Welcome back to another great episode of the Dear BLK CEO Podcast.

“You can be great by mastering the fundamentals.” These words, said by Bennie Fowler really made an impression. Growing up selling eggs door-to-door, you could say he has built a legacy off of mastering the fundamentals. Bennie W. Fowler is a c-suite level executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in developing strategy and is the President and CEO of Bennie W. Fowler LLC. Even though he grew up when the South was still segregated, he’s never been one to shy away from the importance of responsibility and personal work ethic. Bennie also knows he wouldn’t be where he is today if it weren’t for faith and family.

Such an incredible story filled with incredible lessons and wisdom! Let’s dive right in and start mastering the fundamentals.

Mastering the Fundamentals to go From Knowing to Having to Sharing:

[00:01 – 09:02] Opening Segment 

• I welcome Bennie Fowler to the show
• • Bio 
• Bennie gives us a bit of his background 
• • Born in 1956 in the deep South, Georgia
  • Born and educated during segregation 
  • Instilled with a heavy work ethic from a young age
  • First work permit at 15 working as a janitor 
  • Preparing for corporate work as a teen 

[09:03 – 22:34] Mastering the Fundamentals

• Bennie shares his experience going from segregated to integrated 
• • Dealing with riots in the early days 
  • The timeline of integration 
  • Not as much violence as one would think 
• Bennie talks about his first job in an entry-level position 
• • “I just wanted to eat” 
  • The experience of leading others that have more seniority 
  • From mentorship to leading on his own 
  • The importance of mastering the fundamentals
• The fundamentals you need to master 
• • You have to be willing to move - adaptability 
  • • Prepare yourself for change 
  • Manpower 
  • Material 
  • Methods 
  • Machinery 
  • Have the right people help move you through the process
• Book your free consultation at The Kas Company

[22:35 – 34:34] The Only Way Forward was Through Faith 

• Bennie talks about his journey through Ford 
• • Becoming the COO 
  • Relocating and working in the UK 
  • The process of creating a massive turnaround 
• How the experience created character 
• • Getting to the point of exhaustion 
  • Becoming an ‘industrial athlete’
  • The importance of scheduling your life 
• Getting the strength and resilience from God
• • Walk by faith, not by sight 
  • People will try to bring you down along the way
  • Stay hungry for opportunities
  • When things aren’t going well, are you still in faith? 
• Bennie talks about working through fear 
• • Be concerned, not afraid 
  • Look for the challenging things, that is where the reward is

[34:35 – 43:13] Closing Segment 

• How to connect with Bennie
• • Links below 
• Last advice from Bennie 
• • Wake up every day with a purpose
• Bennie talks about his favorite Ford models
• Balancing business and family 
• • Make your home a permanent one no matter where you are
  • Take care of your family, you only have one of them
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Becoming an industrial athlete; you gotta play just like you’re playing a game… if you make it to the top… it WILL take an emotional toll on your body.” - Bennie W. Fowler

“I don’t look for all of the easy things today. Actually, I look for the things that are the most challenging because that’s where most of the reward will be.” - Bennie W. Fowler 

Resources Mentioned: 

• The American Icon

Want to connect with Bennie? You can connect on Facebook and LinkedIn or contact [email protected]. Transform knowledge into successful business results by checking out https://www.benniefowler.com/. 

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Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program.

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!