What does it really take to grow a business — or prepare to exit one?

In this episode, we sit down with consultant Maddie Walker, who helps business owners scale sustainably without burning out. From mindset blindspots to strategic misfires, Maddie shares hard-earned insights and analogies (so many good ones!) that will shift how you think about building your business. If you’re growing, struggling, or somewhere in-between — this one’s for you.

👇 TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – The problem with how most businesses start
01:26 – What does scaling really look like?
03:22 – The danger of passion without a plan
05:44 – When you should bring someone in to help
08:08 – Clarity: your biggest business asset
11:02 – Why Maddie becomes “the business’s advocate”
13:08 – What mindset assessments reveal in teams
16:08 – Shareholder agreements and co-founder friction
19:11 – Why DIYing everything can stall your growth
22:05 – Maddie’s son wants to start a business (but doesn’t)
24:53 – Passion vs profit: the truth about motivation
27:02 – Is hustle culture dead? The new wave of realism
29:25 – Maddie’s burnout and leap into self-employment
32:37 – Being vulnerable before you’ve “made it”
35:53 – The Ferrari analogy: building the right business
38:24 – The ONE thing every business owner needs to ask
40:09 – Final thoughts + where to get help