Ep. 206 The Power of One Conversation and How It Can Transform Your Business

Ep. 208 The Coaching Model That Helps Business Owners Scale, Exit, and Actually Enjoy the Journey

Show Notes: In this episode, Heidi Schalk sits down with Dave Pennington, founder of Penn Coaching & Consulting, for a conversation packed with hard-won insights on leadership, business scaling, exit strategy, and the smart use of AI. Dave shares his journey through ministry, private education, and now a coaching practice built around helping business owners unlock their strengths, build the right teams, and position their businesses for maximum value when it's time to sell or transition.  Bio: Dave spent the last 35+ years managing and leading organizations. He has served on national & international boards. He has built strong teams, developed his personal leadership, managed financials, and developed and sustained visionary leadership. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pennington-phd-35042714/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penncandc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penncandc/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@penncoachingconsulting  Website:  https://penncoaching.com  Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁 Looking for the solution to missed calls and leaking revenue?  Check out Leah, our AI employee then get your free custom demo for your business:  myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah [https://myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah]

Ep. 207 What Got You Here Will Not Get You There Leadership Lessons for Growth with Adam Cubbage

Show Notes: What separates businesses that scale from those that stall? In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Dr. Adam Cubbage, Founder and Principal Consultant of CenterPoint Leadership Development, to discuss the systems, leadership frameworks, and mindset shifts that businesses need to achieve sustainable growth. Drawing from his military background and years of leadership development experience, Adam shares why leadership is not inspiration. It is a repeatable system. The conversation explores common mistakes founders make as they grow, the dangers of relying on one person for critical knowledge, how AI is changing business operations, and why business owners must continuously evolve if they want to reach their next level. Adam also introduces his upcoming book, Nobody Gave Me a Playbook, designed for leaders who were promoted into management without ever receiving a roadmap. Bio:   With over two decades of unique and hands-on leadership experience ranging from the combat zone to the c-suite, Adam Cubbage is a recognized expert in leadership & organizational development. He’s passionate about developing the next generation of leaders because he knows that great leaders are made only through a combination of experience, learning, and behavior.  As the owner and Principal Consultant of Center Point Leadership Development, a certified executive coach, and professional facilitator Adam has extensive experience working with leaders at every level of an organization discovering the best ways to lead people, develop teams, & achieve results. The outcomes are undeniable: increased employee engagement, high-performing teams, and improved performance.    Adam earned a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Hood College, is an official member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a contributing writer to Forbes Magazine, a TEDx speaker, an adjunct professor, and a decorated combat veteran.  He brings his love of learning, an ability to connect with people, and a keen sense of humor to deliver high-impact / high quality training programs all across the nation.   To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/atcubbage/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atcubbage/] Website:  https://www.centerpointleadership.co/ [https://www.centerpointleadership.co/] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁 Looking for the solution to missed calls and leaking revenue?  Check out Leah, our AI employee then get your free custom demo for your business:  myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah [https://myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah]

Ep. 206 The Power of One Conversation and How It Can Transform Your Business

Show Notes: What if the biggest growth strategy in your business is not another tool, platform, or process but a better conversation? In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Ginine Capozzi, Founder of Knowledge Force Consulting, to explore how leadership, culture, mindset, and intentional conversations create sustainable business growth. Ginine shares the story behind her "Power of One" philosophy and explains why one conversation, one idea, and one intentional action can change the trajectory of a business and a career. The conversation dives into leadership development mistakes organizations commonly make, how AI is changing the future of work, why human skills are becoming more valuable than technical skills, and lessons learned from navigating business challenges over the last 14 plus years. Ginine also introduces her new program, The Long Arc Journey, a transformational experience designed for leaders asking themselves, "What's next?" Bio: Ginine M. Capozzi, Talent Development Consultant and ICF-Certified Coach As president and founder of KnowledgeForce Consulting LLC, Ginine Capozzi is a hands-on leader who pushes the boundaries of training excellence. Ginine expertly combines her knowledge of adult learning and change management with sharp business acumen, delivering impactful solutions across her work. With over 20 years of industry experience, her expertise is focused on making a difference by co-creating learning at the intersection of business and people’s needs. In 2012, she started KnowledgeForce Consulting to develop Training Reimagined® learning solutions that power businesses and help her clients expand their people’s knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences to create sustained change. Throughout her career, Ginine has held impactful roles in education and training, including instructional designer, learning solutions architect, professional coach, and business owner. She has worked with over 125 organizations, many of which are part of the US Fortune 500. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Rochester Institute of Technology in Printing Management and Packaging Science and a Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.) in Career and Technical Education with a concentration in Adult Education from Buffalo State College. She is certified in Hogan Assessments, HBDI® Assessments, Whole Brain® Thinking and The B▢X® Experience. Additionally, Ginine is an ICF-ACC Certified CoActive Coach and Sententia Gamification Master Craftsman. Ginine served as a panelist alongside several notable industry leaders, including Siemens president Barbara Humpton and Empire State Development CEO Hope Knight, to discuss Upskilling for the Digital Future at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Sciences. Ginine has shared her expertise as a featured speaker on numerous podcasts, panels, and industry conferences, most recently presenting insights at NYPWA’s Winter Conference (2026) and at GamiCon48V (2026). She is also a published author who has a featured contribution to a best-selling anthology on learning experience design. Several regional media outlets and industry organizations have featured her work and expertise, including Buffalo Business First, WIVB Buffalo News 4, University at Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and ATD Buffalo Niagara. __________________________________________ About KnowledgeForce Consulting LLC KnowledgeForce Consulting LLC is a certified NYS woman-owned talent development firm providing training and development services to a vast array of New York State government agencies, companies, businesses, and organizations throughout the U.S. KnowledgeForce Consulting’s president, Ginine Capozzi, is a strategic learning and development (L&D) professional who founded the firm in 2012 based on her belief that an organization’s workforce is its “knowledge force” and that leveraging people’s knowledge and experience is the secret to sustained success. KnowledgeForce Consulting’s service offerings include L&D strategic planning, customized instructional design, e-learning and behavioral assessments, and in-person or virtual facilitation, including leadership coaching. Through its services, the firm partners with organizations in all industries to expand the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences of their greatest asset – their people – to drive change and improve performance. To learn more about KnowledgeForce Consulting LLC, visit www.knowledgeforceconsulting.com. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gininecapozzi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gininecapozzi/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trainingreimagined  [https://www.youtube.com/@trainingreimagined] Website:  www.knowledgeforceconsulting.com  [http://www.knowledgeforceconsulting.com] Website:  www.longarcjourney.com  [http://www.longarcjourney.com] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁 Looking for the solution to missed calls and leaking revenue?  Check out Leah, our AI employee then get your free custom demo for your business:  myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah [https://myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah]

Ep. 205 Why More Content Does Not Always Mean More Growth for Coaches with Andrew Chesnutt

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Andrew Chesnutt, founder of Authority Forge, to discuss what it really takes to build authority, simplify marketing, and grow a sustainable business. With over 20 years of experience in learning and development and more than a decade in entrepreneurship, Andrew shares how he transformed his expertise into helping coaches and founders manage marketing overwhelm while focusing on the work they do best. This conversation dives into founder marketing, the balance between personal storytelling and business content, the role of AI in modern business, and why entrepreneurs often struggle by trying to do everything themselves. Andrew also opens up about costly lessons learned, including a failed $15,000 marketing campaign, hiring mistakes, business pivots, and strategies that now consistently drive growth. Discover practical insights on content strategy, authentic storytelling, pivoting, and leveraging AI effectively.  If you're a coach, entrepreneur, or founder looking to create visibility, build authority, and scale strategically, this episode delivers practical insights you can implement immediately. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewchesnutt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewchesnutt/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theauthorityforge/ [https://www.instagram.com/theauthorityforge/]  Website:  https://theauthorityforge.com/ [https://theauthorityforge.com/]  Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁 Looking for the solution to missed calls and leaking revenue?  Check out Leah, our AI employee then get your free custom demo for your business:  myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah [https://myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah]

Ep. 204 Navigating Menopause, Weight Loss, and Professional Life with Dr. Heather Awad

Show Notes: In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk talks with Dr. Heather Awad, family physician and certified coach, about helping professional women navigate menopause and achieve sustainable weight loss. Dr. Heather shares her personal journey through midlife weight challenges, how she developed Vibrant MD’s flexible, science-backed approach, and the power of virtual group coaching for professional women. Listeners will learn: * Why traditional diet and exercise methods often fail during menopause * How Dr. Heather’s approach combines medical expertise with coaching for lasting results * The role of community and group coaching in achieving weight loss and confidence * Strategies for growing a virtual health business and marketing effectively to midlife women * Upcoming projects including a book on menopause weight loss and plans to make programs evergreen Whether you’re navigating midlife weight challenges or looking to scale a service-based business online, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration. Bio* Heather Awad, MD is a family doctor and certified coach helping professional women at menopause and beyond to lose the weight that won’t budge. Her proven system works with their hormone changes instead of against them, showing women how to enjoy food, reset their metabolism, and achieve lasting results—without dieting or willpower. She also hosts the Vibrant Menopause podcast, where she shares real-life strategies for weight loss and midlife health. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherawadmd/ [https://www.instagram.com/heatherawadmd/] Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/heatherawadmd/ [https://www.instagram.com/heatherawadmd/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherawadmd?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherawadmd?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherawadmd7858 [https://www.youtube.com/@heatherawadmd7858] Website:  https://www.vibrant-md.com/  [https://www.vibrant-md.com/] 🎁Free Gift: https://www.vibrant-md.com/breakfast  [https://www.vibrant-md.com/breakfast] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁 Looking for the solution to missed calls and leaking revenue?  Check out Leah, our AI employee then get your free custom demo for your business:  myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah [https://myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah]