What happens when the challenges you face at work start looking a lot like the challenges you face everywhere else? In this episode of The Breakout Moment, Christina May sits down with Tony "C" Checchia, founder and broker at VCRE, for a conversation about self-awareness, expectations, emotional resilience, and the lessons that seem to follow us through different seasons of life. Together, they explore mentorship, personal responsibility, and why growth isn't something we achieve once but something we continue to work on over time.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

Last week, Christina talked with Brendan McCluskey of Trident Builders about community building and effective leadership. Before the cameras officially started rolling, they discussed the broader impacts of small businesses in their respective industries. Snap decisions can deeply affect long-term efficacy and stability in an organization. Brendan’s perspective and advocacy for employees at all levels of a business were too profound to leave on the cutting room floor. This week’s episode of The Breakout Moment is an exclusive look into their conversation.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡  Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵  Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢  Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

Every business owner has to decide which problems are worth solving. In this episode of The Breakout Moment, Christina May sits down with Brendan McCluskey, founder and president of Trident Builders, to discuss leadership, housing, and why the work we choose to take on can shape families, communities, and future generations.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

In this episode of The Breakout Moment, Christina May talks with Jeff Schwartz, founder and owner of Ashton Manor Environmental, about the role culture plays in building strong teams, meaningful work, and lasting organizations. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, Jeff shares insights on intentionally shaping workplace culture, creating environments where people can thrive, fostering community involvement, and building professional relationships that extend beyond the office. Together, they explore how leaders can create workplaces that inspire engagement, purpose, and long-term success.   ---------------------------------   ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

In this episode of The Breakout Moment, Christina May talks with technology entrepreneur Dondre Lawson about how AI, automation, and emerging talent are transforming the way businesses grow. From building lean, tech-enabled companies to creating opportunities through internship programs, Dondre shares practical insights on using technology strategically, developing future-ready teams, and finding scalable ways to drive growth in today's rapidly changing business landscape.   ---------------------------------   ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

In this episode, Christina May talks with the founder of Integrity Construction about building a successful family-owned business in a male-dominated industry. From starting her career with her infant daughter by her side to growing a respected construction company, she shares lessons on resilience, adaptability, and why long-term success comes from reputation and execution, not from simply checking boxes. It's a candid conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the mindset that keeps businesses growing through change.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

What happens when a lending company starts listening more closely to customer problems instead of staying in one lane? In this episode of The Breakout Moment, Christina sits down with Lacey Snyder of 4Bridges Enterprises to talk about expanding into structural steel, maritime, aviation, and other adjacent markets by following opportunity, building relationships, and staying adaptable through changing market conditions. The conversation explores sustainable growth, diversification, networking, and why some of the most resilient businesses are the ones nobody calls flashy. -------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

In this episode, Christina May sits down with Aaron Shapiro, the second-generation leader of Shapiro & Duncan, a 50-year-old family-owned mechanical contracting company, to talk about one of the hardest realities any business can face: unexpected succession. After the sudden loss of a key family leader, the company was forced to implement real-time succession planning, revealing gaps in communication, leadership development, and operational preparedness. Together, they unpack what happened, what the company learned, and how they turned a crisis into an opportunity to build stronger systems, mentorship, and future leadership. From training pipelines and employee ownership to learning how to let people fail safely, this episode is a candid conversation about building businesses that can outlast the people who started them.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

Christina is joined by Mark Flavin, founder of Titan Mechanical, who shares his unconventional path from early hustling and creative ventures to building a successful construction company. The episode centers on the power of recognizing and “manifesting” talent early, highlighted by Mark identifying and later recruiting a key leader who helped drive major growth. It explores the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of hiring the right people at the right time, and the balance between growth and sustainability. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes that long-term success comes from strong relationships, smart decision-making, and surrounding yourself with the right team.   --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen.   Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/

In this episode, Brett Snyder of Green Bench Companies sits down with host, Christina May, to challenge the idea that every business has one dramatic breakout moment. He shares how a trusted client opened the door to school construction, creating a new line of business during a difficult market. Along the way, they discuss customer-led pivots, growth through discomfort, better meeting leadership, and why small operational shifts often matter more than big, flashy moves. --------------------------------- ➕ Visit our Website: https://www.thebreakoutmoment.com/ ➕ Subscribe to The Breakout Moment Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakoutMoment?sub_confirmation=1 ➕ Follow along on our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Keep up with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebreakoutmoment/ ➕ Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1bAtYvHmRz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted by Christina May. Produced by Stacey Holsinger. Edited by Marian Allen. Sponsored by: 🟡 Illumine8 https://www.illumine8.com/ 🔵 Steel Toe Communications https://www.steeltoecommunications.com/ 🟢 Genesis AEC https://www.genesisaec.com/