From "No" to CEO

DESCRIPTION:

Sometimes you have to explore your own dreams before finding your way back to the family business. This was true for Charley Todd. 

Charley grew up with his dad running a small family business - an Allstate Insurance agency. As the years passed, he knew he didn’t want to go into insurance. So, in his Senior year of college, he joined forces with some friends and started an app business. As the business grew, he learned his first hard lesson - they did not understand how to handle the finances. One of the founders needed more money for some life events, and they had to dissolve the company. 

Charley made his way back to the Allstate business and eventually became CEO of about 90 employees. Charley says one of their keys to success is having an employee driven workplace. Eventually, he handed over the title of ‘CEO’ to a partner so he could explore a new frontier in life - starting an E-Commerce company selling orange trees that grow indoors. From this journey, he has also pursued other passions including... building & selling co-working spaces, working on creative and volunteer projects, and teaching at the Columbia Prison Re-entry Program.

Charley’s adventure has now landed him in L.A., and we are excited to see what comes next!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Backstory of family history

• Charley’s business ventures

• The secret to a successful business

• Managing yourself as a leader

From 'NO' to CEO w