Steer had made a lapse in judgement and ran an add that was meant to compete with another company but came off as an angry attack. He certainly didn’t intend for it to come off like that, but the more people say it the angrier they became. Customers were starting to leave or demand answers from Steer. Each time he tried to reply it seemed he only made this worse. Steer realized the best thing for him to do at the moment was step away from the spotlight of business and give it some space. The other owners would run things until it got back on track. Sometimes, when bad things happen, giving time and space is the only correct approach.
Lesson: This lesson is inspired by the Rescue a CEO Post “How to Navigate the Waters of Repairing Your Business Reputation“
Gresham W. Harkless Jr.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.
đź“š 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
