Igniting the CEO Within

Mark sits down with the powerhouse that is Julie Phillips, Owner and CEO of aFit, a WBE certified staffing company. Julie's path from electrical engineering grad to corporate leader to entrepreneur was anything but predictable.

She candidly talks about navigating male-dominated industries, balancing a high-demand career with family life, and how calculated risks often pave the way to something bigger.

If you've ever wondered whether it's time to take the leap into entrepreneurship—or how to stay true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder—this episode is for you.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Connect with Julie Phillips on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Calculated Risks Are Key: Julie emphasizes the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to grow, whether in networking, career moves, or starting a business.
• Work-Life Integration: Julie shares how she managed to balance family life with a demanding corporate role and later as an entrepreneur, offering a refreshing perspective on work-life integration.
• Women in Leadership: As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, Julie discusses the roadblocks she faced and the importance of diverse leadership.

Mark chats with Mark McCabe, the Founder of Flipturn and a storyteller with a camera, to unpack the power of mentorship in shaping not only careers but also lives. Mentorship isn't always formal or obvious. Sometimes it's a quiet, unspoken influence—like the people who unknowingly guided McCabe from kid entrepreneur (think: selling drinks by the concession stand) to a thriving video production company owner. This episode is for anyone who believes that success is built from small moments, tough lessons, and the people who help you along the way.

Addtional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Mentorship is everywhere – Mentorship doesn't always come from formal relationships. Often, mentors don't even realize the impact they're having.
• Entrepreneurial grit starts early – McCabe's early entrepreneurial ventures, from selling drinks to mowing lawns, laid the foundation for his future as a business owner.
• Embrace the ebbs and flows – Staying consistent, regardless of income or leads, is critical for long-term success.

In this episode, Kevin Yurs of Earth Images gets real about leading through a financial crisis that nearly destroyed his business in 2008.

He shares the raw truth about a tough merger, culture clashes, and cash flow struggles—but also how he and his wife, Laura, fought through it with brutal honesty, expert advice, and relentless grit.

Now, Earth Images is thriving, and Kevin's story is packed with practical takeaways on resilience, leadership, and why the hardest challenges often lead to the biggest growth.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Connect with Kevin Yurs on LinkedIn Visit Earth Images

Key Takeaways:

• Honesty as a Foundation – Both with yourself and your team, being brutally honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and the reality of the situation is essential in overcoming crises.
• Seek Expertise When Needed – Bringing in outside consultants and advisors during tough times helped Earth Images realign and implement necessary changes.
• Continuous Evolution – Even after the initial crisis, the company continued to evolve and innovate, pushing themselves to constantly improve their operations and differentiation.

Behind every thriving business lies untold stories of sacrifice, struggle, and unexpected challenges.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Mark talks with Tina Moe, Founder and CEO of ACT Services, to share her incredible journey from humble beginnings to thriving business owner.

Tina opens up about her challenges, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022, and the tough decisions she had to make as a leader.

Tune in for a candid conversation about overcoming obstacles and rising stronger.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Delegation is Crucial – Tina emphasizes how trusting her team allowed her to step away during her cancer treatment while ensuring the business continued to thrive.
• Adversity Tests Leadership – Facing breast cancer forced Tina to confront not only her health but also the fears of her employees and clients, making her redefine what it means to be a CEO.
• Self-Care for Leaders – Tina's journey is a testament to the importance of putting your health first, especially when life throws unexpected challenges.

What happens when a designer with a passion for problem-solving becomes an entrepreneur without a plan?

In this episode, Mark sits down with Samantha (Sam) Julka, Founder of DORIS Research, to explore her remarkable journey from commercial interior designer to leader of a thriving business focused on human-centered solutions.

Sam opens up about the importance of listening to all voices—especially those who often go unheard—while sharing her challenges of building a business as an introvert and a first-time entrepreneur.

Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or just curious about how to blend passion with purpose, Sam's story will leave you inspired and thinking differently about the importance of giving a voice to everyone.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

DORIS Research Connect with Sam Julka on LinkedIn

Ready to rethink your approach to culture? In this episode, Mark welcomes serial entrepreneur Michael Edell, who's built and exited eight companies, to unpack the mystery of company culture. Michael shares how culture isn't something you can define—it's something you feel. From leading his first company at age 19 to taking on industry giants like Oracle and SAP, he reveals how a strong, people-focused culture can drive real business success. Tune in for practical, no-fluff advice on building a culture that fuels growth and keeps your team all-in. Additional Resources: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Can you lead a company without letting ego get in the way?

Jeff Smith, CEO and Founder of City Wide Maintenance, turned his frustration with corporate America into a thriving business by mastering the art of leading without ego.

In this episode, Jeff shares how his journey from corporate America to successful entrepreneurship was shaped by bad leadership examples, fueling his passion for building a people-first company.

Get actionable insights on creating environments that elevate people, building lasting teams, and driving organizational growth.

Additional Resources:

Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Visit City Wide Maintenance Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode, leadership development expert and executive coach, Deseri Garcia. Founder of Vida Aventura, Deseri shares her unique journey from a 20-year corporate career to becoming a leader in the field of team building and leadership development.

The conversation dives deep into the power of peer groups—what Deseri calls "tribes"—and how they serve as sounding boards, support systems, and catalysts for both personal and professional growth. Whether you're leading a team or navigating your entrepreneurial journey, this episode explores the importance of surrounding yourself with people who hold you accountable and push you toward success.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Connect with Deseri Garcia on LInkedIn High Vibe Tribe Retreats Download a guide on Building a Winning Team Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

The conversation explores emerging trends in leadership, including the importance of staying up-to-date on trends, the journey to becoming a CEO, and the impact of leadership trends on organizations with guest Jim Gibbons. Gain valuable insights into the importance of critical thinking, how technology and AI can serve as valuable tools for feedback and coaching, and the essence of emotionally intelligent leadership, characterized by humility and genuine stakeholder engagement. Additional Resources: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Host Mark McFatridge interviews Loren Snyder, Managing Director of The Matthews Snyder Group of Baird Private Wealth Management. They discuss social impact and purposeful leadership, as well as Loren's journey to becoming a managing director. Lauren emphasizes the importance of integrating profits and purpose, and how organizations that do so can optimize their financial results. He also shares his belief in being a good teammate, taking risks, and the value of giving back to the community. Additional Resources: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Quade Take the CEO Mindset Assessment Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network