A lot of CEOs talk about humility, but it's rare to meet one who truly embodies it. Last week, I spoke with Ray Hatch, CEO of Quest Resources Holding Corporation, and what struck me most wasn't his impressive track record - it was his genuine humility in action. His philosophy that "I have limitations and I don't want my limitations to be the limit…

Trust versus faith — it's a distinction that Ray Hatch, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of Quest Resource Holding Corporation, explores with a refreshing candor in this conversation with Deborah Fell. Drawing from his unique journey from food distribution to waste management and lessons learned as a basketball coach's son, Ray shar…

In healthcare, some of the most impactful organizations work quietly behind the scenes, touching countless lives without widespread recognition. MTF Biologics, led by CEO Joe Yaccarino, is one such organization. Their work in tissue donation and medical biologics represents a profound cycle of hope - where end-of-life decisions become new beginning…

In healthcare innovation, success isn't just about breakthrough technology or market leadership - sometimes, it requires heroes at every level. Today's conversation with Joe Yaccarino, CEO of MTF Biologics, reveals how one of the world's largest tissue banks has built an organization where heroic acts happen daily - from donor families making selfl…

Deborah Fell reflects on her powerful conversation with Jeff Ostenso, CEO of Ironmark, and her chance encounter with another second-generation CEO during an extended train delay. These interactions highlight a crucial reality: family-owned businesses form the backbone of the American economy, representing 87% of U.S. businesses and employing 60% of…

From delivery truck driver at 18 to CEO of an $80M company - Jeff Ostenso shares how he transformed his father's printing business into a modern marketing powerhouse. After 38 years and 16 acquisitions, he reveals the unconventional leadership approach that helped him retain employees and acquire company owners. Learn how sharing P&Ls with every em…

Last week marked the conclusion of our three-part series featuring Clay Spitz, recently retired Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner at Chief Outsiders. Over my nine years with the firm, I've had the privilege of watching Clay in action – he's always been a class act, the kind of leader who earns trust naturally. Clay's perspective is parti…

At this conclusion of our three-part conversation, we join Clay Spitz and Deborah Fell as they reflect on Clay's remarkable journey with Chief Outsiders and his transition into the next chapter of his career. What begins as a discussion about business lessons learned evolves into a heartfelt exploration of wisdom gained, relationships built, and th…

This is a quarterly recap of our top episodes. You'll hear some of the highlights from several guests. From Bob Rhoda, CEO of Hemisonics, a medical device technology company, to Colleen Vassalette, CEO of landscape design firm Intrigue Design, Ryan P. Clark, co-founder and CEO of staffing and recruitment firm PeopleShare, and Will Bowie, founder an…

This episode delves into the critical career decisions that shaped these business leaders' paths. Clay candidly shares his experience of leaving Telecheck after 9/11 and buying a business - a decision he calls his "biggest failure" and "most costly mistake." He opens up about the financial devastation and valuable lessons learned from this setback.…

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 trans…

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 appr…

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 …

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 i…

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 he…

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 a…

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 moth…

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,…

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 co…

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 wi…

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 Rhoda, CEO of Hemasonics, who emphasizes the fulfillment of embracing daily experiences. As so…

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 sto…

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 va…

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 lea…

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,…

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 client…

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 highlig…

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 Outsi…

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 …

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, …

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 offer…

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 approac…

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 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 impo…

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…

In this episode, Deborah shares her anticipation for the upcoming Chief Outsiders National Conference, where she will be recapping the event and conducting insightful interviews. Reflecting on the growth and success of Chief Outsiders over the years, Deborah emphasizes the importance of vision casting and fostering a culture of collaboration. As we…

Deborah Fell unpacks key insights on gaining alignment from her conversation with Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects. With multiple stakeholders to consider, Torey shares how he approaches creating change and uniting his team behind a common vision. Deborah reflects on how a lack of alignment in an organizatio…

Do you aspire to lead with purpose and service? This week’s Success Beneath the Surface podcast features a remarkable discussion with Torey Carter Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Host Deborah Fell artfully draws out Conneen's inspiring path to nonprofit leadership guided by his family’s ethos of community service. From…

When established "truths" in business become outdated, companies that fail to adapt often struggle. In this episode commentary, host Deborah Fell explores a Mark Twain quote on questioning assumptions with guest Barry Traylor, co-founder of Sales Mastery. Barry explains why the "perfect prospect profile" can limit a company's vision and relationshi…

Learn how to boost your company's sales strategy. Deborah and her guest, Barry Trailer, Co-Founder of Sales Mastery Advisors, discuss research-backed approaches to building customer relationships and implementing effective sales processes. Discover common pitfalls in forecasting, analytics, and sales team structure and how to avoid them. You will g…

In this week's episode of Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell gives commentary on her conversation with turnaround executive Andrei Soran on balancing profitability and access in the healthcare industry. Having spent his career improving healthcare organizations, Andrei provides valuable insights into the opposing forces at play, where t…

When hospitals face financial distress, every decision becomes crucial and partners like lenders gain outsized influence. Yet few leadership teams have deep expertise in navigating corporate turnarounds. This lack of experience can lead to missed opportunities and severe consequences. What struggling hospitals need are advisors intimately familiar …

We return to our conversation with Nancie McDonnell Ruder, CEO and founder of Noetic Consulting, to highlight her uplifting perspective on bringing passion and purpose to her work. As Nancie shares, she derives “peace of mind” and “happiness” from leading a company focused on “dynamic positivity” in supporting clients. She explains how Noetic aims …

In this Success Beneath the Surface commentary episode, host Deborah Fell reflects back on her conversation with Brad Waid, a Futurist and AI expert also known as "The Curious Pragmatist." Brad embraces new technologies quickly due to his innate curiosity. He then brings these learnings into his work - originally as a teacher engaging students, and…

Do you feel your company's brand lacks purpose and focus? Is your brand failing to connect emotionally with customers? As CEO, you recognize the importance of brand, yet struggle with how to fortify it amid economic uncertainty. This week's Success Beneath The Surface podcast tackles that challenge. Host Deborah Fell interviews Nancie McDonnell Rud…

What if you could preview the future before it arrives? Our guest today, Brad Waid, provides that sneak peek. As a former third-grade teacher turned AI expert and futurist, Brad has a gift for making complex innovations understandable and relatable. Listen in as Brad paints a vivid picture of how artificial intelligence, virtual worlds, digital twi…

There are patterns we see for successful CEOs. The underlying factor for true success, meaning that the company grows, people want to work there and want to give it their all seems to be grounded in gratitude. Deborah is focusing on four successful CEOs in this episode with highlights of the gratitude that was loud and clear in their full episodes.…

Last week on Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell spoke with Tien Wong about the power of connections. Wong started ConnectPreneur over a decade ago to facilitate more regular forums for investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the DC/Mid-Atlantic area to connect and collaborate. A key insight Wong shared is that an engaged, diverse…

What's the secret sauce behind winning over employees and customers for the long haul? Our guest today, seasoned entrepreneur Tien Wong, believes it comes down to community. Having built several companies from the ground up, Tien shares how human connections and nurturing an interconnected community have been his competitive edge time and again. Wh…

Change is inevitable like the changing colors of autumn leaves that draw visitors to admire their brilliance before they fall. But it's not the change itself that matters most, it's what we do in response - our creativity, courage and vision to move forward. Join me as we listen to key points Lena Petrova made when she spoke with Deborah Fell last …