C2 Biz Growth

Episoder

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  The Science of Business Development and Business Growth with Tony Gray - Episode 27 24.06.2026 44min

  In Episode 27 of C² Biz Growth: Iron Sharpens Iron, John Hale III sits down with Tony Gray, founder of the Global Business Development Association and author of the Business Development Body of Knowledge (BD-BOK). Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in business development, operations, entrepreneurship, and growth strategy, Tony shares why trust is the foundation of successful business development, how companies can build scalable growth systems, and what CEOs need to know about incre...
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  Harley Flack’s $200M Growth Formula — Leadership, Safety & Scaling Strategy with Harley Flack - Episode 26 27.05.2026 35min

  How do you scale from $12M to $200M without breaking your team, your culture, or your operations? In Episode 26 of C2 Biz Growth, Harley Flack shares how he built a high-growth business while maintaining strong culture, elite safety standards, and a deep commitment to people. In this episode, we cover: · How Harley Flack scaled a company from $12M to $200M · The role of culture and safety in high-growth businesses · &nb...
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  How a 24-Year-Old Built Access to $72B in Capital | Family Offices Explained with Anmol Goel - Episode 25 29.04.2026 46min

  How do you go from $650 to working with over $72 billion in capital? In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, Anmol Goel, Founder & CEO of Gax Multi-Family Office, breaks down how he built trust with elite investors, scaled 40+ startups, and created a global network of family offices. Anmol shares the real story behind his rise, from humble beginnings to advising ultra-high net worth investors. He explains how he earned his first “yes” from a family office, why value always beats credentials, an...
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  From $15K Failure to $175M CEO | Leadership, AI & Scaling Businesses with Travis Mack - Episode 24 25.03.2026 41min

  How do you go from losing your last $15,000 to building multiple companies and leading a $175M business? In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, John Hale III sits down with Travis Mack, Chairman and CEO of Salex Corporation, to break down the real journey of entrepreneurship, leadership, and scaling across industries. Travis shares how growing up with humble beginnings shaped his mindset, why failure is one of the greatest teachers in business, and how a major early setback led to long-term succes...
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  From Intern to CEO, Leadership Lessons with Tom Linebarger - Episode 23 25.02.2026 36min

  How do you go from intern to CEO of a global powerhouse? In this episode, former Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger shares hard-earned leadership lessons on building high-performing teams, making bold strategic decisions, working effectively with boards, and raising capital the right way. He opens up about mentorship, humility in leadership, talent development, and why caring deeply about your people drives long-term success. Now a Senior Advisor at General Catalyst, Tom brea...
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  Leadership, Funding, and Exit Strategy with Maria Thompson - Episode 22 28.01.2026 44min

  Episode 22 of C2 Biz Growth, hosted by John Hale III, features an inspiring and deeply practical conversation with entrepreneur and venture partner Maria Thompson. Maria shares her remarkable journey from a fine arts and industrial design background to building and scaling TJ Technologies into a nationally recognized alternative energy company, ultimately acquired by A123 Systems. She opens up about early funding rejections, the persistence required to survive as a founder, and why securing g...
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  From Toxic to Thriving: Leadership Lessons with Anton Gunn - Episode 21 05.01.2026 1t 13min

  In Episode 21 of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III sits down with leadership expert, executive coach, and CEO of 937 Strategy Group, Anton Gunn, for a powerful conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and employee engagement. Anton shares how his family background, college football, healthcare leadership, and even hip-hop culture have shaped his leadership philosophy. He explains why great leaders focus on empowering people, not controlling them, and how toxic workplace cultures quietly...
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  From $35K to $90 Million: Business Blueprint Revealed with Austin Okere - Episode 20 22.12.2025 1t 3min

  In this powerful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, host John Hale III sits down with Austin Okere, Founder of CWG Plc and the Ausso Leadership Academy. Austin shares how he grew CWG from a modest startup with thirty-five thousand dollars in capital to a ninety-million-dollar valuation, and reflects on the mindset that fueled that journey. The conversation explores the evolution of CWG, the importance of trust and relationships in business, and the realities of securing foreign investment ...
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  Leadership that Listens: People, Power, and Purpose with Cllr. Biyi Oloko FCA - Episode 19 08.12.2025 1t 4min

  In this insightful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, host John Hale III sits down with Biyi Oloko, Executive Vice Chairman of Stephen Simeon Limited, Co-Founder of the Reading Tech Cluster, and a Council Member of the West Berkshire Council in the United Kingdom. Biyi shares his journey from his early life in Nigeria to building a global career in finance, investment, government, and leadership. He reflects on how his work with the Nigerian government and his service in UK local governmen...
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  The Mindset of Growth: Risk, Resilience, and Innovation with Dr. Mathew Knowles - Episode 18 21.11.2025 43min

  In this powerful episode of the C2 Biz Growth podcast, host John Hale III sits down with the legendary Dr. Mathew Knowles, a global authority in sales, marketing, brand development, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Known for generating more than five billion for organizations, shaping iconic careers like Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, and leading historic campaigns with brands like Pepsi and Samsung, Dr. Knowles brings a lifetime of knowledge, discipline, and strategic bri...
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  Faith, Family, and the Future of Beauty with Ursula Dudley Oglesby - Episode 17 05.11.2025 51min

  In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III talks with Ursula Dudley Oglesby, President and CEO of Dudley Beauty Corporation, about transforming a $10 kitchen startup into a global multicultural beauty brand. Ursula shares powerful lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and family legacy, revealing how Dudley Beauty continues to empower communities through purpose-driven growth. She discusses bootstrapping, technology in business, hiring for culture, and the company’s e...
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  Generative AI, Leadership, and the Future of Work with Sophia Velastegui - Episode 16 22.10.2025 39min

  In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III welcomes Sophia Velastegui, a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence, technology strategy, and corporate innovation. With senior leadership roles at Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Aptiv, Sophia brings unmatched expertise in integrating AI into organizations of all sizes. She shares her journey from a mechanical engineering background to spearheading AI initiatives at some of the world’s largest tech companies. Together, they e...
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  The AI Gold Rush, Silicon Valley Investments, and the Future of VC with Michael Downing - Episode 15 08.10.2025 42min

  In Episode 15 of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III sits down with Michael Downing, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of MDSV Capital. With over 25 years of experience founding five software companies and investing in more than 65 early-stage startups, Michael offers an insider’s perspective on the evolving world of venture capital and business growth. He unpacks the rise of emerging managers and micro funds, explains how smaller funds have consistently outperformed larger ones,...
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  Innovating Cancer Treatment: Biotech, Bold Moves, and Business Success with Eric C. Broyles - Episode 14 24.09.2025 39min

  In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III welcomes Eric Broyles, serial entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Nanocann Therapeutics, for a powerful conversation about resilience, innovation, and leadership in business. Eric takes us back to his roots in a working-class neighborhood in Ohio, where discipline, education, and hard work shaped his early path. From there, he shares how his career began in corporate law before transitioning into entrepreneurship—ultimately leading multiple ...
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  Building Dreams, Partnerships, and Community with C. David Moody Jr. - Episode 13 10.09.2025 30min

  In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III speaks with C. David Moody Jr., founder of C.D. Moody Construction, one of the largest African-American-owned construction companies in the United States. David shares his journey from being a reluctant entrepreneur to leading a firm that has built more than $3 billion worth of projects, including the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, Disney World, and the Mercedes Benz facilities. Throughout the conversation, David reflects on the challenges he ...
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  The Happy CEO: From Segregation to Success & Giving Back with Byron Boston - Episode 12 27.08.2025 54min

  Join host John Hale III for a powerful conversation with Byron L. Boston, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dynex Capital, Inc, in episode 12 of the C2 Biz Growth podcast. In this illuminating discussion, Byron shares his remarkable journey from a segregated St. Louis to becoming a well-respected business leader with a deep background in U.S. real estate finance, asset management, and fixed-income capital markets. Byron delves into his philosophy on leadership and personal growth, em...
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  Leading with Purpose: Automotive, Diversity & Community Impact with Ronald Hall - Episode 11 13.08.2025 42min

  Join your host John Hale III for an insightful conversation with Ronald Hall, President & CEO of Bridgewater Interiors, LLC. As the head of one of the country's largest Minority Business Enterprise certified firms, employing over 2,200 people across four US facilities, Ron brings a wealth of experience from the automotive interiors manufacturing sector. A West Point graduate, Persian Gulf War veteran, and former corporate lawyer, Ron's unique journey has shaped his approach to leadership ...
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  The Money Maker's Mindset: Venture Capital, AI, & Social Change with Eric D. Collins - Episode 10 30.07.2025 1t 7min

  Join your host John Hale III for an incredibly insightful and compelling conversation with Eric D. Collins, a true force in the worlds of entrepreneurship, investment, and technology. As a serial entrepreneur, seasoned investor, and co-founder of the groundbreaking Impact X Capital Partners, Eric brings a wealth of experience, not to mention being the host of Channel 4's award-winning business show, The Money Maker. In this episode, Eric dives deep into the mission of Impact X Capital Partner...
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  Human First, Employee Second: Transforming Your Workplace with April Lewis - Episode 9 16.07.2025 43min

  Join your host John Hale III for an inspiring conversation with nationally recognized leadership and workplace wellness expert, April Lewis, President and CEO of the A. Lewis Academy. In this insightful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, April unpacks her powerful mantra, "Human first, Employee second," challenging leaders to prioritize well-being as a cornerstone of performance. Named a "Top 10 Speaker to Follow in 2025" by MSN, April shares the core principles of her proven Workwell Syst...
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  The Optimal Path: Funding, Federal & Future AI Tech with Tracye C. Turner - Episode 8 02.07.2025 37min

  In this insightful eighth episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III sits down with Tracye C. Turner, President & Co-Founder of Revelo Software, LLC, and Vice President & Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Optimal Solutions Group, LLC. Tracye brings 25 years of unparalleled experience in federal government contracting, IT, and small business entrepreneurship. Discover how Tracye's early exposure to entrepreneurship shaped her remarkable career, leading Optimal Solutions Group t...