Host: Martin Rowinski, CEO of Boardsi
Guest: Steve and Melissa Fultz
By Martin Rowinski | Boardsi Leadership Talks Podcast
In this compelling episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, I had the honor of speaking with a powerhouse couple whose expertise spans executive coaching, enterprise sales, leadership psychology, and AI innovation, Steve and Melissa Fultz, founders of The Fultz Group.
Together, they’ve helped organizations scale with strategic alignment, embrace technology, and build sustainable growth models. But what sets them apart is how they lead, not just in business, but in life, as married co-founders navigating the complexities of love, legacy, and leadership.
Challenging “We’ve Always Done It That Way”
One of the core insights Steve and Melissa shared is a common blind spot in leadership: the belief that what got you here will get you there. They pointed out that across industries, companies often cling to outdated systems simply because “they’ve always done it that way.” But in a fast-moving world shaped by AI and automation, those who fail to adapt will fall behind.
They also highlighted the importance of multi-generational alignment, a real challenge in companies where Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all work under one roof. Steve and Melissa offer tools and frameworks to bridge these gaps, integrating tradition with innovation.
Bringing Two Worlds Together
Melissa’s background in enterprise sales and account strategy meets Steve’s foundation in psychology and leadership development. Their complementary strengths allow them to offer clients a uniquely well-rounded approach.
Together, they operate three different businesses, using each as a “live lab” to test, refine, and apply what they teach in their new book, Family Business Facelift. From service-heavy operations to leaner sales models, their toolkit works across business types, and their hands-on application proves it.
The Power of Executive Influence
Melissa’s work has generated over $1.5 billion in revenue, a testament to the power of internal alignment and executive visibility. She emphasizes that strong external partnerships always begin with solid internal collaboration, what happens inside the walls of your company will be mirrored in the relationships you build outside them.
Speaking the Unspoken
Steve introduced one of the most powerful leadership tools of all: naming the assumptions we operate under. Whether in family businesses or complex organizations, many conflicts stem from unspoken beliefs or unclear expectations. By coaching leaders to speak openly, document values, and articulate decision-making logic, they help clients dismantle barriers and drive transformation.
The Journey to the Boardroom
For Boardsi members pursuing board service, Steve and Melissa had two key pieces of advice:
Fit matters more than the resume – Cultural alignment, mindset, and openness to diverse ideas are often what elevate a candidate.
Positioning matters – Being a thought leader, visible online, and clearly articulating your unique value proposition (UVP) sets you apart in a competitive landscape.
As they shared, many great board members are found not just through experience, but through how they’ve positioned themselves as forward-thinking, strategic, and collaborative.
AI Should Enhance, Not Replace
In Family Business Facelift, Steve and Melissa champion AI and automation, not to replace people, but to free them from mundane tasks. This creates more time for creativity, strategic thinking, and customer experience. They’ve also implemented a “tech buddy” system in their businesses to pair tech-savvy younger employees with more experienced team members, bridging the generational gap with empathy and collaboration.
Love and Ledger: Lessons from a Married Business Team
Running a business together isn’t easy. But for Steve and Melissa, the rewards outweigh the challenges. They spoke candidly about conflict resolution, leveraging each other’s strengths, and building a shared vision. Their journey has inspired them to create a new community for married business owners, a space for learning, relating, and growing together.
If you’re a leader in transition, a business owner embracing change, or an executive ready for the boardroom, this episode delivers real, practical takeaways.
Be sure to check out Steve and Melissa’s book, Family Business Facelift, now available on Amazon, and follow them on LinkedIn and YouTube under The Fultz Group.
🎙️ Subscribe to Boardsi Leadership Talks for more conversations with leaders who are shaping the future.
