Ready to RISE is the podcast for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to grow with purpose.
Hosted by Brandon McCurdy, Certified RISE Founding Coach and business strategist, each episode delivers practical insights, proven frameworks, and real-world strategies to help you build a stronger business and become a more effective leader.
Through the lens of the RISE Framework—Resources, Inspiration, Systems, and Engagement—you'll learn how to overcome challenges, create scalable processes, develop high-performing teams, leverage emerging technologies, and drive sustainable gr
Your Best Employees Don't Feel Recognized — And It's Costing You | Ready to RISE Ep. 8
Episode 8 runs through the RISE Business Framework for small business owners.
Brandon breaks down a jump in overdue invoices and how to protect your cash flow, Meta's $115M free skilled-trades academy and why you'll have to train your own workforce, and how values-driven buying is rewarding small businesses that tell their story.
Plus: the recognition gap costing you your best people (only 17% feel recognized weekly), a cybersecurity reminder for small teams, AI adoption crossing two-thirds of small businesses and the training gap that decides who wins, why retention beats chasing new customers, and Instagram's shift toward rewarding original content.
Plus a good-news shout-out and this quarter's commitments.
Learn more at sharperbusiness.com.
24 Jul 2026
Uncle Sam Just Doubled Your Credit Limit — And Your Managers Are Checked Out | Ready to RISE Ep. 7
Episode 7 runs through the RISE Business Framework for small business owners.
Brandon breaks down the SBA's move to let qualified borrowers stack loans up to $10M, New York Fed data showing tariffs hit small firms about 3x harder than large ones, and why you can't copy the Amazon pricing playbook.
Plus: Gallup's record drop in manager engagement and what owner-managers need to do about it, the case for selling your business to your employees through an ESOP, a July 1st wave of new state employment laws to check, permanent 100% bonus depreciation, the lesson behind Amazon Prime Day's $26.4B record, and the hidden costs of big-event marketing.
Plus a good-news shout-out and this quarter's commitments.
18 Jul 2026
Everybody Bought AI — Only 14% Are Actually Using It Right | Ready to RISE Ep. 6
Episode 6 runs through the RISE Business Framework for small business owners.
Brandon breaks down a stagnant labor market where pay for people who stay is outpacing new-hire pay, where to actually find capital as rates stay high, and why Gen Z is choosing the office again on their own terms.
Plus: how purpose and a learning culture drive retention, the AI integration gap (82% bought it, only 14% have embedded it), the new "no tax on overtime" rule and its payroll reporting catch, why search is becoming an answer engine, and how advertising is shifting to wherever the AI is.
Plus a good-news shout-out and this quarter's commitments. Learn more at sharperbusiness.com.
15 Jul 2026
AI Agents Are Running Real Businesses Now — Ready to RISE Ep. 5
Episode 5 kicks off Q3 with the RISE Business Framework.
Brandon breaks down a 3-year-high inflation print (4.1%), a soft-but-green jobs report, and what the Fed's next move means for your plans.
Then: how to tighten your hiring in a shifting labor market, where to find capital as cheap money fades, why the 4-day work week is becoming an expectation, how small business is winning top talent, the rise of AI agents doing real work, a critical warning on instant payment fraud, and why Google reviews now shape what AI agents recommend.
Plus a good-news shout-out and this quarter's commitments. Learn more at sharperbusiness.com.
3 Jul 2026
Ready to RISE Ep. 4: Preparing Your Business for What's Next
In Episode 4 of Ready to RISE, Brandon McCurdy breaks down the latest business trends and explains what they mean for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Topics include:
• The Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision
• Hiring trends and building stronger teams
• Return-to-office strategies and company culture
• Leading AI adoption without creating employee resistance
• AI privacy laws and compliance
• Cybersecurity for small businesses
• The future of Google Search and AI-powered search
• How local influencer marketing can help grow your business
Business conditions will continue to change—but leaders who stay prepared, build strong systems, and invest in their people will be positioned to grow through uncertainty.
Whether you're a business owner, executive, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can put into action immediately.
It's time to RISE.
26 Jun 2026
Ready to RISE Ep. 3: Inflation, AI & Building a Business That Adapts
In Episode 3 of Ready to RISE, Brandon McCurdy explores the business trends every leader should be watching right now.
From inflation and hiring to AI implementation, marketing innovation, and operational systems, Brandon shares practical insights to help business owners stay ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• How inflation is impacting small businesses
• Why hiring conditions are improving
• What separates successful AI adoption from expensive experiments
• The importance of scalable systems and project management
• New opportunities in ChatGPT and AI-powered advertising
• How to lead your team with confidence during times of change
The businesses that succeed won't necessarily be the biggest—they'll be the ones that adapt the fastest while staying focused on serving their customers and developing great people.
If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or leader looking for practical business insights each week, this episode is for you.
It's time to RISE.
Stoplight report:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10L-HbeYdm_wVXgpUa0dh8FEi-cFLF9CaMSnm6XR3xCU/htmlview?
17 Jun 2026
Ready to RISE Ep. 2: Leading Through Change, AI & The Future of Business
In Episode 2 of Ready to RISE, Brandon McCurdy explores the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in today's economy.
Stoplight Report: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10L-HbeYdm_wVXgpUa0dh8FEi-cFLF9CaMSnm6XR3xCU/htmlview? (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10L-HbeYdm_wVXgpUa0dh8FEi-cFLF9CaMSnm6XR3xCU/htmlview?)
From rising costs and changing market conditions to AI-powered automation and the evolution of marketing, Brandon shares practical strategies leaders can use to stay focused, build stronger teams, and create sustainable growth.
Topics include:
• Economic trends affecting business owners
• AI automation and Agentic AI
• Leadership during uncertain times
• Building purpose-driven cultures
• Scaling through systems and efficiencies
• The future of search and digital marketing
• Why clarity is essential for business growth
Whether you're a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or team leader, this episode offers actionable insights you can apply immediately.
Remember: The future belongs to leaders who are willing to adapt, innovate, and stay focused on serving people.
It's time to RISE.
10 Jun 2026
Ready to RISE Ep. 1: The Business Trends, Leadership & AI Strategies You Need Right Now
Welcome to the very first episode of Ready to RISE with Brandon McCurdy.
Stoplight Report: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10L-HbeYdm_wVXgpUa0dh8FEi-cFLF9CaMSnm6XR3xCU/htmlview? (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10L-HbeYdm_wVXgpUa0dh8FEi-cFLF9CaMSnm6XR3xCU/htmlview?)
In this episode, Brandon introduces the Ready to RISE podcast and shares the framework that will guide every future episode: Resources, Inspiration, Systems, and Engagement (RISE).
You'll learn:
✅ Why great businesses are built on great meeting structures
✅ Current hiring trends and how to avoid costly staffing mistakes
✅ How leaders can re-engage and inspire their teams
✅ The right way to implement AI into your business systems
✅ Why customer trust is becoming your most valuable marketing asset
✅ Key business metrics and trends to watch in today's economy
Whether you're a business owner, executive, manager, or entrepreneur, this episode will give you practical insights you can implement immediately.
Key Takeaway: Clarity before scale. Define it before you grow it.
👍 If you found value in this episode, be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe.
#ReadyToRise #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy
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