The Scaling CEO

Brett Carlson, CEO of ServiceUp, explains why borrowing proven playbooks speeds growth and how DoorDash’s model informed their marketplace strategy  in this episode of Scaling CEO Podcast with Glenn Gow. He covers spending discipline after big raises, a near-fatal Patagonia expedition that shaped his grit, and practical ways AI and automation will scale the auto-repair ecosystem without losing the human element.

Glenn talks with Lindsay Johnson, CEO of FitPros, about scaling a wellness company without outside funding and the mistake many CEOs make—forgetting their people. She shares hiring lessons, how to prove ROI using claims data, and why empathy and authenticity help companies scale. She also touches on using AI tools inside the business while staying human-first.

Elias Berlinger, CEO of MyMusic Workshop, shares a 16-year journey of patient growth and a pandemic pivot from in-person classes to an online platform. He explains the marathon mindset for scaling, how constraint sparked creativity, and how he uses AI to support the brand’s personality rather than replace it. He’s now seeking the right partner to reach more families.

Most CEOs think success comes from the perfect product or strategy. But Neema Mahdavian says if you can’t sell, you can’t scale. In this episode, Glenn Gow talks with Neema, a serial entrepreneur who’s built and sold over a dozen companies in industries like crypto, cannabis, and AI. He shares why sales, grit, and mindset matter more than anything else, and what CEOs often get wrong when trying to grow.

In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Vlad Podoliako, CEO of Belkins. Vlad shares the hard truths of being a CEO — from choosing the “best failure” to why a $500,000 hire won’t fix a broken business model. He also reveals how Belkins scaled through war and tough times, built predictable sales pipelines, and turned setbacks into growth.

In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow sits down with Ninh Tran, CEO of Grav.id, to explore scaling startups, AI disruption, and building technology that truly creates impact. Ninh shares his journey from co-founding HireEZ to helping nonprofits secure funding with AI, the lessons he learned scaling to eight-figure ARR, and how CEOs should rethink growth in the age of AI.

Most CEOs get distracted chasing future problems that don’t matter yet. In this episode, Chia-Lin Simmons (CEO of LogicMark, ex-Google & Amazon) shares why focusing on today’s real pain points is the key to scaling. She and Glenn Gow break down how to find the few issues that truly drive growth, and how to balance risk, innovation, and AI without losing sight of what matters now.

In this episode, Glenn Gow talks to Reza Mirza, CEO of Icelandic Glacial, about the real keys to scaling a business. Reza shares the importance of focusing on EBITDA, building the right team, and cutting out unnecessary expenses. They dive into the mistakes many CEOs make and reveal why brand awareness alone won’t drive growth. Tune in for insights on sustainable scaling and leadership strategies that actually work.

In this episode of Scaling CEO, Glenn Gow interviews Peter Malek, CEO of Inbound AV. Peter shares his journey from music producer to tech founder, the skills he learned in the studio that helped in business, and the importance of recognizing opportunities. They also discuss the role of AI in business and how CEOs can navigate its challenges.

Most CEOs think the key to success is growing as fast as possible, but Zach Smith, CEO of Anywhere.com, has learned it’s better to grow with trust, patience, and real human connection. In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Zach about how he built a global travel brand by focusing on relationships instead of hype. Zach shares why operating with constraints can actually help your business grow stronger, how a costly rebrand taught him the danger of chasing vanity metrics, and why authentic word-of-mouth is the most powerful (and underrated) growth tool. They also dive into keeping your brand authentic in a world full of fake reviews, how to create unforgettable customer experiences, and how to balance using AI for efficiency without losing the human touch. If you’re a CEO or founder who wants to grow your company without losing what makes it special, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation.