How Relationships Led To Suneera Madhani’s Billion Dollar Exit

Today’s episode is a special re-air from Suneera’s conversation on The Community Podcast with Kristina. In this powerful live interview from Orlando, Suneera shares the real story behind her billion-dollar exit and the relationships that made it possible. From building Stax to founding CEO School and launching the Unicorn Summit, this conversation unpacks how community became her greatest growth strategy. If you’ve ever wondered how to scale as a first-time female founder, raise venture capital, and grow your visibility without losing yourself, this episode pulls back the curtain. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why the people closest to you will shape both your business and your identity • The advice that helped Suneera scale from startup to unicorn exit • What it truly means to “collect relationships” and why community compounds • How to build the courage to be disliked as your impact grows • How her upbringing shaped her ambition and leadership style • Why you must find rooms that sharpen you and support you Learn more about Kristina: https://www.instagram.com/kristina.bartold/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinabartold/ Learn more about The Social Snippet: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/ You’re invited to attend Kristina’s High Vibe Women event in Toronto on March 7: https://www.highvibewomen.ca/march-2026-event Use the code PODCAST50 for a discount. Subscriber to Kristina’s podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

What happens when you hit the goal and still feel empty? You are told to chase the million, then the ten million, then the billion. But no one talks about what happens when you actually get there and realize success without intention can still leave you burned out and unfulfilled. In this deeply honest conversation, Jay Shetty interviews Suneera Madhani on his podcast On Purpose about building a billion-dollar company, losing herself in the process, and redefining success around time, impact, and values instead of just revenue. About Jay Shetty: Jay Shetty is a global bestselling author, former monk, and host of the chart-topping podcast On Purpose, where he interviews world-class leaders, founders, and cultural icons about purpose, mindset, and modern leadership. His work blends ancient wisdom with practical strategies to help high achievers build meaningful lives and businesses. What you’ll learn in this episode: (00:00:00) How defining your end goal first helps you reverse engineer real progress. (00:01:59) Why freedom of time matters more than freedom of money as a founder. (00:03:37) How to use the do, delegate, delete method to reclaim your schedule. (00:06:10) Why CEOs must prioritize ruthlessly and focus on needle-moving work. (00:19:35) How to evaluate risk by asking what happens if you do not act. (00:32:03) How to build powerful networks and navigate rooms not built for you. (00:54:39) Why everything breaks at each stage of scale and how to rebuild smarter. (01:00:24) What hitting a billion-dollar valuation taught about identity and fulfillment. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit Thank you to Jay Shetty for being on our show! Learn more about Jay: https://jayshetty.me Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit How does ignoring your health quietly cap your leadership potential? Also, how can pausing actually increase long-term performance? If you’re building something meaningful but regularly feel depleted, this conversation invites you to stop and reassess what success really costs. In this episode, Suneera Madhani talks with Rajinder Rai about how health span determines wealth span. Rajinder Rai is a licensed pharmacist and functional medicine–trained practitioner specializing in women’s health and longevity. She is the founder of Sunrais Health, where she helps high-achieving women align their bodies with their ambition to expand both health span and wealth span. What you’ll learn in this episode: (02:25) How chronic stress and productivity-driven identity impact women’s physiology. (05:54) Why unprocessed life events quietly accelerate aging and burnout. (10:38) How Rajinder's DOSE of PAUSE framework helps restore clarity, capacity, and alignment. (16:49) Why small daily habits matter more than extreme biohacks. (20:07) The difference between biological age and chronological age—and why it matters. (22:54) Why women often live longer but in more debilitated states. (24:27) How knowing your health data empowers better leadership decisions. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit Thank you to Rajinder Rai, PharmD, for being on our show! Learn more about Rajinder and Sunrais Health: https://www.sunraishealth.com/ Be sure to take Sunrais Health’s biological age quiz to better understand your health trajectory. Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

What happens when leaders design cultures around safety and trust? This episode will challenge you to rethink what success really means and how impact is created. Suneera sits down with Erika Sinner to explore building eight-figure businesses, leading with empathy, and turning profit into purpose. Erika Sinner is the CEO of Directorie and the Chief Empathy Officer of TinySuperheroes. She is also the author of the book Pets Are Family and a passionate advocate for empathy-driven leadership and generational impact. What you’ll learn in this episode: (02:25) How creating your own opportunities early in your career can change everything. (04:39) Why financial safety is a powerful motivator for building scalable businesses. (06:45) How leading with empathy and accountability fuels sustainable growth. (08:19) Why grief, vulnerability, and leadership are deeply connected. (10:22) How pet bereavement policies can transform workplace culture. (15:24) How reframing childhood illness through mindset creates resilience and hope. (18:25) Why mindset work matters just as much for children as it does for CEOs. (26:15) How business success creates the freedom to pursue passion-driven impact. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit Thank you to Erika Sinner for being on our show! Learn more about Erika: https://www.erikasinner.org/ Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikasinner/ Erika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_sinner/ Learn more about Directorie: https://tinysuperheroes.com/ Learn more about TinySuperheroes: https://www.directorie.com/ Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How do you build meaningful relationships without treating networking like a transaction? If you want to grow your business through deeper relationships instead of chasing quick wins, this episode will shift how you think about networking. In this episode, Suneera Madhani talks with Kristina Bartold about community building, podcasting, events, and the long game of influence. Kristina Bartold is the CEO of Social Snippets, a podcast and launch agency helping founders grow their influence. She is also the founder of High Vibe Women, a community that brings female entrepreneurs together through events and experiences. What you’ll learn in this episode: (02:21) How Kristina built her business by prioritizing relationships over immediate ROI. (03:31) Why podcasting is one of the most powerful networking tools for business owners. (06:16) How in-person events can dramatically accelerate community and brand growth. (07:44) How to choose the right rooms and leaders before investing time or money. (09:25) Why proximity and smaller, more intimate settings often lead to better connections. (15:28) How to create systems that make follow-up intentional instead of overwhelming. (17:30) What podcast and content trends matter most heading into 2026. (28:33) How to start building a community. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit Thank you to Kristina Bartold for being on our show! Learn more about Kristina: https://www.instagram.com/kristina.bartold/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinabartold/ Learn more about The Social Snippet: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/ You’re invited to attend Kristina’s High Vibe Women event in Toronto on March 7: https://www.highvibewomen.ca/march-2026-event Use the code PODCAST50 for a discount. Subscriber to Kristina’s podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit If you’re the CEO of a creative business, how do you stop being the bottleneck? What mindset shifts are required? Stepping into the world of luxury design requires more than just a good eye; it demands a strategic business mindset. In this episode, Suneera Madhani and Sabah Mansoor discuss the journey of building a high-end interior design firm from the ground up. Sabah Mansoor is the founder of Sabah Mansoor Design, where she helps brands translate vision into thoughtful, strategic design while building a business rooted in clarity and sustainability. What you’ll learn in this episode: (03:12) How Sabah transitioned from hands-on designer to business owner with a long-term vision. (07:45) Why creative founders often struggle to step into true CEO leadership. (12:30) How setting boundaries improves both client relationships and profitability. (18:05) The role perfectionism plays in keeping businesses stuck at a certain size. (23:40) How to price your work confidently without tying it to self-worth. (29:10) What systems and structures unlock sustainable growth for creatives. (34:55) How to recognize when it’s time to step out of execution and into strategy. (40:20) Why building a business that supports your life is the ultimate success metric. Thank you to Sabah Mansoor for being on our show! Learn more about Sabah: https://www.sabahmansoordesign.com/ Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit Who is in your inner circle, and are they helping you grow? This episode is a deeply personal reflection on growth, boundaries, and alignment through different seasons of leadership. Suneera Madhani shares eight powerful lessons learned from her 38th year, offering insights into saying “no” without guilt, protecting energy, and finding joy along the way. If you’re building, leading, and balancing ambition with life, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters to you. What you’ll learn in this episode: (02:25) Why saying “no” without guilt protects your peace and focus. (06:48) How shrinking your circle can strengthen your growth and confidence. (10:53) Why boundaries are an act of love rather than a way to push people away. (12:42) How embracing the courage to be disliked creates true alignment. (15:41) Why prioritizing family builds a foundation for meaningful success. (17:38) How movement supports mental clarity, energy, and leadership stamina. (19:10) Why clear communication prevents resentment in business and life. (20:40) How finding joy in the journey makes long-term success sustainable. Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit How could publishing your story create impact beyond business success? In this episode, Suneera and her guest, Deepika Sandhu, unpack the realities of traditional publishing, hybrid models, and the courage it takes to share your lived experiences. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is worthy, how to write without permission, or how legacy is built beyond business wins, this conversation will help you think differently about what you carry and what the world still needs from you. Today’s guest is Deepika Sandhu, a visionary author, mentor, and founder of Soul Sparks Press, a fast-growing hybrid publishing house dedicated to inspirational stories. A former Silicon Valley executive and six-time award-winning author, she helps leaders turn lived experiences into books that create lasting impact. What you’ll learn in this episode: (03:16) Why every lived experience has the potential to become a soul-sparking story. (08:40) How traditional publishing gatekeeping discourages powerful stories from being shared. (09:29) Why follower count should never determine whether you write a book. (12:05) How being seen for your story creates impact beyond book sales. (17:23) The important differences between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid models. (22:10) Why legacy is built through storytelling, not just business success. (26:20) How first-time authors can write books without being “natural writers.” (32:00) Why AI can support the writing process but can never replace human truth. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://mntr.ai/unicorn-ceo-summit-early-invite Thank you to Deepika Sandhu for being on our show! Learn more about Deepika: https://deepikasandhu.co/ and https://www.instagram.com/deepikasandhu.co/ Submit a book idea or manuscript to Soul Sparks Press for editorial review: https://soulsparkspress.com/ Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit How can you stop being in a codependent relationship with your business and start creating a company that supports your life instead of consuming it? In this episode, you’ll hear a powerful conversation about releasing hustle, untangling identity from success, and building a business that supports freedom, calm, and clarity. Suneera’s guest, Melanie Coddington, shares hard-earned insights on ego-free leadership, mindset work, and the systems that allowed her to step away while her company continued to thrive. Melanie Coddington is the founder of Coddington Design, where she designs world-class homes for inspiring leaders while building a multimillion-dollar service business that runs without her day-to-day involvement. What you’ll learn in this episode: (01:58) How Melanie transitioned from human resources into luxury interior design and built her business from the ground up. (06:52) The surprising traits self-made millionaires share and what they reveal about time, help, and priorities. (08:43) What ego-free design really means. (14:14) The life-changing question that helped Melanie stop caretaking her business and start letting it support her. (16:07) How emotional codependency shows up in business and why it keeps founders stuck in overwork. (18:00) Practical mindset tools to uncover subconscious blocks to growth. (22:02) Why clear client experience, simple processes, and trust in your team are essential to stepping away as CEO. (25:25) How redefining success around peace and freedom can change the way you lead. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://mntr.ai/unicorn-ceo-summit-early-invite Thank you to Melanie Coddington for being on our show! Learn more about Melanie: https://www.melaniecoddington.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniecoddington/ Learn more about Coddington Design: https://coddingtondesign.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/melaniecoddington/ Melanie on LinkedIn: Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit What does “owning your body” really look like for a woman who leads all day? In this episode, you’re invited into an honest, empowering conversation about sexual wellness, pelvic health, and hormones, and why they matter far beyond the bedroom. Suneera Madhani and her guest Allison Germundson explore why your body is a leadership skill, how stress and hormones quietly shape your energy and decisions, and why pleasure is not something to feel ashamed of. Allison Germundson is a pelvic floor occupational therapist, embodiment coach, and host of the Vaginally Speaking Podcast. Through The Turned On Society, private intensives, and transformational retreats, Allison helps women reconnect to their bodies, release shame, and rediscover pleasure and presence. What you’ll learn in this episode: (01:30) Why many women are told symptoms are “normal” when they are actually fixable. (03:46) How pelvic floor dysfunction shows up beyond childbirth. (10:16) Why many women are responders, not initiators, and how that affects desire. (12:15) How understanding your anatomy changes pleasure, communication, and confidence. (14:21) Why relaxation—not control—is essential for orgasm and multiple orgasms. (21:10) How perimenopause, hormones, and brain fog impact performance and decision-making. Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://mntr.ai/unicorn-ceo-summit-early-invite Thank you to Allison Germundson for being on our show! Take Allison’s quiz: https://form.typeform.com/to/F1fISYhv. Answer Allison’s questions to learn about reclaiming your pleasure, reconnecting to your power, and reawakening your body. Learn more about Allison: https://allisongermundson.com/ Join Allison’s membership program, Turned On Again: https://www.onestrongwoman.com/turnedon Follow Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisongermundson/ Join the CEO School Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/membership. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat. Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money: * Website: https://theceoschool.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life. * Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/ This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/