The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

Mike Michalowicz + Adrienne Dorison
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Equipping you with the tools, strategies, and support to grow + scale your business sustainably—without sacrificing your quality of life. Hosted by operational efficiency expert + CEO Adrienne Dorison and business strategist Emily Doyle, The CEO Help Desk is your go-to podcast for solving real business problems in real time. From streamlining systems to developing leadership and building a self-sustaining team, each episode offers actionable insights based on the book Clockwork to help you run your business with more ease—and way less overwhelm. To stay in the loop with all things CEO Help Desk, visit runlikeclockwork.com. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag us on social with your takeaways so we can cheer you on!

  1. 5D AGO

    249. The Right Time for Your Next Big Business Idea with Catherine Roe

    Catherine Roe built a successful accounting firm that now runs without her. But instead of coasting, she’s launching a second brand — an educational business focused on financial literacy. In this coaching episode of The CEO Help Desk, Catherine shares how she’s balancing new ideas, team capacity, and her own energy as she grows her next business. If you’ve ever felt the pull to start something new and the fear of slipping back into overwork… you’re going to relate to this one. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why her first business can grow without her — and what that changes ✅ How to build something new without burning out ✅ What it really means to be multi-passionate ✅ Why your boundaries matter more when you’re energized ✅ The power of deciding what’s “enough” in every season 👉 Learn more about Catherine’s work at Cowart Roe, including her educational brand at Cowart Roe Academy 👉 Want to clockwork your own business so it runs without you? Get started with us here 🏆 Top 5 Takeaways: Run One Business First – Start something new only after the first can thrive without you. Excitement ≠ Sustainability – New energy doesn’t mean you can (or should) do it all. Borrow Resources Thoughtfully – Use your current team wisely, without overloading them. Hold Your Boundaries – Set clear limits, even in seasons of expansion. Minimum Deposits Matter – Small investments in other areas of life + business keep everything steady. 🕰️ Chapters 00:00 – Meet Catherine + the two sides of her business 03:22 – Where the second brand came from 06:35 – The “No More 24/7” philosophy 10:41 – Navigating energy, seasons, and priorities 14:25 – How minimum deposits work in real life 18:58 – What she’s cutting to make space 24:10 – Communicating priorities and boundaries 28:40 – Building the right foundation for new growth

    37 min

  2. AUG 20

    248. The Illusion of Letting Go

    After coaching Ben and Cody from Five Star Interpreting, Adrienne and Emily are back to debrief the conversation — and dig into what it really takes to evolve from a hands-on founder to a strategic leader. If you’ve stepped out of the doing but still find yourself making all the decisions, this debrief will hit home. Here’s what we cover: ✅ The illusion of being “out of the weeds” — and why decision fatigue proves otherwise ✅ How to train your team to spot problems and solve them ✅ Letting go of control… without letting go of clarity ✅ Navigating leadership with a co-founder who sees the world differently ✅ Why self-awareness and communication tools (like the Enneagram) are game-changers This is an honest, behind-the-scenes reflection on what it takes to truly design your business — so that the right people are solving the right problems at the right time. Plus, we unpack the metaphor of bikes vs. race cars — and why growth speed can look different even when the destination is the same. Top 5 Takeaways: You're Not Out Until You're Unnecessary – If every decision still needs your input, you’re not free yet. Build Problem-Solvers, Not Just Task-Doers – Your team needs the skills and autonomy to act before they ask. Shared Vision = Smoother Roads – When co-founders stay aligned, everything else moves faster. The Enneagram Reveals More Than You Think – Understanding motivation helps reduce conflict and build trust. Compassion Over Control – Assume your partner is on your side, even when you disagree about the path forward. Read the transcript here Chapters: 00:56 – Why “not doing” isn’t the same as “not deciding” 04:42 – Team autonomy starts with training and trust 08:14 – The dashboard difference: measuring + interpreting data 13:00 – Getting team leads to own problems and solutions 17:22 – Working with opposite strengths + communication styles 23:05 – How the Enneagram shifted their partnership 27:36 – Bikes vs. race cars: the real pace of progress 32:04 – Final takeaways + what this means for your business Connect with Adrienne: @adriennedorison Learn more about Run Like Clockwork: www.runlikeclockwork.com

    14 min

  3. AUG 13

    247. Leading Beyond the Day-to-Day with Ben and Cody from 5 Star Interpreting

    In this coaching episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Ben and Cody, co-founders of 5 Star Interpreting, to tackle a challenge many visionary founders face: What does your role become when the business runs without you? If you’ve ever felt unsure of how to stay involved at a strategic level without slipping back into the day-to-day, this one’s for you. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why “letting go” doesn’t mean disappearing ✅ How to build metrics that matter (and get your team to own them) ✅ Navigating partnership dynamics when your working styles clash ✅ Identifying the high-leverage work only you can do ✅ What a fully developed right-hand leader can unlock Ben and Cody share how their values-driven business model — serving the Deaf community across Utah, Illinois, and beyond — continues to thrive thanks to a strong team. But with growth comes a new challenge: redefining their leadership roles to focus on vision, alignment, and long-term impact. Hit play for a powerful conversation on leadership evolution, co-founder communication, and building a business that runs without you — but still reflects you. Top 5 Takeaways: Redefine Leadership – You don’t have to leave your business to scale. You just need to lead differently. Design Your Dashboard – Tracking what matters helps you manage without meddling. Strengthen the Middle – Develop your internal leaders so they’re solving problems before they reach you. Own Your Zone – Decide which high-value activities are truly yours — and delegate the rest. Stay Aligned – Founders don’t need to agree on everything, but alignment on vision is non-negotiable. Chapters: 01:02 – Meet Ben and Cody + What 5 Star Interpreting does 03:24 – The challenge: leading without doing 07:10 – Why the same metrics won’t get them to the next level 12:58 – Building trust through dashboards + team decision-making 19:42 – Reframing leadership roles as visionaries 25:06 – Personality conflicts + Enneagram insights 31:22 – Developing their right-hand leader for operational autonomy 35:44 – Takeaways + next steps from the session Read the transcript here  🌐Learn more about 5 Star Interpreting Adrienne’s IG RLC IG

    45 min

  4. AUG 6

    246. Fear-Based Decisions Cost Your Business Too Much

    After coaching Lisa Whitehouse on her team and scaling challenges, Adrienne and Emily are back to debrief the conversation — and get honest about how fear, beliefs, and untested assumptions shape our most critical business decisions. If you’ve ever delayed a hire, undercharged for your work, or jumped back into client delivery because “it’s just easier,” this debrief is a must-listen. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why journaling and mindset work alone won’t help you scale ✅ The numbers that make hiring decisions feel safer ✅ How to calculate your onboarding runway + caseload breakeven ✅ The belief that “I must work hard to make money” — and why it lingers ✅ Building a business that doesn’t need you (and why that’s hard) Adrienne and Emily share what Lisa’s episode revealed about the unspoken rules so many founders still follow — and why building a self-sufficient team starts with building a belief system that supports growth. 👉 If you want to stop getting pulled back into the work and start leading with clarity, this is your episode. Top 5 Takeaways: Beliefs Drive Behavior – If your subconscious says growth = danger, no strategy will override it. Track Onboarding Timelines – Knowing when a hire becomes profitable gives you confidence to scale. Budget for Training – Create a team training account, just like you would for marketing or software. DIY Is a Trap – Re-inserting yourself into the work feels helpful… until it kills momentum. Leadership Starts with Choice – You can run a solo business or build a team — just don’t complain about the trade-offs. Chapters 00:56 – Adrienne’s take: mindset as the true bottleneck 02:10 – Emily’s POV: mindset without numbers won’t cut it 04:20 – How long does it take a new hire to become profitable? 07:15 – Why you must budget for the training runway 10:02 – “Scrappy” doesn’t scale: why scrappiness isn’t strategy 12:58 – Adrienne’s own growth edge: wanting things done yesterday 16:33 – Trade-offs: fast results vs. long-term freedom 20:20 – Resentment happens when you say yes to too much 23:00 – Letting go isn’t just tactical—it’s emotional 27:50 – Choosing your hard: reframe vs. repeat Want to be a guest on the podcast? Just fill in this form now!

    15 min

  5. JUL 30

    245. Scaling a People-Powered Sales Team with Lisa Whitehouse

    In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Lisa Whitehouse, founder of Clever Vine — a UK-based outsourced business development agency — to unpack the mental and operational roadblocks keeping her from hiring and scaling with confidence. If you’ve ever second-guessed whether it’s safe to grow your team, this one’s for you. Here’s what we cover: ✅ What “team trauma” looks like — and how it lingers in your decision-making ✅ Why Lisa keeps jumping back into client work (and what it’s costing her) ✅ The challenge of hiring for soft skills and high performance ✅ How to create capacity before you need it ✅ Navigating the tension between small clients and large contracts Lisa shares how a past business failure still shapes her thinking — and how that fear shows up in her leadership today. Plus, Adrienne and Emily break down: - The mindset shifts required to grow sustainably - How to set up hiring systems that feel safer - Why pricing must reflect skill (not just service) If you’re a service-based business owner trying to scale your team without losing quality or control, this episode will help you lead with clarity instead of fear. 🔥 Hit play and let’s get into it! Top 5 Takeaways: Fear Isn’t Strategy – Past business trauma can silently shape present-day decisions. Unpack it or risk staying stuck. Hire Ahead of Demand – Build the bench before you need it. Otherwise, you’ll always be catching up. Let Go to Grow – Just because you can jump in doesn’t mean you should. Founder fill-ins cost more than they save. Profit Needs Pricing Power – If your service is high-touch and human-led, your pricing should reflect that. Don’t Just Attract Talent—Train It – A clear onboarding timeline builds trust (and saves money). Chapters 01:10 – Meet Lisa: What Clever Vine does and who they serve 03:42 – The challenge: balancing demand with capacity 06:58 – Why past team layoffs still shape Lisa’s fear 10:24 – Jumping back in: the hidden cost of being the fallback 14:08 – Improving onboarding speed with better hiring clarity 17:02 – Balancing a values-driven culture with performance goals 19:50 – Creating team diversity across big and small clients 22:20 – Why pricing must match value in a human-led business 25:12 – Facing the fear: journaling, self-awareness, and belief work 31:00 – Lisa’s biggest takeaway + next step Connect with Lisa: 👉 Website: https://www.clevervine.co.uk

    33 min

  6. JUL 23

    244. Building Trust After Big Changes In Your Business

    In this debrief session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle break down the key takeaways from their conversation with Robert Gauvreau about managing a fast-growing team and handling the challenges of an acquisition. If you’ve ever faced pushback from your team during a big change, this episode is for you! Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why resistance to change is normal — and how to work through it ✅ How to create user manuals to improve team communication ✅ Why you need to frame change around the benefits to your team ✅ How to present new systems in a way that creates buy-in ✅ When saving money isn’t worth the team morale hit Adrienne and Emily share personal stories about how small changes (like switching a software system) can have a big impact on team morale — and why it’s essential to lead with the “what’s in it for them” approach when introducing change. Missed the conversation with Robert? Click here to listen to the full episode Top 5 Takeaways: Resistance is Normal – Every team has at least one person who will push back on change. Expect it and plan for it. Create User Manuals – User manuals help team members understand how to work better together and reduce conflict. Frame the Benefit to the Team – Don’t present change as something that helps you — explain how it benefits them. Change Takes Time – Rushing through change increases friction and reduces trust. Sometimes It’s Not Worth It – A small financial gain isn’t worth a big hit to team morale and efficiency. Chapters 00:28 – Robert’s Acquisition Challenge – Why managing change is so hard. 02:23 – Resistance to Change – Why teams push back — and how to handle it. 04:41 – Why User Manuals Matter – How to improve communication and reduce conflict. 07:33 – Presenting Change – How to frame change around benefits to the team. 11:49 – Lessons from the Clockwork Book – Why the second edition focuses more on team benefits. 14:40 – Practical Next Steps – How to create a user manual that works for your team. User Manual Template: 👉 Need help creating a user manual for your team? Grab our free template here! Want to Clockwork your own business, too? www.runlikeclockwork.com Adrienne’s IG RLC IG

