What if the biggest risk to your company is that it depends on you?

In part 2 of this sharp conversation, Adam Spector reconnects with Ari Meisel to explore the mindset shift founders avoid the most—becoming truly replaceable. This is not about doing less for the sake of it. It is about building something that can grow without breaking you.

Ari shares the patterns he sees behind broken delegation, co-founder tension, and why most systems fail quietly. He explains why experts often make the worst teachers, how process is the missing piece in most startups, and why founders must stop solving every problem themselves.

This is not a how-to guide. It is a mirror for any founder who feels needed, burned out, or unsure what letting go should actually look like.

Tune in to rethink what leadership means when you are no longer the bottleneck.

Key Topics:

-Why delegation is the true test of leadership

-How broken processes quietly limit company growth

-The danger of skipping optimization before automation

-What co-founder misalignment teaches about vision and roles

-Building a business that does not rely on the founder

Quote From The Episode:

"I don’t want people to work an hour a day… I want them to be able to work an hour a day.”

- Ari Meisel

Timestamp:

[00:29] Why Great Founders Make Themselves Replaceable

[08:36] Fix Your Broken Systems: Why Process Is the Silent Killer of Scaling Startups

[17:32] Automate the Right Way: Processes, Co-Founder Breakups, and the Real Cost of Scaling

[24:38] Delegation Is True Leadership: Why Founders Fail to Let Go (and How to Fix It)

[32:58] Don’t Hire for Loyalty—Build for Scalability: Process-First Companies

[39:34] Outro

Connect with - Ari Meisel:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/productivity-coach-entrepreneur

Websites:

lessdoing.com (Business Productivity Coach)

medium.com/@arimeisel (Entrepreneur Productivity Blog)

itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2 (The Less Doing Podcast )

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if the very thing holding your business back... is you?

In this episode, We sit down with Ari Meisel, author, productivity expert, and founder of Less Doing — to talk about what truly defines entrepreneurial excellence. Ari shares hard-earned lessons on why most founders fail to scale, not because of bad ideas, but because they refuse to let go.

We talk about building processes that don’t break, why overtraining is a sign of broken systems, and the surprising cost of being “the only one who knows how things work.” From optimizing your day to outsourcing tasks at home, Ari breaks down his signature framework — Optimize, Automate, Outsource — and explains why becoming replaceable is the key to long-term growth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck working in your business instead of on it, this episode will change how you lead, delegate, and grow.

Key Topics:

-Why delegation isn’t about trust — it’s about clarity

-How to stop micromanaging without dropping the ball

-The mindset shift every founder needs to scale beyond $1M

-Why great processes matter more than great people

-How to build a team that moves fast — even while you sleep

Quote From The Episode:

"My job is to protect the entrepreneur’s team from the entrepreneur’s mind"

- Ari Meisel

Timestamp:

[00:14]: Replace Yourself to Scale: Ari Meisel on Why Founders Must Let Go to Grow

[08:36] Why Founders Fail at Delegation: Mastering Systems

[16:05] Stop Doing It All: Build Processes That Run Without You at Work and Home

[26:06] The Real Reason Your Team Drops the Ball: Ari Meisel on Delegation, Trust, and Speed

[35:02] Don’t Hire for Loyalty—Build for Scalability: Process-First Companies

[42:50] Replace Yourself or Stay Stuck: Ari Meisel’s Ultimate Framework for Entrepreneurial Freedom

[53:32] Outro

Connect with - Ari Meisel:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/productivity-coach-entrepreneur

Websites:

lessdoing.com (Business Productivity Coach)

medium.com/@arimeisel (Entrepreneur Productivity Blog)

itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2 (The Less Doing Podcast )

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Sharmin opens up about the real cost of ambition. She left a Google offer to join a startup, grew Mu Sigma from 3 people to $300M ARR, and built one of India’s most powerful content platforms before selling it to a Bollywood studio. She then raised $200M for her next AI company, partnered with Oxford, and worked with brands like P&G and Unilever.

But beneath the wins: therapy, depression, burnout, betrayal, and survival.

Tune in to hear how Sharmin Ali made risk her superpower, and what she’s building next.

Key Topics:

-Betting everything on vision—with no backup plan

-Outsmarting gatekeepers and closing million-dollar deals

-Creating content in 10 Indian languages before it was cool

-Selling at the right time before burnout wins

-And learning how to breathe again after everything crashes

Quote From The Episode:

"Confidence is everything. It trumps every other skill as an entrepreneur."

- Sharmin Ali

Timestamp:

[04:22]: She Turned Down Google on Day One. What Happened Next Will Blow Your Mind.

[11:49] She Closed a $1M Deal by Saying Nothing. Here’s How Listening Changed Everything.

[21:39] How $500 Interns and Free Booze Built a $300M Startup

[32:19] No Plan B. No Backup. Just Ruthless Belief and a Billion-Dollar Bet.

[43:02] The Shameless Strategy That Landed Her Millions and a Viral Media Empire

[54:37] The Ruthless Hiring Strategy Behind a Media Startup’s Viral Success

[1:01:59] How a Brutal Founder Sold Her Media Company and Launched an AI Startup with 70M Data Points

[1:22:45] The Brutally Honest Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

[1:39:19] Outro

Connect with - Sharmin Ali:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sharmin-ali

Websites:sharminali.com

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Dave Durand shares how he scaled his business from $500K to millions — not by doing more, but by building smarter systems, delegating deeply, and respecting what others overlook. We talk about why leading independent contractors take the highest level of leadership, the secret behind building a world-class sales team (even if you hate sales), and the real reason print media wasn’t dead — it just needed the right mindset.

Dave also reveals the one question every founder should ask: What are you really building toward?

If you're a founder, leader, or builder — this episode will challenge how you think about growth, leadership, and legacy.

Key Topics:

-Building systems that scale with delegation and trust

-Leading independent contractors with high-level leadership skills

-Respecting sales without needing to love it

-Creating value by solving overlooked problems in dying industries

-Redefining success through purpose and eternal impact

Quote From The Episode:

"Leading independent contractors is the highest form of leadership skill."

- Dave Durand

Timestamp:

[00:23]: The 9-to-5 Safety Net Is a Lie: Why Risk Is the Real Career Security

[10:00] Why Great Entrepreneurs Obsess Over the Details—Then Let Go

[22:51] Why the Best CEOs Don’t Micromanage—And Still Win Big

[30:43]Why the Best Founders Build Culture, Not Control — And Scale Without Burning Out

[43:00] How Top CEOs Lead Without Micromanaging and Build Cultures That Actually Scale

[54:28] How to Build a High-Performing Company That Practically Runs Without You

[1:06:12] The CEO Blueprint: Culture, Delegation, and Building a Business That Runs Without You

[1:18:44] From Burnout to Billion-Dollar Breakthrough: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Scaling with Virtue, Vision, and Grit

[1:29:59] Build It Right or Burn Out: How to Scale, Let Go, and Lead With Eternal Purpose

[1:46:46] Outro

Connect with - Dave Durand:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/davevdurand

Websites: bestversionmedia.com (Best Version Media)

facebook.com/durandleadershipgroup (Facebook)

davedurand.com (Durand Leadership Group)

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What happens when your business stops working but your life isn’t over? In this raw and powerful conversation, we go deep with multi-time founder Andrew McConnell to talk about what most entrepreneurs won’t admit out loud.

From building startups that raised millions, to facing identity loss, health scares, and hard personal choices, Andrew shares what it really means to let go of success as your identity and build a life with meaning. He talks openly about the cost of tying your self-worth to a job title, what true leadership looks like, and how journaling, mindset work, and values helped him rewire everything—from his business to his brain.

You’ll hear why most people get stuck chasing the wrong dream, how to build teams rooted in shared values, and why letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means growing up.

Tune in if you're ready to rethink what success actually looks like—and why time, not money, might be your most important asset.

Key Topics:

-Letting go of your identity as a founder

-Redefining success and personal values

-Balancing mindset tools with emotional honesty

-Learning from failure and bad timing

-Building culture through aligned values and leadership choices

Quote From The Episode:

"You need to figure out what success means to you."

- Andrew McConnell

Timestamp:

[01:20]: The Dangerous Trap of Conviction: Why Most Entrepreneurs Miss the Real Signal

[11:11] Why Clinging to the Wrong Dream Could Cost You Everything

[21:33] The Founder’s Ultimate Test: Letting Go, Leveling Up, and Living Without Regret

[31:35] The Founder’s Survival Code: Rethink Success, Reclaim Your Mind, and Let Go Before It’s Too Late

[42:04] From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Mindset Shift Every Founder Needs Before It's Too Late

[55:36] Build Boldly, Let Go Fast: The Mindset Shift That Saved My Career (and Life)

[1:03:44] When Your Startup Fails—and You Don’t: Redefining Success, Identity, and What Really Matters

[1:20:24] Outro

Connect with - Andrew McConnell:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mandrewmcconnell

Websites:mandrewmcconnell.com/

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Are You Building a Life You’ll Regret or Reinventing One You’ll Love?

What if everything you thought was “safe” — your job, your path, your partnerships, was actually holding you back? In this powerful episode, Scott D. Clary opens up about what it really takes to become future-proof in a world where AI is replacing jobs, comfort is killing progress, and success means learning to constantly disrupt yourself.

From shutting down VC deals and broken partnerships to leading with radical candor, Scott shares bold insights on how to build relationships with people who move mountains, make decisions that protect your peace, and why sticking with the wrong thing might be worse than quitting.

Tune in to learn how to unlearn outdated paths, pick the right partners, and fly closer to the sun — without getting burned.

