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

For 20 years, Matt was an executive in the radio industry before becoming an investor and the founding CEO of the School of Rock.   In five years, Matt grew the franchise from five locations to 55 schools, the largest of music schools in the world.   In 2012, he opened the first One River School of Art and Design in Englewood, New Jersey, and he franchised the concept in 2017, with 12 locations, with up to five more expected to open this year.   Matt believes that creativity is essential—not just for artists, but as a foundation for problem-solving, innovation, and emotional well-being.    He focuses on empowering and mentoring his team, prioritizing personal development and strong culture over rigid efficiency.    Over time, Matt has come to deeply value self-awareness and patience. He now shares these lessons with others and recommends using tools like Clifton Strengths and Born to Build to uncover personal strengths and build more cohesive, capable teams.   Website: One River School  LinkedIn: Matt Ross  I

Gresham Harkless shares a powerful personal experience about sleep training his son, using it as a metaphor for change, growth, and the value of small adjustments.    He discusses trying a new method where the baby is placed down drowsy and picked up when crying, then laid back down once soothed—ultimately teaching the baby to self-soothe.   Gresham realizes that success came not from a massive change but from a subtle shift in approach, and connects this experience to broader life and business insights, especially for people considering entrepreneurship or franchising.    Gresham emphasizes that meaningful change doesn’t always require a complete overhaul; often, we’re closer to success than we think and may already be doing parts of what’s needed without realizing it.    In addition, he advocates for others to reflect on what they can control and change in their own lives, reinforcing the idea that lasting change often starts with us.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franch

In this special episode, Gresham emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the human side of business, especially in roles like consulting or coaching, where the focus can often become overly process-driven.    He shares personal context about managing the demands of work, life, and fatherhood, and uses this as a lens to empathize with the emotional and mental challenges that candidates may also be facing.    Gresham recounts a recent experience with a highly engaged candidate who became unresponsive, only to later reveal he was dealing with significant personal issues.    He also reflects on the broader increase in emotional and mental stress he senses in people today and encourages fellow consultants to create safe, empathetic spaces for their clients.   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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the transformative impact of a recent float therapy session, describing it as a powerful and possibly spiritual experience that helped him release internal pressure and emotional weight.   Gresham notices a lingering sense of lightness and freedom from the constant need to have all the answers or carry every responsibility—a feeling he’s now motivated to integrate into his daily life.    He recognizes the compounded difficulty of building a business while managing personal responsibilities and emotional burdens, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is never isolated from the rest of life.    Gresham aims to carry that sense of ease and release into both his personal life and his approach to starting a new business, with a desire to operate from a place of presence rather than pressure.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to

Gresham Harkless reflects on a pivotal transition toward simplifying and refocusing his strategy.    He acknowledges the need to scale back temporarily on Google Ads, recognizing that without a clearly defined and responsive client avatar, those efforts serve as inefficient amplifiers.   Gresham shifts his attention toward organic and relationship-driven methods, particularly leveraging the podcast and blog as tools for discovery, outreach, and opportunity generation.    Gresham emphasizes the importance of identifying a real, urgent pain point, such as layoffs or workforce reductions, that can prompt quicker decisions from potential clients seeking career reinvention through franchising.    He plans to reengage with past podcast guests and consolidate client information using tools like Pipedrive, aiming to create a more organized and effective system for tracking and nurturing relationships.    Moreover, his focus is on letting go of tactics that aren’t producing meaningful results and doubling down on the

Stephanie Postell is the dynamic CEO and co-owner of Anchor Heating and Air, one of Charleston’s fastest-growing and most respected residential HVAC companies.    With a background that spans education, entrepreneurship, and personal training, Stephanie brings a unique, people-centered approach to business leadership in the trades.    A two-time She Shines Award winner and founder of the She Means Business Conference, Stephanie is a passionate advocate for women in male-dominated industries and a sought-after speaker on topics like business growth, branding, and leadership.   Stephanie emphasizes that by investing in top-tier tools, benefits, and support for her team, she's eliminated excuses and reduced anxiety, allowing her staff to show up confidently for customers in crisis.    She also highlights the importance of surrounding herself with people who push her to grow, leading with authenticity, and staying grounded in service to both her employees and her community.    LinkedIn: Stephanie Postell   Chec

