Cut The Tie

How do you define success?
(link to video mentioned in comments)

What succesful people do differently...

You ever look back and think, “Man… I should’ve started that years ago”?

That’s exactly what Rich Cruz said about his book.
He waited, second-guessed, delayed and now realizes he could’ve been touching lives long before.

But here’s the beauty in it: when he finally did start, it became a family thing.
His kid helped ink the pages. His nephew jumped in too.
What started as a solo dream turned into a legacy project.

So yeah, maybe the timing wasn’t perfect… but the story still found its way.
If you’re sitting on an idea, maybe it’s time to stop waiting for “someday.”
Because your story might be someone’s spark.

🎧 Full episode here:
🔗 Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hermie-the-hr-crab-has-legs-why-rich-cruz-is-blending/id1702007147?i=1000722519849
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QPjk7QwkpZSW9jNd9ZaO1?si=fd15ce42a82b4c8b

Uncertainty TRIGGERS instinct.

When business leaders face hiring decisions... whether it’s bringing in new people or outside help... the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reaction kicks in.

Rich Cruz nails it: we’ve got to move past survival mode and start asking smarter questions.
“Why isn’t this working?”
“What have we already tried?”

Because clarity beats fear every time.

🎧 From the Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich and guest Rich Cruz ... blending psychology, leadership, and real talk for modern business.
🔗Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hermie-the-hr-crab-has-legs-why-rich-cruz-is-blending/id1702007147?i=1000722519849
🔗Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QPjk7QwkpZSW9jNd9ZaO1?si=fd15ce42a82b4c8b

“The hardest TIE TO CUT… is self-doubt.”

Even after years of success, glowing client reviews, and building a name in the consulting space ... Rich Cruz admits that confidence can still waver when rebuilding after loss.

From owning a business before the recession to facing bankruptcy, Rich opens up about what it really takes to rise again and start over.

🎧 Listen to this honest moment from the Cut The Tie Podcast ... where real entrepreneurs share what it means to let go and move forward.
🔗Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hermie-the-hr-crab-has-legs-why-rich-cruz-is-blending/id1702007147?i=1000722519849
🔗Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QPjk7QwkpZSW9jNd9ZaO1?si=fd15ce42a82b4c8b

"From ART SCHOOL dreams to ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT success"

Rich Cruz shares how his passion for animation never left him, even as his career evolved into marketing and consulting.

Now, through Hermie the HR Crab, he’s proving that creativity isn’t a distraction ... it’s a business advantage.

“I wanted to be a cartoonist… this is what I wanted to do, man.”

🎧 Catch the full episode on Cut The Tie Podcast ... where we talk about blending art, humor, and business to tackle real workplace challenges:
🔗Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hermie-the-hr-crab-has-legs-why-rich-cruz-is-blending/id1702007147?i=1000722519849
🔗Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QPjk7QwkpZSW9jNd9ZaO1?si=fd15ce42a82b4c8b

SMALL business, BIG vulnerability.

You’ve got under 30 employees.
You’re hustling to market, serve, and grow.
But let’s be real ... you’re not thinking about a crisis… until it hits.

That’s why Mike Swenson created CrisisTrak ... a simple 5-step DIY process to help small businesses prepare before disaster strikes.

Know your team.
Identify what could go wrong.
Have a process.
Create your messages.
Choose your spokesperson.

That’s it.
No corporate red tape. No big budget. Just peace of mind ... and the power to stay calm when chaos comes knocking.

“When things go wrong, most teams freeze.”

Mike Swenson learned that the hard way ... after decades in PR and crisis communications.
Now, he teaches a different rhythm: don’t wait for chaos. Prepare for it.

Every quarter, his clients gather their crisis team to ask three simple questions:
1️⃣ What went wrong recently ... and what did we learn?
2️⃣ What new risks are bubbling up that we didn’t see before?
3️⃣ Are we ready if something big hits tomorrow?

Once a year, they even simulate a real crisis ... a 2-hour “what-if” drill that turns panic into muscle memory.

Preparation doesn’t kill creativity. It creates confidence.

“COMMUNICATION without STRATEGY is a lost OPPORTUNITY.”

Mike Swenson drops a truth every business leader needs to hear:
It’s easy to say things… but do your words drive action*?

True success in communication isn’t about sounding smart ...
It’s about aligning your message with purpose, impact, and follow-through.

Every word should have weight. Every statement should spark movement.
That’s how leaders communicate ... with clarity and strategy.

🎧 Hear more wisdom from Mike Swenson on Cut The Tie:
🔗Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-things-are-going-to-happen-mike-swenson-on-why/id1702007147?i=1000722366230
🔗Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4G0pqQB85pyQJUKE6y30iL?si=c0c1ed23bda248e7

You don’t need to say EVERYTHING to sell something.

Mike Swenson nails one of the biggest PR and marketing mistakes businesses make: trying to shout 27 great things at once.

The fix?
Pick one.
Lead with the most important thing.
Hook your audience and earn the right to tell them more later.

Clarity sells. Noise doesn’t.

🎧 Hear more from Mike Swenson on Cut The Tie Podcast:
🔗Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-things-are-going-to-happen-mike-swenson-on-why/id1702007147?i=1000722366230
🔗Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4G0pqQB85pyQJUKE6y30iL?si=c0c1ed23bda248e7