Simplify to Scale Show

Simplify to Scale is a show dedicated to helping business owners scale a high-impact and high-profit business they love without all of the complexity and chaos that can keep them trapped in the day-to-day. Hosted by Crista Grasso, a scaling strategist and operations alchemist, she brings decades of scaling experience to share what actually works and what's just hype. If you are in the messy middle of trying to scale your business, step into visionary leadership so your business can run without you, and build sustainable success at a sustainable pace, be sure to subscribe and tune in for expert insights each week. Formerly the Lean Out Your Business Podcast, the Simplify to Scale Show with Crista Grasso is THE show for founders and their right-hand leaders who are done with one-size-fits-all scaling advice and overnight success promises and instead want proven and practical strategies that will help simplify operations, build scalable systems, develop and lead a high performing team, amplify profits, and scale smarter not harder.

E228 | How to Leverage Ecosystems Thinking to Solve Business Problems 05/13/2025

E228 | How to Leverage Ecosystems Thinking to Solve Business Problems What if the root of your team’s challenges isn’t the people, but the system they’re working in? Are you solving problems… or just putting out fires over and over again? In this episode, along with Jessica Maine, we talk about how using an “ecosystem” mindset can change the way businesses solve problems and build stronger teams. We share a clip from one of our live Soul Collective training sessions, where we explain why seeing a business as a connected system helps leaders find the real cause of ongoing issues. With tools like the five whys and the fishbone diagram, leaders can fix the root problems instead of just patching things up. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how these methods work in our community. We show how open conversations, teamwork, and creative thinking lead to better results. If you're a leader in strategy or operations, a coach, or someone helping teams grow, this episode is full of practical tips and real examples. If this episode gave you new ideas, we’d love for you to join the Soul Collective. Every month, we run live workshops, share helpful tools, and support you in streamlining your operations so you can grow with confidence. In this episode, we explore • Ecosystems Thinking in Business • The Five Whys Method • Fishbone Diagram • Turning Root Cause Insights Into Action Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/36484235

E227 | The Future of High-Impact Marketing with Dawn Ferguson 05/06/2025

E227 | The Future of High-Impact Marketing with Dawn Ferguson How can brands maintain authenticity and a human touch while leveraging AI tools? What are some practical ways to simplify your content strategy and avoid "shiny object syndrome"? In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I sit down with Dawn Ferguson, a brand and marketing strategist with a passion for helping founder-led businesses shine. Together, we talk about how the marketing landscape is shifting with AI and what really makes a brand memorable in today’s crowded digital space. Dawn shares how showing up authentically and putting a real face to your content can turn casual followers into devoted supporters. We also explore strategies that help businesses cut through noise, like focusing on your true audience, sharing aspirational results, and making your social profiles work harder for you. if you run a service or product-based business, Dawn’s advice on making your brand relatable and inspiring is filled with practical tips! Also, we touch on letting go of cookie-cutter advice and finding a style that feels right for both you and your audience. If you’re ready to make your marketing more impactful and authentic, tune in to this episode for ideas you can use right away. "People aren’t buying your service—they’re buying a new life, they’re buying results, they’re buying transformation." - Dawn Ferguson In this episode, we discuss: • The Changing Landscape and Future of Marketing • Keys to High-Impact Branding in the Age of Noise • Lessons from Big Brands • What Turns Away Right-Fit Clients Links Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/36408535

E226 | The Lean Scaling System Designed for Online Small Businesses 04/29/2025

E226 | The Lean Scaling System Designed for Online Small Businesses What unique challenges do you think each type of business faces when scaling? What does sustainable scaling mean to you, and what are some ways to avoid burnout as your business grows? In this episode, I share a behind-the-scenes look at my lean scaling system, developed from decades of experience working with founders and their right-hand leaders. I highlight the common pitfalls of scaling a business, especially when moving from multiple six figures to seven or beyond, and discuss how sustainable growth is all about making the right shifts in operations, leadership, and systems at the right time. Through personal stories and real client experiences, I talk about the unique challenges faced by both service and product-based businesses as they strive for higher levels of profit and impact. I introduce my certification programs designed for those looking to support founders as strategic, scaling-focused operations leaders—roles that go beyond SOPs and checklists to lead teams, manage systems holistically, and future-proof businesses. I emphasize the importance of investing in team members who can grow with your business and why having the right operations leader by your side is key for sustainable scale in today’s fast-changing business landscape. If you want to learn more about my approach or are curious about strengthening the operations in your business, I invite you to join one of my upcoming open houses or workshops. It’s a great way to discover how the lean scaling system and my certifications can help take your business to the next level. In this episode, I discuss: • The Realities and Challenges of Scaling • Business Cycles and Common Pitfalls • Gaps in Existing Scaling Systems • Scaling System and Its Unique Positioning • My Certification Program Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/36318720

E225 | It Depends - How to Make the Right Strategic Decisions 04/22/2025

E225 | It Depends - How to Make the Right Strategic Decisions Is there really one “right” answer when it comes to pricing, hiring, or choosing the next tool for your business? What if the key to scaling your business isn’t doing more—but thinking differently? In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I talk about how important it is to consider context when making business decisions. I explain that there isn’t always one “right” answer—especially when it comes to things like pricing, building a team, or picking new tools.I share real examples from my consulting work to show how asking the right questions can help you find the best path for growth and long-term success. You’ll see why I often say “it depends” and how that simple answer can lead to better, more thoughtful conversations. I walk through real situations where knowing a client’s true goals and big-picture vision helped shape the right solution. This episode is packed with tips on how to build a profitable, scalable business without making things more complicated than they need to be. If you found this episode useful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more business owners learn how to grow in a sustainable way. In this episode, I discuss: • The Critical Role of Context in Decision Making • "It Depends" as a Consulting Mindset • Real-World Examples Illustrating the Approach • Dangers of Oversimplified Decisions Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/36218580

E224 | Building a Profitable Coaching or Consulting Business with Deb Boulanger 04/15/2025

E224 | Building a Profitable Coaching or Consulting Business with Deb Boulanger What should you focus on first when leaving a corporate job to start your own business? What are some of the identity shifts that entrepreneurs experience when transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship In this episode of Simplify to Scale show, I talk with Deb Boulanger, CEO of Life After Corporate, about moving from a corporate job to starting your own business. She is a sought-after speaker, business mentor, and thought leader helping high-achieving women leaders successfully transition from corporate careers to profitable coaching and consulting businesses. Deb shares her thoughts on how the market is changing and why more people are starting coaching and consulting businesses after leaving corporate roles. She talks about the need to solve real problems and clearly explain the value of your offer. We also talk about challenges that come up in the early stages of building a business. These include creating a business model that works and not spending too much on branding before getting clients. We share ideas on pricing, how to position your offer, and ways to shift your mindset to stay focused on what matters most. Deb also talks about getting support from experienced professionals and focusing on work that helps the business grow. This episode is full of practical tips you can use. If you're thinking about starting your own business or want to grow the one you have, you’ll find helpful takeaways here. "The sky is never falling, and it's a matter of keeping your head in the game and leaving yourself open to creative solutions." - Deb Boulanger In this episode, we explore: • Building a Profitable Coaching or Consulting Business • Key Factors for Profitability and Standing Out • The Concept of Return on Advantage (ROA) • Pricing and Positioning Strategies • Practical Strategies for Success • Overcoming Challenges and Business Scaling Links: Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/36073105

E223 | Scalable Growth: The Key to Sustainable Business Success 04/08/2025

E223 | Scalable Growth: The Key to Sustainable Business Success Are you working harder but still feeling stuck in the cycle of never-ending tasks just to keep your business growing? What if scaling your business didn’t mean adding more stress and resources but actually required doing less in a smarter way? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale show, I talk about how businesses can grow in a way that lasts. Growth often looks exciting but can bring challenges and confusion. Many businesses work harder to earn more, but this can require more resources and lead to exhaustion. I explain why it helps to simplify how a business runs to support growth without adding extra stress or stretching resources too thin. I share lessons from my own journey and explain how planning, focused offers, and strong systems help businesses grow. By reducing dependence on the founder and building systems that improve how things work, businesses can increase profits and create space for strong leadership. This approach supports both the founder and the business over time. For those looking to improve how they grow their business, this episode provides useful steps to make smart changes. Join me in building a business that works for you, and be sure to leave a review for a chance to win a free coaching session. In this episode, I discuss: • Introduction to Scalable Growth • Effort Driven Growth vs. Scalable Growth • Strategies for Achieving Scalable Growth • How to Scale Without Burning Out Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/36005210

E222 | Why It's So Critical to Simplify to Scale 04/01/2025

E222 | Why It's So Critical to Simplify to Scale Welcome to Simplify to Scale Show! I’m so excited to introduce this rebranded version of the podcast, where we’re sharpening our focus on what truly matters for sustainable growth: simplification. How can a business ensure it is on the path toward simplifying before scaling? What are some examples of common pitfalls businesses face when they attempt to scale too quickly? Scaling a business isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about doing so strategically without adding unnecessary complexity that slows you down. Businesses naturally evolve from the "emerge and grow" phase into "scale and sustain," but if you don’t simplify along the way, you risk operational chaos and inefficiency. That’s why I emphasize integrating simplification strategies early, so second-time and serial founders can sidestep the common pitfalls of scaling. In today’s episode, I’m diving into the complexities of modern business and why so many founders find themselves overwhelmed as they grow. Simplifying isn’t just something you do before scaling—it’s an ongoing strategy that ensures sustainable success. This rebrand reflects my commitment to blending the Lean Out Method with powerful, strategic insights to help you streamline operations, reclaim your time, and scale with clarity. To celebrate, I’m offering exciting opportunities—you can win a 90-minute coaching session or a 90-day lean-out planner to help you put these strategies into action. I’d love for you to be part of this journey! If this episode resonates with you, rate and review the show—it helps shape future content and supports our mission to help more founders simplify to scale. Let’s get started! In this episode, I discuss: • Purpose of the Rebrand • Sustainable Success and Simplification • Life Cycle of an Offer in Business • Consequences of Not Simplifying • Celebration of the Rebrand and Giveaways Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably?SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35915055

E221 | Building an A+ Team for Sustainable Business Growth 03/25/2025

E221 | Building an A+ Team for Sustainable Business Growth Have you ever struggled to find the right people for your team? Are you wondering how to hire in a way that actually helps you scale instead of slowing you down? In this last episode of Lean Out Your Business, I’m sharing a huge update—I am officially rebranding the podcast! But don’t worry, my mission hasn’t changed. I’m still here to help you simplify operations, scale sustainably, and create a business (and life) you love. This episode is all about hiring—a topic I’m incredibly passionate about, especially as I grow my own team. I walk you through my top hiring strategies, including why patience is key, how to get crystal clear on your business needs, and how to build a dream team that truly aligns with your culture. Plus, I’ll share why skills alone aren’t enough and how investing in the right onboarding process can make all the difference in scaling with ease. If you’re excited about the new direction, hit subscribe and join me next week for episode 222! The same powerful content, a fresh new look, and so much more to come. And if you’ve been finding value in these episodes, I’d be so grateful if you could take a moment to rate and review—it truly helps me continue this journey with you! In this episode, I discuss: • Introduction to Podcast Rebranding • Team Building and Hiring Process • Top Tips for Hiring • Solid Onboarding Plan Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35779540

E220 | Why Context is Key to Long-Lasting Client Relationships 03/18/2025

E220 | Why Context is Key to Long-Lasting Client Relationships What are some common mistakes businesses make when setting context for clients, and how can these be avoided? Wondering why some businesses effortlessly get glowing testimonials and referrals while others struggle to get noticed? In this episode, I dive into the critical importance of setting context for your clients in every business engagement. While it may seem like common sense, I’ve seen firsthand how gaps in communication can lead to dissatisfaction, lost referrals, and missed opportunities for testimonials. Even when you’re delivering great work, a lack of clarity and visual representation can erode trust. I’ll share real experiences from my own client engagements and break down the most common mistakes businesses make—like assuming clients always understand what’s happening behind the scenes. I’ll also give you actionable strategies to improve communication, provide consistent progress updates, and showcase results in a way that keeps clients engaged and builds lasting trust. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to turn your clients into enthusiastic advocates who naturally refer your services. Let’s lean out and level up together—tune in now! In this episode, I discuss: • Setting Context for Clients • Building a Lean Dream Team • Recommendations for Better Client Communication • Necessity of Clear Plans Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35671795

E219 | Stop Charging What You're Worth - Do This Instead 03/11/2025

E219 | Stop Charging What You're Worth - Do This Instead Could the way you talk about pricing be unintentionally limiting your business growth and client relationships? What if shifting your focus from self-worth to client transformation could unlock more sustainable success? In this episode, I dive deep into the commonly used phrases "charge what you're worth" and "get paid what you deserve," uncovering the hidden pitfalls they create in business communication. While these statements may sound empowering, they can actually be misleading and even harmful—both to your personal self-worth and your business brand. I challenge you to rethink how these phrases tie your worth to monetary value and why it's crucial to shift the focus to client-driven value instead. I’ll share practical insights on positioning, messaging, and enhancing perceived value—helping you move away from pricing based on self-worth and toward pricing that reflects the real transformation and results you provide. If you're ready to refine your business language, create a stronger brand, and build a more sustainable and scalable business, this episode is for you. Join me as I break down how to communicate your value effectively and set pricing strategies that benefit both you and your clients in the long run. Let’s dive in! In this episode, I discuss: • The Problematic Language of Pricing • Worth vs Pricing • Misguided Advice and Pricing Strategy • Actionable Advice and Shifting Perspectives Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35546680

