CyberXtrain

Deliver web analytics, SEO and social media marketing for customers in sports and fitness fields.
•	Increase clients web site presence and update content.
•	Teach the value of web analytics and how to interpret data.
•	Create highlight lacrosse film for players to showcase to coaches.
•	Produced game highlights for the Monroe CC and Roberts Wesleyan College Lacrosse Teams, which helped increase our web and social media traffic

** Freelance Lacrosse Evaluator and Recruiter for a variety of companies. **

Internet Marketing Specialist & Lacrosse Evaluator

PrestoSports

I have used my experience as a Customer Success Manager to drive my success as an Accounting Specialist by consistent communication with customers and helping resolve issues quickly. 

I was the primary person on the project that helped Presto Sports collect $2.5M back in past-due invoices. In current accounting cycles, we are getting payments faster (average 20 days vs average 65 days before).

	•	Contacted customers with invoices over six months to three years old and collected $2.5M in late payments.
	•	Closed 300 open tickets that had been unresolved due to changes in accounting personnel.
	•	Updated and edited customer documents by contacting customers making it possible to collect payments.
	•	Updated customer records in Salesforce and Sage Intacct.
	•	Creating new processes to receive payments from customers in a timely manner.

Accounting Specialist

ScoreShots

As a Customer Success Manager, manage relationships with over 550 customers in the club, high school, college and professional athletic organizations with accountability for customer loyalty and retention. Additionally, provide quality assurance for development and design teams for new features and bug fixes.

•	Create new client lifecycle management system, starting from initial sale through all phases of on-boarding, implementation, training, and continued education.
•	Introduced CRM Tool (Close.IO), which helped retain 90% of customers during renewal period between 2019 and 2021. Including winning $250k of renewals between key period of May to September 2021. 
•	Provide demos, via Zoom for potential and current customers (club, high school, college and professional athletic organizations)
•	Coordinate and lead educational webinars, live events and email campaigns on updates and new features which has helped increase our Net Promoter Score (NPS) metric from 30 to over 80.
•	Investigate and resolve customer issues, ranging from simple to complex, in order to ensure client retention and satisfaction using Intercom (support chat).
•	Started implementing PandaDoc and Salesforce for new customers after ScoreShots partnership with Presto Sports.

Customer Success Manager (QA Analyst / Lead Tech Support and Account Executive)

Inside Lacrosse

Helping with live scoring for men’s D1, D2 and D3, as well as, D1 women’s lacrosse games. I also helped with high school score updates.

Consultant

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Help the team with social media, website updates, marketing and more.

Marketing Specialist

St Bonaventure

Started social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) and actively engaging audience on all channels. Have grown Instagram to over 600 followers in less then two months and have grown our Twitter audience by over 3400 since taking over.

Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach and Director of Lacrosse Operations

Monroe Community College

- Coordinate all recruiting activities. My main goal is to increase awareness of our lacrosse program for players and families not only in NY state but also throughout the world via our website and social media. Our Twitter account is now the second most followed JUCO Lacrosse team. 

- Created Instagram and Google + accounts in February 2015. 

- Planning numerous fund raising activities including tournaments, clinics and other ideas for the MCC lacrosse program and community. (Face-Off Academy coming April 18th). 

- Created and maintain website for lacrosse team (re-designed in Feb 2015). Website is a way to keep fans, parents, alumni and MCC students update on our games as well as view our game photos, etc.

- Created video highlights from games during the 2011 to present seasons and posted to website and FB fan page. Also, provided game breakdowns for coaches and players. Posted taped games on our website for players and coaches to view. 

- Created Facebook fan page & custom landing page for the MCC lacrosse team (first for the college). We had a great response from fans, alumni, parents and students.

- I work primarily with the Offensive coach & Face-off coach. Also helped with conditioning drills.

- Game day setup of field, coordinated activities & arrivals with away team and all other coaching responsibilities. 

This is just a short list of the activities that I do when helping run the MCC Lacrosse Team.

Director of Lacrosse Operations & Assistant Lacrosse Coach

Rochester Rattlers

Producing content for website and graphic designs for website and social media (part time). 
Create game notes for local and national media. Helped coaching staff with getting game film.

Website Coordinator and Graphic Designer

Krossover

•	Review indexed games to ensure accuracy
•      Provided customer success to lacrosse coaches at all levels (high school, college, professional and youth)
•	Trained indexers and managers on the game of lacrosse and how to stat correctly
•	Led lacrosse sales – Grew this season from 1 NLL team to 6 NLL teams and all 8 MLL teams
•	In charge of obtaining all professional team game film for the NLL and MLL
•	Signing new lacrosse tournaments and club teams

Lacrosse Operations Analyst, Customer Success & Sales

•	Create monthly social media and website analytics reports for executives and staff members
•	Key member on implementing social media measurement tool (February 2015)
•	Manage the new store site (created in OpenCart)
•	Update the forums lacrosse website (forums.insidelacrosse.com)
•	Created how-to videos for easier navigation in the forums area
•	Led the charge on Social Media with daily contests leading up to the Konica Minolta Big City Classic (www.bigcityclassic.com) lacrosse games

Digital Media Consultant

Customer Success Manager @ ScoreShots | Helping athletic programs (youth, high school, college & professional) create better graphics. | Delivering top-notch and high quality customer service with a focus on technology.

Experienced Customer Success Manager focused with helping my customers succeed. Throughout my career I've built productive relationships, increased revenue and ensured customer success and satisfaction. And due to my background in website analytics and digital marketing, I have been successful analyzing data, communicating with internal and external parties and executing on plans to help operations and business grow. 

Whether launching a new lacrosse program at the collegiate level, live scoring games or recruiting new players, I am constantly looking for ways to improve results. I want to see all athletes, programs and schools achieve the recognition they deserve.  

Over the past 2 years, I fulfilled multiple roles simultaneously - sales, customer / client success, quality assurance and operations for ScoreShots (based out of Fayetteville, NC). 

I’ve been a remote worker since 2007, working from my home office in upstate NY. I am a lifelong learner and have a true interest in learning new technologies and tools. And when I'm not editing film or evaluating lacrosse players, you can find me testing my limits in the gym. 
  
MY APPROACH TO CUSTOMER SUCCESS:

* Set clear expectations while working with clients and provide quick response times;

* Solve problems quickly while maintaining an upbeat and positive attitude;

* Go above and beyond to ensure customer questions regarding products and services are resolved and thoroughly answered;

* Partner collaboratively with internal team to fully satisfy customer needs.

✉ Doug . McSorley @ Gmail . com 
📱 +1-585-444-5833 (Office)

Doug McSorley

Always remember God has a plan for you.


This plan might not be clear to you today, tomorrow, or even next week. It's a journey of trust, faith, and patience. The road is long and winding, filled with unexpected turns and bumps, but every step you take is a step toward your destiny.

