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In this episode, Gresh shares the highs, lows, and lessons in real‑time creates a roadmap for fellow founders and holds you accountable.  He also shares on building a Lead‑Gen Ecosystem First – Before scaling, focus on a self‑sustaining machine that continuously feeds qualified leads into your pipeline. It’s the foundation of a repeatable growth model. Gresh wants to adopt a Marathon Mindset – Speed isn’t everything; pacing yourself, iterating, and avoiding “move‑too‑fast” mistakes leads to lasting results. 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/iam

In this episode, Gresh shares candid reflections on his current stage: experimenting with organic lead generation, resisting the pressure to buy leads, and navigating the inevitable ups and downs of building a business. He recounts a nostalgic basketball‑style sprint workout that reminded him how past discipline still fuels his present mindset, emphasizing that mental blocks often become self‑fulfilling unless you keep moving forward. A pending call with a potential funder highlights the mix of optimism and uncertainty that comes with early‑stage entrepreneurship. Ultimately, Gresh stresses the importance of taking one day at a time, staying strategic, and leaning into what works while continually refining the approach.  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 Chec

In this episode, Nick McGowan talks about Thought Leadership - it's your personal lens on what matters to you. He likens it to painting, music, or a podcast—any medium that lets your inner voice shine. Nick also shares why podcasting works for him. Verbal communication is his super‑power; podcasting let him heal, mentor, and broadcast ideas publicly that he’d otherwise share behind closed doors. Website: themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Youtube: themindsetandselfmasteryshow LinkedIn: thenickmcgowan 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!

Lee Eisenstadt is the founder of the Leading with Courage Academy in Chicago. After a new managing partner swept away the C‑suite at the fifth‑largest accounting firm, Lee pivoted from seeking another full‑time role to taking on one‑off projects that leveraged his expertise in client‑loyalty assessments and cost‑streamlining. A series of interim consulting gigs—culminating in a three‑year interim COO position—revealed to him that he could never be “fired” again and set the stage for launching his own leadership‑development business. Lee’s firm offers a data‑driven toolbox of assessments, workshops, and coaching—including DISC, emotional‑intelligence, and employee‑engagement surveys grounded in his book- Leading with Courage. He emphasizes that self‑awareness is rare—only 12‑15 % of people truly possess it—and that CEOs must cultivate the courage to ask for honest feedback and act on it. Website: www.lwcacademy.com LinkedIn: leeeisenstaedt   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter wit

Alicia Houston is a former biotech founder who spent over a decade scaling her company before selling it for a seven‑figure sum.  Alicia works primarily with small‑ to medium‑sized businesses, viewing them as mirrors of her own early entrepreneurial experience.  Leveraging her background in neuroscience, she helps leaders understand the brain’s wiring, hormonal influences, and neural pathways that can create mental blocks, enabling them to “hack” their own thinking and develop new habits.  Her approach blends scientific insight with practical coaching to unlock both individual and organizational potential, ultimately allowing the entire team to serve the shared vision more effectively. Website: alyciahuston.com Facebook: AlyciaHuston Instagram: alyciahuston   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+ thin

In this special episode, Gresh reflects on the past year, noting that his original focus on the franchise‑broker business has been pushed to the side as unexpected demands arose in his digital‑marketing venture.  Despite the shift, he remains optimistic, pointing to early signs of opportunity. He uses a marathon metaphor to describe the entrepreneurial journey: there are fast‑paced stretches, moments to pause, hydrate, and refocus, but the race never truly ends.  This mindset keeps him motivated, especially after a recent workout that reminded him of the constant nature of progress. Looking ahead, Gresh is eager to keep leveling up in both his personal health and his brokerage business. He plans to leverage the experiences he’s documenting, run experiments, and share future updates with the audience.  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/a

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless Jr. launches a new “Franchise CEO” segment within the IAMCEO podcast to chronicle his BlueStar Franchise startup, offering aspiring entrepreneurs a real‑time look at the challenges and decisions involved in building a business. He now targets people who publicly ask franchising‑related questions on podcasts, social media, and newsletters, aiming for a handful of high‑quality conversations each week instead of a high volume of low‑quality leads. To sustain this pipeline, he aggregates prospects from YouTube, his newsletter, Facebook groups, and other social channels into a single master list. While he feels “nine months behind schedule,” he believes the slower, relationship‑focused approach will reduce wasted effort and generate better long‑term opportunities. 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/asses

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares insights from top leaders and announces a new “Franchise CEO” series that will chronicle his own launch of Blue Star Franchise, offering a real‑time case study for aspiring entrepreneurs. He uses a grueling Peloton push‑up ladder workout as a metaphor for growth, stressing that waiting for others to catch up keeps you stuck. Instead, he embraces the mindset that there’s always “another level” to reach—whether in business, fitness, or personal development—and commits to pushing past comfort zones. Gresham addresses a team member’s lack of focus, declaring a clear “in‑or‑out” stance to enforce accountability.  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 ha

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the evolving nature of the traditional agency model, questioning whether it's truly obsolete or simply transforming.   He shares that his move into franchise brokerage was driven by a desire to break away from the often rigid and inefficient agency structure and to build something that leveraged his marketing expertise into ownership and long-term value.    He emphasizes that while AI has certainly disrupted the industry by offering fast, accessible tools, it lacks the nuance, context, and experience that seasoned professionals bring.   Gresham believes there's a critical need for tools and resources, like CEO Hacks, that help distill information and guide decision-making amid the overwhelming flood of new technologies.   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 CBNa

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Engles, the visionary behind MyGig – a full‑stack affiliate platform that equips business professionals to earn recurring income while delivering every essential service a modern company needs, from tax‑credit optimization and IT security to PEO‑backed HR, CRM automation, financing, credit‑building, and even fractional CMO marketing. Gary’s journey is anything but ordinary. He launched a martial‑arts‑based leadership academy at 22, sold it, turned COO of a trading‑education firm, helped multiple companies prep for lucrative exits, and now runs MyGig’s “business‑in‑a‑box” ecosystem. He’ll share how his 35‑year martial‑arts discipline shapes his leadership philosophy, why staying in your “area of genius” is the ultimate productivity hack, and the exact SaaS tools he wishes he’d had when he first started. If you’re a founder looking to streamline operations, boost revenue, or become a certified MyGig reseller, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, real‑world

Linda Taliaferro is the Vice President of Global Quality at Meritor, Inc., a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicles and industrial markets.    With over 30 years of experience in corporate leadership, Linda is also the founder of The Extra Effort (TEE) — a career advisory firm dedicated to helping professionals get unstuck, build executive presence, and change the trajectory of their careers.    Linda explains how she transformed her long-standing passion for mentorship into a focused business that helps professionals build essential but often overlooked career skills — like self-awareness, confidence, communication under pressure, and professional presence.   She discusses her signature offerings, including executive presence coaching, onboarding strategy for the first 90 days in a new role, and targeted support for early- to mid-career professionals.    Linda emphasizes that while hard work is important, it is not enough to get ahead in co

Alan Cohen is a Professional Certified Executive and Team Coach, speaker, and author with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of communication, leadership, and human connection.   Spending decades as both a marketing expert and Human Resource consultant, he presided over the successful launch of the Harry Potter series as Scholastic's Director of Marketing, as well as serving as the Director of Communications for the Broadway League, representing the Tony Awards.    He has coached and consulted with major organizations like Bloomberg, NBC, Tiffany & Co., American Express, and MetLife, as well as hundreds of small businesses and solopreneurs.    Alan emphasizes that the foundation of his coaching is built on emotional intelligence, helping teams cultivate trust, empathy, and resilience without relying on superficial activities like trust falls.    He introduces the concept of “Connection Alchemy,” which is the alignment of three vital connections: to self, to team, and to a shared purpose.   Wi

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless discusses his recent focus on outreach to create more business opportunities, especially with people affected by layoffs.    He expresses some frustration with the lack of engagement within a BNI chapter he’s considering joining, noting that members’ slow responses and minimal one-to-ones raise concerns about whether referrals would be handled with care.    Gresham highlights the significance of staying outside his comfort zone, citing a recent live session that not only pushed his boundaries but also resulted in new opportunities.    He emphasizes his desire to build his franchise brokerage business in a way that aligns with his values rather than simply following conventional models.    In addition, Gresham acknowledges the challenges of going 244 days without closing a deal but remains committed to experimentation, staying mentally strong, and taking it one step at a time, while being mindful not to overextend himself.   Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranch

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on reaching day 244 of his Franchise Broker Journey, recognizes the need to reset and refocus before hitting the one-year mark.    He plans to join a professional chapter for community and accountability, ramp up content creation by producing 30 bite-sized content videos to educate and engage potential clients, and leverage those pieces for broader visibility and value.   Also, Gresham mentions expanding his efforts into newsletters and collaborations, while being careful not to stretch himself too thin.    Moreover, he embraces experimentation, sharpening his focus on high-impact activities, and committing to showing up daily with intention, clarity, and patience. 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

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on a powerful morning workout and expresses a desire to build consistency by committing to it at least four times a week, even while managing parenting duties.   He acknowledges a key misstep in the early days of his business: jumping directly into cold market outreach without first cultivating referral relationships and tapping into his existing network, which he now realizes should have been the foundation.   Gresham emphasizes the power of personal connections, referencing a tool called Decks, which revealed over 13,000 contacts gathered from LinkedIn, Facebook, podcast guests, and more — many of whom he hasn’t yet reached out to systematically.    Additionally, Gresham pointed out that while referrals are vital, relying on various lead sources is critical for sustainable business success. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is stepping into day two of this new 12-week year with a completely restructured focus and a deeper understanding of what really matters right now.   He’s shifted digital marketing to the top of his priorities, recognizing that with the right infrastructure now in place, it has strong growth potential.    Gresham reflects on the tough transitions he's faced — unexpected challenges that hit hard, echoing the Mike Tyson quote about everyone having a plan until they get punched.    He emphasizes the importance of balancing business with personal life, especially as he manages parenthood and struggles with sleep.   Furthermore, Gresham highlights the significance of mental and emotional resilience, recognizing that staying focused and mentally strong during hard times is what will ultimately drive success. Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out

In today’s episode we sit down with Inga Maskun, a Dream‑Builder coach and founder of Living Your Inspired Life, to unpack one of the most stubborn obstacles entrepreneurs face: fear. Inga shares how fear isn’t a single monster but a shape‑shifting force that often masquerades as delay, destruction, or dissuasion—the subtle excuses that keep great ideas on the back burner. She walks us through a simple, four‑step framework for neutralizing those hidden barriers: From sky‑diving to silence the fear of heights, to reframing self‑doubt as a signal to explore new possibilities, Inga’s stories illustrate how confronting fear head‑on can unleash creativity, collaboration, and unexpected opportunities. Website: ingamaskun.com 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 podca

Haris Reis is a two-time national award-winning entrepreneur, two-time national best-selling author, keynote speaker, and expert digital marketer.    Haris is best known for co-founding Changing Lanes International—helping authors, speakers, and coaches grow their brands—and for his time as a growth hacker at VaynerMedia, where he helped build Gary Vaynerchuk’s brand.   Haris highlights the importance of constant learning, mentorship, and investing in personal growth.    He discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and emphasizes the importance of building his brand and maintaining an “obsessive” hunger for progress.    LinkedIn: Haris Reis  Instagram: Haris_Reis   Previous Episode: https://transcript.lol/dashboard/spaces/67701a0a4053d32612996a85/recordings?folderId=recents   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

Janice Wald is an accomplished author, speaker, freelance writer, and the founder of MostlyBlogging.com, a popular blog that provides practical tips and strategies for bloggers, marketers, and online entrepreneurs.    Janice attributes her ability to simplify complex information to her teaching background, making her content especially helpful for beginners.   She emphasizes the importance of patience in building an online presence, stating that blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.    Janice also notes her most popular products and services, including one-on-one coaching and a series of e-books on Amazon covering blogging, Instagram, monetization, and SEO.    Website: Mostly Blogging  LinkedIn: Janice Wald   Previous Episode: iam348-blogger-shares-tips-for-bloggers-and-marketers-through-her-website   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:/

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects deeply on his resistance to the common business advice of buying leads, expressing a clear desire to grow his business through organic, relationship-based methods rather than transactional lead generation.    He emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in conversations, stating that he'd rather have a handful of meaningful, high-value interactions than many shallow ones.   Gresham acknowledges that the value of BNI is heavily dependent on the culture and engagement of its members, and he's prepared to give it a few months to evaluate whether it aligns with his goals.    In addition, he highlights the flexibility, authenticity, and long-term vision of creating a business driven by purpose and trust rather than quick wins. 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 (