Unscripted Small Business

Andrew Poles: Why Scaling Yourself is the Key to Scaling Your Company

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Guest: Andrew Poles - Executive Coach & Ultra Marathon Mountain Biker
Host: Daniel Hill - Unscripted Small Business Podcast

Episode Highlights

The Founder Growth Flywheel
Andrew explains why founders and entrepreneurs who stop growing personally inevitably see their businesses stagnate shortly after.

️ The "Seemingly Impossible" Challenge
How a Netflix documentary and his wife's belief led to Andrew's incredible 100-mile mountain biking journey at 10,000+ feet elevation.

Coaching vs. Therapy: The Key Difference
Forward-focused coaching engagements bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be, rather than exploring how you got here.

When NOT to Scale Up
Why "bigger isn't better" and the crucial question every entrepreneur must answer before pursuing business goals.

Key Business Insights Discussed
  • Economic uncertainty strategies for commercial real estate and geographic businesses
  • Market-specific analysis - why interest rates affect different sectors uniquely
  • Efficiency before expansion - sometimes profitability matters more than growth
  • The ultimate end game - defining your exit strategy before making scaling decisions
    • Related Conversations Worth Exploring

    ️ More Entrepreneurial Journeys:

    • Grant Simmons' journey from corporate to freelance SEO success - Similar career transformation story
    • James Dooley's scaling strategies for building a 9-figure business empire
    • Simon Schnieders scaling his SEO agency - Agency growth insights

      • Practical Business Resources:

      • Local keyword research strategies for geographic businesses
      • SEO-aware business framework for new ventures
        • Connect with Andrew Poles

        Website: andrewpoles.com
        LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-poles

        Coming Soon:

        • Book: "Over the Gate" (2025) - His ultra marathon mountain biking transformation story
        • Online learning hub with self-paced entrepreneurial development courses
          • Key Quotes from This Episode

          "I have found that founder growth and company growth are a flywheel effect. When one stalls, the other follows."

          "Bigger is not better intrinsically. If what you really love is the freedom your business gives you and you scale up, you may find it costs you that freedom."

          "You always have to start with the ultimate end in mind. What is the outcome you're shooting for?"

          ...more
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          Unscripted Small BusinessBy Abbey Crane