge for that to happen.

Gresham Harkless

03:33 - 04:01

With that being said, I also have a rental property. A rental property, something has happened there. So I have to check on that. So again, this is another thing that kind of takes away from your energy, your time. and in your efforts and you have to really get very clear on what that is that you want to do and then kind of lean more into that. So that's kind of like where I'm at. And that's kind of some of the things that I ultimately, you know, you know, put into place and really figure out what to do and what that next step is going to be.

Gresham Harkless

04:01 - 04:34

But more than anything else, I think it's just understanding that you have a tremendous opportunity to do some really great things. And, um, Sometimes when you see and have like so many opportunities, it can kind of get you to a place where you are stretched more than you want to be. So that's something I got to continue to kind of work on, continue to kind of see how I can filter and detox the things that I'm focused on. so that I could show up as my best self in all aspects of that I need. But that's one of the challenges that you have.

Gresham Harkless

04:34 - 05:02

It's like, that's why you hear a lot of people, what they'll do is they're not trying to do all the things. They're trying to do the things that is the most important, the most impactful, the most relevant to what they're ultimately trying to do. And I have to figure out what that is. And I have to continue to kind of, you know, you know, filter out those things and, and refined the things that I'm focused on so that I can show up as my best self. And that's going to evolve and change. And I think that's the reality of kind of like where I'm at and what, what I could do.

Gresham Harkless

05:02 - 05:29

So, um, it's exciting time, but at the same time, it's like, you know, getting, letting go of that rung. So you can swing to the next one and just what that looks like. So, um, this is it for today. A little bit of a quicker update. And yeah, just kind of go from there. If you're working on anything, just try to figure out how you could make it simpler and focus those things. And I think especially going into my next 12 weeks and my next goals, that's going to be something I'm really, really going to be focused on.

Gresham Harkless

05:29 - 05:33

Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. And of course, looking forward to giving you more and more updates.

Intro

05:34 - 06:09

Thank you for listening to the IMCEO podcast powered by CB Nation and Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at imceo.co. IMCEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe and leave us a five-star rating. This has been the I Am CEO podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:01

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:29

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast. And this is a special episode of our I AM CEO Podcast.

And this is actually going to be a snippet of a snippet, so to speak. I'm just doing an intro because I've been starting to document my journey into starting what is now called Blue Star Franchise.

We're also going to do a kind of sub site within CB Nation called Franchise CEO. So you'll see some links in the show notes related to that.

But just wanted to give you a little bit more insight, give you a little bit more color in some of the aspects of why I'm actually doing this.

Because one of the things I was doing as I was going through training to start up this new business was realizing and hearing from the founder of FBA, the Franchise Brokers Association, that it'd be really cool to document your journey going through and building this out.

I think it's something that would be super helpful, obviously for people that are looking for and thinking about starting franchises.

But frankly, if you're starting anything, any type of business, I think it's really cool to kind of just even see the journey and how it's been going from there.

So I'm going to share a few of those snippets from the, from the first couple of videos that have been created.

But definitely, of course, subscribe to our YouTube, check out a lot more where I figure out exactly where we're going to post this.

So I'll have that information that's available to you. But regardless, if you're a builder, continue to keep building, continue to do your thing.

The world definitely needs exactly what you're trying to build and needs you to be your unique self.

So make sure to run your own race, because nobody can run your race like you. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh here, and didn't get really a lot of sleep last night. I won't say I'm running on fumes, but I'm sure I will be by the end of the day.

What I wanted to talk about a little bit today was starting to generate leads. We're starting to see some leads come in, not a lot, but a little bit coming in from Google ads.

[restrict paid=”true”]

I've heard not great things about Google ads, but again, when you are looking at different opportunities, I think you weigh them all at the same time.

One thing that I really learned about, from a franchise broker, which makes perfect sense, is a lot of times when you're testing out different ideas, what we'll often do is we will stop doing something to do something else.

And then, have something else to do and then stop that to do this next thing. And the problem is, is that you don't really get the adequate opportunity to really like AB test and to really like see what the opportunities might be.

So one of the things I've been going back and forth about like should I you know continue with the leads that I've been getting or should I just do something else.

And I try to balance all of those things. And ultimately I think, uh, just thinking a little bit more about that.

I think you're more likely to be better off by AB testing and AB, maybe even C testing something else just to see what's going to generate those opportunities.

And I think in the very beginning of any type of business, but especially a business that is somewhat fairly new, that's something that you're going to be kind of working with and seeing what can happen.

So Google ads is something, that we're looking at. We're going to look at some other opportunities and options to see what happens.

But I think doing that along with the broker leads is going to be a great way to kind of see what's working and what's not.

I think there's always, you always feel like there's a better option at another level, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is necessarily greener, that the grass is definitely greener on the other side.

I think that's one of the challenges, with understanding what to do. But I think that's where the power of A-B testing comes in.

You start where you're at. So we got, 30, 40 leads, 35 leads or so like that. And we had, three or four of them become meetings and maybe one ends up closing, then you have that as a baseline to see, like, can you improve that?

So the next thing that you introduce, you're going to have that same type of cadence and you look at those two things and see what's better.

If it's not better, then you move on to the next thing. But there's also like A-B testing within the A-B testing, if that makes sense.

So maybe, within AB testing, you're doing something as far as copy. So you look at the copy and see if you can improve that.

Or the imagery if there's some type of imagery you look at the imagery to see what can be improved there.

But I think the the biggest thing is just to kind of truly understand that I think from what I can gather a lot of the marketing and advertising is still kind of at its infancy you know in this world.

And I think a lot of it is because it's so niche. There's such a few amount of people that actually will start businesses.

And I think if we know and understand that that is a minority, we understand that as we advertise to them, that's going to be even more of a minority.

So I think it's just like understanding what that cadence is. I'm trying to get in and test out, pay attention to the data.

But at the same time, continue to kind of iterate and ultimately kind of go from there. So with that being said, there's lots of opportunity, I think.

And that's what I'm kind of most excited about. It just takes time. And that's one of the frustrating things I think with everything is that good things take time and I think doing things the right way takes time.

So that's one of the reasons I wanted to move before I was ready. And that being said, I'm excited about all the transitions, the changes, the things that are going on.

But ultimately, just continue to kind of understand that leads the more people that hear about you, what you do and how you do it are going to b, more likely to take those steps.

So Gresh signing out. Hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day. Also, One other really cool thing I've learned is being active on social media, social listening, on Facebook groups, other groups.

I haven't been as active on LinkedIn groups, but I plan to do that as well too. Another great way to, at least in the beginning, it seems like generate people that are opportunities.

I mentioned that one of the people that I was, didn't get a chance to talk to as quickly as I wanted to end up closing.

So that's a good sign that I'm in the right place. So look for those wins, those small wins.

Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. And of course, I look forward to giving you more and more updates.

Intro 06:28

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by CBNation and Blue16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase. It's a community.

Don't forget to schedule your complimentary digital marketing consultation at Blue16Media.com. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.

IAMCEO Podcast Transcript

Email Download New Tab

Intro

00:01 - 00:28

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Grest values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I Am CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless

00:29 - 01:09

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I am CEO podcast. And this is a special episode of our I am CEO podcast. And this is actually going to be a snippet of a snippet. So to speak, I'm just doing an intro because I've been starting to document my journey into starting what is now called Blue Star Franchise. We're also going to do a kind of subcite within CB Nation called franchise CEO. So you'll see some links in the show notes related to that. But I just want to give you a little bit more insight, give you a little bit more color in some of the aspects of why I'm actually doing this, because one of the things I was doing as I was going through training to start up this new business was realizing and hearing from the founder of FBA, the Franchise Brokers Association, that it'd be really cool to document your journey.

Gresham Harkless

01:09 - 01:36

going through and building this out. I think it's something that would be super helpful, obviously, for people that are looking for and thinking about starting franchises. But frankly, if you're starting anything, any type of business, I think it's really cool to kind of just even see the journey and how it's been going from there. So I'm going to share a few of those snippets from the from the first couple of videos that have been created. But definitely, of course, subscribe to our YouTube. Check out a lot more where I figure out exactly where we're going to post this.

Gresham Harkless

01:36 - 01:52

So I have that information that's available to you. But Regardless, if you're a builder, continue to keep building, continue to do your thing. The world definitely needs exactly what you're trying to build. It needs you to be your unique self, so make sure to run your own race because nobody can run your race like you. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the

Gresham Harkless

01:52 - 02:21

day. Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh here, and didn't get really a lot of sleep last night. I won't say I'm running on fumes, but I'm sure I will be by the end of the day. What I wanted to talk about a little bit today was starting to generate leads. We're starting to see some leads come in, not a lot, but a little bit coming in from Google ads. I've heard, you know, not great things about Google ads, but again, you know, When you are looking at different opportunities, I think you weigh them all at the same time.

Gresham Harkless

02:22 - 02:54

One thing that I really learned about, you know, from a franchise broker, which makes perfect sense, is a lot of times when you're testing out different ideas, what we'll often do is we will stop doing something to do something else and then, you know, have something else to do and then stop that to do this next thing. And the problem is, is that you don't really get the adequate opportunity to really like A, B test and to really like see what the opportunities might be. So one of the things I've been you know going back and forth about like should I you know continue with the leads that I've been getting or should I just do something else.

Gresham Harkless

02:54 - 03:24

Um, and I try to balance all of those things. And ultimately I think, uh, just thinking a little bit more about that. I think you're more likely to be better off by AB testing and AB, maybe even C testing something else just to see what's going to generate those opportunities. And I think in the very beginning of any type of business, but especially a business that is somewhat fairly new, um, that's something that, you know, you're going to be kind of, you know, working with and seeing what can happen. So Google ads is something, that we're looking at.

Gresham Harkless

03:24 - 03:53

We're going to look at some other opportunities and options to see what happens. But I think doing that along with the broker leads is going to be a great way to kind of see what's working and what's not. I think there's always, you know, you always feel like there's a better option at another level, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is necessarily greener, that the grass is definitely greener on the other side. I think that's one of the challenges, you know, with understanding what to do. But I think that's where the power of A-B testing comes in.

Gresham Harkless

03:53 - 04:26

You start where you're at. So we got, you know, 30, 40 leads, 35 leads or so like that. And we had, you know, three or four of them become meetings and maybe one ends up closing, then you have that as a baseline to see, like, can you improve that? So the next thing that you introduce, you're going to have that same type of cadence and you look at those two things and see what's better. If it's not better, then you move on to the next thing. But there's also like A-B testing within the A-B testing, if that makes sense.

Gresham Harkless

04:26 - 04:57

So maybe, you know, within A-B testing, you're doing something as far as copy. So you look at the copy and see if you can improve that. or the imagery if there's some type of imagery you look at the imagery to see what can be improved there but I think the the biggest thing is just to kind of truly understand that I think from what I can gather a lot of the marketing and advertising is still kind of at its infancy you know in this world. And I think a lot of it is because it's so niche.

Gresham Harkless

04:57 - 05:25

There's such a few amount of people that actually will start businesses. And I think if we know and understand that that is a minority, we understand that as we advertise to them, that's going to be even more of a minority. So I think it's just like understanding what that cadence is. I'm trying to get in and test out, you know, pay attention to the data, but at the same time, continue to kind of iterate and ultimately kind of go from there. So with that being said, there's, you know, lots of opportunity, I think. And that's what I'm kind of most excited about.

Gresham Harkless

05:25 - 05:52

It just takes time. And that's one of the Frustrating things I think with everything is that good things take time and I think doing things the right way takes time. So that's one of the reasons I wanted to move before I was ready. And that being said, you know, I'm excited about all the transitions, the changes, the things that are going on, but ultimately, you know, just continue to kind of understand that leads the more people that hear about you, what you do and how you do it are going to be, you know, more likely to take those steps.

Gresham Harkless

05:52 - 06:21

So scratch signing out. Hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day. Also, One other really cool thing I've learned is being active on so

IAM2433 – Founder Helps Business Leaders Streamline Podcast Appearances by Leveraging on AI Technology

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:16:22 -0400

Cahill Camden is an entrepreneur who helps business leaders grow their brand and authority through podcast appearances, PR, and LinkedIn strategies.

He founded the AI-powered tools EchoJockey and PressJockey, which automate podcast and PR placements.

Cahill emphasizes that AI should be seen as an enhancement, not a replacement for human connection.

He believes that founders should take the initiative to drive their vision while fostering genuine connections.

Additionally, Cahill points out that as AI-generated content floods the internet, authentic human connections will become even more valuable.

LinkedIn: Cahill Camden

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Cahill Camden Teaser 00:00

Instead of having to crawl through iTunes or Spotify or other databases and like find the best podcast match and do they have guests and how long is the podcast, what do they talk about and what's the approximate traffic, all these data points that you wanna figure out, the AI does it all for you.

Like you literally can type in, I want to be on podcasts that talk to startups in the tech space and it will read your bio, it will understand that entire, phrase that you put in and it will find you the best podcasts for you and your profile.

Intro00:34

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless01:00

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast, and I have an awesome guest on the show today. I have Cahill Camden. Cahill, excited to have you on the show.

Cahill Camden Teaser 01:08

Thanks for having me on. I appreciate it.

Gresham Harkless01:10

Yes, I'm excited to have you on and talk about all the awesome things that you're doing. And of course, before I do that, we want to read a little bit more about Cahill so you can hear about some of those awesome things he's been working on.

And Cahill helps entrepreneurs and tech founders build brand authority and influence by speaking on podcasts, PR, and building their brand on LinkedIn so that they can grow their business and their revenue.

His AI-powered tools, EchoJockey and PressJockey, help automate how business leaders get placed on podcasts and PR, and his agency works with select founders and CEOs to amplify their impact on LinkedIn.

As a former CMO of two tech companies, he helped scale them from startups to eight-figure exits while digitally nomading across the world.

His mission is simple, help founders cut the noise and build the brand and authority and influence they need to scale their business.

And I absolutely love everything that Cahill's doing with Echo and PressJockey just because people sometimes need to look at things in a different way.

And kind of hearing a little bit more about his journey when I was listening to another episode or another interview that he had is a lot of times we continue to kind of go on the treadmill over and over again, doing things in the same way.

But that proverbial entrepreneurial phrase, there has to be a better way, is true, I think, in his journey.

And of course, what's even better is he actually found a better way. So Cahill, excited to have you on the show. Are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Cahill Camden Teaser 02:29

Absolutely. I'm excited to do this.

[restrict paid=”true”]

Gresham Harkless 02:30

Awesome. Well, let's kind of kick everything off by rewinding the clock a little bit, hear a little bit more on how you got started, what I call your CEO story.

Cahill Camden 02:37

So I had an agency, so I actually started way back, I started in the tech sales space and I was doing sales, wanted to learn marketing, started going down that path.

And I got to this place where I was doing great at marketing, started building a little bit of an agency that became larger and then I became CMO of a couple of technology startups.

So this process took, let's say, five to seven years. And during that time, I had an agency. It was growing.

Well, we still have an agency, but the agency was growing. And we were doing a lot of the outreach, the communications, the connections. A lot of the work was done manually. AI wasn't there yet.

And so I kept on having to hire more and more people to just just do the grinding work of finding contacts, reaching out to potential, journalists, podcasts, just let's go.

We got to keep doing this over and over and over. And I thought, as you, as you mentioned, I thought there's got to be a better way to do this.

And so I started investing in automations and that eventually became software. And then that software became AI powered software. And here we are today, a few years later.

Gresham Harkless 03:54

Nice. Well, I definitely appreciate you sharing that journey, especially giving the time to that journey as well, too.

Because I think a lot of times when people see people that are successful and doing awesome things, they think you just snap your fingers and that happens.

But I almost wonder if you having and going through that experience and, of course, the technology not being there at that time.

But I almost feel like, and I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I'm curious, had you not gone through those experiences, may you have not seen the gap in the opportunity that you end up finding and being able to solve it in such a great way.

Cahill Camden 04:26

Yeah of course and I think this is a really great point that you bring up is you've got to have an idea of what you've got to have an idea.

And if you can't have an experience of what it is that you're trying to solve because that makes it way more clear for you to actually be able to come up with a solution.

It's one thing to have a theory about what you think is going to happen or what you think the problem is and it's another thing to have the experience of the problem.

And say hey I need to solve this for myself and I'm sure there's other people who need to solve that as well.

Gresham Harkless 04:57

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's one of the beautiful things around technology is like I'm definitely a person that gets caught in that shiny object syndrome sometimes where I'm like, oh, that looks really cool. That would be cool to implement.

But I love how everything has been built because it sounded like you saw that there was an opportunity within the company you were already building.

And you were able to kind of leverage those things and then make it more mass market, I guess, so that other people can kind of benefit from the solution you were able to solve internally.

Cahill Camden 05:23

Yeah, exactly. And that's typically how we've been building all of our software is we have this problem.

So for example, right now, we're having a problem of, well, we were having a problem of, hey, we want to find people to pitch for our software.

So we built a way to find the guests from all of the podcasts that are out there. And, if you're a guest and you're on podcasts, you're more likely to want to be on more podcasts.

So this is a perfect target, ideal customer profile for us. OK, well, that in and of itself is something that I've heard from podcasters who are up and coming.

They're like, hey, I want to find the right guests or for people who are running internal podcasts, just locally to their their enterprise or their company.

They're they're saying, OK, there's people that we can interview, but we want to find more guests or for we want to find guests for speaking engagements.

And this is something that I think we will eventually open up to the public and say, hey, if you're a customer of EchoJockey, you can also search for guests. And this is kind of how we're doing it.

Gresham Harkless 06:28

Yeah, absolutely. And that's why I love everything you've been able to build, because it's right in line with that.

So I guess I know you touched on it a little bit. Can you take us through a little bit more on how each of them work, how you actually help to serve the clients you work with?

Cahill Camden 06:40

The EchoJockey is a an AI-powered tool from its core. What that means is everything that you see in Echo Jockey works based on AI.

So the database, the generation of pitches, the search that you see, everything is powered by AI so that it gives you better results instead of having to crawl through iTunes or Spotify or other databases.

And find the best podcast match, and do they have guests, and how long is the podcast, what do they talk about.

And what's the approximate traffic, all these data points that you wanna figure out, the AI does it all for you.

You literally can type in, I want to be on podcasts that talk to startups in the tech space, and it will read your bio, it will understand that entire phrase that you put in.

And it will find you the best podcast for you and your profile. If I put in the exact same search, I'm gonna see different results. Not only can it do that, but it can also then automate that process.

So that search can happen every single day while you sleep, and it will find you the best podcast, drop them into a list for you, and write your draft pitches based on your profile.

So now all you have to do is 10, 15 minutes a day, come in, see what pitches have been created for you.

You make a couple edits, hit send, and you land on podcasts. That's how, that's how it really helps you accelerate what you're doing for your clients.

If you're an agency or a solopreneur agency, um, and if you're a CEO or founder, that's how you get on more podcasts.

Gresham Harkless 08:19

Yeah, that makes so much sense. And so I almost wonder if that's part of what I like to call your secret sauce. It could be for yourself, the business, or a combination of both.

But is it that ability to, I would like to say, think from an abundant mentality to be able to say, it's not, can I use technology or can I use humans, but how can I bring those two things together?

Do you feel like your, I don't know if it's a mentality or just perspective is something that, feel like sets you apart and makes you unique?

Cahill Camden 08:43

I do think that there's, I do think that that's exactly the way you should approach AI right now, which is, look it's not necessarily going to replace everything you do.

Although there are moves for that to happen i think if you if you are a CEO you're a founder who's looking to accelerate the value that you're bringing to your potential customers this is this is that It's like rocket fuel.

Your AI asking my AI questions, like no one cares about that. People want to hear about the human stories. People want to see the person behind the company or behind the idea.

And that's what this allows you to do. It allows you to actually have more human-to-human connections and conversations, share your value.

Because the AI is doing that grinding work of sorting through millions of podcasts or millions of episodes and finding the best ones for you.

And if you think about it that way too, finding the best podcasts for you and your brand is exactly what you want to do.

It's exactly what the podcast host wants. They want the best people for their audience and it's exactly what the audience wants as well.

They want to hear from the best people who are the most relevant to their, their challenges.

And so that's, that's the, that's the direction. So I do think that abundance mentality is, is there like technology is here to help you, um, leverage it.

Gresham Harkless 10:19

Yeah, absolutely. And so I wanted to switch gears a little bit and I want to ask you for what I call a CEO hack.

So this could be like an Apple book or even a habit that you have, but what's something you lean on that makes you more effective and efficient?

Cahill Camden 10:30

One of the most important things is really reducing phone time. And I know that that's that can be very hard.

But so I just I was on vacation for a week and I found that there was a huge sense of rest and recovery primarily.

Because I'm on the beach hanging out with family and I'm not on my phone checking stock prices, checking cryptocurrency, checking social media just on the phone all the time.

And so one of the hacks that I would say is if you have the ability to do this, really segment your time and really put your phone on do not disturb or silent mode and put it away from you.

Like get your phone away from you so that you can just focus on your work. There's so many distractions in the world and you gotta remember that you're the customer that you're the customer for the social media companies.

I'm sorry. You're the product for the social media companies yet. You're the product so they need you to be on so that they can sell ads.

It's it's something that you need to be very careful so that's one of my my major hacks and then the other one is just exercise.

And so I walk a lot like I walk quite a lot and I also work out and I think that that's really important.

Because being a CEO running your own company being an entrepreneur a founder running your own agency, it takes a lot of work.

And it takes a lot of mental strength to keep on going when things are difficult and when you have challenges that arise.

And exercise is one of the best ways to release endorphins, chemicals, and get your mind off of business so that you can rest and recover.

Gresham Harkless 12:09

Yeah, I love both of those hacks. And so I wanted to ask you now for what I call a CEO nugget, this is a little bit more word of wisdom or piece of advice.

I like to say it might be advice you would give to your favorite client, or if you hopped into a time machine, it might be something you would tell your younger business self.

Cahill Camden 12:24

You have more experience and knowledge and value to share with the world than you think you do.

This is one of the challenges that a lot of the customers who start with EchoJockey have problems overcoming, or initial, it's an initial hurdle.

They think, well, I haven't sold a business for multiple millions, or well, I don't, I don't, I haven't been in the industry for 20 years, or well.

I've only been in the industry for five years, or whatever the excuse is, I'm a female, I'm a male, I'm this race, that religion, it doesn't matter.

You have more experience, knowledge, and the ability to share value than you think you do.

And if you remember that, you can give yourself the permission to actually go out and share that.

Share it on LinkedIn, share it on podcasts, share it on PR. And yeah, sure, you might stumble a little bit.

But you're going to find that confidence, you're going to share that value, you're going to get feedback, and you're going to grow.

Gresham Harkless 13:26

Yeah. And that's such a huge thing. So now I wanted to ask you one of my absolute favorite questions, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

And our goals to have different quote unquote CEOs on the show. So Cahill, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Cahill Camden 13:38

To me, it means helping other people, whether that's your employees, your contractors, your freelancers, your customers. It's helping other people.

And I think that that's extremely important, helping other people. And then it's also, I would say, managing the risk that's infused into your business.

So what do I mean by that? Well, you are the person who has to take the first step as we've been talking about.

You're the person who has to initiate that. You're the person that is responsible for that. And so not only do you have to help others.

But you have to manage that risk and help people to take the first steps with you in the direction that you want.

And so to me, that's very important in terms of being a CEO or being the founder of a company. You got to do those two things.

Gresham Harkless 14:34

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Okay, Hale, truly appreciate that definition. And of course, I appreciate your time even more.

So what I want to do now is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional that you can let our readers and listeners know.

And of course, how best people can get a hold of you, your team, and find out about all the awesome things that you all are working on.

Cahill Camden 14:50

I think that right now we're in a time-frame where AI is really pushing forward and it is flooding the market with content.

And so as a CEO, as a founder, as an entrepreneur who's listening to this podcast, I think it's going to be very, very important to have those human to human connections over the next couple of years.

That's where I think you can cut through the noise and you can actually make genuine connections with your customers, with other podcast hosts, with other YouTube hosts, etc., and communities and you can really start to build your brand.

Cahill Camden 15:27

If you don't do that, I think you're you're running a massive risk. And that risk is not the good type of risk, it's the bad type of risk.

Because you've got to imagine when everyone has this power of AI, the content that is being flooded is just so easy.

I can click a button and have blog posts created in a split second. The best way is to find me on LinkedIn.

So on LinkedIn, I'm Cahill Camden. So just search for me, add me on LinkedIn. I'm on there quite a lot. I'll drop a link for you.

And then as well, I'll drop a link in some awesome downloadables for people to have some for free that will help you accelerate your journey and help you get over some of the hurdles that you might be having.

Gresham Harkless 16:11

Yeah, absolutely. Well, I truly appreciate that. Of course, to make it even easier, like you mentioned, we're going to have the links an

IAM2432 – CEO Shares Blockchain’s Potential Role in Financial Ecosystems

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:16:00 -0400

Steve Durbin is recognized for his ability to modernize financial ecosystems, integrating traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi) with a focus on transparency, accessibility, and resilience.

Steve is the President of Quail Bend Capital Partners, a private equity firm he founded in 2010, which has investments in fin-tech and mining, including a controlling interest in Save Daily Holdings.

He holds an economics degree from Harvard University and serves on the boards of Save Daily Holdings, Electric Metals, and Blackjack Silver.

Steve emphasizes the importance of solving real problems rather than convincing people they need a product.

Furthermore, his approach to leadership includes daily reflection, meticulous task management, and surrounding himself with hardworking, trustworthy individuals.

Website: RYTchain

LinkedIn: Steve Durbin

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Steve Durbin Teaser 00:00

We can build apps off of it, and it can serve anything from digital identification. We have some pretty ambitious goals with national digital currency, medical records, real estate.

I mean, really any sort of industry that is keeping records of anything can benefit from this technology.

Intro 00:21

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:47

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I have an awesome guest on the show today as Steve Durbin. Steve, excited to have you on.

Steve Durbin 00:55

Nice to meet you. Very excited.

Gresham Harkless 00:57

Yes, I'm excited as well, too. And Steve's doing so many awesome things. So I'm super amped to kind of jump into this phenomenal conversation.

But of course, before we do that, I want to read a little bit more about Steve so you can hear about why he's so awesome.

And as a fast forwarding financial leader with a distinguished career across private equity, hedge funds and investment banking.

Steve has been recognized for his ability to navigate complex landscapes and deliver significant transformation.

Steve is driven by a vision to modernize financial ecosystems, facilitating the integration of traditional and decentralized finance, while prioritizing transparency, accessibility, and resilience.

As the president of Quail Bend Capital Partners, a private equity firm he founded in 2010, Steve has strategic investments in fin-tech and mining, including and controlling interest in save daily holdings.

His approach emphasizes leveraging technology to solve real-world financial challenges, empowering organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving market.

His extensive career includes pivotal roles at the Watley Group, Red Mountain Capital Partners, and J.P. Morgan.

His work has contributed to financial restructuring, operational innovation, and high-profile leverage buyouts, respectively.

Steve holds an economics degree with honors from Harvard University, and he sits on the boards of Save Daily Holdings Corp., Electric Metals, and Blackjack Silver.

He is currently taking on a new venture at the intersection of Web3 and finance. And before we were kind of jumping into this, I was reading a little bit more about Steve and listened to one of his or read one of his interviews.

And one of the things that I really loved about is I think so many times it's important to know what people do, but I think it's even more important to know why they do it.

And one of the quotes I have to read is that he was inspired to start the business by a vision to merge traditional finance with DeFi to create a solution that's not only more cohesive and effective, but genuinely useful.

He wanted to build a product that serves the underbanked and the unbanked populations that too often get left behind by financial systems.

So Steve, excited to have you on, love everything you're doing. Are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Steve Durbin 03:00

I am. And I got to say, I'm not quite sure who wrote that introduction, but I got to give them kudos because it made me sound quite good.

[restrict paid=”true”]

And I've got to give my PR team some props there because that made me sound a little bit better than I probably really am.

Gresham Harkless 03:15

Yeah, no, you're probably being far too kind. I always say it's a lot easier to kind of write the things or to read the things, but it's probably a lot harder to make sure that you're accomplishing those things.

So you did the hard work and we just kind of amplified as much as possible, right?

Steve Durbin 03:28

I appreciate it.

Gresham Harkless 03:30

Absolutely. So I guess to kind of kick everything off, let's rewind the clock, hear a little bit more on how you got started, what I call your CEO story.

Steve Durbin 03:36

Yeah, so I grew up in Los Angeles. My mother was the CEO of a tool distributions company, which is pretty interesting occupation for a woman at that time.

And she was running it with her two sisters and her mom. So I had this very strong role model growing up.

And my dad was in real estate and flipping houses before it was cool or popular to be doing that.

So between the two of them, I had, I'd say a pretty good entrepreneurial background and pretty good role models as far as you know, how to support a family on your own.

That being said, I really had no idea what I wanted to do for a career. I was fortunate enough to get into Harvard. I studied economics there.

And sort of in my senior year and junior year, I was still in that sort of phase where I was a bit of a rudderless boat.

And I had, a lot of conviction in my desire to be successful and my desire to work hard. But I wasn't exactly sure what career that would take.

So I looked into investment banking, and I thought that was a pretty good first step in a job where I could learn a really good skill set that could be applied to a wide range of industries, I'd be exposed to a lot of very, very smart, hardworking people.

And I felt like that kind of kept all of my options open. So after Harvard, I ended up working at JP Morgan in their financial sponsor group, which I very much enjoyed.

Although the hours were challenging, to say the least, I felt like I was absorbing and learning more than I could in almost any other job.

So being exposed to C-level talent when you're in your early 20s is a pretty unique opportunity.

And I feel like I had the work ethic and the skill set to be pretty successful as an analyst and associate.

So I thought I learned a lot and enjoyed it. And although you're in a very corporate environment, you do get exposed to these entrepreneurial figures when you're working with the companies.

And the CEOs and the CFOs, who a lot of times have grown their businesses themselves all the way up.

So I very much enjoyed that, although I felt like it was a bit of a big, too big of an organization for me.

I felt like I didn't want to keep climbing that corporate ladder. I wanted to be a little bit more of my own boss.

So I took kind of the next leap forward and moved to Oak Hill Capital Partners, where I certainly wasn't my own boss.

But there was a bit more latitude, a bit more ability to kind of run your day to day as long as you get your stuff done.

They're happy with your performance. So I felt like that was a really great experience. I decided to make the move back to Los Angeles where I worked at a startup hedge fund called Red Mountain Capital Partners.

And I think this was sort of my first real experience being an entrepreneur because there was really only a few of us doing all of the investment decisions.

There was the founder, a principal, I'm sorry, another partner in me as the principal.

So three of us doing all the investment decisions with our support staff of analysts and associates.

Unfortunately, the timing wasn't great there. When I joined not too long after that was the 2008 financial crisis.

We were a small cap targeted fund. So we got kind of hit with the wave of the market downturn.

But then shortly after that in 2010, I decided to start my own fund, Quail Bend Capital Partners.

And ever since then, I've really been doing my own entrepreneurial work. No corporation whatsoever, no overhead.

It's all me as the real CEO and the real driving force. So that brings me to today where I've now launched a new business called Right.

It's a blockchain, which really came out of one of my portfolio companies. And that's really where I'm devoting most of my effort these days.

So I know that was a bit of a long-winded answer, but that's sort of how I ended up where I am today.

Gresham Harkless 07:42

Yeah, it's a perfect answer though. I wanted to drill down a little bit more. I know you touched on your new venture and what you're working on there.

Could you take us through a little bit more what you're doing there, how you're making an impact?

Steve Durbin 07:51

You had mentioned I'm on the board of Save Daily. So that company is a pretty interesting business where they provide investment solutions to the mass market.

So the company was founded in 1999 by my current partner, Jeff Mahoney. And the idea was very ahead of its time where brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, E-Trade, well, E-Trade actually a little bit better.

They really weren't catering to the people that had, few thousands of dollars to invest.

They liked the people with tens of thousands or hundreds or millions of dollars. And this was a platform built to allow small savers to invest cost effectively.

And I really, really liked the business. And I really liked the sort of the idea that you're helping people while also driving a lot of market share and market value and income to yourselves.

So it's sort of a win-win. And so the idea was, his first idea was, look, we can do international remittance using the blockchain.

We can transfer money over to these people's families far more efficiently. People are moving money now, they move a few hundred dollars and it costs them 30 or $40 to send via Western Union.

So you're talking about like 10% or more kind of going out the door, which is just insane if you're doing that over and over every month, sending money back to your family.

So rather than try to put a square peg in a round hole, we said, look, why don't we just take a blank sheet of paper and figure out how to develop a blockchain that suits our needs.

So I think we're approached sort of this idea of creating a decentralized finance platform a bit differently than a lot of other people.

We went about and designed what's called a layer one blockchain, what's called the right chain, RYT.

We pivoted away from doing really just a remittance offering. We figured that will be kind of one of many ecosystem projects.

And focused more on an offering that can be applied to other developers that they can leverage and build their own apps off of, we can build apps off of it and it can serve, anything from digital identification.

We have some pretty ambitious goals with national digital currency, um, medical records, real estate.

I mean, really any sort of industry that is keeping records of anything can benefit from this technology.

Gresham Harkless 10:23

Nice. I almost wonder if that learning experience, being open to learning, but also I feel like having the boldness to even try those things.

I think so many times people say that, hey, what we're trying to work on isn't working. They don't go to like, let's build our own thing.

So do you feel like even having the boldness to really see a problem and actually solve that problem?

Do you feel like that was your learning experience as part of that secret sauce?

Steve Durbin 10:48

Yeah, I think, yeah, I think What you mentioned about seeing a problem and solving it is really important.

So we didn't come up with an idea that we thought was a great service or a great product and then tried to convince people of why it's a good thing or why they need it.

We kind of worked the other way where we saw what they needed and tried to create a solution for that.

So that might be a little bit nuanced, but I think it's an important differentiator where we're not trying to convince people what they need.

We're trying to solve a problem they've got. So I think knowing that people want what we're trying to create gives you kind of the fortitude to kind of push forward.

Because you know that if you can create what people want, people are going to use it.

So it's not, you don't need a big sales process. You don't need a lot of marketing. You're solving a problem that people have.

And I think that's, what gives me a lot of confidence in what we're doing because I know people have been asking for this and I know people want it.

So, I'm solving problems for people and I think that, that allows you to kind of have, a lot of confidence in what you're doing.

Gresham Harkless 12:01

Yeah, absolutely. And so I wanted to switch gears a little bit and I want to ask you for what I call a CEO hack.

And you might've already touched on this, but this could be like an app, a book, or even a habit that you have, but what's something you lean on that makes you more effective and efficient?

Steve Durbin 12:14

At the end of each day, I kind of like to do a daily reflection of what worked, what didn't work. I'd like to say I keep a daily journal, but it's not really that rigorous.

But I do like to look through my decision-making process and the outcomes and see what could have been done differently.

So I think that kind of helps me reflect on the day. I like to try to take teachings away from each interaction.

Some days there's not a lot to reflect on because it's pretty mundane, but there's other days where there's big decisions.

Especially when there's any sort of confrontation between what the business should be doing or there's two paths that both look like they could be good decisions and we should choose one or the other.

I think another thing is, is I am like absolutely meticulous about task lists. I am always writing down things I need to get done.

I prioritize them on timelines importance by segment, whether it's a finance thing, a tech thing.

Gresham Harkless 13:28

Absolutely. No, I love both of those. So what would you consider to be a little bit more of what I like to call a CEO nugget?

So this is like a word of wisdom or piece of advice. I like to say it might be something you would tell your younger business self if you were to hop into a time machine.

Steve Durbin 13:41

The most important thing is to surround yourself with good people. I think that means both well-qualified, good working, good, hardworking people, but also just good people, trustworthy people you can get along with.

So I'm fortunate enough to have two co-founders who I definitely fall into that good people category.

They're very hardworking. I think they're very smart and trustworthy and I've gotten to know them over several years.

So I feel very confident in their abilities and that sort of needs to trickle all the way down.

So you need to find, same sort of good people to run, to be the CTO, to be your analysts, your developers, your marketing people, is to surround yourself with smart, hardworking, good people and empower them.

Allow them to succeed, move up in the chain, give them the latitude for themselves to be successful and contribute in ways that they think they can that maybe you never thought of.

They might have an idea about something that's outside of their typical vertical of expertise, but it's good to see those outside perspectives

Gresham Harkless 14:49

Yeah, absolutely. So I want to ask you now my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

Our goal is to have different quote unquote CEOs on the show. So Steve, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Steve Durbin 15:00

Certainly means sort of being the guiding force of the company. You're responsible for overarching strategic decisions.

I think it's also, to my point, it's you're responsible for the culture, ensuring that the work environment is productive for people.

So I think you're kind of, you know, you're, you're, you're shepherding on a lot of people's careers and you want to make them successful because if these people are successful, you're going to be successful.

So I think a lot of it is about, empowering your, your team, being the leader, being the person that kind of sets the big decisions.

But you got to rely on people for smaller decisions and rely on people for advice to come to those conclusions about how to run the business.

Gresham Harkless 15:45

Perfect, perfect, perfect. Well, Steve, truly appreciate that definition. Of course, I appreciate your time even more.

So what I wanted to do now was pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional that you can let our readers and listeners know.

And of course, how best to get a hold of you and your team and find out about all the awesome things you all are working on.

Steve Durbin 16:00

You can follow us on LinkedIn, at RYTchain. It's also on Twitter, it's on X, Telegram. LinkedIn all under RYTchain and the website's

IAM2431 – Investigator Develops Programs to Address Effective Interviewing and Investigations

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:16:19 -0400

Mark Anderson has had a distinguished career in law enforcement and investigations, spanning over 30 years.

His roles have included working as a Senior Special Agent for the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, along with experience as a forensic chemist. He also served as the Deputy Inspector General for New York State.

After retiring, Mark and his wife co-founded Anderson Investigative Associates, a small business that provides tailored training for interviews and investigations to various clients.

Mark emphasizes the importance of non-confrontational interview techniques, explaining that effective communication goes beyond law enforcement and applies to everyday human interactions and business dealings.

Mark uses real-world scenarios to teach interviewing, often making parallels to childhood experiences of dishonesty. The firm coined the term LLPOF (Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire) to describe individuals who are being dishonest during interviews.

He also points out the significance of reciprocity and credibility in interviews, explaining that showing integrity and consistency helps build trust and increases the likelihood of getting truthful responses.

Mark underscores the value of surrounding oneself with experts who can help in areas where a business owner may be weaker.

Website: Anderson Investigative Associates

LinkedIn: Mark A. Anderson

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!

Transcription:

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Mark Anderson Teaser 00:00

We custom design programs for our clients, no matter what niche they're in. We focus on the nuances that make their organization unique.

And address obstacles that they perceive when it comes to interviewing, investigations, and audits.

With these in mind, we develop programs that are specific for that entity.

Intro 00:18

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:43

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast. And I have a very special guest on the show today.

I have Mark Anderson of Anderson Investigative Associates. Mark, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Mark Anderson 00:55

Thanks for having me. I really appreciate Gresham.

Gresham Harkless 00:57

No problem. I appreciate you for taking some time out. And what I want to do is just read a little bit more about Mark so you can hear about all the awesome things that he's doing.

Mark has two degrees in Chemistry and currently works as the director of training and development at Anderson Investigative Associates.

Prior to that, he served as a Program Manager and Instructor for the Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in the Behavioral Science Division.

He has served as a Senior Special Agent for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Additionally, he served as a Deputy Inspector General and Director of Internal Audit for the New York State Office of the Inspector General and as a forensic chemist for the New York State Police.

Mark, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Mark Anderson 01:51

I absolutely am.

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Gresham Harkless 01:52

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So let's do it. So I know I touched on it a little bit, but I wanted to hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story. And we'll let you start your bit.

Mark Anderson 01:59

Okay, well, it's a long story. And clearly from reading through my bio, I'm pretty old. I've been around for a while.

And I don't know if you get anything out of that bio other than I can't hold a job for very long.

But I spent over 30 years in the law enforcement investigation and audit arena, retired from the federal government, having spent the last five years, as you said, teaching interview and interrogation skills to investigators, auditors, inspectors, and others.

This training was provided all over the country to a very diverse audience. And I realized in doing that over that five years that there was an incredible need for effective non-confrontational interview training in all facets of the private and public sector and felt a calling and a desire to meet it.

So one day after retirement, we started Anderson Investigative Associates, a small boutique firm to provide customized interview and investigation training to our clients.

I say we because my wife and I started the business together. She's in fact the CEO and runs the business and finance side of things.

And I'm the curriculum developer and trainer. In a later comment I'm going to speak to credibility and integrity.

So I wanted to make it very clear right up front that to show that there's consistency in my life.

I'm in charge of nothing. That's why she runs the business and I work for her.

And it just goes across the board. It makes things much easier at this point in my life.

Gresham Harkless 03:31

Awesome. I love it. I love it. So I know you touched on it a little bit and I know I touched on it a little bit, when I read your bio.

And I appreciate not having to say all the acronyms and everything because I know that is government speak a lot.

So I had a chance to actually say it out. So could you tell us a little bit more about what you're doing with your business?

Mark Anderson 03:47

Sure, sure. As I kind of indicated, we're small enough that we custom design programs for our clients, no matter what niche they're in.

We focus on the nuances that make their organization unique and address obstacles that they perceive when it comes to interviewing, investigations, and audits.

With these in mind, we develop programs that are specific for that entity. We build the programs, they run usually a day to anywhere a day to a week in length, depending on how much training they want to receive.

The program address things like effective interviewing, report development, interview planning, how to ask questions better, how to handle denials that you might get in the interview setting.

And the best ways to present evidence, and the importance of themes and persuasion in the interview.

In addition to this, we teach things like public corruption, employee misconduct, ethical decision-making, effective leadership skills, and a plethora of other topics.

The key here, it's not necessarily, it sounds like very law enforcement related, but most of the examples that I give in the classes that I teach have to do with having kids.

And whether you had kids or you were children at one time, what we're looking at is those things that kids do when they're not completely honest with us.

So, you get in the interview environment with auditors and you can't say things like subject and suspect.

So we coined our own term for it, which is LLPOF. And I know you're a little younger than me, Gresham, but I don't know if you remember the acronym, liar, liar, pants on fire.

Gresham Harkless 05:21

I do remember that.

Mark Anderson 05:22

It's really anybody that's sitting across from us that's choosing not to be honest with us. It applies, it has application in the sales arena, it has an application in every area of life, actually.

So, once we were asked to develop, one of the things we were asked to develop, and we don't use the same stuff all the time.

But our clients will come to us and say, we're very interested in a block on this or a block on that.

I was asked to develop a block on the law of reciprocity and how it applies in the interviewing realm.

So I developed that for this group, and I've been amazed how many times since then other groups have said, you know what, I'd really like to have that presented to our audience as well.

So it helps me to focus more, helps me not to get locked into stuff that I have that's standby material, but we develop new material all the time.

Gresham Harkless 06:14

Yeah, that makes perfect sense. And you kind of already touched on because I was going to ask you when you say interview, are you talking about any type of interview?

Because I know when we talked a little bit offline, we were just talking about, I guess, at the general basis of a human interaction.

And being able to kind of make sure that you can read people's cues and understand what's going on.

Mark Anderson 06:29

That's exactly right. And that's a hard thing. It's really a hard thing. When I come out of the investigation realm, I've had audit experience.

But when I go into auditors who are essentially accountants, one of the issues that I run into all the time is, well, but you're talking about investigations.

And really that's not true. I'm talking about any human interaction. I mean, I could ask you people you've run into in your life who were not particularly honest with you or they were not upfront with you.

It would give you the ability to better be able to read that. We talk about non-verbals, we'll look at non-verbals.

The non-verbals are not really good tools for that. Even the best trained investigators are about 51% accurate with non-verbals.

But when you take the non-verbals and fit them with the verbals, it's much easier to detect deception in the way people say things.

So, one of the things we do, we use a lot of videos in our training. There aren't a lot of videos out there of interviewing except in the homicide realm.

So we have a lot of murder cases. So you go in to teach auditors or white collar crime investigators and they're like, well, this doesn't apply to us. This is murder.

But the truth is that a liar looks like a liar and looks like a liar. So some of those murders I look at on the screen, I say, oh, that looks like my son. Because he has those same things that he does when he distorts.

Gresham Harkless 07:54

And now I want to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And this might be for you or your organization. But what do you feel kind of sets you guys apart?

Mark Anderson 07:59

I think the thing that sets us apart, it really is our small size. Because we've talked about expanding at times and bringing other people in.

I've had people teach my stuff before. I'm not really happy necessarily with the way they teach it.

I think I'm too invested in it. And at this point in my career, I'm not really looking to do that. I'm looking to provide a very unique product.

And that product includes us being small size so I can develop it. So I think that secret sauce is partly building these programs from the ground up.

It makes a lot more work for us, but we can do this because of the extensive experience and exposure we've had to so many organizations and so many styles.

We see our competitors are many of the big box providers in the interviewing realm. They provide the same training wherever they go.

They go into Home Depot, they provide that training. They go into a government agency, they provide that training.

They cover important subjects, no question, but they force attendees to fit it into their own matrix.

And we feel that customizing it using their language, their examples, we make that incorporating the process of our training much easier and therefore more effective and seamless in application.

Gresham Harkless 09:11

I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack. And this might be an Apple book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

Mark Anderson 09:19

Yeah, and this is the one I was talking about earlier, about talking about the issue of integrity and credibility.

I would have to say that hearkens to that issue completely, because so much else comes off of that.

Incumbent in that is responsiveness to our potential clients. We have to have that integrity and credibility when we deal with them.

If we're not meeting, if we don't see a fit, I'm not taking the job. And that doesn't happen a lot.

When there's money on the table, take the job, even though it's not a good fit, I'm not going there.

We teach these two topics all the time in the interviewing realm. Research shows that over 60% of, I'll call them bad guys, the people that are distorting in the interview room.

Over 60% of bad guys admit to what they did because of the credibility and integrity of the interviewer.

So because that person sitting across from them is being honest and showing integrity with them, they're able to admit to what they did.

Think about it in your own life. If you're talking to somebody who has lied to you in the past, how much do you actually share with that person?

You'd be foolish if you shared a lot with them. So having that integrity and credibility and demonstrate it in the way we do interviewing, and especially in the non-confrontational realm, gets us success.

When you look at that statistic, that's the number one tool in the tool belt. And we best not give it up in the realm of interviewing or in life in general.

What do they say? Integrity is the only thing you can take to the grave with you. And I think I'm going to just keep mine. Yeah, you might as well.

Gresham Harkless 10:46

That makes perfect sense. No, it's funny because that's what you touched on as far as the reciprocity, like whatever you kind of put out as far as energy or whatever.

Not only does it manifest itself in the outside world, but just like you said, it's not anything different from the interview room when you're speaking and across from somebody.

Mark Anderson 11:02

Absolutely. And so when you see TV interviewing, right, and you see the, the guy yelling, the interviewer yelling at the interviewee and he wonders why he doesn't get anything.

I mean, think about it. Why would you get something with that law of reciprocity? You're getting back exactly what you gave.

Gresham Harkless 11:18

Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. It's all fun and games when you're yelling, you can't handle the truth in front of TV cameras, but it's not so good if you're doing it in front of an interview.

Yeah, that makes sense. So now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget, and this is a word of wisdom or piece of advice, or if you can hop into a time machine, what would you tell your younger business?

Mark Anderson 11:37

Don't hesitate to reach out for experts to undergird your weaker areas. We can't be the masters of all, despite the fact that I've worked around bosses and politicians that think they can.

That arrogance or ignorance, as the case may be, has caused many failures, unnecessary work, and much pain.

Find those confidants that you can grow together with, build partnerships, and remember my last answer with regard to the issue of integrity and credibility.

As you grow the relationship, consider with those individuals, are they meeting the same standard.

And the same beliefs that you have in that realm so that you don't run crosswise with that as you go down the road.

And when I say that, not coming from this position where I've got it all down, I didn't do that as early in building the business as I should have.

I thought, oh, I can master this. I can get on top of this. And the other thing is sometimes it costs money.

And if you're starting out, you don't have that financial capital to invest in it. So you take it on yourself and then you have a harder time divesting of it.

I wish I'd done that sooner, especially with the business aspects, because I find I spend so much time on the business aspect.

And I don't spend time on really what my my dream and my mission is, which is the development of the interviewing stuff.

Gresham Harkless 12:56

Now, I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, Mark, and this is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

And we're hoping to have different quote unquote CEOs on the show. So I want to ask you, Mark, what is being a CEO?

Mark Anderson 13:07

I think it's about cooperation and collaboration, encouraging a dynamic to move your message forward while displaying character that is clear and enticing to your clients.

There's got to be that consistency in it. We have to demonstrate it consistently in dealing with co-workers and dealing with partners and dealing with clients.

I think that that has a certain appeal in today's environment that draw people to walk with you.

And so I think that's probably would be the most successful thing. That ability to do that, that ability to communicate with people that way is to me one of the most important things in that regard.

Gresham Harkless 13:45

Well, Mark, I truly appreciate your time. What I wanted to do is pass you the mic just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and our listeners know. And then, of course, how best they can get a hold of you.

Mark Anderson 13:54

Like to share something on that aggression I'm excited about the diversity of individuals and businesses you feature on this podcast.

Because after we start talking I started going through and saying you know that's probably why one of the questions to you what do you really think I'm a good fit.

Because you look at that it's

IAM2430 – Founder and Speaker Mentors High Performers Entrepreneurs to Their Next Level of Success

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 06:16:16 -0400

Dr. Fern Kazlow (Dr. K) is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, speaker, author, and business mentor. She is the founder of the No Doubt Zone and works with high-performing individuals, particularly entrepreneurs, to help them overcome stress and mental blocks while enhancing their personal and professional lives.

She combined her expertise in therapy with marketing, helping high performers such as entrepreneurs and health professionals navigate business and personal challenges.

Dr. Fern addresses underlying issues, rather than focusing on surface-level mindset shifts, which sets her apart from others who might only focus on motivation.

Additionally, Dr. Fern recommends entrepreneurs trust themselves more, develop discernment, and follow their intuition—skills that help them make better decisions and avoid distractions.

Website: Dr. Fern Kazlow

LinkedIn: Dr. Fern Kazlow (Dr.K)

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!

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Dr. Fern Kazlow Teaser 00:00

And what we're really doing is working with these high performers to help them get to that next level.

So despite their success, something's got them stressed, something's got them stuck. And we work on the ways that they can get that next level of success, but also have whole wealth in the rest of their life.

Because if you've got a successful business, but your health is suffering, your relationships are suffering, you don't feel good. You're just not happy. What good is it?

Intro 00:25

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:50

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Dr. Fern Kazlow of the No Doubt Zone. Dr. Fern, Dr. K, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 01:02

Thank you so much. I'm excited to be here and to be with your community. Thanks for having me.

Gresham Harkless 01:07

No problem. Super excited to have you on. And what I wanted to do was read a little bit more about Dr. Fern so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing.

And Dr. Fern Kazlow, also known as Dr. K, is the founder of the No Doubt Zone. Dr. Kazlow is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, speaker, author, and business and branding consultant and mentor to high-performing entrepreneurs and experts, aka the influencers, the paradigm shifters, the round pegs, and the square holes.

A pioneer and disruptor, Dr. K, a leader in integrative approaches to business and mind-body health, opened one of the first integrative centers in New York City and created methodologies that move high performers from stressed and stuck into their no-doubt zone.

Dr. K gets that high performers are different in their gifts, talents, the way they're wired up, and the way they deal with challenges and trauma are both a gift and a struggle, leading to stress, conflict, and ultimately getting stuck in what she calls high-performer-resistant syndrome.

Dr. K has been interviewed and featured in major media including the New York Times, WABC, WNBC, and New York Magazine.

And has dozens of her articles published and is an author of a book on adoption law. Dr. K, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Dr. Fern Kazlow 02:19

You bet.

[restrict paid=”true”]

Gresham Harkless 02:21

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Let's do it. So I wanted to kick everything off just to hear more about what I call your CEO story and what led you to start your business.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 02:27

Well, it's interesting how I came to this particular business. One of those people, like that's been a lifelong entrepreneur and also lifelong in personal development and education kind of started in the second grade.

When I had a very, we'll say a very difficult teacher who was mistreating a child in the class and big mouth as I had, I guess we could put it more nicely, but we'll just kind of say it like it is.

She was pretty much ignoring this child that she decided was limited and not capable of much. And I went over to her and said, this isn't okay.

You can't do this. You got to really work with her, help her. She's capable of more. And like, this is in the day when they used to hit kids, especially boys.

So she glared at me because she couldn't hit me. They didn't hit the girls, only the boys. I guess I was lucky.

And she said, you think you could do better? And I was like, yeah, I can. She said, then she's yours.

And she said, from now on, you do your work. And then she's yours every single day you work with her.

And so I did. I was pretty bored with schoolwork. So this was great. It gave me something to do.

She did great. And then the school started referring to me other children. And this was really the beginning of my private practice.

So by the time I was 14, I had a paid private practice. Yes. So my entrepreneurial days in many different ways were early.

And I moved into the direction of, I love to market. I did marketing. I did some things with sales.

I built my own businesses very quickly. And I was a therapist. I had a clinical practice.

So one of the things that was showing up were high performers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, and they were depressed.

They were anxious. Why they couldn't build their businesses. So for me, that was something that was fun.

It was something I was good at. And I started working with them to help them to do the strategies for marketing, to understand their business, their client, their branding.

We didn't even use that word at that point, but I helped them to brand themselves, to find their niche, all the things that now we talk about and we think about.

But when I started, that was very new. Helped them to do that and to become who they needed to be to be successful with it.

So I was doing it in my practice and it was happening and then I created a center, as you mentioned, I had one of the first centers in integrative health and business.

And so I started a business that specifically worked with high-performance entrepreneurs, marketers, experts to get to the next level in their business or to maintain their success without harming their relationships, their health, their well-being, even their money.

So that became Kazlow International, now actually Kazlow Global. That was the beginning of that company, helping people to get to that next level of success.

Gresham Harkless 04:58

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. I absolutely love that story. And it's funny, like you touched on is that a lot of times your gifts are things that you do naturally happen to you at such a young age before you even get, I guess, sucked up by the world and saying you should do X, Y, and Z.

A lot of times you showcase that when you're younger and I can even speak to it having been done for me. So it's great to kind of hear that.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 05:18

And it's interesting, because most health professionals are not health professionals and entrepreneurs.

They're not health professionals and marketers. And even today, we see all of these courses for coaches, how to build your practice, how to build your practice.

The two skills are very, very different. And yet, they have so much in common. When people say to me, what is a therapist?

You're a licensed clinical psychotherapist. What are you doing in marketing? And I say, who better?

Because who understands the market, the clients, how to work with yourself, how to work and deal with the relationships that come about who can do that better than a therapist.

So if that is something that's natural, I think you're right. We don't always I didn't go there first.

I was doing it I built my center in 10 months. I went from two people to 12 people I mean that was huge at a time when integrative health was something that was really on par with voodoo now.

We shake our head my body health back then. It was no, you know, we knew that stress affected things.

But that was it so it's a really good point that you're making that a lot of times we're taking what we're good at.

We're not always as blessed as I feel I am to be able to combine the two things.

If you said to me, pick one, I would have a very hard time picking just one because I love the psychology of marketing.

I love the psychology of high performers. I love moving people to who they need to be to create what they want.

Gresham Harkless 06:33

And I know you touched on it a little bit. So could you tell us a little bit more about how you're serving the clients and some of the things that you're doing?

Dr. Fern Kazlow 06:38

So I focus on high performers and the top usually top 1% in their field or people who are committed to being okay, people who really want to do more.

And so they're basically I meant I do mentoring individually or in groups. masterminds, business and branding consulting.

I do a power branding clinic, workshops, and I do speaking. So those are things that I offer.

And what we're really doing is working with these high performers to help them get to the next level.

So despite their success, something's got them stressed, something's got them stuck.

And we work on the ways that they can get that next level of success, but also have whole wealth in the rest of their life.

Because if you've got a successful business, but your health is suffering, your relationships are suffering, you don't feel good.

You're just not happy. What good is it? And usually one of the tricky things is that people come in and they have a business problem, but it's not usually about a business problem.

We pick the area that we feel safest and is true to let our problems show up in. So if somebody comes to me and says, I have a business problem, I will go underneath that.

