Operations strategist Ashlee Berghoff, founder of Smooth Operator, joins Gwen Bortner to talk about the evolution from independent consultant to agency owner—and what it took to make her business sustainable as her life and family grew.

Ashlee shares how she shifted from doing everything herself to building a team of fractional COOs and operations managers, and how becoming a parent forced her to rethink her time, energy, and definition of success. Together, she and Gwen dig into the emotional side of operations, from accountability without shame to learning how to work with your own motivations (including gold-star brains!).

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Ashlee recognized the business she built wasn’t aligned with the life she wanted
• The mindset shifts required to stop overworking and design a calmer rhythm
• Why constraining her time actually helped her do better deep work
• How she uses idea lists, capacity triggers, and clear constraints to stay on track
• What it looks like to grow sustainably—even when opportunities abound

If you’re a consultant, strategist, or service provider looking to grow without drowning, this conversation is filled with wisdom, practical systems, and honest reflection on what sustainable success requires.

Links and Mentions

Connect with Ashlee (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeberghoff/)