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TOP CEO
by Top Thought Leader
Recent Episodes (10)
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From Chef to CEO: How Adam Melonas is Reinventing the Food Industry
Discover the remarkable story of Adam Melonas, CEO of Chew, as he takes us from his humble beginnings washing cars at age 8 to pioneering "better-for-you" candy and building a billion-dollar business with a mission. Learn how Adam's unique approach to conscious capitalism, food innovation, and bold leadership strategies transformed the consumer goods industry. Don't miss his insights on turning failures into opportunities and the mindset required to create lasting impact.
Building a Billion-Dollar Legacy: How Jennifer Harvey Transformed Crown Worldwide
Jennifer Harvey, CEO of Crown Worldwide Group, shares her journey from growing up in a family business to leading a billion-dollar global operation. Discover how she’s navigating industry shifts, fostering innovation, and balancing legacy with modern leadership. From international relocations to safeguarding fine art, this episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of steering a global enterprise in a rapidly changing world.
The CEO Who Brought F45 Back to Life with Tom Dowd, CEO at F45 Training
In this episode of TOP CEO, host Ben Kaplan speaks with Tom Dowd, the transformative leader behind F45 Training, shares his remarkable journey from investor to CEO during one of the company’s most challenging periods. Discover how Tom shifted F45’s focus from high-profile celebrity endorsements to celebrating real member success stories, transforming the brand’s trajectory. Learn the bold steps he took to revamp the company’s marketing, expand into Pilates and recovery services, and redefine what it means to foster community within the fitness industry. With lessons on leadership under pressure, prioritizing customer feedback, and building a culture of collaboration, Tom’s story offers a masterclass in driving growth while staying true to your brand’s core values. Tune in to explore how one CEO’s hands-on approach turned setbacks into growth opportunities, proving that the best stories come from the people who live them.
From Spreadsheet to Startup: Felix Lee’s Journey of Mentorship, Growth, and Resilience
In this episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Felix Lee, CEO and co-founder of ADP List, a mentorship platform that connects thousands of people with industry mentors from companies like Google, Meta, and Netflix. Felix shares how he started with a simple Google spreadsheet during the pandemic, aiming to help laid-off designers find jobs. From there, his platform grew into a global network, but not without challenges. We discuss the difficult balance between growth and monetization, Felix's decision to prioritize impact over immediate revenue, and the personal struggles he faced when his co-founder stepped away. Felix also opens up about the toughest moments in building his company and the advice that has shaped his leadership style. Whether you're a startup founder, mentor, or someone navigating the business world, Felix's story offers invaluable lessons on resilience, vision, and the power of community. Tune in to hear the inspiring journey of a leader who's not afraid to take risks and stay true to his mission.
Building a Lifestyle Powerhouse: The Grit and Growth of TravisMathew
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Ellis, the CEO of TravisMathew, who transformed a startup with zero brand awareness into a $300 million lifestyle powerhouse. Ryan shares the journey of navigating countless setbacks, building a brand that balances performance with style, and leveraging unique athlete endorsements. From nearly going under multiple times to becoming a retail success story, Ryan’s story is one of grit, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of being better every day. Tune in to learn what it really takes to create a brand people love and the lessons Ryan learned along the way.
Turning a Tech Company into an Industry Leader: The CEO’s Playbook for Success
In this episode, Ben Kaplan sits down with Ed Jennings, CEO of QuickBase, to uncover the strategies behind transforming a tech company into an industry powerhouse. Ed shares his journey of refining QuickBase’s approach, from navigating the challenges of rapid growth to making tough decisions that narrowed their focus on key sectors like construction and manufacturing. Discover what it takes to galvanize a team around a singular vision, pivot from being a generalist to a specialist, and drive sustainable growth in a complex SaaS landscape. If you want insights on turning a company around or scaling it to new heights, this episode is for you!
Leading Through Crisis: Surviving the Enron Collapse - With CEO Curtis Hite
In this episode of TOP CEO, Curtis Hite, CEO of Improving, shares the gripping story of how he led his company (Valtech) through the aftermath of the Enron scandal. When their largest client collapsed, Curtis was faced with tough decisions, including layoffs and restructuring, right before Christmas. Through resilience, strategic decisions, and a commitment to conscious capitalism, Curtis turned adversity into growth. Tune in to learn how one leader navigated the storm and emerged stronger, offering valuable lessons for business leaders facing their own challenges.
Case 27: Smartling - 'The Translation Game' (With Bryan Murphy)
In this episode of TOP CEO, we dive into the transformative journey of Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling. Bryan shares his insights on navigating the challenges posed by generative AI in the translation industry. He discusses the pivotal decisions made to embrace AI, the significant investments in technology, and the strategic reorganization of the company to stay ahead of the curve. Discover how Smartling turned potential threats into opportunities, revolutionizing their business model and setting new standards in the industry. Tune in for a compelling story of innovation, leadership, and resilience in the face of rapid technological change.
Case 26: Tome Biosciences - 'The Genes of Tomorrow' (With Rahul Kakkar)
In this episode of "TOP CEO," host Ben Kaplan engages with Rahul Kakkar, CEO of Tome Biosciences, exploring the dramatic shifts in the biotech industry and how emerging companies navigate financial and technological hurdles. Founded in 2021, Tome Biosciences has been at the forefront of gene editing technology, thriving amidst substantial economic downturns that have challenged the sector. Rahul discusses strategic pivots and operational efficiencies that have allowed Tome to maintain innovation under financial constraints, delves into the high-risk, high-reward nature of biotech investments, and explains how changing interest rates and investment trends have shaped the industry landscape. Join us as Rahul shares insights from Tome's journey through optimistic beginnings and trials of fundraising during industry lows, revealing critical decisions that have set the stage for the company's future endeavors.