Permission to CEO - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Permission to CEO — Business
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.

Latest Episodes:

#129: MOMENTUM - Think Like Dell (Michael Dell's Outside the Box Sales Strategy) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

We know him as the founder of Dell Computers — but before all that, there was a summer job, a newspaper hustle, and a level of strategic thinking that most 16-year-olds (and honestly, most adults) wouldn't even think of.

In this episode, I walk you through a wild but true story of how teenage Michael Dell made the equivalent of $68,000 in just a few months... selling newspaper subscriptions. Yup. No computer, no tech — just a clever use of publicly available data and pure hustle.

_

Key Takeaways

Why saturated markets are actually full of opportunity — if you know how to niche within the niche
The genius data-driven strategy Michael used to target his ideal customer
How he scaled that simple job into a small operation (and what that means for your business)
4 key lessons you can apply today whether you're running ads, selling offers, or building your audience

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

_

Here's how I can help you:

Master digital marketing, generate leads, and scale with paid ads. Enroll Now & Get Early Bird Pricing

The Growth Community - Strategies, resources, and expert insights to optimize and grow. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mm

Mentorship/Advisor/Consulting - High-level support to refine funnels, ads, and scale efficiently. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mentorship

_

_

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts [CLICK HERE]

"I love this podcast so much!" If that sounds like you, please take a moment to rate and review the show— Your support keeps this podcast going. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

_

#128: When Goals Require Discomfort, 3 Types of Accountability for Success Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Abu talks about how growth and achieving goals often involve discomfort and challenges.

_

Key Takeaways

stop starting and stopping
3 types of accountability for success
how to raise your baseline effort
adopt a 'second try' mentality

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

_

Here's how I can help you:

Master digital marketing, generate leads, and scale with paid ads. Enroll Now & Get Early Bird Pricing

The Growth Community - Strategies, resources, and expert insights to optimize and grow. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mm

Mentorship/Advisor/Consulting - High-level support to refine funnels, ads, and scale efficiently. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mentorship

_

_

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts [CLICK HERE]

"I love this podcast so much!" If that sounds like you, please take a moment to rate and review the show— Your support keeps this podcast going. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

_

#127: Q1 Updates, New Business, Building in Public Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

The update includes thoughts on transitioning back to a nomadic lifestyle after five years of having a home base in Miami and Atlanta. Abu discusses the pros and cons of being nomadic, such as increased creativity and the challenges of maintaining a routine. Additionally, they talk about updating their 'operating system' and focusing on consistency to rebuild momentum. Upcoming projects mentioned include relaunching the marketing accelerator

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

_

Here's how I can help you:

Master digital marketing, generate leads, and scale with paid ads. Enroll Now & Get Early Bird Pricing

The Growth Community - Strategies, resources, and expert insights to optimize and grow. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mm

Mentorship/Advisor/Consulting - High-level support to refine funnels, ads, and scale efficiently. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mentorship

_

_

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts [CLICK HERE]

"I love this podcast so much!" If that sounds like you, please take a moment to rate and review the show— Your support keeps this podcast going. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

_

#126: Building to Serve Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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

_

Key Takeaways (fill it in)

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

_

Here's how I can help you:

Master digital marketing, generate leads, and scale with paid ads. Enroll Now & Get Early Bird Pricing

The Growth Community - Strategies, resources, and expert insights to optimize and grow. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mm

Mentorship/Advisor/Consulting - High-level support to refine funnels, ads, and scale efficiently. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mentorship

_

_

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts [CLICK HERE]

"I love this podcast so much!" If that sounds like you, please take a moment to rate and review the show— Your support keeps this podcast going. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

_

#125: Avoiding Outsourcing Mistakes: An Entrepreneur's Guide Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

_

Key Takeaways

00:00 The Pitfalls of Outsourcing

00:33 Common Misconceptions About Outsourcing

01:58 When Not to Outsource

03:37 Hidden Challenges of Outsourcing

06:39 Effective Outsourcing Strategies

08:25 Final Thoughts on Outsourcing

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

_

Here's how I can help you:

