In this eye-opening episode of the Business Millennials Podcast, Safa Harris and Ashley Dreager dive deep into the critical challenge facing entrepreneurs: ensuring your marketing promises match your actual business delivery. They explore the pitfalls of overpromising, the importance of operational integrity, and provide a strategic framework for scaling your business while maintaining client trust and quality.

Key Takeaways:

• Misalignment between marketing messaging and actual service delivery can seriously damage your business reputation
• Scaling requires a holistic approach that integrates marketing, sales, operations, and client experience
• Develop a structured 4-stage framework: assessment, planning, integration, and optimization
• Document processes and use project management tools to track progress and maintain consistency
• Prioritize client experience as a fundamental driver of sustainable business growth

Timestamps:
0:00 - Episode Introduction
3:20 - The problem with "selling the dream" vs. actual delivery
12:25 - Importance of maintaining client commitments during business changes 22:30 - Strategies for growth and scaling through operational excellence
30:36 - Practical tips for optimizing business processes
43:46 - Teaser for upcoming business support offering

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

In this raw and reflective episode, Ashley and Safa dive deep into their personal journeys through 2024 - a year marked by economic challenges, personal transformations, and profound life changes. From international moves and new motherhood to business adaptations and finding renewed purpose, they share an intimate look at how challenging times can spark incredible personal and professional growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Economic pressures in 2023-2024 pushed entrepreneurs to get creative, reassess priorities, and find new ways to sustain their businesses
• Major life transitions (like having a new baby or moving internationally) can create unexpected opportunities for clarity and intentional living
• Personal support systems and reducing operational stress are crucial for maintaining both business productivity and family well-being
• Entrepreneurial success isn't just about hustle, but about creating strategic space for meaningful work and personal time
• Regularly "auditing" your life and business helps you stay adaptable and aligned with your core goals

Timestamps:

• 0:58 - Reflecting on the challenges of 2024
• 5:28 - Discussing perspective shifts through difficult experiences
• 10:18 - Ashley's insights from new motherhood
• 11:24 - Safa's international move and seeking support
• 22:47 - Discussion on intentionality for 2025

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

In this episode of the Business Millennials Podcast, Ashley and Safa explore the critical challenges entrepreneurs face when transitioning from operator to strategic leader. They explore the hidden traps of burnout, the importance of delegating strategic roles, and how to create sustainable business growth by stepping out of day-to-day operations.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize the signs of being trapped in operational roles, even after reaching multi-six or seven-figure revenue
• Understand that strategic growth requires creating time and space by investing in management roles
• Learn how to audit your current business state, including time allocation and team structure
• Identify the shift from doing money-making activities to planning future money-making activities
• Develop an objective approach to team performance through clear metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs)

Timestamps:

• 0:58 - Overview of entrepreneurs reaching multi-six-figure revenues
• 2:43 - Common traps entrepreneurs fall into
• 5:48 - The importance of creating time for strategic work
• 14:27 - Steps to transition from operator to strategic leader
• 22:14 - Tactical steps for business transformation

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

In this episode of our podcast, Ashley and Safa dive deep into the critical differences between businesses that crash and burn versus those that build sustainable, long-term success. Using powerful analogies and real-world case studies, they explore the challenges of rapid growth, the importance of strategic planning, and how businesses can avoid common pitfalls that lead to failure.

Key Takeaways:

• Not all "overnight successes" happen overnight - most are the result of years of careful planning and strategic growth
• Expanding your business to solve cash flow problems can actually create more financial stress
• Sustainable growth requires understanding your capacity, optimizing existing resources, and building strong operational foundations
• Businesses should focus on maximizing current assets before seeking new revenue streams
• Capacity and cash flow are the two most critical factors in determining a business's long-term survival

Timestamps:

• 0:58 - Introduction to the myth of overnight success
• 3:23 - The Titanic and iceberg analogy for business growth
• 10:05 - Case study: The failed brewery restaurant
• 19:55 - Strategies for optimizing existing business resources
• 25:21 - Case study: The successful online business coach
• 35:00 - Differentiating between Titanic and iceberg business approaches

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

In this episode, we dive deep into the critical transition phase businesses face when moving from startup hustle to sustainable growth. Through the example of Emily Ley's Simplified Planner journey, we explore how successful businesses evolve from bootstrapped beginnings to luxury brands. Our hosts discuss the crucial differences between quick-win strategies that work in early stages versus the strategic approach needed to scale beyond $500K.

Key Takeaways:

• Quick wins and "throwing spaghetti at the wall" strategies can work up to $500K, but scaling beyond requires intentional, data-driven decisions
• The importance of documenting and understanding exactly what's working in your business before attempting to scale
• Success at higher revenue levels requires systematic approaches to marketing, sales, and operations working in harmony
• External perspective becomes crucial as businesses grow to identify blind spots and maintain objectivity
• The value of perfecting and refining existing successful strategies rather than constantly seeking new solutions

Timestamps:

• 28:37 - Introduction to Emily Ley's Simplified Planner success story
• 31:04 - Discussion on the importance of strategic vision from the beginning
• 36:05 - Signs that indicate the need to shift from quick wins to strategic planning
• 41:15 - The trap of investing in courses without implementation capacity
• 46:27 - Framework for getting strategic: assessing current state and planning future growth
• 51:01 - Deep dive into sales funnel vs. marketing funnel distinctions
• 55:08 - The importance of external perspective and objectivity in business growth

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

This episode of the Business Millennials podcast, hosted by Safa Harris and Ashley Dreager, explores the critical importance of owning your assets in business for long-term sustainability. The hosts discuss the risks associated with relying on external platforms and programs, using examples from influencer marketing, MLMs, and gig economy platforms. They emphasize the need for entrepreneurs to develop their own intellectual property and controlled sales channels to ensure stability and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Owning your business assets is crucial for long-term sustainability and control over your income.
• Relying solely on external platforms (e.g., social media, MLMs) can be risky as terms and payouts can change unexpectedly.
• Building a business with owned assets provides more stability and control than traditional employment or platform-dependent income streams.
• While external platforms can be useful for getting started, it's important to have a plan to develop your own products or services.
• Consider the long-term implications and risks when making business decisions, especially regarding income sources and major purchases.

0:00 - Introduction to the Business Millennials podcast
0:58 - Ashley introduces the topic of owning your assets in business
2:18 - Safa provides examples of businesses changing terms (MRR, Beauty Counter)
4:48 - Discussion on the risks of MLMs and influencer marketing
7:05 - The importance of turning influence into owned assets
9:02 - Comparing risk levels of different income sources
9:47 - Example of job instability in traditional employment
11:36 - The current job market and ease of making sales with owned assets
12:48 - Risks associated with gig economy platforms like Uber
14:41 - Conclusion and main takeaway on owning your assets

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

In this episode of the Business Millennials Podcast, hosts Safa Harris and Ashley Drager dive into the strategic importance of diversifying income streams and stacking offers in business. They explore how this approach can lead to increased revenue, greater market adaptability, and improved financial stability for entrepreneurs.


Key Takeaways:

Diversifying income streams can lead to higher overall revenue, even with potentially lower margins on individual offerings.
Having multiple offers allows businesses to appeal to a wider market and adapt more easily to market changes.
Income stacking helps mitigate risks associated with relying on a single revenue stream.
A progression-based offer stack can provide entry points for customers at different stages of their journey.
Complementary offers should align with your core business strategy and expertise.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to the episode
1:04 - Discussion on managing multiple ideas and projects
3:33 - Benefits of income stacking and diversification
7:16 - Market adaptability through diverse offerings
9:59 - Implementing a progression-based offer stack
12:06 - Case study on complementary diverse offers
14:41 - How multiple income streams help regulate business stress

Referenced Links:

• ClickUp Affiliate Link
• Free Systems Audit

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop

In this episode of the Business Millennials Podcast, hosts Safa Harris and Ashley Dreager dive into the critical question of whether businesses need to hire new talent or implement better systems to overcome growth challenges. They explore the differences between systems and processes, discuss the complexities of choosing and implementing project management tools, and examine the financial considerations of scaling operations.

Key Takeaways:

• The decision to hire or improve systems depends on your business's current state, goals, and financial situation
• Systems involve multiple processes and often incorporate tech tools, while processes are specific steps within a system
• Implementing the right project management tool can significantly improve efficiency, but choosing the best fit requires careful consideration
• The cost of per-seat pricing for project management tools can impact business margins and should be factored into hiring decisions
• Customized systems are generally more effective than one-size-fits-all solutions

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to the podcast and hosts
3:06 - Main discussion topic: Hiring vs implementing better systems
7:13 - Explanation of the difference between systems and processes
15:37 - Challenges of implementing partial system solutions
22:23 - Discussion on choosing the right project management tool for your business
29:14 - Consideration of financial aspects when implementing systems and hiring

Referenced Links:

• ClickUp Affiliate Link
• Free Systems Audit

Is your business just not the vibe right now and you can't seem to get it going, even though you feel like you're doing #AllTheThings? Fill out the linked audit form to give us the inside scoop on your current situation, challenges, and goals. That way we can spot your strengths, opportunities, and outline next steps, keeping a sustainable & scalable business in mind.

Free Audit:
https://businessmillennials.com/pages/free-audit

Episode link & contact info

Shareable Podcast link
Leave Us a Voice Note
Email: scaleandthriveco@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram:
@ashleydreager
@itssafaharris
Check out the Shop