Bulletproof Business Podcast

Simone Janssen
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Bulletproof Startups Podcast, where we help business owners and CEOs become conscious leaders and build a power team so they can let go, get strategic, and know they are adding the most value possible to their company every single day. I am your host, Simone Janssen, and this podcast is about one thing only, becoming the real CEO of your business by building leveraged teams. You've built a great product or service, but although you have a team you are still in everything. Your time is spent in the weeds, and you are leaving money and opportunity on the table because you don't know how to establish clarity, shift responsibility, and create accountability. If you want to know how to change that, you are in the right place. All this information is 100% free, so please subscribe to and review our podcast.

  1. 1D AGO

    E155 - Episode 3 of 5 part series: Managing Isn't a Personality Flaw

    Why being "too involved" is a systems failure—not a leadership failure If you're still in the middle of decisions, approvals, and problem-solving, it's easy to assume you're failing as a leader. That you don't trust enough. That you can't let go. That you're somehow wired to micromanage. In this episode, we dismantle that lie. Managing isn't a personality flaw—it's feedback. It's a signal that leadership infrastructure is incomplete. And once you see that clearly, the shame lifts and the real work can begin. Managing isn't the opposite of leadership—it's what shows up when clarity, authority, and reinforcement aren't fully installed. You're not too involved because you're controlling. You're involved because decisions still route through you. Trust doesn't come first—clarity does. Autonomy isn't declared; it's built through structure, boundaries, and consistent reinforcement over time. Key Takeaways Managing is not micromanaging—managing is clarity under incomplete structure If decisions still escalate to you, it's a design issue—not a personality issue Trust is an outcome of clear systems, not a starting point Empowerment without authority and boundaries feels like risk, not ownership Gen Z isn't less capable—they're less willing to guess inside ambiguity Autonomy is a byproduct of structure, not motivation Jumping back in under pressure doesn't mean you failed—it means the system isn't strong enough yet Managing becomes permanent only when leaders stop redesigning the environment Even though the Vision Workshop has already happened, you can still access the full replay. If this episode helped you see that managing isn't your flaw—but a systems signal—the workshop walks you through how to build leadership infrastructure that removes you from the middle permanently.  Get the Vision Workshop replay here: https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/vision2026

    22 min

  2. FEB 2

    E154 - Episode 2 of 5 part series: Why Vision Alone Doesn't Free You. The uncomfortable reason most vision work quietly fails

    You did the vision work. You got clear. Your team leaned in. And yet—somehow—you were still in the middle. Still answering questions. Still resolving decisions. Still carrying the weight of the business. In this episode, we unpack why that happens, why it's not a failure of vision or leadership, and why belief without structure actually creates more dependence, not less. Vision does exactly what it's supposed to do—it creates belief, alignment, and care. But belief alone doesn't create action. When teams don't have clear decision rules, ownership, and boundaries, caring actually makes them more cautious, not more autonomous. Vision fails when leaders expect inspiration to replace infrastructure—and end up becoming the system instead. Key Takeaways Vision creates belief, but belief without structure creates hesitation When people care but don't feel safe deciding, everything escalates back to the owner Being the bottleneck isn't a control issue—it's a missing translation issue Repeating the vision doesn't create autonomy; it often creates dependence Teams revert to what's clearest under pressure—and that's usually the owner Managing returns when vision isn't translated into priorities, ownership, and decision rights Vision didn't fail—you just stopped halfway Even though the Vision Workshop has already happened, you can still get full access to the replay. If this episode helped you see why vision alone didn't free you—and what was missing—the workshop walks you through how to translate vision into structure, decision-making, and leadership systems that actually stick.  Get the Vision Workshop replay here: https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/vision2026

    17 min

  3. JAN 26

    E153 - Episode 1 of 5 part series: Vision Is the Moment the Business Stops Guessing

    Most business owners don't realize this, but their team isn't underperforming because they lack motivation, skills, or accountability. They're underperforming because they're guessing. Guessing what matters. Guessing what success looks like. Guessing where the business is actually going—and whether they belong in that future. In this episode, we break down what vision really is, why it works when it works, and why most "vision" efforts quietly fail. The Truth Most Leaders Miss Vision isn't just about setting goals or painting a future for the business. Vision works when it creates alignment, inspiration, and safety—when it lets your team inside your head and shows them how the business is growing, where they fit, how they can win, and why committing their energy here is good for them. When vision is clear, the business stops guessing—and so do the people inside it. Key Takeaways Vision works because it removes uncertainty, not because it sounds inspiring People disengage when they can't see where the business is going or how they fit into it Vision fails when it's only about the business or the owner—not the people Real vision answers "What's in it for me?" for every role on the team Clarity creates psychological safety, and safety is what unlocks initiative and ownership If your team still needs you to interpret decisions, they don't have access to your vision yet Vision isn't a document—it's an invitation into the future you're building If you missed this week's AI Vision Lab Workshop, you can still get the replay!  Register and we'll send you the link including workbook: https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/vision2026

    24 min

  4. JAN 12

    E152 - The $3 Million Wall: Why Most Business Owners Get Stuck—and How to Break Through

    Most business owners don't realize they've hit a ceiling until growth feels heavier, riskier, and strangely optional. In this episode, Simone is joined by Tim Martinez (The Inside Man) to unpack the invisible "$3 Million Wall"—the point where personal comfort quietly replaces strategic leadership, and businesses stall without the owner even realizing why. To connect with Tim go to theinsideman.biz This conversation pulls back the curtain on why strategy alone won't get you past this stage, why identity is the real bottleneck, and what must change if you want a business that grows without consuming you—or trapping you indefinitely. The $3M wall isn't a revenue problem—it's a leadership and identity problem. Until you decide who you need to become as the next-level leader, your business will keep pulling you back into operations, burnout, and dependency on you. Key Takeaways Why so many owners plateau around $1–3M without realizing they're stuck How personal financial comfort quietly kills growth momentum The identity shift required to scale beyond founder-dependence Why operations is the easiest (and most dangerous) place for owners to hide The real reason most exit plans fail—and why wishing to exit isn't a strategy The Three Exit Framework: mental exit, role exit, and technical exit Why most businesses aren't sellable—and how to fix that before it's too late How legacy teams, misplaced loyalty, and tolerance sabotage enterprise value Why culture is what you tolerate—not perks, slogans, or values posters How building systems and leadership depth reduces burnout and increases valuation If you recognize yourself in this episode—busy, successful, tired, and quietly wondering "Is this it?"—it's time to stop managing chaos and start building a business that can run without you. Grab the AI Business Scaling Blueprint to start installing the systems, leadership structure, and clarity required to break through the $3M wall and reclaim your role as CEO:  https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/ And remember: the business you want on the other side of burnout doesn't start with more effort—it starts with a different way of leading.

    33 min

  5. JAN 7

    E151 - How AI + Structure + Leadership Create a Self-Managing Business** (Part 5 of The Q5 CEO Reset Series)

    Your business is already running on an operating system—it's just not one you designed on purpose. In this final episode of The Q5 CEO Reset Series, Simone brings everything together to show how leadership identity, structure, and AI-powered systems combine to create a business that can finally run without you. This is the episode that turns insight into execution and reflection into design. A self-managing business doesn't come from working harder or hoping next year will be different—it comes from installing a CEO operating system that replaces chaos with clarity and reaction with intention. In this episode: Why your business is currently scaling your habits, not your vision. What a CEO Operating System actually is—and what it is not. The six non-negotiable pillars required to build a self-managing business in 2026. How unclear roles, weak rhythms, and avoided accountability keep you stuck as the bottleneck. Why identity—not effort—is the real limiter to scale. How to use Q5 to design your leadership, priorities, and operating rhythm before the year begins. The role AI plays as a supporting cast to eliminate friction and accelerate execution. What changes when you finally lead proactively instead of reactively. If this series helped you see that your business doesn't need more hustle—but a better operating system—the next step is the AI Business Scaling Blueprint. Inside, you'll learn how to install structure, clarity, accountability, and leadership systems using AI—now with weekly Q&A support and a private community to help you implement with confidence.  Get started at https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/

    21 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    E150 - Why Flying by the Seat of Your Pants Is the #1 Thing Keeping You Small

    Many business owners pride themselves on being "scrappy," adaptable, and great in a crisis—but that identity comes at a cost. In this episode, Simone holds up the mirror on reactive leadership and reveals why chaos, last-minute decision-making, and constant urgency are not signs of strength—they're the very patterns keeping you trapped in burnout and limiting your growth as a CEO. Reactive leadership may feel productive, but it silently sabotages trust, performance, and scale. If you want a business that runs without you in 2026, you must replace chaos with clarity and reaction with intention. Key Takeaways Why reactivity isn't a personality trait—it's a learned leadership pattern. How chaos creates the illusion of control while keeping you stuck as the bottleneck. The hidden ways reactive leadership prevents delegation and team growth. Why your team mirrors your lack of structure, consistency, and direction. How Gen Z teams respond to proactive leadership—and disengage without it. What proactive leadership actually looks like in practice (without micromanaging). Why slowing down strategically is the fastest way to scale. How AI supports proactive leadership by handling structure and systems—not decisions. If this episode exposed how much reactivity is costing you, it's time to build the structure that allows you to lead proactively. Inside the AI Business Scaling Blueprint, you'll learn how to replace chaos with systems, clarity, and rhythms that support a self-managing business—now with weekly Q&A support and a private community to guide implementation.  Start building your CEO operating system at https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/

    18 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    E149 - Why Structure, Clarity, and Performance Management Are the Keys to a Self-Managing Team (Part 3 of The Q5 CEO Reset Series)

    Most business owners don't avoid structure because they don't need it—they avoid it because it forces honesty. In this episode, Simone pulls back the curtain on why burnout, underperformance, and constant firefighting are almost always symptoms of unclear expectations and avoided leadership. If your team can't step up and your business still depends on you for everything, this episode will show you exactly why—and what must change before 2026. A self-managing business isn't built through hustle or hope—it's built through clarity, standards, and performance leadership. This episode challenges the habits you've normalized and calls you into the CEO role your business actually needs. Key Takeaways Why entrepreneurs resist structure—and how avoidance keeps them stuck in burnout. The hidden connection between unclear expectations and doing everyone else's job. How lack of performance standards drives away A-players and protects mediocrity. Why avoiding feedback and accountability conversations erodes trust and culture. The real cost of waiting too long to address underperformance. Why "good enough" leadership creates bottlenecks instead of scale. The core components of a true CEO Operating System—and why they're non-negotiable for 2026. How AI supports structure and clarity without replacing leadership. If this episode made you realize your business is running on improvisation instead of intention, it's time to install a real operating system. The AI Business Scaling Blueprint shows you how to build clarity, accountability, and a self-managing team—now with weekly Q&A support and a private community to help you implement. https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/

    27 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    E148 - This Is Fine: The Webinar Meltdown That Revealed the 5 Leadership Shifts You MUST Make Before 2026

    This week's masterclass was a hot mess — robot voice, wrong screen share, speaker notes exposed, the whole thing. And yet…it became the perfect metaphor for how most business owners run their companies every day: chaotic, reactive, and held together by a few heroic team members doing their best to keep it all from falling apart. In this episode, I unpack what REALLY happened, what it reveals about leadership and system gaps, and why Q5 is the most important window to reset your business before 2026. If you're burnt out, stuck in operations, frustrated with your team, or constantly cleaning up messes — this episode is a wake-up call. Not because of the tech failures, but because of the leadership patterns underneath them. Q5 is your chance to break those patterns and step into a new identity as a true CEO. Key Takeaways: The "robot voice" disaster and how it mirrors the chaos inside most small businesses Why your #2 (like my Lauren) is proof of what real ownership looks like — and why most teams don't have it The 5 core leadership shifts you must make before 2026 Why Q5 is the most valuable (and most ignored) planning window of the year The identity shift required to move from operator → proactive CEO How unclear systems and unclear leadership create 90% of your stress The cost of waiting until January to "fix things" — and why that keeps you stuck every year If you're done repeating the same painful patterns and want 2026 to look radically different, book a Business Reset Session. We'll diagnose your operational gaps, team challenges, leadership blind spots, and build the Q5 plan your business needs to stabilize and grow.  Book at https://bulletproofbusinessgrowth.com/

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Bulletproof Startups Podcast, where we help business owners and CEOs become conscious leaders and build a power team so they can let go, get strategic, and know they are adding the most value possible to their company every single day. I am your host, Simone Janssen, and this podcast is about one thing only, becoming the real CEO of your business by building leveraged teams. You've built a great product or service, but although you have a team you are still in everything. Your time is spent in the weeds, and you are leaving money and opportunity on the table because you don't know how to establish clarity, shift responsibility, and create accountability. If you want to know how to change that, you are in the right place. All this information is 100% free, so please subscribe to and review our podcast.

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