From Bakery to Boardroom | Kim Kleeman on Family Business, Leadership & Becoming a CEOWhat does it really take to grow from working inside a family business to becoming the leader responsible for its future?In this episode of the GO4CEO Podcast, I sit down with Kim Kleeman for a conversation about family, entrepreneurship, leadership, growth, and the evolution that comes with becoming a CEO. Kim’s story is rooted in business ownership, family dynamics, and the realities of helping lead a bakery business while also developing her own identity as an entrepreneur and executive. We talk about what happens when business and family intersect where relationships, responsibility, expectations, and growth all become connected.But this conversation goes well beyond the bakery. Kim shares what she learned about leadership as she took on greater responsibility, made difficult decisions, developed confidence, and stepped into the role of CEO.One of the biggest themes of our conversation is the transition from doing the work to leading the people doing the work. That transition is not always easy.Many entrepreneurs become successful because they are willing to work harder, solve problems faster, and personally carry enormous responsibility. But as a company grows, the role of the leader has to change.You can no longer be involved in everything.You have to build people.You have to create accountability.You have to communicate vision.And eventually, you have to trust others to execute.Kim and I also discuss the importance of being surrounded by other leaders and business owners who understand the pressures that come with sitting at the top of an organization. Leadership can become isolating, and having the right peer group, advisory network, or community can provide perspective that is difficult to find inside your own company.In this episode, we discuss:- Growing up around a family-owned business- The realities of working with family- What the bakery business taught Kim about entrepreneurship- Learning to separate family relationships from business decisions- Transitioning from operator to executive- Developing the confidence to become a CEO- How leadership changes as a company grows- Why founders eventually have to stop doing everything themselves- Delegation, accountability, and building stronger teams- The challenges of making difficult leadership decisions- Why entrepreneurship can feel lonely- The value of peer groups and outside perspectives- Learning when to pivot instead of simply working harder- Building a leadership identity separate from the business- Creating businesses and leaders that can grow beyond the founderThe Bigger Conversation, one of the most difficult transformations in business is not growing revenue. It is growing yourself. The person capable of launching or building a company is not always operating in the same way as the person required to lead that company at its next level. At some point, entrepreneurs have to ask:Am I still doing the work or am I actually leading the business?Kim’s journey highlights what happens when an entrepreneur begins making that transition.From the bakery floor to the boardroom.From solving every problem to developing other people.From being part of the business to becoming responsible for its direction.And ultimately, from entrepreneur to CEO.This is a great conversation for founders, family-business owners, CEOs, emerging executives, and anyone navigating the transition from operator to leader.➭ 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: ★☆★

Scaling Through Change II M&A & ERP || Leadership Change II Business Growth with Bryan BuckholderAs businesses grow, the systems and processes that once worked can quickly become outdated. Informal communication becomes harder. Decision making slows down. Teams become disconnected. Technology systems stop communicating effectively. Accountability becomes unclear.And eventually, leaders discover an important truth:The processes that got your company here may not be the processes that can take it to the next level.Bryan shares practical insights into the intersection of people, process, technology, leadership, and business execution, including the challenges organizations face during rapid growth, M&A integration, ERP implementations, leadership transitions, and operational transformation.The Bigger Business Growth QuestionEvery growing company eventually has to ask:Can our business actually support the growth we are trying to create?Revenue growth without operational maturity can create more complexity than value.Successful scaling requires more than increasing sales. Businesses need the right systems, processes, leadership structure, technology, communication, and accountability to support continued growth.This conversation is especially valuable for CEOs, founders, CFOs, COOs, entrepreneurs, business owners, and executive teams navigating growth, acquisitions, ERP implementation, organizational change, or operational transformation.About Bryan BurkholderBryan Burkholder is the Founder of Cadence Consultants, working with organizations navigating complex business transformation and change.In this conversation, Bryan explains the practical side of organizational growth what happens after the strategy meeting when leaders have to actually align teams, processes, technology, systems, and execution.If you're building a company, scaling an organization, integrating an acquisition, implementing new technology, or preparing your business for its next stage of growth, this episode offers practical insights worth considering.* Like this video if you found the conversation valuable.* Comment below: What operational challenge has your business experienced while growing?* Share this episode with a CEO, founder, entrepreneur, or executive who needs to hear it.* Subscribe to GO4CEO for more conversations with entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, and business leaders.* 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/* Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/go4ceo* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/go4-ceo-493310178/* BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY* Email - john@go4ceo.comHi, it's John! Thanks for stopping by. The GO4CEO channel is a resource for business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, and executives looking for valuable insights, strategies, and lessons from experienced business leaders.If you enjoy conversations about business growth, leadership, entrepreneurship, operational excellence, scaling companies, organizational transformation, and executive strategy, make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications.FTC Legal Disclaimer: Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a commission on qualifying purchases made through my links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the channel.

From Dreaming of becoming David Beckham to Building One of America's Newest Premier Soccer Clubs.In this episode of GO4CEO, we sit down with Kieran Howarth, founder of 7 United Soccer Club, for a conversation that goes far beyond youth soccer. It's a story about vision, leadership, entrepreneurship, and building an organization that develops people before pursuing trophies.Growing up in England, Kieran dreamed of following in the footsteps of one of football's greatest icons, David Beckham. Beckham's professionalism, leadership, and legendary number 7 jersey became a symbol of excellence that stayed with Kieran throughout his own playing and coaching journey. Today, that inspiration lives on through the name **7 United**, a club built on the belief that culture, character, and development create long-term success.We discuss:* Kieran's journey from footballer in England to entrepreneur in the United States* The influence David Beckham had on his life and coaching philosophy* Why the number **7** became the inspiration behind the club's identity* Building a personal brand before launching a business* The challenges and excitement of launching a second premier soccer club in the U.S.* Creating a player-first culture that families trust* Developing coaches, leaders, and young athletes together* Why long-term player development matters more than short-term wins* Building an organization rooted in values, consistency, and visionOne of the most inspiring parts of our conversation is how Kieran leveraged years of coaching, relationship building, and personal credibility to launch something much bigger than a soccer club. He shares why successful organizations aren't built overnight—they're built through trust, purpose, and a relentless commitment to serving the people who believe in your mission.Whether you're a coach, entrepreneur, CEO, parent, or leader building a team, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, culture, personal branding, and creating an organization that people are proud to be part of.Because great organizations don't just produce results.They build people, create communities, and leave a legacy that lasts far beyond the scoreboard.Subscribe to GO4CEO for more conversations with founders, CEOs, coaches, and leaders helping others build businesses, teams, and lives with purpose.#GO4CEO #Leadership #YouthSoccer #Entrepreneurship #DavidBeckham #Soccer #Football #PersonalBrand #Culture #PlayerDevelopment #Coaching #SportsLeadership #FounderStory #BusinessGrowth #7United #Naperville #Legacy #TeamBuilding➭ 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