Because what often happens is that they have a problem, not about failing, but about succeeding.

Maybe they don't want to go beyond their brother or their spouse or a best friend or there's something in them that's stopping them.

So we go underneath and we really look at sometimes it's a health problem. They don't think their health will sustain it if they're too successful.

So it looks like they've got a business problem. They can't grow fast enough or they can't grow enough, but it's really their perfect control of the business.

And keeping it exactly where they feel their health can handle. So it's a very, it's kind of a fun thing because it's true.

You still have to work with the business problem. It's not growing, but if you don't get to that underlying problem, you're going to solve it.

And then it's going to show up someplace else, someplace else and someplace else.

So you get some success for a while, but you're not going to get to that core of what makes it different.

Gresham Harkless 08:26

And now I wanted to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And you might have already touched on this, but this is what you feel kind of distinguishes you or sets you apart or your practice.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 08:33

Well, that's kind of what I'm saying. It's like, I really see where they are, how they're holding themselves back, why they're holding themselves back and how to move.

The secret sauce comes from over 30 years of the lens and experience of a licensed therapist and an entrepreneur marketer who has not only created several successful businesses of my own.

But I've helped other people do the same thing at very high levels. So some people are beginners, but a lot of people who already have success, but they reach that stuck point.

And so it's 30 years of research, 30 years of experience with the psychology of high performers, the psychology of marketing.

So many people are talking about mindset, and yet that creates what I call the mindset trap.

It will only get you so far. So you've got to actually work at a different level. And because I have this deeper understanding and practical know-how, there are a number of things that I can do that you don't see other people do.

High-performance resistance syndrome, honoring it. I really get people to see, now this is motivated people, this isn't those people who are digging their heels in and saying they don't really want to change.

But there's a lot of people, you know them because of all the interviews that you've done and you know it in yourself, I'm sure.

Because I know it in myself, when we really want something to happen and yet we can't make it happen.

We're motivated. People think if you're motivated it happens, but no. So it's like we're motivated and yet a resistance that's really strong comes up.

And I know how to take that and turn that into an asset, along with really understanding at the deepest level, the market, the client, and yourself.

Because if you don't understand yourself and know how to put yourself in and how to take yourself out, you're not going to understand your market or your clients.

And when I look at it, I'm always thinking how superficially understanding is. And a lot of that is because of the limited lens that we see the world through as marketers and entrepreneurs.

Gresham Harkless 10:17

Yeah, that makes perfect sense. And, we all have a lens. So being able to kind of tap into your expertise in your 30 years plus of experience, definitely helps out a lot.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 10:26

So it's like the bottom line is the experience coming both from the psychotherapy, and the entrepreneur having an integrative approach.

Because you can't just change your mind, because you say change your mind, and knowing how to bring people into their no doubt zone.

Not just the no-doubt, but their no-doubt zone and helping them to continually evolve because the fun or not so fun thing is as soon as you get to that next level.

Especially high performers, they get that next level they want to go to and what do they have to do? They have to evolve again.

Gresham Harkless 10:53

Exactly.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 10:53

And so sometimes that can feel like an identity crisis. Sometimes you can leapfrog it and it can be really joyful, but it's learning to help people do that in a way that is inspiring instead of thwarting them.

Gresham Harkless 11:04

Absolutely. That makes perfect sense. And I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack.

And this might be an Apple book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

Dr. Fern Kazlow 11:13

Okay. Hack. Favorite one. There are a number of them, but my favorite, ask quality questions and then pay attention to your own response in your body to the question.

This is again, a topic that we can talk about for a long time. But if I can share one question, one question that I always ask, does this bring me closer to or further away from who I need to be to create what I want?

And does it bring me closer or further from creating what I want? Basic question, I ask it every day. It guides my decisions. It's my compass.

Gresham Harkless 11:42

Nice. I absolutely love that. And asking questions and being able to pay attention to your answers, like you said, physically as well, too, is definitely huge.

So you can understand if you're trying to trick yourself sometimes. And now I want to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget.

And this is a word of wisdom or piece of advice. Or if you can hop into a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?

Dr. Fern Kazlow 12:00

Trust yourself more. Trust myself more. I was pretty good at it, but there are places that I didn't.

People second guess, they stop being consistent because they think they're on the wrong path.

So the trick is, one, pay attention to what you feel, what you know, trust yourself. But for that to not lead you on a wild goose chase, you also need to learn to be discerning.

So it's learn to be discerning and learn to trust yourself. And you need to do both of those more.

And it's a process, pretty much a lifetime journey. But that's what I would say. Those times when I was hesitant, really go inside and look for discernment and look for trust.

And then follow it, follow it. And we all know when we're off it. We know it. If we're willing to pay attention, we know when we're off it.

But a lot of times we get caught up in excitement, we get caught up in other people's expertise.

So it's know it, know the discernment, follow your, follow your learned wisdom.

Gresham Harkless 12:58

Absolutely, absolutely. Because a lot of times you already know the answer. You just got to listen to yourself and trust yourself in order to do that.

So that makes sense. And now I want to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

And we're hoping to have different quote unquote CEOs on the show. But Dr. K, I want to ask you, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Dr. Fern Kazlow 13:15

Yeah, I love that question. I've gotten into a few little discussions, we can use that word, with people about it who've said, you've got to have a big company, a certain size company, to be a CEO.

To me, CEO is about a lens that you look at your business and even your life from. So it's about creating the vision.

It's about the culture. It's about how you execute. It's all of those things. It's about leadership.

And I think we need to be the CEO of our own life. So when somebody says, you're not a CEO, I will tell you one of the biggest reasons that solopreneurs fail.

Besides not b

The Importance of Website Design: Boost Engagement, SEO & Conversions

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:16:38 -0400

Your website is not just an online presence; it is the face of your brand and a vital part of your overall business strategy. As a result, recognizing the importance of website design is crucial because it shapes how visitors view your brand, influences their experience, and drives engagement and conversions.

A well-designed website invites exploration, builds trust, and encourages users to take actions that support your business goals.

6 Key Benefits of Website Design That Drive Business Success

In the following sections, we examine the core components that shape your online presence. From the first impression that captivates visitors to intuitive navigation that guides them seamlessly, every element plays a role in building trust, enhancing mobile performance, boosting search engine visibility, and securing a competitive edge. Understanding these factors is essential to realizing the full importance of website design.

1. First Impressions Matter

When visitors arrive on your website, they form opinions within seconds. The visual impact of your website plays a crucial role in whether someone decides to stay and explore or leave immediately.

A sleek, modern design with clear visuals and well-organized content creates a welcoming atmosphere. This immediate impact conveys professionalism and attention to detail. Every element, from the choice of colors and fonts to the layout and imagery, communicates a commitment to quality.

The way you present your website can signal reliability and excellence, laying the groundwork for a positive relationship with your audience.

2. User Experience (UX) and Navigation

The ease with which visitors navigate your website is vital for keeping them engaged. When your website is designed with intuitive navigation and a logical structure, users can easily find the information they need.

Consider how simple it is for a visitor to locate contact information, product details, or support resources. An effective website uses clear menus, prominently placed buttons, and well-organized sections to ensure that every user can have a smooth experience.

This attention to usability reduces frustration and builds a natural connection between your visitors and your brand. When people feel comfortable navigating your site, they are more likely to spend additional time exploring your content and become loyal customers.

3. Building Trust and Credibility

A professional website design plays a significant role in building trust with your audience. When visitors encounter a polished and thoughtfully designed website, they tend to perceive your business as reliable and capable.

Consistent use of colors, fonts, and high-quality images contributes to a unified brand identity that reassures users about the legitimacy of your services or products. A well-structured website that presents information clearly can also help dispel any doubts visitors might have.

This sense of trust is essential because it can determine whether a visitor decides to make a purchase, subscribe to a service, or engage further with your content. Investing in a high-quality design is an investment in your brand’s reputation.

4. Mobile Responsiveness

With an increasing number of users accessing websites via smartphones and tablets, having a design that adapts to different screen sizes is essential. Mobile responsiveness ensures that your website maintains its functionality and appeal, regardless of the device used to access it.

When your website is optimized for mobile devices, it offers a consistent experience to all users. This adaptability not only enhances user satisfaction but also improves overall engagement.

A site that works well on all devices shows that you care about every visitor’s experience, which in turn helps maintain their interest and encourages return visits.

5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Benefits

A well-designed website also supports your search engine optimization efforts. When a website is built with clear headings, concise and informative content, and fast loading speeds, it becomes easier for search engines to understand and rank your pages.

Elements such as clean coding practices, strategic use of keywords, and an organized structure all contribute to higher search engine rankings. As a result, a website that is both user-friendly and optimized for search engines will attract more organic traffic.

This dual benefit means that a good design not only pleases visitors but also increases your visibility to potential customers who are searching for services like yours.

6. Competitive Advantage

A superior website design can set your business apart from the rest. A website that reflects modern design standards, high performance, and strong usability leaves a lasting impression on visitors and is crucial when potential customers have many options.

A thoughtfully designed website demonstrates that you are up-to-date with current trends and are serious about providing quality service. Companies that invest in professional website design often experience higher engagement and conversion rates, which translates to better overall business performance.

The ability to stand out from competitors with a unique, efficient, and attractive website can be a decisive factor in attracting and retaining customers. Having looked at the importance of website design, it’s also good to explore the key elements of effective website design.

So, in the next section, we’ll explore the building blocks that form a strong online presence. Discover how elements like consistent branding, high-quality visuals, clear calls-to-action, organized content, and clean design work together to create an engaging and effective website.

Key Elements of Effective Web Design

Now, it’s important to understand the foundational components that make a website both visually appealing and highly functional. Let’s review the essential elements that contribute to a consistent, engaging, and user-friendly online experience.

1. Consistency in Branding

Using uniform color schemes, fonts, and imagery across your website creates a cohesive look that reinforces your brand’s personality.

This builds trust among your visitors and makes your site easily recognizable, ensuring that every interaction with your website strengthens your brand image.

2. High-Quality Visuals and Multimedia

Images, videos, and interactive graphics play a powerful role in engaging visitors. Crisp visuals not only capture attention but also convey your message in a compelling way.

By integrating high-quality multimedia, you provide a richer, more immersive experience that encourages visitors to explore further.

These visual elements work in harmony with your content, creating an inviting atmosphere that reflects the care and quality behind your brand.

3. Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Calls-to-action are the bridges that lead visitors from passive browsing to active engagement. Whether you want users to sign up for a newsletter, make a purchase, or learn more about your offerings, CTAs should be clear and strategically placed throughout your website.

The design of these prompts should complement the overall aesthetic while being noticeable enough to guide visitors toward taking the desired actions. Clear CTAs help convert interest into meaningful interactions, supporting your business goals.

4. Organized Content Hierarchy

An effective website presents information in a structured and logical manner. Organizing your content with clear headings, subheadings, and well-defined sections makes it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for.

A well-organized layout not only improves readability but also enhances the overall user experience. When users can quickly locate key information, they are more likely to engage with your content and return to your site in the future.

5. Clean Design and Ample White Space

A clutter-free design is essential for maintaining focus and clarity. Ample white space gives your content room to breathe, preventing your pages from feeling crowded.

This clean design approach helps emphasize the most important elements, ensuring that visitors can easily digest the information presented. A visually appealing, uncluttered layout contributes to a pleasant user experience and supports the overall effectiveness of your website.

For more strategies on enhancing your website’s effectiveness, consider reading our related blog post: SEO Mistakes to Avoid: How to Protect Your Website’s Online Presence for valuable insights on ensuring your website remains competitive in search engine rankings.

Take Action Today

Don’t let design flaws and SEO missteps hinder your business’s potential. At Blue16 Media, we specialize in creating visually appealing, user-friendly websites optimized for search engines. Our team is dedicated to helping you build a robust online presence that drives engagement and conversions.

To elevate your website’s design and performance, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website Together, we can craft a digital strategy that propels your business forward.

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Why Entrepreneurs Need Harmony, Not Hustle

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:07:38 -0400

In the ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship, the constant push for hustle often overshadows the vital need for harmony. Asmâa Methqal, a global business consultant and the creator of the Fire & Flow leadership methodology, emphasizes that true success lies in balancing action with intuition. This powerful approach not only ignites businesses but also nurtures holistic leadership.

In this blog, the reader will be let into the secrets of Asmâa on how entrepreneurs manage to maintain a good balance of both their personal and professional lives resulting in them being fulfilled as well as successful.

Understanding the Fire & Flow Methodology

The process of Asmâa is Fire & Flow is applied is to enable these leaders reconnect with their major aim and resolve the intricacies of contemporary business. The main parts of this way are: Fire, representing action and execution, and Flow, which symbolizes trust in one's intuition and inner strength.

The pandemic saw a good number of entrepreneurs who had to go through emotional disconnectedness that prevented them from being their true selves. According to Asmâa, the curfew which was the major part of the pandemic stimulates individuals to stay still that finally letting them realize a truth: one should firstly focus on being and then do it. The new outlook is visible but is necessary for one to dream and to succeed.

The Importance of Self-Leadership

The subject of Asmâa is self-leadership, which is the key to her teachings. According to her, there are indeed many people who follow the career paths predetermined by society rather than their own wishes. As a result, they become unwelcome and sometimes destituted people. Asmâa brings up the fact that entrepreneurs have to face the difficult question about their actual selves. The question that is, “If there were no limits, who would you be?” This question acts as a stimulus for the realization of what you are on earth for.

The path of self-identification is about getting rid of the burden of external validation and accepting one's distinct advantages. Asmâa tells her story about how she had to climb the wrong ladder in her profession only to find out that the real happiness is in the conformity of their actions with their inner essence.

Creating Sacred White Space

Among the main practices Asmâa promotes the formation of sacred white space in our timetables. This means purposely taking time out to stop and reflect, which is a great way for people to get back to their own inner wisdom. In a society that is often very busy doing things and seemingly too busy to just be, the simple act of just being could open up a whole new world of understanding and clarity.

According to Asmâa, it is best to start with small steps—like spending a few minutes each day to do this practice. Individuals can deepen their connection to intuition and creativity by the act of sending a message to the self that this time is valuable.

Embracing the Duality of Being and Doing

Business owners regularly find themselves caught in a conflict between being efficient and giving up the pressure of existence. Asmâa brings up that it is essential to find a fair balance between the two states. Instead of seeing them as opposing, she supports the inclusion of both in one's daily life.

The state of equilibrium that allows people to grow both emotionally and professionally, therefore, will bring about more joy to their business voyages. The entrepreneurs, who choose to rely on their gut feelings and love who they are, will be the ones to make available to the company an environment that nurtures creativity and innovation.

Transformational Insights for Entrepreneurs

Through her work experience, Asmâa has come to realize the impactful ability of self-acceptance and being true to oneself. She motivates enterprisers to express themselves allowing no apologies, having noticed that their diversity in idea is what distinguishes them in the market.

Innovation of the heart and authenticity of the leader are the two things that entrepreneurs need to have in order to influence others and form valuable links. Asmâa's last piece of advice is spot on: to go within and discover your essence. This path of self-awareness is the grounding of meaningful and lasting success both at work and in daily life.

Conclusion

The journey towards harmonious entrepreneurship is not a destination but a continuous process of self-discovery and growth. By integrating the principles of Fire & Flow, creating sacred white space, and embracing the duality of being and doing, entrepreneurs can unlock their full potential and lead with purpose.

For more insights on achieving balance and harmony in your entrepreneurial journey, check out Asmâa Methqal's work and explore the CEO Hacks for additional resources and strategies.

Podcast Episode: https://iamceo.co/2024/12/13/iam2314-global-business-consultant-empowers-leaders-and-businesses-to-unlock-their-potential/

LinkedIn: Asmâa Methqal

Website: Fire and Flow with Asmâa

Instagram: iamasmaa

Previous Episode: iam612-educator-harnesses-teams-collective-strengths

The post Why Entrepreneurs Need Harmony, Not Hustle appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

How to Stay Ahead of Search Engine Algorithms in 2025

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 09:16:48 -0500

Search engines like Google keep changing how they rank websites. These updates can make it tricky for businesses to stay visible online. To stay ahead of search engine algorithms and keep your website ranking high, it’s essential to master some SEO best practices. This will ensure that your content stays relevant, searchable, and competitive in 2025 and beyond.

Why Do Search Engines Change Their Algorithms?

Search engines frequently update their algorithms to improve search quality and user experience. These updates help ensure that users receive the most accurate and helpful results when searching online. Understanding why these changes happen can help you stay ahead of search engine algorithms and maintain a strong online presence.

i) Ensuring High-Quality Search Results

Search engines want to give people the best answers to their questions. To do this, they update their systems to prioritize the most useful, trustworthy, and relevant information. Over time, they have had to adjust their algorithms to prevent low-quality websites from ranking high through tricks like keyword stuffing, spammy backlinks, or misleading content. These updates help users find accurate, high-quality results rather than content designed solely to manipulate rankings.

ii) Advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Another reason for algorithm changes is the improvement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Search engines like Google use AI to better understand search intent and deliver more precise results. As technology advances, search engines refine their algorithms to prioritize websites that offer clear, well-structured, and expert-driven content. This shift means that businesses must focus on creating valuable content that aligns with user expectations and intent.

iii) Adapting to User Behavior and Trends

The way people search online is constantly changing. Voice search, mobile browsing, and evolving search behaviors influence how algorithms rank websites. Search engines adjust their ranking factors to accommodate these changes, ensuring that users get the best experience across different devices and search formats. Websites that fail to adapt to these trends risk losing visibility in search results.

iv) Combating Spam and Manipulative Practices

Some website owners attempt to trick search engines into ranking their content higher through manipulative practices. To counteract this, search engines release algorithm updates to penalize black-hat SEO techniques like link schemes, duplicate content, and deceptive redirects. Websites that rely on ethical SEO strategies focused on user experience will benefit from these updates, while those engaging in questionable tactics will see their rankings drop.

That’s why keeping up with SEO is so important. If you don’t stay updated with changes, your website may lose visibility, resulting in fewer visitors and lost business opportunities. Understanding how to stay ahead of search engine algorithms is the key to long-term online success.

Best SEO Practices to Stay Ahead in 2025

SEO is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires a proactive approach. If you understand how search engines work and what they prioritize, you can keep your website visible and attract more visitors. The key is to focus on high-quality content, user experience, and trustworthiness. Here are some of the most important SEO practices you should follow in 2025:

1. Create Helpful and Original Content

Google rewards websites that provide useful content. If your website answers real questions and helps people, search engines will rank it higher. Instead of copying content from other websites, write fresh and interesting posts that people will love to read and share. When creating content, always think about how to stay ahead of search engine algorithms by focusing on what users need and delivering valuable information.

2. Use the Right Keywords Naturally

Keywords help search engines understand your content. Use words and phrases that people search for, but don’t overuse them. For example, in this article, we use the phrase “how to stay ahead of search engine algorithms” naturally. That’s how you should do it too.

3. Make Your Website Fast and Easy to Use

People don’t like slow websites. If your pages take too long to load, visitors will leave, and search engines will rank your site lower. Also, your site should look good and work well on phones, tablets, and computers.

4. Build Trust with Backlinks

When other good websites link to yours, search engines see your site as trustworthy. You can get backlinks by creating great content that others want to share. You can also write guest posts for other blogs and link back to your website.

5. Keep Up with SEO Changes

SEO is always changing. Follow SEO experts and Google’s official updates to stay informed. You can also use tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs to see what’s working for your website. Staying updated on algorithm changes will help you adapt and continue ranking well in search results.

The key to staying ahead of search engine algorithms is simple: create great content, follow SEO best practices, and keep learning. By doing this, your website will continue to rank well, bringing in more visitors and customers in 2025 and beyond. Understanding how to stay ahead of search engine algorithms ensures that your online presence remains strong despite ongoing updates and changes.

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Blue16 Media is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses expand their online presence.

Our services include website design and support, social media management, and cutting-edge search engine optimization (SEO) services to keep your organization or company ahead of the curve.

For more information or inquiries, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

The post How to Stay Ahead of Search Engine Algorithms in 2025 appeared first on .

Founder Empowers Future Female Leaders in Food & Beverage Industry

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 10:56:27 -0500

Christie Lawler is the founder and owner of CJL Consulting, a beverage marketing agency, and the WITI Group, a nonprofit female leadership in the food and beverage industry.

She is also the host of the Lawler Out Loud Mixing Up the Mainstream Podcast and an advocate on several industry boards.

Christie is recognized for her leadership, including being named “Innovator of the Year” (2022) and “Most Influential Beverage Strategist” (2021).

Christie discusses the emotional and relational benefits of the initiative, the challenges faced during conferences, and the importance of resilience and problem-solving.

Moreover, she emphasizes persistence and never misses deadlines, describing herself as a realistic optimist.

Website: CJL Consulting

LinkedIn: Christie Lawler

Previous Episode: iam823-founder-supports-national-hospitality-industry-and-future-female-leaders

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 Podcast Interview: https://iamceo.co/2024/12/06/iam2307-founder-empowers-future-female-leaders-in-food-beverage-industry/

The post Founder Empowers Future Female Leaders in Food & Beverage Industry appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

CEO Helps Business Owners Focus on High Impact Activities

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 10:46:45 -0500

Frank Goodman is a seasoned business consultant and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience.

Frank has worked with startups, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies, holding degrees in computer engineering and systems engineering.

Frank shares the importance of understanding where clients want to go and the external factors that might affect their businesses.

He emphasizes the need for thorough assessment rather than quick fixes.

Frank discusses the challenge of businesses adapting to tools rather than the tools fitting their processes.

He believes technology should enhance existing workflows without forcing companies to change their fundamental operations.

The conversation highlights the importance of buy-in from the team for any technology or process changes to be effective.

Website: ROI for Pros

LinkedIn: Frank Goodman

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!

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The Power of Social Media: A Guide for Businesses

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 09:16:06 -0500

For most businesses, social media offers incredible opportunities to reach customers, grow brand awareness, and increase sales. With billions of people scrolling daily, having an effective social media marketing strategy isn’t just an option; it’s essential.

If you’re ready to unlock the power of social media and take your business to the next level, Blue16 Media can help! Our team of experts specializes in creating tailored strategies that deliver real results. Contact us today to get started!

Why Your Business Needs Social Media Marketing

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn allow businesses to connect directly with their audience. Imagine being able to talk to your customers, hear their needs, and share your story all in one place.

That’s the power of social media!

To make this a reality, businesses need a clear plan to make the most of their social media presence.

When used effectively, social media can:

Help you understand your audience better.

Make your business more accessible.

Offer a space to showcase your products and services creatively.

With the right strategy, you build meaningful relationships that turn followers into loyal customers.

Building a Social Media Strategy That Works

A good strategy starts with understanding your goals.

i) Do you want more people to know about your business?

ii) Are you trying to sell a product?

iii) Do you want to position yourself as an industry leader?

Once you know your purpose, you can choose the right platforms that align with your audience and goals.

Facebook: The All-in-One Platform

Facebook is perfect for sharing updates, photos, and videos. Businesses can create posts that inform, entertain, or inspire their audience. Use Facebook Ads to reach more people and promote special offers. Its powerful analytics tools also allow you to measure the success of your campaigns, so you can refine your approach over time.

LinkedIn: The Professional Network

LinkedIn is a must for connecting with other professionals and building business partnerships. Share blog posts, company updates, and achievements to stand out. LinkedIn is also great for personal branding. Your leadership team can share insights and expertise to showcase the human side of your company.

Instagram: Visual Storytelling

If your brand loves pictures and videos, Instagram is the place to shine. Create eye-catching posts, Stories, and Reels to show off your products. Use hashtags strategically to help people discover your business.

Collaborating with influencers can also give your brand a boost on Instagram.

Other Platforms to Explore

Don’t forget TikTok, Pinterest, or Twitter. Each platform has its strengths. TikTok, for example, is excellent for short, engaging videos, while Pinterest is perfect for showcasing products with high-quality images.

Experiment to find out which ones work best for your business.

The Key to Success: Consistency and Engagement

Social media isn’t just about posting content. It’s about starting conversations. Reply to comments, share customer reviews, and post regularly. This keeps your audience engaged and shows them you care.

Building consistency requires planning. Use tools like content calendars to organize your posts and ensure your messaging aligns with your brand. Engaging with followers also involves responding to messages quickly and showing appreciation for their feedback.

How Social Media Drives Results

Using creative campaigns and engaging content can capture attention and keep your brand top-of-mind. The results will be;

Boosted website traffic as users click on links in your posts.

Increased brand visibility through shares, likes, and comments.

More sales as your audience becomes more familiar with your offerings.

The power of social media lies in its ability to connect businesses and people like never before. By using Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms, you can grow your audience, build trust, and boost sales.

Social media isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful tool that can transform your business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your strategy, taking action today can make all the difference.

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Blue16 Media is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses expand their online presence.

Our services include website design and support, social media management, and cutting-edge search engine optimization (SEO) services to keep your organization or company ahead of the curve.

For more information or inquiries, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

The post The Power of Social Media: A Guide for Businesses appeared first on .

New Year Marketing Goals: How to Set Your Digital Marketing Strategy for 2025

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 09:16:38 -0500

The New Year is the perfect opportunity to reassess, refocus, and recharge your digital marketing efforts. A time to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how you can make this year your most successful yet. Setting clear and actionable new year marketing goals is the cornerstone of achieving meaningful results.

Reflect on the Past Year

To set effective goals, start by analyzing last year’s performance. Did you meet your targets? Which strategies delivered the best results? By taking a closer look at your metrics, such as website traffic, conversion rates, and customer engagement, you can uncover valuable insights. This reflection isn’t just about identifying success; it’s also about spotting missed opportunities and areas for growth.

Understanding your past efforts will provide a foundation for setting realistic and achievable new year marketing goals. For example, if social media engagement grew steadily but conversions lagged, your strategy might need a sharper focus on nurturing leads rather than merely attracting followers.

Define Clear, Measurable Goals

Once you understand last year’s performance, it’s time to set your sights on the future. The most effective marketing goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Vague aspirations like “grow my audience” won’t cut it. Instead, aim for something tangible, such as “increase website traffic by 25% in the first quarter” or “boost email click-through rates by 15% by June.”

When crafting your new year marketing goals, break them into short-term and long-term objectives. This approach keeps you motivated while providing a clear roadmap. If you’re launching a new product, for instance, a short-term goal might involve growing pre-launch awareness, while a long-term objective focuses on customer retention.

Adjust Your Strategies for the New Year

New goals often require new approaches. If last year’s strategies felt stagnant, it’s time to shake things up. Start by revisiting your target audience. Have their preferences, needs, or behaviors changed? Keep a close eye on industry trends and competitor strategies to ensure you’re staying ahead of the curve.

Consider incorporating emerging tools and platforms into your strategy. For example, video marketing and interactive content are continuing to dominate the digital landscape. If these weren’t part of your plan last year, adding them now could significantly enhance engagement and conversions.

Stay Consistent, Yet Flexible

While it’s essential to have a structured plan, flexibility is equally important. The digital marketing world is ever-changing, and unexpected challenges can arise. Whether it’s a sudden algorithm update or shifting consumer behavior, staying adaptable allows you to refine your strategies and still meet your new year marketing goals.

Consistency, however, should remain a cornerstone of your efforts. Regularly update your blog, post engaging content on social media, and interact with your audience. These consistent touchpoints build trust and keep your brand top of mind.

Celebrate Small Wins Along the Way

Setting ambitious new year marketing goals is great, but don’t forget to celebrate progress, no matter how small. Each milestone reached is a step toward your larger objectives. Recognizing these achievements not only keeps morale high but also provides a sense of accomplishment that fuels continued efforts.

This year is your chance to take control of your digital marketing success. By reflecting on last year’s performance, setting SMART goals, and adjusting strategies to match the current landscape, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your new year marketing goals. Start the year with a clear vision, and let your marketing strategy pave the way for measurable success.

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Blue16 Media is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses expand their online presence.

Our services include website design and support, social media management, and cutting-edge search engine optimization (SEO) services to keep your organization or company ahead of the curve.

For more information or inquiries, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

The post New Year Marketing Goals: How to Set Your Digital Marketing Strategy for 2025 appeared first on .

Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 5. OPERATIONS / LEGAL

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 22:09:20 -0500

In this episode, Gresham discusses pillar number 5 and the process of drilling down into the various business pillars. He mentions that they have taken the insights and hacks from over 1600 episodes and condensed them into 16 themes, which they now refer to as pillars.

Gresham emphasizes the importance of identifying and focusing on a single pillar that can drive growth in business. He discusses the importance of focusing on various pillars in business, including entrepreneurship, strategy, products/services, people, operations/legal, visibility, finance, and technology. They emphasize the significance of understanding operations and legal aspects in structuring a business.

In addition, Gresham highlights the benefits of systematizing tasks and operations for a better working environment for both the team and clients.

http://cbnation.co/pillar
http://community.cbnation.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!

Full Interview:

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:00

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast, and this is a special I AM CEO Podcast because we're gonna be focusing on the 8 business pillars. I hope you get to enjoy taking a lot of these different pillars that came from the 1600+ episodes we did at the I AM CEO Podcast, which became the 16 themes, which eventually now became the 8 pillars that can help you level up your business.

And, really, what we're trying to do is increase the business success rate, and this is going to eventually become a course. So you hear some of these snippets actually be in that course and that library of content and information we're gonna put together to help you level up. So sit back and enjoy this special episode of the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:38

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh here, and this is the episode where we drill down a lot more on pillar number 5. And there's many different pillars in business. If you just listened to this, we took the 1600+ episodes. We drilled down into that. Had hundreds of hacks, hundreds of nuggets that we accrued from each of the episodes. We took those. They became the 16 themes, which we originally called pillars, but they actually became themes. And then we really want to drill down on those 8 pillars. The reason that we chose 8 pillars is because we started to do a little bit more homework and research into business in general, but also into the things that were consistently coming up when we were doing these interviews.

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And we thought that these pillars were gonna be a little bit more foundational, not necessarily because they tell you all the things about business, but because they're very over encompassing. So that if you could potentially focus on maybe one pillar for a year, you could potentially see a lot of growth if you select the correct pillar. But it's also important to understand how interconnected they are because as you focus on one, you're deciding not to focus on another potentially. And if you decide to split your time between both, then understand you're not going to see the potential growth if you can find and identify the quote unquote one thing or the one pillar that could, really drill things, drive things forward even more.

So with that being said, we're gonna focus on and drill down into pillar number 5 with this operation/legal. It was just operations and then that legal part is obviously a huge part of business and entrepreneurship. So we wanted to make sure that it was under something that was one of the core parts of business, sometimes the quote unquote less sexy part of business. The business the part of business that is extremely important, but also is something that, maybe doesn't get the airplay, the fascination. You don't see a lot of TikToks that are around the legal part of business or the operations.

Although, they are very sexy if you're running a very strong business. So keep in mind that as I drill down a little bit more into this specific pillar, we wanna keep in mind that there are many other pillars, 8 other or seven other pillars, 8 total, that you want to make sure that you're focusing on. And those pillars, I'm gonna go down the line. Entrepreneurship and journey is gonna be your 1^st one. Strategy is gonna be your 2^nd one. The 3^rd one's going to be offering/your products and services. Number 4 is people in the human part of business. Number 5, we're gonna talk about a little bit more today, which is operations/legal. Then we're gonna drill down a little bit more into visibility.

Then number 7 is gonna be financial. And then finally, we're gonna cap everything off with technology. So understanding operations and legal part is really gonna be how you're structuring your business and what that looks like, how things are moving along. Now one of the most exciting things you can you can have is you start out with your idea. You realize that, okay, I have this business idea. I have this problem, this opportunity that I wanna serve, and you strategize around it. You figure out exactly how you're going to make that happen, and then you produce the idea or the concept, or maybe you get to test out your product and service.

And then you understand that this is how we're going to serve that human part of what we're doing. And you start to do that one time, two time, three times. You start to do that at a certain level. And then you realize you need operations because it's essentially going to be the engine that's going to allow you to serve the clients that you're working with. And so you really wanna understand the fundamentals of operations and systems and what they that looks like. Of course, you wanted to make sure that you're operating and optimizing those processes and systems.

And, obviously, we're gonna drill down a little bit more into pillar 8 around technology. But for a lot of businesses, not necessarily all businesses, technology is gonna play a huge role. So I think it's important to mention that, of course, because that could be one of the most impactful things, I think. And that's one of the reasons that it went from 7 to 8 pillars largely because of the the impact of technology. So know that automation, a lot of technological tools, things like project management software, all these things gonna play a really big part in terms of understanding exactly how to keep the trains moving, how to keep the trains moving consistently, and how to make sure that there's less spillage, for lack of a better term, and there's that same experience that you're providing throughout the entire journey for a client or customer, but also internally for your team.

How do you make sure that the business doesn't revolve around one person? It's gonna be your operations. It's gonna be your systems. It's gonna be those SOPs, those things you put in place to make sure that you are consistently growing the business into where it ultimately needs to be. So keep in mind that this flows over many different aspects of running a business, everything from supply chain management and those best practices to, like I mentioned, the legal considerations, understanding the way that you incorporate your business or actually even incorporating your business, how you, create, that structure and and what that looks like.

And we're gonna drill down a little bit more to the financial piece and and pillar number 7. But know that a lot of times the structure that you're creating does impact the financial aspect of your business, the amount of revenue that you're bringing in, and kind of, like, what that's going to look like. But also making sure that you're you're fully protected and what that looks like. And a lot of times when you hear attorneys, and by no means am I an attorney, but they'll talk a lot around making sure that you have your trademark, your patents, all those things in place.

Also know that it's probably I don't even know if it's more important, but I know it's also important to make sure that you're enforcing those trademarks and those patents because people can infringe upon them. And you wanna make sure that you're setting yourself up as much as possible to succeed. So make sure you have all those things that are in place, understanding business law, having any compliance checklists or things that you need to get done, agreements and contracts and templates, having those template templates, but also making sure that you're structuring those so that even if you're having conversations with someone that is extremely close, a friend, a relative, that you have a contract in place is going to be extremely important.

No matter who you're communicating with because or you're coming to agreement with might be a better way to say that because you wanna make sure that you're protected and that person's name is protected as well too. So know that's a big part as well too. Risk management strategies is another big part, of course, like I mentioned a little bit. Supply chain management is gonna be a really big part. So keep in mind that we have this offering, this product and servicing that you're doing to to make that impact. How are you, from an operation standpoint, going to ensure that that experience is going to happen?

No operations all can often speak to the idea of bringing on new clients or customers. But there could be operations around every single aspect of business, and often we don't realize that even those of us that provide custom products and services have certain aspects of what we do to be operations. And what I wanted to do is draw that a little bit deeper. We talked a little bit around the last pillar of the human part of the people part of business. Understand, like, how powerful it has been, hearing over and over again the power of morning routines. That it doesn't necessarily mean that there's a specific way that you have to do your morning routine, but just to be able to set yourself up for success is going to be huge.

And the reason I bring that up here is because when you're thinking about operations, of course, think about your business, but also consider hiring. Also consider how you're marketing your business or what the process is when there's a high rate client. All those things can be operations and SOPs that are put in place to make sure there is that somewhat consistent experience for everyone. But keep in mind that you also can create the operations in your life as well too. And when we talk about filling up your cup, when we talk about making sure your oxygen mask is on, as an individual and as a leader, understanding that human part, know that the operations and what you do on a regular basis also plays a really good part of through that too.

So with that being said, that's pillar number 5. Your operations, your legal part is gonna be such a big thing. Many people will argue while it's the least sec one of the least sexiest things, and maybe financial can give it a run for its money for a lot of people if you're talking about accounting and things like that. But keep in mind, it's the thing that might really open up that opportunity for you to scale the processes, the systems, the operations. Having those things in place can really take things to an entirely different level.

So this is, Gresh signing out. Remember, your operations are huge personally, professionally, and all the things that you're doing. So as we drill down more and more and more and provide more content in our community and, of course, in our library around what and how to improve your processes and your operations. Know that there's a lot of CEO hacks that help out with that, whether it's project management software. Just know that it sometimes could be one of the biggest things that you can lean into that's actually going to give you more time. And it allows you to sometimes invest that time by having to create processes, systems, operations.

But in the long run, it ends up creating those, consistent practices that allow you to be able to not work as much on or in the business as you are maybe presently and to focus more on working on the business. So think about what things can I systematize, what things can I create operations for, because it's only going to to create a a better environment, for you and the people that, you're impacting? And that's talking about your team, but also your clients as well.

Outro 10:11

Hello. Hello. This is Gresh again, and I hope you enjoyed that special episode of the I AM CEO Podcast. Just like I mentioned in the beginning, we're really trying to laser focus on these 8 pillars to show you as a builder how you can leverage these 8 pillars and really level up there so it helps you level up your business and organization.

So hope you enjoyed this episode, and definitely please check out the show notes so you can learn more about the pillar, learn more about the person that I guested on their episode, and, of course, learn more a little bit more about us as well too. This is Gresh signing out. Hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

[fusebox_transcript]

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The post Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 5. OPERATIONS / LEGAL appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 4. PEOPLE = HUMAN PART OF BUSINESS

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 22:06:45 -0500

In this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast, Gresh delves into the eight foundational pillars that can help elevate your business.

Derived from over 1600 episodes and copious insights from CEOs, these pillars were condensed from 16 themes into a course aiming to boost business success rates.

This episode specifically highlights the fourth pillar: People and the Human Part of Business.

Gresh emphasizes the importance of recognizing the human element in business, touching on aspects such as recruitment, talent management, and maintaining a conducive environment for both employees and strategic partners.

He also underscores the necessity of self-care for entrepreneurs to avoid burnout and ensure sustained success.

The discussion aims to remind listeners that balancing the needs of the business and its people is crucial for long-term growth and impact.

http://cbnation.co/pillar
http://community.cbnation.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!

Full Interview:

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:00

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast. And this is a special I AM CEO podcast because we're going to be focusing on the eight business pillars. I hope you get to enjoy and take in a lot of these different pillars that came from the 1600 plus episodes we did at the I AM CEO podcast, which became the 16 themes, which eventually now became the eight pillars that can help you level up your business.

And really what we're trying to do is increase the business success rate. And this is going to eventually become a course. So you hear some of these snippets actually be in that course in that library of content and information, we're going to put together to help you level up. So sit back and enjoy this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:38

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh here. And now we are talking about pillar number four people slash the human part of business. And I often say over and over again in episodes, you never want to forget about the human part of business.

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And if you're just listening to this, we're going through the eight pillars of of business really that I've gleaned from doing over 1600 episodes. Again, we took the 1600 episodes, 1600 plus episodes, and they became hundreds of CEO hacks and CEO nuggets and information we've learned from CEOs, entrepreneurs, business owners. And then it drilled down into the 16, what I called pillars then, but it's now the themes.

The themes that were consistent around business and one of them is, don't forget about the human part of business. And that is what brought us to the eight pillars. The eight pillars are really those foundational elements that are going to help you to level up within your organization.

And what I want to do with each of these episodes is drill down a little bit further into each of these eight pillars, not to give you a, all the information because you can consistently learn about each of these pillars. And these pillars aren't definitely separated. They aren't siloed. They are very much so interconnected.

But sometimes if you have the opportunity to really focus on one, it could be and have that dramatic impact upon your business. So with this one, we're going to focus on. People in the human part, that's pillar number four.

So just give you a little bit more of a recap. If you haven't listened before, the first pillar was entrepreneurship and focusing on the journey. The second one was strategy. The third was your offering or your product or service.

The fourth is going to be people slash the human part, which is what we're going to talk about today. Then we're going to talk in. A little bit more about operations slash the legal side. Number six, we're going to go into visibility seven financial. We're going to close everything out with the biggest one, I think. And one of the most impactful ones I think is technology.

So with each of these different pillars, we're going to draw down more and more and more so you can learn more about what it's like. To be a CEO entrepreneur and business owner and how you can make that impact into your business and what that looks like.

So one of the biggest things that we often hear, but sometimes we don't internalize entirely is understanding the human part of business. And the reason I wanna say human, rather than people who can often hear about human capital, you hear about how important it's to make sure that you're bringing on the right people, you're creating an environment for them to excel and for them to succeed.

But we often forget about the human part. When we're talking about the clients that we want to connect with, we just want to take our product to service and just tell them this is what they need. And this is why they need it without actually having that connection, that interaction, that communication that comes from even some of the other pillars, the marketing, the sales, the visibility part.

We often just say, okay, this is what we are great at. This is what we've created. This is why it's cool. And forget about That human part and how we're actually connecting with the people that we ultimately want to serve. So that's one of the really big things we want to try to take into account as we're thinking about that human part.

But we, of course, want to keep in mind that recruitment, talent acquisition, making sure that we're getting the right people are the right butts in the right seat is going to be something that's very important. And then when we get them there, are they engaged? Are they staying? Are they growing? Just all that about creating a great environment for the people that are close to you.

But also know that the people part does include people that you're connected with. So yeah, That's everything about building a strong team. The team we often think means employees or sometimes contractors, but the team also means strategic relationships. It also means mentors. It also means consultants that you might have or board members or whatever it might be that are going to be those.

human parts that are pouring into your business. So make sure that you're keeping that in mind. Leadership and management also play a really big part in this as well as far as like being able to create that environment and that culture for you to succeed. But understand that, that could be one of your most impactful aspects of your business by getting the right people.

You can really level up your organization, but sometimes not getting the right people can actually have the opposite effect as well, too. So It's so important to forget about that human part and to not forget about that human part and to keep that in mind and understand how important the talent the resources, the people that are in place are going to be in terms of helping you to grow.

Now, one of the things that I haven't really drilled down on one of the themes that we had, one of those 16 themes was not forgetting about the I and team or realizing that there is no I and team. And that was very important because as you start to grow, you want to make sure you're creating an environment, a culture where everybody's going to have that opportunity to really excel.

And you're putting the greater good for lack of a better term above your individual goods. And that's for everybody that's on the team. So you want to definitely create that environment. One of the other themes that we had is that There is an I in WIN and so when you're trying to create that environment in order for you to succeed and excel, it's so important for you to not forget about the you not forget that you also are a human and you also are important to be able to help the business to excel.

So putting your oxygen mask on first. Specially for those people that really grasp and really understand that entrepreneurship part about serving and being able to support people. It's so important to not forget about that human part because you don't want to get into a place where your business is not going to have the opportunity to accelerate and make the impact it could because you're facing burnout.

Or because You haven't created a great environment for yourself to excel because you're not doing the things that will allow you to continue to run the marathon that is entrepreneurship.

So all those things are very much focused on you realizing that you're a human as well. So it doesn't mean necessarily that you're Always going to necessarily put yourself first, but I think it's very important for those people that may be skewed more towards givers that give tremendously from everything that they do.

They're always thinking about others to really start to think a little bit more creatively on how you're giving to start to think a little bit more creative on that, how you can create a win, lose or lose win, but how can you create win, win, win, win, win scenarios for your team.

And keep in mind one of those Wins is going to be you making sure your cup is full, making sure you have your oxygen mask on and making sure that you are making that impact. So definitely don't forget about the human part of a business. And of course, we're drilling down more and more and more into our community and the library and all the information that we're providing so that you can learn more and more and more on what that looks like and how you can make that impact.

But keep in mind that I really struggled with if I wanted to put this first, because I think it's something that we will gloss over, especially ourselves more than anything else. So as people that are givers know that you can, you can, you can serve others and you can also serve yourself. And don't forget by serving people, by serving humans, you also are human as well, too.

So do not forget about yourself. So this is Gresh signing out. This is pillar number four people slash the human part of business. So don't forget that and make sure that you are keeping that top of mind. As I mentioned, you can visit everything on our site cbnation.co/pillars to find out more about the pillars and all the awesome things that we're creating around that.

But keep in mind that These things can help you to level up in your business. And we're going to draw down more and more and more into each of those other pillars. So stay tuned.

Outro 08:07

Hello, hello. This is Gresh again, and I hope you enjoyed that special episode of the I AM CEO podcast. Just like I mentioned in the beginning, we're really trying to laser focus on these eight pillars and show you as a builder, how you can leverage these eight pillars and really level up there.

So it helps you level up your business and organization. So hope you enjoyed this episode. And definitely please check out the show notes. So you can learn more about the pillar.

This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

[/restrict]

The post Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 4. PEOPLE = HUMAN PART OF BUSINESS appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 3. OFFERING – PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 22:03:37 -0500

In this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast, Gresh dives deep into the eight essential business pillars derived from over 1600 episodes and 16 key themes, which now became 8 business pillars.

The episode focuses on understanding and enhancing your business offering, highlighting the importance of seeing your product or service as a means of providing impactful transformations to clients.

Gresh outlines the crucial business foundations such as strategy, people, operations, visibility, finance, and technology, emphasizing their interconnectedness and how they help improve business success rates.

Additionally, he stresses the significance of understanding the entire customer journey and the value you bring to their lives.

This episode is a precursor to a more detailed course aimed at helping businesses level up.

http://cbnation.co/pillar
http://community.cbnation.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!

Full Interview:

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:00

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast. And this is a special I AM CEO podcast because we're going to be focusing on the eight business pillars. I hope you get to enjoy and take in a lot of these different pillars that came from the 1600 plus episodes we did at the I AM CEO podcast, which became the 16 themes, which eventually now became the eight pillars that can help you level up your business.

And really what we're trying to do is increase the business success rate. And this is going to eventually become a course. So you hear some of these snippets actually be in that course. And that library of content and information we're going to put together to help you level up. So sit back and enjoy this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:37

What is your offering? How are you making an impact into the lives of people or even organizations. That's what this pillar kind of really drills down. So if you listen into previous episodes, we talked about entrepreneurship and journey. We talked about strategy right now we're drilling down into offering or your product or service.

[restrict paid=”true”]

I'm going to go more into. Pillar number four, which is people slash the human part. Number five is going to be operations slash legal. Then we're going to go into number six, which is visibility seven financial, and then eight is technology.

So going into each of these aspects of business and each of these foundations, it's not anything more than being able to arm people with a little bit more insight and information to the complexity of business, not necessarily how.

All the different aspects are siloed, but actually how they're very much so intertwined and how you want to have greater awareness around all those things, because they're very much so, interconnected and they depend on one another. Just, if you want to check out CEO hack, check out this book called Range.

And the kind of idea behind it is that the people that are able to have a range of different experiences and perspectives are going to be able to solve the problems of tomorrow. And it's often because there is a world where everything is becoming so much more specialized. You hear it so many times and even us with our digital marketing company.

We going back and forth about whether or not we should specialize on a specific industry. And there's pros and cons of each. A lot of it dials into exactly what we talked about in the previous pillar, which is around strategy. What is the strategy of the business? Like, how do you define success?

What does success look like? And that could be different things for different people. But because it didn't necessarily align with our strategy, that wasn't something that I necessarily wanted to do and nothing that we felt very strongly compelled to do.

But, what we wanted to draw down is really start to understand why you're doing the things that you're doing. Often when people start businesses, when they have that napkin and they're writing down the ideas they're learning more about entrepreneurship.

When they're going into the strategy of what exactly you're doing, they find themselves saying, okay, now how do I do this? How do I package this? And that's really what the offering is like, what are you offering To potential clients and customers so that you can make the impact in their lives and their businesses, or what transformation are you ultimately trying to achieve?

Now, we're going to drill down a little bit more into the next pillar on the next episode, which is the human part of business. But what I really wanted to do is make sure that you understand that a lot of times people want these things to lead to some types of type of transformation. Often your product and service that you're talking about is not the thing that you're actually offering.

Usually it's something else. If you are a fitness trainer, while you're trying to help people lose weight, gain muscle whatever that might be. And however, we're so often like looking at that, if you're, doing nutrition planning or you're planning or you're doing meal prep or something along those lines, you're typically not doing the thing that you think that you're doing.

What you're doing is you're providing some type of transformation. So what is this transformation? This transformation for the fitness coach could be helping people to feel more Life within who they are so that it could positively impact their wives, their spouses, it could be their sons and daughters to help them to show up better at work.

All these things could be results of being able to provide that transformation. But the big thing is that you want to really start to drill down on the impact that you're making. And a lot of times you do that by not just saying I provide nutrition planning or I do meal prep or I potentially add a debt to your house or I fix leaky pipes so that you don't have to have issues.

You're providing some type of transformation. The key is like, how do you dial into that? How you tap into that? So, of course, generally speaking, you're going to talk about your products and services and what exactly you do, because at the end of the day, you want to make sure. That you are able to find the people that you're able to serve.

If somebody has a leaky pipe, it doesn't make sense for you to maybe say, okay, I don't want to talk about your leaky pipe. I want to talk about how we're providing transformation in your house. No, not necessarily, not in that case. Exactly. So what you want to understand that these are ways that you are able to have a communication with clients, but it also is a way for you to understand exactly what you're doing and the impact that you're making.

The problem that you're ultimately because what you're doing when people call you is you're providing them peace of mind, that peace of mind is allowing them to work on other aspects of their business is allowing them to spend more time with their spouse, their Children is giving them an opportunity to not have to worry about that aspect of the business so they can work on other things.

So are you saving them time? Are you giving them the mental piece that they're ultimately achieving. These are things that you want to make sure that you are communicating because that's ultimately what you're doing while you are definitely, obviously, of course, fixing that pipe while you are, of course, helping people to lose weight.

Understand that you're allowing that person to be able to be confident enough to walk into their boss's office or virtually walk into their boss's office and ask for a raise. That confidence is something that you will see pours into each aspect of their life because things are not siloed.

So you want to dread out more and more and more and understand that human part, which of course I'm going to dive into and delve down a little bit later.

But know that this is going to be all around your product and service and the offering that you're providing. So make sure you define exactly what that is and what that looks like.

A lot of times because we're in digital marketing, we will ask, actually ask clients to rank their services as far as like the ones that are making the most impact, what drives in the most revenue for you.

Because often when you have a better understanding of not just one aspect of what you're providing, but the catalog of what you're providing. You're able to understand if one is more valuable than another per se, or if something is maybe a little bit more experimental. So maybe you're testing or trying something out.

Or maybe you paid attention to clients or your product and service offerings going to be evolving, changing, and improving. So you want to pay attention to those things and know that it can evolve and change. And definitely, of course, give you a space and time to be able to test those things out.

And of course, to be able to improve those. And you want to, of course, be able to have those conversations with clients and customers, but know that it comes back to you. Like, how are you solving that problem? This is, you had a problem, you understood in entrepreneurship, it's all around problem-solving.

This is how you package it. This is how you let people know. These are my coaching services. This is my public speaking business, or potentially this is how exactly I'm providing coaching services. HVAC services, or potentially I am that plumber and I'm going to come through and provide emergency support, or we're going to be on the offensive and we're actually going to help you before you have to call us.

Or going to be on call if you have any tech issues, or you want to redesign your website, or you're trying to get more business through Google ads, whatever that might be. It might be packaged in different ways, but no, this is a transformation that you're provided just Don't forget about that human part, because that's going to come through and everything that you're doing.

But also know that you want to make sure of course that you're providing the product or service, but you want to really dial into the full journey of your potential client and customer. And now this touches a little bit more on that visibility piece, but know that. As you understand more about that journey that they're going through, you're going to be able to serve them even better because that's what happens at the end of the day.

Product and service services for you to serve. So no, this is offering as a way for you to serve. So if you understand that before someone calls or reaches out to a fitness instructor, that maybe your ideal client and customers have a little bit of. apprehension or even fear around health, wellness, and fitness is going to change the way that you position yourself.

It may even change your offering may even change what you call your offering. You might not want to call it a bootcamp if you're dealing with people that haven't gone through that process, but maybe you do want to do that because you want to really hammer home that the transformation that you're going to provide, we're going to bootcamp, we're going to make this, we're going to make, we're going to get you into the way that you need to, so that you can have that transformation in your life.

You just want to understand each of those aspects and understand what that process looks like before the person calls, when the person's, when you're serving that client, whether it be one time or on a continual basis, and they didn't even have to end after the end. And after that, and after that, and after that.

Just think about these apps that you might have on your phone when you're getting a message from Starbucks that there's a potential sale. And I don't, I don't go to Starbucks that much, so I'm not sure if there's actually sales. I'm sure there are, but you're getting points. So maybe you're 25 points away from getting a free local frappuccino or whatever that might be here with drink a choice.

The point being is that you have a really good idea on what that journey looks like and how that journey extends beyond when they're buying your potential products and services. So again, the more you can understand what that offering is, the more you can provide more value and value doesn't always have to mean your product service.

As we'll talk on, talk about a little bit later. And in each of the pillars, you can provide value with the visibility that you're sharing the things that you're doing, the way that you're getting in front of your clients and customers. So just know and understand that that whole kind of customer journey and make sure that you're able to see and evaluate how you're able to provide value according to that journey.

But that's pillar number three you're offering product to service. Of course, we're going to drill down more into each of the other eight seven, eight total. Pillars and see how that could potentially help you out with your business. But my goal here is just to give you a little bit more of an idea on what that looks like and how you could potentially provide that impact.

And of course, us be able to position and drill down on the content that you're listening to. So that it. We'll help support each of these aspects. So you can know exactly what you're looking for. And of course you can check out our community that we're relaunching so that you can draw down a little bit more on each of those aspects and what that looks like.

So this is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day. Don't forget you are providing service to people that you ultimately want to work with. Think about how you're able to solve that problem, how you're able to make their day better.

And then that's going to allow you to be where they're searching for and think of you when they're trying to do that. Thanks. And I'll talk to you soon.

OUTRO 11:11

Hello. Hello. This is Gresh again, and I hope you enjoyed that special episode of the I AM CEO podcast. Just like I mentioned in the beginning, we're really trying to laser focus on these eight pillars and show you as a builder how you can leverage these eight pillars and really level up there.

So it helps to level up your business and organization. So hope you enjoyed this episode Definitely please check out the show notes. So you can learn more about the pillar.

This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

[/restrict]

The post Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 3. OFFERING – PRODUCTS/SERVICES appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 2. STRATEGY

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:17:56 -0500

In this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast, Gresh dives into the critical pillar of ‘strategy' as part of an eight-pillar framework for successful business development.

Gresh emphasizes the importance of having a strategy to turn ideas into actionable plans and achieve business goals.

He outlines the entire set of eight business pillars—entrepreneurship, strategy, product/service offering, people, operations/legal, visibility, finance, and technology—offering a high-level overview of each.

Gresh also discusses the significance of market understanding, SMART goals, and KPIs to improve execution and achieve long-term success. Tune in to learn how to leverage these pillars and elevate your business from a builder to a luminary.

http://cbnation.co/pillar
http://community.cbnation.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!

Full Interview:

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:00

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast, and this is a special I AM CEO podcast because we're going to be focusing on the eight business pillars. I hope you get to enjoy kind of take in a lot of these different pillars that came from the 1600 plus episodes we did at the I AM CEO podcast, which became the 16 themes, which eventually now became the eight business pillars. That can help you level up your business.

And really what we're trying to do is increase the business success rate. And this is going to eventually become a course. So you hear some of these snippets actually be in that course and that library of content and information we're going to put together to help you level up.

So sit back and enjoy this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:38

All right. So for this next episode, I'm going to focus on the pillar of strategy. So you've gone through the first pillar, you have entrepreneurship and the journey. You understand a little bit about strategy, which I'm going to talk about today.

Then we'll go a little bit more into your offering your product or service. Number four is going to be the people, the human part of business. Number five is going to be operation slash legal side. Number six is going to be visibility. Seven financial eight is technology.

So I just want to give you a quick recap about each of the different pillars as I go down and delve a little bit deeper into those. Of course, I'm always looking for feedback. If you feel like a pillar is missing or something that should be nestled into something, please definitely do this.

But this is just going to be a quick high level overview of the strategy pillar. And the reason that strategy is so important is because there's a quote vision without action is merely a dream.

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And one of the things that I think sets really entrepreneurial people apart is it's not necessarily coming up with the idea. And even me, when I started my business I Remember one of the jobs that I left one of my bosses said that you're definitely an ideas person. And I took it and I still take it as Hey, I'm more than an ideas person.

I'm an execution person. So I've been trying to really focus on execution, but know that I am an ideas person. I have breakout room. A tremendous amount of ideas. I can't even execute on all the ideas that I have. So that's why it's so important that you have that strategy in place so that you know this is exactly how you're going to execute on what those things actually are.

And I think that is what's going to separate people because you can have ideas. You can literally go into Technology, which is another pillar in all these different tools and softwares that are coming about with A. I. But even things that have existed before to help you to develop what those ideas are going to be.

The question is, how are you going to execute it? And execution is all around the strategy. The strategy is basically, I think, creating a clear Idea of how exactly you're going to reach the goals and aspirations that you have within your business. So think about things such as developing a strategy, developing a business plan.

Even though there's obviously a lot of. Pros and cons of being able to create a business plan. Just know how important it is to create a plan so that you increase your likelihood of success. There's even statistics that say the more time that you spend writing down your goals or writing down your vision is going to increase the likelihood of that success happen.

Know that many things, go into that you're planning process where you're trying to understand exactly where you want to be. 1 of the big things that I talk about a lot around when I say everybody is a media company, when you go through that course and understand exactly what that looks like.

You understand that I often say that you can have the exact same business as somebody else, which you might execute it in a completely different way largely because you have different goals and different aspirations.

Somebody that has a digital marketing business that wants to drive home, thousands of clients is going to look at it differently from someone that wants to have maybe just a solo business and be a solopreneur and just do a lot of consulting to other entrepreneurs and business owners versus somebody else that doesn't really want to do anything but of course, and just teach all their information.

So each of these three people have similar businesses, similar ideas, but they're executing completely different ways.

So your strategy is going to be a hugely important thing. And the big thing about strategies, I think a lot of times people will downplay the importance of being able to take steps ahead and plan what that is. Don't get me wrong. You're not going to necessarily have all the things in place, which is why there's a big argument about the business plan.

Why having the 30 40 plus Page business plan. A lot of people scarf it because you get books like the lead startup by Eric Ries . I always forget how to say his name. It talks so much around putting something out there essentially. Doing it in a minimum viable product and MVP so that you can get market feedback from that market feedback.

You go from there. So my thing about strategy is not necessarily the same strategy has to be long and extensive, but you want to actually have a plan in place.

So going back to that first pillar, what problem are you solving? Thinking about what that problem is, how you're going to actually solve them and what you want your business and organization to look like is going to be the next progression along the journey of being able to do that.

If you don't have an idea about what exactly that's going to look like, then that's going to leave you at a disadvantage. So. Know you can always kind of look into different things like your competitors and get an idea of exactly what they're doing to get in a better idea.

Sometimes the biggest, opportunity and I think honestly, this goes a little bit into the visibility piece that pillar, but it's not understanding exactly what's out there in the market because when you're trying to solve the problem, sometimes part of your strategy is going to be understanding what's out there.

Not necessarily so that. You can pay attention to your competition because I always say if you're running on a race, you can't lose, but so that you're able to get a better understanding of what you're doing is sometimes the best way to understand what you're doing is to understand what's out there because that's going to open up your doors and opportunity to understand what is your quote unquote secret sauce, the thing that you feel like sets you apart and makes you meet.

But it doesn't necessarily make sense to say, Hey, I'm going to create it. A social media site that is going to have groups that's going to have pages that's going to basically be large in the countries. And I'm going to call it book face or something along those lines. Something like that might actually exist.

So you want to make sure that you're paying attention to what's out there, not necessarily so that you can emulate what's out there, but so that you can say, okay, this might exist, but where is it?

Kind of falling short. Is it falling short in the way that it's marketed in the way that it's executed in its strategy in and of itself? Is it not serving the right clients? You start to have all these conversations, but that's where, understanding that the market understanding what's out there is such a big thing.

And anytime you want to create any goals, you want to make sure that the smart goals those smart goals are going to help you to increase your likelihood of success. And you want to make sure that KPIs that are with it as well. So those KPIs are gonna be ways that you determine what success is. That says it could be number of employees.

It could be your your market penetration. It could be your revenue. It could be your total annual revenue, whatever it might be. You just want to make sure that you outline exactly what that is so that you can go about execute upon that strategy and continue to monitor those results.

So again, the strategy part is not something that. You should gloss over, which is why I wanted to make sure that it was the second thing that I touched about because I think so many times we fall in love with the ideas that we have the ideas we're writing down on the napkin. Exactly what our vision is.

And we're taking that idea and we're running with it. But how do we run with it? Run with it without a strategy, even if your strategy is just to say, let me put it out there and see what happens that in of itself is a strategy. I think it goes along the lines, although it's more technical upon the the framework of the lead startup where you're testing out, just see if the market thinks it's of any value, but know that strategy plays a really big part.

And a lot of times we will hear from people, especially on the show that talk a lot around where your business is ultimately trying to go what that looks like. Succession planning, those things. Are you setting up your business to sell? Are you setting up your business to hand down to your family?

What does that look like? All those things become a part of your strategy and it ends up being really, really extensive because it's ultimately deals. I think with where you are and ultimately where you want to try to go and everything in between that. But know that it can definitely be written in pencil.

It doesn't have to be written in. Ink or a permanent marker, you get to take those steps to see that come to fruition. So that's one of the big things around strategy. So again we're drilling down into each of the different business pillars. You're gonna see a lot of our content that's going to delve into that.

You can, of course, join our community. We're relaunching our community. So you'll be able to check that out to hear a little bit more about what it is that That we're doing and why we're doing it. But again, a lot of it is to increase that likelihood of success as much as it's great to listen to these episodes and hear all the things my goal was really to say, okay, if you're trying to increase your likelihood of success and you realize that you don't have a strategy, maybe you focus more on this pillar so that you can increase your likelihood of success, or maybe you understand.

That some other aspect or some other pillar is going to be more important for your business. And it's not to say that you do all the things. You just want to be aware of all the things very similarly to, I say, like going to the grocery store, figuring out what the ingredients are. You want to know all the aspects of business so that you can increase your likelihood of success even though you're not going to be focusing on.

Every single aspect. So this is Gresh signing out. I hope you enjoyed this episode and I'm looking forward to, delve in a little bit deeper into each of the different pillars.

Outro 09:24

Hello, hello, this is Grash again, and I hope you enjoyed that special episode of the I AM CEO podcast. Just like I mentioned in the beginning, we're really trying to Laser focus on these eight pillars and show you as a builder, how you can leverage these eight pillars and really level up there.

So it helps you level up your business and organization. So hope you enjoyed this episode and definitely please check out the show notes.

This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

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The post Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 2. STRATEGY appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP and the JOURNEY

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:15:47 -0500

In this special episode of the I AM CEO podcast, Gresh shares valuable insights into the importance of building a media company and leveraging other media platforms to support business growth.

He introduces the concept of the Eight Business Pillars, derived from over 1600 podcast episodes, which include entrepreneurship, strategy, offerings, people, operations, visibility, finances, and technology.

This episode focuses on the entrepreneurship pillar, exploring the journey of entrepreneurship, the misconceptions of overnight success, and the importance of problem-solving.

Gresh emphasizes resilience, passion, and continuous learning as critical components for navigating the entrepreneurial path. Tune in to understand how these pillars are interconnected and essential for elevating your business and personal growth.

http://cbnation.co/pillar
http://community.cbnation.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!

Full Interview:

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Intro 00:00

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast, and this is a special I AM CEO podcast because we're going to be focusing on the eight business pillars. I hope you get to enjoy kind of take in a lot of these different pillars that came from the 1600 plus episodes we did at the I AM CEO podcast, which became the 16 themes, which eventually now became the eight business pillars. That can help you level up your business.

And really what we're trying to do is increase the business success rate. And this is going to eventually become a course. So you hear some of these snippets actually be in that course and that library of content and information we're going to put together to help you level up.

So sit back and enjoy this special episode of the I AM CEO podcasts.

Gresham Harkless 00:38

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh and I am here with a special episode of the I AM CEO podcast. These next few episodes, we're going to focus on the eight pillars in business and give you a little bit more of a insight into each of these eight pillars, what they'll look like. Why? We've even created to that.

But basically fast forward or rewind actually into one of the previous episodes, you get an idea of what those eight pillars are. But one of the things, if you're just listening to this, solo, I wanted to give you an idea of what those eight pillars are. Where those eight pillars came from just to give you a little bit more of a recap is we took the 1600 episodes, came up with about 16 or so themes. Those themes became 8 pillars.

8 pillar is exactly what we wanted to structure a lot of the content around to be able to level up your business, your organization and all the awesome things that you're doing. So what are those eight pillars? What pillar am I going to focus on today 8 pillars.

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Are going to be entrepreneurship journey the journey of entrepreneurship, strategy, your offering slash your product or service, people slash the human part of business operations slash legal visibility, which is marketing, sales, advertising, all of those aspects, your financial piece. And then, of course, the big 1 that I added on because I wanted it to be 7, but end up being 8 was technology.

And the one that I'm going to focus on today is going to be a lot around entrepreneurship. I literally just completed a, an interview, which you should hear coming out live in about about 60 days or so.

We talked a lot around the secret to overnight success. It takes a 10 or 15 years. So, there is not a kind of magic bullet that you have with your business. No matter what people might tell you, this is the only thing that you need that's going to completely change your business. The reality is that even with each of these pillars, you start to realize that you can maybe not focus on all the different aspects at the same time.

So you have to maybe pick one, maybe two, just to focus on during a short period of time to be able to get more traction in your business, more opportunity to grow. But. I think that goes back to entrepreneurship and the journey, the secret to the overnight success. It takes 10 or 15 years. What that means is it's not necessarily always instant.

And even for those people, that it isn't. And when they do start a business and it ends up happening or ballooning or, doing some phenomenal numbers within the year, it's, a lot of times because some of the other aspects may be a little bit more developed than they might seem.

So, for example, a lot of times you'll hear around people that have built new businesses, but they've had the previous experience. So when they're building the new business, they're not isolated from that experience that they had before. So all this means is that you should really understand what you're getting into when you're talking about entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship, I believe at the heart is around problem solving. And so when you're really starting to solve the problems, you realize it doesn't always happen as quickly as you want it to happen. It doesn't necessarily mean that you can't solve the problem. Sometimes it's so many other aspects that you need to take care of.

If you're bootstrapping the business, maybe the financial aspect is not exactly where you want it to be. But Maybe you have an idea on what the solution might be, but maybe there's not an actual market for it.

So that's where it's so important to really understand entrepreneurship, what that journey looks like, because a lot of it is going to require, I think a lot of quote, unquote, failing a lot of mistakes, a lot of things, not necessarily going the way that you want them to go, but that resilience, the grit is going to be such a huge thing because as you start to do that, Delve into each of these aspects of business, you'll start to realize that they're not isolated.

They're actually fully intertwined. But the reality is that if you don't have an idea that when you hit a roadblock, when you hit a setback, that it's not the end of the world, that some of the most successful people, I would probably even got to say all of the most successful people have had some type of speed bump, potholes, something that has happened that was not expected within their business.

So the really big thing that I want to get across, and we're going to drill down course, more and more on is to understand that entrepreneurship is definitely not linear. It's not a straight path. It's not a straight line, and it doesn't happen at the snap of your fingers.

So once you start to understand that, I think it gives you a little bit more of a awareness around what you're getting into. It gives you awareness around the mistakes, the things that don't go the way that you want to go and being even opportunities to learn. And one of the things that I've even brought up a lot of times during the episodes is that there's a story. Sarah Blakely tells a lot around why she looks at failure in a completely different way.

And the reason is because her dad used to actually high five her. If she made some type of mistake during the day, or if she has some type of failure, she did something that was outside the realm of what and how she defined success as a, as a young lady, as a young, as a young girl.

So what you start to realize is it changed the way that she looked at failure. So when she went around to starting Spanx, she already had imprinted in her a foundation that really celebrated failure because knowing that failure was not final, but it was a way and path that was very intertwined with success. You need it to have the favorites. You have the success. So that's one of the really big things that you want to take away.

More than, anything else. Loads of CEO nuggets that, of course, that we've had on our podcast, but just know that the essence of entrepreneurship is all around problem solving. It doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have that to reach success. But I think a lot of people that get into entrepreneurship and business are trying to solve problems.

They're trying to make an impact. That might be looked at from a revenue standpoint, X amount of clients, X amount of, revenue that you want to achieve. But when you start to drill that down, it's like, how many people are you helping? How many people are ultimately impacting? I think that, that's the heart of entrepreneurship and understanding that journey is not always just about.

Are you able to create a better mousetrap? But does anybody else know about this mousetrap? Does the visibility part play such a big part? So, as you will hear during each of these episodes, I'll go a little bit more in depth around all the other aspects, all the other pillars, but know that entrepreneurship, I think it's definitely the essence of business.

I think, honestly, it's one of the essences of life because when you approach life with the mentality that you're going to solve the problem, you're not asking or seeing the world as this is how it is. You're seeing the world within opportunity of ways that you can change. You just have to determine if it's It's going to be worthwhile to go on that path and pursue and invest the resources to be able to solve whatever the problems might be.

And that's where a lot of times you'll hear people saying you want to be passionate about business. Do you need to be passionate about the business that you're in? Absolutely not. But the reason that you. Considering the passion about it, you probably want to be passionate about it because it's so hard and so difficult.

It's so draining. So that when you hit those roadblocks, when you hit those speed bumps, when you don't have any more gas that's in the tank, so to speak, you're going to be pulling upon that passion to get you through those challenging times. So you're more likely to stick with it. And have a stick to it.

If you are passionate about than if you're not. So that's one of the really big things I wanted to get across. When you're looking at this pillar, of course, you can definitely check out our site to hear a little bit more about each of those pillars. And, of course, be able to join the community where we're going to be delving down deeper into each of these different pillars.

And especially, of course, entrepreneurship and demystifying what that looks like and what that is, but doing it in a way that I think is going to be a lot more enjoyable than it would have been if you had gone through it. So while you're going through this path of entrepreneurship, I salute you for doing it.

I commend you for taking that step, but please keep in mind. That just because you're hitting roadblocks, you're hitting speed bumps, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing it wrong. Now, don't get me wrong. You could absolutely be taking in some data and information to be able to pivot and change, but so many people throw in a towel because they say that I'm not good enough.

I'm not cut out for this. And in reality, I don't know anybody is. I think you just develop the ability to be able to sustain this. You have a strong why that's going to fuel you more. The motivation is there to keep you up and going because even the mental, the emotional, financial all those challenges that you go through.

It's going to be an opportunity for you to develop yourself as much as you're developing your business. You're also developing yourself as you're going through those journeys. So the trials and tribulations are not there just to create Roblox success. Actually, it allows you the opportunity to develop that endurance and be able to go past the path that you ultimately thought you could.

So with that being said, this is Gresh signing out. Remember, this is the first pillar, entrepreneurship and the journey. Make sure you understand the journey that you're getting in, understand ultimately what you're doing, which is problem-solving. So there's going to be loads and loads of information that we'll have within our community.

But make sure that you of course, check out the other pillars, check out some of the information that we're providing and remember the journey that you're in and I wish you the best towards your success.

Outro 09:34

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh again, and I hope you enjoyed that special episode of the I AM CEO podcast.

Just like I mentioned in the beginning, we're really trying to laser focus on these eight pillars and show you as a builder how you can leverage these eight pillars and really level up there. So it helps to level up your business and organization. So I hope you enjoyed this episode and definitely please check out the show notes.

So you can learn more about the pillar, this is Gresh signing out. Hope you'll have a phenomenal rest of the day.

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The post Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP and the JOURNEY appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

Understanding the Psychology of Failure and the Importance of Persistence

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:12:53 -0500

Gresham discusses the unexpected power of a ‘fail wall' and the lessons learned from failure, emphasizing the importance of embracing failure as part of the path to success.

Gresham and Anatolii discuss the psychology of failure, the fear of failure, and the importance of persistence in the face of setbacks.

Gresh highlights the common mistakes in media marketing and SEO, emphasizing the importance of aligning strategy and understanding the tools used for optimization.

Business Pillar: Entrepreneurship/Journey

Episode Link: Embracing the Media Company Mindset

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Full Interview:

Transcription:

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Gresham Harkless Intro 00:01

Hello, Hello, Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I wanted to share with you one of the episodes that I was a guest on for someone else's podcast. I always talk about how important it is to build a media company. One of the next best things you can do is be on somebody else's media company. So I had the pleasure of being a guest on this podcast and I wanted to share a little snippet with you because it would help support the eight business pillars we've really been trying to focus on with a lot more of our content, a lot more of the solo episodes that I'm doing.

So make sure of course that you subscribe to our podcast, but of course you take some time out, check out the show notes and subscribe to the podcast that I've been featured on as well too. And get to learn about some of those eight business pillars and how you can continue to leverage and build that up. So you can go from builder to architect to a course at Rockstar and Luminary. So this is Gresh signing out. I hope you enjoyed this I AM CEO special episode.

Anatolii Ulitovskyi 00:49

You have an incredible, special, amazing job to do. You have the business.

Gresham Harkless 00:55

Yeah, absolutely. I moved here about a year or so ago, so it definitely wasn't set up as it is now. But obviously I have a lot of sound proofing around here, but I also have a dry erase paint that's here. So it allows me brainstorm a lot, but actually I'll tilt this over a little bit to the right. You can actually see I have, and it's hard to see, but when I was doing the dry erase paint, I actually got to the bottom of the can and it was all supposed to be white. But I was like, I just wanted to do certain parts of the wall. And I said, you know what, I got this here, so let me just keep using it.

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And what happened is it ended up turning yellow. So that corner I actually call my fail wall. And it's one of the most powerful things that wasn't supposed to happen, but ended up happening. So I ended up putting a bunch of quotes about failure, about how failure is not final, about like how when a baby falls down, no one tells the baby, hey, you're not built to walk. So stop walking, just crawl for the rest of your life. Just all of those things. So I'm addicted to quotes. I have so much brainstorming things up, but I really think that fail wall that's in the corner that you might see some of those quotes is probably one of the most unexpected things that happen that end up being really powerful for me to see on a daily basis.

And I think too, it just reminds me a lot of the process of marketing or the process of business and the process of life at that, how it doesn't necessarily always go the way that you want it to go, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's worse. And I think that a lot of times you can be set up for success by just, I say a lot of times don't get attached to the how, get attached to the why. So just how things are done may not go exactly how you want them to go. But if you have a strong why, you know, you're doing this for X, Y, and Z reason, then regardless of what the how ends of being then you're still going to be able to set out and and manifest your why.

Anatolii Ulitovskyi 02:38

You remind me Jackie Lanil once he said about failure, failing he told that when he starts something new any new project business he always fails always because we start from generic strategies, best practices, then we need to adapt to learn from failure to go ahead. But I see when content creators give up, most content creators give up by recording the second episode of podcast, to write the second article, I don't know, because they can't get results from the first one.

I have no idea how to do it. Next time, even Mr. Beast, many other great influencers, they spend time. Gary Vee shared that he spent 7 years on Twitter to create content from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. every single day. He avoided parties, many other things, and was consistent with that. Can you tell about failure for you? What kind of failing you can meet? Because in my times, in my life, I made a lot of mistakes. I keep doing that, but I love learning from them. So describe your understanding of failure and how not to give up and go ahead.

Gresham Harkless 03:50

Yeah, I think this might be a whole different episode if we talk about failure and just like the psychology and why we're so like afraid to fail, which that sounds that it didn't make sense like you're afraid to fail so we net we don't you know try at all and I think that we have such a misconception on what failure is and it's been a process for me and continues to be a process was part of like why I have this big wall up of like really understanding that failure is not the opposite of winning. It's not the opposite of success. It's not the opposite of where you want to be. It's actually part of the process.

And it's taken me a really long time to get to understand that. And I always say if I could jump into a time machine, that's exactly what I would tell myself is that failure is actually the path. That's actually the opportunity. That's actually setting you up for success. And if you embrace that, you embrace the learning and you try to fail, fail in a way that's not catastrophic, which often the failures that we have built up in our head are catastrophic. We think if we post that post on TikTok and it gets 0 followers or even 0 likes or 0 views that we have failed at life and we have failed at business and we have to put out a business up and all these things.

But in reality, a lot of it is not that. What separates those people is really just stepping in and going further. And Sarah Blakely, who founded Spanx, I read and listened to an interview that she said that when she was young, her dad would always ask her, how was your day? And of course she always wanted to say, hey, this went well. And I did XYZ, and A, B, and C. So he started to ask her like how she failed every day. And every time she would mention how she failed, he would give her a high five. And it completely changed the way that she looked at failure. So I think that hearing those stories and hearing like the true path to success that your Shaquille O'Neal's, your J.K. Rowling's, who got rejected so many times before she wrote Harry Potter.

Like all those people failed so much and that's what led them to success. It helps you know that, hey, failure is not this terrible thing that we feel like it be. Don't get me wrong. Everybody wants to succeed with everything that they do. But one of the reasons that success is, and I think success and how we define it varies, but success is so powerful, is because there's so many people that fail and they just stop. But really the opportunity is to fail and keep going and learn from it. And then you continue to lean your way to success. A super long answer, but hopefully that helped how I think about failure.

Anatolii Ulitovskyi 06:21

Yeah, nice. Yeah, I remember when I read a book, Dale Carnegie wrote this book about stop worrying. And he shared the story about a guy who lost a job, was disappointed a lot, and after meeting another guy who didn't have legs, without legs, but this man without legs told him, wow, it's a nice day, sunny day, I love it. And after that, he changed completely his mindset about failing. If you have legs, if you have health, if you have hands, you have enough to overcome all obstacles, it's boring, just go ahead. I love it, I agree with that. Gresh, I wanna ask about mistakes, common mistakes in media marketing, in SEO. Can you list mistakes that you can see that marketers still do and your way how to find a much better way.

Gresham Harkless 07:19

Yeah. I think that a lot of it we touched on a little bit, I think in terms of going to see what keywords you want to rank for is not niching down from there. Because if we're talking about the most competitive keywords, we're talking about your titles, tag and meta description and getting really technical from that standpoint, not having those set up, but it's not just saying that Yoast or whatever plugin that you might use gives me a green light. So that means that I have my SEO set up correctly. There's a lot of strategy around like SEO and a lot of that strategy, even with AI tools and all these technological softwares that we have in the SAS tools that we can leverage, I think is only as good as the questions that you ask, the prompts that you put in. You hear that a lot around ChatGPT.

ChatGPT can be an incredibly powerful tool if you ask the right questions. But I think a lot of people think they're just going to sit down and the questions, at least not yet, it's not going to pull the questions, you know, from what you're looking for. But you start to, to realize that your ability to be able to know exactly what your strategy is, it's going to set you up for success more than anything else. So when we're talking about your title tag meta description, yes, you want to of course make sure that you're within the amount of characters and you make sure that you have your alt tags set up for your images and all of those things are important, but it's only as important if you know exactly what you're wanting to rank for.

And I think that when, and you're honest about what that looks like, because if you're trying to rank for the most competitive keyword, as we talked about SEO, you can have everything in line, but you don't necessarily have everything in line because there's so many other considerations that you haven't thought of. So I think first and foremost is making sure that you understand what your strategy is and you're starting to look and be in a line with that strategy, not paying attention to what other people are doing, but just being aligned with that. The other big thing that I see a lot is, especially with COVID, you had a lot of organizations and businesses that were pivoting.

They might've rebranded their businesses. They might've also decided that they were going to start another business or another arm of those businesses. You can get some benefits, but a lot of times, if you're getting like a new domain, you're starting from, I usually say like building a new house. So you can get some benefits in terms of getting backlinks coming back from there, but overall, you have to understand that you're not gonna start from the same place that you started from an SEO standpoint, from a Google standpoint. So it's understanding that as much as possible, you wanna try to benefit the URL that you have, but also know if you're launching something new, that it, that in fact is probably going to be something new.

And there's of course different ways you can work through to try to improve that. But I think most people think that, okay, because I've been successful, because I have all these accomplishments on my bio, Google is going to know that. And when I launched this new business, it's going to be the exact same, but it's usually not where we're talking about the website or we're talking about even creating like a new social media handle and things like that. So I think from a very granular standpoint, it's understanding the whole kind of psychology and the way that these tools work, but it's also using the tools to support the mission and the strategy that you put in place and it ends up being a strategy that you can execute on. So hopefully that's somewhat helpful.

Anatolii Ulitovskyi 10:47

Yeah, nice, nice. Let's talk about AI. So it's hard to ignore this topic today. Impossible tomorrow. And you mentioned about writing prompts. You remind me Elon Musk, when he shared a screenshot after with the question that he asked on ChatGPT. And I read a few times this question to understand what Elon Musk want to get. So he wrote a unique prompt, a unique question, and I gave a unique answer. And it's what I see when people set up prompts, write an article, how to play guitar, how to lose weight, how to build muscles. You can get content that you can find on Google.

Even on Google, you can find much better content because I just rewrite existing content. So can you tell how to write these prompts? How to create unique prompts that Elon Musk did before? He did it before criticizing AI and signed this letter with my thousand other companies to procrastinate the process. And it's interesting after that, he decided to buy expensive equipment to develop this technology on Twitter. So Elon Musk can change his mind fast. It's his attitude. And yeah, let us know about writing these prompts.

Gresham Harkless 12:07

Yeah, I think that one of the big things that you see around all different types of technology, whether we're talking about SEO or we're talking about social media, there's this hesitation or kind of fear, maybe since we were talking about fear around like how exactly to do that. And when we're thinking about AI, I feel like it's a lot of the similar things and insane things. I think We're just scratching the surface on what it could potentially be. And AI has been around, if you really think about it, from being able to take information and synthesize that information very quickly.

So it's been around for some time. I think it's just become obviously a lot popular with chat GPT and writing college essays and taking GMAT tests and all these tests and passing them. I think people are starting to see, oh, wow, this can be pretty powerful. So I answer that question in much the same way that I would for most technology tools is that the technology is getting advanced enough to where you can end up having conversations with it. So I think some of the best prompts and I think where things are moving is that you're able to ask very specific questions.

The questions that you might ask in your dining room or you might ask in your board room where it's very specific. That's I think where you're going to see AI continue to improve. So not just asking, hey, I want to, I want to prompt for my meal prep for the rest of the week or for the rest of the month. It's asking questions along the lines of, hey, I'm 178 pounds and I want to increase and bulk up to 200 pounds. What types of things should I eat Monday through Friday so that I can continue to kind of increase my weight. And oh, by the way, I wanna work out 3 or 4 times a week too.

And I think when we start to get a little bit more specific on what that looks like, and just like you're having a conversation with your personal trainer that you might use or your friend that you're chatting with, I think that's really where the power of it is. But I think it's still somewhat of a, there's a gap between understanding the totality of who you are, understanding if you have certain health conditions and you didn't put it there, or even just taking the output that you received and making sure that it is actually something that you can achieve or is logical and things like that.

So I think, again, so many times we think that it's human and technology. These are on two ends of the spectrum, but I think the opportunity is really where these things are hand in hand. So it's thinking that specificity, but also being able to think, use that creativity to say, okay, this does work or this doesn't work. Hey, I'm actually allergic to shrimp. So I can't eat that. And I forgot to input that. So just things like that. So I think it goes hand in hand, just like a good game of like Batman or tennis, where you go back and forth with AI and you ultimately just have conversations.

So I think there's, of course, If you've been on any type of social media, you've probably seen a million props that you could buy for $20. But I think that we're going more and more towards understanding that it's at the heart of it having a conversation and having the prompt be exactly like you were talking with your best friend.

Gresham Harkless 15:12

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh again, and I hope you enjoy that special episode of the I AM CEO Podcast. Just like I mentioned in the beginning, we're really trying to laser focus on these eight pillars and show you as a builder, how you can leverage these eight pillars and really level up there so it helps to level up your business and organization.

So hope you enjoyed this episode and definitely please check out the show notes so you can learn more about the pillar, learn more about the person that I guested on, their episode, and of course learn more, a little bit more about us as well too. This is Gresh signing out. I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

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The post Understanding the Psychology of Failure and the Importance of Persistence appeared first on CBNation TV - Entrepreneurship Videos, Steps to Start a Small Business.

Holiday SEO Magic: Optimizing Your Website for Festive Success

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 09:16:21 -0500

The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and, of course, increased online shopping. As a business owner, you want to make sure your website is ready to capture the holiday cheer and convert it into sales. Holiday SEO is the key to unlocking this festive potential. By optimizing your website for holiday-related keywords, creating engaging content, and implementing technical SEO best practices, you can attract more visitors, boost conversions, and spread holiday cheer.

