In this solo episode, Deb Coviello, the Drop-in CEO, shares a heartfelt reflection on the importance of pausing and reassessing your leadership journey. Deb opens up about her own experiences, the challenges leaders face, and the critical need to invest in yourself, stick to your strategy, and avoid burnout. Tune in for actionable insights and stories that will help you lead with intention and leave a lasting legacy.

Episode Highlights:

[3:00] - The Power of Pausing and Reflecting: Why Deb is changing the podcast format and the importance of slowing down as a leader.

[7:30] - Five Leadership Traps: Burnout, tactical overload, lack of self-investment, losing discipline, and feeling lost.

[17:50] - Real Stories and Solutions: Deb shares personal and client stories illustrating each leadership trap and how to overcome them.

[21:10] - Building Your Legacy: The importance of discipline, self-care, and finding your unique leadership path.

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Join host Deb Coviello as she welcomes David Jenyns, entrepreneur and founder of Systemology, to discuss how business owners can free themselves from daily operations by building effective systems. David shares his journey from selling the Melbourne Cricket Ground to systematizing businesses, and offers actionable insights for leaders looking to scale and optimize their organizations.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:12 — David’s entrepreneurial journey: from selling the Melbourne Cricket Ground to founding Systemology
• 12:01 — The seven-stage process for systematizing a business and why “process first” matters
• 27:14 — Real-world impact: How systemization saved a business 1,000 man-hours and empowered team members
• 41:01 — Building a culture of systems: Overcoming resistance and the role of the “systems champion”

David Jenyns is an experienced entrepreneur who sold the Melbourne Cricket Ground in his early twenties and founded Melbourne SEO Services. He systemized himself out of that business in 2016 and founded SYSTEMology to help business owners implement systems to scale their business. Today, he supports a growing community of certified SYSTEMologists, delivers workshops, keynote addresses, hosts a podcast, and is on a mission to free business owners worldwide from daily operations.

Connect with David Jenyns:

Company Website: www.systemology.com
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/david-jenyns

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Deb Coviello welcomes Curtis McCullom, CEO of The Curtis McCullom Group and founder of Bespoke Human Potential Coaching. Curtis shares his journey from top sales agent to transformative coach, revealing how he helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high achievers eliminate hidden mindset blocks and unlock their fullest potential. The conversation explores the LGET mindset, the power of hypnotherapy, and practical strategies for personal and professional growth.

Episode Highlights:
13:00 The influence of mentors and the importance of continuous learning
18:00 Developing the LGET mindset and integrating coaching frameworks
22:00 The role of hypnotherapy in personal transformation
27:00 How neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) interrupts limiting patterns

Curtis McCullom, CEO of the Curtis McCullom Group LLC and founder of Bespoke Human Potential Coaching, empowers CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high achievers to eliminate hidden mindset blocks and unlock their fullest potential. Through transformative coaching rooted in the L.G.E.T. Mindset™—Learning, Growing, Expanding, and Transforming—Curtis helps individuals become the best version of themselves, both personally and professionally.

Connect with Curtis McCullom:

Company Website: www.curtismccullom.com
Social Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-mccullom/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bespoke-human-potential-coaching/

https://www.instagram.com/curtis.mccullom/

https://twitter.com/curtisBmccullom

https://tiktok.com/@curtismccullom

https://youtube.com/@curtismccullom

https://www.facebook.com/BespokeHumanPotential

https://www.facebook.com/curtis.mccullom.BHPC/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast, Deb Coviello welcomes Shane Barker, CEO and founder of TraceFuse, the first Amazon TOS-compliant negative review removal system. The conversation covers entrepreneurship, the importance of focus, lessons learned from business growth, and the value of work-life balance. Shane also discusses the origins of Trace Fuse, the challenges of working with Amazon, and his commitment to helping business owners protect their reputations and feed their families.

Episode Highlights:

02:00 Shane’s Backstory: From restaurants to digital marketing and influencer education

07:00 Lessons from early businesses and the drive to help others

13:00 The origin and mission of Trace Fuse

18:00 How Trace Fuse helps Amazon sellers proactively and reactively

22:00 Relationship with Amazon and the challenges of review removal

27:00 Growth, focus, and the future of Trace Fuse

32:00 Work-life balance, personal growth, and building a high-performing small team

38:00 Shane’s life outside of work and the importance of family

44:00 Final advice, how to connect with Shane, and closing thoughts

Shane Barker is the CEO and founder of TraceFuse, the first Amazon TOS-compliant negative review removal system. With over 25 years of marketing experience supporting Fortune 500 brands, Shane has been recognized as a leading influencer. His recent focus is helping Amazon sellers combat negative reviews through TraceFuse’s innovative, white-hat solution.

Connect with Shane Barker:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shane_barker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaneBarkerConsultant/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/shanebarker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebarker
Company LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tracefuse/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast, Deb Coviello welcomes Lance Cayko, a serial entrepreneur, architect, builder, and co-founder of F9 Productions. Lance shares his journey from rural North Dakota to building a vertically integrated business in architecture, construction, and real estate development. The conversation explores the value of mentorship, the design-build model, affordable sustainability, and the importance of finding the right business partner. Lance also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and insights into building a client-focused, resilient business.

Episode Highlights:

06:10 Early Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Money

15:30 Discovering Architecture and the Power of Mentorship

23:45 Building F9 Productions During the Great Recession

32:20 The Design-Build Model Explained

39:00 Niche Client Selection and Business Philosophy

45:15 Affordable Sustainability in Architecture

Lance Cayko is an award-winning architect, builder, educator, and serial entrepreneur. As co-founder of F9 Productions, a top-rated design-build firm in Longmont, Colorado, Lance brings deep expertise in architecture, construction, and real estate development. He holds degrees in Building Construction Technology, Environmental Design, and a Master of Architecture, graduating top of his class with the McKenzie Thesis Award. Lance teaches at CU Boulder and NDSU, co-hosts the Inside the Firm podcast, and leads Longmont Community Gardens as founder and president. A proud dad and professional fisherman, Lance is passionate about building stronger communities—one project, class, and garden at a time.

Connect with Lance Cayko:

Instagram: @fishingwithlance

Company Website: f9productions.com

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Dr. Denise Brown, a transformative leader in healthcare with over three decades of experience, shares her journey from medical school to becoming a Chief Strategy Officer and eventually a CEO. She discusses how she chose personal satisfaction over traditional success metrics, emphasizing the importance of making conscious, heartfelt decisions in both personal and professional life. The conversation also explores Dr. Brown's book, 'The Fairy God Doctor's Guide to a Good Life,' focusing on the seven prescriptions she outlines for living a fulfilled life. Both hosts discuss the challenges and rewards of embracing one's true self in leadership roles.

Episode Highlights:

05:19 Choosing Satisfaction Over Success

11:06 Insights from 'The Fairy God Doctor's Guide to a Good Life'

14:37 Balancing Life and Leadership

20:47 Mentorship and Legacy

With over three decades of experience in healthcare as a physician, CEO and Chief Strategy Officer, Denise S. Brown, MD is a transformative leader who helps women in business learn how to prioritize and avoid maternal overwhelm. A thought leader in self-care activities for women, she brings her expertise to books for successful women. A graduate of The University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, with training at Stanford and Vanderbilt, she lives with Alex, her childhood sweetheart of 28 years, and their sons Will and Hank.

Connect with Dr. Denise Brown:

Instagram: @thefairygoddoctor

Company Website: https://www.sagepartners.net/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Errol Allen shares insights on helping C-Suite leaders and organizations enhance their process efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve better business outcomes. Errol delves into the importance of process documentation, the role of CEOs in leading these initiatives, and the benefits of thorough documentation for training and internal operations. Highlighted is a case study where Errol helped a company streamline operations, resulting in improved morale, better performance, and increased company value. Tune in to learn how to overcome resistance in process documentation and when to consider automation for optimal efficiency.

Episode Highlights:

02:15 Errol's Personal and Professional Journey

10:27 The Importance of Process Documentation

21:22 Navigating Resistance and Achieving Buy-In

Errol Allen is a process improvement and systems expert who helps organizations align people, processes, and technology for better efficiency and ROI. With a hands-on approach shaped by roles at companies like ADT, GEICO, and The Houston Post, Errol launched his consulting business in 2011 to pursue his passion for smart systems and stellar service. He facilitates cross-functional process improvements across industries like property management, logistics, and manufacturing. A Houston native and natural storyteller, Errol’s insights have been featured in the Houston Business Journal, Customer Experience Magazine (UK), and more. His favorite saying? “I’m just having fun!”

Connect with Errol Allen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/errolallen/

Company Website: http://www.errolallenconsulting.com

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Ashish Gupta, founder and CEO of ScaleUpExec, shares his journey from co-founding a wireless technology company acquired by Qualcomm, to working at Apple, and eventually starting his own firm focused on fractional leadership for small and medium-sized businesses. They discuss the importance of understanding the needs of both the business and its team, the challenges and strategies involved in transforming distressed businesses, and the benefits of having a versatile COO. Ashish emphasizes the value of introspection for entrepreneurs to clearly define their business goals and align their teams accordingly.

Episode Highlights:

02:28 Ashish Gupta's Journey: From Wireless Tech to Apple

03:44 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Successes

05:52 Transforming a Distressed Business

08:55 Insights on Leadership and Team Building

17:29 The Role and Impact of Fractional COOs

Ashish has had a long journey in business and tech - selling 2 businesses where he was founder-level, managing a $2B/year budget at Apple, and now running a fractional COO firm that has turned around over 20 businesses. He is an expert at helping leaders and businesses reach their potential.

Connect with Ashish Gupta:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/

Company Website: https://scaleupexec.com/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.