Scale Like a CEO

What does it really take to build a company that survives the hype cycle and still serves customers a decade later? We sit down with Jonathan Brun, founder and CEO of Nimonik, to explore how a vertically integrated compliance platform—combining both rich regulatory content and the software to manage it—can turn a “must-do” cost center into a durable growth engine. Jonathan shares the honest playbook: the messy shift from scrappy chaos to repeatable process, the power of lean principles to eliminate waste and smooth workloads, and the difference a few battle-tested senior hires can make in a bootstrapped environment.

We dig into hiring for character and drive—integrity, intelligence, initiative—before layering on domain skills. Jonathan explains why Nimonik’s roll-up strategy works only when culture and product meaningfully align, and why they’ve walked away from deals that looked great on paper but would have derailed focus. Along the way, he offers clear insight into long sales cycles, the hidden complexity of global standards and regulations, and how vertical integration creates defensibility and customer value in a space that rarely gets headlines.

Beneath the tactics sits a philosophy of endurance. With roughly 900 customers and steady growth, Jonathan isn’t chasing an exit; he’s committed to relevance, service, and survival—the quiet compounders of real businesses. If you’re scaling a B2B SaaS, wrestling with hiring, or weighing M&A, this conversation delivers practical wisdom you can use tomorrow.

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Factories still run on clipboards while our phones stream 4K video. That disconnect is the real digital divide Rajeev Shah set out to fix, and he walks us through how Celona brings private 5G to the hardest industrial environments—and what it actually takes to scale a company built for mission‑critical reliability.

We get candid about the first sale every founder makes: recruiting exceptional people from comfortable roles. Rajeev shares how he screens for low ego and a true growth mindset, why role modeling beats slogans, and how explicit values like “customer success” and “think big, act small” translate into daily decisions. The conversation turns real as we dissect the moment delegation went too far, dashboards looked fine, and the team still missed a quarter. That shock forced a reset on go‑to‑market, leadership expectations, and the uncomfortable truth that the strengths that win at 20 employees can stall you at 100.

From there, we map the tension every scaling company faces: protect stability for mature customers while chasing the next S‑curve of “unnatural” growth. Rajeev explains how to separate experimental bets from core operations, keep quality high, and align not just on a grand vision but on the very next step. If you care about industrial IoT, private 5G, leadership development, or building a culture that actually ships, this conversation gives you field notes you can use tomorrow.

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When personal transformation meets entrepreneurial vision, remarkable things happen. Josh Case, CEO and co-founder of SoberBuzz, exemplifies this powerful combination as he channels his business scaling expertise into building a global recovery community that's changing lives daily.

Fresh from rehab and newly sober since July 2024, Josh and his wife Heidi transformed their recovery journey into a platform that resonates with authenticity. "We're real, raw and authentic," Josh explains, describing how sharing their most vulnerable stories has connected them with followers across 43 countries. What began as a personal hobby has exploded into a community of 90,000 followers across social platforms, supported by two podcasts that tackle the messy reality of recovery.

Josh brings unique credibility to scaling mission-driven organizations. Before SoberBuzz, he built and sold multiple energy companies, including deals with global powerhouses like EDF and Engie. The transition from solo founder to team leader taught him crucial lessons about letting go. "I had to learn to keep my fingers out of things and let the people that know more than me do things," he shares candidly. This evolution in leadership style—learning to trust specialists while maintaining the company vision—mirrors the growth journey many founders face.

Perhaps most valuable is Josh's insight into navigating conflict during high-stakes moments. When a major deal nearly collapsed due to partnership disagreement, outside mediators helped restore communication and save the transaction. This experience highlights the importance of conflict resolution mechanisms in any business relationship.

As SoberBuzz continues its remarkable growth trajectory, Josh plans to transform passion into sustainable impact through sponsorships and advertising. Connect with this transformative community on Instagram, Facebook, and X @SoberBuzzToken, on TikTok @SoberBuzz, or on YouTube @SoberBuzzPodcast to witness how business acumen combined with personal mission creates something truly extraordinary.

Stop treating scale like a job title upgrade and start treating it like a system you can prove. Justin sits down with Jonathan Buckley—founder of Artesian Network and a seasoned fractional CMO/CEO—to unpack why early-stage B2B tech companies win when they favor efficacy over efficiency, generalists over siloed specialists, and fractional leadership over rushed, permanent hires. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “hire the CMO now” after a Series A, this conversation offers a smarter path.

We walk through the traps that stall growth: mistaking friendly beta users for product-market fit, elevating big-company directors into startup VPs, and copying sales playbooks that depend on large BDR teams and no longer deliver ROI. Jonathan shares a practical way to confirm PMF with real evidence—tight ICP definition, channel and message experiments, quant you can trust, and clear conversion signals from first touch to expansion. He explains how fractional teams keep the work senior and hands-on: writing copy, building demand gen infrastructure, instrumenting the funnel, and coaching engineer-founders with metrics that matter. Instead of optimizing costs too early, we focus on building a minimal viable revenue engine you can repeat and predict.

You’ll also hear why finance benefits from the same model. A fractional CFO provides runway visibility, pricing and packaging analysis, and capital planning without bloating burn. Together, a fractional CMO and CFO create a cross-functional spine that speeds decisions and reduces risk. Once the playbook is real—ICP, channels, sales motion, content cadence—then it’s time to hire permanent operators to tune and scale.

If you’re a founder or investor searching for a clear, data-driven route to repeatable revenue, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a founder who needs to hear it, and leave a review with your PMF litmus test—we’ll feature the best ideas on a future show.

What does it really take to sustain exceptional business growth year after year? Chris Dreyer, CEO of RankingsIO, delivers a masterclass in building a company that's made the Inc 5000 list for eight consecutive years without a single down year since 2013.

At the heart of RankingsIO's success is their laser focus on generating auto accident cases for personal injury attorneys - the universal "holy grail" case type that every PI firm desperately wants but struggles to obtain consistently. "The biggest problem in my industry is cases - the leads," Chris explains. "There's an oversaturation of attorneys, so the people that have all the leverage are the ones that can generate leads." This expertise has positioned them as an indispensable partner in an increasingly competitive legal landscape.

Perhaps most fascinating is Chris's evolution as a leader. He candidly shares that the $8-12 million revenue range presented his greatest scaling challenge, requiring investments in middle management and infrastructure before further growth could occur. His perspective on talent has similarly transformed: "Who you thought was an A player in the past may not be an A player in the future," reflecting how standards must continuously rise as the organization matures. This wisdom led to the creation of an "Excellence Advocates Committee" - composed of top performers who screen potential hires before they reach executive review.

The conversation reveals a leader who's meticulously strategic about the future. Chris outlines his growth approach through four leverage points: expanding media presence through conferences and podcasts, enhancing labor with nearshore training, implementing AI and automation, and even a long-term capital strategy involving Esquire Bank. Throughout it all runs an unwavering commitment to their values of excellence, execution, and grit.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn or email him at [email protected] to learn more about how relentless focus and continuously raising standards can drive extraordinary business growth.

The quest for genuine human connection has never been more challenging—or more valuable—than in today's AI-dominated business landscape. Miro Cernetig, founder of CityAge, brings this paradox into sharp focus as he shares his journey from foreign correspondent to innovative business leader on this illuminating episode.

Drawing from his background in journalism with Canada's Globe and Mail, Cernetig reveals how he built CityAge into a powerful platform connecting 25,000 leadership-level professionals across government, business, research, and philanthropy. At its core lies a commitment to nonpartisan neutrality and genuine curiosity—values increasingly rare in our algorithm-driven world. "We're using as much technology as we can without losing the human touch, which is essential," Cernetig explains, highlighting the delicate balance modern organizations must strike.

Perhaps most fascinating is Cernetig's "elastic workforce" model, a documentary filmmaking-inspired approach that keeps his organization remarkably nimble. With just 3-4 core team members and a rotating cast of specialized talent, CityAge adapts quickly to new opportunities while maintaining its strategic focus. This approach extends to their innovative use of AI tools for project management and their upcoming venture, CityAge Investments, which will connect promising urban technology companies with their extensive network of decision-makers. For leaders struggling to scale efficiently while preserving authentic human connections, Cernetig's insights offer a compelling roadmap through our increasingly complex digital landscape.

Ready to reimagine how your organization balances technology and human connection? Visit cityage.com to discover more about their work and approach, or connect directly with Miro at [email protected].

What does it take to grow a business from $10,000 to a $100 million exit without venture capital? Scott Conine's entrepreneurial journey reveals powerful lessons about leadership, talent, and trust that any business leader can apply.

Scott opens up about co-founding Rise Interactive and the innovative approach they took to hiring. Recognizing that analytical skills were harder to teach than marketing tactics, they implemented rigorous testing that only 22% of applicants passed. This strategy attracted talent from diverse backgrounds – NASA scientists, derivatives traders, even oil field workers – creating a unique culture of analytical excellence that became their competitive advantage.

When the 2008 financial crisis hit and Rise lost half its revenue overnight, Scott's leadership principles faced their greatest test. Rather than layoffs, he proposed temporary pay cuts across the organization with a promise to repay everyone. Within five months, every team member was paid back in full. This transparent crisis management built extraordinary trust that fueled their continued growth and created remarkable team loyalty.

Scott shares how they abandoned traditional annual reviews for Weekly In-person Meetings (WIMs) that provided immediate feedback, and how they codified their culture through "The Rise 5" principles that everyone learned from day one. These operational innovations were so fundamental they even designed their office space around them.

Now as CEO of TrueData, Scott reveals how he navigates preserving an existing culture while implementing necessary changes. His approach identifies the non-negotiable elements of organizational DNA while creating transparency around performance metrics and empowering his leadership team.

What drives Scott goes beyond business success – he shares his personal mission to create 50 millionaires throughout his career because of the transformative effect this wealth creation has on families and communities. His vision of business as a vehicle for community transformation provides a powerful purpose that transcends typical growth metrics.

Whether you're building a startup or leading an established organization, Scott's insights will transform how you think about talent, transparency, and the true purpose of business success.

What if we've been focusing on the wrong problem in HR technology? While most solutions concentrate on finding new talent, Daniel Ordaz believes the real challenge lies in keeping the people we already have.

As a third-time founder at age 60, Daniel brings decades of perspective to the "Scale Like a CEO" podcast, sharing how his company Sendos is revolutionizing talent retention. With refreshing candor, he explains why we should prioritize creating environments where employees feel secure and valued rather than rushing to replace them with AI or automation.

Daniel's entrepreneurial journey is deeply personal. Working alongside his son as COO, he's built a distributed team of 10 people across the Americas, carefully selecting individuals with a desire to learn rather than extensive experience. "You can hire somebody for much less money and then help them grow, so they're more grateful and they're more engaged with the company," he explains, detailing how this approach creates loyal team members who develop with the organization.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Daniel discusses delegation challenges in a remote environment. Despite initial reluctance to relinquish control, he's learned to embrace unexpected approaches from his team: "I'm happy to have delegated and be surprised by the results—sometimes it was even better or just different." This evolution in leadership style has allowed him to maintain work-life balance while pursuing consulting work with global organizations.

Looking ahead, Daniel reveals his vision for Sendos includes a thoughtful succession plan. "Don't tell my son," he jokes, "but I'm really looking forward for him to take over as CEO and for me to be in more of a backstage role." This refreshing perspective on founder identity and company legacy offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage.

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn (D-O-R-D-I-Z) to continue the conversation about human-centered approaches to talent development in the age of AI.

Pricing structures make or break businesses, yet they're often the most overlooked aspect of entrepreneurship. Noelle Curtis, founder and CEO of Busy Boulevard, is changing that reality with a platform that helps entrepreneurs establish proper pricing foundations to ensure sustainable growth.

During our conversation, Noelle unpacks the critical distinction between gross and net revenue that trips up countless business owners. "A lot of people are stuck on the gross, but the net is really what matters," she explains, highlighting how her company's platform helps entrepreneurs finally include their own compensation in their pricing calculations. This fundamental shift transforms businesses from unsustainable passion projects into viable, growth-oriented ventures.

The journey from solo founder to team leader presents universal challenges that Noelle addresses with refreshing candor. Her approach to delegation involves what she calls "creative restraints" – empowering team members with decision-making authority within defined parameters. This framework has allowed her six-person team to execute effectively while maintaining alignment with company goals. Her practical advice on cross-training, establishing clear deliverables, and setting regular check-ins provides a roadmap for founders feeling overwhelmed by wearing too many hats.

Busy Boulevard's expansion plans reveal Noelle's strategic vision for growth beyond their beauty industry origins. Their upcoming credit union program will help connect entrepreneurs with funding opportunities based on platform usage data, while partnerships with nonprofits and educational institutions are extending their reach. Perhaps most fascinating is their move into agricultural technology, bringing pricing expertise to another traditionally low-margin sector. As Noelle puts it, "Someone told me we have a glutton for punishment because we service industries that have lower profit margins," but this purposeful focus addresses critical gaps in underserved markets.

Ready to transform your approach to business pricing and operations? Connect with Noelle and the Busy Boulevard team on social media @busyboulevard, visit busyboulevard.com, or call 312-809-2474 to request a demo and discover how proper pricing structures can position your business for sustainable growth.

Ever wondered what happens when AI chatbots go rogue? Just ask Andrew Becker, who shares a story about a chatbot that agreed to sell a Silverado truck for one penny because someone told it "no takesie backsies." As CEO of InPolicy AI and CTO of the Anchor Group, Andrew is tackling the wild west of artificial intelligence head-on.

"We're building Grammarly for your company policies," Andrew explains, describing how InPolicy helps businesses ensure that both employees and AI systems comply with organizational guidelines and regulations. While many tech companies embrace the "move fast and break things" philosophy, Andrew's mission puts rule-makers—compliance officers, lawyers, and HR managers—back in the driver's seat. This approach couldn't be more timely, as recent controversies around AI control demonstrate the urgent need for better governance tools.

Beyond AI, Andrew offers profound insights on building high-performing teams across organizations of different sizes. He searches for people with an "ownership mentality" who approach their responsibilities like portfolio managers. "Give me something to own that I can build on, that I can grow, and if I do a good job, give me more," he explains, describing the ideal team member mindset. This philosophy, combined with his unique hiring approach of actually trying to talk candidates out of accepting positions, creates transparent cultures where people truly thrive. Whether you're scaling a startup or managing teams at a larger organization, Andrew's perspective on finding your organizational "sweet spot" offers valuable guidance for leaders at every stage.

Ready to put your AI on a leash while empowering your team to own their success? Connect with Andrew at [email protected] and discover how his approach to technology leadership might transform your business.