The Smart CEO™ Smart Talk Podcast

The Kyra Company

We’re talking all things business and the LIFE of a Smart CEO™!

  1. The Legacy of Care with Pat Bailey & Danielle Riley, RN, BSN

    Jan 12

    The Legacy of Care with Pat Bailey & Danielle Riley, RN, BSN

    🎙️ Host: Kyra Renel, Smart CEO Founder & Managing Consultant at The Kyra Company 🎧 Guest: • Danielle Riley, RN, BSN – Concierge Clinicians of Houston • Pat Bailey – The Caregiver Coach In this powerful, heartfelt, and deeply practical episode of the Smart Talk Podcast, we dive into the “legacy of care” — from cognitive health and prevention to how leaders can model wellness and restore connection in their families and communities. Kyra Rénel is joined by two extraordinary women: caregiver advocate and pastor Pat Bailey, and nurse entrepreneur Danielle Riley, RN, BSN. Together, they unpack what it means to build systems of care as Smart CEOs — at home, in business, and in our personal health. If you're leading at full capacity, navigating aging parents, raising the next generation, or simply trying to stay grounded while building legacy — this episode is for you. We talk about: What "digital dementia" is and why it matters now Creating preventative systems for yourself and your family How caregiving shapes leadership and legacy Why slowing down isn’t optional, it’s strategic The small family rituals that protect our cognitive and emotional health Leading by example and disrupting cycles of overfunctioning The urgent need to talk about aging, succession, and restoration out loud — now This conversation is a warm reminder and urgent call: we cannot outsource our wellbeing. And we certainly can’t build legacy from burnout. 🔥 Join the Movement: We’re building a thriving network of #3000SmartCEOs.🧠 Learn, grow, and lead with us in the SmartCEOs™ Community:📍 https://smart-ceos.mn.co📍 https://www.facebook.com/groups/tkcsmartceos

    1h 42m
  2. Leverage: Using What You Have to Build What You Really Want with Kimberly Evans

    Jan 12

    Leverage: Using What You Have to Build What You Really Want with Kimberly Evans

    🎙️ Host: Kyra Renel, Smart CEO Founder & Managing Consultant at The Kyra Company 🎧 Guest: Michelle Chenault, Founder of M Chenault Management Consulting, LLC. What if the key to building wealth wasn’t about having more — but doing more with what you already have? In this episode of the Smart Talk Podcast, host Kyra Rénel sits down with Kimberly Evans, West Region Lead for Commercial Banking at JPMorgan, for a rich conversation about financial readiness, business structure, and building companies that are sellable, sustainable, and scalable. Kimberly shares lessons from over two decades in banking, private equity, and business strategy — and gets real about how entrepreneurs can start making better financial decisions today, no matter their stage. In this episode, we explore: What it means to “leverage” your business assets (and what not to) Why understanding valuation, EBITDA, and balance sheets is not optional The emotional and financial impact of waiting too long to exit How personal and business financial health are deeply connected Why your first hire should often be a strong financial advisor Kimberly’s take on confidence, clarity, and the mindset behind smart growth Whether you’re growing from 6 to 7 figures or planning your eventual exit, Kimberly brings the strategy and clarity every founder needs to hear. 📍 Ready to grow alongside a community of purpose-driven leaders?Join the SmartCEOs™ Community: https://smart-ceos.mn.coOr invite someone who should be in the room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tkcsmartceos 🎧 Listen. Learn. Leverage what you've got.

    50 min
  3. From GED to Government Contracts: Michelle Chenault’s Blueprint for Big Impact in Small Business

    11/20/2025

    From GED to Government Contracts: Michelle Chenault’s Blueprint for Big Impact in Small Business

    🎙️ Host: Kyra Renel, Smart CEO Founder & Managing Consultant at The Kyra Company 🎧 Guest: Michelle Chenault, Founder of M Chenault Management Consulting, LLC. In the Season 6 premiere of the Smart Talk Podcast, host Kyra Rennell sits down with powerhouse consultant and entrepreneur Michelle Chenault, founder of M Chenault Management Consulting, LLC. Michelle shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey—from not graduating high school to earning an MBA and becoming a highly sought-after coach and government contracting expert. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the power of leaning into your genius. In this episode, Michelle reveals: How political campaigns and proposals launched her consulting career The pivotal role of mentorship and community (shoutout to Shirley Brooks and the Houston WBC!) What the pandemic taught her about narrowing focus and scaling with purpose Practical strategies for women business owners to prepare for capital, certification, and government contracts How she fuels herself while helping others build thriving enterprises Connect With Us: 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 💻 Stay updated at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ tkcsmartceos.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @tkcSmartCEOs Join the Smart CEO™ Community:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ smart-ceos.mn.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    32 min
  4. The Property Pro: LeRoy Willis’s Real Estate Insights

    10/10/2025

    The Property Pro: LeRoy Willis’s Real Estate Insights

    🎙️ Host: Alena Conley, Senior Division Leader of Coaching and People Development at The Kyra Company 🎧 Guest: LeRoy Willis, CEO of LW Realty and LW Dream Appraisal In this episode of the SmartCEO™ Podcast, host Alena Conley sits down with LeRoy Willis, CEO of LW Realty and LW Dream Appraisal, to explore his journey from aspiring federal agent to real estate broker and business owner. LeRoy shares how his childhood experiences of instability inspired his passion for real estate and his drive to help others achieve stability through homeownership and investment. With nearly two decades in the business, he offers invaluable insights into both the residential and commercial real estate markets, and why adaptability, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning are crucial in the industry. From working at major firms like Coldwell Banker and Century 21 to now running his own brokerage, LeRoy explains how he leveraged corporate lessons to build a thriving business. He also discusses Chicago’s unique real estate culture, generational wealth-building through property ownership, and why he calls himself a “real estate thumper”—always encouraging others to seize opportunities in property investment Connect With Us: 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 💻 Stay updated at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ tkcsmartceos.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @tkcSmartCEOs Join the Smart CEO™ Community:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ smart-ceos.mn.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    19 min
  5. 360 Degrees of Beauty: NaKeitha Ross on Community and Style

    10/10/2025

    360 Degrees of Beauty: NaKeitha Ross on Community and Style

    🎙️ Host: Alena Conley, Senior Division Leader of Coaching and People Development at The Kyra Company 🎧 Guest: NaKeitha Ross, CEO of 360 Degrees Hair Studio For more than two decades, NaKeitha Ross, CEO of 360 Degrees Hair Studio, has been redefining what it means to create not just a salon, but a community hub. What started as a career inspired by her mother’s own entrepreneurial path has evolved into a thriving business that serves as both a beauty destination and a space for connection, empowerment, and growth. In this episode of the SmartCEO™ Podcast, NaKeitha opens up about: Her journey from corporate America to beauty entrepreneur. The role of the salon as a modern-day “country club” for the Black community. What it means to feel “stuck” in business — and how the SmartCEO™ Capacity Builder program helped her shift her mindset, reset her strategy, and approach her 22-year business with fresh eyes. The realities of scaling a salon business, including moving from booth rental to commission models, leveraging retail, and creating multiple streams of revenue. Why bankability matters — and how asking the right financial questions has transformed the way she looks at her numbers. NaKeitha’s story is proof that even after years in business, growth is always possible when you’re willing to rethink, reinvest, and reimagine what success looks like. 👉 Tune in and learn how she’s preparing to take her salon — and her community — to the next level. Connect With Us: 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 💻 Stay updated at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ tkcsmartceos.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📱 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @tkcSmartCEOs Join the Smart CEO™ Community:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ smart-ceos.mn.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    24 min

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We’re talking all things business and the LIFE of a Smart CEO™!