If you’ve ever found yourself asking, "I’ve already tried fixing this, why is it still happening?"—it’s time to stop blaming your strategy and start questioning your diagnosis.

Today, we explore why smart, capable founders often stay stuck in a cycle of "fixing" symptoms while the true root cause remains untouched. If you are tired of spinning in circles, it's time to discover how to identify the hidden friction points in your operations, finances, and strategic direction that are actually holding you back.

Every business owner dreams of a bulletproof team and effective delegation when scaling. But what happens when you try to outsource the most critical role of all: being the boss? In this episode, we tackle the painful but necessary truth: no matter how talented your team is or how much support you pay for, you alone are responsible for the results in your business and making the key strategy decisions. Learn how the urge to escape the hard parts of your business leads to a breakdown in leadership, the tell-tale signs that you're confusing delegation with the abdication of responsibility (and why your team is bringing you "bizarro" tasks), and the powerful difference between owning the decision versus controlling the implementation. If you’re a CEO or boss looking to scale without losing control, tune in.

In this episode, Gwen and Tonya kick off their “What We Didn’t Know We Didn’t Know” series by unpacking the reality of hiring—why it’s both a blessing and a curse. 

They explore:

• Why hiring doesn’t actually solve the problems most owners think it will
• What changes in your business the moment you bring someone on
• The hidden responsibilities that come with building a team
• Why things often feel harder after you hire, not easier
• What has to be in place for hiring to truly work

If you’ve ever thought, “Once I hire, things will finally feel manageable,”—this episode will give you a much clearer picture of what actually happens next.

In this essential episode for any business owner, we dive deep into the painful dynamic where the founder becomes the "default workhorse". We'll reveal why growth often traps the leader in an unending cycle of hands-on labor, creating team dependency and turning the CEO into a bottleneck.

It’s time to stop jumping in to save the day and start building a business that runs itself. Discover the structural issues and lack of role clarity that are keeping you stuck, learn the strategic art of delegation (and how to tell which balls bounce and which balls break), and redefine your role identity to finally lead, not just labor. Read on to break free from the burden and ignite real movement in your business.

What if the "boss babe" mantra is just a prettier version of the same grind? When success is measured solely by overwork, women pay the price—sacrificing time, mental health, and true fulfillment without realizing it.

In this episode, Tonya and Gwen peel back the layers of the so-called "boss babe" movement to reveal its similarities with traditional dude-bro hustle culture. You'll discover how the relentless pursuit of more—more clients, more followers, more revenue—often masks a deeper issue: conforming to a masculine blueprint of success that doesn't align with your authentic self.

Today, we break down practical strategies for supporting inconsistent leaders without burning out. From asking clarifying questions and reflecting patterns to documenting decisions and framing future impacts, you’ll learn how to maintain control, create accountability, and keep your sanity intact—even when your leader’s attention keeps bouncing from one shiny object to the next.

Whether you’re a team lead, integrator, or consultant, these tools will help you navigate unpredictable leadership while staying productive, professional, and proactive.

In this deep-dive episode—the second in our series on true accountability—Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo shift the conversation from mere consistency to the power of focus. We unpack the difference between task management (which is often just responding to urgency) and true focus (which is proactively driving long-term, important impact). Why do so many leaders struggle to focus? Hint: It involves a dopamine hit and a chronic case of "shiny object syndrome."

Discover how shifting your attention to just a few critical, non-urgent tasks can dramatically reduce firefighting, eliminate rework, and, most importantly, create the kind of alignment and momentum that moves your entire team forward. If you’re ready to stop putting Band-Aids on problems and start building strategic, lasting success, this is the essential guide you need to redefine what you track.

Today, Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dive into the surprising truth about consistency. It's the easiest concept to understand, yet the single hardest habit to maintain in a chaotic business world.

Inside, you'll discover:

• Why the simplest definition of consistency makes it feel "easy," and why our nature makes it "hard."
• The real cost of skipping a check-in (hint: it’s not just lost time, it's a loss of trust).
• How common leadership excuses like "I don't want to micromanage" or "It's not a good use of my time" destroy momentum.
• The powerful, exponential impact consistency has on problem-solving, team safety, and long-term results.

If you find yourself constantly restarting your initiatives, or if your team is quietly wondering how much you truly care about the data they provide, this is the essential read you need. Learn why consistency is the foundation for a truly effective accountability system and how you can commit to "doing the thing" to build unstoppable momentum. 

Today, Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo break down how to review what worked, fix what didn’t, and move into Q2 with a clear strategy. Learn why a realistic, judgment-free quarterly review is the step most goal-setting misses. Discover the Good, Better, Best framework for setting achievable goals and the key metrics that keep you on track. Plus, explore how aligning your team, resources, and rhythms with the season can strengthen focus and performance.

Ready to stop feeling defeated by unmet BHAGs and start building consistent progress? Master quarterly planning and carry strong leadership momentum into Q2 and beyond.

In this deep dive, Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo expose the most common, insidious narratives that derail accountability—from the "I'm too busy" trap to the "I thought someone else was handling it" deflection. More importantly, we offer practical strategies for dismantling these unhelpful thought patterns, reframing your internal dialogue, and building the necessary structures to move from excuse-making to empowered action.

Stop letting your self-limiting stories control your leadership. Read on to learn how to spot your default excuse and start rewriting your narrative for true, reflective accountability.

Mentioned in this episode: Subscribe to Gwen’s weekly email, One REALLY Good Question, at everydayeffectiveness.com/question.

In this episode, Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dig into the real difference between strategy and tactics, why entrepreneurs so often confuse the two, and how to avoid being seduced by the “new, shiny thing” everyone else seems to be doing. Learn how to focus on real strategy, define your constraints, and spot the signs of a non-productive, "sparkly tactic."

• Your plan – Was it strategic or just a bundle of tactics? Were your assumptions sound?
• The environment – What shifted around you that you couldn’t have predicted or controlled?
• Your execution – Did the work actually get done the way you believe it did?

Everything referenced inside this episode:

Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke

Strategic Email Series – Sign up for Gwen’s weekly “one really good question” email

Ashlee shares how she shifted from doing everything herself to building a team of fractional COOs and operations managers, and how becoming a parent forced her to rethink her time, energy, and definition of success. Together, she and Gwen dig into the emotional side of operations, from accountability without shame to learning how to work with your own motivations (including gold-star brains!).

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Ashlee recognized the business she built wasn’t aligned with the life she wanted
• The mindset shifts required to stop overworking and design a calmer rhythm
• Why constraining her time actually helped her do better deep work
• How she uses idea lists, capacity triggers, and clear constraints to stay on track
• What it looks like to grow sustainably—even when opportunities abound

If you’re a consultant, strategist, or service provider looking to grow without drowning, this conversation is filled with wisdom, practical systems, and honest reflection on what sustainable success requires.

Links and Mentions

Connect with Ashlee (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeberghoff/)

You’ll hear how Abigail:

• Recovered from the burnout of years spent making labor-intensive commissions
• Identified what she didn’t want her business to become – and used that to find clarity
• Protects her creative well through play, community classes, and intentional scheduling
• Uses the Weekly Course of Action to build structure without sacrificing freedom
• Navigates selling across multiple channels, from local markets to custom commissions

This is an honest look at crafting a business that supports your creativity rather than consuming it. If you’re a maker or artist trying to balance demand, creative energy, and real-life context, this conversation offers grounded insight into sustainable success.

Check out Abigail’s work

She and Gwen walk through the pivotal decisions that allowed her to scale sustainably, including hiring her first consultant instead of a VA, shifting from doing everything herself to leading a team, and learning the art of transferring trust (even when it’s uncomfortable).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Nicole’s first hire wasn’t admin support—and how that changed everything
• How she manages rapid growth without burning out her team
• What “stability quarters” are and why they matter during fast scaling
• How quarterly planning and weekly accountability transformed her business
• The difference between being the expert and becoming the CEO

If you’re a consultant or service provider dreaming of building an agency—or even just wanting more breathing room—Nicole’s story offers a clear, honest look at what it really takes to scale sustainably.

If you want support creating your own version of sustainable success, let’s chat. (http://everydayeffectiveness.com/clarity)

Links and Mentions

Connect with Nicole (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-serena-876a1913/)

This behind-the-scenes conversation covers everything from planning and pacing to choosing a show format that actually supports sustainability. Gwen and Tonya talk candidly about the benefits of being several episodes ahead, why they intentionally avoided a guest model, how their decades-long dynamic shapes the show, and what surprised them most during year one.

