When uncertainty hits, do you fight, flee—or pause? In our new #WisdomOfWomen episode, Founder & CEO Michelle Hsiao of Revenue Growth Advisors shares how two layoffs in five years became the catalyst for building a values-aligned revenue engine.
She walks us through the often-missed fundamentals that protect margin (P&L fluency, pricing for reality, cash-flow awareness), why community accelerates founder growth, and how clarity on the destination frees you to be flexible on the path.
Michelle also offers a powerful reframe on women, leadership, and power—and a simple kindness practice that lifts customers, teams, and you.
Plus: a generous free 45 minute strategy session for listeners.
Our Guest This Week:
Today we have a 🌟 Revenue Rainmaker Extraordinaire🌟 in our midst!
Michelle Hsiao (Show) is the Founder & CEO of Revenue Growth Advisors, where she helps high-potential companies unlock new levels of scale, clarity, and sustainable growth through sales strategy, team design, and customer-centric operations. With over 20 years of experience spanning Fortune 100 giants, venture-backed startups, and purpose-driven enterprises, Michelle brings an unparalleled ability to turn complexity into momentum and stalled growth into repeatable revenue. She’s known for building and rebuilding revenue engines that not only drive results—but reflect the values and vision of the founders she advises. Michelle is especially passionate about helping women founders step into their full power, aligning team performance with personal prosperity. A strategic thinker with the soul of a coach, Michelle’s work sparks transformation across people, processes, and profits.
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Introduction
02:30 Two Layoffs in Five Years: The Catalyst
07:00 Starting Lean, Building Smart
11:45 Power, Compassion & the Fine Balance of Leadership
18:20 The Strategic Power of the Pause
23:40 Scaling Revenue Engines That Reflect Values
29:10 Money, Margins & Mistakes Founders Make
36:00 The Role of Community in Growth
42:15 Book Wisdom: Women and Power
50:00 Final Reflections & Call to Action
Burning Questions Answered:
1.How can women leaders balance strength and empathy without diluting either?
2.What should a founder actually do in a hard season—push, pivot, or pause?
3.Which “boring basics” (P&L, pricing, cash flow) most often make or break growth?
4.How do you keep purpose and profit aligned as you scale?
5.Where can community meaningfully shorten your founder learning curve?
Key Takeaways:
- “Pause” is a strategic tool; use it to process, regroup, and return stronger.
- Define the end goal clearly; be flexible and creative on routes to get there.
- Build (or rebuild) revenue engines that reflect your values and your customer.
- Price with full costs (including logistics/seasonality) and protect cash flow.
- Join (and contribute to) founder communities to gain ideas, support, and leads.
- Kind leadership scales: be kind to customers, team—and yourself.
Favorite Quotes:
“The pause can be a positive thing.” - Michelle
“Be kind to yourself.” -Michelle
Guest Offers & Contact Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-hsiao/
https://therevgrowthadvisors.com/
Follow the #WisdomOfWomen show for more inspiring stories and insights from trailblazing women founders, investors, and experts in growth and prosperity.
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Coco Sellman, the host of #WisdomOfWomen, believes business is a force for good, especially with visionary women at the helm. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has launched five companies and guided over 500 startups. As Founder & CEO of A Force for Good, Coco supports purpose-driven women founders in unlocking exponential growth and prosperity. Her recent venture, Allumé Home Care, reached eight-figure revenues and seven-figure profits in just four years before a successful exit in 2024. A venture investor and board director, Coco’s upcoming book, *A Force for Good*, reveals a roadmap for women to lead high-impact, high-growth companies.
Learn more about A Force for Good:
Website: https://aforceforgood.biz/
Are Your GROWING or PLATEAUING? https://aforceforgood.biz/quiz/
FFG Tool of the Week: https://aforceforgood.biz/weekly-tool/
The Book: https://aforceforgood.biz/book/
Growth Accelerator: https://aforceforgood.biz/accelerator/
