The number of federal Executive Orders issued by the president since Jan. 20 has created confusion for some business owners. Host Gene Marks moderated a webinar that produced additional questions from attendees, so he’s using this episode of the podcast to offer clarification as well as his own take around the EOs on DEI. He talks about job postings, preferred gender pronouns on websites and in other company communications, “gender vs. sex”, the exclusion of impact on veterans, how these might affect EEO-1 reporting, and more.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

What do Barstool Sports and Food52 have in common? Visionary leadership, incredible growth, and today’s podcast guest, Erika Ayers Badan. After nearly a decade as the CEO of Barstool Sports, turning it into a cultural juggernaut, Erika has taken the reins at Food52, where she’s bringing her passion for design, food, and empowering women to the forefront. Tune in as Erika talks managing young teams, shaping resilient work cultures, staying ahead of trends (hello, AI), and the lessons she’s carrying from Barstool’s locker-room vibes to Food52’s stylish kitchen counters. If you’re hungry for entrepreneurial insights and brand-building wisdom, this episode is a must-listen.

Burnout is bad for employees and business. Spot the signs, tackle the causes, and create a successful workplace: https://bit.ly/4jSaJJq

Your workforce is your superpower — but only with the right planning. This webinar shows you how to boost productivity, close skills gaps, and hire a team that thrives: https://bit.ly/4iUbJM7

Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and welcome 01:47 – Erika’s career journey 04:06 – Pivoting towards women-led workspaces 06:10 – Lessons learned at Barstool 09:07 – Motivating and leading young employees 12:18 – Building company culture 17:34 – Managing diverse teams 18:31 – The importance of feedback 21:32 – Remote work vs. office collaboration 23:16 – Brand-building lessons from Barstool 26:11 – Leveraging digital creators at Food52 27:24 – The role of AI in business growth 29:08 – Wrap up and thank you

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

As the president begins to walk back on some of the tariffs with China, Gene Marks says what will remain after negotiations are still significantly high percentage rates on goods coming in from China, which will still impact many U.S. businesses. He also shares insights from economists looking at interest rates and how a risk of recession and lost jobs caused by tariffs might push the Federal Reserve to nudge the rates down. And for entrepreneurs, the best place for start-ups is Florida, which has five of the top six cities based on certain criteria. Sunny days ahead in the Sunshine State. Listen to the podcast.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.