How do you know when something is a cost you can cut or an investment you protect? This is one of the most common and misunderstood business dilemmas. If you struggle with decisions that involve pausing a subscription, delaying a hiring, or cutting out coaching because it feels expensive, then you could benefit from practical tools and perspective shifts that help you make smart, more confident spending decisions.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn a clear, five-question checklist that you can use to evaluate your business expenses. I’ll also share my process for assessing your top recurring expenses and experimenting with gray-area (i.e., maybe) decisions so you can lead with strategy, not fear.

2:37 – Why “Can I afford it?” is the wrong question to consider

5:33 – Question checklist (with examples) to determine if something is a cost or investment

9:51 – How investments often return more than the sticker shock suggests

11:32 – Four examples of how common expenses fall into cost or investment categories

13:18 – Putting the question checklist to the test right now

14:26 – A question to ask yourself if you’re on the fence about a spending decision

16:28 – Simple three-step test for spending decisions

19:09 – Three small actions you can do this week

Mentioned In Are You Spending or Investing in Business Growth?

Ascension Collective

Silent Saboteur Audit

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Access the Strategic Decision Guide: Cost vs. Investment

Book a 15-Minute Accountability Call with Andrea

International Coaching Federation (ICF)

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Don’t Just Listen—Implement It

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

At some point, you’ve probably said it. “If I could just get more clients, everything would be better.” I hear this all the time, and it makes sense. More clients sounds like the obvious fix. More money. More growth. More security.

But what usually happens is the opposite. Those extra clients don’t make things better. They make the cracks in your business show faster and make it harder to grow.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn what actually creates growth that lasts and where to focus your energy next. We’ll talk about the hidden costs of “more,” how to build the right kind of support around you, and the next step to take if you’re ready to create a business that fuels you instead of drains you.

3:52 – Why more clients don’t always mean more profit

5:52 – How client growth can quickly turn into chaos

7:20 – The hidden tradeoff of chasing client volume

8:24 – How more clients bring more hidden costs to your business

9:29 – Three questions to ask and the deeper challenge your business might face

10:08 – The real issue: scaling chaos versus scaling solutions

11:49 – What truly creates freedom (and the focused experience that can help)

13:30 – My challenge to you

Mentioned In How to Grow Your Business Without Adding More Clients

Ascension

Activator

Silent Saboteur Audit

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Andrea’s Links

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

Kate Thacker thought she had to do it all herself to grow her interior design business. By the end of 2023, she was stretched thin and ready for something different. That’s when she decided to treat support as a gift to herself and to her business.

That one choice shifted everything. Coaching and new hires helped her stop spiraling over setbacks, start making CEO-level decisions, and move forward with confidence. She even began to see the same patterns in her own design clients as they wrestled with whether to invest in her expertise.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll hear how Kate’s leap into support reshaped her business and how she shows up as a leader. We’ll talk about what it really means to invest in yourself, how to reframe setbacks as forward movement, and why the ROI on asking for help often extends far beyond revenue growth.

2:28 – Kate’s eventful background and the start of her interior design business

6:31 – Early business challenges and how Kate’s mindset shifted as CEO

10:11 – Why Kate decided to invest in coaching and fears that almost held her back

13:30 – Changes in Kate’s mindset in the 18 months since we started working together

15:48 – How Kate approaches investments in hiring and building a team

17:44 – Kate’s biggest marketing goal and how it impacted revenue growth

21:34 – The impact of Kate’s growth from self-investment on her client relationships

25:14 – One thing that can limit success, regardless of the effort involved

29:38 – Accessible interior design support for the budget-conscious

32:14 – The newest extension on Kate’s website: Shop My Style feature

Mentioned In Decision Diaries: How Investing in Support Helped Kate Thacker Grow Her Interior Design Business

Kate Thacker Home | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | TikTok

Kate’s Featured Project on HGTV Online: “Bold Home With a Timeless + Fresh Design”

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Andrea’s Links

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Don’t Just Listen—Implement It

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

As entrepreneurs, we often think of assets as tangible, like money. But you’re probably overlooking another asset. It’s one that doesn’t show up on spreadsheets, yet it directly affects your decision-making speed, confidence, and overall business growth.

What’s the missing piece? Access. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by options and paralyzed with indecision, it’s time to tap into your access so you can start making decisions and taking action with the tools and information you have.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll discover how access is a strategic asset that bridges the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. I’ll share clips and stories that show how real-time support (whether through coaching, mentorship, or any other trusted expert relationships) leads to faster clarity, better problem-solving, and long-lasting growth.

3:05 – Personal example of how access can save time and energy and reduce uncertainty

4:43 – Why access matters (and what it really means to have it)

7:14 – What research (and clients) say about the tangible impact of having access to a coach

11:52 – How access makes you less reliant and more resilient as an entrepreneur and CEO

13:54 – Steps you can take to analyze your access and start using it as an asset

16:52 – Reminder of what having access as an asset can do for you as a business owner

Mentioned In Business Growth Comes from Access Not More Information

Voxer

Silent Saboteur Audit

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Andrea’s Links

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Don’t Just Listen—Implement It

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

Most entrepreneurs focus on tracking key metrics like revenue, leads, and conversion rates. But there’s another metric that might matter more, especially for us women entrepreneurs. It’s an often overlooked, yet critical one that can transform the way you lead and scale your business.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll discover the importance of being seen, supported in real-time, and even spoiled by like-minded coaches and peers. Using clips from clients and my own reflections as a female CEO, you’ll see how being part of a coaching community like the Ascension Collective (formerly the Runway to Freedom Mastermind) provides space to feel heard, cared for, and equipped with the tools you need to succeed.

