Aneesa Muthana is the Co-owner and CEO of Pioneer Service Inc., a precision contract manufacturing company specializing in machining services. She is also the Co-owner and CEO of M&M Quality Grinding, which offers precision-ground bar stock and bar grinding services. As a hands-on leader with decades of experience in manufacturing, Aneesa advocates for diversity and workforce development in the industry.

Leadership transitions, burnout, and growth often collide at pivotal moments for business owners. When the pressure to scale meets the desire for balance, tough decisions follow — sometimes with unexpected outcomes. How do strong leaders respond when the path they planned seems unattainable?

Seasoned manufacturing leader Aneesa Muthana chose to recommit rather than walk away. She emphasizes building trust-driven teams, delegating authority, and grounding decisions in values and data. Aneesa credits her mentors and self-discipline in helping her sustain long-term leadership effectiveness. These people-driven practices transform disruption into momentum.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Aneesa Muthana, Co-owner and CEO of Pioneer Service Inc., to discuss resilient leadership in manufacturing. Aneesa talks about growing up in the industry, walking away from a near-sale during the pandemic, and building an executive team that enables scalable growth and long-term impact.

Philip de Souza is the CEO of HotLunch.com, a software designed to automate the school lunch ordering and management process. As a serial entrepreneur and cybersecurity veteran, he founded, sold, and exited Aurora, a consulting firm specializing in data security and compliance. Philip has also led and advised technology companies and nonprofits on tech, finance, and growth.

Managing a business over a period of decades demands resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve as a leader and as an organization. Founders often face moments when growth feels chaotic, decisions feel heavy, and the future is unclear. What does it take to build an enduring business while preparing for the future?

Philip de Souza spent years guiding organizations through risk, growth, and transition. He emphasizes hiring for attitude over résumé strength, building trust-based relationships instead of relying solely on tools, and creating strong communication rhythms that keep teams aligned. By understanding your numbers, planning for an early exit, and accepting feedback to avoid becoming the bottleneck, you can achieve sustainable growth.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Philip de Souza, CEO of HotLunch.com, about building resilient businesses and planning for life after an exit. Philip discusses shifting from product-driven thinking to trust-based leadership, the lessons he learned from selling a company, and the daily habits that support long-term growth and personal accountability.

Bill Himmelstein is the Founder and CEO of Tenant Advisory Group, a commercial real estate brokerage for tenants and buyers. With more than two decades of experience in representing tenants, he has led Tenant Advisory Group to complete over $1 billion in transactions for clients ranging from professional service firms to technology companies. Bill is also a Certified Commercial Investment Manager.

Entrepreneurial journeys often begin at moments of uncertainty, shaped as much by values as by timing. Leaders must decide whether to follow conventional paths or design businesses around principles that prioritize people, relationships, and long-term trust. How can you make sound business decisions amid economic pressure and market changes?

According to commercial real estate expert Bill Himmelstein, building a durable business requires clarity of purpose, discipline in execution, and a willingness to learn quickly from mistakes. Focusing on client outcomes, delegating to the right people, and nurturing strong mentor relationships can unlock sustainable growth. Bill recommends keeping professional relationships at the center of decision-making.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Bill Himmelstein, Founder and CEO of Tenant Advisory Group, about building a values-driven business amid uncertainty. Bill talks about starting a company during the 2008 crisis, why relationships will outlast AI in commercial real estate, and how sale-leaseback strategies can fuel business growth.

Susan Kearney is the Managing Director, Board Member, and Partner at Newport LLC, a business advisory firm helping middle-market companies grow and exit. Before Newport, she was the COO of Network for Good, where she achieved 40% annual recurring revenue growth, and the Co-founder of Voxant, a digital media company acquired by Blinkx. Susan also held executive positions at Paragren Technologies and IRI Software.

Heather Bennett is the Managing Director and Partner at Newport LLC, where she advises CEOs and business owners on brand marketing, revenue growth, and leadership development. With over 20 years of experience, she has led P&L management for brands with over $100 million in revenue and driven innovation at companies like Kraft Heinz Company, Instant Brands, and Unilever. Heather is also the author of the Amazon bestseller Fun and Fulfilling Careers One Question at a Time and serves on the boards of the Foundation for Hearing & Speech Resources and Slipstream.

Strong leadership isn't just about strategy; it's about people, perspective, and personal growth. As companies scale and evolve, leaders are challenged to balance vision with execution while staying grounded in what matters. What does it take to lead effectively through growth, uncertainty, and change?

Leaders must make intentional choices and develop continuous self-awareness. Eric Brown recommends starting by intentionally hiring people who complement your weaknesses while staying engaged enough to value their work. Danguole Altman emphasizes choosing partners with aligned vision and values before moving forward, urging leaders to pause and confirm mutual understanding. Matt Vuckov suggests setting a clear vision, energizing your team around it, and then stepping back so they can execute without micromanagement. Jody Jankovsky encourages leaders to identify areas of unconscious incompetence and actively invest in continuing education to move up the competence ladder. As Lisa Mascolo observes, leaders should model consistency and empathy at all times, reinforcing trust by communicating the same values whether doors are open or closed.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney and Heather Bennett look back on their most insightful episodes. Featuring Eric Brown, Danguole Altman, Matt Vuckov, Jody Jankovsky, and Lisa Mascolo, they discuss valuing people and complementary leadership, aligning vision with partners and teams, and building consistent, empathetic leadership practices that support long-term growth and exits.

Mark Bealin is the Founder and CEO of SearchLab, a digital marketing agency specializing in local SEO and paid search. Under his leadership, the company was awarded Microsoft Advertising's 2022 Global Emerging Partner of the Year Award and appeared on the Inc. 5000 list. With over a decade of experience as a search marketer, Mark specializes in SEO, paid search, analytics, and entrepreneurship.

Founders often reach a point where growth feels both exhilarating and overwhelming; profitability is visible, but the path forward is uncertain. Markets shift, teams expand, and the skills that got the business started no longer guarantee what comes next. How can leaders evolve without losing momentum?

Digital marketing leader Mark Bealin focuses on perspective and discipline. He emphasizes shifting from doing the work to building the system, hiring people who've already achieved the next stage of growth, and grounding decisions in customer needs rather than tactics. Mark also recommends embracing uncomfortable skills and adopting long-term thinking over daily perfection to build resilience and clarity.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Mark Bealin, Founder and CEO of SearchLab, about scaling a marketing agency by evolving as a leader. Mark discusses shifting from operator to owner, using thought leadership and hiring to accelerate growth, and applying customer-first thinking to navigate AI-driven change.

John Fairclough is the Founder of Resicom Group, a facility maintenance, construction, and brand-protection company that helps retailers optimize and maintain their store environments. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a local construction company into an international provider of facility maintenance and construction services. John has also been inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

Building a business from the ground up takes not just strategy, but tests identity, resilience, and leadership under pressure. Many founders chase growth without pausing to assess the leader they're becoming in the process. How does focusing on discipline and self-awareness create stronger, more sustainable leadership?

Leadership development expert John Fairclough emphasizes the importance of mastering cash flow early, embracing constraints as teachers, and designing systems that allow people to succeed consistently. He also encourages leaders to delegate to strengths, not convenience, and to redefine success to include peace and sustainability rather than just growth. With these strategies, entrepreneurs can build strong, adaptable, and human-centered businesses.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with John Fairclough, Founder of Resicom Group, about building scalable businesses through disciplined leadership. He discusses growing from scrappy beginnings to national scale, navigating inflection points like the 2008 financial crisis, and developing leaders through intentional training and delegation.

Joe Flanagan is a Growth Partner at Distributed Ventures, an early‑stage venture capital firm. He is also the former Chairman of Acquirent, which he sold in November 2025, a leading provider of outsourced sales and marketing services. With over 25 years of experience founding and scaling sales‑driven businesses, Joe also built and led JP Flanagan Corporation into one of Chicago's largest insurance agencies with offices throughout the US before successfully selling to Hub International.

Starting and growing a successful business is never a straight path. Entrepreneurs often face immense challenges, from economic downturns to managing people and resources effectively. Resilience, adaptability, and a clear sense of direction are essential for navigating these hurdles. What sets apart those who thrive from those who struggle to keep their businesses afloat?

Business sales expert Joe Flanagan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and determination, two key attributes for overcoming adversity in business. He also advocates for being decisive, especially in times of uncertainty, by leveraging your network and staying focused on cash flow. Joe's advice for leaders is to lead by example, prioritize people, and stay adaptable during challenging transitions.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Joe Flanagan, Growth Partner at Distributed Ventures, to discuss leadership, scaling businesses, and navigating exits. Joe shares insights on the importance of resilience in business, advice on making tough decisions, and how he prepared his business for sale.

Tom Parker is the Co-founder and CEO of Alined Consulting Group, LLC, an IT consulting and staffing firm that helps organizations align talent, technology, and strategic execution. Before co-founding Alined, he held leadership roles at companies such as Hirewell and York Solutions, LLC. Tom is also a board member for ELEVATE, Alined Consulting Group's networking organization for IT leaders and executives.

Launching a business during a period of massive uncertainty takes more than optimism; it requires timing, resilience, and a willingness to move before all the answers are clear. Many founders wonder how to navigate volatile markets, shifting client needs, and the personal pressures that come with entrepreneurship. How can you build your company from scratch when the timing isn't ideal?

According to consulting and staffing veteran Tom Parker, progress begins when you stop waiting for perfect conditions and start acting on informed conviction. He emphasizes the importance of leaning on trusted relationships, staying adaptable as markets shift, and committing to consistent routines to maintain clarity and momentum. Tom's approach encourages founders to pair ambition with disciplined habits, helping them make smarter decisions and avoid common early-stage pitfalls. Sustainable growth comes from grit and thoughtful strategies.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Tom Parker, Co-founder and CEO of Alined Consulting Group, LLC, to discuss navigating entrepreneurship in uncertain times. He shares why he launched his company during market volatility, how mentors shaped his risk tolerance, and the routines that keep him productive.