エピソード

  • Doug Thorpe: Servant Leadership That Actually Works

    Doug Thorpe: Servant Leadership That Actually Works
    2026/07/18
    An executive coach with military roots breaks down practical servant leadership: how trust, small behavioral tweaks, and purposeful introspection create real performance gains for leaders and teams. Tune in for frameworks you can apply this week to lead steadier and build stronger teams.In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Thorpe discuss:Military-to-civilian leadership differencesServant leadership & “greater good”Building trust and psychological safetyCoaching vs. consulting; leader developmentAI, tech, and the pipeline for young leadersKey Takeaways:Leadership begins with the person you choose to become because lasting influence always starts from within.Trust grows through meaningful conversations that happen consistently over time.Small changes in the way you communicate and behave may seem insignificant at first, but they can quietly reshape relationships, strengthen influence, and produce lasting results.Coaching helps leaders discover their own path, while consulting provides expert guidance and helps put solutions into action.AI should enhance people's capabilities rather than replace the middle managers who develop practical experience, coach others, and form the leadership pipeline that organizations depend on for long-term success.“[My book] Steady is a culmination of about eight years of my coaching work and over 1000 engagements, and it's all centered on that core question I mentioned a moment ago - What kind of leader you want to be?” - Doug ThorpeGrab a copy of Steady, HERE: www.dougthorpe.com/steady About the guest, Doug Thorpe:Doug Thorpe is the President and CEO of HeadwayExec, LLC and the Doug Thorpe Group. With more than 30 years of business and leadership experience, Doug has become a trusted advisor to CEOs, business owners, and senior leadership teams looking to improve performance, strengthen their organizations, and lead with greater confidence. As an executive coach, consultant, and podcast host, Doug has spent decades helping leaders navigate growth, difficult decisions, and the challenges that come with building successful businesses.Connect with Doug Thorpe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthorpe/ Website: https://dougthorpe.com/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.dougthorpe.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougthorpe_com Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougthorpe_com YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/headwayexec-houston-4 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dougthorpe Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    52 分
  • Steve Preda: Taking Founders to the Next Level with Summit OS

    Steve Preda: Taking Founders to the Next Level with Summit OS
    2026/07/11
    In this conversation between Steve and Bob, you’ll hear how a former investment banker-turned-operator built Summit OS by synthesizing 70+ iconic business books to help founders decentralize decisions, create unique advantages, and keep climbing to the next level.In this episode, Bob Campana and Steve Preda discuss:Founder dependency and the hub-and-spoke problemShifting to a decentralized “synapse” decision modelLimits of basic operating systems and going deeperDesigning unique activities and Strategy OS for differentiationExecution cadence, leadership structure, and AI’s role in businessKey Takeaways:Companies eventually hit a ceiling when every meaningful decision still flows through the founder, no matter how capable that founder is.Rewiring the organization into a “brain” of connected, autonomous employees allows decisions to be made closer to the action and frees leadership for strategy and innovation.Growth-minded teams quickly need richer toolkits, deeper strategy, and ongoing learning, all of which Summit OS offers, to avoid stagnation.True competitive advantage comes from intentionality and resources other firms don’t have. AI is most powerful as a force multiplier, handling non-creative work, offering fresh perspectives, and elevating productivity so human teams can focus on intuition and higher-value thinking.“[Artificial Intelligence (AI)] It’s going to improve productivity across the board, so people are going to compete at a higher level, and I don't think it's going to kill as many jobs as people think it might.” - Steve PredaFind Where Execution Is Breaking Down in Your Business — In 5 Minutes, HERE: https://executionmomentum.com/ About the guest, Steve Preda:Steve Preda is the Founder and Operating Partner at Summit OS Group and an operational architect for founder-led service businesses. Before moving to America, he built and sold an investment banking firm in Europe, and since 2013, he has coached CEOs and SMB leadership teams on building self-managing, fast-growing businesses. Through Summit OS Group, he helps founders navigate critical structural inflection points by improving operating models, organizational design, accountability, and decision-making systems.Steve is also the author of six books on business growth and the host of the Management Blueprint podcast, where he explores entrepreneurial journeys and scalable business frameworks. His mission is to help entrepreneurs achieve their ideal lives while creating a positive impact through sustainable, founder-independent businesses.Connect with Steve Preda:Website: https://stevepreda.com Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/MBPpodcast YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/MBPodcastPlaylistYT LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepreda/ LinkedIn Summit OS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77938145/admin/feed/posts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveipreda/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevepreda/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@summitos_creator Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevePredaCom Amazon: amazon.com/author/stevepreda Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    46 分
  • Wombi Rose: Engineering Magical Moments with Lovepop’s Paper Art

    Wombi Rose: Engineering Magical Moments with Lovepop’s Paper Art
    2026/07/04
    A former naval architect turns ship-design software into a tool for crafting emotional, pop-up greeting cards and builds a multimillion-dollar brand around human connection. In this conversation, you’ll hear how art, engineering, trust, and grit turned a simple kirigami insight into Lovepop and tens of millions of “magical moments.”In this episode, Bob Campana and Wombi Rose discuss:Origin story: naval architecture, Harvard, and discovering kirigami in VietnamTurning engineering skills into handcrafted, laser-cut greeting cardsMission, production, and team culture at Lovepop (including Vietnam operations)Co-founder trust, vulnerability-based leadership, and company cultureGrowth via Shark Tank, QVC, retail expansion, corporate/custom cards, and AIKey Takeaways:Deep technical expertise can be repurposed in surprising ways when you stay open to new contexts, which, in this case, involves applying ship-design methods to paper art.Building a resilient company culture starts with a foundational commitment to relationships and vulnerability-based trust, not just revenue and growth.Emotional impact can be made and scaled when art and engineering work together.Major exposure moments like Shark Tank or QVC can be inflection points, but they only pay off when the underlying business, operations, and product are ready.Loving the work itself provides the grit and persistence needed to navigate the inevitable emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship.“There's no substitute for the human creativity and the desire to create something new.” - Wombi RoseAbout the guest, Wombi Rose:Wombi Rose is the co-founder and CEO of Lovepop, a company that transforms paper cards into engineered emotional experiences. Wombi and his co-founder, John Wise, initially trained as naval architects and discovered Kirigami in Vietnam, leading to the creation of Lovepop. The company has grown from a Harvard Business School idea to a nationally recognized brand, appearing on Shark Tank and achieving close to $400 million in lifetime revenue. Lovepop uses a combination of art and engineering, with cards designed using Rhino D software and assembled by hand in Vietnam. The company also offers custom cards for businesses and has a retail presence in major cities. Wombi emphasizes the importance of passion and mutual respect in building a successful business.Connect with Wombi Rose:Website: https://www.lovepop.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wombi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wombirose/?hl=en Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    46 分
  • Patrick Donohue: Good Capital, Bad Capital, and the Real Cost of Growth

    Patrick Donohue: Good Capital, Bad Capital, and the Real Cost of Growth
    2026/06/27
    When does capital become a growth engine, and when does it quietly destroy a business? In this episode, we dive into the difference between good and bad money, how to think about valuation, and what every founder needs to know before signing their next loan or giving up equity.In this episode, Bob Campana and Patrick Donohue discuss:Early entrepreneurial roots and family influenceHill Capital’s investment focus and “execution vs. concept” riskGood capital vs. bad capital and predatory lendingBreakout valuation and getting paid for future potentialKey criteria, cash-flow focus, and protecting owner control Key Takeaways:The most important investment decision often starts with the human connection.Capital that looks convenient and fast can carry hidden costs that quietly drain cash flow and eventually kill a business.Valuation is fundamentally about the net present value of future cash flows, and owners must learn to articulate a credible future to capture any of that today.Protecting ownership and control matters because most companies become solid “nice” businesses, and giving away too much equity or control too early can turn a strong exit into a disappointing personal result instead of a life-changing one.Tracking cash, what others owe you, and what you owe others creates a simple but powerful dashboard for staying in control of the business’s financial health.“Good capital looks like it has a face, you know who it is, you know where the money is coming from. In full transparency, you know the terms of that capital.” - Patrick DonohueAbout the guest, Patrick Donohue:Patrick E. Donohue is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and valuation expert with a lifelong passion for business that began with a lemonade stand at age four and investing in Coca-Cola at age ten. As the founder of Hill Capital Corporation, he leads a private investment fund dedicated to fueling the growth of established small and mid-sized businesses through capital and community support. Patrick’s deep financial expertise is backed by his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and experience advising numerous entrepreneurial ventures. He has served on the boards of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Minnesota and the CFA Society of Minnesota and founded 1 Million Cups Eden Prairie to foster local entrepreneurship. Patrick is known for helping business owners uncover blind spots, drive strategic growth, and build sustainable profitability.Connect with Patrick Donohue:Website: https://www.hillcapitalcorp.com/team LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickedonohue/ Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    49 分
  • Dr. Mitchell Levy: Rethinking Leadership Through Clarity and Stakeholder Trust

    Dr. Mitchell Levy: Rethinking Leadership Through Clarity and Stakeholder Trust
    2026/06/20
    When all other leaders are obsessed with quarterly returns and optimization, what happens when you put clarity, credibility, and meaning back at the center of your business? In this episode, Bob and Dr. Mitchell Levy break down the C‑Pop, executive abundance, and why your legacy is written in the lives of your stakeholders, not your balance sheet.In this episode, Bob Campana and Dr. Mitchell Levy discuss:Executive Abundance framework and the 4CsThe C‑Pop (customer point of possibility) and extreme clarityInput–output model for effective communication and delegationEmployee empowerment, respect, and workplace “vibe”Stakeholder trust, AI, and the shift toward a meaning-making age Key Takeaways:Clarity at the level of three to nine words, captured in a C‑Pop, can anchor a company’s purpose and focus every decision across teams and departments.Most organizations still measure leadership success almost exclusively through investor returns, ignoring the deeper health and well-being of employees and customers.Communication often fails not because leaders don’t speak, but because they don’t define the inputs and desired outputs clearly enough for others to act on.When employees are respected, empowered, and aligned with a meaningful purpose, they naturally create better customer experiences and stronger cultures.As AI and automation advance, the real competitive edge will come from leaders who create meaning, build trust with all stakeholders, and leave a legacy beyond financial metrics.“If you empower and respect your employee base? Guess what they're going to do? They're going to take care of your customers.” - Dr. Mitchell LevyAbout the guest, Dr. Mitchell Levy:Mitchell Levy, Ph.D., is the creator of the Executive Abundance™ leadership framework, a Global Credibility Expert, and an executive coach who helps leaders align purpose with performance. A two-time TEDx speaker and international bestselling author of more than 60 books, he has spent decades helping leaders build organizations that sustain trust under pressure.Mitchell has interviewed more than 500 global leaders to understand what makes individuals and organizations truly Trusted, Known, and Liked. He has also guided more than 1,000 executives and organizations in articulating their authentic value through their CPoP (Customer Point of Possibilities). A Silicon Valley entrepreneur who has built more than 20 companies, Mitchell served nine years on the board of a NASDAQ-listed company and has been recognized by Thinkers360 as the #1 Thought Leader in Ecosystems and one of the Top 200 Leadership Voices by LeadersHum.Connect with Dr. Mitchell Levy:Website: https://mitchelllevy.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/ Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    57 分
  • Neil Buettner: Treat Your Art Like a Business or It Won’t Treat You Like a Career

    Neil Buettner: Treat Your Art Like a Business or It Won’t Treat You Like a Career
    2026/06/13
    What does it actually take to turn local gigs into a real, sustainable living as a musician? In this episode, Neil Buettner breaks down the business side of art, budgeting, pricing, adding value, and building human connections that keep your calendar full for decades.In this episode, Bob Campana and Neil Buettner discuss:Turning a summer of music into a full-time careerBudgeting, goal setting, and reverse-engineering income from gigsTreating music as a business and understanding market valueSaying no, finding a niche, and expanding into events/DJ/MC workHuman connection, referrals, and long-term client loyalty Key Takeaways:A creative career becomes viable the moment it’s backed by a real budget, clear income targets, and a plan to hit them.Sustainable success in music comes from treating venues and clients as partners to be served, and not merely just stages to be used.Pricing is more about understanding market values rather than ego or “deserving” values.Saying yes to everything is necessary early on, but long-term growth depends on learning what to decline and where you truly fit.The gigs at bars and restaurants are often the top of the funnel, but networking your way to weddings, corporate events, and expanded services are where the real margins are.“You're not going to be everything for everyone, and you shouldn't try that, but finding your niche… I know where I'm successful.” - Neil BuettnerAbout the guest, Neil Buettner:Neil Buettner is a Central Valley–based professional musician, real estate investor, and martial arts practitioner who has built a 20+ year career by treating music as both art and service. Starting with Suzuki-method violin as a child and later falling in love with acoustic guitar at Camp Jack Hazard, he’s evolved into a sought-after solo performer for fine dining venues, country clubs, and private events, known for crafting “active background” experiences that elevate the room rather than dominate it.Connect with Neil Buettner:Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/neil.buettner.9/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neil_b_/?hl=en Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/neil-buettner/316378674 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2RgCgnT8IZVPpQ8a0oIXfe Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • Pietro Peroni: How a $1 Pen Led to a Multimillion-Dollar Christmas Lights Business

    Pietro Peroni: How a $1 Pen Led to a Multimillion-Dollar Christmas Lights Business
    2026/06/06

    A $1 counterfeit-detecting pen, a chance trip to China, and half a million meters of rope light set the stage for a lifelong journey in the Christmas lighting industry. In this episode, hear how a math teacher turned serendipity, risk, and China’s manufacturing engine into a global seasonal business.


    In this episode, Bob Campana and Pietro Peroni discuss:

    • Pivot from teaching math and physics to entrepreneurship
    • Discovering high-margin products and wholesaler-driven growth
    • First experiences in Guangzhou and China’s “city of lights” ecosystem
    • Building and scaling a professional Christmas lighting business
    • Innovation in LED technology and modular commercial Christmas trees


    Key Takeaways:

    • A single product with unmet demand can be the springboard from a stable career into full-time entrepreneurship.
    • Selling through wholesalers and agents can unlock scale that retail cannot.
    • Locating production inside a complete supply chain cluster dramatically reduces friction and accelerates innovation.
    • Constant research and development are always necessary because long-term growth in a seasonal niche depends on continuously reinventing products, from rope lights to new LED cables and modular trees.
    • A business can evolve into a family legacy, allowing the founder to narrow focus while the next generation steps into leadership.


    “We started with this, and then some people used it for Christmas decoration… and I started to import rope light in big quantity. In one year, I sold 500,000 meters of rope light.” - Pietro Peroni


    About the guest, Pietro Peroni:

    Pietro Peroni is an Italian entrepreneur who transformed his career from teaching math and physics into building a global Christmas lighting business. Starting with a high-margin counterfeit-detection pen, he moved into importing rope lights and professional decorative lighting, ultimately specializing in large-scale Christmas installations for cities, malls, and public spaces. Splitting his time between Italy and China’s Pearl River Delta, he focuses on innovating next-generation LED products and modular commercial Christmas trees while preparing to pass the business to his son.


    Connect With Bob Campana:

    Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/



    Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    26 分
  • Victor Ochieng & Daniel Ekonde: Chasing the American Dream to Tell Africa’s Stories

    Victor Ochieng & Daniel Ekonde: Chasing the American Dream to Tell Africa’s Stories
    2026/05/30
    Two young journalists leave Kenya and Cameroon for UC Berkeley, trading local newsrooms for a global stage. In this conversation, they unpack the realities of the American dream, the future of African storytelling, and how authenticity will keep human creators essential in an AI-driven world.In this episode, Bob Campana, Victor Ochieng, and Daniel Ekonde discuss:Early life and entry into journalism in Kenya and CameroonRadio, sports, and music broadcasting careers in AfricaWinning scholarships and deciding to study at UC BerkeleyComparing opportunity, infrastructure, and systems in Africa vs. the U.S.AI’s impact on journalism, filmmaking, and education Key Takeaways:When someone feels their community is misrepresented or ignored, that friction can ignite a lifelong commitment to journalism and storytelling that centers their people’s voices.Global exposure and advanced education are often strategic moves to move from freelancer to editorial decision-maker.Strong systems, infrastructure, and accountability dramatically shape how talent and hard work translate into opportunity.The American dream still motivates when combined with grit and readiness.Used well, AI can speed up tasks like transcription, drafting, and editing, but it still can’t manufacture the messy, emotional, context-rich judgment that comes from a real human being who has actually lived the story they’re telling.“The US pays for hard work. The US recognizes effort. That's one thing I've come to realize. If you just put in effort, you put in work, then I think you're good to go.” - Victor OchiengAbout the guests, Victor Ochieng and Daniel Ekonde:Victor Ochieng is a Kenyan journalist, radio producer, and documentary filmmaker whose work is rooted in representing underheard communities from one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements. He began as a community radio volunteer in high school, later hosting reggae and African music programs and launching an online radio station to spotlight local voices. Now a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, he specializes in documentary production and is currently developing a film on Power Slap and the personal sacrifices behind combat sports.Daniel Ekonde is a Cameroonian journalist with a strong background in sports and international reporting. Starting in a high school journalism club and campus radio, he went on to file stories for major outlets including ESPN, CNN, Global Voices, and Al Jazeera, covering everything from sports to broader social issues. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley, he is focused on deepening his long-form writing and editorial skills, with the goal of moving from frontline reporting into influential editorial and newsroom leadership that shapes global coverage of African stories.Connect With Victor Ochieng:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victor-ochieng-566a8088 Connect With Daniel Ekonde:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ekonde-901590145/ Connect With Bob Campana:Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    54 分