Shows
Hands-Off CEOWhy Smart Founders Get Stuck Selling to Enterprise and How to Scale Revenue with Amanda FreickIn this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Amanda Freick, founder of Creative Intelligence Group, to unpack what it really takes to sell into complex, high-stakes industries and why mindset, confidence, and execution matter just as much as strategy.Amanda shares how her firm helps companies selling into electric utilities and other complex organizations navigate 18–24+ month sales cycles, build scalable commercial infrastructure, and shorten time to revenue without cutting corners. With deep expertise in the energy sector, she explains why utilities are intentionally hard to sell to, how road signs like MSAs and pilots signal real progress, an...
2026-01-281h 19Hands-Off CEOWhy Most Marketing Data Is Wrong (And How to Prove What Actually Drives Revenue) with Jeff GreenfieldIn this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Jeff Greenfield, CEO and founder of Provalytics, to unpack why most marketing measurement is broken and how brands, agencies, and CMOs can finally prove what actually drives revenue.Jeff shares nearly two decades of experience building and exiting one of the first multi-touch attribution platforms, explaining how privacy changes, click-based analytics, and platform-reported metrics have misled marketers into making costly decisions. Instead of optimizing for what truly changes behavior, many teams are trapped optimizing for clicks, often at the expense of long-term growth.This...
2026-01-2135 minHands-Off CEOUse Speaking to Scale Influence, Authority, and High-Value Clients with Cam BeaudoinIn this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Cam Beaudoin, a speaker strategist who helps founders, consultants, and service-based business owners leverage speaking to build authority, attract high-value clients, and scale influence without chasing big stages or flashy keynotes.Cam shares how he has helped experts turn speaking into a strategic growth engine, utilizing stages, breakout rooms, and recorded talks to generate leads, build credibility, and create repeatable business opportunities. Instead of relying on one-off events or massive audiences, Cam shows how intentional speaking can compound over time and position you as the expert event planners want to...
2026-01-1456 minHands-Off CEOHow Mid-Market Companies Scale Sales Predictably with Shaun AlgerIn this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Shaun Alger, a sales strategist and advisor to mid-market companies, about how businesses can build repeatable sales systems that scale without relying on luck, superstar hires, or constant firefighting.Shaun shares how he’s helped mid-market companies overcome the “complexity ceiling,” turn client relationships into growth engines, and create structured sales processes that drive predictable revenue. Instead of growing through reactive efforts or overextending teams, Shaun shows how top-performing companies scale by combining strategy, systems, and relational selling.When your sales operations are structured around process, metrics, and human...
2026-01-1052 minHands-Off CEOThe Book That Sells for You: Turning Your Knowledge into a Lead-Generating Machine with Steve Gordonn this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Steve Gordon, founder of Million Dollar Author, to uncover how business owners can scale, attract clients, and generate referrals without constantly chasing prospects.Steve shares how he’s helped founders use books as powerful business development tools, position themselves as a “category of one,” and leverage their expertise along with AI to grow revenue predictably. Instead of relying on endless sales calls or overstaffed teams, Steve reveals how top-performing businesses grow by capturing their unique intellectual property, systematizing processes, and using books strategically to drive high-value opportunities.
2025-12-2135 minHands-Off CEOHow to Scale Your Agency | Pricing, Positioning & Profit Models with Eli RubelIn this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Eli Rubel, founder of Profit Labs, about how agency owners can scale profitably without adding unnecessary headcount, chaos, or complexity.Eli shares how he’s helped agencies increase net profit, position themselves as the “chosen path” for premium clients, and build lean, profit-first operations that run smoothly without the founder at the center. Instead of growing through brute force or overstaffing, Eli reveals how top-performing agencies grow by focusing on pricing, positioning, and structured systems that work predictably.When your agency is structured around profit and outcomes, your busine...
2025-11-2836 minHands-Off CEOHow the Top 1% of Agencies Scale Profitably Without Burning Out with Gray MacKenzieIn this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Gray MacKenzie, co-founder of ZenPilot, about how agency owners can build scalable, self-managing operations that run smoothly, without adding more people, tools, or chaos.Gray shares how he’s helped hundreds of agencies streamline their systems, eliminate operational bottlenecks, and build clarity into every level of their business. Instead of growing through brute force and burnout, Gray reveals how top-performing agencies grow through structure, simplicity, and systems that work without the founder at the center.When your operations run like clockwork, your business becomes easier to scale, your te...
2025-11-0854 minHands-Off CEOThe #1 Advantage the Top 5% of Firms Have (& How To Build It In 30 Days)In this solo episode, Mandi reveals the single biggest advantage that sets the top 5% of consulting and agency firms apart and how you can start building it in your business in just 30 days.While most agencies are busy optimizing operations, chasing leads, or cutting costs, the best firms are doing something entirely different: they’re optimizing for client profit and proof of results. Mandi shares real client examples, case studies, and frameworks that show how to reposition your firm from being a vendor to becoming a strategic advisor your clients can’t live without.🔍 In This Ep...
2025-10-1540 minHands-Off CEOFrom Zero to Booked Out: Build a High-Converting B2B Webinar Strategy w/ Logan LylesIn this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Logan Lyles, founder of Demand Shift. Logan helps B2B agencies and brands turn simple marketing into predictable growth using webinars that actually convert and authentic outreach that builds trust.Together, they unpack how Logan went from launching his agency to booking dozens of sales calls in just weeks, all without complicated funnels or big ad budgets. He shares exactly how he used LinkedIn, a short survey, and value-first webinars to build relationships and win clients fast.You’ll learn why most agencies ov...
2025-10-0840 minHands-Off CEOClients Say “Why Are Your Prices Going Up?” And You Say…In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson unpacks one of the biggest fears firm owners face, raising prices. For many, it feels risky, even dangerous, because losing a single client can feel like a step backward. But as Mandi reveals, the real danger isn’t in raising your rates, it’s in how you position the increase.You’ll discover why most firms trigger pushback the moment they justify price hikes with “rising costs” or extra deliverables, and how to avoid falling into that trap. Instead, Mandi shows you how to reframe your offers around the...
2025-10-0410 minHands-Off CEOHow to Simplify Your Agency Marketing and Attract Better Clients w/ Kristie PlantingaIn this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Kristie Plantinga, founder of Place Digital. Kristie helps agencies and service providers simplify their marketing and attract clients with content that actually converts.Together, they dig into why so many agencies struggle with marketing that feels scattered and how to build a simple, repeatable system that brings in the right leads without burning you out. From choosing the right channels to creating content that speaks directly to your ideal clients, Kristie shares practical steps you can start using right away.You’ll discover wh...
2025-10-0239 minHands-Off CEOHow to Simplify Agency Growth and Win Better Clients w/ Jody SutterIn this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Jody Sutter, founder of The Sutter Company. Jody has helped agencies of all sizes simplify their business development and win clients without burning out or chasing the wrong opportunities.Together, they dig into why most agencies overcomplicate growth and how to make business development simple, repeatable, and effective. From positioning that actually attracts the right clients to turning your sales process into a system, Jody shares practical steps to help agency owners escape the feast-or-famine cycle.You’ll hear why trying to be ev...
2025-09-2530 minHands-Off CEOHow to Protect Your Agency, Get Paid, and Grow with Sharon ToerekIn this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Sharon Toerek, founder of Toerek Law and host of The Innovative Agency. Sharon is an attorney who’s spent years helping agencies protect their businesses, get paid faster, and turn their ideas into valuable assets.Together, they dive into the hidden risks that hold agencies back and the simple legal moves that can unlock more profit, protection, and long-term value. From contracts that actually get you paid to new rules around using AI in client work, Sharon shares practical steps every agency owner needs to he...
2025-09-2031 minHands-Off CEOAI, Uncertainty & Consulting in 2025: How to Stay Ahead w/ Michael ZipurskyIn this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson welcomes back Michael Zipursky, CEO of Consulting Success. Michael has worked with thousands of consultants worldwide, helping them build more profitable, scalable, and freedom-filled businesses.Together, they dive into the radical shifts happening in the consulting space. From AI disruption to global uncertainty and how these changes are creating a clear divide between firms that adapt and those that fall behind.You’ll discover why consultants who only sell “deliverables” risk being commoditized, and why the real winners are repositioning around must-have offers that solve urgent...
2025-09-1829 minHands-Off CEOHow to Turn Your Invisible Advantage™ Into a $100K Consulting Offer: Step 2 of 3If you're tired of selling time, deliverables, or access to you — and still not breaking past your growth ceiling — this episode is your turning point.In Part 2 of our Invisible Advantage™ Mini Series, Mandi Ellefson walks you through exactly how to identify and articulate the unique, uncopyable value your consulting firm already delivers — and turn it into a premium offer that sells itself.You'll learn:How to uncover your Invisible Advantage™ (even if you've never named it)Why clients buy results — not accessThe #1 shift needed to move from overextended expert to high-value advisorReal examples of consultin...
2025-07-2404 minHands-Off CEOCopy This Strategy to 6X Your Profit — Without Hiring a Big TeamIf you're stuck at capacity, pricing too low, and feel like growth means burnout — this video shows you a smarter path to scale.In this episode, Mandi Ellefson shares how two consulting firms 2X’d their prices and 6X’d their profits without hiring or hustling harder.They didn’t need a bigger team — they needed a better offer.This strategy helped them reposition around outcomes, simplify delivery, and close premium deals with confidence.If you’re delivering great results but not getting paid...
2025-07-1006 minHands-Off CEOCopy This Process to Save 20 Hours a Week in Your CompanyAre you the one holding your agency together — and holding it back?If you’ve hired a team, built some systems, and delegated tasks… but you still can’t step away without things stalling — you're not scaling, you're surviving.In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down why founders become the bottleneck in their agency’s growth — even when it looks like they’re doing everything right — and how to fix it.You’ll learn:✅ The real reason your team still leans on you for everything✅ Why systems alone don’t create scale✅ How...
2025-07-0802 minHands-Off CEOWhy Clients Say No to Your $20K Offer — and Yes to Your $100K OneYour $20K proposal isn’t failing because of the price — it’s failing because your consulting firm’s value proposition isn’t landing. And ironically? The same clients who ghost your $20K pitch might eagerly say “yes” to $100K — if you position it the right way.In this video, Mandi Ellefson shares the agency positioning strategy that helped one firm move from stalled $30K deals to consistently closing $100K+ engagements — with the same clients.🎯 You’ll learn:1. Why smaller offers feel riskier than premium ones2. The #1 reason your “reasonable” price is stil...
2025-06-2803 minHands-Off CEOHigh-Paying Clients Keep Passing You Over — Here’s Why (And How to Stop It)Still stuck trying to sell $20K projects… while your competitors are landing $100K+ deals?In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down the 4 strategic shifts consulting agency CEOs are using to close premium, high-trust engagements — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or getting stuck in the weeds of delivery.If you’re delivering great results but getting ghosted, undercut, or passed over for bigger firms… this will change how you sell forever.⏱️ What You’ll Learn:The mindset shift that flips you from vendor to strategic advisor Why your curre...
2025-06-2603 minHands-Off CEOStruggling to Sell $20K? These 4 Shifts Close $100K Deals InsteadTrying to sell $20K projects — but clients keep ghosting, lowballing, or dragging their feet?This video breaks down 4 powerful shifts that will help you close $100K+ consulting deals with confidence — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or working more hours.Mandi Ellefson (founder of Hands-Off CEO) shares the exact mindset, offer, and positioning strategies top consulting and agency owners are using to consistently close high-ticket clients — even in a tight market.💥 If you’ve been stuck in $10K–$30K projects that drain your time and don’t reflect your value — this is your wake...
2025-06-2404 minHands-Off CEOHow to Inspire Clients to Unlock Bigger Budgets (Even When They Say "No")In this episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals why you don’t need to search for "clients with bigger budgets" - they’re already right in front of you! Discover how to inspire existing clients to unlock budgets they didn’t even know they had.Mandi shows exactly how to transform your business from charging $5K per month on 3-month engagements to commanding $90K for a 90-day ROI builder offer. This is how our clients are building breathtaking case studies that naturally justify premium pricing. 0:00 - Why clients resist higher fees (and what to do abo...
2025-05-2612 minHands-Off CEOGrowing Faster by Hiring Managers from Eastern Europe with Noel Andrews - E115It’s a common misconception in North America and the UK that talent from Eastern Europe isn’t as qualified as job candidates from local markets. But is it actually true? (Hint: it’s not). You can grow your business faster when you tap into remote markets like Eastern Europe or South Africa. On average, hiring talented remote workers from these markets costs only 50-60% of hiring locally. And with the freed-up capital from hiring remote workers, you might be able to fully staff your business with good people before your team burns out.
