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AI is changing the way businesses operate, but does that mean skilled people are becoming less important? Natalie Kaminski, Co-Founder and CEO of JetRockets, joins Carol Schultz to explain why she believes AI is a multiplier of human skills—not a replacement for them. In this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, Natalie shares how JetRockets uses AI to improve software development, increase efficiency, and deliver better results for clients. She discusses how one project experienced approximately 3.5x productivity growth and why experienced professionals still need to guide, review, and make decisions about AI-generated work. Carol and Natalie also explore how entrepreneurs can use AI to develop MVPs, test ideas, and validate business models before committing significant time and money. Natalie shares her experience scaling a remote-first company, maintaining profitability, building long-term client partnerships, and navigating the changing economics of software development. Beyond AI, Natalie reflects on the choices founders make when building a business—from bootstrapping versus raising venture capital to creating a company that supports a meaningful personal life. Drawing on her experience as a marathon runner, she explains why entrepreneurship is a long-distance journey that requires patience, consistency, and smart decisions. Topics Discussed: AI as a multiplier of human skillsThe continued importance of experienced engineersImproving productivity through AIUsing AI to build MVPs and validate business ideasSustainable growth and business profitabilityRemote-first teams and employee retentionBuilding trust and long-term client partnershipsBootstrapping versus venture capitalWork-life balance and lifestyle businessesLessons from marathon running and entrepreneurship About Natalie Kaminski Natalie Kaminski is the Co-Founder and CEO of JetRockets, a custom software development company that helps businesses build, maintain, and improve software products. Connect with Natalie Kaminski: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliekaminski/ Company: https://jetrockets.com/ About Your Host Carol Schultz is an organizational strategist, entrepreneur, and host of Evolving Your Workplace. She helps businesses build stronger organizations through better leadership, people strategy, and organizational structure. Connect with Carol Schultz: Website: https://verticalelevation.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingYourWorkplace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growgreatteams/ Listen to Evolving Your Workplace: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Interested in being a guest on the show? Email: [email protected] Subscribe and follow Evolving Your Workplace for more conversations about leadership, business growth, workplace culture, and building better organizations.

What does Gen Z really want from the workplace—and why are traditional leadership approaches struggling to meet their expectations? In this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, host Carol Schultz sits down with Alice Sherman, CEO of HVS Executive Search, to discuss how organizations can attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent. Alice's career journey is a story of growth from the ground up. After starting in hospitality operations, she joined HVS Executive Search and worked her way through the organization, identifying opportunities to improve recruiter training, developing her leadership skills, and eventually stepping into the CEO role. Drawing on her experience in executive recruiting and leadership, Alice explains why employers need to rethink how they manage Gen Z. Rather than lowering standards, organizations need to understand what good leadership looks like today—and create workplaces where people can contribute ideas, exercise judgment, collaborate, and feel connected to their work. Carol and Alice also discuss succession planning, the importance of developing future leaders internally, and why executive recruiting should be about more than filling an open position. They explore how ethical recruiting, strong relationships, and a thoughtful candidate experience benefit both organizations and the people they hire. In this episode, you'll discover: What Gen Z wants at work: Why collaboration, creative thinking, judgment, and meaningful relationships matter to younger employees.Why traditional leadership needs to evolve: How workplaces built around obedience can fail to develop the skills organizations need today.The importance of training: Why companies must establish structured training processes instead of expecting new employees to figure everything out on their own.How to attract and retain Gen Z talent: Why salary transparency, benefits, work-life balance, empathy, and open communication matter.Succession planning that works: How thoughtful leadership transitions prepare organizations for the future and help emerging leaders succeed.Growing into a CEO role: Alice's journey from an entry-level position to leading HVS Executive Search—and the value of learning from experienced mentors.Why recruiting should be relationship-driven: How ethical hiring and a positive candidate experience build trust with both clients and candidates.The problems with poor recruiting practices: How sending unsuitable candidates and creating a frustrating interview process can damage relationships and waste valuable time.The power of authentic leadership: Why warmth, curiosity, transparency, and genuine human connection can make a difference in business.Building a workplace people want to join: How leaders can balance profitability with creating an organization employees are proud to represent. Whether you're a CEO, HR professional, recruiter, hiring manager, or business owner, this conversation offers practical insights into modern leadership, talent acquisition, succession planning, and building a workplace where different generations can thrive. The takeaway? You don't need to lower your standards to lead Gen Z effectively. You need to build a workplace that develops talent, values people, and reflects what good leadership should look like. About the guest: Alice ShermanAlice Sherman is the CEO of HVS Executive Search, the executive recruiting division of HVS, a global hospitality consulting platform. Her work focuses on executive recruiting, succession planning, organizational structure, and leadership advisory for the hospitality, restaurant, travel, and related industries. Connect with Alice: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicesherman5/Company: HVS Executive Search About the host: Carol SchultzCarol Schultz is an organizational strategist and the host of Evolving Your Workplace, where she speaks with experts and business leaders about leadership, workplace challenges, organizational structure, and business growth. Connect with Carol: Website: https://verticalelevation.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingYourWorkplaceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/growgreatteams/ Listen to Evolving Your WorkplaceSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Want to be a guest on the show? Email [email protected] with your information. Follow Evolving Your Workplace on your preferred podcast platform, and leave a rating or review to help more listeners discover the show.