E218 | How to Scale Through the Messy Middle 03/04/2025

E218 | How to Scale Through the Messy Middle Are you feeling stuck in the “messy middle” of scaling your business, unsure how to break past your current revenue plateau? What if the key to reaching seven figures isn’t working harder or hiring more, but actually simplifying your business? In this episode, I dive into the concept of scaling through the "messy middle"—the chaotic phase of growing a business from multi-six to multi-seven figures. This stage often comes with challenges like feeling trapped in daily operations, fluctuating profitability, and dealing with complex systems and team dynamics. I know this struggle firsthand, and it’s what led me to develop the Lean Out Method and the Simplify to Scale system. I’ll help you recognize when you’re in the messy middle and debunk the common myths that keep business owners stuck—like the idea that more sales or a bigger team will solve everything. Instead, I’ll show you why simplification is the key to scaling sustainably. I’ll also introduce my SPSDI framework—focusing on Strategy, Planning, Systems, Team, and Insight—as the foundation of a scalable business. Ready to streamline your business and scale smarter? Join me for my free Scale Smarter Workshop at strategicopsinstitute.com/scalesmarter and take the first step toward simplifying your journey to success! In this episode, I discuss: • Characteristics of the Messy Middle • Personal Experience with the Messy Middle • Common Misconceptions and Traps • Steps to Break Through the Messy Middle Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35473515

E217 |The Hidden Cost of Shortcuts and Quick Win Strategies 02/25/2025

E217 |The Hidden Cost of Shortcuts and Quick Win Strategies Are you unknowingly sabotaging your business growth with tempting shortcuts that lead to long-term struggles? What simple, smart strategies can you implement today to build a sustainable business without constantly pivoting? In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I’m diving into the hidden dangers of taking shortcuts in your business. While quick fixes and overnight success strategies may seem appealing, they often lead to short-term wins but long-term headaches, leaving you stuck in a cycle of inconsistency and constantly reacting to problems. I’ll share real examples of businesses that got caught up in shortcut traps—whether it was falling for overhyped promises or relying too much on AI without understanding how to use it effectively. I’ll also talk about why doing what you love is important, but giving your business what it truly needs is essential for sustainable growth. That means focusing on both short-term wins and long-term strategies, so you can keep improving instead of constantly shifting gears. If you want to scale your business in a simple, sustainable way and avoid these common pitfalls, tune in to this episode. I’m also inviting you to join my free Scale Smarter workshop, where we’ll dive deeper into strategies that actually work. You can register at to set your business up for long-term success. Let’s grow smarter together! In this episode, I discuss: • The Hidden Costs of Shortcuts • Major Areas of Concern with Shortcuts • Examples and Real-Life Scenarios • Consequences of Overhyped Promises • Strategies for Sustainable Growth Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35319895

E216 | Trusting Your Intuition When Making Business Decisions 02/18/2025

E216 | Trusting Your Intuition When Making Business Decisions Have you ever found yourself second-guessing a decision? What are the subtle signs your intuition gives you—and are you paying attention to them? How do you balance gut feelings with data when making big decisions in your business or life? In this episode, I dive into the power of intuition in decision-making. I share a personal story about a decision I kept going back and forth on—one that made me realize just how important it is to recognize and trust my intuition. When we learn to listen to those inner nudges, we can make choices that feel more aligned and ultimately lead to better outcomes. I also talk about how moments of reflection—especially during everyday activities like driving—help me process my thoughts and get to the root of what’s really going on. If you find yourself constantly revisiting a decision, that might be your intuition trying to tell you something. While intuition is powerful, I also believe in the importance of data. The best decisions often come from a mix of both. There are times when intuition can see things that data can’t—like when sensing market shifts or coming up with new, innovative ideas. Before we wrap up, I invite you to think about how your intuition shows up in your own decision-making. Try journaling about it or discussing it with someone you trust. You might be surprised at what you discover! In this episode, I discuss: • Understanding Intuition in Decision Making • External Recognition of Intuition • Feelings Associated with Decision Making • Blending Intuition with Data Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35260525

E215 | Realign Your Business Goals to Regain Business Momentum in Q1 02/11/2025

E215 | Realign Your Business Goals to Regain Business Momentum in Q1 Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your own goals at the start of the year? Is your team aligned with the most important priorities, or are you stuck in busy work? In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I talk about the common challenges business owners face at the start of the year. It’s easy to get excited, set big goals, and then realize you’ve taken on too much. I share how to adjust your plans without guilt and refocus on what truly moves your business forward. I also touch on external challenges like economic changes and how they affect sales and growth. Instead of making quick, reactionary decisions, I explain why being strategic and intentional is key. Slow periods can actually be a great time to make smart changes that set you up for success. No matter how your year has started, this episode will help you reset, communicate clearly with your team, and stay focused on what really matters. Tune in for practical tips to keep your momentum strong and scale your business with confidence! In this episode, I discuss: - Handling Market and Economic Challenges - Actionable Strategies for a Successful Q1 and Year - Maintaining Mental and Emotional Balance in Business - Embracing New Beginnings and Energies Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35189990

E214 | How to Scale Beyond Yourself: Transitioning from Personal Brand to Business Brand 02/04/2025

E214 | How to Scale Beyond Yourself: Transitioning from Personal Brand to Business Brand Are you the face of your business, but wondering how to scale without being involved in everything? How do you transition from a one-person show to a thriving, team-driven business without losing your unique touch? In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I dive into a big question many entrepreneurs face: should you build a personal brand or a business brand? I share my own journey, including how I’m shifting things at Strategic Ops Institute, and why moving from a one-person show to a team-driven business is so important for growth. We’ll talk about how to systematize your business, showcase your team, and blend personal and business branding in a way that still feels authentic but also scalable. I’ll also share examples—like Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages—to show how the right balance between personal touch and brand identity can help your business grow. If you’re looking to scale and aren’t sure how to make this transition, this episode is for you! I’ll walk you through practical steps to help you shift your business model. In this episode I discuss: - Scaling a Personal Brand - Challenges of Scaling a Personal Brand - Mental and Personal Growth in Scaling - Personal vs. Business Brand Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/35074365

E213 | What Gets in the Way of Operational Efficiency 01/28/2025

E213 | What Gets in the Way of Operational Efficiency What are some strategies businesses can implement to minimize the time spent searching for information? How can visionary leaders balance their innovative ideas with the need for implementation and maintaining focus on current projects? In this insightful episode, I am joined by Jessica Maine to dive deep into the intricacies of achieving operational efficiency. We talk about the importance of identifying and eliminating waste within a business, especially in small service-based businesses. I explain the ten critical areas of waste such as unnecessary complexity, incomplete work, and searching, which can drain time, money, and energy if not addressed properly. Together, we discuss real-world examples and practical steps for managing resources better, reducing delays, and maintaining high-quality work. We share the importance of constant evaluation and optimization to preserve the effectiveness of a business. Throughout the episode, we emphasize understanding and minimizing knowledge depreciation, highlighting the significance of timely refreshes in your content and the importance of avoiding fragmentation within business elements. Tune in to learn how to create a streamlined, productive, and profitable business environment! "Delays are expensive. Delays are costly. They delay value for your client. They delay revenue for your business." -- Jessica Maine In this episode, we explore: Operational Efficiency Ten Areas of Waste Examples and Specific Cases The impact of Delays Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34987065

E212 | The ONE Thing to Focus on for Sustainable Business Success 01/21/2025

E212 | The ONE Thing to Focus on for Sustainable Business Success Are your business goals for the year feeling realistic, or are you struggling to keep up with the momentum you started with? What would it look like if your business had a rock-solid framework that kept you ahead without the constant overwhelm? In this episode, I dive into how you can set realistic and sustainable goals for your business. With January already halfway through, it’s the perfect time to check in on your progress and keep your momentum strong—especially with all the challenges happening in the world. I talk about how success isn’t just about quick wins but creating a solid foundation for long-term growth. I share my SPS TI approach—strategy, planning, systems, team, and insight—that helps businesses thrive by focusing on the right things at the right time. We’ll cover everything from reimagining your offers and improving your processes to using AI and tracking the right metrics to keep your business running smoothly. If this sounds like what you need, make sure to listen until the end. See you next week for more tips to keep to grow and scale your business! In this episode, I discuss: - How to Achieve Goals and Build Sustainable Success - Breaking Down SPSTI - Actionable Steps and Next Focus Areas - Balancing Measurement and Action, Based on Data Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34894085

E211 | New Year Strategies: Aligning Your Team and Vision for Success 01/14/2025

E211 | New Year Strategies: Aligning Your Team and Vision for Success Ready to start the new year with your team fully aligned and crystal clear on their role in achieving your vision? A little clarity can go a long way in setting the stage for massive success and ensuring you have the right people doing the right things. In this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast, I am taking you behind-the-scenes and sharing what I do to give my team the clarity they need to move the business forward in the most simple and aligned way. I also share a powerful tool you can use with your team to align them to their zone of genius work, called the "Right Fit Responsibilities Evaluation". When things aren’t quite working, we adjust strategically to lighten the load to boost effectiveness and satisfaction across the team. Wishing you a happy and successful new year! In this episode, I discuss: - Clarifying roles and responsibilities for your team - The power of using a theme for the year - Setting guiding principles that ensure results - Identifying areas for personal and team growth - How to proactively address misalignments - Ensuring everyone on your team is set up for success Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34795940

E210 | Shatter the Ceiling Without Breaking Yourself with Jen Coken 01/07/2025

E210 | Shatter the Ceiling Without Breaking Yourself with Jen Coken As a female leader, how do you continue to advance and shatter the glass ceiling without breaking yourself in the process? Whether you are a business owner or an executive working within a company, we all hit ceilings, some external and some internal. The key is understanding how to recognize them and break through them in a healthy way. That's what Jen Coken and I discuss on this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast. Jen is an internationally acclaimed Imposter Syndrome expert who empowers women executives in male-dominated industries to lead with more authority, influence, and impact and to be leaders people respect and recognize. We discuss the growing number of women in leadership roles and why companies must create better pathways for them to succeed. Jen highlights the importance of self-discovery and confidence, encouraging women to know their worth and tackle biased environments head-on. We share practical tips for overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, such as speaking up, setting personal goals, and balancing work and life. Jen also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book and her Executive Presence Accelerator Program, designed to support women in STEM. This conversation is full of actionable advice for anyone wanting to grow in their career while maintaining their well-being. "Experiencing imposter syndrome could be a sign that you're playing big or taking risks in your career. Embrace it as a superpower." - Jen Coken In this episode, we dive into how to shatter the ceiling without breaking yourself including: Strengthening your executive presence and influence Turning feelings of imposter "syndrome" into your superpower What imposter syndrome really is - hint: it's not a syndrome What to do when you feel undervalued or invisible Navigating biases and external glass ceilings Recognizing and breaking internal glass ceilings Setting boundaries without feeling guilty Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34701445

E209 | 2025 Predictions for Success and Scale 12/31/2024

E209 | 2025 Predictions for Success and Scale Curious for what it's going to take for success and scale in 2025? As always, it starts with leaning out anything that isn't working. Whether it’s outdated strategies, underperforming offers or team members, challenging clients, or systems that are bogging you down, it’s time for decisive action and necessary endings. But it will take much more than that this year! In the last episode of the year, I break down key predictions for 2025 to help you grow your business. I cover why focusing on a niche, clearly showing how you solve problems, and being authentic and personal are more important than ever. Drawing from my experience working with businesses of all sizes, I share tips on creating a unique framework, building stability, and strengthening client relationships to stay ahead in an AI-driven market. I also discuss the shift from transactional to transformational business models and why personal connections and storytelling matter. By letting go of what doesn’t align with your goals and using automation wisely, you can create exceptional client experiences that boost profits, loyalty, and referrals. With a focus on clarity and action, I provide a guide to rethinking your services to stand out in a changing market. So, as you prepare for 2025, don’t miss these insights on mastering your niche, sticking to solid strategies, and connecting deeply with your clients. In this episode, I share my top predictions for making 2025 a breakthrough year including: Why decisive action is so critical in 2025 Small changes that will make a big difference with conversions How to create deep, value-based connections with clients How to leverage AI for operational efficiency, not just content Reimagining your offers to align with shifting buyer behaviors Differentiating yourself and claiming your unique place in the market Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34631360

E208 | Finding Growth in Challenging Situations: Year-End Reflections 12/24/2024

E208 | Finding Growth in Challenging Situations: Year-End Reflections What are some personal or business challenges you faced this year, and what lessons have you taken away from them? How do you plan to apply the lessons learned from this year to make the next year more successful? In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I reflect on the past year and analyze how to find the positives, even in tough situations. I share a personal story about a challenging time I faced and how using cards for introspection helped me uncover valuable lessons. I encourage you to reflect on any patterns in your lives that might need to change to avoid repeating negative experiences. I also highlight the importance of celebrating wins—big or small—and appreciating joyful moments from the year. To get into the right mindset, I offer simple tips like journaling, talking to a coach or mentor, or connecting with a trusted business friend. This episode is a gentle reminder to embrace both the good and the bad, as they all help us grow personally and professionally. As we move into the new year, take time to reflect, learn, and carry those lessons forward! In this episode, I discuss: Personal Reflection and Tools Practical Reflection Methods Lessons Learned from Challenges Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34492925

E207 | Selling Naturally Without the Cringe with Aleasha Bahr 12/17/2024

E207 | Selling Naturally Without the Cringe with Aleasha Bahr Do you ever feel sales calls are more cringe than connection? Many of us dread those overly scripted, awkward interactions that seem anything but natural. But what if there was a better way to connect that’s genuine and effective? That's exactly what Aleasha Bahr and I chat about in this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast. Aleasha is a sales strategist speaker, best-selling author, and founder of the Black Sheep Sales Method™️. Aleasha shares her refreshing take on sales, focusing on being authentic and personal instead of using traditional, pushy tactics. She brings insights from her journey as a former “idea seller” in the corporate world and explains why being transparent about product fit can actually win you more clients. Plus, we’re busting the myth that introverts can’t excel in sales—hint: empathy and listening skills play a huge part. Aleasha offers practical advice on her sales philosophy, highlighting the value of curiosity and empathy over manipulation. Finally, we emphasize the importance of ensuring a good match between a client and the service, creating mutual benefits for long-term success. "Creating an ‘anti-audience’ helps attract the right clients by clearly stating who you are, and who you are not." - Aleasha Bahr In this episode, we dig into approachable sales techniques that feel good and actually work, including: How to use curiosity and empathy effectively in sales conversations The “pitch weaving” technique to keep engagement high Identifying your “anti-audience” to attract the right clients Pre-call educational materials to streamline your sales process Making pricing a collaborative discussion How to embrace a black sheep sales philosophy Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34438090

