Don’t Dig in the Desert: How to Find Flow, Take Smart Risks, and Lead Like a CEO

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This Is Small Business

Amazon

146 episodes

5 days ago

Welcome to This Is Small Business, an Amazon podcast hosted by Andrea Marquez—where we talk about entrepreneurship the way it actually feels: exciting, chaotic, personal, and honestly… kind of life-changing. Follow along for unfiltered conversations with founders and creators as they open up about the wins worth celebrating, the messy middle nobody posts about, and the behind-the-scenes wisdom you won’t find in a textbook. If you’re dreaming, building, or just curious about how people actually make it happen—you’re in the right spot.

All content for This Is Small Business is the property of Amazon and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Don’t Dig in the Desert: How to Find Flow, Take Smart Risks, and Lead Like a CEO

This Is Small Business

29 minutes 24 seconds

5 months ago

Don’t Dig in the Desert: How to Find Flow, Take Smart Risks, and Lead Like a CEO

What if risk isn’t about jumping off a cliff — but learning how to build the bridge as you go? That’s exactly what Lauren Goldstein, the Founder and CEO of Golden Key Partnership, had to figure out after walking away from a decade in medicine with no backup plan.

Host Andrea Marquez explores how to take smaller, intentional risks that actually move you forward, how Lauren built a thriving business with no business background, and why letting go of control is essential for growth. Lauren also unpacks how redefining success helped her build a business that fits the life she actually wanted — instead of trapping her in one that didn’t.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin or unsure what your next move is — this episode will show you how to get unstuck and grow into the business (and life) you actually want.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(02:51) What makes someone walk away from their dream job after 10 years? Lauren shares the moment that changed everything.

(08:57) Can you build a business without knowing what you’re doing? Lauren opens up about learning on the fly, YouTubing her way through early client projects, and building confidence over time.

(11:00) What if the thing holding you back is actually your brain trying to “protect” you? Lauren explains how understanding the brain helps her reframe fear, spot self-sabotage, and take smarter risks.

(13:45) Can tiny habits really change the trajectory of your business? Lauren shares how “The Slight Edge” philosophy helped her build long-term momentum.

(18:31) How do you come back from failure and redefine success? Lauren helps founders reconnect to their deeper vision — and separate their worth from their business.

(24:06) Why do so many entrepreneurs stay stuck in businesses they’ve outgrown? Guilt, obligation, and fear of letting go — and how to move through them.

(25:27) What’s the smarter way to take risks without doing it alone? Lauren’s advice on finding flow, mentorship, and the right people to build with.

(28:10) What if you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop when things are going well? Lauren shares how she interrupts old patterns, rewires her mindset, and stays grounded in growth.