ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What if your next big business breakthrough started with owning your own blind spots?
This Fan Favorite episode throws you in the trenches with Cameron Herold and SaaS Academy's former COO and current CEO Matt Verlachi, as they go far beyond surface-level business banter. From surviving firefighting chaos to building, selling, and now scaling SaaS Academy, Matt Verlachi exposes the real skills that make or break Second in Commands.
They unpack why customer obsession cures more growth headaches than any software, how to weaponize one-on-ones for radical team development, and what most COOs get dead wrong about CEO dynamics.
Miss this? You risk coasting on old habits while others engineer unfair advantages. Listen now for hard-won tactics you won’t find in any business course from the world’s largest SaaS coaching engine.
Timestamped Highlights
- 00:45 – The firefighting mindset that built decisive business instincts
- 05:56 – The overlooked power of “small unit” teams to unlock real growth
- 09:44 – Are you a COO trapped in a CEO’s title? The unexpected identity test
- 13:43 – Brutal truths about customer obsession and why most leaders fail here
- 16:18 – The lesson no founder learns soon enough when selling their company
- 18:22 – The surprising reason joining SaaS Academy changed his life
- 21:31 – The founder’s hidden block: How self-worth destroys pricing
- 27:31 – The counterintuitive leadership split that 10x’d their decision speed
- 41:07 – How his “full-person” one-on-ones rip open performance breakthroughs
About the Guest
Matt Verlaque was the former COO of SaaS Academy (now Precision), steering operational strategy for the largest coaching platform serving B2B SaaS entrepreneurs. With first-hand experience ranging from firefighting to founding and selling a SaaS startup, he delivers operating wisdom forged under real pressure. He is currently serving as the CEO at Precision, where they help growth-minded founders understand how their business actually works so they can scale with clarity, not chaos.
Mentioned Resources
- Great CEO Within by Matt Mochary
- Joe Polish / Genius Network
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK
- Dan Martell
- Shopify (Tobias Lütke, Harley Finkelstein)
- CrossFit
- UP Launch
Important Links
- Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
- Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
- Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
- Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
- Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi
Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.
The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