2025-02-2540 minHands-Off CEOThe Winning Consultancies of 2024: What They're Doing in 2025 - E114
In this insightful solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson shares critical insights from her extensive experience working with thousands of consulting companies over the past 12 years. She reveals the four key strategies that distinguish thriving consulting firms from those struggling to scale.Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, Mandi breaks down how successful consultancies are adapting to market changes and positioning themselves for sustainable growth. She emphasizes that 2024 has been a challenging year for many companies, making these strategies even more crucial for success in 2025.The episode deep dives into four fundamental areas:
2025-02-2030 min
Hands-Off CEODream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113
In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson interviews Liz Elting, author of “Dream Big and Win” and founder of TransPerfect, which she built into the world’s largest language solutions company. Starting from an NYU dorm room at age 26, Liz shares her journey of scaling a business while maintaining exceptional service quality.Liz discusses how she transformed her company by implementing innovative strategies to empower employees to think and act like owners. She emphasizes the importance of building world-class sales and production teams early, with compensation structures that align employee incentives with company goals. Rather than tradit...
2024-12-0551 min
Hands-Off CEOSpooky Podcast: Should I Blow Up My Business? - E111
Are you playing it too safe with your agency's growth? In this thought-provoking episode, Mandi Ellefson challenges agency owners to think bigger about transformation. Drawing from her experience helping agencies scale, Mandi explains why staying "safe" might be the riskiest strategy in today's market. This episode explores:Fear of Business Transformation [00:00:00] Learn why many successful agency owners resist making changes that could unlock massive growth, fearing they'll "blow up" what's already working.Market Pressures and Competition [00:01:48] Understand the current challenges facing agencies, including AI disruption, increasing competition, inflation, and changing buying patterns.Case Study: Ralph Burns' Success [00:02:42] Discover...
2024-11-0111 minHands-Off CEOWant rapid, doubling growth? Here’s what it takes…
Are agency owners feeling trapped by their own success? In this insightful episode, Mandi Ellefson explores how CEOs can scale their consulting agencies to new heights. Drawing from her experience with thousands of agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down critical elements for exponential growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights, including:Setting Ambitious Growth Goals [00:01:46]Discover why basing future success on past performance limits potential, and how to set more expansive targets.Investing Ahead of Growth [00:04:23]Learn why investing in your company's growth before you have the cash flow is crucial for rapid scaling.Repositioning Your...
2024-09-1316 minHands-Off CEOHow Top CEOs Scale to $10M by Stepping Away
Are you a 7-figure agency owner feeling trapped by your own success? In this eye-opening episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals how top CEOs are scaling to $10 million and beyond by stepping away from day-to-day operations.Drawing from her extensive experience consulting with over 1000 agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down the critical stages of scaling and the mindset shifts necessary for exponential growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights, including:The Three Stages of Scaling from $1M to $10M [00:55]Discover the unique challenges at each growth stage, from the chaotic $1M-$3M phase to the "rinse...
2024-09-0618 minHands-Off CEOHow to Profitably Scale Your Consulting Agency with Ricardo Perez
If you're like most entrepreneurs, you already know that the journey to success is a long and arduous one. You've poured in your sweat, tears, and countless sleepless nights to get where you are today. But despite all your hard work and dedication, there comes a time when you hit a roadblock and find yourself unable to grow any further. You become the bottleneck of your own growth. This is exactly what Ricardo Perez, CEO of OneRhythm, encountered while running his agency. But he didn't let this setback defeat hi...
2023-11-3037 minHands-Off CEOPreventing and Overcoming Stagnant Growth
Two and a half years tend to be the sweet spot where consulting agencies come knocking on Hands-Off CEO’s door. Usually, those two and a half years are the point when CEOs can feel like they are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hard work and stress that is preventing their growth.But there's a better way to scale your company while avoiding those stagnant periods and growth plateaus.Don't fall into the trap of getting ready to get ready. In this solo episode, I'm here to guide yo...
2023-11-2813 minHands-Off CEOFinancial Insights Your Ops Leader Needs to Double Profits and Simplify Your Agency with Marcel Petitpas
When managing a consulting agency, there's always a constant feeling that our current methods for measuring profitability just aren't giving us the whole story.Marcel Petitpas, CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto, experienced this very issue while running his own agency. Luckily, he didn't just sit back and accept the status quo. Instead, he set out to find a better way. Get ready to discover what he did to streamline their operations and reporting systems to improve profitability. He found a better way to help agencies double their profits and s...
2023-11-1651 minHands-Off CEOMoving Away from Traditional Agency Models with Greg Hickman
Have you ever thought about looking at agencies from a new perspective? Get ready to discover the concept of the "Alt Agencies" - where specialization and specific outcomes for niche clients are favored over the traditional agency model. Our Guest Greg Hickman shares his journey on how to deliver a repeatable sales and onboarding process. The conversation touched insightful topics like: Power of productizing services [04:56]Understanding the concept of "productizing" services, which involves packaging a repeatable service with fixed problem-solving, turnaround time, and price. Discover th...
2023-07-2839 minHands-Off CEOMake Clients Happy Through Effective Account Management with Taylor McMaster
Did you ever think about the importance of effective account management on scaling your business? If not, prepare for these gems! In this episode Taylor McMaster, founder of Dot and Company, tells her story and how she helps digital marketing agencies with achieving full-service client account management.Here are the essential insights from our riveting conversation with Taylor- feel free to have a powerful read through these most impactful lessons.Important Correlation between Sales and Account Management [07:22]Find out why sales and handovers are essential...
2023-07-0733 minHands-Off CEOCharge More as Clients See You as a Strategic Growth Partner with John Jantsch
Are you ready to take your marketing strategy to new heights? We have a treat for you! Our latest podcast episode features the marketing expert, author, and speaker John Jantsch, owner of Duct Tape Marketing. Get ready to fuel your success with these game-changing insights!In today's fast-paced world, time is everything, and we understand that. That's why we've condensed the best highlights from our conversation with John, ensuring you get the most valuable information without wasting a second. Let's dive right into it!The Duct Tape Marketing Methodology and L...
2023-05-1725 minHands-Off CEOThe Lifestyle Business Lie
This is part 2 of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. In this episode, Mandi and Ross share some of the more vulnerable stories and experiences they haven't shared on the podcast before. They dispel the myth of the "seven-figure lifestyle business" and discuss the truth about what it really takes to become a hands-off CEO, including the impact this shift can have on your financial stability and your overall lifestyle.Key ideas discussed...
2023-02-1640 minHands-Off CEOHow Business Success Enables Personal Transformations
This is the first episode of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. The conversation takes a deep dive into the mission behind Hands-Off CEO, and you'll hear stories of clients who have experienced real transformations in their business through challenging circumstances. You'll also learn about the topic of "letting go" and the importance of building a culture of accountability and urgency within your organization. Key ideas you’ll hear:
Mandi is writing a b...
