Scaling Startups to $800M Exits | Lynn Herrick | S1 E32
Download MP3What does it take to go from practicing law to leading companies through $800M acquisitions? In this episode of Badass Leaders, Lynn Herrick shares her unconventional path from attorney to COO, the hard-won lessons she learned scaling GreatCall to its Best Buy exit, and why culture—not strategy—saves companies.
We dig into how she transformed high-turnover call centers into thriving “caring centers,” simplified complex problems that consultants said would take years, and navigated the messy realities of mergers, leadership, and conflict. If you’re serious about building resilient teams and leading with humanity, this conversation is a masterclass.
Learn More About Lynn:
Instagram: @lynnherrickart
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lynnkantorherrick
Mentioned in this Episode:
Make Work Not Suck (Podcast hosted by Daniel Steere & Ryan) https://www.makeworknotsuck.com
Vicki Bradley’s episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast https://youtu.be/1npYQanCFTE?si=CdCWNKkB0kWYMURb
Daniel Steere’s episode of the Badass Leaders Podcat https://youtu.be/3ony669Dmy4?si=68b69GI4sp9xOzSd
GreatCall (now Lively by Best Buy Health) https://corporate.bestbuy.com/2021/best-buy-health-introduces-lively-smart-smartphone-for-the-active-aging-community/
Florence Healthcare – Company where Angela Gill Nelms served as COO https://florencehc.com/
Simon Sinek – Author & speaker referenced regarding leadership and corporate culture) https://simonsinek.com/
Jack Welch – Former GE CEO referenced as an example of old-school ranking systems in corporations (books like Winning)
About Angela:
Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in the creation of exceptional companies and teams. She serves as the Director of Biolocity and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of both The AGN Group and the Recovery Advocate Network. Previously, she held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Aetos Imaging, RenovoRx, and Florence Healthcare. With a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Angela has a proven track record of successfully navigating the FDA, leading diverse teams, prioritizing the needs of customers and patients, and building exceptional companies.
Angela shares her lessons learned around the country in keynote speeches, coaching, and team-building workshops. Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. We offer keynote and panel speaking, leadership and team-building workshops, fractional and management consulting, brand and storytelling services. Email us at hello@TheAGNGroup.com to connect. Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bebravebebadass/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Dg8OQ7SqtGtSiCWQUfLB?si=c17c0f1abe29446f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/badass-leaders-podcast-brave-hearts-brave-conversations/id1788987881
Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Badass-Leaders-Podcast-Brave-Hearts-Brave-Conversations-Badass-Leaders/B0DS2CQL9V?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.
Learn more about the podcast at www.BadassLeadersPodcast.com.
We dig into how she transformed high-turnover call centers into thriving “caring centers,” simplified complex problems that consultants said would take years, and navigated the messy realities of mergers, leadership, and conflict. If you’re serious about building resilient teams and leading with humanity, this conversation is a masterclass.
Learn More About Lynn:
Instagram: @lynnherrickart
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lynnkantorherrick
Mentioned in this Episode:
Make Work Not Suck (Podcast hosted by Daniel Steere & Ryan) https://www.makeworknotsuck.com
Vicki Bradley’s episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast https://youtu.be/1npYQanCFTE?si=CdCWNKkB0kWYMURb
Daniel Steere’s episode of the Badass Leaders Podcat https://youtu.be/3ony669Dmy4?si=68b69GI4sp9xOzSd
GreatCall (now Lively by Best Buy Health) https://corporate.bestbuy.com/2021/best-buy-health-introduces-lively-smart-smartphone-for-the-active-aging-community/
Florence Healthcare – Company where Angela Gill Nelms served as COO https://florencehc.com/
Simon Sinek – Author & speaker referenced regarding leadership and corporate culture) https://simonsinek.com/
Jack Welch – Former GE CEO referenced as an example of old-school ranking systems in corporations (books like Winning)
About Angela:
Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in the creation of exceptional companies and teams. She serves as the Director of Biolocity and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of both The AGN Group and the Recovery Advocate Network. Previously, she held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Aetos Imaging, RenovoRx, and Florence Healthcare. With a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Angela has a proven track record of successfully navigating the FDA, leading diverse teams, prioritizing the needs of customers and patients, and building exceptional companies.
Angela shares her lessons learned around the country in keynote speeches, coaching, and team-building workshops. Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. We offer keynote and panel speaking, leadership and team-building workshops, fractional and management consulting, brand and storytelling services. Email us at hello@TheAGNGroup.com to connect. Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bebravebebadass/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Dg8OQ7SqtGtSiCWQUfLB?si=c17c0f1abe29446f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/badass-leaders-podcast-brave-hearts-brave-conversations/id1788987881
Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Badass-Leaders-Podcast-Brave-Hearts-Brave-Conversations-Badass-Leaders/B0DS2CQL9V?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.
Learn more about the podcast at www.BadassLeadersPodcast.com.
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is a founder, board leader, podcaster, and award-winning entrepreneur with a career spanning SaaS, medical devices, biotech, and clinical research. She builds high-impact teams and organizations rooted in culture, resilience, and strategic execution—helping innovators move ideas from lab to market and leaders grow with intention. She hosts three podcasts that reflect her mission to elevate leadership and accelerate biomedical innovation: Badass Leaders Podcast, Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, and Recovery Advocate Network: Coffee & Conversation. Across each show, Angela creates space for honest conversations that drive impact, reduce stigma, and shape the future of leadership and health. A Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Alumni honoree and INC 500 award recipient, Angela serves on multiple boards across innovation and mental health ecosystems. Outside of work, she’s beekeeping, blacksmithing, turning wood, or training—6× IRONMAN and lifelong advocate for humans being human.
Producer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she leads podcast production, brand strategy, and client experience from concept to launch. Equal parts creative and operational powerhouse, she guides clients through branding, recording, and distribution while ensuring every detail runs seamlessly. Known as a customer experience magician, Katie is passionate about making every client and guest feel seen, supported, and celebrated—delivering a five-star experience that amplifies bold stories and builds meaningful impact.
