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The difference between a growing business and a scalable one isn't talent; it's execution. In this episode, Bob Campana sits down with Derek Fredrickson, founder of The COO Solution, to explore how fractional COOs transform founder vision into scalable execution through systems, accountability, smarter meetings, and AI-powered operations.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Derek Fredrickson discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“We're building knowledge bases for all of our clients, so that every meeting, every slide deck, every email, every Loom video, every Asana project management task ... is all brain dumped into a custom library in AI that we have for our client.” - Derek Fredrickson
About the guest, Derek Fredrickson:
Derek Fredrickson began his career on Wall Street, managing teams and projects to meet year-end goals, but he wanted to make a more profound connection. After helping scale his wife's business to multiple 7-figures, he found his passion in helping other entrepreneurs achieve the same success.
For over 16 years, Derek has helped business owners grow to 7 and multiple 7-figures while reclaiming their freedom. He launched The COO Solution to bring this proven approach to more entrepreneurs at an affordable investment.
With a supportive leadership style, Derek and his team ensure smooth operations, build solid teams, and implement strategies that deliver actual results. They hold clients' teams accountable, allowing business owners to focus on what drives their business forward while creating sustainable, lasting growth.
Connect with Derek Fredrickson:
Website: https://thecoosolution.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
An executive coach with military roots breaks down practical servant leadership: how trust, small behavioral tweaks, and purposeful introspection create real performance gains for leaders and teams. Tune in for frameworks you can apply this week to lead steadier and build stronger teams.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Thorpe discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“[My book] Steady is a culmination of about eight years of my coaching work and over 1000 engagements, and it's all centered on that core question I mentioned a moment ago - What kind of leader you want to be?” - Doug Thorpe
Grab a copy of Steady, HERE: www.dougthorpe.com/steady
About the guest, Doug Thorpe:
Doug Thorpe is the President and CEO of HeadwayExec, LLC and the Doug Thorpe Group. With more than 30 years of business and leadership experience, Doug has become a trusted advisor to CEOs, business owners, and senior leadership teams looking to improve performance, strengthen their organizations, and lead with greater confidence. As an executive coach, consultant, and podcast host, Doug has spent decades helping leaders navigate growth, difficult decisions, and the challenges that come with building successful businesses.
Connect with Doug Thorpe:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthorpe/
Website: https://dougthorpe.com/
Podcasts: https://podcasts.dougthorpe.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougthorpe_com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougthorpe_com
YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/headwayexec-houston-4
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dougthorpe
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
In this conversation between Steve and Bob, you’ll hear how a former investment banker-turned-operator built Summit OS by synthesizing 70+ iconic business books to help founders decentralize decisions, create unique advantages, and keep climbing to the next level.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Steve Preda discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“[Artificial Intelligence (AI)] It’s going to improve productivity across the board, so people are going to compete at a higher level, and I don't think it's going to kill as many jobs as people think it might.” - Steve Preda
Find Where Execution Is Breaking Down in Your Business — In 5 Minutes, HERE: https://executionmomentum.com/
About the guest, Steve Preda:
Steve Preda is the Founder and Operating Partner at Summit OS Group and an operational architect for founder-led service businesses. Before moving to America, he built and sold an investment banking firm in Europe, and since 2013, he has coached CEOs and SMB leadership teams on building self-managing, fast-growing businesses. Through Summit OS Group, he helps founders navigate critical structural inflection points by improving operating models, organizational design, accountability, and decision-making systems.
Steve is also the author of six books on business growth and the host of the Management Blueprint podcast, where he explores entrepreneurial journeys and scalable business frameworks. His mission is to help entrepreneurs achieve their ideal lives while creating a positive impact through sustainable, founder-independent businesses.
Connect with Steve Preda:
Website: https://stevepreda.com
Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/MBPpodcast
YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/MBPodcastPlaylistYT
LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepreda/
LinkedIn Summit OS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77938145/admin/feed/posts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveipreda/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevepreda/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@summitos_creator
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevePredaCom
Amazon: amazon.com/author/stevepreda
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
A former naval architect turns ship-design software into a tool for crafting emotional, pop-up greeting cards and builds a multimillion-dollar brand around human connection. In this conversation, you’ll hear how art, engineering, trust, and grit turned a simple kirigami insight into Lovepop and tens of millions of “magical moments.”
