In this episode, I break down six structural and human traps I’ve seen quietly kill businesses after studying over a thousand of them…and the fixes that prevent failure. First, I explain how founders become trapped by control because they never replace themselves in the roles they actually perform, and I share a method for documenting functions, setting targets, and hiring to duplicate yourself. Next, I cover hiring based on pressure instead of fit, why ignoring interview red flags destroys teams, and the standard I use after interviewing over 1,000 people and building a 350-person organization. I then outline how scaling fails without clear ownership of roles, responsibilities, and core metrics across marketing, sales, accounting, and fulfillment. I also warn against adding complexity and distractions after hitting $1M, show why numbers reveal the real problem you should solve, and explain why culture (built through expectations, onboarding, incentives, and coaching) determines whether you can scale past $10M.

In this episode, I break down six structural and human traps I&rsquo;ve seen quietly kill businesses after studying over a thousand of them&hellip;and the fixes that prevent failure. First, I explain how founders become trapped by control because they never replace themselves in the roles they actually perform, and I share a method for documenting functions, setting targets, and hiring to duplicate yourself. Next, I cover hiring based on pressure instead of fit, why ignoring interview red flags destroys teams, and the standard I use after interviewing over 1,000 people and building a 350-person organization. I then outline how scaling fails without clear ownership of roles, responsibilities, and core metrics across marketing, sales, accounting, and fulfillment. I also warn against adding complexity and distractions after hitting $1M, show why numbers reveal the real problem you should solve, and explain why culture (built through expectations, onboarding, incentives, and coaching) determines whether you can scale past $10M.

​​Welcome to Business &—the podcast for people making it all happen.

Running a successful business takes over your life, but there’s still room for the ‘ands’—the things that keep you sharp, confident, and ahead of the game. Because success isn’t just about what you build—it’s about how you show up.

I’ve helped business owners scale to nine figures, and on this podcast, I’m sharing what’s working—real strategies, data-driven insights, and the inside track on what’s next in business, health, wealth, beauty, and fashion.

If you’re here to grow, scale, and dominate in every room you walk into—you’re in the right place.

​​Welcome to Business &amp;&mdash;the podcast for people making it all happen.
Running a successful business takes over your life, but there&rsquo;s still room for the &lsquo;ands&rsquo;&mdash;the things that keep you sharp, confident, and ahead of the game. Because success isn&rsquo;t just about what you build&mdash;it&rsquo;s about how you show up.
I&rsquo;ve helped business owners scale to nine figures, and on this podcast, I&rsquo;m sharing what&rsquo;s working&mdash;real strategies, data-driven insights, and the inside track on what&rsquo;s next in business, health, wealth, beauty, and fashion.
If you&rsquo;re here to grow, scale, and dominate in every room you walk into&mdash;you&rsquo;re in the right place.

Business &...

Business &... with Natalie Dawson 

Business is Hard Until You Design it Like This

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a4ece68e-b4a1-42ab-92b3-a9de003cb339/clips/8398980d-47d8-44b0-823a-b42e011e28be/transcript