RUN LIKE CLOCKWORK: SMALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

After coaching Lisa Whitehouse on her team and scaling challenges, Adrienne and Emily are back to debrief the conversation — and get honest about how fear, beliefs, and untested assumptions shape our most critical business decisions.

If you’ve ever delayed a hire, undercharged for your work, or jumped back into client delivery because “it’s just easier,” this debrief is a must-listen.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why journaling and mindset work alone won’t help you scale
✅ The numbers that make hiring decisions feel safer
✅ How to calculate your onboarding runway + caseload breakeven
✅ The belief that “I must work hard to make money” — and why it lingers
✅ Building a business that doesn’t need you (and why that’s hard)

Adrienne and Emily share what Lisa’s episode revealed about the unspoken rules so many founders still follow — and why building a self-sufficient team starts with building a belief system that supports growth.

👉 If you want to stop getting pulled back into the work and start leading with clarity, this is your episode.

Top 5 Takeaways:

Beliefs Drive Behavior – If your subconscious says growth = danger, no strategy will override it.
Track Onboarding Timelines – Knowing when a hire becomes profitable gives you confidence to scale.
Budget for Training – Create a team training account, just like you would for marketing or software.
DIY Is a Trap – Re-inserting yourself into the work feels helpful… until it kills momentum.
Leadership Starts with Choice – You can run a solo business or build a team — just don’t complain about the trade-offs.

Chapters

00:56 – Adrienne’s take: mindset as the true bottleneck
02:10 – Emily’s POV: mindset without numbers won’t cut it
04:20 – How long does it take a new hire to become profitable?
07:15 – Why you must budget for the training runway
10:02 – “Scrappy” doesn’t scale: why scrappiness isn’t strategy
12:58 – Adrienne’s own growth edge: wanting things done yesterday
16:33 – Trade-offs: fast results vs. long-term freedom
20:20 – Resentment happens when you say yes to too much
23:00 – Letting go isn’t just tactical—it’s emotional
27:50 – Choosing your hard: reframe vs. repeat

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Just fill in this form now!

In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Lisa Whitehouse, founder of Clever Vine — a UK-based outsourced business development agency — to unpack the mental and operational roadblocks keeping her from hiring and scaling with confidence.

If you’ve ever second-guessed whether it’s safe to grow your team, this one’s for you.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ What “team trauma” looks like — and how it lingers in your decision-making
✅ Why Lisa keeps jumping back into client work (and what it’s costing her)
✅ The challenge of hiring for soft skills and high performance
✅ How to create capacity before you need it
✅ Navigating the tension between small clients and large contracts

Lisa shares how a past business failure still shapes her thinking — and how that fear shows up in her leadership today. Plus, Adrienne and Emily break down:
- The mindset shifts required to grow sustainably
- How to set up hiring systems that feel safer
- Why pricing must reflect skill (not just service)

If you’re a service-based business owner trying to scale your team without losing quality or control, this episode will help you lead with clarity instead of fear.

🔥 Hit play and let’s get into it!

Top 5 Takeaways:

Fear Isn’t Strategy – Past business trauma can silently shape present-day decisions. Unpack it or risk staying stuck.
Hire Ahead of Demand – Build the bench before you need it. Otherwise, you’ll always be catching up.
Let Go to Grow – Just because you can jump in doesn’t mean you should. Founder fill-ins cost more than they save.
Profit Needs Pricing Power – If your service is high-touch and human-led, your pricing should reflect that.
Don’t Just Attract Talent—Train It – A clear onboarding timeline builds trust (and saves money).

Chapters

01:10 – Meet Lisa: What Clever Vine does and who they serve
03:42 – The challenge: balancing demand with capacity
06:58 – Why past team layoffs still shape Lisa’s fear
10:24 – Jumping back in: the hidden cost of being the fallback
14:08 – Improving onboarding speed with better hiring clarity
17:02 – Balancing a values-driven culture with performance goals
19:50 – Creating team diversity across big and small clients
22:20 – Why pricing must match value in a human-led business
25:12 – Facing the fear: journaling, self-awareness, and belief work
31:00 – Lisa’s biggest takeaway + next step

Connect with Lisa:

👉 Website: https://www.clevervine.co.uk

In this debrief session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle break down the key takeaways from their conversation with Robert Gauvreau about managing a fast-growing team and handling the challenges of an acquisition.

If you’ve ever faced pushback from your team during a big change, this episode is for you!

Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why resistance to change is normal — and how to work through it
✅ How to create user manuals to improve team communication
✅ Why you need to frame change around the benefits to your team
✅ How to present new systems in a way that creates buy-in
✅ When saving money isn’t worth the team morale hit

Adrienne and Emily share personal stories about how small changes (like switching a software system) can have a big impact on team morale — and why it’s essential to lead with the “what’s in it for them” approach when introducing change.

Missed the conversation with Robert? Click here to listen to the full episode

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Resistance is Normal – Every team has at least one person who will push back on change. Expect it and plan for it.

2. Create User Manuals – User manuals help team members understand how to work better together and reduce conflict.

3. Frame the Benefit to the Team – Don’t present change as something that helps you — explain how it benefits them.

4. Change Takes Time – Rushing through change increases friction and reduces trust.

5. Sometimes It’s Not Worth It – A small financial gain isn’t worth a big hit to team morale and efficiency.

Chapters

00:28 – Robert’s Acquisition Challenge – Why managing change is so hard.
02:23 – Resistance to Change – Why teams push back — and how to handle it.
04:41 – Why User Manuals Matter – How to improve communication and reduce conflict.
07:33 – Presenting Change – How to frame change around benefits to the team.
11:49 – Lessons from the Clockwork Book – Why the second edition focuses more on team benefits.
14:40 – Practical Next Steps – How to create a user manual that works for your team.

User Manual Template:

👉 Need help creating a user manual for your team? Grab our free template here!

Want to Clockwork your own business, too? www.runlikeclockwork.com
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In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with Robert Gauvreau, CEO of Gauvreau CPA, to tackle a major challenge — navigating a fast-growing team and a recent acquisition. 

If you’ve ever struggled with managing change, integrating new teams, or setting clear expectations, this one’s for you!

Here’s what we cover:
✅ How to lead through acquisitions without creating friction
✅ The power of curiosity in change management
✅ Building trust with a newly acquired team
✅ Why user manuals are the key to working better together
✅ How to clarify roles and KPIs for better performance

Robert shares how his company grew from 18 employees to over 180 in just a few years — and the lessons learned along the way. 

Plus, Adrienne and Emily break down:
👉 How to approach a team integration without overwhelming them
👉 The importance of clear expectations and performance outcomes
👉 Why understanding individual work styles increases team cohesion

If you’re navigating growth and want to avoid common integration mistakes, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Hit play and let’s get into it! 🔥

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Lead with Curiosity – Approach change with curiosity rather than assumptions. Trust your team’s knowledge and listen to their insights.

2. Establish User Manuals – Creating personal user manuals helps team members understand how to work together more effectively.

3. Slow and Steady Wins – When managing an acquisition, avoid rushing changes. Build trust first before implementing new systems.

4. Clarify KPIs and Roles – Employees perform better when they know exactly what’s expected of them.

5. Adapt and Learn – Even with a successful team, there’s always room to learn from new additions and different systems.

Chapters

01:24 – Robert’s Business Background – How Robert built his CPA firm from 18 to 180 employees.
04:20 – Managing a New Acquisition – Robert’s challenge of integrating a newly acquired team.
07:43 – The Importance of Curiosity in Leadership – Why listening first builds trust and reduces friction.
11:56 – Creating a User Manual – How user manuals improve team communication and understanding.
18:36 – Setting Clear Expectations – How to define KPIs and roles to improve performance.
25:21 – Learning from Change – Why cross-learning is key in mergers and acquisitions.

Connect with Robert:

👉 Website: https://www.gauvreaucpa.ca
👉 Social Media: @gauvreaucpa
👉 Robert’s Personal Handle: @robertgauvreau

In this follow-up episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on last week's conversation with Danielle Cherewyk. Danielle shared how she solved one business challenge — needing more stylists — by purchasing a hair school. But with every solution comes a new bottleneck, and now Danielle is focused on recruiting high-quality students to keep her business thriving.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why buying a school created a new business challenge
✅ How Danielle is rethinking her recruiting strategy for long-term success
✅ Why focusing on high-quality students is more important than filling seats
✅ The role of social media and strategic partnerships in attracting talent
✅ How to build a talent pipeline that supports future growth

Adrienne and Emily explore the business lessons behind Danielle's experience and how identifying and solving the right bottleneck can unlock new levels of growth in any business.

Danielle's story is a powerful reminder that business growth isn’t always linear. If you’re struggling to attract the right leads, this debrief is packed with insights to help you rethink your strategy and find sustainable success.

🏆 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Every Solution Creates a New Bottleneck – Solving one business problem often uncovers another, but growth comes from working through each challenge strategically.

2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity – Recruiting the right students who are passionate about the industry is more important than simply filling seats.

3. Leverage Partnerships for Growth – Partnering with other local businesses and schools creates a more sustainable recruiting funnel.

4. Educate and Engage – Social media should focus on educating potential students about the value and opportunities within the industry, not just promoting the school.

5. Build a Long-Term Talent Pipeline – Introducing try-it days and summer camps can help build interest early and sustain a future pool of talent.

🕰️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Recap of Danielle’s Story
02:33 – Why Buying the School Created a New Bottleneck
04:44 – Danielle’s Shift from Filling Seats to Recruiting the Right Talent
07:16 – Why Recruiting is Different in a Rural Community
10:38 – Long-Term Strategy: Building a Pipeline with Try-It Days
14:52 – How Social Media Can Support Recruiting Goals
16:41 – Creating a Reputation That Attracts Top Talent
17:56 – Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

👉 Listen to Last Week’s Interview with Danielle Cherewyk:
🎧 The Recruiting Challenge: How to Attract Top Talent with Danielle Cherewyk

👉 Learn more about Peak Beauty Academy:
🌐 Visit Peak Beauty Academy
📲 Follow on Instagram: @peakbeautyacademy

Want to Clockwork your own business, too?: www.runlikeclockwork.com
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In this coaching session, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle dive deep with Danielle Cherewyk, a former client and successful salon owner, to tackle a major challenge — recruiting high-quality students for her newly purchased hair school. If you’ve ever struggled to create a consistent talent pipeline, this one’s for you!

