CEOs need a true number two who can translate vision into execution, protect the culture, and tell the truth in private when it matters most.

Cameron Herold is a bestselling author, the founder of COO Alliance, and former COO who helped scale 1 800 GOT JUNK from $2 million to $106 million. In this episode, Cameron breaks down what the number one and number two roles really mean, why the CEO and COO relationship works like a marriage, and how great teams debate in private so the company sees one clear direction. If you are a CEO trying to scale or an operator stepping into the second in command seat, this episode gives you the playbook to make the partnership unstoppable.

What is the hardest truth your business needs you to say in private this week, and who is the one person you trust to say it to you?

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(04:12) What a Dysfunctional CEO–COO Relationship Looks Like

(06:29) Why Companies Stall When Vision and Operations Clash

(09:34) What a True C-Level Leader Actually Is

(13:17) How Small Companies Attract Real A-Players

(14:39) What Great CEO–COO Partnerships Actually Look Like

(17:48) The Interview Process for Hiring a True Second-in-Command

(31:24) What Happens After the Video Screening

(40:01) How to Make an Offer That Locks in an A-Player

(43:19) The Right Way to Onboard a COO (First 90 Days)

(51:17) How AI Is Reshaping Leadership Teams and Org Charts

Connect with Cameron

Website: https://cameronherold.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameronherold/

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold/

Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast

DM me GSD on Instagram to learn more about working with me: https://www.instagram.com/mikearcelive

Book a Call with My Team → https://go.gsdcompany.com/book-a-call-form-page

Get My Book → https://thestandardisyou.com

Subscribe to My Newsletter → https://mikearce.me

Connect with me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikearcelive/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikearcelive/

X: https://x.com/mikearcelive

One successful business decision can cost you everything else if you are not intentional. In this episode of the GSD Show, Mike Arce sits down with Scott Donnell, CEO of Fig & Eagle, an entrepreneur who has built ten companies, served over ten million customers, and generated hundreds of millions in revenue.

Scott breaks down why most founders unknowingly cap their growth through exhaustion, how profitable systems create freedom instead of pressure, and why the same principles that build great businesses also build strong families. This conversation explores what it actually takes to scale without losing your health, your family, or your purpose. If you want growth that compounds instead of consuming you, this episode shows you where the real leverage is.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(02:48) The Generational Trap Entrepreneurs Fall Into

(06:12) Why Hustle Stops Working at Scale

(10:41) Systems vs Effort in Business Growth

(15:58) Responsibility Creates Freedom

(21:34) Why Exhausted Founders Hit a Ceiling

(26:52) The Difference Between Growing and Scaling

(32:44) Hiring World-Class People Changes Everything

(38:09) Why Strong Families Build Strong Businesses

(44:40) The Legacy Most Entrepreneurs Actually Want

What part of your life outside of business feels the most exhausted right now? Leave your answer in the comment.

DM me GSD on Instagram to learn more about working with me: https://www.instagram.com/mikearcelive

Book a Call with My Team → https://go.gsdcompany.com/book-a-call-form-page

Get My Book → https://thestandardisyou.com

Subscribe to My Newsletter → https://mikearce.me

Connect with me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikearcelive/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikearcelive/

X: https://x.com/mikearcelive

Connect with Scott:

Website: https://figandeagle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imscottdonnell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imscottdonnell/

X: https://x.com/imScottDonnell

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnell-scott/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@scottdonnell/videos

Most businesses don’t struggle because of bad marketing. They struggle because the experience doesn’t work.In this episode of the GSD Show, Mike Arce sits down with Joe Polish, founder of Genius Network and one of the most respected minds in direct response marketing and relationship-driven growth. Joe has spent decades helping entrepreneurs build businesses that grow through results, referrals, and reputation instead of louder promotion.

Joe breaks down why scaling too early multiplies problems, how most companies confuse standards with selling points, and why customers only talk about businesses that exceed expectations. This conversation reframes growth around outcomes, experience, and trust instead of tactics. This episode is for operators, founders, and business owners who are tired of pushing harder for diminishing returns and want growth because the business actually works.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(03:10) From Carpet Cleaner to Genius Network

(07:42) Why Marketing Fails When the Experience Is Broken

(12:58) Standards vs Selling Points

(18:21) Why Scaling Too Early Destroys Trust

(23:44) Six Flags vs Disney: A Case Study in Experience

(29:14) The Happy Client Experience Explained

(34:02) Why Referrals Only Happen When Results Are Real

(39:18) Stop Trying to Promote Garbage

(44:41) What If You Only Got Paid After Results

(50:56) Engineering Outcomes Instead of Ads

(56:34) How Growth Becomes Easy When the Business Works

What part of your business experience needs fixing before you spend another dollar on marketing?

Leave your answer in the comments.

DM me GSD on Instagram to learn more about working with me: https://www.instagram.com/mikearcelive

Book a Call with My Team → https://go.gsdcompany.com/book-a-call-form-page

Get My Book → https://thestandardisyou.com

Subscribe to My Newsletter → https://mikearce.me

Connect with me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikearcelive/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikearcelive/

X: https://x.com/mikearcelive

Connect with Joe:

Listen to the Joe Polish Show: https://www.thejoepolishshow.com/

Website: https://joepolish.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joepolish/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jpolish/

X: https://x.com/JoePolish