The Scaling Shift

BlueInc Strategies

5.0 (4)
Management

This is The Scaling Shift…a show for founders who are currently in the middle of growth they never expected. We’re here to talk about the messy, often uncomfortable, journey of scaling a business without losing your soul, or your sanity, along the way.

Jul 21

Red Elm: Building a Business to Build People with Nate Hamblen | Ep. 3

What if the messiest version of your idea is exactly what the world needs to see? In this episode of The Scaling Shift, Kenneth E. Fields and Johannes Mutzke of BlueInc Strategies welcome Nate Hamblen, founder of Red Elm, for an enlightening conversation about the power of iteration and the beauty of learning through doing. Nate shares his journey from starting a landscaping business out of necessity to creating a thriving ecosystem of companies that empower others to grow and lead. He emphasizes the importance of embracing the 'hundred clay pots rule' — that true mastery comes from making many attempts and learning from each one. Nate’s approach to leadership is rooted in generosity, accountability, and the belief that every employee has the potential to lead. He discusses how he identifies growth-minded individuals, the significance of hands-on experience, and the delicate balance between structure and freedom in a scaling organization. With insights into his own failures and successes, Nate inspires listeners to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to foster a culture where everyone can thrive. Key Takeaways 🏺 The 100 Clay Pots Rule — Why the quantity group always beats the perfectionists🌱 Version 1 Leadership — How launching ugly first versions creates momentum and forces improvement🤝 Hiring for Dirty Knees — What Nate looks for in people beyond credentials📚 Must-Read Book List — How to Win Friends and Influence People, No Rules Rules, Giftology, The Advantage🎁 Giftology in Practice — Remembering names, noticing details, and keeping a gift stash🏗️ Structure to Scale — Why "Wild West" idea-chasing kills companies, and what to do instead🌿 Making Your Vocation Your Vacation — How Nate finds daily joy in landscaping (hint: Garden of Eden)✝️ Faith-Integrated Business — Why Nate doesn't separate faith and work — they're already togetherBlueInc Strategies: BlueInc Strategies | Empowering Growth & InnovationBlueInc Strategies, LLC: Overview | LinkedInBlueInc Strategies - YouTubeBlueInc Strategies Newsletter Red Elm: Red Elm | Home Maintenance & LandscapingRed Elm: Overview | LinkedIn Full Transcript: Click here to view the episode transcript. Chapters: (00:00) Red Elm’s employees leave to start their own companies(01:17) Scaling Shift Intro(02:46) Red Elm is a statement of education versus business(03:57) Nate’s uncle Steve helped him start his landscaping company when he was 25 years old(05:58) What are some of the favorite books that have shaped your thinking along the way?(08:59) What do you look for in people when you're hiring landscapers?(14:26) Red Elm grew from landscaping into full home maintenance(16:50) Growth can lead to overextension(18:44) Moving Things from Starters to Sustainers(20:47) Multimillionaires being serviced by 20-year-olds can cause some challenges(25:10) The Importance of First Names(28:41) Serving Others Is the Key(36:48) How do you work on your own mindset to see your vocation as vacation?(40:10) How do you see your business and your faith tying together?(47:05) About BlueInc Creators & Guests Johannes Mutzke - Host Kenneth E. Fields - Host Wondering Road Productions - Producer
Jun 16

PRODOH: Inside the Parent / Founder Paradox with Mell Proffitt & Stacey Doherty | Ep. 2

In this episode of The Scaling Shift, Kenneth Fields and Johannes Mutzke of BlueInc Strategies sit down with Mell Proffitt and Stacey Doherty, co-founders of PRODOH, an outdoor clothing brand built for adventurous kids. From a family idea to a fast-growing brand, Mell and Stacey share the real story of scaling — early hiring decisions, building systems under pressure, defining co-founder roles, and protecting what matters most at home. With insights from BlueInc Strategies, this conversation tackles the parent / founder paradox head-on: how do you grow a business without losing your seat at the dinner table? In this episode: Scaling a Business · The Need for Hiring · Building Processes · Co-Founder Dynamics · Work-Life Balance · Finding a North Star · Explore the Tension of Work and Life Balance. BlueInc Strategies: BlueInc Strategies | Empowering Growth & InnovationBlueInc Strategies, LLC: Overview | LinkedInBlueInc Strategies - YouTubeBlueInc Strategies Newsletter PRODOH: PRODOH: Instagram PRODOH: Overview | LinkedInPRODOH | Kids, Toddler & Youth Performance Outdoor Clothing Full Transcript: Click here to view the episode transcript. Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome to The Scaling Shift: the show for founders in the middle of growth they never expected 00:46 — Why scaling feels messy: when growth outpaces your systems 02:03 — PRODOH’s origin story: building an outdoor brand designed to scale 08:43 — Why PRODOH hired finance before marketing 10:18 — How founders know it’s time to hire 11:44 — When your team grows faster than your processes 13:17 — Why every scaling business needs a North Star 15:43 — Four years as co‑founders: what Mell & Stacy have learned 18:15 — The founder trap: holding onto customer service too long 19:00 — Work‑life balance for founders: myth or reality 25:04 — How complementary strengths create stronger co‑founder partnerships 27:18 — The Tension of Scaling a Business and Marriage 29:16 — Key takeaway: Scaling is never a straight line Creators & Guests Johannes Mutzke - Host Kenneth E. Fields - Host Wondering Road Productions - Producer
May 19

Circuit Board Medics: From Garage Workbench to CEO with Ed Edwards | Ep. 1

Circuit Board Medics: Circuit Board Medics - Automotive, Trucking & ApplianceCircuit Board Medics: Overview | LinkedIn BlueInc Strategies:BlueInc Strategies | Empowering Growth & InnovationBlueInc Strategies, LLC: Overview | LinkedInBlueInc Strategies - YouTubeBlueInc Strategies Newsletter E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber:https://www.amazon.com/E-Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280 1 Peter 5:2:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205%3A2&version=NIV In this episode, we explore the complex journey of scaling a business with Ed Edwards, founder of Circuit Board Medics. From humble beginnings in a garage to leading a team of over 100, Ed shares the challenges and triumphs of growing a business. Join us as we discuss the importance of accountability, leadership, and maintaining your core values throughout the scaling process. This candid conversation offers invaluable insights for founders navigating their own growth journeys. --- Full Transcript:Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) Scaling is the time when your business is growing faster than your systems can support(01:10) Ed Edwards started Circuit Board Medics in his garage in 2010(01:46) Ed started Circuit Board Medics after fixing his own washing machine(03:26) Was there any vision of what circuit board medics could become at the beginning(05:15) You decide that you need to make your first hire and there's a big shift(09:19) How did you think about faith influencing your first hires and building a culture(13:45) When did you first notice that your personal involvement was Slowing things down(16:51) Edwards says he realized he needed a third party to help him grow professionally(20:52) So, as we've worked together, you have frequently mentioned the word accountability to us(23:23) I want to ask about how your marriage is doing and how, how your parenting is going(25:56) What's an area where you have had to make yourself uncomfortable to grow(28:34) I'm interested in how you live out spiritual accountability in your business(32:21) You have a company with over 100 people and you talked about roles recently(38:12) You're thinking of everything and everyone as a customer, including employees(40:43) Ed Edwards: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice(46:51) BlueInc helps companies scale and find purpose Creators & Guests Kenneth E. Fields - Host Johannes Mutzke - Host Ed Edwards - Guest Wondering Road Productions - Producer
Season 1, Episode 1

The Scaling Shift — Official Trailer (A BlueInc Podcast)

The Scaling Shift is a show for founders who are in the middle of growthWhat happens when your business grows faster than you can keep up? Orders pile up, your team multiplies, and the freedom you built this for starts to feel like anything but. That's scaling — and it's exactly where this show lives. The Scaling Shift is a podcast for founders in the middle of growth they never expected. Hosts Kenneth Fields and Johannes Mutzke get honest about the messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes lonely reality of scaling a business without losing your soul or your sanity along the way. Because purpose and business aren't mutually exclusive. Building a company is an act of stewardship — and as your business grows, so does the responsibility to lead with wisdom and intention. Presented by Blue Inc., The Scaling Shift is here to walk with you through the peaks and valleys of this exciting journey — bringing the accountability, mindset shifts, and clarity you need to grow well. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts. Hosted by: Kenneth Fields & Johannes Mutzke Presented by: BlueInc Strategies | Empowering Growth & Innovation, BlueInc Strategies, LLC: About | LinkedIn

Trailer

The Scaling Shift — Official Trailer (A BlueInc Podcast)

The Scaling Shift is a show for founders who are in the middle of growthWhat happens when your business grows faster than you can keep up? Orders pile up, your team multiplies, and the freedom you built this for starts to feel like anything but. That's scaling — and it's exactly where this show lives. The Scaling Shift is a podcast for founders in the middle of growth they never expected. Hosts Kenneth Fields and Johannes Mutzke get honest about the messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes lonely reality of scaling a business without losing your soul or your sanity along the way. Because purpose and business aren't mutually exclusive. Building a company is an act of stewardship — and as your business grows, so does the responsibility to lead with wisdom and intention. Presented by Blue Inc., The Scaling Shift is here to walk with you through the peaks and valleys of this exciting journey — bringing the accountability, mindset shifts, and clarity you need to grow well. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts. Hosted by: Kenneth Fields & Johannes Mutzke Presented by: BlueInc Strategies | Empowering Growth & Innovation, BlueInc Strategies, LLC: About | LinkedIn

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

Changed my life

Jun 17

LeCuisiner2

Spectacular podcast

This is The Scaling Shift…a show for founders who are currently in the middle of growth they never expected. We’re here to talk about the messy, often uncomfortable, journey of scaling a business without losing your soul, or your sanity, along the way.

Creator

BlueInc Strategies
Years Active

2026
Episodes

4
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 BlueInc Strategies
Show Website

The Scaling Shift