E206 | Assessing and Refining Your Offer Suite for New Year Success 12/10/2024

E206 | Assessing and Refining Your Offer Suite for New Year Success Can your business actually achieve your financial targets for 2025? This answer is 'no' far more often than you may think. One of the first things I do when working with a business is assess their scalability by looking at their offer suite, business model, and supporting ecosystem. In a lot of cases, the business has a (mostly invisible) ceiling below the financial targets and goals that have been set. Meaning that unless something changes, the business can't support the level of growth the business has planned. This can show up in a lot of different ways, but one thing is common... changes usually need to start within the offer suite. In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I discuss how your offers shape who you attract, how scalable your business is, and your overall success. I share an interesting story about a competitor who copied my strategies but made critical mistakes that will likely impact their long-term sustainability. Further, I explain why aligning your offers with your audience's needs is essential, why simplicity is key for profitability, and how understanding your financial goals can create a better experience for your clients. Through practical tips and reflection, you'll learn to evaluate your offers, team capacity, and systems to ensure your business thrives without unnecessary complexity. In this episode, I discuss: How your offer suite impacts your audience Recognizing mismatched offers and their effects Evaluating financial targets and capacity Strategies to simplify and streamline Identifying and overcoming business growth ceilings Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34254205

E205 | Becoming a Visionary Whisperer with Jessica Maine 12/03/2024

E205 | Becoming a Visionary Whisperer with Jessica Maine Ever feel like the conversations between a visionary founder and an operational leader is like deciphering 2 different languages? Aligning visionary ideas and thinking with operational strategies and actions is critical for a business’s success but it comes with plenty of challenges and ways for things to get lost in translation. In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast we dive into how the is helping leaders connect, grow, and find their flow. Special guest, Jessica Maine, shares how this community supports fractional COOs, strategy advisors, and more with collaboration and learning. We chat about the powerful role of a “visionary whisperer”—the person who helps founders turn big dreams into clear action steps while speaking their language. You’ll learn how to align strategies with founders’ visions without overwhelming them and how tools like the Lean Strategic Planning Framework make goal-setting simple and effective! "Effective communication is key to aligning visionary thinking with actionable strategies." - Jessica Maine In this episode, we discuss: Effective communications between visionary thinkers and operational thinkers The art of translating vision and strategy into day-to-day actions Building a cohesive team that has both strategic and operational strengths How visionaries and their right-hand can effectively work together to achieve results Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34202170

E204 | Simplifying How to Build a Certification Program 11/26/2024

E204 | Simplifying How to Build a Certification Program Thinking about launching a certification program but not sure where to start? If the idea of turning your expertise into a certification program feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. In this episode, I share my experience launching two certification programs: Chief Strategy and Operating Officers (CSOO) and Entrepreneurial Project Managers (EPM). I break down the process of designing and implementing certifications, focusing on starting with the end goal in mind. I introduce the Shuhari framework, inspired by martial arts, to simplify the process into three stages: SHU (learning), HA (practicing in context), and RI (mastery). This method helps structure certifications, whether they're short knowledge-based courses or in-depth skill-building programs. I also discuss the importance of hands-on application through capstone projects and share key lessons from my journey, including how I determined the length and structure of my programs. In this episode, I share how to alleviate the overwhelm using a simple (and surprisingly effective) framework inspired by martial arts including: A breakdown of the shu ha ri framework and why it’s perfect for creating certifications Tips on structuring programs with varying durations to fit different needs How to make sure your certification delivers real-world results Strategies for keeping your certification relevant with ongoing support and renewal How to avoid overthinking the process and get started If launching a certification is priority for you next year, you won’t want to miss this one. Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram or and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/34110851

E203 | Increasing Freedom and Wealth with Melissa Unsell-Smith 11/19/2024

E203 | Increasing Freedom and Wealth with Melissa Unsell-Smith Do you want more freedom in your business as you look ahead at 2025? Many entrepreneurs feel so buried in details and distractions that it can seem impossible to reclaim control of your time and clarity in focus. In this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast, I chat with Melissa Unsell-Smith, founder of Catalytic Icon, about creating a business that aligns with the life you truly want and achieving success without overworking. Melissa shares her journey building multimillion-dollar B2B SaaS companies and highlights the power of stepping outside our comfort zones to unlock potential and boost revenue. Melissa also breaks down the core principles she uses to guide her clients: staying aligned with one’s identity, using the 80/20 rule, cutting out non-essential tasks, as well as embracing discomfort to grow. Melissa and I both emphasize the importance of self-care, with simple strategies like organizing your calendar and taking solitude retreats to support growth in both life and business. "Clutter and complexity lead to procrastination and paralysis, while simplicity and focus lead to success and clarity." – Melissa Unsell-Smith In this episode, we explore: Key principles for achieving freedom and wealth Eliminating distractions and gaining clarity Utilizing the 80/20 rule for maximum impact Embracing discomfort to drive growth Practical steps to reclaim your time Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business? We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at . Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/33920292

