What if building world-class company culture could slash turnover, ignite team loyalty, and make you love coming to work, even after 14 years in the trenches?

In this electrifying episode, guest host Sivana Brewer dives deep with Vincent Malizia, Co-Owner and Chief Culture Officer at A1 Roofing, to reveal how a "people first" mindset transformed his business. They unpack how working alongside family, delegating with trust, and prioritizing fulfillment (inside and outside work) create truly sustainable success. You'll hear raw stories, unconventional tactics, and hard-earned lessons on leadership, autonomy, and building a company that people actually brag about.

Listen now to discover proven strategies that will help you avoid endless burnout, break free from revolving team doors, and stand out with powerful emotional intelligence. This is an exclusive, story-rich episode, a must-hear for any operator or leader ready to love their business (and life).

[00:00] – Why most people who resist change eventually check out, and how Vincent attracts “let’s go” energy

[01:14] – The unexpected origins of A1 Roofing: family hustle, college lessons, and sharing everything

[08:04] – When company leaders choose team dignity over difficult clients—winning big by walking away

[09:08] – How investing in health benefits, retreats, and family flexibility created a magnetic culture

[12:32] – Unlimited PTO and summer Fridays: why radical time-off policies actually increased productivity

[13:01] – The surprising drop in turnover rate, and how Vincent’s approach crushed industry averages

[15:14] – Why giving up Saturday work fueled energy and fulfillment for tough field roles

[22:27] – How moving from “doing it all” to scalable systems unlocked Vincent’s passion (and his sleep)

[27:02] – Mentorship, leadership meetings, and a wild commitment to personal growth—all in the real world

[34:10] – Inside the rare, drama-free CEO/COO partnership—what makes “ego-free” collaboration last

[39:55] – How AI transformed operations and supported team members with real challenges

Vincent Malizia is the Co-Owner and Chief Culture Officer of A1 Roofing, a leading commercial roofing company serving the New York tri-state region. Known for his 14+ years of people-first leadership, Vincent rebuilt A1’s company culture from the ground up—cutting turnover by more than half and fostering a team of nearly 100 employees. He’s recognized for his advocacy of autonomy, meaningful recognition systems, family-friendly policies, and investing in mentorship at every level.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

1. John Starks (guest speaker, leadership retreats)
2. Join Assembly (employee recognition software)
3. WhatsApp chat (team communication)
4. ChatGPT (AI tool for job notes...

Are you secretly wondering if your team has what it really takes to scale across borders, cultures, and chaos?

In this episode, Jim Lutzweiler sits down with Jim Lutzweiler, Global COO at ForAfrika, to pull back the curtain on what actually makes world-class teams tick. From the dirt floors of Ghana to the boardrooms of Fortune 500s, Jim’s been the fixer for mission-driven giants—solving people, culture, and growth puzzles in over 100 countries.

If you’re tired of surface-level leadership advice and ready to learn the real, gritty skills for building resilient teams, breaking silos, and driving impact under fire, this conversation is your competitive edge. Listen now to dodge the pain and political landmines of hiring wrong, failing succession plans, or losing visibility on what actually matters.

This episode delivers battle-tested wisdom for COOs who want to thrive. Miss it, and you’ll be left behind. Only here will you find these raw, proven insights. Don’t skip this one.

[00:00] – The no-surprises rule that keeps leadership out of the headlines (and how silence wrecks your team’s brand)

[02:10] – From Peace Corps mud huts to C-suite: why relentless curiosity built Jim’s game-changing career trajectory

[05:33] – Why hiring for passion isn’t enough—developing the DNA for unstoppable teams across 8 countries

[12:17] – When a single email kills your funding: navigating shock, recovery, and reinvention under global donor cuts

[16:48] – The “BMW engine” mentality that rewired how Jim builds high-output teams

[20:07] – How to spot (and fix) hidden silos—and why most leaders get blindsided

[34:10] – In-person secrets: the critical moves that build (or break) trust when screens won’t cut it

[51:31] – Working with visionaries: telling your CEO the hard truth and loving your “number two” seat

Jim Lutzweiler is the Chief Operating Officer at ForAfrika, an NGO transforming lives by unlocking Africa’s resources to help its people thrive. With over 25 years of experience in international development, including work across 100 countries for governments, NGOs, and Fortune 500 companies, Jim is recognized for building resilient teams, leading successful change initiatives, and managing complex projects at scale.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

1. World Food Programme
2. USAID
3. UNICEF
4. EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System
5. AARP Foundation
6. Duquesne University

Ever feel overwhelmed by the impossible task of scaling a team without losing your soul or your culture? You’re not alone… or powerless.

In this episode, Sivana Brewer is joined by David Chol, COO of Vanguard Properties, for a candid conversation about breaking through isolation, banishing burnout, and the rare leadership moves every operator needs to hear (but never gets taught).

They dive deep into why “quality over quantity” culture trumps complexity, how to actually build people (not just systems), and what happens when you ditch the rulebook and trust your gut. Learn proven ways to create psychological safety, unleash autonomy, and develop team members you never realized were hiding in plain sight.

Listen now if you want a legendary team, not headaches. Tune in today to steal the strategies you won’t find on any corporate checklist and avoid the silent cost of letting your best people stagnate.

[00:00] – The wild, serendipitous story of how an overseas friendship turned into a game-changing recruiting move

[01:24] – “Quality over quantity”: The Vanguard way of winning big without getting bigger

[04:46] – Why career-crushing heartbreaks can open doors to your best opportunities—and why David welcomes them

[10:17] – There was no playbook: What happens when you’re handed your “dream job” and left to sink or swim

[13:15] – Surprising truths: What David really discovered about himself when the safety nets disappeared

[19:04] – The secret to creating a culture of radical autonomy without chaos—or loss of accountability

[21:10] – Why most interviews are fake (and how to truly get to know someone before you hire them)

[31:35] – The 15-calls-a-day ritual: The proven method that keeps hidden talent from falling through the cracks

[38:03] – Exactly how to keep your best people growing—plus the overlooked dangers of ignoring their untapped skills

[42:07] – The harsh realities no one tells COOs about—plus honest ways to navigate “second in command” constraints

David Chol is the Chief Operating Officer of Vanguard Properties, the Bay Area’s largest independent and LGBT-led brokerage, boasting 500+ agents and a forty-year legacy. A lifelong real estate operator with roots ranging from private equity to technology, David is known for building standout cultures and pioneering people-first leadership strategies that drive growth, even when markets are in turmoil. At Vanguard, he champions autonomy, radical honesty, and transforming hidden staff potential into real company wins.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

1. James Nunemaker (Vanguard CEO)
2. Frank Nolan (Vanguard President/Co-Owner)
3. Pam Ruffino (Director of Agent Success)

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former...