Inside The 90™

Jami Mullikin and Andrew Gissal
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Practical, Deep-Dive Entrepreneurial Operating Systems (EOS) Podcast for Implementers, Integrators, Leadership Teams and Anyone Running on EOS or Interested in EOS. Hosted by Andrew Gissal and Jami Mullikin.

  1. 9h ago

    EP.49 - Brand Foundation Before Activation, Lessons From Tracey Brown of YourSix

    In this episode of Inside the 90, Andrew catches up with Tracy, marketing lead at YourSix, for her second appearance on the show. Tracy shares how she rolled out EOS inside her own two-person marketing department, using L10 meetings not just for task management but for mentorship, energy alignment, and human connection with her teammate Maddie. The conversation moves into YourSix's journey from a hardware-heavy physical security company to a true SaaS platform, and how bringing on Wonder as a marketing partner after a funding round helped the team build real brand foundation before activating it externally. Tracy and Andrew close with a candid look at authenticity in an AI driven marketing landscape, including how content needs to be honest and specific to be trusted by both customers and AI tools alike. Key Topics - Rolling out EOS and L10 meetings inside a small, distributed marketing department. - Using L10s for mentorship and energy alignment, not just task tracking. - Combining EOS with project management tools like JIRA. - Tracy's path from physical security hardware into a SaaS focused career. - What YourSix does with video surveillance and access control technology. - Bringing on an outside marketing agency after a funding round. - Building brand foundation before activating a brand externally. - Why authenticity and vulnerability in content matter more in an AI driven world. - Cybersecurity considerations when adopting AI tools in business. Chapters 0:00 - Catching up and a Kansas City barbecue recommendation. 2:00 - Introducing Tracy and her role leading marketing at YourSix. 4:00 - Rolling out EOS inside the marketing department. 7:00 - L10 meetings, human connection, and mentorship. 10:30 - Combining EOS with the JIRA project management tool. 12:30 - Aligning rocks across a small marketing team. 14:30 - L10 as energy management, not just task tracking. 17:00 - Being resourceful and the who not how philosophy. 19:00 - Tracy's background in physical security and joining YourSix. 22:00 - What YourSix does with video surveillance and access control. 24:00 - Bringing on Wonder for marketing support after funding. 27:00 - Building trust and community working with an outside agency. 29:30 - Running on EOS together and shifting to 90 day brand activation. 32:00 - Refreshing and rebuilding the YourSix brand identity. 35:00 - Why foundational brand work has to come before activation. 37:30 - Authenticity in an AI driven marketing world. 40:00 - Cybersecurity considerations around adopting AI tools. 43:00 - Reframing content so AI tools can find and trust your brand. 46:30 - Where to find Tracy and YourSix, and closing thoughts. Mentions & Credits EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com Wonder - https://workwithwonder.com YourSix - https://www.yoursix.com/ Traction Book - https://www.ginowickman.com/ JIRA - https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira Adam Landrum - https://madetomatter.coach/

  2. Aug 13

    EP.48 - Building Trust With Your Assistant, A Delegation Guide

    In this episode of Inside the 90, Andrew talks with Jenna Spencer, founder of AssistPro and a newly licensed EOS partner focused on delegation and elevation. Jenna traces her path from corporate banking to building a company that matches business leaders with the right assistant, a journey that started when she worked directly for two EOS implementers. The conversation dives deep into why delegation fails, the difference between delegating tasks and delegating true ownership, and how to build trust with a new team member over time. Jenna shares practical frameworks, including the delegate and elevate tool, the relay race analogy, and the power of defining ideal outcomes instead of micromanaging the mechanics of a task. Key Topics - Jenna Spencer's path from corporate banking to founding AssistPro. - Why most leaders struggle with delegation and end up doing task delegation instead of ownership delegation. - The mail-checking analogy for understanding true delegated ownership. - Where to start delegating, including knowing yourself and picking just a few things first. - The real cost and return on investment of delegating a leader's time. - Building trust with a new assistant or team member over time. - Why protected weekly meetings matter for a healthy delegation relationship. - The delegate and elevate tool and defining roles by quarter. - Using DISC, Kolbe, and Working Genius to build well-matched teams. Chapters 0:00 - Welcome to Jenna Spencer and introduction to AssistPro. 1:30 - Jenna's journey from corporate banking to founding AssistPro. 3:30 - Working as an assistant to two EOS implementers. 5:00 - Why delegation is one of the hardest leadership skills. 7:00 - Task delegation versus true ownership delegation. 9:30 - The mail-checking analogy for delegating ownership. 11:30 - Where to start delegating as a maxed-out visionary. 14:00 - Knowing yourself and picking a few things to delegate first. 16:30 - The real cost and ROI of delegating your time. 18:30 - Learning to slow down and build trust over time. 21:30 - Navigating trust and communication with an assistant. 24:00 - The importance of protected weekly meetings. 26:30 - Focusing on the issue, not the person. 28:00 - Tactical first steps to hiring an assistant. 30:30 - Using DISC and Kolbe to find the right match. 32:30 - The all-or-nothing rule for calendar and email delegation. 35:00 - The relay race analogy for handing off responsibilities. 37:00 - The delegate and elevate tool and defining roles by quarter. 39:00 - The Responsibility Clarifier and outcome-based delegation. 42:00 - Why unclear outcomes cause delegation to break down. 44:00 - Applying delegation lessons beyond assistants to any role. 46:00 - Using Kolbe, DISC, and Working Genius to build balanced teams. 49:00 - Where to find Jenna Spencer and closing thoughts. Mentions & Credits EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com Wonder - https://workwithwonder.com AssistPro - https://assistpro.com Alex Freytag - https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/alex-freytag Delegate and Elevate Tool - https://www.eosworldwide.com/delegate-and-elevate Gino Wickman - https://www.ginowickman.com The 6 Types of Working Genius - https://www.workinggenius.com Kolbe - https://www.kolbe.com DISC - https://www.discprofile.com Strategic Coach - https://www.strategiccoach.com

  3. Aug 6

    EP.47 - Rolling Out EOS in a Creative Video Production Agency

    In this episode of Inside the 90, Jami sits down with Will Stewart, founder and CEO of 9/8 Central, a video production studio in Greenville, South Carolina. Will shares his winding path from teaching himself HTML in high school to freelancing in Hollywood to finally building his own studio during the early days of the pandemic. He and Jami dig into 9/8 Central's first nine months on EOS, covering the messy early lessons around rocks, scorecards for a creative business, and learning to trust a leadership team as a high-visionary founder. The conversation closes with Will's take on staying intentionally sized, using AI to speed up content creation, and why video and genuine human connection matter more than ever in a hyper-automated world. Key Topics - Will Stewart's path from teenage web designer to Hollywood freelancer to founder of 9/8 Central. - Building a video production studio from one employee at the start of the pandemic to a full team. - Getting introduced to EOS through a hybrid coaching relationship and rolling it out company-wide. - Early struggles with rocks, scorecards, and issue lists in a creative, project-based business. - Learning to trust a leadership team as a high-visionary, high-quick-start founder. - Defining a three-year picture and capping growth on purpose to protect team culture. - Using AI tools internally to speed up content creation for clients. - The content engine framework and shifting clients from one-off projects to recurring work. - Why genuine, human video content matters more as digital connection becomes automated. Chapters 0:00 - Welcome to Will Stewart and introduction to 9/8 Central. 2:00 - Studio tour and the spa day philosophy for clients. 5:00 - Will's origin story, teaching himself web design in high school. 8:00 - Falling in love with video as cameras became more accessible. 11:00 - Freelancing, a Hollywood mentorship, and lifestyle burnout. 14:00 - Founding 9/8 Central in March 2020 and early growth. 17:00 - Getting introduced to EOS through a hybrid coaching relationship. 20:00 - Focus Day, early ahas, and adjusting to being a visionary. 23:30 - Struggles with setting and completing rocks. 26:30 - Rolling out L10 meetings and scorecards for a creative team. 30:00 - Building a scorecard around client communication. 32:30 - Learning the issues list and the language of EOS. 35:00 - Trusting the leadership team and letting go of control. 38:00 - The three-year picture and defining what winning looks like. 40:30 - Building an internal AI tool to speed up content creation. 43:00 - Staying intentionally sized and avoiding the boom-bust agency trap. 45:30 - What's exciting for 9/8 Central this year. 48:00 - The content engine framework and recurring client work. 50:30 - Case studies, positioning, and working with Wonder on messaging. 53:00 - Where to find Will Stewart and closing thoughts. Mentions & Credits Wonder - https://www.workwithwonder.com EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com 9/8 Central - https://98c.org Jason Blumer - https://www.jasonblumer.com The 6 Types of Working Genius - https://www.workinggenius.com Seth Godin - https://seths.blog Kolbe - https://www.kolbe.com American Society of Cinematographers - https://theasc.com

  4. Jul 30

    EP.46 - Life after Exiting Adam Landrum's Founder Threshold Framework

    In this episode of Inside the 90, Jami welcomes back friend of the podcast, Adam Landrum, for a catch-up conversation about his journey from agency owner to full-time executive coach. Adam breaks down the difference between coaching, consulting, and mentoring, and introduces his founder threshold framework, the three traps that keep 90 percent of companies from ever reaching a million dollars in revenue. The conversation covers niching down, scarcity versus abundance mindset, the evolution of starting a business in the dot-com era versus today's AI-powered landscape, and the impact conscious leadership had on both of their careers. Adam closes with three practical takeaways for entrepreneurs, coach instead of direct, get a coach yourself, and build a pro-personal development program for your team. Key Topics - Adam Landrum's journey from agency owner to full-time executive coach. - The difference between coaching, consulting, mentoring, and therapy. - The founder threshold and the three traps of dependence, ambiguity, and survival .- Moving from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset as an entrepreneur. - Why niching down works best when you let the niche find you. - Starting a business during the dot-com boom versus today's AI-driven landscape. - In-person versus remote coaching and client relationships.- Company growth stages and the challenge of hiring your first employee. - How conscious leadership reshaped Jami and Adam's approach to leading teams. Chapters 0:00 - Welcome back to Adam Landrum and catching up. 1:30 - Adam's journey since selling Up and Up and becoming a full-time coach. 4:00 - Breaking down coaching versus consulting versus mentoring. 6:00 - Introducing the founder threshold and the three traps. 10:00 - Scarcity versus abundance mindset and the lesson from David C. Baker. 13:00 - Niching down and letting the niche find you. 16:00 - Starting a business in the dot-com era versus today's AI landscape. 19:00 - In-person versus remote coaching effectiveness. 22:00 - Company size stages and the challenge of hiring the first employee. 25:30 - The story of guaranteeing an employee's paycheck first. 28:00 - Conscious leadership and moving from unconscious to conscious leading. 31:00 - Three takeaways, coach don't direct, get a coach, and pro-personal development. 34:00 - Where to find Adam Landrum and closing thoughts. Mentions & Credits Wonder - https://www.workwithwonder.com EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com Adam Landrum, Made to Matter - https://madetomatter.coach/ The Life That Matters Manifesto - https://www.manifestobook.com/ Made to Matter Podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489066 Traction Book - https://www.ginowickman.com/ Good to Great by Jim Collins - https://www.jimcollins.com/ Scaling Up by Vern Harnish - https://scalingup.com/ David C. Baker - https://punctuation.com/ Terry Weaver - https://terryweaver.com/ Erwin-Penland - https://www.epandco.com/ The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership - https://conscious.is/15-commitments Strategic Coach - https://www.strategiccoach.com/ Kolbe - https://www.kolbe.com/ HubSpot - https://www.hubspot.com/

  5. Jul 23

    EP.45 - John Sterling's Lessons on Building Greenville's First $1B Tech Unicorn

    In this episode of Inside the 90, Jami reconnects with longtime friend John Sterling, a sales leader and entrepreneur who helped build Data Stream from a small maintenance software company into a $100 million business before it was acquired. John shares the origin story, including a pivotal one-day consult from marketing legend Al Ries and the discovery of hiring by "avatar" using the Kolbe A Index. The conversation moves into John's current ventures, acquiring aging industrial software companies, coaching sales teams across industries, and experimenting with AI, including a talking avatar of himself and a growing fleet of AI agents running parts of his businesses. The episode closes with reflections on three major tech waves John has lived through: personal computers, the internet, and now agentic AI. Key Topics - The origin story of Data Stream, from a four-person company to a $100 million exit. - How a one-day consult with marketing strategist Al Ries reshaped the company's growth strategy. - Hiring by avatar using the Kolbe A Index to find repeatable sales talent. - Lessons on niching down and staying in a market for the long haul. - The whopper clause and structuring sales commission plans without caps. - How sales management and accountability have changed with remote and hybrid work. - Acquiring aging industrial software companies in the so-called silver tsunami. - Building an AI talking avatar and a fleet of AI agents across multiple companies. - Reflections on three major tech shifts, personal computers, the internet, and agentic AI. Chapters 0:00 - Welcome and reconnecting with John Sterling. 1:00 - Origin story of Data Stream and joining Larry Blackwell's company. 4:00 - Al Ries's one-day consult and the strategy to claim market leadership. 6:00 - Growing from five million to one hundred million and the eventual sale. 7:30 - Discovering hiring by avatar with Bill Lee and the Kolbe A Index. 10:30 - Reconnecting with Jim Wanner and the KeyMark success story. 12:30 - Core lessons, being present, niching down, and the whopper clause. 16:30 - Current ventures, acquiring aging industrial software companies. 19:30 - Sales coaching philosophy and structuring comp plans. 22:00 - How sales management and accountability have evolved over time. 25:00 - Coaching clients across industries, including Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations. 27:30 - Building the AI Sales Professor talking avatar. 30:30 - Deploying AI agents across companies for marketing, finance, and M&A. 33:30 - Reflections on personal computers, the internet, and the agentic AI era. 36:00 - Where to find John Sterling and closing thoughts. Mentions & Credits Wonder - https://www.workwithwonder.com EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com Data Stream Systems - https://www.infor.com/ Larry Blackwell - https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/tech-innovation/clemson-honors-software-entrepreneur/ Al Ries - https://www.alries.com/ Kolbe - https://www.kolbe.com/ KeyMark - https://www.keymarkinc.com/ Jim Wanner - https://www.keymarkinc.com/profile/jim-wanner/ Sterling Sales - https://sterlingsales.co Noob School podcast and Sales for Noobs book - https://www.schoolfornoobs.com/ ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/ Jason Lemkin - https://www.saastr.com/ Nolan Bushnell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_Bushnell

  6. Jul 16

    EP.44 - Five Myths About EOS Debunked by Inside the 90

    In this episode of Inside the 90, hosts Jami and Andrew tackle five common myths about the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). They debunk the idea that EOS is a passing fad, unpacking growth stats and a third-party study showing EOS companies outgrow non-EOS peers. They also address the perception that EOS is too rigid, explaining how its structure actually creates freedom rather than bureaucracy. Jami shares his own experience being introduced to EOS as an integrator, and the two discuss why rollout fears fade once teams experience the tools firsthand. They close by clarifying that EOS does not replace good leadership or run on autopilot, and that it can work for any organization with people, regardless of industry. Key Topics - Whether EOS is just a passing business fad, backed by adoption stats and a third-party growth study. - The difference between healthy structure and bureaucratic rigidity within EOS. - Why EOS tools create freedom and creativity rather than restricting teams. - The fear that EOS rollout is something done to employees rather than with them. - Jami's personal story of being introduced to EOS as an integrator. - Why EOS is "caught, not taught" as it spreads through an organization. - The myth that EOS replaces good leadership rather than requiring it. - The misconception that EOS runs itself once implemented. - Which industries and company sizes EOS actually works for. Chapters 0:00 - Welcome and introduction to the five EOS myths. 1:00 - Myth one, EOS is a fad, covered with adoption numbers and a third-party growth study. 3:30 - Myth two, EOS is rigid, and the soccer field analogy for structure versus bureaucracy. 6:30 - Myth three, EOS is imposed on employees, and Jami's story of being introduced to EOS. 9:30 - Myth four, EOS replaces leadership, and why the tools depend on good leaders. 10:30 - Bonus myth, EOS runs itself, and why ongoing effort is still required. 11:30 - Myth five, EOS is not for my type of company, with a rundown of industries it serves. 13:30 - Closing thoughts and wrap-up. Mentions & Credits Wonder - https://www.workwithwonder.com EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com Gino Wickman - https://www.ginowickman.com/ Traction Book - https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book Get A Grip - https://www.eosworldwide.com/get-a-grip-book Mark O'Donnell - https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/mark-odonnell/ Mint Mobile - https://open.spotify.com/show/042nIYeeIavPPVfwOvTvZt

  7. Jul 9

    Live from the Wonder Wagon with Mike Gruley: Inside the Life of an EOS Implementer

    Two EOS implementers, one Wonder Wagon, and a conversation that feels less like a podcast and more like two old friends reminding each other why the work matters. Mike Gruley of 1 Vision Advisors joins Andrew Geisel in the Wonder Wagon on the streets of Kansas City for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the life of an EOS implementer. They cover Mike's 33-year career before EOS, what made Traction feel like it was written specifically about him, what separates great implementation from checkbox compliance, and why the single most powerful question you can ask in any session room is also the simplest. They also get into something more personal: how two driven people are both learning to slow down, schedule at 85% capacity, and let their integrators tell them no. Key Topics - Mike's 33-year entrepreneurial career — from successes to train wrecks — and how frustration led him to Traction. - Why Mike feels like he was the "poster child" for EOS before he ever became an implementer. - Andrew shadowing Mike's early sessions and what it taught him about what not to do. - What draws both of them to the session room: the push and pull, the truth-telling, and the moments when clarity finally breaks through. - Why facilitators don't participate — and how self-implementing costs you access to your own truth. - The most powerful question in the room: "What do you want?" - Why an implementer who doesn't tell you the truth is committing fraud. - Getting back to basics: both Andrew and Mike stripping away distractions and simplifying their lives and their practice. - The 85% rule: scheduling to 85% capacity so 100% doesn't become 110 — and why it matters for driven people. - Ruthlessly eliminating hurry — and how Mike's integrator Kim manages his calendar better than he ever could. - Every yes is a no to something else, and how to make peace with that. Key Chapters 0:00 - Welcome to the Wonder Wagon: a van, the streets of Kansas City, and two implementers. 1:30 - How Andrew got his start by shadowing Mike's sessions — and why Mike still has PTSD from it. 3:00 - Mike's origin story: 33 years in business, the book that felt written about him, and Preston True as his first implementer. 6:00 - Why they do it: unique ability, energy, and the feeling of walking out of a session room on fire. 8:30 - What great implementation actually looks like: rolling up sleeves, asking hard questions, solving real issues. 11:00 - Self-implementing vs. working with an implementer — and the truth-telling that's lost when you try to do both. 14:00 - "What do you want?" — and why peeling the onion always gets there eventually. 17:00 - Getting back to basics: Andrew and Mike both simplifying everything in their lives right now. 20:00 - The 85% rule: Stacy's stress management approach and what scheduling at capacity really costs you. 23:30 - Mike's integrator Kim, Krabby Mike, and the art of letting someone else protect your calendar. 27:00 - FOMO, driven people, and why every yes is a no to something else — including a podcast in a van. 30:00 - What's next: grandbabies in Chicago, Kim sitting in on a session, and ruthlessly eliminating hurry. 33:00 - How to reach Mike: cell phone, 248-761-4401. Mentions & Credits Mike Gruley - https://1visionadvisors.com Traction Book - https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book Gino Wickman - https://www.ginowickman.com ENRG Greater Ann Arbor Chapter - https://thesecondgeargroup.com Vistage Michigan - https://www.vistage.com Wonder - https://workwithwonder.com EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com

