How do you raise venture capital in today’s market, and what are investors really looking for? In Episode 28 of C² Biz Growth: Iron Sharpens Iron, John Hale III sits down with Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeal Capital Partners, to break down what it takes to build, fund, and scale high-growth companies in sectors shaping the future, including healthcare, fintech, workforce development, and the future of work.

Nasir shares his journey from operator to investor, how Zeal Capital was built, and why backing companies that expand economic mobility can also deliver outsized returns. The conversation dives into venture capital strategy, startup fundraising, founder-investor fit, private market trends, AI in investing, and what separates scalable businesses from the rest.

If you’re a founder, investor, CEO, or growth leader trying to understand how capital really moves, what VCs want, and how to build a business that stands out, this episode is packed with insights you can apply right now.

Topics covered include: venture capital, startup fundraising, private equity mindset, inclusive investing, economic mobility, fintech, healthcare innovation, future of work, AI in venture capital, leadership, and scaling growth.

#VentureCapital #StartupFunding #PrivateEquity #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #Fintech #HealthcareInnovation #AI #Investing #NasirQadree #C2BizGrowth

In Episode 27 of C² Biz Growth: Iron Sharpens Iron, John Hale III sits down with Tony Gray, founder of the Global Business Development Association and author of the Business Development Body of Knowledge (BD-BOK).

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in business development, operations, entrepreneurship, and growth strategy, Tony shares why trust is the foundation of successful business development, how companies can build scalable growth systems, and what CEOs need to know about increasing company valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and exit planning.

The conversation also explores the growing impact of artificial intelligence on business development, the importance of persistence in the face of rejection, and how organizations can create a culture where everyone contributes to growth.

Whether you're a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or business development professional, this episode delivers practical insights on building sustainable growth and creating long-term value.

#BusinessDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #GrowthStrategy #CEO #BusinessOwner #GovCon #GovernmentContracting #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessValuation #SalesLeadership #RevenueGrowth #CorporateGrowth #TrustInBusiness #ProfessionalDevelopment #Podcast #C2BizGrowth

How do you scale from $12M to $200M without breaking your team, your culture, or your operations?

In Episode 26 of C2 Biz Growth, Harley Flack shares how he built a high-growth business while maintaining strong culture, elite safety standards, and a deep commitment to people.

In this episode, we cover:

·        How Harley Flack scaled a company from $12M to $200M

·        The role of culture and safety in high-growth businesses

·        How to secure capital for rapid expansion

·        Leadership strategies for building resilient, high-performing teams

·        Why infrastructure, energy demand, and AI are creating massive opportunity

This is a practical playbook for founders, CEOs, and operators who want to scale without losing control of what matters.

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders building at the highest level.

#HarleyFlack #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ScalingBusiness #CEO #Infrastructure #EnergySector #ConstructionIndustry #StartupGrowth #BusinessStrategy #HighPerformance #ServantLeadership #CapitalMarkets #GrowthMindset

How do you go from $650 to working with over $72 billion in capital?

In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, Anmol Goel, Founder & CEO of Gax Multi-Family Office, breaks down how he built trust with elite investors, scaled 40+ startups, and created a global network of family offices.

Anmol shares the real story behind his rise, from humble beginnings to advising ultra-high net worth investors. He explains how he earned his first “yes” from a family office, why value always beats credentials, and how transparency and execution unlock opportunities at the highest level.

The conversation dives into:

• How to break into family offices and raise capital 
• What makes a great founder (and why most fail) 
• The truth about AI in business and why it is not a moat 
• Scaling startups from Series A to pre-IPO 
• Lessons from failed deals, partnerships, and bad investments 
• How to source high-quality deals globally 
• Why grit, execution, and consistency outperform talent 

Anmol also shares his approach to leadership, decision-making, and long-term success, including why chasing excellence matters more than chasing money.

This episode is essential for founders, CEOs, and investors looking to scale faster, raise capital, and build meaningful business relationships.

#Entrepreneurship
 #StartupFunding
 #VentureCapital
 #BusinessGrowth
 #CEO
 #Investing
 #FamilyOffice
 #WealthBuilding
 #Leadership
 #AIinBusiness
 #Startups
 #BusinessPodcast
 #FounderLife
 #ScalingBusiness
 #C2BizGrowth

How do you go from losing your last $15,000 to building multiple companies and leading a $175M business?

In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, John Hale III sits down with Travis Mack, Chairman and CEO of Salex Corporation, to break down the real journey of entrepreneurship, leadership, and scaling across industries.

Travis shares how growing up with humble beginnings shaped his mindset, why failure is one of the greatest teachers in business, and how a major early setback led to long-term success. He reveals how he built and scaled multiple companies across aerospace, cybersecurity, and private equity, completing over 11 acquisitions along the way.

The conversation dives deep into:

• How to scale businesses through acquisitions and partnerships
• Why discipline and failure tolerance are critical leadership traits
• The real impact of AI and automation on business models
• Why companies must adapt or risk becoming obsolete
• How to lead teams through change and shift mindset at scale
• The future of SaaS, AI, and the fourth industrial revolution

Travis also shares practical advice for CEOs and founders on embracing uncertainty, making bold decisions, and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

If you are a founder, CEO, or leader looking to grow, scale, and future-proof your business, this episode delivers real, actionable insights.

#Entrepreneurship
 #Leadership
 #BusinessGrowth
 #CEO
 #ArtificialIntelligence
 #ScalingBusiness
 #StartupLessons
 #FailureToSuccess
 #PrivateEquity
 #MergersAndAcquisitions
 #FutureOfWork
 #Innovation
 #C2BizGrowth
 #BusinessPodcast

How do you go from intern to CEO of a global powerhouse? 

In this episode, former Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger shares hard-earned leadership lessons on building high-performing teams, making bold strategic decisions, working effectively with boards, and raising capital the right way. He opens up about mentorship, humility in leadership, talent development, and why caring deeply about your people drives long-term success. 

Now a Senior Advisor at General Catalyst, Tom breaks down what CEOs, founders, and executives must understand about governance, innovation, scaling teams, and sustaining growth in rapidly changing industries. If you want practical insights from someone who led a Fortune 500 company through transformation, this episode delivers. 

Episode 22 of C2 Biz Growth, hosted by John Hale III, features an inspiring and deeply practical conversation with entrepreneur and venture partner Maria Thompson.

Maria shares her remarkable journey from a fine arts and industrial design background to building and scaling TJ Technologies into a nationally recognized alternative energy company, ultimately acquired by A123 Systems. She opens up about early funding rejections, the persistence required to survive as a founder, and why securing government funding can be a powerful alternative to traditional venture capital.

The discussion explores leadership, corporate governance, board dynamics, and the importance of building strong teams and relationships. Maria also breaks down acquisition readiness, exit strategy planning, and why bold decision making often creates unexpected opportunities.

This episode is packed with real world lessons for CEOs, founders, and emerging leaders navigating growth, funding, and long-term impact.

In Episode 21 of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III sits down with leadership expert, executive coach, and CEO of 937 Strategy Group, Anton Gunn, for a powerful conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and employee engagement.

Anton shares how his family background, college football, healthcare leadership, and even hip-hop culture have shaped his leadership philosophy. He explains why great leaders focus on empowering people, not controlling them, and how toxic workplace cultures quietly drive disengagement, burnout, and costly turnover.

The discussion dives deep into the real economic impact of employee disengagement, why trust is built through consistent action, and how data driven decisions should guide leadership strategies. Anton also addresses the importance of mental health for leaders, coaching as a tool for professional development, and why organisations must invest in people if they want sustainable success.

Anton offers practical insights on introducing AI into organizations without losing human connection, communicating the purpose behind change, and creating effective off boarding experiences that maintain long term loyalty. Throughout the episode, he emphasises clarity, action, and care for employee well-being as essential leadership superpowers.

This episode is a must listen for leaders, executives, and founders who want to build healthy cultures, reduce turnover, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing workplace.

In this powerful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, host John Hale III sits down with Austin Okere, Founder of CWG Plc and the Ausso Leadership Academy. Austin shares how he grew CWG from a modest startup with thirty-five thousand dollars in capital to a ninety-million-dollar valuation, and reflects on the mindset that fueled that journey.

The conversation explores the evolution of CWG, the importance of trust and relationships in business, and the realities of securing foreign investment in Nigeria. Austin also discusses private equity, currency challenges, and the strategic decision to focus on banking, oil, and telecom. He explains why mentorship is central to his mission through the Ausso Leadership Academy and introduces his vision of redefining billionaires by their impact on society rather than their accumulated wealth.

Austin breaks down the three powers that sustain success, way power, will power, and wait power, and offers practical lessons on leadership, innovation, and building businesses that thrive in changing markets.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship in emerging economies, the value of influence driven leadership, and the importance of giving back to the next generation of founders.

In this insightful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, host John Hale III sits down with Biyi Oloko, Executive Vice Chairman of Stephen Simeon Limited, Co-Founder of the Reading Tech Cluster, and a Council Member of the West Berkshire Council in the United Kingdom. Biyi shares his journey from his early life in Nigeria to building a global career in finance, investment, government, and leadership.

He reflects on how his work with the Nigerian government and his service in UK local government shape his approach to business, community engagement, and long-term strategy. The conversation explores his passion for talent development, the evolution of his investment strategies, and the crucial role that mentorship and sponsorship play in business growth. Biyi discusses the creation of the Reading Tech Cluster and his belief that global impact begins with meaningful local action. Throughout the episode, he highlights the importance of adaptability, reflective leadership, and surrounding yourself with the right people to achieve sustainable success.

Listeners will gain practical insights on raising capital, building trust, developing teams, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship in a rapidly changing world.