Craig Leach, MBA

Welcome to where transforming companies and careers with precision-tailored executive placements and progressive leadership coaching meets personalized solutions that align with your unique culture and strategic goals. If you're here, you're likely seeking to attract and retain top-tier talent in a competitive market, align leadership teams with corporate strategy and culture, navigate leadership transitions without disrupting operations, and ensure new hires are the right fit for long-term success.

With over 30 years of experience in leading teams, I guide executives from uncertainty and misalignment to building high-performing teams that drive results. Is reducing time spent on recruiting or mis-recruiting on your radar? Do you aspire to increase productivity and performance? If these aspirations resonate, you've found your path.

I blend my diverse skills in negotiation, business planning, operations management, sales, market development, and leadersip with my passion for talent development, crafting strategic solutions that truly represent your organization's needs. This strategy allows you to transform your leadership capital and achieve sustainable success.

My 21st Century technology-influenced approach uses personalized executive search and coaching to create long-term impact that delivers reduced commercial downtime, improved employee retention rates, and reduced overall costs to hire. I empower hiring managers to make confident decisions, so 96% of our placements are still in place after 12 months.

What you can expect:
• Minimized client commercial downtime
• Improved new employee retention rates
• Reduced overall costs to hire

Your outcomes:
• 96% of placements still in place after 12 months
• 94% of placements still in place after 24 months

Embrace a journey that transforms your organization through strategic leadership development and succession planning. Ready to start?

I offer different ways to work with me to suit your budget and needs:
• Retained Search: Exclusive tailored executive search and coaching solutions, best suited for senior leadership positions (C-Suite, VPs, Directors)
• Contingency Search: Exclusive search for technical, sales, and marketing roles
• Executive Coaching: Tailored, one-on-one partnerships to empower leaders and high-potential professionals to maximize performance and achieve personal and organizational goals

Who it's for:
• C-suite executives
• Senior managers
• Emerging leaders
• Professionals transitioning to higher leadership roles

Begin your journey: https://calendly.com/6202205911/30min

President

Craig Leach

The most expensive thing a CEO can have is a recruiter who won't say no.

A Fortune 500 company offered me $75K to find their next CFO.

I walked away.

Not because of the money. Because of what I heard in the boardroom.

"We need someone who can clean house. Fire 30% of finance. No questions."

I asked what was driving the 30% number.

"We promised the board headcount reduction. Easier to hire fresh talent at lower salaries."

They weren't looking for a CFO. They were looking for an executioner.

Their last three CFOs? All lasted under 18 months. Turnover rate? 47%. One former CFO told me they made him fire people who'd been there 20 years—good people—then blamed him when culture imploded.

A "yes" recruiter would have taken that search. Cashed the check. Placed someone. And watched them burn out in a year.

Then done it again. And again.

I offer a 1-year placement guarantee. Risk definitely outweighed the reward.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗲𝘀-𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂:

• The $75K fee—three times over
• Six CFOs in three years
• Stock down 34%
• Glassdoor rating: 2.1 stars
• Every good candidate now knows to stay away

The recruiter fee was never the expense.

The expense was nobody saying: "This isn't a search problem. This is a leadership problem."

After 200+ placements, I've learned this:

The best thing I can do for a client isn't always finding them a candidate.

Sometimes it's telling them they're not ready for one.

They called me unprofessional when I walked away. Threatened to blacklist me.

That was three years ago.

I sleep fine.

Would your recruiter tell you no if you needed to hear it?

I Work with Senior Leaders to Build Teams that Shape the Future | Executive Search | C-Suite | 2x Top Voice

Most leaders misdiagnose their team problems.

They see the same symptoms—low energy, missed deadlines, tension in meetings—and reach for the same fix: motivation.

200+ placements taught me something different.

A stressed team and a checked-out team look almost identical. But they need completely opposite interventions.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗗𝘆𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺:

• Small issues trigger big reactions
• People seem on edge, scanning for threats
• Exhaustion that doesn't improve with time off
• They care deeply but can't perform

These people are in survival mode. Their nervous systems are overwhelmed.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺:

• Flat reactions to good news or bad news
• Minimal effort—just enough to not get fired
• Silence that feels like surrender
• They've stopped caring altogether

These people have emotionally left. Something broke the connection.

Here's why this matters when I evaluate leadership environments:

You can't motivate a dysregulated team. Pep talks and incentives don't work when people are overwhelmed. They need safety first.

You can't regulate a disengaged team. Breathing exercises won't help people who've already checked out. They need honest conversations about what's broken.

Before I place any executive, I look for this:

Does leadership understand the difference between a team that's drowning and a team that's already gone?

The executives who fail often walk into dysregulated environments and push harder. Or they walk into disengaged cultures and try to inspire their way out.

Same symptoms. Wrong diagnosis. Predictable failure.

The executives who last? They read the room before they try to change it.

What's the first thing you look for when assessing a team's health?

I Work with Senior Leaders to Build Teams that Shape the Future | Executive Search | C-Suite | Top Voice 2024 - 2025

Why I Tell Candidates to Negotiate AGAINST Their Own Salary

Most recruiters coach executives to ask for more.

I ask them to argue for less.

Not as a trick. As a test.

200+ placements taught me this pattern:

The executives who can articulate why they might be overpriced are the ones worth every dollar.

Here's what I tell candidates in final rounds:

"Give me three reasons a company shouldn't pay you what you're asking."

The weak candidates freeze. Deflect. Get defensive.

The exceptional ones? They go deep.

"My industry experience is strong, but I've never led a team this size."
"I'm asking for equity I haven't earned yet."
"My last company's brand opened doors—I need to prove I can do it without that."

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀:

• Self-awareness that can't be faked
• Intellectual honesty under pressure
• The ability to see their own blind spots

The executives who can argue against themselves are the ones who won't oversell and underdeliver.

They know what they're worth. And they know what they still need to prove.

I've watched candidates talk themselves into higher offers by being honest about their gaps. Boards respect it. CEOs remember it.

The ones who can't find a single reason they might be overpriced?

They're usually the first to underperform.

Confidence is knowing your value.
Self-awareness is knowing your limits.

The best executives I've placed have both.

Is there a question you ask that reveals more than a resume ever could?

Your LinkedIn headline doesn't matter as much as you think.

Controversial? Maybe. But after 200+ placements, here's the truth:

I spend about 2 seconds on your headline. Then I scroll straight to your experience section.

I've seen candidates with perfectly optimized headlines—all the right keywords, clever formulas, impressive-sounding buzzwords.

Then I look at their actual work. Nothing there.

I've also seen candidates with headlines that just say "CFO" or "VP Operations." No formula. No flair.

But their experience section tells a story. Clear results. Specific impact. A thread I can follow.

Guess which one I call?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:

• Does your experience section show progression or just job hopping?
• Can I understand what you actually did, or is it buried in jargon?
• Do your results have numbers, or just vague claims?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁:

• Headlines stuffed with buzzwords that mean nothing
• "Thought Leader | Visionary | Change Agent"
• Anything that sounds like marketing copy instead of a person

Here's the uncomfortable truth:

A great headline on an empty profile is like a beautiful cover on a blank book.

And a boring headline on a strong profile? I'll still pick up the phone.

Your headline is the wrapper. Your experience is the product.

Stop optimizing the wrapper. Start building something worth unwrapping.

What's the first thing you actually look at when you review someone's profile?

I Work with Senior Leaders to Build Teams that Shape the Future | Executive Search | C-Suite | Top Voice 2024

Apple Just Created a Head of Executive Retention (And Every Fortune 500 Should Follow)

Most companies treat executive retention like an afterthought.

"We'll worry about keeping them once they're here."

Then their best leaders walk out the door to competitors. And suddenly everyone's scrambling.

Apple just did something different. They created a dedicated role focused entirely on keeping their top executives.

Not recruiting them. Keeping them.

After 200+ placements, I've watched this pattern destroy companies:

They spend $500K finding the perfect CFO.
They spend $0 figuring out how to keep her.
Then they spend $750K finding her replacement 18 months later.

The math never works.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:

The war for executive talent isn't about hiring anymore. It's about holding.

Every Fortune 500 company has recruiters hunting your best people. LinkedIn messages. Competitor calls. PE firms dangling equity.

Your executives aren't wondering if they have options. They're wondering if you're worth staying for.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴:

• They assume compensation is enough
• They ignore the small frustrations that compound
• They wait until the resignation letter to ask what went wrong
• They treat retention as HR's problem instead of a strategic priority

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀:

The cost of losing a great executive isn't the replacement search.

It's watching them build your competitor's empire with your blueprints.

I've placed the same executive three times because their previous bosses didn't understand this. They all called me afterward asking for "another Mike."

They had Mike. They lost Mike. And they still didn't get it.

Creating a Head of Executive Retention sends a message: We're not just investing in finding you. We're investing in keeping you.

That's the difference between companies that build dynasties and companies that build revolving doors.

How is your company thinking about executive retention?

Stop chasing “talent” as if it’s a fixed trait.

Most companies believe talent is something you’re born with. Either you have it, or you don’t.

That’s a myth. Talent isn’t fixed. It’s potential waiting for the right environment.

I’ve seen “average” candidates become legends. I’ve watched “top talent” burn out fast.

The difference? Leadership.

Great leaders don’t just spot talent. They build conditions for it to thrive.

They challenge before people are ready. They see potential others overlook. They push past perceived limits.

The best hires I’ve made weren’t the most credentialed. They were the ones someone believed in.

Talent is everywhere. What’s rare is the environment that unlocks it.

Are you hiring what they’ve done? Or what they could become?

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Most hiring fails for one reason nobody wants to admit.

Companies hire for skills. They should hire for mindset.

200+ placements taught me this pattern:

The candidate with the perfect resume flames out in 8 months. The one with "potential" becomes a company legend.

Skills can be taught. Mindset can't.

I've watched CFOs with flawless credentials crumble under pressure. And I've seen "underqualified" operators build teams that transformed entire divisions.

The difference was never what they knew. It was how they thought.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄:

• Do they take ownership when things break?
• Do they learn from feedback or defend against it?
• Do they lift others up or climb over them?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁:

• The "right" certifications
• The prestigious company names
• The polished interview answers

Here's the uncomfortable truth:

You can teach someone your systems. Your processes. Your industry.

You cannot teach someone to care. To persist. To adapt when the playbook stops working.

The executives who last 10 years don't have better skills than the ones who last 18 months.

They have better mindsets.

Your next hire's resume tells you where they've been.

Their mindset tells you where they'll take you.

Which one are you screening for?

6 Principles That Separate Great Hires from Expensive Mistakes

If you're questioning your role at year 4, you're not impatient. You're right on schedule.

Here's what nobody tells executives:

In my experience, average Fortune 500 C-suite tenure often hovers around 5 years. CEO tenure? About 7-8 years.

200+ placements taught me this pattern:

The executives who stay too long aren't loyal. They're on autopilot.

The ones who start asking hard questions at year 3 or 4? They're the ones who end up in their best roles.

I placed a CFO two years ago who almost didn't take my call. She'd been in her role for five years. Good company. Solid performance. But something felt off.

She kept saying, "I should be grateful. It's a great job."

I asked her one question: "When's the last time you were excited about a Monday?"

Silence.

Six months later, she was leading finance at a company twice the size, building something from scratch. She told me recently it was the best decision she almost didn't make.

The signs were all there. She'd just convinced herself to ignore them.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴:

• Give yourself permission to evaluate fit (not just performance)
• Revisit the impact you want to have in the next 5–10 years
• Start strengthening your network now, not when you need it

The real risk isn't exploring your next move too early. It's waiting until external forces push you out.

Executive careers are a series of strategic moves. The best leaders know when to make their next one.

When did you know it was time to write your next chapter?

If Your LinkedIn Says "Executive Recruiter" in 2026, You're Leaving Placements on the Table

A candidate asked me something last week that stuck:

"Why should I work with you instead of the 50 other recruiters in my inbox?"

Fair question. I had an answer. Most recruiters don't.

Here's what 200+ placements taught me about positioning:

The generic title is killing your pipeline.

"Executive Recruiter" tells candidates nothing. It tells clients even less. You're competing with thousands of people who have the exact same two words on their profile.

Meanwhile, the recruiters winning the best mandates?

They don't call themselves recruiters at all.

They're "FinTech CFO Specialist." "Private Equity Operating Partner Talent." "Healthcare C-Suite Search."

The shift isn't about being clever. It's about being findable.

When a PE firm needs a portfolio company CEO, they're not searching "executive recruiter." They're searching for someone who understands their world.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸:

• Industry-specific positioning attracts inbound
• Niche expertise commands higher fees
• Candidates trust specialists over generalists
• Clients stop comparing you to commodity recruiters

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹:

• "Full-service" positioning that means nothing
• Trying to be everything to everyone
• Competing on speed instead of insight
• Hiding behind a corporate brand instead of building your own

The recruiters who'll thrive in 2026 won't be the ones with the biggest databases.

They'll be the ones clients and candidates think of first when a specific need arises.

Your title isn't just a label. It's your first pitch.

Make it count.

What does your LinkedIn headline actually say about your expertise? Recruiter or not?

If you're questioning your role at year 4, you're not impatient. You're right on schedule.

Here's what nobody tells executives:

In my experience, average Fortune 500 C-suite tenure often hovers around 5 years. CEO tenure? About 7-8 years.

200+ placements taught me this pattern:

The executives who stay too long aren't loyal. They're on autopilot.

The ones who start asking hard questions at year 3 or 4? They're the ones who end up in their best roles.

I've watched executives ignore the internal signals for years. The role changed. The organization shifted. Their goals evolved. But they kept showing up to the same job.

By the time they finally moved, they'd lost momentum. Lost leverage. Lost options.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴:

• Give yourself permission to evaluate fit (not just performance)
• Revisit the impact you want to have in the next 5–10 years
• Start strengthening your network now, not when you need it

The real risk isn't exploring your next move too early. It's waiting until external forces push you out.

Executive careers are a series of strategic moves. The best leaders know when to make their next one.

What's driving your questions – a problem, or a readiness for growth?

I just placed a VP of Technology who never finished college.

She beat out five Ivy League candidates.

Here's why the board chose her:

She taught herself AI, rebuilt her company's entire tech stack, and led a digital transformation that doubled revenue in 18 months.

The others had perfect resumes.

She had proven learning velocity.

This is the shift I'm seeing after 200+ placements:

Skills-based hiring is replacing credential worship.

Boards don't ask "Where did they go to school?" anymore.

They ask "How fast can they learn what we need next?"

The data backs this up:

Skills assessments reduce mis-hires by 88%.
They predict job success better than any CV.

What companies prioritize now:

• Learning agility over tenure
• Digital literacy over job titles
• AI proficiency over degrees
• Pivot speed over pedigree

Our 96% retention rate comes from one philosophy:

Hire for mindset and adaptability.
Train for skills.

The executives thriving today don't have the longest credentials.

They have the sharpest learning curves and measurable impact.

That VP of Technology?

Still crushing it two years later.

Outperforming every "safer" candidate on paper.

Are you still hiring resumes or hiring potential?

The best interview question I've ever asked isn't on any list.

After 200+ placements, I've sat through thousands of interviews. Watched hiring managers ask the same tired questions. Watched candidates deliver the same rehearsed answers.

Everyone's prepared for "Tell me about yourself." Everyone's got a weakness that's secretly a strength.

So I stopped asking what everyone else asks.

Now I ask this:

"Tell me about a time you were wrong about something important, and what it cost you."

Silence. Every time.

Because this question does something the others can't. It forces honesty.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿:

• Do they own the mistake or blame circumstances?
• Can they quantify the impact or do they minimize it?
• Did they actually learn something or just survive it?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻:

• Candidates who can't answer have never been accountable for anything meaningful
• Candidates who blame others will do the same in your company
• Candidates who get specific and own it? Those are your people

The resume tells you what someone did. The interview tells you who they are.

But only if you ask questions they can't prepare for.

Your best hires won't be the ones with the perfect answers. They'll be the ones who can sit in discomfort and tell you the truth anyway.

What's the one interview question that's revealed the most about a candidate for you?

Most executives ask the wrong question about their career.

"How long can I keep this job?"

That's survival thinking. Not strategy.

Here's what 200+ placements taught me:

The moment you step into a C-suite role, you're on a 3-7 year runway. That's not pessimism. That's the data. Average C-suite tenure hovers around 5 years. CEOs get about 7-8.

The best executives I've placed don't think about how long they can stay. They think about what this chapter will be known for.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿:

• What do I want this chapter to be known for in 3-5 years?
• What needs to be true for me to stay energized here?
• At what point will it be time to design the next move?

High-performing executives treat their career like a portfolio. Regularly reviewed. Intentionally rebalanced. Aligned with where they can create the most value next.

I've watched executives cling to roles that stopped fitting years ago. They weren't loyal. They were comfortable. And comfort has a cost.

The executives who build remarkable careers don't wait for a crisis to reassess. They build reflection into the rhythm of how they lead.

If your current role no longer matches the leader you've become, that's not a problem.

It's your signal.

How often do you step back and evaluate whether your role still fits?

Most companies call me when they're desperate.

CFO just quit. No succession plan. Board meeting in 30 days.

Then they ask: "How fast can you find someone?"

Wrong question.

The right question is: "Why didn't we prepare for this six months ago?"

Here's what reactive hiring actually costs:

• 6-9 months average search timeline under pressure
• $2M+ in lost productivity per vacant C-suite role
• Remaining executives burning out covering gaps
• Strategic initiatives stalled or abandoned
• Competitors poaching your best people during chaos

I've seen it destroy companies.

One client waited until their COO announced retirement. Two weeks notice.

No pipeline. No internal candidates ready. No transition plan.

They promoted someone unprepared. He lasted four months.

Total cost: $3.7M in severance, recruiting fees, and operational disruption.

Compare that to my clients who build partnerships before crisis hits:

We map their leadership bench quarterly.
Identify succession gaps before they're urgent.
Build relationships with potential candidates over time.
Coach internal talent for future roles.

When someone leaves? We're ready in weeks, not months.

One CEO told me: "Craig, having you embedded in our strategy saved us when our CFO got recruited away. We had her replacement starting within 45 days."

The companies crushing it aren't reacting to turnover.

They're anticipating it.

Because in executive search, preparation isn't expensive.

Desperation is.

When's the last time you stress-tested your succession plan?

I've placed 200+ executives.

96% are still there after 12 months.

Here's what separates the ones who thrive from the ones who don't:

It's not credentials.
It's not pedigree.
It's not even experience.

The last five years in executive search taught me retention comes down to three things:

1. Strategic Alignment

The executive's vision must match where the company is actually going.

Not where they say they're going in the job description. Where they're really going.

I've seen brilliant CFOs fail because they were hired to transform, but the board wanted stability. And vice versa.

Misalignment kills placements faster than anything else.

2. Cultural Fit

Skills get you hired. Culture keeps you employed.

An executive can have every qualification on paper and still be gone in six months if they don't fit how the company operates.

I don't mean they need to be best friends with everyone. I mean their leadership style needs to work within the existing culture or have the mandate to change it.

3. Leadership Agility

The ability to adapt when things don't go as planned.

Because they never do.

The executives who last are the ones who can pivot, read the room, and adjust their approach without losing sight of the goal.

They don't need perfect conditions. They create them.

Here's what I've learned:

You can't fake these three things in an interview.

But you can assess for them if you know what to look for.

That's why our placements stick. We don't just match resumes to job descriptions.

We match people to reality.

What do you think matters most for executive retention?

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We understand the demanding environments and specific branding needs of these industries. 

Whether it's outfitting your team with durable, branded workwear or creating memorable promotional items for industry events, my solutions help reinforce your brand's strength and professionalism.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗢 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨

My journey from corporate sales to mompreneurship has been driven by a desire to combine professional expertise with personal passion. 

We believe in the power of strong branding to make a lasting impact.

Our team is dedicated to helping your business stand out with high-quality, custom solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Join me in transforming your brand vision into reality with 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 that truly make an impact. 

Your success is our priority, and we're committed to exceeding your expectations with every project.

Together, we can create a brand experience that not only captures attention but also builds lasting connections.

📩 Contact us today to discover how our custom promotional products and apparel solutions can enhance your brand.

Jada Powell

Do you want to be seen as more than just another vendor? 

🌎Try this: always know what's really moving in your client's world.

Too many sales reps and consultants fall into the trap of showing up with the same pitch, the same materials, and the same assumptions. 

The reality is the leaders making decisions in Oil & Gas, Energy and Construction are dealing with new questions every day. 

They're watching commodity prices, supply chains, geopolitics, and safety all at once.

If you're not speaking to what's keeping them up at night this quarter, you're just another name in their inbox.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining the Joint Meeting AADE Houston and American Petroleum Institute (API) Houston Chapter where Jeff Krimmel from KSG - Krimmel Strategy Group was the keynote speaker. 

♻️He didn't show up with recycled slides or recycled wisdom. 

He broke down his latest research on what upstream (E&P) and oilfield service companies are actually prioritizing now, not just what made headlines last year.

One thing that stood out: he dove deep into the latest developments around Venezuela. 

That sparked real debate in the room. 

The risks, the future potential, the uncertainty for U.S. energy. 

It made me realize truly valuable partners aren't repeating what's already in the Wall Street Journal. 

They're connecting the dots, making sense of the noise, and helping clients see around corners.

So, why does this matter for anyone in the business of branded workwear, custom apparel, or promotional products? 

Because being relevant goes beyond the fabric and the logo. 

📉It's about knowing how those details fit into your client's strategy. 

When you walk into a meeting or send out a proposal, your clients will remember the person who referenced the latest merger in their sector, 

or who understood how new regulations might impact site safety standards and, in turn, uniform requirements.

Clients want someone who can speak their language. 

The stakes are often bigger than the apparel order form. 

It's about brand reputation, safety compliance, team morale, and sometimes, even community perception. 

If you're up to date and curious about what's happening in their world, you're immediately in a different league.

The takeaway here is simple: never stop learning. 

Carve out time each week to scan the latest news in your target sectors, 

ask clients about their biggest challenges, 

and don't be afraid to bring up tough topics. 

Even if you don't have all the answers, showing that you care enough to ask the right questions sets you apart.

I'm interested to hear how others are staying ahead of the curve. 

Are you finding creative ways to keep your industry knowledge sharp? 

How do you make sure your suggestions are timely, not just "good enough"?

What's your go-to method for staying relevant in a changing market?

📸@ginger-r-391ba632 Mari Salcido and camera man extraordinaire Rick Cannon

undefined undefined

Hi [name]

Do you think custom socks are a great gifting idea?

Who in your career has shown up for you when it counted? 

houston-apparel-co

OSHA Construction Industry Course Certificate

Houston Apparel Co. specializes in elevating business brands through premium quality products and exceptional service. 

Our commitment to superior craftsmanship and client-focused solutions sets us apart in a competitive market.

At Houston Apparel Co., we believe that every brand deserves to shine. 

Our mission is to help businesses achieve this by providing top-tier products that not only meet but exceed expectations. From the moment you engage with us, you'll experience our dedication to excellence in every aspect of our service.

Our team works tirelessly to ensure that each product we deliver is crafted to perfection. 

We understand the importance of attention to detail, and this is reflected in the high standards we maintain throughout our production process. 

Whether it's selecting the finest materials or employing the latest techniques, we leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of quality.

But it's not just about the products. At Houston Apparel Co., we pride ourselves on our client-focused approach. 

We take the time to understand your brand, your vision, and your unique needs. This enables us to create solutions that are tailored specifically to you, ensuring that the end result is not just satisfactory but truly exceptional.

Our exceptional service extends beyond the initial sale. 

We're committed to building long-term relationships with our clients, providing ongoing support and guidance to help your brand continue to grow and thrive. 

We believe that our success is intrinsically linked to yours, and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

What sets Houston Apparel Co. apart is our unwavering commitment to our core values: quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction. These values drive everything we do and are the foundation upon which we have built our reputation.

If you are looking to elevate your business brand with products that reflect the highest standards of quality and service, look no further than Houston Apparel Co. 

Thrilled to announce the launch of Houston Apparel Co., a venture co-founded with my business partner and fellow mompreneur, Venessa Homewood. 

Drawing from the success and lessons from our corporate roles we're poised to propel Houston Apparel Co. to new heights.

Houston Apparel Co. was born out of our shared vision to enhance business brands through premium quality products and exceptional service. 

Venessa and I, both driven by our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence, have created a company that specializes in solving custom apparel sourcing for corporations and SMBs alike.

We've established two distinct divisions to cater to the unique needs of our clients. 

Our Corporate Division focuses on providing large-scale, custom apparel solutions for businesses looking to enhance their brand identity. 

Meanwhile, our SMB Division offers personalized, flexible solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, ensuring that every company, regardless of size, can access premium quality products and services.

At Houston Apparel Co., we're dedicated to offering top-notch products that reflect the quality and professionalism of our clients’ brands. 

Our client-focused approach ensures that every interaction is tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers, providing a seamless and satisfying experience. 

We offer a wide range of customization options, allowing businesses to create unique apparel that truly represents their brand. Staying ahead of industry trends, we deliver innovative designs that make our clients stand out.

Starting Houston Apparel Co. has been an inspiring journey of collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to excellence drives us to continually push boundaries and exceed expectations.

Venessa and I are excited to embark on this new venture, knowing that our dedication and hard-earned expertise will propel Houston Apparel Co. to become a leader in the custom apparel industry.

Co-Founder

The journey to founding Dottie's Designs began during the challenging times of COVID-19. After being laid off from a major corporation, I faced uncertainty about the future. My dog, Dottie, was a beacon of light, providing comfort and joy when I needed it most. Inspired by her unwavering support, I named my business after her, symbolizing resilience and hope.

As a mompreneur, balancing home life and starting a new business was no easy feat. With a family to support, I knew I could do more with my life and decided to jump in feet first into the world of custom apparel. I took on multiple roles—salesperson, marketer, logistics manager, and accountant—learning and adapting as I went along. Each day presented new challenges, but also new opportunities to grow and innovate.

Starting from scratch, I immersed myself in learning about custom apparel, driven by a passion for creativity and a desire to make a meaningful impact. Overcoming initial doubts, I embraced each challenge, gradually building confidence and expertise. Dottie's Designs quickly grew from a small venture into a thriving business, known for its unique designs and personalized service.

Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with my responsibilities at home required a great deal of perseverance and dedication. Late nights and early mornings became routine as I worked tirelessly to build a brand that resonated with customers. The support from my family and the joy of seeing my business grow kept me motivated.

Through dedication and perseverance, I transformed a difficult period into an opportunity for growth and innovation. 

Little did I know, this was setting me up for my next opportunity. My journey with Dottie's Designs not only allowed me to create a successful business but also reinforced the importance of resilience, passion, and believing in oneself. This experience showed me that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to redefine our paths and achieve remarkable success.

Founder, Principal

In my tenure, I gained valuable skills and insights that have uniquely prepared me for entrepreneurship.

I oversaw product categories and managed strategic broker relationships, driving impressive sales growth through innovative initiatives. My responsibilities included developing and executing category management plans, focusing on optimizing product assortment, competitive pricing, and effective promotion strategies.

By analyzing market trends and consumer behavior, I ensured our product lines exceeded customer expectations, resulting in substantial revenue growth. Working with strategic brokers, I forged and nurtured strong, performance-driven partnerships, implementing strategies that enhanced broker productivity and collaboration—skills invaluable for any aspiring entrepreneur.

I played a crucial role in crafting and executing sales and marketing strategies aligned with the company's goals. This involved identifying growth opportunities and launching innovative products. Leading a diverse team of category managers and brokers, I refined my leadership and mentorship abilities, fostering a culture of innovation, teamwork, and excellence.

My tenure was marked by significant achievements, including driving remarkable revenue growth and expanding our market footprint through successful new product launches and strategic market entry initiatives. My contributions were recognized through accolades for exceptional performance and dedication to the company's success.

These experiences have honed my strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and results-oriented approach—essential qualities for a successful entrepreneur. The skills I gained in strategic planning, relationship management, and performance optimization have equipped me to build and lead a thriving business.

As I embark on my entrepreneurial journey, I'm eager to leverage these experiences to create innovative solutions and drive meaningful impact. Director of Category Management and Strategic Broker Network

Director of Category Management and Strategic Broker Network

Serving as a District Sales Manager at Sysco has been an invaluable experience that has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful future as an entrepreneur. 

This role has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of sales, leadership, and strategic planning, all of which are essential for running a successful business.

Managing a diverse team of Marketing Associates has honed my leadership abilities. I learned how to motivate, mentor, and guide a team towards achieving common goals. These skills are crucial for any entrepreneur who must inspire and lead a team to success.

Developing and implementing sales strategies to meet district targets has given me a strong foundation in strategic planning. I learned how to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and create actionable plans. This experience is directly transferable to the strategic thinking required to launch and grow a business.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients was at the core of my role at Sysco. 

Understanding client needs and providing tailored solutions taught me the importance of customer-centricity in business. As an entrepreneur, this ability to connect with and satisfy customers will be vital to building a loyal customer base.

Monitoring and analyzing sales performance has given me a keen eye for identifying strengths and areas for improvement. This analytical skill is essential for any entrepreneur, as it allows for continuous improvement and adaptation in a competitive business environment.

In conclusion, my role as a District Sales Manager at Sysco has prepared me to take on the challenges of entrepreneurship with confidence. 

The skills and experiences I gained in leadership, strategic planning, client relationship management, and performance analysis have equipped me with the tools necessary to build and lead a successful business.

I am excited to leverage this experience as I embark on my entrepreneurial journey. District Sales Manager

District Sales Manager

Enhancing Brand Visibility for Houston's Oil & Gas, Energy, and Construction Sectors with Premium Branded Workwear | Achieving Measurable Results | Ex-Sysco Corporate Now Entrepreneur | OGGN BD & Podcast Host

AADE Houston

American Petroleum Institute (API) Houston Chapter

Energy Strategy | PhD | Former CSO | Follow for frameworks to think like an energy executive

KSG - Krimmel Strategy Group

Director Business Development Corporate

Vice President Filtration at Clearflow Solutions

AI just crashed the Oil and Gas party.

It's changing the industry from the inside out.

Recently, I had the opportunity to guest host at the Cognite User Forum for the OGGN Digital Doers podcast. 

My guests were two standouts from Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd. , Noriko Rzonca and kiyohide yoshii

Noriko tackled the biggest challenge right out of the gate: data quality. 

She didn't sugarcoat it. 

Cosmo Oil's journey with AI-powered operations begins and ends with data, and it hasn't been easy. 

Investing in data quality isn't glamorous.

But it's where digital transformation actually starts. 

Kiyohide got practical. 

He's been leading the shift from reactive to proactive maintenance, 

and AI is turning that vision into a necessity, not just a goal. 

Cosmo Oil is moving from waiting for breakdowns to predicting and preventing them. 

But it's not just about the tech. 

The human side? 

It's huge. 

Both Noriko and Kiyohide made it clear.

AI is rewriting job descriptions almost overnight. 

I've experienced this myself in my work, 

and it's the difference between real transformation and just running on a treadmill.

What did I take away from this conversation?

Start with your data, even if you feel miles behind. 

AI is only as good as what you feed it.

Proactive maintenance isn't just a best practice.

It's the new standard in a competitive market.

Good governance is important,

but chasing perfection will freeze progress. 

Quick wins matter.

Don't underestimate how much people will need to adapt. 

Invest in their growth as much as the technology.

If you're a leader in oil and gas or the industrial sector and planning for AI, 

these voices offer a real-world roadmap. 

The disruption isn't hype, it's here, and it's found in both the work and the people.

How about you?

Are you tackling data gaps, team buy-in, or finding that first AI project?

Or maybe you've started and learned lessons the hard way?

Link to the full episode is in the comments.

Cognite

Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.

CDO 常務執行役員 at Cosmo Energy Holdings. Board of Director 社外取締役 at Unicharm

cosmo oil

I walked into my first Oilfield Helping Hands Lunch today not really knowing what to expect. 

I've been to a lot of industry events. 

Most of them follow the same script. 

Quick handshakes. 

Business cards traded over lukewarm coffee. 

But this one felt different before I even found a seat.

There's something about a room full of people who are there for more than just a sale or a deal. 

You can feel it. 

The air is charged with a different kind of energy. 

It's not about contracts or company swag. 

It's about people.

I realized I'd spent years in the business but somehow missed the heart beating at its center. 

The numbers, the deadlines, the deals, they matter. 

But what matters more is what happens when nobody's watching. 

When somebody is struggling. 

When someone can't pay the bills. 

Or needs a shoulder. 

Or just isn't sure they can make it through another day. 

That's when we have a choice.

It's easy to talk about "community" when things are going well. 

It's harder to live it when things get messy. 

This group does. 

Quietly, with no spotlight. 

They show up for each other, every time.

The speakers didn't just talk about profits or projections. 

They talked about impact. 

About dignity. 

About what it means to be human in a business that can feel anything but personal. 

I looked around and saw the faces of people who've weathered a storm or two. 

People who know that giving back isn't a line item. 

It's a way of life.

I left the event with more than a stack of business cards. 

I left with new perspective. 

In our drive to hit targets, gain market share, and grow brands, it's easy to forget who we're really working for. 

The faces behind the hard hats and coveralls. 

The families waiting at home. 

The friends who stand by you when the dust settles. 

That's the real story.

If you've never been to an Oilfield Helping Hands event, I hope you'll consider it. 

There's no better reminder that real success isn't measured in contracts closed or deals signed. 

It's measured in how we show up for each other, especially on the hard days.

Who in your career has shown up for you when it counted? 

Let's make sure these stories are part of our industry's legacy, not just a footnote.

Sometimes, the smallest gesture changes everything.

Thanks Nohemi McRae and @rick-cannon for the invitation!! I can't wait to get more involved.

Oilfield Helping Hands

Partnering with companies to secure the right professional talent to drive change and deliver transformational initiatives across Accounting, Audit, Finance, FP&A, Tax, Supply Chain, Technology, and more.

I’m happy to share that I’ve been involved as a Volunteer with redM Join The Movement. It's a great organization - please comment below or message me if you would like to learn more or get involved.

linkedin.com

redM Join The Movement | LinkedIn

redM Join The Movement

If you're a founder still ignoring personal branding, you're leaving money on the table. 💰

No sugarcoating.

Content is not a side hustle. 

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Here are the straight facts:

Most business owners talk about "word of mouth" like it's magic. 

But in 2026, your digital voice is louder than any handshake. 🎙️

If you aren't showing up, you're invisible. 

𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙙.

Here's reality:

𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯.

I've recruited top talent, no headhunter required. 

People come to me because they know my values before we ever talk.

I've tested new offers before launch, my audience tells me in real time if it's a winner or a dud. ☑️

I've been invited on podcasts and panels, just because my name kept coming up online.

𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚢𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕.

Personal branding is the difference between waiting for business and creating it.

Here's what most founders get wrong:

They post once a quarter and expect results.
They hide behind their company logo.
They wait for "the right time."

There is no perfect time. 

Your competitors are already telling their stories, building trust, locking in market share that should be yours.

Here are my recommendations:

Audit your feed. 

𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘣𝘶𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 
𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 
𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶?
𝘐𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰.

Start with these three moves:

1. Share what you know. Don't gatekeep. Industry tips, lessons learned, wins and mistakes, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆.
2. Show your face and your voice. Your story is your leverage. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁.
3. Engage,don't just broadcast. Respond, comment, ask questions. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀.

None of this costs you a dime. But ignoring it WILL cost you opportunities.

Still skeptical? 

Keep doing what you've always done. 

See where it gets you. 

But if you want to actually grow in 2026, use your personal brand like the growth engine it is.

What's stopping you?

Our super supportive network: Douglas Burns Venessa Homewood Regina M. Sydney Duran Christy Nguyen

Enhancing Your Brand’s Visual Storytelling with Stunning Corporate Headshots | Award-Winning Houston Corporate Photographer | 20+ Years that Elevates Brand Identity for 800+ Professionals including CNN, Fox News, ESPN

Empowering Houston SMBs and Startups with Custom Promotional Products that Drive Engagement & Growth | Former Marketing Communications Director Turned Mompreneur | Dedicated to Community Impact |

I build complete LinkedIn brands for high performers | Done-for-you in 14 days | Send ‘14’ if you want your Linkedin built fast |

Member Experience and Operations Manager at The Cannon

We are your accounting department | CEO | 3X Founder | Host of the Clean Slate Podcast

𝗛𝗲'𝘀 𝟰𝟱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

We've been together for what feels like at least three lifetimes. 

If marriage had frequent flyer miles, we'd have enough for a trip to space.

𝘍𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴 20 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥, 25 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 

If you need advice on "how to survive close-quarters cohabitation," 

I'm probably overqualified.

Some actual, factual time-tested marriage lessons, 

learned the hard (𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨) way:

1. You will never finish picking up socks, shoes and hats. 

𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺. 

He will never find the laundry basket. 

Give up. 

Accept these items are now part of the home's natural ecosystem or pick them up myself. (the path of least resistance by the way)

2. Your spouse will develop entire communication languages made up of sighs, eyebrow raises, and muttered phrases. 

𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 2.

And I will never stop mumbling, BTW.

3. Saying "I'm fine" never means "I'm fine." 

Just skip to apology 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺, whichever applies.

4. You will have arguments over the dumbest things imaginable. 

Did you really just debate the correct way to load a dishwasher? 

Yes. 

Yes, you did. 

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵.

5. There is no such thing as "just one more episode." 

It's 1am, you both have work in the morning, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻. 

We will finish it this week! HA!

6. Your partner's quirks will either drive you crazy or make you laugh. 

Sometimes both, simultaneously.

Let me be clear, he feels the same way about me. 

𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 25 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩. 

Some days are smooth, others are loud. 

But there's laughter, there's stubbornness, 

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.

If marriage is teamwork, sometimes we're the Dream Team. 

Other days, we forget which sport we're playing. 

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲.

What's the strangest thing you've learned from a long-term partnership? 

Here's to every couple still figuring it out.

And Happy Birthday to my ride or die Adam Powell!!!

📸Our casino night themed wedding shower!

Project Manager

Charity golf tournaments do the same thing every year. ⛳

Show up. 

Swing the club. 

Maybe shake a few hands, grab a donut, write a check, feel good for a few hours, and go home. 

It's a nice gesture, but let's be honest, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗹𝗲.

Redeemed Golf for Good doesn't play by those rules.

I'm not interested in events that check the box or offer a photo op. 

When you step onto the course at Golf for Good, you're not just there for your company's logo on a banner. 

𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Here's what people miss: Purpose scales when leaders act with intention. 

I've watched competitors become collaborators on these greens. 

I've seen sponsors double their donations because of a single conversation by the putting green. 

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯.

Every single interaction matters. 

That first handshake at the registration table? 🤝

Might turn into a partnership that changes a nonprofit's trajectory. 

The business cards exchanged over lunch? 

Could be the missing piece a support organization needs to reach more survivors. 

The sponsorship dollars? 

They buy more than signage.

They pay for safe housing, trauma counseling, legal support, even basic dignity for people who had it taken from them.

Golf for Good is more than a fundraiser. 🏌️♂️🏌️♀️

It's a reminder that the best leaders don't separate business and giving back. 

They leverage every asset, every connection, every bit of influence to move the mission forward.

Over the years, I've seen relationships formed on the fairway turn into action off the course. 

New initiatives, new revenue streams, new allies in the fight. 

This isn't about who takes home the trophy. Or last place like I did last year 😆

It's about which teams show up ready to do real work.

If you're an executive, a business owner, or even just someone in Houston who wants to see our community do better, this is your invitation. 

Not to play golf, but to step up and use what you've built to make a dent.

Charity isn't a side project. 

It's a use of power. 

That's what Golf for Good gets right.

I've witnessed firsthand the change that comes from leaders who don't just open their wallets, they open their networks, their time, and their minds. 

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴.

Thanks to everyone who shows up not for the cameras, but for a cause.

Will you join us?

redM Join The Movement @davidred Tim Sensenig Leticia Neves, MS India Starnes, MBA

Redeemed

CEO TMSFIRST two time Gartner Magic Quadrant Global Leader Driving Global TMS Agentic AI Logistics Procurement Audit Pay & Visibility Mission Critical Data Farm B2B D2C for Max AI ROI Advocate 4 ending Human Trafficking

Sourcing I Procurement I Supply Chain Management and Engagement I Customer Success I Responsible Supply Chain I Contract Negotiation I Data Analytics I Process Improvement I Sustainability I Bilingual

Enterprise Categorization & Reporting Lead | ESG Systems & Data Strategy | Enterprise Standardization • AI-Driven Change • Executive Collaboration | Speaker | Transformation Leader

Everyone claims AI will change everything.

Most of the industry talk is just that, talk. 

Slide decks. 

Buzzwords. 

Abstract ideas that never make it from the boardroom to the rig floor.

That's why today felt different.

I sat in on Timbergrove session about Real Time Monitoring and AI for Offshore Safety Operations. 

I didn't walk in expecting anything groundbreaking. 

I've heard it all before.

But about ten minutes in, that changed.

Instead of theory, we got a conversation stacked with real data and actual use cases. 

They described live feeds from an offshore site. 

Not archived screenshots. 

Not canned footage. 

AI wasn't a magic black box. 

It was a tool, tracking gas levels, machinery status, and worker locations, second by second. 

Alerts popped up within seconds of simulated incidents, no delays, no missed signals. 

Not a consultant's dream, but something built to handle the chaos of a real site.

They answered every tough question without dodging. 

What happens when the network goes down? 

How do you handle false alarms? 

What does this look like on a muddy, noisy, hazardous rig, not some pristine demo room?

They had answers. 

Not perfect, but honest and grounded.

And here's where it really landed: I walked out with a plan. 

Not a theory or another buzzword, an honest-to-goodness action item for my team.

Our clients are mapping out how to pilot real-time monitoring on two of our job sites.

We're going to see what breaks, what works, and what needs tweaking.

It's not about chasing AI for the sake of being trendy. 

It's about making people safer, faster, better.

This is where the conversation finally gets interesting for me. 

Less about questions like "Will AI take my job?" and more about "How can I use these tools to get everyone home safe and on time?"

There's no shortage of opinions or predictions out there. 

But fewer companies are putting real-world, dirt-under-the-fingernails solutions on the table.

Today showed me what that looks like.

Here's my take: If you're bored of the AI hype, stop listening to the noise.

Find the people actually solving problems on the ground.

They're not always the loudest. 

But they're the ones bringing the future a little closer, one real-world use case at a time.

That's the side of AI I'm betting on.

Thanks Ian Uriarte for an engaging discussion. Looking forward to the next event!

Timbergrove

Founder & CEO @ Spindletop AI | Building the future of autonomous oilfields with AI-driven well optimization.

I once tried to win over a Houston construction company with a creative approach.

We'd been reaching out for weeks, 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 

Calls, emails, you name it, nothing stuck.

So, I decided to send a box of custom-branded cupcakes to their office. 🧁

Each cupcake had their logo on it, along with our company colors. 

I figured, at least it would stand out from another email.

But Houston's summer had other plans. 🔥

By the time the cupcakes arrived, the icing had half-melted. 

𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙥, 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙤𝙨, 𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 

I debated whether to follow up at all, convinced I'd just embarrassed our team.

But then the office manager called me directly.

She laughed and said, "We had a good laugh in the break room. It was a nice surprise, even if the cupcakes turned out...unique."

𝘈 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 

No hard sell needed, the ice (or icing) was already broken. 🧊

Being memorable doesn't always mean being perfect. 

Sometimes, the things that go a little sideways actually get you noticed.

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽. 

What cuts through isn't the slickest presentation. 

It's the human moments, the attempts to do something genuine, 

𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘱.

And in the Houston business scene, people remember effort and authenticity more than anything. 

We still joke about those cupcakes years later. 😅

Since then, I've taken the same approach with branded workwear and promo products. 

Custom, thoughtful, a little bold, and sure, sometimes a little risky.

The story sticks. 

The gesture stands out. 

And the next conversation isn't so stiff.

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁. 

Real beats perfect every time.

Lean into humor if things go wrong. 

People appreciate authenticity.

Creativity shows you care enough to try something different, 

and that gets remembered.

If you want to make an impression, on clients, prospects, even your own team, don't be afraid to show some personality. ✨

𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮.

Do you have a story where things didn't go as planned, but it somehow worked out for the better?

📹 Life is all about balance. Me winning at the AAPL - American Association of Professional Landmen Women in Energy Conference. We were enjoying playing and learning about Poker Power

AAPL - American Association of Professional Landmen

Poker Power

People in sales fool themselves.

They move fast. 

They blast out messages. 

They flood LinkedIn. 

They act like it's a numbers game.

Spray and pray. 

Hope something lands. 

If you hustle enough, someone will bite, right?

Wrong.

I learned early there are two types of salespeople.

First, the shotgun crowd. 

They try to hit everything at once. 

Cold emails by the dozen. 

Calls all day. 

Generic pitches with zero personality. 

Their activity numbers look good. 

But deals? 

They vanish as fast as they came.

The shotgun feels safe. 

It hides you from rejection. 

It lets you blame the process instead of yourself. 

But it never builds real relationships.

Then there's the rifle approach. 

This is rare.

You pick your target. 

You slow down. 

You focus.

I had a mentor who was the best I've ever seen. 

He'd walk into a meeting and barely say a word at first. 

Instead, he listened. 

He asked real questions, the kind that make people stop and really think. 

Not "What's your budget?" or "When do you need this?" 

He'd ask, "What keeps you up at night?" 

Or "What's the biggest risk if this fails?" 

He wanted to understand their world as well as they did. 

He ignored the shiny opportunities. 

He chased the ones that actually mattered.

Here's what happened. 

He built solutions around real needs. 

The clients stuck with him. 

They didn't want just a vendor. 

They wanted him in the room when things got tough.

He never chased quick wins. 

He aimed for real partnership.

That changed how I work.

Anyone can sell once. 

That's easy. 

The real test is this: When the stakes are high and trust is on the line, do they call you first? 

Or do they scroll past your number?

Most pick the shotgun. 

It's busy. 

It's loud. 

But busy doesn't build loyalty.

The rifle is quieter. 

Requires patience. 

But when you finally pull the trigger, it hits. 

And more often than not, you're the only one clients want to hear from.

I get why the shotgun feels tempting. 

We all have quotas. 

We all want activity. 

But nobody remembers you for the hundredth email you sent them with "Just checking in" as the subject line.

They remember the person who got it right the first time. 

Or the one who showed up when nobody else did.

You can keep playing the volume game. 

But if you want to stand out, slow down. 

Pick your spot. 

Listen harder. 

Get curious.

Stop pitching. 

Start solving.

Stop chasing. 

Start building.

Next time you think about firing off another round of generic messages, ask yourself: 

Do you want a client, or do you want trust? 

Do you want a transaction, or do you want to be the first call when it really matters?

I know my answer.

Which one are you?

#livideo

📹Filming Oil and Gas Global Network Special Feature Ox Ranch in Uvalde, Texas. Check out the full episode link in the comments.

Oil and Gas Global Network

Ox Ranch

Most networking events are a waste of makeup for women executives. 💄

You show up. 

You get a name tag. 

You circle the room making forced small talk with people who barely listen. 

You leave with a pile of business cards and no real connections.

That's not good enough.

Women executives deserve real allies and real community. 

We need warm, strategic relationships that actually matter. 

We need a space where the conversation is honest, the energy is high, and every introduction counts.

That's why we're doing this differently.

Tee Up! Presented by Oil and Gas Global Network A Stronger Tomorrow Wellness LLC

Monday, February 23, 2026. The Woodlands Country Club.

This event is exclusively for women in the C-suite, founders, VPs, and senior leaders who want to connect with other high-impact women in business. 

Not just for the game, but for the game changers.

No random assignments. 

Every guest is hand selected. 🤝

Foursomes are curated. 

Pre-event introductions are made so you walk in knowing who matters to your business and why you're there. 

You're paired with real peers, women who know exactly what it means to lead, risk, and deliver.

You'll spend a day on the course with people who don't need your resume recited. 

People who get your pressure, your wins, your struggles. 

Conversation is encouraged. 

Honesty is welcome. 

Ambition is expected. 

After the game, we drop the formality. 

The cocktail hour is about real talk, not just business pitches. 

Share what's worked, what's failed, and what you're building next. 

Listen, learn, and tap into the unspoken lessons you won't hear at panels or on podcasts.

You're not here to collect contacts. 

You're here to find partners, confidants, maybe even lifelong friends. 

People who pick up the phone when you call because you've actually spent quality time together.

And there's purpose behind it all. 

Every dollar raised will go to redM Join The Movement , an organization bringing awareness to human trafficking. 

Our goal? 

Raise $10,000 in one day and equip more women and children with the chance for a future. 

Real women lifting up real women, with measurable impact.

You can sponsor, play, or simply show up and support. 

Bring someone who needs this. 

Show the next generation that this is how business gets done. 

No elevator pitches. 

No "networking hacks." 

No empty handshakes. 

Just driven women building a new standard for what executive community looks like.

If you're an executive woman tired of transactional events, this is the table you want to sit at. 

If you're serious about opening doors and not just being seen, this is your spot.

Ready to show up? 

Ready to bring your authentic self, and meet others doing the same?

Tag a woman leader who needs to be there. 

Register, sponsor, or just reach out if you want to know more.

Stop settling for less. 

This is your room.🏌️♀️

Dr. Christine W. Thorpe Mark LaCour

Stronger Tomorrow Wellness LLC

Golf and Wellness for Women in Leadership | Health Educator | Wellness Coach | CEO of Stronger Tomorrow | Board Chair-YWCA Northern NJ | Membership Cmte. Member-Executive Women of NJ | Communications Chair-JLOSH

Oil and Gas Expert, Professional Speaker and Podcaster

Most sales demos fall flat for one reason.

They're about the product, not the person.

I've seen it too often. 

The salesperson rushes through slides. 

They show every feature. 

The prospect tunes out. 

Then comes the dreaded "Let me think about it."

I used to make the same mistake. 

I thought more was better. 

More features. 

More data. 

More talking. 

But more isn't better. 

It's just... more.

So, I changed everything about how I run demos. 

Here's what actually moves the needle:

Pause more than you think you should. 

Silence feels awkward at first. 

But in those quiet moments, people open up. 

They share their real concerns.

Listen for debate. 

If your prospects start talking to each other, stop talking. 

Let them work it out. 

This is where the gold is. 

They're telling you what matters most.

Before you end the call, recommend the next action. 

Put it on the calendar. If you don't, momentum dies. 

Deals fade away.

Leave out the features that don't help. 

More info doesn't persuade. 

It overwhelms. 

Stick to what solves their pain.

Read the room. 

Know when to stop selling. 

Too much talk kills trust. 

Sometimes, less is more.

Repeat what they told you. 

Say: "Earlier, you mentioned..." 

This shows you're listening. 

People want to feel heard.

Talk in their words, not yours. 

Drop the jargon. 

Speak plain and clear. 

The simpler, the better.

Share a quick story of a similar customer. 

Show how they got results. 

People picture themselves in the win.

Ask for feedback during the demo. 

Not at the end. 

"Is this on track?" or "Am I hitting on what matters to you?" 

Adjust in real time.

If you get off track, admit it. 

Say, "Let me get back to what matters." 

Honesty builds trust. 

Prospects can tell when you're authentic.

After the demo, follow up with a recap. 

Summarize their goals and the steps you discussed. 

This keeps everyone aligned.

Invite questions. 

The uncomfortable ones are the best. 

That's where objections hide. 

Handle them with confidence, not fear.

If you don't know the answer, say so. 

Promise to follow up. 

Then deliver. 

Reliability beats a perfect pitch.

Sales demos aren't about being perfect. 

They're about being real. 

Show you care more about their problem than your product.

I've closed more deals doing less talking and more listening. 

I've built better relationships by making the customer the hero.

Want stronger demos? 

Flip the script. 

Stop selling features. 

Start selling outcomes.

What demo mistake do you see most? 

What tactic actually works in your world? 

Let's swap stories below.

What's it really like to watch a whole industry transform, one algorithm at a time?

I sat down with Jacob Vizinat at the Cognite User Forum for the Oil and Gas Global Network

If you haven't met Jacob, he's the founder of Iron Stag Advisory.

And someone who knows digital transformation in oil and gas from the inside out.

Jacob's career has taken him from hands-on roles in tech to high-level advising. 

That blend makes his perspective a rare find.

So, what did we talk about?

First, the elephant in every oil and gas boardroom: AI.

Jacob broke down exactly what's changing. 

AI isn't some shiny tool on a shelf anymore. 

It's showing up on rigs and in control rooms. 

Operations teams aren't just experimenting. 

They're seeing measurable impacts. 

Downtime is dropping. 

Predictive maintenance is gaining ground. 

There are fewer "Hail Mary" guesses and more data-driven decisions.

I asked Jacob a simple question:

"What's the most surprising human reaction you've seen to AI?"

He didn't hesitate. 

Some folks fear the unknown. 

Others are skeptical. 

Many, though, are starting to trust the data when they see it deliver results. 

It's a shift, but it's happening.

And that shift doesn't come easy. 

It takes more than good tech.

Jacob hammered home one foundational truth: 

None of it works without quality data. 

You can have the flashiest AI tools, but if your data is a mess, your results will be, too. 

Data integrity isn't the "fun" part of digital transformation. 

It's the heavy lifting that makes success possible. 

He compared it to building on solid ground versus quicksand.

Then, we looked forward. 

What's next for AI in oil and gas? 

Jacob thinks physics-informed neural networks are a big piece of the puzzle.

Sounds complex, but here's the gist: 

These networks combine the precision of data with deep knowledge of the real-world systems they manage. 

It's not just about crunching numbers. 

It's about understanding the forces at play underground, on the rig, across the supply chain.

Why does this matter, right now, in 2024?

Because the rules are changing fast. 

Competitive advantage is shifting. 

Real-time insight, delivered by AI, puts new players on the map and keeps legacy operators nimble. 

As we wrapped up, I could see how much opportunity and challenge sits in that gap between technology hype and operational reality. 

Some leaders are straddling it well. 

Some aren't. 

It comes down to this:

The winners in oil and gas tech aren't the ones loudest about AI. 

They're the ones quietly building the right foundation. 

Step by step. 

Data set by data set.

One conversation with Jacob, and it's clear: 

Success is less about flashy innovation, more about disciplined execution.

Because in this industry, it's not the talkers who win. It's the doers.

Link in the comments for the full episode.

Founder & Principal | Iron Stag Advisory | Energy Sector Technology

#redmonday

Let's clear up a dangerous myth about human trafficking.

Most people think trafficking victims are always moved across borders. 

They picture secret vans, fake passports, and long-distance travel. 

Movies and TV shows get this wrong, too.

But here's the truth.

Human trafficking does not require moving anyone anywhere. 

You don't have to cross a border or even leave your own town. 

Exploiters can commit this crime without anyone ever leaving home.

Victims can be trafficked in their own neighborhoods. 

In their schools, workplaces, or even at home. 

Sometimes, it's someone they know. 

A family member. 

A neighbor. 

A friend. 

Or even a romantic partner.

The heart of this crime is exploitation, not transportation.

Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims. 

They make people do things against their will. 

Victims may be forced to work without pay. 

Or pressured into commercial acts. 

They may have their documents taken. 

Or be threatened with violence to keep them silent.

And all of this can happen right next door. 

It's not just a big city problem. 

It's not just an "overseas" problem. 

It's happening in small towns, suburbs, and cities in the U.S.

You might ask, 

Why is this myth so dangerous?

Because it blinds us to reality. 

If we only look for trafficking victims who have crossed borders, 

We miss the warning signs happening in our own communities. 

We tune out when friends need help. 

We overlook cries for support because we're looking for some "movie version" of this crime.

Awareness starts with knowing the facts.

Human trafficking is about exploitation, not movement.

Anyone can be a victim.

Anyone can be an exploiter.

It happens everywhere, in every state, in every neighborhood.

What can you do?

First, drop the old myths. 

Second, learn the signs of exploitation. 

Isolation. 

Sudden behavior changes. 

Unexplained absences. 

Signs of fear or control from someone else.

And speak up if something doesn't feel right. 

You don't need all the answers to help someone. 

You just need to care enough to act.

Share this message. 

The more people know the facts, the closer we get to ending human trafficking, everywhere. 

Not just at the borders.

redM Join The Movement

LinkedIn likes to remind us it's a "professional platform."

Translation: Please, only post things that make you sound like a management textbook with a pulse.

You know the type. "𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁."

Meanwhile, I'm over here sharing stories about my kids, my first epic fail as a rookie entrepreneur, or that time I got stuck at a conference in a branded polo two sizes too small.

Doesn't fit the executive mold? 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥.

Because here's what years in corporate sales, boardrooms, and Houston BBQ lines have taught me, 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩!!!

They remember the person who helped them fix a last-minute apparel order, not the one who attached a PDF of "corporate solutions." 

They remember the handshake, the joke, the small talk about Astros baseball, the human moments.

I've lost count of how many deals started with someone saying, "𝘚𝘢𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵. 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦!" Or, "𝘏𝘦𝘺, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘓𝘦𝘵'𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴."

Not once has a deal started with, "𝙒𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙢 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨."

I get it. 

LinkedIn wants us to be polished. 

But honestly, the most memorable people aren't the ones quoting leadership gurus or posting humblebrags with inspirational stock photos.

They're the ones who show up as themselves. 

Messy, genuine, sometimes funny, 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭.

So when you see me sharing about spilled coffee in the showroom or why our branded jackets double as toddler-proof shields, understand: that's not me straying from "professionalism." 

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗦 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱.

Want to stand out in Oil & Gas, Energy, or Construction? 

Want people to remember your business when it's time for custom workwear or swag? 

Give them a person to connect with, not just a logo.

𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩.

If you're tired of reading posts that sound like they were written by a bot stuck in 2009, you're not alone. 

There's room for more humor, honesty, and humanity here.

Let's make LinkedIn less about buzzwords, and more about people we actually want to do business with. 

If you think this is just a glorified business card exchange... let's agree to disagree and 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙣𝙞𝙘.

Here's to the real ones. 

The people behind the profiles. 

The reason business gets done.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿?

Every January, we hear about transformation. 

New routines. Big goals. Fresh starts. 

But once the momentum of the holiday's fades, reality usually feels a lot more... familiar.

If I'm being honest, my transition back into work mode isn't packed with magic or dramatic resolutions. 

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

For example, my loyal "footwarmer." 

No matter how ambitious my task list becomes, my dog takes up her usual spot under my desk. 

There's nothing quite like the quiet confidence of a four-legged coworker claiming your feet as a pillow, reminding you that not everything has to change just because the year has.

Coffee helps too. ☕

So does a quick walk in the cool Houston air, even if it's just to stretch my legs and reset my head between back-to-back calls. 

These tiny habits aren't glamorous, but they keep me grounded and ready for whatever the week throws my way.

If you're in the Oil & Gas, Energy or Construction world, you know routines matter. 

Whether it's starting the day with a safety huddle or slipping into branded workwear that signals "game on," those rituals make all the difference. 

I've learned that consistency, at home and at work, is what really fuels progress, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆.

Here's my take, don't underestimate the power of your favorite mug, a loyal dog at your feet, or that first phone call to a client you genuinely enjoy working with. 🐕

If you've found comfort (and productivity) in small routines or furry coworkers, I'd love to hear about it. 

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳?

Is it all fresh starts, or are you leaning on those tried-and-true rituals that get you through?

Drop your favorite New Year "secret weapon" below. 

I guarantee someone else will relate, and maybe even steal your idea for their own routine.

It's easy to think that helping your team means doing things for them.

Jumping in. 

𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙨. 

Moving fast.

Feels productive?

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁.

Every time you handle it for them, they learn to wait for you. 

Even when they could figure it out. 

Even when they had ideas of their own.

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿?

I've lived it. 

Especially in corporate sales. 

The pressure to deliver is real. 

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜.

But if you want a team that grows, you have to step back.

Let them wrestle with challenges. 

Let them try, fail, and try again.

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 

Takes patience. 

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵.

But in the long run? 

That's where real efficiency starts.

I started swapping answers for questions.

What do you think we should do? 

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢? 

Where are you getting stuck? 

What support do you need from me?

Simple questions. 

Big impact.

Suddenly, my team wasn't waiting for directions. 

They started moving on their own. 

They owned their decisions.

Guess what happened next?

Momentum picked up. 

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱. 

People felt proud of their wins.

And I had time to focus on bigger problems.

Too many leaders chase speed by grabbing the steering wheel. 

But growth happens when you let go, just enough for your team to find their own way.

Try it this week.

Next time someone comes to you with a problem, pause. 

Ask a question instead of giving a solution.

𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨.

If you want a high-performing team, coach them. 

Don't carry them.

That's how you build trust, ownership, and real results.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘱? 

Drop your best coaching question below. 

I'm always looking for new ideas.

📸Team Graham-Powell riding snow machines in the majestic Blackcomb Mountains in Whistler, British Columbia.

Most people introduce themselves on LinkedIn with a list of titles, certifications, and a humble brag about "𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯."

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲.

I'm co-founder of Houston Apparel Co. , which means I basically live on the front lines where fabric, sweat, and last-minute client requests collide. 

🦟I'm a mom of two kids who are more active than a Houston mosquito in July. 

One's a future NBA baller (if you ask him), the other runs around the house blasting her competitive cheer music at awkwardly loud volumes doing her cheer routine 24/7. IYKYK.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.

My house is part sports arena, with a lovesick Labrador following everyone around and taking up space right where you want to be.

Typical day? 

By 7:30am, I've already solved a wardrobe emergency ("Mom! Where's my jersey?"), played short order cook, and fielded three "urgent" emails about pantone colors for a client's safety vests. 

All before my third cup.

While other parents zone out at football practice, 𝗜'𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺. (If you've ever tried to get sweaty eight-year-olds into stiff polyester, you know why this matters.)

🅿️Balancing work, kids, and Houston traffic means I've mastered the art of conference calls from parking lots.

I consider rush hour an opportunity for podcast research (or, let's be honest, 𝒶 𝒻ℯ𝓌 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝓊𝓉ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝓈𝒾𝓁ℯ𝓃𝒸ℯ).

Work-life balance? 

Nope.

It's more like work-life wrestling, and some days I tap out. 

But the overlap between being a business owner and a parent is hilarious. 

Both jobs involve cleaning up messes you didn't make, celebrating tiny wins, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗧-𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.

When I'm not dodging flying basketballs or fighting with the printer (again), 

I'm working with clients in Oil & Gas, Energy and Construction who need branded workwear that doesn't make their teams look like extras from a 90s action movie.

📓Whether I'm coaching a team of cheerleaders or helping Houston's biggest brands upgrade their image, the playbook is the same.

Show up. 

Suit up. 

𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙜𝙤 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨.

I've learned that the best gear isn't just about logos or colors, it's about creating something people actually want to wear.

That's true on the field, at the jobsite, and yes, even at the PTO meeting I accidentally volunteered for (don't ask).

If you're looking for someone who can turn chaos into creative solutions or just want to swap funny stories about ink stains, client curveballs, or travel sports parent drama, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘦.

😆Because if you can't laugh at yourself, trust me, someone else's kid will do it for you.

Houston Apparel Co.

A couple of days ago, someone I met in person for the first time said, 

"Wait, you have almost 7,000 followers on LinkedIn ?" 

I laughed. 

To be clear, seven thousand is not exactly TikTok influencer status. 

I don't have teenagers lining up for selfies at the Jordan Ranch H-E-B. 

But for a business platform? 

That's a crowd. 

A real, authentic crowd. 

I started posting awkward thoughts about branded workwear and the weird things that happen when your life goes from corporate to full-on entrepreneur. 

Lots of personal things. About my kids and family life too.

Why?

Because even though this is a professional platform, we are all humans after all.

That's it. No secret formulas.

Eighteen months ago, I opened LinkedIn, stared at that blank box, and wondered if a post about safety vests would send me straight to digital purgatory. 🦺

Some of my first posts got three likes. 

One of those was my brother-in-law. Thanks Calvin Powell !!! Fam foreva!!!

I kept showing up, even when my stuff felt about as compelling as a list of OSHA regulations. (𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆. 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗜 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲 "𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲" 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻.)

Fast forward 📽️: 

750 qualified leads. That's not a typo. Real people. Real projects. All from the services tab that most people ignore. 

Thirty-five podcast episodes. Did I know how to host a podcast? 

Absolutely not. Did I just put myself out there and run with it?

Yup. And I encourage you to do the same.

Invites to speak at conferences where people actually stayed in their seats. 

A weekly branding column for the OGGN newsletter with over 50,000 subscribers.

Two board seats, which sounds way fancier than it is. I still eat lunch at my desk. 🥪

You know what matters more than all of that? 

Last week, three different people told me they keep coming back to my posts because I don't try to sound impressive. 

They said, "You're honest, and you actually sound like a human." 

Not "super professional." Not "influencer material." 

Just... real.

Most LinkedIn feeds look like a highlight parade. 

Everyone's winning awards, closing deals, running marathons, volunteering, and solving world hunger, before breakfast. 

If that's the standard, I'm underqualified for my own posts.

Real brand building isn't about highlight reels. 

It's sharing what happens when your branded polos show up two sizes too small, or the time you realized your supplier printed your company logo upside down (again). 

It's about the pivots, the panic, and the punchlines. ☠️

This is what still gets me.....everytime. 

By the time I walk into a first meeting, half the room already knows me, funny faces, bad coffee habits, and all. 

That's the ROI.

If you want trust, try being yourself.

I want to hear your real, messy, behind-the-scenes story.

Promise I won't call your brother-in-law for a pity like.

Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation | U.S. Embassy, London

Right before a big branded order ships, there's always this split second where my heart skips. 💟

It happens every time, no matter how many years I've been in this business.

That moment of, Did we nail those brand colors? 

Is that stitching going to hold up for the long haul? 

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱?

Most people see branded workwear as just another item in a long list of company purchases. 

Just gear. Just apparel. 👕

But for the teams opening those boxes, it's often the first impression of a new job, a reminder of company pride, or simply proof that someone was thinking about their comfort and safety. 

𝙄𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚, 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.

I'll admit, years ago, I powered through these final checks, eyes on the clock, just trying to hit the deadline and move on to the next project. 

It was about efficiency, about numbers.

But now, I pause.

I picture the foreman pulling on a jacket that actually fits and seeing his team's logo done just right. 

𝘖𝘳 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘦, 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵, 𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘸.

I double check the embroidery, the color match, the packaging, even when my coffee's gone cold for the third time that morning. ☕

I re-read the order details, making sure that the Houston job site requested the reflective tape, and the energy team got the moisture-wicking shirts for those brutal Texas summers.

It's not glamorous work. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲. 

Most of this effort is invisible. 

I'm not expecting a thank you note or a spotlight. 🔦

But there's this quiet pride in helping create those little moments, the first impressions, the sense of belonging, the confidence boost. 

Even if nobody knows my name, I know our work helped someone stand a little taller in their new gear.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Not just the satisfaction of a job well done, but the honor of helping someone else show up, feel seen, and maybe even feel proud to put on the company colors.

𝙎𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪:

Have you ever felt that pressure? 

That mix of nerves and excitement when you deliver something that really matters to someone else.

How do you make sure you get it right, even when no one is watching?

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The Battle

Craig Leach

Jada Powell

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Performance ScoreCraig Leach's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJada Powell's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Craig Leach

Jada Powell

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Craig Leach's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJada Powell's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreCraig Leach's LinkedIn Performance