Measure Success Podcast

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with business strategist and performance coach Ashley Shaw. Ashley shares how she transitioned from the fitness industry into entrepreneurship and built a thriving business focused on helping entrepreneurs scale smarter through systems, recurring revenue, and AI-driven processes.  Key insights from this episode include: • Why entrepreneurs must deeply understand their ideal customer • How recurring revenue creates financial freedom • The role mindset plays in scaling a business • How Ashley reduced marketing costs by $384,000 using AI Ashley also shares lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, including moving to Vietnam to start an online business and building a seven-figure company. Listen to the full episode to learn how strategy, systems, and AI can transform the way you run your business. Connect with Ashley:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/theashleyshaw/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theashleyshaw  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theashleyshaw/  Website https://ashleyshaw.ca   

Economic headlines move fast. Strategy requires context. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with economist Dr. Bill Connerly about the trends shaping business decisions today. The conversation covers tariffs, supply chain strategy, artificial intelligence, workforce shifts, and energy markets. Dr. Connerly explains why tariffs rarely trigger immediate recession but can reshape sourcing decisions across industries. Companies are shifting toward supply chain reliability after years of disruption. The episode also explores the real impact of AI in business. The greatest productivity gains will come from specialized tools built for specific problems, not just general AI chat systems. Carl and Bill also discuss energy disruption, global uncertainty, and what business leaders should watch as they plan for the next decade. Listen to the episode and consider how economic signals shape your strategy. Author of the book: The Flexible Stance: Thriving in a Boom/Bust Economy  Website www.conerlyconsulting.com

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Steve Griggs, founder of Steve Griggs Design, one of New York City's premier luxury landscape design-build firms.  Steve shares how he built a successful company after starting in the lawn care business at age 16. With more than 30 years of experience, he explains what it takes to manage high expectations, lead construction teams, and deliver exceptional results. Key takeaways include: • Why successful clients value honesty and execution • How focusing on one project at a time improves outcomes • The importance of respect and leadership on job sites • Why entrepreneurs must embrace visibility and personal branding Steve also shares lessons about hiring, leadership, and the importance of being present for family. Listen to the episode to learn how strong leadership and consistent execution build lasting success. Guest Assets:   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegriggsdesign/  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SteveGriggsDesign  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stevegriggsdesign/  Twitter https://twitter.com/stevegriggsdsgn  Website https://stevegriggsdesign.com/

AI is accelerating innovation—but it is not a substitute for strategy. In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Josh Carter, co-founder of Upstart Collective, about what founders must understand to build sustainable companies. Josh shares insights from working with early-stage startups, including why chasing trends weakens businesses and how defensible value is created. The conversation covers AI misuse, founder blind spots, customer discovery, fundraising realities, and why execution still separates winners from noise. This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, and leaders navigating innovation pressure. Listen now and rethink how you build for long-term value. Josh's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcarter/  Josh's Website http://upstartcollective.org   

Selling a business is not a simple transaction. It is a strategic event that often defines an owner's financial future. In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates, about what it really takes to sell a privately held business. Gregory shares insights from more than three decades of deal experience, including why only a fraction of businesses ever sell and what separates those that do. The discussion covers buyer demand, valuation mistakes, financing hurdles, and the risks behind earn-outs and retained equity. This episode is essential listening for owners who want to understand their options before going to market. Listen now and start planning your exit with clarity. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/  Website https://ibainc.com/

In this episode, Carl sits down with Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUp Exec, to discuss business turnarounds, leadership decisions, and culture resets. Ashish shares how he acquired a struggling company, realized innovation had stopped, and eventually rebuilt the team to change the company's trajectory. Key takeaways: Why the business must come first How to identify thinking leaders during interviews The role of systems before people and process When AI tools help — and when they fail How founders define success differently This episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and operators who want alignment between strategy and execution. Listen now and start measuring your success. Guest Assets:   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/  Website https://scaleupexec.com/   

High-stakes initiatives fail more than 80% of the time, yet leaders still have to pursue them to grow. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of Big Bet Leadership, about how leaders should approach bold, risky transformation efforts in the age of AI. John shares why leaders must stop chasing predictability, treat strategy as a set of hypotheses, and focus on one critical bet at a time. The discussion covers AI strategy, experimentation, leadership discipline, and how organizations avoid dilution of focus. This episode is for executives, operators, and entrepreneurs responsible for leading real change. 🎧 Listen now and measure success differently. John Rossman Links:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rossmanpartners Website http://rossmanpartners.com/

AI is everywhere, but most businesses are using it the wrong way. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with Eli Portnoy, co-founder and CEO of BackEngine.ai, to talk about the real gap between AI hype and real-world results. Eli explains why generic AI outputs fail, why context matters more than tools, and how sales and go-to-market strategies must evolve in a crowded, low-trust environment. They also discuss how outbound sales has changed, why easy channels stop working, and what leaders can do today to build relevance, trust, and long-term growth. If you want a clear, practical conversation about AI, strategy, and modern business execution, this episode delivers. Listen now and learn how to apply AI with intention. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliportnoy/ https://www.backengine.com/

This episode is sponsored by Altezza Solutions, liberating entrepreneurs through fractional sales execution. Today, Steve helps growth-stage companies break through revenue barriers while giving founders the freedom to focus on building extraordinary businesses.   Founder-led businesses often grow fast, then stall. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl Cox sits down with Steve Caton, Founder and CEO of Altezza Solutions, to discuss why sales becomes the biggest bottleneck for growing companies. Steve shares why hiring salespeople often fails, how founders unintentionally trap themselves in the sales role, and what it takes to build repeatable, predictable sales systems. You'll learn: Why sales talent alone does not solve growth How systems and process drive consistency When fractional sales makes sense How founders can step out of the sales seat If sales depends on you, growth will too. Listen now and measure what success really looks like.  

Selling to private equity is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase of growth. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting sits down with Neel Bhargava, founding partner at NB Group, to unpack how private equity partnerships really work for founder- and family-owned businesses. Neel shares how his firm approaches growth-focused investing, why rolling equity is critical, and how conservative use of debt protects long-term value. The conversation also explores what typically changes in the first 18 months after an investment, including finance, leadership structure, and strategic planning. This episode offers clear insight for founders thinking about private equity and operators preparing for their next stage of scale. Listen now and learn how to build a business that is ready for growth, partnership, and long-term success. https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelbhargava/ www.nbgroup.us

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with real estate investor and educator Jay Conner to break down private money and why it has been the foundation of his business since 2009. Jay explains how private money works, who private lenders really are, and why having capital ready changes everything about deal execution. He shares a real world case study where preparation and access to funding made a fast, profitable exit possible when traditional financing would have failed. Listeners will learn why mindset matters as much as mechanics, how conservative strategy protects both sides, and why serious operators stop chasing money and start attracting it. If you want more control, less friction, and a cleaner path to growth, this episode delivers a practical framework worth studying. Listen now and learn how strategy shapes results.  

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with John Whitt, founder of Business Whitt and author of Checkmate, to explore how strategic thinking, leadership, and generosity intersect. John explains how lessons from competitive chess apply directly to business. Small advantages, disciplined execution, and resource placement matter more than chasing quick wins. The conversation covers clarity in goal setting, identifying constraints, testing ideas before scaling, and leading with generosity as a competitive edge. Listeners will gain practical insight into building strategy that holds up under pressure and leadership habits that create lasting results. Listen now and learn how to think ahead, execute with intention, and lead in a way that drives sustainable success.  

AI is changing how companies grow, how leaders lead, and how strategy gets executed. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with Klee Kleber, co-founder and partner at Build Group, to discuss what leaders need to understand right now. Klee shares why expertise is becoming a commodity, why implementation is still the biggest challenge, and how operator-led strategy creates real value. They cover how AI is reshaping product development, go-to-market strategy, and leadership, along with why human judgment, trust, and execution still matter. This episode is a clear look at what is changing and what is not. Listen in, then take action. Strategy only works when it gets implemented.  

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, about the real role of outbound sales in today's market. They discuss how AI is changing sales without replacing human connection, why founders should stay close to revenue early, and how content builds trust before the first conversation ever happens. Gabe shares lessons from scaling a remote SDR organization and explains how fractional sales teams help growing companies create momentum without overspending. This conversation is practical, honest, and focused on strategy over tactics. If you want to grow without burning your market or relying on automation alone, this episode will give you a clearer path forward. Subscribe, listen, and apply what matters.  

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down again with CEO and author Trey Taylor for a candid conversation on AI, culture, and the future of leadership. Trey explains why AI is no longer optional, how leaders can avoid lazy thinking, and what's driving the rapid rise of Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. He shares insights on balancing culture, people, and numbers—his signature "three things"—while adapting to tools that change faster than organizations can keep up. Trey also gives practical examples of AI improving operations, decision-making, and customer impact. Listen and learn how to lead with clarity in a changing world. 🎧 Tune in now  

In this episode, Carl J. Cox talks with global speaker and executive coach Dona Amelia about why leaders need safe spaces to grow. Dona shares her upbringing in rural Indonesia, her rise as a performer and executive, and how those experiences shaped her belief that leaders can only grow when they have a place to speak honestly, ask real questions, and receive support without judgment. She explains how peer networks, shared experiences, and diverse perspectives help executives make better decisions and avoid isolation at the top. If you've ever felt pressure to know everything or carry everything alone, this conversation will resonate. Listen now and learn how safe spaces help leaders think clearer and grow faster.  

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with digital marketing expert Dave Burnett to unpack the seismic shift happening in search and AI. Dave explains why Google is no longer the only place customers look for answers and how large language models are reshaping discoverability. He shares lessons from his own journey—partnership failures, business resilience, and recovering from a traumatic brain injury—and how those experiences shaped how he leads today. Dave outlines the new rules of digital visibility, why PR is becoming essential, and how companies can position themselves to be found in AI-generated results. If your business relies on search, this episode gives you clear steps to stay ahead. Listen now.  

On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Tammy Nam, CEO of The Brief, the AI Agency for marketers. Tammy shares how she doubled revenue at Viki while cutting costs and improving team morale—a rare combination that highlights her strategic clarity and leadership strength. She explains how The Brief helps marketers run smarter campaigns from start to finish using intelligent agents that analyze performance, generate content, launch faster, and learn continuously. Tammy also breaks down how leaders can protect their top performers, remove friction, and communicate with transparency. Listen now for practical lessons on growth, leadership, and AI-driven marketing.  

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and author of The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations. Michael shares his powerful story of losing a multimillion-dollar company to fraud and how that crisis transformed his view of leadership. He explains how elite organizations are built around five obsessions—great people, inspiring purpose, optimized playbooks, performance-driven culture, and sustainable profits. Tune in to learn how you can lead with purpose, build stronger teams, and achieve both a return on investment and a return on life.

Many technical founders find themselves running companies almost by accident. They know their craft — but struggle to lead with clarity. In this Measure Success Podcast episode, Carl J. Cox interviews Pete Steege, author of Radical Clarity, to discuss how "accidental CEOs" can grow their businesses by uncovering their true story. Pete explains why clarity — not more effort — drives growth. He shares how to focus on purpose, align your team, and communicate with meaning so your message connects with customers. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to move from complexity to clarity.