Scaling With People The Dance of Growth and Scalability: Building a Business You Love with Leslie Hassler
Have you ever felt like your business has become a prison of your own making? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation with Leslie Hassler, founder of Your Biz Rules, we dive deep into the stark difference between building a business that drains your soul versus one that fills it with purpose and joy.
Leslie shares her journey as an "accidental entrepreneur" who transformed from dreading Monday mornings to being energized by them. Her powerful insight that "there's no profit fairy" challenges the common misconception that profits magically appear once you've worked hard enough or grown big enough. Instead, she reveals the critical dance between growth and scalability that most business owners misunderstand.
The most enlightening part of our discussion explores how growth actually devours cash while making essential foundational investments that don't immediately show returns. Like renovating an older home, you're putting money into improvements behind the walls that pay dividends over time. Meanwhile, scalability is where you truly "rake it in" – giving one and getting ten back. Understanding this partnership completely transforms how you approach building your business.
We also tackle the identity crisis that comes with evolving as a business owner. The transition from doing the work yourself to leading others through it challenges your self-worth and requires letting go of the adrenaline rush that comes from checking items off your list. As Leslie notes, this transformation happens repeatedly throughout your entrepreneurial journey – with your first employee, when you're no longer servicing clients directly, and eventually if you sell or transition your business.
Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to escape the prison of a business that's consuming rather than serving you, this conversation provides the perspective shift you need to build a business aligned with your vision and values. Take that first baby step today, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish over time.