Taryn Bozzo is the CEO of AV Images, a California-based full-service audio-visual production company delivering high-impact event solutions for over 40 years. Under Taryn’s leadership, AV Images has weathered significant industry shifts, including the pandemic, and continues to serve a national client base with multimillion-dollar revenues and a strong presence in the Las Vegas event market. Having stepped into the CEO role as a second-generation leader, Taryn brings a unique perspective shaped by her early career in public service and her deep roots in the company founded by her father.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [01:57] How Taryn Bozzo grew up alongside her family’s AV business
- [03:55] The unexpected events that led Taryn to step into the CEO role
- [05:06] What it’s like to lead after an abrupt leadership transition
- [07:35] Tough choices Taryn made to stabilize the business
- [11:42] How Taryn navigated the event industry shutdown during the pandemic
- [15:18] The “secret sauce” behind managing large-scale national event logistics
- [17:23] Why Taryn sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat to her industry
In this episode…
Stepping into a leadership position is hard enough, but what happens when the transition is sudden, emotional, and layered with family history? This episode explores how resilience is built when leadership is inherited, rather than chosen, and tested by uncertainty at every turn.
For Taryn Bozzo, the key lies in facing discomfort head-on and staying grounded in people-first values. Drawing from her experience as a second-generation leader shaped by public service, grief, and crisis, she explains that real leadership growth happens in the hardest conversations and quiet moments of self-reflection. Her story shows how resilience is less about having a perfect plan and more about the willingness to adapt, stay vulnerable, and keep moving forward.
In this episode, John Corcoran is joined by Taryn Bozzo, CEO of AV Images, to discuss resilient leadership and navigating generational leadership transitions in business. They explore stepping into a family company unexpectedly, rebuilding trust and culture after years of instability, and leading through the pandemic in the live events industry. Taryn also talks about embracing vulnerability, adapting to industry change, and finding confidence as a second-generation CEO.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- EO San Francisco
- EO Accelerator
- Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
- John Corcoran on LinkedIn
- Rise25
- Taryn Bozzo on LinkedIn
- AV Images: Website | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | LinkedIn
Quotable Moments
- “I knew that I had to pivot and, and come here and at least try to clean everything up and do right by the team.”
- “I had to make some really tough decisions as far as, you know, cutting people and making decisions that I really didn’t want to make or, or anticipated making.”
- “Growing as a leader is just constantly trying to face those really uncomfortable moments.”
- “I really took that opportunity during the pandemic to focus internally, learn the business, understand our accounting.”
- “I think people were excited and hopeful, and that just really ignited me more to really commit and go all in.”
Action Steps
- Embrace uncomfortable conversations early: Facing difficult discussions helps leaders make clearer decisions and build long-term trust.
- Lead with vulnerability during transitions: Being open about uncertainty creates connection and stability during periods of change.
- Take time to deeply learn the business: Understanding operations and finances strengthens confidence and improves strategic decision-making.
- Prioritize people when making tough decisions: Lead with values and respect to preserve company culture, even during difficult transitions.
- Use disruption as a reset opportunity: Pauses caused by crisis can become powerful moments to rebuild systems and leadership habits.
Sponsor for this episode…
EO San Francisco
This episode is brought to you by EO San Francisco.
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 14,000+ influential business owners with 198 chapters in 61 countries.
If you are the founder, co-founder, owner, or controlling shareholder of a company generating over $1 million a year in revenues, and want to connect with other like-minded successful entrepreneurs, EO is for you.
The EO San Francisco chapter enables leading entrepreneurs in the Bay area to learn, grow, and achieve greater success.
The EOSF chapter was founded in 1991, and today we have over 100 members in industries ranging from marketing to agriculture to tech and professional services.
To learn how it works, or to come do a test drive come join us at www.eonetwork.org/sanfrancisco/.
This episode is also brought to you by my company, Pacific Crest Group.
Pacific Crest Group provides outsourced CFO, Controller, and bookkeeping services. You can learn more about us at https://www.pcg-services.com/
Rise25
Want to Start a Podcast?
At Rise25, we’re committed to helping you connect with your Dream 200 referral partners, clients, and strategic partners through our done-for-you podcast solution.
With our proven system, all you need is an idea and a voice — we handle the rest. Rise25 takes care of strategy, production, and distribution, ensuring your podcast drives ROI.
We simplify distribution by sharing your episodes across 11 unique platforms, including iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Plus, we create episode copy and promote your show on social media.
Co-founders Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran credit podcasting as the best thing they’ve done for their business, connecting them with the founders and CEOs of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, RxBar, YPO, EO, Lending Tree, FreshBooks, and many more. Podcasting builds deep relationships — many guests have become business partners and lifelong friends.
We work only with committed entrepreneurs ready to leverage podcasting for partnerships, clients, and referrals. Ready to launch?
Contact us at support@rise25.com or book a call at rise25.com/bookcall.
