Scale Differently

Want to set up your business for massive success as we transition from Summer into Fall? I'm seeing many businesses in different states right now - some riding a high, others slowing down and trying to figure out how to pick things back up. Whichever state you're in, it's an interesting time to reflect and really think intentionally about what you want your business to look like in its next evolution of success and scale. This is what I am doing as I'm launching my newest brand, Strategic Ops Institute. I'm architecting it differently from prior businesses, strategically planning from day one for it to become an 8-figure business. This is shaping the decisions I am making and how I am building my vision in a simple and streamlined way.

In this special episode, I am inviting you in the backstage of architecting an 8-figure brand! I discuss how my past experiences have shaped my current business strategies and decisions.

If you're ready to reimagine your business and align it with your ultimate vision, this episode is a must-listen! Step into a world of possibilities and gain insights into building a brand that thrives.

In this episode, I share how I'm setting up this new venture, and how you can apply a similar thought process to scale your business seamlessly including:

• Architecting a multi-7 or 8-figure brand from where you are today
• Recognizing market gaps and growth opportunities to leverage
• Slowing down to speed up and when you need to
• Building the bridge between today's reality and your future vision

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

Are you truly aligned with your purpose or just going through the motions in your business? There is a big difference between leading a business that feels fully aligned and one that doesn't. An aligned business feels light and freeing, while a misaligned one feels heavy and frustrating. So how do you get into alignment?

In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I was joined by Jennifer Urezzio, the founder of Soul Language. We discussed her special approach to helping entrepreneurs connect with their true selves and align that with their business. She introduces the idea of Soul Language, which focuses on three key energies: your mission, how you support that mission, and your soulful personality.

Jennifer highlights how important it is to understand these energies to build a business that truly reflects who you are and connects with your clients. She also shares how entrepreneurs can check if their business is in line with their core values. Jennifer provides practical exercises to help shift your mindset from focusing on problems to finding solutions, offering clear steps to realign your business. Additionally, she talks about common challenges like being inconsistent or fearing sales and advises on overcoming these issues by being authentic and using insights from Soul Language.

If you're intrigued by how understanding your soul language can transform your business and personal growth, you won't want to miss this episode.

"Your business starts and ends with you and what you put into it. Look within to solve why your business isn't successful." - Jennifer Urezzio

In this episode, you'll discover:

- How to identify your soul's mission

- Understanding your business' unique soul language

- Simple steps to get back in alignment

- How to put consciousness behind business decisions

Links: www.soullanguage.us

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

What was the catalyst for starting your business? Did you find yourself having to learn a tough lesson or overcome something yourself that you are now passionate about helping others with? As entrepreneurs, we often share what we most needed to learn ourselves to get to where we are today. But there is a myth that once we've mastered something, we are done with the lessons. The reality is that we often need to revisit and relearn those lessons again, sometimes when we least expect it. This can cause feelings of imposter syndrome and self-doubt when you find yourself re-experiencing the very thing you help your clients with and are considered an expert at. But relearning past lessons can also be the push needed to propel your business forward and I think it's time we normalize the natural cycles of relearning that occur, even to the most seasoned experts, instead of hiding them.

In this episode, I explore the ongoing journey of learning and relearning essential lessons as an entrepreneur. I share my own experiences of overcommitting and overworking even though I'm an expert in scaling businesses (without the burnout). I also highlight how recognizing and addressing recurring challenges with refreshed strategies can significantly impact your business's growth and sustainability including:

• Early recognition when you're falling into old patterns
• How to move quickly through a period of relearning
• How to leverage your experiences to improve client results
• Tools and frameworks to stay focused and avoid overcommitting
• Strategies to prevent burnout and maintain high performance

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

How can you overcome limiting beliefs and gain the confidence to land big B2B contracts? What specific strategies can consultants use to build relationships and trust within a large corporation to secure bigger deals? What steps are involved in determining and implementing value-based pricing?

In this exciting episode, I sit down with Laura Khalil, a sales and marketing advisor who has spent the last seven years helping service providers sign B2B clients with contracts ranging from $50,000 to $350,000. Today, she pulls back the curtain to help others go after that "big deal energy".

Laura shares with us how to be proactive, build a network of supporters, and not rely solely on referrals. The conversation dives into the differences between working with small businesses and large corporations, emphasizing the importance of value-based pricing and maintaining strong client relationships. She also offers practical advice, such as using the guiding question, "Does it make the boat go faster?" and shares essential tips for securing testimonials, writing case studies, and identifying new prospects within client organizations to continually grow your business.

Don't miss this profound and insightful episode if you're eager to elevate your consulting business and secure bigger deals with large companies. "It's just as hard to get a $5,000 contract as it is to get a $500,000 contract. There's not much difference in the process."

