CEO School

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!

Ever wonder how some women turn their hardest seasons into their greatest growth? In this powerful episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Dr. Neeta Bhushan—bestselling author, speaker, founder, and host of The Brave Table podcast—to talk about resilience, emotional health, and the art of coming back stronger. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, Suneera and Neeta dive deep into grief, reinvention, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the importance of creating emotional safety in leadership and life. Neeta shares her personal story of profound loss, her journey to emotional healing, and the micro-resets that help high-achieving women reclaim joy every day. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💬 How to expand your capacity to feel—and why it’s the key to resilience 🎯 Small, powerful rituals to reset your nervous system throughout your day 🧠 Why successful women often numb out—and what to do instead 🌟 The real reason you feel exhausted by 8 PM (and how to fix it) ❤️ How to reconnect with yourself after seasons of survival mode If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, craving more connection, or simply need a reminder that your emotions are your superpower, this conversation is for you. 💬 Your Turn: What's one micro-reset you're going to try this week? Tag @ceoschool and @neetabhushan on Instagram and let us know! 📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence. (00:03:30) Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Inclusive Networking (00:05:16) Fostering Genuine Connections for Business Growth (00:10:09) Navigating Loss: Transforming Pain into Resilience (00:14:44) "Embracing Vulnerability for Resilience and Joy" (00:19:11) Unhealthy Distractions for Emotional Well-Being (00:26:21) "Self-Compassion and Expressive Coping Strategies" (00:32:16) Vagus Nerve Activation through Laughter Therapy (00:37:08) Powerful Breathing Techniques for Relaxation (00:41:53) Anger Release Technique: Transforming Emotions Playfully (00:49:58) Ayurvedic Healing with Natural Ingredients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this powerful episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani is joined by the incomparable Tiffany Aliche, aka @thebudgetnista. Tiffany opens up about how a financial scam, a job loss during the recession, and $300,000 in debt led her to start her mission: helping women become financially whole.Tiffany shares how she went from a broke preschool teacher to a New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Get Good With Money Library. This conversation covers everything from the emotions of financial shame to building generational wealth—and why women must stop underestimating their power.In this episode, you’ll learn: 💸 The 10-step framework to achieve "financial wholeness" 🚫 The biggest money mistakes women make (and how to avoid them) 📈 How to invest without fear, even during market uncertainty 👩🏽‍💼 Why budgeting alone won’t build wealth (and what to focus on instead) 🤝 The CEO-level move that saved Tiffany from a $250K IRS nightmareThis is the money conversation every woman needs to hear. Whether you're scaling your business or sorting your personal budget, you'll walk away empowered and equipped to take control of your financial future.Tiffany's website: https://thebudgetnista.com/Buy Tiffany's Book! https://getgoodwithmoney.com/💬 Your Turn: What’s one step you’re taking toward financial wholeness? Tag @ceoschool and @thebudgetnista on Instagram and let us know!📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.(00:03:05) From Debt to Empowerment: Tiffany Aliche's Journey(00:09:53) Monetizing Financial Education through Speaking Opportunities(00:11:33) "Comprehensive Financial Blueprint for Personal Wellness"(00:17:05) Financial Empowerment Through Open Conversations(00:21:29) Income Growth: Balancing Lifestyle and Budgeting(00:25:09) Expense Management for Financial Stability(00:34:32) Empowering Financial Security through Earning Discussions(00:39:18) Building Wealth through Confident Investing(00:44:04) Turning Financial Challenges into Opportunities(00:53:46) Self-investment for growth and opportunity success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five years, 350 episodes, and countless women impacted—this week’s episode of CEO School is a celebration.Host Suneera Madhani reflects on five years of showing up weekly with zero podcasting background, fueled only by passion and purpose. From the early days recording on her laptop to hitting top charts, she shares the real behind-the-scenes of what it’s taken to build the CEO School community.Want to win some CEO School Swag? Leave us a review, dm @ceoschool on Instagram a screenshot, and follow both the @ceoschool and @suneeramadhani Instagrams, and we will pick 10 people to send some swag to!Joined by podcast producer Lily Wiggle, this special AMA (Ask Me Anything) part two is packed with listener-submitted questions that cover everything from motherhood and business sacrifices to Suneera’s most expensive accessory (hint: it’s not a handbag).In this episode, you’ll learn:🎙️ What it takes to stay consistent for five years—even when you want to quit💬 Suneera’s biggest mindset shifts from building two companies and a podcast⚖️ How she balances motherhood, marriage, and ambition without burning out💎 Her unexpected answer to “what’s the most expensive thing you own?”🧠 The mantras and advice that keep her grounded, grateful, and growingThis episode is both a masterclass in consistency and a heartfelt thank-you to the women who’ve made CEO School what it is today. If you’ve ever felt like giving up or wondered if your work is making a difference—this one’s for you.💬 Your Turn: What’s your favorite CEO School moment from the past five years? Tag @ceoschool 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

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a viral brand and stay relevant in today’s fast-moving content world? In this episode, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Aleen Dreksler, Co-Founder and CEO of Betches Media, to talk about launching one of the internet’s most iconic brands, navigating creative burnout, and embracing the cringe in the name of growth.Aleen shares how she and her two best friends turned a scrappy anonymous blog into a media powerhouse, landing a book deal, building a loyal audience, and eventually exiting the company while staying on as CEO. From managing friendship dynamics in business to staying consistent with content creation, Aleen gets real about the highs, lows, and evolution of leading a brand through every season of life.In this episode, you’ll learn:🧠 How to stay creative in a chaotic world (especially when you’re wearing all the hats)📱 The smartest way to show up on social right now (spoiler: it’s not too late!)💬 Aleen’s advice for creating content that actually connects👯‍♀️ The secret to working with friends without burning bridges🔥 Why embracing the cringe is your greatest growth strategyIf you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or anyone trying to make an impact online, this episode will fire you up and give you permission to show up—messy, authentic, and all in.💬 Your Turn: What’s one piece of content you’ve been scared to share? Tag @ceoschool and @aleen on Instagram and let us know!📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.(00:07:42) Building Successful Business through Intellectual Property(00:09:29) Consistent Branding for Enhanced Audience Engagement(00:15:23) Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics in Business Success(00:19:33) Effective Engagement Strategies for Content Creators(00:22:44) Emotional Connection Through Consistent Brand Voice(00:31:48) Following Aleen's CEO Journey on Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices