In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Ashish Gupta, founder and CEO of ScaleUpExec, shares his journey from co-founding a wireless technology company acquired by Qualcomm, to working at Apple, and eventually starting his own firm focused on fractional leadership for small and medium-sized businesses. They discuss the importance of understanding the needs of both the business and its team, the challenges and strategies involved in transforming distressed businesses, and the benefits of having a versatile COO. Ashish emphasizes the value of introspection for entrepreneurs to clearly define their business goals and align their teams accordingly.

Episode Highlights:

02:28 Ashish Gupta's Journey: From Wireless Tech to Apple

03:44 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Successes

05:52 Transforming a Distressed Business

08:55 Insights on Leadership and Team Building

17:29 The Role and Impact of Fractional COOs

Ashish has had a long journey in business and tech - selling 2 businesses where he was founder-level, managing a $2B/year budget at Apple, and now running a fractional COO firm that has turned around over 20 businesses. He is an expert at helping leaders and businesses reach their potential.

Connect with Ashish Gupta:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/

Company Website: https://scaleupexec.com/

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Noel Massie shares his journey from starting as a part-time supervisor to becoming Vice President of UPS’s US Delivery Operations. He emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership, focusing on the development of team members, and shares his insights on effectively communicating and influencing without coercion. Noel discusses his book, 'Congrats You've Been Promoted,' which offers practical advice for new and seasoned leaders alike. Additionally, he talks about his extensive involvement in community service and the impact of projects like second grade literacy initiatives.

Episode Highlights:

09:13 The Importance of Investing in People

20:55 The Importance of Communication Skills

21:31 Directional Communication: A Key Leadership Skill

22:37 The Tactical Side of Leadership

Noel Massie began working for UPS part time during college and rose through the ranks to
become vice president for UPS’s US Delivery Operations. Before his retirement in 2019, he
oversaw 200,000 employees who were led by 12,000 supervisors. In this role, Noel supported
and guided the package delivery and logistic services in the United States. He continues to
mentor young leaders and supervisors.

Connect with Noel Massie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noel-massie-8b7511a/

Company Website: https://noelmassie.com/

Masterclass: https://noelmassie.com/choose-your-bonus-package/#masterclass

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Michelle Drolet, Founder and CEO of Towerwall, to discuss the complexities of cybersecurity and her journey as a leader in the tech industry. Michelle shares her personal and professional background, detailing her rise to CEO, overcoming significant challenges, and her strategies for building robust cyber defense programs for clients. The conversation highlights her resilience through personal adversities, the significance of trustworthy relationships, and the importance of giving back to the community through initiatives like the Towerwall Cyber Summit. Michelle emphasizes the need for organizations to be proactive and vigilant in their cybersecurity efforts, offering insights into how Towerwall partners with clients to secure their digital infrastructure. The episode concludes with inspiring words on leadership, resilience, and the importance of community impact.

Episode Highlights:

02:15 Michelle's Journey in Cybersecurity

07:05 Challenges and Resilience in Leadership

14:40 The Importance of Cybersecurity

27:08 Family and Business: A Personal Insight

Michelle Drolet is the Founder and CEO of Towerwall, a leading cybersecurity firm serving clients like BOSE, Smith & Wesson, Brown University, and UMass Memorial Health. Recognized as one of CTO Magazine’s "Top Women in Cybersecurity" and named to Forbes’ "50 Over 50," Michelle brings decades of experience helping organizations protect what matters most. With a client roster that spans industries and borders—including the Insurance Board of the Bahamas—Michelle is a sought-after thought leader and speaker. She’d be honored to join The Drop in CEO podcast to share actionable insights from the front lines of cybersecurity leadership and strategy.

Connect with Michelle Drolet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-drolet-a926b79/

Company Website: Towerwall.com

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Steve Harper discusses his journey in creating and fostering powerful, long-lasting relationships. Harper shares his insights into the importance of genuine connections in both personal and professional settings, the concept of the ripple effect in relationship-building, and his experiences that led to writing his book, 'The Ripple Effect: Maximizing the Power of Relationships for Your Life and Business.' Together, Deb and Steve discuss practical strategies for effectively engaging and maintaining relationships, emphasizing the value of continuous effort and authentic interactions.

Episode Highlights:

06:02 The Importance of Building Authentic Relationships

08:08 Evaluating and Strengthening Your Network

20:11 Discovering Connection Points

20:50 The Power of Ripple Connection Questions

24:23 The Impact of Small Opportunities

28:02 Networking and Relationship Strategies

Steve Harper is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business strategist known for unlocking the power of authentic connection. Over his 30-year career, he’s built a proven method for cultivating meaningful relationships that drive business success. As CEO of Owner Insite and Facility Insite, he’s woven his signature Ripple Effect philosophy into every aspect of leadership and client service. His book, events, courses, and podcast have sparked a global movement, inspiring individuals and organizations to build deeper, lasting connections. Through 8 Minute Ripple events and Ripple communities, Steve continues to challenge the way we connect—and why it matters.

Connect with Steve Harper:

Social Handle: @rippleton

Company Website: ripplecentral.com

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Noam Sapiens discusses his journey from a young innovator to his current role, and how EyeQue Corporation is revolutionizing the vision care industry with their innovative technology that allows for home vision tests. The conversation covers Noam's career progression, experiences, and the impact of EyeQue's vision care solutions on society. They also touch on the importance of following one's passion and the challenges of implementing disruptive technologies in healthcare.

Episode Highlights:

03:19 Challenges and Triumphs in the Tech Industry

08:59 Joining IQ Corporation: A Perfect Fit

17:15 Innovative Solutions for Vision Care

31:42 The Future of Eye Care

Dr. Sapiens started his academic journey at the age of 14. He completed his PhD in Applied Physics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He received multiple awards including the prestigious Eshkol Fellowship, The Romolo Deotto Prize, and the Intel Award for Innovation.

Starting in the defense industry while serving the Israeli Defense Forces as an honorary lieutenant, he continued to open his first company, becoming a subject matter expert, serving on multiple ANSI committees. One of the projects he worked on was a system that won the Israeli Defense Award.

As a research scientist at KLA-Tencor he introduced new technologies over five generations of metrology tools for the semiconductor industry. Served an integral part of the strategic planning team, steering budgets and resources to research projects
which significantly contributed to the development of metrology tools.

Previously serving as the CTO of another medical device company and being an engineering project manager at Apple also contributed to Dr. Sapiens’ technology innovation leadership.
Noam is a father of 3 and enjoys skiing, reading, and innovating (he has an optic lab in his basement).

Connect with Noam Sapiens:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noam-sapiens/

Company Website: www.eyeque.com

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Derek Fredrickson, founder of the COO Solution and former COO of Boldheart. Derek brings over 16 years of experience in operational strategy and scaling businesses. Deb and Derek discuss the importance of a strong operational framework for entrepreneurs looking to scale without burnout. Derek shares his journey from Wall Street to business coaching, highlighting critical issues like establishing trust, leveraging systems like EOS, and maintaining work-life boundaries when working with a spouse.

Episode Highlights:

02:29 Derek's Journey from Wall Street to Entrepreneurship

04:53 Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries

11:31 Scaling Businesses Without Burnout

16:29 The Role of Systems and Processes in Business Growth

With over 16 years of experience scaling six- and seven-figure businesses—including serving as Chief Operating Officer at Boldheart—Derek Fredrickson knows how to turn operational overwhelm into strategic growth. As the founder of The COO Solution, Derek helps entrepreneurs break free from the daily grind by building the systems, processes, and structure needed to scale sustainably. Acting as a trusted second-in-command, he aligns teams, drives accountability, and ensures smooth execution—so business owners can focus on leading, innovating, and expanding their vision. Derek’s mission is simple: to make growth easier, more efficient, and far less stressful for purpose-driven leaders.

Connect with Derek Fredrickson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

Company Website: thecoosolution.com

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Jay Schumann shares his expertise in corporate microbiology, food safety, and quality assurance. The conversation covers Jay's career journey, key leadership lessons, and the importance of being a lifelong learner. Jay emphasizes the value of humility, continuous learning, and investing in people, offering practical advice for both current and aspiring C-Suite leaders. The episode also highlights the significance of aligning with a company's values and the critical role of cultural understanding in achieving professional success.

Episode Highlights:

05:31 Climbing the Corporate Ladder at PepsiCo

09:46 Insights on Leadership and People Management

23:53 Defining Lifelong Learning and Wisdom

25:48 Acquiring Knowledge Through Various Methods

29:28 The Role of Humility in Learning and Leadership

36:53 Finding Credible Sources of Information

Jay Schuman is a seasoned senior leader in Corporate Food Safety and Microbiology with over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Known for his high integrity and science-based, practical approach, Jay has led global teams and labs supporting new product innovation, risk mitigation, compliance, and quality assurance for major CPG brands. He excels at designing and implementing microbial food safety programs, harmonizing standards across regions, and fostering GFSI-compliant food safety cultures. A trusted people leader and strategic thinker, Jay is passionate about cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and building strong, values-driven teams that drive business results.

Connect with Jay Schuman:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jay-schuman

For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Marcel Schwantes, a seasoned executive coach and speaker, shares his transformative journey from experiencing a toxic work environment to advocating for a humane workplace grounded in principles of love and care. He discusses the hidden costs of toxic leadership, the importance of embedding core values in business operations, and introduces his 'love in action' framework for leadership. Through real-world examples and actionable advice, Marcel offers insights on building trust, promoting psychological safety, and enhancing employee engagement. This episode is a must-listen for C-suite leaders and aspiring executives who aim to foster a thriving, human-centered work culture.

Episode Highlights:

04:02 The Impact of Toxic Leadership

06:09 Discovering Humane Leadership

16:43 The Love in Action Framework

21:51 Addressing Quiet Quitting and Psychological Safety

Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, acclaimed executive coach, and an Inc. Magazine Contributing Editor with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. Marcel hosts the popular "Love in Action" podcast, heard in over 160 countries.

Connect with Marcel Schwantes:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/

Company Website: marcelschwantes.substack.com/

For more insights, engage with all my podcasts at: https://dropinceo.com/podcast/

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