One of the most common plateaus for entrepreneurs is the "busy fool" stage—working 60+ hours a week for a business that was supposed to provide freedom. Lisa Schoneville, owner of a cleaning company and a property management firm, reached that point and decided to pivot toward true business ownership: creating an income that didn't rely on her physical presence.
Lisa’s scaling strategy rested on two pillars: Resilience and Staff Investment. She shares a deeply personal story about reaching her lowest point—exchanging jars of copper coins for £7 at the bank—which fueled her determination to create a life of choices for her children. By paying staff above minimum wage and providing comprehensive mental health support, she built a loyal, high-performing team that allowed her to step away from daily operations. This episode is essential reading for any leader looking to move from working in the business to working on it.
Note: During this episode, Dr Brenda mentions the ActionCOACH Foundation's "Smart Start" scheme for young entrepreneurs between ages 12–22—a great resource for families like Lisa's, where the next generation is ready to join the business
