In this episode, I sit down with my very first client, Lindsey Cheek of Gathered, to discuss why she radically scaled down her interior design firm. We explore how she went from a large staff and retail store back to a lean team of two, and why that decision actually increased her profitability. This conversation proves that you don't have to be "big" to be successful—you just have to be intentional.

Timestamps

(00:00) - Intro

(05:27) - Reality of opening a retail store

(09:42) - The catalyst for scaling down

(14:33) - The "Three Ps": Profitable, Publishable, Pleasurable

(18:28) - Separating ego from business growth

(26:17) - How to cultivate strong vendor partnerships

(31:17) - Building client relationships that last years

(43:20) - Final thoughts

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Lindsey Cheek

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatheredgroup/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-cheek-55434416/

Website: ⁠https://gatheredgroup.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Lanier to talk about the reality of building a business while raising a family. We dig into why asking for help is actually a leadership skill and how to build deep, genuine connections without feeling fake. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect, this conversation will give you permission to let that go.

Timestamps

(00:00) - Intro

(02:30) - Networking for introverts

(03:28) - Why you should join a nonprofit board

(11:24) - The origin of the Inspiration Lab

(13:00) - Uncovering the "hidden labor" of success

(24:00) - Why "B-plus" work moves you forward faster

(40:22) - Viewing business as an intellectual sport

(51:00) - Learning to trust your gut over bad advice

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Stephanie Lanier

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephlanier/?hl=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanierpropertygroup/?hl=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinspirationlab/?hl=en

Website: https://www.theinspirationlab.co/

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and industry leader Alyssa Ait to unpack the messy reality of running a floral business while raising three kids. We have an honest conversation about how she navigates working alongside her husband, Jordan, and the boundaries they set to keep their marriage and business afloat.

Alyssa opens up about a terrifying trademark mistake that forced her to change her name, a lesson that proves why you need to cross your t's from day one. We also dig into the struggle of pricing your art and why she willingly invests her own money into projects to attract her ideal high-end clients. Finally, we discuss managing the mental load of motherhood and why physically taking care of yourself is a non-negotiable part of business success. This episode is for anyone trying to build a business they love without losing their sanity along the way.

Timestamps

(00:00) - Intro

(01:27) - How Alyssa started in the floral industry at 15

(10:02) - Starting a business out of necessity

(14:09) - The reality of working with your husband

(21:40) - Setting boundaries for family time and kids

(24:59) - How to attract high-end clients by investing upfront

(37:28) - One business lesson Alyssa learned the hard way

(38:55) - The trademark horror story you need to hear

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠

Connect with Alyssa Ait⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherofwildnc/⁠

In this episode, I talk honestly about one of the hardest leadership lessons I’ve had to learn as a founder: how to take time off without feeling guilty. I share why so many business owners—especially women—struggle with rest, how guilt gets tied to productivity, and why our teams often mirror the behavior we model. Through my own experiences of burnout and exhaustion, I explain how refusing to rest doesn’t make us noble leaders—it quietly teaches our teams to ignore their own needs too.

Timestamps

(00:00) — Intro

(02:07) — Founder Burnout Reality

(04:18) — Rest As Leadership

(06:31) — Building Rest Rhythms

(08:57) — Stop Glamorizing Burnout

(10:24) — Releasing Founder Guilt

(12:58) — Modeling Sustainable Leadership

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Meredith Cook, founder of Green Compass Global, to talk about what it really looks like to lead with heart while building a fast-growing business. We dive into the hardest decisions she’s had to make as a founder, especially when it comes to leading people you deeply care about and navigating seasons that feel overwhelming.

Meredith shares how compassion, transparency, and tough conversations have shaped her leadership style and helped her build a people-powered brand rooted in trust. This conversation is an honest look at what it takes to stay grounded when the stakes are high and the responsibility is heavy.

Timestamps

(00:00) — Intro

(05:52) — Letting people go with heart

(11:18) — Founding Green Compass

(16:44) — Purpose over quick profit

(22:07) — Family inside the business

(27:36) — Marriage and entrepreneurship

(32:58) — Staying in your strengths

(38:12) — Running into hard seasons

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠

Connect with Meredith Cook

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.greencompassglobal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greencompassglobal/?hl=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithcookgc/?hl=en

In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest look at how my relationship with planning has changed and why this year feels different than any before it. I talk about letting go of chaotic growth, admitting where burnout has shown up for me and my team, and choosing to step into leadership with more intention instead of constant reaction. This episode isn’t about having a perfect system — it’s about becoming the kind of CEO who plans slowly, thoughtfully, and with real life in mind.

I walk through how I’m defining my season, choosing how I want the year to feel, and setting goals that actually support my business, my team, and my life. From redefining KPIs to intentionally planning for rest, I’m sharing the mindset shifts helping me build something sustainable instead of sprinting toward burnout. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just trying to get through the week, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and begin leading from a more grounded place.

