In "CEO Growth Talks," host Pete Hayes delves into the minds of visionary leaders to uncover insights and stories that inspire personal and organizational growth. We find out how our guests got started on their journey to leadership and what pivotal moments or obstacles have shaped their leadership style, business philosophy, and any practices that have contributed along the way. We talk to leaders in a wide range of industries but the content is applicable and relatable for all leaders. It's relaxed and authentic and we hope you'll join us!
From Fiberglass to Fast Growth: A Business Energized by Strategy
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes sits down with Ben Bertram, Owner of Fiberglass Solutions, to explore his bold leap into business ownership—without a safety net.
Ben shares how he and his wife acquired a gritty, industrial business and scaled it rapidly through operational excellence, customer responsiveness, and eventually, strategic marketing support from Chief Outsiders.
From building cheese brine tanks to overcoming a growth plateau, this is a candid look at entrepreneurial grit, risk-taking, and building the foundation for scalable success.
9 Oct 2025
Scaling with Vision: A conversation with Mike Clarke and Pete Hayes
Mike Clarke, CEO of Hanto + Clarke General Contractors, LLC, turned a family startup into a fast-growing enterprise by combining EOS discipline with data-driven, fractional marketing expertise.
Join us for our next CEO Growth Talks episode where Mike joins host Pete Hayes to unpack the strategy behind his company's explosive scaling journey.
24 Sept 2025
Go Slow to Go Fast: Developing Mid-Level Leaders in the AI Era
In this crucial episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes sits down with Loretta Stagnitto, founder of Stagnitto Leadership Associates, to discuss the critical importance of intentionally developing your organization's next layer of leaders. They explore why the "how" of leadership—not just the "what"—is the key skill gap and how a targeted coaching methodology can transform your management team.
What You'll Learn:
✅ The Mid-Level Burnout: Why the intermediary layer between the C-suite and individual contributors is the most common place for failure and burnout.
✅ The "How" is the Gap: The danger of promoting great engineers or managers without training them in the soft skills necessary for senior leadership (e.g., managing stakeholders, giving feedback, and delegation).
✅ The I Know System (Assess, Act, Achieve): Loretta's proven methodology for building self-awareness, identifying blind spots, and creating an intentional plan for development.
✅ The Power of Systemic Coaching: How to improve organizational effectiveness by helping peers and cross-functional teams communicate better and manage their collective capacity.
✅ Avoiding the Wait-and-See Trap: Why many leaders wait too long before investing in coaching, often missing the opportunity to course-correct before a talented individual fails.
This conversation provides actionable insights for any CEO or C-Suite executive looking to build a strong succession plan and a resilient organization that can move fast by leading better.
26 Aug 2025
Scaling Smart: How StormTrap Used Fractional Marketing to Unlock Growth
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, we sit down with Nate Olds, CEO of StormTrap LLC, a national leader in controlling stormwater runoff. Nate shares the strategic journey of scaling his business, how a consultative sales model ensures engineering excellence, and the pivotal role of leveraging fractional executive expertise to unlock a new, high-growth market segment. For CEOs looking to scale a specialized B2B business and execute smart market diversification, this is a must-watch conversation.
What You'll Learn:
✅ The Power of Partnership: How Storm Trap doubled its national network to 40+ precast partners in less than five years, strategically placing manufacturing within 100 miles of any municipality for efficient expansion.
✅ Consultative Sales in Engineering: Nate details their approach to educating engineers and clients, focusing on long-term value, durability, and cost-effective design for critical stormwater management systems.
✅ Strategic Market Diversification: The evaluation process and decision to partner with Chief Outsiders to enter a new market without cannibalizing existing sales channels, resulting in clear ROI in under a month.
✅ The CEO’s Accountability: Leadership advice on the importance of transparency, empowering your team, and knowing when to admit you need external, specialized expertise to accelerate growth initiatives.
26 Jun 2025
Silicon Valley to Space Tech: How One CEO Found Growth Through Adaptation
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes speaks with Ed Trevis, President, CEO, and Co-founder of Corvalent Corporation. Ed shares the remarkable 32-year journey of his company from its Silicon Valley roots to becoming a key player in Texas’ growing tech and manufacturing ecosystem. Driven by a culture of consistency, Ed built Corvalent to deliver rugged, industrial-grade computing systems designed for long-term reliability and mission-critical environments.
As the company evolved, Ed embraced innovation through IoT and AI, developing full turnkey solutions for monitoring, tracking, and control across smart cities, energy, and defense sectors. His commitment to long-life production cycles not only enhances data integrity but also supports sectors that demand long-term system stability. Now, as a member of the Texas Spaceport Commission, Ed is helping shape the future of space tech and economic development in Central Texas.
19 Jun 2025
From Clean Air to Clear Vision: Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience
Warb Lee, Alen Corp CEO, discusses how prioritizing health, innovation, and supply chain resilience enabled his company to meet increased demand during the pandemic in an interview with Pete Hayes.
5 Jun 2025
From Survival to Purpose: Transformational Leadership for Today's CEOs
David Bull, CEO of Ark Financial, explores transformational leadership, revealing a three-step framework that helps CEOs transition from survival mode to purpose-driven leadership in an interview.
5 Jun 2025
Creating Raving Fans: Using AI to Turn Customers into Passionate Advocates
Scott Wozniak, CEO of Swoz Consulting, reveals to host Pete Hayes how businesses cultivate extreme customer loyalty, like Chick-fil-A, and explains how AI enhances customer relationships in this interview.
27 Feb 2025
Revolutionizing Growth: Chief Outsiders Unveils Team Outsiders & GrowthGears OS
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes sits down with Art Saxby, CEO of Chief Outsiders, to discuss the company’s journey since the 2009 recession. Art reflects on how Chief Outsiders evolved from providing fractional CMOs to adapting to the dynamic needs of mid-sized businesses. He introduces “Team Outsiders,” a new service designed to provide comprehensive support, and “GrowthGears OS,” an AI-driven platform designed to streamline operations and drive growth. Art dives into how these innovations help businesses manage risk while fostering growth in a rapidly changing market.
“Combining Team Outsiders and GrowthGears OS, we have a process acceleration tool that our Team Outsiders are trained to work with. That’s why it really is such a fabulous package—it speeds things up, aids in communication, and offers a complete solution that’s both technology-based and people-based.” - Art Saxby
Key Takeaways:
The introduction of “Team Outsiders” marks a new chapter for Chief Outsiders, enhancing the company’s ability to deliver executive leadership and tactical implementation.
Chief Outsiders has acquired a software development firm to create an AI-based process acceleration platform, “GrowthGears OS”, significantly enhancing client engagement speed and execution.
Midsize companies often face challenges hiring full-time executive talent; fractional CMOs provide an efficient, cost-effective solution.
Changes in buyer behavior, especially post-COVID, necessitate more sophisticated sales and marketing strategies.
Executive experience and structured processes are critical competitive advantages Chief Outsiders offers, setting them apart in the crowded fractional executive marketplace.
Follow Art Saxby (https://www.linkedin.com/in/artsaxby) on LinkedIn
Follow Pete Hayes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/) on LinkedIn
27 Feb 2025
From Worship Leader to CEO: Harmonizing Innovation and Business in the Digital Age
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Phillip Edwards, CEO of MultiTracks.com, to discuss his journey from worship leader to tech entrepreneur. Phillip reveals how he transformed worship services with professional-quality multitracks, tackled licensing challenges, and expanded globally. He highlights the importance of a customer-centric approach, innovation, and building a dynamic company culture. By focusing on strategic growth and sustainable innovation, MultiTracks.com continues to revolutionize worship tech, ensuring every customer’s needs are met while paving the way for exciting future developments.
“I stayed focused on what our customers needed because I understood it—I was one of them. We reached a point where we started investing in software, building an ecosystem, and working to tie everything together. The goal was that if you came to us, all your needs would be met.” - Phillip Edwards
Key Takeaways:
MultiTracks.com has been a pioneer in the worship music space since 2006, offering technology-driven solutions to enhance worship services worldwide.
The company is actively expanding its global footprint, working to localize its offerings across different languages and territories.
A company’s growth is heavily informed by customer feedback and needs, fostering an environment driven by innovation and excellence.
Building a company culture based on trust, healthy conflict resolution, and teamwork is essential for sustained growth and innovation.
Addressing licensing complexities head-on, MultiTracks.com provides comprehensive solutions that simplify the process for churches and encourage broader adoption.
Follow Phillip Edwards (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipdedwards/) on LinkedIn
Follow Pete Hayes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/) on LinkedIn
16 Jan 2025
Growth Gears: How Companies Drive Business Success Through Marketing
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes speaks with Professor Leigh McAlister about the "Growth Gears" framework from their collaborative research. Professor Leigh reveals how marketing proficiency is integral to company growth, offering insights on strategy, customer understanding, and the role of marketing authority in driving success.
Key Takeaways:
The insights from Growth Gears offers a pivotal model encompassing insight, strategy, and execution, crucial for driving business growth.
Different organizational structures grant varying levels of authority to marketing, impacting a company’s strategic potential.
Using the Growth Gears as a textbook aids in imparting complex marketing concepts effectively to non-marketing students.
Building insight and aligning it with corporate strategy can mitigate the blind spots in operationally-focused firms, enabling more competitive growth.
Companies with a marketing-driven focus at the management level tend to grow faster, highlighting the importance of marketing’s influence.
6 Nov 2024
Legacy to Leadership: Reinventing a Family Business for the Digital Age
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes interviews Nate Agentis, CEO of Agentis Plumbing and founder of Plumbing CEO. Nate shares his journey of scaling a family business founded by his grandfather, highlighting strategic growth through technology, data, and AI. He also discusses his coaching platform aimed at empowering service plumbers and offers insights on resilient leadership during personal challenges.
“I've learned the importance of thinking ahead, making sure you have the right peers, surrounding yourself with the right people, and having a strategic plan because you’re just not sure when change or crisis will come.” - Nate Agentis
Nate Agentis highlights leadership driven by purpose and passion, urging CEOs to reconnect with their “why” and align professional goals with personal values. He fosters a participatory culture, making employees feel valued, fueling innovation, and driving growth at Agentis Plumbing. Nate’s company journey, supported by initiatives like Plumbing CEO, shows the power of blending tradition with forward-thinking, human-centered leadership.
22 Oct 2024
Cultivating a Flexible Culture that Drives Business Growth
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes interviews Tom Cassara, CEO of Agilis. Tom discusses Agilis' rise in financial consulting, focusing on risk management and client-centric solutions for organizations managing over $10M in assets. He highlights the firm's evolution through a buyout, fostering team creativity and collaboration to drive growth, and his leadership approach prioritizing adaptability, client trust, and decision-making speed.
27 Sept 2024
The New Face of Nonprofit Leadership: A CEO's Corporate-Inspired Roadmap
In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Michael Waxman-Lenz, CEO of the American Technion Society, who reflects on his shift from corporate to nonprofit leadership. He stresses the need to modernize philanthropic approaches and shares valuable insights on managing crises, adapting to generational shifts, and integrating corporate metrics with mission-focused, trust-building practices. He also underscores the significance of mission-driven initiatives, effective management, and fostering open communication as vital for success across various sectors in today's changing landscape.
4 Sept 2024
Breaking the Leadership Myth: Rethinking What It Means to Lead
In the latest episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Kyle Buckett, CSDO and Co-Founder of Stealth Energy Startup, Co-Founder of Culture Force, and author of the book “Leadership is Overrated.” Kyle challenges traditional leadership norms, emphasizing the value of self-led teams over individual leadership. Drawing from his Navy SEAL and business experience, he advocates for team empowerment and a culture of collaboration to enhance business performance.
“Creating a self-led team begins with changing from inside out and ensuring that, as a leader, you are not creating an environment where you are relied on for every single decision.” - Kyle Buckett
Kyle Buckett’s insights emphasize that shifting to self-led teams, focusing on culture improvement, and fostering magnet cultures are key to long-term business success and employee satisfaction. By embracing these principles, organizations can effectively navigate challenges, empower their teams, and thrive in a competitive marketplace.
Follow Kyle Buckett on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebuckett (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebuckett)
Follow Pete Hayes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/)
23 Jul 2024
Building a Million-Dollar Customer-Centric Moving Empire
In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Cameron Brown, Co-Owner of Einstein Moving Company. Cameron talks about their journey in scaling Einstein Moving Co., highlighting key lessons learned along the way. He discusses starting in different industries and overcoming growth challenges and stresses the importance of clear communication, financial savvy, and constant innovation for maintaining success during fast business growth.
"We saw the opportunity to bring some technology and fresh perspective to the moving industry. We saw a gap, and we figured we could go after it." - Cameron Brown
Cameron Brown's insights underscore the keys to business success: strategic vision, financial acumen, and effective leadership are crucial. He highlights the importance of clear communication, fiscal responsibility, and cultivating a solid company culture. These factors foster growth and enhance resilience in today's ever-changing markets.
Follow Cameron Brown on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-brown-171a821b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-brown-171a821b/)
Follow Pete Hayes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/)
17 Jul 2024
Pioneering the Fractional CFO Revolution
In the latest episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes is joined by Ellen Wood, the CEO, founder, and president of VCFO, who shares insights into her journey and the evolution of her company. Ellen, who pioneered the concept of virtual CFOs nearly 28 years ago, reflects on how VCFO has grown and adapted over the years - from the initial skepticism she faced with the fractional model and how her vision eventually became a widely accepted industry practice.
"More executives see opportunities to take their expertise into a fractional role, and they’re more comfortable doing that because of the technology support that they have and the adoption of fractional as an acceptable alternative to an in-house executive role." - Ellen Wood
Ellen’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and community involvement and has been integral to the company’s success. Find out the practices and tools she’s found helpful along the path to scaling her business, particularly through challenging times like the pandemic, and how she fosters a company culture that prioritizes client success and employee engagement.
Follow Ellen Wood on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenewood/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenewood/)
Follow Pete Hayes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/)
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Warb Lee
David Bull
Scott Wozniak
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