What does it really take to build a successful business while raising a family? And how do you keep pursuing your ambitions without losing sight of your own well-being? In this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, Carol Schultz sits down with Nicole Centeno, founder of Splendid Spoon, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and leading a growing company while navigating the demands of family life. Nicole founded Splendid Spoon around two things she loves: the science of food and the pleasure of eating. Inspired by her own experience of becoming a mother while working full-time, she saw an opportunity to make nourishing, enjoyable food more convenient for busy people. But building a business is about much more than having a great idea. Nicole opens up about the challenges of growing a company alongside raising children, making difficult personal decisions, taking risks, and learning to become comfortable with uncertainty. She also shares practical lessons on prioritization, protecting focused work time, and recognizing that not every business challenge is an emergency. The conversation explores the additional pressures women often face as founders and leaders, including cultural expectations around motherhood, the fear of taking risks, and the importance of trusting yourself—even when the path forward is uncomfortable. In this episode, you'll discover: The inspiration behind Splendid Spoon: How Nicole combined food science, culinary passion, and a personal need for convenient nourishment to build her business.Motherhood and entrepreneurship: What it's like to grow a company while raising children and managing competing priorities.Why self-care matters: How taking care of yourself can help you show up more effectively for your family and your business.Making better decisions under pressure: Why stepping back from a perceived crisis can help founders think more clearly.The power of focused work: Nicole's approach to mandatory deep work and protecting at least three uninterrupted hours for important tasks.Getting comfortable with discomfort: Why risk tolerance, learning from mistakes, and embracing uncertainty are essential parts of entrepreneurship.The challenges women face in leadership: How cultural expectations and unequal support can affect women's ambitions and entrepreneurial journeys.Trusting yourself: Why staying true to your values can help you navigate difficult personal and professional decisions. Whether you're a founder, business leader, working parent, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation offers an honest look at the personal side of building a business—and a reminder that success doesn't require you to ignore your own needs. About Nicole Centeno Nicole Centeno is the founder of Splendid Spoon, a food company built around making nourishing and enjoyable meals more convenient for busy people. Her entrepreneurial journey brings together her interests in food science, culinary creativity, and helping people make more thoughtful choices about what they eat. Connect with Guest Nicole Centeno: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolecenteno/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niccentCompany: Splendid Spoon — https://www.splendidspoon.com/ Connect With Host Carol Schultz: Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Subscribe to Evolving Your Workplace for more conversations with business leaders and entrepreneurs about building stronger companies and creating healthier workplaces. #NicoleCenteno #SplendidSpoon #EvolvingYourWorkplace

