What Founders Actually Feel When Scaling Their Business (It's Not What You See on Social Media)

Kayla Shurson on Buying a Business, Leading Through Crisis, and Making Peace with Money

Kayla Shurson never planned on owning a business. She was five years into working at a small tax and accounting firm when the founder decided to retire and offered to sell it to her. Kayla said yes, took over ownership on January 1, 2020, and then spent the next several months learning what it actually means to lead a team through a global crisis while running a seasonal business that depends on cash flow discipline all year round. In this conversation, Kayla talks about the early scramble of those first six months as an owner, why she sought out business coaching almost immediately, and the slower, harder transition of becoming the boss to people who used to be her peers. She and Ann Marie get into what it actually looks like to build a family-style team culture while still holding people accountable, why Kayla doesn't like saying sorry (and what she's learned about doing it anyway), and how she's grown her team from six people to seventeen. They also talk candidly about money: the gender gap in financial confidence, why so many business owners avoid looking at their numbers, and Kayla's own advice for anyone who feels behind on understanding their finances. Kayla shares what she needs support with right now, even after nearly doubling her team and building a brand-new office space for her firm. In this episode: * Buying an existing business versus building one from scratch * Learning to lead a team that used to be your peers * Building a family-style culture while holding boundaries as a leader * Why proactive communication is Shurson Group's top value * Advice for business owners who avoid looking at their numbers Connect with Kayla at shursongroup.com [http://shursongroup.com] or @shursongroup. Connect with Ann Marie at roseandstonellc.com [http://roseandstonellc.com] or @roseandstonellc. Photos of Kayla by https://www.1210.photography/ [https://www.1210.photography/] and https://mckenziellaphotography.mypixieset.com/ [https://mckenziellaphotography.mypixieset.com/]

A Mid-Year Check-In: What Have You Actually Accomplished This Year?

It's the start of Q3, and if you're anything like most business owners, you're probably looking at your revenue and your goals and thinking it's not enough. In this episode, Ann Marie walks through a mid-year reflection practice, looking back at January and tracing everything that's actually changed since then. She shares an honest look at her own last six months, including the grief that showed up when she returned to Arizona a year after selling her first business, the identity shift that came with stepping away from a company she built for almost a decade, and the decision to move from therapy into business coaching. She talks about getting certified as a coach, building a small team of licensed therapists turned coaches, launching the Four Pillars course, and what it's actually looked like to start over in a completely different business landscape than the one she started in ten years ago. This episode is an invitation to take stock of your own year so far. What did you try? What didn't work? What did you learn? And how are you talking to yourself about the person you were in January? In this episode: * A guided mid-year reflection for founders and leaders * Ann Marie's own six months, from grief to rebuilding * Why she moved from therapy to business coaching * Building a team of licensed therapist-coaches at Rose & Stone * The Four Pillars framework: know your numbers, establish your vision and values, set clear expectations, know yourself Connect with Ann Marie at roseandstonellc.com [http://roseandstonellc.com] or @roseandstonellc.

Lauren Stephens of Dudley Stephens on Shame, Motivation, and Building a Family-Owned Business

This episode is something a little different: an actual recorded coaching call with Lauren Stephens, co-founder and CEO of Dudley Stephens, the fleece apparel brand she built with her sister Kaki into an eight-figure business. Lauren and Ann Marie have been friends since college, which means this conversation goes deep fast. Lauren talks openly about the shame she's carried around never raising outside capital, what it felt like to watch her company's explosive early growth level off, and the identity crisis that came with learning to manage a team for the first time. She also gets into something most founders don't say out loud: the guilt of being pulled in two directions, one part of her chasing bigger and faster growth, the other deeply protective of the autonomy and family-first business she actually built. This is a real coaching session, not a polished interview, and it shows what it actually looks like to work through the mental chatter that holds founders back. What we cover: * Why staying self-funded isn't a failure, even when it feels that way * The shame cycle that comes with comparing your business to others who raised money * Learning to manage people and lead through conflict without taking everything personally * Reconnecting with the original reason you started your business in the first place Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Guest: Lauren Stephens, co-founder and CEO of Dudley Stephens: www.dudley-stephens.com [http://www.dudley-stephens.com] Special Shout-Out: Kris Plachy, our fabulous business coach and CEO of The Visionary CEO: https://www.thevisionary.ceo/ [https://www.thevisionary.ceo/]

