Can We Not? Business Is Hard Enough.

You're not running seven apps because you're disorganized. You're running seven apps because each one solved a real problem at the time and nobody ever stopped to ask if the pile still made sense.

Host Samantha C. Prestidge chats with Bryant Solomon, co-founder of ControlQore, who did something most founders skip — he went and worked inside his customer's business before building anything. What he found was a back office held together with workarounds, and a team trained on tools that were never designed for them.

They get into how chasing the wrong kind of growth poisons an entire industry's relationship with technology, and why the founders who build slow and stay profitable are the ones still standing when the VC-fueled competitors burn out.

Links:

• Bryant Solomon on LinkedIn 
• ControlQore website 
• Converge Summit 
• Josh Luebker (fractional CFO mentioned) on LinkedIn
• More episodes at canwenotpodcast.com
• Apply to be a guest
• Have Sam on your podcast: [email protected]

Feeling overworked, overloaded, or like you’re the only one holding everything together in your business?
You might be stuck in the trap that catches so many founders and high performers: confusing self-sufficiency with strength.

In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, Samantha shares the one mindset shift that helps founders stop being the bottleneck in their own business. Through personal stories, real-life examples, and practical delegation insights, you’ll learn:

why asking for help feels uncomfortable

how over-functioning secretly drains your time and energy

the difference between being capable and overcompensating

how to make delegation simple (and not feel like letting go of control)

why receiving support is the unlock for scaling without burnout

If you’re an overwhelmed founder or small business owner trying to grow without losing your sanity, this episode gives you the clarity and permission you didn’t know you needed.

00:00 Mom’s lesson that sparked the mindset shift
00:58 Why asking for help feels so hard
02:32 What happened when Samantha tested “helping”
04:15 The hidden plague of over-self-sufficiency
07:17 How to stop being the bottleneck in your business
09:52 The mindset shift that makes delegation simple

Creative hiring for executive assistants and office managers: learn how to define day-to-day tasks, map soft skills, and find great candidates in unexpected places. We cover transferable skills, small-town recruiting, and why PTA leaders, teachers, and restaurant team leads can shine in admin and EA roles. If job boards are failing you, this will help you think outside the resume.

What you’ll learn

How clarity in tasks reveals the right soft skills

Where to look beyond resumes: PTA, education, and hospitality

When “hire for character, train the tech” makes sense

Cost trade-offs and how to train new hires well

Chapters
00:00 Intro: creative interviewing and recruiting
01:02 Why job clarity matters
02:04 Unconventional places to find talent
03:32 Leveraging non-traditional candidates
05:53 Cost benefits and training
06:43 Wrap + how to get help

Need help? Comment with the role you’re hiring. Connect with Samantha C. Prestidge on LinkedIn or email [email protected]

In this episode, we diverge from the scheduled content plan to address a critical business principle: simplicity. Spurred by early Christmas setups in stores, I discuss the importance of simplicity in both business and personal life. You'll learn three practical strategies to maintain simplicity: 1) Stop being oversubscribed with information, 2) Get to the root cause of problems, and 3) Embrace the boring but profitable tasks. These steps will help you stay aligned with your business goals and avoid unnecessary complications. Tune in next week for some creative tips on interviewing and recruiting.
00:00 Introduction and Content Overview
00:39 Holiday Decorations and Business Insights
02:22 Embracing Simplicity in Business
03:44 Strategy 1: Avoid Being Oversubscribed
05:26 Strategy 2: Identify the Root Cause
06:56 Strategy 3: Embrace the Boring
09:22 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

In this episode, we delve into four essential interview questions designed for the final round of our four-stage hiring process, specifically targeting virtual administrative, executive, and operations assistant roles. The goal is to assess soft skills, character traits, and personality beyond technical competencies. I explain the rationale behind each question and the insights they provide into a candidate’s ability to navigate client relationships, self-reflect, take initiative, and balance confidence with humility. If you're looking to hire an assistant without the hassle of interviewing, visit our website and book a call with us. Learn how to uncover the real potential of your next team member!
00:00 Introduction to Interview Questions
00:19 Understanding the Interview Process
01:10 The Importance of Conversational Interviews
01:41 Favorite Interview Questions
04:22 Evaluating Initiative and Confidence
07:30 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode, we tackle a common piece of advice given to business owners: 'Just hire an assistant.' While it sounds great on the surface, many find that hiring without a clear plan often leads to frustration and wasted resources. 

Learn why it's essential to understand your business functions and desired involvement before bringing an assistant on board. We share practical insights on how to define your role, identify tasks to delegate, and ensure a seamless integration of a virtual assistant. 

Need personalized help? Consider a delegation strategy session with us to streamline this process. Visit AUXOSVS.COM/BOOK to schedule a call.

00:00 Introduction: The Problem with Common Advice on Hiring Assistants
00:27 The Flaws in 'Just Hire an Assistant' Advice
01:37 A Better Approach: Defining Your Role and Tasks
01:54 Practical Steps for Effective Delegation
02:40 Conclusion and Further Assistance

In this episode of Strategy Solutions, Sam explains the importance of delegation for business owners and consultants. By effectively delegating tasks, you can reduce chaos, improve processes, and free up mental space, allowing you to focus on creative and strategic thinking. Sam also offers resources and personalized strategies to help you begin the delegation process and reclaim your role as a confident, visionary CEO.

00:00 Introduction: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

00:15 Welcome to Strategy Solutions

01:37 The Importance of Delegation

02:47 Benefits of Delegation

04:41 Getting Started with Delegation

05:25 Conclusion: Book Your Call

Book your call at auxosvs.com/book

In this episode, we delve into what it takes to trust someone enough to hire them as an assistant. We'll explore past discussions on delegation strategy and the essentials for onboarding an assistant. The focus will be on overcoming trust issues—fear of poor performance or exposing personal work details—and what to look for during the hiring process. Key points include establishing initial trust, solidifying it in the first two months by assessing competence and chemistry, and nurturing it through assigning more challenging tasks and observing proactive, adaptive behavior. Join us to learn how to confidently trust your assistant and effectively delegate tasks.

00:00 Introduction: Trusting an Assistant

00:07 Delegation Strategy and Hiring Essentials

00:34 Overcoming the Trust Hang-Up

01:09 Building Chemistry and Competence

02:15 The Growth Journey to Trust

03:38 Challenging Tasks and Proactive Support

04:23 Adapting and Innovating for Success

05:17 Conclusion: Flourishing Trust with Your Assistant

In this week's Quick Cast, we discuss how to create better clarity and ownership within your team. We'll tackle common issues like unclear job descriptions and undefined processes. Learn the simple, actionable steps to visualize your team's tasks and responsibilities using a process flowchart and swim lanes. This method helps you map out tasks, assign ownership, and ensure accountability. Perfect for small business owners and team leaders looking to improve efficiency and team dynamics.
00:00 Introduction to Clarity and Ownership
00:08 Identifying the Problem
01:06 Creating a Process Flow Chart
02:19 Using Swim Lanes for Clarity
04:04 Assigning Ownership and Accountability
04:48 Addressing Concerns and Encouraging Implementation
06:10 Conclusion and Practical Steps

In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity Today, we dive deep into the journey and insights of Adriana, an ER nurse turned public speaker and leadership coach. Adriana shares her evolution from a healthcare career to coaching, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, setting boundaries, and integrating personal passions into professional life. We discuss her unique events like Boundaries and Bubbly, the challenge of networking, and practical advice for maintaining work-life balance. Get inspired by Adriana's authentic approach to business growth and her commitment to meaningful connections.

00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome

00:28 Adriana's Journey: From Nursing to Entrepreneurship

01:37 The Evolution of Adriana's Coaching Career

03:24 Balancing Nursing and Coaching

04:31 The Art of Humor in Public Speaking

06:16 The Importance of Feedback and Boundaries

16:43 Integrating Fun and Work-Life Balance

26:45 Networking Insights and Personal Boundaries

27:40 Authenticity in Networking

30:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life

32:39 Challenges in Leadership and Entrepreneurship

38:17 The Importance of Vulnerability

49:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement