Behind the Ops

Christen Belcher

Welcome to Behind the Ops is the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of how businesses really run and scale. Hosted by Christen Belcher, a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation and operational excellence, this show unpacks what truly fuels growth: the customer journey, the operating model, and the systems that connect strategy to execution. Each week, Christen sits down with operations leaders from across the U.S. for candid conversations about the dashboards, processes, and decision frameworks that power efficiency and long-term success. You’ll hear real stories, proven strategies, and practical insights - not theory - to help you build scalable, resilient, customer-centric businesses. Whether you’re an executive, operator, or builder, Behind the Ops is your go-to resource for transforming operational chaos into clarity and sustainable growth. 🗓 New episodes drop every Thursday at 8:00 AM ET. Because scaling shouldn’t feel like guesswork - welcome to the playbook for customer-centric growth.

  1. 1D AGO

    SE01 E14 Mastering the Customer Journey in Business | With Ken Tracy

    In this conversation, Ken Tracy, Founder of Impacting Tomorrow shares his journey from a corporate career to founding a successful healthcare staffing company. He discusses the importance of strategic planning, understanding the customer journey, and the need for flexibility in business processes. Ken emphasizes the significance of hiring for soft skills, investing in training, and learning from mistakes. He also highlights the value of celebrating milestones and the transition to nonprofit work, offering key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    27 min
  2. JAN 29

    SE01 E13 Scaling GritHR: Insights from the CEO | With Shannon Anderson

    In this conversation, Shannon Anderson, founder and CEO of GritHR Solutions, shares her journey in the HR consulting industry, discussing the challenges and successes of scaling her business. She emphasizes the importance of establishing repeatable processes, understanding the customer journey, and effectively communicating with clients. Shannon also highlights the significance of hiring individuals with grit and coachability, as well as the need for operational changes and technology integration to support growth. She concludes with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing that not all money is good money and that failure is a part of growth. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    33 min
  3. JAN 22

    SE01 E12 The Founder Journey Behind Success | With Akash Goel

    In this conversation, Akash Goel, co-founder and CEO of Atica, discusses his journey from a business analyst to leading a tech-driven hospitality company. He shares insights on operational efficiency, the importance of metrics for success, and the challenges of scaling a business. Akash emphasizes the need for a diverse team and a strong company culture, as well as the significance of celebrating successes and learning from failures. He concludes with advice for entrepreneurs on navigating different growth stages in their businesses. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    33 min
  4. JAN 15

    SE01 E11 What It Really Takes to Scale | With Jared Kugel

    In this conversation, Jared, the CEO of Tire Agent, discusses the evolution of his company from its inception to becoming one of the largest tire retailers in the country. He shares insights on navigating operational challenges, the importance of key metrics, and the strategies for scaling operations effectively. Jared emphasizes the significance of delegation and trust in leadership, as well as the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    48 min
  5. JAN 8

    SE01 E10 Revolutionizing Recruitment: The Field of Talent Journey | With David Anderson

    In this conversation, David Anderson discusses the evolution of his company, Field of Talent, from a project-based recruitment model to a more innovative recruitment as a service approach. He emphasizes the importance of being proactive in talent acquisition, the metrics used to measure success, and the consultative nature of recruiting. David shares insights on building repeatable processes, lessons learned as an entrepreneur, and strategies for future growth, including the use of data to drive recruitment decisions. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    29 min
  6. JAN 1

    SE01 E09 From Home Kitchen to Nationwide Distribution | With Margarita Womack

    In this conversation, Margarita shares her inspiring journey from Colombia to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the frozen food industry with her brand, MasPanadas. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of scaling her business, the importance of customer feedback, and the operational hurdles she faced while  transitioning from a home kitchen to a manufacturing facility. Margarita emphasizes the need for resilience, adaptability, and a data-driven approach in entrepreneurship, while also highlighting the significance of building a strong team and maintaining quality during growth. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    31 min
  7. 12/18/2025

    SE01 E08 The Power of Productizing Services in Small Business | With Patrick Dichter

    In this conversation, Patrick Dichter shares insights on his journey with Apple Tree, an accounting firm he acquired four years ago. He discusses strategies for growth, the importance of productizing services, and the operational models that support small businesses. Patrick emphasizes the significance of implementing frameworks like EOS for efficiency and highlights common challenges faced by small businesses, especially in recruiting and pricing. He also delves into the nuances of business sales and the critical role of operational due diligence. The conversation concludes with key takeaways on maintaining a healthy gross profit margin. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :) Connect with me:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenldeeb/ Listen to Behind the Ops on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20duTOrJAkCRN3KbunIN7b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-ops/id1849635897 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/329c4d9b-a630-4160-b917-c3b382f407b5/behind-the-ops #behindtheops #operationspodcast #businessgrowth #scalingbusinesses #operationalexcellence #customerjourney #leadership #businessstrategy #digitaltransformation #processoptimization #efficiency #systemsthinking #businessops #growthmindset #execinsights #opsleaders #businesstransformation #scalesmartBehind the Ops with Christen Belcher reveals what it really takes to scale a business from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience leading digital transformation and operational excellence, Christen brings candid conversations with operations leaders who are building efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric organizations. Each episode uncovers how top companies design systems, dashboards, and operating models that turn strategy into execution - and chaos into clarity. Whether you’re a founder, COO, or operator, this is your blueprint for scaling sustainably and aligning operations with real business growth.

    33 min
  8. 12/11/2025

    SE01 E07 Revolutionizing Takeout: New Dining Experience | With Andrew Martino

    In this conversation, Andrew Martino, founder of Ghost Truck Kitchen, shares insights into his innovative restaurant model that prioritizes quality over quantity in takeout and delivery. He discusses the operational strategies that have led to the company's growth, the importance of customer experience, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Andrew emphasizes the significance of hiring passionate team members and the need for effective communication within the team. He also explores the new business model that combines takeout with a full-service restaurant, aiming for sustainable growth while maintaining high standards of food quality. What You’ll Learn♦ How Ghost Truck Kitchen redefines takeout, delivery & catering with a “quality-first” philosophy♦ Why scaling isn’t everything — and how Andrew prioritises sustainable, profitable growth♦ The role of passionate hiring in building a loyal, high-performing kitchen team♦ Why constant testing & refinement are non-negotiable for consistent food quality♦ Operational communication strategies that keep fast-paced restaurants running smoothly♦ How to understand customer needs and turn insights into better menus & experiences♦ The future of hybrid models combining takeout efficiency with full-service hospitality♦ Real-life lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience & staying obsessed with the work If you’re a UK restaurateur, cloud-kitchen operator, food-delivery entrepreneur, or hospitality investor, connect with Andrew to explore collaborations, consulting opportunities, and insights into building high-quality, scalable food concepts. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Behind the Ops! - Christen and the Behind the Ops Podcast team :)

    29 min

About

Welcome to Behind the Ops is the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of how businesses really run and scale. Hosted by Christen Belcher, a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation and operational excellence, this show unpacks what truly fuels growth: the customer journey, the operating model, and the systems that connect strategy to execution. Each week, Christen sits down with operations leaders from across the U.S. for candid conversations about the dashboards, processes, and decision frameworks that power efficiency and long-term success. You’ll hear real stories, proven strategies, and practical insights - not theory - to help you build scalable, resilient, customer-centric businesses. Whether you’re an executive, operator, or builder, Behind the Ops is your go-to resource for transforming operational chaos into clarity and sustainable growth. 🗓 New episodes drop every Thursday at 8:00 AM ET. Because scaling shouldn’t feel like guesswork - welcome to the playbook for customer-centric growth.