I’d been working on this concept for the entire year and this was my opportunity speak about the idea in front of a larger audience.
You Are a Media Company (YAMC) – Check out this LEAD Talk at Leadership Center for Excellence‘s Homecoming. I gave a talk on how you should strategically build your marketing strategy as if you are making your favorite dish (e.g. sweet potato pie). It’s this media company mindset that helps you be strategically focused and not chasing after every “shiny” object and at the same time understand, respect and “Trust the Process.”
AKA your RECIP^3E
- REcipe / Your Marketing Plan
- Crust / Your Foundation (e.g. website/blog)
- Ingredients / Your marketing tools (e.g. SEO, social media, networking groups, flyers, etc.)
- Pick & Prepare / Select the 1 or 2 ingredients that are central to your strategy (e.g. podcast, LinkedIn)
- Put it in the oven (but check it) / Execute
- Enjoy the final product / Keep working to perfect it but enjoy the process
Thanks Paul King of King Edits for capturing.
Check out the course at youareamedia.company
Gresham W. Harkless Jr.131 posts
https://iamgresh.com👤 Author Name: Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
Title: Franchise Broker & Entrepreneur | Founder, Blue Star Franchise
Experience: 15+ years in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business growth strategy
Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area, USA
About the Author
Gresham W. Harkless Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur, franchise broker, and the founder of Blue Star Franchise, where he helps aspiring and established business owners find the perfect franchise opportunity to match their goals, lifestyle, and financial vision.
With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business development, Gresh has worked with hundreds of CEOs, founders, and small business owners through his media company Blue 16 Media and the I AM CEO Podcast, which has featured over 1,600 interviews. His unique background gives him a deep understanding of what makes a business succeed — and how the right franchise can change lives.
A proud member of the Franchise Broker Association (FBA), Gresham brings a consultative and client-first approach to franchise matching. His mission is to help people “run their race” by finding franchise opportunities that align with their purpose, skills, and lifestyle.
📚 Credentials & Affiliations
Certified Franchise Broker – Franchise Broker Association (FBA)
Founder – Blue Star Franchise & Blue 16 Media
Host – I AM CEO Podcast (1,600+ episodes)
Featured in – 50+ Black Marketers on the Rise, Influencer & Media Innovators (2022)
B.S. in Business Administration – Howard University
