Business from Scratch

Abbye McGee

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Season One Finale

    In this episode, I'm going solo again to talk about some uncomfortable things. We just hit 26 episodes and over 25,000 downloads, and I'm not glossing over that. But I am pulling back the curtain on what's actually been happening behind the scenes, because the polished version of this story isn't the one worth telling. The idea that has anchored this show from day one hasn't changed: you don't need permission. You don't need a perfect plan. You need the courage to start and the grit to keep going when it gets ugly… and it will get ugly. I've lived that this season more than I care to admit, and I'm getting candid about a hard chapter I've been in, because pretending otherwise would be a disservice to every person building something real. Here's the sharpest thing I've learned this season: friction isn't a red flag. Friction is the work. If you've been waiting for things to feel smooth before you push forward, I need you to hear that. The discomfort isn't a sign you're doing it wrong, it's a sign you're actually doing it. I also get into what it really looks like to stop tip-toeing around hard conversations and walk straight into them instead. No more detours. No more softening everything until the point disappears. Season 2 is coming. We're going deeper into the real-time, messy, behind-the-scenes reality of building and running a business. There may be a short gap between seasons as I move into a new production setup, but I'm not going anywhere. Let's keep building. About the Show: Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. I'm a single mom and three-time founder, and I give you straight talk about mindset, money, identity, and what daily life actually looks like when you start from zero. No fluff, no shortcuts, just real guidance, actionable steps, and honest conversations with founders and creatives who built their own way. Every episode helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving, especially when the process feels like a mess. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: /abbye-mcgee-ba2514121/ Instagram: ⁠⁠/bizfromscratchpod Find the Show Here: YouTube: /@BizFromScratchPod Apple: ⁠⁠/business-from-scratch ⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠/businessfromscratch

    9 min
  2. 21 APR

    How to Scale Your Brand Without Losing Heart w/ Drewe Smith and Kate Supa | Ep 25

    In this episode, I sit down with Drewe Smith and Kate Supa to dig into what it really means to build a brand with intention from the very beginning. We explore why a brand is so much more than just a logo; it’s about your messaging, your client experience, and how you truly connect with your audience. Plus, Drewe and Kate share how they are moving away from traditional social media to find more meaningful engagement on platforms like Pinterest and Substack. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:18) - What a brand should really be (03:55) - Why you don't have to be on camera to be successful (07:03) - The shift to Substack for community building (09:54) - How to leverage Pinterest as a search engine (15:12) - Using Pinterest as a design resource for clients (21:55) - Mapping out a 5-year plan for your business (25:54) - The evolution from photography to holistic brand design (31:38) - The importance of business partnership therapy (45:01) - Investing in legal and financial foundations early About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Drewe Smith and Kate Supa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreweandkate/?hl=en Website: https://dreweandkate.com/ Substack: https://notesfromstudio.substack.com/

    49 min
  3. 14 APR

    Scaling a Wholesale Bakery from Home w/ Kevin Connor | Ep 24

    In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Connor, the founder of Wilmington Bread, to talk about his unexpected journey from being a CPA to running a successful wholesale bakery. Kevin shares the exact math he used to transition from his corporate job and how he built a sustainable business that actually fits his life as a dad. We dig into the "hidden work" of logistics and why clear communication is the secret to keeping your wholesale clients happy. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (03:48) - Leaving the corporate ladder: From CPA to baker (11:00) - The "Aha Moment" and proving the concept (15:22) - Investing in the first deck oven (19:11) - The reality of wholesale pricing and profitability (24:40) - Moving from a laundry room to a production facility (31:12) - Stepping back: Transitioning from operator to owner (39:15) - Managing the chaos of seasonal logistics and traffic (46:46) - Standing your ground on quality and ingredients (53:26) - Where to find Wilmington Bread About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Kevin Connor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilmingtonbreadcompany/ Website: https://www.wilmingtonbread.com/

    54 min
  4. 7 APR

    The Power of Vendor Partnerships w/ Brittanie Pate | Ep 23

    In this episode, I sit down with Brittanie Pate to talk about how she built her event planning and venue businesses through genuine relationships rather than traditional marketing. We dive into her journey from planning ten weddings a year to over one hundred, exploring how shifting your mindset from competition to connection can turn industry peers into your biggest referral sources. If you are ready to grow your service-based business by cultivating a community that supports you, this conversation is for you. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:50) - Brittanie’s first "accidental" planning client during COVID (04:36) - Scaling from 10 to over 100 weddings in six years (05:41) - The importance of trust in a small vendor market (07:44) - Using styled shoots and parties to build community (09:21) - Measuring ROI on vendor relationship events (11:12) - The "scary" process of hiring before you have the money (13:10) - Hiring for personality and brand fit (17:42) - Managing the anxieties of the "Gen Z" bride (20:55) - Transitioning from flat-rate pricing to a percentage model (25:33) - Opening a venue as a natural extension of planning (36:29) - Why every business owner needs to be a "therapist" About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Brittanie Pate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanie_raquel/ Brittanie Raquel Events: https://brittanieraquelevents.com/ The Elia: https://www.theeliawilmington.com/

    40 min
  5. 31 MAR

    How to Hire with Clarity and Intention | Ep 22

    If you’ve ever thought that hiring someone would magically calm your business down, this episode is a must-listen because hiring doesn't fix chaos—it exposes it. I’m walking you through how to evaluate your business to know exactly when to hire production help, when you’re actually ready for management, and when it’s time for high-level executive support. You’ll learn why documenting your processes is the only way to stop being the bottleneck and start building a functional business you love. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:03) - Hiring for production and ground-level support (02:26) - What you must have in place before your first hire (03:06) - The truth about hiring a manager to fix burnout (04:54) - Defining authority vs. "babysitting" with a title (06:03) - Why trust is a non-negotiable for leadership hires (08:32) - When it’s time for upper-level executive support (09:52) - Using fractional executives to scale your strategy (12:51) - Signs you are NOT ready for a fractional leader (14:08) - Hiring as a strategy, not a status symbol About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    15 min
  6. 24 MAR

    When Preparation Meets Opportunity w/ Danielle Mahon | Ep 21

    In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Mahon, the founder of Topsail Steamer and a true local business giant, to talk about what it really takes to build an "overnight success". We dive deep into her journey from corporate biotech sales to landing a deal on Shark Tank, focusing on the years of quiet work and preparation required to withstand national visibility. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a simple family tradition into a thriving, scalable brand, this conversation is for you. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (02:11) - Corporate biotech to seafood sales (04:01) - Identifying profitable seafood business models (06:56) - Customer focus group testing strategies (08:00) - Securing early stage startup capital (14:25) - Scaling a multi-unit hospitality brand (22:40) - Shark Tank preparation and pitching (35:15) - Managing rapid national brand growth (48:50) - Local business leadership and community (56:06) - Accessing small business growth resources About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Danielle Mahon Website: ⁠https://topsailsteamer.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemahon-961b4a11/

    57 min
  7. 17 MAR

    The Hidden Legal Risks of Marriage | Ep 20

    I know divorce is a difficult, emotionally charged topic, but if you don't understand how marriage legally impacts your business, you’re operating with a massive blind spot. In this episode, I’m sharing why understanding your legal exposure isn't cynical—it’s a responsible way to protect the asset that funds your life. I’ll show you how to start this conversation with your partner collaboratively so you can lead with clarity instead of panic. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:58) - The high cost of romantic blind spots (01:56) - Why legal clarity doesn't make you a cynic (02:30) - How business growth is treated in marriage (03:44) - Starting the conversation (05:31) - Overcoming the stigma (06:14) - Why clarity allows you to love more freely (07:56) - A checklist for your next attorney meeting About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    9 min
  8. 10 MAR

    Protect Your Business Before It’s Too Late w/ LeeAnne Quattrucci | Ep 19

    Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them can cost you everything you’ve built. In this episode, I sit down with family law attorney LeeAnne Quattrucci to unpack how marriage and business intersect legally and why having a plan is about protection, not pessimism. Whether you’re already married or just starting out, you’ll learn how to safeguard your business assets so you can lead with peace of mind. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (09:35) - Business hygiene and legal logistics (20:03) - Separation agreements and asset valuation (30:15) - Protecting business growth after marriage (40:42) - Navigating uncomfortable financial legal talks (50:20) - Impact of divorce on employees (59:55) - Maintaining business operations during separation (01:05:12) - Strategic planning for long-term protection (01:12:30) - Why legal clarity empowers leadership (01:15:45) - Final advice for business owners (01:18:20) - Connect with attorney LeeAnne Quattrucci (01:20:57) - Closing thoughts on proactive planning About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with LeeAnne Quattrucci Website: https://laqfamilylaw.com/

    1hr 21min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

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