Scaling With People

Send us a textEmbark on a journey with the financial virtuoso Rey Del Valle, whose expertise has graced the halls of powerhouses like FedEx and Disney, as he now champions the financial fortitude of companies in his role as an interim CFO. With a candidness that's as refreshing as it is enlightening, Ray unpacks the turbulent transition from corporate giant to the agility of consulting, a leap prompted by a personal family crisis. He shares his profound insights into the core struggles faced by CEOs whose finance teams lag behind the rapid sprint of business growth, highlighting how vital it is to have a transparent financial lens and sharp operational insights. Lending an intimate touch, Ray also recounts the adrenaline-fueled origin of his nickname "Crash", born from his passion for mountain biking and perhaps a metaphor for the financial risks he navigates with such finesse.Amidst the intricate financial web startups must weave to flourish, Ray sheds light on the pivotal elements that pave the way to IPOs and draw investors. Touching on the art of storytelling in the business context, he emphasizes the crafting of a narrative that resonates with potential backers, supported by grounded projections and a solid financial framework. Ray advocates for the evolution beyond the confines of Excel, urging the adoption of advanced accounting systems and cloud-based solutions to ensure scalability and stability. A testament to his wealth of experience, Ray makes the case for infusing Fortune 50 wisdom into burgeoning businesses, underscoring the decisive impact of timely financial reporting, diligent budgeting, and sharp KPI analysis. This episode is a treasure trove of strategic acumen, guiding startup founders and finance enthusiasts towards cultivating a robust financial ecosystem primed for the journey ahead. Connect with Rey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reydelvalle/

Send us a textEver wondered what it takes to leap from the safety of a 9-to-5 into the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship? Tiana Sanchez, the trailblazing CEO and founder of Tiana Sanchez International, joins us to unravel her extraordinary transition from a young manager slinging hot dogs to spearheading a company that champions leadership development. Grapple with Tiana as she opens the playbook on surmounting the economic downturn of 2011 to establish a thriving business, armed with nothing but a relentless spirit, savvy investment strategies, and the wisdom of mentors like her grandmother and leadership luminary, Ken Blanchard.Embark on a personal odyssey that defies the odds, as Tiana recounts the setbacks that sparked her literary journey, crafting "Undefeatable" and the collaborative success "F'd Up: The Upside of Failure". Dive into the heart of Tiana's philosophy on finding and forging your unique path, embracing failures as stepping stones, and harnessing the power of writing to pivot and prosper. She illuminates the pivotal role of authentic passion and agility in charting a course in leadership and management consulting, ensuring that her expertise is not just her profession, but her calling.The roadmap to business triumph demands more than just passion—it's paved with the knowledge gleaned from those who've navigated the terrain before us. Tiana's candid reflections offer a treasure trove of actionable insights, emphasizing the invaluable role of mentorship and real-world wisdom over textbook theory. Her journey stands as a testament to the untapped potential that lies in every aspiring entrepreneur, a beacon guiding you through the tumultuous waters of business ownership with clarity, conviction, and a dash of inspiration. Join us as we uncover the keys to a resilient entrepreneurial mindset, learning how to turn passion into profit and setbacks into success.

Send us a textEver dreamt of starting your own business but felt entangled in the legalities? Join us as we decode the maze of business structuring with attorney Bethany Corbin. Bethany, an expert in guiding startups through legal hurdles, helps us understand the intricacies of business structures, from sole proprietorships to corporations. Listen in as she walks us through the pros and cons of each, and how choosing the right one can make all the difference to your business journey. Whether you’re on the path to a venture capital investment or just running a side hustle, Bethany’s insights are invaluable.And it doesn’t stop there! We also delve into the importance of trademarks, website legalities, and cybersecurity. Hear the story of a client who had to shell out a fortune for rebranding, all because they missed out on trademarking their name. Not just that, Bethany also emphasizes the significance of your website’s privacy policy, and the potential pitfalls of copying from competitors. Plus, we discover the critical role of cybersecurity in today’s digital age and the importance of having legal involved in your marketing strategies. A thrilling ride, this episode is packed with all the legal advice you need to kickstart or revamp your business!Connect with Bethany: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanycorbin/  https://www.instagram.com/femtechlawyer/ https://twitter.com/femtechlawyer

Send us a textEver wonder what it’s really like to scale a startup? We're here to share some enlightening tales from the trenches with Chris and Lynn, founders of Inspire. Their entrepreneurial journey is packed with lessons on culture fit, performance-based hiring, continuous learning and leadership development. They have pearls of wisdom to share about the perfect hiring blend of seasoned professionals and those with an entrepreneurial spirit. If you're a founder looking to grow your business and create a thriving work culture, you won't want to miss this!The insights don’t stop there! We also delve into personality assessments' impact on team dynamics, discussing popular tools like Myers Briggs and DISC assessments. Find out how these tools can boost your hiring processes, strengthen team cohesion, and lead to a robust understanding of your coworkers. We introduce you to our very own performance management tool, Inspire. It's designed to facilitate continuous performance conversations and adapt leadership styles to individual development levels. Plus, we explore our creative blunders - including our use of chat GBT for creating Christmas cards - and the invaluable lessons we've taken away from them. Join us for these compelling stories and actionable insights!Connect with Chris and Lynn: https://www.hci.org/

Send us a textGet ready to unlock the secrets of quick, efficient software scalability with our guest for the day - Brian Childress, a seasoned fractional CTO. Brian's insights on avoiding the pitfalls of over-engineering and mastering the art of simplicity in software systems are invaluable. With a no-nonsense approach, we break down the concept of scalability into three digestible aspects: adding more users, adding new features, and bringing in more developers. Brace yourselves for a deep-dive into the art of striking the perfect balance between functionality and scalability, implemented wisely without drowning in complexity.Our conversation doesn't end there. We pivot towards the role of AI in startups, its undeniable potential, and how it can be a game-changer across various industries. Does understanding customer requests feel like deciphering hieroglyphics? Fear not, we've got you covered on how to interpret them and validate your ideas effectively. As a cherry on top, Brian reminds all CEOs and founders to trust their instincts and maintain focus on the core business, a mantra to live by! Don't miss out if you want to simplify your life while on the journey of building your business! Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-childress/

Send us a textImagine being able to unlock a treasure chest of opportunities for your small business without having to compete with large corporations. What if we told you that there's a path that can lead you straight to this treasure? That's right, folks! The government contracting market is a veritable goldmine and we're here to guide you through this labyrinth. With our special guest, retired USAF acquisition officer Ricky Howard, we'll show you how to tap into the government's mandate to purchase a certain percentage from small businesses. We'll help you figure out whether your business has what the government is looking to buy.Delving into the government contracting process can feel overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and resources, it's a journey you can confidently embark on. However, don't take our word for it, tune in and hear all about it from expert Ricky Howard. From conducting a Go-No-Go analysis to learning how to navigate the compliance matrix, we've got you covered. We'll also be discussing the differences between being a prime contractor and a subcontractor, helping you to find the best fit for your business. And if you thought that was all, think again! As we wrap up this enlightening episode, we’ll share some fail-proof strategies that can increase your chances of winning your first government contract. Be it preparing for a long timeline, building relationships with government offices, or exploring the advantages of subcontracting, we'll guide you every step of the way. So, tune in and take the first step towards expanding your business reach into the government market. We promise you, it's a journey you'll never forget.  Connect with Ricky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickychoward/ https://www.dodcontract.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dod-contract-academy/id1566870206

Send us a textAre you ready to be enlightened on how AI can ethically revolutionize your marketing strategies? Brace yourself for a riveting conversation with our esteemed guest, Pamela Wilson, the CMO of Dental Claim Support. Pamela takes us behind the scenes, showcasing how her team leverages AI tools in content creation, and the unique approach of using AI-generated snippets to craft the initial drafts of their blog posts. Delve into her insights on directing AI with clear roles and goals while upholding ethical standards.The episode isn't just about AI, though. It's a comprehensive guide on establishing consistent messaging within expanding businesses and setting the right tone for your online presence. We discuss the importance of threading a seamless experience for customers from the initial sales process to maintaining long-term relationships. For all the entrepreneurs out there, we have some savvy advice to build a simple, yet engaging website. The cherry on top is the advice from Pamela herself on the necessity of an online presence and the benefits of having a longer online history for search engine credibility. So buckle up and prepare to turbocharge your business and online presence with this power-packed episode. Connect with Pamela: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelaiwilson/ https://www.pamelawilson.com/blog/

Send us a textReady to revolutionize the way you view efficiency and scale your business? Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation with Samuel Drauschak, co-founder and chief proxies scientist at Truvle. His unique insights on process science and strategic application through the TruvleMapping Language are transforming the employer-employee dynamic and reinventing business growth strategies. Samuel's pioneering journey, coupled with his invaluable teachings, will inspire entrepreneurs to grasp their processes and systems, creating sustainable value for their workforce.Our riveting discussion with Samuel doesn't stop there. We delve deeper into the mechanics of efficiency and the role of technology in process exploration. Discover the potential of understanding and controlling the cost of a process to make informed decisions about headcount, automation, and technology. Samuel shreds popular misconceptions, arguing that structured processes indeed lead to adaptability and agility. He also emphasizes the importance of documenting and engaging with processes to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Regardless of where you are in your business journey, Samuel's wisdom will equip you with tools to control cost while scaling your operations. Get set for a knowledge-packed episode that could be a game-changer for your business.  Connect with Samuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdrauschak/

Send us a textHave you ever wondered what it takes to shift from a high-ranking corporate role to starting your own entrepreneurial journey? Our latest guest, Joy, a business consultant, leadership trainer, and coach, took that leap and is here to share her insights. Her story takes us from her beginnings as a COO in corporate America to her current role as a solopreneur, highlighting the importance of self-reflection, strategic planning, and the golden nuggets of advice she has gathered along the way. Leadership is a key theme in our chat with Joy, who shares how she infuses joy into her work and helps executives create high-performing, vibrant workplace cultures. We delve into the dynamics of motivation, employee engagement and self-accountability, and how trust, autonomy and delegation can be powerful tools in these areas. The conversation also touches on the critical role of purpose in the workplace, and how it fuels intrinsic motivation.As the discussion moves forward, we uncover the art of delegation, the need for growth opportunities, and the value of making mistakes. Joy elaborates on the process of transitioning from a solopreneur to an entrepreneur, emphasizing the need to understand customer needs profoundly. We explore the importance of partner leadership in business success and how tools like predictive index and other assessments can provide valuable insights into team dynamics. To wrap up, Joy introduces her five-minute 'Leadership Compass' quiz, a valuable tool to help leaders understand their own leadership styles. This conversation promises to inspire, educate and provide you with a fresh perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship. Enjoy! Connect with Joy: https://www.instagram.com/joy.leads http://www.linkedin.com/in/joymeserve

Send us a textImagine having an AI sidekick that augments your human capabilities, automates complex tasks, and skyrockets your business productivity. Sounds intriguing, right? Well, you're about to hear from a man who can help turn this futuristic vision into reality. Join us as we converse with Dave Sobel, the host of Business of Tech podcast and an authority in technology services delivery. Dave enlightens us on the powerful impact of AI in the business landscape, highlighting its potential to revolutionize operations and performance. But as with all things powerful, AI comes with its own set of implications and risks. Listen in as we navigate through these challenges, preparing you to harness AI’s power responsibly.But wait, there's more! We're not just talking AI here. Dave dishes out actionable advice on how businesses, particularly mid-tier performers, can use technology to their advantage. From outsourcing IT needs to a managed service provider, to investing in solid backup and security measures, Dave shares insights that could be your ticket to business success. And of course, we get a taste of the invaluable insights Dave delivers on his Business of Tech podcast. This conversation is packed with information that could help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving tech landscape. So, tune in and get ready to power up your business with technology.