Are you struggling to take your business to the next level? What if the very team you've built is now holding you back from scaling to the next growth milestone? In this transformative episode of the Key Hire Small Business Podcast, Corey Harlock and Neil Katz dive deep into the most critical yet often overlooked challenge facing growing businesses: leadership capacity. Listeners will discover the truth about leadership limitations, learning why the team that helped start a business might be the same team preventing future success. The discussion reveals how leaders who excel at managing 5-10 employees often struggle to lead teams of 100 or drive revenues from $1 million to $50 million.   The episode provides a compassionate yet strategic approach to managing challenging leadership transitions. These actionable insights provide a roadmap for strategic talent development, prompting entrepreneurs to reassess their approach to leadership and team building. Whether you're a small business owner feeling stuck or an entrepreneur planning your next phase of scaling, this episode promises to provide the clarity and direction you need to transform your leadership team and accelerate your business growth.  The Core Problem: Outgrowing Your Current Talent  Neil Katz defines the central issue: "What got you here won't get you there." As businesses scale, the harsh reality is that the leadership team that helped you start often lacks the skills to take you to the next level. Katz explains that "when you have five or 10 employees, that same leader, in many cases, does not have the capability, skills, or background to take you to 100 employees or 1,000 employees, or from $1 million in revenue to $50 million."  🔗 Connect with the Experts:  Learn more about Neil Katz: www.exceptionalhrsolutions.com (http://www.exceptionalhrsolutions.com)  Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire   Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess  Thanks for listening! Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content." Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review, or share this episode with a friend. Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions (mailto:contact@podcastemail.com) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week on The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Corey Morris, President of Voltage Digital Marketing, for an in-depth conversation on how small business owners can build a powerful and effective online marketing strategy. As part of our ongoing small business management podcast series, this episode focuses on real-world marketing strategies for small businesses that drive growth. From understanding your audience to choosing the right channels and measuring success, Corey breaks down the essential components every entrepreneur and business leader needs to know in today’s digital landscape. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to sharpen your current approach, this episode delivers practical business growth tips and actionable steps to help you grow a small business and generate measurable results online. Learn more about Corey Morris: voltage.digital (http://voltage.digital) Connect with Corey Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreymorris/ Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Thanks for listening! Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content." Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review, or share this episode with a friend. Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions (mailto:contact@podcastemail.com) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week on The KeyHire Podcast, Corey Harlock dives into the growing trend of Boomerang employees—former team members who return after time away. He unpacks what makes them unique, how they can support your business growth goals, and the right way to bring them back into your team. From hiring challenges and the hiring process to organization design and talent acquisition, Corey shares real-world insights that help you make smarter, more strategic decisions. He also breaks down common mistakes—like assuming loyalty or cultural fit—that can hurt your efforts to grow or scale a small business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for small business lessons, trying to improve your hiring strategies, or focused on how to build culture and team alignment, this episode is packed with practical, no-fluff advice. Tune in to strengthen your workforce and support sustainable, smart growth. Whether you're considering bringing someone back or just curious about the dynamics, this episode will give you the insight you need to make smarter hiring decisions. Thanks for listening! Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content." Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review, or share this episode with a friend. Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions (mailto:contact@podcastemail.com) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Clear communication can make or break a business. In this episode, host Corey Harlock sits down with Dr. Robert Johnson, Founder & Managing Partner of Shoreline Partners, to explore powerful strategies leaders can use to enhance communication within their companies. Dr. Johnson shares insights on why being “100% right” isn’t always enough in a world where multiple perspectives and interpretations exist. Learn how to navigate complex conversations, align your team, and create a culture of clarity and accountability. Tune in for expert advice on strengthening leadership communication and fostering a more effective workplace. Learn more: https://teamtransformationmethod.com Connect with Dr. Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbobjohnson/ Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, Corey dives into the latest findings from the 2025 National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Report and unpacks what they mean for hiring in today’s tough economic climate. With labor shortages, rising wage expectations, and increased competition for top talent, Corey explores the realities business owners are facing right now—and more importantly, what they can do about it. You'll hear practical strategies for attracting and retaining great employees, even when the market feels stacked against small businesses. From refining your hiring process to shifting your mindset about what makes a strong candidate, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build the team you need to grow your business in 2025. Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We're sitting down with Eric Malka, CEO of Strategic Brand Investments and Founder of The Art of Shaving, to explore the crucial distinction between building a business and building a brand. Eric shares his journey from launching and scaling a premium grooming company to becoming an expert in brand strategy and investment. He explains why a strong brand is more than just a logo or marketing campaign—it’s a powerful asset that drives long-term growth and customer loyalty. Corey and Eric discuss the mindset shifts entrepreneurs must make to create brands that stand the test of time, the pitfalls of focusing solely on short-term business success, and the strategies that separate great brands from forgettable businesses. Whether you're a business owner looking to elevate your brand or an entrepreneur just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you build something truly lasting. Learn more about Eric: https://www.strategicbrandinvestments.com Read On The Razor's Edge: https://www.amazon.com/Razors-Edge-Story-Art-Shaving/dp/B0D6HRR1JX Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Xan Hong, Founder and Principal Consultant of Drive Phase Consulting, to explore how small businesses can leverage no-code software to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and build custom tools without the need for a developer. Xan shares real-world insights on how no-code solutions empower business owners to take control of their processes, reduce costs, and scale smarter. Whether you're looking to automate workflows, manage data more effectively, or create custom apps tailored to your needs, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways. Tune in to learn how no-code technology can be a game-changer for your business. Learn more about Xan: https://www.drivephase.co Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock dives into the critical process of defining roles and responsibilities to create an effective job description. Hiring the right person starts with clearly understanding what the role requires and how it fits into the larger goals of the business. Corey breaks down common mistakes business owners make when crafting job descriptions and offers practical strategies to ensure they attract the right candidates. Whether you're hiring your first employee or expanding your team, this episode will help you define expectations, streamline your hiring process, and set new hires up for success. Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Mike Hutchings, CEO of Combined Arms, to explore the advantages of hiring veterans. As a veteran himself, Mike brings firsthand insight into the challenges veterans face when transitioning to the workforce and the unique strengths they offer as employees. Corey and Mike discuss how businesses can tap into the veteran talent pool, why military experience translates into strong leadership and problem-solving skills, and what companies can do to empower and retain veteran employees. Whether you’re a business owner, hiring manager, or simply interested in workplace culture, this conversation will provide valuable takeaways on how to build a stronger, more diverse team. Learn more about Combined Arms: https://www.combinedarms.us Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbhutch/ Donate: https://acaepbnx.donorsupport.co/page/EOY2023 Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week on The KeyHire Podcast, Corey Harlock sits down with Suzanna Martinez, CEO of PEO for the CEO, to explore how a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can be a game-changer for small businesses. From handling HR, payroll, and compliance to providing access to competitive benefits, a PEO can help business owners focus on growth while reducing risk and administrative burdens. Suzanna shares expert insights on how small businesses can leverage a PEO to streamline operations, attract top talent, and scale more efficiently. She also breaks down common misconceptions about PEOs and explains how they differ from traditional HR outsourcing. Many business owners don’t realize that partnering with a PEO can improve employee retention and even lower healthcare costs through group benefit plans. Whether you’re a startup looking for structure or an established company aiming for greater efficiency, this episode offers practical advice on making HR a strategic advantage. Tune in for a conversation packed with valuable takeaways for business owners looking to optimize their workforce strategy. Learn more about Suzanna: peofortheceo.com (http://peofortheceo.com) Connect with Suzanna: www.linkedin.com/in/suzannamartinezpeofortheceo/ (http://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannamartinezpeofortheceo/) Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.