- Laura Khalil

We discuss practical strategies for working with large companies and landing larger, more lucrative contracts including:

- How to position your value to large corporations - What to do and what not to do when pricing contracts - How to strategically leverage testimonials and case studies - Balancing client work with business growth activities

Links: bravebydesign.net https://www.instagram.com/iambravebydesign/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurakhalil/

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

What steps can you take to better understand your client's current challenges and constraints? How can businesses leverage AI to support their clients better and streamline their operations? As you shift your business to adapt to market changes, are you also shifting how you support your clients to achieve successful results? As buying behaviors change and economic constraints tighten, many business owners are grappling with new challenges. I discuss how small businesses, compared to their larger counterparts, are struggling with slower revenue streams and tighter budgets, making them less agile than before. Through insightful analogies and real-life examples, I highlight the importance of adapting your services and products to meet the current needs of your clients. If market changes are impacting your business (or businesses around you), they are impacting your clients' as well. You may have worked on changing your offers, marketing, and messaging to increase conversions, which is great... but what happens after a new client says 'yes'? Will they still be able to achieve results in the same way they would have a year or two ago? The reality is that most people have even more on their plate now than they did before. Their time is more limited, their budgets are tighter, and their focus may be non-existent. This impacts much more than their buying decisions - It impacts their ability to show up and take action, the rate at which they implement, and their ability to achieve results. This in turn impacts your likelihood for retention and referrals. No matter how incredible your programs or services are (and I am sure they are really incredible!)...The way you deliver them may need to shift to better support the challenges and constraints your clients are currently experiencing. In this week's episode, I dive into how current and future market changes impact the way your clients achieve results and practical things you can do to set them up for success including:

• How to adapt your services to current client needs
• The impact of market changes on small businesses
• Strategies for helping clients achieve results with limited resources
• Streamlining your client experience for better results

The key takeaway is that businesses need to be mindful of their clients' new realities and find ways to deliver results with less effort on their clients' part. Don't miss this episode to learn actionable strategies to refine your client offerings and improve retention despite market challenges.

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

Do you sometimes wonder if your marketing efforts are worth the time and money you're investing? It's common to question whether our strategies are hitting the mark or just burning through resources.

In this episode, I am joined by marketing expert Iris Goldfeder, to dive deep into effective marketing strategies that actually work, especially during challenging economic times!

Iris Goldfeder is the founder of GasStoveCreative, a marketing agency that delivers completely custom, full-service marketing strategies. As a chef for over 10 years, she learned that in order to create delicious food, you need the right recipe, and also a splash of creativity. After 25 years in the marketing field, she's come to realize that the same thing is true for your marketing strategy.

In this interview, Iris highlights the importance of truly listening to clients, understanding their needs, and not cutting back on marketing. We discuss common marketing mistakes and the importance of professional help for better results. We also explore the changing world of SEO and AI, emphasizing the unique value of human expertise. Iris stresses the need for the right systems and a heartfelt approach to build strong connections and grow your business.

If you're looking to enhance your marketing strategy and business operations, you don't want to miss this episode!

"Building strong connections through marketing takes time and consistency."

- Iris Goldfeder

In this episode we explore:

- Benefits of a heart-centered business approach

- Knowing when to hire a Marketing Pro vs. DIY

- Balancing growth and marketing optimization

- The impact of video in building trust

- Why immediate results don't always happen

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/igoldfeder/

https://www.facebook.com/gasstovecreative

https://www.instagram.com/gasstovecreative

https://gasstovecreative.com

https://thecookbookpodcast.com

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

How can businesses ensure they are scaling the right aspects of their operations rather than just amplifying existing problems? Why is it crucial to reduce uncertainty before scaling a product or service? And what are some effective ways to create and implement systems and processes before scaling?

In this episode, I explore an important topic: what doesn't scale. I start by highlighting the need to simplify and streamline business processes before scaling to avoid making existing problems worse. I cover the different stages of a business, from just starting out to growing, and how not addressing uncertainty at any stage can end up causing issues in the long run.

I also talk about the disadvantages of relying too much on certain individuals to fix problems, as this can stop the business from growing sustainably. Through real-world examples and proven strategies, I show why having clear systems and processes is crucial for smooth operations. I emphasize the importance of focusing on strategic vision instead of getting stuck on everyday tasks.

Listen in to get practical tips and learn how to use AI to streamline and automate your operations.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The 3 things most businesses do that don't scale
• Why you're stuck on the hustle hamster wheel
• What's needed for sustainable scaling
• Which stages of business support scaling & which don't
• What's needed for sustainable scaling

Join my mailing list to receive the workbook for this episode and all solo episode to get the most out of your listening! Sign up at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/insider Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

Are you finding it tough to sell your high-ticket offers? Let's simplify the process together!

