The C-Suite Power Play

EP08 Carlos Llanes: Faith-Led Scaling, Elite Teams & Building a $60M Logistics Powerhouse

arlos Llanes’ story is a blueprint for building—and scaling—with faith, discipline, and operational precision. In this episode of C-Suite Power Play, Carlos shares how his journey—from a Cuban-Colombian-American upbringing in Miami, to four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, to corporate leadership at Ryder supporting Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Tesla—became the foundation for launching a logistics and transportation company that grew from $0 to $60M+ in five years.He breaks down what most entrepreneurs miss: building a business and scaling a business are two different skill sets. Carlos explains how to scale through measurable processes, clear “standard work,” and mapping the journey of every role so the organization can replicate itself. He also shares the relationship-driven strategies that helped him unlock speed—like using factoring strategically (and responsibly) by anchoring receivables to strong customers, and building alliances to reduce the biggest cost pressures in trucking: equipment, labor, and fuel.Beyond operations, Carlos goes deep on leadership and culture: the “humble, hungry, and smart (EQ)” framework for hiring, the dangers of trying to want success more than your people want it, and how he protects culture by staying visible, walking the floor, and choosing purpose over pure scale. Finally, he offers a pragmatic take on AI—as an enhancer for analytics and productivity—while making a bold bet on the future: trades and workforce development as the next competitive advantage in a world that can automate information but can’t replace human execution.Key insights:- The “humble, hungry, smart (EQ)” model for building high-performing teams- Why most businesses stall: they can’t measure, document, and replicate processes- How relationships become the real “cheat code” for scaling faster than capital- Smart financing strategy: factoring vs. traditional banking—timing matters- Cost-control at scale: equipment partnerships, fuel strategy, driver retention= Culture protection through aligned leadership, clarity of vision, and presence- AI as an operational multiplier: routing, fuel efficiency, prescriptive analytics- The KPI he tracks daily: utilization (the universal performance lever)- Leadership maturity: stop trying to “save” people who don’t want it- The future bet: trades + standardized training pipelines to build real manpower

EP07 Olber Reyes: Transforming Hispanic Healthcare Through Community Clinics

In this episode, Dr. Olber Reyes, CEO of Clínica Familiar La Virgen de Guadalupe, shares how he transformed Hispanic healthcare in Dallas–Fort Worth. A Cuban physician who arrived in the U.S. via Venezuela, Olber identified a critical gap: the lack of culturally aligned, Spanish-speaking primary care for Hispanic families. What began as a single clinic has grown into a trusted network serving tens of thousands of patients, driven by human connection, language, and culture.Olber dives into the strategies behind this growth, from patient-first care and culturally fluent teams to training programs, technology integration, and operational efficiency — all while keeping relationships at the center. He also offers insights on hiring, retention, corporate culture, and financial planning, providing a rare look at scaling a healthcare operation without losing purpose. Essential listening for healthcare leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone building organizations for diverse communities.Key insights:- Culturally aligned care transforms Hispanic patient experiences.- Patient-first mindset drives loyalty and community trust.- Spanish-speaking teams bridge language gaps and strengthen relationships.- Tech integration enhances efficiency without losing human connection.- Training programs empower staff to deliver culturally fluent care.- Scaling healthcare successfully requires purpose, culture, and empathy.#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #LatinaLeaders #Mindset #Resilience #CSuitePowerPlay

EP06 Amanda Moreno-Lake: Vision, Redevelopment & the Power of Community-Driven Leadership

Amanda Moreno-Lake’s journey is a masterclass in long-term vision, disciplined execution, and community-centered business growth. In this episode, she walks us through the real story behind her career—from buying her first property at 19 to becoming one of the most influential voices in redevelopment and chamber leadership in Dallas.Amanda breaks down the realities of entering real estate as a young Latina in a male-dominated industry, the early lessons she learned about construction, permits, inspections, and the importance of understanding a city’s infrastructure before taking on any redevelopment project. She speaks candidly about the decades-long work behind areas like Bishop Arts, the challenges of mixed-use revitalization, and the impact of economic shifts, interest rates, and post-COVID constraints on local development.Her perspective goes beyond real estate. Amanda explains why joining multiple chambers of commerce changed the trajectory of her businesses, how relationships open more doors than capital, and why being contract-ready is essential for entrepreneurs who want to compete at a higher level. She also shares the influence of key mentors, the strategic value of having several banking partners, and the mindset that keeps her scaling: stay prepared, stay involved, and never let fear dictate decisions.Key insights:- The real challenges of redevelopment: timing, infrastructure, and regulatory navigation- Why networking through chambers of commerce accelerates business growth- Early entrepreneurial lessons from her beauty salon and retail ventures- The importance of mentors in avoiding costly mistakes- Practical strategies for funding: credit lines, banking relationships, and readiness- How community involvement, persistence, and long-term vision shape sustainable impact- Her personal metric for success: if she stops feeling joy in the work, she pivots#Leadership #LatinaLeaders #CommunityImpact #Discipline #PurposeDriven #CSuitePowerPlay #AmandaMorenoLake

EP05 From Welding Shop to $9M: Scaling Metal Manufacturing with Technology | Christopher Sanchez

Metal Manufacturing CEO Insights | Tech-Driven Scaling & Leadership (CS Fabrication)Metal manufacturing, metal fabrication, CEO insights, scaling a business—today on The C-Suite Power Play, we sit down with Christopher Sanchez, President of CS Fabrication, to break down the strategic moves that helped transform a traditional welding shop into a technology-driven, precision-focused, and sustainability-minded operation.Christopher shares how CS Fabrication streamlined production by treating every build like a “numbered puzzle,” using laser technology and modern processes to increase speed and accuracy—without compromising craftsmanship. He also opens up about hitting nearly $9M in revenue at their peak, staying open through COVID, and using slower seasons to fine-tune systems, layout, and team training for long-term growth.If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or business owner looking to scale with clarity, this episode is packed with real-world insights on process improvement, team leadership through change, and investing in the right technology at the right time.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How to move from traditional fabrication to technology-enabled manufacturing- The “pick two” rule: speed, price, quality—and why Chris prioritizes quality + speed- How to introduce new equipment without “spooking” your team- What scaling really costs: hard costs, soft costs, and time to train- The #1 lesson for every entrepreneur: know your finances—or someone will take advantage of your blind spots

EP04 Carolina del Calvo on Mindset, Trends and Building Culture Across Borders

In this episode, Carolina del Calvo, co-owner and Chief Merchandising Officer of FSI Brands, and founder of Build to Bloom Company, shares her journey from Curacao to the global fashion industry, leading multicultural teams across continents.She opens up about transforming challenges into growth, building psychological safety in global teams, and the importance of leading with culture. Carolina’s approach blends creative intuition, data-driven strategy, and deep cultural intelligence, making her a model for next-generation leadership in fashion and beyond.Key Insights: - Culture-first leadership across borders- Psychological safety as a performance driver- Creative intuition grounded in data- Values as the true competitive advantage- Mindset evolution for global growth- Multicultural teams as a strategic asset- Resilience as the engine of cross-continental leadership