Tonya said it best: "You've curated this community where you can see every possibility and be inspired in any direction." That's the Millionaire Founders Club. And this October,  we're taking that to NYC for our fall retreat. Only 20 spots open for new members. Apply here: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

Welcome back to CEO School! 

In today's inspiring episode, Suneera Madhani sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur Tonya Turrell, founder and CEO of Technology Match. With nearly 30 years of experience revolutionizing how technology is bought and sold, Tonya shares the highs, lows, and pivotal moments of her journey, including building and selling two companies, landing on the Inc. 5000 and Female Founder 250 lists, and overcoming bankruptcy. 

We dive deep into her story of resilience, the challenges and advantages of being a woman in tech, scaling with AI, and her game-changing insights into building successful sales machines. Plus, hear how Tonya prioritized family and freedom after her first business exit, embracing worldschooling with her kids for five years.

Get ready for actionable advice, honest conversations, and a behind-the-scenes look at building businesses (and lives) on your own terms.

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Meet Tonya Turrell: Two-Time Founder and Inc. 5000 CEO
(04:00) AOL Came Calling, and She Said Yes With No Contract Signed
(10:39) Losing 80% of Her Revenue the Week Before Christmas
(12:50) She Shut Down on a Friday and Launched Again on Monday
(13:43) How a Team of 6 Outperformed a Team of 60
(16:00) Making the Inc. 5000 and Selling the Company Anyway
(19:04) Pulling the Kids From School and Worldschooling for 5 Years
(27:03) No Pretty Privilege in Tech: What Sexism Actually Looks Like
(32:12) You're Not Too Much. You're Just Too Much for Them
(39:44) How to Break Out of Founder-Led Sales and Build a Real Engine
(43:52) Same Leads, Two Clients: One at 0%, One at 50%
(49:12) What Happened When She Finally Stepped Into the CEO Seat

Share this with a founder who is still closing every deal herself. This episode is the wake-up call she needs.

Connect with Tonya

Website: https://technologymatch.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyacoxturrell/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyaturrell/

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Tonya's biggest unlock this year was finally putting on her CEO hat, and new business ideas immediately followed. If this episode hit close to home, it's time to find out in which areas you are still operating like a founder. Take the quiz: https://bit.ly/FounderOrCEOQuiz---Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We're on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1525261018 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-school

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

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SOCIAL Hashtags:

#CEOSchool #SuneeraMadhani #WomenInBusiness #FounderStory #WomenInTech #SalesStrategy #AIForBusiness #FounderToCEO #TechFounder #WomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth #SalesEngine #MillionaireFoundersClub #UnicornSummit #Inc5000 #ExitStrategy #TeamBuilding

You just spent 17 minutes learning why the decision you keep avoiding is the one that will take you to the next level. The MFC Fall Retreat in New York is that decision. Get in the room with women building at the level you're working toward, and who will hold you accountable for actually moving. 👉 https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

--

Every successful entrepreneur eventually realizes one truth: Avoidance is costing you more than failure ever will.

In this episode of CEO School, entrepreneur and founder Suneera Madhani breaks down why founders stay stuck; not because they lack strategy, but because they're avoiding the conversations, decisions, and uncomfortable actions that create real business growth. Whether you're avoiding firing an employee, raising your prices, asking for help, making a difficult leadership decision, or finally launching the business you've been dreaming about, this episode will help you identify what's really holding you back.

You'll discover:

✔ Why avoidance drains your mental energy

✔ The psychology behind procrastination and perfectionism

✔ How fear keeps entrepreneurs stuck

✔ Why CEOs are paid to make decisions (not perfect ones)

✔ Five common areas founders avoid, and how to overcome them

✔ A simple framework for making faster, better business decisions

If you're building a business, leading a team, or growing as a founder, this conversation will challenge you to stop waiting and start leading. Follow for weekly conversations helping entrepreneurs build profitable businesses, stronger leadership skills, and lives designed with intention.

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Why Avoidance Is Costing Your Business More Than You Think

(02:28) The Hidden Energy Tax Every Founder Pays

(04:37) Name the Fear That's Really Holding You Back

(07:57) Why Decisions Create Momentum (Not Perfection)

(10:19) CEOs Get Paid to Decide, Not to Wait

(10:49) 5 Things Founders Avoid Most

(11:15) 1. Difficult Conversations With Your Team

(12:20) 2. Raising Your Prices With Confidence

(13:21) 3. Letting Go of What's No Longer Serving You

(13:51) 4. Asking for Help Isn't Weakness

(14:26) 5. Investing in Your Own Growth

(15:11) The 5-Step Framework to Stop Avoiding and Start Leading

(17:00) Your Next Level Starts With One Decision

Share this with a founder who has a pile of decisions sitting on her desk right now.

