Permission to CEO
Permission to CEO is the podcast for anyone tired of playing by the rules and ready to redefine what’s possible—on their own terms.. In Permission to CEO, Abu dives into the raw, unfiltered truths of entrepreneurship, sharing stories and strategies from his journey of building multiple 7-figure businesses, reinvention, rebuilding, and grief. This podcast is for the dreamers sitting on the sidelines, wondering if they’re ready to take the leap. It’s for the ones who think they need permission to start a business, chase an idea, or lead a team—but deep down, know they don’t. Through candid conversations, actionable insights, and real-world advice, Abu explores topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, building a business with purpose, and navigating the mental hurdles of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a first-time founder, a creative with a big idea, or someone who’s been waiting for the “right time,” this podcast is your reminder: you don’t need permission to start. Success isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about having the courage to start, even when you don’t feel ready.
Episodes
In this episode, Abu discuss the common pitfalls business owners face when they attempt to scale their businesses too quickly.
00:00 Introduction: The Pitfalls of Rapid Scaling
01:03 The Dangers of Scaling Too Quickly
02:17 Personal Experience: Learning the Hard Way
03:00 Refocusing on Service Over Scale
04:33 Practical Steps to Stay on Track
06:23 Conclusion: Building a Purpose-Driven Business
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Key Takeaway...
In this episode, Abu discusses the often overlooked downsides of outsourcing for entrepreneurs and business owners. While acknowledging the potential benefits of outsourcing, Abu delves into common issues such as the complexity of managing outsourced tasks, the importance of having a clear vision and roadmap, and the hidden challenges of onboarding and communication.
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Key Takeaways
00:00 The Pitfalls of Outsourcing
00:33 C...
This episode delves into the extraordinary life and career of Ursula Burns, the first black woman to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Starting from humble beginnings in the New York housing projects, Burns defied numerous odds and societal expectations to rise to the top of Xerox.
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Key Takeaways (fill it in)
00:00 Introduction: The Forgotten Photocopier
00:33 Meet Ursula Burns: A Trailblazer's Journey
01:30 Pers...
In this episode, Abu shares the real key to growing your business revenue—and it's not about getting more customers. It’s about retention. Through a behind-the-scenes look at his own businesses (agency, coaching, courses, and e-commerce), he breaks down three strategic ways to increase your revenue by optimizing the customer experience you already offer.
Whether you're running a product-based or service-based business, this episode ...
This is a new series called "THE UNIGNORABLES" where Abu will be covering moves, moments, or people that are shifting business and culture.
This week, Abu dives deep into the leadership journey of Brian Niccol, the newly appointed CEO of Starbucks with a staggering $96 million offer. Why did Starbucks pay that much? What makes a leader worth that kind of compensation? And most importantly—what can you, as a business owner or entrep...
This week, I was struck by a moment from an interview with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence while promoting Bad Boys 4. What started as a promo tour clip turned into a masterclass on what separates good from great—and it hit so hard, I recorded an entire episode about it.
Here’s the key idea:
“The difference between 90% and 100%? It’s not 10%. It’s a lifetime.”
Let that sit with you.
Video to reference: https://youtu.be/g23Os8lYZYg?si=md...
About This Episode
In this episode, we dive into what it takes to attract high-quality customers who are the right fit for your business. Abu shares how he 10X’d his leads and sales in 12 months using one powerful strategy.
He also unpacks the biggest traps entrepreneurs fall into when trying to acquire new customers, how to qualify leads effectively, and why filtering prospects saves time, increases revenue, and enhances cu...
In this episode, Abu explores a counterintuitive idea: while saving money is important, overdoing it can cost you dearly in the long run. By sharing personal experiences and insights, the discussion centers on balancing saving with investing in quality services—both for business growth and personal well-being.
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Key Takeaways
Mindset on ROI:
The older I get, the more I realize success isn’t about what I thought it was. Here are 10 life lessons that stand out as I reflect today
Some lessons came easy. Others? Harder than I expected. But each one shaped me.