Key Topics:

-Why playing it safe is the biggest risk in today’s world

-The real reason AI is eliminating traditional jobs

-How obsession and identity can destroy entrepreneurs

-What it means to disrupt yourself before someone else does

-The mindset shift from employee to intrapreneur

Quote From The Episode:

"You have one shot at this life. Go do the thing. Even if it doesn’t work out, you're not gonna get burnt"

- Scott Clary

Timestamp:

[01:53]: The 9-to-5 Safety Net Is a Lie: Why Risk Is the Real Career Security

[13:34] Kill the Noise: Why Chasing Alignment Beats Playing It Safe

[23:40] If You Died Tonight, Would You Still Choose This Life Tomorrow?

[31:18] Stop Moving the Goalpost: Define Success Before It Defines You

[44:13] Entrepreneurial Excellence Is Not a Number — It’s the Life You Design

[52:38] Entrepreneurial Excellence Is Trusting Yourself to Build the Life You Actually Want

[1:07:48] The Hidden Weight of Winning: When Success Isn’t Enough

[1:17:49] When Obsession Becomes Identity: The Hidden Cost of Building Big

[1:27:56] You Won’t Get Burned: Why the Only Risk Is Standing Still

[1:45:29] Outro

Connect with - Scott Clary:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/scottdclary

Websites: stan.store/scottdclary

scottdclary.com

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if the secret to building billion-dollar ideas isn’t experience but curiosity?

In this episode, we dive into the mind of a founder who built 15 companies, reads over 1,000 article headlines a day, and believes AI, clean food, and remote teams will shape the future of business. From freeze-dried strawberries to why unhappy employees kill culture, this conversation is raw, real, and wildly insightful.

We explore why fast learners beat seasoned pros, how junior hires can build world-class products, and what makes a team truly unstoppable in the age of automation and AI agents. You’ll also hear his bold take on corporate life, remote work, and why your workday probably only has 4 real hours of productivity.

Tune in to learn how founders can think bigger, ship faster, and stay true to what really matters. Curiosity, culture, and creating something that truly helps others.

Key Topics:

-The power of curiosity and rapid learning

-Remote-first teams and global talent

-Managing AI agents as future teammates

-Building culture with junior high performers

-Reinventing food as real medicine through tech

Quote From The Episode:

"I believe our faith plan things bigger than we can dream of"

- Sahin Boydas

Timestamp:

[02:51]: Why True Entrepreneurs Don’t Chase Ego—They Build for Millions

[12:35] The Jobs AI Can’t Replace and the One Skill Future Entrepreneurs Must Master

[20:59] Why the Best Founders Bet on Obsession, Not Market Size

[30:00] Why Feeding Your Curiosity Might Be the Greatest Startup Strategy Ever

[41:50] How One Founder’s Obsession with Clean Food, Daily Rituals, and AI Is Reinventing Health from the Soil Up

[51:15] Why Fast Learners, Smiley Teams, and MVPs Win: The Startup Culture No One Talks About

[1:01:14] Why Remote Teams, Smiling Cultures, and AI Agents Will Crush the Old Way of Working

[1:09:53] You’re Not in Control—And That Might Be the Founder’s Superpower

[1:23:52] Outro

Connect with - Sahin Boydas:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sahinboydas

Websites: instagram.com/sahin

twitter.com/sahin

sahin.press

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this revealing episode, Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media, shares the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to build and keep running a company you love. From turning voice recordings into a bestselling book now taught at Columbia and NYU, to leading a multimillion-dollar agency through economic downturns, Erik’s story isn’t just impressive, it’s deeply relatable for every founder chasing both growth and freedom.

Erik dives into the three core pillars of all great marketing and unpacks why trust is the piece most companies fail to build. He talks about the realities of ambition, burnout, and how founders accidentally trap themselves in businesses they no longer want to run.

This episode is a must-listen if you want real insights from someone who’s actually in the arena.

Key Topics:

-Building a company you actually want to run

-The three pillars of great marketing

-Turning knowledge into a bestselling book

-The power of work-life integration

-Why high locus of control defines entrepreneurial success

Quote From The Episode:

"Work like most won’t so you can live like most can."

- Erik Huberman

Timestamp:

[01:20]: From Beanie Babies to Billion-Dollar Ambition: The Truth About Building a Real Empire

[11:26] Why Playing It Safe Will Keep You Broke: The Brutal Truth About Ambition, Risk, and Building a Real Legacy

[21:16] Build Fast, Hire Hard, and Tell the Brutal Truth: Inside the Culture of Hawk Media

[30:33] Brutal Truths, Real Leadership: How Eric Huberman Builds Culture That Wins

[41:26] No Plan B: Eric Huberman on Focus, Culture, and Playing the Long Game in Business

[53:22] Ambition Over Everything: Eric Huberman on Sales, Grit, and Winning in the AI Age

[1:05:13] What It Takes to Be an Excellent Entrepreneur Today

[1:25:36] Outro

Connect with - Erik Huberman:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman

Websites: hawkemedia.com

erikhuberman.com

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence