359. There’s No Finish Line: Lessons from 5 Years of CEO School
What if the secret to success wasn’t more hustle—but better alignment?
In this heartfelt solo finale, CEO School host Suneera Madhani reflects on five years of podcasting and the powerful lessons from this season. With themes of energy, alignment, and evolution, she walks listeners through the mindset shifts that helped her grow a billion-dollar business and build a new one—all while protecting her peace.
From running a tech startup to creating the Millionaire Founders Club, this episode is a deeply personal (and strategic!) look at what it really takes to thrive as a woman in business.
Whether you're entering your next season or finding your way in this one, this finale is packed with wisdom that will stay with you long after summer school ends.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ Why alignment—not hustle—is your most important strategy🗓️ How your calendar can (and should) reflect your real priorities⚡ The surprising truth about energy: it is the business plan🌱 Why you don’t have to choose between ambition and boundaries🎯 How to stop chasing the finish line—and start embracing the cycle
🎧 Plus: Suneera shares which episode went viral this season (hint: it’s the one with her mom!)
💬 Your Turn: What was your biggest takeaway this season? Tag @ceoschool and let us know!
📢 Love the show? Share with a business bestie and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.
(00:02:14) Personal Alignment for Business Success
(00:05:41) Harnessing Positive Energy for Business Success
(00:09:31) Achieving Stillness and Scale in Business
(00:13:55) The Dynamic Entrepreneurial Journey: Embracing Growth
(00:14:50) Finding Purpose in Business Scaling
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
21:51
358. What 100 Seven-Figure Female Founders Taught Me About Scaling, Leadership, and Sisterhood with Brielle Cotterman
Ever wonder what it’s really like inside a room full of powerhouse women running seven and eight-figure businesses?
In this special episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani is joined by President of CEO School and MFC community leader Brielle Cotterman, fresh off of the Millionaire Founders Club Spring Retreat. They’re giving you a true behind-the-scenes look at what goes down when nearly 100 seven-figure CEOs come together to share strategies, support each other, and scale with heart.
From friendship and leadership to time management, team building, and new revenue plays, this conversation reveals the real, unfiltered truths of being a high-level female founder. It’s a celebration of sisterhood, strategy, and the belief that when women get in the right rooms, big things happen.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
💬 Why your friendships might shift as you grow—and how to find a circle that gets it
🕰️ How top-tier CEOs are reclaiming their time and simplifying to scale
📈 The lessons they learned in licensing, upselling, and cross-selling are key to sustainable growth
🧠 The leadership mindset that separates solopreneurs from CEOs
👯♀️ How MFC members are leveraging community to create million-dollar deals
Whether you’re already scaling or dreaming of your seven-figure moment, this episode will help you expand your vision, your circle, and your strategy.
💬 Your Turn: What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Tag @ceoschool and @briellecotterman on Instagram and let us know!
📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a business bestie and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.
(00:02:14) Supportive Community for Female Entrepreneurs
(00:02:32) Empowering Female Entrepreneurs Through Networking Circles
(00:09:39) Empowering Women: Business Support Networks
(00:13:37) Strategic Growth and Opportunity Alignment in Business
(00:19:58) Empowering CEOs through Effective Team Management
(00:25:46) Elevating Personal Brands through Mutual Collaboration
(00:28:21) "Your Net Worth is Your Network" Movement
(00:39:12) Entrepreneurial Networking Retreats and Digital Meetups
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
44:13
357. Hiring, Firing, and Everything In Between: An HR Deep Dive with Zak Human Solutions
HR isn’t just policies and paperwork—it’s the secret to building an aligned, unstoppable team. In this episode, host Suneera Madhani sits down with HR experts and MFC members Kacie Scott and Nadian Zak of Zak Human Solutions for a crash course in all things people, culture, and compliance. Whether you’re hiring your first contractor or managing a full team, this candid conversation breaks down what you actually need to know as a founder—including the HR mistakes that could cost you big.
In this episode, you’ll learn:📌 When to start taking HR seriously (hint: it’s earlier than you think)📕 The #1 document every company needs to have in place🚩 How to avoid misclassifying contractors (and the legal risks if you do)🧰 The best tools to streamline onboarding, payroll, and performance📈 How to manage, coach, and fire with confidence💡 Culture-building tips for hybrid teams (that actually work)
This is your no-fluff guide to building the team your vision deserves. Whether you’re in growth mode or just trying to get your systems in place, this episode will leave you smarter, more empowered, and ready to lead with intention.
💬 Your Turn:What’s one HR practice you’re implementing after this episode? Tag @ceoschool and @zakhumansolutions to let us know!
📢 Loved this episode?Share it with a business bestie and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
55:59
356. The Power of Small Habits and Big Vision: How to Scale Without Burning Out with Dawn McGruer
What if the key to scaling your business isn’t working harder—but rewiring how you think? In this episode of CEO School, Suneera sits down with UK-based business strategist, Forbes mentor, and founder of Dawn of a New Era, Dawn McGruer. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, this powerhouse conversation dives deep into mindset, neuroscience, and the strategy behind sustainable, freedom-driven business growth.
Dawn shares the three pillars that have helped thousands of women scale without burnout and explains why most of us are looking at success all wrong. You’ll also learn a voice journaling habit that just might change your life (and clear your to-do list).
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🧠 How to rewire your brain for success with small, repeatable actions
📈 Why clarity and conviction are more powerful than any growth hack
📝 Dawn’s voice journaling method (and how she uses it to declutter her business)
🔥 How to break free from people-pleasing and start leading with purpose
📣 The "edge and wow" framework for showing up with bold messaging
If you’re tired of feeling stuck or stretched too thin, this episode is a permission slip to build a business that truly supports the life you want.
💬 Your Turn: What’s one belief you’re ready to rewrite? Tag @ceoschool and @dawnmcgruer on Instagram and let us know!
📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow entrepreneur and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
35:41
355. The Secret Sauce of Thought Leadership (and How to Find Yours) with Cris Gordon
What if your next level of growth isn’t about doing more, but showing up more powerfully for the work you’re already doing? In this episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with powerhouse publicist and founder of CBee Communications, Cris Gordon, for a masterclass on visibility, storytelling, and stepping into the spotlight—even when it feels scary.
Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, Cris shares her playbook for building a personal brand that opens doors, positions you as a thought leader, and helps your business scale. From DIY PR to pitch strategy, motherhood, and writing her first children’s book (while raising four kids!), this conversation is a must-listen for any woman ready to grow her impact and influence.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
💡 The foundational ingredients of a powerful founder story
🧠 Why your brand’s "secret sauce" matters more than ever in today’s market
📱 DIY visibility strategies that don’t require a PR budget
👩🏽💼 How to step into thought leadership while juggling motherhood and business
📖 Why Cris wrote Mommy Marvelous and how she’s building a brand with heart
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of promoting yourself or unsure how to tell your story, this episode will give you the tools and encouragement to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
💬 Your Turn: What’s one thing you want to be known for this year? Tag @ceoschool and @crisgordonpr on Instagram and let us know!
📢 Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow entrepreneur and leave a review to help more women scale with confidence.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Less than 2% of female founders ever break 1M in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Welcome to CEO School. I'm your host, Suneera Madhani, and each week, you’ll learn from incredible mentors who’ve made it to the 2% club and women well on their way. But first, a few class rules. Grab your seat because we’re here to get sh*t done. We’re one team, one dream. And we believe that we deserve to have it all because nothing bad happens when women make more money. You’re a real business now. Class is officially in session.
Polska