In this powerful conversation, Jordan Solender shares his journey from hustling snow shovels at 13 years old, scaling a DJ business in high school, to building a technology advisory firm that ultimately reached an eight-figure exit.But this episode isn’t about overnight success or flashy wins. It’s about the patterns, systems, and decisions Jordan used repeatedly to help founder-led businesses scale, stabilize, and prepare for growth even in unpredictable markets.Jordan breaks down what most entrepreneurs get wrong about growth, why firefighting kills scale, and how founders can step out of the weeds and into true leadership. We dive deep into the operational discipline, financial clarity, and mindset shifts required to build a business that can run with or without the founder at the center.Now leading IT Select, Jordan explains how AI is transforming the way companies purchase technology, helping teams reclaim time, margin, and focus three things founders often lose as they scale. He also shares insights from his work as an angel investor and advisor, coaching leaders to design businesses buyers actually want.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to move from hustle to systems without losing momentumWhy founder dependency limits valuation and growthThe role AI plays in smarter tech buying and operational leverageWhat creates real founder freedom before (and after) an exitHow to build a business that scales in volatile environmentsThis interview is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, operators, CEOs, and investors who want to stop reacting and start leading using strategy, structure, and intentional execution.➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. ★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4OPMYLU-Bzl0AAplu-dig?sub_confirmation=1 ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/johnpandrade/• https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo• https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews

In this powerful interview, Tyler, Founder of Authors Unite, breaks down how he built one of the most trusted platforms helping thousands of authors publish, market, and scale their books into real businesses.Tyler shares the real story behind growing Authors Unite from early challenges and market gaps to creating repeatable systems that guide writers through publishing, branding, launch strategy, and long-term book sales. This conversation goes far beyond writing and dives deep into the business mindset required to win as an author in today’s crowded market.You’ll learn how Tyler helps authors:Think like entrepreneurs, not hobbyistsBuild audiences before publishingTurn books into lead engines, brands, and revenue streamsAvoid common publishing and marketing mistakesCreate scalable systems that support long-term successThis episode is essential listening for authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, and creators who want to stop guessing and start building with intention. Tyler’s insights reveal why publishing success is less about talent and more about strategy, execution, and ownership.If you’re serious about turning your message into impact and income, this interview delivers the playbook, mindset, and structure needed to move like a CEO.➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. Visit: https://authorsunite.com/★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4OPMYLU-Bzl0AAplu-dig?sub_confirmation=1 ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/johnpandrade/• https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo• https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews

Unlock the systems behind scalable, efficient, high-performing businesses.

In this episode of the GO4CEO Podcast, John Andrade sits down with Justin Lund, Business Systems Architect, Entrepreneur, Coach, Speaker, and Founder of Propel, to break down the operational frameworks that separate struggling companies from systemized, self-sustaining organizations.Justin has spent his career helping founders eliminate bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and build the kind of repeatable systems that drive predictable growth.

Whether you're scaling from $500K to $50M or rebuilding your internal operations from the ground up, Justin’s insights reveal exactly why most businesses stay stuck and how to build one that runs with clarity, consistency, and confidence.

Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:

⭐ How to diagnose the hidden bottlenecks slowing your business

⭐ Why founders get trapped in firefighting instead of leading

⭐ The Propel Framework for designing scalable systems

⭐ How to transition from operator to true CEO

⭐ What a systems-first mindset can unlock for your team, revenue, and long-term growthJustin brings a rare mix of strategic thinking, practical frameworks, and real-world experience.

If you're ready to reduce chaos, increase efficiency, and build a business that works without you being everywhere, this episode is your blueprint➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.

➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. ★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4OPMYLU-Bzl0AAplu-dig?sub_confirmation=1 ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/johnpandrade/• https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo• https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews

In this episode of the GO4CEO Podcast, John Andrade sits down with Jake Holmes the AI Strategist and part-time CTO behind Grow Fast, who is helping business owners finally separate AI reality from AI hype.

Jake isn’t another vendor selling shiny tools.
He’s a former software engineer and founder with 5+ years of hands-on experience building real AI solutions from scratch. His mission: help businesses uncover where AI actually delivers measurable value.

Using his proven IMPACT Framework, Jake brings an unbiased, strategic approach to AI, identifying high-ROI opportunities to:

• streamline operations

• reduce inefficiencies

• cut costs

• increase profitability

• and build intelligent systems that don’t break your business

He shares why so many companies get AI wrong, the misconceptions that keep owners stuck, and the simple pathways to implement AI responsibly and profitably.

Whether you're a CEO, founder, operator, or team leader, this episode will give you a clearer path to adopting AI with confidence, clarity, and real outcomes.

Connect with Jake:
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jakecholmes
🌐 Grow Fast: grow-fast.co.uk

If you want AI to work for your business, not against it, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

In this GO4CEO Founder Spotlight, Jody Jankovsky, founder of Blackline IT, breaks down what it really takes to build a resilient, high-trust, high-value technology company in today’s fast-changing digital environment.

With more than 30 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity, compliance, and managed services, Jody shares:

✔ How he built Blackline IT from scratch using service-first principles

✔ Why businesses fail with technology — and how to fix it

✔ The hidden risks CEOs overlook in cybersecurity

✔ Strategies for scaling IT processes without losing quality

✔ What leadership looks like inside a technical organization

✔ The mindset shift required to go from technician… to entrepreneur… to CEO,

Jody’s story is a masterclass for founders, operators, and business owners who want to future-proof their companies, strengthen their internal systems, and build trustworthy, long-term client relationships.If you’re growing a business, scaling a team, or building better operations, this episode delivers major value from a proven expert in the IT and cybersecurity space.Subscribe to the GO4CEO Podcast for more interviews with industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of business.

➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. ★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4OPMYLU-Bzl0AAplu-dig?sub_confirmation=1 ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/johnpandrade/• https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo• https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews

In this powerful GO4CEO founder interview, Brandon Lolkus, the founder of Redleg Guns & Gunsmithing, shares his journey from military roots to building one of the most trusted and craftsmanship-driven firearms and gunsmithing brands in the Midwest.

Brandon opens up about:

✔ His transition from the military to entrepreneurship

✔ How Redleg Guns became known for elite-level gunsmithing and custom builds

✔ The craftsmanship, precision, and discipline required to stand out in the firearms industry

✔ What it takes to scale a specialized service business without sacrificing quality

✔ The customer-first philosophy behind every firearm that leaves his shop

✔ Lessons for aspiring business owners in high-skill, high-trust industries.

Whether you’re passionate about firearms, fascinated by the gunsmithing craft, or simply love hearing the story of a founder who built a business from grit, skill, and relentless commitment—this episode delivers.

This interview is packed with insights on leadership, branding, customer trust, and how a craftsman becomes a CEO without losing the heart of the work.

Subscribe to the GO4CEO Podcast for more interviews with founders, CEOs, and operators who are building real businesses with real impact.

➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. ★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4OPMYLU-Bzl0AAplu-dig?sub_confirmation=1 ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/johnpandrade/• https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo• https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews

Vijay Rajendran has spent his career on the frontlines of global venture building, as a startup builder, founder, executive coach, author of The Funding Framework, and a leader within 500 Global, one of the most influential accelerator networks in the world.In this powerful GO4CEO conversation, Vijay breaks down what founders really need to succeed today, not just to raise capital, but to lead with clarity, scale with sustainability, and build companies that survive the turbulence of modern entrepreneurship.Inside this episode, we unpack:🚀 How Founders Can “Unlock the Leader Within”The mindset shifts that separate resilient CEOs from reactive entrepreneurs.💰 Raising Capital With ConfidenceVijay explains how to understand investor psychology, navigate term sheets, and pitch without sounding rehearsed or needy.🌎 Lessons From 500 Global & Silicon ValleyWhat founders around the world consistently get wrong and how to fix it.📈 The Startup System That Actually WorksHow to build a business beyond formulas and frameworks, using authenticity and long-term thinking.Vijay brings raw honesty, practical wisdom, and global insight to this episode making it a must-watch for founders, future CEOs, and anyone raising capital.If you're building, leading, or scaling… this episode will level up your approach instantly.➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. ★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4OPMYLU-Bzl0AAplu-dig?sub_confirmation=1 ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/johnpandrade/• https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo• https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews

Scott Kelly is one of the most connected investor relationship builders in the country and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on what it really takes for founders to raise capital, build powerful teams, and scale companies that disrupt entire industries.As the Founder & CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, Scott has built a network of 13,000+ investors, 40,000+ business partners, and has trained thousands of sales professionals. Through his national VC Fast Pitch events, he has helped startups get in the room with elite investors who can change the trajectory of a business in a single conversation.In this GO4CEO interview, Scott breaks down:🔥 What Investors Actually Look For in 2025From the metrics that matter to the traits founders consistently overlook.🔥 The Secrets to Winning VC and Angel CapitalHow to pitch, follow up, position your company, and avoid the common traps.🔥 Scaling a Disruptive Startup the Smart WayLeadership, team building, sales frameworks, and operational discipline that separates the 1% from the rest.🔥 How to Build “Investor Magnetism”Why network, narrative, and consistency determine your fundraising success.Whether you’re raising your first $500K or preparing for an 8-figure round, this episode gives you a real-world, no-fluff playbook from a leader who has coached thousands of founders across the country.If you’re building, raising, or scaling — this is a masterclass.➭ If you found this video valuable, give it a like.➭ If you know someone who needs to see it, share it.➭ Leave a comment below with your thoughts.➭ Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. ★☆★ SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ★☆★• Click Here ➭ / @go4ceo ► SOCIAL MEDIA • Instagram ➭ / johnpandrade • / go4ceo • / go4-ceo-493310178 ► BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY:• Email ➭ john@go4ceo.comHi it's John, thanks for stopping by! This channel is a source for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs to access the best insights and strategies from the greatest minds in the business world. Hope you enjoy this video, find value in it, and most importantly take action from what you learn here! FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :)#businesstalk #businessownerinterview #ceointerviews