The Ops Experts Club Podcast

SUMMARY: In this episode of Ops Experts, Aaron Hovivian and Terryn Turner break down the anatomy of a smooth-running business by outlining five core systems that operations leaders must own to support scale. They focus on how operators can cut through noise, support high-vision entrepreneurs, and move from reactive triage to proactive structure. The conversation centers on creating clarity, protec...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Ops Experts Club, Aaron Hovivian and Terryn Turner discuss the critical difference between being a task taker and truly owning operations. Using real-world examples from high-growth launches, they explain how operators support visionary leaders by creating structure, managing teams, and thinking through the downstream impact of decisions—especially during fast-paced sea...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron Hovivian and Terryn Turner unpack a critical hiring mistake many growing businesses make: treating every hire the same. They explain why some roles require speed while others demand patience. When teams are drowning, burning out, or relying on excessive overtime, especially in lower-cost or entry-level roles, waiting for the "perfect" hire creates more damage than m...

SUMMARY: In this episode, the Ops Experts Club sits down with Tabby Kler, a key leader inside the Collab team's finance division. She shares what she's learned from working under the hood of dozens of businesses across digital, retail, and distribution, and how that broad exposure shapes smarter financial decision-making. The conversation dives into the link between finance and operations, why mos...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn unpack a pattern they see often with visionaries: the tendency to oversimplify operations. They dive into where simplification and automation actually make sense—and where cutting corners creates bigger problems down the line. From the realities of implementing AI, to the risks of offloading critical roles to low-cost hires, to the hidden cost of replacin...

SUMMARY: The episode centers on helping business owners get ahead of the holiday season instead of scrambling once it arrives. Aaron and Terryn mix humor with practical, forward-thinking guidance, covering everything from team culture to financial strategy. They discuss creative ways to celebrate with remote teams—such as virtual holiday parties where employees use DoorDash gift cards to share a m...

SUMMARY: The episode focuses on how business owners and operators should approach the holiday season with intention instead of following the crowd. With ad costs peaking in Q4 and noise from major brands and big influencers flooding the market, the hosts outline smarter alternatives to paid advertising. They discuss tapping into existing warm audiences through referral programs, joint ventures, an...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron & Terryn walk through our own annual planning retrospective—from team offsite takeaways to leadership breakthroughs. We break down what worked, what didn't, and how tools like Delegate & Elevate reshaped our roles, clarified strengths, and guided smarter client alignment. We cover team development, cutting initiatives that no longer serve us, and why honest evaluati...

SUMMARY:  In this episode, Terryn Turner and Aaron Hovivian dive into how to turn your annual business goals into an actionable plan through a structured Sales and Marketing Plan (SAM Plan). Joined by insights from marketing strategist Rachel Stivers of the Platform Consulting Agency, they unpack how aligning sales and marketing around shared metrics can eliminate silos, clarify accountability, an...

SUMMARY: Terryn & Aaron discuss how teams can effectively transition from annual planning into quarterly execution using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) concept of rocks — major business initiatives that typically take 1–3 months to complete. The episode focuses on how to plan, manage, and follow through on these quarterly priorities through structured "rock parties."   Minute by Minute...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn break down the art and strategy behind annual planning—why it matters, how to do it well, and how to keep your team aligned for success. They share personal stories from early days planning with sticky notes in an attic to running structured multi-business offsites in Montana. Learn how to start small, scale your planning process, and create a rhythm that...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive deep into one of the hardest questions every entrepreneur faces:  "When is it time to roll out something new?" Drawing from their decade of working side by side and coaching business owners across industries, they share practical insights on how to test new ideas without destroying what's already working. You'll learn how to count the cost, validate...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn tackle one of the most critical (and often overlooked) aspects of running successful operations: project plans. They share stories from launches gone sideways, explain why clear roles and timelines prevent chaos, and break down practical tools for keeping teams aligned—from simple Google Sheets to robust platforms like Asana. Along the way, they highlight...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn bring back the popular "Cool Tools" segment, spotlighting Zapier—the automation platform that connects apps and streamlines workflows. They dive into the never-ending debate of how to pronounce it, share real-world use cases, and highlight how businesses of all sizes can leverage it to reduce manual tasks, centralize data, and increase efficiency. From si...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive into one of the most common struggles for visionaries and business leaders: doing too much at once. From juggling too many initiatives to overwhelming your team with constant pivots, they break down why focus matters more than volume. They explore the power of quarterly "rocks," the dangers of shiny object syndrome, and the importance of balancing am...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn explore how entrepreneurs can break free from being the central "kingpin" of their businesses. Drawing on insights from Dr. Jim Bob Haggerston's entrepreneurial journey, they discuss the dangers of burnout, the importance of hiring and developing strong number twos, and the balance between skill and desire when building a team. The conversation also cover...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron sits down with Dr. Jim Bob Haggerton—entrepreneur, chiropractor, and leadership coach—to explore the realities of running businesses, facing setbacks, and redefining success. Dr. Haggerton shares his journey from building a thriving chiropractic practice, to experiencing a life-altering injury, to reinventing himself as a multi-business entrepreneur. Together, they...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive deep into the importance of auditing your business before it breaks under pressure. From hidden subscriptions draining your bank account to financial blind spots, staffing inefficiencies, and customer fulfillment gaps, they reveal where visionaries often overlook critical cracks in their operations. Packed with practical advice, real client examples,...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive deep into the recruiting process—sharing the exact steps The Collab Team uses to help businesses find and hire the right people. From writing job descriptions and setting clear role expectations, to fishing in the right talent pools, to using tests and live-fire scenarios, they reveal the "secret sauce" of effective recruiting. The conversation also...

SUMMARY: Can you really take a vacation as a leader? In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive deep into the operational and psychological barriers that often prevent entrepreneurs and team leads from stepping away. They explore the importance of intentional planning, strong SOPs, and trusting your team in order to take a true break. Plus, they reveal how stepping away can actually elevate your team...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive deep into the world of building and scaling digital products. Whether you're transitioning off stage, looking to turn your expertise into a course, or exploring scalable ways to monetize your audience, this conversation delivers a realistic look at what it actually takes. From strategy and structure to fulfillment, pricing tiers, and the realities of...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive deep into a critical question that growing businesses often face: when is it time to move from agency or fractional support to hiring full-time team members? They explore the real costs—both financial and operational—of sticking with part-time help too long, the role of SOPs in smooth transitions, and how to approach hiring decisions with strategic c...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn reflect on their recent conversation with Mark Zook, CEO of Staus and Horizon Structures, who brings a fresh perspective from the world of Amish-built physical products. They explore how Mark has grown and diversified by staying true to a core offer while seizing adjacent opportunities—whether business, customer, or partner-related. The hosts break down h...

SUMMARY: From Amish Roots to CEO: How Mark Zook Scaled Two Multi-Million Dollar Ops Businesses In this episode, we sit down with Mark Zook, a sharp young entrepreneur raised in an Amish family who now leads two powerhouse operations: Stoltzfus Structures and Horizon Structures. Mark shares his incredible journey from full-time labor at age 14 to becoming CEO — all without stepping outside the fami...

SUMMARY: In this episode,Terryn and Aaron dive into the critical topic of metrically measuring your team's performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), a cornerstone of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) . They explore how to create meaningful KPIs that align with job descriptions, org charts, and business goals to drive accountability and success.   This episode includes practical...