In this episode, Mats Karlsson shares his journey from starting in stage lighting to developing innovative power distribution systems, navigating supply chain challenges, and the importance of brand and relationships in the entertainment tech industry. His experience highlights how resilience and strategic pivots can propel growth even during turbulent times and how any business in a small market can grow

Key Topics

• Mats’s transition from music to stage lighting and product development
• The evolution of stage lighting technology and industry pioneers
• Lessons learned from past ventures, including successes and failures
• How COVID-19 reshaped business strategies and supply chain management
• The role of branding, quality, and personal reputation in a niche industry
• Future opportunities in LED, theatrical, and virtual production markets
• The impact of global markets, regulatory environments, and technological innovation
• Practical advice for startups: market fit, patience, and building strong distributor relationships
• Leaders’ personal growth: shifting from operational to strategic focus

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Mats and his diverse industry background

02:14 - The development of innovative discharge lamps and product successes

04:33 - Experiences negotiating with giants like PRG and lessons learned

06:28 - How industry pioneers like Rusty Bruchet shaped the lighting industry

07:44 - The transition from traditional to LED and the rise of new markets

11:09 - Launching Station Marts: From basement projects to international sales

14:17 - Navigating post-COVID challenges and decision-making in turbulent times

16:29 - The importance of understanding electrical systems globally

19:24 - How power distribution is vital for LED and video in modern productions

21:35 - Opportunities and challenges in North American and global markets

23:28 - The resilience built during COVID and strategic pivots in product offerings

30:38 - The significance of branding, appearance, and professionalism in industry reputation

32:39 - Future trends: virtual studios, AI, and technological advancements in the industry

37:30 - The importance of face-to-face relationships and industry networking

40:50 - Personal growth and leadership evolution over a decade

44:01 - The importance of communication, respect, and reputation in leadership

48:45 - Core lessons: quality, patience, and the value of strong distributor networks

54:49 - Industry professionalism and the importance of branding and presentation

58:10 - Reflection: What Mats would do differently if starting today

59:34 - Final insights: market understanding, persistence, and the power of relationships

Resources & Links:

• Stage Smarts Power Distribution

Connect with Mats Karlsson:

• LinkedIn

Want to listen to a similar episode - check out Sam Tamplins Episode here!

The journey of Stage Smarts exemplifies how innovative thinking, strategic branding, and relationship-building can build a resilient global enterprise in the entertainment industry.

In this episode of the Business Takeaway podcast, Erin Teter, a seasoned fractional CHRO, shares invaluable insights on how HR can be a strategic partner in scaling and managing modern businesses, guiding and helping leadership especially in the era of remote work and rapid growth. Her experience across private equity, tech, and startups offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of HR's role beyond compliance to true business impact.

Key topics:

• How HR is often misunderstood as merely enforcement, versus a strategic growth partner
• Recognizing early signs when HR or management cracks begin to form during scaling
• The importance of proactive talent management, including behavioral interviewing and scorecards
• Managing HR challenges unique to smaller vs. larger organizations
• The impact of remote and hybrid work on internal communications and culture
• The evolving role of AI in HR processes and decision-making
• Practical steps for founders and leaders to address urgent people issues
• Cultivating a purpose-driven workforce without necessarily promoting everyone into management roles

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Erin Teter and her HR journey

02:20 - Common misconceptions about HR roles in business

04:15 - Strategic HR and its influence on business growth

06:42 - Signs of HR and management issues during rapid scaling

08:54 - The significance of internal communication and culture

11:00 - When and how HR policies should be implemented in small startups

13:37 - Structuring compensation and compliance considerations at scale

15:50 - Management cracks that appear as businesses grow

17:23 - Handling career plateauing and strengths-based development

20:07 - The biggest hiring mistakes in today’s competitive environment

22:40 - Using behavioral questions and scorecards effectively

25:21 - Managing wrong hires and quick termination strategies

28:35 - Hiring differences in private equity-backed versus small startups

32:33 - The changing landscape of job loyalty and retention

35:45 - Providing growth and challenge in startup environments

38:02 - HR’s role in remote and hybrid team management

41:23 - Building emotional connections in dispersed teams

44:51 - Recognizing and acting on HR blind spots

47:17 - HR’s balancing act: protecting the business vs. supporting employees

50:12 - The influence of AI on HR functions and decision-making

54:45 - Initial steps for founders facing big people challenges

58:28 - Erin's one golden rule for business success: perseverance and resilience

Connect with Erin Teter:

• LinkedIn
• Company Website

This episode provides a compelling look at why HR is a pivotal element not just for compliance, but for defining company culture, scaling successfully, and building resilient teams in the modern era. Whether you're in small startups or large scale-ups, Erin’s insights challenge traditional views and equip leaders to think differently about their people strategies.

