Selling Air

How to Spot Shifting Tides in Corporate AmericaSeason 3 is HERE and we are kicking things off with a bang. We are bringing back one of our most requested and most loved guests, the one and only Ashley Hoskins. Yes, she is my sister. Yes, she is that good. And yes, she is back to drop more gems.Ashley has been in the trenches at multiple organizations going through massive shifts, restructures, and transformations. She has seen it all play out up close and she is not holding back. This episode, she is dishing the real on what to watch for, what to question, and what to do before the dominoes start falling.This time, we are getting into the signs you should be watching for when your company starts moving different:How to read between the lines of leadership decisions before the memo hits your inboxThe red flags that layoffs, restructuring, or a major pivot is coming"Quiet cutting" and why your new role might not be the opportunity they are selling it asWhat agile thinking actually looks like when the ground is shifting beneath youThe moves you should be making right now to stay ahead, not just surviveHow to spot the difference between a company evolving and a company in troubleIf you have ever had that gut feeling that something was off at work but could not quite name it, this episode is the playbook.Connect with Ashley Hoskins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyhoskins/ Hit play and let's get into it.

🎙️ Episode #19: Power Moves Only – The Strategy Behind a C-Suite AscentGuest: Cecilia Owens, CFO | COO | Board Leader | Advocate for Inclusive LeadershipIn this episode of Selling Air, we’re joined by finance and operations executive Cecilia Owens, whose 20+ year career has been defined by bold strategy, operational excellence, and intentional leadership. Cecilia pulls back the curtain on her rise to the C-suite, sharing the pivotal decisions, calculated risks, and leadership philosophies that propelled her forward in highly competitive industries.From managing complex financial landscapes to scaling creative businesses and advocating for underrepresented talent, Cecilia’s story is a masterclass in navigating corporate spaces with clarity, purpose, and power.We dig into:🚀 The career-defining moves that accelerated her rise to executive leadership🧠 How to approach high-stakes decision-making with confidence🤝 The power of mentorship, sponsorship, and relationship-building🎯 Negotiation tips that go beyond salary and into influence📈 The crossover between operational strategy and creative collaborationPlus, Cecilia shares her personal mantras, surprising facts, and the one underrated skill she wishes she mastered yesterday.If you’re a rising leader—or helping build them—this episode is full of gems on leveling up with intention and impact.👉 Connect with Cecilia Owens on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ceciliaaowens💡 Follow her work and learn more about the organizations she supports, including EmpowHer Institute and the Black TV & Film Collective.

🎙️ Episode: Culture vs. Career: Breaking the Mold in Modern WorkWhat happens when cultural expectations and corporate ambition collide? In this episode, HR powerhouse Vanessa Phung spills the tea on breaking generational molds, leading with purpose, and scaling startups without losing your soul.✨ Highlights from the episode:🔍 Vanessa’s unconventional path to HR leadership (and why it wasn’t always the plan)🌏 How her Vietnamese upbringing shaped her leadership style and career choices👩‍💼 The challenges and triumphs of being the first female minority HR leader at two companies💥 Breaking cultural norms and corporate expectations — at the same time🚧 Navigating imposter syndrome while leading high-growth orgs🛠️ Scaling startups through 15+ M&A transactions and strategic culture shifts🏗️ Building leadership frameworks that outlast the hype🤝 Coaching founders to view diversity as a strategic advantage👀 Busting workplace myths and HR stereotypes with straight talk🎤 Vanessa’s dream leadership team, go-to hype song, and the one startup buzzword she can’t standConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-phung/

Crisis of Conviction: Why Companies Keep Folding Under Political Pressure🎙️ Guest: Toni Harrison🔗 Etched Communication | LinkedIn🔥 Why Do Companies Fold Under Pressure?Corporate leaders talk about values—until the pressure hits. Crisis PR expert Toni Harrison breaks down why brands backpedal, when to take a stand, and how to navigate high-stakes backlash.🚨 Inside the Episode:⚖️ When does corporate compromise become an ethical failure?🏛️ How can brands take a stand without alienating key stakeholders?📉 The biggest mistakes companies make under political scrutiny.🔍 High-profile brand controversies—who handled it right, who flopped?📰 How media and social platforms amplify (or contain) corporate crises.🎯 What actually works in long-term reputation management?💬 Get ready for an unfiltered look at corporate courage vs. crisis chaos. Listen now! 🎧🔥#CrisisPR #CorporateValues #BrandStrategy #ToniHarrison #SellingAirPodcast

🎙️ Episode Title: From Corporate to Co-Founder – Making the Leap with Keyonna Aurelus 🚀Leaving corporate life to build something of your own? It’s bold, it’s risky, and for Keyonna Aurelus, it was the best decision she ever made. In this episode of Selling Air, we get into the real talk of entrepreneurship—what it takes, what no one tells you, and how she built MSP Mastered from the ground up.🔥 Here’s what we cover:✅ The Entrepreneurial Leap – How Keyonna transitioned from corporate leadership to co-founding her own company✅ Building a Business That Lasts – Essential strategies for launching and scaling successfully✅ What is MSP? – Breaking down the world of Managed Service Providers and why they matter in today’s business landscape✅ Challenges Facing MSPs Today – The biggest hurdles businesses in this space face (and how to overcome them)✅ Lessons in Leadership & Growth – What Keyonna has learned about resilience, leadership, and staying ahead in a competitive industryWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or just love hearing real stories of success, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!🔗 Connect with Keyonna on LinkedIn: Keyonna Aurelus🔗 Learn more about MSP Mastered: MSP Mastered

Leading with Impact: How to Build and Sustain High-Performing Global Teams with Troy AchongWhat does it take to lead a team that thrives? Transformational executive Troy Achong shares how she’s built and managed high-performing global teams, driven large-scale change, and created cultures of collaboration.In this episode, we cover:✅ The secret to managing high-performing teams across different time zones and cultures✅ How to build a strong, connected company culture—even when teams are remote✅ Leadership lessons from Troy’s experience leading 300+ professionals✅ The biggest challenges (and wins) of being a Black woman in executive leadership✅ Tactical strategies for fostering collaboration, trust, and accountability in any team💡 Connect with Troy Achong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-achong/

This week, I’m diving into your questions about consulting and corporate life! From navigating high-pressure deadlines to staying ahead in unfamiliar industries, I’m sharing real talk on what it takes to succeed in this world. 💡 Here’s what’s inside: What inspired me to take the leap into consulting—and why I stayed. How I manage tight deadlines, client expectations, and still keep my cool. The biggest challenges I’ve faced in consulting—and how I turned them into lessons. How I approach industries I know little about (spoiler: it involves lots of research and humility). My advice for anyone dreaming of a consulting career. 🎯 Ready to level up? Check out Precise Process Consulting for expert business solutions or head to ValerieHoskins.com to start your coaching journey today. Hit play and let’s get into it!

This week on Selling Air, we’re tackling the art (and science) of brand strategy. 🎯 What makes a brand truly unforgettable? How do you create something that resonates, connects, and keeps people coming back for more? Whether you're launching a new business or refreshing an old one, this episode is packed with insights to help you build a brand that doesn’t just exist but thrives. 🚀✨ What’s Inside: Branding 101: What branding really is (hint: it’s not just a logo) and what it isn’t. 🚫🎨 Avoid the Snooze Factor: Why some brands flop and how to make sure yours doesn’t. 😴✋ Pitfall Patrol: The biggest mistakes people make when crafting a brand strategy—and how to dodge them. 🚧💡 Surprise Essentials: The unexpected things you need to nail when aligning your brand (it’s more than colors and fonts). 🎯✨ Sticky vs. Forgettable: How to make your brand slap so hard it stays in their heads forever. 🧠🔥 Let’s break it down and get your brand strategy popping! 💥

🎙️ Remote vs. Hybrid: The Battle for the Best Work Life In this Selling Air episode, we're taking on one of the workplace's biggest debates: remote vs. hybrid! I’m joined by Ashley Hoskins as we break down the rise in "return to office" trends, exploring what each setup means for productivity, happiness, and work-life balance. We dig deep into how these approaches uniquely affect people of color and women, making it a can't-miss episode for anyone navigating today’s evolving work culture. What We Cover: 💼 The Pros & Cons of remote vs. hybrid setups—what’s helping, what’s holding us back, and what might surprise you 🌈 Diversity Matters: How return-to-office policies impact people of color and women differently—and why it matters 📈 Productivity vs. Happiness: Can we really have it all? Insights into how work setup affects job satisfaction, mental well-being, and results 🎯 The Big Picture: How these shifts might shape the future of work and what leaders can learn from these trends Get ready for a lively discussion with fresh insights and real talk on what’s shaping today’s workplace—and what could work best for you!

🎙️ Selling Air- Playing the Long Game w/ Short Work welcomes the extraordinary Dana Brownlee! In this episode, we dive deep into the art of running a profitable and thriving consulting business while embracing the flexibility of short-term engagements. 🌟 Dana, a seasoned consultant and dynamic speaker, shares her expert strategies for maintaining success in the ever-evolving consulting landscape. Learn how to: Balance multiple short-term projects without compromising quality. Build strong client relationships that lead to repeat business. Optimize your workflow for maximum efficiency and profitability. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or just starting, Dana's insights will equip you with the tools to elevate your business to new heights. Tune in for actionable advice, inspiring stories, and a dose of entrepreneurial wisdom! 🚀 Don't miss out on this episode of Selling Air – your guide to mastering short-term consulting success.