🎙️ Episode #19: Power Moves Only – The Strategy Behind a C-Suite Ascent
Guest: Cecilia Owens, CFO | COO | Board Leader | Advocate for Inclusive Leadership

In this episode of Selling Air, we’re joined by finance and operations executive Cecilia Owens, whose 20+ year career has been defined by bold strategy, operational excellence, and intentional leadership. Cecilia pulls back the curtain on her rise to the C-suite, sharing the pivotal decisions, calculated risks, and leadership philosophies that propelled her forward in highly competitive industries.

From managing complex financial landscapes to scaling creative businesses and advocating for underrepresented talent, Cecilia’s story is a masterclass in navigating corporate spaces with clarity, purpose, and power.

We dig into:

• 🚀 The career-defining moves that accelerated her rise to executive leadership

• 🧠 How to approach high-stakes decision-making with confidence

• 🤝 The power of mentorship, sponsorship, and relationship-building

• 🎯 Negotiation tips that go beyond salary and into influence

• 📈 The crossover between operational strategy and creative collaboration

Plus, Cecilia shares her personal mantras, surprising facts, and the one underrated skill she wishes she mastered yesterday.

If you’re a rising leader—or helping build them—this episode is full of gems on leveling up with intention and impact.

👉 Connect with Cecilia Owens on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ceciliaaowens
💡 Follow her work and learn more about the organizations she supports, including EmpowHer Institute and the Black TV & Film Collective.

🎙️ Episode: Culture vs. Career: Breaking the Mold in Modern Work

What happens when cultural expectations and corporate ambition collide? In this episode, HR powerhouse Vanessa Phung spills the tea on breaking generational molds, leading with purpose, and scaling startups without losing your soul.✨ Highlights from the episode:
🔍 Vanessa’s unconventional path to HR leadership (and why it wasn’t always the plan)
🌏 How her Vietnamese upbringing shaped her leadership style and career choices
👩‍💼 The challenges and triumphs of being the first female minority HR leader at two companies
💥 Breaking cultural norms and corporate expectations — at the same time
🚧 Navigating imposter syndrome while leading high-growth orgs
🛠️ Scaling startups through 15+ M&A transactions and strategic culture shifts
🏗️ Building leadership frameworks that outlast the hype
🤝 Coaching founders to view diversity as a strategic advantage
👀 Busting workplace myths and HR stereotypes with straight talk
🎤 Vanessa’s dream leadership team, go-to hype song, and the one startup buzzword she can’t standConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-phung/

Crisis of Conviction: Why Companies Keep Folding Under Political Pressure

🎙️ Guest: Toni Harrison
🔗 Etched Communication | LinkedIn

🔥 Why Do Companies Fold Under Pressure?
Corporate leaders talk about values—until the pressure hits. Crisis PR expert Toni Harrison breaks down why brands backpedal, when to take a stand, and how to navigate high-stakes backlash.

🚨 Inside the Episode:
⚖️ When does corporate compromise become an ethical failure?
🏛️ How can brands take a stand without alienating key stakeholders?
📉 The biggest mistakes companies make under political scrutiny.
🔍 High-profile brand controversies—who handled it right, who flopped?
📰 How media and social platforms amplify (or contain) corporate crises.
🎯 What actually works in long-term reputation management?

💬 Get ready for an unfiltered look at corporate courage vs. crisis chaos. Listen now! 🎧🔥

#CrisisPR #CorporateValues #BrandStrategy #ToniHarrison #SellingAirPodcast

🎙️ Episode Title: From Corporate to Co-Founder – Making the Leap with Keyonna Aurelus 🚀

Leaving corporate life to build something of your own? It’s bold, it’s risky, and for Keyonna Aurelus, it was the best decision she ever made. In this episode of Selling Air, we get into the real talk of entrepreneurship—what it takes, what no one tells you, and how she built MSP Mastered from the ground up.

🔥 Here’s what we cover:
✅ The Entrepreneurial Leap – How Keyonna transitioned from corporate leadership to co-founding her own company
✅ Building a Business That Lasts – Essential strategies for launching and scaling successfully
✅ What is MSP? – Breaking down the world of Managed Service Providers and why they matter in today’s business landscape
✅ Challenges Facing MSPs Today – The biggest hurdles businesses in this space face (and how to overcome them)
✅ Lessons in Leadership & Growth – What Keyonna has learned about resilience, leadership, and staying ahead in a competitive industry

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or just love hearing real stories of success, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!

🔗 Connect with Keyonna on LinkedIn: Keyonna Aurelus
🔗 Learn more about MSP Mastered: MSP Mastered

Leading with Impact: How to Build and Sustain High-Performing Global Teams with Troy Achong

What does it take to lead a team that thrives? Transformational executive Troy Achong shares how she’s built and managed high-performing global teams, driven large-scale change, and created cultures of collaboration.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ The secret to managing high-performing teams across different time zones and cultures
✅ How to build a strong, connected company culture—even when teams are remote
✅ Leadership lessons from Troy’s experience leading 300+ professionals
✅ The biggest challenges (and wins) of being a Black woman in executive leadership
✅ Tactical strategies for fostering collaboration, trust, and accountability in any team

💡 Connect with Troy Achong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-achong/

💡 Here’s what’s inside:

🎯 Ready to level up? Check out Precise Process Consulting for expert business solutions or head to ValerieHoskins.com to start your coaching journey today.

Hit play and let’s get into it!

This week on Selling Air, we’re tackling the art (and science) of brand strategy. 🎯 What makes a brand truly unforgettable? How do you create something that resonates, connects, and keeps people coming back for more? Whether you're launching a new business or refreshing an old one, this episode is packed with insights to help you build a brand that doesn’t just exist but thrives. 🚀✨

What’s Inside:

Let’s break it down and get your brand strategy popping! 💥

🎙️ Remote vs. Hybrid: The Battle for the Best Work Life

In this Selling Air episode, we're taking on one of the workplace's biggest debates: remote vs. hybrid! I’m joined by Ashley Hoskins as we break down the rise in "return to office" trends, exploring what each setup means for productivity, happiness, and work-life balance. We dig deep into how these approaches uniquely affect people of color and women, making it a can't-miss episode for anyone navigating today’s evolving work culture.

What We Cover:

Get ready for a lively discussion with fresh insights and real talk on what’s shaping today’s workplace—and what could work best for you!

🎙️ Selling Air- Playing the Long Game w/ Short Work welcomes the extraordinary Dana Brownlee! In this episode, we dive deep into the art of running a profitable and thriving consulting business while embracing the flexibility of short-term engagements. 🌟

Dana, a seasoned consultant and dynamic speaker, shares her expert strategies for maintaining success in the ever-evolving consulting landscape. Learn how to:

Whether you're a seasoned consultant or just starting, Dana's insights will equip you with the tools to elevate your business to new heights. Tune in for actionable advice, inspiring stories, and a dose of entrepreneurial wisdom! 🚀

Don't miss out on this episode of Selling Air – your guide to mastering short-term consulting success.

Join us on "Selling Air" for a fun and insightful dive into the world of HR consulting for startups! 🚀 This episode features the incredible Jabu Dayton, who shares her expert take on the unique challenges and exciting opportunities in this space. From talent acquisition to creating an amazing company culture, Jabu's got the inside scoop. 💼 Perfect for startup enthusiasts and HR pros alike—tune in, learn, and laugh along with us! 😄