In this episode, I sit down with business and sales strategist Jeannie Spiro to explore effective strategies for women entrepreneurs aiming to boost their revenue. Jeannie shares her journey of mastering copywriting and building a strong relationship with her list, which skyrocketed her business success. We discuss the evolving tactics in email marketing, live events, short sales pages, PDFs, and the value of speaking as a powerful tool to attract high-ticket clients.

We also look closer at the common pitfalls of selling high-ticket offers, and emphasize the importance of validating products and avoiding assumptions. Jeannie highlights the significance of personal connections and client nurturing over massive launches and explains her simple yet efficient approach to prioritize tasks through effective delegation. We examine current trends of more in-person gatherings and changing buying habits, suggesting a balance between using technology and having personal interactions.

In this episode, we explore:

• Effective marketing tools beyond complicated funnels

• The importance of live events and workshops

• How to nurture relationships with potential clients

• Strategies for 1-to-1 selling through discovery calls

• The shift back to in-person events for higher success

"Selling high-ticket offers isn't about complicated funnels—it's about personal connections and genuine conversations." - Jeannie Spiro

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreathttps://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

I love asking my guests the question, "How do you work smarter, not harder, and keep things lean in your business?" And I always love their responses! In this special episode, we have rounded up all the answers my guests have given to this answer so far this year. Even though a lot of the answers tend to be in the same categories, everyone has a different approach to keeping things efficient and lean. In fact, some guests really surprise me with their answers and I always find myself learning something new from these conversations. And I know for a lot of you that it's one of your favorite parts of the interviews as well!

I hope this compilation inspires you to make some changes in your business and how you structure your work so that you can get more time back, get things done more efficiently, and have more space for the things that you absolutely love.

Below is a listing of the guests that are featured in this roundup. If you're looking for some great value-packed things to listen to over the holiday week, catch up on past episodes with these guests that cover:

• Lisa Jones & Lindsay Hammond, talk about improving relationship dynamics in EP158
• Jessica Sato, shares how to create change and impact in EP160
• Karen Fagan, shares her expertise on using videos for more visibility in EP162
• Michelle Glogovac, shares how to leverage podcast guesting for growth in EP164
• Dom Farnan, blends mindfulness with business as she talks about conscious leadership in EP166
• Marcia Riner, shares how to boost your profitability in EP168
• Abby Herman, offers ways to lean out your content strategy in EP170
• Jennifer Tamborski, shares strategies for hitting the million-dollar mark in EP172
• Justine Beauregard, shares how to craft high-converting messaging in EP174
• Anna Felix, shares how to grow your money smartly, safely, and significantly in EP176
• Jennifer Fry, discusses how becoming a disruptor can increase your sales in EP178
• Gwen Bortner, highlights operational mistakes that impact growth in EP180
• Amy Collette, shares how writing a book can unleash your impact in EP182

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

Why do you think sharing personal experiences can be so impactful for both the writer and the reader? What are some strategies authors can use to make their book content timeless and continually engaging?

In this inspiring episode I sit down with the incredible Amy Collette, a writing coach, Author, Speaker, and a crystal-clear voice for intentional change. She inspires audiences to make the kind of impact they desire by teaching them how to deeply connect through the power of story. Together, we dive deep into the significance of storytelling, highlighting its power to connect and resonate with others.

Amy emphasizes the importance of clarity and structure in the book-writing process and shares practical advice on creating outlines and understanding one's audience. Our conversation also sheds light on the myth of the instant success of a book and stresses the importance of continual engagement and promotion.

We dive into how to turn your book idea or already published book into a successful, impactful, and lasting piece of work, including:

- The key elements of writing a successful book - How to keep your book in the spotlight long after it publishes - Using various platforms to boost visibility - Facing and overcoming fear and self-doubt - Practical steps to start or finish writing your book today

Thinking about writing a book or already in the process? Tune into this episode for invaluable insights and practical advice from Amy Collette. Learn how to overcome your fear, gain clarity, and unleash your impact. Discover how to keep your book relevant and engage your audience effectively. Don't miss out—your powerful story is waiting to make a difference!

"Whether you're telling a story or whether you're listening to a story, you're having a shared experience."

- Amy Collette

Links: Website: https://unleashyourinnerauthor.com Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/positivelypoweredauthors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycollette/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleashyourinnerauthor/ Free resource: Make a Ripple Guidebook: https://unleashyourimpact.systeme.io/fc0ff271

Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business?

We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale

Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreathttps://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat.

Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast