The Drop In CEO

In this episode Paul Visokey shares his journey of starting Stony Hill Advisors in 2010 and provides insights into how he helps small business owners prepare for and execute successful mergers and acquisitions. The discussion delves into the importance of succession planning, making businesses independent, and ensuring smooth transitions for employees. Paul emphasizes the need for advanced preparation, ideally over a thousand days, to address potential issues and maximize business value. The conversation also highlights the human-centric approach Stony Hill Advisors takes, focusing on both business and personal readiness of the owners for retirement and the future.

Episode Highlights:

02:26 The Importance of Succession Planning

03:44 Challenges and Solutions in Business Transitions

06:43 Ideal Clients and Market Focus

08:37 Preparing for a Successful Business Exit

09:34 The Thousand-Day Transition Plan

14:00 Real-Life Success Stories

19:18 Building Relationships and Marketing Strategies

Paul Visokey, CEO of Stony Hill Advisors, brings a wealth of experience in M&A advisory, business valuations, and exit planning for small businesses. With a background in marketing, business development, and IT from roles at ROLM, IBM, and Nuance Communications, he blends practical sales knowledge with technical expertise. Paul's Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and MBA degrees drive his strategic approach, ensuring maximum value for clients. Certified in M&A, business brokerage, and value building, Paul coaches business owners to achieve optimal outcomes. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, bridge, and time with his family in Stamford, CT.

How to connect with Paul:

Website: www.stonyhiilladvisors.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1149854/admin/dashboard/

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In this episode Mark O’Brien shares his inspiring journey from feeling lost in life to founding his brand management firm and hosting a show focusing on life's trials and triumphs. The conversation dives into the importance of self-faith, interpreting life signals, the role of fear as an energy to channel, and the impact of societal labels on creativity and learning. Mark also discusses the lessons he learned from his battle with depression and how it shaped his positive outlook and understanding of human connections.

Episode Highlights:

02:43 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

08:09 The Entrepreneurial Convulsion

11:02 The Power of Self-Faith and Authenticity

16:26 Navigating Neurodivergence and Education

Mark O’Brien is the owner and principal of O’Brien Communications Group, a B2B brand-management and marketing-communications firm he founded in 2004. He’s the host of The Anxious Voyage, a program about life’s trials and triumphs, on the globally syndicated Dreamvisions 7 Radio & TV Network. He’s also a lifelong writer. You can find his published work on Amazon under his full name, Mark Nelson O’Brien. You can find him on LinkedIn and Facebook. And his first graphic novel is in the process of being published.

How to connect with Mark:

Website: https://obriencg.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markobrien/
Radio: https://dreamvisions7radio.com/the-anxious-voyage/
Books: https://tinyurl.com/mvx3n8wm

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In this episode Brian Petro, a seasoned marketing professional with 20 years of management experience, shares his extensive background in digital marketing, managing multi-million dollar promotions, and mentoring marketing teams. The conversation delves deep into the nuances of understanding one's value, human connection, and marketing strategies. Brian emphasizes the importance of aligning responsibilities with authority in leadership roles and shares his personal experiences of transitioning from traditional employment to fractional consulting. This episode provides valuable insights for C-Suite leaders and those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.

Episode Highlights:

02:21 Brian's Journey: From Entrepreneurial Roots to Marketing Expert

03:55 The Importance of Understanding Your Unique Value

05:58 Crafting a Distinctive LinkedIn Profile

08:33 Navigating Career Crossroads and Job Interviews

21:15 The Dynamics Between Sales and Marketing

Brian Petro is a seasoned marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles. He has expertly managed multi-million-dollar digital campaigns across various industries, from Fortune 500 companies to startups. Known for developing high-performing marketing teams of 100+ employees and contractors, Brian has earned a perfect 5-star rating on Glassdoor for his leadership. His work has helped elevate brand visibility, drive product sales, and significantly increase company valuations. With a proven track record in both B2B and B2C markets, Brian is a trusted expert in delivering impactful marketing strategies that fuel business growth.

How to connect with Brian:

Website: brightproductions.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpetro/

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In this episode RJ Burr, a third-generation American oil producer and Senior VP of Corporate Operations at Panex, shares his journey from being introduced to the oil field at a young age to leading a successful oil company. They discuss the dynamics of the oil industry, the impact of market fluctuations, and the importance of oil in global economics. RJ emphasizes the importance of having an abundance mindset, the strategic decisions behind oil production, and the value of building strong partnerships. He also touches on the generational aspect of his business and his vision for Panex's future growth.

Episode Highlights:

09:10 The Impact of the 2020 Oil Market Crash

13:09 The Future of Oil and Alternative Energies

23:38 The Stability of Oil Investments

28:16 The Vision for Company Growth

35:01 Connecting with Investors

40:54 The Three Factors of Business Success

RJ Burr, 49, is a third generation producer of American oil. Born into the industry, Mr. Burr was on his first location before he could walk and has been fascinated by the production of oil his entire life. Within 3 months of graduating high school, Mr. Burr funded his first partnership and never looked back. RJ is the CEO/President at Panex. With a main focus on the Gulf Coast, Mr. Burr’s companies have raised and deployed over $300 million in upstream development and have partnered with some of the largest oil and gas companies, namely Shell, BP, and Marathon, to develop several million barrels in reserves.

How to connect with RJ:

Website: panex.us/learn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj-burr-06a609162

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In this episode Deb offers valuable advice to C-suite leaders and aspiring leaders on managing time efficiently, understanding the deeper 'why' behind their actions, and effectively communicating with their teams. Deb emphasizes the importance of slowing down, engaging with team members' feelings, and articulating clear visions for successful leadership. Listeners are encouraged to connect with her for further guidance and support in their careers.

Episode Highlights:

05:03 Common Mistakes in Leadership

07:07 The Importance of Clear Communication

08:01 Practical Leadership Advice

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In this episode Chris Pienkowski, a seasoned leadership coach who focuses on developing high-impact leaders, shares his career journey, starting from Boy Scouts to leading company turnarounds and now focusing on leadership development. Listen in as Deb and Chris discuss empowering others, performance review improvements, and the principles of high-impact leadership. They have an insightful conversation about the essence of leadership, the importance of regular feedback, and the criticality of two-way service conversations. Chris also highlights his content on leadership development through his podcast and social media platforms.

Episode Highlights:

02:20  From Boy Scouts to Business Turnarounds

04:46 The Role of a Turnaround Leader

10:31 The Importance of Leadership Development

13:49 Effective Performance Reviews: A New Approach

26:57 High Impact Leadership Principles

After a successful career starting, running, and advising companies, Chris Pienkowski turned his focus to his true passion: coaching CEOs and senior executives across the US and Canada. Recognizing the leadership gap in small and mid-sized businesses, Chris founded Straight Arrow Coaching to bridge it. His mission is to bring proven leadership frameworks to these businesses, helping them unlock their full potential. With a Wharton education, a love for classic cars, Jiu Jitsu, and the outdoors, Chris lives with his family in suburban Philadelphia, committed to empowering the leaders of tomorrow.

Connect with Chris:

Website: https://www.straightarrowcoaching.com/

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

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

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In this episode, Mark Fellin, Chief Quality Officer at Melissa & Doug, discusses his career journey from politics to quality assurance in the toy industry, emphasizing the importance of support networks and mentorship. He highlights the unique challenges of ensuring product safety and quality in wooden toys, and the importance of regulations in maintaining standards. Mark shares personal anecdotes about his family and work-life balance, emphasizing joy and creativity in his role. He also discusses the importance of engaging and supporting team members and the fulfillment that comes from seeing the positive impact of one's work.

Episode Highlights:

01:12 Meet Mark Fellin: Quality Leader at Melissa and Doug

02:28 Mark Fellin's Career Journey

04:46 Balancing Work and Family

08:16 The Toy Industry and Product Safety

22:34 Leadership Insights and Challenges

Mark S. Fellin is a seasoned leader in Quality Engineering, Compliance, and Safety, currently heading these efforts at Melissa & Doug. With a focus on enhancing product performance and integrity, Mark's work ensures a superior consumer experience. Before joining Melissa & Doug, he led global product safety teams at Amazon, where he also spearheaded regulatory and compliance initiatives. Mark's extensive career spans roles in retail, manufacturing, and government, including positions at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. He holds degrees in Politics, Theology, and Strategic Public Relations, and lives in Alexandria, VA with his family.

Connect with Mark:

Website: www.melissaanddoug.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfellin/

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In this episode, Garrett Delph, founder and CEO of Clarity Ops shares strategies for bringing order to chaos in businesses. Garrett shares his extensive experience in helping companies scale successfully through the implementation of robust infrastructure and governance. The discussion includes the importance of clear processes, internal customer focus, and creating sustainable growth without chaos. Garrett provides insights into the challenges and solutions for businesses experiencing rapid growth, emphasizing the value of measurement and clarity in operations.

Episode Highlights:

02:57 The Importance of Order in Business

05:34 Understanding the Root of Business Chaos

09:08 The Role of Internal Customers

27:55 The Value of Real-World Experience

Garrett Delph is the Founder and CEO with over 25 years of experience in building and scaling companies. He specializes in empowering founders and CEOs of businesses with $5M+ in annual revenues to optimize operations, align teams, and foster a people-first culture for sustainable growth. Understanding the chaos of business firsthand, Garrett excels in transforming confusion and complexity into clarity. He partners with executives to diagnose challenges and architect sustainable transformations, offering solutions at a fraction of the cost of full-time employees. Garrett's focus on execution ensures that strategic recommendations are actionable, providing long-term benefits and operational excellence.

Connect with Garrett:

Website: https://clarityops.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettdelph/
Medium: https://medium.com/@garrett_delph

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In this episode, Deb Coviello offers key insights into how leaders can get their resumes noticed and into the 'yes' pile. She emphasizes the importance of strategic wording, the power of networking, and projecting oneself at the next level. Deb shares tips on formatting resumes to engage both humans and AI tools, turning the resume into a conversation starter, and ultimately landing interviews. She also underscores the value of acting like an authentic leader now and using positive and influential language.

Episode Highlights:

01:34 How to Get Your Resume Noticed

03:26 Networking and Elevator Pitches

04:29 Leadership Tips and Tricks

07:57 Resume Tips: Continue, Start, Change

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In this episode, Matthew Pollard, known as the Rapid Growth Guy, discusses the strengths of introverts in business settings. Pollard shares his journey from an introverted individual with learning difficulties to a successful entrepreneur and bestselling author. The conversation explores common misconceptions about introversion, the power of storytelling, and strategies for both introverts and extroverts to excel in sales and leadership roles. Pollard emphasizes the importance of leveraging natural introverted skills, continuous improvement, and creating unique value propositions for emerging leaders.

Episode Highlights:

09:06 Understanding Introversion and Its Misconceptions

15:27 The Strengths and Challenges of Extroverts

24:07 Corporate Culture and Employee Engagement

26:50 Addressing Leadership Burnout

27:52 Effective Storytelling in Sales

29:07 Transforming Stories for Impact

32:32 Inspiring Emerging Leaders

36:39 Differentiating Yourself as a Leader

41:04 The Anti-Elevator Pitch

Known as the Rapid Growth guy, Matthew Pollard is responsible for five multimillion-dollar business success stories. Today, Forbes calls him “the real deal,” Global Gurus lists him as a Top 30 Sales Professional, and SellingPower Magazine just named him their 2023 Sales Kickoff Speaker of the Year. He’s also the founder of Introvertu.com and the bestselling author of The Introvert’s Edge book series, which has sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages.

Other ways to connect with Matthew:

Website: www.matthewpollard.com

The Introvert's Edge Podcast: https://matthewpollard.com/theintrovertsedge
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpollardspeaker
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewpollardspeaker
Facebook: https://facebook.com/MatthewPollardSpeaker
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Matthewpollard

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