The Start, Scale & Succeed Podcast

In this clarifying episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares why goals exist to drive better decisions and actions toward your vision. If you struggle with misaligned goals or ineffective planning across any stage, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why goals primarily guide decisions and actions, not just achievement

- How to set goals aligned with your mission, vision, and values

- What reviewing goals teaches you to master the skill over time

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Scott helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and with his business partner started led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.He founded Scale Architects to help founders and CEOs identify and implement the one essential strategy they need right now to get them on the fast track to Predictable Success.

Want to learn more about Scott Ritzheimer's work at Scale Architects? Check out his website at https://www.scalearchitects.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this motivational episode, William Milliken, President of Swoop Scoop, shares how to scale service businesses and overcome mindset barriers to hiring. If you struggle with doing everything alone and fearing your first hires, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to start taking action without waiting for perfection

- Why mindset blocks prevent scaling beyond solo operations

- What simple systems turn a simple service into millions

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 3 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

William Milliken is the Founder of Swoop Scoop, a multi-million-dollar dog waste removal company that has transformed a simple chore into a booming business serving thousands across multiple states. With a sharp digital marketing background, he’s built several 7-figure home service companies and has become a go-to expert in creating profitable, recession-proof businesses. As the founder of the Poop Scoop Millionaire community, he’s empowered hundreds of entrepreneurs to launch successful dog waste removal businesses. William shares powerful strategies for scaling businesses, digital marketing, and unlocking financial freedom in unexpected industries.

Want to learn more about William Milliken's work at Swoop Scoop? Check out his website at https://swoopscoop.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this insightful episode, Joanna Zhang, CEO of The Operations Genius, shares how to master delegation and self-discovery to escape overwhelm. If you struggle with doing everything alone and hitting bottlenecks, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to start delegation by listing tasks and building trust

- Why respecting emotions unlocks better leadership decisions

- What self-reflection turns challenges into growth opportunities

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 2 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Joanna Zhang is an international speaker and the founder of The Operations Genius. She helps entrepreneurs, agency owners, and leaders scale their businesses sustainably through aligned systems, operational clarity, and energy-based productivity. After years of working inside high-growth companies, Joanna saw how often leaders sacrificed well-being and vision for growth. Now, she empowers founders to create freedom-driven businesses that thrive without constant firefighting. Known for her holistic approach that blends strategy, systems, and soul, Joanna guides leaders to build companies that are both profitable and purposeful.

Want to learn more about Joanna Zhang's work at The Operations Genius? Check out her website at https://operationsgenius.net/

Connect with Joanna at her LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhang-joanna

Download her Unstuck Guide at https://operationsgenius.net/solopreneur-guide/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this insightful episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares how to discover and evolve your true organizational vision across all seven stages of the Founder's Evolution. If you struggle with unclear purpose, motivation dips, or building a team around something that doesn't truly matter, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why your organization should (or did) still matter 50 years from now

- What makes a vision compelling enough to fuel you through decades of sacrifice

- How to evolve your vision from short-term survival fuel → team inspiration → future legacy

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Scott helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and with his business partner started led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.He founded Scale Architects to help founders and CEOs identify and implement the one essential strategy they need right now to get them on the fast track to Predictable Success.

Want to learn more about Scott Ritzheimer's work at Scale Architects? Check out his website at https://www.scalearchitects.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this empowering episode, Carrie Fabris, Founder of CareerFrame, shares how to elevate manager engagement for lasting profitability and legacy. If you struggle with a weak leadership bench eroding your gains, you won't want to miss it

You will discover:

- How to use Frame It for frequent, accountable leadership growth

- Why high engagement boosts profitability by 21% in top quartiles

- What ongoing practice turns insights into real behavioral change

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

With over 20 years of corporate experience and 15+ years in leadership roles at Google, Travelocity, Sabre, and Travel Leaders Corporate, Carrie combines real-world business insight with her expertise in CliftonStrengths®, EQ-i 2.0, and Situational Leadership®. Through her signature FRAMEit Method, she delivers high-energy, actionable coaching and workshops that help leaders bridge the gap between achievement and legacy, while maintaining balance, purpose, and impact in their professional and personal lives. Carrie is also the author of ALL IN: The Working Mom’s Unapologetic Quest for a Juicy Life, sharing her personal journey of navigating corporate ambition, entrepreneurship, and motherhood without compromise.

Want to learn more about Carrie Fabris's work at CareerFrame? Check out her website at https://www.carriefabris.com/

Get a copy of her book All In: A Working Mom's Unapologetic Quest for a Juicy Life at https://www.amazon.com/All-Working-Unapologetic-Quest-Juicy/dp/1945587776

Check her The FRAMEit™ Method Flyer at https://www.scalearchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FrameIt_Flyer_Final.pdf

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this perceptive episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares why chasing arbitrary revenue goals traps founders and how to determine the right size for your organization based on your unique vision. If you feel stuck growing a business that no longer excites you or wonder if bigger is truly better, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why revenue numbers are a poor way to measure business size

- How to choose the smallest organization that fully achieves your vision

- Why bigger organizations scale problems faster than benefits

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Scott helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and with his business partner started led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.He founded Scale Architects to help founders and CEOs identify and implement the one essential strategy they need right now to get them on the fast track to Predictable Success.

Want to learn more about Scott Ritzheimer's work at Scale Architects? Check out his website at https://www.scalearchitects.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this strategic episode, Matt Ruttenberg, Co-Owner of Life, Inc. Retirement Services, shares how to customize retirement plans to slash taxes and favor founders. If you struggle with one-size-fits-all 401ks that hurt your bottom line, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to stack cash balance plans with 401ks for massive deductions

- Why founder-centric designs beat employee-focused defaults

- What deadlines let you backdate 2025 contributions until 2026

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Matt is a 401(k) expert who partners with driven entrepreneurs and business leaders to design custom retirement plan stacks that reduce taxes and boost financial freedom. With 20+ years in the industry, he’s on a mission to replace one-size-fits-all plans with strategic tools that actually work for the people building the business.

Want to learn more about Matt Ruttenberg's work at Life, Inc. Retirement Services? Check out his website at https://lifeincrs.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this essential episode, Michael Swenson, Founder of CrisisTrak, shares how to build crisis plans that safeguard your enterprise from disasters. If you struggle with blind spots that could erase years of value, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to form a crisis team for rapid, organized response

- Why early planning protects customers, employees, and investors

- What Crisis Track automates to streamline your recovery

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Mike began his career in broadcast journalism as an on-air reporter as well as a director and producer. Following that, he spent five years as press secretary to Kansas Gov. John Carlin. Mike founded Barkley Public Relations in 1987. He built the firm into a national leader in crisis management, influencer relations, cause branding, and employee engagement. Mike became a nationally recognized leader in both crisis management and cause branding and served as Chair of IPREX, a global group of independent public relations firms. He believes that the earlier an organization includes crisis planning in their overall business planning, the better off they will be.

Want to learn more about Michael Swenson's work at CrisisTrak? Check out his website at https://crisistrak.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this practical episode, Scott Ritzheimer, shares a simple exercise to reclaim control of your CEO schedule. If you struggle with endless pulls on your time and unclear priorities, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to rate current time use across key categories like planning and mentoring.

- Why envisioning your ideal schedule six months out reveals big shifts

- What setting goals for top movers turns insights into actionable change

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Scott helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and with his business partner started led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.He founded Scale Architects to help founders and CEOs identify and implement the one essential strategy they need right now to get them on the fast track to Predictable Success.

Want to learn more about Scott Ritzheimer's work at Scale Architects? Check out his website at https://www.scalearchitects.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this actionable episode, Daniel Strohli, Founder of Profitsx.com, shares how to build scalable lead systems for contractors and service businesses. If you struggle with inconsistent pipelines and payroll pressures, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to create client-centric websites that generate high-quality leads

- Why consistent, focused work outperforms talent in marketing

- What simple automations boost visibility and conversions fast

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 3 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Daniel Strohli is the founder of ProfitsX, a company dedicated to helping contractors and service-based businesses grow by building trust, credibility, and visibility online. Since 2018, he has guided business owners in creating client-centric websites, lead capture systems, and simple automations that consistently generate high-quality leads. With a background in real estate and business development, Daniel understands firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face in competitive markets. His systems and strategies have helped clients increase revenue by an average of 38% in just 6 months.

Want to learn more about Daniel Strohli's work at Profitsx.com? Check out his website at https://profitsx.com/

Check out his free resources at https://profitsx.com/resources

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz