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🎧 The Small Business Safari Podcast

Title: From Bank Teller to CEO:  Building Teams That Thrive

 What if clarity—not hustle—was the real growth lever in your business?

Summary:
We unpack how clarity, boundaries, and respect transform a stressful, travel-heavy audit model into a high-retention, highly profitable practice—and how those same principles help founders escape the default problem solver trap. Courtney shares how she redesigned operations to protect margin, filter the right clients, and build leaders who truly own outcomes.

This conversation is a masterclass in making growth feel lighter. You’ll learn how to turn client pain points into process advantages, say no to misfit work without guilt, and create systems that preserve culture while reducing founder dependency. From financial dashboards to scope control, Courtney breaks down the practical tools that allow founders to lead with intention instead of constant reaction.

If you’re tired of being the bottleneck and ready to scale with clarity, this episode delivers real-world frameworks you can apply immediately.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

💡 GOLD NUGGETS
 • Designing a vision that creates real boundaries
 • Turning client pain points into operational advantages
 • Protecting margin by saying no to misaligned work
 • Hiring and leading by strengths—not sameness
 • Building leaders who own outcomes, not just tasks
 • Using financial dashboards for visibility and control
 • Preventing scope creep with better project management
 • Creating a client experience that earns renewals
 • Letting go of control without losing culture
 • Practical intake, scope, and timing filters that work

🔗 Guest Links
• Website: https://forgeahead.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyderonde/
• Free Complexity Assessment: https://assessments.forgeahead.com

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
• Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast
• LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
• Website | https://chrislalomia.com

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.