Growth Think Tank

Featuring Andrew Razumovsky, co-founder of CANDA Solutions, this episode of *Growth Think Tank* explores what it takes to scale a company, develop leaders, and build an organization that can operate beyond the founders. Founded in 2008, CANDA Solutions has grown into an Inc. 5000 Rank No. 538 (2026) company serving federal government needs in vetting, adjudication, and investigations management. Andrew shares lessons from CANDA's growth journey, including bringing in outside coaching to sharpen strategy, establish metrics, and strengthen leadership. He also discusses using AI to analyze data while keeping human judgment at the center and empowering teams to solve problems independently.

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Your team won't make decisions because you're always available to make them. Employee decision-making is the critical element that separates founder-dependent companies from team-driven ones. In this episode, Gene shares a breakthrough from one of his founder clients who discovered that strategic unavailability forces his team to think independently. By blocking off time and removing himself from the equation, his leadership team started making decisions without him and built the ownership and grit required to scale. You'll learn why your availability is the enemy of employee decision-making, how to design strategic unavailability as a delegation framework, and why stepping...

As founders and CEOs work to scale their businesses, it's easy to focus on external growth: hiring A-players, increasing sales, launching new products, and building better systems. But what if the biggest obstacle to growth is the founder themselves? In this solo episode, Gene Hammett explores why founder-dependent businesses often struggle to scale until their leaders are willing to look inward. He shares how reactive leadership, unresolved personal challenges, poor communication, and outdated beliefs about the founder's role can undermine even the strongest teams and strategies. Gene explains why sustainable growth begins with becoming a stronger leader, how greater...

In this conversation, Boris Musheyev, founder of BORISMTAX, ranked No. 2,051 on the 2025 Inc. 5000, shares his approach to employee experience, leadership, and building a strong company culture. Boris describes the firm as a tax planning and advisory business focused primarily on helping business owners better understand and manage their taxes through clear communication and education. He explains how leading by example and taking a family-first approach have helped him attract and retain talented employees by creating a workplace where people feel supported, personal needs can be discussed openly, and work-life balance is valued. Boris also discusses the importance of celebrating...

Want to increase company value without grinding out more hours? The fastest lever is not revenue. It is reducing founder dependency. In this episode, Gene Hammett shares a real client story: a business doing $4 million in revenue, worth roughly $8 million in enterprise value. Seven years later, after serious investment in leadership development and building a team-driven company, that business is worth around $50 million. And the founder just took a vacation where he fully unplugged. No emails, no calls, no meetings, no driving sales. Gene breaks down the Founder Freedom Factor, why buyers pay less for companies that depend on...

In this episode, Wes Cobb reflects on his career at JLJ, a leading critical infrastructure construction company, and his journey from field operations to project management, finance, and ultimately CEO in 2022. He discusses JLJ's specialized work renovating and upgrading mission-critical facilities, including data centers, hospitals, and telecommunications sites where uninterrupted power and cooling are essential. Cobb shares how the company's rapid growth exposed gaps in its leadership structure, prompting the creation of an executive leadership team, clearer organizational roles, regular leadership meetings, and a structured superintendent training program. He also offers candid insights into his own leadership evolution, emphasizing...

In this episode, we're joined by Nicholas Janni, leadership coach and co-author of Leading in Chaos, for a thoughtful conversation about what it takes to lead effectively in times of uncertainty and constant change. We explore why inner work is essential for modern leadership, discussing the power of presence, focus, authentic connection, and letting go of the need to control what cannot be controlled. Nicholas shares insights from Leading in Chaos on how leaders can cultivate deeper listening, create space for honest dialogue, and remain grounded as technology continues to reshape the workplace. We also examine the importance of...

How do you increase the value of your company? In this episode, we break down the three critical drivers that determine business value: profitability, risk, and founder independence.

We explore how EBITDA serves as a key measure of profitability and financial performance, how the valuation multiple reflects the level of risk and confidence buyers place on a business, and how these two factors combine to determine enterprise value.

We also dive into the Founder Freedom Factor: the impact founder dependency has on a company's scalability, growth potential, and overall value. A business that relies heavily...

Most founders end up as their own default CFO, buried in spreadsheets, cash flow, and pricing decisions. In this episode of Growth Think Tank, Gene Hammett talks with Brennan de Raad, founder of Vessel Advisors (No. 2,665 on the Inc. 5000). We explore the key signs that it's time to bring in strategic financial leadership, especially as your business grows beyond $5 million in revenue and the founder is still managing the finances. Gene sits down with Brennan De Raad of Vessel Advisors to discuss how fractional CFOs, controllers, and back-office accounting teams help businesses gain financial clarity, improve cash flow visibility...

In this episode, we discuss how leaders learn and why information alone doesn't create growth. We explore the difference between consuming content and changing behavior, and why conversations with coaches, mentors, and teammates are often the catalyst for real transformation. Through practical examples, we highlight the importance of execution, accountability, and being willing to be challenged in order to become a better leader.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

0:03 Learning by Doing
2:33 Why Books Fall Short
4:07 Coaching Changes Behavior
5:49 Real Transformation Starts Here

🎯Key Takeaways

Leadership growth doesn't come from con...

In this episode, we explore what we truly want and how we often stand in our own way, covering the importance of clear goals, spotting self-sabotage, and building the self-awareness needed before attempting real change. We dig into our work with founder-dependent companies and the shift from founder-led to team-driven structures, sharing a personal story of rebuilding after business failure and how identifying a recurring pattern helped us change behavior and continue growing. We close with a practical challenge: write down what you want, talk it over with people you trust, and honestly reflect on where you might be...

In this episode of Growth Think Tank, Gene Hammett sits down with Arad Levertov, CEO and Co-Founder of Sunbit, an Inc. 5000 company ranked No. 1,374 in 2025, to discuss how leaders can stay true to their mission while scaling a fast-growing organization. Arad shares how Sunbit was founded with a mission to reduce financial waste and friction by providing personalized financial solutions that benefit both consumers and merchants. He reflects on the frustrating credit card application experience that inspired the company's creation and explains how Sunbit has expanded across industries, including auto repair, dental care, and eyewear, while facilitating millions of...

Every leader faces problems, and founders carry more than their share. In this episode of Growth Think Tank, Gene Hammett breaks down the leadership mindset shifts that separate leaders who get buried by their problems from those who grow because of them. The problem is rarely the real problem. The way you see it is. Gene shares three perspective shifts that change how you handle stress, setbacks, and the daily fires of running a company. You will learn why choosing growth over comfort builds the leader your business needs, how to move from victim to leader and take your...

In this episode, we explore why teams sometimes struggle to execute without leadership involvement and why leaders may be too quick to blame execution itself. Often, the real challenge lies in unclear ownership, limited resources, competing priorities, or a lack of clear direction. We share a client example where repeated status checks and deadline pressure failed to solve the issue because responsibility had never been clearly defined. Along the way, we break down three essential delegation questions every leader should ask: What does success look like? When will it be completed? And will this person take ownership of the...

In this interview, Matt Pierce, co-founder and CEO of Immediate, shares the story behind the company and its mission to give employees early access to wages they've already earned through a simple, flat-fee alternative to payday and title loans. He discusses Immediate's growth since 2019 to nearly 700 employees nationwide, and how the company is staying mission-driven while scaling in a competitive earned wage access market. Matt also talks about how they're building alignment through shared ownership and stock education, shifting toward strategic partnerships and larger clients, and learning from a past hiring mistake in sales. He closes by reflecting on...

In this episode, Joshua Lifrak shares how leadership and performance are shaped by mental preparation, self-awareness, and the choices we make in everyday moments. Drawing on his background in sports psychology, he discusses the importance of setting daily intentions, mentally preparing before important conversations, and returning to "mile zero" so that past experiences don't negatively influence the next interaction. Joshua also emphasizes the value of being "present, not perfect," explaining how greater awareness of our thoughts and emotions creates space between stimulus and response, leading to more intentional leadership and better decision-making. He also explores visualization as a practical...

In this episode, we explore the hidden downsides of open-door leadership and how it can quietly impact productivity, focus, and team performance. While the intention is to create accessibility and strong communication, constant interruptions can derail priorities and create unintended bottlenecks. Drawing on research from UC Irvine, I share how frequent disruptions affect deep work, along with a real case study of a CEO who found himself overwhelmed by team dependencies.

You'll hear how he restructured his leadership approach by setting clearer boundaries, empowering independent thinking, and implementing focused one-on-one meetings. The result was more time, stronger...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Hughes, co-founder and CEO of Solid Road, for a real conversation about how AI is reshaping customer experience and what that means for leaders today. We explore how tools like the Claude coworking system are changing team communication and improving transparency, and why Mark sees radical transparency as a key to building trust and ownership across an organization. We also get into how leadership evolves as companies scale, why hiring specialists matters, how your role shifts as a leader, and what it takes to step into a more strategic mindset. Mark...

In this episode, I share how competing against a two-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shaped my understanding of leadership and personal growth. I highlight the significance of hard work and preparation, drawing parallels between competition and leadership challenges in business. I discuss overcoming fears, resilience, and the continuous journey of growth, likening the path to success to the pursuit of a black belt. I outline three key lessons: growth knows no limits, preparation is vital, and the most significant battles occur within our minds. I hope to inspire listeners to embrace their leadership journeys with courage and resilience.<...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Rampolla, co-founder of Ground Force Capital and the brand behind Zico Coconut Water, to unpack the inner and outer work of leadership. Mark shares how the stories we tell ourselves can quietly shape our decisions and sometimes hold us back. We talk about why self-reflection isn't optional if you want to grow, and how leaders can evolve alongside their organizations.

We also get into the practical side of scaling: making smart operational shifts, building teams that truly complement each other, and adapting your leadership style as your company grows...

In this episode, we break down how CEOs and founders can take back control of their time to become more effective leaders. If you're stuck doing everything yourself, it's likely costing you growth, creating bottlenecks, and leading to burnout. You'll learn how to delegate with confidence, empower your team, and focus on the highest-value activities that actually move the business forward. I also share a real-world success story that shows how leveraging your "genius hours" can dramatically improve performance and results.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

0:07 Introduction to CEO Time Optimization
3:42 Shifting from Doer to...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Gonzalez, Co-Founder and President of A-G Associates Inc. (Ranked No. 717 in 2025), to explore his powerful concept of precise leadership, a leadership style centered on clarity, accountability, and understanding what truly motivates your team.

Chris shares how his military background shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing direct communication, adaptability, and ownership at every level of an organization. As companies grow, maintaining agility and alignment becomes more challenging, and Chris breaks down how leaders can overcome these obstacles with intentional messaging and a culture of transparency.

If you're a...

This episode explores the essential role of leadership in challenging business environments. I reflect on my journey as a founder and coach, emphasizing resilience and the importance of maintaining vision during turbulent times. Through personal anecdotes, including a significant setback in my sports tour company in 2010, I illustrate how adversity can be transformed into growth opportunities. I introduce the mantra "life happens for you, not to you," encouraging a shift from victimhood to empowerment. Key themes include rising above chaos, leading by example, and fostering a collaborative culture in leadership to alleviate burdens. My goal is to support leaders...

In this episode, I sit down with Andy White, co-founder of Closinglock (ranked No. 135 on the 2025 Inc. 5000), to talk about what it really means to "scale trust" as your company grows. Andy shares how trust isn't just a feel-good concept; it's a key driver of performance, stronger culture, and deeper employee engagement, and we explore how giving teams real autonomy paired with transparent communication can unlock better results. He also offers a fresh perspective on hiring, explaining why he prioritizes character over experience, and highlights the continued importance of in-person interactions for building genuine connections. We wrap up by...

In this episode, I explore a challenge many growing companies face: founder dependency. Once a business grows beyond about 20 employees, founders often find themselves stuck in the middle of every decision. While that level of involvement helped in the early days, it can eventually lead to burnout, slower decision-making, and limited innovation across the team. I talk about why this happens and how leaders can start recognizing the signs that they're too embedded in day-to-day operations.

I also break down what it looks like to shift from a founder-driven company to a team-driven one. When authority is...

On this episode of Grow Think Tank, Gene Hammett talks with Matthew Rooda, Founder/CEO of SwineTech (ranked No. 247 on the 2025 Inc. 5000), about the real challenges of scaling a business while keeping culture and customers front and center. Matthew shares lessons on why it's critical to address cultural issues early, build a strong foundation for sustainable growth, and truly understand what your customers want, especially in the meat industry. He also dives into the importance of honest customer discovery, hiring the right people, and creating a team environment where collaboration, ownership, and accountability thrive.

Matthew also shares...

In this episode, I address key person risk for founders and CEOs, highlighting the importance of not having the business hinge on a single leader. I discuss strategies for creating robust systems and empowering teams to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance business value for investors. As a CEO coach, I emphasize transitioning to a team-driven culture that fosters stability and effective communication. I provide actionable insights to help leaders build sustainable growth that persists beyond their involvement.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

0:09 Introduction to Key Person Risk
1:38 Understanding Your Value in Business
4:06 Transitioning from Work...

In this episode of Growth Think Tank, I chat with Peter, the CEO of Your Your Money Line, about People First Leadership and its role in enhancing organizational success. We discuss the vital link between employee well-being and performance, highlighting financial health as a key stress reducer. Peter emphasizes the importance of empathy, accountability, and open communication in fostering a supportive team culture, leading to improved collaboration and reduced turnover. Our conversation reveals that prioritizing people is both a moral and strategic necessity for sustainable growth in businesses.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps
4:08 The Importance of Financial...

In this episode, I discuss the evolution of CEO leadership, emphasizing that "What got you here won't get you there," as introduced by Marshall Goldsmith. I share insights from over 800 interviews, focusing on the need for leaders to adapt their mindsets and strategies as their businesses scale. Through a client's growth story, I highlight the importance of strategic shifts and personnel changes to meet new challenges. I encourage leaders to continuously reassess their approaches and balance operational tasks with empowering their teams, reinforcing that effective leadership is a dynamic and evolving journey.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

In this episode, I speak with Kirsten Baker, CEO of Jeenie, Inc. (ranked No. 271 in 2025), a platform dedicated to breaking down language barriers through live interpretation. We explore the powerful intersection of AI innovation and the irreplaceable human element required for meaningful communication. Kirsten shares her perspective on building a culture of innovation, highlighting collaboration, embracing failure as a learning tool, and leading with purpose. We also discuss Jeenie's mission-driven approach to leadership, the importance of hiring for values alignment, and the successes of managing a diverse, fully remote team. Our conversation offers a compelling look at the future...

In this episode, I explore the concept of the Multiplier CEO and how this leadership model differs from the traditional, operationally driven approach. I share why sustainable growth requires a mindset shift from doing everything yourself to empowering and developing the people around you. As businesses scale, leaders who invest in their teams reduce micromanagement, relieve burnout, and unlock collective performance. I also announce a free training for CEOs focused on overcoming burnout and building businesses that thrive without constant founder involvement. This episode is an invitation to adopt the multiplier mindset for long-term, scalable success.

Episode...

Join me for a conversation with Kevin Zerber, co-founder of TreeRing Inc. 5000 company ranked No. 3200 in 2025 that is redefining the yearbook experience through technology and innovation. Kevin shares how adaptive leadership has guided TreeRing from its earliest days, with an emphasis on continuous improvement, curiosity, and customer-driven personalization. We discuss how the company successfully pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain service continuity, as well as how fostering mentorship and an adaptive culture fuels both innovation and employee growth. Kevin also explains how integrating technology and data enhances efficiency and the customer experience while staying true to TreeRing's core...

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, I tackle the often-ignored topic of blame in the workplace. I highlight how attributing performance issues to employees or external factors can impede both personal and organizational growth. Drawing from my experience coaching CEOs, I emphasize the importance of self-awareness in leadership and the need to confront uncomfortable truths. Leaders are encouraged to reflect on their roles, recognizing that the solution often lies in their own leadership approach rather than their teams. I provide insights on fostering engagement and redefining company culture, stressing that personal accountability is key to effective business management...

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, Gene Hammett sits down with Austin Yarborough, founder of Central Coast Moving, ranked No. 2,278 on the Inc. 5000 list, to explore the power of leadership and continuous improvement. Austin shares how high standards, self-awareness, and leading by example have been essential in scaling his business, attracting A players, and building a strong organizational culture.

Discover Austin's practical strategies for:

Embracing Kaizen principles: getting 1% better every day

Leveraging social media to build trust, not just chase clients

Tracking progress for personal and professional growth

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In this episode, I share critical year-end reflections for growth-stage CEOs, especially those leading organizations of around 20 employees. As companies scale, leadership must shift from personal execution to empowering others and ensuring the business can thrive even in the leader's absence. I walk through seven powerful reflection questions designed to accelerate leadership growth, from identifying your highest-impact actions to confronting avoided conversations and evaluating how well you're adapting to what the future demands. This episode challenges leaders to lead with courage, rethink their approach for the year ahead, and strengthen both self-awareness and organizational health. All reflection questions are...

In this episode, Gene Hammett interviews AJ Cassata, founder of Revenue Boost, about AI-driven lead generation in B2B marketing. AJ emphasizes the collaborative use of AI in sales, warns against full outsourcing, and explains his "10-80-10 rule." He discusses the effectiveness of outbound strategies like cold emailing and LinkedIn messaging, stressing the importance of personalization and audience segmentation. AJ recommends tools like Clay.com for automating outreach and concludes with key factors for successful campaigns, urging listeners to embrace AI while maintaining human oversight and persistence.

1:15 The Power of AI in...

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, I unpack the critical shifts CEOs must anticipate as we approach 2026, with a sharp focus on clarity in leadership and organizational expectations. I share five key predictions shaping the business landscape: sustained recession-like consumer behavior, the necessity of intentional pricing strategies amid shrinkflation, a growing premium on predictability over aggressive growth, the importance of empowering leaders to eliminate decision bottlenecks, and the need to cultivate a culture rooted in trust and accountability. I also offer a pragmatic perspective on AI adoption, encouraging leaders to integrate it strategically in the service of clear...

In this episode, John Bradford, CEO of Pet Screening, ranked No. 879 on the Inc. 5000 in 2025. Joins Gene Hammett to talk about what it really takes to build a "category of one" business. Bradford shares how visionary leadership and relentless execution go hand in hand, why founders must be honest about the size of their total addressable market, and how underestimating demand can limit growth. He draws on Pet Screening's success in helping landlords manage pet policy compliance amid America's growing pet population, while also unpacking the importance of strong core values, genuine team engagement, and empowering individuals to contribute...

In this episode, we're diving into something every organization talks about but few truly master urgency. I share what I've learned coaching CEOs about why urgency matters so much and how clarity, energy, and ownership all work together to create real momentum. We'll talk about setting clear goals, getting people emotionally connected to the work, and helping teams feel genuinely invested in the outcomes. You'll also get a chance to gauge your own urgency score and pick up a few simple ways to boost it. And along the way, I'll touch on how coaching can help leaders and teams...

2025 list of fastest-growing companies. Jeff shares how values-driven leadership shapes every aspect of his organization, from strategic decisions to daily client interactions. He breaks down the core values that guide his team's growth, reliability, communication, and respect, and explains how embedding them into company culture fuels consistent, high-quality performance.

Jeff also dives into the evolving role of AI in streamlining operations and elevating service, while underscoring the importance of empowering employees through critical thinking and autonomy. The conversation wraps with a powerful reminder: clearly defined values aren't just ideals, they're essential tools for...