Lean Out Your Business Podcast Crista Grasso

Did you grow up or start your career being rewarded or recognized for a being a hard worker?

Most entrepreneurs have.

It's that drive, determination, and willingness to do the hard things that enabled us to turn our passion, idea, or opportunity into a business. But what if it's the same thing that's causing us to overwork, burn ourselves out, or slow down our results?

When we've consistently seen results from our hard work, especially when it's come from working harder than others around us, we can tie our identity to being a hard worker and develop unconscious beliefs that the only way to see results is to work harder or do more.

Have you ever freed up time in your week only to immediately fill it in with more work? Or have you ever been on vacation or out with family and felt that pull to check in on things or do work even when you really had nothing urgent that needed to be done? 

That's a sign it may be time to dig into your beliefs about what it takes to be and remain successful. Not the surface level beliefs where you consciously know that success doesn't only come from working harder…But the deep rooted unconscious ones that formed early in our lives and still influence our actions today.

In this week's episode, I dive into breaking free from the “work harder” mindset and share my own personal evolution with this. If you caught the story I recently shared about mining for Herkimer diamonds, I take you into the full story in this episode and what it taught me about not always having to work harder and do more. I also share:
How to break free from the "hard worker" mindset Understanding what's needed in different seasons of work & life Practical tips for working smarter instead of harder Strategies that help you reclaim your time
Just because you’re a hard worker doesn’t mean you have to work hard.

Let me say that again, because it's important… Just because you’re a hard worker doesn’t mean you have to work hard. You can be strategic, work smarter, and achieve amazing results.

One of the best ways to work smarter not harder is to learn how to strategically use AI to simplify and scale your business. My new Simplify and Scale with AI program is designed to help you do exactly that, vinf out more at strategicopsinstitute.com/scalewithai
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 know what your business problem really is?

Most visionary CEOs assume their growth issues are marketing-related, but the root cause often lies in operations.

On this week's episode, Gwen Bortner and I uncover how getting to the heart of your actual problem can be a game-changer in business growth. Gwen Bortner is the founder of Everyday Effectiveness. She is a no-nonsense Operational Strategist and Business Advisor with an intuitive coaching mindset. She helps visionary female entrepreneurs achieve their most ambitious goals without the stress and overwhelm of trying to do it all on their own. 
Gwen shares valuable tips on hiring strategically, emphasizing the importance of finding team members who complement rather than mirror the business owner. Her approach comes from the belief that personal and professional success looks different for everyone, and most business owners waste time and energy trying to conform to outside expectations and definitions of success. 
 Throughout our conversation, we explain the challenges of scaling a business effectively highlighting common pitfalls like mistaking operational issues for marketing problems and the importance of a holistic, strategic approach to business operations. Also, we advocate for investing in strategically minded operational leaders who can address deep-rooted issues, ensuring the business model is designed for long-term success rather than quick, reactionary fixes!
We combine our 3 decades of operational expertise as the right-hands to some incredibly successful business leaders to share the common blind spots and mistakes that we see that keep businesses stuck, including:
- Identifying & addressing root causes, not just symptoms
- Why you need to take a holistic approach to operations
- How defining a personal definition of success drives growth
- The type of operational leader you should be looking for
- The importance of complementary skill sets in hires
 
“Every business works exactly as it was designed, but very few businesses are designed with intention”
- Gwen Bortner
 
Links:
https://everydayeffectiveness.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner/
 
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Have you ever evaluated how scalable your current business model is?

Or if your business suddenly experienced a 10x increase in clients, what would break down?

The backbone of scaling in a sustainable way without overworking and burning out is a scalable business model and offer suite, but many businesses have ceilings and constraints in place that they don't realize exist.
In this episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I dive into the crucial topic of scaling without burnout. I share valuable exercises and strategies to help entrepreneurs determine their business's scalability and identify constraints that may be keeping them stuck.

I emphasize the importance of a scalable business model and offer suite, and provide an in-depth examination of what it means to truly scale in a sustainable way without overworking and without burning out.
 
I also discuss how to determine your business’s scalability "limit" and identify constraints that might be holding you back, including:
- Understanding if your current business model can support your big financial vision
- Identifying the number of clients you'll need to meet your financial goals
- Common scaling constraints and how to overcome them
- Learn why consistent client experience is crucial and how systems can help
- Why AI should be part of your team and how it can save time and resources
- Differentiate between growth and true scalability for real freedom in your business
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How do you define a "disruptor," and how does this definition resonate with your understanding or experience in your industry? What are some reasons a business owner might resist the idea of being a disruptor? How can they overcome this resistance?
In this engaging episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I welcomes Jennifer Frye, CEO of Appreciated Asset Business Solutions and creator of the disruptor designer method. Jennifer shares her unique approach to business growth, highlighting the importance of becoming a disruptor in your industry. Through her compelling insights, she explains how standing out from the status quo can eliminate competition and foster long-term client relationships by delivering a superior and unique service.
 
Together, we delve deep into sales strategies, emphasizing the power of education over traditional sales methods. Jennifer reveals her approach to creating meaningful connections and understanding client needs, which has allowed her to foster genuine relationships and maintain high conversion rates. We discuss common mistakes businesses make with their messaging and positioning, and how to avoid them by focusing on benefits rather than features.
 
In his episode, we explore:
What it means to be a disruptor Strategies to set yourself apart from the competition Aligning your unique approach with your business goals Avoiding common mistakes in messaging and positioning Links:

appreciatedasset.com
appreciatedasset.com/lead-finder
https://calendly.com/appreciatedasset/follow-up-with-jennifer
 
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
 
 
 
 

Have you ever considered what happens to your data and intellectual property when you enter it into an AI tool?

Or how your clients may be using AI with your proprietary data from your courses or programs?
 AI is an incredible tool but it's important to understand how to protect your intellectual property and ensure your contracts reflect this new reality. In today’s episode, I dive into the evolving role of AI within business operations. I break down the mistakes that businesses make with AI and share insights on how to leverage it effectively to simplify processes, save time, and cut costs.
I also share practical AI applications for strategic planning, systems creation, team enhancement, and gaining business insights. Whether you’re a founder or a team member, this episode is packed with actionable tips and essential considerations for integrating AI into your business operations.
 
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Key areas where AI can improve business operations Things to consider to protect your intellectual property The importance of updating contracts for AI use How to educate your team about safe and secure AI usage Time and money saving ways to leverage AI beyond content  
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
 
 
 
 
 
 

 In this episode, I sit down with Anna Felix, a leading money strategist with a background in education and linguistic intelligence. We dive deep into the intricacies of financial planning and tax strategies, especially in the context of retirement and entrepreneurship.

Anna analyzes the benefits of structuring retirement savings to be flexible and tax-efficient, leveraging the stability of growth tied to the S&P 500. She also shares valuable insights on how entrepreneurs can optimize their tax situations through proactive expense tracking and strategic use of Roth IRAs.
 Moving to a more personal vibe, Anna shares her journey from becoming a widow to empowering herself and other women in the realm of financial literacy. She emphasizes the importance of financial knowledge, advocating for its inclusion in educational curriculums, and highlights common financial missteps entrepreneurs often make. She empowers her clients to figure out the best way to grow their money using the 3 S's (Smartly, Safely, and Significantly).
 
In this episode, we explore:
Understanding your financial health importance Spotting common entrepreneurial finance mistakes Smart tax planning strategies Insights into non-traditional retirement savings Learning to grow money tax-free How to feel empowered about financial decisions  
 "When you understand and control your finances, you’re not just planning for tomorrow; you’re securing your ability to make choices for your future."
- Anna Felix
 
LINKS:
www.annafelix.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annafelix-smartmoney/
 
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