In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Ross Beyeler, Chief Operating Officer of Trellis, a full-service eCommerce solutions agency.

During this fascinating conversation, you'll gain insights into the complexities of entrepreneurship, growth, and integration in the ever-evolving business landscape. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Ross reflects on the challenges of balancing ambition with vision, offering a candid perspective on lessons learned from early ventures.

You'll discover the significance of clarity in leadership roles, the value of systems for scaling operations, and the power of strategic frameworks for managing organizational dynamics. By exploring tools that foster alignment and problem-solving, discover the necessity of intentional planning and thoughtful execution in the midst of rapid change.

This episode offers actionable insights on driving growth, mastering leadership transitions, and thriving in a fast-paced, competitive environment.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The formation of Growth Spark and its focus on E-commerce, particularly with Shopify. (13:54)
• The importance of understanding the "why" behind changes and involving the team in the decision-making process. (24:01)
• The long-term impact of COVID-19 on Trellis and the shift to a more digital-focused strategy. (33:55)
• The decision to sell Trellis to Zaelab and the vision shared by Evan, Zaelab's CEO. (33:49)

Resources:

Connect with Ross: Website | LinkedIn

Matt Wool and Robert "Bob" Glazier episodes

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

• And much more...

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron dives into his transformative journey, whose global experiences have reshaped his understanding of success, work, and personal fulfillment.

Starting with a deep family legacy of entrepreneurship, Cameron recounts building businesses, scaling organizations, and cultivating a mindset that prioritizes leadership development. From co-founding impactful ventures to creating a mastermind community for second-in-command leaders, his story showcases the highs and challenges of scaling ambitious projects.

Discover the pitfalls many entrepreneurs face — losing sight of hobbies, relationships, and personal growth amidst the demands of work. You'll find insights on stepping away from material excess and embracing experiences, relationships, and personal growth, which highlight a paradigm shift from work obsession to holistic living. 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone seeking more balance, this episode promises to ignite meaningful reflection on what truly matters in both work and life.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How a family legacy of entrepreneurial spirit shaped Cameron’s career, leading to ventures in franchising, leadership, and building globally recognized companies. (1:10)
• The importance of the COO role in scaling businesses, exemplified by his pivotal work with organizations like 1-800-GOT-JUNK. (2:20)
• How entrepreneurs can move beyond workaholism to prioritize their time and build stronger teams. (5:18)
• How shedding material excess and embracing experiences and relationships can lead to a richer, more meaningful life. (6:58)
• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Lauren Nemeth, the Chief Operating Officer of Pinecone, a fully managed vector database company.

The conversation explores the mindset, challenges, and strategies that fuel success. Lauren shares insights into what it takes to inspire high performance within teams, including the importance of cultivating strong middle-tier performers to unlock their potential.

Reflecting on personal and professional struggles, Lauren reveals how perseverance, authenticity, and continuous learning shaped her path. You'll be invited to consider the role of resilience in navigating career setbacks and the importance of surrounding oneself with talented, driven individuals.

This episode serves as both an inspiring narrative and a practical guide for anyone aspiring to lead with impact in an ever-evolving business landscape.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The rapid innovation and investment in AI, noting the competitive landscape where partners can become competitors. (3:59)
• The role of AI in replacing or enhancing knowledge workers, and the need for employees to embrace AI tools. (5:25)
• The challenge of coming up to speed on the technical industry and inheriting a new team without a manager for seven months. (12:52)
• The importance of being well-rounded and gaining experience in different types of businesses and growth stages. (35:09)
• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Lauren: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Jennifer Hudye, founder of Vision Driven, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and CEOs craft, communicate, and execute transformative visions for their businesses.

During the conversation, you'll discover the challenges leaders face when articulating and aligning their teams around a cohesive, long-term vision. Through engaging anecdotes and relatable examples, you'll learn how the lack of clarity and communication about a company's future direction can lead to scattered teams, costly turnover, and missed opportunities.

Jennifer offers insights on balancing inclusivity with decisiveness when defining a company’s future. Through thought-provoking analogies, the conversation explores why overly collaborative processes can dilute bold ideas, while stressing that leadership ultimately requires courage and conviction.

This episode provides actionable strategies for embedding this future-oriented blueprint into the fabric of an organization.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Jennifer's experience of creating a vivid vision in 2016, inspired by a conversation with Cameron. (1:11)
• The common struggles CEOs face when crafting a vivid vision, such as not knowing what to include, overemphasis on strategy, and vagueness. (4:48)
• The cost of inaction and the ROI of having a clear vision. (15:57)
• The importance of replacing vision statements with vivid visions to inspire and align the team. (18:42)
• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Jennifer: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get 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 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: LinkedIn

Get John’s book:  Fireproof: A Five-Step Model to Take Your Law Firm from Unpredictable to Wildly Profitable 

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get 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 | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Books Mentioned:

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Brent MacDonald, COO at AccessSync, an SaaS company dedicated to streamlining the sales of complex products for life science companies and accelerating patient access to these solutions.

The conversation explores the strategies and philosophies that drive successful leadership in a fast-paced, transformative business environment. Brent shares insights into fostering a distinctive customer experience by blending technology, services, and data into an integrated model that sets his organization apart.

The discussion also sheds light on the dynamics of leading a diverse team, including seasoned professionals with decades of experience. Brent reflects on the importance of humility, mutual learning, and leveraging individual strengths within a collaborative, flat organizational structure.

This episode will leave you inspired to embrace bold decisions and take proactive steps to create meaningful change in your own life.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• AccessSync's business model, focusing on helping pharmaceutical brands sell more of their complex drugs and improve patient access. (12:50)
• The challenges of building a business with CEO Ryan Roberts, including the transition from a custom software development shop to a SaaS product. (19:53)
• The leadership dynamics within AccessSync, including the importance of having a capable and engaged leadership team. (27:31)
• The importance of being present and engaged in both personal and professional aspects of life. (55:15)
• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Brent: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

What if you could create an image of your ideal self and then become that person? 

Hristo Arakliev, the COO of Hyperzon, shares a profound concept that could change how you view your own self-image.

In this episode, Hristo Arakliev, the COO and co-founder of Hyperzon, a top-tier Amazon marketing agency, shares his unconventional journey to leadership. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, building a culture of trust, and managing both systems and flexibility. 

Hristo delves into the profound concept of the image we create for ourselves and how it impacts our happiness and self-worth. He shares a powerful quote, "One day when you're about to die, the person you are is going to meet with the person you could have been, and then you'll know, hell." This idea challenges listeners to align their actions with the person they believe themselves to be.

Hristo's insights on the power of self-image and the importance of being true to oneself are truly transformative. By cultivating resilience, managing failures with humility, and leading with empathy, Hristo demonstrates the qualities of an exceptional COO.

Dive deeper into Hristo's wisdom and learn how to become the person you've always envisioned by listening to the full episode.

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The importance of servant leadership and empowering others
• Strategies for building a culture of trust and radical candor
• The profound impact of self-image on happiness and satisfaction
• The role of resilience and adaptability in leadership
• Hristo's unique approach to client relationships and Amazon marketing
• Insights on differentiating your business and leveraging revenue share models
• The dynamics of a multi-partner COO-CEO structure
• Hristo's favorite books and resources for personal growth
• and so much more…

Resources:

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Books Mentioned:

Principles

Liminal Thinking

A Hard Thing About Hard Things

Never Split the Difference

What does it take to rise from the front lines to the top of a company? In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, Cameron sits down with Rob Marsh, COO of Pyramid Foods, a grocery chain with over 35 locations spanning three states.

Rob’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Starting as a frontline employee, he worked his way through every role imaginable before stepping into his current leadership position. His story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and a human-centric leadership style.

Rob and Cameron delve into the unique struggles of independent grocers in today’s competitive market, from adapting to rising costs and changing consumer habits to leveraging technology for operational efficiency. Rob also discusses the importance of building a strong company culture, investing in employee training, and fostering community connections.

With Pyramid Foods donating over $22 million to local children’s charities, Rob underscores the value of purpose-driven leadership. Whether you're a grocery industry insider or an entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on how to grow big while acting small

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Smart inventory strategies for a challenging retail environment [13:58]
• How Pyramid Foods balances local charm with regional growth [24:53]
• The importance of building a team culture that values personality and authenticity [32:52]
• Rob’s perspective on leveraging technology to stay competitive [40:19]
• How Pyramid Foods creates a lasting community impact through charity [48:55]
• Lessons in leadership and growth from Rob’s unique career journey [54:40]
• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Rob’s LinkedIn

Pyramid Foods Website

Books:

The Great Game of Business

A Stake in the Outcome: Building a Culture of Ownership for the Long-Term Success of Your Business

What does it take to build a culture that drives excellence, engagement, and happiness in the workplace? Today’s episode of the Second in Command podcast is another short excerpt from a conversation between Cameron Harold and Charles Schwartz, host of the I Am Charles Schwartz podcast. 

Together, they discuss actionable insights on creating a vibrant company culture that thrives on core values, alignment, and well-designed systems. From eliminating cultural "cancers" to branding your organization's everyday elements, Cameron reveals the strategies that turn workplaces into energized communities.

Cameron explores the power of vivid visions, branding internal elements, and adopting a "system-first" mindset to solve recurring issues. Whether it’s about fostering joy and engagement or redefining leadership approaches, this episode provides a blueprint for building a culture that aligns with your company’s mission and goals.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why you should get rid of "cultural cancers" - negative influences that put the wrong energy into the company (01:31) 
• 3 critical elements to align your team with a clear vision (03:35)
• Cameron's personal secrets to working smarter, not just harder (05:44)
• The "post-it note" test for effective, easy-to-follow systems (08:59)
• The surprising leadership lesson from Starbucks on fixing root causes (13:33)
• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Books:

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don'T Work And What To Do About It