C Suite and Sour

Samuel Moses, Founder and CEO of Sockrates, shares his inspiring journey from a necktie store in Toronto to a global custom sock brand. He highlights how the pandemic pivoted his business to online sales, boosted by his wife's marketing genius. The duo faced challenges like shipping and quality control while emphasizing the importance of tech investment and adaptability. Their mantra encapsulates resilience in navigating the business landscape, all while maintaining a fun and customer-centric approach to sock design.

Are great leaders born or made? Our guest in this episode gives her take on this age-old question. We’re joined by Val Grubb, a seasoned Keynote Speaker, Author, Executive Coach, and Trainer, who’s held leadership roles at powerhouses like Oxygen Media and NBC Universal. Listen along as Val dives into the transformative shift from tactical thinking to strategic leadership, exploring the notion of who can—and should—be a leader. We also discuss the fundamental role of education in molding competent leaders and share insider tips on how CEOs can cascade effective leadership down through every layer of their organization.

This episode is a little different. We dive deep into the life of Kourtney Rincon and see how from a very difficult childhood she has become successful, not only in life but in business. We then dive into diversity in the workplace, specifically diversity of thought and how to act in the workplace with people who think differently than us because of their genetics. The answer will shock you. Or maybe it won't. ;)

In the latest episode of "C Suite and Sour," Philip sits down with Erica, the CEO of Rasa.io, a company specializing in AI-driven newsletter solutions. Erica shares her journey from her early days in Tulane's undergraduate admission office, where she was introduced to the world of marketing automation, to her current role at Rasa. The conversation delves into the evolution of AI in the email industry, the challenges of leadership, and the balance between personal and professional life. Erica emphasizes the importance of embracing change, especially in the rapidly advancing world of AI, and discusses the challenges of managing feedback as a company grows. The episode also touches on the blurred lines between work and personal life in the age of remote work, with both Philip and Erica sharing their experiences and strategies for navigating these challenges.

Ever wondered why even the best strategies sometimes fall flat in execution? Ali Schwanke has helped countless companies pinpoint what they’re missing and steer them in the direction of growth. Ali is the CEO & Founder of Simple Strat, which helps businesses leverage HubSpot and scale. With her consulting background, Ali reveals the two main culprits behind most business problems, and the pivotal importance of identifying the root issue. Listen along as we discuss: The great divide between strategy understanding and execution prowess. The future of AI and how it will impact modern businesses. The ongoing debate: Hybrid vs. Remote vs. In-person. Which reigns supreme in 2023? Tips and tricks to leverage social media in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Most business success journeys are not as glamorous as we are often led to believe. The truth is that you need a lot more than just a great idea, money, and luck to build an industry leading brand. Our guest this week knows a thing or two about turning trials into triumphs and creating tangible success out of experience, learning, and commitment. Listen along as we sit down with Rand Fishkin, CEO of Sparktoro, creator of Moz, and author of the praised Lost and Founder: A Painfully Honest Field Guide to the Startup World. Sparktoro, a free audience research platform, is proof that you don’t need a large team to grow a business. Rand shares how his mighty team of 3 have created success with a nontraditional model that has worked wonders. He explains his take on modern business structure and profitability, and discusses how the way companies design their teams and cultures might be the most telling factor of their success.

DEI is now the mainstream of company culture, but the meaning of words like “diversity” and “equity” have changed over time and become increasingly politicized. This week, Claudia Chan brings us back in history to uncover what these words really mean and how they pertain to modern business. Claudia is the CEO & Founder of SHE GLOBL and creator of the award-winning S.H.E. Summit. Listen along as we discuss why humanity might be the most powerful leadership value of all, and how job satisfaction starts with focusing on general well-being.  Claudia’s leadership program and coaching style encompass a self-power framework that combines four essential elements to empower individuals and organizations to lead with a sense of wholeness. Align customers can get a 20% discount on any of Claudia’s programs. Email stephanie@sheglobl.com by August 30th to claim the offer! Don’t forget to check out Claudia’s book, This is How We Rise: Reach Your Highest Potential, Empower Women, Lead Change in the World.

Fill in the blank. In terms of leadership, “Every company needs a ___________.” Hint: It’s not a CEO. Listen to our in-depth discussion with Andrea Sampson, master storyteller and CEO of Talk Boutique. Andrea explains which role in a business is easily overlooked but essential to establishing a strong presence, and how to identify who it should be within your team. With a background in marketing and advertising, she shares how individuals can unleash their storytelling capabilities to create meaningful change. We explore the evolution of advertising and how companies can use it today in a way that works for them specifically. As a neurodiverse leader, Andrea shares how individuals can embrace their unique mindset and use it to be thought leaders who drive impactful transformation.

There are many answers to the question, "What sets successful businesses apart from the rest?" But two of the most evident are a company’s values and its leadership. Alina Vandenberghe reveals the #1 Core Value of her company, Chili Piper, and how she empowers her team to bring it to life each day. From the age of 9, Alina’s entrepreneurial spirit has inspired her to drive impact and provide benefit to people’s lives. She explains how she grew Chili Piper and the tools she finds most useful to run the show. Leaders, listen up. This is how you grow an idea into a powerhouse business.

We’re gonna let you in on a little secret: All great business leaders have doubted themselves at some point along the way…even this week’s guest who has industry giants like Salesforce, Meta, and Amazon on her resumé. Lindsey Fine, B2B SaaS and Sales Expert, reflects on her transformative journey and reveals how early-career influences inspired her to become a leader herself. She shares insights around overcoming imposter syndrome, and how leading with transparency might be the secret ingredient to a thriving team.