In this episode, we explore how principles from professional sports, especially baseball, can transform business culture and individual mindset. Joshua Lifrak shares insights from his decades of experience in sport psychology, illustrating how mental resilience, defining organisational identity, strong leadership skills, leadership development and daily habits can lead to consistent success.

Key Topics:

• The evolution of mental skills training in sports over the past 20 years
• How defining organisational identity (like "champion first") shapes team culture
• The importance of relationship-building before implementing change
• Practical strategies for resetting mindset after setbacks (“Miles Zero”)
• The six-step daily process to build resilience and focus
• The power of marginal gains—small, consistent improvements
• Translating athletic mental training to corporate performance
• How high-pressure environments foster key traits like belief, determination, and positivity
• The value of over-communication and role clarity in team performance
• Techniques for managing emotions and maintaining consistency in challenging days

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introducing lessons from baseball to business leadership

02:17 - How sports psychology evolved over the last 20 years

03:58 - From sociology degree to mental training in sports

06:45 - Building relationships before implementing mental skills

09:25 - Defining your organization’s or team’s identity

12:05 - The opportunity of the World Series and human development

14:50 - Handling setbacks and maintaining resilience in sports

15:53 - Using "Mile Zero" to reset daily performance

18:38 - Belief and determination as key factors for winning teams

20:48 - Celebrating success and managing victory momentum

24:08 - Overcoming a curse: the mythical story of the Chicago Cubs

25:18 - Differences and similarities across sports cultures

28:05 - Applying sports resilience to business environments

29:50 - Six steps to resilience and thriving in chaos

33:30 - COVID as an accelerant for personal growth practices

37:46 - Marginal gains and continuous improvement strategies

41:36 - Critical elements for cultivating high-performance teams

43:33 - Clarity as a cornerstone of effective teamwork

44:17 - Managing emotional setbacks: stepping away and resetting

48:19 - Starting small: the power of setting daily intentions

49:33 - What does “Win Today” really mean?

53:12 - The mindset shift for meaningful, quick transformations

54:17 - How the podcast and book connect to everyday life

Resources & Links:

• Win Today by Joshua Lifrak — Available at Waterstones and other retailers
• Joshua Lifrak - Official Website

Connect with Joshua Lifrak:

• LinkedIn

In this episode, Tom Chapman shares his inspiring journey from a hairdresser to mental health advocate, highlighting how everyday conversations—especially in workplaces—can significantly impact mental well-being. Discover practical insights into fostering supportive environments, recognising early signs of struggle, and breaking down the stigma around mental health. This isn't about business strategy. This is about something that we should all be doing especially in the work place as part of the leadership of our businesses.

• Tom’s personal story of loss and turning it into action through the Lions Barber Collective
• The unique position of barbers and hairdressers as trusted social "confidants"
• The importance of early intervention and destigmatising mental health conversations
• Creating practical, non-clinical training programs for frontline community workers
• The value of informal settings like barbershops for men to open up
• The challenges and opportunities of workplace mental health initiatives
• The impact of cultural norms and societal perceptions on men's mental health
• How leadership visibility and storytelling can change organisational culture
• The significance of human touch and face-to-face interaction in mental wellness
• Practical advice for listeners on how to approach conversations about mental health
• Business advice how you can implement good work place practice

00:00 - Introduction: Tom Chapman’s journey from barbering to mental health advocate

02:20 - The moment that changed everything: learning about suicide and its ripple effects

05:07 - Founding Lions Barber Collective and the power of community connections

08:27 - Designing simple, impactful mental health training programs for diverse industries

11:09 - The unique conversational space of barbershops and their significance for men

13:05 - The importance of early intervention and how to recognize signs of struggle

15:28 - Moving beyond traditional mental health support: alternative approaches and communities

17:36 - The challenge of stigma and cultural barriers around men's mental health

19:52 - The role of leadership and storytelling in shifting mental health perceptions

22:08 - Societal changes influencing mental health issues, loneliness, and the value of human connection

25:40 - The importance of physical touch and face-to-face interactions in a digital age

28:30 - How workplace environments can better foster open conversations and early support

36:26 - The impact of organizational culture and leadership in mental health initiatives

38:43 - Effectiveness of peer conversations vs formal support structures

40:38 - The reality of corporate mental health programs and unlocking true engagement

44:48 - Culture and societal norms: the influence of different global perspectives

46:43 - Practical tips for organizations to initiate meaningful mental health conversations

50:01 - Personal resilience: the significance of vulnerability, honesty, and community support

54:38 - The importance of perseverance and hope in mental health recovery

56:08 - Taking action one day at a time: maintaining resilience amid challenges

58:52 - Light-hearted closing: Tom’s favorite places and simple joys amidst life's struggles

Resources & Links:

• Hub of Hope - Mental Health Support Directory
• MyPickle.org - Community & Support Resources
• Tom Chapman - Lions Barber Collective
• Here to talk Training
• The Five Steps to Wellbeing

In this episode, Derek Fredrickson, founder and CEO of The CEO Solution, dives deep into the strategic role of fractional CEOs and COOs during scaling. Discover what traits to look for in leadership teams, how to overcome common scaling pitfalls, and the mindset shifts needed for sustainable growth. Derek provides true day to day Business advice, and the leadership challenges that go with that.

Main topics:

• The strategic function of fractional CEOs and COOs in scaling companies.
• Key traits and profiles of effective founders and operators.
• Overcoming resistance to change and implementing accountability structures.
• The importance of KPIs, metrics, and data-driven decision-making.
• How to transition from founder-led to team-led operational models.
• Recognising the signs of burnout and safeguarding leadership resilience.

In this episode:

• Derek shares his journey from operator to fractional CEO provider, helping companies reach multiple seven and eight figures.
• The significance of understanding and defining a company's North Star and growth objectives.
• Practical insights on assessing and realigning the leadership team for accountability.
• Strategies to shift leaders' mindsets from doing to leading and delegating.
• The common bottlenecks at different growth stages, especially past 10-20 million in revenue.
• Tips on fostering a culture of ownership and trust through KPIs and structured meetings.
• The mental models of risk-taking, stability, and the delicate balance of scaling.
• The vital role of financial literacy and opening financial data for strategic clarity.
• Practical frameworks for leadership, team, and operational alignment.

Timestamps:

00:00 - The role of fractional CEOs and COOs in scaling companies

02:12 - What to look for day one as a fractional CEO

03:38 - Defining the North Star and growth objectives

04:50 - Uncovering underlying business issues and resistance points

05:47 - Assessing founder involvement and operational gaps

06:50 - Common traits of high-growth entrepreneurs

07:13 - The differences between entrepreneurs and operational leaders

08:03 - Transforming founder mindset from doer to strategist

09:24 - Signs that the CEO is the bottleneck

10:49 - Profile of effective COO traits

11:30 - The yin and yang of CEO and COO profiles

12:27 - Risk appetite versus stabilization in leadership

13:25 - Cultivating execution without babysitting

14:50 - Building structured systems and SOPs for scaling

15:41 - Overcoming founders’ resistance to process change

17:00 - When full-time leadership replaces fractional support

18:30 - Success metrics for scaling and operational efficiency

19:30 - The importance of team buy-in during transformation

20:32 - How leadership teams benefit from accountability and KPIs

22:48 - Implementing effective team accountability frameworks

25:55 - Striking the right balance with KPIs and metrics

26:34 - The "smoke signals" that indicate health of the business

28:35 - The critical KPIs for CEO overview and departmental health

30:56 - Why financial literacy is pivotal for visionary CEOs

32:14 - Transitioning from doer to leader: mindset shifts

34:30 - Common pitfalls in switching from founder-led to team-led models

38:16 - Where the biggest scaling obstacles appear

39:08 - The right scale for fractional versus full-time operational support

41:16 - Recognizing when growth is not feasible

43:47 - One key focus area on day one for new clients

44:47 - Embracing accountability and process in leadership culture

48:48 - Opening financial data to empower leaders

52:37 - The paradox of CEO autonomy versus strategic oversight

56:25 - The value of adding a COO or fractional leader in alleviating burnout

58:02 - The indirect benefits of scaling: reclaiming time and reducing stress

59:30 - A quick look at Derek’s favorite tools and tips

59:37 - Rapid fire:

Resources & Links:

• The CEO Solution
• Derek Fredrickson - LinkedIn

In this episode, Brad Nelms, founder of TekX, shares his journey from a 20-year career in entertainment behind the scenes to launching his own consulting business. He discusses the real challenges and lessons learned along the way, including managing business operations, leadership challenges, adapting to industry shifts post-Covid, start up sales and leveraging technology like AI.

