Igniting the CEO Within

Change is in the air, and it's time to get ahead of it!

In this special bonus episode, Mark chats with Ice Miller experts Jarrod Loadholt and Tim Day about how leadership shifts in D.C. can shake up small and mid-sized businesses. From tax tweaks to trade surprises and workforce challenges, they dish out insights and strategies to keep your business thriving—no matter what's next.

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to tackle uncertainty like a pro!

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• Tax Changes are Coming: Prepare for updates to expiring tax provisions and understand how they'll impact your business.
• Tell Your Story: Share your business's local economic impact with policymakers to ensure your voice is heard.
• Strengthen Your Network: Engage with local representatives and trade associations to stay ahead of policy shifts.
• Prepare for Workforce Risks: Assess how immigration changes might impact your labor force and plan accordingly.
• Tech and Innovation Shine: The new administration is expected to embrace advancements like AI and blockchain—opportunities abound!

What if movement could transform your workplace? 🤸‍♀️

In this episode, Mark sits down with Wendy Cooper, Founder and CEO of ProMotion Corporate Wellness, to uncover the magic of corporate wellness programs. From spinning classes to stress management tools, Wendy shares how movement boosts retention, productivity, and mental health—and why CEOs set the tone for a thriving culture.

Get ready to be inspired as Wendy reveals her secret sauce for a happier, healthier workforce!

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• Movement is foundational to wellness: Physical activity, breathwork, or even singing can drive healing and resilience.
• Leadership sets the tone: A CEO's wellness habits directly influence company culture and employee behavior.
• Mental health matters: Incorporating yoga, meditation, and other stress management tools can provide a lifeline during challenging times.
• Employee input is crucial: Engaging employees in designing wellness programs ensures higher participation and effectiveness.

What happens when a former college athlete takes her competitive edge into the business world?

Mary Shaw, founder and CEO of Your Image Works, has been winning in the game of business for 27 years. In this episode, she and Mark chat about building relationships, embracing change, and the power of over-communication.

It's a fast-paced, fun-filled conversation packed with insights and inspiration. Don't miss it!

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• Communication as a Cornerstone: Over-communicating builds trust and resolves conflicts effectively.
• Learning from Challenges: Every mistake is a lesson. Success requires adapting and improving continuously.
• Relationships Matter: Genuine connections lead to long-term business success.
• Adaptability in Business: Embracing change, like going paperless and exploring AI, ensures sustainability.

From selling beer to launching SourceUp, Christina Martin's journey is anything but ordinary.

On this episode, Christina joins Mark to share how she turned corporate lessons (and mistakes!) into entrepreneurial gold, balanced family life, and why flexibility is the secret sauce to success.

Tune in for an inspiring, people-first story that'll leave you ready to ignite your own inner CEO! 🎧✨

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• Mistakes Are Opportunities: Embrace failure as a stepping stone to finding the best solutions.
• Flexibility as Compensation: Redefine traditional work norms by focusing on results, not hours.
• The Power of Mentorship: Supportive leaders can transform career trajectories by opening doors.
• Balancing Work and Family: Achieving harmony is about prioritizing, adapting, and accepting imperfection.

Rick McGlinchey's journey from writing code to co-founding Pure Insights is nothing short of epic.

In this episode, Rick joins Mark to share how he bootstrapped a global SaaS company with just $400, juggled side hustles, and built a people-first culture that drives success.

Tune in for inspiration, actionable insights, and a fresh take on what it means to lead in today's world!

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• A niche focus is crucial for success—stay true to your expertise and market needs.
• Treating people like good humans leads to exceptional results in business and beyond.
• Side hustles provide a testing ground for ideas and can grow into full-time ventures with persistence.
• Success often stems from authentic relationships and a commitment to problem-solving for your customers.

What's your "why"? For Krissi Edgington, it's all about making it worth it.

