CEO 2 CEO - Conversations with Executive Leaders of The CEO Roundtable
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In the official podcast from The CEO Roundtable, Scott Sustacek hosts peer-to-peer conversations about the unique challenges you deal with as a chief executive. From transformational growth to talent to acquisitions and transitioning your business, we explore the big issues that impact businesses with CEOs who have been there, done that, struggled, succeeded, and are here to share their insights.
22 Episodes
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What happens when a succession plan is also a growth strategy? Done right, transforming a business into an ESOP doesn’t just secure the future—it reshapes culture, influences recruiting, sparks collaboration, and impacts retention. Sam Olinger, COO of Christensen Group, and host Scott Sustacek dive into what makes ESOPs such a powerful —but often misunderstood—tool for business growth, employee engagement, and long-term stability. From challenges in balancing expectations for transparency to creating all-company moments that build trust, Sam shares real stories of what it takes to turn 100% employee ownership into a culture and growth driver. It’s a candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and the hidden levers that keep employees not just working—but truly invested. Whether you’re curious about ESOPs or simply looking for new ways to engage your people, this conversation reveals why ownership can be a game-changer.
What happens when a CEO dares to lead with purpose — even when the stakes are high? In this episode, Storm Creek CEO Teresa Fudenberg joins Scott to share the remarkable story behind the reinvention of a brand built on “Doing Good and Doing Well.” From repurposing millions of plastic bottles to building a culture that attracts mission-driven talent, Teresa opens up about the challenges, pivots, and bold decisions that shaped Storm Creek’s transformation. You’ll hear how a pandemic-era pivot sparked a movement, why sustainability is more than a buzzword, and how a clear, compelling vision can inspire an entire team to rally behind a shared mission. The transformation of Storm Creek’s brand and culture into a growth engine didn’t just happen — it was fueled by Teresa’s unwavering core values and visionary leadership. As you listen, you’ll see why she was nominated as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, or future-focused leader, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about impact, growth, and the kind of legacy your business can create.
What if stepping back could actually move your business forward? In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, host Scott Sustacek sits down with John Martin, Chairman of FlutterBee Education Group, for an interesting conversation on how selling a minority stake in his company became the catalyst for compounding value, faster growth, and greater fulfillment.John’s thoughtful and purposeful journey into recapitalization is a must-hear for any founder considering private equity. From choosing the right advisor to navigate the deal process to the selection considerations, John shares what he learned—and what surprised him most—about giving up some control to gain long-term value.This conversation goes beyond dollars and deals. It’s about building something bigger, staying true to your vision, and finding joy in the evolution of your business.If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t grow this alone,” or wondered how to get your business to the next level, this conversation will hit home.The CEO Roundtable is comprised of executives representing many fast-growing Minnesota companies who desire to share their ideas, experiences, and insights. Our CEO Roundtable leadership development groups include entrepreneurs interested in growing their companies by leveraging the knowledge of their peers.
What does it take to build a company where culture isn’t just talked about—but lived at every level? In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, host Scott Sustacek sits down with Travis Peterson, Founder and CEO of Snap Install, to explore how intentional culture can drive performance, loyalty, and long-term growth. From his early experience in a toxic workplace to starting his own business to building a team of over 150 employees and 1,200+ contractors, Travis shares candid lessons on hiring for fit with the company, leadership, and staying connected as a founder—even as the company scales. Having evolved from operator to visionary, you’ll hear why he still interviews every candidate, attends team meetings just to listen, and stands behind a “no-asshole policy”— and, most importantly, why culture at Snap Install isn’t about being perfect, but about being intentional.This episode is perfect for CEOs, founders, and leaders who want to stay rooted in purpose while growing their business (and themselves) from the inside out.
Thought leadership isn’t just for Fortune 500 executives. It’s for any CEO with expertise, passion, and a story to tell. In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, host Scott Sustacek talks with Alexis Walsko—founder and CEO of Lola Red, a Minneapolis-based PR firm—about how thought leadership can amplify your brand and elevate middle-market companies in surprising ways.From launching a PR agency at 22 to shaping messaging strategies for B2C and B2B brands alike, Alexis brings real stories and sharp insight on leading with visibility, voice, and values. You’ll also learn where to start (hint: LinkedIn), why your influence matters more than you think, and what kombucha, Kyle Rudolph, and Parts Town have in common. Whether you're trying to grow credibility, attract the right audience, or build customer trust, this conversation reveals how CEOs who are an authentic voice of their brand win.
The Twin Cities is an EOS hotbed with many companies using or considering the Entrepreneurial Operating System, aka Traction, to help accelerate growth. In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, host Scott Sustacek sits down with Brent Lau, Partner, COO, and CFO at Medina Electric to dive into the transformative power of EOS and its impact on Medina Electric’s business growth, leadership alignment, and customer strategy. Brent explains how Medina actively uses the Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) as a roadmap, ensuring that every team member—from leadership to new hires—understands the company’s vision, values, and goals. They also dig into how EOS not only helped get the right people in the right seats but also to attract talent; how it instilled accountability throughout the company; guided decisions about their customer portfolio; and why hiring an EOS implementer was a game-changer.If you want insights on scaling with structure, wondering whether there is a “right size” for a company to utilize EOS; or debating self-implementation vs. hiring an expert —this episode is for you!
In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, host Scott Sustacek sits down with Adam Berry, CEO of Summit Orthopedics. With orthopedic facilities popping up at a rapid pace in the Twin Cities and Minnesota, Adam shares how Summit is carving out its unique niche in this crowded and competitive market. Get a rare view of the fast-moving world of orthopedic care and discover the strategic game plan that has accelerated Summit Orthopedics’ growth.
Adam dives into the demographics driving investment and the critical decision-making process behind both building and closing locations. He provides some intriguing perspectives on how Summit strategically places their facilities, innovates patient care, and differentiates their orthopedic care.If you're navigating a rapidly changing marketplace and considering how you differentiate and compete, this is a compelling episode with a growth-focused CEO and a well-known Minnesota brand.
AI is everywhere in our lives and changing every day. This is a hot topic for every leader. In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, host Scott Sustacek goes overtime with Andrew Fernholz, CEO of Ambient Consulting in exploring the ways lower middle market companies can leverage AI.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Andrew shares his experience with the transformative power of AI. We discuss the best ways for CEOs to begin and we start by talking about the ‘why’ and how it can help your team or customers. Andrew shares his insights on how AI is not about replacing jobs but reshaping the work we do - improving efficiencies, enhancing engagement and boosting effectiveness. We then venture into building a differentiated strategy. We get deep into leveraging AI to improve efficiency in hiring and employee retention, from the possibility of shifting from traditional credentials to competency-based hiring to upskilling employees to stay competitive. It is all fascinating stuff!
If you're curious about leveraging AI to drive strategy and growth in your business, this is an episode you will want to hear.
This episode of CEO 2 CEO explores an incredibly unique transaction between a seller with a vision of the outcome he wanted and a buyer with a vision of how he would begin his own entrepreneurial journey.
Host Scott Sustacek met with Jeff Chanen, the former owner of the Maintenance Team, and Kai Milota, the current owner and CEO, to discuss their long, deliberate ownership transition and build a collective vision for this transaction and the Maintenance Team's legacy.
They share the ups and downs of navigating a business sale—from establishing trust and managing last-minute surprises to staying calm under pressure. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the challenges and triumphs, the boundaries and concessions, the post-sale dynamics, and their long-standing friendship.
If you’re contemplating selling your business or are fascinated by tales of successful leadership transitions, this episode is a must-listen.
Get inspired by a story where legacy and vision align.
Selling your company is, without question, an epic event. It can bring stress, uncertainty, and the full gamut of emotions that go along with letting go of a significant part of your life.
In this episode, I talk with a long-time friend, Jaime Harris, who sold his company, Hydra-Flex, in the middle of a great growth run. Jaime reveals how he scaled his business from a two-person startup to a $40 million enterprise. His strategic mindset focused on scalability, developing a strong leadership team, and having the right systems and metrics in place to thrive.
The conversation with Jaime reveals how being prepared allowed him to close a deal in just 27 days and reward his team for a successful transaction.
Whether you’re a business owner considering a sale or just starting, Jaime’s experience offers valuable insights into scaling a company for long-term success and preparing for a lucrative exit.
In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, I had the opportunity to talk with Bob Freytag, the CEO of Introworks, about branding. When people use the term ‘branding’, I think of the true meaning of what a brand is and how building a truly differentiated brand can be the catalyst in changing your organization. Brand is about the stories you have created where you have helped customers in a unique way. It’s not just the product, service, or the social media posts. It is how you live your brand in every interaction with your stakeholders – employees, customers, vendors – that builds the essence of your brand.
Bob talks about great brands that have three common traits:
✔They are emotional: they appeal on a higher level that compels you.
✔They are simple: while products and services can be complex, the result they deliver needs to be conveyed with simplicity.
✔They are remarkable: In the minds of a customer, a brand is different from all the others.
He takes you through the thinking you can do concerning your brand and how to bring it to life in the eyes and hearts of your customers.
I’ve had the great fortune of experiencing Bob’s work firsthand, and his passion and creativity around the brand are second to none.
In this episode, I talk with Karen Kleinhans, CEO of Community Dental Care, about change management. Karen candidly shares her experience tackling the challenges she inherited and orchestrating a profound shift in her organization’s culture and results. We explore how an organization can perceive their circumstances through a biased lens, overlooking harsh realities. Karen's data-driven approach, peeling away opinions and conjectures, enabled her to convince both her board and her team of the business realities Community Dental faced. Through her determination to overcome the company’s inertia, she led them to a stronger financial footing and future. Whether you're in the midst of change or contemplating its necessity for sustainability or growth, you will find this episode invaluable.