2023-02-0939 minHands-Off CEOStreamline Your Legal Decision-Making with Sharon Toerek
In this week’s episode of Hands-Off CEO, Sharon Toerek discusses how to streamline legal decision-making in your business. She joins host Mandi Ellefson to share insights on setting up systems for making informed legal choices and delve into the importance of master service agreements and key components of a legal service agreement. You will also learn practical tips specifically for agencies and gain a deeper understanding of how to separate CEO involvement in day-to-day operations. Sharon Toerek is a marketing law and IP lawyer serving agencies through her company Legal + Creative | Toerek Law. She is also the...
2023-02-0239 minHands-Off CEO5 Critical Aspects to Build Powerful Teams
One of the keys to becoming a hands-off CEO is having a powerful team you can trust to run your business while you focus on growth. In this solo episode, I share the five barriers to building and running these powerful teams, and what you can do to overcome them.Key Ideas:
One of the barriers to building a multiple million dollar company that can run without you is the freelancer mindset that many CEOs have. Many of them often fall into the trap of thinking everyone is there to help them, rather...
2023-01-1915 minHands-Off CEOHow Much Profit Should I Be Making?
Growth as a CEO often looks like more stress, more responsibility, too much work, and not enough profit. Even if making good money, many businesses are slowed by how little profits they retain. Real profitability is what a CEO would actually make if they were paid at market rate instead of their own salary. But how do you measure that? Mandi Ellefson shares how to calculate your business’ real profits in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.Key Ideas:
It is common for CEOs of consultancy firms to rake in loads of money wi...
2023-01-1215 minHands-Off CEOHow to Select the Right Scalability Plan
How do you determine if the direction your company is taking is the right one? Mandi Ellefson discusses an effective formula for devising the right scalability plan, and shares a step-by-step guide.Key Ideas:
If you haven’t established clarity in your vision, it’s easy for your business to end up taking detours. You may eventually reach the right path, but not without wasted time, energy, and resources. Creating a clear vision is the first step to selecting the right scalability plan.
Adding a couple hundred thousand dollars to your business doesn’t requ...
2023-01-0513 minHands-Off CEOMost Ops Issues are Created in the Sales Process
There is a big misconception around operations, sales, and marketing and how they all intersect. Mandi Ellefson debunks some of these misconceptions and discusses how operations and sales impact scalability in a consulting agency.Key Ideas:
Most approaches to scaling a consulting agency are actually more applicable to scaling a general company - they don’t account for the nuances of a consulting agency.
Many operational challenges in a consulting agency are actually sales challenges. The root problem is the abundance of variability in the services you offer due to how you generate cli...
2022-12-1513 minHands-Off CEOHow to Get Your Team to OWN It! Delegating Ownership
Delegating ownership frees up time for CEOs so they can focus on the business. Mandi Ellefson talks about the right way to let go of your business and hand the reins over to capable leaders, and how this helps you actually work on growing the business.Key Ideas:
The challenge with delegating ownership is that if you don't scale the right way, you'll find that your client results start to decline, Mandi shares. Oftentimes, you can find yourself in a position where you need to be hands-on with the project in order to...
2022-12-0819 minHands-Off CEOVulnerable Share About Success in Business and Your Family
What defining moments or milestones have happened to you along the way towards your current level of success? Mandi Ellefson shares her story as she discusses milestones that people typically experience in their business journey, and how to identify and address common challenges.Key Ideas:
Very few business women ever reach 7 figures in their company.
“Whenever there's a certain goal that we are shooting for, the gap [between it and us] personifies itself as something external, but the biggest reason we don’t have it is because we are not being the person who c...
2022-12-0113 minHands-Off CEOGrowth Lessons from the Ice Bath and Retreat Breakdown
How can you succeed while doing less? Focusing on the present may allow you to create more value. Mandi Ellefson describes her Wim Hoff ice bath meditation experience as she shares tips on overcoming fear. Key Ideas:
Taking deep breaths to center yourself grounds you in the present and helps you see past your fear. Mandi describes how she was able to shift from fight-or-flight to a place of calm. “I went from suffering to surrender,” she explains. This shift changed her perception of the experience, not the experience itself. [5:09]
As you scale, the c...
2022-11-1713 minHands-Off CEO[Replay] The Integrity of Scale
This week we have a replay of one of Hands Off CEO's most popular episodes.Mandi Ellefson is discussing why popular scaling advice is terrible for consulting agencies. She shares insights about marketing, systems, and what you should actually do to scale.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
“Do you really want to systematize and accelerate a process that's just getting okay and mediocre results?” Mandi shares a story about a company that grew from referrals, but was challenged when they attempted proactive marketing. [1:25]
“Your marketing could be telling...
2022-11-0313 minHands-Off CEO[Replay] How to Drive Rapid Hands-off Growth
Mandi Ellefson shares how leaders can drive rapid growth in their company beyond themselves in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
Convincing someone to do something: they have to want to do it, and money isn’t the most reliable incentive. [1:32]
The food chain of passion. “If you don’t have a lot of passion, then neither will your team.” [3:43]
The secret to growing your company beyond you. “What is the bigger reason for why you're scaling? What is the impact that you could potentially be making in the world...
2022-10-2709 minHands-Off CEOQ4 Is the Buying Season
What do you need to put in place to generate cash flow? Are you ready to hire the right people to support your growth? Mandi Ellefson discusses how to take advantage of the buying season to increase business growth. She advises CEOs to get out from under day-to-day operations, freeing up time for more strategic planning.Key Ideas:
Quarter 4 is when your clients and prospects are pulling out their budgets, Mandi says, and thinking about what they can do differently in the upcoming year. “Most consulting agencies are too busy to take full ad...
2022-10-2010 minHands-Off CEOHow I Cut 20 Hours Off My Week with an Amazing Executive Assistant
The right executive assistant is the Chief Bottleneck Breaker of your company. This role should NOT be ignored. Mandi Ellefson discusses how an executive assistant can free up 20 hours per week, and why this role is especially relevant for CEOs.Key Ideas:
Mandi’s own experience can attest to the benefits of an executive assistant, as hers was able to free up no less than 20 hours per week by doing a lot of the soul-sucking tasks that Mandi hated doing. CEOs should keep in mind, however, that it should be a long term po...
2022-10-1333 minHands-Off CEOHiring an Executive Assistant
Increase your productivity without the strain? Yes, please! Executive assistants can make it happen. Mandi Ellefson shares how she cut 20 hours off her work week by hiring an executive assistant, and why every CEO should have one.Key Ideas:
Trends are changing in the staffing industry, Mandi claims. Recently, it hasn’t been as competitive as it has in the past. Through paid advertising, you’re likely to find some really good candidates on LinkedIn. [4:06]
If you could spend ten extra hours a week generating more sales, how much business could you bring in...
2022-10-0630 minHands-Off CEOScale Your Agency with Ice Cold Leads
Reach your ideal prospects wherever they hang out - via LinkedIn or cold email or any other channel - and scale your consulting agency. Mandi Ellefson shares the five variables that make cold outreach work in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.Key Ideas:
Use direct outreach to make money quickly if you’re in a bind and need to bring in more clients. It’s a good strategy to use as you build up your company, when you need to test new offers, or when you’re pivoting your company. [3:04]
“We want to move...
2022-09-2918 minHands-Off CEOYour 3 Roles as a CEO
What does your job look like when you start working on the business instead of working in it? Mandi Ellefson describes the three main roles that CEOs assume to maximize both their time in the business and the earning potential of the whole company in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.Key Ideas:
A CEO is responsible for providing vision, accountability, and support. Vision encompasses growth strategy, mission, and culture; accountability involves setting and managing agreements, and support refers to the training and material support that employees need to be successful. [4:17]
Most CEOs...
2022-09-2222 minHands-Off CEOA Million Dollars in Agency Sales in 6 months with Jaco Grobbelaar and Jon Sooy
Can you imagine going from 3,000 to 30,000 visits a month? BroadVision Marketing takes clients from local to national levels, adding millions of dollars in as little as 6 months. Mandi’s guests Jaco Grobbelaar and Jon Sooy of BroadVision Marketing share how they scale their clients further than they could have ever imagined. You’ll hear Mandi, Jaco and Jon talk about:
BroadVision Marketing positions themselves as their clients’ concierge, but they’re not sitting across the table from you - they’re walking by your side towards your goals. It’s apparent to them early on whet...
2022-09-1552 minHands-Off CEOHow to Use Your Business as a Vehicle to Build Wealth
Businesses are great sources of income, but you shouldn’t have to keep working forever to build your wealth - and especially not after retirement. Mandi Ellefson explores how business owners can avoid this in this week’s show.Key Ideas:
Mandi shares how she first started seeing business as a vehicle for building wealth. [2:12]
“We had seen all the advice about buying into the stock market in your 20’s… and we made a conscious decision to wait and invest in our earning potential,” Mandi says. She and her husband were able to uniquely bui...
2022-09-0811 minHands-Off CEOBuilding an Agency with a Purpose with Karen Hite
Committing to a bigger purpose than profit is a surefire way to build a strong company; one that can withstand even a pandemic. Mandi’s guest in this episode of Hands-Off CEO is Karen Hite, Director of Operations at Digital Agency Hacker and co-founder of Hite Digital. Karen will explore why having a grand vision, passion and purpose leads to long-term success.You’ll hear Mandi and Karen talk about:
Karen had a big vision of supporting people in her home country and generating over 1000 jobs through her agency. This is one reason why...
2022-07-1427 minHands-Off CEO5 Ways Top Leaders Show Up That Adds Millions of Dollars of Profitable Growth
There are CEOs who are adding millions of dollars to their annual revenue - the ultimate Hands Off CEOs. There are leaders who are able to scale their business profitably, and they have five traits in common. If you want to see the kinds of productivity and profitability that these top-performing CEOs are getting out of their teams and businesses, this episode is for you. Mandi Ellefson is sharing what you need to know in this week’s show.Key Ideas:
“The next level of growth [doesn’t] come from the amount of work y...
2022-07-0721 minHands-Off CEOThe 5 Keys to Gold Standard Agency Project Management with Gray MacKenzie
The temptation to get back into client work can be overwhelming for a CEO scaling their team - especially when it feels like your reputation is on the line. This means that too many CEOs are stuck overseeing project management that really should be delegated to other team members, leaving them with less time to actually run their business. In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi’s guest Gray Mackenzie, co-founder of ZenPilot, shares what CEOs need to do to get out of day-to-day project management once and for all.Key Ideas:
Entrepreneurs ar...
2022-06-3038 minHands-Off CEOThe Biggest Sales Mistake that Keeps CEOs Stuck in Service Delivery
In this week’s solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson explains how selling the wrong offer traps you in the company as CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
Mandi shares an example of selling the wrong package at the wrong time. [1:16]
Hands-Off CEO takes their clients through an intensive and thorough process to generate growth. “It used to take us 6 to 9 months to actually help our clients implement this in their business, now we can do it in about 3 or 4 weeks.” [3:03]
“What you should be doing is looking at what you can sell t...
2022-06-2307 minHands-Off CEOBoost Cash Flow and Safely Scale Financial Operations with Nikole Mackenzie and Ashley Carroll
Mandi Ellefson’s guests are Nikole Mackenzie and Ashley Carroll, founder and COO of Momentum Accounting. Momentum Accounting helps creative agencies and other professional service companies scale from $1 million to $10 million in annual recurring revenue. They are a 100% US-based, remote team of business-savvy accountants and technology experts who provide actionable insights and vision into the future so your business can grow faster, and more confidently.You’ll hear Mandi, Nikole and Ashley talk about:
Typically, businesses reach a point where their CEO is asking questions like: How much money can I take out of t...
2022-06-1645 minHands-Off CEOBiggest Mistakes Scaling to $1M and Beyond
There are plenty of mistakes you can make while scaling your service business, and if you’re having trouble scaling to the next level, chances are you’re making the biggest one. This is content that Mandi has been working on for years, and that has been used to help businesses vastly increase their profitability. Listen in to find out what the biggest mistake in scaling is - and how to avoid making it in your own business. You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
What is happening in the global marketp...
2022-06-0914 minHands-Off CEOThe Real Cost of Bad Onboarding with Kristen Gallagher
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Kristen Gallagher, founder and CEO of Edify, the frictionless way to onboard software engineers. Edify functionally tailors onboarding to each client’s teams, which works to attract, keep, and grow great employees while helping them get back the time they need.You’ll hear Mandi and Kristen talk about:
One of the top reasons for team dysfunction is that context isn’t being shared properly, Kristen says. In their desire to be transparent, a lot of business owners and executives are sharing a lot of information, but not everybod...
2022-06-0239 minHands-Off CEOAdapting to the New Business Climate
In this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson discusses the changes that the business climate has undergone over the last 2 years, and how you can use it to your advantage. She shares tips on ways to strengthen your business, increase your fees, and get a higher commitment from your very best clients.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
The challenges that arose in the spring of 2020, and how she helped her clients navigate it using the Power of One formula. “We went right back to the foundations - one client, one painful prob...
2022-05-2610 minHands-Off CEOUsing "Specialized Content" to Attract Consulting Clients with Michael Zipursky
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Michael Zipursky, CEO and co-founder of Consulting Success and bestselling author. Consulting Success is the most comprehensive learning platform for serious consultants and skilled professionals who want to grow a stable and reliable consulting practice that attracts high-value clients. Michael has advised organizations like Financial Times, Dow Jones, and RBC, and helped Panasonic launch new products into global markets. He has helped over 500 consultants in over 75 industries significantly increase their annual revenues. You’ll hear Mandi and Micheal talk about:
Every consultant could use some advice on keeping the p...
2022-05-1938 minHands-Off CEO3 Ways You Can Fail with Hiring an Operations Manager
In this week’s solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson describes what to look for when hiring an operations manager, and the three ways you can fail.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
Before you even hire an operations manager, your company has to be ready for it, Mandi says. “Your company has to be at a place where you know what you're selling, who you're selling it to, and the foundations of the business.” [2:15]
Mandi shares the importance of attracting a top performer. [3:43]
“One of the best ways you can attract better tal...
2022-05-1213 minHands-Off CEO5 Expectations for Your Operations Manager with Zac Stucki
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Zac Stucki, founder of Homeric Consulting Services and a team member at Hands-Off CEO. Zac’s specialization is scaling service-based companies and dealing with the operational constraints and challenges of fast-growing organizations. His education and training are an asset to Hands-Off CEO, bringing their operations advising to a whole new level.You’ll hear Mandi and Zac talk about:
“If you aren’t doing the right things in the right order, it can screw things up… The thing that makes businesses work is working together toward a common end.” Zac an...
2022-05-0533 minHands-Off CEO4 Mandatory Hiring Traits of an Operations Manager with Zac Stucki
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Zac Stucki, founder of Homeric Consulting Services and a team member at Hands-Off CEO. Zac’s specialization is scaling service-based companies and dealing with the operational constraints and challenges of fast-growing organizations. His education and training are an asset to Hands-Off CEO, bringing their operations advising to a whole new level.You’ll hear Mandi and Zac talk about:
“A lot of times, businesses misunderstand what operations is all about,” Zac claims. He describes the connection between sales and operations. [3:14]
One challenge in the hiring process is aptly determinin...
2022-04-2828 minHands-Off CEO5 Exits to 100k/mo in Profits and a 8 Figure Consulting Agency
Last week, Mandi Ellefson discussed the foundations of what it takes to beat inflation and scale profitably. In this week's episode of Hands-Off CEO, she describes the five exits she shares with her clients to help them safely remove themselves from different parts of their companies. You’ll hear Mandi talk about:Mandi shares the idea behind exiting. “The whole point of removing yourself… is so you can be working on the business and not in it. That’s where you can be generating these million-dollar ideas, rather than being the one mired down in t...
2022-04-2133 minHands-Off CEOFight Rapid Inflation + 10 Offer Factors to Profitably Scale
In this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson discusses how to fight profit erosion in a time of rapid inflation, and what factors are necessary to scale profitably.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
A lot of consulting agency CEOs find themselves stuck in a cycle of company productivity that’s driven by their productivity, Mandi shares. This makes it difficult for them to successfully exit. “We start the company because we are the company.” [2:17]
To safely let go of your company, you must have the right foundations. “You have to have the right...
2022-04-1420 minHands-Off CEOStop Using Bandaids and Fix Staff Engagement and Motivation Issues for Good
Mandi Ellefson discusses how to improve employee engagement in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
“[When] we hear staff say ‘I’m not getting paid enough,’ what they’re really saying is ‘I’m unhappy here; I’m not getting paid enough for the crap that I'm dealing with right now.’” A lack of employee engagement is a common problem for some businesses. Many leaders think that an increased wage would motivate their staff, but Mandi shares why this doesn’t work. [1:20]
There are three drivers behind people’s actions that ha...
2022-04-0710 minHands-Off CEOHow Shifting From Freelance To CEO Added $1M Of Growth To This Startup Consultancy with Josh LaMar and Marcelo Chinellato
Mandi Ellefson’s guests are Josh LaMar and Marcelo Chinellato, co-founders of Amplinate, formerly known as Authentique UX. Amplinate is committed to promoting cross-cultural understanding and deepening human connection through ethical product design. With almost two decades of cumulative experience across 18 countries, they help tech companies fast track domestic and international product growth without wasting money on designing and developing products that people won't use.You’ll hear Mandi, Josh, and Marcelo talk about:
“The whole pandemic situation was scary; we didn’t have clients for a month because they were figuring out what to...
2022-03-3155 minHands-Off CEOPush Starting a Car and the Connection to Hitting $100k/mo in Profits
Mandi Ellefson discusses how to get out of the entrapment cycle in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
The entrapment cycle seizes many CEOs. “There's this dynamic where you need to hire more experts to help you deliver the growth, but then you need more cash flow to be able to hire them. So you need more sales to generate more cash, but then you need more capacity to make sales without fear of quality slipping.” [2:41]
“This cycle is just so challenging, and the impact of this is that...
2022-03-2408 minHands-Off CEOConsulting Agencies Adding $1M+ Plus in 12 months, What Do They Have in Common?
Mandi Ellefson discusses the characteristics of rapid growth companies in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about: Two things rapid growth businesses have in common. “[Rapid growth businesses] usually have an offer that’s really valuable in the market, and are willing to position themselves in such a way that it’s a lot easier to sell.” [1:19]“Our top-level clients who are able to add $1-2 million+ in their first year with us have this certainty that allows them to show up 100% committed, and because they're committed, it drives decisi...
2022-03-1711 minHands-Off CEOUltimate Comeback Story - Leading Expansive Growth in Uncertain Times with Jamie Birch
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Jamie Birch, CEO and Chief Incremental Officer at JEBCommerce, an organization that helps retainers maximize their affiliate sales. He has extensive experience in all facets of online marketing. This has enabled Jamie to thrive and become a market leader in these unprecedented times. Jamie and his team help clients grow their revenue and gain an additional $10M in sales in 3 years. He is the host of The Profitable Performance Marketing Podcast, where he talks to industry experts and shares insights to assist listeners. You’ll hear Mandi and Jamie talk...
2022-03-1048 minHands-Off CEOGrowth, Value, and Mindsets with Aaron Krall
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Aaron Krall, founder of SaaS Visionaries and the SaaS Accelerator, a proven system that adds $500,000 of revenue to SaaS companies in just 12 months. He is also one of Hands-Off CEO’s Scale to Freedom clients.You’ll hear Mandi and Tim talk about:
“It’s a really specific program we’ve designed,” Aaron says. “We come in, and we rehaul everything.” He briefly lists the four major levels of SaaS growth that his company ensures, which are market positioning, automating the sales process, increasing customer value, and filling the funnel. [2:12]
“...
2022-03-0331 minHands-Off CEOHow to Profitably Hire and Train a Great Assistant to Scale Your Consulting Agency with Tim Francis
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Tim Francis, founder of ProfitFactory.com and Great Assistant, two organizations dedicated to making the entrepreneurial journey easier. After noticing that entrepreneurs desperately needed support in running a business, Tim started Great Assistant to help them hire an assistant, retain them for years, and make them really profitable. You’ll hear Mandi and Tim talk about:
Tim shares three strategies for more effective delegation. “Do not use email when it comes to delegating to anybody in your internal team, including your assistant; email’s a wasteland of distraction. Use Loom...
2022-02-2453 minHands-Off CEOMaximizing Value and Promoting Growth with Wally Waldron
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Jason “Wally” Waldron, CEO of Exitology, the agency that can create 33% annual growth and guarantee to add at least $1M of new growth using existing resources for logistics, supply chain and industrial companies. Wally’s unique profit acceleration strategies have helped companies grow faster and maximize the value of their business, as well as buy back their freedom when they feel trapped in their businesses.You’ll hear Mandi and Wally Waldron talk about:
“If you’re looking to move onto the next phase of your business life, create a legac...
2022-02-1736 minHands-Off CEOKeeping Your Client Pipeline Full with Tom Shapiro
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Tom Shapiro, the founder and CEO of Stratabeat, a digital marketing agency that helps businesses grow via branding, design, and strategic thinking. He is a marketer who understands what businesses need and crafts strategies to fill those needs. . You’ll hear Mandi and Tom talk about:"What we're seeing is that a lot of businesses are struggling with lead generation and struggling to increase the number of leads that they're generating," Tom explains. Businesses cannot hold on to the approaches and best practices of the past in the new s...
2022-02-1043 minHands-Off CEOStepping Out of the Day to Day with James Schramko
James Schramko, bestselling author and host of the SuperfastBusiness podcast, invited Mandi Ellefson on his show recently. This is a cross-post of their enlightening conversation about scaling a service business.You’ll hear Mandi and James talk about:
How soon to start building a team and becoming a Hands Off CEO. “Please don’t build a solopreneur business if you can avoid it!” James cautions listeners. Melissa comments, “It gets to a point where you're able to really take advantage of all the years that you have been building up your company, and it's this...
2022-02-031h 01Hands-Off CEOStop Making it so Damn Hard to Scale your Consulting Agency
Mandi Ellefson discusses how to make growing your consulting agency simpler in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
“It’s not that something is wrong with your business; it’s that you’re working way too hard.” Mandi shares why CEOs sometimes struggle with growth. [0:23]
Mandi shares an example of a client who struggled to find a reason to scale. “It can’t just be about money, it has to be something bigger than that.” [1:08]
Sometimes working with half the number of clients but at an increased (or doubled) price...
2022-01-2709 minHands-Off CEOReverse Engineering Success with Ron Friedman
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Ron Friedman, the founder of ignite80, an organization dedicated to teaching leaders practical, evidence-based techniques for working smarter and elevating their team's performance through keynotes, workshops, and consulting. He is also CEO at Friedman Strategy Group, where he fuses psychological insight with cutting-edge research to deliver actionable marketing recommendations.You’ll hear Mandi and Ron Friedman talk about:
“Throughout our lives, we’ve only been taught two major stories of how people achieve greatness,” Ron claims. “Greatness comes from talent, or greatness comes from hard work.” He talks about the less...
2022-01-2031 minHands-Off CEOResults, Profits, and Exit Strategies with Mark Arnold
Mandi Ellefson’s guest is Mark Arnold, President of On the Mark Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in branding and strategic planning. Mark has written several books, and is an acclaimed speaker who specializes in personal growth, leadership, marketing, and strategy. You’ll hear Mandi and Mark Arnold talk about:
“When I started, I couldn’t see everything that others could see,” Mark admits. “When the vision expands, the business expands, and sometimes there are self limiting beliefs that hold you back. It really helps to gain that outsider perspective to see a vision you may...
2022-01-0627 minHands-Off CEOWhy You Should Outsource Your Lead Gen with Nathan Kievman
Mandi Ellefson’s guest this week is Nathan Kievman, a world-renowned demand generation expert and business growth strategist. He is the CEO of Linked Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in measurable client and talent acquisition campaigns. Nathan is an entrepreneur, executive engagement specialist, and a digital marketing strategist.You’ll hear Mandi and Nathan Kievman talk about:
“I’ve always had a passion for interacting with the leaders of leaders,” Nathan says. He talks about how he started his company. [2:16]
“Executives are decision makers. They’re comfortable with making fast decisions, or they wouldn’t be in...
2021-12-3037 minHands-Off CEOShifting Mindsets, Growing Profits with Laura Cook
Mandi Ellefson is discussing mindset shifts with Laura Cook, who is Director and CEO at Teal Vision Ltd, an organization dedicated to unlocking profits, accelerating growth, and helping CEOs get their lives back. Laura is passionate about supporting 7 and 8 figure businesses to predictably grow with less stress, more money, and secure a bigger exit.You’ll hear Mandi and Laura Cook talk about:
“My monthly rates have tripled since the beginning of the year, and my average length of contract has increased from around 3 months up to at least a year,” Laura shares. She ta...
2021-12-2333 minHands-Off CEOHow to Drive Rapid Hands-off Growth
Mandi Ellefson shares how leaders can drive rapid growth in their company beyond themselves in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
Convincing someone to do something: they have to want to do it, and money isn’t the most reliable incentive. [1:32]
The food chain of passion. “If you don’t have a lot of passion, then neither will your team.” [3:43]
The secret to growing your company beyond you. “What is the bigger reason for why you're scaling? What is the impact that you could potentially be making in the world...
2021-12-1609 minHands-Off CEOModifying Your Marketing Method with John Jantsch
Mandi Ellefson discusses global shifts in marketing with John Jantsch, the founder and President of Duct Tape Marketing. John has been featured in multiple publications including The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Inc. Magazine, and USA Today. In addition to training and licensing independent consultants and agencies using the Duct Tape method, John is also the author of several books focused on marketing and professional development. You’ll hear Mandi and John Jantsch talk about:
“Every author loves to hear [that their book] meant something to people and had an impact.” John shares...
2021-12-0927 minHands-Off CEOThe Integrity of Scaling
Mandi Ellefson is discussing why popular scaling advice is terrible for consulting agencies. She shares insights about marketing, systems, and what you should actually do to scale.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
“Do you really want to systematize and accelerate a process that's just getting okay and mediocre results?” Mandi shares a story about a company that grew from referrals, but was challenged when they attempted proactive marketing. [1:25]
“Your marketing could be telling stories to support the promises you make to clients,” Mandi says. “With a clear and compelling message, you can then build a...
2021-12-0214 minHands-Off CEOAdapting to the New Business ClimateNow may be the best time for your business! Mandi Ellefson returns in this exciting new season of Hands-Off CEO to tell us why. In this week’s episode, she discusses the changes that the business climate has undergone over the last 18 months, and how you can use it to your advantage. She shares tips on ways to strengthen your business, increase your fees, and get a higher commitment from your very best clients.You’ll hear Mandi talk about:
The challenges that arose in the spring of 2020, and how she helped her clients navigate it usin...
2021-11-1811 min
Hands-Off CEO[CASE STUDY] Ultimate comeback story - leading expansive growth in uncertain timesWhat did it take to thrive as a business during a global pandemic?
Jamie Birch is the founder and CEO of JEB Commerce, an award winning full service, online marketing agency specializing in performance marketing.
In Mandi’s interview with Jamie, you’ll gain insight into what it took to “not only survive but thrive” during COVID-19.
Jamie was able to take three full weeks out of the office to spend time with his family
2021-02-0451 min
Hands-Off CEOThe Top 5 Reasons Why Consulting Agencies Fail at Scaling EP 31
Mandi shares the top 5 reasons consulting agencies fail at scaling, and discusses the roadmap she uses for Hands-Off CEO™ clients to help them scale their businesses successfully.
2020-09-0321 min
Hands-Off CEOHow to Profitably Hire and Train a Great Assistant to Scale Your Consulting Agency with Timothy Francis EP 30
Timothy Francis from Great Assistant was Mandi’s guest on the podcast today. Through his work as a private consultant, Tim noticed that entrepreneurs desperately needed help with the minutiae involved with running a business - they needed to get those administrative and operational tasks off their plate. Tim started Great Assistant to help entrepreneurs hire an assistant, retain them for years, and make them really profitable.
2020-03-0559 min
Hands-Off CEOHow to Make More by Working Less With Tom Shapiro EP: 16
Mandi and CEO Tom Shapiro highlight the journey of Stratabeat, Tom’s digital marketing agency. There’s so much to learn from Tom and the way he’s been able to grow his company; doubling in size in just 18 months.
All while Tom was able to work less and depend on the incredible team he’s building. He used the “spare” time to write two books and develop leaders who continue to provide incredible results for their clients.
2019-04-1859 min
Hands-Off CEOHow to Hire an Operations Manager (Even if You Don’t Have the Budget)
One of the most valuable people on your team is your operations manager. They get you out of the day to day, so you can focus on growing your company. So where can you find one? Today on the show, we have Jeremy Pope, the founder of The Closing Engine, who is interviewing Mandi on how to hire an operations manager, even if you don’t have the budget for one yet.
2019-01-0356 min
Hands-Off CEOBuilding a Freedom-Based Business with Natalie Sisson
Is your business enriching your life and the lives of those around you? Or has it commandeered your time and hijacked your passion? If you find yourself saying 'yes' to the latter, then Mandi and her guest have a freedom-based solution for you. Joining us today is the founder of Suitcase Entrepreneur and the author of "The Freedom Plan," Natalie Sisson. Natalie describes her journey from Marketing Executive to successful entrepreneur and tells us what it takes to build a freedom-based business.
2018-11-0131 min
Hands-Off CEOQuantum Leaps in Your Growth and Letting Go of the 'How' Virus
Picture this: Amazing leaders discussing business strategies at a beautiful beach and having fun. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, that's exactly how last week's Hands Off CEO retreat went! Mandi and her 'Scale to Freedom' tribe talked about what matters most and what they should do to achieve it - let go of the 'how' virus to focus on what and why. Today, Mandi shares what it's like to be a hands-off CEO and how you can be one, too.
2018-10-2513 min
Hands-Off CEOHow Successful Consultants Scale Their Business with Michael Zipursky
What’s the easiest way to grow your business? How can you scale your company without grinding through all those extra hours? Today, Mandi chats with Michael Zipursky, CEO of Consulting Success and one of the world’s top authorities on growing a consulting business. Mandi and Michael discuss how to price your services to dramatically increase your profits. You’ll learn how to develop consistent client attraction and choose the right marketing channel for your business.
2018-10-1133 min
Hands-Off CEOMaking Hard Calls and Creating Space to Grow
Is your business earning to grow or to get by? It’s time to draw the line between scaling and settling. Today’s episode is for high performers who are struggling to keep up and increase their revenue. Mandi shares how you can find confidence when making the right business decisions and why the limit to your success is often rooted in how many hours you have.
2018-10-0412 min
Hands-Off CEOLevel Up Service Growth in Stages
In a perfect world, growth would happen in a linear fashion. But growing your business is a little more complicated than that. So how do you scale your business and move past the inevitable growth hurdles and sales plateaus? This week, Mandi shares her wealth of experience helping custom service businesses scale so you can step away from your team without worrying that it will crash and burn without you.
2018-09-2714 min
Hands-Off CEOEpic Burnout: How to Deal With, Overcome, and Prevent Burnout
If you’re a successful entrepreneur, you’ve dealt with burnout to varying degrees. But how do you overcome the type of crippling burnout that makes you question why you bother owning a business in the first place? In today’s show, Mandi shares her own story of epic burnout, and what she learned can help you identify and deal with burnout before it takes you out of commission. In fact, you can take the problems that lead to burnout and turn them into profit for your business.
2018-09-1325 min
Hands-Off CEOThe 4 Stages of Hands-Off Growth
As you know, this podcast is about scaling a custom service business, one of the more challenging things to do. You’ve probably put blood, sweat, and tears into building your company, and now that it’s time to grow, there are obstacles you never saw coming. Today, Mandi talks about the 4 stages of growth you’re likely to experience as you scale. More importantly, she reveals how to move from one stage to the next.
2018-08-2822 min