Master digital marketing, generate leads, and scale with paid ads. Enroll Now & Get Early Bird Pricing

The Growth Community - Strategies, resources, and expert insights to optimize and grow. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mm

Mentorship/Advisor/Consulting - High-level support to refine funnels, ads, and scale efficiently. https://go.poweryourlaunch.com/mentorship

_

_

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts [CLICK HERE]

"I love this podcast so much!" If that sounds like you, please take a moment to rate and review the show— Your support keeps this podcast going. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

_

#124: THE UNIGNORABLE SERIES: Ursula Burns - The Original Copy: The CEO Who Rewrote Xerox Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

_

Key Takeaways (fill it in)

00:00 Introduction: The Forgotten Photocopier

00:33 Meet Ursula Burns: A Trailblazer's Journey

01:30 Personal Encounter: Inspiration from Ursula

04:49 Early Life: Overcoming Adversity

05:40 Mother's Influence: Lessons from Olga Burns

08:28 Educational Path: From High School to Engineering

16:34 Career Beginnings: Intern to Engineer at Xerox

18:49 Rising Through the Ranks: Challenges and Triumphs

25:03 CEO of Xerox: Transforming a Legacy

33:12 Leadership Lessons: Insights from Ursula's Playbook

35:49 Conclusion: Reflecting on Ursula's Impact

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

#123: Increase Revenue Without Getting New Customers Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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 gives you practical, actionable tactics to boost cash flow by serving your existing customers better—without launching something new.

_

Key Takeaways (fill it in)

Tap Into Micro-Segments of Your Existing Audience
Use Strategic Surveys to Gather Data
Level Up Your Follow-Up & Offboarding Process

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

#122 THE UNIGNORABLE SERIES: Brian Niccol — The Man Rebuilding Starbucks Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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 entrepreneur, learn from his playbook?

Abu breaks down:

The early career moves that shaped Brian's strategic mind.
The transformation of Taco Bell into a lifestyle brand.
The resurrection of Chipotle post-crisis through digital innovation and operational excellence.
How Brian consistently drives billions in revenue—and why that justifies the $96M.
What Starbucks is struggling with today, and why Brian is the right person to fix it.
How to apply this leadership model to your own business to increase your value and impact.

_

Key Takeaways

Master More Than One Discipline
Innovation Backed by Results
Reputation Builds Opportunity
Know Your Playbook
Leadership is Self-Awareness

Additional Notes

** Elon's wife, Justine talks about him mastering Engineering and Business. Here she explains:

Justine emphasizes the importance of mastering two distinct skills or areas of expertise. Why? Because when you're a master in two fields — such as engineering and business — you can merge them in innovative ways that spark groundbreaking ideas

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

_

Follow us on social media:

#121 Getting to the Extra 10%, Will Smiths Advice Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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=mdWxC-LzgOdTRBNo

_

House Keeping

Grow your audience and revenue in under 5-minutes a week: Subscribe & Join 63k+ Readers >
Got a business question? Want a second opinion? Ask Your Question Here

_

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

#120: 3 Business Traps to Avoid, Accepting Bad Money, & Business Hacks to Grow Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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 customer experience. If you're struggling with finding the right customers, this episode is a game-changer.

_

Key Takeaways

Not All Customers Are Good Customers
Customer Acquisition is a Skill
How a Quiz 10X'd Leads & Sales
Why Quizzes Are Underrated Marketing Tools
How to Implement a Quiz in Your Business

_ Action Steps

See where you struggle with when it comes to growing your business: Take the Marketing Growth Assessment (MGA) Quiz
Interested in the quiz builder we use? Get 50% OFF for the first 3 months on any plan: Get Talley Quiz Builder
**NEW** Watch this episode on YOUTUBE
Got a question for us? Ask it here and it may appear on an episode: Ask Your Question Here

_

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

Related Podcasts