Scale You Podcast

Episode 56: Why Anca Trifan Believes Discipline Beats Motivation Every Time

What happens when a bodybuilder, AV expert, and AI strategist are all the same woman? In this powerhouse episode of the Scale You Podcast, we sit down with Anca Trifan, Founder of Tree-Fan Events, competitive bodybuilder, and one of the few female voices leading the intersection of events, AV production, and AI. Her journey spans 20+ years, from Romanian radio host to running high-stakes events for major brands, building systems-driven businesses, and redefining what performance looks like behind the scenes.  Anca opens up about burnout, grit, leadership, fitness as a framework for business, and why most entrepreneurs are mistaking burnout for commitment. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on fumes, this conversation will challenge how you think about energy, systems, and success especially in an AI-powered future! 🔥 Connect with Anca here: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/] Let's connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba] https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkdPbjVyWllWWFc5YnN6MHY4OFVzQ0NEYjNHZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTF9PTkZMM0VPLXM4aXZON0t6ZmlIbzdsNjN2cDV1VVpuR2d2dlEyT1hxNjJidWRFS3BtbTFkbzFMNnNyaFNvWi05dFBjMmpnMGxUYm1xeVpmSXB5Vi0tRExMMWdwNWpYTGtsamNJd3JjcTVMYnpFMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpc Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjM0QmJhTVVtZzBrNFk4TmluTFhxM3FHRTZwZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcTBESnhTdUI2cUFjWDRDU0hDdTlmSG9XbmF6WVZtUWJPdUFVc0tqMEwzLUtBMW9PSXVuUXpOSXpDVHltNk9keVhrSm5aQ1BEcDhOczBrZjlfdnFLX1p4UGY2Vjdwem5yUjFXU0NkSGg2cXZSM1hxdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpchttps://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba [https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba] Website: https://2xyou.com/ [https://2xyou.com/]

Episode 55: How Mariane Labonete Built a Global Accounting Agency After Leaving Corporate

Can one accountant really build a global agency and a 24K-member community? ✨ In this 55th episode of the Scale You Podcast, we sit down with Marianne, a CPA turned agency founder who went from side-hustling bookkeeper to CEO of Task Wise and co-founder of Work Sync. What started as a late-night freelancing gig evolved into a thriving accounting and finance outsourcing agency, serving clients across the globe.  Marianne shares how she built her business, scaled a 24,000-member professional network, and continues to empower Filipino CPAs to think beyond traditional roles and lead with confidence. We dive into leadership, automation, building trust with clients, and how to thrive in a space where precision and presence are both non-negotiables. Connect with Mariane here:  👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariane-labonete-850b8842/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariane-labonete-850b8842/] 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/task-wise-va-business-process-outsourcing/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/task-wise-va-business-process-outsourcing/] 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/worksync-opum-solutions-inc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/worksync-opum-solutions-inc/] Let's connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba] https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkdPbjVyWllWWFc5YnN6MHY4OFVzQ0NEYjNHZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTF9PTkZMM0VPLXM4aXZON0t6ZmlIbzdsNjN2cDV1VVpuR2d2dlEyT1hxNjJidWRFS3BtbTFkbzFMNnNyaFNvWi05dFBjMmpnMGxUYm1xeVpmSXB5Vi0tRExMMWdwNWpYTGtsamNJd3JjcTVMYnpFMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpc Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjM0QmJhTVVtZzBrNFk4TmluTFhxM3FHRTZwZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcTBESnhTdUI2cUFjWDRDU0hDdTlmSG9XbmF6WVZtUWJPdUFVc0tqMEwzLUtBMW9PSXVuUXpOSXpDVHltNk9keVhrSm5aQ1BEcDhOczBrZjlfdnFLX1p4UGY2Vjdwem5yUjFXU0NkSGg2cXZSM1hxdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpchttps://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba [https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba] Website: https://2xyou.com/ [https://2xyou.com/]

Episode 54: How Jeffrey Levell Built a Fully Remote CPA Firm From the Philippines

Can a CPA firm be fully remote and run from the beach? Jeff says yes! 🔥 In this 54th episode of the Scale You Podcast, we meet Jeffrey Levell, a seasoned CPA and founder of a Seattle-based accounting firm who now runs everything from the Philippines.  With over a decade of experience, Jeff has built a business that lets him combine deep financial strategy with the freedom of remote living. We dive into the transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, why solving one problem at a time is often the true path to building a business, and how mentorship shaped Jeff’s success.  You’ll also hear his perspective on AI, outsourcing, and building a business that aligns with both values and lifestyle. If you’re a business owner who dreads numbers or dreams of working in flip-flops, this one’s for you! 😉 Connect with Jeff here: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-levell-048a7a6/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-levell-048a7a6/] 👉 https://www.facebook.com/CountonThatLLC [https://www.facebook.com/CountonThatLLC] 👉 https://countonthat.com/ [https://countonthat.com/] Let's connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba] https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkdPbjVyWllWWFc5YnN6MHY4OFVzQ0NEYjNHZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTF9PTkZMM0VPLXM4aXZON0t6ZmlIbzdsNjN2cDV1VVpuR2d2dlEyT1hxNjJidWRFS3BtbTFkbzFMNnNyaFNvWi05dFBjMmpnMGxUYm1xeVpmSXB5Vi0tRExMMWdwNWpYTGtsamNJd3JjcTVMYnpFMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpc Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjM0QmJhTVVtZzBrNFk4TmluTFhxM3FHRTZwZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcTBESnhTdUI2cUFjWDRDU0hDdTlmSG9XbmF6WVZtUWJPdUFVc0tqMEwzLUtBMW9PSXVuUXpOSXpDVHltNk9keVhrSm5aQ1BEcDhOczBrZjlfdnFLX1p4UGY2Vjdwem5yUjFXU0NkSGg2cXZSM1hxdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpchttps://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba [https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba] Website: https://2xyou.com/ [https://2xyou.com/]

Episode 53: From Freelancer to Agency Owner: How Penn Camille Lat Built a Scalable Agency

What really separates a freelancer from a founder? And how do you build something that actually lasts? In the 53rd episode of the Scale You Podcast, Le-an sits down with Penn Camille Lat, Co-CEO and Founder of Virtua Solutions Outsourcing, a people-first outsourcing agency supporting startups and SaaS companies around the world. From cold calls to leading a 30+ person team, Penn shares her honest journey of going from freelance hustle to building a scalable agency rooted in systems, collaboration, and client trust. They talk about the mindset shift that helped her move from survival mode to intentional growth, the power of surrounding yourself with the right team, and why being a “nosy diva” is actually a superpower when you’re leading operations. If you’re thinking about making the leap from solo work to agency life or you’re already deep in it, this episode offers the behind the scenes perspective most founders don’t talk about. 🔥 Connect with Penny here: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/penn-camille-lat/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penn-camille-lat/] 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtua-solutions-outsourcing/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtua-solutions-outsourcing/] 👉 https://virtuasolutionsos.com/ [https://virtuasolutionsos.com/] Let's connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba] https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkdPbjVyWllWWFc5YnN6MHY4OFVzQ0NEYjNHZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTF9PTkZMM0VPLXM4aXZON0t6ZmlIbzdsNjN2cDV1VVpuR2d2dlEyT1hxNjJidWRFS3BtbTFkbzFMNnNyaFNvWi05dFBjMmpnMGxUYm1xeVpmSXB5Vi0tRExMMWdwNWpYTGtsamNJd3JjcTVMYnpFMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpc Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjM0QmJhTVVtZzBrNFk4TmluTFhxM3FHRTZwZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcTBESnhTdUI2cUFjWDRDU0hDdTlmSG9XbmF6WVZtUWJPdUFVc0tqMEwzLUtBMW9PSXVuUXpOSXpDVHltNk9keVhrSm5aQ1BEcDhOczBrZjlfdnFLX1p4UGY2Vjdwem5yUjFXU0NkSGg2cXZSM1hxdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpchttps://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba [https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba] Website: https://2xyou.com/ [https://2xyou.com/]

Episode 52: Starting An Agency At 23: How 2xYou Started As An Executive Assistant Agency

Kicking off 2026 with a brand-new season of the Scale You Podcast! 🚀 If you’ve been here from the first season until now that we’re on our fifth season, you probably know that we always start the first episode of each season with our Co-Founder of 2xYou, Le-an! Starting an agency at 23 isn’t something most people plan for — but for Le-an, it became the starting point of a fast-growing Executive Assistant agency built on systems, trust, and strategic support. In this episode, Le-an shares the real story behind how 2xYou started as an Executive Assistant agency, what the early days actually looked like, and the lessons she learned while building the agency from the ground up. From landing the first clients to moving from doing everything by herself to building systems and a team, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to start and grow an EA agency. Le-an talks honestly about the mistakes, mindset shifts, and decisions that shaped her — especially the shift from being “just a service provider” to thinking like an agency owner. If you’re someone considering starting an agency, a founder building a service-based business, or simply curious about how EA agencies really operate behind the scenes, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at the process. 🔥 In this episode, Le-an will cover:  🚀 how 2xYou started as an Executive Assistant agency  🧠 what starting an agency at 23 actually teaches you  🔁 the shift from service provider to agency owner  ⚙️ early challenges, systems, and scaling lessons  📈 building an EA agency with long-term growth in mind As you listen, notice where you’re still operating like a service provider instead of an owner — that’s often where growth quietly stalls. 😉 ▶️ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/NKeSwxl7jmQ [https://youtu.be/NKeSwxl7jmQ]  👉 Are you an agency owner ready to share your own story? DM us to apply as a guest! #scaleyoupodcast #EAagency #outsourcingbusiness #outsourcingagency #servicebusiness #remotebusiness #2xyou #leanlailacaba Let's connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.facebook.com/leanlailacaba] https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkdPbjVyWllWWFc5YnN6MHY4OFVzQ0NEYjNHZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTF9PTkZMM0VPLXM4aXZON0t6ZmlIbzdsNjN2cDV1VVpuR2d2dlEyT1hxNjJidWRFS3BtbTFkbzFMNnNyaFNvWi05dFBjMmpnMGxUYm1xeVpmSXB5Vi0tRExMMWdwNWpYTGtsamNJd3JjcTVMYnpFMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpc Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjM0QmJhTVVtZzBrNFk4TmluTFhxM3FHRTZwZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcTBESnhTdUI2cUFjWDRDU0hDdTlmSG9XbmF6WVZtUWJPdUFVc0tqMEwzLUtBMW9PSXVuUXpOSXpDVHltNk9keVhrSm5aQ1BEcDhOczBrZjlfdnFLX1p4UGY2Vjdwem5yUjFXU0NkSGg2cXZSM1hxdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleanlailacaba&v=SO54KlloNpchttps://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba [https://www.instagram.com/leanlailacaba] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanlailacaba] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba [https://www.tiktok.com/@leanlailacaba] Website: https://2xyou.com/ [https://2xyou.com/]