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.
What does it take to scale a $100M company into a $365M powerhouse and beyond?
In this episode, Cameron Herold sits down with longtime friend Erik Church, President & COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the O2E Brands portfolio. Together, they reflect on 30 years of leadership lessons, from fraternity houses and College Pro Painters to running one of the most recognized franchise brands in North America.
Erik reveals how he uses the Painted Picture (now Vivid Vision) process to align his teams, why saying “no” is often the most important leadership move, and how 101 Life Goals have become a cultural cornerstone at O2E. He also shares the realities of working with a high-profile visionary founder, balancing bold, sometimes “crazy” ideas with operational discipline.
If you’re a second-in-command navigating rapid growth, culture challenges, or a visionary CEO, this episode delivers actionable insights from one of the most seasoned COOs in the franchise world.
Timestamped Highlights
- [00:01:00] – Erik’s journey from EF Education to leading 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
- [00:05:00] – How Painted Pictures (Vivid Vision) align teams across multiple brands
- [00:07:22] – Why great leadership is more about saying no than yes
- [00:09:19] – Lessons on culture from fraternity days, the military, and EF Education
- [00:13:41] – Navigating life as the COO “behind the brand” of a visionary founder
- [00:15:29] – Succession planning: why no one can advance until they replace themselves
- [00:19:19] – How Erik and Brian carve out alignment time and balance ideas vs. execution
- [00:21:00] – The power of 101 Life Goals in culture and recruitment
- [00:28:00] – Balancing big, bold founder ideas with scalability and replication
- [00:39:34] – Leading through constant change and technology transformation
- [00:42:19] – What Brian saw in Erik—and how their partnership works
- [00:46:22] – Erik’s biggest contribution to O2E Brands’ growth
About the Guest
Erik Church is the President & COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the O2E Brands family (WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, Shack Shine). Since joining in 2011, he has helped scale the company from $100M to over $365M in revenue, focusing on culture, operational excellence, and leadership development. Previously, he served as President of EF Education Canada and held senior leadership roles across EF’s global businesses. Erik is also an avid outdoorsman, traveler, and motorcycle enthusiast.
🔗 Website | LinkedIn
Resources & Mentions
Important Links
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.