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If the decision you've been avoiding is what to do next with your business, start here. Take the free Founder or CEO Quiz to get clarity on where you are and what move comes next. 👉 https://bit.ly/FounderOrCEOQuiz

---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Connect with our Guest at: Website: https://technologymatch.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyacoxturrell/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyaturrell/

Watch and listen to us at: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1525261018 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: Website: https://theceoschool.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-school TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life. Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

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SOCIAL Hashtags:

#CEOSchool #Entrepreneur #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #FounderLife #BusinessOwner #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #DecisionMaking #FemaleFounder #Entrepreneurship #ScaleYourBusiness #Productivity #CEO #BusinessCoach #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #SmallBusinessOwner #PersonalGrowth

Are you operating like a founder or leading like a CEO? Take the quiz, find out where you stand, and get a custom workbook to start fixing the area that's holding you back. → bit.ly/FounderOrCEOQuiz

Welcome back to the CEO School Podcast!

This week, we flipped the script. Lisa Morel puts Suneera in the hot seat... and takes you all the way back. The immigrant household in Dallas. The sticker gun that taught her care scales. Getting laughed out of the room at 25. And the family dinner where her dad asked the question that built everything: why not you?

Then we get into the part nobody prepares you for: building a billion-dollar company with her brother Sal, and doing it without torching the relationship. Suneera shares her approach to dividing and conquering, staying out of each other's lanes, and having the conversation you're avoiding before it hardens into resentment. 

If you've ever been told "never go into business with family," consider this your permission slip to do it right. Because less than 2% of women founders ever cross a million, and nobody should have to make that climb alone.

No one’s journey is perfect, especially in family business; but with humble courage, clarity, and intentional communication, you can create something truly lasting. 

Time Stamps: 

(00:00) The co-founder rule that protects a billion-dollar partnership 

(01:04) Plot twist - Suneera takes the hot seat 

(01:44) The immigrant household that was secretly an MBA 

(08:21) The sticker-gun lesson: why care in the small things scales 

(10:47) Eldest daughter, first to college - the weight of expectations 

(16:00) How Fattmerchant started: the problem she couldn't unsee 

(18:59) Laughed out of the room at 25 

(21:06) The family-dinner question: "Why not you?" 

(24:18) $5M in year one to a billion-dollar exit — the receipts 

(26:36) Building with your brother: divide, conquer, trust the outcome 

(33:12) The third-founder move that breaks the stalemate 

(44:28) The tab-keeping trap: how resentment actually starts 

(47:15) Humble courage: the conversations families avoid (and pay for it)

(53:37) Her real relationship to money, and the fear underneath it 

(1:00:21) What she tells her daughters: do your passion, but own it 

(1:04:25) Lisa's playbook: run the business like a business, the family like a family

Connect with Lisa at: 

Website: https://www.openwithlisamorel.com/ 

Share this with your favorite co-founders!

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As Suneera said, entrepreneurship is too hard to do alone, and the best thing she has is partners who care as much as she does. If you're a 7- or 8-figure woman founder who's done climbing solo, this is THE table: a vetted room of women CEOs who refuse to play small. Pull up a seat: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

--- 

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement. 

Watch and listen to us at: 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1525261018

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money

Website: ⁠https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-schooll

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

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SOCIAL Hashtags: #CEOSchool #SuneeraMadhani #WomenFounders #FemaleFounders #FounderToCEO #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #FamilyBusiness #SiblingCofounders #BuildingWithFamily #GenerationalWealth #CoFounderGoals #ImmigrantFamily

PE introductions, C-suite connections, companies exiting because of one conversation; that's what happens inside the MFC. We're opening spots for ambitious women at the 7-figure mark who are ready to be in the room where the best deals happen.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

--

Welcome back to the CEO School podcast!

In today's episode, our host Suneera Madhani sits down with powerhouse executive and proud Latina mom, Vivian Gonzalez. With nearly 30 years in executive search—20 of which were spent deep in private equity—Vivian brings a wealth of insider knowledge on scaling companies, strategic exits, and the art of assembling world-class leadership teams.

Together, they dive into the realities of selling to private equity, what it takes to build truly exitable enterprises, and the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the male-dominated world of finance and leadership.

Plus, Vivian shares actionable insights on retention, hiring, and the mindset shifts women founders need to unlock the next level of growth. Whether you're building your first company or preparing for a big exit, this episode is packed with must-know strategies and inspiration for ambitious women in business.

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Introducing Vivian Gonzalez: 30 Years Placing C-Suite Talent in PE-Backed Companies

(05:20) From Law School Dropout to Running a Firm at 25

(07:44) Private Equity 101: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Why It Got a Bad Rap

(12:17) The Gender Gap in PE: 15% on Deal Teams, 2% as Operating Partners

(13:45)  Vivian's Rule: No Woman on Your Deal Team? No Introduction.

(19:49) No Is a Gift: How Rejection Builds Better Founders

(23:50)  What PE Buyers Actually Grade You On: Retention, Scalability, and Letting Go

(25:50) The Mindset Shift: If the Business Can't Run Without You, It's Not Sellable

(28:00) "I Can't Afford to Hire"... Here's How to Think About It Instead

(33:47) The $1M, $5M, and $10M Inflection Points And What Breaks at Each One

(39:17) The Case Study Hiring Method That Removes Risk and Gets You to Yes

(44:19) The 30/60/90 Framework: Why Hires Fail Without It

(46:00) — Where to Find Vivian and the MFC

Follow Vivian and discover her ventures:

Instagram: @viviangonzales.parkcapital

LinkedIn: Vivian Gonzales

Remember, every "no" is just a step closer to your "yes". Keep building businesses that create wealth and impact!

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Vivian just told you the business that can't run without you isn't sellable. The 6P quiz will show you exactly which pillar is holding you back. Take it, get your weakest area, and get the custom workbook to fix it → https://bit.ly/FounderOrCEOQuiz

---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We're on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1525261018

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-school

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life. Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

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SOCIAL Hashtags:

#PrivateEquity #ExitStrategy #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #WomenInLeadership #FounderToCEO #CSuiteRecruitment #BusinessGrowth #CustomerRetention #HiringStrategy #ScaleYourBusiness #CEOSchool

The avoidance patterns we broke down today show up in your business too, and our Founder or CEO quiz will tell you exactly where. Uncover your weakest area and get a custom workbook to strengthen it → https://bit.ly/FounderOrCEOQuiz

In today's solo episode, Suneera takes a direct and honest look at one of the biggest challenges holding women back in business and life: our collective fear of direct conversations.

From ghosting and gossip to building stories in our heads, Suneera unpacks the patterns of avoidance that can undermine relationships, leadership, and personal growth. Through practical lessons and personal insights, she'll show you how embracing direct yet kind communication is the key to true leadership and lasting success. It's time to pick up the phone, have the tough conversations, and build a reputation and relationships that stand the test of time.

Let's dive in!
Time Stamps:
(01:00) Cold open: we are terrified of direct conversations
(02:18) Lesson 1: Leaders pick up the phone, not the voice note
(03:40) Lesson 2: Giving direct feedback without the 12 disclaimers
(04:11) Feedback is just data; it's not a verdict on your worth
(04:56) Lesson 3: "It's you and me against the problem"
(06:19) How to stop the story before resentment builds
(07:22) Lesson 4: Stop living in zero or 100
(08:09) Why women's reactions cost them trust and relationships
(09:33) Lesson 5: Your reputation outlasts every disagreement
(10:55) Zero to scorched earth: that's ego, not strength
(11:27) The PSA: build the muscle for direct, kind conversations

Share this with a founder who's been writing the text, then deleting it, then writing it again.
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Your network is only as strong as your ability to protect it. The women inside MFC have already learned that. Come have the real conversations with us → https://bit.ly/MFCApplication
---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1525261018 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: Website: https://theceoschool.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-school

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.
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SOCIAL Hashtags:
#leadership #directconversations #feedback #communication #conflictresolution #emotionalintelligence #womeninbusiness #avoidance #givingfeedback #receivingfeedback #businessrelationships #problemsolving #winwinmindset #assumption #ghosting #gossip #triangulation #personalgrowth #professionalboundaries #reputation #integrity #emotionalregulation #mentorship #teamdynamics #empathy #networkoverlap #peoplepleasing #burningbridges #ceoschool #foundertoceo

You can't build wealth on a business that falls apart the second you step back. The Founder-to-CEO Shift guide is the free first step out of the founder trap → https://bit.ly/FounderToCEOGuide

Welcome back to CEO School!

