Ep 123: Flexible Growth Secrets Most Business Owners Learn Too Late with Renee Francis

Most business owners don’t hit a ceiling because they lack drive, they hit it because the old playbook no longer works.

In this episode, Renee Francis, founder of The Bubble Co. and Take3, shares her brutally honest journey from a dining table startup to running two agencies across different time zones. We break down how to get rid of rigid old systems, build a team that actually wants to be there, and why your biggest mistakes are your best business mentors if you let them be. Plus, Renee drops some truth bombs about leadership, resilience, hiring disasters (and how to fix them), and the real reason your business needs a network that's smarter than you are.

You’ll learn how to lead without micromanaging, hire without regret, and grow without clinging to outdated systems. Renee shares hard-won lessons CEOs often learn too late, including the one mindset shift that could change how you lead forever..

In this episode of Stories of Scale with Jonathan Herps, you’ll discover:

• Turning corporate frustration into a flexible business that scales without the 9-5 trap (01:22)
• Managing time, energy, and two businesses without losing your edge (06:40)
• CEO mindset mantras to survive the chaos and lead with calm (16:37)
• The hidden leadership trap that destroys team trust (20:13)
• Tools and resources that actually move the needle (23:17)
• The value of staying in the game even when business gets hard (26:44)

Key takeaways for CEOs and business owners:

• Your business model should fit your life, not the other way around. You can design flexible, scalable systems that support your real lifestyle goals.
• The best growth lessons come from your worst mistakes — if you let them. Failures aren't signs to quit. They're crash courses in what your business truly needs.
• Leadership isn't about stepping back. It's about stepping up with your team. True leaders don’t abdicate responsibility. They communicate clearly, lead visibly, and take ownership whether things go right or wrong.
• Progress over perfection. The CEOs who win are the ones who keep moving, adjusting, and staying in the game when others tap out.

This episode will challenge how you think about leadership, growth, and success, and leave you with real strategies you can start using right now. 

CONNECT WITH JONATHAN HERPS

Website: www.scaleupgrowth.co

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanherps

Facebook: www.facebook.com/scaleupgrowth

Instagram: www.instagram.com/scaleupgrowth

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@scaleupgrowth

Email: [email protected]

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