Most brands are trying to persuade people instead of understanding what actually makes them care. Kevin Perlmutter shows why the real competitive advantage is emotional insight—and how the brands that win are designed around how people want to feel. Carol Schultz sits down with Kevin, founder and chief brand strategist at Limbic Brand Evolution and author of Brand Desire, to unpack why traditional brand strategy often misses the mark. Kevin explains how his work in neuroscience and behavioral science reshaped the way he thinks about customer motivation, loyalty, and messaging—and why survey-based research and old-school “proof points” can keep companies stuck in their own assumptions. You’ll discover: Why emotion, not logic, is the biggest driver of brand loyaltyHow implicit association testing reveals subconscious responses that traditional surveys missThe difference between smart emotional marketing and manipulationWhy brand strategy must be built from customer insight, not internal opinionHow to create a brand idea that acts as a benefit and invitation, not an “about us” statement Kevin shares the story of helping the ATT Performing Arts Center shift from “staging the amazing” to “yours to discover,” a simple change that opened the door to a broader audience and still guides the organization today. He also breaks down how B2B brands can shorten the sales cycle by speaking to human motivations, not just business features. This conversation also tackles the bigger picture: why brand strategy and business strategy need to work together, why product quality still matters, and why the best positioning comes from what your customers already feel, say, and return for. If you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or leader trying to attract the right customers without sounding generic, manipulative, or forgettable, this episode gives you a sharper way to think about brand strategy—and a better way to build something people actually want. Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Connect With Guest Kevin Perlmutter Find out more about Kevin at Limbic Brand Evolution and LinkedIn, and find his book Brand Desire Want to be our next guest? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up to date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating to let us know what you thought!

What if the fastest way to grow your business was to build tools for your own team first? Carol Schultz sits down with Socrates Bueno, founder and CEO of CVG Construction Management, to reveal how he turned an internal operational need into a lean, scalable business model that serves clients across the U.S. and Latin America. Socrates shares how CVG evolved from a traditional construction management firm into a company that also develops industry-specific software and AI tools, including IPM and MediaLounge. Those tools were born inside the business to solve real problems, then refined over years of live projects until they became a differentiator for other firms and developers. You'll discover:Why CVG pre-qualifies contractors before bidding, and how that protects quality as well as costThe real reason 95% of their business comes from referralsHow his team uses transparency, accountability, and real-time communication to build client trustWhy he believes companies should create leaders, not just manage employeesHow a remote-first, results-based culture survived COVID and became a competitive advantage Carol and Socrates also unpack the difference between wanting growth and being committed to it, the risks of finger-pointing in complex projects, and why the best client relationships are built when the owner feels like a true partner, not just a customer. This conversation is especially valuable if you're leading a service business, managing complex projects, or trying to scale without losing trust, culture, or control. If you want a practical look at how operational discipline, honest communication, and leadership development drive long-term growth, this one is worth your time. Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Connect with Guest Socrates Bueno Find out more about our guest Socrates Bueno and his company at CVG Construction Management and LinkedIn Want to be our next guest? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up to date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating, letting us know what you thought!

"AI isn't replacing human connection — it's making it more valuable than ever.", Morana Mizrahi In this episode, Morana Mizrahi, co-founder and COO of Rebillia Platform, shares insights on how AI is transforming business operations, strengthening leadership authenticity, and fostering better client relationships. This conversation explores why the most successful leaders in the AI era won't be the ones who automate everything, but the ones who lead with authenticity, build real relationships, and use AI to create more time for what matters most. Discover practical tips for leveraging AI to boost productivity and maintain genuine connections. We discussed: ◼ Why AI should free people to build stronger relationships — not replace them ◼ How authentic leadership is becoming the biggest competitive advantage in business ◼ Why the future belongs to leaders who manage AI instead of letting AI manage them ◼ How automation helped a startup grow without laying off a single employee ◼ Why being more human—not more corporate—is the key to thriving in the AI era 🎧 Find us Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4?si=b0eab40cecc343e3 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up to date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating, letting us know what you thought! Connect with Morana Mizrahi Find out more information about Morana and her company on LinkedIn and Rebillia Platform

In this week's episode of Throwback Thursday we revisit my conversations with Jimmy Rayford. The episode got so much great feedback that we thought it was necessary to revisit it. "People don't check their personal lives at the door—and pretending they do just makes it show up somewhere else." – Jimmy Rayford In this week's episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Jimmy Rayford, CEO of Dealers Wholesale, to challenge the old-school belief that "work is work, personal is personal"—and to share the tried-and-true technique leaders can use to build real connection with their teams. Jimmy explains why suppressing what's happening in people's lives doesn't make it disappear—it just resurfaces in the work—and why the single most powerful move a leader can make is to model the openness they want to see. They dig into how simple rituals like "share something good" check-ins and Personal Growth Mondays turn ordinary meetings into genuine connection, why Jimmy embraced the role of "Chief Reassurance Officer" during COVID, and how a leader can build a culture of care without forcing anyone to overshare. The episode closes with candid talk on empowering your team, avoiding the founder-CEO bottleneck, and knowing when to give someone "enough rope"—plus Jimmy's parting advice on finding the environment that brings out your best work. Takeaways 1. "Work is work, personal is personal" is outdated—people bring their whole selves to work whether leaders acknowledge it or not. 2. You can't ask employees to be open and transparent while everything about you stays closed—modeling comes first. 3. The most effective connection technique is simple: model the behavior you want to drive. 4. Small, consistent rituals (like weekly "good news" shares) build deep familiarity over time. 5. Personal Growth Mondays and deep-question prompts create space for real vulnerability—voluntarily. 6. Timing matters: expect early adopters, late adopters, and never-adopters, and focus on whoever shows up. 7. Vulnerability from a leader creates a "permission structure" for the whole organization. 8. Smaller companies offer outsized impact—your decisions actually matter and you can see the results. 9. Founder and CEO leaders risk becoming the bottleneck by involving themselves where they're not needed. 10. Give people "enough rope"—but calibrate how much based on their track record and the stakes of the decision. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Why "work is work, personal is personal" couldn't be further from the truth 00:51 What Dealers Wholesale does & Jimmy's role as CEO 02:38 Why the smallest company he's worked for became the best chapter of his career 04:11 The hidden cost of bureaucracy and office politics in large organizations 05:30 The former CEO who stayed on—and a 38-year lesson in humility and loyalty 07:48 The death of the "company guy" and why companies aren't loyal anymore 09:58 How getting older changed Jimmy's view on bringing your whole self to work 11:24 Becoming "Chief Reassurance Officer" during COVID 13:53 The tried-and-true technique: model the behavior you want to see 14:53 Vulnerability in action: why leading through emotion builds trust 21:19 "Share something good": how small check-ins build connection over time 21:47 Personal Growth Mondays & the 365-question ritual 22:46 Timing, adopters, and focusing on who shows up 24:40 Why shared vulnerability makes leaders more open and sensitive 30:58 Building a leadership team empowered to call you out 31:27 Avoiding the founder-CEO bottleneck 32:47 Giving people "enough rope" and situational leadership 33:56 The one thing Jimmy would solve to unlock business growth 35:58 Final thoughts: take a true inventory of what really matters to you Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

Summer break just won't quit, so here's another edition of Throwback Thursday with one of Carol's favorite Venture Capitalists and a hell of a good guy. If you’re curious about the process of venture capital (VC) funding or looking to get funding, this episode is for you. Host Carol Schultz sits down with Seth Levine of the prestigious VC firm Foundry. Whether you're an eager founder, a startup dreamer, or just VC-curious, Seth cuts through the noise, sharing hard-won insights on when to actually seek funding, why VC money might not be as glamorous as you think, how to successfully pitch investors, and what sets standout founders apart. Carol and Seth also dig into the toughest founder challenges, from when to bootstrap versus raise capital, to smart hiring as you grow. Packed with practical advice, stories from the trenches, and candid wisdom about navigating the funding world, this episode will help you avoid the common pitfalls and make smarter choices for your company’s future. Tune in for a straight-talking look inside the journey to funding a business. Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

It's vacation time for us, so here's another Throwback Thursday. For leaders seeking guidance on building a winning culture, this one is for you. In this conversation Carol Schultz speaks with Jason Andrews, multiple time founder, expert in space travel, and the current Cofounder & CEO of Orbite. Carol and Jason discuss the intricacies of building a company that retains talent and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They also explore the importance of company culture, effective marketing strategies, and the financial aspects of running a startup. Jason shares insights from his journey with Orbite, emphasizing the need for vision, adaptability, and the right team to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. This is an episode you won't want to miss. Takeaways Creating a company that people don't want to leave is essential for success.Building a strong team and company culture is crucial for retention.Every entrepreneur faces challenges, and adaptability is key.Funding strategies can vary; organic growth is often beneficial.The future of space travel is becoming more accessible to the public.Effective marketing and customer engagement are vital for growth.Understanding your ideal customer profile is essential for targeting.Vision and mission drive the company forward and inspire the team.Entrepreneurship requires a unique mindset and resilience.Learning from failures is part of the entrepreneurial journey. Chapters 00:00 Creating a Company People Don't Want to Leave 01:11 The Vision Behind Orbit and Human Spaceflight 03:18 The Challenges of Building a New Industry 06:21 Employee Retention in Startups 10:14 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur 12:47 Funding Strategies for Startups 17:15 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 19:20 Understanding Space Training Costs 22:08 The Adventure of Space Training 24:58 Overcoming Perceptions of Space Travel 28:07 Marketing Challenges in the Space Industry 30:25 Building a Mission-Driven Team 32:43 Navigating Growth and Resource Limitations 35:47 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 40:41 Navigating Space Experiences and Virtual Operations Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Find out more about our guest, Jason Andrews, and his company at Orbite Space, LinkedIn, and Instagram Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

We're on a much needed vacation as we typically are in August, so it's time for Throwback Thursday. Curious to learn more about Founder’s syndrome, or working for someone who may have it? This episode is for you. Host Carol Schultz teams up with social impact entrepreneur Sophia Shaw to dive deep into the tricky dynamics of founder syndrome. From understanding why founders struggle to let go, to practical strategies for succession planning and building a culture that supports new leadership, the conversation is packed with real-world stories and actionable advice for both founders and their teams. Whether you’re just starting your business or looking for ways to future-proof your organization, you won’t want to miss these insights on evolving—without losing what makes your company unique. Hit play and start evolving your workplace today. Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

One in four employees is seriously mentally distressed — and it's rarely about the person; it's about the workplace itself! This conversation dives into why workplace mental health is quietly collapsing, the hidden cost of untrained managers, and the simple systems — from tracked airtime to two-minute check-ins — that can turn a toxic culture around. We discussed: ◼ Why depression rates tripled during the pandemic and never came back down ◼ How one Gallup number predicts 70% of your team's engagement ◼ The two simple questions that instantly rebuild trust with your team ◼ Why fixing individuals is solving for the completely wrong problem ◼ How one CEO's 30,000 handwritten notes turned a failing company around 🎙️ Host: Carol Schultz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ Vertical Elevation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertical-elevation/ 🎤 Guest: Laura Putnam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraputnam/ Motion Infusion: https://www.linkedin.com/company/various-schools-and-organizations/ 🎧 Find us YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingYourWorkplace Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4?si=b0eab40cecc343e3 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

A company with no staff, no payroll, and no traditional org chart — just AI models, subscriptions, and 300 hand-picked consultants! How a business scales with zero employees: AI-powered prospecting, brutal consultant vetting, deliberately thin 33% margins, virtual CIOs delivering 400% ROI, and why vendors are keeping the AI savings their clients deserve. We discussed: ◼ Why a firm deliberately keeps just 33% margin while competitors keep 60% ◼ How interviewing 800 consultants during COVID built a 300-person network ◼ The single interview question that exposes technologists who can't think like executives ◼ Why fractional leadership commonly delivers 400% ROI in the mid-market ◼ The "AI dividend" your suppliers are banking as margin instead of passing to you 🎙️ Host: Carol Schultz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ Vertical Elevation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertical-elevation/ 🎤 Guest: Jeff Roberts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsjeff/ Innovation Vista: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovationvista/ 🎧 Find us YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingYourWorkplace Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72jbAC9Hk4P0EH9wxW1vy4?si=b0eab40cecc343e3 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolving-your-workplace/id1562180951 Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

