Ep 40 | Let’s Go Win 2023 with JM Ryerson

Entrepreneurs excel at launching new business ventures. As go-getters, they have the drive and follow through it takes to move great ideas from the idea stage to reality. But the entrepreneur’s strengths are also their weaknesses, especially when it comes time to scale the business. The hardest thing for them to do? Let go of control. 

On this week’s episode of Best Places to Lead. I sat down with Tyler Horsley, Founder and former CEO of Nuclear Networking. Nuclear Networking helped businesses improve their marketing to meet their revenue goals. As a Founder/CEO, Tyler had many insights about the growing pains that he went through as a Founder to earn his CEO seat. We discussed:

🚀 The importance of letting go of the entrepreneurial startup mindset and transitioning into a more scalable and effective leadership approach.
🚀 Why having strategic alignment could unlock business growth.
🚀 Operating in your highest and best use for better efficiency and personal fulfillment.

Connect with Tyler:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrtylerhorsley/
On their Company: https://nuclearnetworking.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
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On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Entrepreneurs are well known for their resilience and ability to adapt to ever-changing markets. However, evolving from an initial business model to a more sustainable, scalable one often came with its unique set of challenges. One of the most difficult aspects of this transition was learning to trust and delegate rather than maintaining tight control over every aspect of the business.

In this week's episode of our podcast, we were thrilled to have Nellie Akalp, the CEO behind CorpNet, who proved that it was possible to reinvent your business model successfully and come out stronger on the other side. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Nellie transitioned her company from a B2C model to a B2B model, steering her business towards new opportunities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We discussed:

1️⃣ The importance of being aware of market dynamics and being willing to adapt to remain competitive.
2️⃣ How to operate at your highest potential for greater efficiency and personal satisfaction.
3️⃣ The 'Three Pillars of Success' that guided Nellie's business: customer success, employee engagement, and a sustainable business model.

Connect with Nellie:

On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellieakalp/
On her Company: https://www.corpnet.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Many business owners have overlooked the importance of creating value for people, often focusing on transactional relationships rather than transformative ones. However, investing time, energy, and resources to provide value to our people not only builds a positive reputation but also fosters meaningful relationships and strong connections.

In this episode of Best Places to Lead, we dove into the mind of such a leader - Thomas Brainsky, the CEO behind Elite Operations, Bonifate, and ProfitMax. Reflecting on his own experiences, Thomas shared the wisdom he wishes he had known 20 years ago and the valuable lessons he has learned along the way.

In this episode, we discussed:

• How Thomas rebuilt trust in the aftermath of a company-shattering incident.
• The transformative power of humility, vulnerability, and hyper-transparency in fostering strong relationships with employees.
• The complexities and considerations of organic growth versus buy and build strategies.

If you were seeking guidance on leadership, transparency, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, this episode was a must-watch.

Connect with Thomas:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-brainsky-2453152/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/
On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Often, the road to success is dotted with unexpected twists and turns. Conquering adversity and navigating the choppy waters of the business world are feats that Kara Smith Brown, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of LeadCoverage, knows all too well. With a track record of spearheading her own venture, Kara has remarkably transformed her challenges into stepping stones toward success. Drawing on her deep-rooted experience in sales, she has assembled a skilled team in a post-pandemic world, extending LeadCoverage's influence as a trusted name in the field.

On this Best Places to Lead episode, I sit down with Kara to unpack her journey. Kara's path as an influential entrepreneur illustrates her resilient spirit and dedication to fostering female leadership in sales.

In this episode, we discussed:

 1. How Kara thrived amidst the trials of the "great resignation" period, building a high-performing team in a changing world.

 2. Her time in the EO Harvard program and how her experiences there helped shape her approach to leadership.

3. Fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity in the post-pandemic era.

If you're eager to explore how to transform hardships into fuel for success, or if you're seeking insights into the unique challenges and rewards of entrepreneurial leadership, this week's episode is a must-watch.

Connect with Kara:

On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/
On her Company Website: https://leadcoverage.com/company/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

The line between competitors and customers is often quite distinct, yet Dave Walens, CEO of Exploring Digital, has managed to blur this boundary, turning his rivals into his clients. With roots in the trade show industry, Dave has taken a visionary leap through acquisition. After purchasing Brumark, a flooring solutions company, David set out to expand the business to include other related industries, such as fabrication and graphics. Now, his company provides clients with an array of design solutions for their needs.

On this Best Places to Lead episode, I sit down with Dave to dive into his fascinating journey from starting his own design-build firm in the '80s to acquiring a flooring company and subsequently expanding it into an industry-leading brand. His foresight demonstrates his prowess as a seasoned entrepreneur and forward-thinker.

In this episode, we discussed:

 💡 How Dave transformed competitors into customers and navigated the potential friction this created.
 💡 The importance of assembling the right team and the impact of hiring decisions on business growth.
 💡 The transitions in leadership as the company grew and why defining clear roles and responsibilities is essential for business success.

If you are curious about how to navigate the fine line between competition and collaboration, or if you're seeking insights into the unique challenges and rewards of scaling a business, this week's episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Dave:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-walens-3bb35a9
 On his Company Website: https://exploringdig.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Have you ever heard someone describe themself as “an idea person”? If you haven’t, you likely know at least one person who is always pitching their friends a new, million-dollar idea. What sets the ideal person apart from the entrepreneur though, is execution. Entrepreneurs don’t just have great ideas; they also commit to and follow through on an idea that ultimately, becomes a business.

On this week’s episode of Best Places to Lead, I sit down with Don Henig, co-founder of AccrueMe. A fintech company that invests in Amazon sellers to help them scale their business, AccrueMe is a project that brought Don out of a well-earned retirement. With a diverse career in finance and entertainment, Don is a fountain of wisdom about how to stop stalling and get started with your first– or fifth!– business. Tune in to hear us discuss:

 💡 Not being afraid to “start stupid.”
 💡 Getting out of the way so the experts can do what they’re great at.
 💡 Making sure to acknowledge everyone you are leading, not just those at the top with you.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or contemplating your first business endeavor, don't miss out on this opportunity to unlock your full entrepreneurial potential. Tune in to this week's episode of Best Places to Lead today!

Connect with Don Henig:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldhenig/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
📣 Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Entrepreneurs don’t set out to start companies that recreate the conditions they want to escape. Yet too often, leaders forget that starting your own business also means creating the kind of company you want to work for. But if what you left is all you know, it can be hard to see the choice points to help get you there. So how do you avoid only looking in the metaphorical rearview mirror at the past and what didn’t work and focus on the future out the windshield?

On this week’s Best Places to Lead, I sit down with Donnie Boivin, CEO of Success Champion Networking and Founder of Badass Business Summit, to discuss how nearly losing everything set him on a path to help others network smarter, not harder. A Marine Corps Veteran with over 20 years of experience in sales, Donnie knows the importance of silencing the worries in order to focus on achieving your goal. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear us discuss:

 1. Envisioning the business you want to build and aligning your ways of working to support it.
 2. Taking accountability to focus on solutions, not what-ifs.
 3. Getting your team to see that when the company wins, they all win.

Listen now for an inspiring discussion on building your dream business, taking accountability, and creating a winning team.

Connect with Donnie:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnieboivin/

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
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Follow me and never miss a thing:

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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Every company needs high-achievers who execute and drive results for the team. But some people make shit happen, and others just can't get to the finish line.

That's why I'm excited to share my proven execution framework with you, centered around what I call the "5 T's" of execution. With this framework, you'll be able to understand, diagnose, and take corrective action on how to cultivate ownership inside your organization. As a CEO who has led five companies in five industries to high growth, been featured in Franchise 500 and Inc 500, and earned Best Places to Work, I've discovered the secrets to building a compelling company while creating a great place to work.

In this week's episode, you'll learn how to drive exceptional results and achieve your goals with my proven 5 T's framework. We'll cover:

 1. Discovering the indispensable "T's" and why they're critical in execution.
 2. Optimizing your time management to get the most out of your day.
 3. Driving accountability and exploding performance through clarity.

If you want to have a fast-growing company and take your execution to the next level, you'll want to check this episode!

Don't miss out on all the good stuff that is coming your way!

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com
📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Most people don’t set out to start a business with the intention of selling it. Even leaders of small businesses that grow into million-dollar enterprises don’t start every new day looking for a buyer. But sometimes, you have to know when to let go and start on a new adventure.

This week, I'll sit down with Dave Molenda, Founder of Positive Polarity, who made the tough choice to do just that. After starting and leading his own company for almost 30 years, he made a choice to walk away due to a difference in vision with his business partner. For David, the choice was easy because he was ready to take a step towards the new goal he had in mind after achieving success. On this episode of Best Places to Lead, we’ll discuss:

 1. How to navigate the emotional aspects of going through a buyout.
 2. The importance of investing in people to strengthen your organization and the industry.
 3. Recent trends in what leaders are looking for in their own professional development.

If you’re on the cusp of a big career pivot and want to learn how to trust your instincts, listen to this episode!

Connect with Dave:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmolenda/

Don't miss out on all the good stuff that is coming your way!

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com

📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/

Just because you’re a leader, doesn’t mean you need to do everything. It also doesn’t even mean you’re necessarily good at everything. True leadership is possible when you recognize where to use your energy is best spent to help your organization achieve success. But when you’re so used to doing it all to make it to the top, knowing how to let go and get back to basics can be harder than you think.

This week, I'll sit down with Tyler Pigott, founder and CEO of Lone Fir Creative. Lone Fir Creative helps B2B companies with more than just HubSpot support; they also help companies tell their story in a way that harnesses HubSpot’s many resources. Unsurprisingly, in both his personal and professional lives, Tyler is adept at stripping away the excess to get at the problem needing a solution. On this episode of Best Places to Lead, we’ll discuss:

 1. How to stay in your sweet spot and avoid the high achiever’s trap
 2. The importance of asking questions to identify the problem the product tries to solve
 3. Getting back to basics and simplifying does not mean “dumbing” it down

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and like your attention is being pulled in a million directions, listen to this episode!

Connect with Tyler:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerpigott/

Don't miss out on all the good stuff that is coming your way!

🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com

📣Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead

Follow me and never miss a thing:

On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/
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On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/
On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/