You’ll hear about:

• The systems and contingencies that keep the show consistent during travel, illness, and tech failures
• Why a co-hosted conversation – even without guests – makes the show easier to sustain
• What changed between episodes 1 and 52
• How they avoid “podfade” by choosing topics that never run dry
• Why alignment and relationship are the real engines behind their momentum

If you’re curious about podcasting, sustainable content creation, or what it looks like to build something that genuinely supports your business instead of draining it, this candid conversation will pull back the curtain.

If you want support creating your own version of sustainable success, let’s chat.

Tonya’s other shows: Find Your Freaks and Clutter Free Academy

Most money theft doesn't start with dramatic embezzlement - it begins with an "I deserve it" mentality. Employees who feel undervalued rationalize inflated hours, personal use of business resources, or unauthorized discounts. In retail, especially, a simple 10% employee discount can eliminate profitability when margins are already razor-thin at 50% cost of goods.

We break down three types of direct money theft: inflated hours and expenses, personal use of business resources, and intentionally inefficient resource use. The key to prevention isn't catching dramatic theft - it's staying current with bookkeeping, implementing clear policies, and avoiding the double standards that train employees to expect special treatment. Small leaks sink big ships, and the best defense is consistent financial oversight.

This is the third episode in our four-part theft series, covering energy, time, and money theft.

*Editor’s note: Gwen has a chirping smoke alarm in the background. We apologize for the distraction and wish we lived closer to our friend Mary Williams, so we could have recorded at Sasquatch Media Grounds, the full-service recording studio she owns in Vancouver, Washington.

Gwen Bortner breaks down the four types of energy vampires you'll encounter: the constant reassurance seeker, the pot stirrer, the emotional dumper, and the guilt manipulator. We discuss why this matters so much (energy theft often goes undetected for months while wearing you down), the warning signs you've been ignoring, and most importantly — how to protect your energy without feeling guilty about setting boundaries.

This is the second episode in our four-part theft series, covering energy, time, and money theft. By the time you notice time and money theft, energy theft has often been happening for months, making this the most critical pattern to recognize and address.

We're talking about the three types of theft that good employees, contractors and even clients commit — energy, time, and money — and why by the time you see money disappearing, you're already too late.

This is the first in a four-part series. Coming up: spotting energy theft, identifying time thieves, and when small theft becomes a big financial loss.

Tonya Kubo and operations expert Gwen Bortner explore why your boundaries aren't suggestions, how to communicate them without guilt, and what happens when you stop treating your professional limits like requests for permission. You'll learn the difference between boundaries and preferences, why women entrepreneurs struggle with enforcement, and how strong boundaries actually improve client relationships and your reputation.

Key Takeaway: Your boundaries aren't suggestions - they're the framework that allows your business to function sustainably. Stop apologizing for your professional limits and start treating them as business practices.

They break down why a business owner bragging about million-dollar revenue might actually be making less than a teacher, and reveal the hidden costs of revenue growth that nobody talks about. You'll learn the difference between revenue theater and real profitability, discover why cash flow matters more than top-line numbers, and understand how to properly pay yourself as a business owner.

Whether you're a product-based business discounting your way to bankruptcy or a service provider sacrificing your own compensation to hit arbitrary milestones, this episode will help you focus on metrics that actually matter. Featuring real examples of businesses that became more profitable by scaling down, plus practical advice on building sustainable success.

Perfect for entrepreneurs who've ever felt inadequate about their revenue numbers or wondered if they're missing something in those exclusive "seven-figure" mastermind rooms.

Discover why strategic thinking often feels like "not working" and how this mindset keeps us trapped in reactive mode. Gwen shares practical strategies for building strategic thinking as a skill, starting with just five minutes a day, and explains the difference between strategic and tactical questions.

You'll learn how to shift from being pulled by circumstances to proactively choosing your direction, plus get specific thinking questions you can use to start practicing strategic thinking immediately.

You'll learn how to evaluate whether a trend is actually worth pursuing, the real difference between market shifts and buying behavior changes, and how to creatively adapt what you already do well instead of rebuilding from scratch every six months.

Stop exhausting yourself trying to keep up with every "should" in your industry and start building the business you really want.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: being good at your craft doesn't make you good at leading a business. Entrepreneurs excel at firefighting (and sometimes starting fires), but CEOs need to step back and let others hold the extinguisher. That transition requires both leadership skills and management skills — a combination that's harder than anyone talks about.

Gwen breaks down why this shift feels like fractioning your identity, why you can't just think your way into being a CEO (you have to act like one), and why true delegation is so much more complex than writing a checklist. Tonya explores the boundaries you'll need to set — with clients who want you personally, with team members who work differently than you do, and with yourself around protecting thinking time.

They dig into the identity crisis that comes when you're no longer the best at the thing you built your business on, why "I could have done this faster myself" will always be true (and why it doesn't matter), and how to own which problems are actually yours versus your team's. The reality: Growing from solo to CEO isn't about getting bigger. It's about getting comfortable with not being the one who knows all the details anymore.

In this anniversary episode, Tonya Kubo and co-host Gwen Bortner are revisiting the third most-downloaded episode: Closing the Implementation Gap. What’s that? It’s the space between knowing what to do and actually doing it. It's real, it's permanent, and it happens to everyone.

Gwen explains why "self-accountability" isn't actually a thing (you're thinking of reliability), why guilt doesn't work as motivation, and why most accountability systems are just fancy tracking. Real accountability requires two people and focuses on reflection, not judgment.

Tonya challenges the framework with the obvious question: if you let people change goals, how is that accountability? Together, they dig into when it makes sense to modify your goals versus when you're just getting scared, why you need outside perspective from someone who actually cares about your success, and why generic advice often fails the nuance test.

The bottom line: If beating yourself up was going to work, it would have worked already. There's a better way.

In this anniversary episode, we revisit our fourth most popular episode to explore how the 60-80% rule applies to building the business you really want. Join hosts Tonya Kubo and business advisor Gwen Bortner for this conversation on maximizing profit without maxing out your energy.

Discover why billing 100% of your working hours is impossible, how 2025's economic uncertainty has changed the profit game, and why energy — not time — is your most precious resource. Learn the hidden costs of context-switching, how to calculate true service profitability, and three strategies for making more money without burning out.

If you've ever wondered why adding more clients doesn't always equal more profit, this episode gives you the framework to work smarter, not harder.

Email your biggest profitability challenge to tonya@everydayeffectiveness.com—your insights help shape future episodes.

Discover why unreliable systems aren't just an operational headache—they're actively preventing you from attracting and retaining premium clients. Learn why some service providers struggle to maintain their rates while others command premium prices with ease. We'll explore:

• The true cost of inconsistent delivery
• Why competing on price is a race to the bottom
• How better systems create higher perceived value
• The link between operational excellence and premium pricing
• Simple ways to assess your current systems

Whether you're a consultant, coach, or service provider, this episode reveals how improving your operational consistency could help you charge more while working less. Stop leaving money on the table because of inefficient systems.

The Business You Really Want helps visionary women entrepreneurs build sustainable, fulfilling businesses aligned with their values. Join hosts Gwen Bortner, a seasoned business advisor with 40+ years of cross-industry experience, and Tonya Kubo, marketing strategist and online community builder, for practical strategies and empowering insights to help you navigate the challenges of running a values-driven business.

Learn:

• Why flexibility without structure leads to chaos
• How to identify high-impact areas for improvement
• Where to add structure without stifling creativity
• The surprising truth about what customers really want
• Simple steps to break free from operational chaos

Ready to transform your business from reactive to intentional? This episode shows you exactly where to start. Whether you're a creative entrepreneur who fears structure or a seasoned CEO looking to scale, you'll discover how to build the systems your business needs to thrive.

The Business You Really Want is the show for visionary women entrepreneurs who are ready to build sustainable, fulfilling businesses aligned with their values.

In this episode, operations strategist Gwen Bortner and marketing expert Tonya Kubo unpack the critical difference between growth and scaling. They reveal why many business owners feel stuck in a cycle of overwhelm despite "doing everything right." You'll discover:

●  The telltale signs you're trapped in unsustainable growth

●  Why marketing and sales aren't the answer to scaling

●  How to transition from exhausting growth to sustainable scaling

●  The surprising truth about what really drives business expansion

●  Why simplifying operations (not adding resources) is the key to success

If you're tired of working longer hours without seeing proportional results, this episode will show you how to break free from the growth trap and create the sustainable, profitable business you really want.

New episodes are released every Tuesday. Connect with Gwen and Tonya at thebusinessyoureallywant.com.

In this episode of The Business You Really Want, hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dive into the concept of good vs. bad goals. They challenge the notion of SMART goals and explain why what might be a good goal for one person could be a terrible goal for another. They also explore how to set goals that align with your values, vision, and motivation to drive real business success.

