

The AI CEO with Seema Alexander
Seema Alexander
The AI CEO Podcast
Host: Seema Alexander, Co-founder & President of Virgent AI | Co-Chair, DC Startup & Tech Week
AI isn’t just another tool—it’s the next frontier of business. The AI CEO Podcast explores the intersection of AI, business strategy, and leadership, equipping CEOs, founders, and executives with the insights they need to navigate and leverage AI effectively.
Hosted by Seema Alexander, Co-founder & President of Virgent AI—a company specializing in AI-powered solutions and AI agents—this podcast goes beyond the hype to break down how AI is transforming industries, leadership, and innovation. As Co-Chair of DC Startup & Tech Week, Seema is at the forefront of AI-driven business evolution, helping companies move from AI-curious to AI-powered.
Each episode features CEOs, founders, AI experts, and industry leaders sharing real-world strategies and case studies on:
✅ AI adoption and implementation for business growth
✅ AI agents, automation, and next-gen AI technologies
✅ How AI is shaping leadership and decision-making
✅ AI-driven innovation and competitive advantage
✅ Ethics, governance, and responsible AI use
✅ The future of work and workforce transformation
✅ AI investments, ROI, and scaling AI initiatives
Powered by Virgent AI, The AI CEO Podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead in the AI revolution.
Subscribe now and redefine what’s possible with AI! 🚀Produced by Legacy Sessions
Host: Seema Alexander, Co-founder & President of Virgent AI | Co-Chair, DC Startup & Tech Week
AI isn’t just another tool—it’s the next frontier of business. The AI CEO Podcast explores the intersection of AI, business strategy, and leadership, equipping CEOs, founders, and executives with the insights they need to navigate and leverage AI effectively.
Hosted by Seema Alexander, Co-founder & President of Virgent AI—a company specializing in AI-powered solutions and AI agents—this podcast goes beyond the hype to break down how AI is transforming industries, leadership, and innovation. As Co-Chair of DC Startup & Tech Week, Seema is at the forefront of AI-driven business evolution, helping companies move from AI-curious to AI-powered.
Each episode features CEOs, founders, AI experts, and industry leaders sharing real-world strategies and case studies on:
✅ AI adoption and implementation for business growth
✅ AI agents, automation, and next-gen AI technologies
✅ How AI is shaping leadership and decision-making
✅ AI-driven innovation and competitive advantage
✅ Ethics, governance, and responsible AI use
✅ The future of work and workforce transformation
✅ AI investments, ROI, and scaling AI initiatives
Powered by Virgent AI, The AI CEO Podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead in the AI revolution.
Subscribe now and redefine what’s possible with AI! 🚀Produced by Legacy Sessions
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 27, 2024 • 47min
How to Build Brands to Disrupt Markets with Maha Abouelenein
📌Check out’s Maha’s upcoming book release “7 Rules of Self-Reliance”. Pre-order her book on Amazon today. In this opening episode for Season 2, host Seema Alexander, president of Virgent AI, talks with Maha Abouelenein, CEO and founder of Digital & Savvy about how to build brands to disrupt markets and all things in between. Maha shares her journey from working in corporate roles at companies like General Mills, Google, and Netflix, to starting her own business and becoming one of the top global communication strategist in the world. She discusses her strategy and experiences in emerging tech fields like mobile, social media, and web3, emphasizing the importance of education and storytelling. Maha also offers practical advice on entrepreneurship, the significance of personal branding for CEOs, scaling service-based companies, and the transformative potential of AI. Lastly, she highlights key insights from her upcoming book, 'The Seven Rules of Self-Reliance: 'How to Stay Low, Keep Moving, Invest in Yourself, and Own Your Future.' 👉 In this episode (01:07) Meet Maha Abouelenein (04:30) Maha's Early Career and Move to Egypt (07:14) Building a Career in the Middle East (11:02) Entrepreneurial Insights and Tech Communications (17:35) The Importance of Storytelling and Personal Branding (22:26) Founding Digital & Savvy (23:56) Strategic Communications and Training (24:19) Journey to Entrepreneurship (24:59) Building the First Client Base (26:22) Leveraging Cultural Identity (29:03) Training and Trusting Your Team (33:57) Pricing Strategies for Service Businesses (36:56) Embracing AI in Business (41:49) The Importance of Self-Reliance (46:07) Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🌎Reach out to Maha LinkedIN Instagram @mahagaber Twitter / X @mahagaber Digital&Savvy Maha’s personal website 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Virgent AI: https://www.virgent.ai/ Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Subscribe and leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here. Episode Produced by Legacy Sessions Podcast Post-production by EZPZ Podcasting

Oct 22, 2023 • 53min
