Ep. 5 Transforming Professional Learning with Canopy: A Conversation w/ William Minton

Business Growth Spotlight

#Business #Marketing #Heidi Schalk

1:15:36

In this episode, we welcome back David French, columnist for The New York Times , former constitutional attorney, and author of Divided We Fall . We discuss the current state of American democracy, the challenges of political division, and how we can engage in civil discourse despite deep ideological differences. David also shares a personal update on his family and reflects on the profound trials and growth that come with adversity. 📌 What We Discuss: ✔️ How David and his family navigated the challenges of a serious health crisis. ✔️ The rise of political polarization and the factors driving it. ✔️ Why distinguishing between “unwise, unethical, and unlawful” is crucial in analyzing political actions. ✔️ How consuming different perspectives (even opposing ones) helps in understanding political dynamics. ✔️ The role of Christian values in politics and how they are being redefined. ⏳ Episode Highlights 📍 [00:01:00] – David French’s background and his journey from litigation to journalism. 📍 [00:02:30] – Personal update: David shares his wife Nancy’s battle with cancer and their journey as a family. 📍 [00:06:00] – How to navigate personal trials while maintaining faith and resilience. 📍 [00:10:00] – The danger of political paranoia and the pitfalls of extreme polarization. 📍 [00:18:00] – The "friend-enemy" paradigm in American politics and its influence in Christian fundamentalism. 📍 [00:24:00] – Revisiting Divided We Fall : How America’s divisions have devolved since 2020. 📍 [00:40:00] – The categories and differences of unwise, unethical, and unlawful political actions. 📍 [00:55:00] – The balance between justice, kindness, and humility in political engagement. 📍 [01:00:00] – The After Party initiative: A Christian approach to politics focused on values rather than policy. 💬 Featured Quotes 🔹 "You don't know who you truly are until your values are tested." – David French 🔹 "If we focus on the relational, we can have better conversations even across deep differences." – Corey Nathan 🔹 "Justice, kindness, and humility—if you're missing one, you're doing it wrong." – David French 🔹 "The United States has a history of shifting without repenting. We just move on." – David French 📚 Resources Mentioned David French’s Writing: New York Times David’s Book: Divided We Fall The After Party Initiative – More Info Advisory Opinions Podcast (with Sarah Isgur & David French) – Listen Here 📣 Call to Action If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion 🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media @coreysnathan: Bluesky LinkedIn Instagram Threads Facebook Substack David French: 🔗 Twitter | BlueSky | New York Times Our Sponsors Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡…

about a year ago 36:47

MP3•Episode home

In this episode, Heidi interviews William Minton, the co-founder of Canopy, a professional learning and collaboration platform. William shares his journey from traveling the world to research top-ranked schools to creating a solution for teacher professional development during the pandemic. He discusses the challenges of pivoting in the edtech space, the importance of being responsive to market signals, and how Canopy has grown to serve various organizations beyond K12 education. Tune in to learn about Canopy's upcoming white-label solution and William's strategies for authentic connections on LinkedIn.

William Minton spent the 2015-16 school year traveling around the world to visit and write about top-ranked schools across five continents.

The schools he visited inspired him to think more creatively about how to approach the challenges facing education in the United States. He spent the years that followed sharing these insights in Edutopia and at conferences around the country.

In 2020 Canopy Ed began a transition from a traditional consulting organization to an EdTech company. In 2022 they launched Canopy.

Canopy is a professional learning & collaboration platform for systems and organizations that care about the quality of self-paced learning (not just compliance). They started with K12 and educator PD but are now used broadly by many types of organizations.

Before the shift to education technology, he provided long-term consulting services at the city-government, non-profit, school district, and individual school level. At each level, his approach focused on catalyzing participant voice to develop sustainable solutions that are aligned to the larger vision and goals of the partners.

In the first decade of his career, he worked as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. He also helped found and direct the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, a non-profit focused on leadership and college access for high-achieving teens in low-performing schools, and managed several other youth development initiatives. He has training in community organizing, leadership development, instructional coaching, and a Master's degree in Public Administration.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

Website: www.canopylms.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-minton-6467514/

Connect with me:

Spotlight To Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

26 episodes

Business Growth Spotlight

Ep. 5 Transforming Professional Learning with Canopy: A Conversation w/ William Minton

Business Growth Spotlight

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

William Minton spent the 2015-16 school year traveling around the world to visit and write about top-ranked schools across five continents.

