The Main Street CEO - Business Growth for Small Business Leaders with Theresa Cantley

Hosted by Theresa Cantley

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Nov 2026

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Theresa Cantley, a business and brand strategist reveals her strategies to help you "break out of of the traditional mold" of small business by learning new ways to build profitability into your business and freedom into your life. Create a brand and market your business while also learning how to assemble a high performing team. Discover how to create a marketing strategy that builds your visibility offline and online, how to infuse your brand into every part of your business creating a unique experience for your customers, how to create offers and products your customers will love and how to hire and create a high performing, highly motivated team. Theresa will share with you her experience over the past 20 years to show you creative ways to gain the clarity you need on the vision you have for your business and creative ways to get there while always staying one step ahead of your competition. Leadership development, systems and processes, organizational leadership, branding, marketing strategy, digital marketing, business planning, team building, building your authority, search engine optimization, goal setting, project management and learning how to make your vision a reality by becoming a visionary leader in your industry.

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November 9, 2026Episode 34512 min

The Leadership Shift That Helps Your Business Grow Beyond You

When I built my own store, I did everything. I handled the marketing, operations, hiring, bills, insurance, vendor negotiations, and just about everything else that needed to get done. And if you're a founder, there's a good chance you've found yourself doing the exact same thing. In the beginning, that's part of building a business. You need to understand how everything works so you can teach others and create the foundation for consistent results. But eventually, the very things that helped you build your business can become the things holding it back. You become the ceiling because everything still has to go through you. So what happens when it's time to step out of the middle and allow your team to take the business forward? In this episode, I'm sharing the three-part leadership shift that helps you move from doing everything yourself to becoming the CEO and visionary your business needs. We'll talk about identifying your next-level leaders, transferring your knowledge, communicating your vision, creating a consistent cadence for follow-up, and giving your people the freedom to take ownership and grow. Because stepping back doesn't mean disappearing. It means redefining your role, becoming a mentor to your team, and creating an environment where people have the confidence and support to lead. Your next-level leaders may already be right there in your building. They might simply be waiting for permission to soar. It's time to build a business that runs with you, not because of you. Key Takeaways: • You have to understand your business before you can step away from it. In the early stages, doing the work yourself helps you understand how the business operates and what your team needs to know. • You can become the ceiling in your own business. When every decision, project, and responsibility runs through you, growth eventually becomes limited by your capacity. • Identify your next-level leaders. Look for the people who understand your vision, recognize the strategy behind your decisions, and have the ability to help move the business forward. • Adopt a mentor mindset. Your job is no longer to hold all the knowledge. It's to transfer what you've learned so your team can develop the confidence and skills to lead. • Communicate the vision consistently. Your team needs to understand where the business is going, what you're working toward, and what kinds of ideas and decisions will help get you there. • Create a regular cadence for follow-up. Weekly check-ins or monthly leadership meetings give your team opportunities to share challenges, ask questions, and get the guidance they need. • Give your team permission to fly. People need the opportunity to take ownership, work through challenges, and see projects through instead of giving up at the first sign of difficulty. • Remember that stepping back doesn't mean disappearing. You still have an important role as the visionary, advisor, and person helping steer the business in the right direction. • Redefine your identity as a leader. The goal is to stop functioning as the highest-paid employee and start operating as the CEO who builds a team that can move the business forward alongside you. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 Why Your Business Can't Depend on You Forever 01:00 The Founder Who Does Everything 02:20 From Highest-Paid Employee to Business Owner 03:30 When You Become the Ceiling in Your Business 04:40 Step One: Identify Your Next-Level Leaders 05:30 Embrace the Mentor Mindset and Transfer Your Knowledge 06:00 Step Two: Communicate the Vision 08:30 Stay Connected Without Being in the Middle 09:25 Step Three: Let Your People Fly 10:00 Give Your Team Permission to Take Ownership 10:45 Be There to Help Them Learn from Mistakes 11:15 Make the Identity Shift from Founder to CEO If this episode hit home, I want you to think about one thing: Where are you still the person everything has to go through? You may have built your business from the ground up, and I know how hard it can be to let go of some of those responsibilities. But there are people on your team who are capable of doing more. They may just be waiting for you to give them the opportunity. Start thinking about who those next-level leaders are, what knowledge you need to transfer, and how you can create more space for them to grow. And if you know another founder who needs to hear this, share this episode with them. Make sure you're subscribed to The Main Street CEO, leave a review, and come connect with me. I would love to hear what leadership shift you're working on in your business! READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

October 26, 2026Episode 34425 min

The Part of Business Transitions No One Talks About

I've been knocked down, gotten back up, and pivoted my business more times than I can count. But for a long time, I missed one of the biggest lessons in all those transitions: I was changing my business without changing myself. In this episode, I'm sharing a story from a recent entrepreneur roundtable that got me thinking about my journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, the businesses I've built, and the moments that forced me to rethink everything. Through those experiences, I learned that resilience isn't just about getting back up after a setback. It's about being willing to face the messy middle, let go of what no longer fits, and become the person your next chapter requires. I also share a conversation with a business owner who was struggling to figure out whether her business was successful because she was measuring herself against everyone else's goals. It reminded me how easy it is to get caught up in revenue targets, headcount, and external milestones while losing sight of what we actually want our lives to look like. If you're feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next move, this episode will help you rethink what success means to you, recognize the internal changes that come with business growth, and start building a business around the life you want to live. Because growing a business isn't just about building something bigger. It's about becoming someone who can build something that truly fits. Key Takeaways: • Resilience means facing the transition, not just getting back up. Real growth requires processing change and letting go of what no longer works. • Your next chapter requires a new version of you. The mindset and behaviors that built your first business may not serve your next stage of growth. • Define success on your own terms. Stop measuring your progress against other people's revenue goals, business models, and expectations. • Build your business around the life you want. Your business should support your priorities and fulfillment, not dictate how you live. • Personal growth and business growth must evolve together. When you or your business outgrows the other, friction follows. • Transitions create opportunities for reinvention. Challenges can help you identify what needs to change and reshape your business for the future. • Start from the inside out. Ask yourself what you truly want, why you want it, and who you need to become to build it. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Main Street CEO 02:25 – The Messy Middle of Entrepreneurship 04:49 – From Corporate America to Entrepreneurship 09:36 – The Part of Transition No One Talks About 12:01 – Redefining Success on Your Terms 14:28 – Growing Yourself Alongside Your Business 19:19 – Building a Fulfilling Life 23:04 – Navigating Your Next Transition 25:27 – The Main Street CEO Table If this episode hit home, I want you to take a little time to think about where you are in your own journey. What are you trying to build, and is it actually supporting the life you want to live? I'd love for you to share this episode with another business owner who might need the reminder that they're not alone in the messy middle. If you're enjoying The Main Street CEO, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review, too, because it helps more Main Street business owners find these conversations. And if you're navigating a big transition in your business and want support figuring out what's next, I'd love for you to check out the Main Street CEO Table, my year-long, advisory-board-style group for business owners who are ready to work through challenges and build for what's ahead. You can learn more and apply here: https://theresacantley.com/the-main-street-ceo-table Remember, you don't have to have every answer right now. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is slow down, get honest with yourself, and figure out what you really want to build. READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

October 19, 2026Episode 3431 hr 9 min

Confidence Isn't a Light Switch: How to Quiet Self-Doubt and Trust Yourself Again with Morgan Barkus

Have you ever replayed a conversation in your head, questioned something you said, or wondered whether you made the right decision? I've been there, and that's one of the reasons I loved this conversation with my friend Morgan Barkus. Morgan has lived many different lives, explored different careers, navigated relationship challenges, and learned some powerful lessons about confidence along the way. One thing she reminded me is that confidence isn't something you either have or don't have. It changes depending on where you are in life, and you can keep building it. We talked about challenging the stories we tell ourselves, trusting our gut, and learning to stop making ourselves smaller just to make other people comfortable. Here's the reminder I hope you take away: You don't have to have everything figured out. You just have to trust yourself enough to take the next step. Key Takeaways: • Confidence grows when you embrace who you are instead of trying to fit expectations • Trust your gut when a career or situation no longer feels right • Confidence looks different across areas of life, including work, money, and relationships • Challenge the limiting beliefs and stories that keep you stuck • Speak up for what you need and want • Give yourself grace when your best looks different from day to day • Build confidence through small wins and new experiences • Focus on what you want instead of overanalyzing everyone else • Create a life that reflects your values, goals, and authentic self Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Meet Morgan Barkus and the Power of Being Yourself 05:30 – Choosing a Life Full of Stories 09:00 – Trying New Things Without Fear of "What If?" 14:00 – What Negotiation Teaches Us About Communication 16:45 – Trusting Your Gut in Your Career 24:30 – What Confidence Really Means 28:45 – Building Body and Money Confidence 32:30 – Breaking Relationship Patterns and Speaking Up 37:15 – Learning to Trust Yourself 42:45 – Challenging Limiting Beliefs and Inner Dialogue 47:20 – Focusing on What You Really Want 53:30 – Creating a Life You Love 58:00 – Recognizing the Beliefs Holding You Back 01:07:30 – Where to Find Morgan and Join the Confidence Club If this conversation resonated with you, I want you to take a minute and think about the stories you've been telling yourself. Are they helping you become the person you want to be, or are they keeping you stuck in a place you've outgrown? You don't have to change everything overnight. Start by questioning one belief, speaking up in one situation, or taking one step you've been putting off. 🔗 Connect with Morgan: Website: https://www.morganbarkus.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganbarkus READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

October 12, 2026Episode 34216 min

The Danger of Chasing Every New Idea in Your Business

Have you ever had a slower-than-expected season and suddenly found yourself trying everything you can think of to bring in more customers, cash flow, or revenue? I've been having a lot of conversations with business owners who are feeling that way this year. Buying behavior has shifted, costs have increased, and many businesses simply haven't had the year they expected. And when revenue or profit is down, it's incredibly easy to panic and start "shooting from the hip." The problem is that panic can lead us away from what actually makes our businesses work. We start chasing trends, copying competitors, adding new offerings, and constantly changing direction without giving anything enough time to work. Before long, we're not only impacting our numbers, we're creating chaos for our teams, too. In this episode, I share three things I want every Main Street CEO to remember heading into a busy season: stay true to your core, test without making every experiment the new rule, and remember your people. I'll also talk about why your numbers are telling you a story, how constant testing can quietly eat into your profit, and why giving your team clarity matters so much. You don't always need to do more. Sometimes you need to slow down, pay attention to what your business is telling you, and make intentional decisions instead of panic-driven ones. Key Takeaways: • Stay true to your core. Don't abandon what makes your business unique because things are slow or someone else is doing something different. • Let your numbers tell you the story. Look at your financials and business metrics to understand what's actually happening before making changes. • Test intentionally, not constantly. Test one thing at a time, measure the results, and give it enough time to work. • Remember that testing has a cost. Constantly introducing new ideas can consume time, energy, money, and profit. • Don't create chaos for your team. Constantly changing direction makes it difficult for people to understand what they're working toward. • Put your people first. Especially during a high-stress season, understand what matters most to your team and find meaningful ways to support them. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – When Business Slows Down, Panic Sets In 02:19 – How Shooting from the Hip Creates Chaos 04:20 – Stay True to Your Core 06:56 – Let Your Numbers Tell You the Story 07:24 – Test, But Don't Make It the Rule 09:00 – Test, Measure, and Tweak 09:56 – The Hidden Cost of Constant Testing 11:00 – Remember Your People 12:29 – Supporting Your Team Through a High-Stress Season 12:48 – Three Things to Remember Heading Into Busy Season 13:59 – Ask Your People What Matters Most If you've been feeling like you need to try everything right now because business has been slower than you expected, take a breath. You don't necessarily need another idea. You might need to slow down long enough to look at what your business is actually telling you. I'd love to hear what you're seeing in your business right now. Send me a DM and let me know what you're working through. If this episode helped you, subscribe to The Main Street CEO, share it with another business owner who needs to hear it, and leave a review. It really does help more Main Street CEOs find the show. READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

October 5, 2026Episode 34117 min

What to Do When Your Business Outgrows Its Old Identity

Have you ever looked at something you built and realized it no longer fits who you are or where you're going? That's exactly what happened with my podcast. What started as Your Next Best Step eventually became Locally Grown, then The C-Suite Mentor, and now, after a lot of learning, evolving, and listening, it's become The Main Street CEO. And honestly, this isn't really a story about changing a podcast name. It's a story about what happens when your business grows and you give yourself permission to grow with it. I've changed my business more times than I can count. I've tried things that worked, things that didn't, and plenty of things that completely flopped. But every one of those experiences taught me something and helped shape the business I'm building today. In this episode, I'm sharing why I finally decided it was time for another change, what Main Street means to me, and why I'm so passionate about the businesses, communities, employees, customers, and connections that exist in those spaces. Because Main Street isn't just about where a business is located. It's about the impact that business can have on the people around it. And if there's one thing I hope you take away from this conversation, it's this: you're allowed to change your mind, change your business, and change your direction as you grow. Key Takeaways: • Change is a natural part of business growth. • Every mistake, failure, and pivot can teach you something valuable. • Your business is allowed to evolve as you evolve. • Your brand should reflect the work you actually do and care about. • Listen when your audience tells you something about how they perceive your business. • Main Street businesses create impact far beyond the transactions they make. • Small businesses have a unique ability to create meaningful connections with customers, employees, and their communities. • You can take your next best step even when you don't know exactly what's ahead. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Main Street CEO 01:15 – Why Change Is Part of Business Growth 02:19 – The Evolution of My Business 03:50 – Why I Started the Podcast 05:30 – From Your Next Best Step to Locally Grown 07:02 – Why The C-Suite Mentor No Longer Fit 09:27 – Why I Chose The Main Street CEO 10:30 – What Main Street Really Means 12:00 – The Magic of Main Street Businesses 14:15 – The Impact of Supporting Local Business 16:00 – Keep Taking Your Next Best Step If you've been feeling like something in your business doesn't quite fit anymore, maybe this is your reminder that you're allowed to change it. Sometimes you have to try things, learn things, mess things up, and make a few pivots along the way. That's what I've done. And I'm still doing it. So if this episode gave you something to think about, I'd love for you to subscribe to The Main Street CEO, share this episode with another business owner who might need the reminder, and come back next week. And if you have a next best step you're trying to figure out, send me a message. I would love to hear what's happening in your world. READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

September 28, 2026Episode 34027 min

Why Completely Removing Yourself from Your Business Is a Mistake

There's a lot of advice out there telling business owners that the ultimate goal is to remove themselves from their business completely. But what if that's not actually the goal? I've seen what happens when an owner is in the middle of every decision, every process, and every problem. The business becomes dependent on them, the team can't move without them, and the owner eventually becomes the bottleneck. But I've also seen what happens when an owner swings too far in the other direction and completely removes themselves without building the leadership, rhythms, and knowledge transfer needed to support the business. The goal isn't to disappear. It's to step out of the middle while staying connected enough to lead with presence, mentor your people, and keep your vision moving forward. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three big shifts I believe every founder needs to make: lead with presence, empower through knowledge and close the gap, and keep focusing on the aim as your business and vision evolve. Because your business should be able to run without you being involved in every little thing, but that doesn't mean you stop being the visionary behind it. The goal isn't to remove yourself from your business. The goal is to become the leader your business needs you to be. Key Takeaways: • Stop being the bottleneck. Your business should not depend on you making every decision or managing every process. • Lead with presence. Create consistent rhythms with your team so you can stay connected without being involved in everything. • Empower through knowledge and mentorship. Transfer the experience you've gained so your leaders can make decisions, solve problems, and take ownership. • Co-create processes. Teaching your team how and why things work creates deeper understanding, creativity, and accountability. • Keep your eye on the aim. Your vision will evolve as your business grows, and your role is to keep guiding the business toward what comes next. • Remember that innovation can mean simplifying. Sometimes moving the business forward means doing less, removing complexity, or changing how you think about the problem. • Don't become an absent owner. Stepping away from the weeds is different from completely disconnecting from your business and your people. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – The Problem With "Get Out of Your Business" Advice 02:21 – When the Owner Becomes the Bottleneck 04:45 – The Danger of Becoming an Absent Owner 06:00 – Lead With Presence 10:00 – Empower Through Knowledge and Mentorship 14:21 – Co-Create Processes with Your Team 16:44 – Focus on the Aim 18:00 – When Your Vision Outgrows Its Container 19:03 – Why Innovation Sometimes Means Doing Less 21:29 – The Cost of Constantly Moving the Goalposts 23:54 – What a Truly Visionary Founder Looks Like 25:15 – Building a Business That Can Run Without You Are you still making every decision? Are your people waiting for you to tell them what to do? Or have you stepped so far away that you don't really know what's happening anymore? The sweet spot is somewhere in between. You want to be present enough to lead, mentor, listen, and keep the vision moving, while also giving your team the trust and ownership to do their jobs. And if this is an area where you know you need to grow, I'd love to have you join me inside the Main Street CEO Table mastermind. Applications are opening now for the January group, and we're intentionally keeping it small so we can do meaningful work together. And as always, if something in this episode hit home for you, send it to another founder who needs to hear it. And come find me and let me know what your biggest takeaway was. READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

September 21, 2026Episode 3391 hr 1 min

The Space Between, the Messy Middle & Becoming Who You Need to Be

Andrea Mancuso and I had one of those conversations that starts with a book launch and quickly turns into something much bigger. Andrea had dreamed of becoming an author since she was a kid, but The Space Between wasn't originally supposed to become the book it is today. It started as a 27-page e-book and eventually became a full book about the part of the journey nobody really talks about: the messy middle between deciding you want something and actually bringing it to life. And Andrea knows that space personally. While writing the book, she experienced setbacks, self-doubt, grief, frustration, and long stretches where she couldn't even write. She was literally living the very thing she was writing about. That becomes the heart of this conversation: you don't get to skip the space between. Andrea and I talk about the inner work that happens there, including Andrea's "Heal Bravely" framework, the connection between healing, mindset and inspired action, and why separating an experience from your identity can completely change how you move through the world. We also dig into one of Andrea's most powerful ideas: moving from "what if" thinking to "what is" thinking. Instead of letting an imagined future determine what you do today, you come back to what's actually happening right now and take the next step. Because the version of you who has the dream isn't necessarily the version of you who will cross the finish line. The journey is going to shape you, stretch you and ask you to become someone new. And maybe the biggest reminder of all? How you journey matters. Key Takeaways: • Why we tend to romanticize the finish line while resisting everything that happens in the messy middle. • How setbacks, rejection and unexpected life events can become part of the path instead of proof that you're failing. • Why achieving an external goal doesn't necessarily create internal fulfillment. • Andrea's Heal Bravely framework and the three pieces she believes work together: intentional healing, mindset and inspired action. • How your identity can become tangled up with productivity, success, business and your sense of worth. • Why separating an experience from your identity can change the way you respond to rejection, mistakes and missed opportunities. • How "what if" thinking pulls you into an imagined future while "what is" brings you back to the present. • Why the version of you who starts the journey isn't necessarily the version who will finish it. • Why entrepreneurship can become one of the greatest personal development journeys because you're constantly being asked to grow. • Why you don't want to reach the finish line only to realize you never enjoyed the journey getting there. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 A Different Conversation with Andrea Mancuso 04:47 Andrea's Childhood Dream of Becoming an Author 07:38 How The Space Between Came to Life 10:41 Understanding the Messy Middle of Success 14:32 When the Dream Becomes a Real-Life Journey 17:11 Writing a Book, Vulnerability, and Personal Growth 21:00 Heal Bravely: Healing, Mindset, and Inspired Action 26:00 Separating Your Experiences from Your Identity 31:00 Moving From "What If?" to "What Is?" 37:00 Rejection, Resilience, and Becoming Who You Need to Be 45:00 Why the Journey Requires a New Version of You 52:09 Learning to Have Fun Along the Way If you've been in that messy middle lately, I want you to know something: you're not doing it wrong. You're probably just in the space between where you were and where you're going. And that space can be messy. It can be frustrating. It can bring up all the things you thought you had already worked through. But it can also be where some of the biggest growth happens. Andrea and I talked about so much in this conversation that I think you'll want to come back to it. So if something hit you, send me a DM and tell me what it was. And if you know someone who is in their own messy middle right now, send this episode their way. And make sure you check out Andrea's book, The Space Between . I already have my copy covered in Post-its, and I think you'll understand why. 🔗 Connect with Andrea: Website: https://www.iamandreamancuso.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamandreamancuso/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamandreamancuso/ READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

August 31, 2026Episode 33822 min

The Most Underrated Superpower Every Business Owner Needs

When I was growing up, my grandfather used to tell me, "Theresa, you ask too many questions." I was always curious—about his life, his experiences, how things worked, and why people did things the way they did. What I didn't realize then was that all those questions were helping me develop one of the most valuable skills I've carried into business. Curiosity became especially important when I started working in the scientific world. I had failed every science class I'd ever taken, yet suddenly I was talking to cancer researchers about highly technical equipment and experiments. I didn't know everything—but I knew how to ask questions. I got curious about how things worked, why they mattered, and what impact they could have. That curiosity eventually helped me move into leadership, build my first business, build my consulting business, and help hundreds of founders understand how their businesses actually work. In this episode, I'm breaking down why curiosity is such an underrated business skill and the three questions I want every business owner to keep asking: How does this work? How can I make it better? And what impact do I ultimately want to make? Because whether your business is growing like crazy or you're facing hurdle after hurdle, curiosity gives you a way forward. Instead of assuming you know the answer, you start asking better questions—and that's where growth begins. Stay curious. It may be one of the most valuable things you bring to your business. Key Takeaways: • Curiosity is an incredibly powerful—and often overlooked—skill for business owners. • You don't have to know everything before you can figure something out. • Asking better questions can help you quickly build knowledge in unfamiliar industries. • Understanding how something works gives you the foundation for improving it. • When something isn't working, curiosity helps you investigate instead of immediately giving up. • Don't blindly copy competitors' pricing, processes, or decisions without understanding the thinking behind them. • Business numbers tell a story, but you have to be curious enough to understand what that story actually means. • Look beyond vanity metrics like likes, clicks, impressions, and top-line revenue. • Stay curious about how you can make the business better for yourself, your team, and your customers. • Most importantly, stay curious about the impact you want your business to make. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 The underrated business skill we're forgetting 01:19 Why my grandfather always said I asked too many questions 02:23 Curiosity, business plans, and driving my dad crazy 03:45 How I went from failing science to working with cancer researchers 04:40 The power of asking better questions 07:04 How curiosity helped me build expertise and move into leadership 09:32 Using curiosity to build my first business 11:54 What founders can learn by getting curious about how their business works 14:06 The three things every business owner should stay curious about 16:19 How curiosity helps you navigate failure and hard seasons 18:41 Stop chasing vanity metrics and start understanding the story 20:00 How curiosity creates growth from the inside out 21:00 Be curious about the impact you want to make READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

August 17, 2026Episode 33754 min

You Can Be Powerful and Unfinished

There are seasons in life when everything you thought was secure suddenly starts falling apart. That's part of what I wanted to explore when I invited my dear friend Denise Soler Cox back to the show. Denise and I met back in 2017, and I've had a front-row seat to so much of her journey. She's a storyteller, filmmaker, speaker, coach, and now the author of What Will They Say? While writing the book, Denise was also living through one of the most financially difficult seasons of her life. More than $200,000 in business disappeared, her family had to leave the home they had lived in for years, and they moved into an 800-square-foot basement apartment. And yet, in the middle of all of it, Denise had a realization that became one of the most powerful ideas in her book: "I can be powerful and unfinished." We talk about what it means to hold both truths at once. You can be struggling, angry, grieving, or uncertain and still be powerful. You can be a work in progress without being broken. We also go much deeper, talking about the shields we build to protect ourselves, the ways we can unknowingly tie our worth to other people's happiness, and what happens when we finally stop protecting ourselves and allow ourselves to be seen. Denise shares the deeply personal story behind the hardest chapter of her book and what she learned about forgiveness, motherhood, healing, and the legacy she wants to leave for her daughters. Because maybe our legacy isn't about how much we accomplish or how much we can endure. Maybe it's about how deeply we're willing to live while we're still becoming. Key Takeaways: • You can be powerful and unfinished at the same time. • Difficult seasons don't mean you're broken. • We often don't realize the shields we've built around ourselves. • Your worth isn't determined by how much you can endure. • You can accept your past without allowing it to define your future. • Authenticity requires letting yourself be seen. • Sometimes you have to create more than you ultimately use. • Your legacy is about who you are and who you help others become. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Meet Denise Soler Cox 05:31 – Why Denise Had to Write This Book 13:40 – You Can Be Powerful and Unfinished 16:16 – When Everything You Built Falls Apart 20:54 – Being a Mess Doesn't Mean You're Broken 24:05 – The Hardest Chapter to Write 31:01 – What Inheritance Do You Want to Leave? 35:24 – What Writing the Book Really Required 44:57 – The Shields We Don't Realize We're Wearing 46:44 – Stop Protecting Yourself 50:53 – What Will Your Legacy Be? If something in this conversation hit you, don't brush it off. Maybe it's the idea that you can be powerful and unfinished. Maybe it's realizing you've been protecting yourself without even knowing it. Or maybe you're beginning to think differently about your own worth and legacy. Whatever it is, sit with it. And if this episode gave you something you needed to hear, share it with someone who needs the reminder, subscribe to the show, and leave us a review. Bookshop link to purchase Denise's book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-will-they-say-confront-cultural-taboos-and-discover-your-inner-power-denise-soler-cox/f7dbe8a1939b4a20?ean=9781668082966&affiliate=1688 🔗 Connect with Denise: Website: https://denisesolercox.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisesolercox/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@denisesolercox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisesolercox/ Denise Soler Cox is a cultural excavator: an award-winning filmmaker, keynote speaker and author who goes inside the cultures that shape how we lead, belong, and who we become. Her debut book, What Will They Say? (Simon & Schuster, August 2026), uncovers the ten inherited cultural rules keeping Latina leaders shrinking and sidelined and shows them, finally, how to stop. A sought-after voice on culture, identity, and belonging, Denise has spoken on 400+ stages including two TEDx talks and SXSW 2026. She has partnered with Ralph Lauren, Amazon, Microsoft, and L'Oréal, among others. In 2020, Apple Podcasts North America recognized her podcast The Self-ish Latina as both a Featured Podcast and Featured Host, with listeners in 32 countries. She has appeared as a culture expert on NBC Nightly News, and her work has been featured in Forbes, CNN and PBS. READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley

August 10, 2026Episode 33626 min

The Mindset Shift That Changes How You Lead Your Business

I was frustrated. I had already meditated and journaled, but somehow, I still ended up doom scrolling through social media, comparing myself to everyone else and feeling like everything was harder than it needed to be. Then I read something about abundance that made me look at it differently. What if abundance isn't about how much money, customers, or success we can get? What if it's a lens we use to see what's possible? In this episode, I'm talking about the difference between looking at your business through a judgment lens and looking at it through an abundance lens. We'll talk about comparison, fear, creating instead of consuming, and why Main Street businesses have a unique opportunity to do things differently. Because sometimes you don't need another strategy. You just need to ask, "What's another way?" Key Takeaways: • Abundance is a lens, not a destination. It's less about what you have and more about what you see. • Comparison creates a lens of lack. Constantly looking at what everyone else is doing can make you believe you're already behind. • Fear can turn opinions into perceived facts. When you repeatedly hear that businesses can't be profitable, your brain can begin treating that belief as reality. • Small businesses have an incredible advantage. They can often move faster, experiment more freely, and create deeper personal connections. • You don't have to follow your industry's norm. Just because other businesses operate a certain way doesn't mean you have to. • Create more than you consume. More software, advice, articles, and trends don't necessarily create better results. Action does. • Look for your next best step. You don't have to solve everything today. Find one meaningful thing you can create or change. • Celebrate the micro wins. Small victories are evidence that things can move when you take action. • Place your attention on what's possible. What you consistently focus on influences the decisions and actions you take. • There's always another way to look at the situation. Shifting the lens can change how you lead, how you respond, and what you create. Timestamps / Chapter Markers: 00:00 – The Doom Scroll That Started This Conversation 02:19 – Why the Word "Abundance" Hit Differently This Time 04:00 – Why Main Street Businesses Are More Powerful Than We Think 06:00 – Abundance Isn't About Getting More 07:00 – The Judgment Lens We Use Every Day 09:00 – Where You Place Your Attention Shapes What You Create 11:30 – What If There's Another Way? 13:45 – Stop Letting Fear Become Your Reality 16:00 – Your Business Doesn't Have to Follow the Industry 18:30 – Create More Than You Consume 21:00 – The Power of Micro Wins 23:20 – Put Your Attention on What's Possible If this episode challenged your thinking, share it with another business owner or leader who needs the reminder that success starts with perspective. Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, and leave a review to help more leaders discover practical strategies for building businesses—and lives—that last. READY TO UNCOVER THE BLIND SPOT HURTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 📋 Take this quiz to uncover what's holding your business back from success: https://theresacantley.com/quiz 📌 If you're ready to pinpoint where your business is stalling and map out a winning 60-90-day strategy, book a C-Suite Snapshot: https://theresacantley.com/business-audit 🔗 Connect with Theresa: Website: https://theresacantley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacantley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresaccantley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresacantley ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theresacantley