The Journey and Vision Gresham Harkless opens the episode by reflecting on the importance of staying afloat amid a busy schedule, then using that stability as a springboard for bigger achievements. He outlines his current project, Blue Star Franchise, and explains that he’s documenting the startup process on his “I AM CEO” podcast and on YouTube. The purpose is two‑fold: to provide a roadmap for anyone considering a franchise or any new venture, and to create a “Franchise CEO” sub‑channel within the broader CB Nation community.

Challenges, Learnings, and Real‑World Results He candidly shares the reality of juggling client emergencies, personal obligations, and the inevitable setbacks that come with building a business. Over the past year, only two deals closed—one from within his own network and another from a friend—yet he still perceives strong alignment with his overall mission. Harkless emphasizes that early‑year losses are normal, that opportunities exist if you keep cultivating them, and that a “marathon mindset” is essential for long‑term progress.

Re‑Prioritization and Forward Momentum Facing a confluence of professional rebuilds (digital‑marketing systems, franchise infrastructure) and personal pressures (condo issues, family responsibilities), Harkless resolves to re‑prioritize, carve out dedicated time, and lean into the work that generates the most impact. He argues that a business should not be judged solely on its first‑year performance; perseverance, continuous improvement, and running the “marathon race” will ultimately unlock the phenomenal results he envisions.

Previous Episode: https://iamceo.co/iam2632-day-281-franchise-broker-journey/

• Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site – coming soon) – franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.

In this special episode, Gresh shares the challenges of building a strong business foundation, noting his initial attempt to hire others before the core systems were fully established led to difficulties.

Realizing the substantial opportunity in the franchise brokerage business, he is now prioritizing the crucial task of rebuilding and refining his digital marketing efforts to ensure long-term success.

Currently, he is working on a strategy that balances actively generating leads and converting customers with the necessary rebuild of his core systems, which include developing the websites for his different business segments.

Gresh emphasizes the importance of implementing some key systems, even if not all, to avoid taxing workdays and ultimately achieve the foundational stability needed to grow.

• Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

In this episode, we have Shona Bell, a Certified Public Accountant and financial strategist, return to discuss an often-overlooked secret to funding major life goals, like starting a franchise or investing in real estate: a permanent cash balance policy.

Her focus is on educating business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs about setting up their finances the right way and strategically keeping taxes in mind, moving beyond basic CFO services to holistic financial planning and legacy building.

Shona highlights a major gap: many people lack a dedicated financial planner after leaving corporate life or simply aren't aware of advanced financial strategies.

A critical takeaway from Shona is debunking the misconception that wealth building is something you do only after you become wealthy, or that it costs "so much" to start. She stresses that it takes intention, not a massive bankroll, and encourages people to overcome "money trauma" and apprehension.

Website: www.beyondacountingtax.com

LinkedIn: shona-bell

Previous Episode: iam1383-accountant-helps-business-owners-accelerate-their-financial-mindset

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded.

Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

In this throwback episode, we have Murray Seward, CEO of Outback Team Building and Training. His company provides services ranging from fun team-building activities to soft skill and leadership mindset training.

Murray focuses on delivering their products through a consultative sales approach, concentrating on finding clients with genuine pain points—like poor internal communication or change management issues—and offering customized solutions.

Ultimately, Murray defines being a CEO as empowering the younger generation to realize what a great work life can be, helping them get off to a great start in their careers.

Website: https://outbackteambuilding.com/

HuffPost feature: www.huffpost.com/entry

Previous Episode: iam396-ceo-helps-companies-build-strong-teams-and-grow-great-leaders

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded.

Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

This throwback “I Am CEO” podcast, hosted by Gresham Harkless, welcomes Stephanie Powers—three‑time CEO, photographer, holistic health coach, and founder of Lightworkers Lounge. Gresham sets the stage by highlighting Stephanie’s eclectic background: from her early photography work featured on the Weather Channel and Airbnb to her personal battle with an autoimmune disease, which sparked a shift toward holistic health and spiritual entrepreneurship. This episode promises listeners practical, bite‑sized wisdom without the drag of lengthy interviews.

Stephanie’s path to CEO status was anything but linear. After earning a degree in organizational leadership and working a conventional 9‑to‑5, she launched a photography venture in 2014, then pivoted to health coaching following her own self‑healing experience. In 2018 she created Lightworkers Lounge as a creative outlet—a blend of blogging, freestyle videos, and spiritual content. When a divorce and financial strain forced her to confront the job market, she chose to “pretend” Lightworkers Lounge was her full‑time job, setting a strict schedule, clocking in and out, and treating it as a salaried position. That mindset shift ignited rapid growth, pulling in roughly 1,000 new followers each week and ultimately freeing her from the need to apply for traditional employment.

Stephanie defines a CEO as a leader who inspires, makes work enjoyable, and shines a light for others—rather than a manager perched above a hierarchy. Her “secret sauce” is relentless authenticity: she engages her audience as an “Instagram fam,” speaks as if sitting with a close friend, and shuns follower metrics in favor of genuine connection. Practical hacks include treating side‑hustles like full‑time jobs, embracing income uncertainty, and regularly grounding herself in nature to stay attuned to intuition. Her advice to her younger self—and to aspiring entrepreneurs—is simple: reject the conventional 9‑to‑5 narrative, believe in the viability of your passion, and become your own biggest cheerleader. Listeners are invited to follow Lightworkers Lounge on Instagram, at lightworkers‑lounge.com, and via the weekly podcast released every Wednesday.

Website: https://lightworkers-lounge.com/

Instagram: @lightworkerslounge and @stephanies_destiny Thyroid First Aid Kit: https://www.amazon.com/Thyroid-First-Aid-Kit-thyroid/dp/1979604215/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=thyroid+first+aid+kit&qid=1564789471&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Previous Episode: IAM395- CEO and Entrepreneur Focuses on The Importance of Spiritual & Emotional Health

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded.

Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

In this special episode, Gresham opens by discussing the need for a comprehensive "reboot" due to feeling overwhelmed by "so many things happening" and "spinning plates."

He shares the critical importance of paying attention to one's mental state. Being honest about where things are at mentally is crucial to avoid constantly feeling like things are going wrong.

Gresh notes that his wife calls him a "fixer of things," which, while positive, is also described as extremely draining. The cumulative and often simultaneous nature of problems can be overwhelming. As solutions are applied to one issue, more often arise, making it challenging to maintain balance.

The episode concludes by stressing the necessity of protecting one's peace and utilizing the awareness cultivated—often with the help of a coach—to manage the challenging seasons and the many responsibilities placed upon them.

• Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

In this special episode, Gresham provides an update on a significant shift in his business focus.

He acknowledged making a sizable investment and trying hard, but the lack of movement and leads has brought him to a crossroads. The speaker is now contemplating whether to switch gears entirely or continue on a reduced basis, realizing he must prioritize other areas of his business that are showing more activity.

Despite the shift, he has re-joined BNI (Business Networking International) specifically for the franchise brokerage opportunity, recognizing it as the highest potential revenue stream.

Gresham concludes by outlining his current business priorities: Blue 16 Media is the bill-payer, CEO Hacks is the most in alignment and unique, and the Franchise Brokerage has the largest financial upside, despite being his third priority. He is taking a step back from the franchise business because it proved more challenging than anticipated, choosing to navigate the "ebbs and flows" of his ventures one step at a time.

• Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

In this special episode, Gresham emphasizes the need for self-reflection to understand how he reached his current point, noting that getting "off path" is usually a gradual process, not a single decision.

He had to make necessary, albeit unpleasant, decisions for the health of his business, which involved drilling down into the numbers for each micro-business or "pod" and resetting expectations.

The core issue was realizing that he was working hard to generate more revenue just to maintain existing overhead, only to have opportunities "fumbled" due to a lack of his own presence or execution. This prompted a massive effort to restructure and reboot the entire system.

The restructuring led to the crucial realization that not all business "pods" are worth growing, which requires a new focus and clarity. Specifically, he is rethinking his franchise brokerage business model. Instead of guiding clients through the entire process himself, he is considering pivoting it into a lead generation machine, handing off opportunities to more experienced brokers for a split.

• Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!