Podcast launch week: The real story behind our new show


You've seen the headlines. Another successful entrepreneur confesses to burning out and starting over. They talk about laying off their entire team, shutting down their thriving business, and rising from the ashes like a phoenix. It's dramatic. It's inspiring. And it's becoming alarmingly common.

But what if I told you there's another way?

As a business advisor with nearly 40 years of experience across more than 40 industries, I've seen countless entrepreneurs face overwhelming challenges. And while I applaud the courage it takes to admit when things aren't working, I can't help but wonder: Are we missing something crucial in these conversations?

That's exactly why Tonya Kubo and I have launched The Business You Really Want, a podcast for female entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable, fulfilling businesses aligned with their values.

In our first episode, we confront the apparent trend of "burning it all down" and explore why it might not be the only — or even the best — solution to business overwhelm.

Here's a taste of what you'll discover:

  1. The hidden culprit behind most business burnouts
  2. Why chasing someone else's definition of success might be sabotaging your business
  3. The power of having a diverse toolbox of business solutions
  4. How to identify what you really want from your business (and why it matters)

But perhaps most importantly, we discuss why burning down your business often leads to recreating the same problems all over again. As I share in the episode, I’ve seen this cycle repeat itself more times than I like to count: A founder will get fed up, strip down their operations to the barest of bones, only to rebuild their business to something that needs to be burned down all over again.

So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, stretched to the point of breaking — or if you're simply curious about how to build a business that truly aligns with your values and goals, this episode is for you.

You can listen on Apple and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Don't let overwhelm be your boss. Join us as we explore how to build the business you really want — without sacrificing your values, your health, or your sanity.

Gwen Bortner
Founder/CEO, Everyday Effectiveness

P.S. It's finally LAUNCH WEEK, and we need your support! Please take a moment to check out the show, subscribe AND leave a review (or comment on YouTube). It makes a huge difference to us and to future listeners.

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

  • Schedule a call to discuss how I can help you design your business with intention.
  • Join the Small Biz Book Club to discuss applying big ideas from business books to small business reality.
  • Book me as a speaker or podcast guest.

PO Box 1133, Merced, CA 95341
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Gwen Bortner | Everyday Effectiveness

Gwen Bortner is a business advisor who provides outside perspective and unwavering accountability. She’s also the one to ask the hard questions others won't. After four decades of working across 47+ industries, Gwen has learned that marketing and sales have built-in feedback loops — you know quickly if they're working. But the behind-the-scenes engine that runs your business? That's where the blind spots live. That's where successful businesses secretly start breaking down, even when everything looks fine from the outside. Gwen's monthly newsletter provides tips to help you identify bottlenecks others miss so you can build a business that performs well without consuming your life.

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