7:23 – What to keep in mind as you listen to this episode

10:54 – Why being seen and heard isn’t just about others’ listening, but a deeper recognition

14:52 – How access to real-time support changes the trajectory of your decisions and confidence as CEO

17:48 – Why being spoiled at a community retreat is essential, not frivolous or indulgent

21:26 – Transformation of connecting inside a curated mastermind community

Mentioned In Seen, Supported, and Spoiled: The Missing Piece in Most Mastermind Retreats

Voxer

Silent Saboteur Audit

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Andrea’s Links

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Don’t Just Listen—Implement It

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

The world is saturated with business coaches who each have their own rulebook and system. But what if all that information isn't actually what you need?

True growth doesn’t come from another person telling you what to do or handing you a playbook. Instead, it comes from powerful questions, reframing perspectives, and unlocking the answers you already have inside of you.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll be challenged to look beyond the conventional definition of a coach and consider the role of a strategic thought partner. Drawing inspiration from figures like Ted Lasso and Mr. Miyagi, I’ll teach you how a strategic thought partner helps you see the bigger picture, cut through the noise, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

2:22 – The distinction between a coach and a strategic thought partner

6:33 – Example of the power of perspective that a strategic thought partner can provide

7:55 – How coaching skills aren’t industry-specific

9:30 – More examples of the benefits of having strategic thought partners in your corner

11:29 – The role a strategic thought partner should play for you

13:54 – Your next steps to gain the clarity and perspective you need

Mentioned In You Don’t Need a Business Coach, You Need a Strategic Thought Partner

Silent Saboteur Audit

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Andrea’s Links

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

Do you ever feel like, despite your success, something is missing or you haven’t quite “arrived”? It’s not as uncommon among women entrepreneurs as you think.

Jennifer Holaday built a solid, profitable custom window treatment business with a great reputation. Yet, for a long time, she felt capped. Instead of being stuck because of failure, she was stuck because of her own success and the cautious mindset that came with it.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, Jennifer opens up about the pivotal moments that helped her break through her limitations, stop playing it safe, and take courageous leaps of faith so she could reach the next level. Through her experience, you’ll see how true growth happens when you invest in yourself and your vision with decisiveness, not after you feel "ready."

2:53 – Jennifer’s introduction and the moment she realized she was stuck

7:12 – How receiving coaching is like learning a new language and vocabulary

9:33 – Decisiveness and a willingness to pivot as vital to being a CEO

11:09 – How Jennifer’s dream of a showroom came together more quickly than she expected

17:15 – Attracting the ideal client by having the ideal business for that client

20:38 – Why confidence is a benefit that comes after taking a big leap

22:47 – The impact of surrounding yourself with other successful women

25:29 – Jennifer’s expertise and what she offers ideal interior design clients

Connect with Jennifer Holaday

Jennifer Holaday is the founder and CEO of the Nashville-based Brave Maggie Designs, a window-treatment resource that serves as a tribute to her grandmother, Margaret White. With a dedication to sewing instilled in her by Margaret, she brings a rich history of craftsmanship and a keen eye for detail to every project.

Her journey in the realm of textiles stretches over 15 years of crafting custom curtains, drapery, and shades for homeowners and interior designers. It’s a path that led to proud moments in 2023 when her creations received two 1st place accolades in design and fabrication at the prestigious IWCE-VISION Design & Workroom Competition. Another 1st place award followed in 2024.

Jennifer brings more than just expertise; she promises a journey of transformation that turns spaces into statements and houses into homes.

Brave Maggie Designs | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Window Treatment Pricing Guide

Mentioned In Decision Diaries: How Decisiveness Changed Jennifer Holaday’s Business

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Andrea’s Links

Find Out if Ascension is Right For You

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.

The big, glossy postcard invites in the mail…the life-changing workshop email invitation, the networking event of the year…

You’ve seen them all and probably often wondered, “Should I go?” While some might be more convenient to attend, others might be a cross-country plane ride away and require time, money, and other resources that make it harder to orchestrate.

And in the end, is the payoff worth it? Instead of blindly making decisions on which opportunities to attend, a practical framework can help you move beyond “fear of missing out” and convenience and ensure that every event you attend is a strategic step toward your business goals.

In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn how to confidently choose which events, conferences, and webinars are worth the investment of your time, energy, and money. Using personal stories to illustrate my points, I’ll discuss the challenges you’ll face, things you need to consider, and the exact decision-making filters I use that can help you decide which opportunities are worth your while.

4:41 – Events I’ve decided to go to using my decision filter framework

10:58 – Three challenges you’ll often face when deciding on which events to attend

12:49 – Three filters to help you clarify opportunities worth your time

18:26 – What you should define before attending any event

20:23 – Four things you need to consider to make the most of any opportunity

26:13 – Why the event itself isn’t the investment and your next steps

Mentioned In How Successful Women Decide Which Events Are Worth It

Network of Women in Business | Rally Innovation Conference | High Point Market | Sun Shading Expo

Jody Moore Coaching

SG Style Collective (Stephanie Grabow) | Instagram

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

Activator (Intensive Coaching Mini-Package)

Andrea’s Links

Book a Call With Andrea

Andrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Untangle your time, reset your role, and build systems that don't depend on your every move. No more white-knuckling your way through success because you're not just scaling your business, you're scaling yourself.

Get the clarity and capacity to lead differently and ascend to your next level. Learn how and join us at andrealiebross.com/ascension.