⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com Today on Start With a Win, join Adam Contos as he takes the spotlight on Franchise Masters, presented by Netsertive and Franchise Filming. Adam's journey is nothing short of extraordinary—from navigating the dangers of the streets to counterterrorism, and ultimately, leading in the world of franchising. Discover powerful leadership insights from a true master who’s seen it all and come out on top! 00:00 Intro and background on Adam Contos 03:23 Differences and similarities between military and franchise life! 04:20 Importance of the human base in the franchisees 06:43 Adam’s Strategy 09:36 Favorite moments in franchising! 11:20 Advice for Franchisees =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com In this captivating episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos welcomes franchise innovator Sam Ballas, founder and CEO of East Coast Wings & Grill. Sam shares his fascinating journey from Wall Street executive to thriving restaurateur and franchising expert, recounting how a single restaurant venture sparked a transformative career. Together, they delve into building enduring business systems, scaling horizontally and vertically, and what it truly takes to create and sustain a successful brand in the competitive restaurant and franchise industry. Alongside insightful personal stories and leadership lessons, listeners get an inside look at the strategies that set Sam apart in franchise innovation. Don't miss this deep dive into how vision, resilience, and the right systems can lead to sustained success. Sam Ballas is the founder and CEO of East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G), founder of ZorAbility, Inc., and co-founder of Sammy’s Sliders. With over 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry and 30+ years in financial markets and real estate development, Sam has pioneered innovative franchise strategies centered on Unit Level Economics (ULE). His leadership has earned ECW+G accolades such as Franchise Business Review’s Top 50 Restaurant Franchises and Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchise Systems. Sam serves on the International Franchise Association's Board of Directors and holds certifications as a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). 00:00 Intro 01:20 Came from Wall Street to Franchising… 06:05 Horizontal scale? 07:20 Can you franchise that? 11:05 What does the after look like? 12:15 If you think this, it is a huge mistake! 14:20 You have to have these pillars… 17:23 Biggest advice! 19:46 Founders Syndrome… 24:55 You have to take this and look through it in a different lens… 27:40 Key piece of advice… =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com In this engaging part two episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos welcomes back Anne Morriss where they dive into the often-underestimated power of soft leadership skills in transforming organizational culture. They explore the challenges of burnout, inefficient meeting cultures, and the fear of change that holds businesses back. Through insightful stories and actionable strategies, this episode unpacks how tapping into agency, inclusivity, and a commitment to change can unlock extraordinary success. If you're ready to reframe how you lead, this conversation is packed with gold. Tune in for an inspiring deep dive! Anne Morriss is an entrepreneur, leadership coach, and founder of The Leadership Consortium (TLC), a leadership accelerator focused on building inclusive executive teams and preparing emerging leaders for senior roles. With over 20 years of experience guiding entrepreneurs, companies, and government leaders on strategy and organizational change, Anne is committed to helping individuals realize their full potential as leaders and changemakers. She also founded GenePeeks, a computational genomics company that developed breakthrough methods for identifying disease risk. Anne is the best-selling coauthor of Uncommon Service, Unleashed, and Move Fast & Fix Things, a guide on trust, leadership, and business. She also co-hosts the leadership podcast Fixable with Frances Frei, where they offer quick, actionable coaching to help solve workplace challenges. Anne serves on the board of IGNITE, which promotes political engagement among young women, and has been recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s most influential business thinkers. 00:00 Intro 00:54 Five patterns in book correlate to the five these… 01:30 The real realization moment… 06:43 Leaders need to commit to this… 07:27 People fear this however it is really this they fear… 10:11 How do leaders recognize this and what to do about it 13:31 Here is the answer and he can sum it up in three words… 17:13 We are wired to avoid this! 19:33 Get addicted to what happens next 21:30 Here is your action item to do this week! 24:06 The night before, um! =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com If you're looking to unlock your potential as a leader, push beyond conventional approaches, and inspire meaningful action, this part one episode is a must-listen. It’s a thought-provoking conversation that will leave you rethinking how to approach leadership, not just in business, but in life. Start With a Win, host Adam Contos dives deep into the true essence of leadership with the insightful and dynamic Anne Morriss, co-host of the podcast, Fixable and a thought leader in building inclusive executive teams. The conversation tackles critical aspects of leadership that are often overlooked in formal education, including the 'soft skills'—or 'human skills' as Adam prefers to call them—that play a pivotal role in guiding organizations towards success. Anne draws from her experience in public health and entrepreneurship to explore how trust, storytelling, and inclusive leadership are foundational to achieving impactful change. Together, Adam and Anne challenge the traditional notion of leadership training, questioning why such essential skills are not emphasized early on in education. Anne Morriss is an entrepreneur, leadership coach, and founder of The Leadership Consortium (TLC), a leadership accelerator focused on building inclusive executive teams and preparing emerging leaders for senior roles. With over 20 years of experience guiding entrepreneurs, companies, and government leaders on strategy and organizational change, Anne is committed to helping individuals realize their full potential as leaders and changemakers. She also founded GenePeeks, a computational genomics company that developed breakthrough methods for identifying disease risk. Anne is the best-selling coauthor of Uncommon Service, Unleashed, and Move Fast & Fix Things, a guide on trust, leadership, and business. She also co-hosts the leadership podcast Fixable with Frances Frei, where they offer quick, actionable coaching to help solve workplace challenges. Anne serves on the board of IGNITE, which promotes political engagement among young women, and has been recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s most influential business thinkers. 00:00 Intro 02:01 This variable is (a big factor) if teams have it, they are able to accomplish their mission! 03:15 Steps to being a change leader! 12:02 Current challenge that leaders are facing! 14:51 Here is when you know you are getting it right. 16:46 Think about these two things first thing in the morning and bring your vision to life. 17:55 Best advice from a top CEO! 18:57 Why this got a bad name? =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Today’s on Start With a Win, host Adam Contos sits down with Christian Muntean, founder of Vantage Consulting and author of Training to Lead, to discuss leadership development and its critical role in business success. Christian shares insights from his background in international disaster relief and athletics, drawing parallels between athletic training and leadership training. He emphasizes that effective leadership, much like athletic performance, requires a structured, continuous approach rather than a one-time immersion in concepts. Christian critiques the typical path to leadership, where technical proficiency often leads to promotion without adequate leadership development. He also highlights the leadership gap in modern businesses, where millennials, in particular, lack the necessary training due to insufficient mentorship from previous generations. Adam and Christian explore ways to address this gap, emphasizing the importance of ongoing leadership training in building successful organizations. Christian Muntean offers strategic consultancy through Vantage Consulting, drawing on his global experience from over 40 countries to enhance business and leadership practices. His approach is informed by a comprehensive background in organizational growth and efficiency. Christian lives in Anchorage, Alaska, where he balances his professional insights with a personal passion for woodworking and Brazilian jujitsu. Discover more about his approach to leadership and organizational development at ChristianMuntean.com. 00:00 Intro 02:01 If the team is this…then it can achieve amazing things! 04:30 If athletes can do this why can’t leaders! 06:06 Why are we missing this in leadership? 08:20 Even if you have leadership content doesn’t mean you will have this! 11:30 How to institute better leadership training…there are few ways! 14:23 If a leader does not do this then the rest of the training/programs do not work! 17:10 Structure of the book. 21:46 Core/foundation leadership principles 27:01 It begins here… 30:31 First win is the big one… https://www.christianmuntean.com/ =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com Grab paper/pen, your computer, your journal, in this engaging episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos sits down with workplace strategy expert Daisy Auger-Domínguez to explore the art of building thriving, high-performing teams in today’s evolving work environment and you will want to take notes! With a career spanning leadership roles at Google, Disney, and Vice Media, Daisy shares her journey from credit risk analyst to people-centric leadership. They discuss the pivotal role empathy and emotional intelligence play in sustainable leadership, highlighting the importance of mental health, flexibility, and authentic care in driving productivity. Tune in to learn how leaders can create environments where their teams truly flourish. Daisy Auger-Domínguez is a global leader, speaker, and workplace strategist. With years of experience leading global human capital practices at companies like Google, Disney and Vice Media, she equips managers and leaders with the skills they need to build high-performing teams and shift culture to drive performance without burning out. Daisy also advises startup and venture technology companies that are building a better future of work, helping founders create impactful and lasting solutions. Her books, Inclusion Revolution and the forthcoming Burnt Out to Lit Up, offer actionable strategies for building inclusive workplaces and revitalizing leadership practices. Described as a calming and invigorating voice, Daisy prioritizes people and culture as a winning strategy. A dynamic storyteller, her insights have been featured at TEDx and in publications including the Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Her contributions have earned her accolades such as being named one of Hispanic Executive's Top 10 Leaders and one of People en Español's 25 Most Powerful Women. Daisy serves on the Board of Trustees at Bucknell University, her alma mater. 00:00 Intro 03:45 Is it a brand, work that is meaningful, or a challenge? 07:30 Leadership is not just about results but this too… 10:30 Why is this so important to practice on a regular basis? 13:02 Are we in a version 2 of people doing this? 17:05 It feels like yelling because you have never done this before… 21:30 Trust in this is how we engage with each other! 23:56 Do you need a witness, help or a distraction? 26:15 The best two-win hacks! =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com Calling all Leaders, this is Part 2 with Blair LaCorte, if you missed Part 1 go back and listen as that is a masterclass of leadership wealth, you can’t miss! In this episode of Start With a Win, Adam welcomes back dynamic business leader Blair for the insightful conversation on longevity. Blair unveils the often-overlooked crisis of health span in America, where the nation ranks 39th globally in longevity, despite its technological advancements. With a focus on actionable advice, Blair reveals five simple yet transformative strategies to help extend your health span, including powerful tips on combating chronic inflammation and leveraging modern health technology. This episode offers a fresh perspective on aging that leaders can't afford to miss. Blair LaCorte is a dynamic business executive whose career spans the entertainment, aviation, AI, technology, aerospace, and supply chain sectors. Renowned for his insatiable curiosity, collaborative spirit, and competitive drive, Blair has successfully steered companies like Lumos Technologies, XOJET, and Vertical Networks from startup phases to IPOs. Blair's exceptional talent for engaging and motivating teams to achieve strategic and operational excellence sets him apart. His knack for transferring best practices across diverse industries has driven remarkable growth and substantial investor returns. Beyond his executive roles, Blair's dedication to mentorship and team building shines through his support for over a hundred companies and nonprofits as an investor and adviser. A Dartmouth Tuck School MBA, recipient of the prestigious Leibowitz Award, and a participant in Stanford's executive coursework, Blair's academic credentials bolster his impressive career. His journey is a powerful testament to the impact of innovative thinking and transformational leadership in achieving extraordinary business success. 00:00 Intro 01:20 The progression in this! 04:05 Don’t wait til you break, do this! 05:35 93% of what happens, you control? 10:40 The 4’s Ps of engaging. 11:13 The first of five categories in the first two of the 4 Ps. 15:31 Next four categories 20:20 This is the new smoking, so you need to do this every 15 minutes! 26:14 How to be the quarterback of your system! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-lacorte-68084/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blair.lacorte =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/ Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com Listen up leaders, this is an episode, well two you do not want to miss. In this Part 1 episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos, welcomes Blair LaCorte. A seasoned leader with experience across industries from aviation to AI, he shares insights on leadership, innovation, and the value of humility in driving success. Blair talks about his diverse experiences, from leading startups to IPOs, and how his childhood shaped his ability to manage change. He explains that listening to others and showing vulnerability builds trust. Blair also discusses navigating leadership transitions, overcoming initial skepticism, and fostering a collaborative culture. Throughout, he advocates for a balance of humility, learning, and confident decision-making in both growth and restructuring environments, stressing the need to treat people with respect, even when making difficult decisions like firing. His stories of learning from others, building teams, and handling challenges offer a deeply personal perspective on effective leadership. Blair LaCorte is a dynamic business executive whose career spans the entertainment, aviation, AI, technology, aerospace, and supply chain sectors. Renowned for his insatiable curiosity, collaborative spirit, and competitive drive, Blair has successfully steered companies like Lumos Technologies, XOJET, and Vertical Networks from startup phases to IPOs. Blair's exceptional talent for engaging and motivating teams to achieve strategic and operational excellence sets him apart. His knack for transferring best practices across diverse industries has driven remarkable growth and substantial investor returns. Beyond his executive roles, Blair's dedication to mentorship and team building shines through his support for over a hundred companies and nonprofits as an investor and adviser. A Dartmouth Tuck School MBA, recipient of the prestigious Leibowitz Award, and a participant in Stanford's executive coursework, Blair's academic credentials bolster his impressive career. His journey is a powerful testament to the impact of innovative thinking and transformational leadership in achieving extraordinary business success. 00:00 Intro 02:20 Don’t need to be right but need to do this! 03:22 Show this and people will do this. 06:28 Restructuring and growing companies are the same and have to do this…. 09:57 Goal is to find out this. 11:40 This is the superpower! 15:01 Do you know this so you can do that! 18:40 You can’t outsource this! ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347 Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT =========================== Connect with Adam: =========================== Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory