Episodes

In this episode, Rob Levin speaks with Laura Crothers, founder and CEO of Crothers Consulting, about how leadership planning and deliberate talent development can dramatically impact company growth—especially for small and mid-sized businesses. Laura shares actionable strategies for building leadership pipelines, navigating succession, and assessing culture fit in acquisitions. About Laura Crothers Laura Crothers is the founder and CEO of Crothers Consulting, a leadership and HR advisory f...

Episode Summary In this episode, Shawn Busse, Founder and CEO of Kinesis, shares why aligning culture, brand, and strategy isn’t just a feel-good exercise — it’s a growth strategy. He explains how values-driven leadership can reduce costly turnover, build trust with clients, and create exponential impact across a business. 💡 Plus: Why most businesses get "values" wrong — and how to fix it. Key Takeaway When culture and marketing are aligned from the inside out, businesses experience ...

In this episode, leadership coach and consultant Adrienne Duffy shares how business owners can build aligned, high-performing teams by connecting vision, values, and unique abilities. She introduces the Nexus Project framework and explains why sustainable growth depends on both inner and outer development. Key Takeaway Alignment isn’t just about goals—it’s about making sure each team member’s role connects with their unique strengths and the company’s vision. When that happens, performance...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Dan Donnelly, seasoned energy, real estate, and startup investor, and founder of Donnelly Mechanical. Dan shares how he built one of NYC’s top commercial HVAC firms by putting people first—offering sweat equity to key team members, building a culture of accountability, and hiring strategically to scale. He also reveals what really made the company attractive to buyers, and why aligning your team, systems, and personal goals is essential for long-term success. ...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Lewis Schiff, entrepreneur, author, and Chairman of Birthing of Giants. Lewis shares his insights on what it takes to scale a business, build the right leadership team, and prepare a company for long-term success—whether or not you plan to sell. They dive into the mindset shifts founders must make, the realities of hiring “A” talent, and why every business owner should be thinking like a capital owner in today’s economic landscape. Packed with practical takeaw...

In this episode, Don Harkey, CEO and Founder of People Centric Consulting Group, joins Rob to explore how systems—not slogans—create strong cultures. They talk about what it means to balance empowerment with alignment, the hidden cost of poor onboarding, how to adapt during rapid change, and why remote work shouldn’t derail culture if you’re deliberate about how you lead. Key Takeaway: Culture isn’t about perks—it’s about systems. If you want better engagement and performance, build habits an...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Jennifer Berkowitz, founder of R&J Advisory Group and Freedom Goal Group, and a seasoned coach to mid-market CEOs and leadership teams. Jennifer shares what it really takes to scale a company—without becoming the bottleneck or burning out. From building alignment across teams to leading remote employees with intention, she offers practical strategies for creating clarity, reducing stress, and empowering teams to drive growth. If you're a business owner stuck i...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Eddie Solomon, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Net at Work, a leading technology advisor to SMBs. Eddie shares the lessons he’s learned from leading over 40 acquisitions, building a 450-person remote workforce, and fostering a strong company culture over nearly three decades. They dive into the strategic importance of talent in acquisitions, the balance between intrapreneurship and structure, and the deliberate efforts required to keep remote teams engaged and growin...

In this episode, Rob Levin talks with Nick Herinckx, Co-CEO of Oxygen and seasoned executive coach, to explore how a founder’s role evolves as a business scales. Drawing from experience coaching over 100 CEOs and leading multiple companies himself, Nick breaks down what leaders often get wrong. From understanding the difference between managers and leaders to knowing when to step in (and out) of “Founder Mode,” this episode is packed with practical advice for business owners navigating growth.

In this episode, Rob chats with Peter Morandi, CEO of Eastman Cooke, a company renowned for building award-winning construction projects through innovation and leadership. Peter shares how he’s transformed the traditionally manual construction industry by integrating remote professionals into nearly every department, from estimating to project management. He dives into the systems, culture, and mindset that allowed Eastman Cooke to double its annual estimates, improve client satisfaction, and re...