What happens when a founder’s vision collides with the messy reality of scaling a business? In this episode, Jacob sits down with Kelly Stacey—fractional CEO, COO, and self-described “founder whisperer”—to unpack what it really takes to grow beyond the early stage.

Drawing on her experience working with over 300 brands, Kelly shares:

* Why visionary founders often wait too long before asking for help

* The two most common gaps she sees inside growing companies

* How to have the tough conversations when friends or early employees no longer fit the business

* Why decision-making is the muscle every founder must strengthen

* The overlooked “trust-building reps” that make or break teams

* What she looks for in hiring beyond the résumé—and why overthinkers can be hidden superstars

Kelly brings a refreshing mix of candor, practicality, and empathy for founders who want to scale intentionally without losing themselves in the process.

👉 Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn to learn more about her fractional leadership work.

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