Here’s what we cover:
✅ How purchasing a school created new opportunities (and new challenges)
✅ Strategies for recruiting top-tier students and building a long-term talent pipeline
✅ The power of partnerships with local businesses and high schools
✅ Creating effective "Try It" days to introduce potential students to the industry
✅ How social media and referral programs can boost recruitment

Adrienne and Emily break down:
👉 How to shift recruitment strategy to target quality over quantity
👉 The balance between organic and referral-based recruiting
👉 Why building partnerships with local businesses strengthens long-term success
👉 How to use social media to educate and engage prospective students
👉 Creating scalable and effective recruiting events

You can also check out Danielle’s episode from 2022 here!

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! 🔥

🏆 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Build a Quality Pipeline – Recruiting the right talent takes more than just getting applicants — focus on high-quality leads who are committed to the industry.

2. Partner with Local Businesses – Creating strong relationships with other salons helps build trust and increase referrals.

3. Introduce "Try It" Days – Letting potential students experience the work firsthand creates interest and increases enrollment.

4. Referrals Matter – Offering small incentives for alumni and local salons to refer students can drive high-quality leads.

5. Strategic Social Media – Educating and engaging on platforms like Instagram and TikTok helps target the right demographic effectively.

🕰️ Chapters

01:00 – Danielle’s Background – From salon owner to hair school owner
03:32 – How Purchasing the School Created New Challenges
05:16 – Current Recruiting Strategies and Why They’re Not Working
10:11 – Shifting Focus to High-Quality Recruitment
13:42 – Creating "Try It" Days and Summer Camps
18:34 – The Role of Social Media in Recruiting
22:56 – Partnering with Local Salons
29:25 – Setting Growth Goals and Long-Term Vision
33:17 – Next Steps for Building a Strong Recruiting Pipeline

Learn more about Peak Beauty Academy:
🌐 Visit Peak Beauty Academy
📲 Follow on Instagram: @peakbeautyacademy

Want to Clockwork your own business, too?: www.runlikeclockwork.com
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In this follow-up episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle reflect on their conversation with Ryan Koral, founder of Tell Studios, about the challenges of scaling creative businesses without losing quality.

If you've ever felt torn between delivering high-end results and making your services more accessible, this one’s for you!

→ Missed Ryan Koral’s episode? Listen to it here.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ How to create tiered offers without lowering your brand standards
✅ Why your “6/10” might be your client’s “10/10”
✅ The importance of protecting your QBR (Queen Bee Role) at every price point
✅ Why adjusting your offers doesn’t mean disappointing past clients
✅ How to balance exclusivity and accessibility to reach more clients

Adrienne and Emily explore how luxury brands like Chanel offer both runway and ready-to-wear collections — and how creative entrepreneurs can apply that model to their business. They dive into the mindset shift required to deliver high-value outcomes at different price points without compromising on quality.

If you’re struggling to find the right balance between premium and accessible offers, this episode will give you the framework you need to scale confidently. Hit play and let’s get into it! 

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Client Perception > Your Own Standards – Your client’s 10/10 might be what you see as a 6/10. Focus on their satisfaction, not perfection.

2. Protect Your QBR at Every Tier – Your core offering and big promise should stay consistent, even if the execution varies.

3. Tiered Pricing Increases Accessibility – Offering different pricing levels allows more clients to experience your services without sacrificing quality.

4. Don’t Worry About Past Clients’ Perceptions – Markets change, and it’s okay to create new offers to adapt.

5. Adjusting Your Offer Doesn’t Mean Lowering Standards – You can simplify your offer while maintaining brand alignment and delivering strong results.

Chapters:

01:52 – Creating Tiered Offers – How to scale creative services without losing quality
03:11 – Client Perception vs. Reality – What matters more than perfection
05:25 – Protecting the QBR – How to maintain your core promise at all levels
13:28 – Luxury vs. Ready-to-Wear – Applying a brand model to creative businesses
18:34 – Managing Client Expectations – How to communicate value at different price points
24:44 – Why Past Client Opinions Shouldn’t Hold You Back – Adapting to market changes
29:44 – Tiered Pricing Strategy – How to balance exclusivity and accessibility
34:38 – Delivering Value at Every Level – Meeting client expectations without overdelivering
36:11 – Business Growth Through Simplification – Why less can be more
39:30 – Take Action – Next steps for simplifying and scaling

Links Mentioned:

🔗 Learn more about Ryan Koral and Tell Studios: tellstudios.com/easy
🔗 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: Ryan Koral

Want help Clockworking your business: www.runlikeclockwork.com

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