RUN LIKE CLOCKWORK: SMALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Ryan Koral, founder of Tell Studios, to tackle a common challenge among creative entrepreneurs — scaling without losing quality. If you've ever felt like you need to burn it all down and start over, this one’s for you!

 Here’s what we cover:
✅ How to simplify your business offerings without sacrificing quality
✅ The difference between premium vs. ready-to-wear product models
✅ Overcoming the mindset blocks that stop you from scaling
✅ The power of meeting clients where they are — without compromising your brand
✅ How to use strategic downsizing to unlock sustainable growth

Ryan opens up about the challenges of running a creative business for 20+ years and the internal conflict between delivering a “10/10” product and providing scalable, accessible solutions.

Adrienne and Emily help Ryan shift his mindset, focusing on how to provide exceptional value without overdelivering — and why simplifying can be the key to long-term success.

If you’re ready to simplify your business model, while still maintaining high value and client satisfaction, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Hit play and let’s get into it! 🔥

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Define Your “Ready-to-Wear” Offer – Just like luxury brands offer both high-end and accessible products, you can create scalable solutions without sacrificing quality.

2. Client Perception Matters More Than Your Own Standard – Your 5/10 might be a 10/10 for your client. Focus on the result, not perfection.

3. Simplification Leads to Scalability – Streamlining your offerings can help you serve more clients without increasing your workload.

4. Measure Success by Results, Not Perfection – If your work drives client results, it’s a win — even if it’s not “perfect” in your eyes.

5. Use Downsizing as an Opportunity – Losing team members or simplifying your offerings isn’t a setback — it’s a chance to create a leaner, more effective business model.

Chapters:

01:52 – Feeling Like Burning It All Down – Why business owners feel like starting over
03:11 – Scaling vs. Simplifying – How to make your business more scalable
05:25 – Client Perception vs. Reality – Understanding what clients actually care about
13:28 – “Runway vs. Ready-to-Wear” Model – Why offering different tiers can drive growth
18:34 – Pricing and Positioning – How to communicate the value of different offers
24:44 – Creative Constraints – How to thrive with limited resources
29:44 – Mindset Shifts – Overcoming the fear of simplifying
34:38 – Sustainable Business Growth – Why less can be more
36:11 – Long-Term Success – Building a business model that supports future growth
39:30 – Take Action – Ryan’s next steps to simplify and scale

Links Mentioned:

🔗 Grab Ryans free resource to make your video marketing easier: tellstudios.com/easy
🔗 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: Ryan Koral

Connect with Adrienne: @adriennedorison
Learn more about Run Like Clockwork: www.runlikeclockwork.com

In this episode, Adrienne and Emily unpack their biggest takeaways from the conversation with Denise Duffield-Thomas and discuss how to the Clockwork business and their own personal growth.

Denise built a $5M business with a lean, part-time team by staying focused on one core offer and simplifying her operations — and Adrienne and Emily reflect on how that same principle applies to Clockwork and the challenges they’ve faced while scaling.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why trying to launch too many offers creates chaos
✅ How staying focused on one offer creates consistent growth
✅ Why mindset shifts around success and simplicity are essential
✅ How to avoid the trap of thinking you’ve saturated the market (you haven’t!)
✅ The importance of finding fulfillment outside of your business

They also reflect on the challenges of navigating business growth, why it’s easy to feel stuck when things feel hard, and how to use creative energy without overcomplicating the business model.

 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or scattered in your business, this is the episode you need to reset and refocus.

🔑 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Lean Growth is Possible – Denise built a multimillion-dollar business with a small team by staying focused on her core offer.

2. Focus on One Offer – Scaling happens more easily when you focus on improving and selling what’s already working.

3. Stop Adding to Fix a Problem – The urge to create new offers usually comes from feeling like something isn’t working — but it’s usually a messaging or marketing problem, not a product problem.