Timestamps

(00:00) — Intro

(02:01) — Kitchen realization moment

(04:03) — Defining your season

(06:12) — Team-centered planning shift

(08:07) — KPIs without burnout

(10:59) — Scheduling rest intentionally

(12:01) — Choosing clarity and alignment

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠

Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠

⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Capone to talk through the financial mistakes that quietly derail small businesses and how to avoid them early. We unpack why growing too fast can be just as dangerous as not growing at all, and how focusing on your core competency can protect both your cash and your sanity.

Chris breaks down why knowing your numbers isn’t just about bookkeeping—it’s about creating clarity, confidence, and better decision-making as a founder. This conversation is especially helpful if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by financial terms or unsure how to plan ahead.

Timestamps

(00:00) – Intro

(05:55) – Growing too fast risks

(11:30) – Cash flow explained simply

(17:05) – Planning for seasonal revenue

(22:45) – Hiring and cash reserves

(28:20) – Cutting unprofitable business lines

(33:50) – CPA vs CFO roles

(38:15) – Fixing messy finances

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠

Find the Show Here:

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243

⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠

Connect with Chris Capone

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://caponeandassociates.biz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-capone-287b2521

In this episode, I sit down with Wilmington business owner Bennie Sheally to talk about what it really takes to grow a company from scratch. We dive into his leap out of corporate life, the risk and reward behind acquiring agencies, and how he learned to lead with transparency and culture first.

Bennie opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship — from burning through savings to figuring out payroll — and the resilience required to keep going. Together, we explore how community support, personal relationships, and strong leadership shape a thriving business.

Timestamps

(00:00) — Intro

(07:38) — Wilmington support for business owners

(12:19) — Scaling multiple office locations

(16:19) — Revenue growth through acquisitions

(20:38) — Entrepreneurship stress and payroll uncertainty

(24:58) — Celebrating employee entrepreneurial growth

(30:40) — Adapting agency systems for growth

(36:55) — Leadership transparency with team

(41:05) — Efficiency through back-office processes

(47:20) — Culture-driven operational performance

(53:10) — Strategic mindset during plateaus

(59:45) — Long-term vision and legacy building

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠

Find the Show Here:

• YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠
• Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠
• Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠

Connect with Bennie Sheally

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sheallyinsurance.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Kristen and Wes Bechtel — the husband-and-wife team behind Bombalatti’s Ice Cream in Wilmington, NC. We talk about the real side of entrepreneurship: active-shooter lockdowns, plumbing disasters, chaos at multiple locations, and somehow still loving what they do.

Their story reminds me that the hardest days in business can still feel better than the best days at a desk job. I love how honest they are about the sacrifices and surprises no one tells you about when chasing a dream.

Timestamps

(00:00) — Intro

(07:55) — Buying Bombalatti’s opportunity

(14:44) — Daily challenges in growth

21:58 — Why expansion keeps happening

(29:36) — Creativity takes backseat often

(36:53) — Systems break with scale

(44:25) — When family calls louder

(52:04) — Success still costs something

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye

• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠
• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠

Find the Show Here:

• YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠
• Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠
• Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠

Connect with Kristen and Wes Bechtel of Boombalatti's

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boombalattis/?hl=en
• Website: ⁠https://boombalattis.com/

Designer, entrepreneur, and my good friend Carmin Black, went from turning handmade jewelry in her grandparents' garage to creating handbags carried at Magnolia and a hair tie sold nationwide at CVS.

She walks me through the messy reality of building product-based businesses, from finding manufacturers overseas to knowing when to close one brand and start another.

You'll learn:

• How to take a product idea from your brain to retail shelves without massive investment
• Why the first five years are about learning lessons, not making money
• What it really takes to work with major retailers like Nordstrom, CVS, and Magnolia
• How to know when it's time to pivot versus push through the hard stuff

Timestamps

(00:00) – Intro

(01:10) – Working with Magnolia

(06:09) – Manifestation vs action

(08:17) – From idea to shelf

(13:09) – The messy beginning

(22:09) – When to pivot

(28:17) – Why Half United closed

(35:28) – Getting into CVS

(47:20) – Landing Magnolia

(52:50) – Building your network

(57:37) – Book recommendations

About the Show

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero.

The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way.

Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Connect with Abbye

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/

Find the Show Here:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65

Connect with Carmin Black

• Instagram: @carminblackthebrand
• Website: carminblack.com
• Hairdo: usehairdo.com

Carmin Black is a designer, entrepreneur, and founder of multiple product-based brands including Carmin Black handbags (sold at Magnolia) and hairdo hair ties (sold nationwide at CVS). She's a former D1 track athlete who started making jewelry in her grandparents' garage and grew it into businesses that employ artisans in eight countries.