Scaling With People

Send us a textWhat if the secret to uplifting communities lay in a simple game of golf? Join us in a captivating conversation with Chandler Russ, the trailblazing founder of the Sunflower Golf Foundation. Chandler's journey from a career at UPS to launching a nonprofit inspired by his grandmother's legacy is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how he has turned the sport of golf into a powerful catalyst for community positivity and nonprofit support, raising over $80,000 and engaging 90 golfers per tournament in just one year. Chandler shares candid insights into the entrepreneurial spirit within the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the liberating mindset of accepting 80% as "good enough."Our discussion takes a deeper look into the heart of building strong relationships in business. We explore frameworks like Corner 4 relationships, which advocate for brutal honesty and mutual care to foster a collaborative environment in startup teams. Whether working with family or trusted friends, Chandler and I underscore the significance of shared values and a clear mission to guide the team like a sailboat. As we wrap up, we reflect on the profound impact of kindness in everyday interactions, offering listeners an uplifting message to carry forward. Chandler's story is a compelling reminder of the positive influence we can have through kindness and collaboration.

Send us a textWhat happens when we focus too much on self-expression and not enough on truly listening? Join me and Grace Gavin, co-founder of KnowHonesty, as we dissect this modern communication pitfall and navigate the nuances of building genuine business relationships. Drawing from Grace's compelling encounter with a tech vendor, we examine the crucial difference between knowing what we want versus what we need, and how honest dialogue can pave the way for shared success. If you've ever wondered how to strike the delicate balance between honesty and openness while fostering effective team dynamics, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights.We dive into the art of setting clear communication expectations through the concept of "the agreement," ensuring everyone is on the same page from the get-go. This isn't just about avoiding misunderstandings—it's about crafting a strong foundation for long-term collaboration. Explore practical tools to sharpen your communication skills, including the transformative power of "tell me more" and shedding the "fake you" facade. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of pausing to genuinely engage with others, promising to reshape how you interact in both personal and professional spheres.

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to thriving as a startup founder with the wisdom of Claudia Scott from Startup Junkie. Discover how to break free from the myth of the multitasking founder and harness the power of community, mentorship, and strategic events to propel your business forward. Claudia shares invaluable insights into the vibrant ecosystem of Northwest Arkansas, emphasizing the vital role of networking opportunities like lunch-and-learn sessions and the exciting Startup Crawl. It's not just about survival; it's about flourishing in an environment that celebrates innovation and collaboration.Explore the delicate balance between confidence and humility as a founder, and learn why delegation is key to sustainable growth. We dive into the mental and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, from relinquishing control to maintaining a healthy life-work balance to avoid burnout. As we navigate the future landscape of startups, Claudia sheds light on the economic trends and emerging technologies that could shape your entrepreneurial journey. With a focus on maximizing available resources, this episode inspires you to actively engage with supportive organizations and fortify your path to success.

Send us a textCan active listening transform your leadership style? Discover the power of lifelong learning and the essence of effective leadership in today's episode of Scaling with People. Join us as Susanne Mueller, author of "50 Shades of Lipstick Leadership," reveals her insights on the pivotal role of leadership coaching and the inspiring stories of 50 women from diverse backgrounds. Susanne shares how surrounding yourself with supportive people and embracing self-care, drawn from her marathon and Ironman experiences, can be game-changers in achieving personal and business growth. We also discuss the resilience of female entrepreneurs during the pandemic and the key takeaways from their journeys.Looking to enhance your entrepreneurial productivity? In the second half of our conversation, we dive into practical strategies for setting boundaries and boosting efficiency. Discover the mental clarity that mundane tasks can provide and the benefits of outsourcing to reduce stress and scale your business. We'll share actionable tips like designating a no-computer day and leveraging technology to manage off-hours communication. Plus, learn how simple pleasures like laughter, chocolate, and coffee can maintain a positive mindset while you patiently build something beautiful. Don't miss these valuable insights from Susanne Mueller to help you lead and grow your business effectively.

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to a fulfilling professional and personal life with Chad Brown on this episode of Scaling with People. We promise you’ll rethink the elusive work-life balance myth as Chad introduces his dynamic concept of integration. Picture balancing a broomstick—constant, small adjustments are key! We discuss how blending business demands with personal life can alleviate stress and lead to more harmonious living.Curious about building genuine trust within your team? Chad delves into the importance of mature trust, differentiating it from blind or immature trust. Through effective onboarding, regular check-ins, and tough conversations, we explore how proactive measures can foster a thriving, empowered workforce. Learn how leaders can enhance employee engagement and leverage their instincts to address issues early for long-term success.Finally, we tackle the common pitfalls founders face, from the myth of time scarcity to the challenges of "solo syndrome." Chad offers actionable advice on focus, delegation, and viewing employees as more than transactional assets. We wrap up with an inspiring discussion on overcoming personal limitations, urging founders to stay true to their future goals and avoid stagnation. Don’t miss these game-changing insights that could transform your leadership approach!More details from Chad Brown:Five Founder Beliefs: https://www.5founderbeliefs.com/pdfHere is the link to his private mastermind group for small business founders: https://www.skool.com/discoveryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-brown-founder-freedom/

Send us a textEver wondered how scientific principles can directly impact business growth? Join us as Jennifer Huberty, a fractional Chief Science Officer, takes us through her journey from academia to shaping the future of wellness at Calm. Learn how she built a robust science team, published nearly 50 papers, and navigated the challenges of starting her own business. Jen shares her insights on the crucial role of resilience and the ups and downs of being a CEO, while emphasizing the importance of scientific validation in today's business strategies.Discover practical advice on integrating scientific principles in resource-conscious settings, even within industries like furniture retail. Explore the benefits of fractional models for accessing high-level expertise, and find out how to align scientific objectives with business goals for actionable outcomes. Get inspired by real-world examples that highlight the importance of asking the right questions to understand customer behavior, and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of managing people and operations as a leader. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for any entrepreneur or business leader looking to leverage science for success.

Send us a textCurious about how a leader transitions from the fashion world to the realm of wellness innovation? Join us as Cedar Carter, the CEO of The Good Patch, unveils her remarkable journey from the apparel industry to spearheading a startup that's revolutionizing wellness with wearable patches. Cedar shares the story of how she connected with the founders through her network and the strategic decision to bring in experienced leadership for scaling the business. Discover the ingenious concept behind The Good Patch, delivering essential vitamins to address daily stress, sleep, and energy challenges, and gain insight into the critical importance of founders recognizing their strengths and hiring to fill gaps.In our conversation, we also tackle the pressing issues of employee engagement and HR practices in the era of remote work. Cedar provides practical strategies for maintaining personal connections, such as virtual team-building activities and social Slack channels, to keep the team cohesive. She highlights the significance of occasional in-person meetings to fortify relationships and communication, especially for younger employees missing the camaraderie of office life. The concept of "breaking bread" emerges as a powerful tool for building trust and understanding within teams. Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable advice for leaders navigating the nuances of remote work environments.

Send us a textUnlock the secrets of modern growth marketing with insights from Akash, a leading growth and transformation consultant, in our latest episode. Wondering how AI can turbocharge your marketing strategies while ensuring every dollar you spend adds value to your bottom line? Look no further. Akash shares invaluable wisdom on harnessing data-driven strategies and emphasizes the importance of CEOs having a baseline understanding of marketing to steer their companies towards sustained success. You'll uncover the common pitfalls to avoid and understand why continuous optimization is the keystone of effective marketing.Explore the transformative power of AI tools like never before. Akash and I dive into specific technologies such as Jasper AI for seamless content creation and Dream Studio for innovative image development. Imagine boosting your productivity while enhancing creativity simultaneously—AI makes it possible. From utilizing ChatGPT's Omni version for diverse business tasks to staying ahead in the ever-evolving AI landscape with expert consultation, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights. The future of marketing is here, and it's powered by AI.Finally, we tackle the intricate challenges of talent strategy and AI implementation, especially pertinent for startups with budget constraints. Akash offers practical advice on leveraging consultants and fractional services to gain strategic advantage without the need for full-time hires. Learn how to inspire a culture of adaptability in your team, empowering them to embrace AI and other groundbreaking technologies. Through real-world examples and personal experiences, we discuss how to effectively integrate these tools to boost team productivity and drive long-term success. Don't miss this episode packed with strategies to navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape.

Send us a textReady to transform your business growth tactics? We bring you an enlightening session with Charleh Knighton, a seasoned fractional CMO who has navigated the realms of AI, software manufacturing, and engineering. Charleh sheds light on three pivotal strategies to boost business growth: generating new business, preventing client churn, and assembling a stellar team. Discover why adapting team skillsets during different growth stages is crucial, and hear Charleh's candid take on the tough decisions that companies face when evaluating and possibly replacing key team members for the next phase of growth.The power of AI in marketing is undeniable, and Charleh brings this to life with practical insights and real-world examples. From optimizing SEO strategies to crafting engaging content, Charleh reveals how AI tools can streamline your marketing efforts. Imagine boosting your efficiency with tools like ChatGPT while maintaining top-notch quality in your content creation. Learn the significance of expert intervention at critical stages to ensure your marketing material meets both editorial and SEO standards. Charleh ’s client example in industrial pipe freezing provides a tangible illustration of how AI can transform traditional marketing approaches.Harness the power of effective messaging and website development to drive your marketing and sales success. Charleh emphasizes the importance of framing your product to highlight its benefits and truly addressing your audience's pain points. Get practical advice on focusing on the outcomes your product or service provides rather than the product itself. Tailoring web development to your business needs is complex, but Charlie’s insights provide a clear path forward. As we wrap up, Charleh shares thought-provoking insights that promise to leave you with valuable takeaways and a sense of anticipation for our future episodes.

Send us a textEver wondered how outsourcing your accounting and financial operations could be the key to scaling your small business? Join us as we uncover insightful growth strategies with Jayson Kruger, founder of Signature Analytics. Learn how Jason turned his vision into a thriving company with over 70 employees, and discover the critical role that outsourced CFO advisory services can play for businesses outgrowing their initial infrastructure. Jason emphasizes the need to understand every facet of your business—from sales and marketing to HR and operations—to better manage and support your team members. He also shares his thoughts on cultivating an authentic culture that promotes both personal and professional success for employees.From mastering cash flow management to transitioning from basic bookkeeping to sophisticated financial operations, this episode is packed with actionable advice to elevate your business. Jason highlights the importance of accurate financial reporting, proactive communication with banks and investors, and the use of key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide decision-making. We delve into essential topics such as preparing for funding, understanding client concentration, and optimizing your management structure. Whether you're looking to secure investment, improve profitability, or simply gain better financial visibility, Jason's expertise will provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Tune in to transform your business's financial and accounting practices.