The biggest breakthrough in your business may not come from your next idea. It may come from the other entrepreneurs you surround yourself with.

Building a successful business is about far more than selling a great product. It's about learning from setbacks, creating a strong company culture, and finding people who challenge you to become a better leader. In this episode, Jim Schleckser sits down with Nick Breedlove, founder and CEO of NVB Playgrounds, to discuss the lessons he's learned growing a niche business into a national company and why other entrepreneurs played a critical role in his growth.

By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Discover why building relationships with other entrepreneurs can help you avoid costly mistakes and accelerate your growth.
• Learn how strong company values create better teams, better decisions, and a healthier culture.
• Hear practical lessons on scaling a business, overcoming major setbacks, and letting go of the need to control everything yourself.

Listen now to hear Nick Breedlove's entrepreneurial journey and learn why surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs may be one of the smartest investments you can make as a business leader.

Check out:

22:15 | The Entrepreneurial Mistake That Cost $3 Million

Nick shares the painful story of a leadership breakdown that resulted in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit and explains how it completely changed the way he hires, builds culture, and manages his company.

28:30 | Why Values Matter More Than You Think

After years of rapid growth, Nick realized that company values aren't just words on a wall. He explains how clearly defined values became the foundation for building a stronger team and a healthier business.

32:45 | Why Every CEO Needs Other Entrepreneurs

One of the episode's biggest takeaways comes when Nick reflects on the importance of surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs. He explains how having peers who have faced similar challenges can help you avoid costly mistakes, make better decisions, and grow faster.

About Nicolas Breedlove

NIC BREEDLOVE is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of NVB Playgrounds, a company dedicated to creating safe, engaging, and inclusive play spaces that bring communities together. With over a decade of experience in the playground industry, Nic has revolutionized how schools, parks, and organizations approach play design by offering innovative solutions that combine creativity, safety, and durability. Under Nic's leadership,

NVB Playgrounds has become a trusted partner for clients across the country, helping them navigate the challenges of planning, budgeting, and building exceptional play areas. Nic is a sought-after speaker and storyteller who shares insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the power of play. When he's not leading his team, Nic enjoys exploring the outdoors, creating impactful content, and connecting with audiences to inspire growth and innovation

What allows some CFOs to lead with influence while others never move beyond the numbers?

Today's CFOs are expected to do much more than oversee financial performance. They must build trust, influence executive decisions, communicate with empathy, and help shape company strategy. In this episode, leadership expert and former CFO Dr. Emilia Bunea shares why technical expertise alone isn't enough and explains the mindset and behaviors that help CFOs lead executive teams, boards, and entire organizations more effectively.

By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Discover why relationship building and influence have become essential skills as CFOs lead beyond traditional finance responsibilities.
• Learn practical techniques for communicating strategic recommendations in ways that earn buy-in from CEOs, boards, and executive teams.
• Understand the leadership habits that prepare finance executives to become trusted business leaders and future CEOs.

Listen now to learn how CFOs lead with influence, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence to create stronger organizations and position themselves for greater leadership opportunities.

Check out:

05:10 | Why CFOs Lead Through Relationships, Not Just Numbers

Dr. Emilia Bunea explains the difference between an accounting leader and a true CFO, revealing why relationship management and influence are what separate finance executives from strategic leaders.

14:35 | Influence Is More Powerful Than Logic

Learn why even the strongest financial arguments can fail without emotional engagement, and how CFOs can present ideas that inspire action instead of resistance.

31:10 | Preparing CFOs to Become CEOs

Hear the leadership qualities boards look for when evaluating CFOs for the CEO role, including strategic thinking, executive presence, and building trust outside the finance function.

About Emilia Bunea

Dr. Emilia Bunea, CFA, is a leadership lecturer at VU University Amsterdam and co-founder and CEO of Ed.movie, a California-based edutainment company. She served in CFO and CEO roles at large financial corporations, most recently as CEO of MetLife Romania, and previously as CFO of ING Insurance Europe, and currently serves on the board of directors of an asset management company.

Dr. Bunea received her Ph.D. in Management from VU Amsterdam, her MBA from the University of Washington, and is a CFA charterholder. She delivers lectures and keynotes on leadership at business schools, companies, and events around the world. Her research was published in Human Resource Management Review, Corporate Governance - An International Review, Frontiers in Psychology, Academy of Management Proceedings, and shared through outlets such as Harvard Business Review and Le Monde.

Emilia Bunea is the producer and co-writer of Crossroads Life, the world's first "cinematic management case"—a groundbreaking teaching tool that combines the rigor of the case study method with the storytelling power of film. Based on the real-life leadership journey of a CFO, the film has won multiple international awards (IMDb link). Each chapter of her book, Leadership for the CFO, includes curated film scenes that bring its concepts to life.

Is your leadership team truly aligned, or are competing priorities quietly slowing your company's growth?

Even the most talented leadership teams struggle when everyone is chasing different priorities or measuring success differently. In this episode, Kristen McAlister shares a practical framework to help CEOs stay aligned by defining the right outcomes, assigning clear ownership, and creating accountability through meaningful scoreboards and metrics. If you've ever felt like your team is busy but not making the progress you expected, this conversation will help you build the clarity and focus needed to achieve your biggest goals.

What You'll Gain From This Episode:

• Learn how to stay aligned by starting with the end goal and connecting every leader's priorities to the outcomes that matter most.

• Discover how scoreboards, leading indicators, and clear ownership create accountability without relying on annual performance reviews.

• Understand how CEOs can reduce bottlenecks, leverage fractional leadership, and build a business that operates successfully without depending on the owner.

If you're ready to stay aligned, improve accountability, and help your leadership team execute with greater focus and confidence, this episode provides practical strategies you can start applying immediately.

Check out:

• 7:50 – Why Great Leaders Start at the Finish Line
  Karen Miscaluce explains why the first step to helping teams stay aligned is defining the desired outcome before assigning work, making every decision easier and more intentional.
• 22:30 – The One Question That Keeps Teams Focused
  Learn how saying "not now" instead of "no" helps CEOs manage shiny-object syndrome while keeping the organization aligned around its highest priorities.
• 43:10 – Why Every Team Needs a Scoreboard
  Karen shares how visible scoreboards and meaningful metrics create accountability, improve performance, and help leadership teams stay aligned without relying on traditional performance reviews.

About Kristen McAlister

Kristen McAlister is on a mission to make it easier for businesses through the power of intentional leadership and dynamic teams. As an owner of Cerius Executives, she has dedicated the last 15 years to educating companies on how to leverage interim and fractional leadership to address their challenges and achieve growth.

Her passion for empowering businesses is matched by her personal drive and discipline. As a mother, Ironman triathlete and wife of a retired Marine, Kristen brings a unique blend of real-world experiences and a relentless mindset to every challenge. Her life experiences have honed her ability to navigate complex challenges with resilience and grace.