CEOs Unscripted

Jane Gentry
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Real Talk. Real Growth. Real Results in the Mid-Market Jane Gentry consulted in enterprise for 20 years. And, after being a CEO in a mid-sized company, she realized why they say it is loneliest at the top. Mid-market CEOs learn their craft through trial and error or by reaching outside their organization for help. She launched CEOs Unscripted as a bi-weekly podcast by mid-market CEOs for mid-market CEOs. Our purpose is to provide insight into the unscripted, unfiltered journeys of CEOs and Founders as they talk about their wins, losses, lessons and playbooks for growing and scaling their organizations. There is no better forum than learning from your peers.

  1. 16H AGO

    Why Most CEOs Get Stuck Between $10M and $50M | And What Actually Gets You Out

    What does it take to buy and scale a company in a foreign country, with your spouse, right before a global pandemic? In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Corbin Butcher, Managing Director of Beire Exhibitions in the Czech Republic, for a raw, unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship through acquisition, cross-cultural leadership, and what it really means to evolve from a 1.0 to a 3.0 company. Corbin shares how a military career, a "mediocre" stint in investment banking, and a Kellogg MBA led him and his wife Evona to buy a Czech exhibition company, armed with a shoebox full of business cards as their CRM, and turn it into a thriving, scaling business with 80 employees and 2.5x revenue growth. Whether you're leading a $10M or $100M business, this episode is packed with hard-won lessons on scaling systems, building partnerships, managing culture across borders, and knowing when to evolve as a leader before your company outgrows you. Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Cold open: No backup plan, just make it work 01:07 — Welcome to CEOs Unscripted: Jane's intro & what the show is about 02:46 — Meet Corbin Butcher: From Chicago to the Czech Republic 04:18 — Corbin's background: Army officer, Iraq tours, Kellogg MBA 06:06 — Why investment banking wasn't the fit — and what was 07:07 — The search fund model: Buying a business with your spouse 08:18 — The challenge of being a European company trying to break into the US market 10:51 — How to vet a strategic partner (and why face-to-face is non-negotiable) 13:44 — The qualities that make or break a partnership under pressure 15:08 — American work ethic vs. European work culture: The real clash 17:08 — How Corbin built a high-performance culture within European labor laws 20:31 — The pros and cons of being an American CEO leading a European company 21:50 — Running a business with your spouse: The investor who called it "marital risk" 24:38 — How Corbin and Evona divide roles and break ties 25:36 — First-time CEO with no safety net: How do you learn on the fly? 28:59 — The shock of COVID hitting an 85% leveraged company in year two 31:40 — Biere 1.0 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0: The lifecycle framework every CEO needs to understand 33:13 — Sales in 1.0: A shoebox of business cards as a "CRM" 36:53 — Operations in 1.0: When everything depends on one person 38:18 — Why promoting your best operator to supervisor is often a mistake 41:30 — What changed in 2.0: Systems, structure, and elevating internal talent 43:05 — The power of vision: Can every employee in your company articulate where you're going? 46:01 — How Corbin had to change as a leader from 1.0 to 2.0 49:46 — How strategic planning evolves at each stage of company growth 52:54 — Honest reflection: Some parts of Bira are still in 1.0 — and that's okay 54:01 — Rapid fire: Who's the smartest person in your phone? 55:36 — Best book of the last 12 months: The Wright Brothers by David McCullough 57:09 — What Corbin does when he feels stuck 58:27 — Closing thoughts and where to find more Key Topics Covered Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) and the search fund model Scaling a mid-market company from 1.0 to 3.0 Cross-cultural leadership and managing European vs. American work culture Building and vetting strategic partnerships in international markets Why founder-dependent businesses are fragile — and how to fix it Running a business with your spouse without losing your marriage Leading through COVID with zero revenue and high leverage The danger of promoting your best individual contributors into management Why communicating vision is the #1 job of a scaling CEO About CEOs Unscripted Hosted by Jane Gentry, CEO advisor, Harvard Business School Entrepreneurial MBA mentor, and consultant to mid-market leaders for over 20 years, CEOs Unscripted is a bi-weekly podcast featuring unfiltered conversations with founders and executives who've been where you are. No fluff. No jargon. Just real talk that drives real growth. CEOs Unscripted, Jane Gentry, Corbin Butcher, Bira Exhibitions, entrepreneurship through acquisition, search fund, mid-market CEO, scaling a business, business growth podcast, CEO podcast, leadership podcast, military to entrepreneur, Kellogg MBA, Czech Republic business, cross-cultural leadership, international business, how to scale a company, company lifecycle, business systems, founder-dependent business, how to buy a business, ETA entrepreneur, CEO advice, business strategy, scaling up, small business growth, mid-market growth, CEO leadership tips, business podcast 2026, entrepreneurship podcast

