There are now five different generations in the workforce – including but not limited to Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Different generations work differently and can therefore sometimes clash and cause conflict in the workplace. Different generations have also grown up with different levels of access to technology, and we offer some examples of how that comes into play in the workplace.

We stress the importance of continuity in an e-commerce business, why emotional IQ is crucial, how to build a team, and why leading by example is important. We also discuss why it's important to care about your employees and have an answer when they come to you with a problem.

While there are exceptions to every rule, it's so important that companies learn how to manage different generations in the workplace and use that as a guide or a baseline. We, as always, really hope that this episode is helpful to you! We would love to hear from you, so feel free to reach out to us via one of the contact methods listed below! Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!

Time Stamps

[1:17] – Michele and Karamel open up by talking about Karamel's org chart.

[2:15] – Michele is very enthusiastic about different generations in the workplace.

[5:30] – Jobs get done differently depending on generations.

[6:37] – What is Karamel's preferred method of communication with her workers?

[7:49] – Karamel strongly believes in continuity and things being static.

[10:16] – Karamel reveals what her biggest non-negotiable is as an employer.

[12:55] – Michele points out that companies need to learn how to manage different generations.

[15:53] – Karamel refers to the book Emotional Intelligence 2.0.

[18:10] – Hear Karamel narrate an example of how she needs to work on her emotional IQ.

[19:28] – Michele argues that we need to lead by example.

[21:50] – Karamel and Michele discuss holding meetings.

[24:16] – Michele asserts that involving the employees is important.

[26:50] – Michele compliments Karamel on her planning process.

[28:32] – Employees need to be able to see the strength of the leader's vision.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

Women Travel Abroad - Website

Travis Bradberry - Emotional Intelligence 2.0

John Maxwell - 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

Employee burnout happens, but what makes CEO or founder burnout different than other types of employee burnout? For starters, the CEO of a company causes a domino effect. If you, as CEO, are experiencing burnout, it's going to trickle down and negatively affect the whole company.

Stress has several different levels – the honeymoon phase, the onset of stress, chronic stress, burnout, and, finally, habitual burnout. That final stage takes over your emotional wellbeing and can cause depression and even physical symptoms.

All hope is not lost, however, and we are here to share some of the solutions that you can implement to overcome CEO burnout, such as no longer blurring the lines between work and relaxation and sticking to a schedule! You need to be able to recognize when you need self-care and allow yourself to indulge in it.

Be sure to go to sensa.health to take the burnout survey to find out what level of burnout you're at, and, as always, we hope that this episode is helpful! We would love to hear from you, so feel free to reach out to us via one of the contact methods listed below! Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!

Time Stamps

[0:40] – Karamel just got back from a trip to Morocco.

[2:20] – Karamel opens up the conversation on CEO burnout.

[2:56] – What is CEO burnout?

[5:28] – Executive burnout is on the rise because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[7:35] – Burnout can be on different levels.

[9:09] – Michele argues that burnout sometimes comes from control issues.

[11:51] – Michele talks about having a forward vision.

[14:33] – We are reminded of the different levels of burnout.

[17:00] – Karamel offers some solutions to CEO burnout.

[19:50] – Karamel encourages us to step off our pedestals.

[22:24] – Karamel explains what a kitchen cabinet is.

[24:25] – We are encouraged to eat well and get enough sleep.

[27:07] – Michele advises us not to listen to people telling us how to relax.

[28:54] – Michele recommends that we go to sensa.health to take the burnout survey.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

Brendon Burchard – High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way

Patrick Bet-David - Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy

sensa.health

Is it okay to cold call someone out of the blue because you're interested in what they do and have questions for them? We believe that if you are able to, you should be willing to help people and maybe even mentor them if they're asking, especially since being a CEO can be lonely.

We give you the dos and don'ts of searching for a mentor. While it's unlikely that any mentor is going to be talking with you and checking in with you every single day (as that is more like a best friend than a mentor), you can expect maybe a bi-weekly or monthly chat, but you have to be persistent. You are going to hear no a lot, so don't give up!

We really hope that this episode is helpful for you, especially if you're looking for a mentor yourself! We would love to hear from you, so feel free to reach out to us via one of the contact methods listed below! Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!

Time Stamps

[0:42] – Karamel and Michele express gratitude for their editing team.

[4:42] – Is it okay to cold call someone if you're interested in what they are doing?

[6:50] – Michele argues that you have an LLC for liability.

[8:25] – Michele emphasizes that she is still learning every day.

[8:59] – Discover what book Michele has been reading.

[10:22] – Karamel reminds us that we are going to hear no a lot.

[11:47] – Karamel argues that being a CEO can be lonely.

[14:37] – Michele reveals what a specific mock interview did for her.

[17:34] – Karamel points out that people call you because they perceive you as an expert.

[19:04] – Karamel gives an example of the value of time.

[21:08] – Mentors can sometimes become mentees.

[23:50] – Michele and Karamel agree that a mentor doesn't have to share your race or gender.

[26:25] – Karamel reiterates the importance of persistence.

[28:42] – Michele realizes that she needs to be more conscious of calling people back.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

CEO Chronicles - “What am I??? Self Employed, Entrepreneur or Business Owner”

Ralph Stokes – One of the First: Lessons I Learned While Overcoming the Challenges of Integration

We are talking about all things salary today and whether or not most small business owners take a salary. Why do some small business owners take salaries while others don't? What are the trade-offs of not taking a salary or of giving employees higher salaries than we give ourselves?

We disclose whether or not we take salaries ourselves as small business owners and also offer up some insightful statistics. Discussing education, we talk about whether or not having a college degree is necessary to be a small business owner and what benefits having one has. We also touch upon the difference between being a small business owner responsible for employees vs. being a small business owner without employees.

We really hope that this episode is helpful for you! We encourage you to reach out to us via one of the contact methods listed below because we love hearing from you! Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it is released! Until next time!

Time Stamps

[1:49] – How much money does Michele pay herself?

[2:28] – Karamel reveals today's topic – whether or not they take a salary.

[4:01] – Neither Karamel nor Michele takes a salary.

[4:44] – What is the average salary taken by small business owners?

[6:42] – Karamel refers to an article that she read recently.

[8:58] – Karamel trades salary for team-building.

[11:07] – Michele discloses that she began with no clients at all.

[13:03] – Karamel argues that professionals like working with professionals.

[15:55] – Karamel asserts that only small business owners know what their books look like.

[17:26] – Michele reveals that she makes less than $66,000 a year.

[19:25] – 19% of small business owners work more than sixty hours per week.

[21:33] – Michele touches upon what difference having a degree can make.

[24:18] – 92% of small business owners do not regret starting their business.

[26:52] – Michele offers an example of being responsible for an employee.

[29:07] – Many small business owners say that their employees are like family to them.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

João V Souza - “Why I Paid a Higher Salary to My Employees Than Myself”

What comes first – your company or the people who work for you and your company? Using a metaphor that Jim Collins uses in his book Good to Great, that's what we are talking about in this episode of CEO Chronicles!

We talk about finding the right people with the right kind of energy and passion and whether or not how much they get paid has anything to do with that. We also agree that the people who work for you are people who you need to be able to trust because if you don't trust them, they're not the right fit for you. The right people working for you also means that they will do their job the same way regardless of whether or not you're present, that you share values, and that you agree on what success means.

This episode is hopefully helpful and insightful for you! We encourage you to reach out to us via one of the contact methods listed below because we love hearing from you! Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it is released! Until next time!

Time Stamps

[0:26] – Michele has lots to talk about today!

[1:40] – Michele refers to a book that she read recently.

[2:09] – Karamel reflects on how she started as an e-commerce company.

[4:58] – Karamel recently put together an org chart for the first time.

[5:39] – How does Karamel feel about having an org chart?

[8:02] – Karamel argues that the right people will do their job well regardless of money.

[10:00] – Michele defines paralysis by analysis.

[11:52] – We are advised that it's better to make the wrong decision than no decision at all.

[14:43] – We need to be able to trust our training process.

[15:14] – Michele is still reading High Performance Habits.

[16:33] – Karamel raves over one of her favorite books, Who Moved My Cheese?.

[18:06] – Michele argues that high performers don't think they're smarter than everyone else.

[19:50] – Michele makes the point that she shouldn't affect how her employees do their job.

[22:45] – This year has been hard for Michele because of inflation.

[25:14] – Karamel talks about scale and leaning in.

[27:00] – Learn about the positive impact that exercise has had on Michele.

[28:24] – Success doesn't mean money to everyone.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

Women Travel Abroad – Website

Jim Collins – Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

Brendon Burchard – High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way

Dr. Spencer Johnson – Who Moved My Cheese?

Welcome to the thirtieth episode of CEO Chronicles in which we are talking about all things feedback! Although we don't quite agree on the definition of feedback, everyone, even if they aren't necessarily an entrepreneur, needs feedback in their work life - that is, of course, when it is used correctly and not used just to negatively critique someone for no good reason.

Effective communication and making sure that we are understood correctly is so important when it comes to both providing and receiving feedback, and we give some examples of times when communication was misunderstood and the problems that resulted. It's so important to keep in mind that your language is not necessarily a universal language.

We also touch upon the three different types of feedback according to a CTO Craft article and how vague comments do not help anybody; we need to be specific, and negative feedback needs to offer a solution as to how the person can improve. Make sure that you're giving and receiving proper feedback and that you act on feedback accordingly when you're receiving it. We encourage you to reach out to us via one of the contact methods listed below because we love hearing from you and would love some feedback! Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it is released! Until next time!

Time Stamps

[0:57] – Today's topic is feedback!

[1:30] – Karamel argues that everyone needs feedback in their work life.

[3:43] – Karamel stresses the importance of reflection when it comes to feedback.

[4:32] – Michele offers insight into communication.

[7:31] – Karamel refers to an article about the three different types of feedback.

[8:34] – Are you speaking your language or a universal language?

[10:58] – Michele argues that most people only want constructive and positive feedback.

[13:45] – Feedback, whether negative or positive, should be specific.

[15:53] – Karamel reveals that WTA is experiencing a pivotal moment right now.

[17:10] – We are encouraged to own our flaws and setbacks even as C.E.O.s.

[19:55] – Karamel's WTA team is gradually growing.

[22:41] – Michele emphasizes that feedback is a two-way street.

[24:55] – Karamel is ultimately grateful for the feedback that she received recently.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

Women Travel Abroad – Website

CTO Craft - “The three forms of feedback: appreciation, coaching and evaluation”

Michele recently read Brendon Burchard's book High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way which led to us talking about what it means to be a high performer. We talk about what the book teaches its readers and how it motivates them and agree that when it comes to someone motivating us, we would rather be told the truth directly rather than have the truth sugarcoated.

We also make a case for what a high performer actually is, trying to dispel the incorrect notion that a high performer must be a billionaire and/or someone famous. Anyone can be a high performer if they excel at everything that they put effort into. This includes having an exemplary work ethic and having non-negotiable tasks on a schedule that are going to get done no matter what, even if other things try to get in the way.

We encourage you to email us via the email addresses provided below to discuss this with us, especially since we believe in the importance of having a tribe of fellow high performers. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode when it drops! Until next time!

Time Stamps

[0:32] – Michele shares that she is in the last stages of a house remodel.

[1:47] – Discover what books Michele has read lately.

[3:05] – Karamel reveals how she came to be aware of Brendon Burchard.

[5:13] – Michele argues that people don't realize when high performers are struggling.

[7:38] – Karamel and Michele agree that they want to be told the truth directly.

[9:28] – Michele would love to have Brendon Burchard on the show!

[12:15] – Michele believes in operating on a need-to-know basis.

[13:48] – Michele does not consider failure an option when undertaking projects.

[16:04] – Karamel discusses non-negotiable tasks on a schedule.

[19:01] – Michele commends Tom Brady's work ethic.

[19:42] – Having billions of dollars doesn't necessarily mean that you're a high performer.

[22:24] – A high performer does not need to be somebody famous, Karamel points out.

[25:22] – We are encouraged to contact Michele and Karamel to discuss this topic with them.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

Women Travel Abroad – Website

Steve Robinson – Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A: How Faith, Cows, and Chicken Built an Iconic Brand

Brendon Burchard – High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way

Karamel has talked before on CEO Chronicles about automation and how she lives by it, and we are discussing all things automation in today's episode! Karamel helps us understand what automation is, why it's important to her, and how she goes about implementing it into Women Travel Abroad. We also discuss how automation can help us cut down on the time that we spend on things that we don't need to be spending time on.

Michele also delves into if and how she implements automation and what that looks like. We both agree, however, that computers need to be programmed. They aren't just going to automatically know what you need and put that into action; they have to be told what to do, and that means that before implementing automation, we need to be sure to sit down and ascertain what we need so that we can put an automated plan into place.

If you have a small business and are not automating things that you could be, then you really should look into that because it really will help you save time and also generate revenue by focusing more time on things that bring in money. Automation can be your best friend! Even this podcast is an example of automation because you can subscribe to us and get automatically notified when a new episode drops! We would, in fact, love it if you did that and would also love to hear from you, so hit us up via the contact info. listed below!

Time Stamps

[0:58] – Today's topic is automation!

[2:04] – Karamel lives by automation.

[2:24] – Discover what the definition of automation is.

[4:55] – What is the point of automation?

[7:03] – Michele touches upon her other small business.

[9:18] – Michele encourages us to implement automation in our small businesses.

[11:44] – Karamel points out that there is no one single system that will work for everyone.

[13:05] – Michele reveals that she does need a more efficient system.

[15:36] – Karamel argues that computers need to be told what to do.

[17:10] – We need to determine what we actually need before implementing automation.

[19:48] – Learn how this podcast itself is an example of automation!

[20:36] – Karamel didn't know that the podcast has Facebook ads!

[23:43] – Karamel refers to the book Good to Great.

[26:25] – Discover what happened when Karamel changed her email platform.

[29:25] – Karamel is leaning into her long-term plan.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

Women Travel Abroad - Website

Jim Collins – Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

We are talking all things quarters today and the importance of looking back and looking ahead! It's so important, as we stress, that you know your calendar. Even we, for example, have different ideas of what the most important quarter is because of what our businesses offer and what type of clientele we attract. It's so important to know your target clientele and offer what's wanted and what's trending, and we talk about that and also warn against the dangers surrounding projecting ahead. While projection is important, it does have its pitfalls that you need to be wary of!

We also talk about various other subtopics such as the relationship between quarters and cash flow, credit cards and how different credit card companies operate and have slightly different expectations, the importance of allocation and budgeting, and so much more! As always, we had a blast talking with each other about this, and we really hope that this discussion helps listeners start thinking and planning ahead because it's so important! Until next time, we would love to hear from you, so please reach out to us via the contact info provided in the show notes!

Time Stamps

[0:30] – Michele just wrapped up her second quarter.

[1:57] – Karamel asserts that the last quarter is most important to her and explains why.

[4:08] – Michele reveals that she isn't going to hire anyone third quarter.

[4:57] – Karamel reflects on her fourth quarter last year.

[6:06] – Michele and Karamel discuss on-demand jobs like DoorDash and Uber.

[8:52] – Karamel connects the idea of quarters to cash flow.

[11:13] – Karamel doesn't believe in debt.

[13:05] – Discover the reason why this quarter has been hectic for Karamel.

[15:03] – Karamel stresses the importance of allocation.

[17:18] – One of the best things that Karamel did was acquire business credit cards.

[20:07] – Karamel and Michele talk about credit card companies that require monthly payments.

[22:07] – Karamel brings the conversation back to cash flow.

[23:00] – Michele warns us about projecting ahead.

[24:18] – Michele shares why she is a proponent of budgeting.

[27:19] – Karamel reveals the Women Travel Abroad plan for the next couple of years.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

CEO Chronicles - “Cash flow are you swimming or sinking?”

Women Travel Abroad - Website

Being an entrepreneur is very much a state of being, and we're spending today talking about that and what people and resources in our lives inspired us to be so entrepreneur. Michele details who inspired her to become an entrepreneur, and Karamel reveals that while it wasn't so much a specific person or people who inspired her, she knew that she didn't want to “work for the man.” Part of being an entrepreneur means being in control of your own income, and we both knew that we wanted that.

Here's the thing about being an entrepreneur – not everyone is an entrepreneur, so what sets an entrepreneur apart? What makes them an entrepreneur? That's one of the questions that we explore in this episode of CEO Chronicles, talking about what sparks the entrepreneurial spirit. We share stories of some of the people and the life experiences that have influenced us and shaped us and also discuss some of what we learned from each other!

We are constantly learning and want others to learn from us as well, and we really hope that you learn a thing or two from this episode and that this has been helpful for you! We, as always, enjoyed having this conversation with each other and hope that you enjoy listening to it! We would love to hear from you, so please reach out to us via the contact info provided in the show notes! We really appreciate you tuning in to CEO Chronicles and hope to see you next time!

Time Stamps

[1:01] – Being an entrepreneur is a state of being.

[2:30] – Michele reveals where the name of her business comes from.

[3:53] – Karamel reflects on what inspired her to become an entrepreneur.

[6:34] – Karamel and Michele talk about entrepreneurs being in charge of their own income.

[8:39] – Michele discusses her mother's daycare business.

[11:07] – Michele talks about someone she knows with a popcorn business.

[12:10] – Michele theorizes what sparked Karamel's entrepreneurial spirit.

[13:58] – Learn about Karamel's former credit repair business.

[16:45] – Karamel touches upon enforcing policy.

[19:17] – Michele offers more insight into who inspired her.

[21:32] – Karamel says that Michele tends to be driven by numbers.

[24:20] – Michele has been an empty nester for more than a decade.

[27:31] – Karamel is a researcher.

[29:07] – Michele references a couple of books that have been influential for her.

Resources

CEO Chronicles – Website

Email CEO Chronicles: [email protected]

Email Michele: [email protected]

Email Karamel: [email protected]

CEO Chronicles - “Policy vs COVID!!!”

Dr. Spencer Johnson – Who Moved My Cheese?

Patrick Bet-David - Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy

Tiffany Haddish - The Last Black Unicorn