The Start, Scale & Succeed Podcast

In our 100th episode, we turn the mics around and Les McKeown, Founder and CEO of Predictable Success, host this special 2-part series, and interviews Scott Ritzheimer about his exciting new book, The Founders Evolution: Conquering the Journey Every Founder Must Face.You will discover:- Why your relatively nimble organization's growth has slowed, even though your giving it all you've got!- What the biggest limiting factor is for your organization's ability to scale.- How you can setup your organization to thrive when you are gone, even if right not it is way too dependent on you.
Scott helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and with his business partner started led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.He founded Scale Architects to help founders and CEOs identify and implement the one essential strategy they need right now to get them on the fast track to Predictable Success.
Instantly download your free copy of Scott's book The Founder's Evolution at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders.

In this specialized episode, Michael Ficara, Founder of The MAGS Group, LLC, shares how he applies his vast experience to provide insight about how to simpify your work as a founder to create more success with a fraction of the stressYou will discover:- How to break free from the entrepreneurial cliches that are holding you back- The cost of those blindspots that you don't or won't see- How to leverage strategy and system to scale your success
Mike Ficara is a seasoned entrepreneur and consultant. His core focus is on the growth and scaling strategies for businesses of any size. Mike has had the opportunity to work in a variety of industries over his career going from the classroom to the boardroom. He has taken existing businesses and allowed them to see massive growth and stability through a variety of techniques, consulting for small and large companies such as NEC, Nestle, Brand Ethos, and Top Score Writing among others. Mike is the author of Like Socks On A Rooster and hosts The Start Down Podcast and also the 3 Points Podcast with his son Anthony.
Want to learn more about Michael Ficara's work at The MAGS Group, LLC? Check out his website at https://mikeficara.com/

In this deluxe episode, Elizabeth Solaru, Founder of Luxury Business Emporium, shares how she, through creativity and sheer hard work, built her company up into a world-renowned luxury brand and how she can help you do the same thing for your business.You will discover:- How to sell to high-net-worth (and ultra-high-net-worth) clients- The mindset shifts you need to make to sell luxury- A step-by-step process for moving your product or service "up-market"
Elizabeth Solaru is a former a scientist and headhunter turned business coach and strategist. She has honed her expertise in understanding luxury clients having successfully set up and run the world-renowned and multi-award-winning atelier Elizabeth's Cake Emporium and the Luxury Business Emporium. Elizabeth is the co-host of the Luxury Business Podcast and Luxury News Weekly Podcast, and is considered to be a leading expert in the world of luxury selling.
Want to learn more about Elizabeth Solaru's work at Luxury Business Emporium? You can connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-solaru-1ba901/ and check out her website at https://www.luxurybusinessemporium.com.

In this systematic episode, Samantha Whisnant, Owner of Systems with Sam, shares how she help coaches and service providers scale their online businesses to multi-six and seven figures with simple systems and automation.You will discover:- The first systems you need for your business- How to take a full month off- How to hire your first employee
Sam Whisnant set out on her entrepreneurial journey feeling totally unprepared. However, after tackling everything from copywriting to managing and coaching 20+ member masterminds, she realized you don’t need an MBA, a full-time team, or the most expensive tools on the market to build a thriving business. All you really need are the right systems in place that support your growth. Now, she thrives in helping growing entrepreneurs set up systems so they can organize and automate their businesses, hire and onboard the first team member with ease, and stay focused in their zone of genius as much as possible.
Want to learn more about Samantha Whisnant's work at Systems with Sam? Check out her website at https://systemswithsam.com and discover exactly what systems you need with her free quiz at https://systemswithsam.com/quiz

In this expressive episode, Mike Acker, Founder and CEO of ADVANCE, Coaching and Consulting, shares how he helped over 500 clients develop confidence in their leadership and communication, in order to deliver incredible presentations to influence their audiences.You will discover:- The true source of effective communication- How to set up a meeting for success (and save 30% of your time doing it)- The role of practice and preparation in effective communication
Mike Acker is an executive communication coach, a keynote speaker, and the author of ten books, including SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE. His clients come from startups to Fortune 500 companies among others, professional sports, international agencies, churches, relief organizations, and celebrities. Such companies include Microsoft, ADOBE, INOAPPS, Phusion Projects, and IMF. He passionately coaches business professionals to lead and speak with confidence. His books have been translated into several languages. His first book is designated as the #1 book on overcoming fear of speaking on Forbes.com.
Want to learn more about Mike Acker's work at ADVANCE, Coaching and Consulting? You can get a copy of his book Speak With Confidence on Amazon and check out his website at https://www.mikeacker.com/

In this proficient episode, Manfred Gollent, Founder and CEO of QLI International LLC, shares how he helps his clients to become the most effective leaders and culture innovators that they can be.You will discover:- Why what you thought was leadership is actually just contribution.- The one job every leader must accomplish- The key to managing a remote workforce
Manfred Gollent enjoyed a successful career in the global corporate world for some 30+ years. His executive roles included leading the facilitation of strategy development and business improvement processes for subsidiaries in four continents. Throughout his professional career he has acquired extensive experience in all areas of management including marketing, sales, financial operations, product development and manufacturing. He served on company Boards in Norway, U.K., France, Belgium, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, and U.S.A. His industry expertise includes aviation and cargo services, industrial manufacturing in global systems, medical services, and not for profit organizations.
Want to learn more about Manfred Gollent's work at QLI International LLC? Check out his website at www.qli-international.com

In this no-bs episode, Donnie Boivin, Founder and CEO of Success Champions, shares how he helps his clients identify and create the strategies that will catapult their business to the next level and help them remove the head trash that is keeping them from doing the tasks needed to grow their dream business.You will discover:- Why sales are everything but not enough to get your small business off the ground- What you need to know but no one will tell you before you start a business- How to never fail even though you never stay still
Donnie Boivin is a five-time best-selling Author and entrepreneur and serves as CEO and Founder of Success Champions and Success Champion Networking. Donnie is considered one of the leading global minds on sales, business development, and business growth. Donnie is a community builder at heart — he builds champions. Today he helps small business owners leverage sales and business development to grow and then scale their business' through Success Champion Networking, Badass Business Summit, Champions Table Masterminds, and the Champions 90 Challenge
Want to learn more about Donnie Boivin's work at Success Champions? Check out his website at https://donnieboivin.com/ or text the word "success", to 817-318-6030 to get in touch with him.

In this high-impact episode, Ron Brewster, Executive Director of Mission Builders International, shares how he and his team help nonprofits around the world discover the right size and right strategies for success so they can see their mission fulfilled.You will discover:- How to manage mission creep- Why you should start saying no- The role of systems
Ron Brewster came into Youth with a Mission or YWAM in 1987. Aside from 3 years on staff at a Foursquare church in Roseburg, Oregon, his ministry career has been largely dedicated to YWAM. In 2002 he became the Director at YWAM Montana. In June 2011, Ron received a Master’s in Leadership. Ron has traveled to 50 countries. He served for five years as the Managing Director of YWAM San Diego Baja. Currently, he is the co-director of Mission Builders International or MBI. MBI provides leadership support, practical resources, and volunteer placement to YWAM locations worldwide. 
Want to learn more about Ron Brewster's work at Mission Builders International? Check out his website at https://www.missionbuilders.org/

In this entrepreneurial episode, Olga Kirillova, Co-Founder of mettaCOaching, shares how she and her husband started a business in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic with very little resources, achieved success on their terms, and help other founders and leaders do the same.In this episode you will discover:- How to clarify the vision for what you truly want for your business- Role of hard work in a lifestyle business- How to find a profitable market as quickly as possible
Olga spent over a decade in business heading up teams and managing up to $2bn businesses within the likes of Adidas and Wayfair. But, she realized she just wanted to have more time for her family. So she and her partner started their own coaching business in 2020. They built a thriving business, without a website, without an email list, and with a horde of followers on Instagram. The best part was she could spend 8 months of the year traveling with her family, enjoying a flexible schedule while doing it all with lots of energy she has ever had. She now helps other founders, owners, and busy professionals create the life they truly desire.
Want to learn more about Olga Kirillova's work at mettaCOaching? Check out her website at http://mettacoaching.com

In this pertinent episode, Valerie Trapunsky, Founder and CEO of ChatterBoss, shares how she and her team built a product that clients can trust to reliably deliver instant, personalized and thoughtful service.You will discover:- Why would should delegate even tasks you like- What a Chief of Staff staff can do for you- What 1000 assistants said are the top three things they need
After a decade spent working as a top-level assistant for A-list celebrities and as the Chief of Staff for high-net-worth individuals and CEOs, Valerie Trapunsky founded ChatterBoss in 2017. She developed a passion for effective problem-solving and became committed to bringing the same level of excellent service to solo entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives ready to scale. At ChatterBoss, they strive to solve customer needs through a combination of intelligent technology, intelligent systems, and most importantly, intelligent people. 
Want to learn more about Valerie Trapunsky's work at ChatterBoss? Check out her website at https://www.chatterboss.com/