Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast!
In this episode, Derek sits down with Andrea de la Cerda, CEO of Clover Agency and founder of Candula, for a powerful conversation on leadership, trust, and what it truly means to step into the visionary role.
Andrea shares her honest journey of hitting the “I can’t do this alone anymore” moment, why she chose Fractional COO support, and how learning to let go transformed both of her companies. From clearing operational chaos to reclaiming her energy and building a future-focused vision, Andrea shares the mindset shifts and practical changes that helped her lead at a higher level.
If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, overwhelmed by the weeds, or afraid to relinquish control, this episode will speak directly to you.
In This Episode:
[01:09] The Turning Point Why Andrea finally admitted she needed strategic operational support—and why she wanted it now.
[02:31] When the Business Becomes “Too Big” The moment business ownership shifted from excitement to exhaustion.
[04:24] Hiring People Smarter Than You How Andrea embraced the power of surrounding herself with experts—and the mindset shift that changed everything.
[07:52] Protecting Your Energy as a CEO Why staying in your zone of genius isn’t optional—it’s essential.
[11:37] The First 90 Days with a Fractional COO The cleanup phase, the systems audit, and how trust became the foundation for real progress.
[15:45] Stepping Out of the Weeds How having a true second-in-command opened up space for vision, growth, and long-term planning.
[18:47] Delegating Big Initiatives A real example of how Andrea leaned on her COO to execute a major company-wide upgrade from start to finish.
[22:19] Why Visionaries Need a “Make-It-Real” Partner The difference between making ideas up vs. making them happen.
[23:51] The Wake-Up Call for Her Second Business How burnout resurfaced—and how she knew it was time to duplicate the Fractional COO support for her second company.
[28:52] Advice for Founders Hesitating to Let Go Andrea’s guidance for leaders afraid to relinquish control or bring in high-level support.
[31:56] Her Personal Mindset Practices Meditation, breathwork, journaling, therapy, and how she stays grounded as a leader.
📌 Why This Matters
Your effectiveness as a CEO depends on your energy, clarity, and ability to stay in your zone of genius. When you’re buried in operations, compliance, or constant decision-making, you lose the capacity to lead.
Andrea’s story is a real-world example of what happens when a visionary gets the right operational partner—your business grows, your confidence returns, and the future opens up.
✅ Action Steps for Listeners:
Resources & Links:
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