Libsyn Directory

#22 The Secret to Sustainable Business Growth: Why Focus Matters More Than Hustle

Release Date: 09/06/2024

#38 - Quarter Four Reset: Focused Path to 2026

Spark Good Podcast

As the year winds down, many entrepreneurs fall into one of two traps — either pushing harder than ever to “finish strong,” or checking out completely until January. But what if the smartest CEOs do something different? What if your reset for 2026 actually starts now? In this final episode of the Q4 Reset Mini-Series, Stephanie brings everything together — from finding focus to building consistency — and walks you through a simple 3-step framework to review, refocus, and reset your business before the new year begins. You’ll hear: ✨ A quick recap of all four episodes in the Q4...

#37 - Building Consistency Over Hustle in Your Business

Spark Good Podcast

Big bursts of hustle can get attention — but consistency builds real growth. In this episode, Stephanie explores what it really takes to move beyond the endless hustle cycle and build steady, sustainable momentum in your business. She shares why those short bursts of energy often lead to burnout — and how small, repeatable CEO habits can help you create stability, clarity, and calm progress instead. You’ll learn: Why hustle might create momentum, but consistency sustains it How overworking and “feast-or-famine” patterns drain your focus and profits The core CEO habits that help...

#36 — The Hidden Reason You’re Exhausted in Your Business

Spark Good Podcast

If you’re ending the day wiped out — even when you’re not working 70-hour weeks — you’re not alone. So many entrepreneurs assume exhaustion comes from long hours or hustling too hard. But there’s another, quieter culprit that drains your energy and keeps you feeling behind. In this episode, I share the surprising reason so many business owners feel stretched thin, the subtle warning signs to watch for, and small but powerful shifts you can make now to reclaim your energy and finish the year strong. You’ll walk away with a fresh lens on why you’re so tired — and practical ways...

#35 - Focus Is a Choice: How to Stop Running Your Business on Autopilot

Spark Good Podcast

As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly pulled in a hundred directions — by clients, opportunities, and the never-ending to-do list. But what if being scattered isn’t just happening to you… what if it’s a choice you’re unknowingly making? In this episode of the Q4 Reset Mini-Series, Stephanie challenges a deeply ingrained belief about “being busy” and invites you to rethink how you decide what matters most in your business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re reacting instead of leading — or wondered why momentum feels so hard to sustain — this conversation will spark a powerful...

#34- The #1 Mistake Entrepreneurs Make in Q4

Spark Good Podcast

Every fall, entrepreneurs tend to go one of two directions: they either push harder than ever trying to squeeze every last win out of the year… or they quietly give up, telling themselves it’s too late to make a difference. Both approaches can derail your momentum. In this kickoff to my 5-part Q4 mini-series, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about finishing the year strong — including why I stopped running year-end planning sessions in frantic December (and what I do instead now). If you want to end 2025 with intention and step into 2026 clear and confident — not burned out or playing...

#33: From Hustle to Sustainability: Introducing the Four Entrepreneurial Types

Spark Good Podcast

Labor Day marks more than just a holiday—it’s a reset point. New rhythms. Fresh routines. A chance to step into the final stretch of the year with renewed energy. But here’s the question: How are you showing up in your business right now? In this episode, Stephanie shares why she’s shifting the Spark Good Podcast into intentional seasons (instead of forcing a weekly grind) and introduces a brand-new framework: The Four Entrepreneurial Types. Are you constantly hustling and burning the candle at both ends? Overflowing with ideas but struggling to gain traction? Or maybe you’re...

#32: “Small Shifts, Big Payoffs” Series - Part 3: Structure Creates Freedom

Spark Good Podcast

What if the structure you're resisting is the very thing that could set you free? In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores how planning like a CEO—with clear focus and intentional structure—can reduce overwhelm, eliminate distractions, and help you build sustainable momentum in your business. Whether you feel like to-do lists are running the show or you're great at planning but struggle to follow through, this conversation will reframe how you approach your time and energy. Stephanie shares: Why traditional to-do lists often fail entrepreneurs How a 90-day planning rhythm helps...

#31: "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series - Part 2: Know Your Numbers, Own Your Business

Spark Good Podcast

Know Your Numbers, Own Your Business - Part 2 of the “Small Shifts, Big Payoffs” Series for Becoming a Sustainable CEO What if understanding your business numbers could be the key to the clarity, freedom, and impact you’re craving? In this episode, Stephanie pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked habits of early-stage and mission-driven entrepreneurs: tracking your numbers. Whether you’re a social entrepreneur, creative service provider, or growing consultant, this episode will shift the way you think about money, metrics, and the CEO role you're stepping into....

#30: “Small Shifts, Big Payoffs” Series - Part 1: From Reactive to Proactive CEO

Spark Good Podcast

Part 1 of the “Small Shifts, Big Payoffs” Series for Becoming a Sustainable CEO If you’ve ever ended your workday wondering, “What did I even get done today?”—this episode is for you. We’re kicking off a brand-new 4-part series exploring the small, intentional shifts that can lead to big results in your business. In today’s conversation, Stephanie unpacks what it really means to step into the role of CEO—even if you’re a team of one—and why shifting from reactive to proactive might be the most important move you can make this year. You’ll hear: A behind-the-scenes...

#29: From Fear to Flow: How Entrepreneurs Build Confidence

Spark Good Podcast

In this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores what it really means to "do it scared"—to take bold action even when confidence is nowhere in sight. Drawing inspiration from a weekend of meaningful experiences, Stephanie unpacks how these moments reveal powerful truths about entrepreneurship. She dives into the psychology of confidence, including: Why confidence is a skill and not a prerequisite. The Confidence Loop framework: how action, not belief, leads to results and growth. Albert Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and four key sources that help you...

More Episodes

In this episode of the Spark Good podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi discusses the critical role of self-care in business strategy, emphasizing its importance for long-term sustainability and success. She discusses how integrating these practices from day one can help prevent burnout and foster resilience, creativity, and a positive work culture. Drawing inspiration from books like "Do Less" by Kate Northrup and "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson, Stephanie highlights how small, consistent actions contribute to overall well-being and business performance. She provides practical tips about how entrepreneurs can incorporate self-care into their daily routines, ultimately enhancing their leadership, vision, and innovation capabilities.

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