POPULARITY
Cameron Herold is the mastermind behind the exponential growth of hundreds of companies worldwide and is often called the CEO Whisperer. He's the founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders training program, and the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where he helped scale revenue from 2 million to 106 million in just six years. He's also the author of several influential business books, including Vivid Vision and Free PR, and hosts The Second in Command podcast. On this episode we talk about: How Cameron's first “business” at seven years old collecting and reselling coat hangers sparked a lifelong entrepreneurial journey. Why entrepreneurial thinking (spotting opportunities, selling, leading, problem-solving) matters for every kid—even if they never start a company. How to practically “raise entrepreneurs” by letting kids run real mini-businesses without helicopter parenting. The difference between being an entrepreneur and being entrepreneurial, and why not everyone is wired to be a founder (and that's okay). Cameron's Vivid Vision framework, why most mission statements fail, and how to actually get your team aligned around the future. How founders can regain clarity when their original vision no longer fits, and where to turn when you feel “stuck” strategically. Why real relationship-building beats old-school “networking,” and how to put yourself in the right rooms with the right people. How to think about media and podcasts using the “digital trifecta” so every interview or feature keeps paying dividends for years. Top 3 Takeaways Raising entrepreneurial kids is less about forcing them to start companies and more about giving them reps in leadership, sales, negotiation, problem-solving, and time management—without rescuing them every time they struggle. A Vivid Vision is a detailed 3–5 page description of what your company looks, feels, and acts like three years in the future, and your job as a founder is to communicate that picture clearly and repeatedly so others can help build it. Media appearances (press, podcasts, features) only matter if you actively repurpose, promote, and reshare them; the long-term leverage comes from what you do with each “log on the fire,” not from the hit itself. Notable Quotes “We don't need to raise our kids to be entrepreneurs, but we do need to raise them to be entrepreneurial.” “The Vivid Vision is a four- or five-page description of what every part of your company looks like, acts like, and feels like three years from now.” “It's not about what podcast you're on; it's what you do with that podcast afterwards.” Connect with Cameron Herold: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coo-alliance/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CameronHerold Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance Other: Website – https://cameronherold.com (includes links to books, COO Alliance, Invest In Your Leaders, and his Second in Command podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you tired of chaotic operations, burned-out teams, and the relentless pressure to execute big visions without breaking yourself in the process? In this can't-miss fan favorite episode, Cameron Herold goes deep with Griff Long, former COO of Orangetheory Fitness, a leader who's transformed personal growth and business results at some of America's top brands. If you're a second-in-command, exhausted by firefighting and silo wars, this conversation will shake up your playbook. Griff shares battle-tested leadership secrets, why people (not processes) matter most, and how data-driven innovation is gripping the fitness world.Skip another mediocre “growth” podcast. Listen now to avoid the #1 pain point for COOs: stagnant teams, missed opportunities, and burnout. This is your backstage pass to proven strategies and exclusive insights you won't get anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why this episode is a fan-favorite (and why you need it now)[00:28] – Griff's devastating rookie mistake and how it reshaped his approach[01:24] – The “double threat” that got Griff hired at Orangetheory[03:09] – The surprising science and secrets behind Orangetheory's addictively sticky workouts[09:33] – Griff's golden thread technique for obliterating silos and boosting buy-in[13:00] – Why running corporate-owned studios is Orangetheory's secret weapon[16:02] – How Griff rebuilt the org chart and what every COO should copy[19:20] – Laser focus vs. death by a thousand cuts: How to avoid competitive distraction[25:19] – Griff's top-three leadership lessons (and the #1 thing he'd tell his 22-year-old self)[34:08] – The red/yellow/green “traffic light” playbook for direct reports and leadership developmentAbout the GuestGriff Long is the former COO of Orangetheory Fitness, blending 25+ years of hands-on leadership with a passion for measurable growth and elite team culture. Known for scaling fitness giants like PureBar and SoulCycle, Griff has rebuilt teams, crushed operational bottlenecks, and championed transformations using data and heart. He's a US Triathlon Coach, a Six Sigma Green Belt, and a master at developing people before processes—essential context for any COO facing existential growth pains.
Ever wonder why some companies feel magnetic while others are just…a job? If you believe company culture is fluff, this conversation will put you on your heels. Cameron Herold sits down with Amy Emberling, Managing Partner of the legendary Zingerman's Bakehouse—a $16M+ artisan bakery with a cult following and a blueprint for employee loyalty big brands envy. Together, they pull back the curtain on Zingerman's famed “Community of Businesses,” why profit isn't a dirty word, and how even a manufacturing team can become fiercely passionate.Don't settle for endless turnover, disengaged people, or another bland org chart. Discover the real-world actions and surprising rituals that transform frontline staff into owners (and skeptics into super-fans). Listen now because one insight could radically shift your retention, results, and reputation. This episode delivers the practical and emotional gut-punch you won't find anywhere else in operations podcasts.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why showing vision to new hires exposes if they really want to learn (or not)[03:01] – How an Ann Arbor Deli became a multi-business giant—without franchising[07:07] – The origin myth: Saying "no" to chains and revolutionizing local growth[09:33] – Why Zingerman's refuses to franchise (and why profit wasn't the goal)[14:43] – The surprising role of vision statements and posters in a baking plant[16:10] – Handshakes over contracts—trust, ownership, and radical accountability[19:27] – Secret sauce: How weekly "appreciations" meetings melt even the toughest shells[25:43] – Culture hacks that turn hourly hires into a vibrant, all-in teamMentioned ResourcesZingerman's Community of BusinessesAri Weinzweig (Zingerman's Co-Founder)Paul Saginaw (Zingerman's Co-Founder)Zingerman's Bakehouse (Amy's business)Zing TrainZingerman's Bakehouse Book, Celebrate Every Day Book1-800-GOT-JUNK (culture reference)Great Little Box CompanyAbout the GuestAmy Emberling is Managing Partner of Zingerman's Bakehouse, Ann Arbor's nationally acclaimed artisan bakery. Leading a team of 150, she helped scale Zingerman's into a powerhouse community business known for its uncompromising...
https://youtu.be/knpxJ7KATsU Joshua McMahon, President of McMahon Custom Homes and a business coach, is driven by a purpose he discovered the hard way: money wasn't his ‘Why.' His real ‘Why' is lifting others—helping people find clarity around their purpose, unlock their potential, and gain traction toward it. We explore Josh's journey from C-suite construction leadership and integrator roles to building his own company as an “evolved visionary.” Josh shares his Satisfaction Pyramid, explaining how customer experience is created upstream through brand awareness, team support, trade partner support, and training, which together produce the outcome every builder (and business) is chasing: customer satisfaction. Along the way, he breaks down why the construction industry struggles with talent, how coaching becomes a competitive advantage, and why McMahon Custom Homes wins through transparency, collaboration, and guiding clients to align budget with what truly matters. — Take 5 Steps to Satisfy Customers with Josh McMahon Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here, the Founder of the Summit OS group and the host of Management Blueprint. And my guest today is Joshua McMahon, the president of McMahon Custom Homes and a business coach. Although I don’t know how much time you have for that these days, josh. Welcome to the show. Yeah, thanks for having me, Steve. We go a long way back, so it’s an honor to be a business owner and now be on your show. Well, yeah, you are a business owner. In your previous, recent life, you was an integrator, a COO of a business. So you’ve been running construction businesses and have been C-level in other construction businesses, where we also collaborated. So we have been tracking each other’s journey, for sure. So, Josh, let’s start with my favorite question. What is your personal ‘Why’, and how are you manifesting it in your business? Yeah. I think this is always a great question. And the real truth of this question, Steve, is that I didn’t know what it was for so long. I thought my personal ‘Why’ was just to make more money. And every time I made more money, I was just more miserable. I was never happy. So my ‘Why’ was never money. I really think my ‘Why’ is all about lifting others. And what I mean by that is I have this ability to extract other people's 'Why' and their purpose from them, help them better see that, get clarity around it and then help them get traction to go attack that 'Why'.Share on X And that’s really my ‘Why’, is to help other, lift other people to really achieve their greatness. So I get a lot of energy and joy from boosting others, and watching that untapped potential really take off. That is fabulous. And I can see that, as a business coach, that's really very appealing to people when you can do that. How does it manifest in your construction business? You have these Custom Homes construction business, how does that help you there? And this is where it was really born. So in the C-suite and as I grew in my business, the one part that you have to do is you have to know how to recruit. At least, I had to know how to recruit. And in order to recruit, you have to find the right talent at the right price. And what I was really looking for was that potential. I was looking for the right attitude—the right hunger. I was looking for those right pieces that I could make you a construction individual. I could make you a great construction manager, but I couldn’t fix those other things. And so when I could tap into that and take and help somebody see the vision of what I could do and what our company could help you do in your career, that’s where I was able to really take and 10X my recruiting ability, but also to really tap into that untapped talent that’s out there. Because, Steve, we have a hard time finding talent in the construction industry. Well, the talent’s out there. What’s making it hard is that we don’t recognize that talent, and we’re saying, you’ve got to be this perfect candidate. You've got to fit all these marks. You've got to check all the boxes.And I’m saying, no. I just need you to check a few boxes. I'm going to help you see how you can really fit into this organization and how we can help you thrive. So that's where my ability to see that in them, help them see that in themselves, and then help them tie it to our vision as a company. That's where it really gets a lot of fun.Share on X Yeah. It’s so interesting that it’s not just about doing the job, but it’s about being emotionally invested in doing the job. And how do you get your people emotionally invested? You have to find the motivation that they have inherently that you can tap into, and then you have to make your business attractive so that it inspires them, so that they feel excited to work with you there. That’s exactly what you’re trying to do. It’s like you’re not trying to fool anybody on anything, but to think people just get excited to come do work, or just do the job, or just collect the paycheck. If that’s your motivation, that’s the type of candidate you’re going to get. Then what type of culture do you have? So if you flip that and you say, “Hey, we want to help you transform who you are, transform your career for the better, and it’s going to help us get to our vision. Well, Steve, that sounds like a win-win scenario to me. And that’s a really appealing piece. And that’s a thriving culture. Yeah, culture eats strategy for breakfast, as Peter Drucker said. And especially in the age of AI, it's probably even more important, isn't it, that you have a great culture, because AI can copy everything, but it won't be able to copy your culture. No, that's exactly right. I think AI is a great tool. It’s really going to help us magnify and improve our businesses. But if your culture is broken, AI is just going to magnify the brokenness of your culture, and then AI’s going to tell your people how to go find another job. That is probably true. I haven’t thought about that. So you developed this framework, we are a podcast of frameworks. I’m always looking for the framework and and you talked about this Satisfaction Pyramid framework. Yeah. Is this also something that helps create that culture? Tell me a little bit about this pyramid and how did you come up with it and what does it do? Yeah, it’s an interesting thing, right? So you understand Maslow's hierarchy of needs. These are the things you need for survival and for happiness. And I've said, look, in home building, we've always talked about customer experience and customer satisfaction. We want people to be happy. And I'm saying, well, I don't know what that means. I don't know—if I hit my schedule, if I hit my budget, if I do everything on time, but they're still not happy—so what exactly am I missing? What's the missing link? And kind of tying the hierarchy of needs to this triangle of customer satisfaction or happiness, I found that there are some really key fundamental pieces that we've got to lock into place to really get to the customer satisfaction and customer experience that we're seeking. For me, I think brand awareness is first. If your brand awareness is out there and it's really strong, people are going to gravitate towards it organically.Share on X That’s going to decrease your SEO spend, you decrease your marketing, decrease your turnover for people, because people want to be part of that. The interesting story on brands — and I don't know how true it is, I meant to look it up before this — but I saw something on social media about Tommy Hilfiger. And before he launched his clothing brand, he didn't have anything, but his brand was so far out in front of himself that people thought this was this great designer, and he hadn't designed anything. And it was all tied to that piece of brand. So if your brand is strong enough, you can do incredible things. So I think brand is super important. Yeah. Let me just interject here. So probably 20 years ago, I was working with a company, and it was actually in the construction space. It was in the environmental construction space. And this company had an amazing brand. So the founder was a great thought leader, and he was blogging and talking in forums. And I really thought that this company's got to be a $50 million company. I mean, they're so powerful. And then they invited me to their board as a board member. I said, “Wow, this is such an honor.” This big company. And it turned out it was just a $5 million company. But the brand was so powerful that they looked much bigger. Yeah. And that statement, that’s an appealing thing. So if you think of yourself as a high level achiever, an A-player, and you are gravitating to that brand, that’s what it’s going to do. You're going to bring in the right people, and then if you've got the right culture and the right other pieces, you're going to stick around with that company.Share on X So a $5 million company can look like a $50 million company and be really attractive to people that are interested in that type of world. Yeah. Super important. Love that story. The second thing for me is team support. This is where I really saw in my career as I grew. I can tell you, my first construction job at the construction management level, my VP of construction told me, and this is 20 plus years ago, I haven't forgotten it — he said, “My leadership style is to give you just enough rope to hang yourself.” And to this day, I have no idea what the heck that means. But what he did show me was he wasn’t going to support me. He wasn’t going to encourage me. He wasn’t going to help me grow. He was basically going to let me swim in the deep end. And if I made it, great. And if I didn’t, no problem — there's another guy behind me. And that’s the mentality of the construction industry. And what I said was, we do a great job of spending money for our sales team. Sales team needs training, we’ll spend the money on training. If the executives need training, we’ll spend the money on training. But who’s training the middle managers? Who’s training the young men and women coming into the industry? Who’s training the people who don’t have the experience? There’s a big myth in that world. So I think from an internal standpoint — and mind you, coaching is a buzzword right now, just as leadership is — not everybody's a coach, and not everybody's a leader, and that's okay. But if you do have somebody who can coach on your team, and you can coach your team up internally, it’s a very big value add. And so for me, my coaching ability has been a real value add for people that I've recruited, for people I've had on my team, and people I've really invested in and helped grow.Share on X And quick story on coaching. I interviewed this young candidate, I mean, really good-looking kid. He had tons of talent, education, everything he needed, but no construction experience. Still, he had all the right soft skills. And it came down between our company and one of the big national builders. And typically, you’d go to the national builders, more money, more upside, more advantages. And he asked me, the last question he asked me, he said, “Why would I come work for you guys versus this other company?” I said, “Because they don't have me.” I said, I’m not saying this is an arrogant thing to say. I’m saying that I’m going to pour everything from me into you and help take you to where you want to go. You won’t get that anywhere else. Because when we’re done after three years, you can go anywhere you want. And that young man is currently making almost as much as I was making as a C-suite employee, and he’s out in the field running projects. And that’s only like a three or five year period. Like that’s incredible growth, but it’s because of the investment we made in him. Yeah. There's this saying — I think it's Zig Ziglar — that people don't invest in their people, they don't coach their people, because they're afraid that they’re going to go away to the competition. And then Zig Ziglar asks, “Okay, but isn't there a greater risk that you don’t coach them and and they stay?” Yes. This is always the thing. And I think a lot of people have a scarcity mindset where they’re so afraid of, if I pour into you, you’re going to go and you’re going to take it somewhere else. What I say is, I’m okay with that. Because when you go somewhere else, you're going to say, “Josh McMahon built me up. He gave me the foundation for my career. He put me in the position I’m in today. I have what I have because of my start. You should go there and get the training from him. There’s no sham e in that because, again, we go back to point number one: brand. That’s tight. That’s my brand out in front of our company that adds value to our company. So I started my career at KPMG, and one of the ideas they had was this pyramid structure — up or out. But the idea was to take care of the people that even when they leave, they become ambassadors for you on the client side. And then they’re going to convince the client to hire KPMG to be their auditor. And I really like this. It’s so special, right? Because what you, I mean, Steve, you think about this, we worked together two or three years ago. We still stayed in touch. Even though there’s no financial gain, we still help each other where we can because I want the best for you, as you want the best for me. And that’s what you’re really looking for. Yeah, that’s true. And the thing about coaching is you have the double benefit, because the company benefits because it has motivated employees who are performing at the higher level than when they came in, and at a higher level than where you hired them, frankly. Correct. And then they are building a career. So they are building a career equity for themselves. And actually that’s why you get a better ROI on these people, because they have more career equity, they have more skill level than what you have to pay them because you are growing them. That’s exactly right. You’re building into those individuals that generational wealth that most of us are seeking, or think is out of reach. It's there. We just need somebody to believe in us, and that’s really that piece. The third thing for me, especially in construction, it’s the trade partners. And when I think about it, as a general contractor, look—I'm wearing a collared shirt. You're not going to see me on the job site swinging a hammer. I’m out there with the building plans. I’m verifying things. I'm scheduling. I'm doing more management-level work. That means my trade partners are carrying the lion’s share of the work that actually goes into place. And as a construction company, we don’t make money unless work goes in place. So I have to do the same thing I'm doing with my internal staff with my trade partners. I have to build them up. I have to elevate them. I have to put them in a position to win.Share on X And this is very basic—schedule accurately. Treat them like people. Treat them with respect. When you go on the job, support them. Listen to their feedback. So if they’re sharing something that’s not working, listen to it with an open mind. And maybe we can do something different, or we can explain why we can't do something different, so they have a better understanding of the ‘Why’ behind what we’re doing. Yeah. So the trade partners is my next big pillar. And it’s harder to manage trade partners. I mean, I’m not in the construction, but it’s going to be harder because they are part-time with you. They have other commitments that they have to observe. They don’t wear your brand. They are being paid by someone else who may have a different corporate culture than your company has. And you have to bring them in part-time and make them as good as your standard. Yes. The hard thing is you have to share with them your vision first. This is who we are. This is what we stand for. Share with them your core values. And then build them up and show them that they’re truly a partner in this. Most of us don’t treat them like partners. We treat them like subcontractors. We treat them like they're inferior individuals—less than me. And I think they can work for you part-time and do that. And you’re absolutely right. But if we treat them like people, we build them up, they’ll be there. Because I want to treat them in a way where, hey, you might be a great plumber, but you’re a terrible business person, and I can maybe help you better understand. I say this because I'm working with a young plumber who's bidding things, and he’s just all over the place. And I'm saying, “Hey, how did you come to this number?” “Well, I just know I need to make X dollars.” And I'm like, “Well, how do you know how much money you need to make? What's your break-even number? What's your overhead burden?” Starting to help him better understand how to break down the P&L, how to charge the right margin on the job so that you’re getting work as consistently as you want, but most importantly, so you can grow your business and continue to support my business as it grows too.Share on X Yeah, you want to create stability for them as well. And if you treat subcontractor well, then they’re going to prioritize you, won't they? So they have other customers that may not treat them as well. You’re going to get the most of the energy from them if you treat them well. And that’s also a huge benefit for your business. There’s nothing lost in that, right? Again, you’ve got brand ambassadors out there talking about, one, this guy builds a great house. He treats everybody great. You made the right choice buying with with McMahon Custom Homes. Because, Steve, if you’ve ever been on a job site, the trades will tell people what they feel, whether it’s good or bad. Yeah. So you are getting it no matter what. Yeah. You go and you look at the construction site and ask around, and then you will get exactly the kind of general contractor you may be dealing with. Yes. I mean, absolutely. We love to talk, and so you want people talking about good things and talking up your business and what’s happening in the field, and that’s extremely valuable. Okay, so step number one, brand awareness. We talked about that. Then supporting the team. Yes. So that they feel that they are growing and they are recognized as individuals, that you care about them. Yeah. Then the same goes with the trade partners. You support them even though they’re not your employees. Yes. What’s step four? Yeah. Step four is training. Okay. And training, I think of training in terms of systems that you’re putting in place. Constant, never-ending improvement on those systems. Systems are not static, so training is a nonstop thing that we've got to continue investing in and keep helping to grow our team. So constant process improvement. Having KPIs in place, or metrics in place. And the reason for those metrics is simply where do we need to focus our attention? What levers do we need to pull? And then I go back to the training. So then we train up on metrics that maybe aren’t working the way that we want them to, or we’re not getting the result that we want to get out of them. That’s where the training really comes into place. And if we don't have that training in-house, what stuff outside of the company can we get them into? What type of training do they need to level them up? Because as I think about training, Steve, most of us think you’ve got to fit every box, you’ve got to be the perfect candidate. But you and I both know that I’m good at three out of the five things, and you’re good at two out of the five things. So we make a damn good team together. And that’s okay, and we need to better learn how to cross-train each other, level one another up, and then find those right tools.Share on X Absolutely. Okay, so what’s the final piece of the flywheel? Yeah. Well, I feel like if you're doing all these things, brand awareness, team support, trade partner support, and the right training, and you're doing this continuous basis, you're going to have customer satisfaction.Share on X That’s exactly what you want. You’re going to create that customer experience because look, at the end of the day, we’re only here because of the customer. If the customer’s not interested in buying my product, I don’t have a business. And so all of these pieces drive that customer experience. That’s what continues driving who I am. One thing I’m really focused on with customer satisfaction and experience is having good specifications written down. I think yes, we’re a custom home builder, but I have minimum standards that I want to achieve. So I have the minimum standards. Now, if your budget says, “Hey, we can't quite reach that level,” well, we can certainly reduce our standard. And when I say reduce our standard, I don’t mean cut a corner. I mean change from, say, a Kohler faucet down to a Delta faucet. It’s still a great faucet. It’s still a great brand. Maybe just not the same brand that I would use at this level of home. Or we can go the complete opposite direction and elevate that standard. But just having that set in place, so that if I say, “Steve, this home's going to cost you $1.2 million,” and you're like, “Oh, great. Well, the other builder's $1.3 million, so you've got a better price,” okay, great. But what goes into the price? What are you getting for the price? So if I have those minimum standards baked in, I can tell you, This is what you're going to get for $1.2 million. Now we can go in and customize it and make it your home. Having clear expectations. How important are clear expectations even in our coaching business, right? And it’s not just clear expectations from me to you, it’s clear expectations from you to me. I need to understand what your expectations are. I need to know that I can achieve your expectations. And I think that if I believe I can’t, I need to be honest and say, look, I’m not the right builder for you. I’m not the right business for you. But here are.. Or maybe your expectations are not realistic. Sometimes, for the budget you have, you need to make some trade-offs. Maybe you can have this man cave, but you'll have to cut back on the kitchen, and you’ll have to discuss it with your wife. And that’s really key. So the thing that I love about being a custom builder is that my focus is on collaboration.Share on X If you say, “Hey Josh, the budget comes in at $1.2 million, but I really want to be at $1 million,” okay, great Steve. I’m here to collaborate with you and show you ways we can tweak things, pull this down, and future-proof your home. Because I want you to have the home that you want, and in two years you can probably afford that additional $200,000. I don't want to put you in a place where you can easily plug and play that versus oh, now I got to rip out all these walls. I got to redo this. It's not $200,000—it could be $300,000. So that’s where we can collaborate and really find the right pieces to put you in the best position. That’s very interesting. This whole framework, the culture that you build here. Is this something that connects this whole framework, this idea that you have, how you’re projecting the culture out into the customer service? Is this why you started the McMahon Custom Homes? It truly is. Well, two parts, Steve. One, I’m an entrepreneur at heart and I have fought this my entire life, and I’ve always thought there was something wrong with me. Why can’t I just get on board? Why can’t I just drink the Kool-Aid? Why can’t I just get in line? And two or three years I go into a company, I do great things, I start rebuilding things, and then I start to get that itch. And then I’m like, okay, I need to go somewhere else. And for a long time I thought it was, well, I’m just moving to a new company to make more money, which was true. I was making more money, but then I wasn’t happy. Again, it was never tied to the money, so it was really just that entrepreneur need. But the second piece was, I've noticed for ten years—a decade—that our industry is in need of a massive transformation. The antiquated way of doing business and how we do things. I think the builder suites and the stuff that we have at our disposal is really good, but it’s not what everybody’s looking for. But I couldn’t tell you, the owner, Hey, we’ve got to scrap this. We need to do this. Because ultimately, even as the integrator, my job is to bring your vision to life. And if this is part of your vision, then I need to bring this to life. And so I started to realize with my entrepreneur spirit and my own ideas, I needed to start developing my own home building business to start bringing some of that to life, to really satisfy who I am and do the things that I wanted.Share on X Yeah, this is so important because, as entrepreneurs, we have this frustration. We are somewhere and things are not going as well as you would like. And we don’t get to tell the boss how to do things because they have their own ideas and their own set ways, and then they just get irritated by all those ideas and they feel like we are just being disgruntled employees, and this frustration eats away at you. And at some point you say, okay, what the heck? I'm just going to rip the Band‑Aid off and try to figure it out, right? It’s very true. I mean, it’s funny now looking back on it because there were so many times where I just didn’t understand. I was like, “What the heck is the matter with me?” But you’re exactly right — you’re going to bang your head against the wall, and not everybody’s cut out to be an entrepreneur, right? I mean, it sounds really great being self-employed, doing your own thing, making your own hours. It sounds great. But I tell you something, Josh, not everyone is cut out to be an employee either. No doubt, Steve. So true. So it’s the other side of the coin. I think many of us become entrepreneurs because we basically eliminate all the viable alternatives. Yeah. Burn all the boats, right? Yeah. I think there’s so much value in this. The second time we really got introduced and got to work together, you introduced me to the book Second in Command by Cameron Herold. I’m a Cameron Herold fan in the Second in Command book, and I read that book and I said, “Man, this is me. I can do this.” I love being more in the shadows, helping a visionary grow their business, and doing all that stuff. What happened was, I started to really enjoy being out there, networking, putting myself out, and getting in front of people. And I was like, well, I’m a visionary. I can see what’s going on in the future. And I think I was more of a visionary than the person who said he was a visionary. So it was really like, then we’re clashing heads on which vision are we chasing. And I’m like, I got to get outta here because I’m steering you away from what you want to do, and that’s not fair to you. I think there are two major types of visionaries. There are the born visionaries, and then there are the evolved visionaries. So you have the born visionary who is a visionary because they are just not able to execute, but they can come up with all the big ideas. And if they find people who can execute for them, they're in luck, and they might build a company. And then you have the evolved visionary who starts out doing the work, grinding, figuring things out, teaching themselves discipline and work ethic. And then they start to manage people because they’re doing it better, so they get more responsibility, and then they become an integrator or operator. And at some point, they want to come out of the cocoon and do it themselves. And maybe you’re that version of it, the evolved visionary. You summed that up perfectly because that's exactly how this whole thing transpired. Love it. So tell me about, what makes McMahon Custom Homes unique? Beyond the culture—is it the culture that makes you unique, or is there something else? From the eyes of the customer, what makes you unique? I don’t know that it’s our culture that makes us unique. I think what really makes us unique is our process—how we do things. We start everything with an initial consultation, just myself meeting with the homebuyers. Typically, it's a virtual meeting where I want to learn more about your project. I’m interested in what you want to build, what your expectations are, what your non-negotiables are, and I just really explore everything under the sun about your project. Then I'm going to ask the dreaded question: what's your ideal budget? Most—or a lot of—people say, “You know what, I don't want to give the budget. So I'll say, “Okay, what budget number scares you?” Because as a custom home builder, I’m going to help you design the home that you want for the price that you want. But I’m going to also share with you if it’s not possible. If you have a home design that's more than what your budget is, I'm going to share that with you in real time, as soon as I can. So I'm very transparent. And I learned this from working in my past, where we wouldn't share those numbers with clients. We had a client where we were a million dollars over their ideal budget. It was six to eight months of working with them and about $25,000 in actual costs. I don't need to tell you—the homeowner was not pleased, and the homeowner did not pay that bill. So that was a major lost opportunity in the build, but also the opportunity cost and how much time we spent on it. I learned from that and said, “Hey, I don't want to do that. I don't need every buyer to be a yes. If I'm a good fit for you, and I'm a good builder for you, great—let's go.Share on X I want to build your house. I’m excited about building homes for people. But I don't need to build everybody's house, because for some people, it's just not the right fit. So for me, I'm your guide in this process. And that's what I really pride myself in. You want to build a home, I’m going to guide you through this process, help you with each step of the way. Help you with the county side, the field side. I’m here to guide you through that whole thing. We really work towards your budget, your ideal budget. We build it out. We’re very transparent. A lot of clarity on what we’re doing, where we can collaborate, where we can maybe say, Hey, instead of $80,000 tile package, we can get a $45,000 tile package. Because we’re really looking for what’s your vision for it. Yeah. What do you want to see? How do you want to feel? And we can help you pull that together. Yeah, I think that’s very interesting, because I can see that there is value being created when you have an empathetic CEO who runs the business. You, in that case, who really gets to feel what the lifestyle of the individual is, what their vision is. You help them paint the picture so that you see it as well, and then you measure each element in proportion to their desires. Because maybe they want something like a really flashy countertop in the kitchen, but they really don’t care about what the deck is going to look like. Maybe it’s a stup*d example. And when someone buys, I don’t know, a standard home, then you are going to pay for stuff that you really don’t care about, and you are not going to get the stuff that uniquely is important to you. And with that approach that you’re doing, you are measuring everything to the right degree, and it’s going to be a perfectly balanced meal for the customer. That’s a great way of looking at it. That’s exactly right. And the deck versus man cave or versus this, that’s exactly the right way to look at it. A deck is a great add-on. It can be done anytime in the build. It can be done anytime. It's a minimal barrier to entry. Well, something on the inside of the house, the kitchen, the showstopper kitchen, that’s a different story, right? Because now you're impacting your life. You’re changing things. If we understand that the kitchen is a really prime target, then we want to make sure we commit enough money to that area. We want to make sure we commit enough design hours to that area. And maybe other areas are like, “Hey, minimum standard's great with us.” Perfect. Done. Yeah. We only sleep in the bedroom, we don’t do anything else. Exactly. Great point. Which is a problem in itself. Anyhow, if someone would like to learn more and maybe learn your ideas—maybe they want to be coached by you, or they want to learn about McMahon Custom Homes, what it takes to align with your vision—and particularly if they're in Central Virginia where you work, where should they reach out and where can they find you? Yeah, so several different places. McMahonCustomHomesLLC.com is our website, so you can certainly find us there. We have an active Instagram account, McMahon Custom Homes. I have an active Facebook account, again, McMahon Custom Homes. I do have a LinkedIn account, McMahon Custom Homes, LLC. Also for myself, my wife and I host a bi-monthly podcast. We took a year hiatus, and we just started again in 2026. Our podcast is not on McMahon Custom Homes, but it's really about the construction industry, different things that you experience, and really just giving back and trying to help others learn from maybe stuff that we did or things that we’re experiencing. My wife is a designer. I'm the home builder, so you kind of get a good mixed bag. And that's Feed Me Your Construction Content, if you're ever interested in tuning into that. Yeah. And if you would like to see what a collaboration between Josh and his wife looks like, then check out his website, McMahon Custom Homes. You can check out his house, or their house, that they built together. And it’s a beautiful house. Yeah. Thank you. It's a good place to start. Josh, loved it. I loved your content. Really interesting how you created the Satisfaction Pyramid in construction. I think that parallel applies to other businesses as well. Obviously, the elements are slightly different, but brand awareness, supporting the team, supporting your partners, training your people, pouring into them, and then creating that customer satisfaction are important in any industry. So thank you. If you enjoyed listening to this show, make sure you follow us on LinkedIn and on YouTube. And stay tuned, because every week I bring an exciting entrepreneur or thought leader on this show. Thank you for coming, Josh, and thanks for listening. Important Links: Josh's LinkedIn McMahon Custom Homes website McMahon Custom Homes LinkedIn
Are you tired of feeling trapped in the chaos of scaling, with too many projects and not enough clarity on what actually drives growth? In this episode, host Cameron Herold sits down with Josh Post, COO of Cabochon Group and longtime COO Alliance member, for an emotionally raw, practical conversation about breaking out of operational overwhelm.Josh reveals how he went from reluctant family business leader to proven integrator, leading turnarounds, managing conflict, and creating systems real teams can actually use. From delegating all the right things to mastering financial fluency, you'll get the strategies and truth bombs most COOs wish they had known at the start.If you're hungry to escape burnout and unlock your next level as a second-in-command, listen now to avoid the expensive mistakes nearly everyone makes while scaling. This episode delivers unfiltered wisdom you won't find anywhere else, and the urgency to take action before chaos catches up with you.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why most owners don't know how their business really makes money (and what to do about it)[03:25] – The journey from accidental entrepreneur to turning around failing operations[06:00] – Exclusive lessons learned surviving and thriving inside – a family business[10:19] – How Josh navigated a tense partner buyout and instantly simplified everything[13:46] – Choosing the right leadership roles: birth order, strengths, and painful missteps[16:09] – The only books and frameworks that actually moved the needle (and why “just-in-time learning” beats old-school reading habits)[20:22] – From swinging hammers to overseeing finance – demystifying numbers when you're not a CPA[26:42] – Weekly pulse meetings, candid conflict, and the real CEO-COO dance[29:04] – How fractional COO work revealed the true bottlenecks in small business growth[33:13] – The most costly mistake COOs make (and how Josh trains owners to finally be “all in”)About the GuestJosh Post is an industry-recognized Business Turnaround Expert and Fractional Chief Operating Officer who specializes in business recovery, optimization, and rapid growth. Between his position as a COO with The Cabochon Group of Companies and his work as an Independent Expert, he manages a diverse portfolio of over $57 Million spanning several industries.From streamlining operations and accounting to marketing and even acquisition, The Cabochon Group of Companies is the ultimate business support hub where businesses can access a unified strategy from a single source of seasoned professionals that provide a comprehensive, integrated experience.As a Fractional COO and Business Advisor Josh leverages his expertise to provide businesses with targeted, one-on-one guidance on the critical challenges threatening operations. Through resources like his signature business assessment, the Business MRI, he's able to hone in on the root issues, tailoring strategies that work.He credits the COO Alliance for helping him to overcome imposter syndrome, teaching him how to harness his strengths as a Galvanizer and Enabler to drive execution and momentum at scale.
Building a premium home services brand goes far beyond offering great marketing or competitive prices; it's about vision, culture, and empowering your team. In this inspiring episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz welcomes legendary business leader and author Cameron Harold (“Vivid Vision”, “Double Double”, “The Second in Command”) for an actionable deep dive into scaling service companies, building lasting culture, and creating real leverage as an owner. Cameron shares the mindsets and mechanics behind transforming 1-800-GOT-JUNK? from $2 million to over $100 million in six years—explaining five foundational levers every growth-minded business owner should master. The conversation covers vivid visioning, strategic price increases, “cult-like” cultures that attract top talent, free PR, operational delegation, and how leaders truly scale by investing in their people. Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Mike welcomes Cameron and sets the stage [00:31] Dream 100 goals, mastermind connections, and Cameron's business journey [09:30] How to make vision part of weekly and quarterly business rhythms [10:39] Why customers care about your growth mission [18:28] Selling to the true decision maker (female buyers) [19:41] Adopting tech early: online booking and increasing direct web sales [22:05] Reducing cost, increasing profits, and meeting modern buyer expectations [23:21] Leveraging PR: Press pitch angles and media momentum [28:30] Sharing wins for lasting impact—Cameron's “Digital Trifecta” method [30:15] The five timeless growth levers for any leader [33:42] Investing in your leaders: training, check-ins, and ongoing development [36:38] Operational skill-testing and real-world coaching for managers [39:08] The case for delegation and avoiding bottlenecks [41:21] Moving from tactician to business builder: mindset and peer learning [43:31] When to hire executive assistants, operations leadership, and COOs [45:14] Structuring your team for growth: revenue, then back-end support [46:12] Sales/marketing launch tactics: branding, visibility, and referral programs [48:31] Optimizing the sales funnel and identifying biggest leverage points [50:35] The importance of visibility on business metrics [51:15] “Better Than Rich”—Cameron shares his life philosophy [52:30] Contact info for Cameron and learning more about COO Alliance [54:00] Mike's final gratitude and Cameron's closing thoughts Key Quotes Vision without execution is hallucination. If you don't have an executive assistant, you are one. The path of least resistance is to delegate and grow your people. Employees will listen to an outside expert more than they'll listen to you. You'll always run a small business if you keep saying, I'm the only one who can do this. Key Takeaways ● Clarity of vision powers growth — Crafting a detailed “Vivid Vision” rallies teams and unlocks strategic direction. ● Charge like a premium brand — Raising your prices and positioning as the top tier creates margin for excellence and talent. ● Build a culture people want to join — Treat culture as a magnet for employees and customers, not just an internal perk. ● Free PR is your untapped megaphone — Pitching unique, repeatable story angles gets you noticed without a massive budget. ● Invest in your leaders to multiply results — Scaling happens when you consistently develop your managers and delegate with intention. Links Mentioned ● Cameron Herold Website: https://cameronherold.com/ ● COOALLIANCE Podcast: https://cooalliance.com/podcasts/ ● Cameron Herold's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00845CG2S/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=ae58d421-3a31-4aa9-8c31-47281e3ee829&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr&ccs_id=9c67f461-05f2-4cbf-8974-49aa3571fad1 ● Better Than Rich BTR
What if the real key to scaling your business isn't a revolutionary product, but your ability to build a culture where “weirdness” is an asset and radical respect transforms politics into partnership? In this electric episode, Cameron Herold sits down with John McDonald, Chief Operating Officer at Poshmark, to unpack how one of the world's most beloved marketplaces keeps growing in spite of Goliath competitors and shifting markets.Together, they reveal why most leaders get core values wrong, how Poshmark keeps small sellers winning (not just the giants), and what it truly takes to expand internationally without derailing your DNA. John's stories are real, the lessons are battle-tested, and you won't find a paint-by-numbers playbook here—only hard-won insights and rare candor from inside the trenches.Don't wait. Listen now to avoid building a company that stalls at “good enough,” or tears itself apart scaling fast. This episode unveils systems, strategies, and human truths you won't hear anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why this “fan favorite” episode is back and the lesson it delivers for every second-in-command[02:20] – What Harvard Business School actually teaches about decision-making in chaos[05:28] – Unmasking Poshmark's origin: Why the human touch, not tech, is their unfair advantage[09:00] – The $1,000 sneaker flip… and how Poshmark makes money (no nickel-and-diming)[13:24] – What really changes when you grow from 35 to 400+ people (and where companies go wrong)[19:41] – How they killed company politics and the “respect” system that keeps silos from forming[23:04] – Are your “core values” just words? The surprising reason Poshmark's work (and most don't)[28:37] – How Poshmark protects small sellers—and why giving back unlocks explosive growth[33:57] – The dangerous moment for org charts: when matrix thinking becomes non-negotiable[40:55] – Why learning to listen is the hardest (and most critical) leadership skill for COOsAbout the GuestJohn McDonald is the Chief Operating Officer of Poshmark, a leading social commerce platform revolutionizing how the next generation shops and sells. With a deep background in marketplace management (including eight years at eBay), John's powered Poshmark's exponential growth and built culture-first teams that thrive. He's a Harvard MBA, an operations architect, and a fierce advocate for scaling with love and discipline.
Today, we're thrilled to welcome Eli Facenda, founder and CEO of Freedom Travel Systems. Known as The Travel Guy, Eli helps entrepreneurs turn everyday spending into first-class travel experiences. Join us as Eli breaks down what to do with the points you earn, how upgrades really work, and how first-class flights and luxury suites around the world are far more attainable than most people think. Eli's Journey Eli's career began in 2015 after graduating with a degree in finance and joining the travel industry through an international sports tour company. A trip to the Dominican Republic when he was 16 sparked his passion for travel and shaped his desire to build a life driven by curiosity rather than convention. Over time, he developed skills in group travel, logistics, and credit card points. That eventually evolved into a business helping entrepreneurs travel better by leveraging the systems they already have in place. Why Uncertainty Matters Eli believes uncertainty is essential for passion and fulfillment. Playing it safe may feel comfortable, but it often limits growth and experience. The willingness to take risks, follow curiosity, and act before everything feels certain has been a consistent driver in both his life and business. Turning Crisis into Opportunity When COVID disrupted the travel industry, it forced Eli's tour business into survival mode. Rather than freezing, he pivoted by launching a points-based consulting business that offered more control and scalability. How Points Unlock Disproportionate Value Eli discovered the power of points when he flew business class on a ticket worth thousands of dollars for only a few dollars in taxes. That experience revealed how strategic point redemptions could create massive leverage, turning ordinary spending into extraordinary travel experiences. Why Loyalty Isn't Always Logical Airline loyalty and elite status often come with high opportunity costs. Transferable bank points typically provide more flexibility, higher redemption value, and better travel outcomes than committing to a single airline, especially for globally mobile travelers. Experience vs. Redemption Strategy The best airline experience does not always align with the best points value. Some airlines offer superior products but poor redemption efficiency. Understanding alliances, partner transfers, and award availability allows travelers to optimize both comfort and value. Redeeming Points the Right Way The biggest mistake most people make is redeeming points through bank travel portals. Transferring points to airline partners can multiply their value several times over, but availability must always be confirmed before transferring, as transfers are irreversible. Cards, Hotels, and Priorities For business owners, Eli recommends prioritizing international premium flights for personal and family travel due to the quality and tax advantages. Hotel points usually offer lower value than airline redemptions, but elite hotel status can still deliver meaningful perks when earned strategically. Base your card selection on spending patterns, travel goals, and location—not card prestige. Experiential Wealth Eli frames success around "experiential wealth"—the memories, relationships, and moments that create fulfillment. Business growth matters, but experiences, not just achievements measure a well-lived life. Eli Facenda: Speaker Bio Eli "The Travel Guy" Facenda is the Founder and CEO of Freedom Travel Systems. He and his team help entrepreneurs maximize the money they are already spending so they can unlock bucket-list travel experiences and an upgraded first-class travel lifestyle entirely on points. Almost every entrepreneur spends money and travels, yet very few know how to do so efficiently. Eli has spent nine years in the travel industry, has traveled to 42 countries, and averages over $100,000 per year in free travel using points. His biggest passion is helping others come alive through travel and adventure while sharing strategies that make first-class travel easily attainable at a fraction of the cost. His team works with hundreds of entrepreneurs across all industries, including world-renowned business leaders such as Dan Martell, Cameron Herold, Karlton Dennis, Amber Spears, Tai Lopez, and others. Eli brings a unique perspective to business speaking engagements and podcasts. As an industry leader in a blue-ocean market, his talks, workshops, and interviews are highly engaging and actionable for entrepreneurial audiences. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Eli Facenda Freedom Travel Systems On Instagram (@ELITRAVELGUY)
Ever feel like you're stuck fixing fires instead of building teams that actually thrive? Imagine stepping into a legacy brand, mobilizing hundreds of operators, and transforming your culture from confused to unbeatable, all while modernizing for the future.In this episode, Cameron Herold gets real with Jackie Secor, COO of Taco John's. She's a 25-year franchise and operations veteran who reveals how trust, creativity, and emotional intelligence drive relentless brand loyalty and profit. They dive deep into promoting insiders, learning from the front line, fighting standardization chaos, and using AI to cut real problems, not just hype.If you're tired of leadership fluff and want the actual proven moves great COOs use to build legendary teams, this episode is your advantage. Press play right now if you want to stop the pain of high turnover, poor culture, or outdated systems and get the inside story you'll never hear anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why problem-dropping is forbidden in Jackie's office[03:01] – The unexpected challenges facing any new COO in a legacy brand[04:06] – Why the right network beats experience every time[07:42] – Jaw-dropping fix: How she clawed back operational standardization[09:21] – The hidden dangers of outsourced audits (and how Jackie reversed them)[13:30] – How stretch assignments reveal real leaders, not just performers[15:04] – Emotional intelligence: The operator's secret weapon[17:42] – How Jackie coaches Gen Z talent when they want the corner office—now[20:03] – The shocking empathy learned on the franchisee side[25:41] – Standardizing the most controversial taco technique: meat on bottom or side?![29:13] – Multi-generation success—how Taco John's beats the odds other brands can't[32:03] – Are robots and AI the real next move, or total overkill?[36:03] – Why “get back to basics” wins versus flashy ideas every time[37:46] – The one job in the restaurant nobody envies (and why it matters for culture)[43:31] – Redefining quality and value, even as giants like Chipotle pivot fast[44:04] – Why every franchisor MUST run their own locations for credibility[45:56] – The advice Jackie wishes she got at 21 (and warns every young COO today)About the GuestJackie Secor is the Chief Operating Officer at Taco John's, a fast-growing, family-owned restaurant brand with a passionate multi-generation franchise base. With over 25 years' experience across both franchisee and franchisor sides, including at Auntie Anne's, she's renowned for building high-performance teams, driving operational turnarounds, and modernizing legacy operations through creativity and emotional intelligence.
Ever wondered why so many remote teams fall apart while others scale to $100M and beyond… without burning out? This episode is a raw, practical look at exactly what it takes to build and lead a remote-first organization that actually works, not just in theory, but in the trenches.Cameron Herold sits down with Ryan Montgomery, COO of ClickFunnels, to expose the real playbook behind thriving distributed teams, rapid-fire decision making, relentless innovation, and building systems that keep a visionary CEO's wildest ideas on track. You'll hear the battle-tested culture moves, hiring decisions, and frameworks that eliminated chaos as ClickFunnels vaulted from scrappy startup to industry king.Don't let unpredictable growth, relentless tech changes, or a “too many ideas” CEO destroy your progress! Listen now for exclusive, battle-proven insights you won't get on any other COO podcast. Miss this conversation and risk getting left behind chasing hacks instead of building something legendary.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – How a rejected idea turned into a $100M phenomenon[02:35] – The radical decision that forever changed ClickFunnels' growth[04:28] – Why most teams struggle with remote culture—and the proven fix[09:55] – The secret to keeping a visionary CEO happy without burning out your team[13:39] – What to throw away from your last company if you want to survive hypergrowth[18:44] – How ClickFunnels keeps employee turnover shockingly low[25:31] – The Go Meeting: an addiction for solving obstacles at lightning speed[32:06] – When and why “killing sacred cows” saved the company[41:03] – What Ryan wishes he'd known before leading thousands through explosive changeAbout the GuestRyan Montgomery is the Former Chief Operating Officer at ClickFunnels, where he's been instrumental in scaling the company from a small startup to a global, remote-first powerhouse serving nearly 100,000 customers. A seasoned software engineer and relentless problem solver, Ryan is celebrated for building high-performance teams, architecting resilient systems, and distilling visionary energy into repeatable growth engines.
Ever felt overwhelmed by relentless growth, leadership friction, or the challenge of building teams that actually scale? What if you could gain proven, insider strategies for multiplying operations by 20X while keeping chaos at bay?In this bold episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Harrison Crum, Chief Operating Officer of Ally Waste, to unpack the rarely-told story behind scaling a national waste-services brand—now operating in 40 states, with over 1,500 employees and a mission to dominate a niche few understand.They dig deep on developmental leadership, acquisition integration, ruthless prioritization, and using tech and AI for surprising advantage. If you want to dodge burnout, outpace competitors, and solve execution pain now, don't wait—this conversation reveals real advantages you won't find anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Harrison spills how sales intelligence and regional structure turn cold prospects into loyal clients[02:31] – Why the “doorstep to dumpster” model wins in multi-family and what luxury tenants secretly value[04:33] – The ugly side of apartment junk and how subscription junk removal flips the profit script[07:03] – Ally Waste's national play: how to dominate fragmented markets and win big contracts[09:29] – Commercial expansion temptations: the real use cases for “waste leveling” in strip malls[13:58] – Navigating hauler relationships, unions, and the anti-mafia garbage wars in New York & New Jersey[16:51] – How 20X growth nearly broke the company—and the relentless focus that turned chaos into margin[21:43] – Acquisitions decoded: finding the right people, fixing culture, and building tech that actually scales[26:04] – Are robots or AI coming for waste? Harrison's thrilling vision for how tech could flip the industry[32:01] – The Ally Way: promoting leaders from within, tough-core values, and intentional developmentAbout the GuestHarrison Crum is the Chief Operating Officer of Ally Waste, a fast-growing, multi-state waste services provider specializing in multifamily and commercial property solutions. With deep experience in Fortune 500 and private sector operations—including past roles at Republic Services and Ford—he's known for scaling Ally's operations by 20X in four years, championing high-retention business models, and building game-changing technology for dirty jobs. Harrison is a seasoned leader in acquisition integration, organizational development, and culture-driven execution.
Ever wonder why most companies struggle to scale real culture as fast as they grow? What if the right blend of purpose, freedom, and radical alignment could make your team unstoppable?In this Fan Favorite episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Kshitij Minglani, co-founder of Mindvalley Quests and serial entrepreneur, to unpack the proven playbook behind building a revolutionary “cult-like” workplace where high-performers thrive, politics die, and radical innovation flourishes. They explore OKRs that spark action, mantras that force clarity, remote team magic, and how Gen Y talent fuels explosive, sticky growth. You'll hear mind-blowing lessons on hiring, self-driven learning, and operational rhythm that you won't get in any MBA.Listen now, because the pain of missing these atomic insights is real: most companies will burn out, fragment, or plateau if they skip what you'll learn here. This is your exclusive shortcut to building a thriving team before you get left behind.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The real secret to “Second in Command” chemistry and why skillset complement matters more than ego[00:03:33] – How Mindvalley went from selling meditation courses to teaching 10 million people a year[00:07:00] – Proven tactics to attract Gen Y talent from 54 countries—bootstrapped, not VC-fueled[00:09:45] – Why career pages, values, and strategic interviews pull “cult-like” high performers (and kill politics)[00:12:16] – The radical power of OKRs, failing 50%, and how competition keeps teams sharp[00:16:14] – Outward thinking and self-driven learning: fueling growth with global hackathons and TED talks[00:18:05] – How “OODA Loops” from the military weaponize CEO-COO alignment[00:21:05] – The epic failures: when Mindvalley ignored customers and missed the subscription revolution[00:29:09] – Minimum Viable Product mentality—shipping fast, fighting perfection, and keeping teams hungry[00:35:08] – How Lifebook and conscious parenting keep remote teams human, connected, and loyalAbout the GuestKshitij Minglani is the Co-Founder of Mindvalley Quests, a global leader in education and personal growth, serving millions from 54 countries. Known for his mastery in scaling startups, building culture-first organizations, and strategic innovation, he's been behind some of Mindvalley's most explosive pivots. Kshitij specializes in operations, growth, and high-velocity hiring, giving him unique authority for COOs and aspiring leaders alike.
What does it take to build not one… but three different $100M companies? In this episode of the Disruptors Podcast, Steve Trang sits down with Cameron Herold, the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK and the business strategist behind some of the fastest-scaling companies in North America. Cameron unpacks how he turned his unique brain ADHD, bipolar traits, and dyscalculia into a competitive advantage that helped him grow iconic brands, scale teams across continents, and build systems that work at $1M or $100M. Follow Cameron Herold https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold https://www.facebook.com/cameronherold/ https://cameronherold.com/ Cameron's TED TALK https://www.ted.com/speakers/cameron_herold Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/pGERK-2KeeU
Episode Overview In Part 2 of this 6-part Power Hour series, John Kitchens and Joel continue building the Agent to CEO Framework by diving into Milestone 2: Charting the Course — the vision, values, purpose, and long-term direction that every real estate business needs before it can scale. If Part 1 helped you find clarity on where you stand, Part 2 shows you how to define where you're going and build the strategic foundation your future growth will stand on. John and Joel walk through the process of creating your core values, articulating your core purpose, and crafting a 10-year BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) that aligns your team, filters decisions, and keeps you focused when the market — and your emotions — shift. If you've ever struggled with team alignment, inconsistent decision-making, hiring the wrong people, or constantly shifting strategies, this episode gives you the structure to set a direction your entire organization can follow with confidence. Key Topics Covered The Agent to CEO Framework How Milestone 2 builds on the clarity gained in Part 1 Why vision is the strategic anchor of the entire Agent to CEO process The role of values, purpose, and BHAG in building a scalable organization Building Your Core Values Why core values must be discovered, not invented Using frustration, peak performance moments, and "hire/fire tests" to uncover your real values How values become the filters for decision-making, culture, and hiring Why 3–5 values create clarity — and anything more creates confusion Defining Your Core Purpose Understanding the emotional driver behind your business Why teams lose direction without a clearly articulated purpose How purpose helps you attract the right people and repel the wrong ones The difference between a mission statement and a motivating purpose Creating Your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) The four types of BHAG: Target, Competitive, Role Model, and Internal Transformation Why thinking in 10-year timelines creates freedom, not pressure How a BHAG aligns your team and simplifies strategic planning Turning a long-term goal into a vivid, inspiring future your people can see Aligning Your Team Around the Vision Why vision must be communicated, repeated, and embedded into daily operations How to turn your vision into a "decision compass" for every level of the business Why teams fail without clarity on where the business is going How to bring your values and BHAG into hiring, onboarding, and accountability Resources & Mentions Agent to CEO Process – Milestone 2: Charting the Course Start With Why by Simon Sinek Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy Good to Great by Jim Collins Honey Badger Nation John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Final Takeaway Before you build systems, scale teams, or step out of production… you must chart the course. Vision, values, purpose, and a 10-year BHAG give your business direction, alignment, and the foundation to grow without breaking. "As a CEO, your job is to show your team the mountain. If they can't see it, they can't climb it." – John Kitchens Connect with Us: Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time!
In this Fan Favorite episode of the Second in Command Podcast, Cameron Herold speaks with Anna Collins, President and COO of Bulletproof, the globally recognized brand behind Bulletproof Coffee, supplements, and biohacking products designed to help people perform better, think faster, and live healthier lives. She is also a Board Member of Ladies Who Launch.Before joining Bulletproof, Anna led multi-billion-dollar businesses at Amazon, Microsoft, and CVS Health, bringing a data-driven, operational mindset to every stage of growth. In this conversation, she reveals how she helped Bulletproof evolve from a niche “biohacker” brand into a household name—streamlining operations, tightening focus, and scaling omnichannel distribution without losing its visionary edge.Anna also shares her leadership principles, from managing a founder with 100 ideas a day to running metrics-driven weekly business reviews that keep innovation grounded in reality. Her insights bridge the gap between entrepreneurial chaos and corporate discipline, showing how great COOs turn vision into execution.Timestamped Highlights[00:00:00] – Cameron introduces this episode as one of the most downloaded in show history.[00:01:14] – Anna's career journey: from Microsoft and Amazon to joining Bulletproof.[00:03:52] – Why she left Amazon Prime for a mission-driven brand.[00:05:36] – What convinced her Bulletproof wasn't just a fad—but a real performance enhancer.[00:06:23] – Partnering with Dave Asprey: defining roles between visionary and operator.[00:07:18] – The challenge of narrowing focus when everything looks like a good idea.[00:08:54] – Bringing Amazon's frameworks—tenets, principles, and data mechanisms—into Bulletproof.[00:10:07] – How structure helped Dave trust the team and delegate.[00:10:26] – Shutting down international markets and cutting SKUs to simplify growth.[00:11:59] – Expanding into Amazon marketplace and corporate distribution channels.[00:13:28] – Convincing the founder to “grow beyond the core biohacker.”[00:17:00] – Managing an idea-rich founder without stifling creativity.[00:18:37] – Anna's leadership philosophy: define reality, create possibility, say thank you.[00:21:00] – Rebuilding Bulletproof's vision, mission, and values for clarity and culture.[00:24:20] – Weekly Business Reviews: the data-driven rhythm behind execution.[00:30:32] – How Anna divides her focus across key stakeholders—customers, team, and growth.[00:36:35] – Simplifying the Bulletproof brand for mainstream accessibility.[00:38:00] – Where she struggles as a leader—and the balance between speed and empathy.[00:42:33] – The advice she'd give her 21-year-old self: don't take it all so seriously.About the GuestAnna Collins is the President and COO of Bulletproof overseeing strategy, operations, and omnichannel growth for the globally recognized biohacking brand. Previously, she led billion-dollar initiatives at Amazon, where she managed global Prime membership programs, and at Microsoft, where she built the search advertising business from concept to $1.6B in revenue. She is also a Board Member of Ladies Who Launch.A Harvard MBA and transformational leader, Anna specializes in building scalable systems that bridge creative vision with operational discipline. At Bulletproof, she's helped expand the company from its core biohacker audience to a broader wellness market—making human optimization accessible to everyone.
In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, Cameron Herold sits down with Ebert Grobler, COO and co-founder of Ruby Digital, one of South Africa's top-ranked digital agencies now expanding across the globe.Ebert shares how his company has achieved near-perfect team retention and why their internal mantra—“Grow People, Grow Global, Grow Profit”—has fueled both performance and culture. From developing a system called The Ruby Way to empowering every team member to operate like an entrepreneur, Ebert breaks down how Ruby Digital builds sustainable high performance without burnout.He also explains how they've turned retention, trust, and human connection into a competitive advantage in a saturated market and why premium service is still one of the rarest differentiators in the U.S. marketing landscape.Timestamped Highlights [00:01:45] – Why Ruby Digital is expanding from South Africa into the U.S. [00:05:25] – The surprising gap in the U.S. market: quality and retention. [00:08:12] – How Ruby Digital achieves 95–100% staff retention. [00:10:20] – Creating “The Ruby Way”: an operating system built on trust. [00:12:45] – Letting employees act like entrepreneurs without the risk. [00:16:00] – “Step Up”: the six-month advancement model that keeps people growing. [00:18:30] – Guardrails against burnout: scorecards, balance wheels, and wellbeing KPIs. [00:22:40] – Why culture drives premium client delivery. [00:25:05] – How Ebert measures success: Grow People → Grow Global → Grow Profit. [00:27:15] – Ruby's philosophy: manage risk, not just marketing. [00:30:10] – B2B growth: focusing on long-term relationships, not quick wins. [00:33:25] – The “SMC client” model—serving sophisticated, mature companies. [00:36:10] – How much companies should invest in marketing (and why most don't). [00:41:10] – Ruby's 15% marketing reinvestment and in-house client mindset. [00:45:30] – Turning unused leads into referral revenue. [00:48:10] – The biggest lesson from failure: trust is earned, not given.Resources & MentionsSmart Marketing 2.0 Podcast – Co-hosted by Ebert GroblerScaling Up by Verne HarnishGood to Great by Jim CollinsAbout the GuestEbert Grobler is the COO and co-founder of Ruby Digital, a global performance marketing agency headquartered in South Africa with hubs in the U.K. and U.S. A former communication-science student turned “human-systems engineer,” Ebert is known for creating organizational models that blend business growth with human sustainability. Under his leadership, Ruby Digital has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Companies to Work For in South Africa by the U.K. Sunday Times and continues to redefine what it means to run a people-first, performance-driven company.
