Business on Top with Kaeli Lindholm

Hosted by Kaeli Lindholm

Business

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube

Episodes

320

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Business on Top is the podcast for visionary women founders leading without a playbook—rewriting outdated business rules and building powerful, life-first companies in a world that has not yet caught up to how women lead today. Each episode explores the real work of leadership: identity expansion, decision-making under pressure, structural growth, and the messy realities behind building companies that create both profit and freedom.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 11, 202613 min

Episode 2: Leadership is Messy

In this episode of Business on Top, I'm dismantling the polished, picture-perfect version of leadership, and replacing it with something far more honest. Leadership is messy. And the sooner you accept that, the more powerfully you can lead. In this conversation, I walk through the gap between what I thought leadership would feel like and the reality of building something in real time. If you've ever questioned whether you're doing it "right," felt the weight of responsibility while still figuring things out behind the scenes, or wondered why leadership feels harder than it looks, this episode will meet you there. I share personal stories and hard-earned lessons from building my own company, the truth about early hiring mistakes, the pressure to get it right, and the humbling realization that alignment matters more than credentials. You'll hear what it really takes to build a team in the messy middle, why hiring for your current stage is critical, and how chasing the "perfect" structure can actually hold you back. I also pull back the curtain on the real-life leadership challenges women are navigating today, moments you can't prepare for, situations that test your character, and decisions that don't come with a playbook. Because the truth is: the version of leadership many of us were taught was never designed for the reality we're living in. The leader you're becoming isn't the one who has it all together, she's the one willing to move forward without certainty, build without a blueprint, and lead while still evolving. If you've been judging yourself for the messiness of your journey, I want this episode to help you see it differently: It's not a flaw. It's proof that you're leading. Resources → Subscribe to The Blueprint → Learn more & book a call with our team to learn if the Pop Leadership Academy is right for you! → Learn more about our Owner + Practice Manager Business Intensive: June 12–13 at The Gwen, Chicago → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move.

April 20, 202610 min

Episode 315: The End of an Era: The Final Fierce Factor Episode

Episode 315 marks the end of an era, and the beginning of something entirely new. After five and a half years of recording weekly episodes, this final chapter of the Fierce Factor Podcast is both a reflection and a turning point. What started in 2020 as a space to give women permission, to want more, to build bigger, to pursue both impact and financial success, has grown into something far more meaningful. This podcast has been a place for honest conversations, for finding your voice, and for navigating the very real, often unspoken experience of building a business and a life at the same time. But the conversation has evolved. The women in this community are no longer asking, "Can I do this?" They are building. Expanding. Leading. And now asking a different question: "How do I become the absolute best at what I'm creating?" With that evolution comes a new layer of complexity, one that is more nuanced, more demanding, and often more isolating than expected. In this episode, I share my deeply personal reflection on what it means to lead in this current era, where many women are building businesses at a level they've never seen modeled before. Without a clear blueprint, they are learning how to lead while actively holding the weight of that responsibility. This conversation explores the reality of modern leadership: the pressure, the identity shifts, the ambition, and the quiet questions so many founders carry but rarely say out loud. It's about what it looks like to continue growing something meaningful without slowly losing yourself in the process, and how to build in a way that is both expansive and sustainable. While this chapter is coming to a close, the work is not. A new era is emerging, one that holds deeper, more honest conversations about leadership, capacity, and what it truly takes to build at this level. If you've been part of the Fierce Factor journey, this is a moment to reflect on how far you've come, and a powerful invitation into what's next. Resources → Learn more & book a call with our team to learn if the Practice Manager Academy is right for you! → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

April 13, 20261 hr 6 min

Episode 314: Learning to Lead Before You Feel Ready with Melanie Crowley

In this episode, I'm bringing you a replay from our recent SPARK sprint, where we focused on strengthening operational leadership inside growing aesthetic and wellness practices. During this conversation, I sat down with Melanie Crowley, Practice Manager at Renova Aesthetics, to talk through her journey from elementary education into managing a multi-million dollar business, without a traditional background in this industry. What unfolds is an honest and highly relatable look at what it means to step into leadership before you feel fully ready, and build confidence through action. Together, we unpack the evolving relationship between an owner and a practice manager, and what it really takes to create alignment as a business grows. From navigating team dynamics and implementing change, to learning how to hold accountability without losing trust, Melanie shares what it's looked like to develop her leadership in real time. Inside this replay, we also get into some of the realities that many practice managers and owners face but don't often say out loud… What happens when your team doesn't understand your role How to lead people who were there before you How to balance being supportive while still upholding standards And how consistent communication becomes the foundation for trust, performance, and culture If you're a practice manager learning how to lead, or an owner looking to strengthen your operational leadership and partnership, I think you'll find this conversation both validating and clarifying. Because what this conversation reinforces is simple… Leadership isn't something you wait to feel ready for. It's something you build, one conversation, one decision, and one level-up at a time. Resources → Learn more & book a call with our team to learn if the Practice Manager Academy is right for you! → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

April 6, 202630 min

Episode 313: Turning Big Ideas into Executable Strategy with Whitney Stanford

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Whitney Stanford, Practice Manager of Meg Fox Aesthetics, for a conversation I've been really looking forward to sharing. This episode is a replay from Day 3 of our SPARK event, where we focused on strengthening operational leadership inside growing practices. We talk about what leadership actually looks like when you're in that seat between vision and execution, responsible for taking big ideas and turning them into something your team can consistently carry out across a growing, multi-location practice. Whitney shares her experience navigating that role, from building trust with her team while still holding a high standard for performance, to creating clarity around expectations so accountability feels collaborative rather than confrontational. We also get into how leadership has evolved for her as the business has grown, and what it's taken to develop the confidence and structure needed to support that growth. Throughout the conversation, we unpack the idea that as a business scales, complexity increases, and sustainable growth requires more than effort. It requires systems, alignment, and operational excellence. We also talk about the frameworks and tools Whitney has implemented to bring more consistency to her leadership and create clear, trackable execution across her team. If you're a Practice Manager, or an owner working closely with one, this episode will give you a real look at what it takes to scale without everything falling back on one person. Resources → Learn more & book a call with our team to learn if the Practice Manager Academy is right for you! → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience. There are just a handful of tickets remaining! → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

March 30, 202658 min

Episode 312: How to Stop Scaling Chaos

This week's episode of The Fierce Factor Podcast is a special one. We're bringing you a replay from Day 1 of SPARK, our leadership intensive designed for aesthetic practice owners and practice managers, and the official introduction of the KLC Practice Manager Academy. Built over two years of real-world application, this program was created to address one of the most critical gaps in the aesthetics industry: operational leadership. Because what gets a practice to its first level of success is rarely what sustains it as it grows. In this episode, we unpack the leadership challenges that emerge as businesses scale, owners carrying too much operational weight, practice managers being asked to lead without clear structure or authority, and teams relying on a few key people instead of a defined leadership system. The practices that truly thrive are not just clinically excellent, they are operationally strong. They are built on a true partnership between owner and practice manager, with clearly defined roles and leadership development at the core. If you're ready to move from reactive problem-solving to confident, structured leadership, and build a business that can grow sustainably, this conversation will resonate deeply. Resources → Learn more & book a call with our team to learn if the Practice Manager Academy is right for you! → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience. There are just a handful of tickets remaining! → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

March 23, 202616 min

Episode 311: Bonus: How to Become the Kind of Leader You'd Want to Follow

In this bonus replay episode, I shared something really personal, and honestly, deeply relevant to anyone navigating growth as a business owner. While traveling during my son's lacrosse season last summer, I found myself experiencing that familiar entrepreneurial anxiety…the kind that shows up when you're away from your business and wondering if things are still running smoothly without you. That season pushed me to take a closer look at how I was leading, how I was protecting my energy, and what I was actually saying yes to in my day-to-day. It became about more than just time management. It was about energetic alignment and intentional leadership. Inside this episode, I explored: Why psychological safety is the key to high-performing teams The truth behind "no one can do it like me" How to identify the 10–20% of your work that truly energizes you Why defining your own leadership philosophy changes everything If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your business or disconnected from your vision, my hope was that this episode felt like a breath of fresh air and a nudge to lead in a way that truly supports the life you're building. Resources → Register for SPARK: A 5-day strategic reset for aesthetic and wellness practice owners and practice managers navigating growth, change, and what's next. → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience. There are just a handful of tickets remaining! → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

March 16, 202626 min

Episode 310: Bonus: The Critical Role of a Practice Leader & When to Hire One

In this replay episode, we're revisiting one of the most important leadership decisions every growing practice owner faces: should you promote someone from within, or bring in outside leadership talent? As founders, many of us build our businesses around the skills we know best—whether that's clinical excellence or coaching expertise. But the transition from hands-on provider to visionary CEO requires a completely different leadership skill set. In this conversation, we unpack common mistakes that can slow growth, like overpaying for experienced hires before your business is ready, or promoting a team member into leadership without the training and support they need to succeed. Instead, you'll learn how to identify, develop, and support a Practice Leader—a role designed to bridge the gap between the front desk and operations management while strengthening the leadership structure of your practice. We also cover the core leadership capabilities that make someone effective in this role, including communication, influence, accountability, and team leadership, along with how to set clear career pathways, identify skill gaps, and recognize early red flags when evaluating potential leaders. If you're building or restructuring your leadership team, this replay is packed with insights to help you make smarter promotion decisions, avoid costly leadership missteps, and create the structure needed to support long-term growth. Resources → Register for SPARK: A 5-day strategic reset for aesthetic and wellness practice owners and practice managers navigating growth, change, and what's next. → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience. There are just a handful of tickets remaining! → Join the Fierce Factor Society → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

March 9, 202645 min

Episode 309: The White Glove Client Experience: Raising the Standard in Aesthetics (ALT Panel)

We're taking you back into the room at our 2025 ALT Experience for a special replay from the stage. In this conversation, I sit down with founders and CEOs Meg Fox, Sara Trammell, and Allie Edwards to talk about what it really means to create a white glove patient experience inside a growing practice. Not the kind that feels forced or fancy for the sake of appearance, but the kind rooted in intention, standards, and leadership. We unpack how each of them defines white glove service in a way that fits their brand, and how they ensure it's felt consistently, from the first click online to checkout. We talk about greeting protocols, respecting time, managing late arrivals, rebooking systems, retail integration, and how small environmental details, from scent to lighting to language, reinforce trust. You'll hear how consistency across locations protects brand equity, why digital presence must match the in-person experience, and how to measure excellence through rebooking rates, reviews, call monitoring, and team accountability. This episode is honest and tactical. It's about setting standards, documenting expectations, training your team to deliver excellence without constant supervision, and balancing generosity with strong boundaries. If elevating your patient journey is part of your growth strategy this year, this panel will push you to think beyond personality and into process. And if you want to be in rooms where these conversations happen live, we have just a handful of tickets left for ALT Experience 2026. Secure your seat at klcconsultants.com/alt and join us in raising the standard. Resources → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience → Register for SPARK: A 5-day strategic reset for aesthetic and wellness practice owners and practice managers navigating growth, change, and what's next. → Join the Fierce Factor Society → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. Let's step into the conversation. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

March 2, 202629 min

Episode 308: Structure Without Micromanagement: The Leadership Shift Inside Growing Practices (ALT 2025 Replay)

This week on The Fierce Factor Podcast, we're bringing you another powerful replay from the ALT Experience 2025 stage, and this one is all about what leadership really looks like inside a scaling practice. I sit down with three high-level operators and practice leaders, Amanda Siem, Melanie Crowley, and Liz Grad Murphy, for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about managing teams, building trust, and navigating the often complicated dynamic between founders and managers. We unpack what it actually takes to turn vision into action, how to coach instead of constantly fixing, and why clear expectations eliminate chaos. You'll hear real talk about psychological safety, proactive communication, systems that create autonomy, and the tension between control and trust as your business grows. If you've ever felt stuck in the middle, struggled to loosen your grip, or wondered how to build a team that can truly run with you, not just report to you, this conversation will hit home. If you want to experience conversations like this live, there are only a handful of ALT Experience tickets remaining. Special bonus: When you register this week, you'll receive a 2-hour coaching intensive to prepare a customized growth plan prior to the event so you don't just attend, you arrive with strategy. Resources → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience → Download our NEW free resource, Owner vs Practice Manager Role Clarity Map to clarify who owns what, define decision authority, and understand what your practice still depends on the Owner for → Join the Fierce Factor Society → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn

February 23, 202638 min

Episode 307: Retain to Grow: Designing Development Runways for High-Growth Employees (ALT 2025 Replay)

In this week's episode, we're bringing you a powerful panel replay straight from our ALT 2025 stage: Retain to Grow: Designing Development Runways for High-Growth Employees. On this panel, Kaeli is joined by Shelby Miller, DNP, Heidi Hermel, NP, and Rachel King, FNP-C. Each of these founders leads a thriving practice with strong team culture. And notably, each operates under a different compensation structure. Three different models. Three successful, growing organizations. This panel conversation dives deep into what it really takes to attract, develop, and retain top talent in today's competitive landscape. We unpack compensation models that actually drive performance, when profit-sharing makes sense, how to structure growth pathways, and the balance between rewarding excellence while protecting the business. You'll hear transparent conversations around commission structures, onboarding, mentorship tiers, leadership development, and how to prevent your best people from being lured away by flashy offers that don't hold up under scrutiny. More importantly, we explore how to create emotional loyalty, cast long-term vision, and build a culture where high performers see their future with you. If you've ever wondered how to grow without losing your best people, this episode is for you. And if this conversation resonates, ALT 2026 is where you need to be. Register for ALT by February 28 and receive a complimentary 1:1 Mini Intensive — a private 2-hour strategy session designed to tackle your biggest business challenge. Exclusive to the first 10 registrations $1,297 value Personalized action plan you can implement immediately We'll see you in the room! Resources → Snag your ticket for the ALT Experience → Join the Fierce Factor Society → Follow Kaeli on Instagram: @kaeli.lindholm Additional Ways to Connect: Book a Discovery Call: Ready to scale with intention? Let's map out your next strategic move. KLC Consulting Website Kaeli on LinkedIn