CEO School

In this special bonus episode brought to you in partnership with Mastercard, Suneera Madhani explores one of the biggest opportunities in fintech today: open banking. If you're a fintech founder building tools for small businesses, this episode is packed with insights to help you create more impactful, data-driven solutions. With over 33 million SMBs in the U.S. powering nearly half the workforce, the demand for modern financial tools is only growing. Inside the episode: The real reason small businesses struggle with cash flow—and how fintech can help A breakdown of what open banking is and why it matters right now Five powerful ways to leverage open banking APIs—from payments and lending to fraud prevention and financial visibility How to get started: choosing the right partners, using AI for better insights, and staying up-to-date on compliance needs This conversation is especially for founders building the next generation of fintech products that support small business success. This episode is sponsored by Mastercard. #MastercardAmbassador Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens after the billion-dollar milestone? In Part Two of her powerful conversation with Jay Shetty, CEO School founder Suneera Madhani opens up about what came after the unicorn valuation—from the health crisis she didn’t see coming to the identity loss that followed stepping away from the company she built from scratch. This episode is a masterclass in honest leadership, conscious entrepreneurship, and redefining success after burnout. Suneera shares the emotional, mental, and physical toll of scaling a business at all costs—and the healing journey that led her to build again with intention. Whether you're building your first business or your fifth, this conversation is a reminder that success without alignment isn’t success at all. — In this episode, you’ll learn: 🧠 The mindset shifts required to scale from $1M to $1B📉 Why everything breaking at each level of scale is normal—and necessary❤️‍🔥 What burnout taught Suneera about health, hustle, and identity💸 How she walked away from a billion-dollar company to prioritize purpose👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 How her Sunday “zoom-out” meetings keep her business, family, and marriage thriving🧘🏽‍♀️ Why your real power lies in choosing peace—and what’s next — 💬 Your Turn: What resonated most from this conversation? Share your thoughts and tag @ceoschool on Instagram! 📢 Love the show? Send this episode to a business bestie, and keep tuning in all summer for the very best of CEO School. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it really take to scale a billion-dollar business—and still have time for what matters most? In this summer school replay of her interview on On Purpose with Jay Shetty, CEO School founder Suneera Madhani shares her powerful journey from corporate employee to unicorn founder. In this wide-ranging conversation, she opens up about redefining success, learning to reclaim time, and building a business rooted in purpose and presence. From her immigrant roots to the early days of pitching a fintech idea out of the trunk of her car, Suneera’s story is proof that confidence, clarity, and community can change everything. This episode is packed with practical takeaways and hard-earned wisdom for any founder ready to scale on their own terms. 🎧 Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting this fan-favorite, get ready to be inspired—and reminded that women do, in fact, have it all. — In this episode, you’ll learn: 🕒 Why time—not money—is the real currency of success🧠 The mindset shifts that helped Suneera evolve from solopreneur to CEO💡 Her do–delegate–delete method for reclaiming time and energy📉 What social media gets wrong about entrepreneurship🧭 How to build a business by focusing on purpose over pressure — ✨ Loved this episode? Share it with a business bestie and tag @ceoschool to let us know your favorite takeaway. And don’t forget—new episodes return this fall. Until then, enjoy the best of CEO School, all summer long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the secret to success wasn’t more hustle—but better alignment? In this heartfelt solo finale, CEO School host Suneera Madhani reflects on five years of podcasting and the powerful lessons from this season. With themes of energy, alignment, and evolution, she walks listeners through the mindset shifts that helped her grow a billion-dollar business and build a new one—all while protecting her peace. From running a tech startup to creating the Millionaire Founders Club, this episode is a deeply personal (and strategic!) look at what it really takes to thrive as a woman in business. Whether you're entering your next season or finding your way in this one, this finale is packed with wisdom that will stay with you long after summer school ends. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ Why alignment—not hustle—is your most important strategy🗓️ How your calendar can (and should) reflect your real priorities⚡ The surprising truth about energy: it is the business plan🌱 Why you don’t have to choose between ambition and boundaries🎯 How to stop chasing the finish line—and start embracing the cycle 🎧 Plus: Suneera shares which episode went viral this season (hint: it’s the one with her mom!) 💬 Your Turn: What was your biggest takeaway this season? Tag @ceoschool and let us know! 📢 Love the show? Share with a business bestie and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence. (00:02:14) Personal Alignment for Business Success (00:05:41) Harnessing Positive Energy for Business Success (00:09:31) Achieving Stillness and Scale in Business (00:13:55) The Dynamic Entrepreneurial Journey: Embracing Growth (00:14:50) Finding Purpose in Business Scaling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brielle Cotterman, President of CEO School and a PR expert known as the 'celebrity maker,' shares insights from a recent retreat with seven-figure female founders. Discover how women are redefining friendships while scaling their businesses and the critical role of community in entrepreneurship. Brielle discusses effective time management strategies, mastering revenue diversification, and the mindset that distinguishes CEOs from solopreneurs. This conversation celebrates the power of sisterhood and the incredible potential when women collaborate.

Kacie Scott and Nadian Zak, HR experts and co-founders of Zak Human Solutions, offer invaluable insights on team dynamics and workplace culture. They stress the importance of addressing HR early on and highlight the critical documents every company needs. Learn how to avoid costly misclassifications of contractors, master employee onboarding with effective tools, and communicate confidently during terminations. Their engaging anecdotes reveal the complex realities of HR, making this a must-listen for aspiring founders looking to build stronger teams.

Dawn McGruer, a UK-based business strategist and Forbes mentor, shares her expertise on sustainable business growth. She discusses how rewiring your mindset with small, repeatable actions can lead to success without burnout. Dawn introduces her voice journaling method for decluttering both business and mind, emphasizing the importance of clarity and confidence over growth hacks. Discover the transformative power of bold messaging and why breaking free from people-pleasing can empower purpose-driven leadership.

What if your next level of growth isn’t about doing more, but showing up more powerfully for the work you’re already doing? In this episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with powerhouse publicist and founder of CBee Communications, Cris Gordon, for a masterclass on visibility, storytelling, and stepping into the spotlight—even when it feels scary. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, Cris shares her playbook for building a personal brand that opens doors, positions you as a thought leader, and helps your business scale. From DIY PR to pitch strategy, motherhood, and writing her first children’s book (while raising four kids!), this conversation is a must-listen for any woman ready to grow her impact and influence. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💡 The foundational ingredients of a powerful founder story 🧠 Why your brand’s "secret sauce" matters more than ever in today’s market 📱 DIY visibility strategies that don’t require a PR budget 👩🏽‍💼 How to step into thought leadership while juggling motherhood and business 📖 Why Cris wrote Mommy Marvelous and how she’s building a brand with heart If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of promoting yourself or unsure how to tell your story, this episode will give you the tools and encouragement to be seen, heard, and celebrated. 💬 Your Turn: What’s one thing you want to be known for this year? Tag @ceoschool and @crisgordonpr on Instagram and let us know! 📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow entrepreneur and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on CEO School, we’re celebrating Mother’s Day with one of the most heartfelt, vulnerable, and inspiring episodes yet. Host Suneera Madhani is joined by the most important guest she’s ever had on the show—her mom, Shama Rehmetullah. In this candid conversation, Suneera and her mom talk about everything from growing up during wartime in Bangladesh to immigrating to the U.S. with nothing but a dream. Shama shares how she worked her way up from sweeping floors at 15 to managing a Garrett Popcorn shop in Chicago, how she raised her children with resilience and joy, and how she still shows up with purpose every single day. They also talk about generational patterns, breaking cycles, and the complicated, beautiful journey of being both a mom and a daughter. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🌍 Shama’s journey through war, immigration, and starting over in America 💪 How to raise kids with strong values while chasing your own dreams 🧠 What “mom guilt” really means—and why you don’t have to carry it ❤️ How to build confidence, community, and a life that reflects your purpose ✨ The family mottos and generational wisdom that still guide Suneera today Whether you’re a mother, daughter, or entrepreneur navigating motherhood and ambition, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and you absolutely have what it takes. 💬 Your Turn: What’s the best advice your mother ever gave you? Tag @ceoschool and let us know! 📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April Beach, a licensing strategist and entrepreneur, reveals how to unlock the wealth hidden in your intellectual property. She discusses transforming training and playbooks into scalable licensing assets that can bring in revenue without burnout. Learn about the three types of licensable content, real success stories, and average earnings from licensing deals. April also highlights the role of relationships in landing lucrative agreements and how licensing can significantly increase your business's value. Don't let your valuable content collect dust!