Get Back 2 Work

28 Episodes
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By: Bob Campana

Get Back 2 Work is a candid, no-nonsense podcast for seasoned entrepreneurs and operators who know that building something meaningful requires more than ideas — it requires resilience, reinvention, and real work.Hosted by serial entrepreneur and author Bob Campana, who has started and grown eight companies over more than five decades, the show explores what it actually takes to build, lead, and rebuild through both good years and hard ones. Bob brings the perspective of someone who has lived the pressure, responsibility, and identity that come with creating and running businesses at a high level.Each episode features honest conversations with expe...

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Wes Moss and his The Retire Sooner Method: Five Steps to a Happier, Purpose-Filled Retirement
Wes Moss and his The Retire Sooner Method: Five Steps to a Happier, Purpose-Filled Retirement episode artwork
#28
Last Saturday at 10:00 AM

What if happiness in retirement isn’t about hitting a magic number, but mastering five simple steps? In this episode, Wes Moss reveals the Retire Sooner Method: money green zones, core pursuits, real community, and a written plan that delivers a 21% happiness jump. Ditch fear, find “enough,” and build a life worth retiring to.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Wes Moss discuss:

Defining “money green zones” and financial foundationsFriendship recession and building real social connectionsCore pursuits can drive purpose beyond full-time workFear of outliving savings and written planningDiminishing returns of wealth on happiness<...


Know When to Grow, Know When to Go: Dave Parker on Smart Exits
Know When to Grow, Know When to Go: Dave Parker on Smart Exits episode artwork
#27
09/12/2026

Chasing scale or eyeing the exit? Dave Parker reveals the signals founders miss, the metrics that matter, and a simple framework to decide: grow, pivot, or go. Avoid earnout traps, raise your multiple, and time your move with confidence.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Dave Parker discuss:

Knowing when to grow versus exitRevenue models driving enterprise valueStrategic vs. private equity exitsReducing founder dependency and riskAvoiding earnout traps and customer concentration


Key Takeaways:

Teams prosper when they pivot around problems.Predictable revenue plus a crisp two-year growth story...


Flavor, Focus, and the Family Torch: Inside The Yogurt Mill with Larry and Soshie Young
Flavor, Focus, and the Family Torch: Inside The Yogurt Mill with Larry and Soshie Young episode artwork
#26
09/05/2026

What does it really take to turn a soft-serve side hustle into a four-location staple with lines out the door? Meet Larry and Soshie Young, founders of The Yogurt Mill, and their daughter Carly, the next-gen co-CEO. Stick around for hard-won lessons on scaling, culture, and creating “memory moments” that keep customers coming back.


In this episode, Bob Campana, Larry Young, and Soshie Young discuss:

From refrigeration to founding The Yogurt MillFlavor sourcing, rotation, and quality partnershipsScaling through systems, manuals, and trainingCommunity outreach, fundraisers, and mobile trucksNext-gen leadership, innovation, and menu focus


<...


Bill McHenry: From Factory to Table: How Widgetteer Wins the “Social Kitchen”
Bill McHenry: From Factory to Table: How Widgetteer Wins the “Social Kitchen” episode artwork
#25
08/29/2026

Meet Widgetteer CEO Bill McHenry, who turned a failed vacuum-seal idea into a masterclass on product design, sourcing with soul, and selling to the toughest buyers. From viral oil-and-vinegar platters to Disney-level vendor status, this conversation is a blueprint for building hits in the “social kitchen” era, where relationships, relentless follow-up, and packaging you can actually touch make all the difference. 


In this episode, Bob Campana and Bill McHenry discuss:

Widgetteer’s “social kitchen” focus and productsLessons from early product failure Corporate experience shaping entrepreneurial agilitySourcing family-owned factories and retail accessPricing, logistics, packaging, and trade sh...


Dan Dowdy: From Plumber to Trades Leadership Coach
Dan Dowdy: From Plumber to Trades Leadership Coach episode artwork
#24
08/22/2026

In this episode of Get Back 2 Work, Bob Campana sits down with Master plumber Dan Dowdy as he reveals how leadership, systems, and faith transformed his family business into a coaching movement. Learn to scale your trades company, build culture, and lead the next generation.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Dan Dowdy discuss:

Dan's journey: plumbing to coachingMindset, faith, and endurance driving leadership and resilienceSystems and processes to scale without ownerCore values, structure, accountability shaping company cultureCommunication, hiring, training: closing generational leadership gap


Key Takeaways:

Investing in...


Firdaus Kharas: Animation Breaks Barriers: Storytelling That Transforms
Firdaus Kharas: Animation Breaks Barriers: Storytelling That Transforms episode artwork
#23
08/15/2026

On this episode of Get Back to Work with host Bob Campana, internationally renowned visual artist Firdaus Kharas reveals how animation breaks barriers, using short, culturally authentic visuals to overcome stigma and save lives. Join in to hear rapid storyboarding, taboo‑busting ideas, and the human edge over AI.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Firdaus Kharas discuss:

Creativity vs. AI: human imagination winsHumor + brevity: short spots that stickCultural authenticity: locally believable visual detailsAnimation over posters: visuals that change behaviorProcess & persistence: storyboards, iteration, daydreaming


Key Takeaways:

Culturally authentic, co...


Bryan Clayton: How He Built the “Uber for Mowing”
Bryan Clayton: How He Built the “Uber for Mowing” episode artwork
#22
08/08/2026

From a 13-year-old mowing lawns to building an “Uber for mowing” that serves 300,000 customers, this episode pulls back the curtain on scaling a blue-collar hustle into a tech platform, the messy reality of selling a business, and the human-first coaching that turns solo landscapers into sustainable owners. Tune in for hard-earned tactics, founder confessions, and the surprising lessons Bryan Clayton learned when he traded a lawnmower for an app.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Bryan Clayton discuss:

Building an entrepreneurial mindset from mowing lawnsScaling operations and delegating leadershipPreparing business for sale and iden...


Catherine Bell: Awakened Companies: Leading with Presence, Purpose, and People
Catherine Bell: Awakened Companies: Leading with Presence, Purpose, and People episode artwork
#21
08/01/2026

Want your company to feel alive, not just profitable? In this episode, Catherine Bell maps a practical path, from waking your own self-awareness to reshaping relationships and team systems, so creativity and culture drive performance. Tune in for Enneagram-based tools, silence practices, and leadership moves that turn vision into collective action.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Catherine Bell discuss:

Alive/awakened organizationsThree rings: awaken self, relationships, teamsEnneagram for leadership and team diversityCreativity: silence, stillness, and collective processCulture vs. finance — the two-thirds culture rule


Key Takeaways:

Prioritize culture al...


Derek Fredrickson: How Fractional COOs Turn Founder Vision into Scalable Growth
Derek Fredrickson: How Fractional COOs Turn Founder Vision into Scalable Growth episode artwork
#20
07/25/2026

The difference between a growing business and a scalable one isn't talent; it's execution. In this episode, Bob Campana sits down with Derek Fredrickson, founder of The COO Solution, to explore how fractional COOs transform founder vision into scalable execution through systems, accountability, smarter meetings, and AI-powered operations.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Derek Fredrickson discuss:

Fractional COO model and ideal growth stageBuilding operational systems and SOPsKPIs, accountability, and leadership alignmentRedesigning meetings for better executionAI-powered knowledge management and scaling


Key Takeaways:

Sustainable growth comes from repeatable systems...


Doug Thorpe: Servant Leadership That Actually Works
Doug Thorpe: Servant Leadership That Actually Works episode artwork
#19
07/18/2026

An executive coach with military roots breaks down practical servant leadership: how trust, small behavioral tweaks, and purposeful introspection create real performance gains for leaders and teams. Tune in for frameworks you can apply this week to lead steadier and build stronger teams.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Thorpe discuss:

Military-to-civilian leadership differencesServant leadership & “greater good”Building trust and psychological safetyCoaching vs. consulting; leader developmentAI, tech, and the pipeline for young leaders


Key Takeaways:

Leadership begins with the person you choose to become because lasting influence alwa...


Steve Preda: Taking Founders to the Next Level with Summit OS
Steve Preda: Taking Founders to the Next Level with Summit OS episode artwork
#18
07/11/2026

In this conversation between Steve and Bob, you’ll hear how a former investment banker-turned-operator built Summit OS by synthesizing 70+ iconic business books to help founders decentralize decisions, create unique advantages, and keep climbing to the next level.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Steve Preda discuss:

Founder dependency and the hub-and-spoke problemShifting to a decentralized “synapse” decision modelLimits of basic operating systems and going deeperDesigning unique activities and Strategy OS for differentiationExecution cadence, leadership structure, and AI’s role in business


Key Takeaways:

Companies eventually hit a ceiling...


Wombi Rose: Engineering Magical Moments with Lovepop’s Paper Art
Wombi Rose: Engineering Magical Moments with Lovepop’s Paper Art episode artwork
#17
07/04/2026

A former naval architect turns ship-design software into a tool for crafting emotional, pop-up greeting cards and builds a multimillion-dollar brand around human connection. In this conversation, you’ll hear how art, engineering, trust, and grit turned a simple kirigami insight into Lovepop and tens of millions of “magical moments.”


In this episode, Bob Campana and Wombi Rose discuss:

Origin story: naval architecture, Harvard, and discovering kirigami in VietnamTurning engineering skills into handcrafted, laser-cut greeting cardsMission, production, and team culture at Lovepop (including Vietnam operations)Co-founder trust, vulnerability-based leadership, and company cultureGrowth via Shark...


Patrick Donohue: Good Capital, Bad Capital, and the Real Cost of Growth
Patrick Donohue: Good Capital, Bad Capital, and the Real Cost of Growth episode artwork
#16
06/27/2026

When does capital become a growth engine, and when does it quietly destroy a business? In this episode, we dive into the difference between good and bad money, how to think about valuation, and what every founder needs to know before signing their next loan or giving up equity.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Patrick Donohue discuss:

Early entrepreneurial roots and family influenceHill Capital’s investment focus and “execution vs. concept” riskGood capital vs. bad capital and predatory lendingBreakout valuation and getting paid for future potentialKey criteria, cash-flow focus, and protecting owner contro...


Dr. Mitchell Levy: Rethinking Leadership Through Clarity and Stakeholder Trust
Dr. Mitchell Levy: Rethinking Leadership Through Clarity and Stakeholder Trust episode artwork
#15
06/20/2026

When all other leaders are obsessed with quarterly returns and optimization, what happens when you put clarity, credibility, and meaning back at the center of your business? In this episode, Bob and Dr. Mitchell Levy break down the C‑Pop, executive abundance, and why your legacy is written in the lives of your stakeholders, not your balance sheet.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Dr. Mitchell Levy discuss:

Executive Abundance framework and the 4CsThe C‑Pop (customer point of possibility) and extreme clarityInput–output model for effective communication and delegationEmployee empowerment, respect, and workpl...


Neil Buettner: Treat Your Art Like a Business or It Won’t Treat You Like a Career
Neil Buettner: Treat Your Art Like a Business or It Won’t Treat You Like a Career episode artwork
#14
06/13/2026

What does it actually take to turn local gigs into a real, sustainable living as a musician? In this episode, Neil Buettner breaks down the business side of art, budgeting, pricing, adding value, and building human connections that keep your calendar full for decades.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Neil Buettner discuss:

Turning a summer of music into a full-time careerBudgeting, goal setting, and reverse-engineering income from gigsTreating music as a business and understanding market valueSaying no, finding a niche, and expanding into events/DJ/MC workHuman connection, referrals, and long-term client...


Pietro Peroni: How a $1 Pen Led to a Multimillion-Dollar Christmas Lights Business
Pietro Peroni: How a $1 Pen Led to a Multimillion-Dollar Christmas Lights Business episode artwork
#13
06/06/2026

A $1 counterfeit-detecting pen, a chance trip to China, and half a million meters of rope light set the stage for a lifelong journey in the Christmas lighting industry. In this episode, hear how a math teacher turned serendipity, risk, and China’s manufacturing engine into a global seasonal business.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Pietro Peroni discuss:

Pivot from teaching math and physics to entrepreneurshipDiscovering high-margin products and wholesaler-driven growthFirst experiences in Guangzhou and China’s “city of lights” ecosystemBuilding and scaling a professional Christmas lighting businessInnovation in LED technology and modular commerci...


Victor Ochieng & Daniel Ekonde: Chasing the American Dream to Tell Africa’s Stories
Victor Ochieng & Daniel Ekonde: Chasing the American Dream to Tell Africa’s Stories episode artwork
#12
05/30/2026

Two young journalists leave Kenya and Cameroon for UC Berkeley, trading local newsrooms for a global stage. In this conversation, they unpack the realities of the American dream, the future of African storytelling, and how authenticity will keep human creators essential in an AI-driven world.


In this episode, Bob Campana, Victor Ochieng, and Daniel Ekonde discuss:

Early life and entry into journalism in Kenya and CameroonRadio, sports, and music broadcasting careers in AfricaWinning scholarships and deciding to study at UC BerkeleyComparing opportunity, infrastructure, and systems in Africa vs. the U.S.AI’s im...


Timothy Little: Why Small Groups Win Over Solo Trips
Timothy Little: Why Small Groups Win Over Solo Trips episode artwork
#11
05/23/2026

What happens when a former solo backpacker trades crowded tourist hotspots for intimate Sicilian baptisms, birthday parties, and hidden museums? In this episode, you’ll hear how deeply curated small group travel can transform your experience of Europe—from logistics and language barriers to food, community, and culture.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Timothy Little discuss:

Solo backpacking through Asia before the internetChoosing the right travel partnerDeep cultural immersion in Sicily via local relationshipsSmall group tours vs. mass tourism and cruise ship crowdsDiscovering hidden, less crowded European experiences


 Key T...


Lino Mansoni: How Thoughtful Itineraries Create Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel Memories
Lino Mansoni: How Thoughtful Itineraries Create Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel Memories episode artwork
#10
05/16/2026

Tired of crowded cruise ports, rushed bus tours, and souvenir shops that all look the same? In this episode, Bob and travel designer Lino Masani break down the hidden costs of “hit and run tourism” and reveal how small group, relationship-driven travel can restore authentic, meaningful experiences.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Lino Mansoni discuss:

Over-tourism in major European citiesImpact of cruise ships and “hit and run tourism”Small group travel vs. mass tourismBuilding immersive, local-first itinerariesThe role of relationships and DMCs in high-quality travel experiences


 Key Takeaways:

Overtou...


Abraham Navarro: From Mowing at Five to Building a Landscaping Brand
Abraham Navarro: From Mowing at Five to Building a Landscaping Brand episode artwork
#9
05/09/2026

A kid who fell in love with mowing lawns at five grows into a stressed but driven entrepreneur managing crews, clients, and his own mental health. In this episode, Abraham opens up about the hidden pressures of small business, why he turned to therapy, and how he’s rebuilding his company with intention.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Abraham Navarro discuss:

Early passion for landscaping and first paid jobsWord-of-mouth growth and hiring the first employeesWorking “on” the business vs. “in” the businessStress, cash flow pressure, and seeking therapyLong-term vision: building a brand and the dr...


Danny Tabera: From Combat Marine to Conductor – An American Redemption Story
Danny Tabera: From Combat Marine to Conductor – An American Redemption Story episode artwork
#8
05/02/2026

A teenage kid from South Modesto joins the Marines, survives brutal deployments in Afghanistan, comes home broken, and starts over as a busboy. In this episode, you’ll hear how he rebuilt his life through hard work, mentorship, and family—on a journey from combat infantry to train engineer.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Danny Tabera discuss:

Childhood in South Modesto, family, and losing his fatherMarine Corps journey, Afghanistan deployments, and combat lossLearning Pashto and navigating locals, interpreters, and the CIAComing home broken, financial struggle, and restarting at Redwood CafeDivorce, blended family, and...


Henry Park: Humanizing the Restaurant Industry Through Partnership and Storytelling
Henry Park: Humanizing the Restaurant Industry Through Partnership and Storytelling episode artwork
#7
04/25/2026

A 25‑year veteran of the restaurant world shares how strategic partnerships, authentic storytelling, and a renewed focus on community are helping independent operators rebuild after a decimated industry. Hear how a lifelong collaboration with Cisco, a new café buildout, and a content‑driven approach are redefining what it means to serve food and connect people.


In this episode, Bob Campana and Henry Park discuss:

Career path across Cheesecake Factory, Chipotle, and UC Berkeley’s International HouseCisco’s role as a long-term partner in food sourcing and operationsPost‑pandemic challenges and new opportunities for small resta...


Steven and Vanessa Parks: From Teenage Car Lot to Boutique Hotel Visionaries
Steven and Vanessa Parks: From Teenage Car Lot to Boutique Hotel Visionaries episode artwork
#6
04/18/2026

From flipping cows into cars at 14 to transforming a crime-ridden roadside motel into a stunning boutique hotel, Steven and Vanessa Parks share a raw, real look at what it actually takes to build wealth, take big risks, and keep your marriage and faith at the center of it all. If you’re an entrepreneur wrestling with risk, cash flow, and calling, this episode will feel like a masterclass in betting on yourself without losing your soul.


In this episode, Bob Campana, Steven Parks, and Vanessa Parks discuss:

Early entrepreneurship in the car businessMeeting, ma...


Marco Keeps Yappen: Human Connection in a Swipe World
Marco Keeps Yappen: Human Connection in a Swipe World episode artwork
#5
04/11/2026

In this episode, Bob Campana and Marco discuss:

Turning small-town news into big-time buzzCracking the code on “locally viral” TikToksFrom random rants to purpose-driven storytellingBuilding real-world community from online clipsPatterson’s glow-up: growth, Amazon, and what’s coming next


Key Takeaways:

The power of “local viral” beats follower counts, and Marco shows that dialing in on hyper-local topics like Patterson development and water issues can drive huge engagement, even when total followers are relatively modest.By compressing 10–15 minutes of city council or planning information into 60–120 second clips, Marco respects his audience’s time while still delive...


Laureen Campana-Schermeister: Tai Chi & Qigong Energy Practices for Modern Health
Laureen Campana-Schermeister: Tai Chi & Qigong Energy Practices for Modern Health episode artwork
#4
04/04/2026

In this episode, Bob Campana and Laureen Campana-Schermeister discuss:

What Tai Chi and Qigong Are (and How They Differ/Relate)Origins and History of Qigong and Tai ChiHealth and Scientific Benefits of Tai Chi/QigongHow to Practice: Frequency, Class Structure, and AccessibilityEnergy, Grounding, and Emotional Effects


Key Takeaways:

Tai Chi and Qigong are presented as intertwined practices: Tai Chi Chuan emerging from martial arts with a “supreme ultimate boxing” lineage, and Qigong as a much older energy practice focused on cultivating and moving chi. When chi is blocked, it’s associated with disease, pain, a...


Neil Buettner: From Campfires to Career: How He Built a Life in Music
Neil Buettner: From Campfires to Career: How He Built a Life in Music episode artwork
#3
03/28/2026

In this episode, Bob Campana and Neil Buettner discuss:

Suzuki method and early violin trainingCamp Jack Hazard and campfire music influenceTransition from education/autism work to full-time musicBuilding a local music career as a businessReal estate investing and long-term financial planning


Key Takeaways:

Treat music (or any craft) as both art and service, and Neil shows that when you think in terms of what you can give an audience or a venue rather than what you can get, you create a sustainable career and stronger relationships.Outworking your competition often beats out-talent-ing them. N...


Bob Campana: Human Connection - The Real Competitive Advantage
Bob Campana: Human Connection - The Real Competitive Advantage episode artwork
#2
03/28/2026

In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Sandler discuss:

Power of human connection in businessEvolving, empathetic leadershipDesigning experiences, not just productsGrowth through immersive, hands-on experiencesLegacy built on relationships and memories


Key Takeaways:

Genuine human connection is a business advantage, not a soft extra; Bob built his pool company and restaurants by making people feel heard, respected, and understood at a deep level. Leadership style can and should evolve; Bob shifted from being reactive and abrasive to intentionally leaving every interaction in a “spirit of joy or happiness.” The restaurant isn’t just about food; it...


Get Back to Work: Real Talk for Entrepreneurs at Every Stage
Get Back to Work: Real Talk for Entrepreneurs at Every Stage episode artwork
#1
03/25/2026

In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Sandler discuss:

Human connection in businessEntrepreneurship after 60Brick-and-mortar business challengesGlobal sourcing and travel experiencesInspiration, resilience, and persistence in work


Key Takeaways:

Bob created this podcast to share five decades of small business experience and the lessons learned from the people he’s met along the way, as he believes those relationships and stories can offer real value to listeners who are still “in the game.”The show is aimed at multiple audiences: seniors or people over 60 who want to start something new, brick-and-mortar entrepreneurs in the trench...