The COO Solution Podcast

Welcome to The COO Solution Podcast, the go-to resource for entrepreneurs and business leaders ready to scale their companies with confidence and clarity, supported by a trusted partner. This podcast is hosted by Derek Fredrickson, Founder and CEO of The COO Solution . It offers a hands-on approach to operational excellence, delivering both big-picture strategies and detailed tactics designed to drive sustainable growth. Each episode explores entrepreneurs' real-world challenges when building and scaling a business—creating accountability, optimizing team performance, or streamlining systems. Through relatable examples, candid conversations, and actionable advice, Derek shares the proven insights he’s developed in the trenches with business owners like you. Whether you’re stepping out of the day-to-day grind t

The COO Solution Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Derek Fredrickson, with 44 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Derek Fredrickson hosts The COO Solution Podcast, a business show with 44 episodes published.

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  Episode #44

  You're Not Broken: How Larry Dix Found Freedom, Focus, and Growth with a Fractional COO

  Sep 29, 202634 min

  Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast. In this episode, host Derek Fredrickson sits down with client Larry G. Dix II, founder of Apex, a multimillion-dollar company he built from the ground up. Larry started working in a lumberyard as a teenager. Today, he is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, podcast host, rancher, real estate investor, marathon runner, and mentor. But this conversation is about more than Larry's success. It is about what happened when he realized he was trying to carry too much of the business himself. For years, Larry handled everything from CEO and CFO responsibilities to sales, management, and purchasing. He knew he wanted to grow, but he also knew something had to change. Then he realized something important: He wasn't broken. He just didn't have the right pieces. Larry shares what changed after bringing the right operating people around him, including our fractional COO, Warren. He talks about finding his role as a visionary, building systems around his ideas, making better decisions through healthy pushback, and creating a business that can grow without depending on him every day. In This Episode: [01:18] Lessons From the Lumberyard The early work experiences that shaped Larry’s approach to business, work, and leadership. [03:18] Turning Negative Energy Into Positive Energy Larry shares how criticism and setbacks fueled his growth and motivation. [05:22] The "Do What's Right" Philosophy The story behind Larry’s guiding principle and its role in his business and life. [07:49] Why Larry Felt Stuck After years of building a successful business, Larry reflects on what kept him from reaching the next level. [08:32] "I'm Not Broken. I'm Just Different." Larry realizes he was a visionary who needed the right people and structure around him. [09:06] Finding the Right Integrator The impact of bringing in an Integrator, from better processes and data to greater freedom for Larry. [20:49] Building a Business Beyond the Founder Creating systems and a sustainable business that can support Larry’s family and future. [22:30] Getting Business Knowledge Out of Your Head Why relying on what you know instead of documenting it can leave a business vulnerable. [24:59] The Freedom That Comes From the Right Support Larry talks about the relief, focus, and energy that came from having the right people around him. [28:16] Making a Virtual Team Work Larry shares what makes remote collaboration work across his business, team, and fractional COO. [34:00] Larry’s Advice to Founders Who Need Help His message to founders who know they need support: stop waiting and take the first step. [36:03] Where to Find Larry Where listeners can connect with Larry and learn more about Apex, his coaching, podcast, and books. Action Steps for Listeners: Identify what only you should own as the founder. Look at the responsibilities you are still carrying that someone else could own. Find the operating support you need to turn your vision into execution. Build systems that make your knowledge transferable. Choose the one or two priorities that will move the business forward. Define your North Star beyond revenue and growth. Stop waiting for the perfect time to get the support you need. Resources & Links: Connect with Larry Dix on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/larry-dix-ii-62b75312 Free Quiz – Take the free quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast Subscribe & Stay Connected New episodes drop soon; subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Let’s connect: ➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Instagram ➡️ Facebook If this episode resonated with you, share it with a founder or CEO who has been carrying too much of the business for too long. It may be the conversation they need to build a leadership life they can actually sustain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #41

  The Sustainable CEO: How to Lead Long-Term Without Burning Out Again

  Aug 18, 202617 min

  Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast. In this episode, host Derek Fredrickson shares one of his most personal conversations yet as he opens up about a leadership challenge he is navigating in real time. As The COO Solution continues to grow, Derek found himself confronting a reality many founders eventually face. The business was succeeding, demand was increasing, and yet his calendar revealed a hard truth: the company was still too dependent on him. Rather than offering lessons from the other side, Derek invites listeners into the middle of his own transition. He explores why founder burnout is rarely caused by working too hard and why it is almost always the result of structural dependence, decision fatigue, and leadership habits that no longer serve a growing business. Through personal stories and practical frameworks, Derek explains how sustainable leadership is built by redesigning the business, protecting decision-making capacity, and cultivating the personal habits that enable founders to lead for decades rather than burn out after a few successful years. If you've ever felt like your business can't function without you, this episode will help you rethink what sustainable leadership really looks like. In This Episode: [00:42] A Leadership Challenge Happening Right Now Derek shares the calendar conversation that exposed a hidden growth constraint inside his own business. [02:32] Why Founder Burnout Is a Structural Problem Why burnout is usually caused by business design, not workload. [05:28] The Addiction to Being Needed How urgency, adrenaline, and constant involvement can quietly become part of a founder's identity. [07:54] Redesigning the Operating Model The changes Derek is making to create a business that no longer depends on his presence in every client engagement. [10:34] The Three Layers of Sustainable Leadership A practical framework for building structural, decisional, and personal sustainability. [15:07] Three Questions Every Founder Should Ask Simple but powerful questions to uncover where your business is still relying too heavily on you. Why This Matters Many founders believe burnout is simply the price of ambition. It isn't. More often, burnout is a symptom of a business that still depends on the founder's constant involvement. When every important decision flows through one person, growth eventually becomes unsustainable. The solution is not working less. The solution is to build a business that distributes leadership, protects decision-making capacity, and allows the founder to focus on the work only they can do. This episode will help you: Identify where you have become the operational ceiling in your business Understand the hidden cost of decision fatigue Build systems and leadership that reduce founder dependency Create sustainable leadership habits that support long-term growth Lead with greater intention instead of constant urgency Action Steps for Listeners: Identify one area where your business still depends on your daily involvement. Make one structural change over the next 30 days that reduces founder dependency. Audit the decisions you're making each week and eliminate low-value ones where possible. Protect one personal habit that directly improves your leadership capacity. Ask yourself whether you're staying involved because the business truly needs you or because you've always been there. Resources & Links: Free Quiz – Take the free quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com /discover Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast Subscribe & Stay Connected New episodes drop soon; subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!  Let’s connect: ➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Instagram ➡️ Facebook If this episode resonated with you, share it with a founder or CEO who has been carrying too much of the business for too long. It may be the conversation they need to build a leadership life they can actually sustain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #40

  The Hidden Cost of Running Your Business Outside Your Zone of Genius with Jason Barnard

  Aug 4, 202646 min

  Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast. In this episode, host Derek Fredrickson sits down with one of The COO Solution's clients, Jason Barnard, founder and CEO of Kalicube, to discuss what happens when a successful entrepreneur finally stops running a business outside their natural strengths. After building three profitable businesses over more than three decades, Jason realized that while he could lead operations, manage teams, and organize projects, those responsibilities were never where he created the most value. His real strengths lay in innovation, product development, speaking, and building groundbreaking technology. Jason shares how partnering with a Fractional COO allowed him to step fully into his zone of genius, reclaim valuable headspace, and build the leadership infrastructure necessary for Kalicube's next stage of growth. Along the way, Derek and Jason explore delegation, EOS, founder psychology, AI, operational leadership, and why letting go is often the hardest part of scaling. Whether you're leading a growing company, struggling to balance strategy with operations, or wondering if you're spending your time on the highest-value work, this conversation offers practical insights into building a business that supports both growth and founder fulfillment. In This Episode: [02:41] Recognizing the Need for Change Jason shares what was working inside Kalicube and what finally convinced him it was time for operational support. [06:14] Finding Your Zone of Genius Why founders should stop spending time on work they can do and focus on work only they should do. [11:06] Breaking Through the Million-Dollar Ceiling How putting the right people in the right seats unlocks sustainable growth. [12:57] Why Headspace Matters More Than Time Jason explains why freeing mental bandwidth creates far greater leverage than simply saving hours. [18:43] Life With a Fractional COO The operational and leadership changes that transformed the way Kalicube runs. [24:21] Helping Teams Embrace Change How thoughtful leadership creates trust, improves communication, and removes organizational friction. [40:12] The Three Levels of Delegation Why delegation is only complete when founders let go of both authority and mental ownership. [41:49] Knowing When You're Ready Jason shares his advice for founders considering a Fractional COO. Why This Matters Many founders believe they need more time. In reality, what they need is more headspace. The constant responsibility of managing people, solving operational problems, and making every decision consumes mental energy that could be invested in innovation, strategy, customer relationships, and long-term growth. This episode explores why operational leadership is not simply about removing work from the founder's plate. It is about creating the freedom to focus on the work that creates the greatest impact. Action Steps for Listeners: Identify the work that only you can do as the founder. Audit where you're spending time outside your zone of genius. Delegate responsibilities with both authority and ownership. Create operational systems that reduce your daily mental load. Protect your headspace for strategy, innovation, and long-term growth. Resources & Links: Jason Barnard: https://jasonbarnard.com Kalicube: https://kalicube.com Kalicube AI Brand Audit: https://audits.kalicube.pro Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com /discover Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast Subscribe & Stay Connected New episodes drop soon — subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!  Let’s connect: ➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Instagram ➡️ Facebook If this episode resonated with you, share it with a founder who is spending too much time outside their zone of genius and needs the operational support to reclaim their headspace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #39

  Building for Legacy: What You Want Your Business to Stand For

  Jul 21, 202617 min

  Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast. In this episode, host Derek Fredrickson explores a question every founder eventually faces once growth alone no longer feels like enough: What do you want your business to stand for? As businesses mature, revenue, profit, and milestones begin to lose their ability to provide lasting fulfillment. Founders often discover that what they are truly building extends far beyond financial success. It is about impact, purpose, and creating something that will continue to matter long after they step away. Derek shares how legacy thinking shapes every strategic decision inside The COO Solution and explains why building for legacy is not a conversation reserved for retirement or succession planning. It is an operational discipline that influences hiring, culture, leadership, planning, and every decision a founder makes along the way. If you have ever wondered what your business is ultimately building toward, this episode will help you shift your focus from chasing the next milestone to creating something that truly lasts. In This Episode: [00:13] When Revenue Stops Being Enough Why founders eventually begin asking bigger questions about purpose and impact. [02:36] Legacy Starts With Long-Term Thinking How Derek uses a 10-year plan, 3-year picture, and 1-year target to guide every major decision. [04:50] Why Founders Avoid the Legacy Conversation The three reasons most business owners postpone thinking about what their business will ultimately stand for. [08:01] What Building for Legacy Actually Looks Like Why leading from purpose creates stronger businesses than leading from milestones alone. [09:53] Building a North Star Plan How long-term planning creates alignment across vision, strategy, and execution. [10:44] Building a Business That Outlasts You A client story illustrating how legacy thinking changes operational decisions and leadership priorities. [12:54] Making Legacy Operational How hiring, culture, investment decisions, and leadership all flow from a clearly defined why. [13:49] Three Practical Steps to Begin Building for Legacy Simple exercises every founder can complete this week to define what their business truly stands for. Why This Matters Many founders believe they are building a business. Over time, they realize they are building something much bigger. Every decision shapes the legacy their company will leave behind. Businesses built around short-term growth often struggle to maintain clarity as they scale. Businesses built around purpose create stronger cultures, better leaders, clearer decision-making, and greater long-term value. Legacy is not something you think about after success. It is something you build into every decision from the very beginning. This conversation will help you: Define what your business truly stands for beyond revenue Build a long-term vision that guides daily decisions Align strategy, culture, and leadership around your purpose Create a business that can outlast your direct involvement Lead with greater clarity, intention, and long-term impact Action Steps for Listeners: Write your personal Legacy Statement for your business. Build a 10-year plan, 3-year picture, and 1-year target. Evaluate one important decision against your long-term purpose instead of short-term pressure. Identify where your daily decisions either reinforce or weaken your legacy. Ask whether the business you are building today reflects what you ultimately want to leave behind. Resources & Links: Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast Subscribe & Stay Connected New episodes drop soon - subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!  Let’s connect: ➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Instagram ➡️ Facebook If this episode resonated with you, share it with a founder who is ready to build not just a successful business, but a lasting legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #38

  A Smarter Way to Hire, Delegate, and Scale Your Business with Samantha Prestidge

  Jul 7, 202642 min

  Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast . In this episode, host Derek Fredrickson sits down with Samantha Prestidge, founder of a US-based virtual assistant agency, to explore one of the biggest challenges founders face as their businesses grow: delegation. Most business owners know they need help. What they often do not know is what to delegate, who to hire, or how to create support that actually frees them from day-to-day operational work. Samantha explains why delegating tasks is very different from delegating outcomes, and why that distinction often means the difference between building a scalable business and creating more work for yourself. She explains how founders can identify the responsibilities that truly belong on their plate, build trust with team members, and create support systems that drive results rather than dependency. Derek and Samantha also discuss virtual assistants, hiring frameworks, AI, operational leverage, accountability, and the mindset shifts required to stop being the bottleneck in your own business. Whether you are hiring your first assistant, building out your team, or simply trying to reclaim more time for strategy and growth, this episode offers practical insights for creating a business that runs more effectively without requiring you to do everything yourself. In This Episode: [01:16] Why Founders Struggle to Delegate The common mistake founders make when trying to identify what they should hand off. [03:12] Delegating Tasks vs. Delegating Outcomes Why true delegation requires clarity around results, not just activities. [06:40] Samantha’s Journey Into People and Process How a background in staffing, operations, and process improvement shaped her approach to business support. [11:43] The Trust Factor in Delegation How founders can begin letting go without creating unnecessary risk. [19:42] AI vs. Human Support Where automation works best and where human judgment remains essential. [22:31] Why Delegation Is an Investment, Not a Cost Understanding the real ROI of operational support inside a growing business. [28:46] The Simple Framework for Hiring Support How founders can identify what to keep, what to delegate, and what role they actually need. [33:07] U.S.-Based vs. International Virtual Assistants Samantha shares her perspective on the differences, trade-offs, and common experiences among founders. [37:24] What Samantha’s Team Actually Supports The types of tasks, projects, and responsibilities that virtual assistants can successfully own. Action Steps for Listeners: Identify the responsibilities that only you can perform as the founder Define outcomes before delegating tasks Evaluate where operational bottlenecks are consuming your time Build support around business goals, not just activity lists Consider where AI can automate low-value work Create systems that allow your team to think critically, not simply follow instructions Invest in support that gives you leverage, capacity, and focus Resources & Links: Samantha Prestidge on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthacordero-auxosvs/ Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast Subscribe & Stay Connected New episodes drop soon — subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!  Let’s connect: ➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Instagram ➡️ Facebook 👉 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a founder who is carrying too much of the business alone and needs a better framework for delegation, support, and sustainable growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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