Bold Enough

Madeleine MacRae
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

A podcast for bold, bright, ambitious leaders who want to think more honestly about success. In each episode, Madeleine MacRae explores what success really costs, how leaders define it for themselves, and how that definition evolves over time.

  1. 18h ago

    Why Teresa Roy Makes No Apologies for Not Being the Cheapest

    Teresa Roy has been in the window covering industry since 1993. What started as fabricating a popular 1990s treatment—an insulated window shade, or window quilt—for designers in Alaska became a retail business she has had to start over more than once, while staying in the little town she loves. In this episode of Bold Enough, Teresa talks with host Madeleine MacRae about the joy of being a problem solver, building a team of sales consultants and installers, and hiring people she first met as clients—including some of the difficult ones. She stays current as the industry has moved from window quilts and mini blinds to motorized treatments and smart homes, and she makes no apologies for not being the cheapest. She also shares how homestead roots in Palmer, Alaska, and a love of community led her to work with her chamber to put Christmas lights up in town, a chapter that became a key event in her growth and a Small Business of the Year honor for the state of Alaska. For Teresa, success is a life that brings her joy, one she is still happy to show up for every day, even after 30 years. Enjoyed this episode? Follow Bold Enough on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with a business owner who needs to hear it. Key Takeaways Why approaching every job as a problem to solve—what prompted the call, and what can we do to help you—keeps the work centered on the client- Why a challenging customer with an eye for detail can become an excellent consultant, and why Teresa has hired people she first met as clientsHow staying current as the industry changes, from window quilts and mini blinds to motorized treatments and smart homes, is part of doing more for peopleWhy Teresa offers a great product at a fair price with great service, and makes no apologies for not being the cheapestWhy starting over isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and how getting comfortable with the worst-case scenario can make it possible to step out of the comfort zone toward a life you’re happy to show up for In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [01:56] Meet Teresa: window coverings since 1993 [04:17] Problem-solving and creating home spaces [06:09] From a one-woman show to empowering a team [08:39] Why difficult clients can become great consultants [10:46] Doing more for people as the industry changes [12:01] Feeling proud of your prices [14:24] Starting over more than once [18:15] Worst-case thinking and the comfort zone [20:24] Homestead roots, community, and Small Business of the Year [25:16] Does Teresa consider herself successful? [27:18] Teresa’s success algorithm Our Guest Teresa Roy is the founder and owner of Cover Ups Window Fashions in Palmer, Alaska. A lifelong Alaskan, she has been involved in the window covering industry since 1993, when she started fabricating warm windows for a local designer and sewing custom draperies for interior designers in the Mat-Su Valley. Within ten years she began serving clients directly, expanded into blinds, shades, and shutters, and grew from a one-woman show into a team of consultants and installers. Today she and her team offer custom window coverings from their Palmer shop and work with homeowners across Alaska. Cover Ups received the Alaska Chamber’s Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year award. Resources & Links Cover Ups Window Fashions - https://www.coverupsak.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/coverups/

    Why Teresa Roy Makes No Apologies for Not Being the Cheapest

  2. Nov 3

    Day One Again: Peter Mattaroo on Growing a Window Treatment Business Through Constant Change

    Why would you start a sale with a fake connection? And what happens when the business you finally have figured out resets itself every season? In this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Peter Mattaroo of CS Custom Blinds, a window treatment business with interior sales, exterior zip screens, commercial multi-family work and an install division that provides installation services for other dealers in its region. Peter grew up on a farm with no blinds, turned to the industry after the housing crash, and chose his products by asking one question: would I put this in my house? Peter explains why he calls himself the anti-salesman and spends most of his time telling customers the downsides of the products they pick. He and Madeleine dig into why so many dealers burn out by not valuing their time, the revenue tiers where a business has to be reinvented, and why measuring success can start with looking back at the path you've traveled. Enjoyed this episode? Follow Bold Enough on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with a business owner who needs to hear it. Key Takeaways Why "would I put this in my house?" is a powerful filter for choosing which products to sellWhy not valuing your time can lead to burnout and a business that is really a career How being the "anti-salesman" and sharing a product's trade-offs builds trust with customers Why a growing business has to be rethought at each revenue tier How looking back at how far you've come can change the way you measure success In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [00:59] Meet Peter and his window treatment business [02:11] The best kept secret of any small business [03:07] From the housing crash to starting a blinds business [05:17] Would I put this in my house? [08:17] Why you have to value your time [12:47] Sociology, psychology and the anti-salesman [18:22] The thorny part: a business that keeps resetting [21:49] The revenue tiers where a business breaks [24:01] The roses: seeing the install come together [28:48] Does Peter consider himself successful? [31:00] Peter's success algorithm Our GuestPeter Mattaroo has been in the interior and exterior shading business for 15 years. He's grown his business from a solo shop to a staff of 7 doing residential, commercial and exterior projects, with both retail sales and a B2B division that provides installation services to other dealers in their markets. Peter brings a background in sales and training, along with degrees in sociology and psychology. Resources & Links Peter Mattaroo CS Custom Blinds - https://cscustomblinds.com/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@cscustomblinds Madeleine MacRae Website - https://madeleinemacrae.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleineInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@madeleinemacrae1384Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn't Enough

    Day One Again: Peter Mattaroo on Growing a Window Treatment Business Through Constant Change

  3. Oct 27

    Made in Vermont: How Kelly Clements Turned Her Family's Window Covering Business Around

    What happens when taking over the family business collides with a struggling expansion, a slow handoff from her father, and a divorce, all at the same time? And what if success is a choice you make every single day? In this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Kelly Clements, second-generation president of Gordon's Window Decor, a Vermont manufacturer of custom window coverings celebrating 40 years in business. Kelly ran her own film company before joining Gordon's part time and discovering an industry she loves. She opens up about the hard early years after taking over from her father, Gordon, a D.C. territory that wasn't working, and the leadership team that helped turn the business around, plus why her dad letting her struggle helped the transition work. Kelly also shares why manufacturing in Vermont is core to her values, how a steering committee of up-and-coming leaders is shaping the company's next generation, and the advice her team hears all the time: wait to worry. Enjoyed this episode? Follow Bold Enough on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with a business owner who needs to hear it. Key Takeaways Why letting the next generation struggle can be the greatest gift a founder givesWhy manufacturing locally is a chosen commitment to a stronger communityHow "wait to worry" and calm detachment help new leaders stay steadyHow a steering committee of up-and-coming leaders prepares a business for its next chapterWhy success can be a choice you make every single day In This Episode [00:00] Introduction[01:25] Why Vermont has Kelly's heart[04:25] From making movies to joining the family business[06:53] Taking over the business from her father[09:28] Waiting at the mailbox to make payroll[11:02] The gift inside the ugly wrapping paper[14:44] A steering committee of up-and-coming leaders[19:06] Kelly's advice for new leaders: wait to worry[21:49] Does Kelly consider herself successful?[24:24] Kelly's success algorithm[28:08] Closing thoughts Our Guest Kelly Clements is the second-generation president of Gordon's Window Decor, the Vermont window covering company founded by her father, Gordon Clements, in 1986. A graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in film, she started her own film company after graduation and traveled the world, an experience that showed her how much her Vermont roots mattered. Kelly joined Gordon's Window Decor in 2003 and became president in February 2015. As the exclusive manufacturer of EcoSmart Insulating Window Shades, Gordon's Window Decor is a pioneer in manufacturing high-quality window treatments that benefit both the client and the environment. The company was named the Vermont Family Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration, and Kelly was recognized in Family Business Magazine's 25 Under 35. She has spoken on panels at Transitions West and the SBA. She is passionate about manufacturing, family business, and the role a business plays in its community. She is proud to call Vermont home and to provide high-quality, Vermont-made products to clients all over the world. Resources & Links Kelly Clements Gordon's Window Decor: gordonswindowdecor.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/gordonswindowdecorvtFacebook: www.facebook.com/GordonsWindowDecor Madeleine MacRae Website - madeleinemacrae.comLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/macraemadeleineInstagram - www.instagram.com/madeleine.macraeYouTube - www.youtube.comBook – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn't Enough

    Made in Vermont: How Kelly Clements Turned Her Family's Window Covering Business Around

  4. Oct 20

    Building a People-Centered Business Where Everyone’s Success Is Everyone’s Success with Joey Ford

    In this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Joey Ford, co-owner of The Blind Broker, a Kansas City window treatment company offering blinds, drapery, motorized shades, and awnings that has grown from a one-man operation into a 20-person business with two showrooms and a warehouse. Joey and her husband Rick started The Blind Broker out of their house over 20 years ago, and today their very first two employees are still with them, training and mentoring the people who come after them. Joey opens up about the responsibility of building a team that has gambled on the business, why promoting from within changed everything, and how she and Rick weathered the 2008 housing crisis by staying nimble and debt-free. Now, with their son in college earning a business degree and preparing to join the company, Joey and Rick are formalizing the systems and processes they've lived for years, tightening up the ship so they can hand off a thriving business, not a mess. Joey shares the identity shift of leaving a career she loved, why her definition of success has less to do with revenue than with relationships, and what it means to build a company where everyone's success is everyone's success. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the businesses worth passing on are the ones built on people, and that the greatest legacy you can leave the next generation isn't just a profitable company, but a culture that carries it forward. Key Takeaways Why staying nimble with finances helped them survive the 2008 housing crisis Why leaving a career you love is often an identity shift, not a financial one Why honoring the risk your team takes by betting on you is a leadership duty How a succession plan raises the bar for the business you're building today In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [01:17] Guest introduction: Joey Ford and The Blind Broker [02:43] Preparing for the next generation and succession [03:37] How Joey got involved: from pediatric audiologist to business partner [05:34] Outgrowing the first showroom, buying a warehouse, and opening a second showroom [07:34] Lived processes vs. documented processes: the stages of clarity [11:01] Why the team is the “why”: the first employees who bet on the business [13:03] Risk, responsibility, and betting your livelihood on a business [16:04] The housing crisis and lessons in staying nimble [19:02] Letting go of an identity: leaving healthcare [23:00] Does Joey consider herself successful? [24:57] Healthy competition and a vibrant design community [25:53] Madeleine’s read on Joey’s success algorithm [29:34] Where to find The Blind Broker [30:03] Closing thoughts and takeaways for the year ahead Notable Quotes [19:24] "I was 40-ish years old, and to be able to totally reinvent yourself and totally do something different at that point in life was so fun." – Joey [23:45] "Building relationships builds your business. You're not going to have strong relationships if you're not providing great service, if you're not caring about people." – Joey Our Guest Joey Ford is the co-owner, with her husband Rick, of The Blind Broker, a Kansas City window treatment company offering blinds, drapery, motorized shades, outdoor shades, and awnings. A former pediatric audiologist at a children’s hospital, Joey joined the business full time around age 40 and helped grow it into a 20-person team across two showrooms and a warehouse. Resources and Links Joey Ford  The Blind Broker: https://www.blindbroker.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-ford-3a1822332 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blindbroker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blindbrokerkc/ Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

    Building a People-Centered Business Where Everyone’s Success Is Everyone’s Success with Joey Ford

  5. Oct 15

    Building a Business That Serves Your Life, Not the Other Way Around with Toni Parkhurst

    When life throws you curveballs, do you have the freedom to step away when it matters most? In this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Toni Parkhurst, franchise owner of Budget Blinds, to explore how a sudden family crisis reshaped her definition of leadership, success, and freedom. Toni shares the pivotal moment that changed everything. While she was traveling extensively in a senior corporate role, her young daughter was struck by a car while crossing the street with her grandmother. Though her daughter survived, the incident became a wake up call that no title or promotion was worth missing the moments that matter most. That decision ultimately led Toni out of corporate life and into entrepreneurship, where she built a multi-million-dollar business designed to support her family, not replace it. Years later, that same business allowed her to step away for months to care for her mother during her final season of life. This was a sacred period she would not have been able to access without the team and structure she intentionally built. Together, Madeleine and Toni explore the unseen sacrifices behind long term success, the emotional cost of ambition, the identity shifts required of business owners, and why true scaling is about creating a business that gives you freedom when life demands your presence elsewhere. Key Takeaways Why choosing family at critical moments can unlock unexpected opportunities Why “luck” is earned through preparation, sacrifice, and action The emotional cost of entrepreneurship that most people never see Why success evolves through different seasons of life The importance of redefining identity as your role as a leader changes In This Episode [00:00] Introduction  [02:00] Business overview & giving back [03:07] Company culture of generosity [03:19] Annual convalescent home visit [05:46] How Toni entered the industry [06:12] Career growth & family crisis [07:24] Transition to entrepreneurship [08:38] Reflections on sacrifice & ambition [09:58] Taking risks & “winging it” [14:04] Luck, opportunity, and preparation [18:11] Community recognition & professional milestones [19:55] Bougie success & staying grounded [20:49] Multigenerational family support [24:33] Defining success beyond money [27:08] Toni’s personal success algorithm [30:45] Contact information & closing Notable Quotes [10:45] "Pushing through the fear, I never dreamed I would have a multi-million dollar company." – Toni [16:30] "The biggest compliment for me is when people say, “You deserve it. You’ve worked your ass off.” That is the biggest compliment." – Toni [19:57] "I can enjoy some bougie, but I'm still that same person. I've been broke before, and you don't forget that." – Toni [24:17] "Most of it doesn't have to do with money. I am successful because I've been a really good mother. I've been able to help my kids both to get into their first home." – Toni Our Guest Toni Parkhurst is a longtime entrepreneur and franchise owner of Budget Blinds, leading a multi-million-dollar business with a strong family and community focus. With nearly two decades of ownership, Toni has built a company rooted in generosity, resilience, and people-first leadership. Her journey reflects the power of perseverance, values-based decision-making, and redefining success across seasons of life. Resources and Links Toni Parkhurst Budget Blinds of Fairfield & Vacaville: https://www.budgetblinds.com/fairfield/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/budgetblinds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solanobudgetblinds/?hl=en Email: tparkhurst@budgetblinds.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-parkhurst-501b23a Phone: Phone: (707) 447-2494 Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

    Building a Business That Serves Your Life, Not the Other Way Around with Toni Parkhurst

  6. Oct 13

    Why Leadership is Learned on the Frontlines, Not in the Boardroom with Adam Povlitz

    In this episode of Bold Enough, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Adam Povlitz, President of Anago Cleaning Systems, to explore how a family-founded business transformed into a disruptive $100M+ franchise brand and why the next target is $300 million. Adam shares how Anago’s three-tier franchise model turns the traditional structure on its head, creating unique synergy between master franchisees and unit franchisees. He opens up about starting at the bottom, cleaning daycares, how the 2008 recession pushed him into the family business, and the lessons he has learned growing from reluctant successor to visionary CEO. This conversation dives into servant leadership, innovative technology, hiring smarter people, and redefining success beyond revenue. Adam’s story is candid, inspiring, and tactical whether you are scaling a family business, leading through a crisis, or building a disruptive franchise. Key Takeaways Why Anago’s three tier franchise model separates day and night businesses for efficiency and scalability How technology like CleanCom turns customer complaints into opportunities for loyalty Leadership lessons from starting in telemarketing and cleaning shifts to leading a $100M+ brand Why COVID 19 became a turning point for Adam’s leadership style The power of servant leadership and leadership duplication to inspire franchisees as fellow CEOs Hiring smarter people: moving from fear of hiring to building a powerhouse executive team Why success for Adam is measured by family, relationships, and personal growth, not just revenue In This Episode [00:00] Introduction to Adam Povlitz [01:29] Explaining the three-tier franchise model [02:51] Master vs. unit franchise roles [04:45] Benefits of the model & example success story [06:18] Adam’s personal journey to Anago [12:32] Leadership journey: from operator to CEO [13:10] Servant leadership & early career lessons [19:05] Building a high-performing team [21:39] The $100 million challenge [25:02] Unexpected delights of leadership [26:47] Introversion, extroversion, and leadership balance [28:20] Defining success [34:48] Closing & contact information Notable Quotes [20:55] "I don't want to call it afraid, but uncomfortable in hiring, I went from someone uncomfortable in hiring to someone where, you know, you could dump me in any industry in any part of the country and tell me I need to hire any position and I can figure it out and be totally fine doing it." — Adam Povlitz [22:25] "I thought like I would feel different now that I have $100 million business. And I'm like, he goes, I know your problem. He goes, you're thinking about 200 million now." — Adam Povlitz [18:34] "As you ascend the proverbial ranks, you ascend those ranks because you're... The way you think is works. You know, your gut instincts are strong and they tell you what to do and they're usually accurate." — Adam Povlitz [25:38] "I was very shy in middle and high school. Probably even, you know, reasonably shy, but at least, you know, but. But in college, there was at least some beers that you could have, and you go, I'm not that shy." — Adam Povlitz Our Guest Adam Povlitz is the President of Anago Cleaning Systems, a national commercial cleaning franchisor with a unique three tier franchise model. Since joining the family business in 2009, he has helped scale it from $60 million to over $100 million in system wide revenue, with Vision 2028 aiming for $300 million. Adam is passionate about servant leadership, customer first innovation, and building teams that thrive. Resources and Links Adam Povlitz  https://anagocleaning.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/apovlitz Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

    Why Leadership is Learned on the Frontlines, Not in the Boardroom with Adam Povlitz

  7. Oct 7

    From Dental Assistant to Paint Store Pioneer

    What does it take to build a business around the life you actually want? On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeline McCrae sits down with Ashley Peterson, co-owner of Blue Mist Paint and Supply, to talk about entrepreneurship, time freedom, taking bold risks, and finding success in unexpected places. Ashley and her husband, Heath, started their business just three years ago. What began as a renovation company with a showroom evolved through several pivots, including flooring, cabinetry, and installation, before becoming the full-service paint and supply store it is today. Ashley openly shares what she thought business ownership would look like versus what she actually discovered. While she expected the money and financial success, one of the greatest benefits has been something far more valuable to her: time freedom. Today, entrepreneurship gives Ashley the flexibility to spend more time with her son, homeschool him, support other local businesses, and use her own business as a real-world learning environment for him. Ashley also talks about the challenge of introducing Dunn-Edwards paint to South Carolina, where the brand was unfamiliar to many local painters. Rather than seeing that lack of awareness as a reason to stop, she saw an opportunity to help establish the brand in her market and build something that could have a much bigger impact over time. Along the way, Ashley has experienced some unexpected wins, including appearing on the cover of a trade magazine and winning a Best of South Carolina award for her independently owned paint and hardware store. In this conversation, Ashley and Madeline explore: Why time freedom can be more valuable than financial success How Ashley and Heath continually evolved their business until they found the right fit What it takes to introduce an unfamiliar brand to a new market Why creating your own category can help you stand out How entrepreneurship has allowed Ashley to spend more time with her son Why success can mean having more mountains left to climb How building a business can become an opportunity to teach and empower the next generation At the heart of Ashley's story is a powerful idea: you don't always have to compete in an existing category. Sometimes, you can create your own. Bold Enough explores the pressure, pivots, clarity, and courage behind building businesses and lives on your own terms.

    From Dental Assistant to Paint Store Pioneer

  8. Oct 2

    Turning Life's Hard Knocks into a Coaching Legacy

    What does it take to build a business that can succeed without you? On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeline McCrae sits down with Bill McDevitt, small business and leadership coach and founder of Top of the World Coaching, to explore leadership, personal growth, succession, and the deeper meaning of building a lasting legacy. Bill spent nearly three decades with McDonald’s before making the transition from corporate America into entrepreneurship. Along the way, he discovered a leadership principle that would shape much of his work: teach people what you know, then have them teach someone else. That philosophy helped Bill understand the importance of developing people rather than making yourself indispensable. As he explains, if an owner is the business, it becomes difficult to build transferable value or eventually step away from it. Bill also shares his “Three Ps” philosophy: people, performance, and profit. His approach starts with getting the right people, training and coaching them well, and creating an environment where strong performance can naturally lead to stronger results. The conversation takes a personal turn as Bill shares the story of losing his wife to breast cancer and how honoring a promise they made together ultimately influenced his decision to leave corporate America and launch his coaching business. He also reflects on a lesson he learned as a 12-year-old paperboy, when taking responsibility for a broken window taught him about honesty, accountability, collaboration, and the lasting impact of doing the right thing. Bill and Madeline explore: Why being indispensable can actually hold a leader back How training your replacement creates stronger organizations Why business owners need to build systems beyond themselves The connection between people, performance, and profit How honesty and accountability shape lasting relationships Why empathy, flexibility, and self-awareness matter in leadership How difficult experiences can influence the direction of your life What it really means to build a meaningful legacy At the heart of this conversation is a powerful question: What will people say about you when you're not in the room, and what will they say when you're no longer around? This is a conversation about building something that lasts, empowering others to grow, and creating a legacy that extends far beyond the business itself. Bill McDevitt Top of the World Coaching - https://totwcoaching.com/ Email - bmcdevitt@totwcoaching.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billmcdevitt-top-of-the-world-coaching Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

    Turning Life's Hard Knocks into a Coaching Legacy
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A podcast for bold, bright, ambitious leaders who want to think more honestly about success. In each episode, Madeleine MacRae explores what success really costs, how leaders define it for themselves, and how that definition evolves over time.

Information

  • Creator
    Madeleine MacRae
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Madeleine MacRae
  • Show Website
    Bold Enough