From Bookkeeper to Business Builder: Laurie Sterling on Scaling Without Burning Out

From Bookkeeper to Business Builder: Laurie Sterling on Scaling Without Burning Out

Laurie Sterling didn't set out to become a growth and exit strategist, she stumbled into it through 14 years of running her own web design business, a leap-of-faith email that landed her a coaching role with a top US operations company, and a string of "pivots" that took her from COO work to building her own method for helping founders escape the hustle. In this episode, Laurie sits down with Anna to unpack the real cost of building a business that can't run without you (spoiler: 80% of businesses that go to sell, fail to). She breaks down her bottleneck framework and explains why the secret to scaling isn't working harder, it's identifying your "golden goose" activity and teaching it to your team, not just to yourself. They also dig into AI's role in extracting IP from founders' heads, the "transfer of trust" needed to truly delegate. If you've ever felt like you're the bottleneck in your own business, this one's for you.

Shut Up and Listen: Voice, Identity & Why How You Sound Is Costing You with Nic Redman

Nic Redman has a master's degree in voice studies, a background in stand-up comedy, and a very strong opinion about AI-generated scripts. In this episode: •       Why slowing down doesn't automatically make you a better speaker •       The real reason people freeze on camera — and it's not confidence •       Why your voice is tied to your identity in ways you haven't thought about •       How to write for speaking — and why you should never start with a script •       Accents, bias and why being told you're well-spoken isn't a compliment •       Why authenticity on camera is nonsense if you haven't put the practice in Still hiding behind the script?

Your Brain Isn't Broken: ADHD, Business & Why the System Failed You with Becca Brighty

Becca Brighty is a business psychologist, occupational psychologist, and ADHD coach who spent years watching RSD run her business before she even knew what RSD was. In this episode: •       What rejection sensitivity dysphoria actually is and why it's probably running your business too •       Why imposter syndrome and masking aren't the same thing •       How coping mechanisms that got you through school are now holding you back •       Executive function, spiky profiles and interest-based nervous systems — explained properly •       Why being brilliant at what you do isn't enough if your brain is working against you •       What changes when you finally understand how your brain works Still think it's just a bit of disorganisation?

Just Show Up: Stop Overthinking, Back Yourself & Get Out of Your Own Way with Sarah Mills

Sarah Mills was the shyest girl in the room for most of her life. Now she speaks on stages, runs Wow Women, and has plans to keynote in Vegas. In this episode: •       Why you have to do it badly before you can do it well •       The role other people's belief plays before you have any in yourself •       Building a brand within a brand — and why personality is the whole point •       Why she finally started the podcast after telling everyone else they should •       Silk boxer shorts, Vespas and the Greek islands — early business ventures that didn't quite work out •       Why not giving a f*** is a skill you develop, not a personality trait Still waiting until you're ready?

Who the F*** Are You Really: Authenticity, ADHD & Ditching the Mask with Nicola Little

Nicola Little spent years being everywhere, being told she was too much, and not knowing why nothing quite felt like her. In this episode: •       Why you can't be authentic if you don't know who you are yet •       Masking, neurodivergence and the exhausting performance of fitting in •       The 24-hour rule that changed how she communicates •       Why putting yourself out there is actually the fastest way to find yourself •       White male privilege, women in business and the conversations people avoid •       What she got wrong about authenticity when she was teaching it to others Still pretending to be someone else?