Hello readers,
This week’s episode is one of the most powerful yet — and one of the most personal.
I sat down with longtime friend and industry leader Chris Petro, a former print-industry entrepreneur who grew a $5M business, sold it, rebuilt his career inside a global organization, and continues to lead at the highest levels.
But this conversation isn’t just about business.
It’s about what leadership looks like when things get hard, when change hits fast, and when your values are tested.
It’s a masterclass on loyalty, mentorship, resilience — and what it means to build people, not just companies.
Grateful you're here,
Larry
Chris Petro’s Leadership Journey
Chris has worn every hat — founder, CEO, EVP, mentor, mentee, builder, and fixer.
But what stands out most is his conviction:
Take care of your people first
Run toward the hard decisions
Protect your integrity even when it costs you
And never stop learning — especially as a leader
Throughout the episode, Larry and Chris swap real stories from their decades in the print and tech space — the wins, the mistakes, the scares, the near-bankruptcies, and the transformations that happen when people rally together.
This isn’t theory.
It’s lived experience.
Highlights From This Week’s Episode
1. Leadership Isn’t About Talking — It’s About Listening
Chris shares why real leaders don’t dominate the conversation. They pause, observe, listen, and stay teachable.
“You can never really be a mentor — or a leader — unless you’re a mentee yourself.”
2. Loyalty Is a Strategy, Not a Soft Skill
From protecting long-time customers to honoring suppliers during financial crisis, Chris explains why loyalty is a business advantage that compounds for decades.
3. The Hardest Part of Entrepreneurship? People.
Running the business wasn’t the hard part — managing people was. But learning how to hire, elevate, and entrust the right teammates changed everything.
4. How to Lead Through Crisis Without Losing Your Integrity
Chris shares the story of almost going bankrupt — and how his team voluntarily sacrificed their own pay to keep the company alive. A turning point that reshaped his entire career.
5. Why Change Is Terrifying… and the Only Way Forward
From selling his company to shifting into corporate leadership, Chris unpacks how to navigate change with clarity instead of fear.
6. The Future of Leadership in an AI-Driven World
The clip touches on how AI is reshaping sales, operations, and business decision-making — and why ignoring it is a fast track to irrelevance.
What’s Up Next
🎙️ Our next episode drops December 1st!
I sat down with Deborah Corn — the self-proclaimed Intergalactic Ambassador to the Printerverse and the powerhouse behind Print Media Centr, Girls Who Print, International Print Day, Project Peacock, Podcasts from The Printerverse and the world’s first, 24/7 global online radio station dedicated to print at PrintFMradio.com. Together we dug into how Deborah built a true community (not just a contact list) in the print world, why customer convenience matters as much as customer service, and how collaboration, mentoring, and smart use of technology (yes, including AI) are reshaping the future of print. This one is fast-paced, funny, and full of real talk about what it means to keep an entire industry moving forward.
Subscribe to the Youtube channel below to ensure you never miss a new episode!
Got A Question For Larry?
Have a leadership challenge you’re facing? Curious about business, mentorship, or navigating big life decisions?
Now’s your chance to get those questions answered!
Going forward I will be answering real questions from real listeners and fans of the show — offering real talk, practical wisdom, and lessons from a life of experience.
Let’s turn your question into a conversation that helps everyone grow!
My Book – Business Cards & Shoe Leather
If you haven’t read my book yet, here’s a little about it:
In Business Cards & Shoe Leather, I share how I built a career in commercial printing while navigating the challenges of dyslexia and the realities of being an underdog. It’s filled with humor, hard lessons, and moments of clarity about what matters most: relationships, mentorship, and leading with integrity.
You’ll learn how I co-founded two international business cooperatives and why I believe cooperation will always beat competition.
Until next time…Make Today Count!