From Pilot to Autonomous Drones CEO: Growing an Emerging Tech Company with Pramod Raheja
📌Today’s guest on the From Spaghetti to Growth podcast is founder Pramod Raheja. Pramod is a trained pilot who now operates the emerging tech company Airgility, which produces autonomous drones. In this insightful episode, we cover the important lessons Pramod took from his earlier aviation career into the world of entrepreneurship and what it takes to pivot into new and daring industries, even if your business plan isn’t quite fleshed out when you get going. Sometimes the opportunities reveal themselves as you go along. We discuss the importance of knowing your target customer inside and out, raising money for emerging tech projects and how Pramod approaches the typical day to day ups and downs of being a founder. 🌎Reach out to Pramod: Airgility.coLinkedINTwitter Instagram In this episode: 👉Pramod’s lessons from his years as a pilot and what he learned about leadership 👉Taking the first plunge into small business endeavours on the way to founding Agility 👉Operating a company in the field of emerginc tech 👉How to raise money to develop advanced technology 👉The importance of customer discovery to any business Some key points: (03:46) What led Pramod to go into business in the first place? (05:03) Pramod started out as a pilot (07:18) Lessons in leadership from a pilot's career (09:06) As a pilot, many instinctive decisions are required (13:24) If you are ahead of a trend, how do you build a business around that? (15:42) Trying to convince your spouse to invest in a risky business (17:49) Lessons from navigating a business in a competitive environment (20:35) Pivoting into emerging tech and autonomous drones (23:18) Getting grant funding for emerging tech projects (26:09) Sometimes the technology emerges before the use case (30:16) Trying to determine your ideal client within a brand new innovative space can be tricky (38:27) Client paying up front for features that they desire (40:55) New products can spawn off your foundational products. But how do you know which to pursue? (42:58) Getting investors on board with cutting edge tech (45:16) Expect the unexpected (46:32) Pramod's proudest moment at Airgility (48:30) Going from spaghetti to growth at Airgility (50:14) Stressing the importance of knowing your customer when starting out 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here. 🎤 Podcast post-production EZPZ Podcasting

Oct 11, 2023 • 52min
How to Prepare Your Business for Growth in the Midst of the AI Revolution
Listen in to a recent talk I did on How to Prepare Your Business for Growth in the Midst of the AI Revolution. Get ready to catapult your business into a future defined by artificial intelligence in this foundational workshop led by Seema Alexander, Founder of the Disruptive CEO Advisory, the creator of the UNIQUE Method™. This is an invitation to not just observe, but engage actively in the forthcoming AI revolution, the most profound innovation cycle of our generation. During her workshop, Seema helps you uncover the potential within your own business to adapt, innovate, and flourish amidst the dynamic landscape of AI-driven technologies. This workshop isn't about fear of change; it's about embracing opportunities that lie ahead. Her aim is to empower you to see the value and leverage the power of AI, while focusing on enhancing your brand and your business model in the process. Whether you're a startup founder seeking a competitive edge, a CEO looking to pivot your services, or simply an entrepreneur wanting to stay ahead of the curve, this workshop is your key to gaining an understanding of the hype around AI revolution and the key strategies to ensure your business stays relevant, resilient, and ready for the exciting growth opportunities on the horizon. The future is here, and it's time to take charge! About Our Presenter, Seema Alexander: Seema Alexander is the founder of Disruptive CEO Advisory, a boutique strategic advisory firm specializing in shaking up businesses and powering them up with her U.N.I.Q.U.E Method™. This powerful proven 6-step strategic framework gives founders the tools to work on their business to help them move from spinning in circles to charting a clear, intentional path towards growth. Through her personal consulting and her high-impact 10-Week Business Growth Academy, Seema has given almost a thousand business owners and CEOs around the globe a road map to their breakout years. A true community champion, Seema thrives on building up the entrepreneurial spirit across diverse platforms from DC Startup Week, LeadHers on Chain, Business Leaders Network and more. She's the voice behind the 'From Spaghetti to Growth' podcast, an internationally acclaimed speaker, and a trusted advisor to budding AI and Web3 startups. In her world, your unique experiences, convictions, and results matter. But without taking the time to intentionally package, position, and amplify it—you're leaving your own potential and that of your company on the table. Seema's all about helping you unlock that potential, enabling you to create a business that stands out, scales up, and changes lives – making an #impactandprofit.