    59 min

  2. MAR 17

    Military Discipline Meets Luxury Travel: How Craig Beal Built America's #1 Safari Company

    What does submarine warfare have to do with luxury safari travel? More than you'd think. In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Craig Beal - Naval Academy graduate, nuclear engineer, and CEO of Travel Beyond, the oldest US-founded safari company, to unpack the unconventional leadership principles behind one of the most remarkable family business turnovers you'll ever hear. Craig shares how military discipline, checklist-driven operations, and a radical employee-first philosophy helped him scale a four-person company into a 39-person specialist safari firm with jaw-dropping retention rates. In this episode, you'll learn: Why niching down — fast — is the smartest growth decision a CEO can make How a military-style checklist culture creates five-star client experiences at scale The geographic hiring strategy that virtually eliminates employee turnover Why Craig covers 100% of employee healthcare — and how it removes anxiety that kills productivity How Safari Pros, a competitor collaboration network, actually grows the whole industry Why the best CEOs act on decisions they know are right — before the window closes Keywords: CEO podcast, business growth, leadership, employee retention, family business, niche business strategy, mid-market CEO, scaling a business, company culture, safari industry, military leadership, entrepreneurship  TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction & Craig's backstory 5:30 — From the Navy to the family business 12:00 — The power of niching down 18:00 — Employee retention secrets (and the geographic advantage) 26:00 — In-office vs. remote: what actually works 33:00 — Checklist culture & the Checklist Manifesto 41:00 — AI and the future of travel operations 47:00 — Managing client fear & crisis transparency 52:00 — Rapid fire: lessons for every CEO KEY TAKEAWAYS: ✅ Specialize faster than feels comfortable ✅ Processes aren't bureaucracy they're freedom ✅ Take care of employees first; they'll take care of your clients ✅ The best CEOs act on the decision they know is right before it's too late DROP YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY IN THE COMMENTS CEOs Unscripted is the bi-weekly podcast by mid-market CEOs, for mid-market CEOs. No fluff. No jargon. Just the unfiltered truth about what it takes to lead, scale, and grow. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 🎙️ Hosted by Jane Gentry — CEO Advisor & Executive Coach #CEOPodcast #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #SafariCompany #CompanyCulture #EmployeeRetention #MilitaryLeadership #ScalingUp #MidMarketCEO

    54 min

  3. MAR 3

    The CEO Who Doubles Every Company He Touches

    What does it take to walk into a business that's hit a ceiling and double its revenue — not once, but three times? In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Buzz Bradley, a seasoned interim CEO and business growth strategist, to unpack the exact frameworks he uses to transform stalled mid-market companies into high-performance organizations. In this episode, you'll learn: Why most founders unknowingly become the biggest bottleneck in their own business The first thing Buzz does in any new company (it's not what you think) How to manage organizational change without losing your culture or your best people Why promoting your top performer could be the most expensive mistake you make The "teach to fish vs. do the fishing" debate — and when each approach wins How cross-generational teams can become a competitive advantage The simple mindset shift that makes faster, better decisions possible Buzz's golden rule: "If it's going to take six months, it takes six months whether you start today or six months from now — so why not start today?" Whether you're a founder navigating growing pains, a CEO preparing to scale past $20M, or a leader trying to build a business that doesn't depend entirely on you — this episode is packed with real talk and actionable insights. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & Buzz's background 04:30 – How Buzz gets into companies and doubles revenue 10:40 – The first thing to do when you take over a business 12:20 – Protecting culture during change 15:40 – Growing pains: when founders hit the ceiling 20:30 – Moving people into the right roles 26:00 – Managing change without creating chaos 33:00 – Developing talent on a budget 38:00 – Cross-generational teams 43:00 – Rapid fire: books, habits & decisiveness 47:00 – Why starting today beats waiting for perfect Keywords: interim CEO, scaling a business, mid-market growth, business leadership, CEO coaching, organizational design, growing pains, founder-led business, business strategy, executive leadership, how to scale a company, CEO podcast, entrepreneurship, talent retention, decision making for CEOs Subscribe to CEOs Unscripted — the bi-weekly podcast for mid-market CEOs who want unfiltered, real-world leadership conversations. No fluff. No jargon. Just the playbooks that actually work. #CEOPodcast #BusinessGrowth #ScalingUp #MidMarket #InterimCEO #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CEOsUnscripted

    49 min

  4. FEB 18

    He Lost Everything, Borrowed $200K From Friends, and Built a $50M Company: Here's How

    What does it take to buy a business with zero money, learn it from the ground up, and scale it for 38 years into a successful exit? In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Robert Brown, former CEO of American Asphalt Company, a man who lost everything, borrowed $200K from 20 friends and family members, and turned a struggling asphalt company into a thriving mid-market business through grit, trust, and relentless relationship-building. This episode is packed with raw, unfiltered lessons every mid-market CEO,  entrepreneur, and business owner needs to hear. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: ✅ How to buy a business with no money (and make it work) ✅ Why your best salesperson should NEVER become your sales manager ✅ The #1 reason M&A deals fall apart after the ink dries ✅ How Robert hired a tile salesperson to run asphalt sales and it was his best hire ever ✅ Why preparing for your exit should start on Day 1 of owning the business ✅ The time management strategy that freed Bob from working IN the business ✅ Why trust is your most powerful business tool and how to build it fast ✅ The J-Curve of leadership growth every scaling CEO must understand KEY QUOTE FROM THIS EPISODE: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." — Robert Brown 📌 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Preview 01:45 — Robert's Origin Story: Growing Up in a Family Business 04:10 — Growing Too Fast, Losing It All & Starting Over 07:00 — How Robert Bought an Asphalt Company With No Money 10:30 — Learning the Business from the Ground Up (From Employees) 13:15 — The Sales Strategy That Built the Company: Relationships Over Transactions 16:20 — Building & Retaining a Team in a New Acquisition 19:45 — The Trust Formula: What Actually Keeps Employees for 38 Years 22:30 — How Robert Scaled: Buying Bigger Plants & Strategic M&A 27:00 — The M&A Lessons Nobody Warns You About 30:15 — Codifying Process: CEO Peer Groups, Vistage & C12 33:40 — Why You Should Hire a Great Salesperson (Not an Industry Expert) 36:50 — Sales Managers vs. Sales Coaches: The Mistake Most CEOs Make 39:30 — Delegation, Time Studies & Getting Out of Your Own Way 42:45 — Preparing Your Business for Exit from Day One 44:30 — Rapid Fire Round: Leadership Wisdom from 38 Years in Business 46:10 — Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Robert 🎙️ ABOUT CEOs UNSCRIPTED: CEOs Unscripted is the bi-weekly podcast for mid-market leaders hosted by Jane Gentry — CEO advisor, Harvard Business School entrepreneurial MBA mentor, and 20-year consulting veteran. No fluff, no jargon — just honest conversations about what it really takes to lead, grow, and scale. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every two weeks. #CEO #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #ScalingUp #MidMarket #Podcast #CEOsUnscripted #JaneGentry #BusinessStrategy #MergersAndAcquisitions #SalesLeadership #ExitStrategy #SmallBusiness #Delegation CEO podcast, business growth podcast, mid-market CEO, scaling a business, entrepreneurship podcast, leadership podcast, mergers and acquisitions, sales strategy, how to buy a business with no money, exit strategy, delegation for CEOs, CEO advice, Jane Gentry, CEOs unscripted, business scaling tips, asphalt company, family business, hiring salespeople, sales manager vs salesperson, CEO peer groups, business valuation, employee retention, trust in business, small business growth

    48 min

  5. FEB 3

    Why People Come Before Profits: Norman Radow’s Blueprint for Building Enduring Companies

