CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co
CEO Podcasts consists of CEO Chat (CC), I AM CEO (IAM) & CBNation.TV (TV) podcast episodes. Value-packed episode including interviews & resources for CEOs, entrepreneurs, startups founders & business owners. The CEO Chat episodes are our long-form episodes w/ interviews and digital marketing resources. The I AM CEO episodes are laser focused (about 16 min.) w/ interviews & a discussion about what it means to be a CEO. Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co. Hosted by Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
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IAM2634 - Head of Branding Helps Corporations With Product Naming
<p>In this throwback episode, we have Grant Polachek, head of branding at Squadhelp.com—a top‑rated naming platform serving over 20,000 clients ranging from early‑stage giants like Nestlé and Pepsi.</p> <p>Grant emphasized that effective branding sits at the intersection of copywriting, creativity, and business strategy, helping companies translate their vision into a compelling brand narrative.</p> <p>He outlines a simple yet powerful naming framework: start by clarifying who you are and what you aim to create (the business plan), identify your audience, decide the desired perception and tone, and then develop secondary branding elements that capture the...
IAM2633 - CEO Builds Multi-million Dollar Online Businesses
<p>In this throwback episode, we have Marcus Taylor, founder and CEO of Venture Harbor, a young entrepreneur who launched his digital‑innovation studio at 25 without any external funding.</p> <p>Starting with a love for coding and music at age 10, he merged those passions into building websites for bands and experimenting with online marketing. </p> <p>Venture Harbor does not offer consulting services; instead, it maintains a portfolio of nine highly automated online ventures that are 99 % hands‑free, allowing the small core team to concentrate on creating a new venture each year.</p> <p>Website: www.ventureharbour.com</p> <p>LinkedIn: ma...
IAM2632 - Day 281: Franchise Broker Journey
<p>In this episode, Gresham walks listeners through his current stage: day 281 of his franchise‑broker path, experimenting with low‑cost investments to test scalability, and applying the “Who Not How” principle.</p> <p>He draws parallels between franchise brokering and affiliate marketing, noting that both rely on cultivating long‑term relationships that culminate in sizable purchases.</p> <p>Looking ahead, Harkless plans to bolster his outreach through newsletters, community‑building initiatives, and possibly leveraging existing team members as the “who” to drive growth. </p> <p>With 12‑week goal frameworks focused on revenue rather than rigid tactics, he remains hopeful and committed to iteratin...
IAM2631 - DIY Marketing: A Broker's Bold Move
<p>In this special episode, Gresham dives into the practical challenges he’s facing, particularly around lead generation. After receiving a modest lead pack from his franchising organization, he realized that buying leads alone isn’t delivering the results he wants.</p> <p>He’s now weighing two options: partnering with a low‑cost program that offers SEO‑optimized content and running minimal‑budget Facebook ads, or taking a DIY approach to create and execute the strategy himself using the resources and team he already has.</p> <p>He feels torn between learning from an external expert and maintaining full control over...
IAM2630 - The Unseen Journey: Day 85 as a Broker
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 <p>Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. </p> <p>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...
IAM2629 - Unveiling the Broker Success Formula!
<p>In this episode, Gresh shares the evolution of his franchise‑building process, noting that it took roughly a year to clarify his target market and strategy.</p> <p>Initially, he aimed at individuals who had been laid off, but he soon realized the more lucrative audience comprises employed professionals who are silently considering additional revenue streams.</p> <p>He explains the financing paradox: without a steady job, securing SBA loans is tough, yet a layoff eliminates the income needed to fund a new business.</p> <p>Consequently, he refines his outreach to those on the brink of layoffs or ac...
IAM2628 - CEO Helps Businesses Modernize Account‑to‑Account Online Transactions
<p>In this episode, we have Dave Glaser, a two‑decade pedigree in enterprise payments—from early work at CyberSource, through senior roles at WorldPay and MasterCard.</p> <p>Dave modernizes the decades‑old banking network and makes bank‑account payments feel as seamless as credit‑card transactions online.</p> <p>His focus is narrowly honed on account‑to‑account flows, supporting both “pay‑ins” (receivables) and “pay‑outs” (payables) through a digital wallet that sits between the two, enabling businesses to move money internally before routing it to external bank accounts. </p> <p>Dave stresses that effective leadership starts with trust, especially vuln...
IAM2627 - Web Pioneer Behind a Global Women’s Health Company
<p>In this episode, we have Aliza Sherman, a pioneering web entrepreneur and author, a global women‑focused health brand that clears up the confusion surrounding cannabis and CBD.</p> <p>After discovering that much of the industry’s information was wrong, she turned a digital‑marketing prospect into a mission to educate women.</p> <p>Ellementa runs live events, webinars, and film screenings in over 60 North‑American cities while also serving as a “bridge” that connects reputable cannabis brands with these informed consumers, emphasizing product testing, ethics and women‑centered messaging.</p> <p>Aliza advises balancing business drive with personal wellb...
IAM2626 - Founder Leads Media Agency with Motion Graphics
<p>In this episode, we have Maria Rapetskaya founder of Undefined Creative, which now boasts a nine‑year track record and a small, fully remote team of four dedicated staff.</p> <p>Undefined Creative specializes in motion‑graphics and end‑to‑end creative production. The firm handles everything from initial scripting and branding to sound mixing, shoot organization, and final delivery.</p> <p>Over time, the agency has secured high‑profile clients like A&E Networks, NHL, NBC Universal, and the United Nations, expanding from traditional TV show graphics to a broad mix of digital and event work.</p> <p>Maria’s “sec...
IAM2625 - 90 Days Left: The Journey Continues
<p>In this episode, Gresham reflects on the steep learning curve of his one‑year franchise‑broker program, now 276 days in, noting that the experience has been far tougher than expected. He describes how competing priorities, imposter syndrome, and a lack of closed deals have forced him to reassess his focus. </p> <p>Using a vivid gym metaphor (pushing a weighted sled), Gresham illustrates the temptation to “look up” and over‑analyze versus staying “head‑down” and grinding.</p> <p>He underscores that business success requires a clear why, vision, and the willingness to recalibrate goals, strategies, and revenue streams. Though the franch...