E202 | Knowing When to Let a Team Member Go 11/12/2024

E202 | Knowing When to Let a Team Member Go Ever struggled with knowing when it’s time to let a team member go? If you’re constantly questioning it, you might already have your answer. In this episode, I share insights from a recent conference where I led a workshop on growing your business sustainably (without burning out). During the workshop, someone asked about knowing the right time to part ways with a team member. My answer? If you’re already wondering, it might be time. I also emphasize how important it is for team members to bring a sense of relief, not stress. Alignment is also key, so I encourage business owners to listen to their instincts and consider if their team truly supports their future vision. Additionally, I share tips on how to help great employees grow, and when it’s best to make hard choices with those who may be holding you back. If you’re thinking about making changes in your team or want to be ready for success in the new year, this episode is for you. In this episode, I discuss: Identifying the right time to let someone go How to make the decision without overthinking Balancing loyalty with business success and scale How to best support the person you need to let go Preparing your team for next-level growth Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business? We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/33821994

E201 | From Vision to Reality: Planning for a Successful New Year 11/05/2024

E201 | From Vision to Reality: Planning for a Successful New Year Are you set up for a successful new year? Ending the year strong isn’t just about closing this chapter but setting the tone for the next one. In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I discuss actionable steps to wrap up the year successfully and set the right foundation for the upcoming year. I guide you on how you can optimize your time, evaluate business activities, and get ready to hit the ground running in the new year. Learn how to objectively take a closer look at your business practices, investments, and the individual roles within your business. And of course, I discuss best practices for planning ahead, and how to make sure your vision is grounded in practical and actionable goals. I also share how having the right people, systems, tools, and automations can support your goals and why measuring progress is vital to ensuring progress. In this episode, I dive into planning for a successful finish to this year and start to next year including: Clarifying next year's vision and goals Clearing out what doesn’t serve you How to avoid overworking in the new year Setting up the right systems and team to support you Maximizing end-of-year $ opportunities Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business? We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at . Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit . /episode/index/show/leanout/id/33668062

E200 | Scaling in the New Era with Kim Woods 10/29/2024

E200 | Scaling in the New Era with Kim Woods Ready to better align your business growth with personal growth in the new year? Scaling in 2025 looks different than prior years. It is a new era and requires a new approach. That's where Kim Woods comes in! Kim and I teamed up recently in Colorado to deliver a keynote that blends her unique astrology-driven strategies and "knowing, liking, and trusting" yourself with my “simplify, sustain, scale” model. Kim Woods is a master astrologer and business strategist and she is all about combining astrology with modern business strategies. Kim explains how astrology has influenced important tools like Carl Jung's work and the Myers-Briggs personality test. She also shares details about her popular 12-question quiz, which has been taken by 22,000 people to help understand different decision-making styles. Kim’s method blends masculine and feminine energies, making her strategies pragmatic for today’s fast-changing business world. She highlights the power of self-awareness and building real connections, rather than relying on automated systems, to achieve business success. We also discuss how our approaches, "know, like, trust" and "simplify, sustain, scale," are coming together in a new live event focused on making big business moves. "It's crucial to balance innovative ideas with practical implementation. That's where true growth happens." - Kim Woods Tune in to this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast - our 200th episode! - where Kim and I merge insightful ideas and practical steps to help businesses thrive and scale in the new era including: How "know, like, trust" helps you to "simplify, sustain, scale" Balancing structure with flexibility in business planning Impact of astrological insights on effective business moves Practical steps for staying adaptable in 2025 What it looks like to successfully scale in the new era Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business? We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at . Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit . /episode/index/show/leanout/id/33632337

E199 | The Future of Operations in 2025 10/22/2024

E199 | The Future of Operations in 2025 Is your business ready for success and scale in 2025? As you look at what it will take make your big bold vision and goals a reality in the new year, there are some key things to consider. Not only has the way we market and sell shifted, but the way our business operates needs to shift as well. Things that were a nice-to-have in prior years are now a bare minimum for success. In this episode, I'm excited to celebrate the launch of my new brand, the Strategic Ops Institute, and share some important insights on the future of business operations. I talk about key market changes and how AI is playing a big role in transforming the way we work. It’s not just a competitive advantage anymore—AI is something businesses must use to grow and run more efficiently. I explore why strategic planning is so important, how we need to balance innovation with steady growth, and why it's essential to connect marketing with operations. I introduce my S.P.S.T.I Framework, Strategy, Planning, Systems, Team, and Insight—which is the foundation for scaling a business in a simple and sustainable way. In this episode, I dive into what I see as the future of operations and scaling success for small businesses including: The role AI plays in scalable and sustainable growth in 2025 The critical integration of marketing and operations Balancing short-term wins with long-term sustainability How the way we build out our team is changing The top 3 changes that impact your operations Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business? We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at . Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the ﬁrst to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit /episode/index/show/leanout/id/33503992

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