237. Running a $5M Business with a Lean Team with Denise Duffield-Thomas
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
Release Date: 06/04/2025
254. Don’t Overthink It: Your Customers Already Told You the Answer
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
After coaching Jen O’Hare of Bell Box Co on defining her QBR (Queen Bee Role), Adrienne and Emily are back with a debrief — breaking down the biggest themes from the conversation and sharing how they apply to every business, not just gifting. This episode is a must-listen if your offers feel bloated, you’re stretched too thin, or you’re struggling to decide what actually matters to your customers. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why Jen’s QBR wasn’t product selection (and what it was instead) ✅ How to define your QBR when you're doing it all yourself ✅ Why trimming services is...
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253. Defining Your QBR + Streamlining Offers with Jen O'Hare
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
In this episode of the CEO Help Desk, Adrienne and Emily coach Jen O’Hare, founder of Bell Box Co, through one of the most powerful prioritization tools we use at Clockwork: identifying her business’s QBR (Queen Bee Role). Jen runs a high-touch, end-to-end corporate gifting service — but like so many CEOs, she’s been wearing all the hats. In this real-time strategy session, you’ll hear how we narrowed in on what actually matters most to her customers, and how that clarity can help her scale without sacrificing quality. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why Jen’s customers choose her over...
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252. When Your Business Outgrows Your Old Habits
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
In this debrief episode, Adrienne and Emily reflect on their conversation with Danielle Hendon — and break down what it actually looks like to loosen your grip without watching the whole business unravel. They share their own experiences stepping back from day-to-day decisions, the tools that helped them build trust with their team, and how to adapt leadership as both your business and personal needs evolve. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why delegation problems are usually communication problems ✅ How to use red/yellow/green light language with your team ✅ The difference between being...
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251. Scaling a Human-Centered CFO Firm with Danielle Hendon
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Danielle Hendon, founder of 4 Corners CFO, to unpack a surprisingly common (and sneaky) bottleneck: too many leads. If you’ve ever thought “more leads = more money,” this episode might change your mind. Danielle shares the real challenges of managing overwhelming demand as a solo CFO — and why growing her client roster wasn’t translating to growing her business. Together, they explore what it looks like to: Get clear on capacity before hiring Protect your most valuable skillsets And rebuild around you —...
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250. The Shiny Idea Trap (and How to Escape It)
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
When is the right time to start something new? In this debrief, Adrienne and Emily unpack their coaching session with Catherine Roe and offer a powerful reframe for any multi-passionate CEO: context determines the strategy. They explore what made Catherine ready to grow something new — and how to know if you are too. 🎧 Listen in as they discuss: ✅ The truth about “multi-passionate” founders ✅ Why seasons of business matter more than hustle ✅ What happens when you try to grow two things that both need you ✅ The trap of chasing new ideas because you’re bored ✅ Why...
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249. The Right Time for Your Next Big Business Idea with Catherine Roe
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
Catherine Roe built a successful accounting firm that now runs without her. But instead of coasting, she’s launching a second brand — an educational business focused on financial literacy. In this coaching episode of The CEO Help Desk, Catherine shares how she’s balancing new ideas, team capacity, and her own energy as she grows her next business. If you’ve ever felt the pull to start something new and the fear of slipping back into overwork… you’re going to relate to this one. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why her first business can grow without her — and what that changes ✅ How...
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248. The Illusion of Letting Go
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
After , Adrienne and Emily are back to debrief the conversation — and dig into what it really takes to evolve from a hands-on founder to a strategic leader. If you’ve stepped out of the doing but still find yourself making all the decisions, this debrief will hit home. Here’s what we cover: ✅ The illusion of being “out of the weeds” — and why decision fatigue proves otherwise ✅ How to train your team to spot problems and solve them ✅ Letting go of control… without letting go of clarity ✅ Navigating leadership with a co-founder who sees the world differently ✅ Why...
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247. Leading Beyond the Day-to-Day with Ben and Cody from 5 Star Interpreting
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
In this coaching episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Ben and Cody, co-founders of , to tackle a challenge many visionary founders face: What does your role become when the business runs without you? If you’ve ever felt unsure of how to stay involved at a strategic level without slipping back into the day-to-day, this one’s for you. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why “letting go” doesn’t mean disappearing ✅ How to build metrics that matter (and get your team to own them) ✅ Navigating partnership dynamics when your working styles clash ✅ Identifying the...
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246. Fear-Based Decisions Cost Your Business Too Much
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
After coaching Lisa Whitehouse on her team and scaling challenges, Adrienne and Emily are back to debrief the conversation — and get honest about how fear, beliefs, and untested assumptions shape our most critical business decisions. If you’ve ever delayed a hire, undercharged for your work, or jumped back into client delivery because “it’s just easier,” this debrief is a must-listen. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Why journaling and mindset work alone won’t help you scale ✅ The numbers that make hiring decisions feel safer ✅ How to calculate your onboarding runway + caseload...
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245. Scaling a People-Powered Sales Team with Lisa Whitehouse
The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork
In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Lisa Whitehouse, founder of Clever Vine — a UK-based outsourced business development agency — to unpack the mental and operational roadblocks keeping her from hiring and scaling with confidence. If you’ve ever second-guessed whether it’s safe to grow your team, this one’s for you. Here’s what we cover: ✅ What “team trauma” looks like — and how it lingers in your decision-making ✅ Why Lisa keeps jumping back into client work (and what it’s costing her) ✅ The challenge of hiring for soft skills and...
info_outlineIn this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with best-selling author Denise Duffield-Thomas to explore how she and her husband built a $5M business with a small, part-time team — and how they’ve structured their lives to work less without sacrificing income or success.
Denise opened up about the strategies and mindset shifts that allowed her to create a thriving business while maintaining balance and freedom. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business without overloading your schedule, this one’s for you!
Here’s what we cover:
✅ How Denise built a $5M business with a part-time team
✅ Why focusing on one core offer creates more growth (not less)
✅ The mindset shift around seasons of business and life
✅ Why building assets outside the business creates freedom
✅ How to avoid the trap of constantly launching new offers
Adrienne and Emily also dig into:
👉 The power of simplifying your business model
👉 How Denise maintained revenue while stepping back from the business
👉 Why saying "no" is crucial for sustainable success
👉 The importance of having personal goals and wins outside of work
👉 Why perfectionism and identity shifts are holding you back
If you’re ready to scale your business without working more, this episode will give you the inspiration and tactical advice you need. Hit play and get ready to simplify and grow! 🔥
🔑 Top 5 Takeaways:
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Lean Growth is Possible – Denise built a multimillion-dollar business with a small team by staying focused on her core offer.
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Focus on One Offer – Scaling happens more easily when you focus on improving and selling what’s already working.
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Seasons Matter – Your business (and life) will have different seasons — understanding and respecting them creates longevity.
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Build Outside the Business – Investing in assets and real estate created more financial freedom for Denise's family.
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Set Personal Goals – Achievements like winning a ballet trophy or succeeding at cross-stitch can give you fulfillment beyond business success.
📚 Check Out Denise’s Book:
Denise is the author of Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!, and Chillpreneur — must-reads for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to break through money blocks and grow their wealth.
👉 Grab your copy here: https://www.denisedt.com/books
⏰ Chapters:
01:24 – How Denise built a $5M business with a lean team
04:50 – The decision to keep the team small and efficient
06:46 – Why staying focused on one core offer creates more growth
10:42 – Understanding seasons of business and life
14:44 – Personal wins and why hobbies matter
18:31 – The freedom that comes from building assets outside the business
22:34 – Overcoming identity shifts and perfectionism
29:44 – How Denise simplified her business model
34:38 – Saying "no" to protect personal time and energy
39:30 – Lessons from taking a sabbatical
📲 Links & Resources:
👉 Connect with Denise: denisedt.com
👉 Follow Denise on Instagram: @denisedt