PODCAST · business
Hands-Off Growth
by Mandi Ellefson
Hands-Off Growth is for B2B service firm CEOs who are already winning, and ready to grow without the business depending on them.If your revenue is climbing but the weight of running it is climbing with it, this show is for you. Each episode covers the real decisions behind scaling past $3M: how to reprice your offer around outcomes, remove yourself from delivery, and build a team that drives growth without you in every room.Hosted by Mandi Ellefson - consultant, investor, and author of The Hands-Off CEO - with 17+ years and 400+ firms. Mandi has helped service firm CEOs add over $10M of growth, millions in profits. The Hands-Off Growth Operating System covered in this podcast is proven to add $5M in growth and $1M in net profit in 24 months, without the growth depending on the founder.Episodes include pricing, offer structure to move up market, and client selection. Conversations with B2B service firm CEOs detail exactly what it takes to cross a real threshold.If you are building
Episodes
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This firm 2.7X'd Revenue in 18 Months Without Losing a Single Client
A marketing service firm went from $5K projects to $144K per client per year. Revenue more than doubled in 18 months. Not one of their high end growth clients were lost. And the founders finally got out of the business long enough to see it clearly. In this episode, the co-founder walks through...
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Why Your Second-in-Command Is Your Most Valuable Hire with Cameron Herold
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Cameron Herold, founder of COO Alliance and the operational force behind scaling 1-800-GOT-JUNK from $2M to $106M in six years, to uncover how business owners can scale faster, build stronger teams, and remove themselves from the day-to-day without...
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Stop chasing clients: How to turn your network into a referral machine with Dan Englander
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Dan Englander, founder of Sales Schema, to uncover how service business owners can scale their pipeline through referrals, strategic partnerships, and trust-based outreach without burning out or chasing cold prospects. Dan shares how he's helped...
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Why Smart Founders Get Stuck Selling to Enterprise and How to Scale Revenue with Amanda Freick
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Amanda Freick, founder of Creative Intelligence Group, to unpack what it really takes to sell into complex, high-stakes industries and why mindset, confidence, and execution matter just as much as strategy. Amanda shares how her firm helps companies...
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Why Most Marketing Data Is Wrong (And How to Prove What Actually Drives Revenue) with Jeff Greenfield
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Jeff Greenfield, CEO and founder of Provalytics, to unpack why most marketing measurement is broken and how brands, agencies, and CMOs can finally prove what actually drives revenue. Jeff shares nearly two decades of experience building and exiting…
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Use Speaking to Scale Influence, Authority, and High-Value Clients with Cam Beaudoin
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Cam Beaudoin, a speaker strategist who helps founders, consultants, and service-based business owners leverage speaking to build authority, attract high-value clients, and scale influence without chasing big stages or flashy keynotes. Cam shares how he…
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How Mid-Market Companies Scale Sales Predictably with Shaun Alger
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Shaun Alger, a sales strategist and advisor to mid-market companies, about how businesses can build repeatable sales systems that scale without relying on luck, superstar hires, or constant firefighting. Shaun shares how he’s helped mid-market companies...
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The Book That Sells for You: Turning Your Knowledge into a Lead-Generating Machine with Steve Gordon
n this episode, Mandi Ellefson sits down with Steve Gordon, founder of Million Dollar Author, to uncover how business owners can scale, attract clients, and generate referrals without constantly chasing prospects. Steve shares how he’s helped founders use books as powerful business development...
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How to Scale Your Agency | Pricing, Positioning & Profit Models with Eli Rubel
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Eli Rubel, founder of Profit Labs, about how agency owners can scale profitably without adding unnecessary headcount, chaos, or complexity. Eli shares how he’s helped agencies increase net profit, position themselves as the “chosen path” for premium...
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How the Top 1% of Agencies Scale Profitably Without Burning Out with Gray MacKenzie
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson talks with Gray MacKenzie, co-founder of ZenPilot, about how agency owners can build scalable, self-managing operations that run smoothly, without adding more people, tools, or chaos. Gray shares how he’s helped hundreds of agencies streamline their systems,...
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How to Build Authority and Win Clients Through Podcasting with Jeremy Weisz
In this episode, Mandi talks with Jeremy Weisz, co-founder of Rise 25, about how service firm owners can use podcasting as a powerful tool to build authority, deepen relationships, and consistently attract high-value clients without spending a cent on ads. Jeremy shares how he’s helped hundreds…
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Here’s How the Top 5% of Firms Raise Prices (and Win Bigger Deals)
In this episode, Mandi shares how one firm went from charging a few hundred dollars an hour to closing million-dollar contracts, simply by redefining the category they played in. Instead of selling services like engineering or surveying, they positioned themselves around solving the high-stakes...
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The #1 Advantage the Top 5% of Firms Have (& How To Build It In 30 Days)
In this solo episode, Mandi reveals the single biggest advantage that sets the top 5% of consulting and agency firms apart and how you can start building it in your business in just 30 days. While most agencies are busy optimizing operations, chasing leads, or cutting costs, the best firms are...
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From Zero to Booked Out: Build a High-Converting B2B Webinar Strategy w/ Logan Lyles
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Logan Lyles, founder of Demand Shift. Logan helps B2B agencies and brands turn simple marketing into predictable growth using webinars that actually convert and authentic outreach that builds trust. Together, they unpack how...
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Clients Say “Why Are Your Prices Going Up?” And You Say…
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson unpacks one of the biggest fears firm owners face, raising prices. For many, it feels risky, even dangerous, because losing a single client can feel like a step backward. But as Mandi reveals, the real danger isn’t in raising your…
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How to Simplify Your Agency Marketing and Attract Better Clients w/ Kristie Plantinga
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Kristie Plantinga, founder of Place Digital. Kristie helps agencies and service providers simplify their marketing and attract clients with content that actually converts. Together, they dig into why so many agencies struggle...
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The Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS) Won't Work Without This
If you’ve tried EOS but growth still feels flat, exhausting, or like you’re just spinning your wheels, this podcast explains why. EOS is a powerful framework, but it’s not designed to fix weak positioning, underpriced offers, or a sales process that drags. And until those pieces are solved, no...
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How to Simplify Agency Growth and Win Better Clients w/ Jody Sutter
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Jody Sutter, founder of The Sutter Company. Jody has helped agencies of all sizes simplify their business development and win clients without burning out or chasing the wrong opportunities. Together, they dig into why most...
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How to Protect Your Agency, Get Paid, and Grow with Sharon Toerek
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Sharon Toerek, founder of Toerek Law and host of The Innovative Agency. Sharon is an attorney who’s spent years helping agencies protect their businesses, get paid faster, and turn their ideas into valuable assets. Together,...
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AI, Uncertainty & Consulting in 2025: How to Stay Ahead w/ Michael Zipursky
In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson welcomes back Michael Zipursky, CEO of Consulting Success. Michael has worked with thousands of consultants worldwide, helping them build more profitable, scalable, and freedom-filled businesses. Together, they dive into the radical...
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Copy This Strategy to 6X Your Profit — Without Hiring a Big Team
If you're stuck at capacity, pricing too low, and feel like growth means burnout — this video shows you a smarter path to scale. In this episode, Mandi Ellefson shares how two consulting firms 2X’d their prices and 6X’d their profits without hiring or hustling harder. They didn’t need a bigger…
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Copy This Process to Save 20 Hours a Week in Your Company
Are you the one holding your agency together — and holding it back? If you’ve hired a team, built some systems, and delegated tasks… but you still can’t step away without things stalling — you're not scaling, you're surviving. In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down why founders become the...
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Why Clients Say No to Your $20K Offer — and Yes to Your $100K One
Your $20K proposal isn’t failing because of the price — it’s failing because your consulting firm’s value proposition isn’t landing. And ironically? The same clients who ghost your $20K pitch might eagerly say “yes” to $100K — if you position it the right way. In this video, Mandi Ellefson shares...
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High-Paying Clients Keep Passing You Over — Here’s Why (And How to Stop It)
Still stuck trying to sell $20K projects… while your competitors are landing $100K+ deals? In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down the 4 strategic shifts consulting agency CEOs are using to close premium, high-trust engagements — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or getting stuck in...
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Struggling to Sell $20K? These 4 Shifts Close $100K Deals Instead
Trying to sell $20K projects — but clients keep ghosting, lowballing, or dragging their feet? This video breaks down 4 powerful shifts that will help you close $100K+ consulting deals with confidence — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or working more hours. Mandi Ellefson (founder of...
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How to Inspire Clients to Unlock Bigger Budgets (Even When They Say "No")
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals why you don’t need to search for "clients with bigger budgets" - they’re already right in front of you! Discover how to inspire existing clients to unlock budgets they didn’t even know they had. Mandi shows exactly how to transform your business from…
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The Winning Consultancies of 2024: What They're Doing in 2025 - E114
In this insightful solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson shares critical insights from her extensive experience working with thousands of consulting companies over the past 12 years. She reveals the four key strategies that distinguish thriving consulting firms from those struggling to...
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Dream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113
In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson interviews Liz Elting, author of “Dream Big and Win” and founder of TransPerfect, which she built into the world’s largest language solutions company. Starting from an NYU dorm room at age 26, Liz shares her journey of scaling a business while...
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How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112
How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112In this strategic conversation, Mandi interviews Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11, a...
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Spooky Podcast: Should I Blow Up My Business? - E111
Are you playing it too safe with your agency's growth? In this thought-provoking episode, Mandi Ellefson challenges agency owners to think bigger about transformation. Drawing from her experience helping agencies scale, Mandi explains why staying "safe" might be the riskiest strategy in today's...
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Want rapid, doubling growth? Here’s what it takes…
Are agency owners feeling trapped by their own success? In this insightful episode, Mandi Ellefson explores how CEOs can scale their consulting agencies to new heights. Drawing from her experience with thousands of agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down critical elements for exponential growth. This...
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How Top CEOs Scale to $10M by Stepping Away
Are you a 7-figure agency owner feeling trapped by your own success? In this eye-opening episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals how top CEOs are scaling to $10 million and beyond by stepping away from day-to-day operations. Drawing from her extensive experience consulting with over 1000 agency CEOs…
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How to Profitably Scale Your Consulting Agency with Ricardo Perez
If you're like most entrepreneurs, you already know that the journey to success is a long and arduous one. You've poured in your sweat, tears, and countless sleepless nights to get where you are today. But despite all your hard work and dedication, there comes a time when you hit a roadblock and...
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Preventing and Overcoming Stagnant Growth
Two and a half years tend to be the sweet spot where consulting agencies come knocking on Hands-Off CEO’s door. Usually, those two and a half years are the point when CEOs can feel like they are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hard work and stress that is preventing their growth. But there's a...
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Financial Insights Your Ops Leader Needs to Double Profits and Simplify Your Agency with Marcel Petitpas
When managing a consulting agency, there's always a constant feeling that our current methods for measuring profitability just aren't giving us the whole story. Marcel Petitpas, CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto, experienced this very issue while running his own agency. Luckily, he didn't just sit...
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Moving Away from Traditional Agency Models with Greg Hickman
Have you ever thought about looking at agencies from a new perspective? Get ready to discover the concept of the "Alt Agencies" - where specialization and specific outcomes for niche clients are favored over the traditional agency model. Our Guest Greg Hickman shares his journey on how to deliver…
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Make Clients Happy Through Effective Account Management with Taylor McMaster
Did you ever think about the importance of effective account management on scaling your business? If not, prepare for these gems! In this episode Taylor McMaster, founder of Dot and Company, tells her story and how she helps digital marketing agencies with achieving full-service client account...
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Charge More as Clients See You as a Strategic Growth Partner with John Jantsch
Are you ready to take your marketing strategy to new heights? We have a treat for you! Our latest podcast episode features the marketing expert, author, and speaker John Jantsch, owner of Duct Tape Marketing. Get ready to fuel your success with these game-changing insights! In today's fast-paced...
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Achieving Growth and Balance: A CEO's $28M Success Story with Wally Waldron
As entrepreneurs, we often feel the pressure to sacrifice our personal lives to achieve business success. But is it possible to have both? In this episode, a CEO who was able to maintain a work-life balance is taking me through his iterative process of reaching that sweet spot. We will be...
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How to Double Profits With a Fraction of the Clients With Jeff Ennis
What do you do when your business hits a ceiling and struggles to scale? In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Jeff Ennis tells me how he transformed his company's operations, revamped his mindset, and added more value to his clients. From expanding their services, hiring the right team…
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The Lifestyle Business Lie
This is part 2 of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. In this episode, Mandi and Ross share some of the more vulnerable stories and experiences they haven't…
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How Business Success Enables Personal Transformations
This is the first episode of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. The conversation takes a deep dive into the mission behind Hands-Off CEO, and you'll hear stories...
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Streamline Your Legal Decision-Making with Sharon Toerek
In this week’s episode of Hands-Off CEO, Sharon Toerek discusses how to streamline legal decision-making in your business. She joins host Mandi Ellefson to share insights on setting up systems for making informed legal choices and delve into the importance of master service agreements and key...
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Onboard Your Way to Client Success with Megan Huber
Success for clients goes beyond achieving great results. There are several pillars that make up client success, with onboarding being just one of them. Megan Huber of Structured Freedom joins Hands-Off CEO to share her unique perspective on onboarding and how it plays a role in scaling a...
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5 Critical Aspects to Build Powerful Teams
One of the keys to becoming a hands-off CEO is having a powerful team you can trust to run your business while you focus on growth. In this solo episode, I share the five barriers to building and running these powerful teams, and what you can do to overcome them. Key Ideas: One of the barriers to...
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How Much Profit Should I Be Making?
Growth as a CEO often looks like more stress, more responsibility, too much work, and not enough profit. Even if making good money, many businesses are slowed by how little profits they retain. Real profitability is what a CEO would actually make if they were paid at market rate instead of their...
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How to Select the Right Scalability Plan
How do you determine if the direction your company is taking is the right one? Mandi Ellefson discusses an effective formula for devising the right scalability plan, and shares a step-by-step guide. Key Ideas: If you haven’t established clarity in your vision, it’s easy for your business to end…
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Most Ops Issues are Created in the Sales Process
There is a big misconception around operations, sales, and marketing and how they all intersect. Mandi Ellefson debunks some of these misconceptions and discusses how operations and sales impact scalability in a consulting agency. Key Ideas: Most approaches to scaling a consulting agency are...
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How to Get Your Team to OWN It! Delegating Ownership
Delegating ownership frees up time for CEOs so they can focus on the business. Mandi Ellefson talks about the right way to let go of your business and hand the reins over to capable leaders, and how this helps you actually work on growing the business. Key Ideas: The challenge with delegating...
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Vulnerable Share About Success in Business and Your Family
What defining moments or milestones have happened to you along the way towards your current level of success? Mandi Ellefson shares her story as she discusses milestones that people typically experience in their business journey, and how to identify and address common challenges. Key Ideas: Very...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hands-Off Growth is for B2B service firm CEOs who are already winning, and ready to grow without the business depending on them.If your revenue is climbing but the weight of running it is climbing with it, this show is for you. Each episode covers the real decisions behind scaling past $3M: how to reprice your offer around outcomes, remove yourself from delivery, and build a team that drives growth without you in every room.Hosted by Mandi Ellefson - consultant, investor, and author of The Hands-Off CEO - with 17+ years and 400+ firms. Mandi has helped service firm CEOs add over $10M of growth, millions in profits. The Hands-Off Growth Operating System covered in this podcast is proven to add $5M in growth and $1M in net profit in 24 months, without the growth depending on the founder.Episodes include pricing, offer structure to move up market, and client selection. Conversations with B2B service firm CEOs detail exactly what it takes to cross a real threshold.If you are building
HOSTED BY
Mandi Ellefson
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Hands-Off Growth have?
Hands-Off Growth currently has 133 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Hands-Off Growth about?
Hands-Off Growth is for B2B service firm CEOs who are already winning, and ready to grow without the business depending on them.If your revenue is climbing but the weight of running it is climbing with it, this show is for you. Each episode covers the real decisions behind scaling past $3M: how to...
How often does Hands-Off Growth release new episodes?
Hands-Off Growth publishes regularly with 133 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Hands-Off Growth?
You can listen to Hands-Off Growth on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Hands-Off Growth?
Hands-Off Growth is created and hosted by Mandi Ellefson.
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