Hands-Off CEO

Mandi Ellefson

They said getting started was the hardest part, but no one told you how hard it is to scale a custom service business. It’s time for your team to step up, but your clients want YOU. Discover how to scale to 7 figures and beyond by freeing up time and getting your team to run whole parts of the company so you can focus on scaling profits. That means more income, more time with your family, and more ability to make impact in the community and beyond. This is the Hands OFF CEO Podcast with Mandi Ellefson.

  1. 10 JUIL.

    Copy This Strategy to 6X Your Profit — Without Hiring a Big Team

    If you're stuck at capacity, pricing too low, and feel like growth means burnout — this video shows you a smarter path to scale. In this episode, Mandi Ellefson shares how two consulting firms 2X’d their prices and 6X’d their profits without hiring or hustling harder. They didn’t need a bigger team — they needed a better offer. This strategy helped them reposition around outcomes, simplify delivery, and close premium deals with confidence. If you’re delivering great results but not getting paid what you’re worth — you’ll want to see how they did it. 🔍 You’ll Learn: How one shift helped a firm raise pricing from $5K to $10K/month — without resistanceThe framework that drove a 600% profit increase (with the same team)Why simplifying delivery actually boosted results and freed up capacityHow to lead sales conversations with confidence — even at higher feesWhat makes clients say “yes” faster when your value is clear 🚀 Want Help Repackaging Your Offer to Scale Without a Bigger Team? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map Watch the episode on YouTube here: YOUTUBE PODCAST

    6 min
  2. 8 JUIL.

    Copy This Process to Save 20 Hours a Week in Your Company

    Are you the one holding your agency together — and holding it back? If you’ve hired a team, built some systems, and delegated tasks… but you still can’t step away without things stalling — you're not scaling, you're surviving. In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down why founders become the bottleneck in their agency’s growth — even when it looks like they’re doing everything right — and how to fix it. You’ll learn: ✅ The real reason your team still leans on you for everything ✅ Why systems alone don’t create scale ✅ How to shift from managing work to leading a high-performance team ✅ A case study of a founder who stepped away during a launch — and came back to everything running better without her ✅ What has to change if you want to scale profitably without sacrificing quality or growth Whether you're stuck in meetings, reviewing work, or constantly catching problems before they hit the client, this is your invitation to finally step out — and level up. 🎯 Ready to stop being the bottleneck and start scaling forward? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – You’ve Hired and Delegated — But It’s Still on You 00:27 – What Being the Bottleneck Really Looks Like 01:20 – Real Story: Sharon’s Team Handles It Without Her 01:55 – Why Most Agencies Stay Stuck 02:18 – The Shift: From Delegating Tasks to Owning Outcomes 02:45 – How to Rebuild a Business That Runs Without You 03:10 – Next Steps to Scale Without Sacrificing Growth Watch the episode on YouTube here: YOUTUBE PODCAST

    3 min
  3. 28 JUIN

    Why Clients Say No to Your $20K Offer — and Yes to Your $100K One

    Your $20K proposal isn’t failing because of the price — it’s failing because your consulting firm’s value proposition isn’t landing. And ironically? The same clients who ghost your $20K pitch might eagerly say “yes” to $100K — if you position it the right way. In this video, Mandi Ellefson shares the agency positioning strategy that helped one firm move from stalled $30K deals to consistently closing $100K+ engagements — with the same clients. 🎯 You’ll learn: 1. Why smaller offers feel riskier than premium ones 2. The #1 reason your “reasonable” price is still getting rejected 3. How to reframe your services into strategic growth outcomes 4. A client-tested approach to selling $100K+ projects with confidence 5. What premium buyers actually look for before they say yes 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From $20K Grind to $100K+ Deals 00:38 - Shift #1: Own the Sales Process (Without Overexplaining) 01:27 - Shift #2: Reposition Around Results — Not Scope 02:18 - Shift #3: Speak to Bigger Problems 03:14 - Shift #4: Make Your Offer Obvious (and Premium) 04:30 - What Happens When You Shift All 4 05:02 - Want Help? Here’s Where to Start

    4 min
  4. 26 JUIN

    High-Paying Clients Keep Passing You Over — Here’s Why (And How to Stop It)

    Still stuck trying to sell $20K projects… while your competitors are landing $100K+ deals? In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down the 4 strategic shifts consulting agency CEOs are using to close premium, high-trust engagements — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or getting stuck in the weeds of delivery. If you’re delivering great results but getting ghosted, undercut, or passed over for bigger firms… this will change how you sell forever. ⏱️ What You’ll Learn: The mindset shift that flips you from vendor to strategic advisor Why your current offer may be sabotaging sales How to reposition without changing your entire business What buyers actually need to hear to say yes to $100K+ 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From $20K Grind to $100K+ Deals 00:38 - Shift #1: Own the Sales Process (Without Overexplaining) 01:27 - Shift #2: Reposition Around Results — Not Scope 02:18 - Shift #3: Speak to Bigger Problems 03:14 - Shift #4: Make Your Offer Obvious (and Premium) 04:30 - What Happens When You Shift All 4 05:02 - Want Help? Here’s Where to Start Youtube Podcast Episode: 👉 youtube.com/watch

    3 min
  5. 24 JUIN

    Struggling to Sell $20K? These 4 Shifts Close $100K Deals Instead

    Trying to sell $20K projects — but clients keep ghosting, lowballing, or dragging their feet? This video breaks down 4 powerful shifts that will help you close $100K+ consulting deals with confidence — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or working more hours. Mandi Ellefson (founder of Hands-Off CEO) shares the exact mindset, offer, and positioning strategies top consulting and agency owners are using to consistently close high-ticket clients — even in a tight market. 💥 If you’ve been stuck in $10K–$30K projects that drain your time and don’t reflect your value — this is your wake-up call. ⏱️ What You’ll Learn: Why high-ticket is easier to sell in a down market How to get paid for your sales process and shift the power dynamic The #1 mindset mistake keeping your fees low How to package and name a “sexy” offer that sells itself A trust-based sales process that closes faster and more profitably 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Why Bigger Deals Aren’t About Doing More 00:32 - Who This Is For: From $10K Projects to Premium Pricing 01:00 - Meet Mandi Ellefson & Hands-Off CEO 01:23 - Why High-Ticket Is Easier in a Tough Market 01:58 - Get Paid to Sell: The Power of Discovery 02:45 - Make Your Offer Sexy (Without Adding More Stuff) 03:42 - Sell Outcomes, Not Deliverables 04:09 - Engineer a Sales Process for Trust and Control 04:50 - Want Help? Build Your High-Ticket Sales Process Are your prospects not seeing your worth? This video highlights the importance of value perception and how it impacts your business growth. Learn how to communicate value effectively and understand consumer behavior to make sure you're not being overlooked. Youtube Podcast Episode: 👉 youtube.com/watch

    4 min
  6. 20 FÉVR.

    The Winning Consultancies of 2024: What They're Doing in 2025 - E114

    In this insightful solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson shares critical insights from her extensive experience working with thousands of consulting companies over the past 12 years. She reveals the four key strategies that distinguish thriving consulting firms from those struggling to scale. Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, Mandi breaks down how successful consultancies are adapting to market changes and positioning themselves for sustainable growth. She emphasizes that 2024 has been a challenging year for many companies, making these strategies even more crucial for success in 2025. The episode deep dives into four fundamental areas: Niching down to solve million-dollar problemsBecoming truly results-driven with clientsBuilding and maintaining a results-driven team cultureDeveloping proactive "hunters and farmers" approach to business development Mandi shares several compelling case studies, including how one agency increased their fees by 367% by shifting their focus to long-term client transformations. She explains how Jamie Birch's company positioned themselves to add $10 million in new sales for DTC brands over three years, demonstrating the power of clear, focused value propositions. A particularly valuable section discusses the common profit delusion in consulting agencies, where owners often underestimate their true profitability by not accounting for market-rate compensation for their own roles. Mandi provides practical guidance on how to evaluate and improve real profit margins. The episode also tackles the critical distinction between growth and scale, explaining why simply working harder or hiring more people often leads to diminishing returns. Instead, Mandi advocates for creating "unfair advantages" that compound over time, allowing firms to command premium fees while delivering superior results. Throughout the discussion, Mandi emphasizes that scaling doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality or becoming "mediocre." She presents a compelling vision for how consulting firms can maintain their excellence while becoming more profitable and less dependent on the owner's direct involvement. Want to implement these strategies in your consulting firm? Book a complementary Scalable Growth Session at handsoffceo.com/scale to have Mandi's team analyze your business and identify your biggest opportunities for sustainable growth. Ready to transform your consulting agency into a valuable asset that grows without you? Get your copy of "The Hands-Off CEO" at handsoffceo.com/book and access the proven framework that's helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Don't miss out on the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials – all for just $4.99.

    30 min
  7. Dream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113

    05/12/2024

    Dream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113

    In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson interviews Liz Elting, author of “Dream Big and Win” and founder of TransPerfect, which she built into the world’s largest language solutions company. Starting from an NYU dorm room at age 26, Liz shares her journey of scaling a business while maintaining exceptional service quality. Liz discusses how she transformed her company by implementing innovative strategies to empower employees to think and act like owners. She emphasizes the importance of building world-class sales and production teams early, with compensation structures that align employee incentives with company goals. Rather than traditional fixed salaries, she advocates for arrangements that offer lower base pay but significant upside potential tied to performance. A key insight from the conversation is Liz’s approach to fostering innovation within her organization.She regularly asked employees: “What would you do differently if you owned the company?” and, importantly, gave them the authority to implement their ideas. This created a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. The discussion also tackles the challenges of stepping back as a CEO. Liz candidly shares her early mistakes, including working through maternity leave due to lack of proper delegation systems. She stresses the importance of establishing succession plans early, noting that it becomes more difficult to step away as the company grows larger. Throughout the interview, both Liz and Mandi emphasize that scaling actually makes business easier when done right, challenging the common assumption that bigger means more complicated. Liz’s parting advice: “Don’t think small – it can be easy to run a small or big company. It actually got easier over time because we had more options.” The episode provides practical insights for business owners looking to scale while maintaining quality and creating a sustainable organization that doesn’t depend solely on the founder’s involvement. Listeners can find Liz’s book “Dream Big and Win” on Amazon and major retailers, and connect with her on various social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter). Want to transform your agency from a resource-heavy operation to a streamlined, profitable machine? This episode provides the blueprint for making that transition while actually increasing client satisfaction and results. Ready to become a true Hands-Off CEO? Grab your copy of “The Hands-Off CEO” at handsoffceo.com/book and unlock the proven framework that’s helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Get the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials – all for just $4.99. Don’t wait to start your journey to freedom and scalable growth!   Resources:  Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Instagram | Executive Briefing Liz Elting on LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Elizabeth Elting Foundation – Website | LinkedIn TransPerfect – a...

    51 min
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À propos

They said getting started was the hardest part, but no one told you how hard it is to scale a custom service business. It’s time for your team to step up, but your clients want YOU. Discover how to scale to 7 figures and beyond by freeing up time and getting your team to run whole parts of the company so you can focus on scaling profits. That means more income, more time with your family, and more ability to make impact in the community and beyond. This is the Hands OFF CEO Podcast with Mandi Ellefson.