Join us for our next episode of CEO Growth Talks, where host Pete Hayes talks with Warb Lee, Founder and CEO of Alen Corp, the U.S.-based leader in intelligent air purification. Warb shares how a 20-year commitment to health, innovation, and operational excellence positioned Alen to meet the challenges of COVID-era demand — from outfitting over 100,000 classrooms to mastering end-to-end supply chain efficiency.

Whether you're scaling a startup or steering an enterprise, Warb’s practical wisdom on aligning mission, product, and leadership will resonate with CEOs across industries. 

Join us on our next CEO Growth Talks with our guest David Bull, CEO of Ark Financial, for a powerful discussion designed for CEOs and entrepreneurs navigating today's complex business landscape. Discover why many leaders remain trapped in "escaping the past" rather than building toward purpose, and learn the critical three-step framework for moving from survival-mode to purpose-driven leadership. This session goes beyond typical leadership advice to address the deeper challenges CEOs face: finding meaning beyond success and creating true alignment with those around you. You'll gain innovative approaches to leverage emerging technologies like AI to scale your leadership impact without sacrificing quality. Whether you're a seasoned CEO or a growing entrepreneur, this webinar offers actionable insights to transform your approach and create a leadership legacy that transcends financial success.

Join host Pete Hayes as he interviews Scott Wozniak, CEO of Swoz Consulting, on the secrets to building legendary customer loyalty. Scott shares the proven strategies behind Chick-fil-A’s devoted fan base and how B2B companies can apply the same principles to turn customers into passionate advocates. Learn how to create a customer experience so remarkable that it sets you apart from the competition—and keeps clients coming back. Plus, discover how AI can enhance, not replace, the human touch in customer interactions, making your brand even more unforgettable. If you’re not intentionally designing your customer journey, you’re leaving loyalty to chance. Start building a brand that people love.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes sits down with Art Saxby, CEO of Chief Outsiders, to discuss the company’s journey since the 2009 recession. Art reflects on how Chief Outsiders evolved from providing fractional CMOs to adapting to the dynamic needs of mid-sized businesses. He introduces “Team Outsiders,” a new service designed to provide comprehensive support, and “GrowthGears OS,” an AI-driven platform designed to streamline operations and drive growth. Art dives into how these innovations help businesses manage risk while fostering growth in a rapidly changing market. 

“Combining Team Outsiders and GrowthGears OS, we have a process acceleration tool that our Team Outsiders are trained to work with. That’s why it really is such a fabulous package—it speeds things up, aids in communication, and offers a complete solution that’s both technology-based and people-based.” - Art Saxby

Key Takeaways:

• The introduction of “Team Outsiders” marks a new chapter for Chief Outsiders, enhancing the company’s ability to deliver executive leadership and tactical implementation.
• Chief Outsiders has acquired a software development firm to create an AI-based process acceleration platform, “GrowthGears OS”, significantly enhancing client engagement speed and execution.
• Midsize companies often face challenges hiring full-time executive talent; fractional CMOs provide an efficient, cost-effective solution.
• Changes in buyer behavior, especially post-COVID, necessitate more sophisticated sales and marketing strategies.
• Executive experience and structured processes are critical competitive advantages Chief Outsiders offers, setting them apart in the crowded fractional executive marketplace.

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In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Phillip Edwards, CEO of MultiTracks.com, to discuss his journey from worship leader to tech entrepreneur. Phillip reveals how he transformed worship services with professional-quality multitracks, tackled licensing challenges, and expanded globally. He highlights the importance of a customer-centric approach, innovation, and building a dynamic company culture. By focusing on strategic growth and sustainable innovation, MultiTracks.com continues to revolutionize worship tech, ensuring every customer’s needs are met while paving the way for exciting future developments.

“I stayed focused on what our customers needed because I understood it—I was one of them. We reached a point where we started investing in software, building an ecosystem, and working to tie everything together. The goal was that if you came to us, all your needs would be met.” - Phillip Edwards

Key Takeaways:

• MultiTracks.com has been a pioneer in the worship music space since 2006, offering technology-driven solutions to enhance worship services worldwide.
• The company is actively expanding its global footprint, working to localize its offerings across different languages and territories.
• A company’s growth is heavily informed by customer feedback and needs, fostering an environment driven by innovation and excellence.
• Building a company culture based on trust, healthy conflict resolution, and teamwork is essential for sustained growth and innovation.
• Addressing licensing complexities head-on, MultiTracks.com provides comprehensive solutions that simplify the process for churches and encourage broader adoption.

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In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes speaks with Professor Leigh McAlister about the "Growth Gears" framework from their collaborative research. Professor Leigh reveals how marketing proficiency is integral to company growth, offering insights on strategy, customer understanding, and the role of marketing authority in driving success.

Key Takeaways:

• The insights from Growth Gears offers a pivotal model encompassing insight, strategy, and execution, crucial for driving business growth.
• Different organizational structures grant varying levels of authority to marketing, impacting a company’s strategic potential.
• Using the Growth Gears as a textbook aids in imparting complex marketing concepts effectively to non-marketing students.
• Building insight and aligning it with corporate strategy can mitigate the blind spots in operationally-focused firms, enabling more competitive growth.
• Companies with a marketing-driven focus at the management level tend to grow faster, highlighting the importance of marketing’s influence.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes interviews Nate Agentis, CEO of Agentis Plumbing and founder of Plumbing CEO. Nate shares his journey of scaling a family business founded by his grandfather, highlighting strategic growth through technology, data, and AI. He also discusses his coaching platform aimed at empowering service plumbers and offers insights on resilient leadership during personal challenges.

“I've learned the importance of thinking ahead, making sure you have the right peers, surrounding yourself with the right people, and having a strategic plan because you’re just not sure when change or crisis will come.” - Nate Agentis

Nate Agentis highlights leadership driven by purpose and passion, urging CEOs to reconnect with their “why” and align professional goals with personal values. He fosters a participatory culture, making employees feel valued, fueling innovation, and driving growth at Agentis Plumbing. Nate’s company journey, supported by initiatives like Plumbing CEO, shows the power of blending tradition with forward-thinking, human-centered leadership.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes interviews Tom Cassara, CEO of Agilis. Tom discusses Agilis' rise in financial consulting, focusing on risk management and client-centric solutions for organizations managing over $10M in assets. He highlights the firm's evolution through a buyout, fostering team creativity and collaboration to drive growth, and his leadership approach prioritizing adaptability, client trust, and decision-making speed.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Michael Waxman-Lenz, CEO of the American Technion Society, who reflects on his shift from corporate to nonprofit leadership. He stresses the need to modernize philanthropic approaches and shares valuable insights on managing crises, adapting to generational shifts, and integrating corporate metrics with mission-focused, trust-building practices. He also underscores the significance of mission-driven initiatives, effective management, and fostering open communication as vital for success across various sectors in today's changing landscape.

In the latest episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Kyle Buckett, CSDO and Co-Founder of Stealth Energy Startup, Co-Founder of Culture Force, and author of the book “Leadership is Overrated.” Kyle challenges traditional leadership norms, emphasizing the value of self-led teams over individual leadership. Drawing from his Navy SEAL and business experience, he advocates for team empowerment and a culture of collaboration to enhance business performance.

“Creating a self-led team begins with changing from inside out and ensuring that, as a leader, you are not creating an environment where you are relied on for every single decision.” - Kyle Buckett

Kyle Buckett’s insights emphasize that shifting to self-led teams, focusing on culture improvement, and fostering magnet cultures are key to long-term business success and employee satisfaction. By embracing these principles, organizations can effectively navigate challenges, empower their teams, and thrive in a competitive marketplace.

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