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No Sugarcoatin’ Podcast

No Sugarcoatin’ Podcast

Written by: Brand Managers
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About this listen

No Sugarcoatin’ is a straight-talk leadership podcast for business owners, operators, and executives who are tired of the highlight-reel version of entrepreneurship. Hosted by Beth McClary-Wolford, the show strips away the fluff, the “we’re fine” energy, and the LinkedIn fairytales to get into what it really takes to build, lead, and grow a business that lasts. Each episode features real conversations with real leaders about hard lessons, leadership mistakes, growth decisions, people problems, cash flow, culture, and the realities nobody posts about. If you’re done with rainbows and ready for results, you’re in the right place.

Brand Managers Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • When the Plan Falls Apart — Leadership, Faith, and Bold Pivots (AUDIO)

    When the Plan Falls Apart — Leadership, Faith, and Bold Pivots (AUDIO)
    Jan 20 2026
    In this episode of No Sugarcoat’n, Beth McClary-Wolford sits down with Elaine Zambos, Executive Director of BNI Southeast Tennessee, for a raw conversation about gut decisions, near misses, and the moments where there is no Plan B. Elaine shares the story of firing her biggest client without meaning to, losing her home the same day, and choosing faith over fear when everything felt uncertain. From moving to a new state knowing no one, to building one of the most respected BNI regions in the country, Elaine breaks down what leadership really requires — grace, courage, curiosity, and the willingness to stand on your values when it’s uncomfortable. Guest Introduction: Elaine Zambos is the Executive Director of BNI Southeast Tennessee, leading 28 chapters and more than 650 members across the region. Known for her calm confidence and people-first leadership, Elaine has built a business community rooted in trust, accountability, and real growth. With a background in radio, media, and entrepreneurship, she brings decades of experience — and a whole lot of wisdom — to the art of building strong, sustainable networks. Key Takeaways:
    • Sometimes the boldest decisions aren’t planned — they happen when you finally stop compromising your values.
    • Leadership isn’t about ease; it’s about managing people, expectations, and yourself simultaneously.
    • Entrepreneurs struggle with structure — but process is what allows growth to scale.
    • Listening first builds trust faster than authority ever could.
    • Curiosity is a leadership advantage — being interested beats being interesting.
    • Grace and kindness aren’t soft skills; they’re survival skills in long-term leadership.
    Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to No Sugarcoat’n 0:40 Introducing Elaine Zambos, BNI Southeast Tennessee 1:30 “Hold my sweet tea” — the decision that changed everything 3:45 Firing her biggest client without a plan 6:30 Losing her home the same day 9:00 Choosing faith over fear 11:00 Moving to Chattanooga knowing no one 13:30 From radio to entrepreneurship 16:00 Regrets, wisdom, and hindsight 18:30 Childhood dreams and becoming “Barbara Walters” 21:00 Leadership misconceptions about running BNI 24:00 Entrepreneurs, structure, and resistance to process 26:30 Listening as a leadership superpower 29:00 Grace first, kindness always 32:00 Calling audibles when plans fail 35:00 Goal setting, milestones, and the famous boots 38:00 Final reflections and closing thoughts Keywords: No Sugarcoat’n podcast, Beth McClary-Wolford, Elaine Zambos, BNI Southeast Tennessee, leadership decisions, faith and business, women in leadership, entrepreneurship lessons, bold pivots, business regrets, networking leadership, people-first leadership, calling audibles, core values, growth mindset
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    38 mins
  • Cash Flow, Confidence, and Failing Forward (AUDIO)

    Cash Flow, Confidence, and Failing Forward (AUDIO)
    Jan 20 2026
    Welcome to No Sugarcoat'n — where business leaders come for real talk, not rainbows. In this episode, Beth McClary-Wolford sits down with Jessy Cardenas, CEO of Century Roofing, to unpack the leadership misconceptions that only show up once you’re in the seat. Jessy shares how she found herself in roofing, what surprised her most about ownership, and why leading people is far more complex than “just doing it better than your boss.” They talk candidly about cash flow, staff development, long-term thinking, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, and the uncomfortable truth that leadership often means being disliked — not admired. Guest Introduction: Jessy Cardenas is the CEO of Century Roofing, a Chattanooga-based roofing company built on genuine care, accountability, and long-term community commitment. With over a decade in the industry, Jessy brings a rare leadership perspective shaped by operational grit, people development, and the reality of running a construction business as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her approach blends tough decisions with deep care — and zero sugarcoating. Key Takeaways:
    • Owning a business is significantly harder than it looks from the outside — and perfection isn’t part of the deal.
    • Leadership isn’t about being liked; it’s about making decisions that move the business forward.
    • Pouring into employees matters — but leaders must recognize when people are ready to grow beyond the company.
    • Cash flow isn’t a finance concept — it’s a survival skill.
    • Playing the long game builds trust, reputation, and real community impact.
    • Failure isn’t failure — it’s revision, learning, and momentum if you stay in motion.

    Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to No Sugarcoating 0:45 Meet Jessy Cardenas, CEO of Century Roofing 1:30 How Jessy found herself in roofing 3:00 From selling roofing to owning the company 4:15 The biggest surprises of ownership 6:30 Why leadership is harder than expected 8:20 Lessons learned from previous employers 10:00 Investing in people — and when to let them go 12:30 What makes Century Roofing different 14:45 Playing the long game in construction 16:30 Letting go of perfection as a leader 18:15 Advice for new business owners 20:30 Core values and building around your strengths 23:00 Writing a letter to her past self 26:00 Being a woman in the roofing industry 29:00 Rapid-fire leadership truths 36:00 Final reflections and closing thoughts Keywords: No Sugarcoat'n podcast, Beth McClary-Wolford, Jessy Cardenas, Century Roofing, leadership misconceptions, women in construction, small business leadership, cash flow management, people development, business ownership realities, construction leadership, community-based business, failing forward, long-term thinking
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    42 mins
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