Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Hands-Off CEO
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the Top 1% of Agencies Scale Profitably Without Burning Out with Gray MacKenzie | 08 Nov 2025 | 00:54:07 | |
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Gray MacKenzie, co-founder of ZenPilot, about how agency owners can build scalable, self-managing operations that run smoothly, without adding more people, tools, or chaos. Gray shares how he’s helped hundreds of agencies streamline their systems, eliminate operational bottlenecks, and build clarity into every level of their business. Instead of growing through brute force and burnout, Gray reveals how top-performing agencies grow through structure, simplicity, and systems that work without the founder at the center. When your operations run like clockwork, your business becomes easier to scale, your team performs better, and your profit margins rise, all while you get your time back. 🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ How to design scalable systems that eliminate chaos and confusion ✅ The 3 pillars of operational clarity that drive predictable results ✅ Why “doing less” often leads to faster and more profitable growth ✅ How to use ClickUp to streamline delivery and increase accountability ✅ The most common scaling mistakes agencies make and how to avoid them ✅ How to empower your team to own results and make decisions ✅ The mindset shift from managing everything to leading through systems The best agencies don’t grow by doing more, they grow by doing what matters, better. When you build clarity into your operations, your agency stops depending on you and starts scaling on its own. 🔗 Connect with Gray MacKenzie: Website: https://www.zenpilot.com 🎯 Want to Scale? Here Are 4 Ways to Work With Us: 1️⃣ FREE – Stop undercharging and start landing $100K+ clients. Join our next Executive Briefing → https://handsoffceo.com/briefing/?utm_source=podcast 2️⃣ FREE – Grab our $500K Pipeline Map: Unlock $10K–$50K Hidden in Your Business Right Now → https://scale.handsoffceo.com/map?utm_source=podcast 3️⃣ Read The Hands-Off CEO Book (4.7★ on Amazon) Triple Your Fees and Scale Without Burning Out. Grab your copy → https://scale.handsoffceo.com/map?utm_source=podcast 4️⃣ Apply for The Invisible Advantage™ Growth Program We’ll help you uncover your Invisible Advantage, package it into a premium offer, and scale profitably without adding to your workload. Learn more → https://handsoffceo.com/book?utm_source=podcast | |||
| How to Build Authority and Win Clients Through Podcasting with Jeremy Weisz | 01 Nov 2025 | 00:48:06 | |
In this episode, Mandi talks with Jeremy Weisz, co-founder of Rise 25, about how service firm owners can use podcasting as a powerful tool to build authority, deepen relationships, and consistently attract high-value clients without spending a cent on ads. Jeremy shares how he’s helped hundreds of agencies and consultants create “relationship engines” through podcasting systems that generate partnerships, referrals, and long-term opportunities that most firms completely overlook. Instead of chasing leads, Jeremy reveals how to build genuine authority by leading meaningful conversations and why your network, not your audience size, determines your growth. 🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The best agencies don’t chase clients, they attract them by becoming the trusted authority in their space. When you use podcasting to connect, elevate, and lead with insight, your business grows on the strength of relationships that last. 🔗 Connect with Jeremy Weisz: Website: https://rise25.com 🎯 Want to Scale? Here Are 4 Ways to Work With Us: 1️⃣ FREE – Want to stop undercharging and start landing $100K+ clients? Join our next Executive Briefing → https://handsoffceo.com/briefing/?utm_source=podcast 2️⃣ FREE – Grab our $500K Pipeline Map: Unlock $10K–$50K Hidden in Your Business → https://scale.handsoffceo.com/map?utm_source=podcast 3️⃣ BOOK – The Hands-OFF CEO: Triple Your Fees and Scale Without Burning Out → https://handsoffceo.com/book?utm_source=podcast 4️⃣ 1-on-1 Coaching – Find your next growth breakthrough → https://handsoffceo.com/scale?utm_source=podcast | |||
| AI, Uncertainty & Consulting in 2025: How to Stay Ahead w/ Michael Zipursky | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:29:56 | |
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson welcomes back Michael Zipursky, CEO of Consulting Success. Michael has worked with thousands of consultants worldwide, helping them build more profitable, scalable, and freedom-filled businesses. Together, they dive into the radical shifts happening in the consulting space. From AI disruption to global uncertainty and how these changes are creating a clear divide between firms that adapt and those that fall behind. You’ll discover why consultants who only sell “deliverables” risk being commoditized, and why the real winners are repositioning around must-have offers that solve urgent, strategic problems. Michael also shares how consultants can use AI, not as a threat, but as a multiplier, both in their own operations and in creating value for clients. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
If you’ve been feeling stuck selling deliverables or competing on price, this episode will show you how to adapt, differentiate, and thrive in a changing market. 👉 Michael’s Consulting Website: consultingsuccess.com 👉 Take Michael’s Consulting Superpower Quiz: consultingsuccess.com/superpower | |||
| How to Get your Sales Team to Perform Better (Even If It's You) EP 26 | 26 Dec 2019 | 00:09:42 | |
| Getting Past Stagnation to 35+% Growth Year Over Year with Shaun Buck EP 25 | 12 Dec 2019 | 00:55:29 | |
Shaun Buck owns The Newsletter Pro, based out of Boise, Idaho. It's now a 60+ member team and the nation’s largest custom print newsletter company. His $10MM marketing services company maintain aggressive growth because it can run without him for months. Shaun and The Newsletter Pro landed at No. 120 on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies list. And has collaborated with marketing guru Dan Kennedy to co-write the No B.S Guide to Maximum Referrals and Customer Retention. | |||
| Are You Willing to Rock the Boat to Create the Business and Life you Love? EP 24 | 28 Nov 2019 | 00:12:10 | |
To have the level of success and freedom you want, you have to be willing to rock the boat. Often these breakdowns are such great gifts because it leads to powerfully choosing what we do want. “Pretty good” and “OK” are the biggest obstacles we have working with agency owners. They’re afraid to rock the boat to be able to actually have what they want. Are you willing to rock the boat to create the business and life you love? | |||
| How an Overworked Consulting Agency CEO added $3.4M in 3 Years – E23 | 21 Nov 2019 | 00:33:21 | |
| From the Brink of Disaster to Multiple Profitable Hands-Off Businesses EP 22 | 31 Oct 2019 | 00:42:04 | |
Tanya Korpi McLeod got her company to run completely without her in five months, found $88k of profit in the first month. Then she took over her husband’s businesses and did the same for them. | |||
| How My McDonalds Job Led Me to Teach Agency Owners How to Double Profits and 4x Fees EP 21 | 17 Oct 2019 | 00:05:39 | |
I had to beg to be hired at McDonalds. Newly married, my husband was in a demanding program at school, and I had to get a job. I was willing to do whatever it took to bring an income for my family. This McDonalds wasn’t hiring at the time, but even with an associates degree and 2 years experience at another McDonalds I had to convince them to hire me. In this podcast, I talk about the lessons I learned. And how it applies to helping our clients dramatically increase fees and double profit (or more). | |||
| Optimizing and Innovating Systems with Kyle Racki EP 20 | 03 Oct 2019 | 00:41:01 | |
In today’s podcast, Kyle Racki, founder of Proposify.com shares how he spends his time optimizing and innovating systems while his team runs the business. Listen in as Kyle shares about the Four Hour Work Week, creating repeatable systems, Gary V. and Free Trials (and Tribulations). | |||
| How to 4X Agency Fees, Get Better Outcomes for Clients and Explode Profits EP 19 | 19 Sep 2019 | 00:19:04 | |
Are your clients so confident that you’re going to be able to get them the outcome that they want, that they don’t feel hardly any risk at all moving forward with you? When your clients feel you’re risky, you are likely leaving an enormous amount of money on the table. Follow what I share in this podcast to project solid confidence to your clients. And you can increase sales conversions and command higher fees. | |||
| Taking Profit First With a Business that Runs Like Clockwork with Mike Michalowicz – EP 18 | 05 Sep 2019 | 00:43:53 | |
Mike has a lot of great knowledge and expertise to share and does it in a very down to earth entertaining, engaging kind of way. He helps us really isolate the most important pieces in our business so that it can run without you. | |||
| JEB Commerce CEO Jamie Birch Talks Business Growth Hands Off CEO Style EP: 17 | 09 May 2019 | 00:47:14 | |
JEB Commerce helps retailers in the beauty, skincare, travel outdoor and gear and fitness categories generate 10 million dollars within 3 years through their affiliate channel. They use affiliate marketing to augment their customer acquisition model beyond their traditional retail sales. | |||
| Copy This Strategy to 6X Your Profit — Without Hiring a Big Team | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:06:13 | |
If you're stuck at capacity, pricing too low, and feel like growth means burnout — this video shows you a smarter path to scale. In this episode, Mandi Ellefson shares how two consulting firms 2X’d their prices and 6X’d their profits without hiring or hustling harder. They didn’t need a bigger team — they needed a better offer. This strategy helped them reposition around outcomes, simplify delivery, and close premium deals with confidence. If you’re delivering great results but not getting paid what you’re worth — you’ll want to see how they did it. 🔍 You’ll Learn:
🚀 Want Help Repackaging Your Offer to Scale Without a Bigger Team? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. Watch the episode on YouTube here: | |||
| How to Make More by Working Less With Tom Shapiro EP: 16 | 18 Apr 2019 | 00:59:48 | |
Mandi and CEO Tom Shapiro highlight the journey of Stratabeat, Tom’s digital marketing agency. There’s so much to learn from Tom and the way he’s been able to grow his company; doubling in size in just 18 months.
All while Tom was able to work less and depend on the incredible team he’s building. He used the “spare” time to write two books and develop leaders who continue to provide incredible results for their clients.
| |||
| Find 10 Extra Hours a Week to Accelerate Profits Ep:15 | 14 Mar 2019 | 00:23:04 | |
The Power Hour Planner Strategy
What would you do if I could give you an extra hour every day?
How would you use that time to bring in new business or grow revenue?
If that one hour, which equates to 20 hours a month, was dedicated to bringing in new business how much would that equate to?