In today's episode, we sit down with Michelle Taylor: licensed wealth manager, founder of Women In Wealth, and host of the Talk Wealthy To Me podcast. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from entrepreneurial pivots and personal financial struggles to building a thriving practice focused on advising women business owners about wealth.

We dive deep into the realities of juggling business and family, why your business shouldn't be your only retirement plan, and how women can shift their money mindset. Plus, we'll break down practical strategies for putting your money to work, discuss the importance of building a strong advisory team, and explore where and how wealthy women are investing for long-term growth. 

Whether you're a founder or just getting started on your wealth journey, Michelle brings honest advice, sharp insight, and a much-needed perspective on investing in your business (and yourself).

Grab a notepad, because this episode is packed with actionable wisdom you won't want to miss!

Time Stamps:

(01:00)  Selling Everything to Move to Italy (Then Pivoting)
(05:54)  Leukemia at 17 & Why Health Is the First Wealth
(07:41)  The Louboutin Product, IVF & Picking the Real Baby
(09:57)  Why She Built Women in Wealth
(15:33)  Bet on Yourself: Your Business Is the Home Run
(17:02)  Where Founders Waste Money (And Where to Put It Instead)
(20:37)  Stop Sitting on Cash: Give Your Money a Job
(24:24)  The Pie: Allocating by Age, Goals & Risk
(27:39 ) "Mailbox Money": Replacing Your Income With Real Estate
(29:56)  Angel Bets & Why "When I'm Ready" Is a Trap
(32:54)  Swing Big: The Baseball Rule of Risk
(39:42)  Fire the CPA Who Says No
(40:30)  Tax Moves That Don't Lock Up Your Cash

Share this with a founder whose money is asleep on the couch.

Connect With Michelle:
Website: https://womeninwealth.co/
Instagram: @itschelletaylor

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The honest money conversations only happen with women who get it.

That room has a name. The Millionaire Founders Club has a few spots left → https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that.

Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1525261018

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-school

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

--------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL Hashtags:

#WealthManagement #WomenAndWealth #BusinessOwners #FemaleFounders #Entrepreneurship #BuildingWealth #FinancialLiteracy #MoneyMindset #PassiveIncome #Investing #TaxStrategy #RealEstateInvesting

The first step out of the founder trap is free. Get the Founder-to-CEO Shift guide → https://theceoschool.com/

Welcome back to CEO School! In today’s solo episode, Suneera Madhani shares the pivotal moment when her ambition outgrew her systems—and how that breakthrough became the foundation for building businesses that don’t depend on her every move. From the high of a Fast Company feature to the low of realizing she’d become the bottleneck, Suneera Madhani walks us through the lessons she learned transitioning from founder to CEO. 

Tune in for practical tools, the must-have 6P framework for sustainable growth, and an invitation to break free from founder burnout with systems that actually set you up for true freedom and scale. If you’re ready to audit your business, embody your CEO self, and set your sights higher, this episode is for you!

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Facing overwhelming demand

(04:16) Harnessing Inner Leadership Power

(09:45) Building an Inclusive Business Accelerator

(12:40) Using AI to streamline CEO tasks

Send this to a founder who's still doing everything herself and wondering why she's stuck.

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When the strategy that got you here stops working, the next level is about the room you're in. The Millionaire Founders Club has a few spots left.

Apply today: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

-------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL Hashtags:

#self image #mindset #femaleentrepreneurs #confidence #style #environment #personalgrowth,#ambition #fear #emotions #overcomingfear #selfconcept #transformation #selfworth #provingenergy #ambitionwithease #playfulness #selfcare #fashion #bookrecommendations #surroundings

The inner work underneath your strategy is what scales it, and it's exactly what we cover in Module 1 of the CEO Accelerator Certification. See how it works: https://accelerator.theceoschool.com/join-now

Welcome back to CEO School!

In today's episode, we're joined by Tonya Leigh, founder of the School of Self Image and host of the podcast “School of Self-Image .” Tonya takes us through her inspiring journey from a critical care nurse and single mom in the deep South to becoming a food and wine writer in France, transforming her life by reimagining who she could be.

We dive into Tonya's unique framework for self-image, which centers on mindset, style, and environment, and how these pillars empower women, especially high-achieving entrepreneurs, to design a life they love. 

Get ready for an important conversation on overcoming fear, the true currency of change, and actionable steps to step confidently into your highest self.

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Tonya Leigh and the Art of Becoming
(03:18) The one word that rewrote an entire life
(08:51) The fear wasn't failing... it was not knowing how
(10:32) The worst thing that can happen is a feeling
(14:54) When she decided to french-kiss life
(17:00) The strategy that built it is the strategy capping it
(23:57) The thought ladder: how to shift a thought without lying to yourself
(27:07) Dress to impress yourself, not the room
(30:35) The three-nail-color rule for founders with no time
(33:47) Beauty standards built to keep you chasing
(34:44) Define beauty so it includes you
(37:57) Your environment is shaping you. Audit it!
(39:55) The bookshelf swap that changed everything
(41:37) Where to find Tonya and her programs

Share this with a founder who treats self-image like a soft skill.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

When the strategy that got you here stops working, the next level is about the room you're in. The Millionaire Founders Club has a few spots left. Apply today: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

---

Follow Tonya and discover her ventures:

Instagram: @tonyaleigh

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com/

Her free Elegant Success Framework: 

https://schoolofselfimage.com/success

---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

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We've proven you can have it all, and we've built the framework that makes it possible: The CEO Accelerator. Six pillars, live calls with Suneera, and your own plug-and-play CEO Operating System. Apply now: https://accelerator.theceoschool.com/join-now

***

Welcome to a very special episode of CEO School, in honor of Father's Day. 

On this episode of CEO School, Suneera sat down with her husband, Fazail Madhani, for a candid conversation about their journey as entrepreneurs, partners, and parents. They talk about building businesses from the ground up, navigating failures together, what it means to truly support each other's ambitions, and how we make family our foundation. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to balance entrepreneurship with marriage and parenting, or if you need a reminder that you really can have it all with the right mindset and support, this episode is a must-listen.

From humble beginnings and entrepreneurial struggles to scaling multi-million-dollar businesses and raising a family together, they share the highs, lows, and real-life lessons behind their “one team, one dream” philosophy. Whether you're seeking insights on building a supportive partnership, balancing family and ambition, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive together as entrepreneurs and parents, this episode is packed with wisdom, vulnerability, and plenty of fun. 

Don’t miss this intimate look into the Madhani family's dynamic and the values that drive their success, both at work and at home.

Time Stamps:

(00:07) Born in Tanzania, raised to never make excuses

(07:57) How they met, and who was playing footsies at the poker table?

(12:35) Failing together before making it together

(19:17) What Faisal actually signed up for when marrying Suneera

(27:41) How he describes his wife when someone asks what she does

(32:01) The not-so-pretty side of being married to a CEO

(45:18) The moment that showed her what real partnership means

(48:33) Why they refuse to believe women can't have it all

(49:36) Parenting as two CEOs: what they protect, what they teach, and what they refuse to sacrifice

(58:31) The moment he never told her he was proud of

(59:31) The Sunny nobody sees online, and what 18 years comes down to

Share this with a founder who thinks having it all means doing it alone.

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You don't have to figure out the next level alone; that's what the room is for. Our Millionaire Founders Club has a few spots left. Apply today: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication
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Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

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If your business is running on passion instead of process, that's the gap the CEO Accelerator closes. 12 weeks to go from founder mode to CEO mode: the six pillars, the playbooks, the live calls with Suneera. Apply now: https://accelerator.theceoschool.com/join-now

***

Is hustle culture dead, or have we swung too far in the opposite direction?

Welcome back to the CEO School podcast! 

In this episode of CEO School, our host Suneera shares an unfiltered perspective on the current state of entrepreneurship, social media marketing, personal branding, and business growth.

From the rise of the "soft girl era" to the pressure women founders feel to constantly create content, build personal brands, and chase visibility, Suneera challenges the narratives dominating social media and explains why founders may be focusing on the wrong metrics.

Whether you're building a startup, growing a personal brand, scaling a seven-figure company, or simply feeling burned out by social media, this episode offers practical insights and a refreshing perspective on entrepreneurship in 2026.

You'll learn why:
-Business is neither masculine nor feminine; it's business
-Visibility without conversion is just entertainment
-Social media trends are creating a culture of sameness
-Over-editing content can kill authenticity
 -Personal branding should support your business, not become your business

Time Stamps:

(00:00) — Introduction: Why Social Media Feels Exhausting Right Now

(01:53) — The Problem with the "Soft Girl Business" Era

(03:37) — Vision Boards Don't Close Deals, Systems Do

(05:27) — Business Isn't Feminine or Masculine. It's Business.

(06:24) — Lessons from Building Multiple Companies

(10:15) — You Birthed Your Business, Should You Be Mothering It Too?

(11:44) — The Real Cost of Content Creation

(13:33) — Why Over-Edited Content Is Losing Its Power

(15:47) — Social Media Sameness Is Killing Authenticity

(18:26) — The Personal Brand Trap Women Founders Don't See Coming

(20:57) — Visibility Without Conversion Is Just Entertainment

(23:30) — The Feed Audit Every Founder Should Do Today

Share this with a woman founder who needs to remember that visibility without conversion is just entertainment.

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You built the business. Now it's time to build the wealth. If you're a seven-figure founder ready to scale to eight, the Millionaire Founders Club has a few spots left. Apply here: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

---

Only 2% of women founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We're on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEOSchoolpodcast

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life.

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

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#CEOSchool #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #FounderLife #BusinessGrowth #PersonalBranding #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #WomenEntrepreneurs #StartupFounder #ContentMarketing #CEO mindset #BusinessPodcast #ScaleYourBusiness #SocialMediaMarketing

You built the business. Now it's time to build the wealth. If you're a seven-figure founder ready to surround yourself with women doing the same, the Millionaire Founders Club has a few spots left.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/MFCApplication

Welcome back to the CEO School podcast!

In this episode, we're sitting down with Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, to talk about how she went from a Wall Street equities trader to a viral financial educator and a multi-million-dollar media entrepreneur.

Her story starts with immigrant parents, a fourth career option nobody handed her, and a first TikTok that hit 3 million views in a week. From there, the conversation gets into the risk-calculated leap from a $625K corporate salary to building her own brand, and what it takes to turn income into wealth as a founder.
Expect straight talk on the FU number, taking distributions, and why so many seven-figure founders are still broke. Plus, Vivian breaks down her latest book, Well Endowed, and Ask Dolly, her new fintech built to make financial advice accessible to everyone, not just people who already have a six-figure net worth.
Practical, candid, and full of useful nuggets. Don't skip a minute of this one.

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

-Segregate Your Finances: The discussion explored the importance of separating personal and business finances. Treat your business as its own entity, pay yourself appropriately, and make sure you're using surplus for distributions and investments—not just reinvesting everything or using your business as a piggy bank. (17:27)

-Find Your “Enough” Number: One concept discussed was the power of knowing your “FU” number—calculate what you truly need to live your ideal life, and let that number drive your wealth-building and investment strategies instead of always chasing “more.” (24:00)

-Diversification is Everything: The conversation focused on what to do with distributions or windfalls: first, shore up your emergency fund, pay down high-interest debt, then diversify into tax-advantaged accounts, index funds, real estate, and even a little fun (yes, it’s okay to treat yourself!) (35:10)

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Introducing Your Rich BFF's Vivian Tu

(01:58) The immigrant kid who found her fourth option, and ran with it

(04:56) She went viral on day one, and her first call was to the legal team

(07:15) She had $625K, a job she loved, and a decision to make

(11:21) The moment she ran out of hours in the day

(14:09) How she figured out what to charge (and kept pushing)

(18:02) How do you go from making income to building wealth

(24:09) Stop chasing a number you can't even visualize

(30:29) The economy broke its promise to this generation

(35:41) Your Roth IRA is a purse. What's actually in it?

(38:21) Every big purchase she makes has a milestone tied to it

(41:22) Nobody runs from the Sephora sale. Why run from the stock market?

(44:21) The financial advice gap no one is filling...until now

Share this with the woman who's making real money but still can't answer the question: "What's actually enough?"

Follow Vivian Tu and discover her ventures:

Instagram: @your.richbff

TikTok: @yourrichbff

Ask Dolly website: https://askdolly.com/

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If you're a female founder who's built serious revenue but knows your business needs a real CEO, our CEO Accelerator Certification gives you the framework to make that shift in 12 weeks. Secure your spot today: https://accelerator.theceoschool.com/join-now.

---

Only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Subscribe to the CEO School and join the movement.

Watch and listen to us at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

Website: https://theceoschool.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theceoschool

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for powerhouse female CEOs like you to take center stage, not just in your industries but in your whole life. 

Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/.

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#CEOSchoolPodcast #YourRichBFF #RichBFF #VivianTu #FinancialLiteracy #PersonalFinance #WealthBuilding #Entrepreneurship #ContentCreation #ViralVideo #SocialMediaStrategy #BrandDeals #PricingStrategy #Monetization #CreatorEconomy #BatchContentRecording