The Owl was the business adviser to the Rabbit and every time things began to get difficult and the Rabbit wanted to pivot, he promised to come see the Owl. When he sat down with the Owl, he would always hear the same thing, “Remember we wrote this thorough business plan based on all our research and we promised that we would stay true to it unless there was a evidence that we should change it. Don’t let a tough day or ‘advice’ force you into a emotional decision which you could regret.”
Lesson: This lesson is inspired by Alabama, the 2013 NCAA Football National Champions. In a post by Biz Journals it offers a few lessons to learn from their season. Here’s an excerpt:
When Alabama found itself in a third quarter deficit against Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, the Tide didn’t fall into the typical “we’re down in the second half, so it’s time to start throwing the ball every down” mindset.
Instead, it came out doing what it does best: running the football.
In business, it’s tempting to abandon your previously successful plan and start throwing up Hail Mary passes when times get tough in hopes of kickstarting sales.
While you shouldn’t panic or lose your composure, as Florida showed us last week, sticking to what made you successful doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up when the time is right.
Gresham W. Harkless Jr.https://iamgresh.comGresham W. Harkless Jr.
Franchise Broker & Entrepreneur | Founder, Blue Star Franchise
Helping founders and aspiring owners find franchise opportunities that match their purpose, finances, and lifestyle. Host of the I AM CEO Podcast with more than 1,600 interviews.
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About Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
Gresham W. Harkless Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur and franchise broker based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. As founder of Blue Star Franchise, he helps aspiring and established business owners discover franchise opportunities aligned with their goals, skills, and long-term vision.
With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business development, Gresham brings a consultative, client-first approach to franchise matching. Through his media company, Blue 16 Media, and the I AM CEO Podcast, which has featured more than 1,600 interviews, he has worked with hundreds of CEOs, founders, and small business owners to accelerate growth and build scalable business models.
His mission is simple: 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
Founder - 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., Business Administration - Howard University
How Gresham Helps
Franchise discovery & matching consultations
Franchise investment and financial fit analysis
Franchise development guidance & onboarding support
Speaking engagements & media interviews
Business growth advisory through Blue 16 Media
I AM CEO Podcast
With more than 1,600 episodes, the I AM CEO Podcast features conversations with founders, franchise owners, authors, and business leaders.
Gresham shares real, actionable insights to help entrepreneurs grow, scale, and lead.
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Contact & Bookings
Email: gresham@bluestarfranchise.com
For franchise inquiries, speaking engagements, or media interviews, send an email or use the consultation link.
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