When you think of a CEO, who comes to mind? Is it Mark Zuckerberg in his hoodie? Tim Cook at an Apple keynote? Anne Wojcicki revolutionizing personal genomics? Or maybe Richard Branson with his adventurous spirit? Today’s CEOs defy the traditional image of corporate leaders, and their diverse backgrounds and

If your business feels stuck, heavy, or harder than it should be, there is a good chance you are caught in a Dependency Trap. A Dependency Trap happens when everything flows through one person. Usually the owner. Decisions, approvals, questions, fixes, client communication, and exceptions all land on the same

By November every year, my body hits the brakes and my brain files for temporary leave. Once November 1 rolls in, work becomes a four-letter word I only say when necessary. I want the holidays. I want the shows, the pop-up bars, the ridiculous themed cocktails, the Christmas lights, and

If there is one thing I have had to learn the hard way, it is how to say no. For me, saying no has never been about lack of interest or lack of passion. Quite the opposite. I see possibilities everywhere. I see the cracks in a system and imagine

Everybody loves free advice. Friends, family, strangers at a networking event. The guy sitting next to you on a plane who finds out you own a business and suddenly thinks he’s the Shark Tank judge you didn’t ask for. It sounds great on the surface. Who doesn’t want insider tips

’ve always been a lot. Loud laugh, big personality, fast brain, faster mouth. I show up with energy, with ideas, with a smile. I walk in, ready to make everyone feel good, to lift the room, to connect. I’ve spent most of my life being the person who wants to

Why I Lead: Believing in the Underdogs I love leading. I love managing. I love helping people step into roles they didn’t think they were ready for. I especially love giving chances to the underdogs. The ones other people pass over. The ones with gaps in their résumé or chips

The High of Being On the Road It’s conference season, and I’m in my element. I’m hopping from city to city, speaking, networking, teaching, and soaking up the energy of every packed room, hallway chat, and happy hour. I’m a full-blown social butterfly with a capital FOMO. If something’s happening,

I’m in the middle of selling my company. Again. This isn’t a story from five years ago. This is happening right now. I listed CORE Financial less than two weeks ago, and I’ve already received two letters of intent this week. No broker. No paid ads. Just one post on

Some people collect software logos like merit badges.They slap on partnerships, spin up hashtags, and call themselves “advisors” to tools they barely log into. I can’t do it. I’ve never been able to. It’s not about ego. It’s about loyalty. I’ve always been wired that way. I’m the person who