283: Beyond the Next Event: How to Grow a Business That Lasts with Eric Rozenberg
Release Date: 08/12/2025
The Business of Meetings
Two years ago, the Hoosiers of Indiana University were losing every game. Then, in January this year, something remarkable happened - they became the 2025–26 College Football Playoff National Champions! Eric has been inspired by this incredible transformation, guided by Coach Cignetti's leadership. What stood out for him was the total absence of hype, excuses, or a victim mentality. Instead, Coach Cignetti relies on three pillars: standards, preparation, and accountability—the very principles that drive success for any business owner, and yet, they are often the things we neglect. ...
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Today, we’re exploring the resilience entrepreneurs need to navigate the uncertainty we’re all experiencing right now. In this episode, Eric explains that navigating uncertainty requires resilience, which is strengthened by taking action, embracing continuous learning, and serving others. He shares personal stories to illustrate that every business or career inevitably faces doubt, setbacks, and challenges. Tune in to discover how you can keep moving forward, even when everything feels unpredictable. Starting a Business Requires Action, Not Certainty When launching a business,...
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We are delighted to welcome another incredible entrepreneur from our industry today. Andrew Coehlo, co-founder of Monte & Coe, joins us to share the fantastic story of his journey into corporate gifting. Stay tuned to hear about Andrew’s entrepreneurial journey, his experiences, and the insight he has to share. Andrew’s Journey into Entrepreneurship After beginning his career in corporate finance, Andrew realized the environment did not suit his creative nature. Bureaucracy, resistance to change, and working in isolation drained his energy. And then, a confidence...
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Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Eli Facenda, founder and CEO of Freedom Travel Systems. Known as The Travel Guy, Eli helps entrepreneurs turn everyday spending into first-class travel experiences. Join us as Eli breaks down what to do with the points you earn, how upgrades really work, and how first-class flights and luxury suites around the world are far more attainable than most people think. Eli’s Journey Eli’s career began in 2015 after graduating with a degree in finance and joining the travel industry through an international sports tour company. A trip to the Dominican...
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Today, we’re delighted to speak with entrepreneur Moza-Bella Tram, CEO and founder of Moza-Bella LLC. Moza-Bella is an immigrant with a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. She is a TEDx speaker, a mentor, a business consultant, and has written several books, including the bestseller Powerful Female Immigrants, which she co-authored. She is also the host of the digital TV show Lessons from Failures. Stay tuned as we explore Moza-Bella’s fascinating journey and the experiences that have shaped her work. Moza-Bella’s Journey Moz-Bella was born in Vietnam shortly after the...
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Today, we are thrilled to welcome another entrepreneur from our industry. Nataly Horan is the founder and CEO of Authentic Meetings and Incentives. With experience across several ventures, she joins us to share her journey, the challenges she has faced within the industry, and her hopes and dreams for what lies ahead. Nataly’s Journey Nataly entered the meetings and incentives industry quite unexpectedly. She trained as an interior designer at the University of Florida, then moved into the space after helping with graphic design, quickly connecting with the people and energy of live...
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Today, we are thrilled to welcome Ethan King as our guest. Ethan is an entrepreneur and author who coaches individuals on AI through the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). He joins us today to share insights on entrepreneurship, books, and life. He also explains how small business owners can implement AI. Stay tuned as Ethan breaks down practical AI strategies that any entrepreneur can start using today. Ethan’s Journey Ethan has been an entrepreneur for 25 years. He began with a passion for art and a pivot into graphic design. While in college, a class project evolved into a real...
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We are absolutely delighted to welcome Rashmi Airan as our guest today! Rashmi is an extraordinary human being with remarkable depth of character, and as an ex-felon and former lawyer turned keynote speaker, her journey has been truly unique. She is an unapologetic truth-teller, prison chocolatier, and a champion of growth through struggle. She’s also a Bollywood dance aficionado, a singer, a corporate change leader, and an endurance athlete. Tune in to hear Rashmi’s powerful story about ethics, accountability, and leadership forged through adversity. Rashmi’s Early Journey and...
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Today, we are excited to welcome Beth Lawrence as our guest. Over the past 20 years, Beth has seen the highs and lows of building and growing a business. Join us as she shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. Beth’s Journey Beth began college aiming to become a writer or professor, but she quickly realized the academic path was not for her, and pivoted. When she discovered event planning, it clicked instantly. She graduated during the 2008–2009 recession and built her career step by step, seizing each available stable opportunity, from...
info_outlineToday, Eric shares a recent coaching experience he had with an entrepreneur who was hesitant to grow her business because she was happy with her current setup and did not feel the need to expand.
Stay tuned as Eric takes a closer look at whether or not that way of working is, in fact, sustainable.
Growth Can Create Freedom
Staying small might feel comfortable, but constantly jumping from one project to the next leaves little room for personal time or long-term progress. Growth allows business owners to step back from their daily tasks and invest their time where it truly matters- on clients, strategy, and the parts of the business they enjoy most.
Delegation Is Essential
Delegating is about sustainability rather than relinquishing control. Many entrepreneurs wait too long before trusting someone else with parts of their business, which often leads to burnout.
Delegation makes space for high-level focus and prevents the business from becoming overwhelming.
Representation
The most valuable contribution a business owner can make is representing the company and nurturing relationships, which includes sales, brand presence, and staying in touch with clients and prospects. Those are all time-consuming tasks, and the only way to prioritize them is by letting go of lower-level responsibilities.
80 Percent Is Good Enough
Client satisfaction should guide your decisions around delegation, not perfectionism. No one will do things exactly the way you do. So, even if someone can only deliver 80 percent of your standard on your behalf, and the client is still satisfied, that is okay.
Personal Lessons from Early Burnout
In the early years of his corporate events business, Eric believed no one could serve his clients as well as he could. So, he avoided delegating, fearing it would compromise his brand. This mindset led to exhaustion, and he nearly burned out. Only after hiring a project manager did he realize clients were happy even without his constant presence. That allowed him to build systems and focus on growth.
Start with a Long-Term Vision
You cannot make aligned decisions without a long-term vision. Defining what you want your life and business to look like in 10 years will give you the clarity to act with purpose. That clarity is also the foundation of strategic growth.
Develop the Right Mindset
Entrepreneurship is not linear. It is a rollercoaster of unpredictable challenges. To be successful, you must be mentally prepared, able to manage stress and stay focused on the reason you started. Surrounding yourself with the right kind of support and using tools like journaling and meditation can help you remain grounded.
Manage the Chaos
Running a business means juggling high-level strategy with everyday tasks. Unpredictable factors add to the stress, especially in fast-moving industries. Learning to navigate the chaos is essential for staying grounded and moving forward.
Stay Consistent
Progress comes from steady effort, not big leaps. Small, repeated actions will create meaningful change over time. Even when momentum feels slow, doing a little bit every day will impact your long-term results and the growth of your business.
Sustainable Growth Requires All Three
By combining your long-term vision with a strong mindset and daily consistency, you can create a foundation for healthy, sustainable business growth. Without those, it becomes much harder to build something lasting and fulfilling.
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