Systems Simplified

In This Episode Passion alone doesn't build a business—systems turn purpose into something sustainable. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Patty Aubery to explore how one idea evolved into one of the most recognizable personal development brands in the world. Patty shares the early behind-the-scenes reality of Chicken Soup for the Soul, including years of rejection, relentless promotion, and the systems that eventually made massive scale possible. Adi and Patty discuss the difference between passion as a hobby and passion as a business. Patty reflects on the defining personal moment that pushed her to step out from behind the scenes and become visible, and how that shift now informs the work she does with entrepreneurs who are settling, hiding, or staying stuck. The conversation comes full circle to systems and processes. Patty explains why structure does not limit creativity—it enables it. From publishing hundreds of titles to coaching business owners today, she emphasizes that without systems, you have a job; with systems, you have a company.

In This Episode Culture doesn't improve by accident—it improves when leaders design it intentionally. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Chris Dyer about how company culture becomes a system when leaders shift from control to empowerment. Chris shares how, early in his career, all decisions flowed through him, unintentionally stalling innovation and growth. That realization pushed him to rethink leadership and build an environment where employees were trusted to think, decide, and act. Adi and Chris discuss the practical changes required to create an ownership-driven culture, including encouraging experimentation, allowing room for mistakes, and changing how leaders respond to ideas. Chris explains why stepping back from decision-making helped his teams develop stronger judgment and confidence, leading to faster growth and better outcomes. The conversation also explores how culture can be systematized, even in remote environments. Chris introduces his Seven Pillars of Amazing Culture and explains why transparency, recognition, measurement, and intentional communication are essential for scaling culture without relying on a single leader.

In This Episode Great marketing alone can't sustain growth if operations aren't prepared to support it. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Kasandra Murray to explore the critical connection between marketing and operations. Kasandra explains how marketing may bring leads through the door, but it's operational systems—training, documentation, and follow-through—that determine whether those leads turn into satisfied customers and long-term growth. Adi and Kasandra discuss common gaps they see across industries, particularly the tendency for businesses to overspend on marketing while underinvesting in internal training and process improvement. Kasandra shares practical examples of how strengthening operations can dramatically improve marketing performance, including a case where fixing call handling doubled a company's revenue without increasing ad spend. The conversation also dives into change management, documenting processes, and making systems easy to follow. Kasandra emphasizes that processes should be living documents and that real progress happens when teams understand the "why" behind the system—not just the steps.

In This Episode A website should support your business—not slow it down. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Chris LaFay to discuss why most business websites fail to scale alongside the company. Chris explains how poorly structured websites often turn into bottlenecks, forcing founders and teams to rely on developers for even the smallest updates. Adi and Chris explore how a website can be intentionally designed as a sales and trust-building system. Chris shares his philosophy of building websites that function like living proposals—answering questions, showcasing proof, and guiding prospects through decision-making without requiring endless emails or custom decks. The conversation also dives into the importance of processes, even in creative businesses. Chris explains how simple, repeatable systems—especially around relationship management and follow-ups—create consistency, trust, and long-term growth.

In This Episode Adi Klevit sits down with Lindsay Nahmiache for a powerful conversation about growth, discomfort, and the systems that allow founders to evolve beyond daily operations. Lindsay shares how unexpected moments—like being stranded in Nepal without a passport—became pivotal experiences that shaped her ability to think clearly, creatively, and strategically. Adi highlights how these personal experiences directly influence leadership style and long-term business success. They also explore the early days of Lindsay's marketing agency, including how saying "yes" before having all the answers led to landing major clients like Virgin Radio. Adi emphasizes that this wasn't luck, but a mindset backed by execution, structure, and a willingness to figure things out. The conversation reinforces how confidence paired with systems creates opportunity. As the episode unfolds, Adi and Lindsay dive into what it truly takes to scale. Lindsay explains why founders must eventually remove themselves from operations—even when it feels uncomfortable—and how strong systems step in to support the business at the next level. Adi reinforces that this transition is essential for founders who want freedom, clarity, and sustainable growth without becoming the bottleneck.

In This Episode Freedom doesn't happen by accident—it's built through systems. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with John Gwaltney to unpack how intentional systemization allowed him to step out of daily operations while continuing to scale multiple businesses. John shares the evolution of Outback Deck, from knocking on doors and handing out flyers to building a $14–15 million operation that runs without constant owner involvement. John explains how hiring improved once his team invested in documented processes and repeatable hiring systems. He also walks through how operational clarity led to innovation, including the creation of Deck Metrics, Contractor Classroom, and Deck View—tools designed to help contractors price faster, sell more confidently, and deliver consistent results. Throughout the conversation, Adi and John tie everything back to documentation, accountability, and having a single source of truth. John emphasizes that systems are not about control—they are about trust, consistency, and giving leaders the confidence to step away without things falling apart.

In This Episode: Just because AI can do something doesn't mean it should. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Wendy Lieber to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in business today: AI and marketing. Wendy shares what she's seen firsthand as agencies and entrepreneurs rush to automate everything—and why that approach often backfires. Adi and Wendy explore where AI genuinely adds value, such as research, organization, and efficiency, and where it creates risk by removing the human element. They discuss why sales, storytelling, and relationship-building still require people—not machines—and how businesses can build systems that support humans rather than replace them. The conversation also covers leadership responsibility in the age of AI, including Wendy's recommendation to create a clear internal stance or "AI charter." The episode brings everything back to systems: clarity, intention, ethics, and using tools in service of long-term value rather than short-term shortcuts.

In This Episode Leadership isn't sustainable without intention, structure, and reflection. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Tony Thelen to explore the often-overlooked concept of systematizing leadership. Drawing on decades of executive experience at John Deere, Tony explains why repeatable success depends on systems—not just in operations, but in how leaders manage themselves, their decisions, and their priorities. The conversation also explores Tony's book, Things We Desire, inspired by the 1927 poem Desiderata. Tony and Adi discuss how enduring values such as peace, purpose, and self-awareness can be translated into practical leadership systems. Tony introduces his four-quadrant framework, offering leaders a structured way to manage professional life, personal relationships, community involvement, and self-care with intention.

Introduction of the Guest Jamey Schrier is the founder of Practice Freedom and the creator of the Practice Freedom Method. A former physical therapist who built and sold a multi-million-dollar practice, Jamey now coaches business owners who feel stuck in day-to-day operations. Known for his direct, contrarian approach, he helps entrepreneurs shift from being operators in their business to architects of businesses that deliver both profitability and personal freedom.

Introduction of the Guest Christina Lenkowski is a forward-thinking podcast publicist and educator who helps business owners, speakers, and authors expand their visibility by becoming featured guests on top-rated shows. After more than a decade in public relations, Christina discovered firsthand how guesting on podcasts could transform a business's credibility and reach. Since founding her agency in 2019, she and her team have helped clients get booked on more than 1,000 podcasts — turning conversations into measurable business growth.

Introduction of the Guest Knight Campbell is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cairn Leadership Strategies, a company that uses outdoor adventure as a catalyst for leadership development. A former Naval Academy instructor and helicopter pilot, Knight combines his passion for experiential learning with evidence-based leadership principles. He also teaches leadership and strategy at the University of San Diego's business school and is currently pursuing a PhD in leadership studies.

Introduction of the Guest Nader Safinya is the founder of Blackribbit, a culture branding company that helps organizations operationalize culture, unify employee and customer experiences, and significantly accelerate workforce decision-making. With a mission to create harmony in the workplace, Nader developed the Inside Outside In model and the Culture Brand program, which codify organizational identity into three foundational pillars that guide behavior, communication, and brand experience. He also created an AI-powered decision filter that increases organizational decision-making speed by up to 56 times.

Introduction of the Guest Alex Moscow is a public relations and visibility expert with more than 25 years of experience helping leaders turn their knowledge into authority. He began his career working with major organizations and senior executives to build media profiles that positioned them as thought leaders. Over time, he shifted to working with growing businesses and realized that smaller brands often have more valuable insights, yet struggle to communicate them. Today, Alex teaches entrepreneurs how to leverage their experience, package their expertise, and become the go to experts in their markets.

Introduction of the Guest Lisa Even is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, leadership coach, and host of the Good Ripple Effect podcast. With a background in healthcare operations and leadership, Lisa has worked with major companies such as ESPN and Disney, helping leaders build presence, create trust quickly, and strengthen organizational culture. Lisa now focuses on teaching teams how to create positive ripple effects, implement practical leadership tools, and increase joy in both work and life.

In This Episode A thriving business requires more than good processes. It requires the right people, a supportive culture, and consistent accountability. In this episode of Systems Simplified, Adi Klevit interviews Tevia Hoalst, founder of TeKoda Accounting, about how she built a company known for its low turnover, strong culture, and excellent client relationships. Tevia shares how her early experiences in a poorly run department shaped her commitment to empowerment, trust, and independence. She explains her onboarding system, how she uses KPIs to measure performance, how her team maintains nearly perfect retention, and why strong processes create consistency for both employees and clients. Tevia also discusses her client touchpoint strategy inspired by the Disney Institute, and her vision for future expansion through acquisitions.

In This Episode Speaking on stages is one of the fastest ways for leaders to build trust, expand visibility, and grow their business. Yet many entrepreneurs overlook speaking as a strategic tool for connection and credibility. In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit interviews Jesse Cruz about how storytelling and speaking can strengthen leadership and accelerate business development. Jesse shares the emotional story that led him to speak, and he explains why vulnerability, when shared at the right time, can be a bridge to a deeper connection with his audience. He also outlines the core elements of effective storytelling, the importance of simple language, how to build a clear three-step framework for any presentation, and how blending personal story with professional expertise leads to stronger trust and higher engagement. Jesse discusses when entrepreneurs should start speaking, how to avoid "trauma dumping," and why preparation is essential for confidence on stage.

In This Episode Entrepreneurs pour time, creativity, and resources into building their brand, but many fail to protect the intellectual property that makes their business valuable. In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit interviews Tenicia Moulden about how entrepreneurs can protect their brand, intellectual property, systems, and creative work. Tenicia explains the core elements of a strong brand, the four types of intellectual property every business should understand, and the strategic process she uses to help clients validate and protect their assets. She also discusses common mistakes entrepreneurs make when trademarking too early, how to safeguard trade secrets and internal processes, and how to set healthy boundaries and protections with employees. Tenicia shares her perspective on how AI is changing the landscape of intellectual property and why documenting your ideas and creations is now more critical than ever.

In This Episode Many entrepreneurs stay stuck because they compete in the wrong part of their market. They underprice their services, lack clarity in their offers, or blend in with everyone else. In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit talks with Ann Carden about how to reposition your business for higher-value clients and greater profitability. Ann explains the systems behind premium offers, strong market positioning, and building a brand that communicates expert-level authority. She also shares how she helps clients design "million-dollar offers," build confidence in their value, and create an online presence that attracts opportunities without constant effort.

In This Episode What makes a great salesperson, and how can business owners help their teams reach their full potential? In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit talks with Bob Paskins, founder of Catapult, about his structured LAUNCH framework for developing effective sales teams. Bob explains how the program helps identify talent, train sales professionals, and systematize the entire sales process for predictable growth. He breaks down each step of the LAUNCH acronym: Locate targets, Approach prospects, Understand needs, Navigate the sales process, Close the deal, and Harness relationships. Bob also shares how business owners can align their teams, manage objections, and build lasting client relationships that drive referrals and repeat business.

In This Episode In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit talks with Nikki Ostrower about how she built three successful wellness brands by combining purpose, passion, and systems. Nikki shares her journey from working in corporate sales to experiencing burnout and recovery — an experience that ultimately inspired her to dedicate her life to health and wellness. She explains how she built NAO Wellness from her apartment in New York City, scaling it into a thriving company serving both individuals and corporations. When pregnancy forced her to step back, Nikki discovered the power of strong systems and trusted teams. That moment sparked a lasting lesson: when you have the right people, processes, and systems, your business can thrive without you. She goes on to describe how she launched her first wellness center, pivoted during COVID-19 to create the viral Ear Seeds product, and later co-founded Lice Mamas, a company redefining lice treatment with safe, modern methods. Nikki's story is one of resilience, innovation, and leadership through purpose. By focusing on systems and authenticity, she continues to grow businesses that not only succeed but also give back to the community.