In this episode, Krissi shares how she turned her passion for purposeful work into MIWI Marketing, a bold agency helping brands do work that matters. From sports marketing to starting her own business, Krissi's story is packed with aha moments, challenges, and actionable insights.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation on aligning with your purpose, building authentic brands, and why throwing the flag when something feels off can change everything!

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• The Power of "Why": Aligning your business and leadership approach with your core purpose can create work that is both meaningful and impactful.
• Throw the Flag: Encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking within teams ensures that opportunities and issues are addressed effectively.
• Unapologetic Authenticity: Branding is about staying true to your values while ensuring it resonates with your audience.

🎙️ Mark is back for another episode, this time welcoming Matt Hupp, a leader with a bold journey from corporate to startup success. Growing up around shopping malls, Matt got an early taste of entrepreneurship that later inspired him to take risks, from pioneering a national recycling program to co-founding his own company.

Tune in for Matt's insights on navigating change, building trust, and why every leader needs a strong community.

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• Leading Through Change Requires Clear Communication: Building trust through transparency and addressing "how this affects me" are essential to leading teams through challenging times.
• Building a Supportive Community: A robust network can provide crucial support and fresh perspectives, especially during transitions and entrepreneurial ventures.
• Vulnerability as a Strength: Admitting mistakes, sharing challenges, and working together with teams allows leaders to build a resilient culture.
• Frequent and Structured Communication: Consistent updates foster unity, empower teams, and align everyone toward shared goals.

In this episode, Mark chats with BJ Lippert, the soon-to-be Managing Partner of Donovan CPAs.

BJ's path from almost-engineer to CPA leader is filled with surprising twists, a little rebellion against the typical career grind, and a whole lot of heart. They dive into why BJ believes in serving others, how he stays curious, and why Donovan's people-first approach is shaking up the industry.

Tune in for leadership lessons, laughs, and the story of how BJ's empathy is driving real change.

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• Leadership through Observation: BJ highlights how being an observer and learner shaped his unique leadership style.
• The Power of Trust: BJ credits his growth to the trust and belief of mentors like Jeff Donovan, and aims to instill similar confidence in those he leads.
• Continuous Improvement: BJ values incremental growth over instant wins, believing that progress built over time is the most fulfilling.
• Redefining Firm Culture: Donovan CPAs' shift to prioritizing people first, firm second, and clients third is an innovative move aimed at long-term success.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Hunter Kasten, Facility Solutions Group VP and powerhouse leader expanding their operations from Indiana into Ohio.

Hunter's journey is packed with early-life challenges, career pivots, and a passion for building a team-first culture. From learning leadership through life's curveballs to empowering his team to take charge, Hunter's story is a reminder that growth comes when you embrace the unexpected.

Tune in for a mix of laughs, wisdom, and actionable insights on leading with heart and grit!

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• Responsibility Fuels Growth: Personal responsibility from a young age can shape resilience and build a foundation for strong leadership.
• Empowering Teams with Autonomy: Hunter believes in giving team members the freedom to make decisions and learn from mistakes, creating a self-sustaining and motivated team.
• Organic Recruitment and Growth: FSG's promote-from-within model encourages long-term growth and a strong sense of community within the team.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Sarah Reuter, founder of Elevate Travel Co., to chat about her journey from her grandmother's flower shop to creating unforgettable experiences for clients worldwide.

Sarah opens up about how empathy drives her leadership style, why self-care is essential in high-stress industries, and how she keeps grounded with her daily meditation practice.

This conversation is packed with insights on blending passion, purpose, and people-first leadership to elevate both business and life.

Don't miss Sarah's inspiring energy and Mark's fun banter—tune in!

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• Empathy as a Strategic Leadership Tool: Empathy is essential for navigating challenges, building trust, and enabling productive, collaborative relationships.
• Mindfulness as a Leadership Skill: Sarah emphasizes the benefits of meditation for self-regulation, improving listening skills, and being present, especially in high-pressure scenarios.
• Importance of Self-Care in High-Stakes Industries: Through Revive & Thrive, Sarah aims to support event professionals by helping them prioritize mental and emotional well-being.