    15 min

  7. JUL 16

    243. Managing Fast Growth and Change with Robert Gauvreau

    In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Robert Gauvreau, CEO of Gauvreau CPA, to tackle a major challenge — navigating a fast-growing team and a recent acquisition.  If you’ve ever struggled with managing change, integrating new teams, or setting clear expectations, this one’s for you! Here’s what we cover: ✅ How to lead through acquisitions without creating friction ✅ The power of curiosity in change management ✅ Building trust with a newly acquired team ✅ Why user manuals are the key to working better together ✅ How to clarify roles and KPIs for better performance Robert shares how his company grew from 18 employees to over 180 in just a few years — and the lessons learned along the way.  Plus, Adrienne and Emily break down: 👉 How to approach a team integration without overwhelming them 👉 The importance of clear expectations and performance outcomes 👉 Why understanding individual work styles increases team cohesion If you’re navigating growth and want to avoid common integration mistakes, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Hit play and let’s get into it! 🔥 Top 5 Takeaways: Lead with Curiosity – Approach change with curiosity rather than assumptions. Trust your team’s knowledge and listen to their insights. Establish User Manuals – Creating personal user manuals helps team members understand how to work together more effectively. Slow and Steady Wins – When managing an acquisition, avoid rushing changes. Build trust first before implementing new systems. Clarify KPIs and Roles – Employees perform better when they know exactly what’s expected of them. Adapt and Learn – Even with a successful team, there’s always room to learn from new additions and different systems. Chapters 01:24 – Robert’s Business Background – How Robert built his CPA firm from 18 to 180 employees. 04:20 – Managing a New Acquisition – Robert’s challenge of integrating a newly acquired team. 07:43 – The Importance of Curiosity in Leadership – Why listening first builds trust and reduces friction. 11:56 – Creating a User Manual – How user manuals improve team communication and understanding. 18:36 – Setting Clear Expectations – How to define KPIs and roles to improve performance. 25:21 – Learning from Change – Why cross-learning is key in mergers and acquisitions. Connect with Robert: 👉 Website: https://www.gauvreaucpa.ca 👉 Social Media: @gauvreaucpa 👉 Robert’s Personal Handle: @robertgauvreau

    32 min

  8. JUL 9

    242. Quality Over Quantity When It Comes to New Clients

    In this follow-up episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on last week's conversation with Danielle Cherewyk. Danielle shared how she solved one business challenge — needing more stylists — by purchasing a hair school. But with every solution comes a new bottleneck, and now Danielle is focused on recruiting high-quality students to keep her business thriving. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why buying a school created a new business challenge ✅ How Danielle is rethinking her recruiting strategy for long-term success ✅ Why focusing on high-quality students is more important than filling seats ✅ The role of social media and strategic partnerships in attracting talent ✅ How to build a talent pipeline that supports future growth Adrienne and Emily explore the business lessons behind Danielle's experience and how identifying and solving the right bottleneck can unlock new levels of growth in any business. Danielle's story is a powerful reminder that business growth isn’t always linear. If you’re struggling to attract the right leads, this debrief is packed with insights to help you rethink your strategy and find sustainable success.   🏆 Top 5 Takeaways: 1. Every Solution Creates a New Bottleneck – Solving one business problem often uncovers another, but growth comes from working through each challenge strategically. 2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity – Recruiting the right students who are passionate about the industry is more important than simply filling seats. 3. Leverage Partnerships for Growth – Partnering with other local businesses and schools creates a more sustainable recruiting funnel. 4. Educate and Engage – Social media should focus on educating potential students about the value and opportunities within the industry, not just promoting the school. 5. Build a Long-Term Talent Pipeline – Introducing try-it days and summer camps can help build interest early and sustain a future pool of talent.   🕰️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Recap of Danielle’s Story 02:33 – Why Buying the School Created a New Bottleneck 04:44 – Danielle’s Shift from Filling Seats to Recruiting the Right Talent 07:16 – Why Recruiting is Different in a Rural Community 10:38 – Long-Term Strategy: Building a Pipeline with Try-It Days 14:52 – How Social Media Can Support Recruiting Goals 16:41 – Creating a Reputation That Attracts Top Talent 17:56 – Closing Thoughts and Takeaways   👉 Listen to Last Week’s Interview with Danielle Cherewyk: 🎧 The Recruiting Challenge: How to Attract Top Talent with Danielle Cherewyk 👉 Learn more about Peak Beauty Academy: 🌐 Visit Peak Beauty Academy 📲 Follow on Instagram: @peakbeautyacademy Want to Clockwork your own business, too?: www.runlikeclockwork.com Adrienne’s IG RLC IG

    18 min
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4.7
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About

Equipping you with the tools, strategies, and support to grow + scale your business sustainably—without sacrificing your quality of life. Hosted by operational efficiency expert + CEO Adrienne Dorison and business strategist Emily Doyle, The CEO Help Desk is your go-to podcast for solving real business problems in real time. From streamlining systems to developing leadership and building a self-sustaining team, each episode offers actionable insights based on the book Clockwork to help you run your business with more ease—and way less overwhelm. To stay in the loop with all things CEO Help Desk, visit runlikeclockwork.com. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag us on social with your takeaways so we can cheer you on!

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