The Breakout Moment

Illumine8
  • 5.0 (8)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Breakout Moment is a sharp, 20-minute, case-study-driven podcast built for established B2B owners stuck in the “messy middle” — the stage where growth stalls, revenue plateaus, and systems start to strain. Each episode delivers practical, real-world strategies to help leaders push past ceilings and scale with intention. Hosted by Christina May, founder and CEO of Illumine8. ​ On this channel you will find: Real business case studies across marketing, sales, and RevOps Receipts that focus on the decisions and numbers behind growth “What You Can Steal” takeaways you can apply in your own business This is not startup hype or internet guru advice. The stories come from companies that look a lot like yours. Construction firms, manufacturers, distributors, and B2B service companies working through the challenges of growing from about $500k to several million in revenue.

  1. 2D AGO

    TBM #7 | Succession by Fire: What Happens When Leadership Changes Overnight with Aaron Shapiro

    In this episode, Christina May sits down with Aaron Shapiro, the second-generation leader of Shapiro & Duncan, a 50-year-old family-owned mechanical contracting company, to talk about one of the hardest realities any business can face: unexpected succession. After the sudden loss of a key family leader, the company was forced to implement real-time succession planning, revealing gaps in communication, leadership development, and operational preparedness. Together, they unpack what happened, what the company learned, and how they turned a crisis into an opportunity to build stronger systems, mentorship, and future leadership. From training pipelines and employee ownership to learning how to let people fail safely, this episode is a candid conversation about building businesses that can outlast the people who started them.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    23 min

  2. MAY 12

    TBM #6 | The Long Game: How Manifesting Talent Changed Everything with Mark Flavin

    Christina is joined by Mark Flavin, founder of Titan Mechanical, who shares his unconventional path from early hustling and creative ventures to building a successful construction company. The episode centers on the power of recognizing and “manifesting” talent early, highlighted by Mark identifying and later recruiting a key leader who helped drive major growth. It explores the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of hiring the right people at the right time, and the balance between growth and sustainability. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes that long-term success comes from strong relationships, smart decision-making, and surrounding yourself with the right team.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    24 min

  3. MAY 5

    TBM #5 | No Big Bang: How Small Decisions Create Big Business Shifts with Brett Snyder

    In this episode, Brett Snyder of Green Bench Companies sits down with host, Christina May, to challenge the idea that every business has one dramatic breakout moment. He shares how a trusted client opened the door to school construction, creating a new line of business during a difficult market. Along the way, they discuss customer-led pivots, growth through discomfort, better meeting leadership, and why small operational shifts often matter more than big, flashy moves. --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    24 min

  4. APR 28

    TBM #4 | From Burnout to Breakthrough: Shower Thoughts with Spencer Teel

    In this episode, Christina sits down with Spencer Teel, a second-generation business owner who reached a breaking point during a period of growth and pressure. What looked like a strong business on the outside started to feel unsustainable on the inside. Through reflection, outside perspective, and a clearer way of communicating vision, the company found its way back to alignment. The result was not just personal relief, but a stronger, more focused organization built around a shared purpose. --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    23 min

  5. APR 21

    TBM #3 | How B2B Companies Should Approach Social Media in 2026

    If you started the new year without a clear social media strategy, this episode gives you a practical starting point. Christina May sits down with Stacey Holsinger of Steel Toe Communications to break down what worked in 2025 and what did not, especially for B2B businesses. They cover why LinkedIn should be your foundation, how video and YouTube can drive long-term results, and how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (X) fit into the bigger picture. This episode is packed with straightforward, actionable advice to help you focus your efforts and stop wasting time on the wrong channels.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    20 min

  6. APR 14

    TBM #2 | AI, Cohorts, and Tipping Points: Our 2025 Breakout Moments

    Every business has moments that change its direction. This episode of The Breakout Moment explores the decisions and shifts that created real momentum in 2025. Christina sits down with Stacey Holsinger to break down how AI, cohorts, and evolving service offerings created real momentum. The conversation also covers salary transparency and what it takes to move forward in that messy middle stage of business growth.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    30 min

  7. APR 7

    The Breakout Moment: Real Stories & Actionable Tips for Growing Businesses in the Messy Middle

    What does it actually take to build something that lasts, and know when it’s time to pivot? In this inaugural episode of The Breakout Moment, Christina May and Stacey Holsinger pull back the curtain on their own journeys—from running businesses through COVID to launching, pausing, and reimagining their podcasts. They share honest insights on what worked, what didn’t, and why consistency, sustainability, and real value matter more than hype. From the realities of content creation to redefining what “scaling” really means, this conversation sets the tone for the show: practical, unfiltered, and rooted in real experience. If you’re building a business in the messy middle, this episode will feel very familiar and give you a clearer path forward. ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    23 min

  8. APR 6

    The Breakout Moment Trailer

    The Breakout Moment is a podcast about building real businesses, navigating growth, and learning what it actually takes to scale. Each episode dives into the stories, challenges, and decisions behind the people doing the work. No guru-speak, just honest conversations and practical insights. If you're an entrepreneur, operator, or just obsessed with how companies grow, you're in the right place. ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

    2 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The Breakout Moment is a sharp, 20-minute, case-study-driven podcast built for established B2B owners stuck in the “messy middle” — the stage where growth stalls, revenue plateaus, and systems start to strain. Each episode delivers practical, real-world strategies to help leaders push past ceilings and scale with intention. Hosted by Christina May, founder and CEO of Illumine8. ​ On this channel you will find: Real business case studies across marketing, sales, and RevOps Receipts that focus on the decisions and numbers behind growth “What You Can Steal” takeaways you can apply in your own business This is not startup hype or internet guru advice. The stories come from companies that look a lot like yours. Construction firms, manufacturers, distributors, and B2B service companies working through the challenges of growing from about $500k to several million in revenue.

Information

  • Creator
    Illumine8
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Breakout Moment