Simplify to Scale Show

Crista Grasso
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Simplify to Scale Show

Simplify to Scale is a show dedicated to helping business owners scale a high-impact and high-profit business they love without all of the complexity and chaos that can keep them trapped in the day-to-day. Hosted by Crista Grasso, a scaling strategist and operations alchemist, she brings decades of scaling experience to share what actually works and what's just hype. If you are in the messy middle of trying to scale your business, step into visionary leadership so your business can run without you, and build sustainable success at a sustainable pace, be sure to subscribe and tune in for expert insights each week. Formerly the Lean Out Your Business Podcast, the Simplify to Scale Show with Crista Grasso is THE show for founders and their right-hand leaders who are done with one-size-fits-all scaling advice and overnight success promises and instead want proven and practical strategies that will help simplify operations, build scalable systems, develop and lead a high performing team, amplify profits, and scale smarter not harder.

  1. 6D AGO

    E228 | How to Leverage Ecosystems Thinking to Solve Business Problems

    What if the root of your team’s challenges isn’t the people, but the system they’re working in? Are you solving problems… or just putting out fires over and over again? In this episode, along with Jessica Maine, we talk about how using an “ecosystem” mindset can change the way businesses solve problems and build stronger teams. We share a clip from one of our live Soul Collective training sessions, where we explain why seeing a business as a connected system helps leaders find the real cause of ongoing issues. With tools like the five whys and the fishbone diagram, leaders can fix the root problems instead of just patching things up. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how these methods work in our community. We show how open conversations, teamwork, and creative thinking lead to better results. If you're a leader in strategy or operations, a coach, or someone helping teams grow, this episode is full of practical tips and real examples. If this episode gave you new ideas, we’d love for you to join the Soul Collective. Every month, we run live workshops, share helpful tools, and support you in streamlining your operations so you can grow with confidence.  In this episode, we explore •    Ecosystems Thinking in Business •    The Five Whys Method •    Fishbone Diagram •    Turning Root Cause Insights Into Action   Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    43 min

  2. MAY 6

    E227 | The Future of High-Impact Marketing with Dawn Ferguson

    How can brands maintain authenticity and a human touch while leveraging AI tools? What are some practical ways to simplify your content strategy and avoid "shiny object syndrome"? In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I sit down with Dawn Ferguson, a brand and marketing strategist with a passion for helping founder-led businesses shine. Together, we talk about how the marketing landscape is shifting with AI and what really makes a brand memorable in today’s crowded digital space. Dawn shares how showing up authentically and putting a real face to your content can turn casual followers into devoted supporters. We also explore strategies that help businesses cut through noise, like focusing on your true audience, sharing aspirational results, and making your social profiles work harder for you. if you run a service or product-based business, Dawn’s advice on making your brand relatable and inspiring is filled with practical tips! Also, we touch on letting go of cookie-cutter advice and finding a style that feels right for both you and your audience. If you’re ready to make your marketing more impactful and authentic, tune in to this episode for ideas you can use right away. "People aren’t buying your service—they’re buying a new life, they’re buying results, they’re buying transformation." - Dawn Ferguson   In this episode, we discuss: •    The Changing Landscape and Future of Marketing •    Keys to High-Impact Branding in the Age of Noise •    Lessons from Big Brands •    What Turns Away Right-Fit Clients   Links https://sneakersandkale.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sneakersandkale     Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    35 min

  3. APR 29

    E226 | The Lean Scaling System Designed for Online Small Businesses

    What unique challenges do you think each type of business faces when scaling? What does sustainable scaling mean to you, and what are some ways to avoid burnout as your business grows? In this episode, I share a behind-the-scenes look at my lean scaling system, developed from decades of experience working with founders and their right-hand leaders. I highlight the common pitfalls of scaling a business, especially when moving from multiple six figures to seven or beyond, and discuss how sustainable growth is all about making the right shifts in operations, leadership, and systems at the right time. Through personal stories and real client experiences, I talk about the unique challenges faced by both service and product-based businesses as they strive for higher levels of profit and impact. I introduce my certification programs designed for those looking to support founders as strategic, scaling-focused operations leaders—roles that go beyond SOPs and checklists to lead teams, manage systems holistically, and future-proof businesses. I emphasize the importance of investing in team members who can grow with your business and why having the right operations leader by your side is key for sustainable scale in today’s fast-changing business landscape. If you want to learn more about my approach or are curious about strengthening the operations in your business, I invite you to join one of my upcoming open houses or workshops. It’s a great way to discover how the lean scaling system and my certifications can help take your business to the next level. In this episode, I discuss: •    The Realities and Challenges of Scaling •    Business Cycles and Common Pitfalls •    Gaps in Existing Scaling Systems •    Scaling System and Its Unique Positioning •    My Certification Program     Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    31 min