You may face challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. But these aren't roadblocks; they are merely detours on your path. Embrace these moments, as they build strength, character, and resilience. They shape you into the person you need to be for what lies ahead.

Success isn't a straight line from A to B. It's a labyrinth turning us into warriors, survivors, and conquerors. Nobody promised it would be easy. But it will be worth it.

Stumble, fall, rise, learn, and grow. These are the elements of your journey. Embrace them, and keep going. The plan is unfolding, even when it seems uncertain.

Just to remind you, the goal is not to rush but to arrive. The destination awaits but relishing the journey is equally important. So, keep moving forward and trust the process, for God has a plan, a unique one, just for you.

Career Coach | Web & Accessibility Consultant | Helping People Find Clarity, Confidence & Their Next Step Forward | McSorley Designs

Lately I’ve been leaning into something that feels like a true calling for me.


Beyond website design and web accessibility, I’ve realized how much I genuinely enjoy helping people navigate their career journeys, especially those in transition or looking for a fresh start.

Over the past few months, I’ve had more conversations about careers, direction, and next steps than ever before… and it’s been enriching. It’s made me start exploring the idea of becoming a career coach more formally.

If you’re already a career coach or work in a similar space, I’d love to connect, learn from your experience, and hear any insights or advice you’re willing to share.

And for anyone on the job hunt or thinking about a transition: my door is always open. Happy to support however I can. 🙌

#careeradvice #careertransition #networking #recruiters #careercoach

vinnydsomedia

JSESSIONID

(1) Feed | LinkedIn

li_at

Talks about #adhd, #branding, #athletics, #remotework, and #careeradvice

📣 Candidate Spotlight: Meet Laura Cantagallo
Accessibility & Assistive Technology Leader | EdTech Professional | Inclusive Systems Builder

Today’s spotlight features someone making a meaningful difference in education and accessibility, Laura Cantagallo. With over 15 years of experience helping schools and organizations implement inclusive technologies, she brings a rare blend of strategic vision, educator empathy, and hands-on technical knowledge.

I enjoyed talking to Laura right before Thanksgiving and can tell she will find a job very quickly. I loved her energy. 

🔹 Location: Collingswood, NJ
🔹 Open to: Full-time remote (EdTech roles), hybrid Philly region if mission-aligned
🔹 Target Roles: Accessibility, Assistive Technology, Professional Development, Project/Product Management, EdTech Operations
🔹 Let’s Connect: https://lnkd.in/gVmmZZ2W

⭐ Top Skills & Strengths
• Accessibility & AT (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, WCAG reviews, VPATs)
• Professional Development & Adult Learning
• Instructional Technology Implementation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Relationship Building
• Systems Thinking + Clear, Effective Communication

🚀 Notable Highlights

• Led districtwide accessibility and AT implementation: training 100s of educators and building sustainable support structures
• Built and deployed a $500K statewide AT asset tracking system at Temple University to streamline lending, demos & reporting
• Organized and led Apple’s Accessibility Day, showcasing educator-driven AT practices and inclusive design

✨ Quick Snapshot

Laura is an educator, leader, and strategist dedicated to equitable access in education. She excels at guiding teams through complex challenges: operationalizing technology so that it actually supports the humans using it every day.

If your team is focused on accessible, inclusive educational technology, let’s get Laura in the room. She can help you create systems that empower both educators and learners. 💪✨

#Hiring #EdTech #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign #InstructionalTech #OpenToWork

Open article: Laura Cantagallo - Arcadia University | LinkedIn by linkedin.com

Laura Cantagallo - Arcadia University | LinkedIn

For all my friends and network searching for a new job, this post is for you. Thanks Robyn.

Amen.

Your Favorite Recruiter, Career Strategist, Coach & Author | Check out my website for free resources including my newsletter 👇

Today I’m praying for every person who is searching, waiting, and wondering “When will it be my turn?”

For the one who has been laid off…

For the one sending applications into what feels like a black hole…

For the one getting close, then hearing “we went in another direction”…

For the one battling doubt, fear, and exhaustion…

Please remember:

You are not your job title, paycheck, or current status.

Your value is unchanged. Your gifts are still needed. Your story is still unfolding.

God, give them strength to keep showing up… even when the rejections pile up.

Give them discernment to spot scams, empty promises, and roles that are not aligned with who they are.

Give them peace in the waiting, in the silence, in the “no’s” that are actually protection and redirection.

Open the right doors with the right people at the right time.

Close the ones that would drain their spirit or dim their light.

Surround them with people who speak life into them, who remind them of their strengths when they forget, and who will celebrate loudly when their YES finally arrives.

For every jobseeker reading this, I pray for clarity, courage, and confidence… to advocate for yourself, to rest when you’re tired, and to believe that a better chapter is ahead, even when you can’t see it yet.

Your YES is coming.

May you feel that hope in your heart today.

Amen. 🙏

If you’re in the job search right now, save this post for encouragement and drop a 🙏 or share your target role in the comments so I can keep you in my prayers this week continue to encourage you throughout your journey.

Happy Sunday, my friends. A few months ago, I shared a simple way to support those who have been laid off, and it remains true today.  

When someone is job hunting, it’s a challenging process. It can feel isolating.  

But small actions can make a big difference.  

Take a few minutes. Reach out.  

Write a LinkedIn recommendation or endorse their skills. It boosts their profile.  

Think about your network. Make an introduction to someone who’s hiring or could offer advice.  

I’ve seen these little acts turn into new opportunities.  

Remember, we all start somewhere.  

Supporting each other builds a stronger community.  

What’s one thing you’ve done to help someone recently?
  
Let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we can lift each other.  

End the week with kindness and action. It matters.

LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn

Hey friends — quick question for you!  I’m thinking about adding a second weekly job-posting post to help more of you find roles you’re excited about.


Before I do… what types of job openings would be most helpful for you?

Are there certain industries, career paths, or skill areas you’d love to see more of?

I want these posts to support you all so drop your thoughts in the comments below. Feel free to tag others who may be interested. 

Your feedback will help shape what I share next. 🙌 
Thanks everyone!

#JobSearch #CareerGrowth #Careers #JobOpportunities

Thriving in chaos: How my ADHD fuels my ability to support others.

Living with ADHD isn't always a walk in the park. Our minds buzz with a thousand thoughts, ideas, and tasks, often all at once. It's like a symphony playing at triple the pace, chaotic, yet fascinating.

But here’s the truth: this chaos becomes my superpower. When everything feels overwhelming, I learn to prioritize what truly matters. I have developed the ability to switch focus quickly, adapt on the fly, and think creatively.

Of course, it’s not always smooth. Distractions can derail progress. However, I’ve turned those moments into opportunities for creative problem-solving.

Supporting others with this mindset means understanding that resilience and agility matter. It’s about embracing chaos and harnessing it for growth, rather than fighting it. Do you agree? 

What’s your take? How does your perspective turn chaos into opportunity?

#ADHD

Happy Thanksgiving post. 

I’m thankful for today: family, friends, my great network, food, and football. 

But stepping away from the traditional, there's something else I'm immensely grateful for: my unique ability to juggle multiple tasks, thanks to my ADHD. It's not often seen as a gift, but it's time we shed light on the unconventional blessings in our lives. 

Remember, what sets you apart can be your strength. On this day of gratitude, let's celebrate every facet of ourselves. Now, I challenge you: What’s the unconventional blessing you're thankful for today?

Such great advice. Thank you for posting Robyn Punko

I was talking to a jobseeker today and they asked me a question I wish more people would ask: “What can I do to help other jobseekers?”

First of all… I love this! 💜
Second… you have so much more power than you think.

The bonus? When you help other jobseekers, you ALSO help your own visibility, reputation, and network. 

Let’s talk about how. 

Don’t just scroll… like and comment.
A like is a quiet “I see you.”
A comment is “I’m standing with you.”
Do both and you:
Boost THEIR post in the algorithm
Put YOUR name + face in front of their network (and sometimes recruiters 👀)

Comments don’t have to be fancy: “I’m rooting for you.” “Thank you for sharing this.” “I relate to this so much.” 

And here’s the secret most people forget: More substantial comments show people more about you… your values, your experience, how you think.

“I’m rooting for you, I went through something similar last year…”

“Thank you for sharing this, here’s what helped me when I was in this spot…”

Short. Human. A little bit of story. That’s how people remember you.

Honestly? Some days I get more impressions from thoughtful comments I leave on other people’s posts than I do on my own content. Your comments travel.

Hit repost, it’s a free referral: When you repost someone’s “I’m job searching” update or a role they’re excited about, you extend their reach into entirely new circles. Show your network you’re someone who lifts others up. That’s the kind of thing people remember when they’re hiring.

Tag like a connector 🔗 See a role that fits someone you know? Tag them. Know a recruiter who hires in their space? Tag them too. You become the bridge between opportunity and talent… and connectors are rarely forgotten.

Refer when you can: If your company has a role that fits someone you trust: Share the link. Offer to refer them. Send their resume to the right person.
Referrals change lives and yes, people notice who consistently shows up for others.

Celebrate everyone’s wins! 🎉New job? First interview in months? Final round after a long dry spell? 

Drop a “CONGRATS!!” Leave some 🎉💜🙌 Share their win and say, “More of this, please.” You’re telling the algorithm and your network: “This is the energy I believe in.”

If you’re still waiting on your own “YES,” it can feel like you have nothing to give. But you do.

Your like. Your comment. Your share. Your tag. Your referral.

Any one of those could be the thing that keeps someone going one more day and while you’re helping them be seen, you’re quietly building your brand.

Generous. Supportive. Community-minded. 
The kind of person people want on their team. 

If you’re committed to lifting up at least one other jobseeker this week, drop a 💜 in the comments so they know they’re not alone and repost this so others know how they can help.

Have you wondered how a hobby can turn into a full-time career? There are many pathways to actualize this, but let's delve into a few key strategies. 

1. Identify the Value: Determine what's unique about your hobby that can be monetized. Is it a rare skill? Can it solve a problem? 

2. Education: Home in on your craft. Take courses, read books, and strive to learn everything you can about your passion.

3. Network: Connect with others in the field. Attend events, join online communities, and don't shy away from asking for guidance.

4. Start Small: Launch your career as a side hustle first. It's low risk, and you'll get valuable feedback to help fine-tune your venture.

Your hobby could be your life's work. It’s uncharted territory, and that’s the beauty of it. Ready to embark on the journey? Dream big, start small, but most importantly, start now.

I had a fantastic conversation earlier this week with Jessica Poole 

I walked away with a ton of insight into where college athletics is headed, especially around NIL, athlete education, and the industry's evolving structure.

I loved her energy, passion, and knowledge. Jessica shared how her consulting business is helping nonprofits, companies, and especially parents of youth athletes better understand the constantly changing NIL landscape. 

One thing she emphasized: education is everything.
Parents and athletes are receiving mixed messages, and getting the fundamentals right: finances, taxes, branding, and long-term planning, matters more than ever.

A few takeaways that really stood out:

🔹 NIL is becoming an entry point to entrepreneurship. Student-athletes are learning skills that translate directly into marketing, business ownership, and life after sports.

🔹 Financial literacy is critical. Taxes aren’t optional, and many athletes aren’t prepared. Jessica talked about how schools and advisors can do a better job of preparing athletes and families early.

🔹 SIDs and administrators have incredible transferable skills. Communication, crisis management, budgeting, and leadership: these translate directly into consulting, operations, HR, and more. Jessica encouraged SIDs not to sell themselves short and to explore opportunities beyond traditional roles.

It was refreshing to talk to someone who not only understands the heart of college athletics but also sees clearly where things are heading. I loved our conversation. 

If you’re working in college athletics: coaching, SID, admin, ops, or navigating NIL with your athletes or family, Jessica is absolutely someone worth learning from.

#collegeathletics #NIL #AthleteBranding #StudentAthletes #CollegeSports

Are you looking for your next move? Here’s my weekly edition. 

Whether you want to stay connected to sports or explore new fields like technology, business, or leadership, opportunities are available. 

A few roles that recently caught my eye: 

1️⃣ Snap! Raise – Account Executive (PA and NY locations): https://lnkd.in/eVgYFFqX

2️⃣ NFL – Director, Media Strategy and Business Development (NYC): https://lnkd.in/eQU8qiwJ | Thanks to my friend Lee for sending to me. 

3️⃣ Boost My School – Multiple openings (Remote): https://lnkd.in/edtTVVci

4️⃣ SportsRecruits – Full Cycle Sales Specialist (Remote): https://lnkd.in/eaZvJr5u

5️⃣ HUDL – Multiple roles open (Some are remote and some are based in the Omaha office): https://lnkd.in/e9RnyP9s

These aren't just jobs. They're opportunities to turn your passion into purpose.

Every role is a chance to grow, learn, and make an impact.
It's not about switching jobs for the sake of it; it's about finding something that truly energizes you.

If you're feeling stuck or thinking about a change, don’t wait.
The right opportunity is out there, waiting for someone like you.

Ask yourself: what excites me? What skills can I bring to something new?
Now’s the time to act on those answers.

Reach out or comment below, let’s explore your options.
Together, we can find the perfect fit.

And if you know of companies hiring, share the list.
Let’s help each other move forward.

The future waits for those who take action. Are you in?

If you know of any companies hiring, feel free to add to the list. Thank you all.

#Coaching 
#CareerTransition 
#SportsTech 
#RemoteJobs

As we head into this season of gratitude, I want to say how genuinely thankful I am for the friends, colleagues, and connections I’ve made here on LinkedIn. 

Your support, conversations, and encouragement mean more than you know.
I also know many people are walking through hard seasons right now: personally, professionally, or emotionally. If that’s you, I see you. And you’re not alone.

I recently created a Facebook page called “Hope for Hard Days” :  a place filled with encouragement, scripture, and daily reminders that even in the most challenging moments, there is still hope, still purpose, and still light ahead.

If you or someone you know could use a little encouragement, you’re welcome to join us: Hope for Hard Days. The link is in my comments. 

 💛 One post at the right time can make a world of difference.

Wishing you all peace, strength, and brighter days ahead.

It’s been awesome seeing so many of my friends and connections land new roles this week and even starting next week. I love hearing these wins.

For everyone still in the search right now, please remember this: your time is coming.

The right opportunity has a way of showing up exactly when it’s supposed to.
If I can support you in any way: reviewing your resume, offering feedback, sharing resources, or just being someone to talk things through with, please reach out. I’m always happy to help.

Keep going. You’re closer than you think. 💛💼✨

Hi all, I’ve pulled up a number of fully remote / remote-friendly roles spanning customer success, healthcare admin/ops, SaaS/tech, and mission-driven companies. 

Please note, I am not a recruiter :) 

If you or someone you know is looking for flexibility and a meaningful work environment, these could be a great fit.

Customer Success Manager, Northeast/NY: MagicSchool AI (remote): https://lnkd.in/eKe5pkiZ

Digital Accessibility Specialist: Software Technology, INC (remote): https://lnkd.in/eZVWSgnC

Director of Customer Success (Enterprise): Edmentum (remote): https://lnkd.in/e99jeruX

Creative Director: Big Mouth, INC (remote): https://lnkd.in/eajVv8y5

Customer Success Manager: Infobase Holdings (EdTech, remote): https://lnkd.in/efg-vaCw

Digital Marketing: Lyfe Marketing (remote): https://lnkd.in/ewdh6TR6

Accounting Manager: Cadmium (remote): https://lnkd.in/eeHetDux

Customer Success Manager: Relishiq (SaaS, remote): https://lnkd.in/e3pKZHk6

Retention Specialist: Dandy (remote): https://lnkd.in/eYw8NB4b

Accessibility Specialist: Vision Solution, LLC (remote): https://lnkd.in/eGq9QUMM

Project Coordinator / Data Quality / Admin roles: Integra Connect (healthcare/operations, remote): https://lnkd.in/eJm5qp-T

Customer Success Manager: Maplewood Software (remote): https://lnkd.in/ex7J-g2R

Partner Account Manager: ArcSite (remote): https://lnkd.in/ewXj8mXX

Other remote-friendly EdTech / SaaS / mission-driven / support-oriented roles currently listed on major job boards: https://lnkd.in/ebVxVQNY

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, feel free to pass along. I’m happy to help. If you know of any other openings, feel free to comment below and let people know. 

🔁 Please feel free to share, tag, or forward to anyone who might benefit!

#RemoteWork #Opentowork #EdTech #SaaS #CustomerSuccess #AdminJobs #CareerChange #JobSearch

Are you looking for your next move? Let’s continue to the weekly Wednesday post. 

Whether you want to stay connected to sports or explore new fields like technology, business, or leadership, opportunities are available.  

A few roles that recently caught my eye:  

1️⃣ SportsBiz – Director of Analytics (Remote): https://lnkd.in/dcMzT6sf

2️⃣ Teamworks – Manager, Product Success (Remote): https://lnkd.in/dTs6w_CW

3️⃣ Optimum Sports – Associate Director, Sports Marketing (NYC): https://lnkd.in/d4EvVZJn

4️⃣ Tagboard – Account Executive (Remote): https://lnkd.in/dkzrR5ZJ

5️⃣ Baden Sports, INC – Sales Director, Team (Remote): https://lnkd.in/dp75T6di

These aren’t just jobs. They’re chances to leverage your passion and skills in new ways.  

If you’re thinking about a change, now’s the time to act.  

Are you ready to explore? Reach out or comment below, let’s find the right fit for you.  

If you know of any companies hiring, feel free to add to the list. Thank you all.

#CoachingCareer #RemoteJobs #CareerTransition #opentowork

Candidate Spotlight: Meet Jalisa Gray
Creative Director | Brand Designer | Digital Product Innovator

I’m excited to kick off this new spotlight series with someone I’ve had the privilege to work with for over four years, Jalisa Gray. 

She is not only incredibly talented but also someone who brings empathy, strategy, and creativity into everything she touches.

🔹 Open to: Remote roles (salary or contract)
🔹 Location: North Carolina
🔹 Target Roles: Creative Director, Associate Creative Director, Brand Creative Lead, Product Designer

🔗 Connect w/ Jalisa: (LinkedIn) https://lnkd.in/eZNqjgg7

⭐ Top Skills & Strengths

• Creative Direction
• Brand Identity & Design Systems
• Innovative Problem-Solving
• Strong Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Empathy-Led Leadership

🚀 Notable Highlights

• Led brand identity, voice, and website design for women-led beauty & lifestyle brands, boosting audience alignment and conversions
• Built and managed a 15-website template library as Creative Director: cutting production time, increasing product sales, and elevating the company’s digital presence

✨ Quick Snapshot

A multidisciplinary Creative Director & Designer with 7+ years of experience developing meaningful design solutions that connect with audiences and drive results. Jalisa blends strategic vision with hands-on leadership, and her work consistently raises the creative bar.

🎙️ Personal Note from Me

Having worked closely with Jalisa at ScoreShots and Presto Sports, she makes every team better. Her creative ideas are top-notch, clients love her work, and she’s the kind of teammate you’re thankful to have in the room. Any organization would be lucky to have her.

If you or someone in your network is hiring in the creative space, please take a moment to check out Jalisa’s work and connect with her.

Let’s help more talented people land where they’re meant to be. 💪✨

#Hiring #CreativeDirector #BrandDesign #OpenToWork #DesignJobs #CreativeCommunity

linkedin.com

Jalisa Gray - Gray State of Mind Studio | LinkedIn

How do you embrace your ADHD chaos? 

This isn't about denying the struggle; it's about finding beauty in the disorder.

Some of my most creative ideas have emerged during those bursts of frenetic energy. It's like a surge of inspiration that propels me into uncharted territories.

I’ve learned to harness these moments, turning potential chaos into productivity. I focus on tasks that align with my passions, channeling that energy where it's needed most.

Planning and structure help, but they’re not my only tools. I lean into flexible schedules and embrace change. It’s about turning what could be a hindrance into a unique strength.

How do you transform your challenges into advantages?

#ADHD

Lately, we keep hearing that it’s a buyer’s market for companies hiring. 


So many organizations are holding out for the “perfect” candidate on paper, the unicorn who checks every single box.

But here’s the thing: while waiting for perfection, they may be missing out on incredibly talented people who could thrive with the right opportunity.

With the job market expected to shift in the coming months, I’m genuinely curious…

What are you seeing?
Are hiring managers starting to rethink the idea of the “perfect match”?

Will we see more leaders willing to take a chance on someone who doesn’t meet 100% of the job description but brings drive, potential, and transferable skills?

Or will companies continue to hold out for the ideal candidate, possibly overlooking great people in the process?

Would love to hear your thoughts. 👇

#hiring #recruiting #talentacquisition

Fuel up this Saturday! Let's not limit ourselves to the prescribed script. 

Sprinkle some spontaneity into your life! Veer off the planned path and explore the unknown. It could be as simple as trying a new hobby or as significant as learning a new skill; unpredictability can spark creativity, my friends.

Living with ADHD, I've learned that routines can be comforting, but breaking away from them occasionally offers a refreshing perspective. This enriches our professional life, opening up a plethora of opportunities that reside outside our comfort zones. 

So, this Saturday, how about we shake things up a bit? Dive into that project you've been avoiding, take a course on web design, or perhaps, read up on a project you’ve wanted to do around the house.

Now comes the fun part, share your experience with us! What were the challenges you faced? What did you learn? Remember, it's about growth, not perfection. 

Let's fuel up this Saturday, and as always, be awesome!

Helping Founders Break the $10M Ceiling | Strategy, Cash Flow & Leadership Systems | Scaling CFO

Scaling Founders Beyond $10M with Strategy, Financial Clarity, and Leadership Expansion

Most companies stall not because of lack of effort—
but because the founder has outgrown the systems, strategies, and financial models that once worked.

At Ascend Growth Ventures, we partner with CEOs of $3M–$10M companies to implement Scaling Up, strengthen financial infrastructure, and elevate leadership teams—building businesses that scale profitably and predictably, without burning out the founder.

By integrating Scaling Up, Exponential Organizations, and CFO-level financial insights, we deliver a complete, battle-tested system for sustainable, high-performance growth.

🔹 We Work With CEOs Who Want To:
✔️ Scale revenue and profits without chaos
✔️ Build self-managing leadership teams
✔️ Unlock hidden cash flow and improve financial decision-making
✔️ Sharpen their strategy for exponential growth
✔️ Prepare for capital raises, acquisitions, or exits

🔹 Our Core Focus Areas:
  * Strategic Scaling Up Implementation

  * Financial Strategy & Cash Optimization

  * Leadership Team Development

  * Systems for Predictable Growth

  * Valuation Prep and Exit Strategy

✅ Why Work With Me?
25+ years of experience scaling businesses from the inside out:
➡️ Regional CFO, GE Gas Power (LATAM, +1.5GW record year)
➡️ Strategic finance and underwriting leadership at GE Capital
➡️ Business/project development for 8-figure ventures
➡️ Trusted advisor to founders scaling past $10M and beyond

✅ Industries We Specialize In:
✔️ Clean Energy & Decarbonization
✔️ Industrial Goods & B2B Services
✔️ Impact-Driven Companies
✔️ Scaling Coaching & Consulting Firms

🧠 If You're Ready to Scale Intelligently and Sustainably

Let's have a strategic conversation about where you are—and where you can go.

Easiest way to work with me?

Book a 30 min call and let's see if we are a fit.
https://calendly.com/cruzagamboa/call-with-cruz-ascend-30min

Cruz Gamboa

The market tells stories. Your financials & metrics tell truth.

In 2001, Amazon's stock cratered from $113 to $6.

Wall Street declared it dead.

Let's be clear: that had to be terrifying. Even for Bezos.

Watching 95% of your valuation evaporate. Hearing the whispers. Feeling the pressure from every direction.

But here's what separated him from founders who fold in those moments, he kept coming back to his dashboard:

Customer acquisition costs...improving. 

Fulfillment efficiency...improving. 

Contribution margin per unit...improving. 

Defect rates...declining.

The stock price reflected fear. 

The operating metrics reflected reality.

Confidence isn't the absence of fear. It's choosing to trust what you can measure over what you can't control.

This is Financial Intelligence: knowing which numbers actually predict your future, especially when everything around you is screaming that you're losing.

Watch the video. Bezos is calm. 

Not because he wasn't scared, but because he had clarity.

He knew exactly what was true inside his business.

That's how you survive what looks like a reversal, and come out the other side stronger.

That's how $6 becomes $1.7 trillion.

So here's my question for you:

What would it be worth to have that kind of clarity the next time everything feels like it's falling apart?

To know—not hope, not guess—that you're on the right track?

That's the game worth playing.

Check out comments for details

#founder #growth #ceo #scalingup

At 40, he’d lost everything.
His company. His savings. His confidence.
Most people would’ve walked away.

But Aaron Krause wasn’t “most people.”

He went back to the garage.
Back to tiny problems no one cared about.
And from that… came a smiling sponge the world didn’t see coming.

Stores rejected him.
Investors laughed.
The idea sat on a shelf for years.

But he didn’t quit.
He took one uncomfortable shot: Shark Tank.

He walked in with a box of sponges.
He walked out with Lori Greiner.
$200,000 for 20%.
Momentum activated.

Then the episode aired…

Overnight demand.
Shelves cleared out.
Factories overloaded.
Scrub Daddy everywhere, from Walmart to Bed Bath & Beyond.

A simple sponge became a billion-dollar brand.
Not because it was cute.
Because he executed when life said “stop.”

Here’s the truth:

👉 He didn’t need a perfect plan: he needed one more attempt.
👉 He wasn’t chasing validation: he was chasing resilience.
👉 He proved the principle every founder forgets:
A small idea + relentless execution can beat a big idea that never ships.

Critics mocked the smile.
Then watched it become one of Shark Tank’s biggest wins ever.

The ones who win?
They push past rejection.
They build through uncertainty.
They keep going when almost everyone quits.

Because billion-dollar outcomes don’t happen in comfort, 
they happen right after the moment you think it’s over.

#resilience#scalingup#founderstory#entrepreneurship

Stephen Schwarzman built Blackstone into a global giant…
without using calculus.

Why?
Because the game he played didn’t reward equations.

It rewarded judgment, negotiation, and understanding people.

Those were the leverage points.

Charlie Munger said the same thing:

Simple thinking beats complicated math in most investing.

But here’s what most people miss:

It’s not about whether calculus matters.
It’s about whether it matters in the arena you choose.

Private equity = people, decisions, patterns.

Quant trading, derivatives, risk modelling = math, models, precision.

Different games.
Different skills.
Different leverage.

People fail because they try to be good at everything…
and end up great at nothing.

The real move?

👉 Pick the game you want to win.
👉 Identify the skills that game rewards.
👉 Get insanely good at those, and ignore everything else.

That’s how you scale.
Not by doing more.
But by mastering the few things that actually move the needle.

#scalingup #growth #ceo #founder

They emailed eBay 200 times.
eBay ignored every single one.
Most people would’ve given up.

But Marc, Oliver, and Alexander Samwer weren’t “most people.”

They cloned eBay.
Launched it in Germany.
Executed with speed and perfection.
Within months… eBay bought it back for $43 MILLION.

Then the brothers doubled down.
They built Rocket Internet, the company that turned cloning into a billion-dollar machine.

They copied.
They improved.
They scaled.
And they sold again, and again, and again.

Here’s the truth:

👉 They weren’t chasing approval, they were chasing execution at scale.
👉 They didn’t wait to be discovered, they created their own leverage.
👉 They mastered the one principle most founders overlook:
Doing it better beats doing it first.

Critics called them “copycats.”
But behind the noise, the Samwer brothers built an empire worth billions.

Most people stop when they hear “no.”
The one who succeed?
They push when it’s uncomfortable.
They build when others hesitate.
They turn rejection into momentum.

If you want outsized results, do what most won’t:
Step past comfort.
Step past doubt.
Step past fear.

Because the biggest payoffs live right beyond the point where almost everyone quits.

#scalingup #growth #ceo #bostonfounders

At 22, he was rejected by Toyota.
At 38, his factory was bombed. Twice.
Most people would’ve accepted defeat.

But Soichiro Honda wasn’t “most people.”

He went back to the workshop.
Back to broken engines and scraps no one wanted.
And from that… came a machine the world didn’t see coming.

Japan had no money.
Fuel was scarce.
Factories were rubble.

But he didn’t quit.
He bolted a tiny motor onto a bicycle 
not pretty, not perfect, but powerful enough to move people again.

Stores ignored it.
Critics dismissed it.
He kept building anyway.

Because he wasn’t chasing applause.
He was chasing motion.

Then came the breakthrough…

The Super Cub.
Light. Reliable. Unbreakable.
The bike that took Japan and then the world by storm.

A simple motorbike became a $100B legacy.
Not because it was glamorous.
Because he refused to stop when everything told him to.

Here’s the truth:

👉 He didn’t need perfect conditions: he needed one more rebuild.
👉 He wasn’t chasing status: he was chasing solutions.
👉 He proved what most innovators forget:
Small beginnings + relentless persistence beat rejection every time.

Toyota turned him down.
Life knocked him down.
But he got back up again and again until the world couldn’t ignore him.

The ones who win?
They rise after failure.
They create after chaos.
They build when everyone else quits.

Because billion-dollar stories don’t start with luck
they start with someone who refuses to give up.
#scalingup #founder #CEO #boston

He built a dating site that generated exactly zero activity.
No users. No traction. No revenue.

Most leaders call that a failed model.
I call it an early audit.

Three ex-PayPal employees launched “Tune In Hook Up,” expecting market fit.
What they got was silence.
Operational cost? Rising.
User acquisition? Non-existent.
ROI? Negative from day one.

But here’s what mattered:
They reviewed the data instead of reacting to the emotion.

They noticed users trying to upload videos
Not for dating, but for everyday moments.
Unintended behaviour, but real demand.

So they executed the smartest financial move any early-stage team can make:
A low-cost pivot.

Same infrastructure.
Same upload system.
Zero additional burn.
Just a shift in positioning:
Share any video.

And that decision changed their entire valuation trajectory.

Users scaled exponentially.
Cost per acquisition plummeted.
Engagement skyrocketed.
Suddenly, they weren’t running a dating site…
They were running the internet’s first true video platform.

By 2006, their risk profile had flipped
High growth. High virality.
And high legal exposure.

Enter Google.
They offered $1.65B in stock for a business that still had no established monetisation engine.
From a financial lens?
That’s called derisking the future.

Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim accepted.
Smart move.
They transferred operational liability…
And secured generational wealth.

Today, YouTube contributes over $40B in yearly ad revenue
and sits at a valuation north of $500B.

All from a product that started as a complete miss 
until the data told a different story.

Lesson:
You don’t scale perfection.
You scale what the market proves it wants.
Listen to the numbers, not the narratives.
And never underestimate the ROI of a well-timed pivot.

#CFOInsights #Leadership #Strategy #Scalingup

She sold her engagement ring for $10,000.
Ten years later, Vicky Tsai built a $500M skincare empire.

Most people call that crazy.
I call it commitment.

She walked away from a six-figure job…
Moved back into her childhood bedroom at 30…
Got rejected for 18 months straight…
And kept going anyway.

1,000 units.
Her last $5,000.
No safety net. No backup plan.

Month one? $2,000 in sales.
Most people quit here.
Vicky didn’t.

She packed every order by hand.
Wrote thank-you notes to strangers.
Built trust one customer at a time.

Then the internet found her.
Demand exploded.
Sephora called.
And the bedroom startup became one of the fastest-growing skincare brands in America.

In 2019, Unilever bought Tatcha for $500 million.
The $10,000 ring she sold?
It turned into 50,000x.

Lesson?
You don’t need permission.
You need conviction.
And the courage to burn Plan B. 

#ceo #founder #growth #scalingup

Strategy & Finance Executive | Scaling Impact-Driven Companies Beyond $10M | Strategic CFO | Certified Scaling Up Advisor

He got fired.
The company he built said, “We don’t need you anymore.”
Everyone forgot him.

But Steve Jobs didn’t stop.

He poured tens of millions into a failing company called Pixar.
Everyone thought he was crazy.
Most would have quit.

12 years later… that gamble sold for $7.4 BILLION.

Here’s the thing:

👉 He wasn’t chasing money. He was chasing vision.
👉 He embraced risk when others ran from it.
👉 He bet on what he believed in, even when the world said no.

Most people quit right before the payoff.
The real winners? They push through when it’s hardest.
They see opportunity where others see failure.

If you want massive results, you need to do what most won’t.
Step past comfort. Step past doubt. Step past fear.

Because the biggest payoffs live just beyond the point where almost everyone quits.

#scalingup  #growth #ceo

Steve Jobs

He built pole barns to pay for college.

Decades later, John Menard Jr. built Menards, an $18B home improvement empire.

Most people call that luck.

I call it financial discipline.

He opened a small lumber yard in 1964…

Kept prices rock-bottom by building his own factories…

And built every store with cash, not debt.

No investors. No loans. No noise.

While others chased speed and Wall Street, John chose control.

He knew his margins by product line. He tracked cash flow like a pilot tracks altitude. He made the numbers his single source of truth.

Store by store. State by state. Slow, steady, unstoppable.

When 2008 hit, he didn't scramble; he expanded.

Today?

340+ Menards stores. $13B+ revenue. 3rd third-largest home-improvement chain in America. Still 100% private.

The lesson?

You don't need to grow fast. You need to grow right.

That means: 
→ Knowing your profit margins by service line 
→ Tracking cash flow weekly, not just at tax time 
→ Building systems so the business works, not just you

Financial clarity isn't about being a "numbers person."
It's about building simple, repeatable habits that let you scale with confidence.

Have the courage to own every decision, starting with your numbers.
#founder #growth #businessmindset #financialclarity #scalingup

Most people think success comes from working harder, dreaming bigger, or thinking smarter.

Here's the truth: none of that matters if you don't act.

In one simple test, a $50 bill was up for grabs. 

Everyone wanted it. 
Everyone talked about it. 
Everyone wished they had it…

Except Debbie.

She stood up. She walked forward. She took it.

That's it. 

That's the difference between winners and everyone else.

While everyone else burns time and money chasing online strategies that become less effective every day…

The smartest entrepreneurs thriving in 2025 are walking away from their screens and adding an extra 7-figures through live events.

Real humans. In-person communities. High-profit partnerships.

The ultimate advantage in the age of AI isn't replacing humanity with efficiency; it's experiences that are deep, connective, transformative, and profitable.

Getting face-to-face with your ideal clients AND peers is the most consistent solution to the Trust Recession.

I'll be at Event Profit Engine in Austin (December 10-12)...and I still have 4 discounted tickets.

If you're ready to get clarity on the financial blind spots keeping you from scaling, this is your moment.

Don't sit in the room wishing. 

Be Debbie.

P.S. Stop waiting for perfect timing. The money, the deal, the break… it's waiting for the first person who moves. Will it be you? DM me AUSTIN for ticket details.
#scalingup #CEO #founder #growth

Passion isn’t happiness.
It’s pain.
It’s grinding when no one is watching.
It’s suffering through every mistake, every rejection, every late night, just to build something nobody thought was possible.

Jensen Huang didn’t follow the market.
He didn’t wait for AI to be big.
He invested 10,000 engineer-years ahead of demand.
He pivoted Nvidia from graphics chips to AI dominance.
That’s vision. That’s first-principles thinking. That’s suffering smarter than everyone else.

Breakthroughs aren’t born in comfort zones.
They’re born when you refuse to quit, when you embrace the grind, and when you’re willing to suffer today for what the world will celebrate tomorrow.

Extraordinary isn’t given.
It’s earned.
Through struggle.
Through relentless work.
Through being willing to do what everyone else won’t.

If you want to be great, get comfortable being uncomfortable.

#scalingup #growth #ceo #founder

He was dropped at an orphanage at seven.
No food. No money. No choice.

By 14, he was on a factory floor, making metal frames.
One wrong move crushed part of his finger. Permanent injury.

Most people would quit. Most people would settle.
He didn’t.

He watched. He learned.
Every machine. Every process. Every decision.
Night classes. Every penny saved. Knowledge accumulation.

At 26, he opened a tiny eyewear shop in the Italian Alps.
Nothing fancy. No connections. Just him, a few employees, and an obsession with understanding the craft end-to-end.

Most competitors sold parts. He had a different idea: make complete frames. Control the product. Own the market.

By the 1980s, he was making designer frames for fashion houses.
By 1995, he bought LensCrafters—suddenly he controlled both the product and the retail.

Then came Ray-Ban.
Everyone said he overpaid $640 million for a dying brand.
He didn’t see risk. He saw opportunity.

Ray-Ban wasn’t just glasses anymore.
Movies. Celebrities. Fashion statements.
Value multiplied. Brand exploded.

He kept buying. Oakley. Sunglass Hut. Prada. Versace. Chanel. Pearle Vision.
Vertical integration? Check. Market dominance? Check. Monopoly? Almost.

When he died in 2022, Leonardo Del Vecchio had $25.8 billion.
One orphan. One factory worker. One relentless learner.

Lesson:
You don’t need luck. You need mastery, observation, and relentless execution.
Start small. Learn everything. Then own the ecosystem.

#ceo #scalingup #growth #founder

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Most founders don't fail because of competition.
 They fail because of the blind spots they never see coming.

Cash looks fine… until it doesn't. Revenue grows… but profit disappears. You hire fast… and spend months fixing mistakes. You work harder… but scale refuses to unlock.

I spent 20+ years at GE Capital navigating these exact challenges at a corporate level.

Closing an $800M+ power plant deal? That taught me cash flow precision. Managing international transactions? That revealed the profit leaks most miss. Building high-performance teams? That showed me the cost of hiring fast vs. hiring right.

Those frameworks didn't just help me lead deals—they gave me the blueprint for scalable growth.

Now I help founders apply these same battle-tested systems to their businesses.

The 7 blind spots in this carousel? They're the ones holding 90% of founders back from predictable, profitable scale.

If you want to go deeper… Download my free ebook in the comments. 

Fix the blind spots. Scale with clarity. Build a business that runs like a pro—because you learned from one.
#scalingup #founder #ceo #growth

7 Blind Spots

𝗛𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿.

Most founders know Pinterest.

Almost no one knows Paul Sciarra, the guy who paid early salaries out of his own pocket, skipped taking income, and carried the company when no one else believed.

He wasn’t a “supporter.”
He was the architecture.

And then the quiet part of startup life happened.
Not a blow-up.
Not a fight.
Just… inches.

One meeting he wasn’t invited to.
One decision he didn’t have visibility into.
One board conversation that happened without him.

By the time Pinterest crossed millions of users and raised over $100M…
Paul was out.

He walked away with ~$15M.
Not nothing.
But painful when your original idea becomes a $25B enterprise.

This isn’t a story about betrayal.
It’s a story about leadership, governance, and identity.

𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆.
They lose it when:
 • they stop owning the financial strategy
 • they delegate governance without understanding it
 • they avoid hard conversations
 • they let investors define the path
 • they disconnect from the role of architect

You can build something extraordinary…
and still get written out of your own success if you don’t stay in the seat you were meant to own.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 $𝟯𝗠–$𝟭𝟬𝗠 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻.
The product works.
The company has traction.
Teams are growing.

 But governance, capital strategy, and leadership identity aren’t keeping pace.
That’s the real risk.

𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻:
Your idea can change the world,  but only if you stay in the role of architect as it scales.

Own your equity.
Protect your seat.
Upgrade your thinking.
Build with intention.
The threat isn’t being pushed out.
The threat is drifting out of your power.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
 Are you building like the founder…
 or leading like the architect?

#ceo #founder #scalingup #growth

Most founders don’t fail because they’re lazy.
They fail because their goals are small.

Small goals keep you grinding.
Big goals force you to rebuild the system.

When you raise the target to 10x, everything changes:
your strategy, your thinking, your standards, your circle.

You stop playing in the crowded middle
and start operating where very few people dare to go.

10x isn’t harder.

It’s cleaner. 
It’s clearer. 
It’s smarter.

Stop playing safe. Start playing big.

I learned this lesson the hard way.

I wanted to grow my LinkedIn presence to 100K in a year.
I had 2k followers. 

A few people said that it would take years and that I was unrealistic.

Maybe they would have been right - if I'd believed them

I tried anyway. 
I took a course to learn from others who were ahead of me.
I showed up here every day.
Continuously improved my content (and my mindset)
Hired people to help me.

Did I accomplish my goal?
NO. 

I am still at 72k followers today, a year into that challenge.
But I am still grateful for the results. 

Can you imagine what would have happened if I had played small?
I may be at 15K followers at best. 

And that's the whole point. 

Even if you miss the 10X mark, it beats linear thinking. 

This same principle is why I help founders identify the 7 financial blind spots killing their scale - because small thinking about money keeps you grinding, while 10x financial clarity forces you to rebuild the system.

Want to apply 10x thinking to your finances? 

I've identified the 7 blind spots most founders miss. 

Download the guide; link is in the comments. 

#founder #ceo #growth #scalingup

10X Thinking = 10 X Results

He started with $5,000 and a pizza shop paycheck.
Nobody cared. Nobody believed.

Most people would’ve stayed broke.

Dan Gilbert didn’t.

He looked at a broken mortgage industry slow, complex, full of middlemen and said: “There’s a better way.”

He worked 18 hours a day. Seven days a week.
He studied every inefficiency.
He simplified the impossible.
He moved online when the internet was “just a fad.”
He ignored the naysayers.

It all started with Rock Financial. 
And eventually
Rock Financial became Quicken Loans.
Applications went from weeks to minutes.
Rates went from hidden to transparent.
Customers went from frustrated to obsessed.

Then he didn’t stop.
He bought the Cleveland Cavaliers, poured money into the city, and turned it upside down.
Downtown boomed. 
The team won a championship. 
The city transformed.

Here’s the lesson most people miss:

👉 You don’t need a perfect idea.
👉 You don’t need permission.
👉 You need to see broken systems, fix them better, and move faster than everyone else.
👉 And then, reinvest the wins into something that actually matters.

From pizza shifts to $28.5B, Gilbert’s story isn’t luck.
It’s obsession, timing, and execution.

Most people quit at “too hard.”
The few who succeed? 
They see the gap, go first, and keep building while others sleep.

If you want outsized results, do what most won’t:
Step past the “impossible.”
Step past the doubters.
Step past comfort.

Because fortune isn’t at the starting line, it’s at the point where everyone else stops.

#growth #scalingup #entrepreneurship #CEO #execution

He bought a bankrupt textile factory for $15 million.
Forty years later, Bernard Arnault built a $500B luxury empire.

Most people call that impossible.
I call it vision.

He didn’t invent anything.
He didn’t design a product.
He didn’t chase trends.
He just saw what others couldn’t.

Buried inside that dying company was a forgotten gem: Christian Dior.
Everyone overlooked it.
Arnault didn’t.

He sold everything except Dior.
Bet the house on one iconic brand.
And rebuilt from zero.

Then he made an even crazier move
He went after LVMH.
Louis Vuitton. Moët. Hennessy.
The crown jewels of French luxury.

The elite hated it.
The media mocked it.
It was the most hostile takeover France had ever seen.
Arnault didn’t blink.

He bought the shares quietly.
Took control boldly.
And turned LVMH into a global machine.

One acquisition at a time.
Fendi. Tiffany. Givenchy. Sephora.
Dozens of brands reborn under one ruthless strategy:

Let creators dream.
But keep the business razor sharp.

While tech giants chased disruption…
Arnault chased timelessness.

While others discounted…
He raised value.

In 2023, he became the richest man on Earth.
Quiet. Precise. Unshakeable.
He outplayed every tech titan without writing a single line of code.

Lesson?
You don’t need to invent.
You need to see the hidden gem
And have the courage to bet everything on it.

#entrepreneur #growth #businessstrategy #founder #scalingup

Most founders grind hard for years… and never hit $10M.

Here’s the brutal truth: it’s not about working harder. It’s about thinking differently.

The founders who scale don’t chase approval. They hunt reality.
They don’t run the machine they build the machine.

They don’t wait for perfect conditions, they turn constraints into leverage.

Scaling isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the few things that actually move the needle.
It’s about creating systems that work without your mood, decisions that multiply impact, and alignment that accelerates everything.

You can keep grinding, or you can flip the mindset switches that separate founders who stall from founders who explode past $10M.

Which one are you?

#scalingup #founder #ceo

While everyone's fighting over TVs today, I'm fighting for your 2026.

One stage does what 6 months of content can't.

That's why I'm speaking in Austin December 10-12.

Here's what I've learned:

You can spend hundreds of hours posting content, cold DMing event hosts, vetting podcast opportunities, and hoping something sticks...

Or you can walk into one room where the work is already done.

That's Event Profit Engine.

Hosted by Alex Moscow ($130M in client results) and Eben Pagan (built 10 seven-figure companies, 3 over eight figures).

200 founders doing $500K-$2M+ in one room.

The kind of people you'd normally pay $25K to join a mastermind just to meet.

But this isn't networking. It's deal flow.

On Day 3, they run facilitated sessions where they literally pair you with:

→ High-caliber stages for 2026 
→ Aligned promotional partners 
→ Sponsors for your events (I am one of the sponsors for this event)

Not "hope you meet someone cool at the cocktail hour."

Strategic. Intentional. Partnerships that lead to revenue.

The stages you actually want to be on in 2026? They're in this room. The relationships that would take 6 months to build? Done in 3 days.

I'll be speaking on why most founders are operationally excellent but financially blind—and how to fix it.

This is for you if:
→ You're a founder doing $1M-$10M 
→ You want stages and partnerships locked in for 2026 
→ You're tired of cold outreach that goes nowhere 
→ You'd rather be in the right room than grind online for 6 more months

This is NOT for you if:
→ You're just getting started (under $500K) 
→ You're not ready to invest in growth 
→ You think "networking" means collecting business cards

Here's my Black Friday deal for you:

$1K tickets (normally $4K, goes to $5K on Monday).

I only have a few left. First come, first served.

You can fish with a pole for the next 6 months.

Or you can grab a net and walk into this room.

Comment "AUSTIN" or DM me and I'll send you the code before they're gone.
This is the only deal worth buying today.

See you in Texas.
#scalingup #CEO #founder #growth

Every business grows until it hits a constraint.

Then it grows no further.

I just hit mine.

Here's how I'm breaking through in 2026:

Brought on Diego Bravo as COO—20+ years of finance and ops leadership across Latin America. I see the blind spots. He builds the systems.

Speaking at Event Profit Engine in Austin (Dec 10-12). 200 founders. Real deal flow. I have 4 tickets left at $1K (normally $4K).

Launching the CEO Financial Intelligence OS in January. 15 spots. First cohort.

Building Alex—an AI-powered CFO copilot that answers "can I afford this AND hit my next milestone?" in seconds.

Leaders go first.

Full breakdown → link in comments.

#scalingup #ceo #founder #growth

Every business grows until it hits a constraint. Then it grows no further—until you remove that constraint. I've been thinking about this a lot lately

Open article: The Three Moves That Change Everything by Cruz Gamboa • 4 min read

taplio

The Battle

Doug McSorley

Cruz Gamboa

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Performance ScoreDoug McSorley's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreCruz Gamboa's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Doug McSorley

Cruz Gamboa

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);}Doug McSorley's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreCruz Gamboa's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreDoug McSorley's LinkedIn Performance