Diamond Effect - Strategies to Scale Your Service Business as a Sellable Asset

Maggie Perotin
  • 5.0 (15)
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This podcast helps service-based entrepreneurs and business owners scale their businesses in any economy without overworking or overwhelm. The goal is to create an asset you can sell while enjoying life as you build it. Here, you turn your business into a client-attracting gem and become a high-performing CEO. About the Host:Maggie Perotin is the founder of Stairway to Leadership. As an international business and leadership coach, Maggie helps service-based business owners start, grow, and scale their businesses without overworking or being overwhelmed.   With her DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, her clients scale while transforming into high-performing CEOs of their businesses.This is what USA Today wrote about this model in the article titled: "How Stairway to Leadership is turning small businesses into high-profit ventures.""(...) her DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, she helps her clients align their mindset, business strategy, and high-performance habits to transform their businesses from an unreliable source of income to a super-productive client-attracting gem. Maggie adds that she uses all her knowledge and experience to help her clients grow their businesses in a strategic and innovative way while supporting them in building a successful business that consistently attracts their ideal clients. She specializes in helping them build a brand that showcases their uniqueness to reach their full potential, becoming the powerful CEO they’re capable of being."      Maggie has over 15 years of experience in corporate leadership in various business domains and coaching. She holds an executive MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute.   Maggie lives in Toronto, Canada, with her blended family with four kids. She loves spending time in nature, traveling, reading, dancing, good food, and giving back. To learn more, head to www.stairwaytoleadership.com To work with Maggie and gain break-through clarity on why your business isn't scaling- schedule a free 50-min consultation https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call

  1. 1D AGO · BONUS

    MM 234 - Why Giving Value Is the Best Business Strategy (2026 Edition)

    Send us a text In this Maggie’s Moment, Maggie shares one of her biggest lessons from 2025: the more value you create, the more it comes back—often in unexpected ways. She also reminds you not to rush into 2026 on autopilot, and invites you to join Design Your Success 2026 on Jan 13–14 (because planning in January is still better than not planning at all). 🎧 For the full breakdown of her 2025 lessons, listen to the latest Diamond Effect Podcast episode # 233 - Reflect, Reset, Scale - 5 Powerful Lessons to Close 2025 and Start 2026 Strong. To join her in the Design Your Success 2026 Event on Jan 13 and 14th (virtual and complimentary) - message Maggie at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com

    4 min

  2. 4D AGO

    EP # 233 - Reflect, Reset, Scale - 5 Powerful Lessons to Close 2025 and Start 2026 Strong

    Send us a text As 2025 comes to a close, this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and intentionally choose what you're bringing into 2026and what you're leaving behind. Maggie shares five key lessons and coaching concepts from 2025, shaped by her own experiences as a business owner and by what she's seen while coaching service-based entrepreneurs. You'll hear practical mindset shifts, real examples (including navigating a tax audit), and simple frameworks you can apply to your planning, your leadership, and your growth in the new year. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why year-end reflection is a CEO skill (and how it helps you avoid repeating the same year)How to stop avoiding challenges and use them to become stronger and smarterWhat it really means to trust your support system (and why resistance is often a sign you're on the right track)Why creating value is never wasted and how it comes back in unexpected waysA simple mindset for events, collaborations, and networking that removes pressure and increases resultsWhy Maggie chose  Connect (Connected)as her 2026 word of the year and how connection fuels growthKey Lessons & Concepts (Highlights) 1) Lean Into Challenges (They Make You Stronger) Challenges don't disappear as you grow; they change. Maggie shares how daily journaling and intentional mindset work helped her face difficult situations (including a tax audit) with less avoidance, less emotional spiraling, and more clarity. 2) Trust Your Support System (and Do the Work) Whether it's a bookkeeper, mentor, coach, or financial expert, support only works when you actually lean into it. Maggie shares a powerful insight: the more her brain resisted a mentor's suggestion, the better the results were on the other side. Reminder: Investing is not the transformation. Implementation is. 3) The More Value You Create, the Better You Feel (and It Comes Back) Maggie reflects on how giving value through VIP coaching sessions and complimentary events created fulfillment, stronger relationships, and unexpected opportunities. 4) One Event, One Client (A Pressure-Removing Framework) If you're an introvert or you overthink networking, this concept is for you. Instead of expecting one event to make it all worth it, Maggie teaches: show up fully, be yourself, and trust that one event can lead to one client, whether immediately or months later. Important: Be strategic about what you attend and create, but drop unrealistic expectations that create pressure and disappointment. 5) Connection Starts With Being Connected Maggie shares why connection is her guiding theme for 2026, starting with connection to self (growth, mindset, identity), then expanding to family, clients, community, and purpose. She also references how 10x Is Easier Than 2x influenced her thinking and her 10X Expansion Retreat. Before you jump into 2026, pause and reflect. Decide what you're keeping, what you're releasing, and what you're committing to so you don't repeat the same year on a new calendar. If you want support scaling your service business in 2026, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1

    34 min

  3. DEC 22 · BONUS

    MM 233 - A Thank You I Never Want to Rush Past

    Send us a text I’m pausing today to say one thing I never want to rush past: thank you. To my clients, my community (listeners + followers), and my collaborators—your trust, support, and loyalty mean more than I can put into words. I never take it for granted. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season. If you’ve been part of my world this year, drop a ❤️ in the comments so I can thank you personally.

    3 min

  4. DEC 19

    EP # 232 - 2026 Predictions: How Service Businesses Scale with AI + Human Connection

    Send us a text Marketing is louder, clients are pickier, and AI is making it easier to create content—but harder to build trust. In this episode, Maggie shares the key shifts she sees for 2026: scaling won’t be about doing more. It’ll be about building a business that runs better and feels more human. In This Episode Why your personality/personal brand becomes the differentiator in a world of AI contentWhy customer loyalty + lifetime value beats constantly chasing new clientsWhy short-form video still wins—and how series content builds depth and trustHow personal touch becomes a premium advantage againHow to use AI as operational leverage (SOPs, proposals, follow-ups, meeting notes) without sounding roboticWhy community + strategic partnerships become your most reliable pipelineQuick Action Steps Pick 3 words you want to be known for (check testimonials for clues).Ask: “What’s the next problem my best clients have after I solve the first one?”Create a 3-4-part content series addressing a single core client problem.Add 1–2 personal touchpoints to your customer journey—and systemize them.Identify 10–15 strategic partners and activate one relationship per month.Connect With Maggie Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/

    32 min

  5. DEC 15 · BONUS

    MM 232 - Why Personal Touch Matters More Than Ever in 2026

    Send us a text In today's Maggie’s Moment, Maggie shares why genuine human connection is becoming a business superpower as AI and automation become more widespread. She explores how service-based business owners can stand out by making their client experience more personal and memorable—even with all the benefits that AI brings. In this episode: Why AI is a powerful tool for productivity, but can’t replace real relationshipsThe growing value of human-to-human connection in an increasingly automated worldSimple ways to elevate your client experience and make it uniquely personalA key question: How can you connect with clients as a person, not just a brand?

    4 min

  6. DEC 12

    EP # 231 - From Idea to Action: The Small Business CEO’s Guide to Making Things Happen in 2026

    Send us a text Is your 2026 vision still just an idea—or will you actually make it happen?  In this episode, we dig into why waiting for the “right moment” is one of the biggest traps holding business owners back, and how to become the kind of CEO who creates the right moment instead of waiting for it.  Maggie shares real stories, personal lessons, and actionable strategies to help you turn inspiration into implementation—no matter what life throws your way. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the “perfect time” is a myth (and how to create momentum no matter what’s happening in your life or business)How to break the cycle of January excitement and February drop-off, so your goals stick all yearThe mindset shifts that help you make and follow through on bold decisions—even when circumstances aren’t perfectReal-life examples of making big moves before the stars align (and how it led to unexpected opportunities)Simple, practical steps to start acting on your ideas—without burning out or waiting for everything to be “just right”Related Episodes: EP #230: The 7 Steps to a Self-Running, Scalable Service Business TeamMM 229: Planning to Scale in 2026? Stop Doing Everything Yourself First.EP # 208 - The Strategic Speed Advantage: Making Million-Dollar Decisions in Minutes, Not MonthsKey Takeaways: Don’t wait for the right moment—decide, commit, and create it.Taking action (even imperfectly) is better than waiting for the stars to align.Every big result starts with a small, intentional step.Ready to make 2026 the year you move from idea to action? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie HERE

    28 min

  7. DEC 8 · BONUS

    MM 231 - The Power of One Coaching Session

    Send us a text Can a single coaching session really move the needle in your business?  Absolutely.  In this Maggie’s Moment, I share real stories of clients who landed stalled deals, recovered lost revenue, and took action on new opportunities—all in just one session. Coaching isn’t just about strategy; it’s about breaking through mindset blocks, optimizing your next step, and turning intention into action. Every time you do, your results compound—and your business grows faster. Ready to see what one session can do for you? Book your complimentary consultation here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1

    4 min

  8. DEC 5

    EP # 230 - The 7 Steps to a Self-Running, Scalable Service Business Team

    Send us a text How to attract, hire, and lead a high-performing team—so your business can grow without you. What does it really take to build a team that can run—and even grow—without you? In this episode, Maggie draws on her deep corporate experience co-scaling teams from 80 to 450 and translates those lessons for small business owners who want to build a business that’s both scalable and sellable. Whether you’re hiring your first team member or leading a growing group, you’ll learn the practical steps and mindset shifts needed to create a high-performing, self-sustaining team. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why building a business that can function without you is the key to long-term growth and eventual exitHow Maggie’s corporate background shapes her approach to leadership and team-building in small businessesThe real value of delegation—and how it creates space for you and growth opportunities for your best peopleWhy making yourself “replaceable” is a mark of great leadership (not a threat to your value)The 7 steps Maggie uses to build and turn around high-performing teams, including:Defining and intentionally curating your team cultureAttracting and hiring the right people (hard skills, soft skills, and common sense)Creating a strong onboarding and training experienceLeading with connection, trust, and clear boundaries (and why micromanaging kills innovation)Building real relationships and loyalty by caring about your people as humansCoaching your team for growth, giving honest feedback, and rewarding what you want to seeNot tolerating behaviors that go against your culture—and why sometimes letting people go is necessaryHow to avoid desperate hires and why they rarely work outThe importance of fun, safety, and innovation in team cultureLessons from large-scale change management and how to apply them in any size businessKey Takeaways: High-performing teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built through intentional culture, great hiring, and strong leadership.Delegation is essential for growth and for keeping your best people engaged.Make yourself replaceable so your business can thrive (and you can step back or sell one day).Never tolerate behaviors that poison your culture—even if it’s uncomfortable to address.Don’t rush hiring decisions out of desperation; the wrong hire can set your team back.Connect with Maggie: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/https://www.stairwaytoleadership.comResources: Want help building your own high-performing team? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1

    36 min
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

This podcast helps service-based entrepreneurs and business owners scale their businesses in any economy without overworking or overwhelm. The goal is to create an asset you can sell while enjoying life as you build it. Here, you turn your business into a client-attracting gem and become a high-performing CEO. About the Host:Maggie Perotin is the founder of Stairway to Leadership. As an international business and leadership coach, Maggie helps service-based business owners start, grow, and scale their businesses without overworking or being overwhelmed.   With her DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, her clients scale while transforming into high-performing CEOs of their businesses.This is what USA Today wrote about this model in the article titled: "How Stairway to Leadership is turning small businesses into high-profit ventures.""(...) her DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, she helps her clients align their mindset, business strategy, and high-performance habits to transform their businesses from an unreliable source of income to a super-productive client-attracting gem. Maggie adds that she uses all her knowledge and experience to help her clients grow their businesses in a strategic and innovative way while supporting them in building a successful business that consistently attracts their ideal clients. She specializes in helping them build a brand that showcases their uniqueness to reach their full potential, becoming the powerful CEO they’re capable of being."      Maggie has over 15 years of experience in corporate leadership in various business domains and coaching. She holds an executive MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute.   Maggie lives in Toronto, Canada, with her blended family with four kids. She loves spending time in nature, traveling, reading, dancing, good food, and giving back. To learn more, head to www.stairwaytoleadership.com To work with Maggie and gain break-through clarity on why your business isn't scaling- schedule a free 50-min consultation https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call

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