CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co

In this episode, we have Marcus Ogden—a former NFL offensive lineman, bestselling author, keynote speaker, business coach, and host of the “Get Authentic with Marcus Ogden” podcast. Marcus then outlines his recent speaking engagement for Fayetteville State University’s fintech conference, titled “From Setbacks to Startups: How Resilient Leaders Thrive in a Tech‑Driven World.” He stresses that setbacks are primed for comebacks and introduces his BISON mindset framework—Boldness, Integrity, Self‑awareness, Ownership, and Never quit—as a guide for leadership, marketing, sales, and personal growth. He recounts his own low point—being fired twice, working a graveyard‑shift custodial job, and hitting rock bottom—before pivoting to public speaking in 2013, eventually securing paid gigs, coaching Fortune 500 clients, and building a robust team of specialists who support his podcast, CRM, operations, and creative production. Finally, Marcus offers key CEO nuggets: always listen to the paid team, treat lines of credit as liabilities once used, and view the CEO role as a responsibility to serve and uplift the people under your charge. Website: marquesogden.com LinkedIn: marquesogden 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!

In this throwback episode, we have Sara Schulting‑Kranz, the founder of Live Boldly Coaching. Certified in relational and betrayal trauma work and experienced as a partner of an addict, she now serves individuals and groups through one‑on‑one coaching, long‑term programs, and immersive retreats in the Grand Canyon and Southern California’s mountains. Her retreats blend hiking, adventure, breathwork, meditation, and coaching, creating a five‑day, nature‑based experience that “slows the amygdala” and activates the cerebellum, giving participants mental clarity and emotional release. Sara also launches a divorce‑recovery program for women, emphasizing that healing isn’t linear and that her eclectic background—as a teacher, stay‑at‑home mom, and trauma survivor—forms the “secret sauce” of her work. Website: www.liveboldlycoaching.com Documentary:www.walkthroughthis.com Instagram: saraschultingkranz Facebook Personal: sara.schultingkranz Facebook Biz: liveboldly LinkedIn: sara-schulting-kranz   Previous Episode: iam394-natural-energy-healer-coaches-individuals-through-healing-and-transformation 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!

In this throwback episode, we have Katherine Liola, founder and CEO of Concentric Private Wealth, where they differentiate from traditional firms by centering every client interaction around the question “why?” and aligning financial strategy with each person’s intrinsic drivers—core values, unique abilities, and passions that define who they truly are. Rather than merely managing assets, Catherine’s team helps clients pause, reflect deeply, and make decisions that serve their broader life purpose. This approach extends to a novel pricing model that ties fees to the scope and value of work, not just the amount of assets under management, reinforcing the firm’s focus on holistic, purpose‑driven wealth planning. Katherine urged listeners to trust their intuition and invest in self‑exploration, noting that financial fitness is attainable even amid setbacks.  Website: concentricpw.com LinkedIn: katherineliola Facebook: Concentric-Private-Wealth Previous Episode: iam393-founder-provides-the-tools-to-live-a-more-transformational-life 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!

In this episode, Gresham candidly shares the hurdles he’s faced in his first year: no closed deals yet, restructuring his marketing company, personal setbacks and juggling family responsibilities. Despite generating a sizable pool of leads, his outreach—via Google Ads, LinkedIn DMs, Facebook groups, and newsletters—has produced little traction. He notes that franchise sales cycles can stretch up to a year, and he’s still searching for low‑hanging‑fruit opportunities that haven’t materialized through his existing channels. Recognizing that big‑budget spending has been ineffective, Gresham plans to reboot his marketing approach by leaning into his strengths: personal networks (BNI), organic content creation, and modest test ads to identify what works. He likens the process to warfare—play to your advantage, avoid overextending, then regroup. 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 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: 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!

In this episode, Gresh discusses the importance of execution over merely having a playbook, noting that while the franchising model supplies a detailed roadmap, success hinges on the founder’s ability to actually implement it. He also mentions challenges such as client layoffs, under‑delivering strategy sessions, and weighing the ROI of a mentorship program he feels isn’t paying off. Despite the hurdles, Gresh emphasizes the power of networking. He recounts gaining referrals through a BNI group, which led to a promising conversation about a potential franchisor. He acknowledges that consistent outreach—especially to people affected by layoffs—is essential, even if the volume of responses can be low. Looking ahead, he plans to focus his time on networking, continue incremental outreach. 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 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: 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!

In this special episode, Gresh reflects on recent setbacks that have forced him to “reboot” his business. He admits that operational weaknesses, inconsistent momentum, and a lack of traction from a recent program have contributed to the slowdown. Recognizing that the responsibility for fixing these issues lies entirely with him, he outlines a plan to tighten operations, improve digital‑marketing efforts, and rebuild the culture he envisions for his company. Gresh also highlights the value of the extensive content he has already created—particularly the numerous podcasts he’s produced—comparing it to an immutable credential like a degree. By leveraging this body of work, he aims to shift toward a stronger personal brand, gain greater control over his ventures, and ultimately turn the current challenges into a growth opportunity for himself and his audience.  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 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: 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!