Cameron Herold (ex-COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?) scaled the company from $2M to $106M in six years. In this conversation we dig into the mindset and mechanics behind rapid growth: raising prices when it's scary, building a magnetic culture, driving PR at scale, and the leadership shift from “doing the work” to growing people. Cameron unpacks his Vivid Vision framework, how CEOs can run an energy audit on their calendar, and why you should delegate everything except genius. We also get real about failures—nearly bankrupting the company at $60M—and the habits that keep him sharp today, including quitting alcohol and living as a global nomad.You'll learn: how to identify the one problem that moves the needle, turn praise into performance, and align your team around a 3-year future you can actually build.Find Cameron's books, podcast, and the COO Alliance at cameronherold.com.
In this Fan Favorite episode of the Second in Command Podcast, Cameron Herold sits down with Sarah Jones Simmer, former COO of Bumble, to explore how the company scaled from an empowering dating app into a billion-dollar global social platform redefining connection and kindness online.Sarah shares her journey from investment management to leading one of the fastest-growing social networking brands in the world. She opens up about working alongside visionary founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, expanding into markets like India, building culture-first teams, and reimagining leadership through empathy and purpose.From balancing motherhood and executive leadership to driving global expansion and shaping company culture, Sarah's story offers an inspiring look at what it means to lead with both strength and softness.About the GuestSarah Jones Simmer is a seasoned business leader and former Chief Operating Officer of Bumble, where she helped scale the brand to over 50 million users worldwide. With a background in investment and strategy consulting, Sarah has built her career around mission-driven leadership, global expansion, and empowering women in business.
In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, Cameron Herold speaks with Brent Hagan, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob, a direct mail automation platform delivering billions of personalized mail pieces every year.Brent shares how he helped a 12-year-old startup kick off its “second act” by transforming complex logistics into scalable systems powered by technology and disciplined leadership. He opens up about developing next-generation leaders, learning to balance autonomy with accountability, and why the best operators focus less on “doing” and more on developing people who can think for themselves.From saying yes to opportunity to mastering feedback and context-switching, Brent breaks down how to lead through clarity, consistency, and reflection - and why great COOs act as both a shock absorber and a multiplier for the entire organization.Resources & MentionsLobUSPS (United States Postal Service) Amazon Discover Insights ProgramWharton Executive EducationPurdue UniversityInvest In Your Leaders Online CourseAbout the GuestBrent Hagan is the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob, overseeing logistics, vendor partnerships, and operational excellence for one of the fastest-growing direct mail automation companies in the U.S. A former Amazon leader and Wharton executive education graduate, Brent specializes in scaling operational systems, building resilient teams, and turning feedback into a strategic advantage.
What does it take to help build one of the most influential e-commerce companies in the world?In this Fan Favorite episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Harley Finkelstein, President and COO of Shopify, to revisit one of the most downloaded and talked-about conversations in the show's history.Harley shares his journey from law school student to serial entrepreneur to becoming the operational powerhouse behind Shopify's global rise. He opens up about working alongside founder Tobias Lütke, building the company's culture from the inside out, and leading through rapid growth and constant reinvention.Whether you're scaling a startup or steering a billion-dollar brand, Harley's insights on leadership, culture, and staying grounded in the middle of explosive success will challenge and inspire you.About the GuestHarley Finkelstein is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Shopify, where he's played a pivotal role in scaling the company from startup to a global leader in e-commerce. A serial entrepreneur and public speaker, Harley is also on the board of C100, an advisor to major venture funds, and a familiar face as a dragon on CBC's Dragons' Den.
In This Episode When it comes to scaling a business, Cameron Herold believes success lies in the balance between strong systems and strong leadership. In this conversation with host Adi Klevit, Cameron shares how he helped 1-800-GOT-JUNK? grow from a small junk removal company into an international brand by creating simple, repeatable systems that anyone could follow. But systems alone are not enough. As Cameron explains, companies thrive when leaders know how to coach, communicate, and motivate their people to embrace those processes. He emphasizes his mantra of “sell them, don't tell them” by showing team members how systems make their jobs easier and more profitable. Cameron also offers a bold look at the future. He predicts that AI will transform and even replace many traditional jobs and coaching roles. However, he sees opportunity in adaptability and community, where leaders leverage AI tools to enhance performance and focus on collaboration. Through his COO Alliance, Cameron continues to foster learning, sharing, and leadership evolution among top executives around the world.
What really separates a COO who keeps the lights on from one who drives exponential growth?In this episode, Cameron sits down with Imad Jbara, COO of L2 Infinite Insurance and former COO of WoJo Media, who transformed a company's client retention from 20% to 80% in just six months. Together, they unpack how COOs can build trust, fire with confidence, elevate leaders, and use systems to scale companies without chaos.From the painful lessons of firing too aggressively to the wisdom of patient onboarding and leveraging AI, Imad shares the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to succeed as a second in command.If you're tired of firefighting and want proven systems to grow your company with less chaos, you can't afford to skip this episode. Listen now for exclusive insights you won't hear anywhere else.About the GuestImad Jbara is the COO of L2 Infinite Insurance and former COO of WoJo Media, where he helped transform client retention and scale revenues dramatically. He's trained some of the largest sales teams in the world and worked alongside icons like Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, and Alex Hormozi. Imad is known for building systems, empowering leaders, and creating the cultural foundations that allow companies to thrive.
What does it take to scale a $100M company into a $365M powerhouse and beyond?In this episode, Cameron Herold sits down with longtime friend Erik Church, President & COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the O2E Brands portfolio. Together, they reflect on 30 years of leadership lessons, from fraternity houses and College Pro Painters to running one of the most recognized franchise brands in North America.Erik reveals how he uses the Painted Picture (now Vivid Vision) process to align his teams, why saying “no” is often the most important leadership move, and how 101 Life Goals have become a cultural cornerstone at O2E. He also shares the realities of working with a high-profile visionary founder, balancing bold, sometimes “crazy” ideas with operational discipline.If you're a second-in-command navigating rapid growth, culture challenges, or a visionary CEO, this episode delivers actionable insights from one of the most seasoned COOs in the franchise world.About the GuestErik Church is the President & COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the O2E Brands family (WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, Shack Shine). Since joining in 2011, he has helped scale the company from $100M to over $365M in revenue, focusing on culture, operational excellence, and leadership development. Previously, he served as President of EF Education Canada and held senior leadership roles across EF's global businesses. Erik is also an avid outdoorsman, traveler, and motorcycle enthusiast.
Thinking about hiring a second in command? Getting it wrong can stall your growth, drain your energy, and wreck your culture. Getting it right can unlock scale, freedom, and balance.In this solo episode, Cameron Herold, founder of the COO Alliance and author of Second in Command, walks you through how to start the process of hiring a COO. He explains how to build a scorecard, define the role with precision, and identify the yin to your yang, so you can avoid a bad “marriage” and find the partner who actually complements your strengths.Cameron also shares why the CEO and COO should sit at the bottom of the org chart supporting their team, how to lean into your Vivid Vision to reverse-engineer the right fit, and why clarity on your weaknesses is the single most powerful step you can take before you hire.If you're a CEO considering a second in command, this episode gives you a proven roadmap for making one of the most important hires of your career.Highlights[00:30] – Why great COOs are rarely “on the market” and where to actually find them[01:27] – The scorecard exercise that reveals exactly who you need[02:11] – How to spot the yin to your yang (and avoid culture clashes)[03:43] – Why you don't have to be the cheerleader CEO if that's not you[05:00] – Flipping the org chart upside down: why CEOs and COOs belong at the bottom[06:08] – Using your Vivid Vision to clarify the COO role before you hire[08:00] – Why “Who Not How” should guide your hiring decisions[09:32] – The mistake of trying to become good at what you suck at and what to do instead[12:12] – Why hiring a COO is more like marriage than recruitment[13:28] – Why most CEOs who ask Cameron to be their COO would be a terrible fitResources & MentionsWho Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Ben HardyImportant LinksWebsiteLinkedInCOO AllianceSecond in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookInvest In Your Leaders Online CourseDelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Cameron Herold, founder of COO Alliance and the man known as "The CEO Whisperer." Cameron shares profound insights on why vision alone never drives scale and how the smartest entrepreneurs systematically delegate everything except their genius. Discover the hidden taxonomy of second-in-command roles, why context matters more than concepts in delegation, and the "Jigsaw Puzzle of Business" framework that Fortune 500 companies pay millions to understand.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing business wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Cameron's unconventional entrepreneurial journey 06:42 Why having 14 businesses by age 18 was actually the perfect preparation 14:28 The 1-800-GOT-JUNK transformation and what board members really need to see 22:15 Why "scale is not an extension of vision" and where most entrepreneurs break 30:36 The taxonomy of second-in-command roles and matching COOs to company stages 38:52 The Jigsaw Puzzle of Business metaphor and systematic framework for growth 45:18 The delegation trap that keeps companies stuck under $10 million52:07 Context vs concepts and why onboarding time should match recruiting time 58:44 The emotional regulation skills that matter more than technical knowledgeAbout Cameron HeroldCameron Herold is the founder of COO Alliance and host of the Second In Command podcast, known globally as "The CEO Whisperer." As the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, he engineered the company's spectacular growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in just six years. The publisher of Forbes magazine stated, "Cameron Herold is the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams."Cameron is the author of 6 bestselling books, including The Second In Command, Vivid Vision, and Double Double. He has spoken in 26 countries across all 7 continents, and his Second In Command podcast consistently ranks in the top 5% of all business podcasts with over 2 million downloads.Connect with Cameron Herold: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/ Website: https://cameronherold.com/ COO Alliance: https://cooalliance.com/ Second In Command Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhrkfRg9PlkvgEGJ5Xmcaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram:
This week on Spaghetti on the Wall, we're joined by Jay Wong, Founder & CEO of Podcast Your Brand, the agency powering some of the most successful shows in business and thought leadership. Jay's team recently celebrated a major milestone—longtime client Cameron Herold just released his 500th episode, with several other clients in the 250–350+ episode range.With over 250 entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 brands launched, Jay reveals why most CEOs shouldn't start a podcast, how to build a “Category of One” brand, and what it really takes to create a show that's built to last.Connect with Jay:Website: https://www.podcastyourbrand.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejaywong/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejaywong/
The Action Academy | Millionaire Mentorship for Your Life & Business
Cameron Herold is the best-selling author of Vivid Vision and a renowned business growth expert who's helped build multiple $100M companies, including scaling 1-800-GOT-JUNK? from $2M to $106M in six years. Known as the “CEO Whisperer,” he's coached leaders in over 26 countries to turn bold ideas into reality.Connect with Cameron:Website: cameronherold.com/Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses?
Unlock Exponential Growth with a World-Class COO | Cameron Herold (CEO Whisperer) on Building a Thriving Culture Is your business growth plateauing? Are you wearing too many hats and struggling to scale? This episode of the Build On Purpose podcast is your roadmap to building a leadership team that transforms your vision into reality. Max interviews Cameron Herold , the "CEO Whisperer" and founder of the COO Alliance, who shares invaluable insights on hiring the perfect second-in-command to unlock your business's full potential. — Key Takeaways: A great COO is the Yin to the CEO's Yang, perfectly complementing their strengths and weaknesses. Hiring a COO frees up the founder's time to focus on high-impact activities and personal pursuits. Delaying the hiring of a COO can significantly slow down business growth. The right COO can transform your company culture and drive deeper team engagement. — Connect with Cameron Herold COO Alliance – Join the leading network for second-in-command executives: https://cooalliance.com Second in Command Podcast – Hear behind-the-scenes insights from top COOs: https://cooalliance.com/podcast Books by Cameron Herold: The Second in Command Vivid Vision Double Double Meetings Suck Free PR Available on Amazon or CameronHerold.com Invest in Your Leaders – Leadership development course: https://investinyourleaders.com Newsletter & Resources: https://cameronherold.com Follow Cameron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold — YScouts Company Links: Website: https://yscouts.com/ About Us: https://yscouts.com/about-us/ Process Demo: https://yscouts.com/resources/ Meet the Team: https://yscouts.com/meet-the-team/ Free Book “Hiring on Purpose”: https://yscouts.com/hiring-on-purpose/ Built on Purpose Podcast: https://yscouts.com/podcast/ Blog: https://yscouts.com/blog/ Contact: https://yscouts.com/contact/ Max Hansen (Y Scouts Founder): Profile: https://yscouts.com/max-hansen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxhansen Forbes HR Council: https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Max-Hansen-CEO-Y-Scouts/9d4bcbb0-c76f-41b5-aafd-ba0e0e30fdf0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhansen44/ YScouts Social Media & Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/y-scouts Instagram: https://instagram.com/yscouts/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/Yscouts/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/YScouts
On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Cameron Herold, founder of the COO Alliance and former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They dive into the nuanced roles of CEO versus COO, and why so many entrepreneurs misunderstand what they truly need in a second-in-command. Cameron shares how building 1-800-GOT-JUNK into a globally admired brand came from creating a strong culture, leveraging free PR, and obsessively developing a business “flywheel.” He also offers tactical advice for hiring, building trust between co-leaders, and crafting a vivid vision that unites and inspires teams—even at the early stages of growth. Cameron Herold Current Role: Founder, COO Alliance; Author and CEO Coach Based in: British Columbia, Canada Say hi to them at: https://www.cameronherold.com Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE. Terms and conditions apply. Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Joseph Graham sits down with Cameron Herold, a visionary business leader who has spent decades transforming companies, coaching entrepreneurs, and engineering world-class cultures. From his early years growing up in Northern Canada to becoming the driving force behind scaling 1-800-GOT-JUNK? from $2 million to $106 million, Cameron's journey is nothing short of inspiring.Cameron shares how his father instilled an entrepreneurial mindset in him—teaching him to hate a job and love creating companies that employ others. By 18, Cameron had started 14 different businesses, and by 20, he was running a franchise with 12 employees. His twenties and thirties saw him coaching over 120 entrepreneurs, including Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk's brother, before stepping into his most transformative role yet: COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.With a relentless focus on scaling and culture-building, Cameron helped turn the company into one of Canada's most desirable workplaces, expanding operations to four countries and 330 cities. This episode dives deep into his strategies for growth, leadership lessons, and the behind-the-scenes moments that made it all happen.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Cameron's entrepreneurial upbringing shaped his careerThe mindset needed to scale businesses effectivelyLessons from coaching top entrepreneurs, including Kimbal MuskThe strategic moves behind 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s explosive growthWhy building a strong company culture is key to long-term successGet ready for an episode packed with wisdom, practical insights, and compelling stories from a business leader who knows what it takes to create lasting impact.
Are you working hard, staying disciplined, and STILL not seeing the freedom or results you want as an entrepreneur?In this episode of the Garlic Marketing Show, Ian Garlic sits down with Craig Ballantyne, author of The Dark Side of Discipline and co-owner of EarlyToRise.com, to unpack the surprising truth about discipline, identity, and business vision.Craig reveals how entrepreneur burnout is often the result of misguided discipline and why effortless discipline built around clarity and systems is the key to long-term growth. He also shares his top coaching funnel strategy, how he uses audiobooks and video testimonials to convert, and why AI will never replace coaching grounded in human connection.Whether you're a high performer or business coach, this episode will reshape how you think about productivity, identity, and building a business that doesn't burn you out.What You'll Learn:The Dark Side of Discipline and Filtering the Right HabitsHow Accountability Creates Effortless DisciplineFinding Your Why and Creating a Vision FilterWhen “Good Habits” Sabotage Great OutcomesThe Perfect Day Formula and Writing Life into RealityVision Misalignment and the Cost of Choosing the Wrong MarketEliminating vs. Adding More DisciplineBuilding a New Identity with SystemsCoaching and Audiobooks as Discipline ToolsCraig's Most Profitable Funnel and Russell Brunson's Unintentional BoostWill AI Replace Coaching? Craig's ThoughtsWhy Human Connection Still WinsConnect with Craig Ballantyne:Website - https://www.earlytorise.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigballantyne/Book: The Dark Side of Discipline - https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Discipline-Chasing-Achieve-ebook/dp/B0DX41KMRBBook: The Perfect Day Formula - https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Day-Formula-Control-Your/dp/1619613557Book: Double Double by Cameron Herold - https://www.amazon.com/Double-Your-Revenue-Profit-Years/dp/1608320995Resources:Connect with IanDownload a Tackle Box!Supercharge your marketing and grow your business with video case stories today!Book a Discovery Call Today with Our ExpertsSubscribe to the YouTube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can CEOs prevent political strife and foster a cohesive work environment? Cameron Herold, widely known as the CEO Whisperer, highlights the critical importance of the COO role through his establishment of the COO Alliance, a global network empowering second-in-commands across numerous countries. Drawing from his experience in scaling companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Cameron articulates how COOs are pivotal in steering organizational growth and operational excellence. He advocates for the strategic insight and decision-making autonomy that COOs must possess, emphasizing the need for clear distinctions between C-level roles and other managerial positions to ensure fair compensation and effective leadership. As an author and speaker, Herold stresses the COOs' essential role in transforming visionary ideas into sustainable success, a perspective that underscores the value of strategic leadership in navigating the complexities of organizational growth. Key Takeaways The COO role requires strategic insight, P&L responsibility, and the ability to manage functional areas of the business. Distinguishing between the COO and other operational roles like VP of Operations is crucial to emphasize participation in the strategic process. Core values play a critical role in shaping organizational culture, and CEOs need to embody these values to create a cohesive work environment. Investing in leadership development and continuous training for managers is essential for sustainable growth of organizations. Addressing underperforming employees is crucial to maintaining a strong organizational culture and encouraging accountability among team members. CEOs need to be aware of natural transitions a company goes through to effectively scale up employees and maintain growth. More from Cameron Herold Cameron Herold is a lifelong entrepreneur who was raised to think differently. Growing up in a small town in Northern Canada, Cameron struggled in traditional school due to severe ADD, but his father—an entrepreneur himself—recognized his potential and taught him to reject the idea of a job in favor of building businesses that create opportunity for others. By 18, Cameron had launched 14 small ventures, and by 20, he was running a house-painting franchise with a dozen employees. His twenties and early thirties were spent scaling companies and coaching more than 120 entrepreneurs, including Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk's brother. But his breakout role came when he joined 1-800-GOT-JUNK? as COO, where over six years, he helped grow the company from $2 million to $106 million in revenue, expanding it to four countries and 330 cities—all while cultivating a world-class culture. Today, Cameron is the founder of the COO Alliance, the first-ever peer network dedicated to second-in-command leaders. Inspired by his own experiences in the trenches of hypergrowth and his belief that every visionary CEO needs a powerful operational partner, Cameron created the Alliance to equip COOs with the tools, community, and mentorship they often lack. Known for his hands-on leadership, sharp operational mind, and deep passion for entrepreneurship, Cameron continues to help companies scale and thrive—just as his father once helped him do. Website: https://cameronherold.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/ If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com You can also reach Jim by email: Jim@TheCEOProject.com LinkedIn: @theceoproject Instagram: @the_ceoproject Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project Facebook: @IncCEOproject
Join us on Spaghetti on the Wall episode #240 as we welcome Cameron Herold — the legendary “CEO Whisperer,” business growth guru, and founder of the COO Alliance. Cameron helped scale 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to $100M+ and has been behind the scenes coaching iconic entrepreneurs, including Kimbal Musk. From crafting vivid visions to building unstoppable teams, Cameron's wisdom on leadership, systems, and culture will leave you fired up and laser-focused.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Cameron Herold about evolving your team so that it doesn't need a "tie-breaker". Cameron Herold has decades of experience in operations, scalability, company culture, and so much more. Cameron Herold, founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders course, is known as the "CEO Whisperer" for helping top businesses like Sprint Telecom and a Middle Eastern monarchy double their profits and revenue within three years. Starting his entrepreneurial journey early, Cameron built two $100 million companies by age 35 and later drove 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue and from 14 to 3,100 employees in just six years. A captivating speaker, Cameron has spoken in 26 countries across all 7 continents, including Antarctica. He is the top-rated lecturer at EO/MIT's Entrepreneurial Masters Program. Rich Karlgaard of Forbes calls him "the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams." Cameron is also an accomplished author of six books, including Vivid Vision and the global bestseller Double Double, endorsed by Seth Godin. He's a frequent podcast guest, appearing on shows like The Jordan Harbinger Show, Achieve Your Goals with Hal Elrod, BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast,, and hundreds more, as well as has been featured in CNN, Forbes, Inc., HuffPost. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!
If you're a contractor or trades business owner struggling to find more hours in your day — this episode is your game-changer. Dominic Rubino sat down with Cameron Herold—Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneurial Mentor, and Founder of COO Alliance—to uncover the most effective time management strategies for contractors in 2025. Whether you run a cabinetry shop, an HVAC business, or you're a general contractor juggling too many hats — this episode will help you simplify, streamline, and take control. What you'll learn: 1️⃣ Why contractors MUST treat their calendar like a to-do list 2️⃣ The power of a 3-year "vivid vision" for business clarity 3️⃣ How to delegate, outsource, and protect your most valuable asset: time 4️⃣ Tips for avoiding burnout and growing a business that doesn't own you
In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, we sit down with Cameron Herold, a world-renowned business leader, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind the explosive growth of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where he scaled the company from $2 million to $106 million in just six years. From launching businesses as a teenager to coaching top CEOs—including Kimbal Musk—Cameron has mastered the art of scaling operations, creating high-performance cultures, and driving business success. He's also the founder of COO Alliance, the only peer group dedicated to helping Chief Operating Officers excel in their roles. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Cameron transformed 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into a global brand ✅ His Sunday Night Planning Method for a productive week ✅ The DORAGI Coaching Framework and its impact on leadership ✅ The secret behind Vivid Vision and how it fuels business growth ✅ How to delegate effectively without micromanaging ✅ The TORC Hiring Method to ensure you build an A+ team ✅ The power of daily huddles in maintaining team alignment ✅ Real-life strategies for handling workplace conflict and fostering company culture Cameron also shares actionable insights on project management, hiring strategies, and leadership development, making this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone looking to scale a business effectively. Resources & Links:
Cameron Herold, known as the CEO whisperer, built two $100M+ businesses by age 35. He later went on to take $1,800 junk from $2,000,000 in revenue to $106,000,000 in revenue, 14 employees to over 3,100 employees. If you are in a leadership position, buckle up, get your notebook. Cameron Herold reveals: Proven strategies for scaling businesses in any economy. Insights into building operational efficiency and strong leadership. How to navigate the challenges of stagflation. Here's why you need to listen: Companies with effective scaling strategies see a 30% revenue increase. Strong leadership boosts employee engagement by 48%. Financial literacy reduces business risks by 25%. Interested in mastering sales? Check out Ryan's new sales course, "Master of the Close" at https://www.masteroftheclose.com Takeaways: Say no to unnecessary expenses. Focus on strategy and efficiency. Use AI and global hiring for an edge. Sound Bites: • A leader has to say no more often than they say yes • Businesses have to recognize tough times and operate accordingly • None of this shit matters...We're just meat on a stick
Cameron Herold, known as the CEO whisperer, built two $100M+ businesses by age 35. He later went on to take $1,800 junk from $2,000,000 in revenue to $106,000,000 in revenue, 14 employees to over 3,100 employees. If you are in a leadership position, buckle up, get your notebook. Cameron Herold reveals: Proven strategies for scaling businesses in any economy. Insights into building operational efficiency and strong leadership. How to navigate the challenges of stagflation. Here's why you need to listen: Companies with effective scaling strategies see a 30% revenue increase. Strong leadership boosts employee engagement by 48%. Financial literacy reduces business risks by 25%. Interested in mastering sales? Check out Ryan's new sales course, "Master of the Close" at https://www.masteroftheclose.com Takeaways: Say no to unnecessary expenses. Focus on strategy and efficiency. Use AI and global hiring for an edge. Sound Bites: • A leader has to say no more often than they say yes • Businesses have to recognize tough times and operate accordingly • None of this shit matters...We're just meat on a stick
Hi everyone! Welcome to the Unmiss Podcast! Today's guest is Cameron Herold, a globally recognized business growth expert, speaker, and best-selling author. He's the mastermind behind “The Second in Command” philosophy, which explores the pivotal role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in scaling businesses effectively. Before we dive in, here's some food for thought:…
Cameron Herold is an entrepreneurial force who has revolutionized how companies achieve exponential growth. Known globally as the "CEO Whisperer," Cameron is the founder of the COO Alliance and âInvest In Your Leadersâ training programs, transforming leadership teams into high-performance dynamos.As the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? He masterminded the companyâs explosive growth from $2 million to $106 million in just six years, cementing his reputation as a business growth virtuoso. A top-rated international speaker, Cameron has captivated audiences in 26 countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica. His accolades include a resounding endorsement from Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard, who proclaimed, âCameron Herold is the best speaker Iâve ever heard... he hits grand slams.âCameronâs thought leadership extends to his podcast, Second in Command, and six bestselling books, including The Second in Command, Vivid Vision, and Meetings Suck. These resources offer actionable strategies that have empowered countless entrepreneurs to achieve transformational results.Whether inspiring a Fortune 500 boardroom or coaching emerging startups, Cameronâs proven frameworks continue to define the future of business leadership worldwide.Connect with Cameron here- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/Support the showFollow me on Facebook â¬ï¸https://www.facebook.com/manuj.aggarwalâ¤ï¸ ID - Manuj Aggarwalâ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manujaggarwal/ â Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmanujâ Instagram: ...
Conscious Millionaire J V Crum III ~ Business Coaching Now 6 Days a Week
Welcome to the Conscious Millionaire Show. World's #1 Conscious Business Podcast for Service & Tech Entrepreneurs, Founders and CEO's who want to unlock their potential to grow profits and increase impact. Discover how to use your and your business potential to grow faster! https://consciousmillionaire.com/ Now in our 11th Season with 100 Million Listeners in 190 countries. Inc Magazine "Top 13 Business Podcasts" Join Host, JV Crum III, JD, MBA, MS Psychology, serial entrepreneur, successful exits, 34x #1 best-selling author, speaker, coach, for his interview and solo podcasts. Want to accelerate your business profits and impact? Subscribe in iTunes Please help spread the word. Subscribing and leaving a review helps others find our podcast. Thanks so much!
How can a vivid vision transform your business? Cameron Herold explains how creating a clear, detailed vision for the next three years helps align teams and accelerate growth. In this episode, we cover: How to craft a vivid vision for your company The top reasons businesses struggle to scale Why investing in your team's skills pays off long-term Subscribe and set notifications to our YouTube Channel. Listen now to discover how a well-crafted vision can turn frustration into focused growth. Where to find Cameron: Website: www.cooalliance.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameronherold/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance Twitter: https://x.com/cameronherold 6 Books: * Double Double (Seth Godin wrote the front cover endorsement) https://amzn.to/2S8eZLu * Meetings Suck: https://amzn.to/2TfBtYk * The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs - https://amzn.to/2MBTNIu * Vivid Vision - https://amzn.to/2Trr6QY * Free PR - https://amzn.to/2B3Ifcj * Second in Command - https://amzn.to/3QVruId Where to find Carl: https://40strategy.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carljcox/ https://www.instagram.com/carljcox40/ https://x.com/40Strategy
CEO Amplify | Business Operations, Sustainable Growth Strategies, Small Business Leadership
Welcome to the second episode in the Dream Big, Plan Smart series! Today, we’re diving into something I think is both exciting and deeply important—designing your year. But this isn’t just about setting business goals or hitting revenue targets. It’s about stepping back to dream bigger and creating a life you love, supported by a business that works for you. This approach draws inspiration from Cameron Herold’s Double Double, where he encourages looking three years ahead to design your future. But instead of focusing on three years, we’re zeroing in on just one. A year is tangible—it’s close enough to feel achievable but long enough to create meaningful change. Listen in and learn a technique for visualizing your ideal life, then choosing the upgrades you can implement to make that dream a reality this year. Resources I mentioned: The Get Paid Like A CEO calculator: ceoamplify.ca/getpaid Dream Big, Plan Smart workbook to guide you through this series (be sure to start on the first episode!): ceoamplify.ca/dream-big Timestamp Overview: 00:00 Design the lifestyle you want and make that dream a reality. 02:26 Designing your year goes beyond revenue and even beyond your business. 03:05 Visualize your ideal day 1 year from now. 04:30 Think about what intentional change you can make. 07:04 Narrowing down to your business. 07:46 Evaluate whether you have the revenue to support your ideal life. **** Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to rate and leave a review. Your feedback not only means the world to me, but it also helps us reach more entrepreneurs like yourself who are ready to amplify their businesses. Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Let’s continue the conversation: Join the CEO Amplify Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ceoamplify Email: donna@ceoamplify.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donna.dube.96 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-dube/ Subscribe to my email newsletter: https://ceoamplify.ca/#kedit_nbhts40zi
Cameron Herold, founder of COO Alliance, shares his extensive experience in coaching and business management, and in this episode, he talks about the importance of effective delegation and hiring a second-in-command to manage your projects! What You'll Hear In This Episode: -Cameron's extensive experience in coaching and business management, starting with College Pro Painters in 1989 where he recruited and trained 800 students as franchisees. -His coaching of Elon Musk's brother Kimball, and his cousin, who later founded SolarCity. -Why leaders should focus on core roles without giving away big titles early. - Why he recommends hiring a fractional executive assistant first, then a director-level second-in-command to manage projects. -The best way to handle an EA to “buy back your time”. -Cameron's memories of his friend, the late John Ruhlin (author of “Giftology”)
What does it take to build a thriving injury law firm while transforming traditional roles into revenue-generating opportunities? In this episode of Second in Command podcast, Cameron Herold talks with John Nachazel, COO of the Mike Morse Law Firm, about his role in scaling the business from 24 to 210 employees. John shares how his data-driven approach, leadership mindset, and strong CEO-COO relationship have been instrumental in achieving exponential growth. John and Cameron delve into the value of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), the importance of fostering respect between the CEO and COO, and how John's approach to leveraging data and problem-solving has created sustainable success. Whether it's aligning team goals, managing leading versus lagging indicators, or finding creative ways to optimize expenses, this episode offers invaluable insights for anyone in a leadership role. Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:How to foster a respectful and effective CEO-COO relationship [10:10]Why focusing on leading indicators can shape better business outcomes [8:11]The power of being the “second best” at every role as a COO [6:04]How turning expense areas into profit centers can revolutionize your business [42:15]Why embracing EOS principles can bring clarity and alignment to your team [31:32]And much more...Resources:Connect with John: LinkedInGet John's book: Fireproof: A Five-Step Model to Take Your Law Firm from Unpredictable to Wildly Profitable Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your Leaders
What does it take to build a powerful CEO-COO relationship? In this episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron Herold speaks with Scott Hardy, CEO of Top Class Actions, about the critical dynamics that drive collaboration and success between a CEO and their second in command. Scott shares how hiring a COO transformed his business, scaling it from $1 million to $10 million annually, and highlights the importance of trust, communication, and clearly defined roles.Scott and Cameron explore practical strategies for empowering a COO to thrive, including fostering open dialogue, managing conflicts constructively, and creating systems that ensure accountability without stepping on toes. Whether you're a CEO looking to strengthen your partnership with your COO or a second in command aiming to support your visionary leader, this episode offers valuable insights into building a seamless and effective leadership team. Enjoy! In This Episode You'll Learn:Why trust and communication are the foundation of the CEO-COO relationship [10:55]The difference between a VP of Operations and a COO, and when to make the transition [9:28]How to manage conflicts constructively and ensure alignment within the leadership team [15:51]The importance of clear roles and responsibilities in fostering team collaboration [23:09]Strategies for empowering a COO to become a true integrator and decision-maker. [25:06]And much more... Resources:Connect with Scott: LinkedIn Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your LeadersBooks Mentioned:Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Today I have the extreme pleasure of sitting down with Cameron Herold, former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the founder of an international coaching business — COO Alliance. Cameron is a bestselling author, a highly-awarded speaker, and he coaches hundreds of COOs all over the world. He's referred to as the “CEO Whisperer” and started mastering business at just 20 years old. In this episode, he reveals hyper-growth strategies that will skyrocket your business. We dive into his best tips for building a team to create maximum growth and his most sought-after marketing strategies. There's a LOT of useful information here, so get ready to take notes …Resources:Get 500 FREE Business Ideas: https://bit.ly/49aoMWnEpisode 128: https://www.upflip.com/podcastConnect with Cameron: CameronHerold.comConnect with UpFlip: On Facebook On Instagram On Youtube @UpFlipOfficial on Twitter For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts. Thanks for listening!
Cameron Herold is the Founder of the COO Alliance & Second In Command Podcast. Known as “The CEO Whisperer” and a business growth guru, he earned his reputation by guiding CEO & COO clients to double their profit and double their revenue in just three years or less. In this episode, we talked about scalable systems, employee development, delegation...
Cameron Herold discusses his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting his early ventures like recycling coat hangers and comic book arbitrage. He coached companies from 40 to 400 employees, including Tinuiti and One 800 Got Junk, growing the latter from $2 million to $106 million without debt. Herold emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with successful people and learning from mastermind groups. He transitioned to coaching entrepreneurs post-2007, coaching high-profile clients like Sprint and the Qatari royal family. Herold and his wife are currently living their bucket list, traveling globally while growing his COO Alliance and Ops Spot communities.Resources:Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron's newest book - The Second In Command - Unleash The Power Of Your COOCameron's Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch Cameron's Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ Paul Graham article ‘Founder Mode'Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInConnect with Rod: Website | LinkedIn