How do you go from nurse to franchise founder to aerospace advocate to Vistage Chair? Ask my Chairwaves guest Erin Herringshaw. Her career path is anything but conventional—but every step has led to deeper insight into what business owners truly need: support, perspective, and someone to challenge their blind spots.

In this episode, Erin shares how she built and sold a meal-prep business that started with wine, food stations, and a Sharpie-covered signature wall. She opens up about what it took to launch her first Vistage group, how she screens new members (spoiler: arrogance is a dealbreaker), and the advice she’d give her younger entrepreneurial self. “If I’d had Vistage back then,” she says, “it would’ve changed the whole trajectory.”

The best way to reach Erin is to connect with her on LinkedIn.

When your members name the group “The Refinery” and plan their own retreat, you know something special is happening.

Vistage Chair Jim Ristuccia shares how a retreat full of logos, laughter, and cross-talk turned his CE group into something deeper. From career Navy officer to award-winning COO to full-time Chair, Jim brings a systems mindset and deep emotional intelligence to his work—including a one-of-a-kind Emerging Leaders group he leads for Vistage employees. We cover everything from the power of writing your own CEO job description to what it means to build culture on purpose—not by accident.

To connect with Jim, visit his website.

When a career banker walks away from the industry without a plan, the next chapter isn’t usually “Vistage Chair of five groups and best practice leader for all of Chicago.” But that’s exactly how Aimee Daniels rewrote her story.

In this episode, Aimee shares the moment she stepped away from corporate life and stepped into something entirely new—eventually becoming a Vistage Chair, mentor, and trusted voice among her peers. We talk about the difference between peer pressure and peer support, the unique dynamics of Vistage Inside groups, and why even the most seasoned leaders need a chair of their own. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Chair—or wondered what makes someone good at it—Aimee breaks it down with clarity and candor.

The best way to contact Aimee is via LinkedIn or by email at aimee.daniels@vistagechair.com.