In this episode, Bob Campana and Wombi Rose discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“There's no substitute for the human creativity and the desire to create something new.” - Wombi Rose
About the guest, Wombi Rose:
Wombi Rose is the co-founder and CEO of Lovepop, a company that transforms paper cards into engineered emotional experiences. Wombi and his co-founder, John Wise, initially trained as naval architects and discovered Kirigami in Vietnam, leading to the creation of Lovepop. The company has grown from a Harvard Business School idea to a nationally recognized brand, appearing on Shark Tank and achieving close to $400 million in lifetime revenue. Lovepop uses a combination of art and engineering, with cards designed using Rhino D software and assembled by hand in Vietnam. The company also offers custom cards for businesses and has a retail presence in major cities. Wombi emphasizes the importance of passion and mutual respect in building a successful business.
Connect with Wombi Rose:
Website: https://www.lovepop.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wombi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wombirose/?hl=en
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
When does capital become a growth engine, and when does it quietly destroy a business? In this episode, we dive into the difference between good and bad money, how to think about valuation, and what every founder needs to know before signing their next loan or giving up equity.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Patrick Donohue discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“Good capital looks like it has a face, you know who it is, you know where the money is coming from. In full transparency, you know the terms of that capital.” - Patrick Donohue
About the guest, Patrick Donohue:
Patrick E. Donohue is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and valuation expert with a lifelong passion for business that began with a lemonade stand at age four and investing in Coca-Cola at age ten. As the founder of Hill Capital Corporation, he leads a private investment fund dedicated to fueling the growth of established small and mid-sized businesses through capital and community support. Patrick’s deep financial expertise is backed by his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and experience advising numerous entrepreneurial ventures. He has served on the boards of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Minnesota and the CFA Society of Minnesota and founded 1 Million Cups Eden Prairie to foster local entrepreneurship. Patrick is known for helping business owners uncover blind spots, drive strategic growth, and build sustainable profitability.
Connect with Patrick Donohue:
Website: https://www.hillcapitalcorp.com/team
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickedonohue/
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
When all other leaders are obsessed with quarterly returns and optimization, what happens when you put clarity, credibility, and meaning back at the center of your business? In this episode, Bob and Dr. Mitchell Levy break down the C‑Pop, executive abundance, and why your legacy is written in the lives of your stakeholders, not your balance sheet.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Dr. Mitchell Levy discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“If you empower and respect your employee base? Guess what they're going to do? They're going to take care of your customers.” - Dr. Mitchell Levy
About the guest, Dr. Mitchell Levy:
Mitchell Levy, Ph.D., is the creator of the Executive Abundance™ leadership framework, a Global Credibility Expert, and an executive coach who helps leaders align purpose with performance. A two-time TEDx speaker and international bestselling author of more than 60 books, he has spent decades helping leaders build organizations that sustain trust under pressure.
Mitchell has interviewed more than 500 global leaders to understand what makes individuals and organizations truly Trusted, Known, and Liked. He has also guided more than 1,000 executives and organizations in articulating their authentic value through their CPoP (Customer Point of Possibilities). A Silicon Valley entrepreneur who has built more than 20 companies, Mitchell served nine years on the board of a NASDAQ-listed company and has been recognized by Thinkers360 as the #1 Thought Leader in Ecosystems and one of the Top 200 Leadership Voices by LeadersHum.
Connect with Dr. Mitchell Levy:
Website: https://mitchelllevy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
What does it actually take to turn local gigs into a real, sustainable living as a musician? In this episode, Neil Buettner breaks down the business side of art, budgeting, pricing, adding value, and building human connections that keep your calendar full for decades.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Neil Buettner discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“You're not going to be everything for everyone, and you shouldn't try that, but finding your niche… I know where I'm successful.” - Neil Buettner
About the guest, Neil Buettner:
Neil Buettner is a Central Valley–based professional musician, real estate investor, and martial arts practitioner who has built a 20+ year career by treating music as both art and service. Starting with Suzuki-method violin as a child and later falling in love with acoustic guitar at Camp Jack Hazard, he’s evolved into a sought-after solo performer for fine dining venues, country clubs, and private events, known for crafting “active background” experiences that elevate the room rather than dominate it.
Connect with Neil Buettner:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/neil.buettner.9/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neil_b_/?hl=en
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/neil-buettner/316378674
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2RgCgnT8IZVPpQ8a0oIXfe
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
A $1 counterfeit-detecting pen, a chance trip to China, and half a million meters of rope light set the stage for a lifelong journey in the Christmas lighting industry. In this episode, hear how a math teacher turned serendipity, risk, and China’s manufacturing engine into a global seasonal business.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Pietro Peroni discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“We started with this, and then some people used it for Christmas decoration… and I started to import rope light in big quantity. In one year, I sold 500,000 meters of rope light.” - Pietro Peroni
About the guest, Pietro Peroni:
Pietro Peroni is an Italian entrepreneur who transformed his career from teaching math and physics into building a global Christmas lighting business. Starting with a high-margin counterfeit-detection pen, he moved into importing rope lights and professional decorative lighting, ultimately specializing in large-scale Christmas installations for cities, malls, and public spaces. Splitting his time between Italy and China’s Pearl River Delta, he focuses on innovating next-generation LED products and modular commercial Christmas trees while preparing to pass the business to his son.
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Two young journalists leave Kenya and Cameroon for UC Berkeley, trading local newsrooms for a global stage. In this conversation, they unpack the realities of the American dream, the future of African storytelling, and how authenticity will keep human creators essential in an AI-driven world.
In this episode, Bob Campana, Victor Ochieng, and Daniel Ekonde discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“The US pays for hard work. The US recognizes effort. That's one thing I've come to realize. If you just put in effort, you put in work, then I think you're good to go.” - Victor Ochieng
About the guests, Victor Ochieng and Daniel Ekonde:
Victor Ochieng is a Kenyan journalist, radio producer, and documentary filmmaker whose work is rooted in representing underheard communities from one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements. He began as a community radio volunteer in high school, later hosting reggae and African music programs and launching an online radio station to spotlight local voices. Now a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, he specializes in documentary production and is currently developing a film on Power Slap and the personal sacrifices behind combat sports.
Daniel Ekonde is a Cameroonian journalist with a strong background in sports and international reporting. Starting in a high school journalism club and campus radio, he went on to file stories for major outlets including ESPN, CNN, Global Voices, and Al Jazeera, covering everything from sports to broader social issues. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley, he is focused on deepening his long-form writing and editorial skills, with the goal of moving from frontline reporting into influential editorial and newsroom leadership that shapes global coverage of African stories.
Connect With Victor Ochieng:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victor-ochieng-566a8088
Connect With Daniel Ekonde:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ekonde-901590145/
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
What happens when a former solo backpacker trades crowded tourist hotspots for intimate Sicilian baptisms, birthday parties, and hidden museums? In this episode, you’ll hear how deeply curated small group travel can transform your experience of Europe—from logistics and language barriers to food, community, and culture.
In this episode, Bob Campana and Timothy Little discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“I wouldn't drive in any of these places, just too dangerous. And the other part about, as far as Ubering or catching a taxi, it's kind of … am I going to get internet reception here to actually call an Uber or something like that? Bussing is one way to do it, but it takes about a day to figure out, but to be shuttled around with a group of people, a completely different experience.” - Timothy Little
About the guest, Timothy Little:
Timothy “Tim” Little is an experienced traveler who has explored the world both as a solo backpacker and as part of curated small group tours. In his late 20s, he followed the classic “hippie trail” across Asia, later visiting France and Jerusalem on his own to dive deep into culture and pilgrimage. More recently, he joined Bob Campana’s Redwood Cafe food and wine tour through Italy and Sicily, where he experienced intimate local events, family celebrations, and hidden gems far from the tourist crowds. Having lived on both sides, he now strongly favors small group travel for the community, cultural immersion, and stress-free logistics it provides.
Connect With Bob Campana:
Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
From the publisher's feed
Get Back 2 Work is a candid, no-nonsense podcast for seasoned entrepreneurs and operators who know that building something meaningful requires more than ideas — it requires…
Hosted by serial entrepreneur and author Bob Campana, who has started and grown eight companies over more than five decades, the show explores what it actually takes to build, lead, and rebuild through both good years and hard ones. Bob brings the perspective of someone who has lived the pressure, responsibility, and identity that come with creating and running businesses at a high level.
Each episode features honest conversations with experienced founders, executives, and problem-solvers who have moved beyond theory and into execution. Together, they dig into leadership under pressure, smart decision-making, reinvention, and the realities of growing companies in an unpredictable world.
This isn’t startup hype or surface-level motivation. It’s real dialogue for people who have built something, learned from it, and are ready to get back to work — smarter, stronger, and more intentional than before.