Fixers & Founders

Forrest Derr and Tony Lilja
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Fortnightly

Fixers & Founders is a podcast about the partnership between visionary founders and the fractional executives who help them bring structure, clarity, and scale. Each episode features candid conversations with founders and the operators who steady the ship—highlighting how ideas get fueled, how systems get fixed, and how businesses move forward when vision and execution finally meet.

  1. 4 hrs ago

    You Didn’t Get Lazy, You Got Busy | How to Get Your Health Back

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest sit down with Blake Martin to explore why health often slips when life gets busy. As careers grow, businesses demand more, and family responsibilities pile up, many people find themselves feeling far removed from the version of themselves that once felt strong, energized, and in control. Blake explains why that usually is not a lack of discipline—it is the result of health being pushed behind everything else. Drawing from more than 15 years in the medical device industry and his work through Telomere, Blake shares how practical coaching, clinical testing, nutrition, body composition analysis, and accountability can help people rebuild their health without extreme routines or short-term fixes. In this conversation, we explore: • Life Gets Busy: Why health often declines gradually as work, family, and other priorities take over. • Sustainable Transformation: Why long-term habits matter more than quick weight-loss goals. • Better Health Data: What DEXA scans, VO2 max testing, and metabolic analysis can reveal that BMI often misses. • Health as a System: How to bring the same structure, consistency, and accountability to your health that you bring to your work. If your career, business, or family has been getting your best while your health gets whatever is left, this conversation is for you. Connect with Blake Martin Website: https://telomere.pro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-martin-64087631 Intro & Outro Music "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" by Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  2. 5 Aug

    Don’t Be My Dad | Build a Business That Survives You

    Most founders don't set out to become the bottleneck. It happens one decision, one hire, one new system at a time. Before long, the business can't move without them—and that's exactly what Guy Barretta helps fix. Known as The COO Guy, Guy has spent his career helping founders, real estate brokerages, and franchise owners bring order to operational chaos. From leadership roles at Microsoft, Yahoo, and Coldwell Banker to advising growing businesses today, he's seen the same pattern repeat itself: growth exposes weaknesses that were always there. The most memorable lesson from this conversation comes from a deeply personal story Guy shares about his father, an entrepreneur whose business disappeared when he did. It's a reminder that building a successful company isn't just about today's revenue—it's about creating something that can thrive long after you're no longer running it. In this conversation, we explore: Why founders become the operational bottleneck without realizing it The difference between working in the business and working on it How operational clarity creates sustainable growth Why franchise playbooks aren't enough on their own Building leadership teams that challenge ideas instead of simply agreeing Why every founder needs an exit strategy—even if they never plan to sell If your business feels heavier than it did a year ago, or you're wondering whether you've built a company that depends too much on you, this episode is for you. Connect with Guy Barretta Website: https://thecooguy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-barretta Intro & Outro Music "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" by Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  3. 29 July

    Helping the Underdogs Win | Wall Street Smarts for Main Street Businesses

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest sit down with Jeff Benesh to talk about what happens when founder-led businesses start getting heavier than they should. Jeff brings Wall Street experience to Main Street businesses, helping founders diagnose what is really slowing them down. From distressed assets and turnaround work to operational diagnostics and founder psychology, Jeff explains why businesses rarely break all at once. More often, they drift. We discuss how leaders confuse busyness with progress, why the first problem is usually not the real problem, and how simpler systems can restore clarity, control, and momentum. In this conversation, we explore: Wall Street to Main Street: How Jeff applies high-stakes financial thinking to founder-led companies. Business Drift: Why growing companies slowly move into chaos before they hit a breaking point. Root Cause Diagnosis: How to separate symptoms from what is actually broken. Simple Systems: Why healthy businesses need less complexity, not more. If your business feels busy, heavy, or harder to run than it should, this conversation is for you. Connect with Jeff Benesh Email: jeff.benesh@melburyandco.com LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-benesh-48041618⁠ Website: https://melburyandco.com Intro & Outro Music "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" by Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  4. 22 July

    Slow Down to Speed Up | Making Better Business Decisions

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest sit down with Jody Hatch to explore what happens when growth creates complexity. As businesses mature, leaders often find themselves surrounded by more data, more opinions, more tools, and more pressure to move quickly. Jody explains why speed isn't always the answer—and why clarity, timing, and intentional decision-making become increasingly important as organizations grow. Drawing from her experience as an EOS Integrator, educator, and self-described "orchestrator," Jody shares how she helps founders cut through noise, simplify complexity, and make decisions with greater confidence. In this conversation, we explore: • Growth & Complexity: Why success often creates new layers of chaos and uncertainty. • Clarity Over Speed: When moving faster becomes a liability instead of an advantage. • The Orchestrator Mindset: How great leaders align people, tools, and priorities around a common direction. • Signal vs. Noise: Practical ways to uncover what actually matters when everything feels urgent. If you're facing a decision that feels bigger than the usual playbook, this conversation is for you. Connect with Jody Hatch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhmountainmanagment Phone: (315) 529-6844 Intro & Outro Music "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" by Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  5. 15 July

    You Have a Job, Not a Business | Escaping Founder-Led Sales

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest sit down with Morgan Abreu to explore one of the most difficult transitions founders face: moving from founder-led sales to a scalable revenue system. Many businesses grow because the founder is the best salesperson in the company. But eventually that becomes the bottleneck. Morgan explains why hiring a salesperson isn't a silver bullet, what needs to be in place before making that first sales hire, and how founders can build systems that allow revenue to grow without depending on a single person. We discuss the common mistakes founders make when hiring sales talent, the importance of defining your ideal customer and sales process, and why repeatable systems outperform sales heroes over the long run. In this conversation, we explore: Founder-Led Sales: Why growth eventually stalls when every deal depends on the founder. The First Sales Hire Trap: The two most common hiring mistakes and how to avoid them. Repeatable Revenue Systems: Building processes that scale beyond a single rainmaker. People Buy From People: Why relationships still matter in an increasingly automated world. If you're tired of carrying the pipeline yourself, this conversation is for you. Connect with Morgan Abreu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganabreu Website: https://meliastrategy.com Intro & Outro Music "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" by Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  6. 8 July

    Know Thy Data | Fixing the Friction That Slows Growth

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest sit down with Cory Watson to explore the hidden operational friction that quietly slows growing businesses. From overloaded inboxes and disconnected systems to poorly implemented technology and fragmented data, Cory explains why most growth challenges don't start with strategy. They start with process. We discuss the difference between meaningful automation and shiny object syndrome, why companies often buy technology before understanding their actual problems, and how leaders can create stronger operational foundations before scaling. In this conversation, we explore: Know Thy Data: Why understanding what you already have is the first step toward better decisions. Meaningful Automation: The difference between solving a problem and simply adding more software. Operational Friction: How repetitive processes quietly erode speed, clarity, and profitability. People Before Process: Why organizational bottlenecks often have more to do with human behavior than technology. If your team feels busy but not efficient, this conversation is for you. Connect with Cory Watson Email: cwatson@imageaccesscorp.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coryjwatson Intro & Outro Music "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" by Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  7. 1 July

    Your Body Is a Business System | Building Sustainable Performance

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest are joined by Kyle Thibodeaux, co-owner of Refine PT & Performance, physical therapist, performance coach, and advocate for sustainable human performance. Kyle works with everyone from collegiate athletes to business operators, helping them recover from injury, improve performance, and build systems that support long-term health. His approach combines rehabilitation, strength training, sleep optimization, and practical habits that help people perform at a higher level without burning themselves out. We explore the relationship between stress and growth, why many high performers misunderstand pain, and the foundational habits that drive long-term performance both inside and outside of business. In this conversation, we explore: Stress Adaptation: Why growth requires the right amount of challenge. Performance vs. Rehab: Understanding the difference between recovery and optimization. The Sleep Advantage: Why sleep may be the most overlooked performance tool available. Small Habits, Big Results: How simple behaviors compound over years and decades. If you're trying to perform at a high level without sacrificing your health, your energy, or your longevity, this conversation is for you. Connect with Kyle Thibodeaux: Email: kyle@refineptp.com Website: https://refineptp.com Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

  8. 24 June

    Accountability Isn't Mean | Scaling Without Breaking Culture

    In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Tony and Forrest are joined by Stephany Day, Fractional COO, founder of Duke BCG, and operational strategist helping founders scale without losing control of their businesses. Stephany shares her journey from project management and operations leadership into the world of fractional executive leadership, where she helps visionary founders transform chaos into clarity. Through her Built to Scale framework, she works alongside leadership teams to align vision, strengthen accountability, and create organizations capable of sustainable growth. We explore why operations often become the bottleneck to ambitious growth, how founders unintentionally create misalignment inside their teams, and why accountability is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business. In this conversation, we explore: Accountability Isn't Mean: Why great cultures get stronger when commitments are documented and followed through. The Helper's Advantage: What founders can learn from the people behind the scenes who make vision possible. Visionary Alignment: How miscommunication creates chaos long before systems break. The Clarity Break: A simple practice for founders who feel overwhelmed by too many issues and too many decisions. If you've ever felt like your business is growing faster than your systems, your team isn't aligned around the same destination, or you're struggling to create accountability without damaging culture, this episode is for you. Connect with Stephany Day: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanyday Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin Used with permission under a non-exclusive license. Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/5XoG0H2D0vY58n32W8xI2K

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About

Fixers & Founders is a podcast about the partnership between visionary founders and the fractional executives who help them bring structure, clarity, and scale. Each episode features candid conversations with founders and the operators who steady the ship—highlighting how ideas get fueled, how systems get fixed, and how businesses move forward when vision and execution finally meet.

Information

  • Creator
    Forrest Derr and Tony Lilja
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Forrest Derr and Tony Lilja
  • Show Website
    Fixers & Founders

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