Systems Simplified

In This Episode What happens when entrepreneurial wisdom isn't documented, preserved, or shared consistently? According to Kyle Mealy, it gets lost—and future entrepreneurs are forced to reinvent the wheel. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Kyle Mealy about the systems behind building scalable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Kyle explains how Entrepreneurial Media Company was created to preserve proven entrepreneurial frameworks in one place, ensuring that critical knowledge remains accessible instead of scattered across books, podcasts, and fading platforms. Adi and Kyle then dive into ENRG, a fast-growing, help-first entrepreneurial community. Kyle shares lessons learned from earlier attempts that lacked structure and how creating a clear, repeatable operating model—complete with defined roles for visionaries, integrators, and implementers—allowed ENRG to scale rapidly while staying consistent. The conversation reinforces a core theme: without systems, even the best ideas struggle to grow; with systems, communities and knowledge can scale for generations.

In This Episode Passion alone doesn't build a business—systems turn purpose into something sustainable. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Patty Aubery to explore how one idea evolved into one of the most recognizable personal development brands in the world. Patty shares the early behind-the-scenes reality of Chicken Soup for the Soul, including years of rejection, relentless promotion, and the systems that eventually made massive scale possible. Adi and Patty discuss the difference between passion as a hobby and passion as a business. Patty reflects on the defining personal moment that pushed her to step out from behind the scenes and become visible, and how that shift now informs the work she does with entrepreneurs who are settling, hiding, or staying stuck. The conversation comes full circle to systems and processes. Patty explains why structure does not limit creativity—it enables it. From publishing hundreds of titles to coaching business owners today, she emphasizes that without systems, you have a job; with systems, you have a company.

In this engaging conversation, Chris Dyer, a workplace culture expert and bestselling author, shares his journey from controlling decisions to empowering teams for growth. He reveals how shifting to an ownership-driven culture fosters innovation and confidence among employees. Chris discusses practical tactics, like stepping back from decision-making and encouraging experimentation, as well as his Seven Pillars of Amazing Culture. He also addresses the unique challenges and advantages of adapting company culture in remote environments.

In This Episode Great marketing alone can't sustain growth if operations aren't prepared to support it. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Kasandra Murray to explore the critical connection between marketing and operations. Kasandra explains how marketing may bring leads through the door, but it's operational systems—training, documentation, and follow-through—that determine whether those leads turn into satisfied customers and long-term growth. Adi and Kasandra discuss common gaps they see across industries, particularly the tendency for businesses to overspend on marketing while underinvesting in internal training and process improvement. Kasandra shares practical examples of how strengthening operations can dramatically improve marketing performance, including a case where fixing call handling doubled a company's revenue without increasing ad spend. The conversation also dives into change management, documenting processes, and making systems easy to follow. Kasandra emphasizes that processes should be living documents and that real progress happens when teams understand the "why" behind the system—not just the steps.

In This Episode A website should support your business—not slow it down. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Chris LaFay to discuss why most business websites fail to scale alongside the company. Chris explains how poorly structured websites often turn into bottlenecks, forcing founders and teams to rely on developers for even the smallest updates. Adi and Chris explore how a website can be intentionally designed as a sales and trust-building system. Chris shares his philosophy of building websites that function like living proposals—answering questions, showcasing proof, and guiding prospects through decision-making without requiring endless emails or custom decks. The conversation also dives into the importance of processes, even in creative businesses. Chris explains how simple, repeatable systems—especially around relationship management and follow-ups—create consistency, trust, and long-term growth.

In This Episode Adi Klevit sits down with Lindsay Nahmiache for a powerful conversation about growth, discomfort, and the systems that allow founders to evolve beyond daily operations. Lindsay shares how unexpected moments—like being stranded in Nepal without a passport—became pivotal experiences that shaped her ability to think clearly, creatively, and strategically. Adi highlights how these personal experiences directly influence leadership style and long-term business success. They also explore the early days of Lindsay's marketing agency, including how saying "yes" before having all the answers led to landing major clients like Virgin Radio. Adi emphasizes that this wasn't luck, but a mindset backed by execution, structure, and a willingness to figure things out. The conversation reinforces how confidence paired with systems creates opportunity. As the episode unfolds, Adi and Lindsay dive into what it truly takes to scale. Lindsay explains why founders must eventually remove themselves from operations—even when it feels uncomfortable—and how strong systems step in to support the business at the next level. Adi reinforces that this transition is essential for founders who want freedom, clarity, and sustainable growth without becoming the bottleneck.

In This Episode Freedom doesn't happen by accident—it's built through systems. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with John Gwaltney to unpack how intentional systemization allowed him to step out of daily operations while continuing to scale multiple businesses. John shares the evolution of Outback Deck, from knocking on doors and handing out flyers to building a $14–15 million operation that runs without constant owner involvement. John explains how hiring improved once his team invested in documented processes and repeatable hiring systems. He also walks through how operational clarity led to innovation, including the creation of Deck Metrics, Contractor Classroom, and Deck View—tools designed to help contractors price faster, sell more confidently, and deliver consistent results. Throughout the conversation, Adi and John tie everything back to documentation, accountability, and having a single source of truth. John emphasizes that systems are not about control—they are about trust, consistency, and giving leaders the confidence to step away without things falling apart.

In This Episode: Just because AI can do something doesn't mean it should. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Wendy Lieber to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in business today: AI and marketing. Wendy shares what she's seen firsthand as agencies and entrepreneurs rush to automate everything—and why that approach often backfires. Adi and Wendy explore where AI genuinely adds value, such as research, organization, and efficiency, and where it creates risk by removing the human element. They discuss why sales, storytelling, and relationship-building still require people—not machines—and how businesses can build systems that support humans rather than replace them. The conversation also covers leadership responsibility in the age of AI, including Wendy's recommendation to create a clear internal stance or "AI charter." The episode brings everything back to systems: clarity, intention, ethics, and using tools in service of long-term value rather than short-term shortcuts.

In This Episode Leadership isn't sustainable without intention, structure, and reflection. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Tony Thelen to explore the often-overlooked concept of systematizing leadership. Drawing on decades of executive experience at John Deere, Tony explains why repeatable success depends on systems—not just in operations, but in how leaders manage themselves, their decisions, and their priorities. The conversation also explores Tony's book, Things We Desire, inspired by the 1927 poem Desiderata. Tony and Adi discuss how enduring values such as peace, purpose, and self-awareness can be translated into practical leadership systems. Tony introduces his four-quadrant framework, offering leaders a structured way to manage professional life, personal relationships, community involvement, and self-care with intention.

In This Episode Most business owners don't struggle because they lack effort—they struggle because they're trapped by control, identity, and belief systems. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with returning guest Jamey Schrier to explore why so many entrepreneurs remain buried in daily operations long after they intended to scale. Jamey outlines three core constraints that keep owners stuck: fear of letting go, over-identification with a role or profession, and deeply ingrained beliefs—especially around money. Adi and Jamey connect these mindset challenges to the practical necessity of systemization. They discuss why documenting intuition, defining standards, and accepting that team members don't need to be exact replicas of the founder are essential for growth. The conversation reinforces that systems only work when owners are willing to evolve how they think, lead, and delegate.