Episode 116 You do not scale by doing more. You scale by leading yourself first. Clay Hicks shares how self-leadership, daily discipline, and servant leadership turned a team of four into hundreds across countries. About the Host: Jamie Shanks, the creator and CEO of Get Levrg and host of Outsource to Profit, has over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and agency management. Throughout his career, he has successfully established and expanded multiple businesses, all while helping business leaders achieve growth through strategic delegation and outsourcing. Jamie engages in open, honest conversations with fellow founders, executives, and trailblazers, sharing valuable insights on scaling businesses, effective leadership, and building robust companies. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks About the Guest: Clay Hicks is the CEO of H7 Network, a B2B networking platform operating in 23 countries with hundreds of members. With 23 years of entrepreneurial experience and no college degree, he transformed his leadership through self-discipline, service, and structure. Clay lives by the principle “If you can’t lead yourself, you cannot lead others,” and now teaches founders how to scale by first becoming the leader their team needs. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonrhicks/ Episode Summary: Jamie and Clay discussed how founders must grow through others by first leading themselves. Clay shared his quote, if you can’t lead yourself, you cannot lead others, and showed how intentional routines, faith, and fitness rebuilt his leadership during the pandemic. They broke down why pride, speed, and lack of mentors keep founders from changing, and why servant leadership unlocks scale. Clay walked through his daily schedule, the shift from doing to serving, and how structure, compounded over time, turned H7 Network into a global community.

Most entrepreneurs tend to mistakenly prioritize finding cheap overseas workers over building teams that truly drive growth. In this conversation, Jamie and Parker Cox explore the importance of shifting your focus from cost-saving hires to impactful ones. They delve into making decisions that align with your goals, the transformative power of top-notch employees, and the significance of investing in high-quality offshore talent for sustainable growth.

Most creators don’t fail due to a lack of talent. They fail due to wasted time. In this episode, Dillan Taylor shares how accountability and clear deadlines turn scattered work into consistent growth. About the Host: Jamie Shanks, the creator and CEO of Get Levrg and host of Outsource to Profit, has over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and agency management. Throughout his career, he has successfully established and expanded multiple businesses, all while helping business leaders achieve growth through strategic delegation and outsourcing. Jamie engages in open and honest conversations with fellow founders, executives, and trailblazers, sharing valuable insights on scaling businesses, effective leadership, and creating robust companies. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks About the Guest: Dillan Taylor is the CEO of Grindstone, an accountability coaching company for video creators. He helps YouTubers, streamers, and content entrepreneurs stay consistent, hit deadlines, and turn their craft into a full-time income. His work focuses on structure, time leverage, and execution discipline.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillantaylor/   Episode Summary: Most founders don’t lose to a lack of talent. They lose time to fuzzy goals and lose timelines. In this episode, Jamie and Dillan Taylor discuss how accountability and structured execution help founders move faster and scale smarter. They explore why shrinking timelines, clear priorities, and time discipline turn scattered work into focused growth.  What You'll Walk Away With: Accountability that drives Deadlines that deliver Clarity that converts Pressure that pays Focus that scales #FounderGrowth #OffshoreScale #Accountability #Productivity #TimeManagement #ScalingSmart #Leadership #GlobalTeams #FounderMindset #Execution

You don’t need a perfect pitch to sell from the stage. You need a clear story. In this episode, Robin Ridlinger demonstrates how public speaking can become a powerful sales engine. You’ll learn how to turn your story into a funnel, get instant feedback from a live audience, and build trust faster than any ad campaign. Speaking helps you refine your message, grow your reach, and attract the right people to your business.

This episode explores the impact of recognizing and embracing diverse thinking and working styles on team productivity. Ed Thompson discusses the importance of neurodiversity for founders and their teams, the keys to fostering inclusive cultures that allow every individual to shine, and practical strategies for leaders to prevent common hiring and collaboration pitfalls. The episode highlights how improved communication leads to more effective and agile organizations.

In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Thom Shea, a former Navy SEAL, shares how the principles of military discipline can significantly enhance business leadership. He introduces a three-part approach consisting of offense, defense, and strategy to help entrepreneurs navigate complexity, maintain focus, and lead with clarity. Thom emphasizes the importance of defining success in seven words or fewer, as well as adhering to simple daily habits, to drive genuine performance and foster growth.

In this episode, Jamie talks with Leo Bottary, founder of Peernovation LLC, about how peer groups can help entrepreneurs grow and thrive. Leo explains how joining a supportive group helps founders overcome isolation, share genuine experiences, and make more informed decisions. He breaks down the key ingredients of strong groups: trust, vulnerability, and accountability. Leo also shares practical advice on selecting the right peer group, striking a balance between industry focus and diversity, and leveraging peer learning to develop leadership skills and drive long-term growth.

In this episode of ”Outsource to Profit,” Jenna Evola, founder of Evolve Systems, discusses how she helps medical clinics reduce expenses and reclaim time by utilizing offshore talent from the Philippines. Based on her own experience as a clinic owner, Jenna discusses the financial benefits of outsourcing support roles overseas, the mental hurdles that clinic owners often encounter, and the reasons why the Philippines is a rich source of skilled professionals. She also explains how delegating administrative tasks not only cuts costs but also eases stress and opens up opportunities for expansion.

In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Bob Knakal shares why visibility is everything in business. From building one of New York’s top real estate firms to embracing social media after years of skepticism, Bob shows how market presence creates opportunities that cold calls and networking alone can’t deliver. His message is simple: staying top of mind with your audience matters more than ever.

In this interview, Jamie Shanks chats with Tania Sayegh Bartolini, the brains behind Business and Beyond LLC. Together, they explore how entrepreneurs can accelerate their growth by freeing themselves from minor tasks, leveraging their strengths, and leading with genuineness. Tania emphasizes the importance of intelligent delegation and solid systems, not only in saving time but also in creating room for strategic thinking and creativity. She also highlights how authenticity can foster trust, boost team performance, and drive long-term sustainable development.

Public speaking is more than being on stage. It is a growth engine for founders. In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Jamie Shanks talks with Michael Esposito, founder of Michael Esposito Inc., about mastering communication for pitches, sales, and leadership. Michael shares the three pillars of powerful speaking: passion, sales, and knowledge. He explains how founders can avoid common pitfalls, such as sounding scripted or losing the room. He also reveals the power of the pause, practical tactics for building trust, and why speaking creates long-term lead generation. Alongside business growth, Michael highlights his mission-driven work, including raising funds for Haiti through endurance challenges, demonstrating how leadership and impact are closely intertwined.

In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Jamie Shanks talks with Stefan Doering, Founder and CEO of BEST Coaches, Inc. Stefan has built seven companies, taught environmental entrepreneurship at Columbia University, and coached more than 40,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. The discussion dives into how profit and sustainability can grow side by side, why ESG isn’t just about compliance but a powerful differentiator, and how companies can use environmental impact to build trust, expand their market, and attract loyal buyers. Stefan shares practical examples from both B2B and B2C businesses and breaks down a simple framework any founder can use to test and scale ESG initiatives.

In this episode of ”Outsource to Profit,” Jamie Shanks chats with Gaby Jordan, the CEO of Source Elements Group, about how the strengths of founders can also be their weaknesses. Gaby emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership, highlighting how feedback can bring to light our blind spots. She explains that it is not only strategy but also culture that drives results, and she offers her strategies for creating strong teams and productive conversations. By empowering employees, addressing conflicts, and fostering alignment, leaders can build a scalable culture. This insightful discussion, filled with real-life examples, will guide aspiring founders on stepping away from overwhelming roles and cultivating an environment that promotes growth.

In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Jamie chats with Aviva Leebow Wolmer, the CEO of Empower Leadership, LLC, about the obstacles that founders encounter when their greatest strengths begin to hinder their progress. Aviva explains how entrepreneurs often find themselves stuck in their comfort zones, whether it’s sales, marketing, or finance, and how these blind spots can unknowingly limit a company’s potential. She highlights the importance of peer groups, where CEOs and executives challenge each other with honest feedback, uncover hidden obstacles, and offer perspectives founders might miss. Aviva also breaks down the process of building the right team and structure when growing from 70 employees to 500. She shares how coaching helps leaders move past their own limitations and unlock new levels of growth. This episode is full of practical insights for ambitious founders ready to innovate, disrupt, and build businesses that last.

Episode 101 On this episode of Outsource to Profit, I sit down with David Pennington, Founder & Owner of Penn Coaching & Consulting. For almost ten years, David has been helping small and mid-sized business owners cut their workload in half, build high-performing teams they can rely on, and increase the value of their companies so they can scale or sell for more. We explore the moment when a founder’s most significant strength becomes their biggest trap, the impact of ignoring one-on-ones on culture, and why actual growth begins when leaders finally let go.   About the Host: Jamie Shanks is the Founder and CEO of Get Levrg and Pipeline Signals. With over 250,000 professionals trained globally, he now focuses on helping business owners grow with purpose. His work focuses on building systems that grow, leading with values (not ego), and creating strong teams. You can connect with Jamie on LinkedIn:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks   About the Guest: David Pennington is the Founder & Owner of Penn Coaching & Consulting, a firm he’s been building for nearly a decade. He works directly with small and mid-sized business owners to help them cut their personal workload by 30–50%, create a dream team that can scale the business, and increase company value for long-term growth or a future exit.  David’s philosophy is simple: every leader has one or two super strengths, but nobody is great at everything. His mission is to help founders focus on what they do best, hand off the rest to people who love that work, and develop teams that can thrive at the highest level. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pennington-phd-35042714/   Episode Summary: In this episode of Outsource to Profit, I sit down with David Pennington, Founder and Owner of Penn Coaching & Consulting, to talk about the challenges every founder faces when growth starts to stall. David shares how he helps small and mid-sized business owners cut their personal workload by 30 to 50 percent, build a dream team that loves the work they don’t, and increase the value of their companies so they can scale or eventually sell for more.   We dive into why a leader’s calendar always reveals their true priorities, how skipping one-on-ones quietly damages culture, and why holding on to your most significant strength for too long can turn you into a prisoner of your own business. David also shares the story of a founder who doubled revenue in just 18 months after stepping away from operations and focusing on his gift in sales. This conversation is a must-listen if you want to reclaim your time, invest in your people, and grow without burning out.    What You'll Walk Away With: Spot priorities by checking your calendar. Delegate using the 80% rule to scale faster. Stop the founder hero trap before it burns you out. Build a dream team that frees you up. Know when it’s time to hire an operations leader.

In this inspiring episode of Outsource to Profit, Dr. Ty Richardson, CEO of Pinnacle & Beyond and creator of CoachCon, teams up with Jamie to explore the delicate balance between persistence and adaptability. Together, they delve into Ty’s transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, drawing insights from setbacks, reinvention, and the importance of keeping your eyes on the bigger picture. Ty shares how remaining true to a guiding principle while adjusting tactics allowed him to cultivate resilience across various industries and business endeavors. The conversation challenges conventional entrepreneurial wisdom - Is it always best to never give up? Or should you fail quickly? Ty proposes a different approach: pivot deliberately, all the while keeping your ultimate goal in mind. Listeners will learn how to craft effective strategies based on personal experiences, why recognizing your strengths and weaknesses is crucial for making informed decisions, and how to safeguard your long-term vision regardless of the business ventures you undertake.

Episode 99What truly influences the essence of a company's culture? In this episode, workplace culture expert Shelly Smith joins Jamie to explore how founders can either shape or damage their team's culture without even realizing it. From simple daily routines to strategic decisions concerning personnel, learn what is truly necessary to cultivate a culture that can grow alongside your business.About the Host: What truly influences the essence of a company's culture? In this episode, workplace culture expert Shelly Smith joins Jamie to explore how founders can either shape or damage their team's culture without even realizing it. From simple daily routines to strategic decisions concerning personnel, learn what is truly necessary to cultivate a culture that can grow alongside your business. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks About the Guest: Shelley Smith is the Founder and CEO of Premier Rapport, a consultancy focused on shaping high-performance workplace cultures. With decades of experience, she helps business owners and leaders align people strategies with business goals. Her approach is grounded in clarity, accountability, and daily cultural reinforcement, empowering organizations to improve both top-line growth and bottom-line results.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleydsmithpremierrapport/ Episode Summary: In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Jamie discusses team culture with workplace culture strategist Shelly Smith, the founder of Premier Rapport. They explore the key factors that drive scalable team culture, such as how founders inadvertently influence the cultural tone, often without even realizing it. They emphasize that building a strong culture is an ongoing process that requires daily effort. Jamie shares some real-life examples, like when his company helped a team member in Bangladesh with a home down payment, and how these gestures can significantly impact company morale beyond just policies and perks. Shelly explains the importance of intentionally creating, documenting, and reinforcing culture daily, and provides insights into signs that founders should be attentive to, such as when previously vocal team members become quiet. Through vivid metaphors like hydration versus dehydration, and nurturing culture like tending a garden every day, Shelly underscores the importance of spending time with employees to build culture. She also points out that subtle signals often precede larger issues like disengagement or high turnover, and suggests simple actions like casual chats, walking around the office, and regular one-on-one meetings to strengthen company culture. From identifying early signs of trouble to empowering "culture carriers" within the organization, this episode serves as a practical guide for founders looking to cultivate a positive and thriving company culture.    What You'll Walk Away With: Culture is not created in a single day. It is continuous daily. Dehydrated teams result from neglected values. Founders shape the culture, but everyone contributes Psychological safety reveals proper team health Silence is the early warning sign of disengagement #WorkplaceCulture, #PeopleFirst, #FounderLeadership, #PsychologicalSafety, #EmployeeEngagement, #CultureMatters, #HRLeadership, #RetentionStrategy, #TeamAlignment, #ModernLeadership

Episode 98 Leadership coach Mark Caplan joins Jamie to examine why many founders struggle to empower their teams. From micromanagement to essential mindset shifts, they explore how to build psychologically safe environments, develop autonomous middle managers, and scale leadership through trust rather than control. About the Host: Jamie Shanks is the CEO of Get Levrg and Pipeline Signals. After training over 250,000 professionals globally, he now focuses on helping founders build systems that scale and teams that lead with values, not ego. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks   About the Guest: Mark Caplan is the founder of The Leadership Institute, a veteran leadership coach, and author of 30+ books on mindset, leadership, and empowerment. With three decades of experience, Mark helps organizations unlock growth by empowering teams from the inside out. His work focuses on shifting leaders from micromanagement to mentorship. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkaplan1/   Episode Summary: In this episode, Jamie speaks with Mark Caplan, founder of The Leadership Institute and author of more than thirty books, to discuss what it takes to empower middle management. Mark explains the difference between fixed and growth mindset organizations, highlights the role of psychological safety, and shares why leaders must relinquish control to scale effectively. Jamie opens with a personal story about falling into the trap of solving problems for his team, only to realize it undermined their autonomy. Together, they outline what it means to coach rather than command, and the mindset shift founders must embrace to build truly self-sufficient teams.    What You'll Walk Away With: Empowerment starts with clarity and trust Founders must shift from command to coaching. Middle managers need room to fail and grow. Psychological safety isn’t a luxury; it’s a requirement. Scaling requires letting go of being the smartest in the room. #LeadershipDevelopment, #Empowerment, #StartupCulture, #FounderMindset, #GrowthMindset, #MiddleManagement, #PsychologicalSafety, #TeamAutonomy, #ScaleWithSystems, #CoachingLeadership

Episode 97 What if your successful business isn't suitable for franchising? In this episode, Don Shin, the Founder of Franchise Building Expert, breaks down the common mistakes that entrepreneurs make when attempting to expand through franchising. From understanding the financial aspects of each unit to creating a systematic approach, Don shares what separates brands that hit 100+ units from those that stall at 10. About the Host: Jamie Shanks is the CEO of Get Levrg and Pipeline Signals. He’s helped over 250,000 professionals grow with systems, not stress. Today, he coaches founders on scaling smart through trust-led teams and proven playbooks.    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks   About the Guest: Don Schin is the Founder and CEO of Franchise Building Expert, a company that helps business owners scale through franchising the right way. Don’s team works hands-on with brands to transform high-performing businesses into franchise-ready systems while avoiding the common traps that stall growth. With decades of franchising experience, Don has helped emerging brands enter the market, build effective networks, and connect the right people with the right brands. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking growth or a potential business owner looking for the right opportunity, Don has created a detailed plan for both.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eladstern/ Episode Summary: In this episode of "Outsource to Profit," Jamie Shanks chats with Don Shin, the founder of Franchise Building Expert, to delve into the challenges of expanding through franchising. Don highlights that franchising is not just an expansion of your business, but a distinct business model that many founders underestimate. They discuss the common reasons why many brands struggle to grow beyond 100 units, including weak unit economics, lack of systemization, and mismatched franchisees. Don stresses the importance of not only being profitable but also having clear, repeatable, and scalable systems in place. He also underscores the significance of attracting the right partners and focusing on their profitability at the unit level for success in franchising. This episode provides practical insights for founders considering franchise expansion or facing difficulties in growing an existing franchise network. It offers a candid look at the essential elements needed to build a successful franchise system.    What You'll Walk Away With: Franchising only works if your business is wildly profitable Your operations must be systematized before you scale Running a franchise is a separate business entirely Most brands stall under 100 units due to weak unit economics Franchisee fit matters more than brand strength #FranchiseGrowth, #FranchiseTips, #BusinessSystems, #UnitEconomics, #EmergingBrands, #ScalableOps, #FounderLessons, #FranchiseStrategy, #StartupMistakes, #GrowthLevers

Episode 96 Elad Stern discusses his experience introducing non-disruptive audio ads to mobile games and the challenges of educating the market when his idea was initially misunderstood. About the Host: Jamie Shanks is the Founder and CEO of Get Levrg and Pipeline Signals. With over 250,000 professionals trained globally, he now focuses on helping business owners grow with purpose. His work focuses on building systems that grow, leading with values (not ego), and creating strong teams. You can connect with Jamie on LinkedIn:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks   About the Guest: Elad Stern co-founded Odeeo, a company that is revolutionizing the way advertisements function within mobile games. Instead of loud, annoying pop-ups, they use non-intrusive audio ads that fit smoothly into gameplay. With years of experience in mobile monetization, Elad saw a gap in the market and filled it. He’s passionate about pushing new ideas, helping the industry grow, and showing brands a better way to reach gamers.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eladstern/ Episode Summary: In this episode of Outsource to Profit, Jamie interviews Elad Stern, Co-Founder of Odeeo, to discuss the challenges of introducing a new idea in a traditional industry. Elad discusses how Odeeo revolutionized mobile gaming by introducing non-intrusive audio ads, a concept previously unheard of in the market. He shares the difficulties they faced in educating the industry, dealing with skepticism, and gaining early adopters. Elad also explains the importance of patience and the strategies they used to showcase their innovation through their first successful case study. This episode offers valuable insights for those working on cutting-edge ideas, highlighting the perseverance and mindset required to pave the way for innovation.    What You'll Walk Away With: Teaching the market takes time and patience. Trust builds through consistent action. You have to repeat your message often. One strong case study can shift everything. Being early is tough, but worth it.