C-Suite Secrets

Heather Parsons

C-Suite Secrets is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs ready to scale smarter and lead stronger. Hosted by Heather Parsons—Fractional CFO, business strategist, and real estate investor—each episode features candid conversations with high-performing founders and C-suite executives. Get real-world strategies on cash flow, operations, leadership, and growth from experts who’ve been in the trenches. It’s not just theory—it’s the secrets behind sustainable success.

  1. -5 J ·  VIDÉO

    From Near-Death Business Moments to Long-Term Success

    Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Nacho Guzmán, founder of Latin Brand, a multinational advertising agency specializing in multicultural and Hispanic markets. With nearly two decades in business, Nacho shares the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship—from near-death business experiences to navigating industry disruption, building international teams, and staying relevant in the age of AI. This conversation goes beyond surface-level strategy and dives into what actually sustains long-term success: resilience, humility, adaptability, and human connection. Bio:   Nacho Guzmán has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising. He has worked with multicultural and multinational brands across different categories, including public, non-profit, and government entities. His leadership and strategic skills have helped a wide range of brands and companies reach their goals and objectives   Nacho leads all marketing-related activities at LatinBrand. Clients he has currently and previously partnered with include: PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Constellation Brands, Mars, Tito’s, Stoli, ALDI, Inc., among others   He offers strategic insights for regional, nationwide, and international campaigns targeting consumers with varying levels of acculturation.   Nacho has won numerous Industry Awards and is a member of various trade associations.   To connect with our guest, click on the links below: FB https://www.facebook.com/LatinBrandUS IG https://www.instagram.com/latinbrandus/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/latin-brand-agency Website:  https://westcoastcontent.com/ Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders   🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    43 min
  2. 14 AVR. ·  VIDÉO

    Why Answering the Phone Is the Fastest Way to Grow Your Business

    Show Notes:   In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with digital marketing veteran Marilyn Jenkins, who has been building and scaling businesses since the early days of the internet. Marilyn shares what most business owners get wrong about marketing and why the real problem is rarely lead generation, it is what happens after the lead comes in. From missed phone calls to lack of follow up, she breaks down how simple operational gaps are quietly costing businesses revenue every single day. The conversation dives into the realities of scaling a service-based business, including why discipline matters more than environment in remote work, how founders become the biggest bottleneck in their own growth, and what it actually takes to turn marketing into a predictable revenue engine. Marilyn also explains how to leverage Google Business Profile, AI-driven search behavior, and Meta ads without overspending, along with practical strategies to nurture leads, increase conversions, and build long-term client relationships. If you are a founder trying to grow without burning out, this episode is packed with actionable insights on delegation, systems, and the metrics that truly drive revenue.   Bio:   Marilyn Jenkins is a digital growth strategist and founder of MJ Media Group & Law Marketing Zone®, specializing in helping service-based businesses scale their business. Since the early 90s, she has developed strategic digital marketing plans spanning paid ads, SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, and bilingual call center services. Her expertise has generated remarkable results, including some clients exceeding seven-figure annual revenues and achieving a return on investment over 14x.   An expert in her field, Marilyn hosts the top 3% podcast, *Leadership In Law*, where she interviews prominent legal professionals on topics vital to growth and team building. Her cable TV show, The Marketing Zone, is on NowMedia.TV networks. She is also a published author of multiple books available on Amazon   To connect with our guest, click on the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynjenkins/ https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.jenkins.1232 https://www.instagram.com/lawmarketingzone/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJaVjBx5VrfFLQNJlPIURJw https://lawmarketingzone.com Amazon Author page: https://amzn.to/4h6j4ra https://mjmediagroup.co    Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders   🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    33 min
  3. 7 AVR. ·  VIDÉO

    Leadership Communication Secrets Every Founder Should Know

    Show Notes: Communication is one of the most underestimated leadership skills in business today. In this episode of C Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with leadership expert Kim Bohr, incoming CEO of SparkEffect, to discuss the critical role communication plays in building trust, scaling organizations, and leading through change. Kim shares insights from national research on leadership trust, the challenges of merging company cultures, and the behavioral dynamics that influence how leaders communicate under pressure. From navigating mergers and organizational change to managing stress driven communication breakdowns, this conversation provides practical leadership insights for founders, executives, and business owners who want to build stronger teams and more resilient companies.   Bio:   Kim Bohr is CEO of SparkEffect, where she leads the firm in helping Fortune 1000 companies and emerging enterprises navigate disruption without fracturing trust.  With over 25 years of executive experience, Kim and her team partner with leaders, Boards, and CEOs on strategy, talent, and organizational performance, building trust, accelerating change, and delivering measurable outcomes. Central to this work is SparkEffect Trust Elasticity™ framework, a research-backed model designed to evaluate and fortify trust during periods of change, whether it be AI integration, leadership turnover, or restructuring.   To connect with our guest, click on the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbohr/ https://sparkeffect.com/ https://sparkeffect.com/sparkeffect-podcast-courage-to-advance/ 🎁sparkeffect.com/csuite - we will have the trust report and organizational guide for listeners to download.    Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders   🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    36 min
  4. 31 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    Investor Marketing Is the Missing Link in Your Capital Raise

    Show Notes:   In this episode of C Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Jason Fishman, a leading expert in investor marketing and capital raising strategy. Jason shares how founders can shift their mindset from simply raising money to building a scalable marketing engine that attracts investors consistently. Jason explains why most fundraising efforts fail due to a lack of structured marketing, not a lack of opportunity. He breaks down how digital campaigns, content funnels, and strategic outreach can drive both investor acquisition and brand momentum. The conversation dives into different capital raising pathways including Regulation D, Regulation CF, and Regulation A plus, highlighting how each model works and when to use them. Jason also unpacks the importance of traffic, conversion rates, and social proof in building a successful raise. Heather and Jason discuss the emotional and strategic side of investing, emphasizing that investors are driven by trust, excitement, and belief in the founder just as much as financial return. They also cover common mistakes founders make when they are under pressure to raise capital, including giving up too much equity or failing to plan for long term growth. Jason introduces his eight point marketing framework, a structured approach to planning and executing a successful investor campaign. He emphasizes that preparation, consistency, and visibility are the key drivers of success. The episode wraps with actionable advice for founders who are planning to raise capital in the future, including building partnerships early, creating a strong marketing foundation, and understanding the full investor journey.   Bio:   Jason Fishman is the CEO of Digital Niche Agency, a marketing firm specializing in investor acquisition for equity crowdfunding campaigns. Over the past decade, Jason and his team have helped more than 500 startups raise nine figures in capital through strategic digital marketing. Jason is also the host of the Test Optimize Scale podcast, where he interviews founders and growth leaders about the strategies behind building and scaling companies.   To connect with our guest, click on the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jafishman/ http://digitalnicheagency.com https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalNicheAgency   Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders   🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    41 min
  5. 24 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    Think like a CFO: What Profit Is Actually Telling You

    Think Like a CFO: What Profit Is Actually Telling You  Most business owners think profit will tell them if things are working. CFOs know better. In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, Heather Parsons breaks down what it actually means to think like a CFO—even if you don’t have a finance background. Because here’s the truth: Profit isn’t something you manage in real time. It’s the result of decisions that have already been made. If you’re waiting on profit to tell you what’s working, you’re already behind. Heather walks through how CFOs actually look at revenue, cost, and decision-making—focusing on what creates profit, not just the number itself. You’ll learn how to break down your offers, identify where money is being lost, and start making decisions that make your business more profitable and easier to run. This is the shift from operator to financially minded CEO. What You’ll Learn Why profit is a result, not a strategy Why more revenue won’t fix a broken model The difference between tracking numbers and understanding them How to break down your offers to see what’s actually profitable The 5 key areas that drive profit before it shows up Why founders become the bottleneck (and how to spot it) How to identify where money is being made—and where it’s being lost The one question to simplify your decisions: What would make this business easier to run? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to C-Suite Secrets 00:44 Understanding Your Business Finances 01:43 The Role of Profit in Business 05:41 Shifting Perspectives: Thinking Like a CFO 07:14 Top Areas to Improve Profitability 11:30 Making Informed Decisions for Profit   💬 Connect with Heather LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ All Links: https://heatherparsons.com/links 👥 Join the C-Suite Insiders Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders 🎁 Free Resource Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth Investment Readiness Checklist: https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    13 min
  6. 17 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    Delegate and Elevate How Smart Founders Build Scalable Companies

    Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with entrepreneur JP Revel to discuss the realities of building and scaling a business. JP shares how an unexpected layoff early in his career pushed him toward entrepreneurship and how that moment reshaped his perspective on job security and risk. JP walks through his journey from IT professional to freelancer to founder of a software development company. Along the way he learned the hard truth that technical expertise does not automatically translate into business leadership. One of his biggest breakthroughs came from learning the concept of “delegate and elevate,” recognizing that founders often become the bottleneck in their own businesses. The conversation explores the challenges founders face when transitioning from doing the work to leading a team. JP shares how reading The E-Myth helped him realize he needed to step away from writing code in order to truly grow his company. JP also shares the story behind launching his second company, Major Major Marketing, which was inspired by his experience working with talent in the Philippines during the pandemic. What began as hiring virtual assistants evolved into a mission driven marketing agency focused on creating opportunities for Filipino professionals while reinvesting profits into local communities. Heather and JP discuss how meaningful work, strong culture, and fair treatment of global teams can create both social impact and stronger business outcomes. The episode also dives into practical insights around marketing ROI, founder mindset, and the importance of community for entrepreneurs. JP emphasizes that marketing success rarely happens overnight and typically requires sustained effort over a year to properly measure results. Throughout the conversation, both Heather and JP stress the importance of surrounding yourself with experts, peer groups, and mentors who help you grow as a leader and avoid the isolation many founders experience.   Bio:   I've been doing this at Lelander since 2010. Prior to that, I spent over a decade as a solo freelancer mostly working with agencies. Then add another decade of working at top agencies across the country in technology. No wonder I'm mostly bald - I already pulled out my hair so you don't have to! To connect with our guest, click on the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprevel/ http://lelander.com MajorMajor.Marketing Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders   🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    40 min
  7. 10 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    The Real ROI of Content and Community with Kevin Maude

    Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with entrepreneur and agency leader Kevin Maude to unpack what it really takes to build, pivot, and sustain a business over the long term. Kevin shares his 30 plus year entrepreneurial journey, from launching early digital initiatives to running a 22 year video production company and evolving into a results driven marketing agency model. He explains how lowering barriers to entry in video production forced a strategic pivot and why agencies must adapt quickly to shifting market economics. A central theme of the conversation is measurable ROI. Kevin outlines how his team builds strategy first by defining objectives, key metrics, and engagement benchmarks. Rather than focusing on vanity metrics like likes and views, he emphasizes community growth, meaningful engagement, and conversion driven alignment as true indicators of success.   Bio:   Kevin Maude is an entrepreneur and content strategist who helps brands turn connection into growth. With more than 30 years in media, marketing, and technology, he builds authority-driven content engines for modern businesses. Kevin is the founder of West Coast Content Company, where he develops platforms like ThoughtVoice, PulseIQ and TrustReel that help brands transform ideas, expertise, and customer voices into content that builds trust and drives revenue.   To connect with our guest, click on the links below: https://westcoastcontent.com/   Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders 🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    34 min
  8. 3 MARS ·  VIDÉO

    Branding Beyond Logos The Strategy Most Founders Miss with Barbara Stephenson

    Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Barbara O Stephenson, Agency Principal of 300FeetOut, for a candid conversation about branding, leadership, AI, and building a resilient business. Barbara shares her journey from COO to entrepreneur after acquiring the agency during a recession. She opens up about the mindset shift required to move from executing someone else’s vision to creating her own and the lessons she learned while scaling the company through economic downturns and the pandemic. A core theme of the episode is clarity. Barbara explains that branding is not a logo or color palette but the strategic foundation of a business. Without clarity on vision, values, and audience, companies struggle to differentiate and convert. She introduces her four hour Brand Sprint process and explains how founders can gain strategic clarity before investing in design and messaging. The conversation also explores the rapid evolution of search from SEO to AI driven discovery including AEO and GEO. Barbara breaks down what business owners need to focus on to remain visible including technical website foundations, structured writing, keyword strategy, and building authority across platforms. Heather and Barbara discuss the responsible use of AI in marketing. Barbara emphasizes that AI is an augmenter, not a replacement. When properly trained, it amplifies expertise. When misused, it magnifies confusion and produces generic content. Authenticity and voice remain irreplaceable assets. The episode concludes with insights on financial discipline, shifting from project based revenue to retainers for stability, navigating COVID in a dense market like San Francisco, and the importance of staying aligned with your values instead of chasing trends.   BIO:   Barbara sets the bar high for helping clients build authentic brand-centric interactions that are hard-hitting and impactful in the marketplace. With a focus on basic brand authenticity and how it needs to incorporate inclusion and accessibility, Barbara’s tenure has included work with SAP, Visa, and Roche/Genentech, as well as various venture capital, finance, and biotech firms. Her work in travel and lifestyle means she has worked with a multitude of lifestyle and arts organizations, technology startups, and hospitality clients on all levels of their projects from strategy to project management. She has served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the NorCalHSAMI board, as Vice Chair of the Visual Media Alliance (VMA), has been a WebAward Judge for 10 years, and is a part of WPO, Provisors, AMA, and AIGA organizations. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: http://300feetout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraostephenson/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/300feetout  https://www.instagram.com/300feetout/?hl=en   Connect with me:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/ https://heatherparsons.com/links   Join the C-Suite Insiders Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders 🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth  https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist

    36 min
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À propos

C-Suite Secrets is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs ready to scale smarter and lead stronger. Hosted by Heather Parsons—Fractional CFO, business strategist, and real estate investor—each episode features candid conversations with high-performing founders and C-suite executives. Get real-world strategies on cash flow, operations, leadership, and growth from experts who’ve been in the trenches. It’s not just theory—it’s the secrets behind sustainable success.