Time Freedom for Leaders: How to Reclaim Your Schedule and Scale Without Burnout

by faye.eScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on No Comments

Time Freedom for Leaders: How to Reclaim Your Schedule and Scale Without Burnout

Entrepreneurs and executives are no strangers to the hustle—but too often, that hustle leads to exhaustion, not freedom. In a recent episode of Executive Edge Live, hosted by Harley Green of Workergenix, four elite leadership experts shared how to achieve real time freedom through smart systems, strategic delegation, and a serious mindset shift.

If you’re constantly stuck in the weeds of your business, here’s how to break free.

Preferred listening on the go? Catch the full podcast episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The “Time Rich” Framework: A Business That Runs Without You

Mike Abramowitz, co-founder of Better Than Rich, knows firsthand what it takes to build a self-sustaining company. While his son spent 254 days in the NICU, his business not only survived—it thrived with over 7 figures in sales.

His secret? The Time Rich Six:

  1. Boundaries – Protect your priorities
  2. Communication Guidelines – Define when and how your team should reach you
  3. Systems – Build repeatable, scalable workflows
  4. Playbooks – Document SOPs to remove dependency on your input
  5. Team – Hire doers who can execute with confidence
  6. Technology – Automate and support execution

If your business needs you for every decision, it’s time to rethink your structure.

Implementing EOS: More Than Just Meetings

Michelle Rourke, an EOS Integrator, busts the myth that EOS is just “scorecards and long meetings.” Instead, EOS is a complete operating system that frees the founder to operate in their zone of genius.

Key EOS tools she highlights include:

  • The Accountability Chart
  • Clarity Breaks
  • Delegate and Elevate™
  • The GWC Tool (Get it, Want it, Capacity)

The goal? To shift founders from being the busiest person in the room to the most strategic.

Delegation is a Mindset, Not Just a Task

According to Cathy Christen, a Leadership & Lifestyle Strategist, many founders wear busyness like a badge of honor. But real leadership means shifting from being the best doer to being the best developer of people.

She encourages:

  • Running a time audit
  • Visualizing your business 10 years in the future
  • Building the org structure to support your ideal lifestyle

Your value isn’t in how much you do—it’s in how strategically you lead.

Small Changes, Big Impact: What’s Scalable vs. What’s Not

Robert Liedtka, creator of the People First Methodology, advises founders to start by evaluating what parts of their business are scalable—and what isn’t.

He recommends:

  • Breaking projects into scalable vs. non-scalable
  • Prioritizing what creates the most leverage
  • Aligning your actions with your vision and communication to build trust

Small, aligned shifts today build momentum for exponential growth tomorrow.

Stop Trying to Do It All Yourself

A recurring theme throughout the panel? Delegation is essential for scale.

Whether you’re a solo founder or leading a team, you can’t grow if you’re the only one moving the ball. The panel discussed how to:

  • Use time audits to identify what to offload
  • Design roles around strengths, not just tasks
  • Install systems that remove you from day-to-day decisions

As Mike put it: “Your business doesn’t need a superhero—it needs a leader.”

Resources & Expert Connections

Free Bonus: Masterclass for Founders & Executives

🎁 Ready to reclaim 15–30 hours a week with strategic delegation?
👉 Get instant access to our Delegate to Dominate masterclass:
https://workergenix.com/bonus-masterclass

Final Thought: Time Freedom Starts With Intentional Leadership

If you want a business that doesn’t rely on you, you have to design it that way—on purpose.
That means clarifying your vision, building the right systems, and letting go of control so others can rise.

Schedule a free discovery call to explore how we can help you reclaim your time, systemize your operations, and lead with clarity—not burnout.

Like what you read? Get weekly insights on scaling, efficiency, and profitability—straight to your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

Transcript

Harley Green

Welcome everyone to today’s Executive Edge Live panel. Today we’re talking about time freedom for today’s leaders and helping people lead at a higher level with the right people and the right systems in place. We’ve got an amazing panel together here today and I wanna just welcome everyone here and thank you for joining us.

This is hosted by Workergenix. I’m Harley Green. I’m the CEO and founder of Workergenix. We help executives and leadership teams stay focused on high impact activities by delegating the rest to highly skilled AI leveraged ultimate executive assistants. Today’s conversation is going to be all about one of the most valuable assets for any leader, their time. We’re diving into how to create real time freedom with the right people, systems and support so you can lead at a higher level without the burnout. I’m honored to be joined by four powerhouse leaders who live and teach this every single day.

First off, we have Mike, who is the co-founder of Better Than Rich. He’s built a seven figure business that runs without him. He’s a creator of Time Rich and leader of GSD Intensives, helping owners systemize sales, referrals and hiring so the business doesn’t depend on them. Next, we’ve got Robert who has over 15 years of leading global and national teams. He’s developer of People First methodology that unlocks workforce potential and turns small changes into bottom line breakthroughs. And Michelle helps businesses fully integrate EOS and entrepreneur operating system across all layers, driving accountability, harmonizing operations and installing permanent integrators for long-term success. And last but not least is Cathy, who specializes in building systems and cultures that help leaders thrive without the sacrifice, empowering them to reclaim their time and lead with purpose. Thank you all for being here. How’s everyone on the panel doing today?

Cathy Christen
 Great, excited to be here.

Mike Abramowitz
 Thanks for having us.

Harley Green
 All right.

Robert Liedtka
 Very excited.

Harley Green
 Awesome. Well, the first question I have for the panel, anyone can feel free to jump in after I ask the question here is, what does time freedom mean to you personally? And why is it so critical for today’s leaders?

Cathy Christen
 I’ll jump in. I think time freedom, my whole world for 20 years has been around creating time and money freedom, right? And being able to do what you want when you want with whom you want. I think about in a business sense, it’s having the freedom to work on what you want to work on, right? To be able to focus on the needle movers, to not get stuck in the weeds. I think that too many leaders, a lot of leaders think about delegation as like giving away tasks. And it’s not about transferring ownership or it’s not about just delegating, but transferring ownership with clarity. And so I think that time freedom, there’s so much that we’re going to talk about, but it really creates space for you to be able to major in the majors and not get stuck in the weeds as a business owner and have more time to work on the business versus in the business.

Michelle Rourke
 Yep. You know, I’ll add through EOS, we teach visionaries how to live their best life. So for me personally though, it’s I’m right now at my in-laws in Phoenix. So the freedom to me is being able to enjoy the other parts of your life besides just working in the business. So I think that’s the biggest challenge, taking a vacation, enjoying life.

Robert Liedtka
 I’m very happy you brought that up. I think in terms of how you spend that time is what’s going to be most impactful for both yourself as a leader or your team in order to prevent things like burnout. The more time that you’re just putting into things like operational blow, just going through the motions in your day-to-day work, that’s going to consume you and eventually burn you out. And if you can leverage that free time that you have to work smarter throughout your day-to-day, you’ll be able to even gain more and more of that freedom to be able to have that restoration so that you’re not running in the red at all times.

Mike Abramowitz
 Yeah, I’ll just echo everything that’s been said. Plus it’s just for me, it’s been a choice. So time freedom just gives me choices. I could choose to work in parts of the business that I enjoy. I could choose to not work in the parts of the business that I don’t enjoy. I could choose to delegate. I could choose to choose to do. I could choose the vacation or I could choose to work hard. So just having choices is what time freedom means to me.

Harley Green
 Awesome. Now, Mike, you have a personal story that really drove home the importance of time freedom when your son was in the NICU. What are some of the first steps leaders must take if they want a business that runs without them, so they have that time freedom you just described?

Mike Abramowitz
 The cliff notes: James is doing great now. He’s four and a half, almost five. He was born at one pound, four ounces. He was in the NICU for eight and a half months. So for those 254 days, my business was able to run without me, and it still did seven figures in sales without me there.

It took a little bit of dissecting to figure out what caused that, but it really came from six principles. We now call them the “Time Rich Six.” These are:

  1. Boundaries – Protecting priorities.
  2. Communication Guidelines – What deems an email versus a text versus a call.
  3. Systems – If-then processes.
  4. Playbooks – Documentation of those processes.
  5. Team – Who’s executing the playbooks.
  6. Technology – Tools the team uses to execute those plays.

Boundaries, communication guidelines, systems, playbooks, team, and tech — that’s what we now call the Time Rich Six. That’s what I installed in the business to “McDonald-ify” it. Documentation with SOPs, lower-wage workers executing the plays because they were simplified, and supportive tech. That’s the Time Rich Six.

Harley Green
 Love it. Does anybody else have experience implementing similar pillars in their business?

Cathy Christen
 Yes, absolutely. I think first, in terms of the transition from going from that “I’m hitting a wall, overwhelmed, how can I work any more hours?” — I remember there being a moment where it started with something as simple as a time audit. That was the big transition. Looking at what are all the things I’m actually doing right now? Should I be doing them? Really evaluating.

Sometimes business owners have this pride or ego — “I’ve got it,” or “I can do it better,” or they fear letting go. I sat down and really looked at my calendar. What am I doing? Could this be automated? Could this be delegated to someone just as good or better than me? Is this something a $15–$25/hr person should be doing instead of me?

I put tasks into buckets: things only I can do, things someone like me could do if trained, things a loyal, coachable mentee could do, tasks for overseas support, and things that can be automated. And it was magic when that came together.

One big part of that was creating duplicatable systems. Many leaders say, “It’s just faster to do it myself,” because they haven’t taken the time to get it out of their head and onto paper. It may feel faster in the moment, but that doesn’t create time freedom, or scale, or allow you to duplicate yourself.

Someone challenged me to take pride in being the best teacher of the things in my business, not the best doer. That mindset shift changed my world.

Robert Liedtka
 That’s a great way to look at it. I’d also add in prioritization — for yourself and your team. Too often, teams have growing to-do lists and never get to the bottom. Effective teams implement prioritization where it’s painful to let something go. You might want to do it, but you know you need to focus elsewhere.

You need to remove not just the time but also the mental space things take up. When your attention is fully on what’s been prioritized, you’re far more effective than trying to juggle 100 things at once.

Harley Green
 Awesome. Well, Robert, right back at you. You believe small changes can make a big impact. What’s one change a leader can make this quarter to start reclaiming their time?

Robert Liedtka
 Yeah, everything starts small. It might sound obvious, but many leaders get stuck in theory without taking the first step. The key is to break things down into their smallest components. Then, prioritize.

What I do with teams is help them lay everything out — then sort into two buckets: what’s scalable and what’s not. Focus first on the scalable items. Then ask: What can we implement in the next day, week, or month?

Get that first small win, and then scale that across the team. Also, instill the habit of identifying what’s working well and what’s not — consistently. That reflection builds value across the team. It’s either the same input with better output, or less input with the same output. If you can align both, you dramatically reduce how long it takes to get results in the organization.

So — identify what you’re doing, then what’s scalable, then what’s valuable, and then what’s realistic to implement now. That’s how you start to reclaim time.

Harley Green
 Well, going over to you, Michelle. Many leaders think EOS is just meetings and scorecards. How do you reframe EOS as a system for freeing up the visionary to lead at a higher level?

Michelle Rourke
 EOS is a framework. The most important thing is to pick a framework — and actually stick with it.

Too many people treat EOS like a buffet. They pick an L10 meeting here, a scorecard there. But EOS is a complete system. The first thing we teach is: What do you want from your company?

I’m an integrator, so I work hand in hand with visionaries. We start with vision, goals, values — but then break that into execution. That starts with getting people into their unique ability, so others can handle running the business.

One of the first steps I insist visionaries take is a Clarity Break. Step back, write out everything you do in a day, what’s actually important, and then we work through that list.

EOS gives us tools like IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) sessions, weekly meeting rhythms, and more. Whether you use EOS or something else, the point is: implement a system that reaches every layer of the business — not just the top level.

Harley Green
 I’m definitely hearing some themes here — making sure people have a good understanding of their values and how they’re spending their time in order to implement change effectively.

Cathy Christen
 Yes — and systems create predictability, which creates freedom.

Something like EOS — we’ve used our own version of it for nearly two decades — helps stop you from running your business on hope, memory, or chaos. It ensures you have the right people in the right seats, and clear processes to match.

It reduces the 2 a.m. anxiety of “Is this getting done?” Systems aren’t about control — they’re about peace of mind. When your team knows what’s expected every week and how to be held accountable, you get better performance.

Good systems also allow people to co-create, take ownership, and contribute to decisions. That increases buy-in and drives high performance.

Mike Abramowitz
 I’ve got several thoughts — let me pull in a few things from what everyone just said.

Cathy said something powerful: “Doing things to get them done” vs. “Doing things to get them delegated.” That’s a big nugget.

Robert mentioned when you say yes to the wrong priorities, you’re saying no to the right ones — I loved that.

Michelle brought up unique ability — what only you can do in your business. I call it the Zone of Genius — Gay Hendricks talks about it in The Big Leap. Everything else outside that zone? Delegate.

And what you’re doing with Workergenix, Harley — I love that. You’re plugging in a team of doers, powered by AI, to tackle everything outside a leader’s zone of genius.

Lastly, Cathy mentioned meeting cadence — I recommend pairing that with the One Minute Manager philosophy. Goal setting, brief check-ins, praise or redirect, repeat. That keeps accountability sharp and simple.

Robert Liedtka
 Mike, I love that you brought up One Minute Manager. I’d add one more thing — leaders sometimes fall into the trap of thinking only they can do a certain task. Ego gets in the way. They end up holding onto too much, thinking, “I’m the best at this,” and suddenly, they’re empire-building and headed straight toward burnout.

You’ve got to be real with yourself about your actual skills and value. What can only you do? Once you identify that, it’s way easier to delegate and focus your energy.

Michelle Rourke
 Yes! And I’ll add: If your goal is to scale, you can’t be stuck doing everything. You have to learn to step out.

Harley Green
 Right. And we’ve seen the opposite too — leaders feel guilty handing off tasks they don’t enjoy. But just because you don’t like doing it doesn’t mean no one does. There’s someone out there who loves that task and may be even better at it than you. Delegating creates opportunities for others too.

Mike Abramowitz
 That reminds me — a friend once asked, “What do all superheroes have in common — except Batman and Iron Man?”

The answer? They’re broke.

Robert Liedtka
 They’re broke?

Michelle Rourke
 They’re broke.

Mike Abramowitz
 They try to be everything to everyone, but they have no money, no life, no relationships. The “superhero syndrome” isn’t a compliment. Being the best at everything in your business is actually a problem.

Harley Green
 Powerful point. Cathy, as someone who helps leaders thrive without sacrifice, what mindset shifts are needed to reclaim time while still growing a business?

Cathy Christen
 One of the first mindset shifts I work on is this: You don’t have to do it all.

Too many leaders wear busyness like a badge of honor. But the shift comes when you realize your value isn’t in how much you do — but in how strategically you lead.

Let go of being the hero. Your business doesn’t need a hero — it needs a leader.

The best business owners are developers of leaders. Even if you’re a solopreneur doing half a million dollars, act like your business is in the “adult” stage. That’s a mindset shift.

Stop thinking, “I’ll deal with that later.” Instead, ask: “What does my business look like 10 years from now?” Then reverse-engineer that. Who reports to you? What’s your org structure? What type of marketing team, support team, operators will you need?

Don’t limit your thinking based on where you are right now. Start with vision — then see what it takes to get there. Because the truth is, with tools like Workergenix, there are very practical, affordable ways to offload tasks and scale faster.

I ask every founder: What does the life you love look like? Let’s build the business that aligns with that.

Mike Abramowitz
 That was fire. I’ll add this — we’ve been working with a lot of blue-collar businesses. Our new thing is “White Collar Systems for Blue Collar Workers.”

It starts at the top of the funnel. For example, if a contractor is taking every phone call — how do we stop that? Maybe we create a form on the website, offer a lead magnet like “$500 off,” and get their info so we control the follow-up.

Now we’re not reacting — we’re guiding the sales journey.

Then we add a discovery call with qualifying questions before ever sending a crew out. That saves time, gas, and labor — because we’re not servicing unqualified leads.

Plugging in a virtual assistant for admin is great, but don’t stop there. You need to build systems and predictability around the whole user journey — for your customers and your business.

Harley Green
 Michelle, did you want to jump in?

Michelle Rourke
 Go ahead, go to your next one.

Harley Green
 Alright, so the next question I have for everybody is: What are some of the most common traps that keep leaders stuck in the weeds? I think we’ve touched on some already — but how do you help them avoid those traps? Feel free to jump in.

Robert Liedtka
 Great question. Every leader, no matter where they are in their journey, needs to be aware of this if they want to grow.

Where I see leaders get stuck is when they have enthusiasm, but lack the tools or communication skills to bring their teams along. Or maybe they haven’t built trust, which is critical.

I teach leaders to align the three major aspects of trust:

  1. What you think
  2. What you say
  3. What you do

If any of these are out of sync, your team will sense the misalignment, and trust will erode. As humans, we pick up on that very quickly.

You need to be introspective. Ask: What do I really think? Am I saying that clearly? And does my behavior match? Without that alignment, your leadership becomes transactional instead of transformational.

Michelle Rourke
 I’ll dive in. One of the biggest traps I see is misalignment with the right people in the right seats.

In small-to-medium businesses, it’s common to build the team around people — family, friends, or long-time staff — instead of building based on structure.

You end up creating a job for Uncle Ted instead of identifying the functions the business actually needs.

Later, when it’s time to scale, you’re stuck with the wrong person doing the wrong job. That’s hard to unwind.

So I always say: Start by thinking 6 months ahead. Build your accountability chart based on what the business needs, not who you already have.

Cathy Christen
 Dead on. When defining a role, you also need to think about the attributes you want.

Do you need someone outgoing and energetic? Or someone quiet and detail-oriented? I once hired someone amazing for an operational role that needed a lot of inventory analysis. But she was super chatty — and it didn’t work.

It wasn’t that she was bad — she was just in the wrong seat.

When we moved her to client acquisition and marketing, she thrived. She was happy, we grew, and we found someone else who loved being behind-the-scenes with spreadsheets.

The key is getting crystal clear on the role and the kind of person who will thrive in it. Your brain starts looking for the right match once it knows what to look for.

Mike Abramowitz
 I’ve got two traps. One: leaders see everything as transactional, instead of investing in relationships — with their team, clients, and partners. Relationship-building is not a “nice to have.” It’s the fuel.

Two: There’s a math trap. Let’s say you want to work 30 hours a week for 48 weeks a year. That’s 1,440 hours.

Now let’s say your income goal is $300,000. Divide that by 1,440 — that’s $208 per hour.

If you’re doing $15/hr tasks, you’re out of alignment. You’re undercutting your own value. Just that shift in perspective can change everything.

Michelle Rourke
 EOS has a great tool for this — it’s called Delegate and Elevate. It’s the same idea. You figure out what gives you energy and what drains you. You start handing off the stuff that doesn’t match your unique ability. That’s how you grow.

Harley Green
 And speaking of the right seats, we had a podcast guest recently who talked about doing a responsibility auction.

If you’ve got a team where roles are murky — maybe family, friends, or long-time staff — strip away the names. Just list all the responsibilities on paper. Then let people “bid” on what they want to own.

The blanks that no one picks? That’s where you hire. It’s a simple way to get people aligned without hurting feelings.

Michelle Rourke
 Yes! And often when you remove someone from a role they weren’t thriving in, they’re so much happier. They didn’t want to be there either — they just didn’t know how to say it.

Cathy Christen
 Exactly. And productivity goes up when people are in the right seat. It’s not just about skills — it’s about energy and alignment.

Mike Abramowitz
 Let me click on that. Jeff Woods once told me: “Every seat should have three key jobs. And if you can’t do those three, you’re fired.”

It’s not about overwhelming people with 15 tasks. Keep it simple. Define the three most critical things each role must deliver — and build accountability around that.

You can connect that with the book The ONE Thing. Focus on what drives 80% of the results — and get clarity on what matters most.

Robert Liedtka
 Yes. And if someone consistently picks responsibilities that don’t align with the company’s vision — that’s a red flag. You might need to reevaluate the role or the person.

Prioritization gives you the lens to run those exercises more effectively.

Michelle Rourke
 Another EOS tool I love is GWC — Get it, Want it, Capacity to do it.

You ask: Does this person “get” the role? Do they “want” it? And do they have the “capacity” — meaning the skills and bandwidth?

It’s a simple filter that brings so much clarity.

Harley Green
 I’ve got more questions, and this group could talk for hours, but let’s jump to a final lightning round.

In just one or two sentences — what’s your best tip for a leader who wants to stop working in the business and start working on it this year?

Mike Abramowitz
 Oh man, how do I get this into one sentence?

Robert Liedtka
 Trying to pare that down too, ha!

Michelle Rourke
 One sentence? Okay — Let go and trust the system.

Robert Liedtka
 It all starts with ego. You’ve got to be honest about what you’re good at, what you’re not, and prioritize based on that. (Sorry, maybe a few commas and dashes in there.)

Cathy Christen
 Super tactical: Run a time audit. Then figure out what you don’t have to be doing.

Mike Abramowitz
 Okay, here’s my one-liner: Know what you want — then go build it.

Harley Green
 Powerful. I want to give everyone a chance to share how people can connect with you. Where can our audience find you online?

Cathy Christen
 Visit CathyChristen.com — all my links and socials are there. That’s Cathy with a C and Christen with a CH.

Michelle Rourke
 The best way is LinkedIn — just search for Michelle Rourke. Also, I recommend the book Traction — if you want a copy, send me a DM and I’ll mail it to you.

Robert Liedtka
 You can find me on LinkedIn as well — Robert Liedtka. My world is great for anyone in corporate who’s looking to scale teams or make a career move.

Mike Abramowitz
 And if you know a blue-collar business owner who wants more freedom, head to betterthanrich.com/GSD. I’ll do a free OBS call and help you design systems that work for your business — whether you do it yourself or hire us.

Harley Green
 Thank you all for your stories, insights, and wisdom today.

To everyone watching — thank you for joining this conversation. As a thank-you, we’re offering free access to our masterclass: “Delegate to Dominate.”

In it, I walk through how top execs are reclaiming 15–30 hours a week using the right strategic support.

Check it out — and unlock your bonus offer — at workergenix.com/bonus-masterclass.

See you next time on Executive Edge Live!

When Sales Systems Break: How Founders Can Scale Without Burnout

by faye.eScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on Comments are Disabled

When Sales Systems Break: How Founders Can Scale Without Burnout

In this episode of Executive Edge Live—part of the Scale Smart, Grow Fast podcast by Workergenix—Harley Green is joined by four sales and strategy powerhouses to tackle a painful but common issue: What happens when your sales systems stop working?

If your business is running on duct-taped processes, manual follow-ups, and founder-fueled hustle, this conversation is your wake-up call—and your roadmap forward.

Preferred listening on the go? Catch the full podcast episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

From “Controlled Chaos” to Scalable Sales Systems

💬 Beth McClary-Wolford (Fractional Sales Leader) revealed why most businesses don’t actually have sales systems—they have people and tools… and crossed fingers.

💬 Sara Chevere (Offer Architect & Wealth Strategist) called out the clarity gap: too many founders keep stacking courses, certifications, and tech without addressing the root problem—messy messaging and no clear flow.

💬 Stephen Orefice (Sales Culture Strategist) shared his own burnout story, and how focusing on people, processes, and purpose helped him rebuild sustainably.

💬 Kelly Ann Peck (Pipeline Expert) reminded us that movement builds momentum. A CRM isn’t optional—it’s foundational. And the sale doesn’t count until the contract is signed and paid.

Key Takeaways for Founders & Execs

  • 💡 Stop selling alone. Sales success can’t depend solely on you. It’s time to systematize, delegate, and empower others.
  • 💡 Start with real conversations. Don’t over-engineer. Begin with your network and build from there.
  • 💡 Track everything. From proposals to payments, follow-up is where deals are made (or lost).
  • 💡 Shift your mindset. Selling is serving. Don’t hide your offers—make them clearly and often.

“If you build it, they will not come—unless you tell them. A lot.” – Beth McClary-Wolford


🎁 Bonus Masterclass: Reclaim 15–30 hours/week with smarter delegation → workergenix.com/bonus-masterclass

👥 Connect with the Panelists

  • Kelly Ann Peck – linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-peck
  • Sara Chevere – sheprospersher.com
  • Stephen Orefice –@fixintowindowsdoors.com
  • Beth McClary-Wolford – superpowerstrategies.com | Email:

Schedule a discovery call to start building a sales system that scales without you burning out.

Like what you read? Get weekly insights on scaling, efficiency, and profitability—straight to your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

Transcript

Harley Green:
All right, just waiting for all the streams to get activated online.
All right, we got confirmation. It’s live on Instagram, very good.
And it’s good to go on Facebook as well. So we will go ahead and get started.
Welcome everybody to the Executive Edge Live part of the Scale Smart Grow Fast podcast by Workergenix. I’m Harley Green, founder and CEO of Workergenix, where we help founders and executive teams delegate what drains them so they can focus on scaling strategically.

Today’s session is all about what happens when your sales systems hit their breaking point. The missed follow-ups, the messy handoffs, the “how are we still doing this manually” moments.
I’m thrilled to be joined by a powerhouse of leaders who’ve built revenue engines that run without them constantly propping them up.
Whether you’re selling services or widgets or investment offerings, these are the frameworks, workflows and mindsets that help sales scale without spiraling into chaos.
Thank you all to our panelists for coming here today. We’re gonna kind of go around and a quick introduction. We’ve got Kelly, who’s a business sales coach and strategic revenue leader.
Kelly has tripled client revenue in down markets and driven over $30 million through strategic event-based sales. She has over 26 years across sales, coaching, and marketing leadership, and she’s known for turning messy pipelines into clean, profitable ecosystems.
Next we have Sarah. Sarah’s a wealth strategist and premium offer architect. Sarah helps women package their expertise into high ticket offers that actually sell. With over 17 years in coaching and finance, she’s scaled dozens of service-based businesses by helping founders lead with clarity and price with confidence.
Next, we have Stephen, a sales leader, strategist, and culture builder. After rebuilding his life and business from the ground up, Steven now helps high-performance sales teams grow with systems that stick. He’s obsessed with alignment, ownership, and letting purpose lead process.
And last, but certainly not least, Beth is a fractional sales leader and process coach. Beth builds outsourced sales solutions for founders who want results without micromanagement. She’s hands-on, process-driven, and deeply focused on helping teams execute consistently.
Thank you to all of our panelists for being here today. How’s everyone doing?

Kelly Ann Peck:
 Really good. Thanks for having me.

Sara Chevere:
 Amazing. Thank you, Harley.

Harley Green:
 Before we went live, we were talking a little bit about where everybody is in the world. I think it’s kind of fun that we’ve got great coverage across the world and across the US. Maybe we take a second to just kind of go around, quick introduction and share where you’re coming from today.
We’ll start with you, Kelly.

Kelly Ann Peck:
 Hi everybody. My name is Kelly Ann Peck. I am sitting in St. Petersburg and I’m closing on my home tomorrow, so I will be moving 30 minutes up to Palm Harbor. So I’m very excited.

Harley Green:
 Awesome, thank you, Kelly. Stephen, you wanna go next?

Stephen R. Orefice:
 Yeah, I’m located here in the beautiful DFW Metroplex, Dallas, Fort Worth. So I’m a proud Texan now, but former New Yorker and yeah, just big in the home improvement industry here in DFW.

Harley Green:
 Awesome. And Sarah?

Sara Chevere:
 So I am like you, Harley, so I’m location independent. And at the moment, I am in Austin, Texas.

Harley Green:
 Awesome. All right, Beth, where are you coming from today?

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 I’m coming from the scenic city in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But I know that Texas is hot too, so we are having a heat wave. I was sitting out on a porch originally and I thought, “my goodness, bless his heart.”

Harley Green:
 Love it. Chattanooga.
Nice. And I’m coming from Wallingford, England. So we’re enjoying our summer here in the UK with a little bit milder weather, which we’re very much enjoying.
All right. Well, let’s start with the obvious.
Beth, I’m going to send this one to you first. Why do so many growing businesses think they have a sales system when what they really have is just a string of people and tools?

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 Wow, you’re really kicking it off. The reality is that as business owners, as human beings, and we are the subjects of great marketing, we think if we keep buying stuff and layering it on top of whatever we have, that it’s going to fix our problems. And unfortunately, that doesn’t fix our problems.
It just adds complexity and more layers. And so sometimes you have to strip it down to the bare bones and take it back to the real basics and say, okay, what is it we’re really trying to accomplish? Let’s not buy anything else. Let’s not layer anything else on top of it. Let’s just figure out what it is we’re trying to accomplish and see what you have that fits.
We want that quick fix. We want that magic pill that’s going to make wonderful things happen. And that isn’t necessarily what happens. You just get a rotten onion, as I call it, with lots of bad layers.

Harley Green:
 Awesome. Yeah.
Great insight there. Anybody else on the panel want to add to that?

Sara Chevere:
 Yeah, so one of the things that I notice with many entrepreneurs, service-based businesses and consultants is that they keep buying courses that probably they never finish. Like how many of you have purchased many courses and said yes, thinking they’d be very supportive, but they have not really resolved the problem?
Not only that, but now they go to the next program, or the next high ticket, or the next mastermind, and then they’re just accumulating things. Or they feel that they’re not ready because they need to get these certifications or this degree.
And the reality is that it just creates a lot of confusion in what they offer, instead of having a flow—an intentional flow—on how they provide their information and how they support their clients.
A lot of times it’s lack of clarity, having clear messaging that attracts their ideal client, and having an offer that provides a big transformation.

Stephen R. Orefice:
 If I can add, I love what you said about that. I’m a baseball coach at heart—I played Division II ball—and I always go back to fundamentals.
It’s so important for business because as we scale, I love the scaling process, but it’s very easy to get unwound in the chaos.
Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back from all the chaos and go back to the fundamentals—websites, CRM, focusing on your clients, focusing on conversations with your employees to better their growth.
Sometimes we become too innovative with all this AI stuff and everything that’s coming out now, but that old school, face-to-face connection with your client or with your employee goes a long way.
That’s something I’m experiencing now. We’re dialing back in our company and we’re putting focus on our customers.

Harley Green:
 All right, well, this next one, Stephen, I think is a good one to start with you. You kind of mentioned dialing back. What was your moment of truth—when you realized your sales process needed to evolve or was going to stall or blow up?

Stephen R. Orefice:
 I’m an A personality. So once you hit that point of rust out, burnout, or knockout—call it what you will—you hit that phase mentally, physically, spiritually where you just can’t take on any more.
That was the lightbulb moment. I went back to my baseball days and realized that anything I’ve ever done in a team setting allowed us to achieve things we never imagined.
That’s when you need to dial back and go into what I call the “process and procedure phase.” Because without processes and procedures, you can never scale.
Otherwise, you’re always doing minute tasks or running yourself into the ground 12, 16, 18 hours a day. I was doing that during the pandemic.
I hit the rust out and burnout phase. After that, when I started my own company, I came in with experience.
My wife and I are business partners. We’re growing a team—we have install teams, communication, and a CRM that handles a lot of the small stuff.
We help each other not take on too much so we can have that family-work balance, which is so important.
I know people say balance doesn’t exist for entrepreneurs, but I believe there’s a way to maximize your potential by finding it within your business and your life.

Harley Green:
 Awesome. Anybody else have a moment of truth they want to share real quick here?

Kelly Ann Peck:
 Sure. Last year I decided—my company got bought in 2022. I worked with an amazing coach that bought my company, and then I decided, this isn’t my client anymore.
I absolutely love this person who bought my company, but I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do next. I think my husband freaked out because he was like, “My gosh, she’s going to go back to being an entrepreneur again.”
And I see a lot of laughs right now because, you know, our spouses and significant others don’t always realize they’re on this ride with us when we start these companies.
So my husband was like, “Okay, what are we planning?” And I’m like, “You know what? I’m not going to do what I did before.”
It goes back to what Beth and Sarah were talking about.
When I started my second company, I thought I had to have a website, I had to have this and that. But I’m a salesperson at heart. What I really needed to do was just figure out what I wanted to do—and just go and have conversations.
So last August, that’s exactly what I did. I just had an open heart and was open to every opportunity and every conversation that came my way.
And I have landed numerous clients—my dream clients—without having to do all the “big stuff.”
They wanted to work with me because of me—not because I had a website or certain marketing in place.
I was able to have real conversations to help them get to the “yes,” and to know that I could fix the problems they were facing.
That headspace of standing on the mountain and being open to opportunities, instead of being stressed out, really helped. It’s been a big reason for my success this past year.

Sara Chevere:
 I want to follow that. One thing I realized when I was in all of that chaos was that I wasn’t doing my business in alignment.
I sat down and visualized—who is the person I see in the future? Who is that Sarah that’s super successful, living in alignment, living her vision and ideal lifestyle?
Then I asked her, “Where do I need to go? What do I need to do to become you now?”
And I’ll be honest—it was hard. When I heard what I needed to do, I resisted. I felt like I wasn’t ready.
But once I listened to that vision and brought it into the present, I started living the life I wanted and building a business that aligned with it.
That alignment allowed me to serve my clients at a high level—helping them live their vision as well.
So to anyone watching: visualize your future self and ask, “Who do I get to be to become you now?”
Stop waiting. Start living that vision today.

Stephen R. Orefice:
 Yeah, I want to add to what Sarah said. One thing that changed my life was not getting addicted to the company name—but getting addicted to the people and the processes.
Companies open and close. People move on.
If you get attached to processes, procedures, and people, that’s where it gets exciting.
If something falls off now, it doesn’t bother me. I know I can recreate it.
The confidence, the energy, and the experience are all there.
We have a gift as entrepreneurs to do whatever we want.
Once you find balance and alignment, you can create the life you want—your own field of dreams.

Harley Green:
 Thank you.
All right, Kelly, this one’s for you first—you’re the expert on pipelines.
How do you start building a system that converts leads without needing you to check in every day? Where’s the first fix?

Kelly Ann Peck:
 When you’re starting out—or launching a new service—it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in business.
You need to start by talking to your circle of influence.
That includes your biggest cheerleaders, repeat clients, or, if you’re brand new, it’s simply, “I have a new business, and I’m excited to tell you who I help.”
The most important part of building a pipeline is movement.
Some people get stuck before they even take that first step. I’ve been there. But having movement is everything.
Go out, build relationships, have real conversations.
Also, I’m a huge believer in two things:

  1. Use a CRM to follow up. The fortune is in the follow-up.
  2. Have a CRM that lets them sign a proposal and pay immediately. Don’t lose the deal at the payment stage.

If you don’t have a CRM, an amazing spreadsheet can work.
But you must follow up—and ask for the yes.
Everyone wants to get to the “happy dance” moment of the sale, but you have to fall in love with selling.
 A lot of small business owners say they hate sales. But you have to become the #1 salesperson in your business.
Sales is what puts cash in the bank.
And you also need to be in rooms where your actual clients are.
When I was figuring out what to do last year, I followed my own advice.
I didn’t have a job—but instead of going back to corporate, I just landed deals. I had conversations and created movement.
It takes time to close deals—whether from raving fans or strangers on the street.
And here’s the thing—we sell every day. I sell my kids on brushing their teeth, my husband on furniture, my daughter on when she can use her iPad.
We’re selling all day long. So lean into that and create movement. That’s how people get to know what you offer.

Harley Green:
 And for them to say, yes, you can help me—and for you to land the deal.
But starting out, it’s follow-up, it’s conversations, and it’s rinse and repeat.

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 I always ask people, “How bad do you want it?”
Yes, I want you to go build your field of dreams, but if you build it, they won’t come unless you talk about it. Even Kevin Costner in the movie went out and talked about it!
Every presentation I give, I say, “Everybody sells.”
And you can watch people want to crawl under the table. They say, “No, I don’t.”
Yes, you do.
Everyone in your company sells. Anyone interacting with a buyer is selling.
Because selling isn’t bad. It’s about helping people.
It’s about providing solutions. It’s not manipulation—it’s about making a difference with what you’re doing.
Changing that perception is hard.
Somewhere as we grow up, we lose that resilience.
Think about kids in the grocery store—“Mom, I want M&Ms.”
“No, we have dinner soon.”
“Mom, I’ll wait until after dinner.”
That persistence fades as we get older.
But action is key.
Like Kelly said, the more you tell your story, the better.

Sara Chevere:
 One of the big gaps I see in selling is people view it as something negative.
Or they’re afraid they’ll lose the client if they try.
I want to go beyond just “selling.” Let’s talk about making offers.
 Because if we don’t make offers to our audience, we’re doing them a disservice.
I get emails that are filled with value—but with no offer.
So I’m left asking, “Who is this person? What are they offering?”
Instead of thinking you’re “selling,” remember—you’re serving.
 Your audience already wants what you offer. But they can’t buy it if you don’t offer it.
So the invitation is: make offers. Make them so you can serve your audience and help them get results.
Many fear sounding salesy or getting unsubscribed from emails.
Or they worry that people won’t like them.
Well, if they unsubscribe or don’t like it, they weren’t your audience anyway.
When you speak to your ideal client, offer value, and make offers, the sale becomes inevitable.
You’re offering something valuable—and that’s what matters.

Stephen R. Orefice:
 Exactly.
People move for either pain or pleasure.
I use something I learned from Grant Cardone every day in follow-ups:
Is it the price?
Is it not solving your problem?
Or is it something else?
Those three questions uncover what’s really holding someone back.
And today, sales isn’t just about selling—it’s about giving people options, a relationship, and a seamless experience.
It should be easy to do business with you.
So stop talking, listen, and let them tell you what they want. They will.

Harley Green:
 Great insights, everyone.
Beth, going back to you—as a sales leader, where do you see founders and leaders wasting the most time or energy in their sales process?

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 Not understanding the value of a lead.
We become so transactional—if we don’t get the deal, we just let it go.
But what about following up?
They paid to generate that lead. But if it falls off, they don’t go back.
They don’t build the relationship.
So while they think they’re saving time, they’re really wasting money.
Even worse—it’s a missed opportunity.
People make decisions they regret. Someone else will get that business—because they followed up.
I always say, I help people find their people, love their people, and keep their people.
 That means customers.
Nurturing, loving, and showing value are critical.
I read that 85% of customers cannot communicate the value you bring.
That means we’re not selling the value—or maybe the salesperson doesn’t even know it.
And that starts at the top.
Messaging needs to come from the top—and it has to be consistent across the organization.
If it’s just you—then write it and own it.
Talk about what value you bring and what makes you different.

Harley Green:
 Stephen, you talk a lot about alignment. How does that show up in a healthy sales ecosystem? And what are some signs it’s missing?

Stephen R. Orefice:
 I’m big on company culture.
This is my third time scaling a company. I’ve worked in family-owned businesses, corporate structures, and even Fox Television.
You can tell from someone’s face if they enjoy their work.
If you need to constantly motivate people to show up—you’ve got a problem.
After the pandemic, people started reassessing what’s important—time, freedom, money, family.
If you can meet those needs, they’ll carry your brand forward.
It’s like a baseball team during a World Series season—162 games is a grind. But they all row in the same direction.
Business is the same.
You need a team, communication, and understanding what matters to your people.
 It’s not about what matters to corporate anymore.
And when everyone’s dreams align with the company dream—that’s when the brand becomes authentic.
You know alignment is real when people look around the company and don’t even know who the CEO is.
That’s the magic. That’s the goal. I’ve been there, lost it, and I’m building it again.

Harley Green:
 Powerful.
Sarah, you help leaders step into premium pricing with confidence.
How do strong sales systems support that shift and keep those conversions consistent?

Sara Chevere:
 One of the things I teach is to have a specific flow when making offers.
I call myself “The Empire Architect” because what I’m great at is breaking things down step-by-step.
You need to know exactly what to do in order to connect with your audience—so that when you share your message, they’re ready to buy and become premium clients.
Without a flow—what I call the Offer Flow Framework—it’s really hard to convert at that level.
Connection, intimacy, and openness are what build trust.
Also, I love AI, but let me clarify. What I don’t love are fake videos of fake people. Those don’t connect emotionally.
Your audience knows what’s real and what’s not.
To really connect, you have to show up and share the strategy that’s working for you—so they can apply it to their own businesses.
What’s often missing is clarity: in your message, in your steps, in your process.
And without that, it’s very difficult to provide real value or connect with your ideal audience.

Harley Green:
 Absolutely.
And Kelly, you’ve coached teams through downturns and still helped them grow.
Can you share some systems or rituals that made a difference during chaotic times?

Kelly Ann Peck:
 Sure.
When teams hit a downturn—plateaued revenue, or decline—the first thing I recommend is to look at the data.
The numbers don’t lie.
Often, people don’t know where their clients are coming from.
With large teams, I always ask: Who did we market to? What closed? What kind of client was it?
Or why did we see massive growth in July last year? Was it a project? Something external?
Gas prices? Tariffs? Whatever the reason—look at it.
Recreate what worked.
The key is: study what created success, and reverse engineer it.
That allows you to make smarter, faster decisions and boost sales with confidence.
Once you know where your leads came from and why they converted, you can rebuild that growth intentionally.

Harley Green:
 So true.
Let’s wrap with a rapid-fire question.
For anyone watching who still feels their sales are founder-dependent—what’s one thing they could do this quarter to change that?

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 Ask yourself: “Does this have to be done by me?”
If not—delegate it or automate it.
As founders, we white-knuckle everything. We hold on.
But that kills your capacity.
And letting go is scary—it hurts.
But do it.
Even if it’s uncomfortable, it changes everything.
And also—don’t expect others to sell exactly like you. They’re not the founder.
We can duplicate the process—but not your energy. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Harley Green:
 Great insight. We got a bonus there!
Sarah?

Sara Chevere:
 Stop doing low-value work.
If you can’t afford a full-time assistant—start with part-time.
Eventually scale into having an executive assistant like what you offer, Harley.
That person will take everything off your plate, so you can focus on the high-value tasks that only you can do.
You’ll scale faster than you think.

Harley Green:
 Awesome, great points.
Kelly?

Kelly Ann Peck:
 I promise—you get a do-over the next day.
Even when things go terribly, you didn’t mess it up that bad.
Sleep, hydrate, eat—then start again.
The hard days are where growth actually happens.
And Sarah’s point about offers—yes. It’s so much easier and faster to go out and sell a high-value offer than it is to grind for low hourly rates.
You’re worth it. So is your client.
The relationship comes first—but price for the transformation you deliver.

Harley Green:
 Awesome.
Huge thank you to all of our panelists for sharing so openly—from the wins, to the mess, to the systems that make this all work.
Let’s go around real quick—how can people connect with you?
Beth?

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 Just send me an email: .
You can go to my website too—superpowerstrategies.com—but email is fastest.

Harley Green:
 Thank you. Sarah?

Sara Chevere:
 My website is sheprospersher.com.
That’s the best way to connect and learn more about my offer.

Harley Green:
 Stephen?

Stephen R. Orefice:
 Email is best:

Harley Green:
 And Kelly?

Kelly Ann Peck:
 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-peck
 My phone and email are there. Thanks again for having us, Harley—we appreciate it.

Harley Green:
 My pleasure.
And for everyone joining live—or catching the replay—thank you so much.
We know how much is on your plate, and our goal is to help you grow without being buried in the day-to-day.
As a thank-you, we’re giving you free access to our masterclass: Delegate to Dominate—where I walk through how top execs reclaim 15 to 30+ hours/week with the kind of strategic support we talked about today.
You can watch it and unlock your bonus at: workergenix.com/bonus-masterclass

Sara Chevere:
 Thank you, guys. Bye!

Beth McClary-Wolford:
 Now let’s go sell.

Scaling Without the Burnout: Andy Reinhold’s No-Hustle Blueprint for Business Owners

by faye.eScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on Comments are Disabled

Scaling Without the Burnout: Andy Reinhold’s No-Hustle Blueprint for Business Owners

 In the latest episode of the Scale Smart Grow Fast podcast, we welcomed Andy Reinhold, founder of Studio Spark and former Deloitte executive turned automation strategist. Andy shared a deeply personal journey—from burning out in corporate life to overcoming cancer—and how these experiences inspired his no-hustle approach to entrepreneurship. If you’re a solopreneur or small business owner juggling growth with sanity, this is your roadmap.

Preferred listening on the go? Catch the full podcast episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

1. Redefining Success Post-Burnout

After managing $55M in corporate projects, Andy realized that health and happiness are non-negotiable. Therapy and values-based decision-making helped him pivot toward building a business aligned with freedom, authenticity, and self-care.

2. Designing a Business That Fits Your Life

Using frameworks like Designing Your Life by Stanford professors Burnett and Evans, Andy helps clients create “Odyssey Plans” for their businesses—clear five-year visions that prioritize both financial goals and personal fulfillment.

3. The Studio Spark 12-Step Framework

Andy walks clients through a comprehensive system that includes values alignment, capacity and revenue math, offer refinement, and automation. His approach balances strategy with soul—building businesses people are proud of, not burned out by.

4. Smart Automation: Amplify, Don’t Replace

For teams running lean, Andy recommends starting with content creation and lead generation. By pairing AI with virtual assistants, small teams can operate with the efficiency of enterprise-level businesses, without losing their personal touch.

5. The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

“Will I be happy with how I lived when it’s all said and done?” This question drives Andy’s choices today. His advice to overwhelmed founders: align decisions with your values, invest in what truly matters, and use technology to amplify—not override—your humanity.

Final Thoughts:
 Andy Reinhold’s no-hustle blueprint is a timely reminder that scaling smart doesn’t mean sacrificing your well-being. For business owners striving to do more with less, his mix of automation, strategy, and self-awareness is a masterclass in sustainable growth.

Connect with Andy:
 Visit Studio Spark to explore Andy’s frameworks, tools, and community.

Ready to Scale Smarter?
 If you’re inspired by Andy’s approach and wondering how you can apply these principles in your business, let’s talk. At Workergenix, we specialize in helping founders and lean teams scale with strategy, systems, and smart delegation.

👉 Schedule your free discovery call today and take the first step toward a business that grows without grinding you down. Book a call now!

Like what you read? Get weekly insights on scaling, efficiency, and profitability—straight to your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

How Growth-Minded Leaders Are Using AI to Scale Smarter—Not Harder

by Harley GreenScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on Comments are Disabled

How Growth-Minded Leaders Are Using AI to Scale Smarter—Not Harder

In today’s fast-changing business world, ignoring AI isn’t just risky—it’s costly. On the latest Scale Smart, Grow Fast podcast, Mike Todasco, former PayPal innovation leader and visiting fellow at SDSU’s AI Research Center, broke down how business owners can future-proof their companies by embracing AI now, not later.

Want the full breakdown and real-world strategies? Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and hear how AI is transforming executive support.

Why AI Is a Business Advantage—Not Just a Buzzword

AI isn’t just hype—it’s giving non-engineers executive-level leverage. Mike explains that tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini offer what used to cost companies six figures per employee. Now, for just $20/month, any business owner can streamline operations, get instant brainstorming support, automate workflows, and make better decisions faster.

The problem? Too many leaders dabble. “If you’re just playing around with AI occasionally, you’re falling behind,” Mike says. True leverage comes when AI is embedded into everyday processes—from note-taking and email to decision support and strategic planning.

Overcoming the #1 Barrier: Leadership Buy-In

Most business owners delay adoption due to fear, complexity, or not knowing where to start. Mike’s advice? Don’t overthink it. Pick one tool and start using it daily. Create a culture where your team is encouraged to test AI, share wins, and improve together.

At Workergenix, for example, our virtual executive assistants not only understand AI—they use it to triple productivity for our clients. If your team isn’t integrating AI, you’re leaving massive ROI on the table.

How to Make Smarter Decisions with AI

One practical example Mike shared: using AI as a devil’s advocate. Feed your strategy doc or sales plan into ChatGPT and ask it to challenge your thinking. It’s a fast way to identify blind spots and avoid costly mistakes—something human team members may not always do candidly.

AI Is Not Replacing Your Team—It’s Empowering Them

Mike emphasizes: AI won’t replace humans (yet), but it will replace those who don’t use it. This is especially true for executive assistants. The best virtual professionals now master AI tools to manage tasks, automate workflows, and deliver higher-level support—making them indispensable to fast-scaling businesses.

Bottom Line

AI is not the future. It’s the present. If you want to stay competitive, leaner, and smarter, now’s the time to embrace it fully.

Want to see how an AI-powered executive assistant can help your business scale faster without burning out your top talent? Schedule a discovery call today!

Like what you read? Get weekly insights on scaling, efficiency, and profitability—straight to your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

The Financial Blind Spots Holding Your Business Back (And How to Fix Them)

by Harley GreenScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on Comments are Disabled

The Financial Blind Spots Holding Your Business Back (And How to Fix Them)

As a business owner, you’re focused on growth, delivering results, and keeping your customers happy. But if you’re not keeping a close eye on your finances, you could be leaving money on the table—or worse, losing it without realizing it.

In a recent episode of the Scale Smart, Grow Fast Podcast, we sat down with Cheryl Heller, founder of Pillar One Consulting, to discuss how entrepreneurs can take control of their financial health, eliminate hidden inefficiencies, and make smarter business decisions.

Listen to this episode on the go! Tune in on your favorite services and never miss valuable insights to help you scale smarter and grow faster.

🎧 Cash Flow Mistakes That’s Costing You – Spotify

🎧 Cash Flow Mistakes That’s Costing You – Apple Podcasts

Why Most Business Owners Struggle with Finances

Many entrepreneurs avoid their financials, only checking in when tax season rolls around. But waiting too long can lead to poor cash flow management, unexpected expenses, and missed opportunities for growth. Cheryl’s advice? Start by removing the emotion from your numbers.

“Your financials are just data—use them to inform your next steps, not as a source of stress.”

By regularly reviewing financial reports, you can spot unnecessary expenses, optimize pricing, and create a long-term strategy for scaling your business.

Key Financial Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

✅ Pricing Without Data – Too many business owners set prices based on competitors instead of their own costs and profit margins. Calculate your true costs before setting a price.

✅ Cash Flow Neglect – Profit on paper doesn’t always mean money in the bank. Understanding cash flow ensures you have the funds needed for growth, payroll, and unexpected expenses.

✅ Ignoring Receivables – A slow-paying client can quietly drain your business. Implement systems to track outstanding invoices, enforce payment terms, and follow up on late payments consistently.

✅ Overlooking Recurring Charges – Small, unused subscriptions add up over time. Reviewing your expenses monthly can prevent unnecessary spending and increase profitability.

How Business Owners Can Regain Control

1️⃣ Check Your Numbers Monthly – Don’t wait until tax time. Set aside time each month to review key financial reports like your cash flow statement and profit margins.

2️⃣ Implement Smart Systems – Use QuickBooks, Excel, or other tools to track spending, monitor revenue trends, and forecast future needs. If you don’t have time, delegate financial tracking to an AI-powered executive assistant who can ensure accuracy and consistency.

3️⃣ Know Your KPIs – At minimum, track your gross margin (profit after direct costs) and days sales outstanding (how long it takes clients to pay). These numbers impact your bottom line more than you think.

4️⃣ Build Financial Reserves – Unexpected downturns happen. Having a cash reserve of at least 3-6 months of expenses can protect your business from disruptions.

Want to Scale Without Financial Stress?

Getting a grip on your finances is one of the smartest moves you can make as a business owner. If financial overwhelm is holding you back, our Ultimate Executive Assistants at Workergenix can take bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking off your plate—so you can focus on growth.

Take control of your business finances and free up your time—schedule a discovery call today to see how our AI-powered executive assistants can help you streamline operations and scale smarter.

Like what you read? Get weekly insights on scaling, efficiency, and profitability—straight to your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

How Mindset Can Shape Success

by Harley GreenScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on Comments are Disabled

How Mindset Can Shape Success

In the latest episode of the Workergenix Mastermind Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Holst, a multifaceted entrepreneur and real estate investor. Jeff’s journey from attorney to real estate mogul, despite facing life-altering challenges like leukemia and bankruptcy, offers invaluable lessons in resilience and mindset. Here’s a sneak peek into Jeff’s wisdom:

Navigating Life’s Curves

Jeff shares how a major health crisis and financial setbacks led him to shift from law to real estate, highlighting the importance of timing and adaptability.

Mindset Matters

His mantra of “no bad days,” developed as a teenager, has kept him positive through adversity. He even tattoos this reminder in multiple languages as his personal “mental hashtag.”

The Power of Personal Mantras

Jeff emphasizes the value of affirmations and how personal “mental hashtags” can keep us centered and resilient, even during tough moments.

Formula for an Extraordinary Life

Jeff’s formula—“inspired thought plus right action”—is his recipe for turning ideas into impactful results, urging us to embrace new opportunities consistently.

Jeff’s story is a testament to turning challenges into stepping stones. Dive into the full episode to discover more of Jeff’s transformative mindset techniques and how they can apply to your journey.

You can also listen to this episode here:

🔗Spotify

🔗Apple Podcast

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The Missing Puzzle: Align Job Roles with Digital Systems and Operations

by Harley GreenScale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on Comments are Disabled

The Missing Puzzle: Align Job Roles with Digital Systems and Operations

Are you truly tapping into the full potential of your team? Or could something as small as a job description be silently holding your business back?
In our latest podcast episode, Harley Green and Sera Deva from Triple Creek Consulting dive deep into this unexpected business secret that’s transforming companies everywhere.

Here’s What We Uncover:

  • How redefining a job description created breakthrough moments for businesses.
  • The practical ways Sera’s clients streamlined operations and optimized digital systems.
  • The surprising truth behind why clear roles can skyrocket your team’s performance.

Think about this:

The right job description can save hours of chaos and unlock hidden potential within your business. Want to know how?

You can also listen to this episode here:

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Struggling to Scale? Could a Virtual Assistant Be the Missing Piece?

by Harley GreenBusiness Growth, Outsourcing, Productivity, Sale, Technology & AutomationPosted on Comments are Disabled

Struggling to Scale? Could a Virtual Assistant Be the Missing Piece?

As a business owner, you’re probably familiar with the constant challenge of balancing day-to-day operations with your long-term growth goals. It’s especially true in service-based businesses where tasks like real estate management, marketing, and bookkeeping can take up a significant portion of your time. But what if you didn’t have to do it all yourself?

In this post, I want to talk about the specific roles executive assistants can play in your business and how they can help you grow while keeping costs down.

Real Estate Management Made Simple

If you’re in real estate, managing properties can be time-consuming, from scheduling showings to dealing with paperwork. Executive assistants can handle these tasks for you. They can communicate with clients, manage your calendar, coordinate appointments, and even oversee tenant relationships. The best part? They can do it all remotely, which means you don’t need to add the cost of office space or in-house staff.

Marketing Campaigns That Work

When it comes to marketing, having an executive assistant who understands digital campaigns can make a huge difference. From planning and executing social media strategies to monitoring results, they can help you stay on top of your marketing efforts without the constant stress of doing it yourself. Whether it’s email marketing, content scheduling, or even managing your ad spend, having this type of support allows you to focus on the big picture—like scaling your business and improving customer relationships.

Bookkeeping Without the Hassle

Let’s be honest: bookkeeping is not something most business owners enjoy doing, yet it’s essential for maintaining healthy finances. An executive assistant can take care of your invoicing, manage expense reports, and keep track of payments, allowing you to stay organized and avoid costly mistakes. And since many assistants are well-versed in tools like QuickBooks or Xero, it’s easier than ever to get professional financial support at a fraction of the cost of hiring a local bookkeeper.

Cost Efficiency: Why It Matters

Now, let’s talk about cost efficiency. Hiring a local assistant or full-time employee comes with a lot of extra expenses—salaries, benefits, office space, and more. But when you hire a virtual assistant, especially one from the Philippines, you’re not only getting someone who’s skilled and experienced but also someone who offers incredible value at a much lower cost. You’ll save on overhead while getting the same (or even better) quality of work. This allows you to maintain strong profit margins, which is key for any growing business.

Lead Generation Done Right

Lead generation is crucial, especially for service-based businesses like real estate, consulting, or marketing agencies. But it’s also a time-consuming process. This is another area where executive assistants can shine. They can research potential clients, qualify leads, and even set up initial meetings. This means you can spend more time closing deals and less time hunting for prospects.

Wrapping It All Up

At the end of the day, hiring a virtual executive assistant is about more than just delegating tasks. It’s about creating a more efficient business that runs smoothly and grows faster. Whether it’s managing your real estate portfolio, executing marketing campaigns, or handling your books, a virtual assistant can provide the support you need to stay focused on what really matters: growing your business.

If you’ve been thinking about adding support to your team but aren’t sure where to start, consider the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant. It’s a smart, cost-effective solution that can take your business to the next level.

Reach out to schedule a discovery call.

The Abundant Journey Podcast cover featuring hosts, a man and a woman in grayscale, with a minimalist design

Harley & Adrienne Green on Becoming a Family of Digital Nomads | Ep. 80

by Harley GreenBusiness Growth, Outsourcing, Productivity, Technology & AutomationPosted on Comments are Disabled

Harley & Adrienne Green on Becoming a Family of Digital Nomads | Ep. 80

Harley and Adrienne Green share their journey of living a digital nomad lifestyle and building a successful real estate business. They started by investing in real estate and leveraging their savings and investments to create financial and time freedom. They transitioned from direct ownership of single-family homes to commercial investments and partnerships. Adrienne also became a real estate agent and built a team focused on serving real estate investors. They emphasize the importance of being strategic, leveraging virtual assistants, and setting up systems to achieve freedom and scalability. They also discuss the misconceptions and challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of starting with the end in mind to design their dream lifestyle.

Takeaways

  • Investing in real estate and leveraging savings and investments can create financial and time freedom.
  • Being strategic and leveraging virtual assistants can help scale a business and achieve freedom.
  • Starting with the end in mind and designing a dream lifestyle is important for long-term success.
  • Misconceptions about entrepreneurship include the belief that it automatically leads to freedom and that it is easy and glamorous. Set clear – goals and create a vision for the future.
  • Leverage systems and outsource tasks to achieve financial freedom.
  • Embrace an abundance mindset and view failure as an opportunity for growth.
  • Traveling with young children can provide unique opportunities for personal and family growth.
  • Establishing a home base in an international location can be a future goal.
  • Providing valuable resources and education to others is a way to add abundant value.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Background
02:44 – Investing in Real Estate for Financial and Time Freedom
06:16 – Transitioning to Commercial Investments and Partnerships
12:09 – Strategic Scaling with Virtual Assistants
29:08 – Designing a Dream Lifestyle: Starting with the End in Mind
33:43 – Setting Goals and Creating a Vision
34:42 – Achieving Financial Freedom through Leveraging
37:29 – Embracing an Abundance Mindset and Viewing Failure as Growth
45:36 – Traveling with Young Children: Challenges and Opportunities
52:04 – Establishing a Home Base in an International Location
56:23 – Providing Valuable Resources and Education to Others

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A modern desk setup featuring a laptop displaying virtual assistant and automation icons, along with CRM and project management systems.

Is Technology the Key to Scaling Your Business Faster?

by Harley GreenBusiness Growth, Outsourcing, Productivity, Technology & AutomationPosted on Comments are Disabled

Is Technology the Key to Scaling Your Business Faster?

As a business owner, you’ve likely thought about scaling your business—taking it to the next level, increasing revenue, and expanding your impact. But let’s be honest, the more your business grows, the more tasks pile up. Managing everything from client communication to back-office operations becomes a juggling act that consumes your time and energy.

So, how do you keep scaling while avoiding burnout? The answer lies at the intersection of technology and smart delegation. We’re living in a time where digital tools and remote teams can significantly ease your workload, but only if you know how to leverage them properly. Here’s how you can combine technology with a modern workforce to grow your business faster and smarter.

Automation: Your Secret Weapon

Many entrepreneurs get stuck doing repetitive tasks that could easily be automated. Things like scheduling appointments, following up with clients, or even invoicing can take up hours of your day. The truth is, these tasks don’t require your personal touch—they require consistency and precision.

Tools like Calendly for scheduling, QuickBooks for invoicing, and HubSpot for CRM are game changers for business owners. By automating these repetitive processes, you free up valuable time to focus on what actually drives your business forward, like strategy, marketing, and client relations.

But here’s the kicker: Automation doesn’t work in isolation. You still need real people to handle customer concerns, manage complex projects, and ensure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. This is where technology and the human element come together.

Remote Staffing: Technology Meets Talent

What if I told you that you don’t have to hire full-time employees to manage everything? Thanks to technology, you can now build a team that operates virtually, combining the power of remote work with your existing processes.

Imagine this: you’re automating repetitive tasks, but you have experienced professionals managing client care, handling operations, and keeping things organized. By tapping into a global talent pool, you can build a lean team that scales with your business—without the overhead costs of in-house staff.

The beauty of remote staffing lies in its flexibility. You can hire experts for as little or as much time as you need. Need someone to handle client onboarding or scheduling a few hours a week? Done. Need a full team to manage customer service or marketing? No problem.

Technology platforms like Slack and Asana allow you to seamlessly communicate with and manage remote teams. You can track progress, assign tasks, and ensure everyone is aligned—all in real time, without being in the same office.

Focusing on High-Impact Work

Entrepreneurs often find themselves stuck in the “busy work” cycle—managing day-to-day tasks while their vision for growth remains on the back burner. Leveraging technology, combined with a smart, remote team, helps you refocus on the activities that move the needle for your business.

Think about it this way: the more tasks you can automate and delegate, the more time you have to concentrate on high-impact areas like business development, strategic partnerships, and innovation. This is where you need to be investing your time to truly scale your business.

What’s more, when you’re not bogged down by operational details, you can focus on improving the client experience, which in turn improves your reputation and attracts more business.

Data-Driven Decisions for Sustainable Growth

Technology also gives you access to a wealth of data that can guide your business decisions. From Google Analytics to CRM platforms, you can track everything from website traffic to customer behavior, helping you make informed choices about where to invest your time and resources.

For example, if you notice that most of your new leads are coming from a specific marketing campaign, you can double down on what’s working and stop wasting time on efforts that don’t yield results. With the right combination of technology and talent, you’re not just growing—you’re growing smarter.

Conclusion: The Future is Hybrid

The future of business growth isn’t just about technology or people—it’s about how you combine both. By leveraging automation tools and building a flexible remote team, you can scale your business efficiently without sacrificing your personal life or burning out.

The key to sustainable growth is understanding that you don’t have to do everything yourself. Technology is here to help, and when paired with a strong team, it becomes a powerful engine for your business’s success.

Ready to embrace technology and scale your business smarter, not harder?

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