How to Scale a Business

Founders don’t scale by working harder; they scale by capturing the “essence” of the work locally, then documenting, delegating, and automating the repeatable parts with the right global talent. In this conversation, systems architect Patrick Doyle Brown explains how retention outperforms simple labor arbitrage, why automations need human oversight, how to map a customer journey before you spend on acquisition, and practical first wins like offloading social monitoring, inbox triage, and competitor price tracking into an AI-assisted loop. We cover region-by-strength role matching, the “first 100” rule for founders, and the mindset that keeps growth durable: don’t overspend, avoid shiny objects, always be selling.Chapters:(00:00:00) - Cold open and setup: why founders hit scaling bottlenecks(00:02:12) - Local first, then global: capturing the “essence” before you scale(00:06:45) - Retention over raw savings: compounding human capital(00:10:02) - Region strengths: sales, dev, ops, and hospitality by market(00:14:18) - Where to start: social management and inbox triage wins(00:18:40) - Market intel loop: competitor pricing + simple AI dashboards(00:22:55) - Automate vs. delegate: “trust, verify” and QA in the loop(00:27:31) - Customer journey map before ad spend(00:32:10) - Founder “first 100” rule and SOP handoff(00:36:48) - The scaling mindset: stay in lane, avoid shiny objects, always sellLinks And Resources:Patrick Brown on LinkedInWebsiteAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Jake Wysocki, founder of Intention Craft, shares how design thinking, structured exercises, and tiny experiments help leaders scale by solving the right problems in the right order. We explore the Double Diamond framework, human‑centered research, constraints that spark creativity, and how to use AI to think better rather than outsource judgment. We close with Jake’s surprising “secret” to scaling: make it fun and make it human.- 00:00:00 – Intro: Jake's path to entrepreneurship- 00:03:55 – Talk to customers: research beats assumptions- 00:07:00 – Apply frameworks to every problem-solving stage- 00:07:58 – Double Diamond: problems first, solutions second- 00:09:44 – Find the problem that unlocks progress- 00:15:33 – Learn fast through tiny experiments- 00:17:30 – Sprint to create urgency and momentum- 00:18:44 – MVP mindset: scope down to learn- 00:22:24 – AI enhances human connection, not replacement- 00:32:14 – Scaling secret: make it fun, humanLinks And Resources:Jake’s crash course: https://course.intentioncraft.comAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode, host Hector Santiesteban sits down with bestselling author and founder of Sell Your Smarts, John Meese, to unpack the proven blueprint for scaling a wisdom-based business. John reveals why most entrepreneurs fall into the trap of “death by a thousand eBooks,” how to turn decades of experience into a profitable sold-out group coaching program, and why the real opportunity lies in shifting from information to insight in today’s digital age. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or business owner ready to monetize your expertise, John’s insights will help you avoid burnout, build a resilient business model, and unlock scalable income without sacrificing your Saturdays.Chapters:00:00:00 – Welcome to How to Scale a Business Podcast00:01:06 – Mission is to steward wisdom by multiplying knowledge and experience.00:02:26 – Shift from blogging to group coaching.00:03:21 – Video game story shows frustration with starting over.00:05:05 – Wisdom only matters when solving real problems.00:05:41 – Wisdom is book smarts plus street smarts.00:08:49 – “Death by a thousand eBooks” causes burnout.00:10:28 – Start with high-ticket group coaching.00:12:00 – Group coaching added $100K in six months.00:13:30 – Model works across diverse niches.00:16:16 – Success comes from flagship, gateway, and subscriptions.00:19:42 – The age of information is over.00:22:45 – The age of insight has begun.00:23:46 – Free copy of Serve to Sell available.00:24:52 – Scaling requires empathy to stay connected to customers.Links And Resources:Sell Your Smart WebsiteServe to Sell by JohnAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Hector Santiesteban sits down with Nolan Bradbury founder of Bradfield Accounting & Advisory to uncover why so many entrepreneurs achieve their financial targets but still feel unfulfilled. Nolan introduces his Numbers for Freedom Framework, a practical system that helps business owners align their finances with the life they truly want. From the dangers of chasing the wrong goals to reorienting your business around freedom, Nolan shares actionable insights on scaling smarter, creating clarity, and avoiding the traps of growth that don’t serve you.Chapters:00:00:00 - Welcome to How to Scale a Business Podcast00:00:45 - Meet Nolan00:04:21 - Why business success doesn't always lead to personal fulfillment.00:05:58 - Introduction to the "Numbers for Freedom" framework.00:07:19 - Common blind spot: Misaligned personal and business goals.00:09:00 - Four common mistakes in traditional goal-setting.00:15:16 - Prioritizing the family's well-being over the business's.00:16:47 - Step 1: Quantify your current personal spending.00:19:43 - Step 2: Analyze the business's financial performance.00:23:01 - Step 3: Define your ideal lifestyle and its cost.00:24:00 - Step 4: Calculate what the business needs to fund that lifestyle.00:24:48 - Step 5: The critical role of accountability.00:26:05 - How to connect with NolanLinks And Resources:Nolan Bradbury on LinkedIn Bradfield Accounting Numbers for FreedomAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Hector Santiesteban talks with Justin Rashidi, co-founder of SeedX, about why he hires for “smart problem solvers” over experience and how that philosophy fuels growth. Justin explains why many companies that think they have a marketing issue are actually facing problems with data, sales integration, or margins, and how understanding core metrics like CAC, LTV, and gross margin reframes decisions as investments. He shares why rigid frameworks fail compared to a flexible tool-belt approach, how cutting the wrong activities can literally save millions, and why AI—though often misunderstood—is transforming processes. Ultimately, he highlights that a company’s growth is often limited not by its market, but by the adaptability of its leadershipChapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to How to Scale a Business Podcast00:00:54 - What SeedX Does: Business Consulting for Marketing, Sales, and Tech 00:02:11 - The Real Reasons Companies Aren't Growing 00:04:05 - A "Tool Belt" vs. "Recipe" Approach to Consulting 00:04:47 - The Importance of Understanding Core Business Metrics 00:06:29 - The Emotional "Therapy" Aspect of Business Consulting 00:07:33 - Balancing Bespoke Strategy with Flexible Processes 00:08:51 - Key Metrics Owners Overlook: CAC, LTV, and Margins 00:12:47 - Is AI Overhyped or Underhyped? 00:14:13 - The Power of Tightly Scoped AI 00:16:01 - A Practical Approach: Using AI for Tasks You Don't Want to Do 00:17:59 - How Resistant Organizations Can Start with AI 00:19:30 - Advice for Early-Stage Scaling: Prepare for People and Operations 00:21:06 - Where to Find Justin Rashidi Online 00:21:58 - Leadership Self-TransformationLinks And Resources:SeedX WebsiteJustin on LinkedInJustin on InstagramJustin on Twitter/XAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector Santiesteban talks with Wilson Zehr, CEO of Cendix and Zairmail, about his career as a serial entrepreneur. Wilson shares his journey from software engineer to entrepreneur, driven by a desire for more control over the direction of his career. He discusses how he navigated challenges like the triple whammy of the dot-com meltdown, 9/11, and the anthrax scare. Wilson explains how his company's responsible financial management during these contractions allowed them to acquire their largest competitor. He also offers his perspective on AI, calling it an enabling technology rather than a single disruptive application. Finally, he reveals his secret to scaling a business: being passionate about using it to change the world rather than focusing solely on money.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:13 – Experience at Sequin Computer Corporation and first startup, Fusion00:01:38 – Launching and selling Zairmail00:02:10 – The “triple whammy”: dot-com meltdown, 9/11, and anthrax scare00:02:32 – Starting Cendix and reacquiring Zairmail00:02:51 – Raising capital and teaching career00:03:17 – Comparing current economic uncertainty to 200100:04:15 – High failure rates and the role of good fortune00:04:41 – Managing funds responsibly and acquiring a competitor00:06:05 – Strategy and business cycles00:07:29 – Opportunities during downturns: acquisitions and growth00:08:31 – Economic downturns as trailing indicators00:09:33 – Disappearing industries: paper checks and Yellow Pages00:10:24 – Are cycles accelerating?00:11:16 – Pace of innovation and rapid change00:11:54 – Technology compared to building road systems00:12:58 – Timeless advice for business owners00:13:32 – Downturns as a time to reset and prepare00:15:34 – How businesses secure funding00:16:16 – Venture capital as portfolio investing00:18:28 – How to connect with Wilson00:19:14 – The secret to scaling a business00:19:23 – Running out of capital as the #1 failure point00:19:42 – Why money should never be the sole motivatorLinks And Resources:ZairmailCendixWilson on LinkedInAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, Brianna Greenspan—author, genetics consultant, and CEO of Brianna Greenspan International—reveals how scaling with heart, integrity, and intentionality creates sustainable success. Born with a chronic illness and shaped by adversity, Brianna shares how self-leadership, conscious reflection, and asking the right questions became her ultimate growth tools. She discusses the real science behind wellness, how she “fails fast and pivots faster,” and why traditional hustle culture often leads to burnout. From skipping pop culture to leading a wellness village in a Las Vegas casino, Brianna brings a bold, evidence-based approach to growth mindset, leadership, and business evolution. If you’re looking for a soulful yet strategic roadmap to scale, this conversation is a must-listen.Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Purpose and Presence00:00:32 - Why Scaling with Heart Actually Works00:01:24 - Success Starts on the Inside00:03:56 - From Chronic Illness to CEO00:06:28 - Protecting Your Time Like Your Life Depends on It00:10:17 - Self-Care Is the Strategy00:20:55 - The One Question That Changes Everything00:24:30 - Where to Find Me + A Final InvitationLinks And Resources:WebsiteBrianna Greenspan on LinkedInAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Madi Waggoner, an operations strategist, shares her expertise in helping remote startups thrive. She introduces the L.I.F.T. Framework, focusing on Leadership, Infrastructure, Fuel, and Team. Madi highlights how KPIs can transform business clarity and performance. She discusses practical tools for enhancing team dynamics using platforms like Slack and Asana. Plus, she offers invaluable insights on overcoming founder bottlenecks and fostering a growth mindset to ensure operational success.

Eric Collett — CEO of A Mind For All Seasons — reveals how entrepreneurs can upgrade their operating system by mastering brain health fundamentals. Drawing on decades of experience reversing cognitive decline, Eric unpacks why your brain is your tool in the knowledge economy and how sleep, stress management, nutrition, and cognitive training sharpen your thinking like a hardware upgrade. Discover why neuroplasticity is your secret edge, what myths are sabotaging your performance, and how to scale smarter with a sharper mind.Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Eric Collett and Kickoff00:00:26 - From Unexpected Beginnings to Brain Health00:02:38 - Founding the Company and Meeting His Partner00:03:15 - Creating Practical Tools for Sharper Minds00:03:48 - Why Brain Health Changes Everything00:07:01 - Busting Common Brain Health Myths00:09:47 - Simple Daily Habits for a Stronger Brain00:13:18 - How Food and Supplements Boost Your Brain00:20:39 - The Hidden Impact of Stress and Dental Health00:21:25 - Final Takeaways and Action StepsLinks And Resources:Amplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist, executive advisor, and founder of HBL Advisory Group—joins host Hector Santiesteban to explore how internal growth fuels scalable success. Drawing from her transition out of corporate healthcare and into entrepreneurship, Dr. Jones unpacks the powerful role of emotional intelligence, communication, and self-leadership in building high-performing teams. She challenges the notion that employee wellness is just “corporate fluff” by showing its direct impact on retention, productivity, and profitability. Whether you’re leading a small team or scaling a growing company, this conversation reveals how investing in yourself and your people is not just good practice—it’s smart business.Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Meet Dr. Lani Jones00:00:24 - From Burnout to Bold Business Moves00:01:39 - Blending Psychology with High-Impact Leadership00:02:05 - Why Team Wellness Is a Profit Strategy00:02:32 - Inner Work That Drives Outer Growth00:03:34 - Scaling Pains: What’s Holding You Back00:07:30 - Letting Go of Control to Grow00:20:16 - Communication and Clarity: The CEO Superpowers00:22:11 - Final Wisdom and Where to Learn MoreLinks And Resources:Amplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!