Jennifer Kerhin, CEO of SB Expos & Events, shares insights on leadership, decision-making, and business growth in the event management industry.
- Mentor & Inspiration: A friend and former CEO of an event technology firm who built a multimillion-dollar business while balancing family life. Her business acumen and life experiences made her an invaluable mentor.
- Biggest Surprise in Leadership: Being a CEO is less about numbers and more about managing, coaching, and delegating to people.
- Key Leadership Lesson: Learning the difference between delegating (assigning tasks with oversight) and abdicating (handing off responsibility without proper follow-up).
- Best Leadership Decision: Providing employees with growth opportunities, which has resulted in high loyalty and low turnover, despite occasional setbacks.
- Worst Business Decision: Not clearly defining the scope of work in contracts, leading to misaligned expectations and difficult client conversations. She now prioritizes clarity in proposals.
- Excitement for the Future: Her company is currently a major player (“a giant whale”) in a small niche market. As the industry grows, her company will expand alongside it with minimal marketing investment.
- Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Join a CEO Advisory Group (like Vistage) early on. These groups provide guidance, help recognize business growth patterns, and remind entrepreneurs they’re not alone in facing challenges.
Her insights emphasize the importance of clear communication, people-focused leadership, and strategic networking in business success.