In this episode of The Business You Really Want, hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo discuss the challenge many entrepreneurs face: managing the overwhelming sense of urgency that leads to paralysis. Together, they explore how to prioritize tasks, the myth of multitasking, and practical tips for regaining control when everything feels equally important.

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo break down the concept of true accountability and why it’s crucial for achieving sustainable success in business. Learn the key differences between tracking, reliability, and accountability, and how fostering a culture of non-judgmental accountability can transform your business operations and outcomes.

In this episode of “The Business You Really Want,” hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo discuss the importance of identifying and solving the right problems in the right order. This episode dives into the common pitfalls business owners face when trying to fix issues, the difference between symptoms and root causes, and how solving problems in the wrong order can lead to wasted time, resources, and frustration.

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo invite you into the world of systems and how the behaviors within your business shape the results you see. Whether you're running a solo operation or managing a growing team, understanding and optimizing your systems can lead to more efficiency, less stress, and greater success.

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo explore the critical role that people play in your business. Whether you're managing a small team or you're a solopreneur navigating how to leverage contractors and vendors, this episode offers insights into maximizing your human resources effectively.

In this episode of “The Business You Really Want,” hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo break down the often dreaded world of accounting. They tackle the myths that hold business owners back from understanding their finances and explain why knowing your numbers is crucial for sustainable success.

In this episode of “The Business You Really Want,” hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dive into the essential skill of delegation—a crucial but often misunderstood aspect of leadership. Learn what true delegation looks like and how mastering it can transform your business.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 3:11: Why true delegation is harder than you think
• 5:13: The phases of effective delegation
• 12:15: The difference between delegating tasks and delegating responsibility
• 19:49: How to handle delegation gone wrong
• 25:00: Why it’s important to stay curious when mistakes are made
• 29:29: Which mistakes to avoid when delegating

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the multi-phase process of delegation and why it’s more than just handing off tasks.
• Learn why empowering your team with full responsibility is crucial for growth.
• Discover how to hold your team accountable without micromanaging, ensuring they own their successes and failures.
• Get actionable advice on how to delegate effectively and overcome common challenges.

Ready to delegate like a pro? Try this:

• Break down the delegation process into manageable phases, starting with clear communication and training.
• Gradually transfer responsibility while maintaining oversight until your team is fully self-sufficient.
• Focus on outcomes rather than micromanaging the process, and allow your team to learn from their mistakes.
• Regularly evaluate and adjust your approach to delegation as your business grows.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Also, be sure to check out Episode 5, where we talk about accounting and making sense of the numbers that matter most

Have questions? Email Tonya at tonya@everydayeffectiveness.com to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

💡GET NOTIFIED OF NEW RELEASES: www.thebusinessyoureallywant.com

💡 Subscribe to our GEARshift newsletter: pages.everydayeffectiveness.com/gearshift

—

Connect with Gwen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner

Connect with Tonya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyakubo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTonyaKubo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyakubo

Twitter/X: https://x.com/tonyakubo

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tonyakubo

#podcast #entrepreneurship #businessadvice

Or are you chasing someone else’s definition of success? In this episode, Gwen and Tonya share how to create meaningful, achievable goals that propel your business forward without burning you out.

Here’s the breakdown of this episode:

• 1:00 – Why understanding the “why” behind your goals is crucial
• 3:30 – The dangers of pursuing goals that don’t align with your true desires
• 6:00 – Shifting from a misaligned goal to one that brings fulfillment
• 10:00 – How to identify signs that your goals might not be aligned with your values
• 14:00 – The impact of misaligned goals on your business and personal well-being
• 18:00 – How to set achievable goals without compromising ambition
• 22:00 – The power of “Good/Better/Best” goals in maintaining motivation
• 27:00 – Why setting realistic growth metrics matters more than you think
• 31:00 – The worst-case scenario: What happens when you ignore the misalignment

Key Takeaways:

• Understand why it’s so crucial to set goals that align with your true desires and values.
• Learn how to spot the signs that your goals might be leading you in the wrong direction.
• Create a balance between ambition and achievability with the “Good/Better/Best” framework.
• Recognize when it’s time to reassess and adjust your goals for better alignment with your life and business.

Want to make sure your goals align with the business you really want? Try this:

• Reflect on the “why” behind each of your goals. Are they truly yours, or are they influenced by some external pressure?
• Ask yourself, really, whether or not you are on a path that will bring you fulfillment if you achieve what you say you want.
• Use the “Good/Better/Best” framework to set goals that challenge you without leaving you frazzled.
• Regularly revisit and adjust your goals as your business and life evolve.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Also, be sure to check out Episode 4, where we discuss the importance of effectiveness and delegation in achieving your business goals.

Have questions? Email Tonya at tonya@everydayeffectiveness.com to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

💡GET NOTIFIED OF NEW RELEASES: www.thebusinessyoureallywant.com

💡 Subscribe to our GEARshift newsletter: pages.everydayeffectiveness.com/gearshift

—

Connect with Gwen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner

Connect with Tonya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyakubo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTonyaKubo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyakubo

Twitter/X: https://x.com/tonyakubo

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tonyakubo

#podcast #entrepreneurship #businessadvice

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 1:00 – Understanding symptoms vs. root causes in business issues
• 2:29 – What really causes cash-flow problems
• 5:45 – Why root-cause discovery is a challenge
• 8:12 – Introducing to the GEARS framework
• 16:00 – How business functions intersect
• 20:58 – Why quick fixes often fail to solve the real problems
• 26:12 – What happens when you ignore underlying issues

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how key business functions interconnect and affect your operations.
• Discover why it’s crucial to dig deeper into business problems rather than just treating the symptoms.
• Explore common operational issues and practical solutions that can be applied to your business.

Want to shift GEARS in your business? Try this:

• Assess each area of your business to identify potential bottlenecks (listen to the episode for the full breakdown).
• Focus on one area at a time to make meaningful improvements.
• Avoid quick fixes and invest time in uncovering the root causes of your business issues.
• Implement changes gradually and monitor their impact on your overall operations.
• If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Also be sure to check out Episode 3, where we dig deeper into setting goals that you’ll actually want to achieve.

Have questions? Email Tonya at tonya@everydayeffectiveness.com to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

💡GET NOTIFIED OF NEW RELEASES: www.thebusinessyoureallywant.com

💡 Subscribe to our GEARshift newsletter: pages.everydayeffectiveness.com/gearshift

—

Connect with Gwen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner

Connect with Tonya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyakubo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTonyaKubo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyakubo

Twitter/X: https://x.com/tonyakubo

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tonyakubo

#podcast #entrepreneurship #businessadvice

Ready to grow without sacrificing what matters most? In this inaugural episode of “The Business You Really Want,” hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo tackle the emerging trend of entrepreneurs “burning down” their businesses to start over (or call it quits). Drawing from Gwen’s 40 years of cross-industry experience, they offer a fresh perspective on building sustainable success without sacrificing your values or sanity.

Listen for these juicy nuggets:

• 2:41 – The genesis of the podcast and why it’s needed now
• 5:45 – The problem with the “burn it down” approach
• 9:45 – Marketing’s limitations in solving systemic issues
• 13:36 – The importance of defining success on your own terms
• 18:21 – Real-life examples of misaligned business growth
• 24:32 – The courage required to redefine success
• 27:34 – The value of outside perspective in solving critical business problems

Does this episode hit a little too close to home? Try this:

• Before making drastic changes, identify what success really means for you
• Look beyond your product and marketing to find the root cause of your problems
• Seek outside perspectives, if necessary, to discover alternatives you might not have considered
• Focus on aligning your business with your values and goals
• If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Check out Episode 2, where Gwen and Tonya cover practical steps to assess and transform your business model.

Have questions? Email Tonya at tonya@everydayeffectiveness.com to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

💡GET NOTIFIED OF NEW RELEASES: www.thebusinessyoureallywant.com

💡 Subscribe to our GEARshift newsletter: pages.everydayeffectiveness.com/gearshift

—

Connect with Gwen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner

Connect with Tonya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyakubo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTonyaKubo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyakubo

Twitter/X: https://x.com/tonyakubo

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tonyakubo

#podcast #entrepreneurship #businessadvice

As the host of The Business You Really Want podcast, Gwen shows female entrepreneurs how to design sustainable, fulfilling businesses aligned with their values.

Each week, Gwen and co-host Tonya Kubo share practical strategies, real-life examples, and keen insights to help listeners navigate the challenges of running an impact-driven business.

Feeling burned out, stuck, or unsure about how to grow your business without sacrificing what matters most? This podcast offers the guidance and perspective needed to build the business you really want.