Understanding Holiday SEO

Holiday SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for holiday-related keywords. This involves a combination of on-page and off-page SEO techniques.

On-Page SEO for the Holidays

Fine-tune your website’s content and structure to ensure it resonates with holiday shoppers. From keyword-rich titles to visually appealing and optimized imagery, every element counts toward creating an immersive user experience.

Keyword Research

The first step to successful holiday SEO is keyword research. Identify relevant keywords and phrases that people are likely to search for during the holiday season. For example, if you sell Christmas decorations, you might target keywords like “Christmas decorations,” “holiday decorations,” “Christmas ornaments,” and “holiday gift ideas.”

Optimize Your Content

Title Tags: Incorporate your primary keyword into your title tags. For example, “Holiday Gift Ideas: Your Ultimate Guide to Festive Shopping.”

Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions that include your target keyword. For example, “Discover the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Shop our curated selection of unique and affordable items.”

Header Tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content and highlight important keywords. For example, your H1 could be “Holiday Gift Ideas,” and your H2s could be “Gifts for Her,” “Gifts for Him,” and “Gifts for Kids.”

Body Content: Naturally integrate your keywords into your body content. Write high-quality, informative, and engaging content that provides value to your readers.

Image Optimization: Optimize your images with relevant file names and alt text that include your keywords.

Off-Page SEO for the Holidays

Boost your site’s credibility and reach with a strong off-page strategy. Building quality links and leveraging social media can amplify your holiday content, attracting new visitors to your website.

Link Building: Build high-quality backlinks from reputable websites to improve your website’s authority. Consider guest posting on relevant holiday-themed blogs or partnering with other businesses for cross-promotions.

Social Media Marketing: Promote your holiday content on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility and engagement.

Technical SEO for the Holidays

Behind every seamless holiday shopping experience is robust technical optimization. Ensure your website performs flawlessly on mobile devices, loads quickly, and maintains a secure environment for holiday shoppers.

Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as many people shop on their smartphones and tablets during the holidays.

Page Speed: Optimize your website’s loading speed to provide a seamless user experience.

Secure Website: Use HTTPS to encrypt your website’s traffic and protect your visitors’ information.

XML Sitemap: Create an XML sitemap to help search engines crawl and index your website’s pages.

Holiday SEO Tips

Preparation and adaptability are key to staying ahead of the competition. By planning early, embracing creativity, and tracking performance, you can refine your strategy and reap the rewards of holiday-driven success.

Plan Ahead: Start planning your holiday SEO strategy well in advance.

Be Creative: Create unique and engaging holiday content that stands out from the competition.

Track Your Performance: Use analytics tools to monitor your website’s performance and make data-driven decisions.

Adapt to Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest holiday trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.

By following these holiday SEO tips, you can optimize your website for festive success and attract more holiday shoppers to your online store. Remember, the key to successful holiday SEO is to provide value to your audience and create a seamless shopping experience.

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Blue16 Media is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses expand their online presence.

Our services include website design and support, social media management, and cutting-edge search engine optimization (SEO) services to keep your organization or company ahead of the curve.

For more information or inquiries, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

The post Holiday SEO Magic: Optimizing Your Website for Festive Success appeared first on .

Understanding Your Target Market and Setting Goals for Your Content Marketing Efforts

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 04:58:49 -0500

On this episode, Gresh discusses the importance of building a media company and how to leverage content to grow your business. He shares valuable insights on understanding your target market and setting goals for your content marketing efforts.

Gresh emphasizes the importance of understanding your target market and their pain points.

He highlights the significance of setting clear goals for your content marketing strategy.

Additionally, Gresh explains the concept of the long tail in content marketing and how it can be used to target niche searches and drive more traffic to your website.

Business Pillar: Visibility

Episode Link: Relate Studios

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!

Full Interview:

Transcription:

The full transcription is only available to CBNation Library Members. Sign up today!

Gresham Harkless Intro 00:01

Hello, Hello, Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I wanted to share with you one of the episodes that I was a guest on for someone else's podcast. I always talk about how important it is to build a media company. One of the next best things you can do is be on somebody else's media company. So I had the pleasure of being a guest on this podcast and I wanted to share a little snippet with you because it would help support the eight business pillars we've really been trying to focus on with a lot more of our content, a lot more of the solo episodes that I'm doing.

So make sure of course that you subscribe to our podcast, but of course you take some time out. Check out the show notes to subscribe to the podcast that I've been featured on as well too, and get to learn about some of those eight business pillars and how you can continue to leverage and build that up. So you can go from builder to architect to a chorus at Rockstar and Luminary. So this is Gresh signing out. I hope you enjoyed this I AM CEO special episode.

Juma Bannister 00:54

So tell us a little bit about what you do and how you help your clients make useful content.

Gresham Harkless 01:00

Yeah, absolutely. So we're all in the media business as I usually say. I say you are a media company. That's my whole kind of marketing philosophy. A lot of what we do is around like website design, support and SEO services. So we try to provide that foundational level. But as really well, SEO is very all encompassing of most things that you do in marketing, but I'm going back to that being a media company having that mentality, that mindset, it's all around understanding how you can create content for the people that you're trying to target.

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So way back when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do, how I would build out the business, how I would try to distinguish myself. I'd already been building some things around CBNation, which is the content and information for entrepreneurs and business owners. And so I decided to just marry those two because I knew that entrepreneurs, CEOs, business owners are always trying to get their name and information out there. So I try to use content in terms of building that media company to try to connect, build relationships with the people that we're ultimately trying to serve.

Juma Bannister 02:01

Do people give you push back about the concept of being a media company?

Gresham Harkless 02:05

I think so in the sense of understanding like media in what that looks like. I think that's where the push back comes in, because automatically, whenever we hear the word media, we're thinking of something. The way that I really look at media is simply the creation of content. That content can be very broad. If you really think about it offline, when you're handing out your business card or you're talking with somebody, a networking event, to some degree, you're creating content. If you're online, obviously you can create blogs, podcasts, social media content. All those things are content.

So when I look at it, and as I've started to even evolve at how I looked at it, it's a lot broader than sometimes people think. And I think when people like redefine it and look at it from that perspective, they start to see that, hey, I am actually talking about my business, talking about my organization, talking about the things that I do on a regular basis. So if I started to look at that a little bit more with a broader scope, maybe then maybe I will understand that, hey, I am in the media business, whether I like social media or I don't like social media, I have a podcast or I have a blog or whatever that is, I'm always creating that content.

Juma Bannister 03:13

Yeah, so you create stuff for small to medium businesses And what you say to them is that whether you like it or not, you are a media company. It's something that you're just gonna have to accept and you have to put your content out there in order to market your business. And so this is something that you tell them. And is that something that they eventually get a hold of, or is it something that takes a while for people to understand how it will work for them?

Gresham Harkless 03:42

Yeah. Funny enough, Juma is different for everybody, but I feel like as we're moving more and more and more to the importance of content and as we're a lot of people call this the content golden age where because there's so many different ways you can create content. I think when we were talking about 10, 20 years ago, we didn't have the technology that we have in our back pocket right now, which is the smartphone. And now the ability to create content is so much easier. I think people have so much more comfortability, if that's even a word, at being able to do that.

So I think that along with people being a little bit more open to it and having the technology and having different tools, we talk about AI and things like that make it a little bit easier. I think it's becoming something more and more and more where you don't get as much push back, you don't get as much hesitation is something that needs to be done. And I think many more business owners and entrepreneurs and CEOs are stepping into that.

Juma Bannister 04:39

Yeah. And I think that's true. How do you explain how people can use their time efficiently in order to create that content?

Gresham Harkless 04:45

Yeah. I think speaking directly to what you said as well, too. I think what we're seeing is as people are able to create more and more content, it's also getting noisier. So I think also what's happening is there's a huge burgeoning of and growing of the personal brand, so to speak, where people don't want to just hear the content. They want to hear who's behind the content. They want to hear why you created it and so many things like that.

So to really answer your question, I think it's marrying those two parts and especially going into understanding exactly like who's going to be creating this content if you're going to be creating it or you're potentially having an agency or some somewhere in between you doing that. I think you really start out with just understanding like what are your superpowers? What are you comfortable with? What do you do sometimes naturally? If you prefer to speak and talk, maybe you're doing a podcast, maybe that's going to be like your foundational piece of content.

If you enjoy writing, maybe you're going to do a blog. If you enjoy being a little bit of both, maybe you're going to be on camera. So I think it's really understanding when you're thinking about time, you're honest about your time, but you're honest about what might be a quote unquote easier way to create at least that first piece of content. And if you're thinking about doing it yourself, think about what is coming a little bit more naturally and you can use that as a easier way to create content, spend less time and spend less of those resources.

Juma Bannister 06:03

So you're saying that everyone is different, not everyone will double down on the same type of content. And it's not a case of doing everything, it's a case of choosing something that works for you, yeah?

Gresham Harkless 06:14

Yeah, absolutely, play to your superpowers.

Juma Bannister 06:17

All right, that's a really great opening. I'm talking about becoming a media company. Let's move on to some of the more specific things about becoming a media company. And there's something that you see that you need to ask before you start with your marketing. There, I think there are three things, your goals, your target market and your resources. So tell us how those three things work in planning your marketing.

Gresham Harkless 06:41

Yeah, I think to start everything off is I think so many times we hear about all these different ways that we can create content that we can be our own media companies. I like to call them ingredients. So when you're going to the grocery store, you figure out what ingredients you're going to put into your cart, what are you going to use? And I think we can always rush into that. There's a new platform that we need to jump on. Do all the things and be active.

And while there's a space for that to be able to create, to test out and do those things, I think those three foundational questions are so huge because it's going to allow you to understand what ingredients you're going to use, why you're going to use them, and be a lot more strategic in your marketing, which I think doesn't happen a lot for people in general, but definitely even for us marketers as well too, is that we wanna try to test out those things.

We wanna try to be in those places, but are we really being strategic with how we're doing it? And really understanding first and foremost, as you said, who are you targeting? And there's a word avatar, and that's literally just painting the picture of the people that you're trying to target. You're talking about age, you're talking about gender, you're talking about location. All those things are gonna be important for your avatar, but really understand and try to delve down a little bit deeper into the things that keep them might be their goals and might be the things that like all those questions ask.

And I think that that first question is huge because you want to paint that picture of who you're targeting, not just the age and demographics and all those things, but also the intentions of what they have, what keeps them up at night, how and where is there essentially a gap in their life that they want to accomplish? Because when you start creating content and thinking about what ingredients, what platforms you're going to use, it's going to help you to make sure that you're drilling down on those people that you're targeting.

After that, you really wanna be clear on the goals that you have. If you have an e-commerce business versus you being a speaker versus you being an author, you're gonna have different goals for your marketing initiatives and what you're doing. Essentially, you're trying to sell an e-book because the e-book is going to give people an opportunity to join your your email list, because on your blog, you're sending out emails that are going to have affiliate links. That's going to be completely different from somebody that might have a new t-shirt line.

And is it trying to sell t-shirts and they want people to go to their website and actually buy those t-shirts or hats or whatever it might be. So it's just understanding what success means because the way that you focus on your marketing, the way you put that blend together is going to be different depending on that goals. And then we already touched on the most powerful question, which I think sometimes we're not as honest about how to answer that and what that looks like, which is the resources. And we're automatically thinking resources. It's all about money. How much money are we spending? What's the budget and all those things? But it's time and money as well too. If you're bootstrapping it, maybe you have more time than you have money.

And if you're a little bit further along on the journey, maybe you have more money than you have time or maybe that starts to transition as you grow get clients and customers and so on and so forth so you just want to be really clear on the resources where you are along that journey because when we're figuring out what ingredients we're gonna use whether we're figuring out we're gonna do a podcast versus having a blog, if you're going to be DIY in it, you're going to put a lot more sweat equity into it. So you don't want to start something that you're not going to be consistent with because at the end of the day, that's going to be 1 of the most powerful and big things that you want to make sure that you stay with.

Juma Bannister 10:16

Okay, great. That's a really great overview of target market goals and resources. Let's dive a little deeper into each of those areas. And I want to first start, I want to talk about goals, but I want to first start with target market, because I think that is something that people really struggle with. It's something that they don't know how to determine. They might say, who am I talking to really? And they don't know how they're gonna figure that out. The first question I wanna ask you is, how do you find out what keeps people up at night? What is, is there a method that you can use to discover that?

Gresham Harkless 10:50

Yeah, I think the best thing I usually say when you're thinking about target market, especially if you've been in business for a while, and let's just say you have one or even a handful of clients is really trying to understand from them what keeps them up at night. And I think the best way you can do that is figure out like how your solution probably helps that. Why do they become your client or customer?

So I think whenever you're trying to figure out your ideal clients really start to look internally and start to say, okay, this is the client that I want to work with and I want to have that person come through the door literally or the door virtually over and over again. And those things that usually keep us up at night is another way of saying like, what problems are they having? So when you start to understand that if you have those clients, what solution are you providing to that problem? And when you start to think about that, then you start to close the gap a little bit on what those things are.

And maybe when you start to create content and information start to figure out how you're going to do that you're thinking more solution based you're thinking more how can I be of value even for us one of the big things that I know that we help out with is visibility by having a podcast a blog all those things that helps out with visibility for the people that we're trying to serve? So thinking strategically about what that is and what that looks like. If you have a t-shirt line, what exactly are you doing to help to support the clients that you work with? Are there going to be inspirational teas that is going to help them going through a bad day. Just really think strategically about what that is. Are you a real estate agent? Are people looking for a place to buy? Do they want to enjoy home ownership?

Just have those ideas and those questions so you can really not just say, hey, this is what I do, but this is how I'm going to make your life better. This is how I'm going to improve your day to day operation, the way that you're, you know, walking through life, the way that you look at yourself, just all those things start to really think to the human part of how you're providing those solutions and really start to understand that because that's how you're ultimately going to not just sell your widget or sell the thing that you're providing, but actually provide true transformation. And that's what you ultimately want to do with your product or service.

Juma Bannister 12:57

Well, that's great. So I know goals is 1 big thing when it comes to creating content and when it comes to setting, where is your marketing going to take you? Tell us how you help clients set those goals or how clients are able to set goals for themselves.

Gresham Harkless 13:11

Yeah, I think the biggest misconception around marketing is that you snap your fingers, you put up a Facebook Ad, you do some SEO, you create a blog post and clients run in after that. And I think that's really big misconception around marketing. So I think it's trying to understand from clients what success looks like, have them paint that picture as much as possible. And then you try to figure out what goals can make that happen.

Specifically, like we work a lot with CEOs. So a lot of it is, of course you want to show up if people are typing in that most competitive keyword, but how can you strategically start to move towards that? So it's understanding what might be the quote unquote minor goals that help you to create that domino effect towards the major goal. And I think that's where you start asking those questions. You start to say, okay, if you're a plumber and you want to show up when there's a leak, is there something else that might be an indicator that you can start to get clients or customers for that will potentially turn into those bigger opportunities? Or is there a certain city outside of where you're located that's less competitive, but you can start to rank there.

And it's really just understanding and looking at it for more of a long-term focus so that you can create goals so that you can get those quote-unquote smaller wins so that it can lead to the bigger wins. And I think one of the beautiful things about digital marketing is there's literally opportunities everywhere and online there's opportunities everywhere. There's this concept in SEO called the long tail and the idea of the long tail is that those quote unquote small wins actually end up being more than the big, when you were ultimately searching for. So I think when we were talking with clients, we're trying to understand, have that picture painted, but also try to see how that can translate to an overall strategy to ultimately get to where they want to be.

Juma Bannister 14:59

Let's talk a little bit about what you just said about the long tail, because I know there's a terminology called long tail keywords that you can use. Is that what you're referring to? What is that about?

Gresham Harkless 15:10

Yeah, absolutely. There's a book I think was written back in the 90s, I believe, by Chris Anderson, I beli

Thanksgiving for Your Website: Gratitude and Website SEO Best Practices

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:16:23 -0400

Think of your website as a digital storefront, open 24/7 to showcase your products or services to the world. That’s just how powerful it can be thus deserving of some appreciation.

As you go through the Thanksgiving season, express gratitude for your websites by focusing on how website SEO best practices can elevate their success. Key strategies are helpful to show the websites some love and watch them flourish in the search engine rankings.

The Importance of Website SEO Best Practices

To make a website stand out, it’s essential to implement website SEO best practices. They ensure your website is optimized for search engines like Google, making it easier for users to find you.

But SEO goes beyond just about driving traffic; to driving the right traffic. People who land on your website should find it relevant, engaging, and user-friendly. This can only be achieved with a well-thought-out SEO strategy in place.

Ensure that your content is relevant to your target audience and over time, your ranking will improve to give you more visibility to potential customers.

Proper website SEO best practices also reduces bounce rates, keeps visitors on your page longer, and ultimately converts them into loyal clients.

3 valuable ways to show gratitude for your website

Understand Your Website Through Analytics

Just as understanding your customers is crucial for business success, so is understanding your website visitors vital for SEO. Here’s where website analytics come in. Tools like Google Analytics provide a wealth of data about your website’s performance.

You can see how many people visit your site, which pages they view, and for how long, which allows you to identify areas that are performing well and areas that need improvement.

For example, analytics might reveal that a particular landing page has a high bounce rate (visitors leaving quickly). This could indicate an issue with the page’s content, design, or user experience. By analyzing the data, you can make informed decisions to optimize the page and improve its performance.

Seek User Feedback

Another valuable way to show gratitude for your website is by actively seeking user feedback. This can be done through surveys, contact forms, or even social media interactions. User feedback provides invaluable insights into how visitors perceive your website.

Listening to user concerns and implementing suggested improvements is a way of telling them “thank you” for their time and feedback. A website that prioritizes user experience is an enjoyable place to visit and is likely to rank higher in search results. Search engines, after all, want to deliver the best user experience possible.

Continuous Improvement

SEO isn’t a one-time fix; it requires continuous improvement. Algorithms change, user behavior evolves, and the digital landscape is ever-shifting. This is why ongoing optimization is essential.

Revisit your keywords

Assess your competitors

Update your content to remain relevant

Ongoing website SEO best practices are a long-term strategy that adapt to changes in both the market and search engine algorithms.

Your website is a valuable asset, and applying website SEO best practices ensures that it continues to thrive. Leverage tools like analytics, listen to user feedback, and embrace continuous improvement to show gratitude for your website’s success and ensure it remains competitive in the digital landscape.

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Blue16 Media is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses expand their online presence.

Our services include website design and support, social media management, and cutting-edge search engine optimization (SEO) services to keep your organization or company ahead of the curve.

For more information or inquiries, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

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Halloween Website Design: Adding a Spooktacular Touch to Your Online Presence

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 09:16:33 -0400

Trick-or-treating and costume contests are often the first things that come to mind during Halloween, a fantastic opportunity to add a magic touch to your Halloween website design. While this doesn’t mean turning your professional site into a haunted house, you can incorporate subtle yet engaging elements that celebrate the season and capture the attention of your visitors.

Why Consider a Halloween Website Design?

There are several compelling reasons to embrace a Halloween website design:

Increased User Engagement: A touch of Halloween whimsy can make your website more visually interesting and capture user attention leading to visitors spending more time browsing your content and exploring your offerings.

Boost Brand Awareness: A festive website design sets you apart by showing your brand’s personality and willingness to have fun, potentially attracting new customers.

Improved Brand Recall: You’re more likely to be remembered by visitors and leave a lasting impression long after the season is over if you have a unique Halloween website design.

SEO Benefits: Including relevant Halloween keywords in your website content and meta descriptions can improve your search engine ranking in October, a time when user interest in Halloween-related searches peaks.

Seasonal Relevance:You demonstrate your brand’s awareness and engagement with current trends that help strengthen your connection with your audience to make your website more relevant and timely.

Striking the Perfect Balance: Spooky Yet Professional

The key to a successful Halloween website design lies in striking a balance between fun and professionalism. Here are some tips:

Consider your target audience and brand image by opting for a more subtle approach with festive colors like orange and purple or spooky fonts for a playful touch. If your brand allows, you can go bolder with Halloween-themed graphics or even a temporary Halloween-inspired logo.

Ensure your website remains easy to navigate and information is readily accessible and don’t let Halloween decorations compromise website functionality. Excessive animations or flashing elements that can be distracting or even disorienting for some users.

A large portion of your website traffic will likely come from mobile devices thus it’s important to make sure your Halloween website design translates seamlessly to smaller screens.

Keep your meta descriptions and title tags relevant to your core business offering, even with a seasonal twist to maintain SEO best practices.

While a festive design can be a great seasonal boost, plan to return to your standard website design after the season ends.

Incorporating a Halloween website design strategically so you capture the spirit of the season while strengthening your online presence. This approach can lead to increased user engagement, brand awareness, and even a boost in SEO during October. So, get creative, have fun, and let your website reflect the spooky spirit of Halloween!

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Ready to take your website to the next level with a captivating Halloween design?

Blue16 Media, a digital marketing agency specializing in website design and SEO, can help you create a spooktacular website that drives results.

For more information or inquiries, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

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Tips for SEO Optimization: Strategies for Improved Website Visibility in Fall

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 09:16:32 -0400

Fall is a prime time to revamp your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy and watch your website visibility flourish. SEO is the art and science of making your website more appealing to search engines like Google. The higher your website ranks in search results for relevant keywords, the more organic traffic you’ll attract, potentially leading to more leads and sales. So, how can you leverage the power of SEO this fall and propel your website to the top of search engine rankings? Here are some great tips for SEO optimization to consider:

Content is King (and Queen): Craft Compelling Content

High-quality, informative content is the cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. Fall is a great time to create fresh, seasonally relevant content that resonates with your target audience. Think about topics that people might be searching for during this time of year. Are there fall-themed products or services you offer? Can you provide tips and advice related to your industry that aligns with the autumn season?

Do Keyword Research

Before diving headfirst into content creation, invest some time in keyword research. Identify relevant keywords and search terms that your target audience is likely to use when searching for information related to your business. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can be a valuable resource for this process. By incorporating these keywords strategically throughout your content, you’ll increase your website’s chances of ranking higher in search results for those specific terms.

Optimize for User Experience

A website that is difficult to navigate or slow to load will quickly deter visitors and send them scurrying back to the search results page. This fall, prioritize optimizing your website for a seamless user experience. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure your website looks and functions flawlessly on all devices, especially smartphones and tablets.

Website Speed: A fast-loading website is crucial for keeping visitors engaged. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement.

Clear Navigation: Make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for by implementing a clear and intuitive navigation structure.

Build Trust and AuthorityThrough Backlinks

Building backlinks is one of the best tips for SEO optimization to consider this fall. Backlinks are essentially links from other websites that point back to your site. Search engines view backlinks as a sign of trust and authority, which can significantly improve your website’s ranking. Actively seek opportunities to build high-quality backlinks and you can achieve this by guest blogging on relevant industry websites, participating in online communities, or creating link-worthy content that others will naturally want to share.

Embrace Change and Innovation

Search engine algorithms are constantly updated, so it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices. Dedicate some time each fall to researching and implementing new SEO strategies. This proactive approach will ensure your website remains competitive and continues to rank highly in search results.

Fall into SEO Success with Blue16 Media

Here at Blue16 Media we have our team of SEO experts who can help you develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that will propel your website to the top of search engine rankings. We offer a range of services, from in-depth keyword research and content creation to technical SEO audits and backlink building.

Contact us today and let’s discuss a few simple yet effective tips for SEO optimization and how we can help your website experience a fall harvest of SEO success. Reach out to us by phone at (703) 555-0160, visit our website at blue16media.com, or stop by our office located at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314.

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Back-to-School Essentials: Website Design and SEO Tips for Success

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:16:50 -0400

The back-to-school season isn’t just for students and teachers. Businesses of all kinds can capitalize on this busy time by ensuring their website is optimized for the influx of online traffic. Whether you’re a retailer offering school supplies or a service provider catering to busy parents, a well-designed and SEO-friendly website is crucial for attracting new customers during this peak season. This blog post explores some website design and SEO tips to help your website thrive during the back-to-school rush.

Captivate with Design: Create a Frictionless User Experience

Fresh and Functional: First impressions matter in the digital world. A website with a clean, modern design and intuitive navigation is essential. Make sure your website is mobile-responsive, meaning it adapts seamlessly to desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Convenience is key for busy parents and students on the go.

Visual Storytelling: High-quality visuals can significantly enhance your website’s appeal. Use engaging images and videos that showcase your products, services, or the overall vibe of your brand. Think product photos, explainer videos, or customer testimonials—visuals that connect with your audience and tell a story.

Clear Information Hierarchy: Organize your website’s content in a logical and user-friendly way. Prioritize the information visitors need most, such as product descriptions, service details, or contact information. Use clear headlines, easy-to-read fonts, and ample white space to guide visitors through your website with ease.

SEO Strategies to Get you Found During Back-to-School Searches

Targeted Keywords: Identify keywords that your target audience is likely to use during back-to-school searches. This might include “[your product category] for back-to-school” or “[your service] for busy parents.” Integrate these keywords naturally throughout your website content, but avoid keyword stuffing, which can hurt your SEO ranking.

Local SEO Optimization (if applicable): If you have a brick-and-mortar location, optimize your website for local search. Claim your Google My Business listing and ensure your address, phone number, and website URL are accurate and consistent across all online platforms. Local SEO helps potential customers searching for businesses in your area discover your website.

Engaging Content is King: Create fresh, valuable content that caters to the back-to-school season. Blog posts about back-to-school tips, product guides, or special promotions can attract visitors and establish your website as a trusted resource.

Maintaining Momentum: Keep Your Website Updated and Secure

Regular Updates: Keep your website’s content fresh and up-to-date. This includes updating product listings, adding new blog posts, and highlighting seasonal promotions. A regularly updated website shows visitors that you’re active and engaged.

Security Measures: In today’s digital landscape, website security is paramount. Implement strong security measures to protect your website and your visitors’ data. This includes using a secure socket layer (SSL) certificate and keeping your website’s software up-to-date.

Performance Monitoring: Track your website’s performance using analytics tools. These tools provide valuable insights into how visitors interact with your website, which pages are most popular, and where visitors are coming from. Utilize this data to refine your website and content strategy for better results.

By following these website design and SEO tips, your website can become a powerful tool for attracting new customers during the back-to-school season.

How Blue16 Media Can Help

If you need help creating a captivating website or implementing winning SEO strategies, Blue16 Media can help. Our team of experts specializes in designing user-friendly websites and developing data-driven SEO campaigns to boost your online presence.

To discuss how we can help your website thrive throughout the back-to-school season and beyond, contact us today at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

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Independence Day for Your Website: Achieving Freedom from Common SEO Challenges

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:16:08 -0400

Does your website feel trapped in a cycle of SEO challenges? You pour your heart and soul into content, but that coveted first-page ranking on Google remains elusive. It’s time to declare independence from these challenges and achieve true SEO freedom!

Just like the spirit of Independence Day, achieving SEO freedom is about taking control and charting your own course.

Here’s how to break free from the most common SEO roadblocks and watch your website rise to the top of the search results:

Conquering Content Challenges

One of the biggest SEO battles is creating content that Google loves and users devour. Here’s how to win this war:

Know Your Audience: Don’t fight a blind fight. Research your target audience and understand what kind of content they crave. What are their questions and pain points? Craft content that addresses them directly.

Quality over Quantity: Focus on creating in-depth, informative pieces that provide real value. Thin, repetitive content will only hold you back.

Optimize for Search Intent: Don’t just stuff keywords into your content. Understand the “why” behind user searches and tailor your content to answer their specific intent.

Breaking Free from Technical Issues

Technical SEO problems can be like hidden landmines, derailing your website’s ranking potential. Here’s how to disarm them:

Mobile Friendliness is Mandatory: In today’s mobile-first world, a website that’s not optimized for smartphones and tablets is doomed. Ensure your website offers a seamless user experience across all devices.

Speed Up Your Site: Website speed is a crucial ranking factor. Slow loading times frustrate users and send them bouncing. Invest in website optimization tools to ensure a fast and smooth browsing experience.

Embrace Clean Code: Behind the scenes, clean code structure is essential for search engines to effectively crawl and index your website. Regularly check for and address any technical SEO issues.

Building Backlinks: The Bridges to Success

Backlinks are like votes of confidence for your website. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more Google perceives your authority and relevance. Here’s how to build strong bridges:

Create Link-Worthy Content: People naturally want to link to valuable and informative content. Focus on crafting resources that are so good that others can’t help but share them.

Guest Blogging: Become a guest contributor on high-authority websites in your niche. This allows you to showcase your expertise and earn valuable backlinks in the process.

Build Relationships: Networking with other industry players can lead to natural link-building opportunities. Engage in online communities, participate in forums, and build genuine connections.

Maintaining SEO Freedom: A Continuous Journey

SEO is not a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance and adaptation. Here are some tips for staying ahead of the curve:

Stay Updated on Algorithm Changes: Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving. Keep yourself informed about the latest SEO trends and best practices.

Monitor Your Performance: Track your website’s traffic, ranking, and user engagement through analytics tools. This data will help you identify areas for improvement.

Embrace Continuous Content Creation: Don’t let your content stagnate. Regularly publish fresh, relevant content to keep your website active and engaging.

Celebrate SEO Freedom with Blue16 Media

Don’t let SEO challenges hold your website back from achieving its full potential. At Blue16 Media, we’re a team of SEO specialists dedicated to helping businesses break free from ranking roadblocks.

We offer a comprehensive range of SEO services, from keyword research and content creation to technical SEO audits and backlink building strategies. Our goal is to empower your website to reach the top of the search results and achieve true SEO freedom.

Contact us today, and let’s celebrate your website’s independence! For more information or inquiries, fill out the contact form on our website or visit us at 2800 Eisenhower Ave, #220, Alexandria, VA 22314.

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Chat#111 – The Power of Putting Customers First [SPONSORED POST]

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:32:38 -0500

Gresham W. Harkless Jr. sits down with Jasmine Price of M & D Cleaning Services at Intelligent Office in Alexandria Virginia.

M&D Cleaning Service Provides top-notch commercial and janitorial services to businesses of all sizes. They specialize in creating pristine and hygienic environments that enhance productivity and leave a lasting impression.

Jasmine Price, born and raised in Northern Virginia, is the founder of a family-owned business established in 2014. The company was built upon a simple idea – the desire to assist people with cleaning and organization. Jasmine's passion for cleaning has flourished over the five years the business has been operating.

Throughout this time, Jasmine and her dedicated team have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know the most amazing customers in the DMV. The mission plan for Jasmine's business is centered around providing exceptional customer service. While acknowledging that they may not be perfect and could miss a few things, the commitment is to approach each space with the best customer service and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to get the job done.

Timestamps

Intelligent Office of Alexandria offers 23 private offices and three meeting rooms, two of which can be configured in many ways to meet your meeting or training needs.

Relevant Links:

Intelligent Office of Alexandria – https://www.intelligentoffice.com/virginia/alexandria

M&D Cleaning Services – https://manddcleaningservice.com/

DMV Resources – https://dmvceo.com/resources

BNI Chapter – https://dmvceo.com/resources/#franchisenetworking

Additional Resources:

Download our FREE CEO Hacks Guide and subscribe to our newsletter to help you be more effective and efficient – https://cbnation.co/newsletter/

Check out more CEO Hacks that help you be more effective and efficient – https://ceohack.co/

Freshdesk (An online cloud-based customer service software providing helpdesk support with all smart automations to get things done faster. – https://ceohack.co/refer/freshdesk

About Intelligent Office Alexandria

Discover the ideal workspace solutions with Intelligent Office Alexandria! Whether you're in need of a virtual receptionist, private office space, or a flexible conference room for hourly rental, our experienced and dedicated staff is here to help you achieve your business goals.

Intelligent Office of Alexandria boasts 23 private offices and three meeting rooms, two of which are customizable to suit various meeting or training requirements. Located in a Class A building, our facility offers complimentary surface parking, access to an on-site fitness center, high-speed internet, and more!

Explore our range of services, including:

Virtual Reception Services

Business Address

Mail Services

Arranged Access to Our Other Washington D.C. Intelligent Office Locations

Private Office Space for 1–5 People

Conference Room Rentals

Ongoing Professional Development Seminars

Elevate your business presence and functionality with Intelligent Office Alexandria – where your success is our priority!

This is a sponsored post.

The post Chat#111 – The Power of Putting Customers First [SPONSORED POST] appeared first on CEO Chat.

IAM1909 – CEO Leads Healthcare Innovations

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 22:31:32 -0500

Why it was selected for “CBNation Architects”:
In this episode of IAMCEO podcast, Gerry Miller, CEO of Cloudticity, discusses his extensive experience in the technology industry and how he leads healthcare innovations at Cloudticity.
Gerry Miller is a serial entrepreneur and healthcare fanatic with over 30 years in the technology sector. He has held multiple executive roles, including COO at ePrize, CTO at Microsoft's US Central Region, and Global Business Unit Leader at Microsoft overseeing General Motors. Gerry currently holds all five AWS certifications.
Cloudticity is a company that strives to revolutionize healthcare utilizing cloud technologies, enabling improved clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and

Listen to the full podcast. This is Originally posted here.

16 Entrepreneurs Share Their Favorite CEO Hack/Resource That Makes Them Successful

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 12:16:51 -0500
As an entrepreneur, you have that gadget, habit, app, or book that makes your work easier, and motivates you to do more and that’s what we refer to as a CEO Hack. It helps you achieve maximum productivity and stick to your goals regardless of the hurdles you face as an entrepreneur. For instance, it […]

11 Entrepreneurs Share How They Incorporate Innovation Within Their Organization

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 12:16:29 -0400

Innovation lies at the heart of organizational growth and sustainability, playing a pivotal role in shaping a company's competitive edge in today's dynamic business landscape. Incorporating innovation within an organization demands a holistic approach that embraces creativity, technology, and a culture of continuous improvement. By fostering an environment that encourages curiosity and risk-taking, organizations can effectively nurture a mindset where novel ideas are not only welcomed but actively sought after.

We asked entrepreneurs, and business owners how they incorporate innovation within their organization. Here are the responses.

#1- By leading passion projects

Photo Credit: Ryan Stone

We're a creative organization, and we recognize that everyone in the team wants their own sense of creative freedom. To accommodate that, we offer the opportunity to lead on ‘passion projects' – projects that don't serve financial aims or adhere to client requirements. Instead, they are projects where we retain 100% of the creative freedom to innovate. The company invests both time and money in these projects and grants autonomy to the team member who kickstarted the project.

Thanks to Ryan Stone, Lambda Films!

#2- By encouraging curiosity and experimentation

Photo Credit: Seth Besse

It's not only vital to foster a culture that values innovation but also one that thrives on it. To do this, we've embraced an approach that encourages curiosity and experimentation across the board. It begins with providing our team with the resources and opportunities to explore new tools and ideas together. For instance, when we faced the challenge of establishing a seamless communication channel between our clients and their dedicated support agents, we harnessed our team's collective intelligence.

Thanks to Seth Besse, Undivided!

#3- By encouraging creativity

Photo Credit: Paul Mario Vratusha

Incorporating innovation within my organization has been a journey filled with learning and adaptability. It's about fostering a culture that encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. I've found that providing a safe space for my team to voice their ideas, no matter how unconventional, is crucial. I actively seek to stay updated with industry trends and emerging technologies. This helps me identify opportunities to integrate innovation. More than that, I believe in leading by example. I strive to model innovative thinking by constantly exploring new methods and ideas myself.

Thanks to Paul Mario Vratusha, D-Studio Consulting!

#4- By experimenting with different solutions

Photo Credit: Lily Stoyanov

At Transformify, we believe that innovation is the key to success in the digital era. We are constantly looking for new ways to improve our platform, our services, and our impact on society. We foster a culture of innovation within our organization by encouraging our team members to share their ideas, experiment with different solutions, and learn from their failures. We also collaborate with other innovative organizations and partners to create synergies and leverage best practices.

Thanks to Lily Stoyanov, Transformify!

#5- By developing new ideas

Photo Credit: Priyanka Swamy

Innovation is at the heart of our business. We encourage our team to develop new ideas regularly and create an environment where everyone is encouraged to try new things. To implement innovation, we analyze industry trends, customer insights, and market research regularly. We invest in R&D to develop new products and enhance existing ones. We build relationships and collaborate with other companies in related industries to get new ideas and perspectives. We also like to keep our staff up-to-date with the latest tech and practices.

Thanks to Priyanka Swamy, Perfect Locks Hair Company!

#6- Using a diversification strategy

Photo Credit: Shannon Birthisel

IDL has embodied innovation and a full brand update and name change this year was a big step towards showcasing that to the staff, supporters, and clients. This name change from Idyll Wine Co to IDL in January 2023 cemented IDL's diversification strategy as they positioned themselves as more than just a winery. With a growing portfolio of cider, ready-to-drink spirit-based products, non-alcoholic products, and increased manufacturing capabilities the Idyll Wine Co. name no longer reflected the innovative, forward-thinking, and dynamic nature of their daily operations.

Thanks to Shannon Birthisel, IDL!

#7- Through various ways

Photo Credit: Andrew Chung

We incorporate innovation through several practices and initiatives at Bestcafedesigns dot com. In the space of weeks we translated an idea from thin air into a website with a global audience on cafe designs. This site is enjoyed by designers, and travelers and allows cafe operators a space to promote their cafe in a fun and new niche format. We used Upwork to identify tasks that could be outsourced and more promptly attended with specialist talent, that otherwise couldn’t have been executed by the original team.

Thanks to Andrew Chung, Bestcafedesigns.com!

#8- By empowering employees

Photo Crdit: Cort Adair

To foster innovation, we maintain a culture that encourages every team member to contribute innovative ideas and solutions. Our leadership philosophy emphasizes staying humble and continuously learning, recognizing that innovation can come from anyone, regardless of position. We also regularly assess market trends and conduct competitive analysis, allowing us to adapt swiftly. Embracing change and empowering our employees to contribute to our evolution have been central to our success.

Thanks to Cort Adair, ShirtMax!

#9- By pushing ourselves

Photo Credit: Thomas Samuels

One of the best ways for us to incorporate innovation into our company is to push ourselves with customer projects when the opportunity arises. Our job is to determine if it’s doable and help them make it happen if we can. This openness to new and exciting projects is a major way we’ve expanded our capabilities in the past, from working with LED video walls for booths to incorporating games like skee ball or mini golf into an exhibit. By working on these projects, we get new ideas for future work, learn how to streamline new processes for next time and refresh our portfolio with pieces that attract other innovative projects

Thanks to Thomas Samuels, Cardinal Expo!

#10- By embracing uncertainty

Photo Credit: Solomon Thimothy

To incorporate innovation into your organization, it's crucial to understand the distinction between invention and innovation. Embrace uncertainty and don't wait for a predefined map. Cultivate a culture of creativity and experimentation, dedicating a portion of your time and resources to testing new ideas. Consider establishing a dedicated R&D or “Labs” department, providing them the autonomy and resources to pioneer groundbreaking innovations. Encourage your team to think differently and foster an environment where trying new things and taking calculated risks is valued.

Thanks to Solomon Thimothy, Clickx!

#11- By teaching employees

Photo Credit: Andy LaPointe

We foster innovation within our gourmet food business by teaching our employees how important our gourmet food pr

Ready to tell your story? Podcast Day at Intelligent Office in Alexandria Virginia

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:15:31 -0400

Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 10am – 4pm

Location: Recording at Intelligent Office in Alexandria, VA

Details: For more information and to secure your 30-minute slot, call 703-224-8800

Availability is on a first-come-first-served basis

More Information: Want to tell your story? Blue16 Media will have LIVE podcast recordings for the I AM CEO Podcast at Intelligent Office of Alexandria on Wednesday, November 15 from 10am-4pm. You must sign up to participate for the limited slots. Sign up for a 30-minute slot to tell your story and talk about what you lean on to make your business more effective and efficient. The interviews will be around 15-25 minutes. Interviews will go live in early 2024. To reserve your slot, call Intelligent Office of Alexandria at 703-224-8800. Availability is on a first-come first-served basis.

8 Entrepreneurs Reveal How They Have Failed and What They’ve Learnt

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:16:51 -0400

In the face of failure, entrepreneurs come to recognize their transformative power, utilizing setbacks as a means for personal and professional advancement. It is through past challenges and errors that we grasp the significance of perseverance and flexibility, understanding that each stumble is an opportunity for growth. These experiences foster a deep sense of introspection, emphasizing the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone towards success, showcasing resilience and determination to emerge stronger from adversity.

We asked entrepreneurs, and business owners how they have failed and what they have learnt. Here are some responses.

#1- Align with your power

Photo Credit: Jane Baker

I failed after achieving success, it happened because I forgot my own power, what really worked for me, who I really was, and what I really wanted. I ended up listening to too much noise around me and took paths that were really not the best ones for me. This mistake meant that slowly, I ended up going from success into struggle. The valuable lesson I learned is that everyone has their own unique superpowers, what is right for someone else is simply not always going to be right for you and it's more important to ensure the advice you‘re taking and acting upon is actually in alignment with you.

Thanks to Jane Baker, House Of Motorsport Brokerage!

#2- Don't be afraid to pivot

Photo Credit: Lily Stoyanov

I am an entrepreneur and CEO of Transformify, a platform that connects freelancers and businesses around the world. I have failed many times in my journey, but I have learned valuable lessons from each setback. Don't be afraid to pivot. You have to be flexible and willing to adapt to changing customer demands and feedback. Don't try to do everything yourself. You need to delegate tasks, outsource functions, and hire experts who can help you grow your business. Don't neglect your personal life. You need to find a balance between work and life and make time for yourself and your loved ones.

Thanks to Lily Stoyanov, Transformify Ltd!

#3- Be resilient and do market research

Photo Credit: Matt Little

One of the biggest mistakes I made was jumping in without doing enough research on a new market. I didn't realize how important it was to understand the local culture, and I made a product that didn't do what it was supposed to. Another mistake I made was hiring. It's about finding people who share your values and goals. These mistakes have taught me how to be resilient, how important it is to do your homework, and how to create a great team. Remember to embrace your mistakes because they're the key to success.

Thanks to Matt Little, Festoon House!

#4- Prioritize the fundamentals

Photo Credit: Tom Walls

Early on, I was so caught up in the excitement of the business – the creative and enjoyable aspects. What I failed to realize was that the behind-the-scenes operations are just as crucial. It's like trying to build a sandcastle without a solid foundation. The takeaway here was clear: prioritize the fundamentals of the business first. Establish a robust operational framework, and only then indulge in the more thrilling aspects without the looming concern of a structural collapse. Striking a balance between passion and pragmatism turned out to be the key to sustainable growth and success.

Thanks to Tom Walls, The Modern Back!

#5- Embrace the value of sales

Photo Credit: Namanh Hoang

I can confidently say I'm a seasoned startup failure. As funny as it sounds, it's something I'm proud of because I've learned tremendously from those experiences. Among these failures, one of the greatest I've had to overcome is undervaluing skills outside of my core competency. As a designer and engineer, it is common for me to undervalue sales. No matter how good your product is, you may need someone to convince people to buy into the idea. A good salesperson has the emotional quotient to craft and deliver messaging that resonates with different audiences. It's essential since capital funding is often the leading cause of startup failures.

Thanks to Namanh Hoang, Ask Nam!

#6- Partnerships should be a thoughtful decision

Photo Credit: Dmytro Sokhach

Stepping into various partnerships should be a thoughtful decision. I recall one partnership that cost me both time and money. The essence of any partnership is being on the same page and having that shared passion for the project. One partner I had was juggling work with me alongside another project, waiting to see which one took off faster. As a result, the quality of the work he promised to deliver wasn't up to the mark. We eventually had to shut the project down. That wavering partner, who couldn't make up his mind, is now working a regular job.

Thanks to Dmytro Sokhach, Editorial Link!

#7- Think through the details

Photo Credit: Julia Shih

When I started out, we decided to include hemp-based CBD in our formula. We didn't anticipate, that banks are federally regulated and wouldn't work with companies that sold CBD. Any credit card processing could only be done through small, less reputable processors. We had two processors who ran off with all of our transactions. My advice to those venturing out to start their own businesses is to really think through the details in that planning stage—do as much research as possible, and be aware of every aspect of your business that will affect you.

Thanks to Julia Shih, Body + Soul!

#8- Have a team of advisers

Photo Credit: Kraig Kleeman

At the inception of my first company, we accomplished the remarkable feat of soaring from zero revenue to an impressive $30 million in annual sales within just 4 years. During this rise, our most critical marketing partner began showing a keen interest in acquiring our company. This led to intense negotiations and seemingly endless due diligence. When considering the sale of your company, prioritize actively engaging potential acquiring partners and invest significant effort into fostering a competitive bidding environment. Additionally, ensure you have a team of advisors by your side.

Thanks to Kraig Kleeman, The New Workforce!

How have you failed? What did you learn? Tell us in the comments below. Don’t forget to join our #IamCEOCommunity.

IAM1904 – CEO Provides Access to Mental Health and Fitness Resources

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:37:32 -0400

Why it was selected for “CBNation Architects”:
In this episode of IAMCEO podcast, Corey Lewis, CEO and Founder of 1AND1 LIFE, shares his journey of promoting mental health and wellness, particularly among the African-American community.
Corey's platform, 1AND1 LIFE, is dedicated to curating and customizing content, tools, and products that address the lack of mental health and fitness resources available for African Americans, especially men. The content curated by Corey and his team seeks to define what mental health and wellness mean to the Black Community and aims to break the associated stigma.
Besides mental health advocacy, Corey is also passionate about performance

Listen to the full podcast. This is Originally posted here.

Monday Motivation: Decide What You Want. Make a Plan and Work on That…Every. Single. Day

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:16:38 -0400

This motivational video is to help CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners start the week off inspired to become great.

Here are some takeaways from the video:

It's not what you're capable of, it's what you're willing to do

Will is a powerful thing, what are you willing to do?

How can you be strong unless you were once weak?

Attack like you're trying to save the world

Resilience in life is the proper preparation

30 Entrepreneurs Share Essential Skills One Needs to be a CEO

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 12:16:16 -0400

There are skills one has to adapt to be an effective and efficient CEO. Anyone can be a CEO. “It’s within everyone’s grasp to be a CEO,” says Martha Stewart. The most common skills are decision-making, being the leader of the team, and communication. Some CEOs are born with these skills while others have to acquire them through consistent practice. As a CEO, you have to remind yourself it's not always about you and you should practice servant leadership.

We asked entrepreneurs what critical skills one must have to be a CEO and here are the awesome responses

#1- Three skills

Photo Credit: Mitch Chailland

The amalgamation of visionary leadership, adept decision-making, and interpersonal skills sets a CEO apart. A CEO or any individual in a leadership role, should inspire trust, foster collaboration, and create an environment where employees feel comfortable challenging themselves and taking risks, even if they don’t always work out. Moreover, adaptability is crucial, especially as the workforce continues to shift to more remote work. Ultimately, any leadership role demands a holistic approach where strategic planning meets human-focused leadership.

Thanks to Mitch Chailland, Online Optimism!

#2- Leading and delegating

Photo Credit: Thomas Samuels

Leading and delegating are two important skills that go hand in hand for a CEO. Plenty of business owners run into trouble when they lack the ability to delegate work effectively. They end up with too much on their plate, which can lead to delays, errors, inefficiencies, and lower quality. Or they micromanage their staff and risk losing or underutilizing their talent. At the same time, as you delegate more work you need to keep everyone on the same page, motivated, and following the same set of values. Strong leadership skills are necessary to set the tone for a company’s culture, inspire your team, and rally everyone around a common goal.

Thanks Thomas Samuels, Cardinal Expo!

#3- Confidence

Photo Credit: Shideh Kaviani

The most essential leadership skill for an entrepreneur is confidence. Confidence in yourself, in your business and in your team is imperative to operating a successful business. Your team members look up to you and will feed off the confidence you have in yourself. Your team will feed off the confidence you have in your business, and thus in the work that they are doing. Your team will feed off the confidence you instil in themselves, which will help them work at maximum motivation and morale.

Thanks to Shideh Kaviani, Naked Wardrobe!

#4- Problem solving skills

Photo Credit: Stephanie Venn-Watson

A CEO must have strong problem-solving skills to tackle any issues that may arise. Businesses will consistently face challenges as the company develops over time. Whether it's industry changes, employee retention or technology issues that are out of our control, it's important for CEOs to remain level-headed and determine a solution quickly and effectively. How a CEO responds to those challenges will determine a company’s success.

Thanks to Stephanie Venn-Watson, Fatty15!

#5- Effective leadership

Photo Credit: Steven Light

One essential skill needed to be a successful CEO is effective leadership. CEOs must inspire and guide their teams, set a clear vision, make strategic decisions, and lead by example. Strong leadership encompasses the ability to communicate a compelling vision, delegate tasks effectively, solve complex problems, and adapt to changing business environments. It also involves being empathetic, approachable, and able to motivate and align the organization toward common goals. Leadership is a cornerstone skill that underpins a CEO's ability to drive their company's success.

Thanks to Steven Light, Avenue B!

#6- Self-awareness

Photo Credit: Cheshtha Lakhchaura

One often overlooked but crucial skill for a CEO is self-awareness. It's about understanding yourself – your strengths, weaknesses, what drives you, and how you handle your feelings. Being self-aware is a game-changer for CEOs because it helps in making better decisions. When you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can make choices that align with your values. It's important to know yourself and build strong connections with your team. Listening is a goldmine for understanding what's happening. Staying humble, learning from mistakes, and staying super passionate about your business are must-haves.

Thanks to Cheshtha Lakhchaura, Gleexa!

#7- Setting a positive example

Photo Credit: Loren Howard

As an entrepreneur and business owner, I've learned that the ability to lead, inspire, and collaborate with a team is essential. CEOs must be visionaries, capable of not only creating a clear and inspiring vision for their company but also rallying their team around that vision. Leadership extends beyond decision-making; it's about setting a positive example, fostering a culture of innovation, and continuously striving for growth. So, for aspiring CEOs, honing your leadership abilities should be a top priority on your journey to success.

Thanks to Loren Howard, Prime Plus Mortgages!

#8- Collaboration

Photo Credit: Dr. Miles Beckett

CEO's must remain open to the idea of collaboration. While the initial dream could be to work entirely for yourself, call all the shots, and not share any of the profits, the truth is that you will probably need some help. Even if it's just a little bit of outsourcing, you eventually need to accept that you cannot always do everything alone. Be grateful to those who are willing to help and understand that team efforts can often expedite the progress of a business.

Thanks to Dr. Miles Beckett, Flossy!

#9- Building an outstanding team

Photo Credit: Seth Besse

Building an outstanding team is your ticket to success, and leaders who can both attract and keep top talent are like the magic wand of productivity. To unleash their full potential, you've got to create a team that's all in—one that's deeply committed to your organization's growth. And it's not just about wooing highly qualified candidates with perks like signing bonuses and competitive salaries. To keep those star players in your corner, you've got to build an environment where they're encouraged to shine their brightest because they believe wholeheartedly in your mission.

Thanks to Seth Besse, Undivided!

#10- Leadership

Photo Credit: Johannes Larsson

Being a CEO is not just about being the boss. It's about leadership. The skills which I've developed as a solopreneur, have led me to becoming the CEO of a multi-million-dollar global business with only a team of 70 remote members in less than a decade. Soft skills such as communication, empathy and having a vision which your team believe in are essential for talent retention and loyalty. Then there are other skills such as effective delegation and team building, financial acumen, strategic thinking, and storytelling which will not only impact your leadership but also your bottom line.

Thanks to Johannes Larsson, Financer.com!

#11- Adaptability

Photo Credit: James Emery

As the co-founder and CEO of The Neighbours Cellar, a business that specializes in personalized wine gift boxes, I've found that adaptability, people management, and a keen eye for detail are essential skills for the role. Adaptability allows you to respond to market changes and customer demands effectively, especially in an industry as dynamic as e-commerce. People management is crucial, not just for leading your team but also for understanding customer needs and maintaining relationships with suppliers.

Thanks to James Emery, The Neighbours Cellar!

#12- Emotional intelligence

Listen to the full podcast. This is Originally posted here.

25 Entrepreneurs Explain Their Motivation to Grow Their Business

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:16:29 -0400

Being an entrepreneur or business owner has its share of ups and downs. While the downs can be pretty low the ups always seem to triumph for a true entrepreneur at heart. Milestones are what entrepreneurs and business owners work towards. Once you finally reach a certain point then reflection can truly begin. Finding the motivation in growing your business keeps it from becoming stale in the long run. No matter which part you love most, loving them all is equally as important.

We asked entrepreneurs and business owners what motivates them about growing their business and below are their replies.

#1- Empowering women to reach their potential

Photo Credit: Roopa Gulati

My motivation for growing “The Style and Mindset Connection” is deeply rooted in my passion for helping independent professional women reach their full potential. Many of these women have faced challenges that have affected their self-esteem and hindered their professional growth. By expanding my business, I can reach and empower more of these incredible women, helping them regain confidence, improve their mindset, and elevate their personal and professional lives. It's immensely rewarding to witness their transformation and see the positive impact it has on their productivity and results.

Thanks to Roopa Gulati, The Style and Mindset Connection!

#2- Passion and purpose

Photo Credit: Daniyal Sanaullah

Growing our business is driven by a deep passion for what we do. We started SocialSharings because we believe in the power of connecting people and businesses through social media. Every day, we see the positive impact our platform has on individuals and brands, and that's what keeps us going. The thrill of innovation and the desire to make a difference in the world through technology constantly fuels our drive. We also understand that growth brings opportunities for our team to learn and develop, which is incredibly motivating. Ultimately, our journey to grow SocialSharings is fueled by a combination of passion, purpose, and the pursuit of excellence.

Thanks to Daniyal Sanaullah, SocialSharings!

#3- Love of travel

Photo Credit: James Smith

First and foremost, I am motivated by a love of travel and a faith in the transformative powers of travel. Travel-Lingual was founded to make travel more accessible and rewarding for people of all backgrounds.In addition to passion, the need to innovate and make a difference is a major factor. In conclusion, I am driven by the outstanding individuals on my team. Their commitment, ingenuity, and collective vision motivate me to lead and expand Travel-Lingual into a global leader in the travel sector. Together, we are redefining the way people travel, and that is a journey that excites me daily.

Thanks to James Smith, Travel-Lingual!

#4- Independence and market share

Photo Credit: Percy Grunwald

When I started my business, there were several factors that I considered. The main reason for entrepreneurship is usually that people want to be their boss and avoid corporate slavery. When there is no profit sharing, the motivation to grow increases, regardless of the several challenges involved such as capital, the risks involved, and competition. Market share: My marketing team has successfully run some large-scale social media marketing campaigns which lead to great sales boosts. This gave me the motivation to grow my business.

Thanks to Percy Grunwald, hostingdata.com!

#5- Maximize impact

Photo Credit: Alex Freeburg

So, why do I want to grow my business? Simple — expand reach, maximize impact. My motivation is rooted in the knowledge that there are so many people out there who need legal guidance but are either unsure where to turn or hesitant due to the complexities of the legal system. When you can make the legal process more accessible and human, it's not just good business — it's socially responsible. Just like a lifebuoy in the open sea, legal help can be a lifesaver, and the more people we can throw that lifeline to, the better.

Thanks to Alex Freeburg, Freeburg Law!

#6- Passion for well-being of pets

Photo Credit: Mathew Coulton

First off, as the founder of “Gentle Dog Trainers,” I'm incredibly passionate about the well-being of our furry friends. This passion has driven me to create a platform where dog owners can find not just trainers, but compassionate professionals who understand the importance of positive reinforcement and empathy in training. It's a mission close to my heart, and it's what motivates me every day. Now, let's talk about what motivates other entrepreneurs and business owners to grow their businesses. Motivation can vary widely, but there are some common themes that resonate with many of us.

Thanks to Mathew Coulton, Gentle Dog Trainers!

#7- Enriching customer experiences

Photo Credit: Andy LaPointe

The motivation to grow our nationally award-winning gourmet food company, Traverse Bay Farms, is our ability to be a part of the life experience of countless people. We understand our customer buy our products for the special events and experiences in their lives. For example, our products are being enjoyed during birthday parties, graduations, engagement parties, baby showers, more. This means we aren't cherry juice concentrate in a bottle, we are helping our clients enjoy memorable moments in their lives.

Thanks to Andy LaPointe, Traverse Bay Farms!