  4. APR 22

    E225 | It Depends - How to Make the Right Strategic Decisions

    Is there really one “right” answer when it comes to pricing, hiring, or choosing the next tool for your business? What if the key to scaling your business isn’t doing more—but thinking differently? In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I talk about how important it is to consider context when making business decisions. I explain that there isn’t always one “right” answer—especially when it comes to things like pricing, building a team, or picking new tools.I share real examples from my consulting work to show how asking the right questions can help you find the best path for growth and long-term success. You’ll see why I often say “it depends” and how that simple answer can lead to better, more thoughtful conversations. I walk through real situations where knowing a client’s true goals and big-picture vision helped shape the right solution. This episode is packed with tips on how to build a profitable, scalable business without making things more complicated than they need to be. If you found this episode useful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more business owners learn how to grow in a sustainable way. In this episode, I discuss: •    The Critical Role of Context in Decision Making •    "It Depends" as a Consulting Mindset •    Real-World Examples Illustrating the Approach •    Dangers of Oversimplified Decisions   Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    9 min

  5. APR 15

    E224 | Building a Profitable Coaching or Consulting Business with Deb Boulanger

    What should you focus on first when leaving a corporate job to start your own business? What are some of the identity shifts that entrepreneurs experience when transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship In this episode of Simplify to Scale show, I talk with Deb Boulanger, CEO of Life After Corporate, about moving from a corporate job to starting your own business. She is a sought-after speaker, business mentor, and thought leader helping high-achieving women leaders successfully transition from corporate careers to profitable coaching and consulting businesses. Deb shares her thoughts on how the market is changing and why more people are starting coaching and consulting businesses after leaving corporate roles. She talks about the need to solve real problems and clearly explain the value of your offer. We also talk about challenges that come up in the early stages of building a business. These include creating a business model that works and not spending too much on branding before getting clients. We share ideas on pricing, how to position your offer, and ways to shift your mindset to stay focused on what matters most. Deb also talks about getting support from experienced professionals and focusing on work that helps the business grow. This episode is full of practical tips you can use. If you're thinking about starting your own business or want to grow the one you have, you’ll find helpful takeaways here. "The sky is never falling, and it's a matter of keeping your head in the game and leaving yourself open to creative solutions." - Deb Boulanger In this episode, we explore: •    Building a Profitable Coaching or Consulting Business •    Key Factors for Profitability and Standing Out •    The Concept of Return on Advantage (ROA) •    Pricing and Positioning Strategies •    Practical Strategies for Success •    Overcoming Challenges and Business Scaling Links: https://lifeaftercorporate.com/   Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    33 min

  6. APR 8

    E223 | Scalable Growth: The Key to Sustainable Business Success

    Are you working harder but still feeling stuck in the cycle of never-ending tasks just to keep your business growing? What if scaling your business didn’t mean adding more stress and resources but actually required doing less in a smarter way? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale show, I talk about how businesses can grow in a way that lasts. Growth often looks exciting but can bring challenges and confusion. Many businesses work harder to earn more, but this can require more resources and lead to exhaustion. I explain why it helps to simplify how a business runs to support growth without adding extra stress or stretching resources too thin. I share lessons from my own journey and explain how planning, focused offers, and strong systems help businesses grow. By reducing dependence on the founder and building systems that improve how things work, businesses can increase profits and create space for strong leadership. This approach supports both the founder and the business over time. For those looking to improve how they grow their business, this episode provides useful steps to make smart changes. Join me in building a business that works for you, and be sure to leave a review for a chance to win a free coaching session. In this episode, I discuss: •    Introduction to Scalable Growth •    Effort Driven Growth vs. Scalable Growth •    Strategies for Achieving Scalable Growth •    How to Scale Without Burning Out   Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency? Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    35 min