    Why People Come Before Profits: Norman Radow’s Blueprint for Building Enduring Companies From growing up with limited resources to leading one of the most influential real estate firms in the country — Norman Radow’s journey is rooted in purpose, trust, and long-term thinking. In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, Norman, CEO of The Radco Companies, opens up about the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, why people should never be treated as line items, and what it truly means to build businesses that outlast their founders. This is a candid conversation about values-driven leadership, calculated risk, and creating impact beyond the balance sheet. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why people are assets, not expenses ✅ How early-life adversity shapes leadership decisions ✅ Building trust with partners at the highest level ✅ Knowing when not to take capital ✅ Balancing risk-taking with long-term vision ✅ Leading with empathy without compromising results ✅ Creating culture that scales across growing teams ✅ Why values matter more than valuation ✅ Making decisions that align with legacy, not ego ✅ What responsibility really means as a CEO Key Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction to Norman Radow 3:05 – Early life lessons that shaped his worldview 8:30 – The foundation of Radco’s leadership philosophy 13:10 – Trust, partnerships, and alignment 18:40 – Risk, fear, and decisive leadership 24:20 – Capital decisions and investor fit 30:00 – Building people-first organizations 36:15 – Culture as a competitive advantage 41:50 – Long-term thinking in a short-term world 47:30 – Final reflections and leadership wisdom Top Takeaways: Why employees belong on the balance sheet, not the P&L How values guide decisions when numbers alone can’t The hidden cost of playing it too safe Why leadership is about responsibility, not control How trust compounds faster than capital What real impact looks like when culture comes first About This Episode: Norman Radow is the CEO of The Radco Companies, a vertically integrated real estate firm specializing in multifamily and mixed-use developments. His leadership approach is shaped by lived experience, a deep sense of responsibility toward people, and a belief that business success should create lasting social and economic value. About CEOs Unscripted: CEOs Unscripted is the podcast where real talk drives real growth. Host Jane Gentry, a seasoned CEO advisor and former mid-market executive, brings you unfiltered conversations with CEOs, founders, and business leaders who share the wins, losses, and lessons from the trenches. No fluff, no jargon—just honest insights about what it really takes to lead and scale in today's business landscape. Subscribe for More: New episodes drop bi-weekly featuring candid conversations with mid-market CEOs, founders, and executives who are redefining leadership. #CEOInterview #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #FemaleLeadership  #BusinessGrowth #ScalingBusiness #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #MidMarketCEO #BusinessStrategy #CEOsUnscripted #JaneGentry #LeadershipLessons  Female CEO success story Logistics industry leadership Overcoming imposter syndrome Women in male-dominated industries CEO interview podcast Business leadership strategies Scaling through industry disruption Change management for CEOs Mid-market business growth Transportation company success Executive leadership development Career advancement strategies Business diversification tactics Authentic leadership style CEO mental health and wellness

    1h 3m

  6. JAN 20

    From Admin to President: How She Built a $50M Logistics Empire in 19 Years

    From administrative assistant to President in 19 years: Colleen Japuntich's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. I In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, discover how she became the leader of NEMA, a thriving logistics and transportation company, while navigating a male-dominated industry, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leading through unprecedented challenges like COVID-19 and tariff wars. What You'll Learn: ✅ How to climb from entry-level to CEO in any industry ✅ Overcoming imposter syndrome as a leader ✅ Strategies for diversifying your business during industry disruption ✅ Leading authentically in male-dominated spaces ✅ Building systems and processes that scale ✅ Communicating vision effectively across your organization ✅ The difference between being liked and being respected as a leader ✅ How to navigate change management and bring teams along ✅ Why patience is the secret weapon young professionals need ✅ Protecting your health while building a business empire Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Meet Colleen Japantich 3:15 - From Admin to President: The 19-Year Journey 8:42 - Overcoming Resistance & Building Credibility 12:30 - Imposter Syndrome: Even Successful CEOs Feel It 16:45 - Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry 22:10 - What Keeps This CEO Up at Night 26:35 - Diversifying in a Shrinking Industry 31:20 - The Art of Communicating Vision 37:50 - Change Management: Bringing Your Team Along 43:15 - Leadership Advice for Young Professionals 48:30 - Rapid Fire Questions & Final Wisdom Top Takeaways: "I want to compete with myself and be better than I was the previous day" - Colleen's philosophy on success Why showing emotions as a female leader can be perceived as weakness (and how to navigate it) The importance of doing the "dirtiest jobs" early in your career How to build respect without being the loudest voice in the room Why diversification saved NEMA during tariff chaos and supply chain disruptions The critical difference between being nice and being kind in leadership About This Episode: Colleen Japuntich is the President of NEMA, a logistics and transportation company specializing in warehousing, drayage, and supply chain solutions. Starting as an administrative assistant, she worked her way through every department—operations, IT, safety, finance—becoming the company's go-to problem solver. In 2019, she was named President, leading the company through COVID-19, industry disruption, and economic uncertainty while maintaining profitability and employee retention. Resources Mentioned: "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Adam Grant's article on being nice vs. being kind Perfect For: - Aspiring CEOs and executives - Women in male-dominated industries - Mid-market business leaders - Logistics and transportation professionals - Anyone dealing with imposter syndrome - Leaders navigating organizational change - Entrepreneurs scaling their businesses About CEOs Unscripted: CEOs Unscripted is the podcast where real talk drives real growth. Host Jane Gentry, a seasoned CEO advisor and former mid-market executive, brings you unfiltered conversations with CEOs, founders, and business leaders who share the wins, losses, and lessons from the trenches. No fluff, no jargon—just honest insights about what it really takes to lead and scale in today's business landscape. Subscribe for More: New episodes drop bi-weekly featuring candid conversations with mid-market CEOs, founders, and executives who are redefining leadership. #CEOInterview #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #FemaleLeadership  #BusinessGrowth #ScalingBusiness #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #MidMarketCEO #BusinessStrategy #CEOsUnscripted #JaneGentry #LeadershipLessons  Female CEO success story Logistics industry leadership Overcoming imposter syndrome Women in male-dominated industries CEO interview podcast Business leadership strategies Scaling through industry disruption Change management for CEOs Mid-market business growth Transportation company success Executive leadership development Career advancement strategies Business diversification tactics Authentic leadership style CEO mental health and wellness

