The Start, Scale & Succeed Podcast

In this legendary episode, Chad Cooper, owner of chadecooper.com, shares how he has used his strategies to retire from Microsoft at age 35 and shared them with others who want to lead a legendary life. If you're frustrated with your job or feel like you're on your way to a dead end, check out this episode where Chad shows us how to find our purpose, lead a legendary life, and, if it's right for you, start a thriving business or nonprofit as well!You will discover:- The legendary life your were called to live- What genius is and how to find it in yourself- how to break free of the myth of balance with a "3rd mover"This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 1 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizChad E. Cooper is a renowned author, speaker, and coach recognized for empowering individuals and organizations to achieve legendary lives. A retired Fortune 500 executive, his expertise spans leadership, philanthropy, and personal development. His mission is to help people align their actions with their values, fostering a legacy of impact and excellence. Through his engaging workshops and coaching, Chad inspires others to lead purposeful lives and create meaningful change.Want to learn more about Chad Cooper's work at chadecooper.com? Check out his website at https://www.chadecooper.com/ where you can get the audio version of his book for free. If you'd like to support Chad you can also pick up a copy of his book Time Isn't the Problem, You Are and leave him a 5 star review at https://amzn.to/4brrlo5.Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this relational episode, Bill Barnett, CEO of Smarter Minds Network, shares how he has leverage the power of meaningful relationships to build multiple wildly successful business across industries from film to ed tech. If you're a founder who wants to learn how to get more done with less effort by building powerful relationships, you want want to miss this episode!You will discover:- The single biggest quality in building relationships- Why you need to unlearn everything you know/believe about networking- The strategic relationshipsThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizBill Barnett's distinguished career encompasses the entertainment and communications sectors, with significant achievements in television, film, radio, and digital technologies. With a track record as CEO and President of over a dozen companies, Bill possesses deep insights into the psychology of business networking, the art of strategic relationship-building, and the nuances of effective communication. His expertise includes identifying and capitalizing on investment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurial ventures.Want to learn more about Bill Barnett's work at Smarter Minds Network? Check out his website at https://www.smartermindsnetwork.com/ and get a copy of his book Smarter Minds: Recruit and Leverage Others for Sustainable Success https://amzn.to/3XmFdKAMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this powerful episode, Lezly Kaye, Founder of Grounded Leadership, shares the lessons she's learned about how our personal pain holds us back from entrepreneurial breakthroughs. There's incredible truth in this episode for every Reluctant Manager listening, but it's at a whole different level for women in business with a vision for more!You will discover:- How entrepreneurial success is found at the intersection of psychology and strategy- Who is really running your business (and it's not the current you)- How simple and powerful delegation can be for Reluctant ManagersThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 2,3 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizLezly Kaye, Australia’s leading CEO Architect, mentors multi-six-figure leaders looking to scale their businesses quickly without sacrificing who they are. Drawing on her experience building a $60 million empire, Lezly partners with high-achieving women to elevate their business strategies and leadership styles, guiding them through the critical growth stages with clarity and confidence. Lezly assists her clients in overcoming obstacles, tackling self-sabotage, and achieving sustainable growth while preserving their sense of fulfillment and connections.Want to learn more about Lezly Kaye's work at Grounded Leadership? Check out her website at https://www.groundedleadership.com/ or connect with her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lezlykaye/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this whole human episode, Laura Buckley, Owner of Laura Buckley Coaching and Consulting, Inc., shares how she has taken the lessons she's learned as an Army Officer, A Registered Dietician, and a Leadership Consultant to help her clients build strong cultures they are proud to call their own! If you're frustrated that your culture isn't as strong as it once was, or if you're curious to know how vital your physical health and well-being are to maintaining a strong culture, you won't want to miss this episode.You will discover:- Why you can't build a strong culture with words (and what you CAN use instead)- How to assess the strength of your culture- When you can no longer build it yourself (AND why it can't be built without you)Laura Buckley is a former Army Officer and Registered Dietitian turned leadership consultant. She spends her days helping leaders create more engaged and empowered teams and shift their cultures so people can thrive. Laura has extensive experience in leadership development, culture change, and organizational assessments. She works with private companies, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. Laura highlights a shift in workplace dynamics from "command and control" to leadership through personal impact to attract top talent and achieve excellent results. She dedicates herself to helping clients develop systems and strategies for success in the modern work environment.Want to learn more about Laura Buckley's work at Laura Buckley Coaching and Consulting, Inc.? Check out her website at https://www.laurabuckleycoaching.comMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this impactful episode, Jenni Catron, Founder & CEO of The 4Sight Group, shares key insights from her new book "Culture Matters: A Framework for Helping Your Team Grow, Thrive, and be Unstoppable". If you know what you want your culture to be, but you aren't quite sure how to get there, you won't want to miss this incredible episode.You will discover:- Why you need to assess your culture before defining it- What the Culture Heirarchy is and how you can use it to evolve your culture through each growth stage- The relationship between transparency, clarity and trust in leadershipThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 4,5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizJenni Catron is a leadership coach, author, and speaker. Her passion is to cultivate healthy leaders to lead thriving organizations. She speaks at conferences and events nationwide, seeking to help leaders develop the clarity and confidence to lead well. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults organizations on leadership, team culture, and organizational health. With over 20 years of experience in corporate and non-profit organizations, Jenni is passionate about helping leaders “put their feet to their vision.” Jenni is the author of several books, including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.Want to learn more about Jenni Catron's work at The 4Sight Group? Check out her website at https://www.get4sight.com/ and get a copy of her book Culture Matters: A Framework for Helping Your Team Grow, Thrive, and Be Unstoppable on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Qzgf6TMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this diagnostic episode, Brandon Gano, COO of HumanOp, shares how he helps his clients cut through the noise to discover the only 3 things they need to work on to create the success they want. If you feel frustrated by your people or overwhelmed by your problems, you won't want to miss this episode!You will discover:- Why almost every founder is trying to solve the wrong problem- Why the secret to your growth isn't found in more leads, more revenue, or perfect people (and how to find it)- How simple it is to balance process and people for maximum successThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 3,4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizBrandon Gano is a serial entrepreneur with several business failures, successes, and multiple exits/mergers. Now, after the most recent acquisition, he is the COO of HumanOp, a one of a kind company dedicated to helping businesses optimize their people and leadership teams so they can experience rapid and sustainable growth like never before.Want to learn more about Brandon Gano's work at Whadif? Check out his website at https://whadif.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this insightful episode, Matthew Stafford, Owner of Build Grow Scale, shares how he has helped thousands of e-commerce entrepreneurs to the true game of success in e-commerce: the inner game.You will discover:- What separates $10M e-comm businesses from those that can only dream of being $10M e-comm businesses?- Why your comfort may be biggest obstacle for your conversions- Two simple hacks to your checkout process that will change the game entirelyThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 3,4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizOver the past three decades, Matthew Stafford has been entrepreneurial and has successfully built several businesses across various industries, including concrete, brick-and-mortar locations, POD, and software-based ventures. Matthew Stafford, the CEO and managing partner of Build Grow Scale and an equity owner of some in-house e-commerce brands, has knowledge and expertise, enabling him to mentor thousands of store owners through paid e-commerce groups and live events. His experience has also allowed him to help hundreds of e-commerce brands scale past the million-dollar mark - with many hitting the $10 million mark.Want to learn more about Matthew Stafford's work at Build Grow Scale? Check out his website at https://buildgrowscale.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this service-driven episode, Johann Diaz, Founder of Service Revolution Academy, shares how he helps his clients boost their sales and profitability by focusing on dramatically improving the quality of their service in the eyes of their customers. If you and your team are tired of the new logo rat race,or if you're frustrated that your company's service is your industry's biggest secret, you won't want to miss this episode.You will discover:- How to differentiate even in a commoditized market- Why you need to stop defining what is valuable and who should define it- How to diagnose whether your sales problem is actually a service problem?This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 4,5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizWith over 35 years of experience at the intersection of technology, service excellence, and operational strategy, Johann Diaz is a seasoned business and technology leader who has significantly impacted various industries. From leading roles in high-stakes service transformations for global giants like Unilever, Diageo, Vodafone, and BP to strategic leadership roles for ServiceNow, Capgemini, and Serviceware, Johann has consistently helped organizations deliver measurable improvements in service quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.Want to learn more about Johann Diaz's work at Service Revolution Academy? Check out his website at https://www.service-revolution.com/ or connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanndiazMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this impactful episode, Steve Lowell, Co-Founder of S&J Training Solutions Inc., shares how he helps coaches and other professionals leverage keynote speaking and other communication platforms to build their book of business. If you're a coach or entrepreneur who speaks often (or wants to speak often) but are frustrated that people come up after your talk and sing your praises but don't hire you, you won't want to miss this episode.You will discover:- Why selling from stage might be the most underrated lead gen strategy for coaches- How to teach but not overteach by mastering the "tipping point" in your talk- How to know whether your content is hitting the mark (and growing your business)This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 1,2,3 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizSteve Lowell, CSP, has been speaking and performing on the live stage since he was 6. That was about 54 years ago! From Ottawa, Canada, Steve is an award-winning global speaker. For over 30 years, he has trained and mentored executives, thought leaders, and professional speakers worldwide to deliver high-impact keynote speeches, drive revenue from the platform, and build wealth through speaking.Want to learn more about Steve Lowell's work at S&J Training Solutions Inc.? Check out his website at https://stevelowell.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this scalable episode, Nicco Leone, Founder of Nemean Pride, shares how he helps some founders scale from $5 to $50M and some avoid the headache altogether. Suppose you're questioning whether or not to scale. In that case, if you are quietly frustrated at the constant expectation to grow like crazy (even if it comes from you) or wonder how big your organization should be and how to get it there, this is the episode for you!You will discover:- 3 great reasons to scale (and 1,000 bad reasons)- the difference between a growth business and a lifestyle business that is growing- The most crucial role of middle management that almost every leadership team overlooksThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 4,5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizNicco Leone is the founder of Nemean Pride, a dynamic consulting company specializing in providing finance, operations, and HR consulting to companies all across the US. He has a decade of experience uncovering operational efficiency opportunities for startups and middle-market companies with up to $1 billion in annual revenue. Nicco is not your guy if you're looking for your run-of-the-mill CEO who goes into an office every day. He has run his company while living and traveling through Spain, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Amsterdam, Antigua, and Barbuda with his wife and son.Want to learn more about Nicco Leone's work at Nemean Pride? Check out his website at https://www.nemeanpride.com/ or connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/niccolo-c-leone/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz