Best Places to Lead

Ep 63 | From Startup to Scale-up: A CEO's Transformation Journey with Tyler Horsley

Entrepreneurs excel at launching new business ventures. As go-getters, they have the drive and follow through it takes to move great ideas from the idea stage to reality. But the entrepreneur’s strengths are also their weaknesses, especially when it comes time to scale the business. The hardest thing for them to do? Let go of control.  On this week’s episode of Best Places to Lead. I sat down with Tyler Horsley, Founder and former CEO of Nuclear Networking. Nuclear Networking helped businesses improve their marketing to meet their revenue goals. As a Founder/CEO, Tyler had many insights about the growing pains that he went through as a Founder to earn his CEO seat. We discussed: 🚀 The importance of letting go of the entrepreneurial startup mindset and transitioning into a more scalable and effective leadership approach. 🚀 Why having strategic alignment could unlock business growth. 🚀 Operating in your highest and best use for better efficiency and personal fulfillment. Connect with Tyler: On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrtylerhorsley/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrtylerhorsley/] On their Company: https://nuclearnetworking.com/ [https://nuclearnetworking.com/] 🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com 📣 [https://bestplacestolead.com/]Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead] Follow me and never miss a thing: On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/ [https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/] On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/] On my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom [https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom] On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/ [https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/] On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/ [https://provenchaos.com/]

Ep 62 | Revamp, Reinvent, Rise: Navigating Business Transitions with Nellie Akalp

Entrepreneurs are well known for their resilience and ability to adapt to ever-changing markets. However, evolving from an initial business model to a more sustainable, scalable one often came with its unique set of challenges. One of the most difficult aspects of this transition was learning to trust and delegate rather than maintaining tight control over every aspect of the business. In this week's episode of our podcast, we were thrilled to have Nellie Akalp, the CEO behind CorpNet, who proved that it was possible to reinvent your business model successfully and come out stronger on the other side. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Nellie transitioned her company from a B2C model to a B2B model, steering her business towards new opportunities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discussed: 1️⃣ The importance of being aware of market dynamics and being willing to adapt to remain competitive. 2️⃣ How to operate at your highest potential for greater efficiency and personal satisfaction. 3️⃣ The 'Three Pillars of Success' that guided Nellie's business: customer success, employee engagement, and a sustainable business model. Connect with Nellie: On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellieakalp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/] On her Company: https://www.corpnet.com/ [https://www.corpnet.com/] 🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com 📣 [https://bestplacestolead.com/]Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead] Follow me and never miss a thing: On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/ [https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/] On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/] On my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom [https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom] On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/ [https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/] On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/ [https://provenchaos.com/]

Ep 61 | Transformational Over Transactional: Thomas Brainsky on Creating Lasting Value through Relationships

Many business owners have overlooked the importance of creating value for people, often focusing on transactional relationships rather than transformative ones. However, investing time, energy, and resources to provide value to our people not only builds a positive reputation but also fosters meaningful relationships and strong connections. In this episode of Best Places to Lead, we dove into the mind of such a leader - Thomas Brainsky, the CEO behind Elite Operations, Bonifate, and ProfitMax. Reflecting on his own experiences, Thomas shared the wisdom he wishes he had known 20 years ago and the valuable lessons he has learned along the way. In this episode, we discussed: • How Thomas rebuilt trust in the aftermath of a company-shattering incident. • The transformative power of humility, vulnerability, and hyper-transparency in fostering strong relationships with employees. • The complexities and considerations of organic growth versus buy and build strategies. If you were seeking guidance on leadership, transparency, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, this episode was a must-watch. Connect with Thomas: On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-brainsky-2453152/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/] 🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com 📣 [https://bestplacestolead.com/]Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead] Follow me and never miss a thing: On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/ [https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/] On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/] On my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom [https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom] On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/ [https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/] On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/ [https://provenchaos.com/]

Ep 60 | Navigating Business Growth: Kara Brown’s Rise to Running an Inc 5000 Company

Often, the road to success is dotted with unexpected twists and turns. Conquering adversity and navigating the choppy waters of the business world are feats that Kara Smith Brown, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of LeadCoverage, knows all too well. With a track record of spearheading her own venture, Kara has remarkably transformed her challenges into stepping stones toward success. Drawing on her deep-rooted experience in sales, she has assembled a skilled team in a post-pandemic world, extending LeadCoverage's influence as a trusted name in the field. On this Best Places to Lead episode, I sit down with Kara to unpack her journey. Kara's path as an influential entrepreneur illustrates her resilient spirit and dedication to fostering female leadership in sales. In this episode, we discussed:  1. How Kara thrived amidst the trials of the "great resignation" period, building a high-performing team in a changing world.  2. Her time in the EO Harvard program and how her experiences there helped shape her approach to leadership. 3. Fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity in the post-pandemic era. If you're eager to explore how to transform hardships into fuel for success, or if you're seeking insights into the unique challenges and rewards of entrepreneurial leadership, this week's episode is a must-watch. Connect with Kara: On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/] On her Company Website: https://leadcoverage.com/company/ [https://leadcoverage.com/company/] 🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com 📣 [https://bestplacestolead.com/]Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead] Follow me and never miss a thing: On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/ [https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/] On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/] On my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom [https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom] On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/ [https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/] On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/ [https://provenchaos.com/]

Ep 59 | Turning Competitors into Customers: Dave Walens' Journey From Trade Shows to the Digital Frontier

The line between competitors and customers is often quite distinct, yet Dave Walens, CEO of Exploring Digital, has managed to blur this boundary, turning his rivals into his clients. With roots in the trade show industry, Dave has taken a visionary leap through acquisition. After purchasing Brumark, a flooring solutions company, David set out to expand the business to include other related industries, such as fabrication and graphics. Now, his company provides clients with an array of design solutions for their needs. On this Best Places to Lead episode, I sit down with Dave to dive into his fascinating journey from starting his own design-build firm in the '80s to acquiring a flooring company and subsequently expanding it into an industry-leading brand. His foresight demonstrates his prowess as a seasoned entrepreneur and forward-thinker. In this episode, we discussed:  💡 How Dave transformed competitors into customers and navigated the potential friction this created.  💡 The importance of assembling the right team and the impact of hiring decisions on business growth.  💡 The transitions in leadership as the company grew and why defining clear roles and responsibilities is essential for business success. If you are curious about how to navigate the fine line between competition and collaboration, or if you're seeking insights into the unique challenges and rewards of scaling a business, this week's episode is a must-listen. Connect with Dave: On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-walens-3bb35a9   [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-walens-3bb35a9]On his Company Website: https://exploringdig.com/ [https://exploringdig.com/] 🚨 Register for the show here: BestPlacestoLead.com 📣 [https://bestplacestolead.com/]Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestplacestolead] Follow me and never miss a thing: On my weekly office hours: https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/ [https://provenchaos.com/office-hours/] On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrymacnamara/] On my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom [https://www.facebook.com/ProvenChaoscom] On my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/ [https://www.instagram.com/provenchaos/] On my Company: https://provenchaos.com/ [https://provenchaos.com/]