What Founders Actually Feel When Scaling Their Business (It's Not What You See on Social Media)

What does it actually feel like to build a business from the ground up? Not the highlight reel version, but the real one: the imposter syndrome when you post your first job listing, the moment you realize someone is depending on you for their livelihood, the exhaustion that doesn't stop even when things are going well. In this episode, Ann Marie McHenry, founder of Rose & Stone Consulting, LLC, pushes back on a trend she's been seeing on social media: the idea that building a successful business is about reaching the top and collecting praise. She shares what scaling a team actually looks like, why knowing your numbers is non-negotiable, and what success really feels like when you're living it. Featuring a nod to Liesel Kiel of Central Saucy (www.centralsaucy.com [http://www.centralsaucy.com]) and Shelby Leigh, nervous system and neurodivergent coach at Rose & Stone Consulting, LLC (https://www.roseandstonellc.com/shelby [https://www.roseandstonellc.com/shelby]). If you're a female founder, business owner, or leader who wants an honest conversation about what building something really costs, this one is for you.

Shelby Leigh: Neuro-affirming Embodied Leadership Coach & AuDHD Specialist

The conversation covers topics related to neurodiversity, neurocomplexity, Complex PTSD and nervous system support. It explores the challenges and experiences of individuals with autism and ADHD, as well as the importance of creating a safe and affirming space for clients. The presence of horses and other therapeutic modalities are discussed as tools for supporting the nervous system and managing the allostatic load. The conversation discusses the experience of feeling unresolved despite extensive self-awareness and therapeutic work, the impact of neurodivergence on business owners and leaders, and the challenges of rejection sensitive dysphoria and social interactions. It also explores the journey of self-discovery and the importance of restorative rest. The conversation covers topics related to integrity, business agreements, diversity, and self-care. It also delves into the importance of rest and the impact of allostatic load on mental and physical well-being. Work with Shelby Leigh at www.shelby-leigh.com [http://www.shelby-leigh.com] or at www.roseandstonellc.com [http://www.roseandstonellc.com]. Takeaways * Neurodiversity and Therapy * Creating a Safe and Affirming Space AuDHD is a unique experience that combines autism and ADHD, leading to a complex set of symptoms and challenges. * The impact of trauma, particularly complex PTSD, on individuals with neurodivergence, such as AuDHD, is significant and requires specialized support and healing. * Therapeutic modalities, including the presence of horses, can help regulate the nervous system and manage the allostatic load, providing support for individuals with AuDHD. Neurodivergence can impact business owners and leaders, influencing their work style and approach to business. * Rejection sensitive dysphoria can significantly impact social interactions and relationships, leading to feelings of rejection and sensitivity. * Restorative rest and self-discovery are essential for individuals to thrive and find balance in their personal and professional lives. Integrity is a core value for autistic individuals. * Business agreements should align with personal values and integrity. * Diversity and inclusivity are important considerations in business and client relationships. * Rest and self-care are essential for managing allostatic load and maintaining well-being. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background * 06:02 The Journey of Self-Discovery * 12:09 Neurodiversity and Affirming Support * 23:58 The Impact of Diagnosis * 33:14 The Impact of Trauma and Complex PTSD on Neurodivergent Individuals * 41:28 Therapeutic Modalities for Regulating the Nervous System and Managing Allostatic Load * 57:23 Unresolved Trauma and Self-Awareness * 01:07:26 Journey of Self-Discovery and Restorative Rest * 01:26:22 Integrity and Values * 01:43:04 Rest and Well-Being