If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I actually in my zone of genius… or just stuck playing CEO because I’m the founder?” this episode is for you.In this WTF? Live, Nicole and Tamara sit down with Maddie Kelley, founder, strategist, storyteller, and host of Mimir, a top-ranked podcast for founders, investors, and operators. Maddie helps founders turn their weirdest strengths into real, sustainable growth.This conversation digs into the Founder’s Edge:👉 how knowing yourself deeply (not performatively) becomes a growth advantage👉 how to build a company that actually matches your values, energy, and strengthsIn this episode, we cover:~ What the “Founder’s Edge” really is and why your business will only grow as far as your self-awareness~ Why so many founders are miscast as CEOs (and what happens when you put yourself in the wrong role)~ How to find your zone of genius and restructure your role, team, or leadership around it~ Journaling & reflection as real strategy tools (not just “self-care”) for founders and executives~ How to lead and market with human truth instead of a polished persona~ Signs you may have a values or authenticity mismatch in your brand or product~ Why your best customers are your clearest mirror and how to use them to refine your positioning~ Human-centered leadership in the age of AI (and why people are craving more human, not less)Whether you’re a founder, CEO, fractional exec, or senior leader, this episode will help you:~ Get honest about the role you’re actually built for~ Align your business model with your values~ Stop copying everyone else’s playbook and start leveraging your unique edgeGet FREE Business Growth Tips and Strategies: https://clever-cow.kit.com/3b5666d529For more actionable business tips watch this playlisthttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYiidGpUlv1F2qvisrBy84trOZxVR-pja&si=z4exIjHdaC50vL8GConnect With WTF?Website: https://whatthefracshow.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefracshowTT: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefracshowLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/what-the-frac-showYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clevercow

Most SaaS founders want more conversions but rarely start with messaging. In this episode of What The Frac? Live, we sit down with Chris Silvestri of Conversion Alchemy to explore how great copywriting, UX thinking, and strategic messaging can transform your funnel. From breaking down buyer committees and user journeys to testing with AI agents and heatmaps, this is a masterclass in writing B2B SaaS content that actually works. If you're a founder, fractional exec, or marketer trying to shorten sales cycles and drive more demos, you need to hear this one.

Is it mindset or strategy that really drives business growth?

In this episode of What The Frac? Live, we sit down with executive coach and conscious futurist Stephanie Trager to explore how your identity, beliefs, and nervous system capacity shape the future of your business. Hosts Nicole Zeno and Tamara Laine get personal about what it really takes to scale, beyond metrics and marketing plans. If you're a founder, executive, or entrepreneur who's hitting a plateau (or wondering why your strategy isn’t landing), this conversation offers a fresh perspective on leadership, authenticity, and growth.

What does it take to turn a bootstrapped idea into a global brand?

In this episode of What The Frac ?Live, Nicole and Tamara sit down with Eric Malka, co-founder of The Art of Shaving, author of On the Razor’s Edge, and managing partner at Strategic Brand Investments. From selling his car to fund the first store in New York to scaling into a $100M+ luxury men’s grooming brand later acquired by Gillette/P&G, Eric shares what it really means to scale smart, not just fast.

Listen in as Eric reveals:

• Why execution beats ideas every time

• His Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly methodology for sustainable growth

• How to prepare before chasing investors

• The difference between scalability and sellability

• Why brand equity and IP are the most valuable assets you can build

• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make with money and growth

If you’re an entrepreneur, fractional executive, or investor, this conversation will reshape how you think about building businesses, partnerships, and long-term success.

#ArtofShaving, #EricMalka, #startupgrowth, #businessscaling, #brandbuilding, #entrepreneurship, #executionvsideas, #crawlwalkrunfly, #exitstrategy, #investoradvice, #bootstrappedstartup, #brandequity, #luxuryconsumergoods, #WhatTheFracLive

In this episode of What The Frac? Live, Nicole and Tamara welcome Guy Barretta “The COO Guy” President of Beretta Consulting and seasoned executive with 25+ years in Fortune 500s, startups, and real estate franchises.

Guy reveals why every small business should think about exit strategy from day one, and how a fractional COO can help business owners break free from bottlenecks, avoid burnout, and scale smarter.

👉 You’ll learn:

• Why exit strategies matter (even if you’re just starting out)

• How to avoid being the bottleneck in your own business

• The difference between a consultant and a true fractional executive

• How automation and time management can give you your life back

• Why succession planning is essential for long-term business value

  
  

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the weeds, overwhelmed by daily fires, or unsure how to build for the future, this episode will give you clarity, tools, and encouragement.

📩 Connect with Guy Barretta: LinkedIn – Guy Barretta | [email protected]

#fractionalCOO #exitstrategy #businessgrowth #smallbusinessleadership #delegationtips #automationinbusiness #realestatefranchises #successionplanning #entrepreneurship #scalingbusiness #WhatTheFracLive #GuyBarretta

In this episode of What The Frac? Live, we sit down with Lindsey Carnett, CEO of the award-winning PR firm Marketing Maven, to uncover the real strategies behind effective LinkedIn marketing and executive visibility in 2025.

Lindsey shares how most professionals are misusing LinkedIn—and how to fix it. From building authentic thought leadership to avoiding the biggest risks of using AI in content, this episode is a must-listen for founders, CMOs, and fractional executives who want to lead with credibility.

💬 Topics we cover:

• The do’s and don’ts of thought leadership on LinkedIn

• Why executive visibility is more important than ever

• Smart ways to use (and not use) AI in PR and content

• Controlling your digital footprint and protecting your brand reputation

• LinkedIn newsletters, targeting strategies, and algorithm insights

Get FREE Business Growth Tips and Strategies: https://clever-cow.kit.com/3b5666d529

Connect With WTF?

Website: https://whatthefracshow.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefracshow

TT:https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefracshow

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/what-the-frac-show

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clevercow

#LinkedInMarketing #ThoughtLeadership #B2BStrategy #MarketingMaven #ReputationManagement #AIinMarketing #DigitalPR #WhatTheFracLive

In this episode of What The Frac? Live, we dive deep with Adam Povlitz, CEO and President of Anago Cleaning Systems, to uncover the franchise strategy driving their explosive expansion—from $100M in revenue to a bold $300M goal by 2028.

Adam breaks down how Anago’s unique 3-tier franchise system separates cleaning, sales, and operations to scale efficiently. He shares the backstory of Vision 2028, his multi-prong post-COVID growth strategy, and how he's empowering franchisees with tools like the CleanCom app, AI-driven service quality insights, and an e-learning system that improves training in real time.

We also explore:

• Why franchising is a powerful but underused path to scale

• How to know if your small business is franchise-ready

• The mindset shift needed to move from operator to strategic executive

• Why “growth is now our routine” at Anago—and how you can build systems to make that true in your own business

Whether you're considering buying into a franchise or scaling your company beyond the founder’s ceiling, this conversation delivers next-level insight.

Get FREE Business Growth Tips and Strategies: https://clever-cow.kit.com/3b5666d529

Connect With WTF?

Website: https://whatthefracshow.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefracshow

TT:https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefracshow

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/w

#Franchising #GrowthStrategy #MasterFranchise #BusinessScaling #CleaningIndustry #AIinBusiness #StartupStrategy #WhatTheFracLive #Leadership #Vision2028

What if your startup’s next great hire wasn’t full-time at all? In this episode of What The Frac? Live, we’re joined by Katy Murphy, founder and CEO of NEXT—an AI-powered, agent-led platform connecting startups with vetted fractional executives.

Katy shares how the startup hiring model is shifting dramatically, why fractional leadership is the future, and how AI is eliminating the need for endless recruiting and misalignment. We dive into:

✅ Why startups should never go full-time first
✅ The power of AI agents in talent matching
✅ What makes a fractional executive a perfect fit
✅ How venture studios like Platform are reshaping entrepreneurship
✅ The rise of the three-person unicorn (and what's next)

Whether you're a founder, a fractional, or just startup-curious—this episode will transform how you think about building executive teams in the new economy.

Get FREE Business Growth Tips and Strategies: https://clever-cow.kit.com/3b5666d529

Connect With WTF?

Website: https://whatthefracshow.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefracshow

TT:https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefracshow

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/what-the-frac-show

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clevercow

#fractionalexecutive #startupgrowth #AIhiring #venturestudio #KNEXPro #KatyMurphy #WhatTheFracLive #onepersonunicorn #entrepreneurship #startupfounder #leadershipstrategy #productmarketfit #techstartups #futureofwork #founderlife #marketingstrategy #scaleyourstartup #fractionalCMO #fractionalCOO

In this episode of What The Frac? Live, we're joined by Robin Emiliani, growth marketing leader at Catalyst, to talk about how AI is transforming the relationship between sales and marketing—and what leaders need to know to stay ahead.

We cover:

• Why the sales-marketing disconnect still exists—and how to fix it

• How AI chatbots like NAVU streamline customer journeys and drive conversion

• The rise of AI-powered thought partnership in campaign strategy

• Real-world tools like Perplexity, Claude, and Freepik that are changing the game

• How AI can support leadership communication and employee development

This one is jam-packed with actionable tips, tool recommendations, and honest insights into what's working right now.

🎯 Perfect for founders, CMOs, revenue leaders, and fractional execs who want to stay competitive and efficient.

Get FREE Business Growth Tips and Strategies: https://clever-cow.kit.com/3b5666d529

Connect With WTF?

Website: https://whatthefracshow.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefracshow

TT:https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefracshow

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/what-the-frac-show

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clevercow

#AImarketing #salesenablement #chatbots #NAVU #Catalyst #RobinAni #Perplexity #Claude #Freepik #campaignstrategy #revenuegrowth #marketingautomation #thoughtleadership #startupmarketing #B2Bsales #CROstrategy #AIinleadership #customerjourney #WhatTheFracLive

What’s the real ROI of your personal brand?

In this powerful episode of What The Frac? Live, personal brand strategist Toni Brown breaks down how entrepreneurs—especially women—can build authentic personal brands that drive visibility, trust, and revenue without becoming influencers.

Hosts Nicole and Tamara explore:

• The real difference between branding and personal branding

• Why personal branding matters for investors, founders, and CEOs

• The shift from branding to influence—and why it’s critical

• How to create boundaries between your personal life and brand

• Storytelling strategies that connect, convert, and inspire

• Content creation tips for introverts and non-creators

Whether you’re raising capital, building community, or trying to stand out in your space—this episode will help you build a brand that feels right and gets results.

Get FREE Business Growth Tips and Strategies: https://clever-cow.kit.com/3b5666d529

Connect With WTF?

Website: https://whatthefracshow.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefracshow

TT:https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefracshow

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/what-the-frac-show

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clevercow

#personalbranding #thoughtleadership #womenentrepreneurs #storytelling #executivebranding #brandstrategy #foundervisibility #businessstorytelling #marketingtips #ToniBrown #WhatTheFracLive #authenticityinbusiness #personalinfluence #startupbranding #contentstrategy