This episode is part of our CEO Expert mini-series where we talk with experts who coach, mentor, train, and work with scaling CEOs to expand their insights and help identify and achieve their breakout moments.

In this episode of the Breakout CEO Podcast, Jeff Holman speaks with Angela Lapovsky, a fractional COO, about the challenges and strategies for scaling CEOs. They discuss Angela's background, her approach to helping startups navigate chaos, and the importance of clarity in strategy.

Angela shares insights on staying motivated, the role of a fractional COO, and the significance of breakout moments in business. The conversation emphasizes the need for CEOs to recognize when they need external support and how to effectively implement change within their organizations.

Check out Angela's work at https://arlelevate.com/.

Say hello to Angela!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelalapovsky/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

In this episode of the Breakout CEO Podcast, host Jeff Holman speaks with Earl Foote, founder of Nexus IT, about the company's growth, team culture, and the importance of personal development in leadership. Earl shares insights on how to motivate teams, the evolution of his organization, and the significance of coaching and development programs. He also discusses his personal breakout moments and offers advice for aspiring CEOs on how to grow and evolve as leaders.

Check out Earl's work at https://nexusitc.net/.

Say hello to Earl Foote! ⬇️

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlfoote/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bassslappinceo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NexusITC/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NexusITConsultants

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the CEO and Chairman at Healionics Corporation, Mike Connolly. Mike shares his journey from teaching physics to co-founding startups that have revolutionized women’s health and dialysis care.

He discusses the challenges of medical device innovation, the importance of persistence, navigating regulatory and reimbursement hurdles, and the need for focus in startups. Mike also highlights his team’s work at Healionics on a novel biomaterial for vascular grafts, aiming to improve outcomes for dialysis patients.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Mike's work HERE.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Partner at Aspen Mountain Partners, Greg Schow. Greg shares lessons from his early ventures, the value of teamwork, and the realities of acquiring and growing “non-sexy” businesses like vending machines and steel fabrication.

He emphasizes the importance of hard work, people over prestige, and adapting to challenges. Greg also discusses building company culture, learning from setbacks, and aligning incentives, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating acquisitions and leadership.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Greg's work HERE.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Full Professor at INSEAD, Spencer Harrison. Spencer discusses his journey from aspiring English professor to business scholar, focusing on creativity and curiosity in organizations.

Drawing on research and personal stories—including lessons from their influential high school physics teacher, Mr. Jackson—they explore how leaders can foster curiosity, engineer surprise, and balance innovation with efficiency.

Spencer shares practical habits for cultivating curiosity and offers a “garden” metaphor for organizational growth, emphasizing the importance of learning and adaptability for leaders and teams. Spencer is a Professor at INSEAD.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Spencer's work HERE.

Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Founder of Product 1, Steven Selikoff. Steven shares insights on navigating recent changes in import regulations, the importance of building resilient businesses, and why profitability—not just revenue—should guide product decisions.

He emphasizes learning from mistakes, the value of experienced mentors, and the critical role of a good accountant. Steven also discusses his book and his work at Product Development Academy, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs aiming to succeed in today’s complex global market.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Steven's work HERE.

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the CEO and Co-Founder at Shyft, Alex Burdge. Alex shares his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Shyft, and how the company navigated major disruptions like the US-China trade wars and COVID-19.

He discusses building a resilient international team, adapting to constant changes in global logistics, and the importance of maintaining a positive, opportunity-focused mindset. Alex also highlights the influence of key mentors and offers practical advice on leadership, resilience, and finding opportunities amid challenges in the ever-changing world of supply chain and manufacturing.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Alex's work HERE.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the CEO and Founder at ASA, Landon Glenn. Landon shares his journey from humble beginnings to building ASA, which partners with banks and credit unions to securely connect financial data and services using advanced technologies.

He emphasizes the challenges of fintech entrepreneurship, the importance of financial education, key partnerships, and ASA’s vision to transform banking. Landon also reveals plans for a Nasdaq listing and emphasizes persistence, strategic networking, and mentorship as keys to his success.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Landon's work HERE.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Chief Solutions Architect at Intel Corporation, Dr. Darren Pulsipher. Darren discusses his diverse career, from teaching at Vanderbilt to leading digital transformation at Intel.

Darren shares pivotal “breakout moments,” including lessons learned from startup setbacks and hypergrowth leadership. He covers balancing passion with family, the challenges of managing up versus down, and practical advice for CEOs on leveraging AI and finding mentors to navigate growth and digital change.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Darren's work HERE.

Connect with Darren on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the CEO at DevSquad, Phil Alves. Phil shares his journey from Brazil to building a scalable SaaS development company in the U.S. He discusses the challenges of scaling a service business, the importance of team structure, culture, and playbooks, and Phil’s focus on sustainable, bootstrapped growth over chasing venture capital.

Phil highlights his breakout moment, his philosophy on risk, and how DevSquad maintains quality by limiting clients and planning growth.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Phil's work HERE.

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.