Episode 22 of C2 Biz Growth, hosted by John Hale III, features an inspiring and deeply practical conversation with entrepreneur and venture partner Maria Thompson.

Maria shares her remarkable journey from a fine arts and industrial design background to building and scaling TJ Technologies into a nationally recognized alternative energy company, ultimately acquired by A123 Systems. She opens up about early funding rejections, the persistence required to survive as a founder, and why securing government funding can be a powerful alternative to traditional venture capital.

The discussion explores leadership, corporate governance, board dynamics, and the importance of building strong teams and relationships. Maria also breaks down acquisition readiness, exit strategy planning, and why bold decision making often creates unexpected opportunities.

This episode is packed with real world lessons for CEOs, founders, and emerging leaders navigating growth, funding, and long-term impact.

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 drive disengagement, burnout, and costly turnover.

The discussion dives deep into the real economic impact of employee disengagement, why trust is built through consistent action, and how data driven decisions should guide leadership strategies. Anton also addresses the importance of mental health for leaders, coaching as a tool for professional development, and why organisations must invest in people if they want sustainable success.

Anton offers practical insights on introducing AI into organizations without losing human connection, communicating the purpose behind change, and creating effective off boarding experiences that maintain long term loyalty. Throughout the episode, he emphasises clarity, action, and care for employee well-being as essential leadership superpowers.

This episode is a must listen for leaders, executives, and founders who want to build healthy cultures, reduce turnover, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing workplace.

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 in Nigeria. Austin also discusses private equity, currency challenges, and the strategic decision to focus on banking, oil, and telecom. He explains why mentorship is central to his mission through the Ausso Leadership Academy and introduces his vision of redefining billionaires by their impact on society rather than their accumulated wealth.

Austin breaks down the three powers that sustain success, way power, will power, and wait power, and offers practical lessons on leadership, innovation, and building businesses that thrive in changing markets.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship in emerging economies, the value of influence driven leadership, and the importance of giving back to the next generation of founders.