Jul 8, 2023 • 44min
Redefining Wellness: The Rise of the Lifestyle Brand 'UnDiet Yourself’
This week, I had the opportunity to speak with Lizzie Ens, an embodiment of determination and resilience that beautifully contrasts with her humble Amish origins. She is the trailblazing founder of 'UnDiet Yourself', a significant challenger in the health and wellness industry. As a board-certified nutritionist and personal trainer, Lizzie's comprehensive approach to wellness demystifies the path to holistic health. Her innovative platform prides itself on promoting gut health, hormonal balance, and a newfound relationship with food. Lizzie's extensive experience and expertise radiate through 'UnDiet Yourself', underscoring its authenticity. She shared a lot of insights on her journey on how to find your niche, embody it in your platform that is uniquely yours, and how to use passion to drive your actions every step of the way. In this episode, we discuss: 👉The importance in being authentic to yourself when it comes to personal branding 👉Personal relationships in business and how you can’t do it all alone 👉How an unorthodox background can give you a unique edge in business 👉What it takes to grow a successful social media following and engage with your audience 👉Some misconceptions in the health, nutrition and dieting space Some key points: (03:30) - the driving force behind starting a business, (06:23) - from personal training to "Undiet Yourself", (09:26) - finding your platform, (14:39) - going back to basics, (17:26) - standing out in the market, (18:36) - being authentic, (28:57) - growing a following on instagram, (32:30) - finding the right platform, (34:40) - feeling lonely in business, (37:56) - getting unstuck from your spaghetti (39:02) - proudest moment in business, (43:26) - closing thoughts and how to reach out to Lizzie 🌎Reach out to Lizzie Ens📌 Are you suffering from adrenal fatigue? Check out Lizzie’s free resource for getting your adrenals under control here Instagram https://www.instagram.com/undietyourself/?hl=en Undiet Yourself https://undietyourself.live/LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-ens-58708b122 Homepage https://www.lizzieens.com/escaping_my_reflection 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here. 🎤 Podcast post-production EZPZ Podcasting

Jul 2, 2023 • 43min
Growing A Disruptive Brand In An Emerging Industry - A Fintech Pioneer's Journey To Exit
Fintech pioneer and seasoned entrepreneur Aditya Kurjekar shares his insights on building a successful business, emphasising the importance of a support system; making use of mentors, wherever you can find them; and having the courage to take calculated risk. Aditya makes the case that it’s not necessary to leave your large company to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions, it’s possible to do great things within larger organizations as well. There are pros to pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions within a larger organisation: the path of going out on your own can be lonely for business owners. If you do take the plunge, however, you have to be prepared for various challenges, such as the necessity to completely pivot or even rebrand your business. Tune in to hear Aditya’s tips for how to go about this. In this episode, we discuss: 👉Critical insights on entrepreneurship within the Fintech and content creation space 👉How to create a winning industry conference - story of Money 20/20 👉 The importance of a dependable support networks and mentorship for sustained business growth. 👉The skills needed to develop a winning product that captures the market. 👉 The pros and cons of entrepreneurship inside vs outside big companies About Aditya Khurjekar Aditya Khurjekar is a serial entrepreneur and industry leader in FinTech, having founded MEDICI (formerly LTP — Let's Talk Payments) and served as its CEO. With it recently being sold and aquired by Prove, Aditya now contributes his expertise to integrate MEDICI's capabilities and drive new product innovation in the realm of identity solutions for the emerging internet. Previously, Aditya was a founder of Money20/20 (largest fintech conference worldwide),and held a number of leadership positions at Verizon Wireless, , Lucent Technologies, Bell Laboratories and more. Some Key Points: (05:06) Aditya’s initial reason for starting a business (06:48) initial steps in the corporate world your family and support structure are invaluable as a founder (08:51) you don't have to be outside of the corporate world to show entrepreneurial spirit (12:18) Getting involved with Fintech when it was still a new arena, building the money 2020 conference (15:43) Running a profitable conference and charging what you are worth (18:39) Sponsorships are critical, how does one find good ones? (22:13) Let's Talk Payments and creating content as a business (24:36) Pivoting to a new company: Medici Global (28:35) Some tips for rebranding your business (32:40) Making an exit from Medici Global (33:33) Being a CEO can be lonely, but you should follow your conviction anyway (36:15) The transition period between different businesses (38:20) The future for Aditya (39:11) Aditya's advice for founders in the spaghetti phase 🌎Reach out to Aditya Khujekar LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurjekar Twitter https://twitter.com/khurjekar?lang=en 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here. 🎤 Podcast post-production EZPZ Podcasting

Jun 20, 2023 • 58min
Journey of A 4x Serial Internet Marketer, Exits, Pivots & More
“Everything is figureoutable. Trust that you can figure it out” Whatever business you have today is going to look different in six months, in a year. Get creative.” Heidi DeCoux is a serial entrepreneur who’s built four businesses with 50%+ profit margins, sold 3 of them, including a 7-figure exit, and has appeared in magazines and websites like Forbes. She’s become known as “The Optimizer” because she’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs optimise their businesses and life. She’s now gearing up to launch her newest company, Alchemized Teams, designed to help small businesses build winning teams. In this episode: 👉Acquire invaluable insights for thriving as an accomplished serial internet entrepreneur. 👉Learn to pinpoint and capitalize on market gaps for unparalleled business success. 👉Uncover the importance of personal evolution in separation from the entrepreneurial pack. 👉Realize the power of tending to mental health for both personal and professional gains. 👉Experience the effects of coaching and consulting on your business' rapid growth. The entrepreneurial journey is marked by a multitude of ups and downs, from successes to failures and learnings. As entrepreneurs navigate their path, they develop valuable insights, skills, and knowledge that can help them refine their approach, mindset, and business strategy. Reflecting on one's own journey can provide a wealth of lessons that can help entrepreneurs make more informed decisions and set more realistic expectations for their businesses. During her conversation with Seema, Heidi DeCoux shares her personal experiences, including the importance of being adaptable, identifying under-served markets, and creating businesses that align with personal values and strengths. Throughout her journey, Heidi has created serveral internet business, utilized resourcefulness, and has learned to pivot and build momentum throughout each opportunity. She offers practical lessons and priceless wisdom that can serve as guidance for entrepreneurs looking to navigate their own paths to success. Some key points (04:28) - Heidi’s early entrepreneurial journey (07:18) - creating the fast filing method, (13:15) - Heidi’s journey in the very early days of online marketing (14:43) - scaling through internet practices, (18:51) - challenges in running an agency, (21:01) - launching a business in a box, (28:08) - pitching your ideas, (33:16) - niche marketing strategies (37:33) - the reality of entrepreneurship, (39:13) - building a winning team, (41:32) - investing in yourself, (42:30) - taking a sabbatical, (45:25) - streamlining the hiring process, (50:01) - taking time off for mental health, (54:31) - importance of alignment, 🌎Reach out to Heidi DeCoux Website https://heididecoux.com/LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/heididecoux/ IG https://www.instagram.com/heididecoux/?hl=en 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here.

Jun 8, 2023 • 42min
The CEO’s Journey of Creating Disruptive Technology [For Space]
“There is an infinite amount of stuff we don't know about space. There is an infinite amount of things we have not and never will actually explore.“ Eric Ingram is a trailblazing entrepreneur with extensive experience in the space industry. As the founder and CEO of Scout Space, a company focused on developing groundbreaking orbital products and services, he has become a notable figure in promoting space safety and transparency. Apart from his work with Scout, Eric is also a board member of the Space Frontier Foundation and an active ambassador for Astro Access, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering disability inclusion in space exploration. His journey as a CEO has been filled with invaluable lessons on pivoting and self-awareness, making him an inspiring guest for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this episode 👉Discover the intersection of entrepreneurship and space exploration and its impact on the future. 👉Learn why pivoting plays a crucial role in business success and longevity. 👉Uncover the importance of self-awareness in identifying and pursuing your true passions. 👉Explore various funding opportunities available for groundbreaking businesses. 👉Delve into the immense potential of the growing space industry for innovation and expansion. Some key points (03:04) - driving force for starting a business (06:07) - interest in space (09:18) - scout’s mission in space (14:07) - eric's background, (16:08) - Scout's early days (18:05) - market research (22:19) - Scout's mission (25:51) - the importance of diversity and inclusion (28:25) - grants and government contracts (32:04) - success story: launching payloads into space (36:09) - scout's dual use focus (37:06) - exciting things on the horizon for Scout (42:15) - importance of pivoting in business (42:46) - lack of awareness in the space industry (43:19) - be curious and learn (44:30) - final thoughts 🌎Reach out to Eric Ingram LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsingram Scout https://www.scout.space/aboutTwitter https://twitter.com/eric_ingram?lang=en 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here.

May 11, 2023 • 50min
FROM SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR TO BUILDING AN ACCIDENTAL PR EMPIRE
“Knowing what you want and who your audience is and how you're going to get to them... is key to growth" If you are a serial entrepreneur working together your legacy business, this is a fun podcast episode for you. Christina Daves is a world renown publicity strategist and the founder of PR for Anyone® where she shows people how to generate free exposure to builds their personal brands and business. Christina is the author of two bestselling books on PR and generating buzz. In this podcast, you are going to hear her real story of the several businesses, lesson and lot of strategies she used to build an event planning company, a retail store, sell a physical product before she accidentally become a PR agency that together with her clients, has generated over 1 billion views and over $100 million in sales from free publicity. This is a fun one guys. Enjoy! 👉In this Episode 1.Tap into the importance of tenacity and ingenuity in securing business success. 2. Learn the secrets of designing an unparalleled pitching and marketing system. 3. Accelerate brand growth by leveraging connections with prominent influencers. 4. Cultivate a comprehensive approach to marketing and branding for lasting results. 5. Sharpen your niche understanding and fine-tune your messaging for targeted clients. 👉 Some key points: (03:15) What was the driving force behind Cristina getting into business in the first place?(05:08) Getting an initial start in real-estate (07:05) We all have gifts, but sometimes our path to using them can be complex (09:34) Christina goes from real-estate to opening a shop (11:29) How to find the courage to pursue new areas of business (14:34) The secret sauce to success in the retail business. (16:29) Christina makes an impact in the cosmetics field (19:04) What does it take to invent a brand new physical product: Design, manufacturing Validating your product (22:28) Sometimes your product is ahead of the market. (24:03) How PR for Anyone was born: deep-dive into Christina's platform (30:08) How to approach other influencers to work with you (33:51) Getting into internet marketing and dealing with imposter syndrome (35:50) If you can hire people to help you out, do it (39:14) How to make sure you are positioning correctly and that your messaging is on point (40:49) Getting out of the spaghetti phase in her PR business: learning public speaking turned out to be very valuable (44:24) How to get PR for your business: news jacking (47:14) Christina's take on how to get out of the spaghetti stage in your business. Put it all on your plate! (48:28) How to reach out to Christina 🌎Reach out to Christina Daves PR For Everyone https://prforanyone.com/Personal Website https://christinadaves.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinadaves Twitter https://twitter.com/prforanyone?lang=en Christina’s books on Amazon 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Business Growth Academy: www.disruptive.ceo/accelerator Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here. 🎤 Podcast Production Everglade Media

Apr 21, 2023 • 55min
From Zero to $10 Million: Building a WINNING eCommerce ANTI-Agency with Nirav Sheth
“A lot of times as a founder you don’t want to make any mistakes. You’re too scared. But when you can't act as a beginner or even try things out, you're never gonna make it.” For Nirav Sheth, success was never inevitable. Through hard work, dedication and a twist of fate, Nirav managed to turn his web design and development business into a thriving eCommerce operation in the health and wellness niche. But the success of Anatta, Nirav’s company, doesn't just stop there - with over 95% of business coming from referrals, Nirav has built something bigger than just a business. The importance of identifying a niche and developing a clear focus cannot be overstated in the world of e-commerce. Doing so helps businesses differentiate themselves from competitors, enabling them to effectively reach their target audience. A well-defined focus also allows entrepreneurs to maximise their resources and efforts, ensuring that their business thrives in its specialised field. In the podcast, Nirav Sheth reveals how he successfully managed to pivot his business to concentrate on e-commerce, specifically in the health and wellness sector. It was this clear sense of direction that allowed Anatta to thrive and grow, as it attracted like-minded clients in the same field. The keen focus on the health and wellness space also helped Anatta to establish itself as an industry leader in this particular niche, further contributing to its overall success. 👉In this Episode 1.Tackle insecurities and blind spots to unlock untapped entrepreneurial potential. 2.Discover the true essence of company culture and why hiring operationally driven staff can skyrocket success. 3.Stand out in competitive markets by cultivating savvy positioning techniques. 4.Harness the power of pivoting your business for exceptional results. 5.Reap the benefits of restful vacations to dig up fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. 👉 Some key points: (01:44) Disruptive CEO Business Academy (04:13) Building his first business from the bedroom of his parents’ house (05:55) Making a choice between the traditional path vs entrepreneurship (07:38) Initially Nirav set out to create a simple consulting business (10:18) The dynamics of running a business with your best friends as partners (12:06) The chicken and egg problem of getting clients vs hiring people to do the work Nirav made use of contractors for many years before hiring employees (14:19) Nirav focused heavily on selling his services while outsourcing the work Hustling for initial gigs without being entirely sure about pricing or timelines (15:51) Going from the small business mindset to the next step up Gradually pivoting from niche Wordpress development to E-commerce (18:09) Going all-in on your quality of work can eventually lead to referrals that will sustain your whole business (19:51) How to make your service business more "sticky" and secure recurring revenue: Going from billable hours to retainers (23:49) Sometimes you have to say NO: what to do with clients who turn out to be not good fits (26:51) How to determine who to say YES to, who to say NO to: over time Nirav has developed a solid list of requirements for his clients (29:56) The importance of the values and culture of both your clients and the people your hire: integrity, accountability, joy for one’s work (32:42) The problem of Ego: being an expert can sometimes get in your way. We must strike a BALANCE. (38:12) Personal development is closely related to business success and being an effective leader (40:18) Going from a solopreneur to a CEO: Handling over your daily operations to a COO can be difficult but helps you get to the next level (43:13) Make sure you build annual price increases into your contracts and make sure your customers are aware (46:07) Becoming truly intentional and going from spaghetti to growth: figure out your brand positioning as precisely as possible (49:07) Sometimes you have to sell people on your ideas WITHIN your organisation (51:16) Nirav's advice for founders who are stuck in the spaghetti phase Take a vacation, avoid too much tunnel-vision (53:29) 🌎 Reach out to Nirav Sheth LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirav-sheth-anatta Twitter https://twitter.com/NiravBSheth Anatta https://anatta.io/ 🌎 Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here.

Apr 4, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Real Story Behind Todd Herman: What it Takes to Be The Best in the World (Interview)
In today's episode, we have the incomparable Todd Herman--a serial entrepreneur, the best performance coach in the world, author, speaker and overall family man! Todd Herman has been working with the highest achievers in sports and business for over two decades. He is the creator of the multi-award-winning Leadership & Skills Development Program, 90 Day Year, and author of the WSJ bestselling book, ‘The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life’. He also authored a children’s version of the book called, ‘My Super Me’, was later released to help kids find their own superhero within and be more confident and courageous. Todd’s professional programs are delivered annually to over 200,000 professionals in 73 countries. Named by the Boston Herald as a “Training Superstar,” Todd has been featured on The Today Show, PBS, Sky News, Inc Magazine, CBS and Business Insider among others. Originally from Alberta, Canada, Todd now lives in New York City with his wife and three children. 👉You will learn: 1. How uncovering the power of Imposter Syndrome can drive insatiable growth instead of hindering you 2. Why exploring your passions can lead you to become an entrepreneur quite by accident (and that’s OK!) 3. Understanding the importance of luck and how it plays a role in entrepreneurial success. 4. What it really takes to achieve excellence at a very high level 👉 Some key points: (02:54) What was the driving force that made Todd get into business in the first place? Todd fashions himself an "accidental entrepreneur" (06:18) Todd recounts the first time he got serious about making money Todd's days in 4-H. Good old fashioned manual labour gave Todd his first taste of what it means to earn your own money (12:51) Todd discovers coaching and is shocked to learn what he could charge for his expertise (15:35) Luck can play a huge role in your eventual success (16:13) Advice for people who are transitioning from their side-hustles to full-on entrepreneurship (25:48) Out of all the marketing mediums to deploy, speaking is one of the most powerful (29:42) Todd made use of books and mentors when starting out (32:59) Todd recommends a holistic approach to both his coaching clients and for thinking about your business (39:35) Despite not being a certified psychologist, Todd found his own unique way to conduct mental game coaching (41:39) Don't assume your coaches have everything figured out: A mentor can sometimes show you what NOT to do (43:48) Impostor syndrome was much less of an issue for Todd since he got mentorship from the very best at a very early stage (45:50) When did Todd have his breakthrough from spaghetti to business moment (47:37) As Todd's coaching business grew, how did he change his pricing model? (49:43) Todd explains how he eventually scaled his business and gives an overview of his 90 Day Year concept (55:40) Todd shares a personal highlight from his career so far (58:20) The Alter Ego effect is Todd's landmark book (01:02:10) Some advice for people that are in the spaghetti phase with their new business 🌎Reach out to Todd Herman Website https://toddherman.me/LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddherman1 IG https://www.instagram.com/todd_herman/?hl=en The Alter Ego Effect (BOOK) 🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating on Apple podcasts by clicking here. 🎤 Podcast Production Everglade Media IAOG12gyoxe4IPY5ywOn