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Sponsored By:
- Power Your Launch Marketing Accelerator | Get over 50% OFF your order with this special link: https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/pylenroll
- Interested in sponsoring? Go here: Support Permission to CEO
In this episode, I open up about one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made—walking away from my business at the peak of its success. After years of pushing through burnout, loss, and exhaustion, I finally asked myself a crucial question: If this were my last year, would I keep doing what I’m doing? The answer changed everything.
I share:
- My blog post about taking a sabbatical that went viral: Ask Somebody Else to Do It, Please
- W...
The Super Bowl isn’t just a game—it’s the biggest marketing event of the year. Brands pay a staggering $8 million for a 30-second ad, and artists perform for free on the biggest stage in the world. But why?
In this episode, I break down:
- Why brands willingly spend millions on Super Bowl ads
- The marketing psychology behind high-budget commercials
- How artists like Rihanna and The Weeknd turn their halftime show into massive profits
- Th...
In this episode, Abu Fofanah dives into the raw, unfiltered truth about burnout—what it really is, why it happens, and how to overcome it. Drawing from personal experiences of running a business, navigating mental health, and hitting rock bottom, Abu shares actionable insights on how to restructure your life, reclaim your joy, and lead with purpose.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in responsibilities or losing the passion ...
Hey, Welcome Back!
We have a new look and more conversations coming your way.
Permission to CEO is the podcast for anyone tired of playing by the rules and ready to redefine what’s possible—on their own terms..
In Permission to CEO, Abu dives into the raw, unfiltered truths of entrepreneurship, sharing stories and strategies from his journey of building multiple 7-figure businesses, reinvention, rebuilding, and grief.
This podcast is f...
In this exciting episode, we delve into the world of social media and turn our attention to Instagram's newest feature, Threads. Throughout the episode we examine its potential to compete with the reigning champions, Twitter and TikTok. We explore various aspects, including its launch strategy, user acquisition, and anticipated churn rate.
Moreover, we discuss how the healthy rivalry between these platforms fosters innovation and t...
In this week's episode, we delve into an intriguing question: Should the most skilled marketers be leading startups rather than agencies? I have some insightful thoughts on this matter and would like to discuss the pros and cons. It's not a straightforward 'yes' or 'no' answer, as there are nuanced factors to consider within the marketer's mindset Take a listen to the episode and let me know your thoughts?
In this week's episode, we explore the question: What happens when opportunity does knock? Throughout life, we encounter numerous instances where our desires remain unfulfilled or the ultimate outcome manifests differently than anticipated. In life there a various times where you don’t get what you want when you want or the overall outcome might just appear differently than what you imagined.
Take a moment for self-reflection and...
This week's episode is interesting as it takes you through my experience of speaking at the Kajabi Hero Live event alongside some of their most talented creators. The invitation itself was a honor, as I've always been focused on the work rather than seeking recognition. Today, I'm thrilled to share my journey at the conference and the invaluable insights I gained from being in the presence of Kajabi's most influential creators.
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In this week's episode, I wanted to address a concept: embracing the beauty of staying where you are in your journey. It's essential to recognize that there's absolutely nothing wrong with mastering your current stage over a consistent period of time.
As I've been engaging with numerous entrepreneurs, a prevailing sentiment has emerged—a collective stress to constantly strive for the next big thing. However, it's crucial to ackno...
In this week's episode, I shed light into my decision to leave Miami, sharing personal stories of growth that have shaped my time in the city. Additionally, I offer insights into my future plans and provide a glimpse into the five cities I'm considering as my next destination. While embarking on this new chapter, I plan to embrace a minimalist lifestyle and bid farewell, for now, to Miami, the city I called home for the past two ye...
In this week's episode, I have a concise yet impactful message to share: the importance of being specific with your ask. Upon reflecting on this topic, I discovered that many individuals tend to shy away from being specific out of fear. It's common to desire success, but have you considered what success means to you?
What specific goals do you want to accomplish? How do you envision making a positive impact on the world, and what u...
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