Jinal Sampat is a visionary jewelry designer and the founder of Sampat Jewellers, a brand known for its elegant fusion of tradition and modernity.    With a background in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, Jinal brings a unique design sensibility to her craft, reimagining traditional Indian Mangalsutras into contemporary, wearable wedding chains for today’s modern woman.   Jinal discusses how a blog post showcasing conceptual designs unexpectedly brought in organic leads, validating her niche and sparking the business’s direction.    She emphasizes the importance of staying focused, following the 80/20 rule for productivity, and working on the business rather than getting lost in it.    Jinal offers candid advice about entrepreneurship, including not relying on friends and family for support, embracing storytelling in product design, and building a brand grounded in authenticity rather than imitation.    Website: Sampati  LinkedIn: Jinal Sampat  Instagram: sampatjewellers   Check out our C

Michelle Pellizzon is a former professional dancer turned tech entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Holisticism, a wellness tech company dedicated to making holistic and alternative health care more accessible, inclusive, and empowering.    Drawing from her diverse experience in the arts, technology, and holistic health, Michelle launched Holisticism as a modest passion project, one that rapidly grew into a vibrant digital community of more than 45,000 members.   Michelle believes the heart of Holisticism’s success lies in its community-first approach, built on truly listening and empowering people to take control of their healing journeys.   She highlights the importance of meditation for mental clarity and burnout prevention, and encourages CEOs to focus on making the next best decision rather than chasing perfection.    Website: Holisticism   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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless showed appreciation for his development so far, even if results haven’t matched his initial goals, recognizing that unpredictable market conditions and widespread hesitation have added complexity to the path.   A recent coaching session prompted him to recalibrate his target client profile and shift focus toward building referral relationships, particularly through rejoining a BNI networking group and leveraging his podcast as a platform to connect with potential partners.   He recognizes the importance of using digital marketing not just for direct leads but as a tool to foster strategic connections and enhance credibility.    Gresham admits he wasn’t in the right place to begin his journey this way—balancing fatherhood and a steep learning curve—but he’s now more equipped to move forward with clarity and a focus on building meaningful relationships.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the importance of maintaining momentum and acting with speed in business.   Gresham shares insights from a recent call with a potential client tied to a traditional franchise brand, which highlighted major gaps in digital marketing and innovation, areas where many franchisors still fall short.   This experience emphasizes a clear gap in the market and reaffirms Gresham’s belief that there's a real opportunity to support and add value in this space.   Gresham recognizes that staying active, testing ideas with low risk, and leveraging networking groups are essential steps forward.   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 l

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is thoughtfully considering how to join a networking group like BNI in a way that aligns with both his business goals and personal responsibilities. He’s confident that joining is the right move; it’s not a question of if, but how.   He’s aware of the standard 90-minute weekly meetings and the risk of overcommitting, and plans to stay engaged without getting pulled too deep into group roles.   Gresham plans to be intentional, focusing on meaningful one-on-one meetings, continuing his professional development, and using the connections he builds to create valuable content such as podcasts.   Additionally, he intends to stay engaged, form genuine connections, and ensure each interaction adds value, all while staying aligned with his bigger-picture goals. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment

Gresham Harkless reflects on the challenges of a long and uncertain sales process, particularly in selling a business opportunity that lacks the clear, proven system of a traditional franchise.   He acknowledges the difficulty in balancing patience with the need for continuous improvement and occasional pivots, while also recognizing the value of sticking to what works.   Despite not having closed deals yet, Gresham celebrates small wins, such as successfully handing off prospects to his Zor and providing ongoing coaching.   Gresham plans to reinvigorate his approach starting on day 201 by joining a BNI networking chapter and focusing more on content creation, especially leveraging his podcast, to build momentum. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co Check ou

Bruce Clay is widely known as the “Father of SEO” and a pioneer in the digital marketing space since 1996.    He went on to build Bruce Clay Inc., a leading company that helps businesses get found online through SEO, paid ads, content, and social media.    Bruce is the author of the popular book Search Engine Optimization All-in-One for Dummies and has trained thousands of people through his website SEOtraining.com.   He discusses how AI is reshaping SEO, likening it to a new “Wild West,” and the importance of adapting to modern SERP (Search Engine Results Page) features beyond traditional rankings.   Bruce introduces his methodology using 12 personas to map user intent and strategically place intelligent, question-based calls to action (QCTAs) that convert.    He highlights how SEO, PPC, content, and AI must now work in tandem under a unified brand strategy.    Additionally, Bruce emphasized that brand visibility and sentiment are becoming critical ranking factors in AI-driven search.   Website: BruceClay  L

David Cancel is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and technology leader best known as the founder and Executive Chairman of Drift, the leading platform for conversational marketing and sales.    With a career spanning five successful startups, including Performable, Compete, and Ghostery, David has built a reputation for creating high-growth products and scaling world-class teams.    David shares how his upbringing in an entrepreneurial household influenced his career and how Drift was born out of a desire to modernize outdated sales and marketing tools that no longer fit today’s buyer-centric landscape.   He explains that traditional lead capture methods, like forms and email nurture sequences, are obsolete in a world where customers expect real-time, 24/7 access to solutions.    David emphasizes that true innovation isn't just about software — it requires a complete cultural and data model shift, similar to how the social graph disrupted CRMs.    David advocates for embracing mentorship and collective knowle

Alice Turpin-Johnson is a relationship coach and educator who helps individuals and couples create emotionally fulfilling, stable relationships without losing their sense of self.    Alice shares her journey from being a high school teacher to launching her coaching practice, driven by her passion for emotional literacy, resilience, and empowering others to take creative control of their relationships.    Alice emphasizes a personalized, human-centered approach, coaching clients to access their clarity, desires, and communication tools to build lasting love.    She discusses how much having a solid support system matters in business and life, and reminds us that it’s totally normal if some people don’t get what you’re doing — they’re just not your people.   Alice advocates for others to believe that meaningful love is always within reach, and it starts with owning your feelings and taking charge of your relational choices.   Website: Alice TJ Coaching and Education  LinkedIn: Alice Turpin-Johnson   Previous E

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on reaching the 200-day milestone in building his franchise brokerage business, sharing both the challenges and growth he experienced along the way.   Gresham highlights the overwhelming influx of emails, ranging from newsletters to campaign-related messages, that have made managing communications increasingly difficult.   He's running campaigns and has a developing pipeline of 5-6 potential candidates, though conversions are taking time.   Gresham is also reconsidering joining a BNI chapter, something he found valuable in the past, but is now looking for a virtual, noon-time group that fits his current parenting schedule. 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 premiu

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is in a defining phase of his journey, weighing whether ongoing adjustments can fix deeper issues or if it’s time to let go and start anew with a clean slate.   Despite attempts to streamline and restructure, there’s still a disconnect between the business’s operations, culture, and direction, further strained by the challenge of juggling too many roles and ventures at once.   Gresham emphasizes that the complexity and volume of moving parts have made it difficult to be fully present and effective, both internally and with clients.   In addition, Gresham is exploring whether beginning again, with the wisdom and tools he gathered, could open the door to a clearer, more purpose-aligned future.   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://franc

Gresham Harkless reflects on the critical role of persistence and resilience in business, particularly within entrepreneurship, consulting, and franchising.    He emphasizes that success isn’t solely about talent, money, or intelligence; it’s often about the willingness to keep going despite setbacks.   Inspired by concepts from Angela Duckworth’s Grit, Gresham shares a real-life example involving a candidate who initially ghosted him, then briefly reappeared, only to disappear again.   Gresham also highlights the unique challenges of working with entrepreneurial-minded individuals, who may lack traditional follow-through yet possess the drive needed for franchising success. 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 prem

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is in a transitional phase of his franchise broker journey, approaching day 197 with a mindset shift toward embracing the unpredictability and learning that comes with building a business.   Gresham explores the value of high-ticket sales through deeper, trust-based conversations rather than chasing volume.    Reflecting on his results so far, he highlights that out of roughly 200 leads, only a handful turned into quality conversations, and just one might be nearing a deal.   Gresham acknowledges that he's still in the early "baby giraffe" stage of development, unsteady but learning, and is increasingly drawn to a long-game approach where he acts as a connector and co-creator in the franchise industry.   Gresham intends to evolve into more of a "connection broker", someone who doesn’t just sell but helps co-create opportunities by doing things differently, like strategic content creation and deeper, more intentional networking. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestar

Joy Cheriel Brown is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, author, speaker, and professor of screenwriting at Howard University.    She went on to teach high school from 2008 to 2011, during which she committed to making “three shorts and a feature.”    In 2012, she officially launched her production company, Third Person Omniscient Productions, a name that reflects her writer-first philosophy and belief in storytelling as a force for change.    One of her most personal and acclaimed works, N.O.S., is based on her first psychotic episode and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.   Joy identifies her unwavering commitment to storytelling as her unique strength, along with her spiritual insight and resilience.   Her internal drive to meet goals, even when facing emotional blocks or personal challenges, keeps her focused and productive.   Joy shares the empowering belief that “everything happens in your favor and for your highest good.” Even setbacks, like the delayed funding for N.O.S., worked out in div