Tom Henrich, the CEO of Eagle Aluminum, talks with me about his decision to become a business owner and his process towards a successful acquisition in 2022.
Amidst a landscape where transactions may be opportunistic or with tunnel vision, Tom's approach was very strategic and deliberate.
He identified his preferred geographic area and targeted industry sectors and then did the really hard work of networking and forging vital relationships with key advisors to any business–– from accounting firms to banks, attorneys, and consultants.
This work led him to evaluate numerous deals and put together multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs), giving him a spectrum of options.
Additionally, he also built his financing structure to get the deal done. This is a fun success story of a local entrepreneur who is now growing Eagle Aluminum into their future.
Be sure to subscribe to CEO 2 CEO and listen in on conversations where Scott connects the dots between the issues CEO’s face and the experience of remarkable guest leaders in upcoming episodes. And, be ready to be wiser from it.
Forward thinking CEO’s will tell you how important executive development is to the growth and health of the organization.
Deliberate focus on the development journey can accelerate the pace of building solid teams aligned with your vision of the future. The reality of today’s business world is that intentional development can often get overrun by the needs of today’s strategic and operational challenges.
Do your direct reports have a development plan, and are you having consistent conversations about their progress? What role are you playing in their growth?
We’ve turned to Mary Nutting, CEO of CorTalent, for insights on those questions. Mary has developed an executive coaching platform that is helping companies drive more growth.
This conversation with Mary is on point with what visionary CEOs are thinking about and her perspective on the error many make in thinking that hiring a strong COO or integrator will solve all the problems…far from it, as Mary is quick to point out.
If you are about coaching and growing a stronger team to accelerate your business, you will enjoy this episode.
The strategic separation of visionary and integrator roles in a company, as emphasized by EOS Traction, can be a catalyst to accelerated business growth.
Mike Monson, CEO of Benson-Orth General Contractors, talks about the inflection point when he knew he needed to make this move, his decision, as well as the execution plan for a successful leadership transition.
He shares how he successfully hired the right person and developed the President position to help accelerate the growth of the company.
You’ll hear Mike’s thoughtful approach to this and the communication cadence they honed, creating a tandem that ensures Mike and his president are on the same page with major decisions.
The CEO Roundtable comprises executives representing many fast-growing Minnesota companies who desire to share their ideas, experiences, and insights. Our CEO Roundtable leadership development groups include entrepreneurs interested in growing their companies by leveraging the knowledge of their peers.
Matt Kucharski, President of Padilla, shares some deep insights from Padilla’s recently completed annual survey, "Mindset of the C-Suite". In just a year’s time, the major theme has shifted from 'conflicted' to 'fatigued.' Matt and Scott go deeper on the significant factors driving this shift and why CEO’s are now thinking about stepping back and stepping away.
Matt also begins to unravel the challenges companies are having in finding the next group of key leaders.
This episode is going to have you thinking beyond the difficulties you have today to what’s needed to set your company up for success into the future.
Be sure to subscribe to CEO 2 CEO and listen in on conversations where Scott connects the dots between the issues CEO’s face and the experience of remarkable guest leaders in upcoming episodes. And, be ready to be wiser from it.
Time, money, growth, and culture are on the line when hiring for an executive position so finding the right person is crucial. In this episode of CEO2CEO we talk with Steve Yakesh, President of Direct Hire and Executive Search for Versique. Steve leads one of the top recruiting firms in the Midwest and he, along with his team, helps companies find exceptional talent to fill critical executive roles. He provides some great perspectives on the current market for talent, as well as when and how to begin thinking about that next transformational hire you will make. For many companies, the need to reach outside the organization for that next hire has significant upside, as well as risk, and Steve shares his experience in guiding owners through that process.
Minnesota-based brand has built a growing national footprint while staying true to the Warner family roots – and values – planted in 1971. In this episode, Bob Warner, CEO of Warners’ Stellian Appliance Company, gives us insight into:
* Finding the right role for everyone in the family
* Creating strong governance in a family business
* G3- How Warners’ Stellian is thinking about family succession
Bob provides some great perspectives plus shares stories of his own as well as the Warner family journey. Every family business will find this valuable.
The fight for talent in small and medium-sized companies is ever present with nearly 10M job openings. How do you attract and retain the talent you need? Glenn Starfield, owner of two Express Employment franchises in Minnesota, shares how to find people faster and make better hires. It will not be a surprise that it comes down to culture.
Be sure to subscribe to CEO 2 CEO and listen in on conversations where Scott connects the dots between the issues CEO’s face and the experience of remarkable guest leaders in upcoming episodes. And be ready to be wiser from it.
Are you thinking about selling your business to private equity? Renee Ernste, CEO of Orange Tree Employment Screening and John Dyke, Executive Chairman of All States Ag Parts, both sold their businesses to Private Equity firms as platforms and also acquired other companies, integrating them into their platforms. They give great perspectives on how to begin building your playbook.
Visit us at ceo-roundtable.org
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