What is one new client each month worth to your business? 12 New clients a year? How would that impact your bottom line?
| |||
| How to Hire an Operations Manager (Even if You Don’t Have the Budget) | 03 Jan 2019 | 00:56:28 | |
One of the most valuable people on your team is your operations manager. They get you out of the day to day, so you can focus on growing your company. So where can you find one? Today on the show, we have Jeremy Pope, the founder of The Closing Engine, who is interviewing Mandi on how to hire an operations manager, even if you don’t have the budget for one yet.
| |||
| How to Guarantee Results for Your Clients | 22 Nov 2018 | 00:16:21 | |
How much could you grow if you could guarantee results for your clients? Because many custom service providers only market their clients’ successes and aren’t honest about the rest, there are a lot of burned clients. And ethical providers tend to be less forward because they’re nervous about over-promising and under-delivering. You can stand out in the crowd by embracing integrity. Then you don’t have to SAY you’re better; you ARE better.
| |||
| Step Back to Step Up: Scaling Your Business by Letting Go | 08 Nov 2018 | 00:18:47 | |
Your hands are full managing your clients, managing the team, running the business, doing the strategy — where are you going to find room to grow? If you’re feeling stuck on the hamster wheel, this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast is for you. Today, we’re talking about letting go so you can scale up.
| |||
| Building a Freedom-Based Business with Natalie Sisson | 01 Nov 2018 | 00:31:53 | |
Is your business enriching your life and the lives of those around you? Or has it commandeered your time and hijacked your passion? If you find yourself saying 'yes' to the latter, then Mandi and her guest have a freedom-based solution for you. Joining us today is the founder of Suitcase Entrepreneur and the author of "The Freedom Plan," Natalie Sisson. Natalie describes her journey from Marketing Executive to successful entrepreneur and tells us what it takes to build a freedom-based business.
| |||
| Quantum Leaps in Your Growth and Letting Go of the 'How' Virus | 25 Oct 2018 | 00:13:43 | |
Picture this: Amazing leaders discussing business strategies at a beautiful beach and having fun. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, that's exactly how last week's Hands Off CEO retreat went! Mandi and her 'Scale to Freedom' tribe talked about what matters most and what they should do to achieve it - let go of the 'how' virus to focus on what and why. Today, Mandi shares what it's like to be a hands-off CEO and how you can be one, too.
| |||
| How Successful Consultants Scale Their Business with Michael Zipursky | 11 Oct 2018 | 00:33:45 | |
What’s the easiest way to grow your business? How can you scale your company without grinding through all those extra hours? Today, Mandi chats with Michael Zipursky, CEO of Consulting Success and one of the world’s top authorities on growing a consulting business. Mandi and Michael discuss how to price your services to dramatically increase your profits. You’ll learn how to develop consistent client attraction and choose the right marketing channel for your business.
| |||
| Making Hard Calls and Creating Space to Grow | 04 Oct 2018 | 00:12:52 | |
Is your business earning to grow or to get by? It’s time to draw the line between scaling and settling. Today’s episode is for high performers who are struggling to keep up and increase their revenue. Mandi shares how you can find confidence when making the right business decisions and why the limit to your success is often rooted in how many hours you have.
| |||
| Level Up Service Growth in Stages | 27 Sep 2018 | 00:14:52 | |
In a perfect world, growth would happen in a linear fashion. But growing your business is a little more complicated than that. So how do you scale your business and move past the inevitable growth hurdles and sales plateaus? This week, Mandi shares her wealth of experience helping custom service businesses scale so you can step away from your team without worrying that it will crash and burn without you.
| |||
| Copy This Process to Save 20 Hours a Week in Your Company | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:02:52 | |
Are you the one holding your agency together — and holding it back? If you’ve hired a team, built some systems, and delegated tasks… but you still can’t step away without things stalling — you're not scaling, you're surviving. In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down why founders become the bottleneck in their agency’s growth — even when it looks like they’re doing everything right — and how to fix it. You’ll learn: ✅ The real reason your team still leans on you for everything ✅ Why systems alone don’t create scale ✅ How to shift from managing work to leading a high-performance team ✅ A case study of a founder who stepped away during a launch — and came back to everything running better without her ✅ What has to change if you want to scale profitably without sacrificing quality or growth Whether you're stuck in meetings, reviewing work, or constantly catching problems before they hit the client, this is your invitation to finally step out — and level up. 🎯 Ready to stop being the bottleneck and start scaling forward? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – You’ve Hired and Delegated — But It’s Still on You 00:27 – What Being the Bottleneck Really Looks Like 01:20 – Real Story: Sharon’s Team Handles It Without Her 01:55 – Why Most Agencies Stay Stuck 02:18 – The Shift: From Delegating Tasks to Owning Outcomes 02:45 – How to Rebuild a Business That Runs Without You 03:10 – Next Steps to Scale Without Sacrificing Growth Watch the episode on YouTube here: | |||
| Mastering Outbound Sales on LinkedIn with Mark Firth | 20 Sep 2018 | 00:41:20 | |
If you are relying on referrals to take your business to 7 figures and beyond, you might be making a huge mistake. Referrals are great, but they aren’t enough to break the glass ceiling, and outbound sales is something you need to consider. Feeling some resistance? Don’t worry. Today’s guest is Mark Firth, a master of outbound sales on LinkedIn, and he’ll be the first to tell you that you don’t succeed on LinkedIn by trying to sell.
| |||
| Epic Burnout: How to Deal With, Overcome, and Prevent Burnout | 13 Sep 2018 | 00:25:50 | |
If you’re a successful entrepreneur, you’ve dealt with burnout to varying degrees. But how do you overcome the type of crippling burnout that makes you question why you bother owning a business in the first place? In today’s show, Mandi shares her own story of epic burnout, and what she learned can help you identify and deal with burnout before it takes you out of commission. In fact, you can take the problems that lead to burnout and turn them into profit for your business.
| |||
| The 4 Stages of Hands-Off Growth | 28 Aug 2018 | 00:22:57 | |
As you know, this podcast is about scaling a custom service business, one of the more challenging things to do. You’ve probably put blood, sweat, and tears into building your company, and now that it’s time to grow, there are obstacles you never saw coming. Today, Mandi talks about the 4 stages of growth you’re likely to experience as you scale. More importantly, she reveals how to move from one stage to the next.
| |||
| Welcome to the Hands-Off CEO Podcast | 08 Aug 2018 | 00:03:37 | |
They said getting started was the hardest part, but no one told you how hard it is to scale a custom service business. It’s time for your team to step up, but your clients want YOU. Discover how to scale to 7 figures and beyond by freeing up time and getting your team to run whole parts of the company so you can focus on scaling profits. That means more income, more time with your family, and more ability to make impact in the community and beyond. This is the Hands OFF CEO Podcast with Mandi Ellefson.
| |||
| Why Clients Say No to Your $20K Offer — and Yes to Your $100K One | 28 Jun 2025 | 00:03:43 | |
Your $20K proposal isn’t failing because of the price — it’s failing because your consulting firm’s value proposition isn’t landing. And ironically? The same clients who ghost your $20K pitch might eagerly say “yes” to $100K — if you position it the right way. In this video, Mandi Ellefson shares the agency positioning strategy that helped one firm move from stalled $30K deals to consistently closing $100K+ engagements — with the same clients. 🎯 You’ll learn: 1. Why smaller offers feel riskier than premium ones 2. The #1 reason your “reasonable” price is still getting rejected 3. How to reframe your services into strategic growth outcomes 4. A client-tested approach to selling $100K+ projects with confidence 5. What premium buyers actually look for before they say yes 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From $20K Grind to $100K+ Deals 00:38 - Shift #1: Own the Sales Process (Without Overexplaining) 01:27 - Shift #2: Reposition Around Results — Not Scope 02:18 - Shift #3: Speak to Bigger Problems 03:14 - Shift #4: Make Your Offer Obvious (and Premium) 04:30 - What Happens When You Shift All 4 05:02 - Want Help? Here’s Where to Start | |||
| High-Paying Clients Keep Passing You Over — Here’s Why (And How to Stop It) | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:03:14 | |
Still stuck trying to sell $20K projects… while your competitors are landing $100K+ deals? In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down the 4 strategic shifts consulting agency CEOs are using to close premium, high-trust engagements — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or getting stuck in the weeds of delivery. If you’re delivering great results but getting ghosted, undercut, or passed over for bigger firms… this will change how you sell forever. ⏱️ What You’ll Learn:
🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From $20K Grind to $100K+ Deals 00:38 - Shift #1: Own the Sales Process (Without Overexplaining) 01:27 - Shift #2: Reposition Around Results — Not Scope 02:18 - Shift #3: Speak to Bigger Problems 03:14 - Shift #4: Make Your Offer Obvious (and Premium) 04:30 - What Happens When You Shift All 4 05:02 - Want Help? Here’s Where to Start Youtube Podcast Episode: | |||
| Struggling to Sell $20K? These 4 Shifts Close $100K Deals Instead | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:04:27 | |
Trying to sell $20K projects — but clients keep ghosting, lowballing, or dragging their feet? This video breaks down 4 powerful shifts that will help you close $100K+ consulting deals with confidence — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or working more hours. Mandi Ellefson (founder of Hands-Off CEO) shares the exact mindset, offer, and positioning strategies top consulting and agency owners are using to consistently close high-ticket clients — even in a tight market. 💥 If you’ve been stuck in $10K–$30K projects that drain your time and don’t reflect your value — this is your wake-up call. ⏱️ What You’ll Learn:
🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Why Bigger Deals Aren’t About Doing More 00:32 - Who This Is For: From $10K Projects to Premium Pricing 01:00 - Meet Mandi Ellefson & Hands-Off CEO 01:23 - Why High-Ticket Is Easier in a Tough Market 01:58 - Get Paid to Sell: The Power of Discovery 02:45 - Make Your Offer Sexy (Without Adding More Stuff) 03:42 - Sell Outcomes, Not Deliverables 04:09 - Engineer a Sales Process for Trust and Control 04:50 - Want Help? Build Your High-Ticket Sales Process Are your prospects not seeing your worth? This video highlights the importance of value perception and how it impacts your business growth. Learn how to communicate value effectively and understand consumer behavior to make sure you're not being overlooked. Youtube Podcast Episode: | |||
| How to Inspire Clients to Unlock Bigger Budgets (Even When They Say "No") | 26 May 2025 | 00:12:11 | |
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals why you don’t need to search for "clients with bigger budgets" - they’re already right in front of you! Discover how to inspire existing clients to unlock budgets they didn’t even know they had. Mandi shows exactly how to transform your business from charging $5K per month on 3-month engagements to commanding $90K for a 90-day ROI builder offer. This is how our clients are building breathtaking case studies that naturally justify premium pricing. 0:00 - Why clients resist higher fees (and what to do about it) 1:29 - The myth of "finding clients with bigger budgets" 3:08 - How to unlock hidden client budgets 4:14 - The ROI Builder Offer explained 6:54 - From $60K/year to $90K/90 days: A real client story 9:10 - The key to selling premium services with confidence 10:27 - What you’ll learn in the Quantum Leap Workshop | |||
| The Winning Consultancies of 2024: What They're Doing in 2025 - E114 | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:30:03 | |
In this insightful solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson shares critical insights from her extensive experience working with thousands of consulting companies over the past 12 years. She reveals the four key strategies that distinguish thriving consulting firms from those struggling to scale. Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, Mandi breaks down how successful consultancies are adapting to market changes and positioning themselves for sustainable growth. She emphasizes that 2024 has been a challenging year for many companies, making these strategies even more crucial for success in 2025. The episode deep dives into four fundamental areas:
Mandi shares several compelling case studies, including how one agency increased their fees by 367% by shifting their focus to long-term client transformations. She explains how Jamie Birch's company positioned themselves to add $10 million in new sales for DTC brands over three years, demonstrating the power of clear, focused value propositions. A particularly valuable section discusses the common profit delusion in consulting agencies, where owners often underestimate their true profitability by not accounting for market-rate compensation for their own roles. Mandi provides practical guidance on how to evaluate and improve real profit margins. The episode also tackles the critical distinction between growth and scale, explaining why simply working harder or hiring more people often leads to diminishing returns. Instead, Mandi advocates for creating "unfair advantages" that compound over time, allowing firms to command premium fees while delivering superior results. Throughout the discussion, Mandi emphasizes that scaling doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality or becoming "mediocre." She presents a compelling vision for how consulting firms can maintain their excellence while becoming more profitable and less dependent on the owner's direct involvement. Want to implement these strategies in your consulting firm? Book a complementary Scalable Growth Session at handsoffceo.com/scale to have Mandi's team analyze your business and identify your biggest opportunities for sustainable growth. Ready to transform your consulting agency into a valuable asset that grows without you? Get your copy of "The Hands-Off CEO" at handsoffceo.com/book and access the proven framework that's helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Don't miss out on the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials – all for just $4.99. | |||
| Dream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113 | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:51:05 | |
In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson interviews Liz Elting, author of “Dream Big and Win” and founder of TransPerfect, which she built into the world’s largest language solutions company. Starting from an NYU dorm room at age 26, Liz shares her journey of scaling a business while maintaining exceptional service quality. Liz discusses how she transformed her company by implementing innovative strategies to empower employees to think and act like owners. She emphasizes the importance of building world-class sales and production teams early, with compensation structures that align employee incentives with company goals. Rather than traditional fixed salaries, she advocates for arrangements that offer lower base pay but significant upside potential tied to performance. A key insight from the conversation is Liz’s approach to fostering innovation within her organization. The discussion also tackles the challenges of stepping back as a CEO. Liz candidly shares her early mistakes, including working through maternity leave due to lack of proper delegation systems. She stresses the importance of establishing succession plans early, noting that it becomes more difficult to step away as the company grows larger. Throughout the interview, both Liz and Mandi emphasize that scaling actually makes business easier when done right, challenging the common assumption that bigger means more complicated. Liz’s parting advice: “Don’t think small – it can be easy to run a small or big company. It actually got easier over time because we had more options.” The episode provides practical insights for business owners looking to scale while maintaining quality and creating a sustainable organization that doesn’t depend solely on the founder’s involvement. Listeners can find Liz’s book “Dream Big and Win” on Amazon and major retailers, and connect with her on various social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter). Want to transform your agency from a resource-heavy operation to a streamlined, profitable machine? This episode provides the blueprint for making that transition while actually increasing client satisfaction and results. Ready to become a true Hands-Off CEO? Grab your copy of “The Hands-Off CEO” at handsoffceo.com/book and unlock the proven framework that’s helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Get the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials – all for just $4.99. Don’t wait to start your journey to freedom and scalable growth!
Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Instagram | Executive Briefing Liz Elting on LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Elizabeth Elting Foundation – Website | LinkedIn TransPerfect – | |||
| How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112 | 16 Nov 2024 | 00:50:17 | |
How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112In this strategic conversation, Mandi interviews Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11, a digital marketing agency managing over $105M in annual ad spend. They discuss their journey of transforming from a chaotic 70-person agency to a streamlined, more profitable operation with 40 team members. Key Topics Discussed: [00:00-03:45] Introduction
[03:46-09:30] Growth Stages & Breaking Points
[09:31-15:45] Acquisition Strategy
[15:46-24:15] Operational Transformation
[24:16-32:30] Client-Centric Model
[32:31-39:45] Profitability & Team Optimization
[39:46-44:15] Vision & Leadership
[44:16-50:02] Key Insights & Closing
Notable Achievements:
Key Business Insights:
Actionable Takeaways:
Resources Mentioned:
Perfect For: Agency owners generating $1M-$5M+ in revenue who want to transition from chaos to operational excellence while increasing profitability and reducing personal involvement. Want to transform your agency... | |||
| Here’s How the Top 5% of Firms Raise Prices (and Win Bigger Deals) | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:40:30 | |
In this episode, Mandi shares how one firm went from charging a few hundred dollars an hour to closing million-dollar contracts, simply by redefining the category they played in. Instead of selling services like engineering or surveying, they positioned themselves around solving the high-stakes problems that keep executives up at night, saving companies hundreds of thousands in lost profits and delays. By reframing their offer around measurable client outcomes, they didn’t just raise prices, they multiplied their value. Within months, they replaced low-margin clients with top-tier ones willing to pay six and seven figures for results that truly mattered. 🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The top 5% of firms aren’t competing on rates, they’re competing on results. When you position your business around outcomes your clients can’t ignore, you stop chasing opportunities… and start commanding them. 🎯 Want to Scale? Here Are 4 Ways to Work With Us: 1/ FREE - Want to stop undercharging and start landing $100K+ clients? Join our next Executive Briefing: https://handsoffceo.com/briefing/?utm_source=podcast 2/ FREE – Grab our $500K Pipeline Map: How to Unlock $10K-$50K Hidden in Your Business Right Now → https://scale.handsoffceo.com/map?utm_source=podcast 3/ Get My Book: The Hands-OFF CEO – Triple Your Fees and Scale Without Burning Out. Yours for just $4.99 → https://handsoffceo.com/book?utm_source=podcast 4/ Work With Us 1-on-1: Let’s find the breakthrough that takes your agency to the next level → https://handsoffceo.com/scale?utm_source=podcast | |||
| Spooky Podcast: Should I Blow Up My Business? - E111 | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:11:03 | |
Are you playing it too safe with your agency's growth? In this thought-provoking episode, Mandi Ellefson challenges agency owners to think bigger about transformation. Drawing from her experience helping agencies scale, Mandi explains why staying "safe" might be the riskiest strategy in today's market. This episode explores:
Don't miss this opportunity to understand why playing it safe might be holding your agency back from its true potential. If you're ready to transform your agency, this episode provides the inspiration and strategic insight you need. This episode is essential listening for agency owners who want to break free from the "safe" path and create transformational growth in 2024-2025. Mandi invites you to reach out for more information on scaling your business, and mentions her new book 'The Hands-Off CEO'. With insights to help you rethink your approach to growth in 2024-2025, this episode is essential for ambitious owners, founders and CEOs of 8-figure agencies.
| |||
| Want rapid, doubling growth? Here’s what it takes… | 12 Sep 2024 | 00:16:18 | |
Are agency owners feeling trapped by their own success? In this insightful episode, Mandi Ellefson explores how CEOs can scale their consulting agencies to new heights. Drawing from her experience with thousands of agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down critical elements for exponential growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights, including:
| |||
| How Top CEOs Scale to $10M by Stepping Away | 05 Sep 2024 | 00:18:59 | |
Are you a 7-figure agency owner feeling trapped by your own success? In this eye-opening episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals how top CEOs are scaling to $10 million and beyond by stepping away from day-to-day operations. Drawing from her extensive experience consulting with over 1000 agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down the critical stages of scaling and the mindset shifts necessary for exponential growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights, including:
Discover the unique challenges at each growth stage, from the chaotic $1M-$3M phase to the "rinse and repeat" $5M-$10M level.
Learn why investing in your team's growth is crucial for sustainable scaling and how to avoid the pitfalls of outgrowing your leadership.
Uncover strategies for designing premium offerings that attract ideal clients willing to pay significantly more for your expertise.
Explore how to create scalable processes that deliver bold outcomes without your constant involvement, allowing your business to grow beyond you.
Hear inspiring examples of CEOs who have implemented these strategies, including one who tripled their pricing and company size after attending a Hands-Off CEO retreat.
Mandi also shares details about the upcoming Hands-Off CEO Retreat [16:14], where you can experience these transformational strategies firsthand. With limited spots available, act fast to secure your place among elite agency owners who are scaling to 8-figures and beyond.
| |||
| How to Profitably Scale Your Consulting Agency with Ricardo Perez | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:37:57 | |
If you're like most entrepreneurs, you already know that the journey to success is a long and arduous one. You've poured in your sweat, tears, and countless sleepless nights to get where you are today. But despite all your hard work and dedication, there comes a time when you hit a roadblock and find yourself unable to grow any further. You become the bottleneck of your own growth. This is exactly what Ricardo Perez, CEO of OneRhythm, encountered while running his agency. But he didn't let this setback defeat him. Instead, he took charge of the situation and found a way to scale his consulting agency in a better way. And now, he's sharing his insights to overcome the same obstacle and achieve the success you know is possible. The conversation touched on insightful topics like:
Learn why having an irresistible offer is critical to success in today's highly competitive business environment to attract world-class clients and top talent. How Ricardo’s team is able to deliver exceptional million dollar services that are 90% repeatable and process driven. Proof that it’s possible!
Discover how refining the companies you work with impacts the overall size of engagement and the fees you can command for your services.
Understand the difference it makes when you focus on talking about results and projections with new clients to generate more engagement instead of talking about what they will spend on your services.
Explore the critical factors for scaling your consulting agency with maximum profitability.
Hear out Ricardo Perez's spot-on advice, that all consulting agency CEOs should learn from and take into consideration for scaling their business as a true Hands-Off CEO. Key Quotes:
Resources: Ricardo Perez on LinkedIn | |||
| Preventing and Overcoming Stagnant Growth | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:13:36 | |
Two and a half years tend to be the sweet spot where consulting agencies come knocking on Hands-Off CEO’s door. Usually, those two and a half years are the point when CEOs can feel like they are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hard work and stress that is preventing their growth. But there's a better way to scale your company while avoiding those stagnant periods and growth plateaus. Don't fall into the trap of getting ready to get ready. In this solo episode, I'm here to guide you through the steps of preventing and overcoming any obstacles preventing your growth. Let's break free from the cycle of stagnant growth and take back control of your business growth. Some key ideas in this episode are:
Learn what is the number 1 thing that's actually keeping you, the CEO, stuck in the day-to-day, even when you have hired a trusted team to support you.
Understand the two main reasons for growth plateaus and how they can lead to stress, lower profits, and an unhealthy work-life balance.
Discover what you need to focus on next to make 2024 your best year ever and how having an inspiring vision is critical to scaling your company and encouraging you and others to take massive action. Key Quotes:
Resources: | |||
| Financial Insights Your Ops Leader Needs to Double Profits and Simplify Your Agency with Marcel Petitpas | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:51:37 | |
When managing a consulting agency, there's always a constant feeling that our current methods for measuring profitability just aren't giving us the whole story. Marcel Petitpas, CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto, experienced this very issue while running his own agency. Luckily, he didn't just sit back and accept the status quo. Instead, he set out to find a better way. Get ready to discover what he did to streamline their operations and reporting systems to improve profitability. He found a better way to help agencies double their profits and simplify their operations by providing the financial insights that Ops leaders need to make informed decisions. The conversation touched on insightful topics like:
Learn why tracking data from your operations is much simpler and more valuable to make decisions on for capacity, hiring, and profitability than the financial data you get from your accountant.
Discover which metrics you need to track to get a clear picture of your performance if you use value-based pricing or T&M.
Exploring the 3 pieces of operational metrics to track gives you many more insights than just your P&L.
Find out the issues agencies and consultancies encounter when tracking capacity and utilization. And you can implement a much simpler way to track utilization immediately.
Key Quotes:
Resources: Marcel Petitpas on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Parakeeto - Agency Profitability Toolkit | |||
| Moving Away from Traditional Agency Models with Greg Hickman | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:39:27 | |
Have you ever thought about looking at agencies from a new perspective? Get ready to discover the concept of the "Alt Agencies" - where specialization and specific outcomes for niche clients are favored over the traditional agency model. Our Guest Greg Hickman shares his journey on how to deliver a repeatable sales and onboarding process. The conversation touched insightful topics like:
Understanding the concept of "productizing" services, which involves packaging a repeatable service with fixed problem-solving, turnaround time, and price. Discover the benefits of standardizing packages and systemizing processes to scale a business effectively.
Find out the challenges and benefits of specializing in a specific area, what realization can working nights and weekends bring you and ultimately understanding how to divorce your time from your income.
How focusing on webinar funnels and becoming experts in that area changed the game for Greg’s agency and what are some common plateaus experienced by many service providers.
Exploring the term of “Alt Agency” and discussing the changing landscape of agency models, such as tech-enabled, strategy-focused, or platform discipline-focused agencies.
Greg Hickman on LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | |||
| Make Clients Happy Through Effective Account Management with Taylor McMaster | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:33:59 | |
Did you ever think about the importance of effective account management on scaling your business? If not, prepare for these gems! In this episode Taylor McMaster, founder of Dot and Company, tells her story and how she helps digital marketing agencies with achieving full-service client account management. Here are the essential insights from our riveting conversation with Taylor- feel free to have a powerful read through these most impactful lessons.
Find out why sales and handovers are essential to successful account management, and when to introduce your account manager to the client during the sales process. The imperative of changing the narrative from “I” to “my team”.
Establishing a clear communication cadence and a thorough onboarding process for successful account management. Know who on the team is responsible for what. Different things which you can learn from each new client or a sales call.
How far you can go in allowing your team to ask you questions, until they start thinking like you. Being in control of the training process and what needs to happen without your involvement.
Know if someone is generally a good fit for this role. The list of red flags and the required skills to make sure someone grows in this position and becomes amazing in it.
Taylor McMaster on LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Dot & Co. - Onboarding Checklist | |||
| Charge More as Clients See You as a Strategic Growth Partner with John Jantsch | 17 May 2023 | 00:25:04 | |
Are you ready to take your marketing strategy to new heights? We have a treat for you! Our latest podcast episode features the marketing expert, author, and speaker John Jantsch, owner of Duct Tape Marketing. Get ready to fuel your success with these game-changing insights! In today's fast-paced world, time is everything, and we understand that. That's why we've condensed the best highlights from our conversation with John, ensuring you get the most valuable information without wasting a second. Let's dive right into it!
Say goodbye to random tactics and hello to strategic genius! John unveils the game-changing Duct Tape Marketing methodology, putting strategy front and center.
Ready to conquer the challenge of scaling your business without sacrificing profitability? Say hello to working with multiple clients while maintaining a stellar profit margin of 60-70%. By offering a well-defined package, pricing structure, and system, you can achieve scalability, delegate tasks, and drive vertical growth.
The marketing world is in a constant state of flux, and you need to stay one step ahead. John and I dig deep into the changing landscape of marketing and emphasize the importance of the customer journey. Key Quotes:
John Jantsch on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | |||
| Achieving Growth and Balance: A CEO's $28M Success Story with Wally Waldron | 11 May 2023 | 00:52:15 | |
As entrepreneurs, we often feel the pressure to sacrifice our personal lives to achieve business success. But is it possible to have both? In this episode, a CEO who was able to maintain a work-life balance is taking me through his iterative process of reaching that sweet spot. We will be discussing the keys to maintaining work-life balance while scaling your business, including tips on setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and delegating responsibilities. We'll also explore how to adapt your approach to balance as your business evolves. Wally Waldron is the founder and CEO of Exitology, a company that helps blue-collar and industrial businesses to optimize their resources and achieve up to 33% annual growth without any extra cost. After observing many business owners locked in their own firms Wally founded Exitology to aid in the liberation of entrepreneurs and provide them the ability to explore other interests. Waldron has generated dramatic growth in several enterprises across a number of industries with his passion and knowledge. You’ll hear Wally and me discuss these key ideas: [03:54] Client's Business Soars with Eight-Figure Blueprint With the aid of a growth strategy program, a client was able to meet their revenue target of $20 million in 9 months while preserving and increasing their profit margins. With the assistance of its growth strategist, the company hopes to hit $30 million in revenue. [08:23] How to Find the Right Partner for Business Growth The company provides wealth management, tax optimization, and reinvestment choices. Before engaging in discussion, they extend invitations to their presentations and provide readers with a copy of the book "Exitology" to learn more about their offerings. For a long-term growth journey, selecting the correct partner is crucial. [12:00] Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Blueprinting Success Together A discussion of imposter syndrome and the development of a strategy for working with industrial, manufacturing, and construction enterprises. In the process, trust and language are crucial. [15:11] Transformative Business Offers Legacy-Building Potential Helping blue collar business owners unlock potential & pass on legacy while creating value & impact through improved communication. [17:56] CEO discusses scaling a successful business culture CEO discusses benefits of team and culture, and how they contribute to successful business scaling efforts. [24:55] Maximizing Team Building with Kolbe Index Team building strategy of using Kolbe scores to align with accountability charts, creating breathing room for CEOs to focus on long-term vision and mentor team members towards proper time frames emphasized. [28:32] Working Smarter, Not Harder: Lessons for Entrepreneurs To be successful in business, one must trust the process, work smarter not harder, stay focused, and get out of places where one is not successful. The importance of delegating tasks and not getting pulled into the wrong areas of the business is emphasized. [37:57] Unlocking Business Success Through Mindset Shifts Identifying a potential mindset issue and seeking appropriate help can benefit those feeling stuck in their business or personal lives. [43:55] The Importance of Developing Strong Leaders Leadership is essential but often lacking in blue collar industries, as shown by stories of conflicts and lack of trust leading to serious consequences. [46:29] Navigating Company... | |||
| The #1 Advantage the Top 5% of Firms Have (& How To Build It In 30 Days) | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:40:54 | |
In this solo episode, Mandi reveals the single biggest advantage that sets the top 5% of consulting and agency firms apart and how you can start building it in your business in just 30 days. While most agencies are busy optimizing operations, chasing leads, or cutting costs, the best firms are doing something entirely different: they’re optimizing for client profit and proof of results. Mandi shares real client examples, case studies, and frameworks that show how to reposition your firm from being a vendor to becoming a strategic advisor your clients can’t live without. 🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The top 5% of firms aren’t waiting for the market to stabilize, they’re creating stability through proof, outcomes, and bold leadership. You can do the same. Build the systems that make your results undeniable, and watch the right clients start chasing you. 🎯 Want to Scale? Here Are 4 Ways to Work With Us: 1/ FREE - Want to stop undercharging and start landing $100K+ clients? Join our next Executive Briefing: https://handsoffceo.com/briefing/?utm_source=podcast 2/ FREE – Grab our $500K Pipeline Map: How to Unlock $10K-$50K Hidden in Your Business Right Now → https://scale.handsoffceo.com/map?utm_source=podcast 3/ Get My Book: The Hands-OFF CEO – Triple Your Fees and Scale Without Burning Out. Yours for just $4.99 → https://handsoffceo.com/book?utm_source=podcast 4/ Work With Us 1-on-1: Let’s find the breakthrough that takes your agency to the next level → https://handsoffceo.com/scale?utm_source=podcast | |||
| How to Double Profits With a Fraction of the Clients With Jeff Ennis | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:39:58 | |
What do you do when your business hits a ceiling and struggles to scale? In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Jeff Ennis tells me how he transformed his company's operations, revamped his mindset, and added more value to his clients. From expanding their services, hiring the right team, standardizing their processes, to automating their systems, Jeff shares how he has doubled profits and reduced the number of jobs in his business from 250 to 25, all while working towards serving only 10% of their current clients. Jeff also reveals what he learned from taking part in the Hands-Off CEO program and how it has helped him become a growth partner that adds millions of dollars in profit to his client companies.
Jeff Ennis is the CEO of a specialized construction surveying company based in Canada. He has over 25 years of experience in civil engineering and land surveying, and he has managed to turn his company around in just one year, doubling its workforce and winning a million-dollar project.
You’ll hear Jeff and me discuss these key ideas:
| |||
| The Lifestyle Business Lie | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:40:19 | |
This is part 2 of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. In this episode, Mandi and Ross share some of the more vulnerable stories and experiences they haven't shared on the podcast before. They dispel the myth of the "seven-figure lifestyle business" and discuss the truth about what it really takes to become a hands-off CEO, including the impact this shift can have on your financial stability and your overall lifestyle. Key ideas discussed include:
KEY QUOTE: "The reason why you can generate more growth in the business is because it's not directly tied to your time. That's how you remove yourself as the bottleneck to growth, and it allows you to create that next-level lifestyle that you really want and the reason why you started the business in the first place." - Mandi Ellefson Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Email | Twitter Ross Mayfield | |||