In this special episode, Gresh details the personal and professional hurdles he’s confronting: a newborn son disrupting sleep, a demanding late‑night schedule, and a digital‑marketing strategy that fell short of expectations. Faced with the need to rebuild his marketing funnel while simultaneously overhauling the brokerage operation, he acknowledges feeling overwhelmed but sees the situation as an opportunity to refocus. He’s scaling back to a part‑time model for now, leaning on his strengths in networking (through BNI) and content creation—especially his existing podcast, which already boasts over 1,600 interviews—to generate leads without spreading himself too thinresh reflects on his target market: individuals who are new to entrepreneurship and often unaware of franchising as a viable path. He recognizes a significant educational gap and believes his extensive experience and conversation archive position him well to fill that void. As he continues to “take it step by step, 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 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: 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!

Yoni Tserruya, co‑founder and CEO of Lusha, positions itself as a sales‑intelligence platform that uses AI to eliminate the administrative burden on sellers, delivering real‑time, signal‑based lead recommendations much like a personalized music playlist. The platform continuously learns both user and customer behavior, generating accurate, on‑demand prospect suggestions so salespeople can focus solely on human interaction and trust‑building. Over time, the simplicity has shifted from a clean UI to a seamless back‑end experience where users simply ask for insights and receive them instantly. Beyond product, Yoni emphasizes a transparent, low‑politics culture built on open access to metrics, monthly “Ask Me Anything” sessions, and direct, authentic communication between leadership and staff. Website: www.lusha.com LinkedIn: yonitserruya 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!

In this throwback episode, we have Anne and Mark Lackey. Entrepreneurs that has a series of ventures that each emerged from a real‑world problem they faced themselves. When a valued employee abruptly quit, they recognized the hidden cost of staff churn and the difficulty of finding reliable “drudgery” workers—people willing to handle repetitive, phone‑based tasks. Their answer was to create HireSmart Virtual Assistants. HireSmart’s model combines two core services: rigorous recruiting that matches the right talent to the right role, and a one‑week certification boot‑camp that trains virtual assistants in both technical skills and cultural communication. They also act as an ongoing HR partner, handling issues that arise after placement. The result is a seamless experience for clients—calls sound as if they’re coming from the U.S., tasks are completed efficiently, and companies enjoy significant cost savings. The founders also note the broader social impact: they now provide health care to thousands of Filipino families, a benefit many Fortune 500 call centers don’t offer. Facebook: HireSmartVAs Anne – www.facebook.com/AnneLackey Mark – www.facebook.com/markslackey LinkedIn: Anne – www.linkedin.com/in/annelackey Mark – www.linkedin.com/in/markslackey Previous Episode: iam390-business-partners-help-businesses-scale-by-providing-top-notch-virtual-employees 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!

In this throwback episode, we have Monique “Moni” Jefferson, an active‑duty Air Force spouse and serial entrepreneur, founded Dog Tags & Heels, a virtual PR and social‑media agency that works with national and celebrity clients to build brand evangelism and social impact. Her agency focuses on deep, high‑impact connections rather than paid ad space, turning satisfied customers into brand advocates. The platform offers peer‑to‑peer mentorship, masterclasses, and a membership space for collaborators to share resources, troubleshoot challenges, and even hire fellow spouses.  Most recently, Moni introduced the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE), an influencer database that connects brands seeking authentic ties to the military community with vetted military‑spouse creators.  Website: www.monijeffersonpr.com MilSpouse Creative and Entrepreneurs: www.facebook.com/groups/themilspousecreative MilSpouse Creative: www.instagram.com/milspousecreative LinkedIn: moni-jefferson Previous Episode: iam389-serial-entrepreneur-works-with-clients-to-build-brand-evangelism-and-social-impact 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!

In this special episode, Gresham discusses how change is inherently messy: altering one part of a business triggers a domino effect that ripples throughout the whole operation. As his original marketing company, Blue 16 Media, morphed into an umbrella brand with multiple niche services, he recognized gaps and inefficiencies that needed new solutions. Scaling back in one area led to staff turnover, prompting him to emphasize accountability—whether you’re a solo practitioner, franchisee, or business owner—because doing the same thing will never produce different results. He stresses the importance of foundational fixes before sustainable growth can happen. 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 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: 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!

In this special episode, Gresham outlines several parallel initiatives he’s pursuing: launching a sub‑site called “Franchise CEO” within the CB Nation community, publishing video snippets on YouTube, and re‑joining a flexible BNI networking chapter that allows up to 12 missed meetings per quarter. He’s also rebooting his digital‑marketing arm, experimenting with affiliate programs, high‑ticket sales, and the “CEO Hacks” series to scale relationships and revenue streams. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of creating multiple income sources—affiliates, digital services, and franchise brokerage—to stay resilient in today’s market. 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 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: 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!

In this special episode, Gresham shares that he’s already 290 days into his franchise‑broker venture, highlighting the everyday challenges of entrepreneurship—early mornings, fatigue, and the need for continual self‑rebooting. He describes an experiment with ChatGPT to identify ways to overhaul his business processes, acknowledging that minor tweaks aren’t enough when foundational issues exist. He likens the situation to trying to replace drapes on a shaky house; the real work must start at the foundation. Moving forward, Gresh envisions a lean team structure: himself as the visionary, an integrator, and a virtual assistant to help rebuild the business step by step. 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 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: 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!

