5 Keys to Scalable Growth (and how to navigate the "messy middle")

It's tough love time: Is Your Business Running You—Or Are You Running It?

Let’s get real for a second. Have you ever found yourself drowning in the chaos of your business, juggling way too many tasks, and wondering, “Is this even worth it?” You’re not alone.

We all hit that stage—"the messy middle"—where growth feels more like quicksand, and scaling seems impossible without sacrificing your sanity.

Hustle isn’t the solution. Alignment is.

On a recent episode of Life After Corporate, I sat down with two incredible colleagues, Kim Woods , a master astrologer and business strategist, and Crista Grasso , creator of the Lean Out Method. Let me tell you, this conversation was fire! From soul-led decision-making to practical strategies for scaling with ease, they gave us a masterclass in reclaiming your power as a business owner.

Today, I’m sharing 5 transformational takeaways to help you clear the chaos and grow with confidence.

1. Trust Your Intuition—It's Your Business GPS

Kim reminded us that intuition isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s your most powerful business tool. Ignoring it is like turning off your GPS and hoping you’ll still get there.

For example, two years ago, I had a persistent niggle (a technical term) to launch a membership program, but I chose to focus on expanding my high-ticket mastermind instead. While the decision didn’t hurt us significantly—we successfully launched the Life After Corporate Membership community in December—I can’t help but wonder what might have been.

The market was less saturated a year earlier, and we could have leveraged 2024 to connect with price-sensitive clients, engage a broader audience, and establish a new revenue stream sooner.

Try this: Take five minutes each morning to ask yourself, What feels right today? Your gut knows the answer.

2. Embrace the Messy Middle—It’s Where Magic Happens

Crista called out what no one talks about: the messy middle. It’s that overwhelming phase where you’re trying to grow, but everything feels like it’s spinning out of control. Sound familiar?

The good news? It’s totally normal—and temporary.

Here’s how to navigate it: Simplify. Focus on one thing at a time. As Crista says, “Simplify to scale.” Listen to the full episode to hear her wisdom and adopt her SPSTI method of making scaling simple.

3. Don’t Just Hire Help—Hire the Right Help

Raise your hand if you’ve ever hired someone just to “get it off your plate,” only to spend more time managing them than doing the work yourself. 🙋🏼♀️ Yep, been there.

Kim and Crista agree: your first hire should be a strategic executioner—someone who connects the dots between your big vision and daily execution. Think of them as your right-hand superhero.

Pro tip: Before you hire, ask yourself: “Can this person think for themselves and take ownership?”

4. Your Energy Is Just as Important as Your Revenue

Here’s a truth bomb: if your business is draining you, it doesn’t matter how much money you’re making. Crista encouraged us to track qualitative metrics like energy and fulfillment alongside revenue goals.

Ask yourself:

• How much of my day is spent in flow versus frustration?
• Am I relying on “heroics” (last-minute saves) to keep things moving?

If your answers are less than ideal, it’s time to realign.

5. Systems = Freedom

Scaling isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less—but better. Crista’s Lean Out Method is built on this principle: create systems that simplify and support your business so you can focus on what matters most.

Quick win: Start by documenting one repeatable process this week (like onboarding a client). Once it’s written down, delegate or automate it. You’ll thank yourself later.

Catch Up on Recent Episodes You Might Have Missed

If this episode lit a fire under you, don’t stop here. Check out these recent episodes of Life After Corporate:

1. Episode 196: “Building Authority in Your Niche” Learn how to position yourself as the go-to expert in your field—even if your market feels crowded.
2. Episode 197: “3 Keys to Reliable Revenue” This episode breaks down the must-have strategies for creating consistent income in your business.
3. Episode 198: “Reclaiming Your Time as a CEO” Struggling to balance the big picture with the day-to-day? This conversation is packed with tips to help you step out of the weeds and into your CEO role.

👉 Watch all episodes on my YouTube channel: Debra Boulanger - Life After Corporate or on your favorite podcast stream.

Your Next Step? Stop Hustling, Start Aligning

Friend, your business should feel like a joy—not a grind. By trusting your intuition, simplifying your systems, and hiring strategically, you can grow without burning out.

Want more? 🎧 Listen to the full episode of Life After Corporate here.

Behind on other episodes? We kicked off 2025 with a 💥! Catch up on other interviews you missed...

198. Top 3 AI Strategies Small Business Owners Need to Know for 2025 with Susan Frew, CSP

197. How Meghann Conter is Rewriting the Rules of Success for Women Entrepreneurs with THE DAMES

196. Human Design Strategies for Aligned Business Growth w/ Candy Barone, CMCP, MBA

Let me know your biggest takeaway in the comments, or share how you’re embracing alignment in your business. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Big love,

Deb

Founder, Life After Corporate