#46: The One Shift That Changes Everything in Your Business

#50: Growing a Business Without Losing Yourself: A Conversation with Marlee James of Reviving Roots

What happens when the business model you carefully designed doesn't work the way you expected? For many entrepreneurs, that moment can feel like failure. But often, it's actually an invitation to pay attention, adapt, and build something even stronger. In this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Marlee James, founder of Reviving Roots, a holistic mental health and wellness organization centered on Black wellness in Minneapolis. Marlee shares her entrepreneurial journey—from launching a solo therapy practice to building a thriving community-centered organization that now serves clients through therapy, workshops, retreats, community events, and innovative mental health programs. Along the way, Marlee navigated a global pandemic, community trauma following the murder of George Floyd, multiple business pivots, major financial decisions, team leadership, marriage, homeownership, and raising two young children. Together, Stephanie and Marlee explore what it really looks like to build a business that aligns with both your mission and your life. In This Episode, We Discuss: * How Reviving Roots evolved from a solo therapy practice into a holistic wellness organization * The impact of COVID-19 and community trauma on business growth and mission * Why listening to what is actually working is often more important than sticking to the original plan * The financial wake-up call that led to a major business pivot * How Marlee shifted from a membership model to revenue streams that better served both the community and the organization * The importance of understanding your numbers and making decisions based on financial reality * Building a team, hiring the right people, and growing as a leader * Creating a business model that supports family priorities and personal wellbeing * Why entrepreneurs need to build boundaries and wellness into their businesses from the beginning * The power of aligning decisions with your mission, values, and long-term goals Memorable Quote "If you are able to build your wellness into your business, your practices, and your boundaries around your business, then it feels so much better." — Marlee James Connect with Marlee James & Reviving Roots Learn more about Reviving Roots and their work supporting mental health, wellness, and community at: https://reviving-roots.com/ [https://reviving-roots.com/] 🎯 Free Live Training: Double Your Profit & Break the Hustle Cycle: Grow a Profitable, Grounded Business with the 6-Step Roadmap Most Service Businesses Skip If this episode resonated with you, join Stephanie for a free live training designed specifically for service-based business owners. You'll learn the foundational shifts that help entrepreneurs increase profit, create focus, and build a business that doesn't depend on constant hustle.

#49: What 'More of the Same' Is Costing You Every Month

It's easy to see the risks that come with change. What's harder to see is the cost of not changing. In this episode, Stephanie shares the story of a business owner who appeared to have a thriving, growing business—but beneath the surface was a pattern many entrepreneurs know all too well: saying yes to every opportunity, staying busy, and working incredibly hard without a clear strategy for growth. What began as a request for marketing help quickly revealed deeper challenges around profitability, capacity, focus, and decision-making. Through this real-world example, Stephanie explores the hidden costs that accumulate when we continue operating the same way, even when we know something isn't working. If you've ever found yourself stuck in hustle mode, reacting to urgent problems, or wondering why all your effort isn't creating the results you want, this episode will help you look beneath the surface and identify what staying the same may actually be costing you. In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why inaction is never a neutral choice * The difference between being busy and making meaningful progress * The five hidden costs of staying the same * Why entrepreneurs often return to familiar patterns during periods of stress * How "operator mode" can keep you stuck, even when you're working harder than ever * Questions to help you evaluate the true cost of maintaining the status quo * The first step toward breaking the hustle cycle and creating sustainable growth Mentioned in This Episode 🎯 Free Live Training: Double Your Profit & Break the Hustle Cycle: Grow a Profitable, Grounded Business with the 6-Step Roadmap Most Service Businesses Skip Register HERE [https://stephanie-jdgq.lpcontent.net/june17training] If this episode resonated with you, join Stephanie for a free live training designed specifically for service-based business owners. You'll learn the foundational shifts that help entrepreneurs increase profit, create focus, and build a business that doesn't depend on constant hustle.

#48: Why Your Business Goals Fall Apart Before You Start

You set the goals. You bought the planner. Maybe you even created the color-coded spreadsheet. And yet... a few months later, you're wondering why you're off track. Most entrepreneurs assume the problem is a lack of discipline, accountability, or a better strategy. But what if the real issue isn't the goal itself? In this episode, Stephanie explores a different possibility: that many business goals fail before they ever have a chance to succeed because they're built on a foundation that isn't strong enough to support them. If you've ever found yourself changing direction, chasing new ideas, feeling busy but not making progress, or wondering why your goals never seem to stick, this conversation is for you. Rather than focusing on another goal-setting framework, Stephanie shares four foundational areas that quietly influence whether your goals gain traction or fall apart—and why strengthening these areas can make growth feel more sustainable and achievable. This is a timely mid-year episode designed to help you pause, reassess, and make sure you're building on solid ground before charging ahead into the second half of the year. In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why goals often expose weaknesses rather than solve them * The hidden reason many entrepreneurs abandon their plans * How vision influences focus, priorities, and decision-making * Why understanding your true capacity matters more than working harder * The role money awareness plays in sustainable growth * How offer complexity can quietly sabotage progress * Four questions to ask before setting your next business goal 🎯 Free Live Training: Double Your Profit & Break the Hustle Cycle: Grow a Profitable, Grounded Business with the 6-Step Roadmap Most Service Businesses Skip Join Stephanie on June 17th for a practical training designed to help service-based business owners identify the foundational gaps that may be limiting growth and profitability. Register here! [https://unique-author-9818.kit.com/freetraining]

#47: Are You Actually Making Money or Just Staying Busy?

You're booked. You're busy. Clients are coming in. On the surface, things look good. But if you're honest with yourself, are you building a profitable business—or have you simply created a very demanding job? In this episode, Stephanie tackles a topic many service-based business owners avoid: profit. Not revenue. Not sales. Profit. The kind that allows you to pay yourself consistently, build a sustainable business, and stop relying on hustle every time cash gets tight. You'll hear why so many entrepreneurs unknowingly fall into the "hustle trap," how busyness can disguise deeper financial problems, and why profit may feel more uncomfortable than it should—especially for heart-led and impact-driven business owners. Stephanie also shares a simple way to start evaluating whether your offers are actually serving your business or quietly draining it. If you've ever found yourself wondering why you're working so hard but still feeling stressed about money, this conversation may challenge some assumptions—and open the door to a healthier, more sustainable way of thinking about growth. In This Episode: * The difference between revenue, owner's pay, and true profit * Why being busy doesn't necessarily mean your business is healthy * The hidden cost of the hustle cycle * How profit mindset impacts business sustainability * A simple exercise to assess whether your offers are actually profitable * Why purpose and profit don't have to be in conflict Resources Mentioned: * Profit First by Mike Michalowicz * Free Live Training: Double Your Profit and Break the Hustle Cycle (June 17): https://unique-author-9818.kit.com/freetraining Sign-up for Double Your Profit & Break the Hustle Cycle: Grow a Profitable, Grounded Business with the 6-Step Roadmap Most Service Businesses Skip: https://unique-author-9818.kit.com/freetraining Learn more at: www.sparkgood.net [http://www.sparkgood.net/]

#46: The One Shift That Changes Everything in Your Business

This episode explores the shift that changes everything for service-based business owners — and it's probably not what you think. If you've been stuck trying new tactics, tweaking your offers, or working harder without seeing the traction you want, this conversation will help you step back and look at what may actually be holding your business back. Stephanie shares why so many entrepreneurs stay trapped in "operator mode," constantly delivering and reacting instead of truly building a business that can grow sustainably. She introduces the foundational mindset shift that needs to happen, why it matters so much, and how this shift impacts everything from your clients to your revenue to your long-term vision. If you've been feeling plateaued, stretched thin, or unsure how to move into your next level of growth, this episode will give you a powerful new lens to look through — and set the stage for the deeper work ahead. Sign-up for How to Make More Money Without Working More Hours https://www.sparkgood.net/more-money-less-hours [https://www.sparkgood.net/more-money-less-hours] Learn more at: www.sparkgood.net [http://www.sparkgood.net/] You can also connect with Stephanie through: * Weekly emails (short, simple with one or two key takeaways) - sign up here [https://www.sparkgood.net/contact] * Social Media - (moderately 😉) active on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/smalonrufi/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/smalonrufi/?hl=en] Spark Good website - check out the free resource page [https://www.sparkgood.net/resources-1]