In this episode of From Scrappy to Scalable, we dive deep into what holds women business owners back from breaking past the $1M revenue mark—and what it really takes to scale a small business into a high-performing, sustainable company. We explore why only 2.7% of women-owned businesses reach seven figures, the hidden cost of underpricing your services, how to identify your ideal client, and the essential systems every business needs to grow. You’ll learn how successful founders step out of the day-to-day grind, build an exit-ready business, and use AI and automation to increase productivity without losing the human touch. If you’re a woman entrepreneur, small business owner, or partnership-led founder looking to scale, this conversation delivers mindset shifts, growth frameworks, pricing clarity, leadership insights, and practical strategies to help you grow like a CEO—not just a service provider. ⭐ Guests: Athena Advisory Collective 🌐 Website: https://athenaac.com 🔗 LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/athena-advisory-collective/    

If you’re trying to figure out how to scale your business without destroying your culture, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Felipe Crook (co-founder of Caldor Dynamics) sits down with Randy Pennington, a Dallas-based author, speaker, and advisor who has spent decades helping organizations navigate change, build accountability, and create cultures that actually win.   Randy breaks down: --Why you must go from scrappy → sustainable → scalable --The 6 non-negotiables every business needs to grow --Why culture always wins (and why most founders abandon it first) --How to use habits, systems, and metrics to shape your culture --The real reasons people and companies actually change --What “the whole package” leader looks like—and how rare they are --If you’re a founder, CEO, or leader who wants to scale and leave a lasting impact, this episode is basically a playbook.   🎯 What You’ll Learn --How to know if your business is truly sustainable before you try to scale --The difference between activity, results, and perceptions (and what to measure) --Why crisis pushes change and opportunity pulls change --How to get stubborn leaders to care about culture and people --The three traits Randy’s research found in exceptional leaders --How to become the kind of leader who still influences people when you’re not in the room 🌐 Website: https://www.penningtongroup.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randygpennington/ 📄 Download the “Whole Package” leadership research & whitepaper: Visit PenningtonGroup.com and click “Learn more about The Whole Package.”   #BusinessLeadership #CompanyCulture #ScalingBusiness #OrganizationalChange #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #TeamPerformance #WorkplaceCulture #HighPerformanceLeadership #ChangeManagement #BusinessStrategy #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipSkills #BusinessSuccess #GrowYourBusiness #SustainableGrowth #FounderTips #CultureWins #leadershipmatters

You started a nonprofit to change lives, not to stay up at night worrying about payroll, the IRS, and HR fires. 😅 In this episode of Scrappy to Scalable, host Felipe Crook sits down with Janneh Wright, Founder & CEO of Primus Business Management, who has spent over 23 years helping nonprofits and community-driven organizations build real businesses that last. Janneh shares how 9/11 unexpectedly pushed him into entrepreneurship, why he chose to serve nonprofits and BIPOC communities, and how his 3C Framework — Compliance, Culture, Consistency — keeps organizations alive well past the typical 3–5 year “curse.” If you’re a nonprofit leader, founder, or community-driven small business owner, this conversation will help you think differently about money, people, structure, and even how to use AI without losing your mission. Janneh Wright is the Founder & CEO of Primus Business Management, a firm that delivers full-service accounting, HR, and operations support to nonprofits and small businesses. For decades, he’s been focused on economic empowerment in Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, helping mission-driven organizations survive, stabilize, and scale using his 3C Framework: Compliance, Culture & Consistency. 🌐 Website: primusco.com 📧 Email: jwright@primusco.com

In this episode, Felipe Crook sits down with Russell Disberger — CEO of Aspen Business Group and a consultant who has helped over 4,000 executives, founders, and organizations across 30+ years. If you’ve ever wondered why companies really fail, how to scale without chaos, or how to build teams that don’t fall apart, this conversation is a goldmine. Russell reveals: *Why people—not technology—determine whether your business grows or dies *The behavioral assessment tool that’s 96% accurate *How leaders self-sabotage (and don’t even know it) *Why AI is a skill multiplier, not a job killer *The exact moment companies should pivot *What founders MUST understand to survive changing markets Whether you're a founder, leader, or consultant, this is a masterclass in scaling, leadership psychology, team building, and strategic thinking. ⭐ Guest: Russell Disberger, CEO, Aspen Business Group 🌐 Website: aspenbusiness.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelldisberger/

“In this episode, Felipe Crook talks with Jeffrey Strauss, Director of IT and Workplace Operations at Docker, the world’s #1 developer platform used by millions of engineers. Jeff shares leadership lessons from his time at Netflix, Twitter, Snapchat, and Tinder, and how he bridges the gap between technology and humanity in the workplace. They dive deep into the future of AI, change management, and what it takes to build psychologically safe, high-performing teams in today’s fast-changing world. 🌐 Website: www.jeffstrauss.net/ 📧 Connect with Jeff: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffstrauss/

What really drives scale? Serial entrepreneur Robert Manasier shares why growth isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about people, systems, and brutal honesty. In this episode, we explore how Robert has built companies across industries and continents by leading with purpose, testing assumptions against the market, and building systems from day one. You’ll learn the key difference between growth and scale, why “training is R&D,” how to align sales and marketing, and where AI helps—or hurts—execution. If you’re a founder or SMB leader ready to streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks, and create a people-first culture that scales, this conversation is your playbook. Caldor Dynamics helps small and midsize businesses grow through lead generation, content marketing, and human-centered AI. Learn more at www.CaldorDynamics.com 

What can small and midsize business leaders learn from Silicon Valley’s greatest success stories? In this episode, Caldor Dynamics co-founder Felipe Crook talks with Jennifer Selby Long, founder of Selby Group, who has coached executive teams at Cisco, LinkedIn, Airbnb, Mozilla, and Ciena. Jennifer shares how founders can shift from “doers” to “leaders,” build sales confidence, and navigate the growing pains that every scaling business faces. She also reveals why culture breaks every time your company triples—and how to rebuild stronger each time. If you’re a founder or leader looking to scale sustainably, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways you can use today. Caldor Dynamics helps small and midsize businesses grow by combining lead generation, content marketing, and human-centered AI solutions that scale with them. 👉 Learn more at www.CaldorDynamics.com    

What happens if we fail to govern AI responsibly in the next 24 months? Will it be profits, people, or public trust that collapse first? In this powerful episode, Felipe Crook sits down with Nikki Mehrpoo, a globally recognized leader in AI governance and responsible AI. From her career as a litigator, judge, and educator to creating the EEE AI Governance Protocol, Nikki has dedicated her work to protecting professionals, their licenses, and the people they serve. She explains why “govern before you automate” must be every leader’s mantra, how hidden AI is already in your workflow, and why human intelligence (HI) must always stay in the driver’s seat. If your organization is using AI—or even thinking about it—this conversation is a must-listen. Caldor Dynamics helps SMBs grow by combining lead generation, content marketing, and human-centered AI solutions that scale. 👉 Learn more: www.CaldorDynamics.com  

How do you move past self-doubt and imposter syndrome to unlock your true potential? In this episode, Felipe Crook speaks with Michele Delgado, founder of Hartmetrics, who coaches leaders, solopreneurs, and professionals through the roadblocks that hold them back. Michele shares how she transitioned from a long career in travel and hospitality to building her own coaching business during the pandemic. She dives into her coaching philosophy—listening between the lines, uncovering limiting beliefs, and guiding clients toward clarity and growth. From the importance of “mourning change” to reframing imposter syndrome as a manageable behavior, Michele delivers actionable insights that every entrepreneur and leader can apply today. Caldor Dynamics helps SMBs grow by combining lead generation, content marketing, and human-centered AI solutions that scale with them. 👉 Learn more: www.CaldorDynamics.com

What if you could save 15+ hours a week with automation? In this episode, Felipe Crook interviews Archer Lawrence, CEO of Loophole Automation, a company that helps event businesses and SMBs streamline operations by tackling repetitive, boring tasks. Archer shares how his background in the events industry inspired Loophole Automation’s mission: eliminate bottlenecks, speed up proposals, and free business owners to focus on what they love. From onboarding workflows to AI-assisted tools, Archer explains how automation can unlock time, reduce stress, and drive scalable growth. You’ll also hear why client experience matters more than “on time and on budget”, and how Loophole builds long-term partnerships that evolve with clients’ needs. Caldor Dynamics helps SMBs grow by combining lead generation, content marketing, and human-centered AI solutions that scale with them. 👉 Learn more: www.CaldorDynamics.com

What does it take to launch safe, compliant products in today’s market? In this episode, Felipe Crook sits down with Rachael Shagott, founder of Best Practice Quality, who brings over 40 years of experience in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and product safety. Rachael shares how she helps startups and global brands navigate complex regulations, manage recalls, and design safer products from day one. From risk assessments on cocktail napkins to preparing for the coming CPSC e-filing deadline, she explains why early compliance planning saves time, money, and reputation. Caldor Dynamics helps small and midsize businesses grow by combining lead generation, content marketing, and human-centered AI solutions that scale with them. 👉 Learn more: www.CaldorDynamics.com

Stephanie Warlick of 5FT View shares how fractional leadership & AI help businesses scale smarter | Scrappy to Scalable