The Scaling UP Podcast

Hosted by John Yankanich, Chad Kessler, Yong Kim, John Reed

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Latest episode

Mar 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Scaling a business is tough — why figure it out the hard way when you can learn from someone who’s been there? We bring on top business leaders to share real stories of what has worked...and hasn’t. This is real talk with actionable insights from people who want to help you grow smarter and faster. If you’re serious about scaling your business, this is the show you can’t afford to miss.

Listen to episodes

19 recent

March 13, 2025Episode 1920 min

Using Purpose-Driven Process To Make Scaling Fun Again with Chad Kessler and Jennifer Cresswell

Are you spending more time putting out fires in your business than planning for its future? In this episode, Chad Kessler is joined by Jennifer Cresswell, founder of ThoughtGrow, to explore how uncovering the 'WHY' behind the right processes can turn chaos into clarity. Jennifer shares her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship and reveals the transformative power of “processes with purpose.” With insights ranging from the Henry Ford assembly line to modern-day CRM systems, this episode will help you avoid stifling innovation and unlock sustainable growth. And maybe even more importantly, make scaling your business fun again. Jennifer Cresswell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cresswell-2a39892b/To visit with Chad about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-chad-kessler

February 26, 2025Episode 1836 min

Stop Delegating, Start Empowering for Leadership That Scales with Chad Kessler and Dr. Bryan Deptula

Leaders aren’t born—they’re made. And with today's workplace being reshaped by and AI and the pandemic, leaders must now RE-learn how to lead. In this episode, Chad Kessler sits down with Dr. Bryan Deptula—author, speaker, and leadership consultant—to explore the art and science of leadership. Drawing from neuroscience-based leadership development and his proven M.U.S.C.L.E. framework, Bryan shares actionable strategies to empower your team, navigate crises, and grow as a leader. With compelling stories—including a life-changing moment of leadership wisdom inspired by a toddler’s perspective—this episode is packed with high-reward, low-risk insights to help you scale your business and build your "leader muscle." If you're leading a business and want to scale it up, this episode is a must. To visit with Chad about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-chad-kessler

December 2, 2024Episode 1731 min

How Exhausted Leaders Limit Business Growth with Chad Kessler and Melissa Carson

When leaders neglect their endurance, it’s not just their work that suffers—everything around them does. Including their ability to scale up. In this episode Chad Kessler chats with endurance leadership specialist Melissa Carson to explore how leaders can manage their energy to avoid burnout, build resilient teams, and keep their organizations thriving. Melissa shares her unique perspective from HR and endurance athletics, offering insights on maintaining momentum in the workplace and in life, so leaders don't just go the distance—they bring others with them. To visit with Chad about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-chad-kessler

November 11, 2024Episode 1633 min

Streamlining Operations For Explosive Growth with Yong Kim and Erica Quigley

You'll never scale up...if your operations aren't in order. If you feel like your growth is two steps forward, then one step back, this episode is for you. Today Yong Kim sits down with Erica Quigley, CEO of Poka-Yoke Solutions and a business operations expert, to explore what it takes to streamline your business operations so you can scale up. Erica shares essential strategies to prioritize strategic initiatives amid daily demands, how AI can transform communication, and boosting workflow efficiency. To visit with Yong about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://korestrategiesllc.com/

November 4, 2024Episode 1530 min

Driving Profit by Turning Silos Into Synergies with John Reed, Rich McLaughlin and Martin Cunningham

How can breaking down silos between sales, operations, and finance drive profits and scale your business? In this episode of Scaling Up, host John Reed, a Fractional Chief Revenue Officer, is joined by Rich McLaughlin, an EOS Implementor, and Martin Cunningham, a Fractional CFO, to explore the transformative power of cross-department collaboration. Together, they share their experiences on aligning teams, improving communication, and incentivizing sales to boost profitability. From overcoming organizational tension to harmonizing sales strategies with operational capabilities, this conversation is packed with insights on how turning silos into synergies can lead to sustainable growth and success. To visit with John about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-john-reed

October 14, 2024Episode 1440 min

CRO Summit: Overcoming Common Roadblocks To Scaling

Your journey to scaling up is unique, but the challenges you face are not. That's why today's episode is so impacting. We've gathered four Fractional Chief Revenue Officers to reveal the common roadblocks every business faces on the path to growth—and, more importantly, how to overcome them. Whether you're struggling with sales strategies, team dynamics, or processes, these experts have been through it all and are here to share the proven strategies that actually work. Tune in for real-world stories and insights that will help you navigate the complexities of scaling up with confidence and clarity. To visit with the Scaling Up hosts about being on the show or learn more about what they do as Fractional Chief Revenue Officers please visit: https://www.thescalinguppodcast.com/p/meet-your-hosts/

September 30, 2024Episode 1338 min

Using HR To Drive Sales Success with John Reed and Amy Ferguson

Are your HR and Sales Departments talking? If not, you're in trouble. In this episode, we explore the crucial intersection of HR and Sales, showing how streamlining these two areas can unlock major growth. My guest today is Amy Ferguson, an expert in human capital management and payroll systems. Together we share insights on the hidden challenges of scaling a business and why integrating HR and Sales systems is key—not just for compliance, but for retaining talent and ensuring smooth operations. Don’t miss this conversation full of actionable strategies for business owners looking to grow efficiently. To visit with John about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-john-reed

September 23, 2024Episode 1233 min

Why Pricing By Cost Lowers Your Profit with Chad Kessler and Todd Snelgrove

You're making less profit than you should. Why? Because you're pricing by cost instead of value. My guest today is Todd Snelgrove, a global expert in pricing with over 20 years in helping businesses of all sizes capture the value they bring to their customers. As an author of the best seller, 'Value First, Then Price' Todd has helped companies of all sizes, from startups to multi -billion dollar corporations, maximize profitability through their pricing. To visit with Chad about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-chad-kessler

September 16, 202447 min

Avoiding Disaster as You Scale – Cybersecurity Done Right with Yong Kim and Tony Chiappetta

Scaling up your business can come to a screeching halt when faced with a cybersecurity issue. Unfortunately, many companies never fully recover from the loss of funds, reputation, and growth. In this episode, we welcome Tony Chiappetta, president of CHIPS and a cybersecurity expert who has successfully re-engineered a solution originally designed for the U.S. federal government, now making a global impact on small and medium-sized businesses. Join us as Tony shares practical strategies and real-world examples that every business leader needs to know to safeguard their organization's future while scaling up. To visit with Yong about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-yong-kim

September 9, 2024Episode 1044 min

Using Video to Differentiate and Scale Your Company with John Yankanich and Mike Perlow

Corporate video can be a powerful tool for scaling your business—but how? In this episode, John Yankanich is joined by Mike Perlow, a former TV sportscaster turned video production entrepreneur. Mike shares his journey of growing Perlow Productions from the ground up, offering valuable lessons learned along the way. He provides behind-the-scenes insights into uncovering the "why" behind your video content, turning it into a strategic asset for attracting new customers and standing out from the competition as your business scales. To visit with John about being on the show or learn more about what he does as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer please visit: https://contact.thescalinguppodcast.com/contact-john-yankanich