What does it really look like to build a business that gives you freedom, flexibility, and community at the same time?
In this episode of the Reclaiming Bossy podcast, I’m joined by Laura Smyth, founder of Butterfly English Education and Found Her Madrid, to talk about how she built a fully remote language learning academy with a team of 20+ teachers whilst also creating an in person community for women in Madrid.
We talk about the reality of scaling an online business, building systems that allow you to work remotely without burning out, and why community still matters so much in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.
This is a conversation about creating a business and lifestyle that actually feels aligned, whether that means working across time zones, running events in a new city, or building a team you trust.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, remote work, online business, community building, digital nomad life, or creating more freedom in your career, this episode will give you both practical advice and a lot of reassurance.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to the episode
00:23 - Laura’s background and introducing her two businesses
00:56 - The burnout that inspired her to start a language academy
01:31 - First steps to starting a business and getting fully booked
03:01 - Why you should hire before you’re ready
03:39 - How to choose the right team and the “hire slowly, fire quickly” rule
04:49 - Navigating difficult conversations and letting go of a friend
05:50 - Scaling to a team of 20 using Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
06:51 - Using AI to build out your business structures and systems
07:24 - Running a remote company with zero daily meetings
08:34 - Trusting your team and avoiding micromanagement
09:28 - Managing a global team across multiple time zones
10:17 - Time management and structuring a schedule to run two businesses
10:53 - Why Laura built the “Found Her” community in Madrid
11:31 - How to get people to show up to your very first event
12:26 - Creating an English-speaking community in a Spanish-speaking city
14:10 - Applying lessons from your first business to your second
14:55 - What Laura wishes she did differently when starting out
15:24 - Where to find Laura and the Found Her community online
15:42 - Final advice on building a life and business you love
16:09 - Reclaiming the word “bossy”
16:33 - Actionable homework for starting a local community
17:07 - Actionable homework for launching an online business
17:36 - Conclusion and outro
Follow Laura / Butterfly English / Found Her Madrid
Laura’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurasmyth/
Laura’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura.inmadrid/
Found Her Madrid: https://www.instagram.com/foundhermadrid/
Butterfly English Education: https://butterflyenglisheducation.com
BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER
Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.
https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes
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