  7. APR 1

    E222 | Why It's So Critical to Simplify to Scale

    Welcome to Simplify to Scale Show! I’m so excited to introduce this rebranded version of the podcast, where we’re sharpening our focus on what truly matters for sustainable growth: simplification. How can a business ensure it is on the path toward simplifying before scaling? What are some examples of common pitfalls businesses face when they attempt to scale too quickly? Scaling a business isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about doing so strategically without adding unnecessary complexity that slows you down. Businesses naturally evolve from the "emerge and grow" phase into "scale and sustain," but if you don’t simplify along the way, you risk operational chaos and inefficiency. That’s why I emphasize integrating simplification strategies early, so second-time and serial founders can sidestep the common pitfalls of scaling. In today’s episode, I’m diving into the complexities of modern business and why so many founders find themselves overwhelmed as they grow. Simplifying isn’t just something you do before scaling—it’s an ongoing strategy that ensures sustainable success. This rebrand reflects my commitment to blending the Lean Out Method with powerful, strategic insights to help you streamline operations, reclaim your time, and scale with clarity. To celebrate, I’m offering exciting opportunities—you can win a 90-minute coaching session or a 90-day lean-out planner to help you put these strategies into action. I’d love for you to be part of this journey! If this episode resonates with you, rate and review the show—it helps shape future content and supports our mission to help more founders simplify to scale. Let’s get started! In this episode, I discuss: •    Purpose of the Rebrand •    Sustainable Success and Simplification •    Life Cycle of an Offer in Business •    Consequences of Not Simplifying •    Celebration of the Rebrand and Giveaways Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency?  Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective   Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation.   If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.

    21 min

  8. MAR 25

    E221 | Building an A+ Team for Sustainable Business Growth

    Have you ever struggled to find the right people for your team? Are you wondering how to hire in a way that actually helps you scale instead of slowing you down?  In this last episode of Lean Out Your Business, I’m sharing a huge update—I am officially rebranding the podcast! But don’t worry, my mission hasn’t changed. I’m still here to help you simplify operations, scale sustainably, and create a business (and life) you love. This episode is all about hiring—a topic I’m incredibly passionate about, especially as I grow my own team. I walk you through my top hiring strategies, including why patience is key, how to get crystal clear on your business needs, and how to build a dream team that truly aligns with your culture. Plus, I’ll share why skills alone aren’t enough and how investing in the right onboarding process can make all the difference in scaling with ease. If you’re excited about the new direction, hit subscribe and join me next week for episode 222! The same powerful content, a fresh new look, and so much more to come. And if you’ve been finding value in these episodes, I’d be so grateful if you could take a moment to rate and review—it truly helps me continue this journey with you! In this episode, I discuss: •    Introduction to Podcast Rebranding •    Team Building and Hiring Process •    Top Tips for Hiring •    Solid Onboarding Plan   Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business? A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol   Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably? OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/opsalchemy   Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency?  Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast

    38 min
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5
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About

Simplify to Scale is a show dedicated to helping business owners scale a high-impact and high-profit business they love without all of the complexity and chaos that can keep them trapped in the day-to-day. Hosted by Crista Grasso, a scaling strategist and operations alchemist, she brings decades of scaling experience to share what actually works and what's just hype. If you are in the messy middle of trying to scale your business, step into visionary leadership so your business can run without you, and build sustainable success at a sustainable pace, be sure to subscribe and tune in for expert insights each week. Formerly the Lean Out Your Business Podcast, the Simplify to Scale Show with Crista Grasso is THE show for founders and their right-hand leaders who are done with one-size-fits-all scaling advice and overnight success promises and instead want proven and practical strategies that will help simplify operations, build scalable systems, develop and lead a high performing team, amplify profits, and scale smarter not harder.

Information

  • Creator
    Crista Grasso
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 -2025 Crista Grasso LLC | All Rights Reserved | LeanOutMethod.com
  • Show Website
    Simplify to Scale Show

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