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John Marvin is a visionary entrepreneur, acclaimed columnist, and influential leader dedicated to empowering others to unlock their full potential.   As President and CEO of Texas State Optical, John has cultivated a thriving business network while spearheading initiatives in health and wellness consulting and eye care partnerships.   He played a key role in helping young optometrists start their businesses, providing a "turnkey system" for setting up new practices, including real estate, construction, and operational guidance.   John emphasizes the importance of understanding the human element of leadership, including the lives of team members, to foster meaningful connections.   He engages in continual learning, setting goals for his reading and reflecting on what he learns each day.   John highlights that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and should not stop someone from starting their journey.   Website: Texas State Optical LinkedIn: John Marvin   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter

In this episode, we have Sharlyn Martinez, a Latina entrepreneur and financial literacy expert dedicated to empowering underserved communities.    Her experience with her immigrant mother inspired her to focus on financial literacy and community empowerment.   Sharlyn founded Sin-Cere Consulting, focused on helping underserved communities navigate the home-buying process, Sin-Cere Multiservices, a nonprofit teaching financial literacy and business management, and a transportation service for elderly non-emergency medical appointments.   She emphasizes the importance of teamwork and involving the family in business to create a strong, unified operation.   Meditation and reflection are key practices that help Sharlyn remain focused, clarify her next moves, and ensure she's meeting the needs of her community.   Sharlyn advises entrepreneurs to advocate for themselves and their communities, continuously seek mentorship, and never stop communicating with others.   She also highlights the importance of being in the

Rachel Brenke is a multifaceted entrepreneur who has successfully balanced her roles as a lawyer, photographer, and business consultant.   Rachel found herself seeking a flexible career that could accommodate her unique circumstances.   Rachel helps entrepreneurs set up, strategize, and protect their businesses legally and emphasizes the importance of Liability Protection, Intellectual Property (IP), and Contracts & Legal Protection.   She stresses the importance of maximizing time and being strategic in decision-making to avoid burnout.   Rachel emphasizes scheduling everything and batching tasks, especially when managing multiple businesses.    She also balances being the face of her brand, ensuring alignment between her team and the business goals.   Website: Rachel Brenke  LinkedIn: Rachel Brenke  Instagram: rachelbrenke   Previous Episode: iam210-lawyer-photographer-and-business-consultant-helps-creatives-initiate-and-implement-strategic-plans   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium ne

Laura Gmeinder is a passion igniter; she's a highly sought-after certified coach and national speaker.    Laura combines her expertise in adult education, coaching, and business development. She was honored as a BRAVA “Women to Watch” and In Business “40 Under 40” for her business savvy and community engagement accomplishments.   She emphasizes the importance of inner growth and self-discovery to level up personally and professionally.   Laura’s unique combination of communication and "woo" (Winning Others Over) helps her build deep trust with her clients.   She discusses the importance of overcoming fear, as many fears are irrational and often don’t come to fruition.   Laura highlights the importance of staying focused on your mission, even during the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship.   Website: Laura Gmeider Coaching + Consulting  LinkedIn: Laura Gmeider PCC   Previous Episode: iam209-passion-igniter-helps-ambitious-women-create-success-and-move-past-fear   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newslett

 Gresham dives into the transformative power of AI and systems in business.   The discussion highlights how AI acts as a cheat code, freeing up time for creative tasks by handling routine operations.   Various AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are explored for their roles in content creation, strategic planning, and problem-solving.   Gresh emphasizes the importance of integrating these tools to enhance consistency, scalability, and clarity in business operations. It also underscores the value of diverse experiences and continuous adaptation to stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.   Topic: The Systems will set you free Business Pillar (cbnation.co/pillars): Technology or Operations/Systems   Snippet from IAM CEO Podcast Episode: iam2130-understanding-human-behavior-and-leveraging-on-technology-to-widen-business-visibility CEO Hacks: - Range: https://amzn.to/3C3IJ4X - ChatGPT: ceohack.co/chatgpt - Claude: ceohack.co/claude Other Resources: - Subscribe to CEOFlix - http://ceoflix.co - Ne

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless discusses how to leverage mindset and practical tools to build an impactful business.   Dr. Amanda Barrientez shares her expertise on mindset and the Law of Attraction and highlights the transformative power of AI in the business landscape.   Gresham talks about using tools like Canva, ChatGPT, and Jasper to manifest business goals and scale operations.    Visualization is a core technique in manifestation. Tools like Canva allow you to design visuals that represent your goals.   Topic: Using AI like an assistant Business Pillar (cbnation.co/pillars): Technology Snippet from IAM CEO Podcast Episode: iam2042-manifestation-expert-teaches-entrepreneurs-on-law-of-attraction-strategies CEO Hacks: - ChatGPT: ceohack.co/chatgpt - Canva: ceohack.co/canva - Jasper: ceohack.co/jasper Other Resources: - Subscribe to CEOFlix - ceoflix.co - Newsletter: cbnation.co/newsletter   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up yo

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless focuses on the concept of pretotyping and its importance for entrepreneurs and builders.   Gresham emphasizes that pretotyping helps entrepreneurs test, validate, and refine ideas before fully committing to them.   Testing ideas quickly with minimal investment allows businesses to iterate based on real-world feedback, leading to better results in the long run.   The episode underscores that entrepreneurship is about problem-solving and validating your assumptions with the audience.   Gresham advises entrepreneurs to focus on gathering feedback early, whether through surveys, pilot events, or test products.   Topic: Pretotyping Business Pillar (cbnation.co/pillars) : Entrepreneurship Business   Snippet from IAM CEO Podcast Episode: iam2110-founder-and-ceo-specializes-in-small-group-international-culinary-trips CEO Hacks: - The Right It by  Alberto Savoia: https://amzn.to/3C3vMrR - The Lean Startup: https://amzn.to/3DEPriq Other Resources: - Subscribe to CEOFlix - ceo

Dejeuné Harris is an accomplished personal stylist with over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry.   She specializes in helping black creative entrepreneurs create intentional, sophisticated wardrobes that boost self-confidence and elevate their brand.    Dejeuné believes style is a powerful tool for showing up authentically and aligns with empowering multi-hyphenated Black women.   Her approach to styling is unique in that she prioritizes understanding her clients before offering style advice.    Dejeuné emphasizes her ability to see patterns in her clients' preferences, helping them bridge the gap between what they love and what their style should reflect.   Dejeuné shares the importance of unlearning the need to be strong and self-reliant and recognizing the value of seeking help.   Website: Your Style Is Forever  LinkedIn: Dejeuné Harris   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 Volum

In this episode, we have Stephanie McAuliffe, a personal transformation guide and energy healer.   With 27 years of experience on Wall Street, Stephanie speaks, writes, and leads workshops on our human condition and what it truly means to heal and break inter-generational cycles.    She's the author of two international best-selling books, The Impact of Silence: Self-Mastery Practices for Women and The Message in the Bottle: Finding Hope and Peace Amidst the Chaos of Living with an Alcoholic.   Stephanie discusses how many people, especially professionals, lack healthy boundaries and often push through life without recognizing their emotional needs.   Her unique approach and profound insights inspire and guide leaders in their personal and professional growth.   Website: The Way of the Diamond Warrior LinkedIn: Stephanie B McAuliffe   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'

John Davydov transitioned from a career as an FAA Air Traffic Controller to founding multiple businesses, including Wedding Stub and Photography and Style.   His love for technology, websites, and marketing led him to develop Wedding Stub, an online daily deal site that helped local brides and grooms find great deals for their wedding day.    In 2005, John became the proud owner of Photography In Style, a wedding media firm created for brides who want to laugh, play, and shine on their wedding day.    In 2013, John decided to lend his experience to other businesses by creating a media marketing company called Fine Touch Marketing.   John discusses the importance of staying ahead in the marketing world and constantly seeking new opportunities to help clients.   John recommends using analytics tools to track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.   He advises slowing down and ensuring new ventures align with personal goals and values.   Furthermore, John emphasizes that entrepreneurship offers a chance to cr

Ginger Jones is a speech-language pathologist and the founder and CEO of Jones Therapy Services, a pediatric therapy clinic that offers a wide variety of services with nine locations in Tennessee.   She started Jones Therapy Services in November of 2009, the company has received many awards, such as a ranking on the Inc. 5000 list for 3 years.   Ginger focuses on accessibility and providing comprehensive services at convenient locations sets her apart from other providers.   Her strategy of providing services to families with children who need multiple therapies per week was crucial to their success.   Ginger advocates entrepreneurs to stay true to their optimistic, visionary side and embrace the joy of running a business, even when facing setbacks or challenges.   Website: Ginger Jones  LinkedIn: Ginger Jones   Previous Episode: iam202-ceo-and-speech-language-pathologist-inspires-small-business-owners-to-success   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level

Gresham Harkless shares insights about leveraging resources and tapping into the knowledge of others to grow in business and life.   He emphasizes the importance of learning from others by seeking mentorship and using available resources like books, blogs, podcasts, and events.   He highlights the importance of recognizing these biases and using them to your advantage.   Gresham explains how combining different types of advice can lead to creative solutions.   Gresham also gives an example of how various approaches can be combined to solve a problem—creating a webinar that serves both internal and external purposes.   Related Link: entrepreneur-empowers-people-to-make-informed-health-decisions   Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.co Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium news

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless emphasizes that creating a strong organizational culture doesn’t just happen by chance; it requires intentional effort from leaders.   He points out that many leaders become overly focused on the buzzword of "culture," but they may struggle to understand how to shape it effectively.    Gresham shares his experience of being an ideas-driven leader, which sometimes led to confusion within his team.   He encourages leaders to define their desired culture and work backward from that vision, refining it over time.   In addition, Gresham highlights that culture-building takes active, continuous effort and that simplicity—despite being challenging—is often more effective than complexity in ensuring organizational success. Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.

Gresham Harkless discusses his focus on 12-week year goals, and the evolution of the podcast's content, and outlines upcoming changes to the podcast format, including more solo episodes and experimentation.   He mentions riffing on previous episodes, integrating content based on feedback, and exploring new topics, hacks, and pillars in business.   Gresham plans to experiment with different types of content and interview formats while still maintaining the 6 set questions that listeners have come to expect.   Gresham reaffirms that the core focus of the content will revolve around visibility, resources, and connections — all aimed at helping people level up in their businesses and lives. Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.co Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter wi

Gresham Harkless reflects on his journey of hosting the I AM CEO Podcast for nearly 7 years and over 2,340 episodes.   Gresham emphasizes the importance of asking, "What problem are you solving?" as a fundamental question for entrepreneurs.   This is key to guiding business decisions and ensuring that efforts are aligned with addressing real needs.   Gresham shares the excitement and challenges of becoming a parent, noting how this life change has disrupted his perspective and helped him refocus.   Gresham outlines his plans for the podcast, including experimenting with solo episodes, revisiting key past interviews, and focusing on how entrepreneurs can transition from working in their business to working on their business.   He highlights the importance of giving himself and his audience space to experiment, improve, and drill down into key lessons and insights from previous episodes.   He also arranged future content that will include "CEO hacks"—practical tools, apps, books, and habits that make entreprene

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on his journey with the podcast and his broader professional life as he approaches the 7th year of the podcast and the 12th year of his digital marketing business.   He expresses excitement for the future, particularly for experimenting with new podcast formats and content, including a focus on franchising, as he has started a new business in franchise brokerage.   Gresham emphasizes the power of creating space, both physically and mentally, to allow for growth and new opportunities.   As he grows his new business, BlueStar Franchise, Gresham looks forward to integrating franchising content into the podcast, offering insights into this field. 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 Ne

Sherrell Moore-Tucker is a speaker, author, trainer, and trauma-informed wellness expert who specializes in leadership and stress management.   Sherrell has over 10 years of experience in human resources, yoga, natural health, and her military background.   She uses her experience to address these issues in community classes, highlighting that upheavals of normalcy can be traumatic.    Sherrell highlights the importance of starting the day with a reflective practice, this routine helps in staying grounded and focused, leading to a more productive day.    She emphasizes the importance of finding one's life's purpose, which can be explored through various paths.    Website: Sherrell Moore-Tucker  Facebook: Sherrell Moore-Tucker, LLC   Previous Episode: iam197-speaker-author-trainer-and-trauma-informed-wellness-expert-fights-for-the-well-being-of-others   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

Michael Leonard is the creator of Inspire Your Success, a blog and podcast to help people start online businesses and upgrade their mindset for success.   Michael is also an author and self-improvement writer featured on Fearless Motivation, Goldcast, Life Hacker, and more.   He emphasizes that success is not just about learning technical skills but about reprogramming one’s subconscious to overcome limiting beliefs.   He shares his routine, which involves reviewing wins, planning, and meditating to ensure productivity and a positive mindset throughout the day.   Michael also advises staying open to new experiences, meeting new people, and consistently consuming content that helps grow and improve.   Website: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/                michaelleonard.net IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard   Previous Episode: iam198-author-podcast-host-and-self-improvement-writer-helps-people-start-online-businesses   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with ha

Gresham Harkless discusses the importance of creating a business model that is not overly reliant on specific individuals. This approach ensures sustainability and scalability.   He highlights the significance of maintaining high ethical standards, knowing the inventory, and understanding potential candidates thoroughly.   Gresham realizes the need to manage his focus and recalibrate his approach to ensure things are in place and he’s not overwhelmed.   He reflects on how franchises are built by entrepreneurs with a vision, and while they are meant to be more systematized and operationally efficient, they still require continuous learning and adaptability. 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 h

Gresham Harkless emphasizes the value of taking on responsibilities remaining true to one's duties and being brave and accountable.   He discusses that one must be mindful of where they invest their energy to avoid burnout and ensure they stay focused on what matters.   Gresham advocates for taking time to rest and recharge, emphasizing that rest is as important as hard work. 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 p