In Episode 21 of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III sits down with leadership expert, executive coach, and CEO of 937 Strategy Group, Anton Gunn, for a powerful conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and employee engagement. Anton shares how his family background, college football, healthcare leadership, and even hip-hop culture have shaped his leadership philosophy. He explains why great leaders focus on empowering people, not controlling them, and how toxic workplace cultures quietly...
Jan 5
1 hr 13 min
In this powerful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, host John Hale III sits down with Austin Okere, Founder of CWG Plc and the Ausso Leadership Academy. Austin shares how he grew CWG from a modest startup with thirty-five thousand dollars in capital to a ninety-million-dollar valuation, and reflects on the mindset that fueled that journey. The conversation explores the evolution of CWG, the importance of trust and relationships in business, and the realities of securing foreign investment ...
Dec 22, 2025
1 hr 3 min
In this insightful episode of the C2 Biz Growth Podcast, host John Hale III sits down with Biyi Oloko, Executive Vice Chairman of Stephen Simeon Limited, Co-Founder of the Reading Tech Cluster, and a Council Member of the West Berkshire Council in the United Kingdom. Biyi shares his journey from his early life in Nigeria to building a global career in finance, investment, government, and leadership. He reflects on how his work with the Nigerian government and his service in UK local governmen...
Dec 8, 2025
1 hr 4 min
In this powerful episode of the C2 Biz Growth podcast, host John Hale III sits down with the legendary Dr. Mathew Knowles, a global authority in sales, marketing, brand development, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Known for generating more than five billion for organizations, shaping iconic careers like Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, and leading historic campaigns with brands like Pepsi and Samsung, Dr. Knowles brings a lifetime of knowledge, discipline, and strategic bri...
Nov 21, 2025
43 min
In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III talks with Ursula Dudley Oglesby, President and CEO of Dudley Beauty Corporation, about transforming a $10 kitchen startup into a global multicultural beauty brand. Ursula shares powerful lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and family legacy, revealing how Dudley Beauty continues to empower communities through purpose-driven growth. She discusses bootstrapping, technology in business, hiring for culture, and the company’s e...
Nov 5, 2025
51 min
In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III welcomes Sophia Velastegui, a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence, technology strategy, and corporate innovation. With senior leadership roles at Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Aptiv, Sophia brings unmatched expertise in integrating AI into organizations of all sizes. She shares her journey from a mechanical engineering background to spearheading AI initiatives at some of the world’s largest tech companies. Together, they e...
Oct 22, 2025
39 min
The AI Gold Rush, Silicon Valley Investments, and the Future of VC with Michael Downing - Episode 15
In Episode 15 of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III sits down with Michael Downing, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of MDSV Capital. With over 25 years of experience founding five software companies and investing in more than 65 early-stage startups, Michael offers an insider’s perspective on the evolving world of venture capital and business growth. He unpacks the rise of emerging managers and micro funds, explains how smaller funds have consistently outperformed larger ones,...
Oct 8, 2025
42 min
In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III welcomes Eric Broyles, serial entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Nanocann Therapeutics, for a powerful conversation about resilience, innovation, and leadership in business. Eric takes us back to his roots in a working-class neighborhood in Ohio, where discipline, education, and hard work shaped his early path. From there, he shares how his career began in corporate law before transitioning into entrepreneurship—ultimately leading multiple ...
Sep 24, 2025
39 min
In this episode of C2 Biz Growth, host John Hale III speaks with C. David Moody Jr., founder of C.D. Moody Construction, one of the largest African-American-owned construction companies in the United States. David shares his journey from being a reluctant entrepreneur to leading a firm that has built more than $3 billion worth of projects, including the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, Disney World, and the Mercedes Benz facilities. Throughout the conversation, David reflects on the challenges he ...
Sep 10, 2025
30 min
Join host John Hale III for a powerful conversation with Byron L. Boston, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dynex Capital, Inc, in episode 12 of the C2 Biz Growth podcast. In this illuminating discussion, Byron shares his remarkable journey from a segregated St. Louis to becoming a well-respected business leader with a deep background in U.S. real estate finance, asset management, and fixed-income capital markets. Byron delves into his philosophy on leadership and personal growth, em...
Aug 27, 2025
54 min
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