"Businesses don't fail because of what they do. They fail because of everything else." – Michael Sakata In this week’s episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Michael Sakata, President & CEO of the Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association (MTBMA), to discuss how federal policy decisions are impacting small businesses, contractors, and transportation firms across the country. The conversation centers on recent changes to disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) programs, the uncertainty created by shifting regulations, and what business owners can do when the rules suddenly change. Michael explains how the removal of race-based criteria from DBE certification has created new questions for businesses that have relied on these programs for decades. Rather than focusing on politics, the discussion explores the practical realities facing contractors, engineers, and small business owners as they navigate evolving requirements, funding concerns, and changing government priorities. Carol and Michael also dive into the role of relationships in business success, why networking matters more than ever, and how organizations can remain resilient during periods of uncertainty. The episode closes with lessons on leadership, communication, membership growth, and the importance of staying engaged with industry associations and policymakers. Michael shares how MTBMA has more than doubled its membership under his leadership and why consistent communication remains one of the most important drivers of retention and long-term success. TakeawaysFederal policy changes can create significant uncertainty for small businesses.Changes to DBE certification programs are forcing many companies to reassess their strategy.Business owners should focus on impact rather than politics when evaluating policy decisions.Strong relationships often matter more than formal programs or certifications.Companies that stay engaged with industry groups are better positioned to adapt to change.Infrastructure remains one of the few areas that continues to receive bipartisan support.Consistency and predictability are critical for business growth and planning.Communication is one of the strongest drivers of member, customer, and employee retention.Successful organizations create value through networking, advocacy, and education.Leaders must focus on what they can control rather than reacting to every external change.Trade associations can give businesses a stronger collective voice with policymakers.Growth often comes from listening closely to members, customers, and stakeholders. Chapters00:00 Intro: How federal decisions impact everyday businesses 01:05 Michael Sakata's role and the mission of MTBMA 02:19 Changes to disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) programs 03:40 What the new certification landscape means for small businesses 05:10 Why uncertainty creates challenges for business owners 06:22 Relationship-building vs. government-supported opportunities 08:19 The original purpose of DBE programs and ongoing debates 10:30 Advice for businesses navigating regulatory changes 11:44 How disadvantaged business status has changed 13:38 Political perspectives and the impact on transportation businesses 15:04 Why businesses need consistency to thrive 17:35 What business owners can do when policies change 18:04 Infrastructure as a rare bipartisan issue 19:45 Michael's career journey into transportation advocacy 20:36 Legislative wins and improving transportation safety 22:14 Why trade associations can influence policy effectively 23:54 The secret behind a 96%+ membership retention rate 26:38 Creating value for members through networking and advocacy 30:28 Collaboration between transportation organizations across states 32:21 Managing change instead of being controlled by it 34:02 How MTBMA more than doubled its membership 36:10 Final thoughts and closing remarks Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

In this week's episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Beth Goff- McMillan, CEO of SKG and founder/CEO of FOLIO, to dig into how office design has completely transformed since COVID—and why most companies are stuck in what Beth calls a "vortex of confusion" about what their workspace should even be. Beth shares 30 years of industry insight on the shift from rigid cubicle layouts to fully open offices to today's hybrid chaos, and explains why the real question leaders need to ask isn't "what furniture do we buy" but "why do we even need an office." They get into what makes employees actually want to come back in (hint: it's not ping pong tables), the most expensive and most overlooked design mistakes companies make, and how a simple employee survey can save a business tens of thousands of dollars. The episode wraps with a look at FOLIO, the tech platform Beth built to drag a notoriously slow-moving industry into the SaaS era. Takeaways Most leaders are stuck on "what" to put in their office instead of asking "why" they need an office at all.Return-to-office policies alone don't drive engagement or productivity—you need clear KPIs tied to purpose.Employee surveys (before AND after a redesign) can prevent massively expensive, unused investments.Noise and acoustics should be the #1 design priority post-COVID—people need more visual/sound barriers, not fewer.Gimmicks like ping pong and shuffleboard tables rarely get used and often signal a lack of real design intent.Storage and file cabinets are some of the most expensive—and most unnecessary—line items in office design."Resi-mercial" design (home-like textures, plants, varied seating) makes employees feel more connected and productive.Large conference rooms often go underused—flexible lounge spaces can replace them entirely.Workplace design decisions involve far more stakeholders than people expect: C-suite, facilities, HR, IT, and legal.The furniture/design industry is still behind on technology—and AI-driven tools are starting to close that gap. Chapters 00:00 Intro: How office spaces have transformed since COVID 01:49 What SKG actually does (workplace strategy, design, furniture procurement) 03:10 30 years of office evolution: from Dilbert cubicles to fully open floors 05:33 The "vortex of confusion"—why nobody has a playbook anymore 07:07 Shifting the conversation from "what" to "why" 09:24 Three things every workspace needs to succeed post-COVID 11:29 "I wanted to earn their commute"—how design changed employee behavior 12:48 Why noise and acoustics should be priority #1 14:21 Dress codes, client expectations, and reading the room 16:17 Two things to leave out of your office (gimmicks & excess storage) 18:41 Bringing "resi-mercial" design into the workplace 23:11 Who SKG actually meets with—from CEOs to facilities to legal 25:19 The survey that saved a client from a costly coffee bar mistake 28:21 Redesigning SKG's own HQ: what worked and what didn't 33:04 The privacy/acoustics fail—and how they fixed it 36:47 Why Beth joined SKG and what keeps her there 11 years later 39:03 Folio: building the first SaaS tool for the furniture dealership industry 43:11 Current bottlenecks: training talent in a fast-changing industry 45:00 Final thoughts Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

“Lead yourself before you lead others.” – Jane Monroe In this week’s episode, Carol Schultz sits down with Jane Monroe, founder of Embrace the Grape Beverage Catering, to explore one of the most overlooked leadership skills: self-awareness. What started as a conversation about leadership quickly became a masterclass on blind spots, delegation, personal growth, and building teams that can lead themselves. Jane shares the unexpected story of how a bride’s wedding problem led her to launch a completely new business during the 2008 financial crisis. From there, she introduces her framework for leadership cohesion, breaking down the four versions of ourselves—the known self, blind self, hidden self, and mystery self—and explains how understanding each one can transform the way we lead. Carol and Jane discuss why many leaders struggle with control, how delegation creates stronger organizations, and why hiring people who compensate for your weaknesses is a competitive advantage. They also dive into trust, employee empowerment, succession planning, and the importance of balancing logic with intuition to become a more whole-brained leader. The episode closes with practical lessons for leaders looking to build high-performing teams, uncover their blind spots, and create workplaces where accountability starts from within. Takeaways • Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership. • Blind spots can limit growth until someone helps uncover them. • Great leaders learn to lead themselves before leading others. • Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. • Delegation allows leaders to focus on their strengths. • Hiring for your weaknesses creates stronger teams. • Employees perform better when given ownership instead of micromanagement. • Different perspectives often produce better outcomes than one leader working alone. • Strong cultures are built on trust, communication, and accountability. • Encouraging employees to “manage up” creates healthier organizations. • Leadership exists at every level—not just in management positions. • Balancing emotional intelligence with logical thinking leads to better decisions. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Why self-awareness separates great leaders from everyone else 01:11 Meet Jane Monroe & the story behind Embrace the Grape 02:19 The bride who accidentally created a business opportunity 04:29 Turning blind spots into entrepreneurial breakthroughs 07:01 The four selves: known, blind, hidden, and mystery 09:37 Why growth requires getting comfortable being uncomfortable 11:54 Leading yourself before leading others 13:51 A powerful framework for humility and leadership 15:58 Learning to let go: delegation and control 17:03 Hiring for your weaknesses instead of your strengths 18:13 Diversity of thought and avoiding groupthink 19:15 How delegation unlocks team growth 20:05 Empowering employees through trust and ownership 21:41 Giving people opportunities to exceed expectations 22:41 When employees redesign your plans for the better 23:09 Managing up: why leaders need feedback too 24:05 Building a culture of accountability with part-time teams 25:38 Hiring experienced professionals and maintaining low turnover 26:39 Supporting employees through major life transitions 27:35 Succession planning when family doesn't want the business 29:12 Whole-brain leadership: balancing emotion and logic 31:38 Final thoughts & closing remarks Connect With Host Carol Schultz Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Want to be our next guest expert? Email [email protected] with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!