The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

In this debrief session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle break down the key takeaways from their conversation with Robert Gauvreau about managing a fast-growing team and handling the challenges of an acquisition. If you've ever faced pushback from your team during a big change, this episode is for you!

Here's what we cover: ✅ Why resistance to change is normal — and how to work through it ✅ How to create user manuals to improve team communication ✅ Why you need to frame change around the benefits to your team ✅ How to present new systems in a way that creates buy-in ✅ When saving money isn't worth the team morale hit

Adrienne and Emily share personal stories about how small changes (like switching a software system) can have a big impact on team morale — and why it's essential to lead with the "what's in it for them" approach when introducing change.

Missed the conversation with Robert? Click here to listen to the full episode

1. Resistance is Normal – Every team has at least one person who will push back on change. Expect it and plan for it.

2. Create User Manuals – User manuals help team members understand how to work better together and reduce conflict.

3. Frame the Benefit to the Team – Don't present change as something that helps you — explain how it benefits them.

4. Change Takes Time – Rushing through change increases friction and reduces trust.

5. Sometimes It's Not Worth It – A small financial gain isn't worth a big hit to team morale and efficiency.

00:28 – Robert's Acquisition Challenge – Why managing change is so hard. 02:23 – Resistance to Change – Why teams push back — and how to handle it. 04:41 – Why User Manuals Matter – How to improve communication and reduce conflict. 07:33 – Presenting Change – How to frame change around benefits to the team. 11:49 – Lessons from the Clockwork Book – Why the second edition focuses more on team benefits. 14:40 – Practical Next Steps – How to create a user manual that works for your team. User Manual Template:

👉 Need help creating a user manual for your team? Grab our free template here!

Want to Clockwork your own business, too? www.runlikeclockwork.comAdrienne's IGRLC IG

In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Robert Gauvreau, CEO of Gauvreau CPA, to tackle a major challenge — navigating a fast-growing team and a recent acquisition.

If you've ever struggled with managing change, integrating new teams, or setting clear expectations, this one's for you!

Here's what we cover: ✅ How to lead through acquisitions without creating friction ✅ The power of curiosity in change management ✅ Building trust with a newly acquired team ✅ Why user manuals are the key to working better together ✅ How to clarify roles and KPIs for better performance

Robert shares how his company grew from 18 employees to over 180 in just a few years — and the lessons learned along the way.

Plus, Adrienne and Emily break down: 👉 How to approach a team integration without overwhelming them 👉 The importance of clear expectations and performance outcomes 👉 Why understanding individual work styles increases team cohesion

If you're navigating growth and want to avoid common integration mistakes, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Hit play and let's get into it! 🔥

1. Lead with Curiosity – Approach change with curiosity rather than assumptions. Trust your team's knowledge and listen to their insights.

2. Establish User Manuals – Creating personal user manuals helps team members understand how to work together more effectively.

3. Slow and Steady Wins – When managing an acquisition, avoid rushing changes. Build trust first before implementing new systems.

4. Clarify KPIs and Roles – Employees perform better when they know exactly what's expected of them.

5. Adapt and Learn – Even with a successful team, there's always room to learn from new additions and different systems.

01:24 – Robert's Business Background – How Robert built his CPA firm from 18 to 180 employees. 04:20 – Managing a New Acquisition – Robert's challenge of integrating a newly acquired team. 07:43 – The Importance of Curiosity in Leadership – Why listening first builds trust and reduces friction. 11:56 – Creating a User Manual – How user manuals improve team communication and understanding. 18:36 – Setting Clear Expectations – How to define KPIs and roles to improve performance. 25:21 – Learning from Change – Why cross-learning is key in mergers and acquisitions.

👉 Website: https://www.gauvreaucpa.ca👉 Social Media: @gauvreaucpa 👉 Robert's Personal Handle: @robertgauvreau

In this follow-up episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on last week's conversation with Danielle Cherewyk. Danielle shared how she solved one business challenge — needing more stylists — by purchasing a hair school. But with every solution comes a new bottleneck, and now Danielle is focused on recruiting high-quality students to keep her business thriving.

Here's what we cover: ✅ Why buying a school created a new business challenge ✅ How Danielle is rethinking her recruiting strategy for long-term success ✅ Why focusing on high-quality students is more important than filling seats ✅ The role of social media and strategic partnerships in attracting talent ✅ How to build a talent pipeline that supports future growth

Adrienne and Emily explore the business lessons behind Danielle's experience and how identifying and solving the right bottleneck can unlock new levels of growth in any business.

Danielle's story is a powerful reminder that business growth isn't always linear. If you're struggling to attract the right leads, this debrief is packed with insights to help you rethink your strategy and find sustainable success.

🏆 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Every Solution Creates a New Bottleneck – Solving one business problem often uncovers another, but growth comes from working through each challenge strategically.

2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity – Recruiting the right students who are passionate about the industry is more important than simply filling seats.

3. Leverage Partnerships for Growth – Partnering with other local businesses and schools creates a more sustainable recruiting funnel.

4. Educate and Engage – Social media should focus on educating potential students about the value and opportunities within the industry, not just promoting the school.

5. Build a Long-Term Talent Pipeline – Introducing try-it days and summer camps can help build interest early and sustain a future pool of talent.

🕰️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Recap of Danielle's Story 02:33 – Why Buying the School Created a New Bottleneck 04:44 – Danielle's Shift from Filling Seats to Recruiting the Right Talent 07:16 – Why Recruiting is Different in a Rural Community 10:38 – Long-Term Strategy: Building a Pipeline with Try-It Days 14:52 – How Social Media Can Support Recruiting Goals 16:41 – Creating a Reputation That Attracts Top Talent 17:56 – Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

👉 Listen to Last Week's Interview with Danielle Cherewyk:🎧 The Recruiting Challenge: How to Attract Top Talent with Danielle Cherewyk

👉 Learn more about Peak Beauty Academy: 🌐 Visit Peak Beauty Academy 📲 Follow on Instagram: @peakbeautyacademy Want to Clockwork your own business, too?: www.runlikeclockwork.comAdrienne's IGRLC IG

In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle dive deep with Danielle Cherewyk, a former client and successful salon owner, to tackle a major challenge — recruiting high-quality students for her newly purchased hair school. If you've ever struggled to create a consistent talent pipeline, this one's for you!

Here's what we cover: ✅ How purchasing a school created new opportunities (and new challenges) ✅ Strategies for recruiting top-tier students and building a long-term talent pipeline ✅ The power of partnerships with local businesses and high schools ✅ Creating effective "Try It" days to introduce potential students to the industry ✅ How social media and referral programs can boost recruitment

Adrienne and Emily break down: 👉 How to shift recruitment strategy to target quality over quantity 👉 The balance between organic and referral-based recruiting 👉 Why building partnerships with local businesses strengthens long-term success 👉 How to use social media to educate and engage prospective students 👉 Creating scalable and effective recruiting events You can also check out Danielle's episode from 2022 here!

If you're ready to unlock the next level of growth in your business, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can start using today. Hit play and let's get into it! 🔥

🏆 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Build a Quality Pipeline – Recruiting the right talent takes more than just getting applicants — focus on high-quality leads who are committed to the industry.

2. Partner with Local Businesses – Creating strong relationships with other salons helps build trust and increase referrals.

3. Introduce "Try It" Days – Letting potential students experience the work firsthand creates interest and increases enrollment.

4. Referrals Matter – Offering small incentives for alumni and local salons to refer students can drive high-quality leads.

5. Strategic Social Media – Educating and engaging on platforms like Instagram and TikTok helps target the right demographic effectively.

🕰️ Chapters

01:00 – Danielle's Background – From salon owner to hair school owner 03:32 – How Purchasing the School Created New Challenges 05:16 – Current Recruiting Strategies and Why They're Not Working 10:11 – Shifting Focus to High-Quality Recruitment 13:42 – Creating "Try It" Days and Summer Camps 18:34 – The Role of Social Media in Recruiting 22:56 – Partnering with Local Salons 29:25 – Setting Growth Goals and Long-Term Vision 33:17 – Next Steps for Building a Strong Recruiting Pipeline

Learn more about Peak Beauty Academy: 🌐 Visit Peak Beauty Academy 📲 Follow on Instagram: @peakbeautyacademy

Want to Clockwork your own business, too?: www.runlikeclockwork.comAdrienne's IGRLC IG

In this follow-up episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on their conversation with Ryan Koral, founder of Tell Studios, about the challenges of scaling creative businesses without losing quality. If you've ever felt torn between delivering high-end results and making your services more accessible, this one's for you!

→ Missed Ryan Koral's episode? Listen to it here.

Here's what we cover: ✅ How to create tiered offers without lowering your brand standards ✅ Why your "6/10" might be your client's "10/10" ✅ The importance of protecting your QBR (Queen Bee Role) at every price point ✅ Why adjusting your offers doesn't mean disappointing past clients ✅ How to balance exclusivity and accessibility to reach more clients

Adrienne and Emily explore how luxury brands like Chanel offer both runway and ready-to-wear collections — and how creative entrepreneurs can apply that model to their business. They dive into the mindset shift required to deliver high-value outcomes at different price points without compromising on quality.

If you're struggling to find the right balance between premium and accessible offers, this episode will give you the framework you need to scale confidently. Hit play and let's get into it!

1. Client Perception > Your Own Standards – Your client's 10/10 might be what you see as a 6/10. Focus on their satisfaction, not perfection.

2. Protect Your QBR at Every Tier – Your core offering and big promise should stay consistent, even if the execution varies.

3. Tiered Pricing Increases Accessibility – Offering different pricing levels allows more clients to experience your services without sacrificing quality.

4. Don't Worry About Past Clients' Perceptions – Markets change, and it's okay to create new offers to adapt.

5. Adjusting Your Offer Doesn't Mean Lowering Standards – You can simplify your offer while maintaining brand alignment and delivering strong results.

01:52 – Creating Tiered Offers – How to scale creative services without losing quality 03:11 – Client Perception vs. Reality – What matters more than perfection 05:25 – Protecting the QBR – How to maintain your core promise at all levels 13:28 – Luxury vs. Ready-to-Wear – Applying a brand model to creative businesses 18:34 – Managing Client Expectations – How to communicate value at different price points 24:44 – Why Past Client Opinions Shouldn't Hold You Back – Adapting to market changes 29:44 – Tiered Pricing Strategy – How to balance exclusivity and accessibility 34:38 – Delivering Value at Every Level – Meeting client expectations without overdelivering 36:11 – Business Growth Through Simplification – Why less can be more 39:30 – Take Action – Next steps for simplifying and scaling

🔗 Learn more about Ryan Koral and Tell Studios: tellstudios.com/easy🔗 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: Ryan Koral

Want help Clockworking your business: www.runlikeclockwork.com

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Ryan Koral, founder of Tell Studios, to tackle a common challenge among creative entrepreneurs — scaling without losing quality. If you've ever felt like you need to burn it all down and start over, this one's for you!

Here's what we cover: ✅ How to simplify your business offerings without sacrificing quality ✅ The difference between premium vs. ready-to-wear product models ✅ Overcoming the mindset blocks that stop you from scaling ✅ The power of meeting clients where they are — without compromising your brand ✅ How to use strategic downsizing to unlock sustainable growth

Ryan opens up about the challenges of running a creative business for 20+ years and the internal conflict between delivering a "10/10" product and providing scalable, accessible solutions. Adrienne and Emily help Ryan shift his mindset, focusing on how to provide exceptional value without overdelivering — and why simplifying can be the key to long-term success.

If you're ready to simplify your business model, while still maintaining high value and client satisfaction, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Hit play and let's get into it! 🔥

1. Define Your "Ready-to-Wear" Offer – Just like luxury brands offer both high-end and accessible products, you can create scalable solutions without sacrificing quality.

2. Client Perception Matters More Than Your Own Standard – Your 5/10 might be a 10/10 for your client. Focus on the result, not perfection.

3. Simplification Leads to Scalability – Streamlining your offerings can help you serve more clients without increasing your workload.

4. Measure Success by Results, Not Perfection – If your work drives client results, it's a win — even if it's not "perfect" in your eyes.

5. Use Downsizing as an Opportunity – Losing team members or simplifying your offerings isn't a setback — it's a chance to create a leaner, more effective business model.

01:52 – Feeling Like Burning It All Down – Why business owners feel like starting over 03:11 – Scaling vs. Simplifying – How to make your business more scalable 05:25 – Client Perception vs. Reality – Understanding what clients actually care about 13:28 – "Runway vs. Ready-to-Wear" Model – Why offering different tiers can drive growth 18:34 – Pricing and Positioning – How to communicate the value of different offers 24:44 – Creative Constraints – How to thrive with limited resources 29:44 – Mindset Shifts – Overcoming the fear of simplifying 34:38 – Sustainable Business Growth – Why less can be more 36:11 – Long-Term Success – Building a business model that supports future growth 39:30 – Take Action – Ryan's next steps to simplify and scale

🔗 Grab Ryans free resource to make your video marketing easier: tellstudios.com/easy🔗 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: Ryan Koral

Connect with Adrienne: @adriennedorisonLearn more about Run Like Clockwork: www.runlikeclockwork.com

In this episode, Adrienne and Emily unpack their biggest takeaways from the conversation with Denise Duffield-Thomas and discuss how to the Clockwork business and their own personal growth.

Denise built a $5M business with a lean, part-time team by staying focused on one core offer and simplifying her operations — and Adrienne and Emily reflect on how that same principle applies to Clockwork and the challenges they've faced while scaling.

Here's what we cover: ✅ Why trying to launch too many offers creates chaos ✅ How staying focused on one offer creates consistent growth ✅ Why mindset shifts around success and simplicity are essential ✅ How to avoid the trap of thinking you've saturated the market (you haven't!) ✅ The importance of finding fulfillment outside of your business

They also reflect on the challenges of navigating business growth, why it's easy to feel stuck when things feel hard, and how to use creative energy without overcomplicating the business model.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or scattered in your business, this is the episode you need to reset and refocus.

1. Lean Growth is Possible – Denise built a multimillion-dollar business with a small team by staying focused on her core offer.

2. Focus on One Offer – Scaling happens more easily when you focus on improving and selling what's already working.

3. Stop Adding to Fix a Problem – The urge to create new offers usually comes from feeling like something isn't working — but it's usually a messaging or marketing problem, not a product problem.

4. Seasons Matter – Your business will have different seasons — understanding and respecting them creates longevity.

5. Set Personal Goals – Achievements outside of work create balance and prevent burnout.

01:24 – Why Denise's business model works so well 04:50 – The power of staying focused on one offer 06:46 – Why simplifying creates more growth, not less 10:42 – The trap of thinking you've saturated the market 14:44 – How to create fulfillment outside of work 18:31 – How creative energy can either fuel or complicate your business 22:34 – Finding the right balance between growth and simplicity 29:44 – Lessons from running a lean, profitable business

Connect with Denise: denisedt.com Follow Denise on Instagram: @denisedt Listen to Denise's episode: ADD LINK Connect with Adrienne: @adriennedorisonLearn more about Run Like Clockwork: www.runlikeclockwork.com

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with best-selling author Denise Duffield-Thomas to explore how she and her husband built a $5M business with a small, part-time team — and how they've structured their lives to work less without sacrificing income or success.

Denise opened up about the strategies and mindset shifts that allowed her to create a thriving business while maintaining balance and freedom. If you've ever wondered how to grow your business without overloading your schedule, this one's for you!

Here's what we cover: ✅ How Denise built a $5M business with a part-time team ✅ Why focusing on one core offer creates more growth (not less) ✅ The mindset shift around seasons of business and life ✅ Why building assets outside the business creates freedom ✅ How to avoid the trap of constantly launching new offers

Adrienne and Emily also dig into: 👉 The power of simplifying your business model 👉 How Denise maintained revenue while stepping back from the business 👉 Why saying "no" is crucial for sustainable success 👉 The importance of having personal goals and wins outside of work 👉 Why perfectionism and identity shifts are holding you back

If you're ready to scale your business without working more, this episode will give you the inspiration and tactical advice you need. Hit play and get ready to simplify and grow! 🔥

1. Lean Growth is Possible – Denise built a multimillion-dollar business with a small team by staying focused on her core offer.

2. Focus on One Offer – Scaling happens more easily when you focus on improving and selling what's already working.

3. Seasons Matter – Your business (and life) will have different seasons — understanding and respecting them creates longevity.

4. Build Outside the Business – Investing in assets and real estate created more financial freedom for Denise's family.

5. Set Personal Goals – Achievements like winning a ballet trophy or succeeding at cross-stitch can give you fulfillment beyond business success.

Denise is the author of Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!, and Chillpreneur — must-reads for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to break through money blocks and grow their wealth. 👉 Grab your copy here: https://www.denisedt.com/books

01:24 – How Denise built a $5M business with a lean team 04:50 – The decision to keep the team small and efficient 06:46 – Why staying focused on one core offer creates more growth 10:42 – Understanding seasons of business and life 14:44 – Personal wins and why hobbies matter 18:31 – The freedom that comes from building assets outside the business 22:34 – Overcoming identity shifts and perfectionism 29:44 – How Denise simplified her business model 34:38 – Saying "no" to protect personal time and energy 39:30 – Lessons from taking a sabbatical

👉 Connect with Denise: denisedt.com 👉 Follow Denise on Instagram: @denisedt

Adrienne's IGRLC IG

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on their recent coaching session with Beth Carter, The Badass Bookkeeper. Beth shared how she struggles to step out of the doing in her business — even with a team of 10 and a seven-figure business. Adrienne and Emily dive deeper into the root of this challenge, unpacking the Four D's (Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing) and how understanding them can help business owners break free from the day-to-day grind.

Here's what we cover: ✅ The Four D's – Why knowing the difference between Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing is key to business growth ✅ Why deciding for your team isn't delegation (and how to fix it) ✅ How to empower your team to make decisions without you ✅ Why short-term profitability can limit long-term scalability ✅ How to balance stepping in during emergencies versus taking on too much

Plus, Adrienne and Emily share strategies to help business owners invest in their teams, strengthen employee retention, and increase long-term profitability.

Let's get into it! 🔥

1. Master the Four D's – Understanding the difference between Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing is key to growing your business. You should be aiming to spend more time in Designing and Delegating as the CEO.

2. Deciding vs. Delegating – If your team constantly needs your input to move forward, you're still deciding — not delegating. The goal is to empower them to handle it independently.

3. Invest in Your Team – Investing in team training and development strengthens relationships and improves retention — reducing lost productivity from turnover.

4. Hiring Timing is Crucial – Hiring too late causes burnout and lost revenue, but hiring too early drains profitability. Finding the balance is key.

5. Short-Term Profit vs. Long-Term Growth – Focusing only on short-term profitability limits scalability. Shifting into design and delegation mode is essential for long-term success.

00:01 – Introduction – Recap of Beth Carter's coaching session and why getting out of the doing is so difficult 01:25 – The Four D's Explained – Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing – and how they apply to business growth 02:39 – The Problem with Deciding – Why answering questions for your team isn't the same as empowering them 04:46 – Strategic Delegation – How to shift from deciding to delegating 07:44 – Why Design Time Matters – How high-level planning and strategy drive long-term business growth 08:18 – Investing in Your Team – How training and mentorship reduce turnover and increase efficiency 09:54 – Why You Might Not Be the Best Mentor – When to seek external training or support for your team 12:30 – When to Step In vs. Let Go – How to balance short-term help with long-term autonomy 15:40 – Hiring at the Right Time – Why hiring too late is more dangerous than hiring too early 16:24 – Next Steps and Takeaways – How business owners can apply these strategies to their business

🔗 Clockwork Book – Read the Clockwork book for a deeper dive into the Four D's. 🔗 COO Training Program – Learn how to train your team to handle operations independently. Listen to Beth's Episode Adrienne's IGRLC IG

In this coaching episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Beth Carter, the "Badass Bookkeeper" and owner of BBA Bookkeeping, to tackle a challenge many business owners face — getting stuck in the doing. Beth shares how, even with a team of 10 and a seven-figure business, she still finds herself pulled back into production work, limiting her ability to grow and scale.

Here's what we cover: ✅ Why business owners struggle to stop doing the work themselves ✅ How to identify inefficiencies in your team and processes ✅ When to hire versus when to improve internal capacity ✅ Balancing profitability with growth — without losing control ✅ The power of process mapping to increase efficiency and autonomy

Plus, Adrienne and Emily share strategies to help Beth streamline her business, empower her team, and reclaim her time for high-value CEO-level work.

If you're ready to stop doing it all yourself and unlock the next stage of business growth, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can start using today. Hit play, and let's get into it! 🔥

1. Stop Getting Pulled Into the Doing – If you keep getting pulled back into production work, it's a sign of a capacity or efficiency problem — not a staffing problem.

2. Process Mapping is Key – Mapping your client workflow step-by-step will help you identify inefficiencies and eliminate wasted time.

3. Short-Term vs. Long-Term Thinking – Profitability might look better when you're doing the work yourself, but long-term growth requires strategic delegation and scaling.

4. Team Training Increases Capacity – Investing time in mentoring and training your team will pay off in efficiency and long-term profit growth.

5. Redefine Your CEO Role – Your highest value work is in business development, not production. Protect your time for high-impact activities.

00:00 – Introduction to Beth Carter – Meet Beth, owner of BBA Bookkeeping, and hear about her current business challenge. 02:07 – The Struggle of Getting Pulled Back Into Doing – Why business owners struggle to let go of production work. 04:46 – Identifying the Root Cause – When staffing issues are actually efficiency issues. 06:40 – Capacity Planning and Time Tracking – How to measure workload and spot gaps. 08:39 – Short-Term Profit vs. Long-Term Growth – How to balance profitability with scalability. 12:06 – The Power of Process Mapping – How to visually map out your processes to spot inefficiencies. 16:42 – Reducing Waiting Time and Handoff Delays – Why reducing wait times increases profitability. 18:52 – Increasing Team Autonomy – How to empower your team to handle more work independently. 21:53 – Mentorship vs. Correction – Why mentoring your team creates long-term value. 27:24 – Takeaways and Next Steps – Beth's key insights and how she plans to implement them.

🔗 Camp Clockwork – Join Adrienne, Emily, and Beth at Camp Clockwork in 2025! 🔗 Clockwork Time Tracking Template – Start tracking your time to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

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