4. Seasons Matter – Your business will have different seasons — understanding and respecting them creates longevity.

5. Set Personal Goals – Achievements outside of work create balance and prevent burnout.

⏰ Chapters:

01:24 – Why Denise’s business model works so well
04:50 – The power of staying focused on one offer
06:46 – Why simplifying creates more growth, not less
10:42 – The trap of thinking you’ve saturated the market
14:44 – How to create fulfillment outside of work
18:31 – How creative energy can either fuel or complicate your business
22:34 – Finding the right balance between growth and simplicity
29:44 – Lessons from running a lean, profitable business

📲 Links & Resources:

Connect with Denise: denisedt.com
Follow Denise on Instagram: @denisedt
Listen to Denise’s episode: ADD LINK
Connect with Adrienne: @adriennedorison
Learn more about Run Like Clockwork: www.runlikeclockwork.com

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with best-selling author Denise Duffield-Thomas to explore how she and her husband built a $5M business with a small, part-time team — and how they’ve structured their lives to work less without sacrificing income or success.

Denise opened up about the strategies and mindset shifts that allowed her to create a thriving business while maintaining balance and freedom. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business without overloading your schedule, this one’s for you!

 Here’s what we cover:
✅ How Denise built a $5M business with a part-time team
✅ Why focusing on one core offer creates more growth (not less)
✅ The mindset shift around seasons of business and life
✅ Why building assets outside the business creates freedom
✅ How to avoid the trap of constantly launching new offers

Adrienne and Emily also dig into:
👉 The power of simplifying your business model
👉 How Denise maintained revenue while stepping back from the business
👉 Why saying "no" is crucial for sustainable success
👉 The importance of having personal goals and wins outside of work
👉 Why perfectionism and identity shifts are holding you back

If you’re ready to scale your business without working more, this episode will give you the inspiration and tactical advice you need. Hit play and get ready to simplify and grow! 🔥

🔑 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Lean Growth is Possible – Denise built a multimillion-dollar business with a small team by staying focused on her core offer.

2. Focus on One Offer – Scaling happens more easily when you focus on improving and selling what’s already working.

3. Seasons Matter – Your business (and life) will have different seasons — understanding and respecting them creates longevity.

4. Build Outside the Business – Investing in assets and real estate created more financial freedom for Denise's family.

5. Set Personal Goals – Achievements like winning a ballet trophy or succeeding at cross-stitch can give you fulfillment beyond business success.

📚 Check Out Denise’s Book:

Denise is the author of Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!, and Chillpreneur — must-reads for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to break through money blocks and grow their wealth.
👉 Grab your copy here: https://www.denisedt.com/books

⏰ Chapters:

01:24 – How Denise built a $5M business with a lean team
04:50 – The decision to keep the team small and efficient
06:46 – Why staying focused on one core offer creates more growth
10:42 – Understanding seasons of business and life
14:44 – Personal wins and why hobbies matter
18:31 – The freedom that comes from building assets outside the business
22:34 – Overcoming identity shifts and perfectionism
29:44 – How Denise simplified her business model
34:38 – Saying "no" to protect personal time and energy
39:30 – Lessons from taking a sabbatical

📲 Links & Resources:

👉 Connect with Denise: denisedt.com
👉 Follow Denise on Instagram: @denisedt

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In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on their recent coaching session with Beth Carter, The Badass Bookkeeper. Beth shared how she struggles to step out of the doing in her business — even with a team of 10 and a seven-figure business.

Adrienne and Emily dive deeper into the root of this challenge, unpacking the Four D’s (Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing) and how understanding them can help business owners break free from the day-to-day grind.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ The Four D’s – Why knowing the difference between Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing is key to business growth
✅ Why deciding for your team isn’t delegation (and how to fix it)
✅ How to empower your team to make decisions without you
✅ Why short-term profitability can limit long-term scalability
✅ How to balance stepping in during emergencies versus taking on too much

Plus, Adrienne and Emily share strategies to help business owners invest in their teams, strengthen employee retention, and increase long-term profitability.

Let’s get into it! 🔥

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Master the Four D’s – Understanding the difference between Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing is key to growing your business. You should be aiming to spend more time in Designing and Delegating as the CEO.

2. Deciding vs. Delegating – If your team constantly needs your input to move forward, you’re still deciding — not delegating. The goal is to empower them to handle it independently.

3. Invest in Your Team – Investing in team training and development strengthens relationships and improves retention — reducing lost productivity from turnover.

4. Hiring Timing is Crucial – Hiring too late causes burnout and lost revenue, but hiring too early drains profitability. Finding the balance is key.

5. Short-Term Profit vs. Long-Term Growth – Focusing only on short-term profitability limits scalability. Shifting into design and delegation mode is essential for long-term success.

Chapters:

00:01 – Introduction – Recap of Beth Carter’s coaching session and why getting out of the doing is so difficult
01:25 – The Four D’s Explained – Doing, Deciding, Delegating, and Designing – and how they apply to business growth
02:39 – The Problem with Deciding – Why answering questions for your team isn’t the same as empowering them
04:46 – Strategic Delegation – How to shift from deciding to delegating
07:44 – Why Design Time Matters – How high-level planning and strategy drive long-term business growth
08:18 – Investing in Your Team – How training and mentorship reduce turnover and increase efficiency
09:54 – Why You Might Not Be the Best Mentor – When to seek external training or support for your team
12:30 – When to Step In vs. Let Go – How to balance short-term help with long-term autonomy
15:40 – Hiring at the Right Time – Why hiring too late is more dangerous than hiring too early
16:24 – Next Steps and Takeaways – How business owners can apply these strategies to their business

Relevant Links:

🔗 Clockwork Book – Read the Clockwork book for a deeper dive into the Four D’s.
🔗 COO Training Program – Learn how to train your team to handle operations independently.

 Listen to Beth's Episode
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In this coaching episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Beth Carter, the "Badass Bookkeeper" and owner of BBA Bookkeeping, to tackle a challenge many business owners face — getting stuck in the doing.

Beth shares how, even with a team of 10 and a seven-figure business, she still finds herself pulled back into production work, limiting her ability to grow and scale.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why business owners struggle to stop doing the work themselves
✅ How to identify inefficiencies in your team and processes
✅ When to hire versus when to improve internal capacity
✅ Balancing profitability with growth — without losing control
✅ The power of process mapping to increase efficiency and autonomy

Plus, Adrienne and Emily share strategies to help Beth streamline her business, empower her team, and reclaim her time for high-value CEO-level work.

If you’re ready to stop doing it all yourself and unlock the next stage of business growth, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can start using today. Hit play, and let’s get into it! 🔥

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Stop Getting Pulled Into the Doing – If you keep getting pulled back into production work, it’s a sign of a capacity or efficiency problem — not a staffing problem.

2. Process Mapping is Key – Mapping your client workflow step-by-step will help you identify inefficiencies and eliminate wasted time.

3. Short-Term vs. Long-Term Thinking – Profitability might look better when you’re doing the work yourself, but long-term growth requires strategic delegation and scaling.

4. Team Training Increases Capacity – Investing time in mentoring and training your team will pay off in efficiency and long-term profit growth.

5. Redefine Your CEO Role – Your highest value work is in business development, not production. Protect your time for high-impact activities.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Beth Carter – Meet Beth, owner of BBA Bookkeeping, and hear about her current business challenge.
02:07 – The Struggle of Getting Pulled Back Into Doing – Why business owners struggle to let go of production work.
04:46 – Identifying the Root Cause – When staffing issues are actually efficiency issues.
06:40 – Capacity Planning and Time Tracking – How to measure workload and spot gaps.
08:39 – Short-Term Profit vs. Long-Term Growth – How to balance profitability with scalability.
12:06 – The Power of Process Mapping – How to visually map out your processes to spot inefficiencies.
16:42 – Reducing Waiting Time and Handoff Delays – Why reducing wait times increases profitability.
18:52 – Increasing Team Autonomy – How to empower your team to handle more work independently.
21:53 – Mentorship vs. Correction – Why mentoring your team creates long-term value.
27:24 – Takeaways and Next Steps – Beth’s key insights and how she plans to implement them.

🔗 Camp Clockwork – Join Adrienne, Emily, and Beth at Camp Clockwork in 2025!
🔗 Clockwork Time Tracking Template – Start tracking your time to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

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Want to be a guest for season 2? Just fill in this form!

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on a recent coaching session with Leslie Liondas, breaking down how to identify and fix the four core business bottlenecks — Attract, Convert, Delivery, and Cash Flow.

If you’ve been struggling to figure out why your business isn’t growing the way you want, this episode will help you diagnose the problem and create a plan to solve it.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ How to identify which bottleneck is holding your business back
✅ The four core business bottlenecks and how they work together
✅ Why cash flow issues can block other fixes — and how to work around it
✅ When to focus on attraction, conversion, or delivery
✅ How to balance short-term cash flow with long-term business growth

Plus, Adrienne and Emily share real-world examples and actionable strategies to help you streamline your business operations and drive sustainable growth.

If you’re ready to unlock the next level of growth in your business, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can start using today. Hit play and let’s get into it! 🔥

Listen to Leslie’s episode here.

Connect with us here:
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Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Identify the Right Bottleneck – Fixing the wrong problem wastes time and resources. Pinpointing whether you have an Attract, Convert, Delivery, or Cash Flow bottleneck is key to business growth.

2. Solve One Bottleneck at a Time – Trying to fix multiple bottlenecks at once leads to inefficiency and stalled progress. Focus on one area until you see improvement.

3. Cash Flow Challenges Are Common – Running out of cash to fix other problems is a frequent issue. Get creative and resourceful to improve cash flow without overextending.

4. Conversion vs. Attraction Confusion – A high conversion rate with low leads means you need more traffic. A low conversion rate means you need better sales systems.

5. Don't Waste Resources on the Wrong Fix – Focus on the bottleneck that's holding back growth — improving sales scripts when your problem is lead flow won’t fix the real issue.

Chapters:

01:05 – Introduction to Leslie’s Coaching Session – Overview of Leslie’s business and why diagnosing bottlenecks matters
02:28 – The Four Bottlenecks – Overview of Attract, Convert, Delivery, and Cash Flow
04:35 – Why Cash Flow is a Common Problem – How cash flow limits the ability to solve other issues
06:10 – Diagnosing a Bottleneck – How to identify which bottleneck is blocking growth
09:28 – High Conversion, Low Leads – Why more traffic is sometimes the solution
12:06 – Increasing Capacity for Delivery – Why you need to solve delivery issues before growing your customer base
14:59 – Improving Efficiency with Current Resources – How automation and better systems can solve cash flow issues
16:46 – Focusing on the Right Fix – How to avoid distractions and focus on solving the correct bottleneck
18:52 – Testing and Iterating – Why quick wins and MVP approaches are key in early-stage businesses
20:30 – Balancing Growth and Stability – How to maintain stability while increasing business capacity

In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle dive deep with Leslie Liondas to tackle a major challenge in her coaching business — the attract bottleneck. If you’ve ever struggled to bring in the right leads, this one’s for you!

Here’s what we cover:
✅ How to generate consistent, high-quality leads
✅ Refining your messaging so it actually converts
✅ The power of effective opt-ins (and why your freebie might not be working)

We also get into the nitty-gritty of webinars — how to make them engaging, convert more attendees, and even use AI to streamline your content creation. Plus, Adrienne and Emily break down:
👉 The balance between organic and paid traffic (and why you need both)
👉 Why building trust is non-negotiable in the coaching world
👉 How to maximize your social media presence without burning out
👉 The key to understanding what your clients really need

If you’re ready to unlock the next level of growth in your coaching business, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can start using today. Hit play, and let’s get into it! 🔥

Connect with Leslie here:
https://nexpathcoaching.com/home
https://liondascpa.com/

Connect with us here:
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RLC IG
Learn more about Fractional COO here
Submit to be a guest here

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Identify the Right Bottleneck – Fixing the wrong problem wastes time and resources. Pinpointing the actual bottleneck is key to business growth.

2. Focus on One Platform – Going all-in on one platform (like Facebook) can drive better results than spreading yourself too thin.

3. Proven Organic Success First – Don’t invest in Facebook ads until you’ve seen consistent success with organic traffic.

4. Create Effective Opt-Ins – A strong opt-in can grow your email list and nurture leads more effectively.

5. Understanding Client Needs – Listening to client pain points helps you create targeted solutions and increase conversions.

Chapters
01:52 – Identifying the Attract Bottleneck – Pinpointing the true bottleneck is essential for fixing the right problem and driving growth.
03:11 – Strategies for Attracting Leads – Proven methods for generating consistent, high-quality leads.
05:25 – Evaluating Current Messaging and Results – How to refine your messaging to improve lead generation and conversion.
13:28 – Creating Effective Opt-Ins – Building opt-ins that grow your email list and nurture leads.
18:34 – Utilizing AI for Content Creation – How AI can simplify content creation and repurposing.
24:44 – Webinar Planning and Engagement Strategies – Designing webinars to increase attendance and drive action.
29:44 – Organic vs Paid Traffic – Finding the right balance between organic reach and paid ads.
34:38 – Maximizing Social Media Presence – Strategies to increase engagement and visibility without burnout.
36:11 – Building Trust in the Coaching Industry – Why trust is essential for client relationships and business growth.
39:30 – Understanding Client Needs – Listening to client pain points to create targeted, effective solutions.

In the very first episode of CEO Help Desk, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle introduce the fresh new format designed to serve overwhelmed small business owners—just like you.

Here’s the deal:
Each week, you'll hear a real business owner walk through a specific operational or leadership challenge on air with Adrienne and Emily. Then in the following episode, your co-hosts debrief and go even deeper with ideas, context, and strategies to help you apply the same lessons to your own business.

Whether you're looking to delegate more, streamline operations, or step out of the day-to-day, CEO Help Desk is your go-to coaching corner.

What to Expect:
✅ Coaching episodes with business owners in the $500K–$5M revenue range
✅ Honest, strategic conversations (with a healthy dose of humor)
✅ Tangible takeaways from every challenge we tackle
✅ Behind-the-scenes insight in our debrief episodes
✅ Opportunities to submit your own business challenge for a future episode

Think of it as part Run Like Clockwork, part Dear Work Wives — with a side of “passion for yapping,” as Emily says.

If you're ready to grow a more sustainable, scalable business without being glued to your Slack channel 24/7, hit subscribe and let’s dive in!

And if you want to be a guest, fill in this form!

Play is transformative. 

And it's essential for our personal and professional growth that we take regular breaks to play.

I know from personal experience that when I incorporated more play and whitespace into my life, my business increased exponentially. 

I had more “million dollar” ideas, bigger business growth, came up with better strategies, strengthened my relationships, and found a deeper connection with myself.

On today's episode of the Run Like Clockwork podcast, I'm joined by Shannon Claire, an international branding photographer who has worked with entrepreneurs all over the globe, creating unforgettable brands and marketing campaigns that *actually* get attention.

We discuss:

• how playfulness fosters creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.

• the misconception that constant work will lead to success

• why breaks are essential for sustainable growth

• why capturing transformational experiences makes for the best photos

PLUS, we announce that Shannon will be offering a limited number of mini-branding shoots while at camp!