In this special episode, Gresham shares what he’s been doing to generate leads: cold direct messages on LinkedIn using Sales Navigator, a few automation tools (Closely), and follow‑up emails to keep contacts warm. While he’s begun to see “nibbles” — small bits of traction — he admits to frustration over the limited results. Through reflection he realizes he may have been targeting the wrong audience (B2B instead of the more receptive B2C segment of people facing layoffs or career dissatisfaction) and recognizes the importance of networking and leading with empathy. Gresh wraps up by acknowledging that success comes from consistently doing the right things over time, not just repeating ineffective tactics. He sees the current outreach as planting seeds that could later grow, and commits to experimenting, learning, and taking the journey one step at a time.  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 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: 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!

In this episode, we have Rohit Garewal, CEO of Object Edge and a veteran of 30 years solving large‑scale business problems in finance, insurance and retail. Rohit explains that every for‑profit enterprise is fundamentally trying to maximize either revenue or margin, and that the key to doing so lies in aligning people, processes and technology. His firm helps customers turn fragmented, legacy data into AI‑ready assets, then builds custom applications that embed AI into core workflows, allowing companies to continuously optimize operations rather than “start‑stop” improvement cycles. Rohit stresses the rising importance of a “business‑engineer” mindset—high IQ, high EQ, and solid technical chops—to translate strategy into concrete, data‑driven actions.  LinkedIn: rohit-garewal Website: rohit-garewal 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!

In this episode, we have Carlo Castelan, founder and managing director of the Navio Group, a consulting firm that helps retail leaders transform their businesses. Carlo's work centers on partnering with brick‑and‑mortar retailers—often Fortune 1000 brands—looking to shift toward direct‑to‑consumer models or expand into new services, such as health‑care offerings. Their model emphasizes collaboration: rather than acting as a distant “black box,” They work side‑by‑side with existing teams, lifting operational burdens and helping them think long‑term while maintaining fairness and clear expectations. Website: thenaviogroup.com LinkedIn: carloscastelan Previous Episode: iam388-founder-works-with-retail-leaders-to-transform-their-business 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!

In this throwback episode, we have John Hill, founder of Adaptive Growth, helps small teams and entrepreneurs use technology and processes to make sales repeatable. John helps capture the “instinctual” parts of their sales conversations, document them, and embed them into customized CRM workflows. By doing so, he shortens ramp‑up time, eliminates gaps between reps, and creates data‑driven pipelines that can be refined just like digital‑marketing campaigns. He reinforces these ideas on his “Sales Throwdown” podcast, where he breaks down personality‑type frameworks (e.g., DISC) and stresses the importance of building rapport, using consistent scripts, and continually testing what works. Website: adaptedgrowth.com Personal brand/blog: johnsmallmountain.com Podcast: www.salesthrowdown.com Linkedin: johnblanehill Previous Episode: iam387-founder-helps-small-teams-and-entrepreneurs-make-sales-repeatable 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!

In this special episode, Gresham uses a vivid analogy involving his newborn son learning to crawl. He describes a recent moment at a restaurant where the baby’s frustration and determination mirrored the challenges he faces as an entrepreneur juggling a newborn, a digital‑marketing business, and the launch of his franchise. He reflects on the inevitable setbacks—crying, yelling, feeling stretched thin—and emphasizes the importance of patience, honesty, and realistic expectations. By acknowledging that progress will take longer than hoped, he encourages himself (and listeners) to keep taking incremental steps, learn from each attempt, and avoid discouragement. 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 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: 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!

In this episode, Gresh shifts to the challenges he’s faced in his existing digital‑marketing and franchise‑brokerage businesses. After years of relying heavily on his own involvement, he realized the models had hit a ceiling and required major pivots. He discusses how his original target market for the brokerage didn’t generate enough traction, prompting him to rethink prospecting strategies—using LinkedIn to focus on people with clear pain points, such as those affected by layoffs, and reshaping the business foundation to become more scalable and less dependent on him alone. The conversation ends with a personal metaphor: Gresh recounts training for a 10‑mile run and adopting the Galloway run‑walk method to build endurance despite limited time. He parallels this fitness adjustment with the business pivots he’s making—recognizing when a current approach no longer works, breaking things down to the “studs,” and rebuilding from the ground up.  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 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: 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!

In this episode, Gresham reflects on the past year of planning, the emotional hurdle of acknowledging the time that has passed, and the excitement of welcoming a potential candidate—identified through LinkedIn—who may become his first deal. He emphasizes transparency with prospects, encouraging them to voice disinterest openly to avoid ghosting and to keep the pipeline moving efficiently. The episode highlights several practical insights: the need to target the right audience (shifting from business owners to non‑owners), the importance of addressing objections early, and leveraging data analytics backgrounds when matching candidates to franchise opportunities. Harkless notes that while progress can feel uncertain—“moving forward or backwards”—the key is constant motion.  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 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: 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!