In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I chat with my business coach, Michelle Vroom, who opens up about her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship and what it truly takes to build a sustainable business. Michelle shares her experiences navigating financial pressures, balancing family dynamics, and achieving long-term stability without compromising her values. Her transparency in discussing her business model shifts, the importance of sustainable offers, and the lessons she learned about stability will resonate deeply with anyone who’s felt overwhelmed by the relentless hustle. Listen in as Michelle offers a refreshing perspective on creating success that’s not only scalable but also sustainable.

Topics We Cover:

• Starting with Purpose: Michelle began her entrepreneurial journey driven by a desire for flexibility and financial security, but her commitment to family and stability has always grounded her goals.

• The Power of Sustainable Offers: Michelle stresses that choosing the right type of offer, especially recurring or long-term ones, can make or break your stability as a business owner. She dives into why high-volume, low-ticket products might not be the best fit for everyone.

• Overcoming Client Losses and Building Community: Facing a significant revenue loss while pregnant was a pivotal moment for Michelle. Rather than giving up, she started focusing on audience-building to create a steady pool of clients, ensuring she’d never face that situation again.

• Finding the Right Business Pace: Michelle acknowledges the allure of rapid growth but emphasizes that not every season is meant for scaling. Sometimes, sustaining is the key to longevity, especially if long-term impact is the goal.

• Work-Life Harmony Over Balance: Open communication with her husband has been essential for managing family responsibilities. The couple regularly recalibrates, recognizing that balance looks different in every season.

• Strategic Decisions as an Experienced Business Owner: Michelle shares that it’s okay—and necessary—to reassess your direction. Shifting to more one-to-one coaching allows her to deepen client relationships, aligning with her desire for a more personal impact.

• Following Your True Vision: While tempted by trends in the coaching industry, Michelle stays true to her values. She builds her business around sustainable, high-impact work rather than just financial gain, knowing that integrity drives long-term success.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a clearer idea of how to make choices today that will benefit your business tomorrow. Michelle’s insights remind us that a steady, purposeful approach can often be the most impactful “next step” in scaling to lasting success.

Michelle Vroom's Website

Vroom Communications

Market Like a Boss Podcast

Be Your Own Boss Better Workshop

Resources Page

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I’m reflecting on my recent conversation with Kris and Rebecca from C&D Tools. If you remember, in Ep 32: Beyond the Bottom Line: Unexpected Benefits of Hiring a Business Manager, they shared how hiring me as their business manager brought unexpected benefits.

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on why those results were so surprising, yet incredibly impactful.

What I Cover:

• Faster-than-expected ROI: By tightening up their operations and tying off loose ends, Kris and Rebecca saw an immediate impact on their bottom line.

• Clarity through focused action: Having a business manager ensured that every move was aligned with their vision, no more spinning their wheels on things that don’t matter.

• Decision fatigue, be gone! With me taking on key decisions, they freed up the mental space they needed to focus on high-value tasks.

• Reviving faith in the business: Rebecca shared how working with me restored their belief in the potential of their business, which had started to fade.

• Support that goes beyond the to-do list: It’s more than just getting tasks done, having someone in their corner who believes in the vision made all the difference.

• Inspiration through progress: Progress itself became the motivation to keep moving forward, sparking excitement for the future again.

This episode is all about showing you what’s possible when you bring the right support to your business.

But remember, it’s not just about hiring any business manager. It’s about finding one that truly understands your vision, fits your vibe, and pushes you in all the right ways to take your business to the next level while making the process enjoyable.

What sets me apart isn’t just the services I offer, but the personality I bring to the table. I don’t just push buttons and check off to-do lists; I keep things efficient, fun, and motivating because if we’re not laughing while getting things done, we’re missing out on one of the best parts of working together!

If you’re feeling stuck or your passion has started to dwindle, listen in and discover how strategic help can reignite your faith in your vision. Let’s chat and take that next step toward building the business you’ve been dreaming of!

Be Your Own Boss Better Workshop

C&D Tools USA

In today’s special episode, we’re pulling back the curtain to give you an inside look at what it’s like to work with a business manager — from the perspective of my amazing clients, Kris and Rebecca of C&D Tools.

You’ll get to hear their unfiltered take on how working with me has impacted their business, from navigating chaotic beginnings to achieving record-breaking growth. They’re sharing the good, the better, and the surprising benefits that made all the difference.

One key moment? When Kris casually referred to me as their "boss," sparking a transformation in how they approached their business!

• The Power of Purpose-Driven Action: C&D Tools started from a small inconvenience—an unsatisfactory cocktail shaker—and turned it into a full-fledged business by recognizing a gap in the market for quality, American-made shakers.

• The Importance of Team Chemistry: Building a business is as much about relationships as it is about strategy. Kris and Rebecca first connected with Alison during a challenging Kickstarter campaign and stayed loyal despite early setbacks because they valued trust and aligned vision.

• Turning Messy Action into Structured Growth: Kris and Rebecca candidly shared how, early on, the business was disorganized, but implementing structured systems like Trello (despite resistance) transformed the chaos into streamlined efficiency.

• The Value of a Strategic Partner: Rebecca mentioned that having Alison on their team took the weight off their shoulders, helping them focus on growth without being bogged down by daily operational stress. Every weekly meeting turned into a reminder of their "why" and brought renewed energy to the business.

• Immediate ROI from Hiring Help: Their revenue increased by 90% month-over-month after bringing Alison on board, and for the first time ever, they had more money in their bank account than the total of their business loan.

• Unexpected Benefits: Beyond the financial gains, Alison provided the structure and encouragement that reinvigorated Kris and Rebecca’s passion for their business, turning C&D Tools from a stressful endeavor into an exciting journey again.

• Delegation and Scaling: One of the most surprising benefits for the couple was Alison’s ability to build a team around herself, which allowed them to focus on big-picture strategy while she managed day-to-day execution.

This episode is a great reminder that growth doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it just requires the right support. Whether you’re thinking about hiring your first team member or ready to bring in a full-fledged business manager, Kris and Rebecca’s story shows that the right partnership can transform not just your bottom line, but also your experience as a business owner. Ready to get out of the weeds and take your business to the next level? Let’s chat and see how we can create a sustainable and scalable strategy that aligns with your vision!