  8. Jul 9

    Live from the Wonder Wagon with Larry Garcia: Building Better EOS Teams with Strety

    Larry Garcia, co-founder of Strety, drops into the Wonder Wagon for a conversation that traces the full arc of how an internal tool built inside a Miami MSP software company became one of the most loved EOS platforms on the market. Larry and Andrew connect the dots on how BrightGauge's EOS journey in 2015 planted the seed for Strety, why the MSP world was the perfect early proving ground, and how the company has grown from a few hundred users to 3,000+ companies in under a year — all while staying calm about it. They also dig into AI, the spirit of abundance that drives both the MSP and EOS communities, and what Strety is building next. Key Topics - How BrightGauge started running on EOS in 2015 after receiving Traction at a conference, and how that planted the seed for Strety. - The origin of Strety as an internal tool that looked like Microsoft DOS — and why the code never got sold when BrightGauge was acquired in 2019. - Why the MSP industry was the natural first market for Strety: technical culture, scorecard affinity, and a give-first peer group mentality. - Growing from high triple digits to 3,000+ companies in a single year — calmly, on EOS. - The ideal Strety customer: 40-100 users, established businesses that value beautifully built software and deep integrations. - How Strety expanded beyond its Microsoft-only roots to support Google and other platforms. - The AI note taker inside L10 meetings: tracking to-dos, flagging missed items, and keeping the integrator from drowning in notes. - Every team member at Strety has an AI-based rock — what that looks like in practice. - The three-year picture: more integrations, tasteful AI, and helping more companies grow calmly on EOS. - The cooperative, abundance-minded culture of the MSP world and how it mirrors the EOS community. Key Chapters 0:00 - Welcome to the Wonder Wagon: Larry Garcia and the origin story of Strety. 2:00 - BrightGauge, the MSP world, and how a Traction book from Nick Oleroon in 2015 changed everything. 4:30 - Building the first internal EOS tool: a Microsoft DOS-looking screen and rolling issues forward. 7:00 - BrightGauge sells in 2019 — and the Strety codebase stays with the founders. 9:00 - Why the MSP community is the perfect early market: technical DNA, peer groups, and the give-first mentality. 13:00 - How the Dosal brothers and Larry reconnected over wine and decided to rebuild the vision. 15:30 - Growth from triple digits to 3,000+ companies — and what "growing calmly on EOS" actually looks like. 18:00 - The ideal Strety customer and what sets the platform apart as artisan-built software. 20:30 - Microsoft roots and expanding to Google and beyond. 22:00 - AI in the L10: the note taker that helps integrators stop drowning in their own meeting. 25:00 - AI rocks for every team member and how Strety is approaching AI thoughtfully. 27:30 - The three-year picture and where to find Strety. Mentions & Credits Larry Garcia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lgarcia314/ Strety - https://strety.com BrightGauge Software - https://brightgauge.com Shea Hauser / Green Cloud Technology - https://greencloud.tech IT Nation / ConnectWise - https://www.connectwise.com/itnation ENRG - https://thesecondgeargroup.com Traction Book - https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book Wonder - https://workwithwonder.com EOS Worldwide - https://www.eosworldwide.com

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About

The Practical, Deep-Dive Entrepreneurial Operating Systems (EOS) Podcast for Implementers, Integrators, Leadership Teams and Anyone Running on EOS or Interested in EOS. Hosted by Andrew Gissal and Jami Mullikin.

Information

  • Creator
    Jami Mullikin and Andrew Gissal
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jami Mullikin and Andrew Gissal
  • Show Website
    Inside The 90™

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