Hey there Superstar! I love to share my journey with you because I believe it’s important to learn from those who’ve been in the trenches, just like you are now.
I’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt! My goal is to teach you from an authentic place, sharing not just what’s working today, but what’s worked over the past 20 years in this industry.
If you’re new here, welcome to the Go Gold community! I’m Katie Cannon, CEO of Gold Medal Business, and a five-time British Gymnastics Champion turned seven-figure entrepreneur in the children's activity space.
Growing Faster Than You Think
Today, I’m diving into one of the most challenging aspects of building a business in our industry—creating a next-level team. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked about this.
The truth is, building a successful, thriving team isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely possible with the right systems and culture in place.
Here’s something that really hit home for me: as a small business, you’re going through in one year what most big corporations experience over ten years.
That’s why it often feels like you’re growing faster than your team can keep up with. It’s not that you’re doing anything wrong—it’s just the nature of our fast-paced, ever-evolving industry.
I see this all the time with the clients I work with in our You - The CEO mentorship program. They often come to us when they’re at a quarter-million in revenue, and we help them remodel and restructure their brand to push through to that next level. It’s not just about strategies and systems—it’s about stepping into that next-level leadership that your team needs to thrive.
Embrace the Seasons of Growth
One of the first things to understand is that everyone on your team is with you for a different season of growth. I’ve had team members who’ve been with me for a week, a year, or even 16 years! It’s okay if someone isn’t growing with you at the pace you need—this is part of the journey.
As a CEO, you must recognise when it’s time to make tough decisions about your team. It’s all about making sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people for where your business is now and where it’s heading.
Remember, we’re building businesses that don’t just survive without us—they thrive. And that starts with acknowledging the different seasons of growth within your team.
Becoming the Leader Your Team Needs
To build a next-level team, you need to become a next-level leader. This means creating an environment that supports growth—not just for your business, but for everyone in it. At Gold Medal Business, we’re all about helping you step into that CEO role with confidence, providing the mentorship and support you need to up-level your leadership skills.
One key strategy I’ve found invaluable is keeping simplicity at the bottom and complexity at the top.
While you and your senior leaders handle the complex aspects of the business, your team members should have clear, manageable tasks. This reduces overwhelm and helps everyone stay focused on what they do best.
For example, instead of piling on tasks like trials, enrolments, marketing, and admin all at once, break it down. Imagine telling someone, "Today, I just want you to focus on calling trials." That kind of focus can lead to incredible results. Keeping things simple for your team members allows them to excel without feeling overwhelmed.
High Performance and Role Clarity
Next, let’s talk about clarity in roles and performance. Are you crystal clear on what each role in your business is responsible for? Do you have a vision that’s easy for everyone to understand and get behind? When you’re clear, your team will be too, and that clarity will attract the right people who are ready to help you grow.
Avoiding a Bloated Business
Lastly, keep an eye on your expenses. In our industry, staffing costs are usually the highest, but they should still be manageable. Your business should operate smoothly even if your team is only working at 80% capacity. This prevents unnecessary stress and ensures your business remains profitable without burning out your team.
If your expenses are out of control and you feel like your team has to operate at 100% just to keep the doors open, it’s time to reassess. Remember, the goal is to create a business that grows steadily without the constant pressure to perform at maximum capacity every single day.
Join the Scale to Freedom Accelerator to Build Your Next-Level Team!
If you’re ready to take your team and business to the next level, I’d love for you to join our Scale to Freedom Accelerator starting on September 2nd. This program is designed specifically for children's activity and sports providers who want to increase students, build their dream team, and scale with ease.
In the Accelerator, we’ll focus on helping you create the systems and leadership skills you need to support your growth. You’ll learn how to up-level your team, simplify your operations, and become the CEO your business needs to thrive.
If this sounds like exactly what you need,
Have an epic day, and keep striving for gold!
Katie 🌟
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