Success Beneath the Surface

In this second part of our interview with Clay Spitz, we reminisce about the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Clay shares a crucial lesson about embracing new opportunities, even when they seem unfamiliar or challenging. We'll explore how this mindset led to his unexpected transition from operations to marketing at Terminix, completely transforming his professional trajectory. Clay also off...

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Clay Spitz, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner for Chief Outsiders. Clay's been with the company for nearly 15 years, playing a crucial role in shaping its culture and success. Today, I want to reflect on a key takeaway from our conversation with Clay - the importance of being upfront. Clay's approach to leadership and communication left a lastin...

Clay Spitz's journey from his family's pest control business to merging multi-million dollar companies offers a unique perspective on leadership. In this episode, Clay shares how he turned a struggling branch into a success, only to find himself navigating the complexities of corporate acquisitions. His experience integrating 100 companies in just two years provides invaluable insights into the ch...

In today's commentary episode, we're revisiting my conversation with Ryan Clark, co-founder and CEO of PeopleShare, a staffing and recruiting firm focused on light industrial and administrative positions. Ryan's journey offers valuable insights into creating positive work environments, the importance of cultural fit, and the power of perseverance in business. We'll explore how Ryan's experiences s...

Today's conversation takes us into staffing and leadership with Ryan Clark, co-founder and CEO of PeopleShare. Since 2005, Ryan has been on a mission to revolutionize the staffing industry, growing PeopleShare into a powerhouse with 40 locations across eight states. Ryan's approach to business is as refreshing as it is effective. He says, "We're helping the people that need the most help." His com...

In our original discussion, William Bowie, President and CEO Empower Construction, shared powerful insights about leadership, purpose, and the profound impact his mother's advice had on shaping his life philosophy. Today, we'll revisit some key moments from that conversation, exploring how William's commitment to excellence has driven his success as a business leader and community advocate. We'll...

Deborah sits down with William Bowie, President and CEO of Empower Construction, a utility construction contractor making waves in the greater Philadelphia area. William's story is one of grit, determination, and purposeful living. William's path to success has been inspiring and instructive from his early days when he was inspired by a strong mother and navigated a 20-year journey in the utility...

Creating a workplace that feels like home while embracing discomfort for growth - these seemingly contradictory ideas form the core of today's commentary. In this episode, we're revisiting my conversation with Colleen Vacelet, founder of Intreegue Designs and CEO of Order Green Supply. Colleen shared her unique approach to building company culture, emphasizing the importance of creating an environ...

Colleen Vacelet, the founder of Intreegue Design and CEO of Order Green Supply, shares her journey from landscape architect to multi-company entrepreneur. In this episode, she discusses: Building a company culture that feels like "home" to employees Navigating the challenges of acquiring and integrating new businesses The value of mentorship and continuous learning in entrepreneurship Embracing di...

What a magnificent top 10 list! From Joe Leo on birthing a company to Joe Grace, who births audiences for companies, we've got Torey Carter-Conneen on inspiring unity and focus by simplifying complexity. And then, of course, there's James Hyman, who's made a successful career as a serial turnaround CEO. He balances accountability and empowerment within his teams to make progress. Topping it off is...

CEOs are often laser-focused on destinations—quarterly targets, market share goals, and exit strategies. But what if the true measure of leadership lies in valuing the journey as much as the endpoint? This insight comes from a recent conversation with Bob Roda, CEO of Hemasonics, who emphasizes the fulfillment of embracing daily experiences. As someone who regularly engages with CEOs, I've observe...

In this episode, Deborah welcomes Bob Roda, President and CEO of HemoSonics, about purpose-driven leadership in healthcare. Bob shares his journey from an economics major to a passionate advocate for improving patient care. He offers candid insights from his career at Johnson & Johnson to his current role in medical technology innovation. Bob's story emphasizes continuous learning and embracin...

Deborah Fell reflects on her recent conversation with James Hyman, a seasoned turnaround CEO and board member. Deborah discusses the key insights from their full episode, focusing on themes of leadership, accountability, and empowering teams. She shares her experience leading a diverse and accomplished team of sales and marketing executives from various industries, highlighting the challenges and...

In this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, James Hyman, a seasoned CEO and board member, shares his methodology for helping companies navigate complex restructuring processes. With a background spanning diverse industries and a track record of successful transformations, James offers invaluable insights for CEOs and business transformation leaders facing the daunting task of overhauling large...

In today's commentary, we revisit my conversation with Joe Leo, CEO and founder of Def Method, from episode 61 . Joe's company focuses on breaking down data silos to help businesses connect the dots and gain valuable insights. When data is stuck in silos, it can lead to people and mindset silos as well, causing friction and draining energy. However, by bringing data together, a shared understandin...

Deborah Fell welcomes Joe Leo, the CEO and Founder of Def Method, a data science and custom software development consultancy. Joe's entrepreneurial journey started with a humorous misinterpretation of his father's advice, leading him to strike out on his own. As he navigated leadership challenges, Joe learned to focus on the right people and clients and deliver value. His detail-oriented approach...

In this episode of "Success Beneath the Surface," Deborah Fell shares a story sparked by her recent conversation with Susan Finch about understanding and nurturing individual team members. Deborah emphasizes the importance of recognizing each person's unique experiences and skills, and providing opportunities for growth and development. She highlights the value of creating a supportive environment...

Are you a business leader, HR professional, or entrepreneur looking to enhance your team's performance and harmony? In this special episode of "Success Beneath the Surface," host Susan Finch turns the tables on regular host Deborah Fell to uncover key insights on adaptive leadership. Drawing from her diverse experiences leading teams at Chief Outsiders, Marriott, and beyond, Deborah shares strateg...

In our last episode, Deborah interviewed Kyle Buckett, a retired member of the elite US Navy SEALs. Today, she focuses on one specific segment from that conversation where Kyle shares his insights on building high-performing teams and the parallels between military leadership and the business world. As a CEO, your role is to define a clear mission and assemble a team of leaders who can work togeth...

Deborah Fell welcomes Kyle Buckett, a former Navy SEAL and author of "Leadership is Overrated." Buckett shares lessons from his military career and consulting work, emphasizing the importance of trust, delegating authority, and developing leaders at all levels. "Great people working together really makes elite teams. And when you have elite teams, you have organizations that become elite," Buckett...

In this commentary, Deborah Fell reflects on her conversation with Joe Grace from the previous episode. She relates Joe's insights to her experience working with a trampoline park client in Canada whose business was threatened by new competitors. Deborah describes how she helped the client segment their customer database, tailor messaging and offers, and improve the customer experience, ultimately...

In a world where brands struggle to connect with their audience, Joe Grace, Partner at Chief Outsiders and a seasoned marketer, shares his insights on the power of authentic storytelling and omnichannel marketing. From transforming WebMD into a household name to launching successful products like the Suzanne Somers Thighmaster, Joe's unique approach has consistently delivered results. He emphasize...

In episode 49 of Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell spoke with Torey Carter Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects. One key theme was simplifying complexity. As the leader of a trade association with diverse constituents, Torey sees his role as uniting everyone around a shared mission. Deborah reflects that whether in complex organizations like Torey's or simpler...

In this insightful commentary episode of Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell shares her key takeaways from her conversation with Alexei Miller, Managing Director of DataArt. Discover the secrets behind DataArt's impressive employee referral and loyalty metrics, which have remained strong over decades of growth. Alexei emphasizes the importance of a culture-based organization, where info...

Step into the world of Alexei Miller, managing director at DataArt, as he engages in a captivating discussion with host, Deborah Fell on Success Beneath the Surface. Alexei's story is one of curiosity, adaptability, and the power of a strong company culture, from his humble beginnings in a little town in the north of Russia, beyond the polar circle, to his 27-year journey to being part of a team l...