In 2020 Canopy Ed began a transition from a traditional consulting organization to an EdTech company. In 2022 they launched Canopy.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

Website: www.canopylms.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-minton-6467514/

Connect with me:

Spotlight To Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

26 episodes

#Business #Marketing #Heidi Schalk

All episodes

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 26. Winning Strategies for College Recruiting & Business Growth with Dan Tudor 34:46

1 day ago34:46

34:46

In this conversation, Heidi interviews Dan Tudor, the president and founder of Tudor Collegiate Strategies, about the unique challenges and strategies in college recruiting. Dan discusses the importance of adapting to new trends, the need for effective communication and marketing strategies to build trust and relationships with potential recruits. The conversation also touches on the significance of consistency in marketing efforts and the day-to-day operations of running a successful business in the collegiate athletics space. Dan discusses the complexities of sales in college athletics, emphasizing the need for a consultative approach and the importance of understanding the industry. He highlights the challenges of growth, the impact of AI on efficiency, and the necessity of adapting to market changes. The conversation also touches on future growth goals, the significance of maintaining quality outcomes for clients, and the challenges of fostering a strong company culture in a remote work environment. Dan is the Founder and President of Tudor Collegiate Strategies, a nationally respected athletic recruiting advisory firm that specializes in training coaching staffs to communicate and recruit their prospects more effectively. Since 2005, Tudor has been called “America’s recruiting coordinator” thanks to his company’s cutting-edge strategies, research and advice to the college coaching community. Tudor Collegiate Strategies conducts recruiting workshops at athletic departments around the country, as well as serving several hundred individual coaching staffs as clients as he and his staff helps to craft their recruiting strategy and written communication. His College Recruiting Weekly newsletter is read by 48,000 college coaches around the country every week, and he also hosts the College Recruiting Weekly podcast on Spotify, iTunes, iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms. Dan also speaks regularly at college coach conventions around the country. Dan is based in North Carolina, and can be reached by email at dan@dantudor.com. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.dantudor.com X: https://x.com/dantudor Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 25 Mastering Finance & Leadership with Blair Cook 32:58

4 days ago32:58

32:58

In this episode, we sit down with Blair Cook, a seasoned CFO and co-founder of Executive Finance Partners, to explore the ever-evolving world of finance and executive leadership. Blair breaks down complex financial concepts, shares insights on the rise of AI in decision-making, and reveals the biggest challenges businesses face when scaling. From financial blind spots to building strong partnerships, Blair dives into what it takes to drive sustainable growth—and why understanding the numbers is non-negotiable for every leader. Blair is a seven-time CFO, a director of multiple companies and organizations, and a thought leader in all matters of the Office of the CFO. Blair is the co-founder of Executive Finance Partners, a global professional development and executive coaching firm. He also serves as a corporate director and audit committee chairman of publicly listed companies: Terravest Industries and Clarke Inc. He is also the Board Treasurer of the Devour Food & Film Festival. Blair is the author of The Illiterate Executive: An Executive’s Handbook for Mastering Financial Acumen. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.executivefinance.ca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-cook-2a6459b/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 24 Revolutionizing Compliance Training with AI with Avi Singer 29:37

6 days ago29:37

29:37

Revolutionizing Compliance Training with AI – A Conversation with Avi Singer In this episode, we sit down with Avi Singer, CEO of Showd.me, to explore the ever-evolving world of compliance training. Avi shares his journey from psychology to tech, revealing how Showd.me pivoted in 2017 to meet the growing demand for effective training in highly regulated industries like healthcare. We dive into the challenges of keeping compliance training engaging and relevant, the importance of understanding employees' unique needs, and how AI is transforming content creation and efficiency. Avi also discusses the significance of building strong client relationships, achieving high completion rates, and the future of individualized learning. With AI making entrepreneurship more accessible than ever, this conversation sheds light on how businesses can leverage technology to enhance training outcomes and drive real impact. Tune in to hear Avi’s insights on what’s next for compliance training and why personalization is the key to the future. Championing Compliance in Healthcare Avi Singer is the Founder and CEO of showd.me, a revolutionary platform transforming healthcare compliance training. Since 2014, showd.me has empowered organizations to ensure their workforce stays up-to-date on critical regulations and best practices. Making Compliance Engaging showd.me goes beyond traditional compliance training. They offer a modern, user-friendly approach that keeps learners engaged and fosters knowledge retention. Their solutions are designed to be accessible, allowing busy healthcare professionals to complete training efficiently, anytime, anywhere. Prioritizing Efficiency and Effectiveness Avi's leadership stems from a successful career in HR within the tech industry. He understands the challenges healthcare organizations face in maintaining compliance while managing a busy workforce. showd.me streamlines the training process, saving valuable time and resources while ensuring compliance is met. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: showd.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/showd-me Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 23 Banish Bad Work Days Forever: Insider Tips from Career Coach Cara Heilmann 45:19

9 days ago45:19

45:19

In this episode, Host Heidi Schalk interviews Cara Heilmann, a career coach dedicated to helping first and second-generation Americans secure executive positions. The conversation explores Cara's journey from corporate executive to career coach, the importance of visibility strategies for coaches, and the evolving role of AI in the coaching industry. Listeners gain insights into effective marketing strategies, the coaching process, and the significance of mindset in overcoming career challenges. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of outsourcing for confidence, the visibility challenges faced in the career coaching industry, and the balance between organic and paid marketing strategies. They discuss the significance of learning from past mistakes, particularly regarding the timing of paid advertising. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of taking action and moving forward, as well as the importance of identifying one's superpower to stand out in a competitive market. Cara is President of the International Association of Career Coaches, a global consortium of professional career coaches and founder of Ready Reset Go. She is a recognized expert and has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Moneygeek, CNBC, Money, and Essence. Cara is a bestselling author of four books, The Secret Life of Career Coaching, The Art of Finding the Job You Love, Confessions of the Accidental Career Coach, and Ready, Set, Go! co-authored with world-renowned author Brian Tracy. Cara has coached over 5,000 professionals and taught over 300 career coaches with one singular goal: banish bad work days forever! To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://www.iacareercoaches.org Tiktok: @Cara_Coaches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caraheilmann/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 22: Unlocking Leadership Potential with Susan DeWoody 35:42

11 days ago35:42

35:42

In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight podcast, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Susan DeWoody, president of Strata Leadership. They discuss Susan's journey from academia to leadership development, the importance of character in coaching, and how Strata tailors its programs to meet diverse organizational needs. The conversation also explores the significance of trust in building high-performing teams, the role of authenticity in leadership, and the integration of AI in leadership development. Susan shares insights on visibility challenges in the coaching industry and future trends in leadership development, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation.Dr. Susan DeWoody is a proud first-generation college graduate, lifelong learner, solution finder and champion for the underdog. Prior to joining Strata Leadership as President, Dr. DeWoody was part of the nonprofit leadership sector of CarterBaldwin Executive Search, a firm listed among the top 1% of search firms in the nation by Hunt Scanlon. For the past 20 years, she has served in multiple areas on college and university campuses: recruitment, advising, campus life, NCAA DII athletics, and academic affairs to name a few. Her most recent academic post involved serving on the president’s cabinet at Oklahoma Baptist University as the first female Provost in the institution’s more than 113-year history. Dr. DeWoody brings a dynamic blend of expertise and passion to her roles as an executive coach, leadership facilitator, and public speaker. With a career marked by unwavering dedication, she fearlessly tackles the complexities of leadership in today's ever-changing landscape. Dr. DeWoody's authentic voice resonates as she shares her personal journey with imposter syndrome, emphasizing the transformative power of embracing vulnerability in leadership. She champions navigating difficult spaces with courage and resilience, guiding organizations through turbulent waters with her keen insights into change management. Dr. DeWoody inspires audiences with her fervent belief in the profound impact of a growth mindset and lifelong learning, empowering individuals to thrive amidst facing life's complexity. Dr. DeWoody earned the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in Higher Education Administration from Dallas Baptist University. She earned the Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services from Northeastern State University. She earned the Bachelor of Science in Education from Arkansas Tech University and an Associates of Arts degree from University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Although she has also lived in Arkansas, Texas, and North Carolina, her heart and her roots are firmly planted in Oklahoma. She has been married to Dr. Dale DeWoody (English PhD and educator) since 2003. Dr. DeWoody believes deeply in the never-ending pursuit of learning and has a strong desire to inspire others to be intentional about finding their purpose. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.strataleadership.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susandewoody/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep 21: Building Smarter Businesses Through Learning with Jackrabbit’s Jason Gorman 31:20

13 days ago31:20

31:20

In this episode, Jason shares his journey from teaching to online course development, beginning in higher education before shifting to consulting. He specialized in designing unique learning experiences for companies across various industries. Eight years ago, he founded Jackrabbit Learning Experience to streamline course development and offer scalable solutions. Jackrabbit has worked with diverse clients, including the Grammys, Medtronic, and Harvard. While Jason initially served many industries, the company is now focusing on climate tech and elder care due to high demand for skilled training. Jackrabbit offers both done-for-you course creation and a training program to help businesses develop their own learning operations. Jason emphasizes that learning should be viewed as a strategic advantage, not a cost center. Companies can leverage training for employee retention, product education, and even as a revenue stream. For over 25 years, Jason has been designing powerful, vibrant, and emotionally engaging environments for learners of all ages. These include a cutting-edge virtual science lab, a pioneering MEd in teacher preparation for the Woodrow Wilson Academy at MIT, fully online programs for the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a new experience-first approach to performance development with a Boston-based EdTech startup, and a custom learning management system for a company serving preschool teachers. As Founder and CEO at Jackrabbit Learning Experience Jason is focused on partnering with organizations who need a partner to help envision and create an extraordinary educational product or program. Jackrabbit LX's services include strategy consulting, prototyping, testing, advising on how to assemble the right resources, and taking a program to scale. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpgorman/ Website: https://www.Jackrabbitlx.com Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 20 Mastering Influence and Constructive Debate for Business Growth w/ B. Kim Barnes 43:58

16 days ago43:58

43:58

In this episode, Heidi interviews Kim Barnes, an experienced entrepreneur, leadership expert, and author. Kim shares her journey from working with children with learning difficulties to founding Barnes & Conti Associates, Inc., where she helps businesses create thriving work environments. They discuss the importance of transparency, vulnerability, and alignment in leadership and communication, and how to foster a culture of healthy debate within teams. Tune in to learn how Kim's expertise can help you become a more influential and effective leader in your business and personal life. B. Kim Barnes is the CEO of Barnes & Conti Associates, a leadership learning and development firm. She has had over 40 years of experience in the fields of management, leadership, and organization development. Kim is the primary developer of Exercising Influence: Building Relationships and Getting Results, Constructive Negotiation: Building Agreements that Work, The Mastery of Change, Inspirational Leadership, Intelligent Risk-Taking, Constructive Debate, Creating a Culture for Risk and Innovation, C.O.A.C.H. for Peak Performance, The Art of Communication, Consulting on the Inside and Leading Global and Virtual Teams, all of which are copyrighted programs of Barnes & Conti. She also co-developed the program Managing Innovation, Driving Ideas from Strategic Initiative to Value Creation with Dr. David Francis of the University of Brighton’s Centre for Research in Innovation Management. Kim’s work has been translated into 12 languages. “Kim Barnes is an energetic facilitator and an exceptional mentor. Relating to people across the organizational spectrum and across cultures is evidently fluid as if second nature to her. Her practical approach and products are well thought out, directly relevant to the workplace, and about the most performance-based I’ve seen in a classroom context. Participants’ knowledge and competencies in the target skills improve notably by the conclusion of the program.” —Vice President/Founding Member, La Forma Del Cuore APS Working in both internal and external roles, Kim has experience in a broad range of industries including technology, research and development, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, telecommunications, aerospace, finance, distribution, public utilities, health care, manufacturing, insurance, and government. Her clients have included Cisco Systems, Citigroup, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Givaudan, Medtronic, NetApp, Novartis, the University of California, Stanford University, and the U.S. Department of Energy, among many others. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.barnesconti.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkimbarnes/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barnesconti/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 19 Unlocking Team Performance: The Power of Experiential Leadership with Taylor J. Thomas 43:56

18 days ago43:56

43:56

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight , we dive into the power of experiential leadership with Taylor J. Thomas, co-founder of Impact Initiative. Impact Initiative is redefining leadership development by helping organizations create transformational, experience-driven strategies that drive real cultural change, strengthen team dynamics, and fuel long-term business success. Taylor shares how traditional corporate training often falls short, why movement and immersive experiences are the key to unlocking high-performance teams, and how his team at Impact Initiative helps businesses implement leadership strategies that stick. Whether you’re leading a startup or a global enterprise, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership, growth, and team development. Taylor has built a career around high-performance coaching and leadership development. Before co-founding Impact Initiative, he founded Thomas Endurance Coaching (TEC)—one of the most well-respected coaching groups in the world—and was recognized as a Top 20 Coach by the Coach Foundation. His work is driven by the belief that scaling a business should never come at the cost of its people. That belief is the foundation of Impact Initiative, which helps leaders and teams develop the skills, trust, and communication needed to achieve lasting success. Connect with Taylor J. Thomas: 🌐 Website: impactinitiative.network 📸 Instagram: @Taylor.J.Thomas Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 18 Mastering Sales: The Art of Discovery & Connection with Stuart Chant 39:17

20 days ago39:17

39:17

In this episode, Heidi interviews Stuart Chant, a sales expert with Outsell Consulting, a company dedicated to transforming the way businesses approach sales. Stuart shares his journey from leading a sales team of 150 sellers with no standardized sales process to becoming a sought-after sales consultant. He discusses the biggest challenges sales professionals face in connecting with potential clients and how Outsell Consulting helps them refine their sales strategies. Stuart also emphasizes the importance of discovery questions, active listening, and leveraging AI to enhance sales performance. Tune in to learn how Stuart and his team are revolutionizing the sales industry and helping businesses close more deals with confidence. Stuart has spent years mastering the art of sales, coaching businesses on how to uncover client needs, overcome objections, and shift from a traditional sales mindset to a problem-solving approach. His expertise spans discovery techniques, behavioral insights, and the integration of AI to optimize sales processes. Stuart’s approach simplifies sales, making it easier for professionals to connect, engage, and build lasting client relationships. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.StuartChant.com Learn more about Outsell Consulting: https://www.outsellconsulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartchant/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 17 Redefining Traditional Concepts of Entrepreneurship with Gary Schoeniger 43:04

22 days ago43:04

43:04

Episode 17: Redefining Traditional Concepts of Entrepreneurship with Gary Schoeniger Gary Schoeniger is an internationally recognized leader in entrepreneurial mindset education and professional development. His work focuses on redefining traditional concepts of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the mindset and behaviors that optimize engagement and unlock human potential. Gary has been a leading advocate for entrepreneurial mindset education in classrooms, organizations, and communities. His approach aims to democratize entrepreneurship, making it accessible to people from various backgrounds and circumstances. Through research, articles, and thought leadership, he contributes to both academic and practical discussions on entrepreneurship. He challenges traditional paradigms and promotes a more inclusive and accessible approach to entrepreneurship education as a means of individual and collective empowerment. As the Founder and CEO of the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, Gary led the development of the Ice House Entrepreneurial Mindset Programs, recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, the Papal Council for Peace and Justice at the Vatican, and the European Commission. In addition to his latest book, “The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage,” Gary, along with Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert, co-authored “Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur,” an international bestseller described as “required reading for humanity.” As a sought-after speaker, Gary has delivered numerous keynotes, workshops, and training programs throughout the U.S. and abroad. Overall, Gary’s work centers on the belief that entrepreneurial skills and mindset are essential for personal and societal growth. His efforts aim to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to realize their potential. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website : www.Elimindset.com LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyschoeniger/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale : https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 16 Building High-Performing Teams and Navigating Difficult Conversations with Christine Hernandez 42:25

25 days ago42:25

42:25

In this episode, Heidi interviews Christine Hernandez, an experienced entrepreneur and leadership expert who empowers businesses to create thriving work environments. Christine shares her journey from being a young leader struggling with difficult conversations to becoming a successful entrepreneur and coach. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, vulnerability, and alignment in leadership and communication. Christine also discusses the challenges of building high-performing teams, especially in the era of remote work, and offers insights on forming strategic partnerships for mutual growth. Tune in to learn how Christine is revolutionizing the way leaders approach team building and conflict resolution. As a business owner, consultant, and leadership coach her commitment to expanding people’s potential is unparalleled. Over the years, Christine has owned and built 3 multigenerational companies where she created strong sustainable businesses, teams, and cultures. Now she’s passionate about working with founders and business owners who are experiencing team dynamic challenges to discover their Vision, Mission, and Core Values so they can better communicate with their team and integrate what matters most to them into their business and team culture. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.impactinitative.network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldleaderco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impact-initiative-co/?viewAsMember=true Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 15 Unlocking Success in the Blue Collar Industry: Insights from Chris Crew 37:31

27 days ago37:31

37:31

In this episode,Heidi interviews Chris Crew, the President of the Blue Collar Success Group, a company that helps home service contractors scale their businesses. Chris shares his journey from being an electrician to becoming a successful entrepreneur and coach. He discusses the biggest challenges contractors face when scaling their businesses and how the Blue Collar Success Group helps them overcome these obstacles. Chris also emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts, processes, and culture in building a successful business. Tune in to learn how Chris and his team are revolutionizing the blue-collar industry and empowering contractors to achieve their goals. Chris joined The Blue Collar Success Group in early 2018 as a success coach, and has since offered extensive knowledge about every facet of the in-home services – pricing, planning, budgeting marketing, recruiting, training, and showing clients how they can transform their businesses into revenue generators. His journey through the industry began at age 16 as an apprentice electrician and, after just eight months, was promoted to lead technician. It was the tipping point for what would be his vast resume as a successful owner, supervisor and business coach. Chris in 2005 joined a residential electrical company in Atlanta, and was quickly promoted to a supervisor responsible for 18 trucks and producing more than $4 million in revenue. He moved to Sarasota, Fla. in 2008 and served as a business coach for a large electrical company helping franchisees achieve success, like the “Million Dollar Award” he won in Georgia for producing $1.4 million in revenue. Chris, from 2010 to 2012, coached various plumbing, electrical and HVAC businesses for the franchisor and eventually oversaw the coaching team for more than 90 locations nationwide. He then shifted to owning an electrical business, growing the company in a four-year span from 10 trucks to 60, five locations and generating $18 million. Chris ultimately sold his shares of the company to join The Blue Collar Success Group. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.TheBlueCollarSuccessGroup.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueCollarSuccessGroup/ X: https://x.com/BlueCollarSG YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebluecollarsuccessgroup8413 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluecollarsuccessgroup/ Connect with me: Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 14 Transforming Education with Game-Based Learning: Insights from Avinash Bansal 25:43

30 days ago25:43

25:43

In this episode, Heidi interviews Avinash Bansal, the co-founder of Tomo Club, an innovative game-based curriculum for schools. Avinash shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship and his motivation behind creating Tomo Club. He discusses the importance of social-emotional learning and how game-based learning can effectively teach these essential skills to students. Avinash also explores the role of AI in education and how Tomo Club is preparing students for the future. Tune in to learn how Avinash and his team are revolutionizing education and empowering students to develop critical life skills through interactive multiplayer games. Avinash is a research-driven EdTech founder, XPrize winner, bridging future ready skills & engagement to transform student learning via Multiplayer games. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: https://tomoclub.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avinashbansal1992/ Connect with me: Spotlight To Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 13 Mastering Sales Hiring: Insights from Olga Pechnenko 26:52

5 weeks ago26:52

26:52

In this episode, host Heidi interviews Olga Pechnenko, the founder of Revenue Hire, a company that helps businesses hire top-performing sales talent. Olga shares her personal journey from immigrating to the U.S. with just $100 to building a successful career in sales and entrepreneurship. She discusses the common mistakes companies make when hiring sales professionals and offers valuable insights on how to avoid them. Olga also explains the importance of having a solid sales onboarding process and the benefits of embracing remote work and AI in sales hiring and training. Tune in to learn how Olga's unique approach can help businesses scale their sales teams effectively and drive revenue growth. At 19, Olga came to America to pursue her American Dream. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Russia, she always saw the USA as a land of limitless opportunities. She arrived with just $100 and a dream for a better life. Now, living in one of the greatest countries in the world, she is on a mission to help as many Americans as possible achieve THEIR American Dream. Whether it's helping individuals find better job opportunities or assisting business leaders in hiring exceptional sales talent to grow their businesses, she believes sales drives the world and helps achieve many dreams. She started her American career as an intern and quickly moved into sales. By 24, she became the CEO of the same company. One of the trickiest challenges was figuring out how to grow sales predictably. She hired one wrong sales team after another until she met a Sandler sales coach who changed her life for the better. Everything clicked. Their fourth sales team finally achieved predictable results. The relief she felt after getting it wrong three times was indescribable. She was hooked! In 2013, she launched Revenue Hire to address the inefficiencies she encountered in traditional recruiting methods as a global CEO. She developed a "turn-key" sales hiring process using advanced technology to ensure skill and cultural fit, significantly boosting hiring outcomes and reducing turnover. She has conducted thousands of interviews with salespeople of various levels and helped hire sales talent for more than 120 companies. Additionally, she founded the Women Entrepreneurs Roundtable (WeR), aiding female entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses beyond $1M. Her innovative strategies have made her a key influencer in sales recruitment, driving scalable growth and delivering valuable insights to global business leaders. Married to her superhero, mom to three legends. Off the clock, she’s the soccer sidelines MVP, a flower-arranging extraordinaire, improving her dinking game, getting lost in chess and a bookworm who contemplates life's mysteries.⚽🌸📚🏓♛ To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: www.revenuehire.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgapechnenko/ Connect with me: Spotlight To Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/…

Business Growth Spotlight

1
Ep. 12 Unlocking the Power of Delegation and Remote Talent with Kasim Aslam 48:55

5 weeks ago48:55