    55 min

  7. JAN 6

    How to Navigate Private Equity Deals: IAA CEO's $7.5 Billion Journey

    Former IAA CEO John Kett shares his remarkable 22-year journey building a damaged vehicle marketplace from $200 million to $7.5 billion through multiple PE transactions, public offerings, and a major merger. This unfiltered conversation covers private equity strategies, M&A lessons, and what it really takes to scale mid-market companies. In this episode, John reveals: ✅ The truth about working with private equity firms ✅ How to prepare your company for a PE sale ✅ Why technology should enable process, not the other way around ✅ Navigating the complexity of public vs. private company leadership ✅ Board meeting preparation strategies that actually work ✅ The cost of short-term thinking in PE-backed companies KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 02:45 - John's Blue Collar Background & Path to CEO 05:30 - What is a Damaged Vehicle Marketplace? 09:15 - The IAA Business Model Explained 12:40 - First Exposure to Private Equity 16:20 - Preparing Your Company for PE Sale 19:45 - Working with Multiple PE Firms (The Four-Headed Monster) 24:10 - PE Time Horizons & Their Impact on Decisions 28:35 - Board Meeting Preparation Best Practices 32:15 - The Importance of Cross-Collaboration Among Leaders 35:40 - From Private to Public: The Spinoff Story 38:50 - The $7.5B Merger with Ritchie Brothers 42:20 - Rapid Fire: Career Lessons & Leadership Wisdom 45:10 - Why In-Person Leadership Development Matters ABOUT JOHN KETT: Former CEO of IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions), John Kett led the company through multiple transformations including PE acquisitions, public listings, and ultimately a $7.5 billion merger with Ritchie Brothers. With over 22 years of experience scaling mid-market companies, John now advises CEOs and serves on boards. ABOUT CEOS UNSCRIPTED: Real talk for mid-market leaders. Host Jane Gentry brings you unfiltered conversations with CEOs, founders, and executives navigating the challenges of scaling $10M-$500M businesses. No fluff, no jargon—just honest insights from leaders who've been where you are. SUBSCRIBE for bi-weekly episodes featuring: → Private equity strategies → M&A insights → Scaling best practices → Leadership development → Board governance → Exit planning TAGS: #PrivateEquity #CEO #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ScalingBusiness #PEInvesting #BoardMeetings #ExitStrategy #MidMarketCEO #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #CorporateDevelopment #BusinessStrategy What's your biggest question about working with private equity? Drop it in the comments below! 👍 Like this video if you found it valuable 🔔 Subscribe for more CEO insights 📤 Share with other business leaders

    47 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    500 Remote Employees, Zero Office Space: The Anti-Traditional Playbook

    In this powerful episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Brad Stevens, founder and CEO of Outsource Access, to explore his remarkable journey from serial entrepreneur to building a 500-person remote workforce in the Philippines—all while navigating a global pandemic. 📍 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction: Brad Stevens & Outsource Access 02:15 - The Entrepreneurial Origin Story: Third Grade Micro Machines Business 05:30 - Wharton to Unemployment: The $20K Signing Bonus Plot Twist 08:45 - First Company: Patient Assistance Programs for Seniors 11:20 - The Nutritional Supplements Journey 13:40 - Teeth Whitening Product Fiasco: 10,000 Units, 18 Countries 16:25 - Discovering Outsourcing & Launching Outsource Access in 2019 19:10 - Growing to 500 Employees in 4.5 Years Across 85 Industries 22:30 - Launching Right Before COVID: Building Remote Culture from Day One 25:45 - EOS Framework: The System That Prevented Implosion 28:20 - Jim Collins' Level 5 Leadership in Practice 30:50 - Writing Personal Welcome Messages to Every New Hire 33:15 - Virtual Leadership: Intentional Communication & Cadence 36:40 - The Five Chronological Steps Framework 39:20 - Building Culture Remotely: Virtual Success Magazine & UN Goals 42:10 - Employee Engagement: Recognition, Purpose, and Autonomy 44:50 - "What Got You Here Won't Get You There": Scaling Challenges 47:30 - Ferrari Intensity vs. Cargo Ship Reality: Managing Growth Speed 50:15 - The 2-Question Exercise That Reveals Business Constraints 52:40 - The 90-Day Onboarding Process & Playbook Creation 55:20 - Rapid Fire: Reading List, Early Lessons & Advice for Young Leaders 57:30 - Closing Thoughts What You'll Learn: The Remote Leadership Framework - How to build culture, maintain communication, and drive performance with 500 employees in another country Scaling Without Implosion - The systems, frameworks, and leadership principles that enabled 4.5 years of hypergrowth The Onboarding Advantage - Why most companies fail at onboarding and Brad's 90-day playbook that actually works Level 5 Leadership in Action - Practical applications of Jim Collins' principles for mid-market CEOs Key Takeaways for Mid-Market CEOs: ✅ The EOS framework combined with Four Disciplines of Execution creates accountability and clarity ✅ Recognition matters more than you think—Brad spends 10-15 hours monthly writing personal welcome messages ✅ The 2-question exercise that reveals your biggest business constraints in one survey ✅ Why onboarding takes 90 days (not 2 weeks) and how to structure it for success ✅ Ferrari intensity doesn't work with cargo ship reality—managing expectations during hypergrowth Featured Topics: Remote workforce management Philippines outsourcing strategy EOS implementation Virtual leadership during COVID Onboarding frameworks Assessment tools (Predictive Index, CliftonStrengths) Level 5 Leadership Decision velocity Business process documentation AI integration for remote teams Entrepreneurial Operating System Culture building remotely Strategic focus vs. diversification Leadership development Scaling challenges Whether you're managing remote teams, scaling rapidly, or struggling with onboarding, this episode delivers battle-tested frameworks from a CEO who grew 500 employees across the world during a pandemic. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Books & Frameworks: Good to Great by Jim Collins Built to Last by Jim Collins The Four Disciplines of Execution by Stephen Covey 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell Who Not How by Dan Sullivan The Four-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss Predictable Success by Les McKeown Alex Hormozi content and programs ABOUT THE GUEST: Brad Stevens is the founder and CEO of Outsource Access, a company that helps small to medium-sized businesses integrate talented offshore staff from the Philippines to drive scale and profitability. Since launching in 2019, Brad has grown the company to 500 employees across 85 different industries, building a distributed workforce model before the pandemic made it necessary. A Wharton graduate and serial entrepreneur for 25 years, Brad has built and sold companies in pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, teeth whitening products, and now outsourcing. He's a 14-year member of EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization) and served as President of EO Atlanta. Brad is passionate about level 5 leadership, systematic onboarding, and proving that remote teams can build exceptional culture and deliver outstanding results. ABOUT CEOS UNSCRIPTED: CEOs Unscripted is a bi-weekly podcast by mid-market CEOs, for mid-market CEOs. Host Jane Gentry brings 20+ years of enterprise consulting experience and firsthand CEO leadership to deliver unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to scale, lead, and win in today's business landscape. No fluff. No jargon. Just real talk that drives real growth. Subscribe for new episodes every other week! 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What's your biggest challenge with remote team management or onboarding? Drop a comment below!

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Real Talk. Real Growth. Real Results in the Mid-Market Jane Gentry consulted in enterprise for 20 years. And, after being a CEO in a mid-sized company, she realized why they say it is loneliest at the top. Mid-market CEOs learn their craft through trial and error or by reaching outside their organization for help. She launched CEOs Unscripted as a bi-weekly podcast by mid-market CEOs for mid-market CEOs. Our purpose is to provide insight into the unscripted, unfiltered journeys of CEOs and Founders as they talk about their wins, losses, lessons and playbooks for growing and scaling their organizations. There is no better forum than learning from your peers.

Information

  • Creator
    Jane Gentry
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    CEOs Unscripted