Ep. 234 - Five Hidden Business Growth Traps Costing You Time and Money
Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Release Date: 11/18/2025
Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
In this powerful episode, Robert and Kay Lee sit down with 17-year-old entrepreneur and leukemia survivor Keira Chang, founder of Heroko Shop and author of The Second Race: The Turtle and the Puppy, A Story About Money. Diagnosed with leukemia the week before her 13th birthday, Keira spent years in treatment and isolation—but emerged with a renewed appreciation for life, community, and the importance of using your gifts to help others. Her story is raw, inspiring, and a needed reset for entrepreneurs who get caught up in the grind. Keira shares how Heroko Shop was born at the end of her...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. As the year winds down (or whenever you’re listening), Robert and Kay Lee invite married entrepreneurs to pause and audit what’s working—and what’s quietly piling onto your calendar “just because.” The danger isn’t always failure… it’s drift. When you...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. What happens when a career shake-up, a calling to entrepreneurship, and a surprise pregnancy all collide at once? In this episode, Robert sits down with Robbie and Nicole Harper—co-founders of Blue Ridge PR—to talk about what it really looks like to build a business while...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. FREE Marriage and Business Assessment Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. As married entrepreneurs, it’s easy to fall into traps that seem harmless but quietly eat away at your profits, your time, and even your marriage. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee uncover five hidden growth traps that keep business owners stuck working harder instead of...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
When big ideas stall, it’s rarely because the idea is bad—it’s because people get stuck. In this week’s conversation, we welcome strategist and author Susan Schramm (chair of Nehemiah Project; founder of Go To Market Impact) to unpack how married entrepreneurs can de-risk decisions at work and at home—without killing momentum or connection. Susan introduces her De-Risk System for Impact, a simple, people-first way to move initiatives forward: clarify why and why now, name who must take action, surface assumptions, and explore both upside and downside risk—including the risk of...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Cracker Barrel’s attempted rebrand lit up the internet—but the logo was only the tip of the iceberg. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee unpack what really happened: rapid, sweeping changes to brand visuals, menu staples, and in-store experience that left loyal customers feeling ignored. Robert draws on his Coca-Cola days to connect the dots to “New Coke” and other big-brand missteps. The lesson for married entrepreneurs? Expansion is great—if you bring your core with you. We talk about how to modernize without losing the soul of your brand, why you must weight research toward your...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Live Life Rich Book Website: Instagram: @marissanehlsen Facebook: Twitter:@MarissaNehlsen LinkedIn: Eight-figure founder and wealth strategist Marissa Nehlsen returns to share how married entrepreneurs can build real wealth and protect what matters most at home. From her North Dakota roots to stewarding multiple Costa Rica retreat properties, Marissa unpacks the mindset shifts that moved her from hustle to harmony—where profit funds purpose, family, and freedom. She reveals why “keeping moving” doesn’t mean doing more; it means making better, braver...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
After a jam-packed few weeks onboarding clients and juggling a major project, Robert & Kay Lee get real about a message every married entrepreneur needs to hear: “Hustle now, rest later” is a myth that steals joy, strains marriages, and sabotages long-term business value. In this candid conversation, they unpack why constant grind doesn’t equal greater achievement—and how to build a business that grows and lets you enjoy life with your spouse now, not “someday.” You’ll hear how choosing family over finance actually creates a stronger company: better culture, lower turnover,...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Every married entrepreneur knows mistakes come with the territory—but they don’t have to derail your marriage or business. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee pull back the curtain on the top five mistakes they’ve made as married entrepreneurs—and the lessons learned along the way. From overlooking the “Chief Feelings Officer” to chasing shiny objects, they share candid stories that cost them time, money, and peace (sometimes six figures!). You’ll hear how “hiring for convenience” created unnecessary conflict, why building real friendships beats pouring money into funnels,...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
With over 10,000 AI tools at our fingertips, it’s tempting to think technology will be our golden ticket to efficiency, profits, and free time. The problem? All that “help” can actually lead to tech creep—where one more tool, one more subscription, and one more DIY task sneak onto your plate until your calendar is full and your marriage is on the back burner. Bottom line: Tech can absolutely help you grow your business and free up more time for your marriage—if you use it in moderation and keep your focus on the high-level work only you can do. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to put...
info_outlineWant to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
FREE Marriage and Business Assessment https://marriageandbusiness.scoreapp.com/
Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk
As married entrepreneurs, it’s easy to fall into traps that seem harmless but quietly eat away at your profits, your time, and even your marriage. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee uncover five hidden growth traps that keep business owners stuck working harder instead of smarter. These aren’t your typical sales or marketing issues—they’re deeper mindset and leadership challenges that directly impact your ability to scale while still having time and energy for your spouse and family.
From chasing sales without focusing on profit margins, to micromanaging instead of delegating, to ignoring outside counsel (including your spouse’s wisdom!), these traps are more common than you might think. You’ll also hear how holding onto “sacred cows” or letting the words “I can’t” dominate your thinking can prevent you from making necessary changes that create both freedom and financial stability. With practical stories and client examples, Robert and Kay Lee show how to shift your mindset and avoid sabotaging your own growth.
This episode is about more than building a bigger business—it’s about building a healthier business and marriage at the same time. When you stop focusing on the wrong things and start creating systems, margins, and open communication, you’ll reclaim time, reduce stress, and grow profitably in tandem.
Key Takeaways:
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Sales don’t guarantee profits—healthy margins do.
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Micromanaging drains your energy and limits your team’s potential.
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Every entrepreneur needs trusted outside counsel (yes, even your spouse).
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Holding onto “sacred cows” keeps you stuck in outdated practices.
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Saying “I can’t” closes the door on innovation and healthy growth.