Main Topics Covered:

• Brad’s background in the entertainment industry and decision to start his own consulting firm
• The importance of infrastructure setup and setting realistic expectations for growth
• Navigating financial and legal complexities as a solo entrepreneur
• The impacts of Covid-19 on supply, demand, and industry practices
• Lessons learned from past corporate roles applied to his new business
• The role of AI and technology tools in small business operations
• Managing burnout and understanding the importance of work-life balance
• Building reputation and trust through consistent customer relationships
• Scaling challenges and strategic decisions on choosing software solutions
• Brad's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and maintaining a positive mindset

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Brad's background in entertainment and consulting

02:04 - What motivated Brad to become an entrepreneur

03:26 - Managing family life and transitioning from burnout

04:49 - Brad’s business model and his vision for flexibility

06:07 - Lessons from corporate roles about processes and infrastructure

07:01 - Challenges with payment processors and legal considerations

09:05 - Balancing work hours and discovering ADHD impacts

10:16 - How ADHD awareness has influenced Brad’s business practices

13:09 - The post-Covid challenges in entertainment and supply chain delays

14:59 - How industry shifts have affected supply and demand cycles

17:35 - Brad’s reflections on business success and revenue fluctuations

18:49 - Economic uncertainties and planning for volatility

23:36 - The impact of global crises on industry and personal safety

23:53 - Brad’s perspective on technology, AI, and data analysis

25:46 - The importance of scalable software solutions

36:39 - Advice on selecting the right tools for growth

40:16 - Mistakes Brad would avoid if starting over

42:21 - The effects of self-employment on quality of life

44:41 - Managing stress and the importance of support systems

45:00 - Brad’s advice for new business owners

47:25 - The value of reputation and networking

49:16 - The art of listening to customers and solving real problems

50:28 - Brad’s vision of success in five years

52:22 - Recognizing burnout and the importance of self-awareness

53:45 - Brad’s golden rule for success: reputation and time management

55:09 - Rapid-fire questions: preferences on tech, travel, lifestyle, and more

Resources & Links:

• TechX Consulting

Building a Lighting Business: 20 Years of Growth, Ceo insights, Leadership Skills, and business culture with Sam Tamplin

In this episode, Sam Tamplin shares insights from building TSL from a small lighting rental start-up to a nearly 100-employee company with international ambitions. Discover how strategic focus, investing in people and systems, and fostering a strong culture have driven his success over two decades.

Key topics:

• Sam's journey from van-based lighting to a global rental business
• The importance of consistency and focus in business growth
• The role of reinvestment and the economic flywheel model
• How leadership and management style evolve with company size
• Strategic decisions around technology, systems, and scaling operations
• Building a company culture based on character and values
• Lessons learned from rapid growth, contractions, and industry challenges
• Planning for the next decade: consolidation, international expansion, and innovation
• Practical tips for onboarding, risk management, and financial discipline
• Personal leadership principles: treating others well and long-term thinking

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and episode overview

02:00 - Sam's background and early career influences

05:20 - The importance of focus and specialization in long-term success

08:00 - The evolution of TSL and growth milestones

12:00 - Recognising the "business moment" and scaling challenges

16:00 - Delegation and offloading roles in a growing business

20:00 - Leadership changes as team size expands

25:00 - Financial discipline and reinvestment strategies

30:00 - Building systems: software, risk management, and operational tech

35:00 - Recruiting, culture, and managing people effectively

40:00 - Defining company values and embedding them into culture

45:00 - The impact of rebranding and visual identity evolution

50:00 - Balancing growth ambitions with consolidation and risk

55:00 - Industry challenges, learning from past projects, and strategic flexibility

60:00 - Planning for future growth: international markets and digital innovation

65:00 - Leadership lessons: managing scale, culture, and the importance of character

70:00 - Sam's personal golden rule and leadership philosophy

75:00 - Rapid fire: favourite tools, habits, and personal preferences

80:00 - Closing remarks and key takeaways

Resources & Links:

• TSL Website
• Jeff Bezos Flywheel Model

Want to listen to another episode about the entertainment industry? Listen to Matt Turners episode here

This episode offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs, managers, and industry professionals aiming to scale sustainably and cultivate a strong company culture.