#8- Empowering children and families

Photo Credit: Seth Besse

Every child deserves to thrive, no matter what challenges they face. Throughout my experience, I have seen firsthand the incredible strength and determination of families raising children with disabilities and learning differences. Our goal is to provide them with the tools and resources they need to navigate this unpredictable journey. This way, we can help parents and caregivers better understand and meet their children's specific needs, resulting in the best possible outcomes for everyone involved.

Thanks to Seth Besse, Undivided.io!

#9- Passion and personal growth

Photo Credit: Tabatha Farnel

My motivation to grow my business stems from a combination of personal and professional factors. First and foremost, I'm driven by a passion for what I do. I'm driven to share my enthusiasm and make a positive impact in people's lives. This intrinsic motivation fuels my desire to expand and reach a broader audience. Additionally, I'm inspired by the opportunity for the learning and creativity that growth brings. Growing my business allows me to take on new challenges and continuously evolve both personally and professionally.

Thanks to Tabatha Farnel, Aroma Authority!

#10- Take on new challenges and continuously evolve

Photo Credit: Ankit Prakash

At the core, my motivation to grow my software product technology company isn't merely about revenue figures or market dominance. Think of it as cultivating a garden; each product we develop, each client we assist, and every retail, D2C ecommerce, and SaaS business I mentor, are seeds we're sowing. As these seeds flourish, they transform into flowers—representing innovation, solutions, and transformative impacts. Managing my AI and software products team directly, I've witnessed first-hand the ripple effect of empowering small, high-performing teams.

Thanks to Ankit Prakash, Sprout24!

#11- Fostering growth and innovation

Photo Credit: Christian Piller

Shrinkage includes inventory loss from other sources like returns fraud and human error. The current returns process has too many touchpoints where shrinkage can happen. The expansion of e-commerce should also bring about seeing returns as a strategic lever, similar to how companies used faster delivery to drive customer experience and revenue.

Thanks to Christian Piller, Pollen Returns!

#2- Envisioning a strategic direction

Photo Credit: Danielle Sabrina

I think that it is of paramount importance for a CEO to possess the ability to envision a strategic direction and be able to conceptualize the path required to realize that vision. Often underestimated, intuition serves as a vital resource for an effective CEO, allowing them to navigate situations characterized by limited data yet full of potentially lucrative opportunities. Another critical attribute for a CEO is an acute sense of self-awareness.

Thanks to Danielle Sabrina, Society22 PR!

#3- Investing both time and finance

Photo Credit: Jonathan Hussey

The biggest thing for me is to understand what you're undertaking before you start. Services like Shopify and BigCommerce have given many people the impression that eCommerce is an easy industry to succeed in. The reality is that eCommerce is not quick, easy, or cheap, and getting your store online is only a small part of the battle. You need to be prepared for hard work and to invest significantly both in time and financially if you expect to compete, and succeed. However, if you do manage to find success, the rewards can be significant.

Thanks to Jonathan Hussey, Developer Connection!

#4- Invest in content marketing

Photo Credit: Alex Nigmatulin

As entrepreneurs and business owners, one of our top tips for building a successful e-commerce venture is to invest in content marketing right from day one. While platforms like Instagram offer a great starting point, the key to differentiation lies in the age-old strategy of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). By creating high-quality, engaging content on your website, you drive sustained traffic over the long term and establish yourself as a reliable player in the market.

Thanks to Alex Nigmatulin, PRNEWS.IO!

#5- Calculate stock reorder levels

Photo Credit: Dani Mechlowitz

When building an e-commerce business, it's essential to keep track of your inventory to avoid sell-out periods. In that initial growth phase, running out of stock can be detrimental and slow down the momentum of your business growth. As soon as you have 2-3 months' worth of sales data to work with, use a formula to calculate stock reorder levels to ensure you always have stock ready to go, especially if you're promoting your products on platforms known for viral content, like TikTok.

Thanks to Dani Mechlowitz, Delta Fulfilment!

#6- Hire an attorney and SEO expert

Photo Credit: Priscilla Christine

When establishing your business, there are several essential tips to keep in mind for long-term success. First and foremost, consider hiring an attorney to assist you in setting up your business structure, drafting contracts, and establishing store policies. I also suggest protecting your brand by trademarking your business name, ensuring it's uniquely yours. With an e-commerce business, it will be difficult to succeed without a strong online presence so you should prioritize SEO by either hiring an expert or researching how to optimize your digital efforts.

Thanks to Priscilla Christine, The Little Catholic!

#7- Differente from the competition

Photo Credit: Chris Gerbig

The key to success for a new e-commerce business owner would be to find something that differentiates from the competition. There has to be some sort of ‘angle’ or unique aspect of the business that allows the company to stand out. Think of it from the customer's perspective – Why should this customer shop from your store instead of the other stores selling this product? Without separating yourself from competitors, it will be more difficult to succeed in an already flooded market.

Thanks to Chris Gerbig, Pink Lily!

#8- Focusing on digital marketing and UX

Photo Credit: Todd Simon

For 60 years decades, my family’s 106-year-old business has provided at-home delivery services for gourmet meat lovers. These days, we have a strong e-commerce presence – focusing heavily on digital marketing and user experience, providing deals and promotions throughout the year on the Omaha Steaks website. Across these efforts, we strive to keep consumers engaged by offering tips from butchers, recipes from our chefs, and tutorials on how to prepare your food.

Thanks to Todd Simon, Omaha Steaks!

#9- Design a user-friendly e-commerce website

Photo Credit: Brian David Crane

Designing a fully functional and user-friendly e-commerce website is critical for an e-commerce business. A website is a digital storefront for customers to order and place products in their online shopping cart. The first step is to have a domain name that matches your business name. One can choose to build their online eCommerce shops on inclusive and pre-made e-commerce shopping software platforms like Woocommerce, Shopify, Squarespace, or Magento based on what suits their bandwidth and individual needs and how they will manage inventory and shipping orders.

Thanks to Brian David Crane, Caller Smart!

#10- Go offline

Photo Credit: Jane Harbison

An important part of growing an online business is going offline. There are many ways to do this, including going onto other people’s podcasts, talking at events, attending local Chamber of Commerce functions, talking about what you do at parties, and writing articles for other people’s publications like this one. But if you are an introvert, all this public speaking and networking may terrify you. There is one cheap and often forgotten way. It is to wear your business on a T-shirt.

Thanks to Jane Harbison, Jane Harbison Design!

#11- Optimize the online shopping cart

Photo Credit: Stephanie Venn-Watson

Losing customers during the checkout process is a major pain point for eCommerce merchants. Therefore, I recommend fully optimizing your online shopping cart to eliminate pain points. Ensure your checkout experience is fast and straightforward. Consider implementing a one-click buying option so customers can purchase items instantly. By eliminating a long and complicated payment process, shoppers are much more likely to complete their purchases.

Thanks to Stephanie Venn-Watson, fatty15!

#12- Focus on UX and website design

Photo Credit: Steven Light

Prioritize user experience (UX) and website design. A well-designed, user-friendly website can significantly impact your business‘s success. Ensure that your website is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and is mobile-responsive to cater to a diverse audience. Implement clear product categorization, intuitive search functionality, and a streamlined checkout process. High-quality product images, detailed descriptions, and customer reviews can also enhance the user experience.

Thanks to Steven Light, Avenue B!

#13- Pay attention to product pages

Photo Credit: Nikhil Jogia

When operating an e-commerce business, your product pages are your frontline sales team — only there's no room for negotiation. Every element on the page needs to be tuned to help convert visits into sales. I can't overemphasize the importance of high-quality images and thorough, easy-to-understand descriptions. We've found that this approach encourages customers to make purchases and establishes a level of trust that turns them into repeat clients.

Thanks to Nikhil Jogia, Jogia Diamonds!

#14- Blend technology and marketing

Photo Credit: James Emery

Building an e-commerce business like The Neighbours Cellar involves a blend of technology, marketing, and customer-centricity. First, invest in a reliable and scalable e-commerce platform that can adapt as your business grows; we opted for Shopify for its robustness and ease of use. Second, focus on digital marketing channels that align with your target audience—SEO, social media, and email marketing have been invaluable for us.

Thanks to James Emery, The Neighbours Cellar!

#15- Build customer loyalty

Photo Credit: Liz Raad

We can safely say that e-commerce is among the most common types of online business. And yet, it’s surprising how hesitant small businesses are to engage in loyalty programs. And that can make or break your customer retention, especially in the early stages. If you’re still building your customer base, you can offer referrals for expensive products/services or first-time buyer incentives – for example, a free gift or special discount with the second purchase.

Thanks to Liz Raad, eBusiness Institute!

#16- Focus on traffic-generating skill

Listen to the full podcast. This is Originally posted here.

Monday Motivation: You Must Come Back And Finish What You Started

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:16:14 -0400

This motivational video is to help CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners start the week off inspired to become great.

Here are some takeaways from the video:

Sorround yourself with people who will challenge you to grow

Control what you can control

There is a light within ourselves that can guide us forward during the darkest of times

The best version of yourself is yet to be revealed to the world

27 Entrepreneurs List Their Favorite Business Books

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 12:16:24 -0400

As musician Frank Zappa once said, “So many books, so little time.” For a business owner or budding entrepreneur, books can be a life preserver. Of course, valuable lessons often come from doing. Business lessons can be learned by trial and error and by putting yourself out on the line. But the same lessons can also be learned from a book. Reading about the errors and triumphs of other business leaders can prevent you from making mistakes and push you in the direction of success. Beyond lessons, a good business book can inspire you to lift your business to an even higher level.

Below is a selection of business books chosen as favorites by entrepreneurs and business owners.

#1- “Good to Great” by Jim Collins

Photo Credit: Vikas Kaushik

Collins' ideas on focused thinking, exacting action, and unshakable dedication to excellence have perfectly complemented my customer-focused mindset and TechAhead's quest for digital transformation expertise. “Good to Great” emphasizes the importance of consistent discipline, technology-enabled agility, and a team-driven strategy, just as TechAhead works to exceed client expectations through new mobile apps and digital solutions.

Thanks to Vikas Kaushik, TechAhead!

#2- “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek

Photo Credit: Mark Buskuhl

This great book by Simon Sinek tells the story of how leaders can inspire others to take action through a simple but powerful model, which he calls the Golden Circle. It focuses on understanding why we do things and how those reasons can become motivating forces for people. It also explains how our why can drive our success and help us achieve more. Sinek explains his theory by using real-life examples from some of the world's most successful companies, including Apple, Starbucks, and Google.

Thanks to Mark Buskuhl, Ninebird Properties!

#3- All You Need to Know About the Music Business

Photo Credit: Alyssa J. Devine

“All You Need to Know About the Music Business” by attorney Donald S. Passman provides practical insight for creatives with limited knowledge of business principles. The book begins by providing a 10,000-foot view of the music industry and the different considerations involved with hiring an attorney, accountant, and other business professionals. Passman uses plain language to describe the recent changes in the law (and standard business practices) that have affected and will continue to impact the music industry, such as streaming and the Music Modernization Act (MMA).

Thanks to Alyssa J. Devine, Purple Fox Legal!

#4- “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

Photo Credit: Nicholas Dragolea

My favorite business book is the classic “Think and Grow Rich” as it has been an essential cornerstone in my journey as an entrepreneur. Not a huge reader myself, it’s actually the only book that I found myself reading three times! Authored by Napoleon Hill, the book focuses on priceless business advice on positive thinking and overcoming adversity both in business and in personal life. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone whether in their teens, twenties, or later in life.

Thanks to Nicholas Dragolea, Fetched!

#5- “Playing to Win” by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin

Photo Credit: Corwin Smith

I recommend Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin as my go-to book. This book is the perfect example of strategic thinking. It is about identifying where you’re going to play in the marketplace, which customers you’re going to serve, and how you secure those customers. The book also teaches you that not all customers are good customers.

Thanks to Corwin Smith, Culture to Cash!

#6- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini

Photo Credit: Evan Tunis

This classic business book is a must-read for entrepreneurs and business owners. Written by Dr. Robert Cialdini, it provides insights into the psychology of persuasion and how to be an effective negotiator and leader. It covers topics such as understanding people's motivations, creating trust with clients and customers, and mastering the art of influence. This book has been praised by entrepreneurs and business owners for its engaging writing style, practical lessons, and insights into effective communication.

Thanks to Evan Tunis, Florida Healthcare Insurance!

#7- “One Little Spark” by Marty Sklar

Photo Credit: David Brewer

Without a doubt, one of my favorite business books is ‘One Little Spark’ by Marty Sklar, the former head of Imagineering at Disney. It’s a collection of anecdotes and personal stories that incorporate Mickey’s Ten Commandments and the Disney methodology into their narrative to help the reader understand how to implement and utilize them in their professional and personal lives. It was, is, and always will be indispensable to me and the way, my business, works

Thanks to David Brewer, Protect Line!

#8- “Hard Times Create Strong Men” by Stefan Aarnio

Photo Credit: Luke Lintz

Gen Z is extremely lazy. This idea immediately brings to mind insights from Stefan Aarnio’s book “Hard Times Create Strong Men”. He drew a comparison to a cycle, where challenging times give rise to individuals with resilience. These individuals then contribute to periods of prosperity. However, during these prosperous times, a certain complacency can set in, potentially leading to a generation that faces difficulties. His explanation of this cycle sheds light on the changes within our society.

Thanks to Luke Lintz, HighKey Enterprises LLC!

#9- “Making It In Real Estate” by John McNellis

Photo Credit: Jonathan Ayala

Making It In Real Estate by John McNellis is a great deep dive into real estate investment, ownership, and development. What I loved most about the book is how super real it is. If you're in this business you'll immediately recognize the wily developers of the 1980s and the overconfidant upstarts at the turn of the century. It provides you not only with hard-hitting facts about the industry but it's more importantly filled with personal anecdotes told by a natural storyteller, who paid his dues in this business.

Thanks to Jonathan Ayala, Hudson Condos!

#10- “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss

Photo Credit: Karen Green

He presents nine principles of negotiation that might be counterintuitive such as never splitting the difference! which as a sales expert and former retail buyer, I totally agree with. If you are selling to someone and they start with a ridiculously low offer, splitting the difference between that and your reasonable offer is only going to lead to a lower-than-necessary result. There is loads more valuable advice just like this and is relevant whether you are seeking out new business or negotiating with suppliers.

Thanks to Karen Green, Buyerology!

#11- “Company of One” by Paul Jarvis

Listen to the full podcast. This is Originally posted here.

15 Entrepreneurs Share How They Use Social Media For Their Business

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 12:16:08 -0400

In today's digital age, harnessing the power of social media is paramount for business success. With a global audience at your fingertips, leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn has become essential for brand visibility and customer engagement. There are myriad ways to effectively utilize social media to promote and grow your business.

We asked entrepreneurs, and business owners how they use social media for business. Here are some responses.

#1- Boosting content for targeted reach

Photo Credit: Marshal Davis

I have a dedicated budget solely for boosting high-performing content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. We identify these posts based on organic engagement metrics and then boost them to reach a wider but highly targeted audience. Once identified, these posts are boosted to extend their reach to a more targeted audience, thereby amplifying their impact. This is not a haphazard tactic but a well-thought-out strategy that is in line with our broader marketing goals. The result is a more engaged audience and a more effective social media campaign.

Thanks to Marshal Davis, Ascendly Marketing!

#2- For projecting my personality and philosophy

Photo Credit: Dielle Charon

I use social media for my business by selling through social media and connecting. My leads learn my personality in my stories and my philosophy and movement inside of posts and reels. They do not get free education from me, as that stays mostly inside my coaching container, but they see my philosophy and what I stand for and they know if this aligns with them!

Thanks to Dielle Charon, Dielle Charon Coaching!

#3- Establishing recognition and credibility

Photo Credit: Adrian Miller

IMHO social media is best used for establishing recognition and credibility as long as you don't throw out drivel, falsehoods, and posts that scream you're a loser looking for a lead. I advise content that has value, humor, and honesty, and will stand behind that advice every day!

Thanks to Adrian Miller, Adrian Miller Sales Training!

#4- To build brands

Photo Credit: Luke Lintz

I started my company in 2016, and we grew it through social media marketing, Instagram specifically. We realized that what we were really good at was marketing and building brands on social media. I believe you should focus on growing your social media channels because that’s what stays with you for the entire time you're running your business. We use social media now to cement ourselves as a brand, for outreach, marketing, advertising, and even pitching sometimes.

Thanks to Luke Lintz, High Key Agency!

#5- Sharing the journey

Photo Credit: Rhett Wiseman

I first gained notoriety and recognition for my knowledge of real estate investing when I began sharing my own journey of purchasing homes and zoning them for Section 8 rentals on his YouTube channel. As I became inundated with requests from people who aspire to learn from me on how they could create their own real estate empires, build out portfolios, create long-lasting passive income, and ‘be their own boss,’ I took the leap into coaching and created my one-of-a-kind coaching program that hand-holds my clients through every step of the process.

Thanks to Rhett Wiseman, Wiseman Advising LLC!

#6- For recruiting

Photo Credit: Garry West

For me, the day always starts on LinkedIn. I can always be sure to see a post from someone I know, there’s usually something that makes me laugh, and I check in on the news in my sector. Sure, we use the platform for recruiting, and it’s a great way to generate leads, but for me, it’s all about staying up to date, reading the latest opinion pieces, and taking part in webinars, when I get the time. I’ve been using LinkedIn since I started my business; it feels like my social media home!

Thanks to Garry West, Imagefix!

#7- Align content to niche

Photo Credit: Will Allred

First, align your content to your niche. We were the first to mix objective cold email data with the reader's perspective on LinkedIn. Second, be consistent. I was able to quickly attribute revenue to my posting because of our self-service offering. It took 18 months before growth started to compound. Third, seek to help before you optimize for the algorithm. People come to social media to learn or be entertained. Fourth, the magic is in the comments. Thoughtfully respond, and comment on other's posts in your space. This will open your posts to their and their followers' feeds.

Thanks to Will Allred, Lavender!

#8- Showcase business offerings and skillsets

Photo Credit: Vanessa James

I utilize social media as a tool to showcase my various business offerings and skillsets like voiceover, on-camera hosting, and brand collaborations. It's also a fantastic way to engage daily and build community with fellow creatives across the media landscape. As new apps and tools go live, it’s also a great way to review trends and see where and how my audience is connecting and meet them where they are. I shifted my mindset years ago on social always being a place to showcase my highlight reel and moved to a place where I could showcase my work.

Thanks to Vanessa James, Vanessa James Media!

#9- To craft relevant ad messages

Photo Credit: Brian David Crane

I use social media for my business to target hyper-specific audiences through social media ads who are interested in anti-phishing and digital security tools that can help them protect their privacy. With Facebook's ad targeting options, we are able to craft relevant messages that connect with different groups of potential customers based on their behaviors, interests, and demographics and pay according to the exact number of viewers we want to reach out to.

Thanks to Brian David Crane, Caller Smart Inc!

#10- Infuse our personality into videos

Photo Credit: Diane Howard

It's a great way to showcase our services and products, explaining how they can benefit our clients. But we also infuse our personality into these videos to stand out – after all, aesthetics and skincare should be enjoyable and relatable. It's about making our followers feel like they're part of a community that values self-care and confidence.

Thanks to Diane Howard, Esthetic Finesse!

#11- Regularly answer questions

Photo Credit: Seth Besse

Our caregiver support platform is designed specifically to assist parents of children with disabilities and learning differences. The proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” And we feel the same, which is why we are very active and reachable on our social channels. We're part of the disability community on Instagram, where we regularly answer questions. And we maintain a private community on Facebook, hosting frequent live chats. These are for Undivided members, as well as other parents raising kids with disabilities, to connect, share advice, and feel supported.

Thanks to Seth Besse, Undivided!

#12- Repost photos from satisfied customers

Photo Credit: Andrew Meyer

Our entire business is based on sustainability. We’re a digital energy advisor that automatically lowers your electric rate and carbon footprint by switching your home or apartment to cheaper and cleaner energy sources. We do our part as well by employing a fully remote workforce. This cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, consumption of fossil fuels and power, paper and plastic office supplies, and contributes to cleaner air. Lastly, we practice what we preach. Everyone at our company has found the right energy products and services for them. This not only saves them money but allows them to be more sustainable at the same time.

Thanks to Andrew Meyer, Arbor!

#2- Through commitment and innovation

Photo Credit: Ward Dilmore

Incorporating sustainability into my business, both as a business owner and entrepreneur, has been a journey of commitment and innovation. Here's how I've woven sustainability into the fabric of Petrus Landscape: my passion for sustainability stems from a personal connection to the environment. I've always believed that businesses can play a pivotal role in preserving the planet for future generations.

Thanks to Ward Dilmore, Petrus Landscaping!

#3- Using independent and carbon-neutral data centers

Photo Credit: Cuautemoc Weber

One of the most pertinent challenges across the blockchain landscape is figuring out how to chart a more sustainable trajectory going forward, due to the energy-intensive nature of many blockchain networks. Gateway.fm is the first truly decentralized blockchain infrastructure node provider, delivering reliable node infrastructure, best-in-class validators, and robust dev tooling support to help Web3 projects scale at pace. As part of this mission, we use independent and carbon-neutral data centers to minimize the environmental impact of operating blockchain nodes, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly crypto ecosystem.

Thanks to Cuautemoc Weber, Gateway.fm!

#4- Having a strong environmental committee

Photo Credit: Mac Steer

One of the things that I try to do is make sure that my employees are engaged in our sustainability efforts. We have a strong environmental committee that meets regularly and works with me to identify new ways we can make our company more sustainable. We've implemented some great ideas from this committee, including using reusable cups instead of disposable ones at our office and offering a discount on your next purchase if you bring your own bag into our store.

Thanks to Mac Steer, Simify!

#5-Reducing carbon footprint

Photo Credit: Evan Tunis

We are working to make our business more sustainable by reducing our carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. We are investing in solar power, improving insulation in our buildings, installing LED lights to reduce electricity consumption, and recycling materials whenever possible. We are also encouraging employees to carpool or take public transport when traveling for business purposes. Additionally, we have implemented a paperless system to reduce the amount of paper, ink, and other materials used in our operations.

Thanks to Evan Tunis, Florida Healthcare Insurance!

#6- Using UV-C air disinfection

Photo Credit: Jennifer Nuckles

The pandemic shone a spotlight on the importance of indoor air quality, as well as the archaic solutions that previously defined the market. But over the past few years, we’ve seen the emergence of a solution that is continuous, autonomous, disinfects air in real-time, and is sustainable and efficient: UV-C air disinfection. I believe sustainable air disinfection is the future. R-Zero is working to make our shared indoor spaces safer and more efficient, sustainable, and productive, through the use of this UV-C air disinfection technology.

Thanks to Jennifer Nuckles, R-Zero!

#7- Building a strong corporate culture

Photo Credit: Michael Podolsky

Organize your internal processes and build a corporate culture that is passed across all management levels. My team is my greatest asset, so I make sure that everyone is involved in the company’s goals, shares the same vision of success, and contributes to teamwork. We've built a culture that helps us pass the vision and values of the company across all management levels. Every employee is involved in teamwork and company goals. That is important for sustainability. We also have established standards for our services, especially among support specialists, all aimed at catering to the needs and expectations of our users and clients.

Thanks to Michael Podolsky, PissedConsumer.com!

#8- Driving sustainable apartment living

Photo Credit: Cameron Johnson

By offering living subscriptions that include all of the housewares, décor, furniture, and in-home tech that any apartment needs, we embrace the circular economy and save the equivalent of 30 trees per transaction. Our goal is to provide our users with a hassle and stress-free move but also to reduce the environmental impact associated with moving. Further, in addition to re-using as much of our inventory as we can for as long as we can, we also do our best to help our goods avoid landfills. Items that can no longer be deployed in users’ homes will be donated to homeless shelters, non-profits, and dog shelters (they love pillows and bedding) business.

Thanks to Cameron Johnson, Nickson Living!

#9- By sourcing eco-conscious vendors

Photo Credit: Marcy Kelman

As a US manufacturer of college diploma frames, we’re hyper-aware that wood and paper are two of our primary product components. That’s why we only source raw materials from eco-conscious vendors who are vetted for compliance with reforestation efforts. All of the renewable hardwoods for our frames are harvested and grown using environmentally responsible practices, and we carry a line of 100% recycled wood molding options. We'll only purchase our frame mats and backing boards from companies with proof of certification for sustainable forestry operations.

Thanks to Marcy Kelman, Church Hill Classics!

#10- Removal and recycling services of e-waste

Photo Credit: Josh Cohen

In a world saturated with materialism, the minimalist lifestyle stands as a beacon of simplicity, intentionality, and sustainability. By choosing quality over quantity and prioritizing meaningful experiences over possessions, individuals can create homes that are both clutter-free and eco-conscious. Entrepreneur Josh Cohen, Founder and President of The Junkluggers, exemplifies this approach through his pioneering work in the eco-friendly junk-removal industry.

Thanks to Josh Cohen, The Junkluggers!

#11- Using eco-friendly packaging

This motivational video is to help CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners start the week off inspired to become great.

Here are some takeaways from the video:

You are powerful more than you realize

You need a sustaining meaning that's deep and profound

To transistion, the thing you want must be greater than what you currently have

Stand up, dig in

Let those challenges raise you up

CBNation Feed

IAM2439 – Global Consultant Helps Organizations Enhance their Productivity and Collaboration

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IAM2438 – Co-founder Helps People Stay Updated With Their Peers and Colleagues Through Video Blogging

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IAM2437 – Entrepreneur, Investor and Author Passionate About Helping People Become Financially Free

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IAM2436 – Unleashing Your Brand’s Power

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IAM2435 – Unveiling the Franchise Broker Journey

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IAM2433 – Founder Helps Business Leaders Streamline Podcast Appearances by Leveraging on AI Technology

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IAM2432 – CEO Shares Blockchain’s Potential Role in Financial Ecosystems

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IAM2431 – Investigator Develops Programs to Address Effective Interviewing and Investigations

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IAM2430 – Founder and Speaker Mentors High Performers Entrepreneurs to Their Next Level of Success

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The Importance of Website Design: Boost Engagement, SEO & Conversions

6 Key Benefits of Website Design That Drive Business Success

1. First Impressions Matter

2. User Experience (UX) and Navigation

3. Building Trust and Credibility

4. Mobile Responsiveness

5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Benefits

6. Competitive Advantage

Key Elements of Effective Web Design

1. Consistency in Branding

2. High-Quality Visuals and Multimedia

3. Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

4. Organized Content Hierarchy

5. Clean Design and Ample White Space

Why Entrepreneurs Need Harmony, Not Hustle

Understanding the Fire & Flow Methodology

The Importance of Self-Leadership

Creating Sacred White Space

Embracing the Duality of Being and Doing

Transformational Insights for Entrepreneurs

Conclusion

How to Stay Ahead of Search Engine Algorithms in 2025

Why Do Search Engines Change Their Algorithms?

i) Ensuring High-Quality Search Results

ii) Advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

iii) Adapting to User Behavior and Trends

iv) Combating Spam and Manipulative Practices

Best SEO Practices to Stay Ahead in 2025

1. Create Helpful and Original Content

2. Use the Right Keywords Naturally

3. Make Your Website Fast and Easy to Use

4. Build Trust with Backlinks

5. Keep Up with SEO Changes

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Founder Empowers Future Female Leaders in Food & Beverage Industry

CEO Helps Business Owners Focus on High Impact Activities

The Power of Social Media: A Guide for Businesses

Why Your Business Needs Social Media Marketing

Building a Social Media Strategy That Works

Facebook: The All-in-One Platform

LinkedIn: The Professional Network

Instagram: Visual Storytelling

Other Platforms to Explore

The Key to Success: Consistency and Engagement

How Social Media Drives Results

How Blue16 Media Can Help

New Year Marketing Goals: How to Set Your Digital Marketing Strategy for 2025

Reflect on the Past Year

Define Clear, Measurable Goals

Adjust Your Strategies for the New Year

Stay Consistent, Yet Flexible

Celebrate Small Wins Along the Way

How Blue16 Media Can Help

Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 5. OPERATIONS / LEGAL

Full Interview:

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Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 4. PEOPLE = HUMAN PART OF BUSINESS

Full Interview:

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Understanding the 8 Business Pillars: 3. OFFERING – PRODUCTS/SERVICES