You don’t have to burn yourself out to build a successful business.

I learned that the hard way.

On paper, everything looked great.
✔ Built three businesses to $200M in revenue
✔ Bootstrapped a service business to $25M with 25 people in five years
✔ Scaled a VC-backed tech company to $28M ARR in under two years with just 12 people
✔ Made a double-sided consumer marketplace profitable in three months with a five-person team
✔ Raised $30M in venture capital

But behind the scenes, I was exhausted, constantly putting out fires, and convinced the business would fall apart if I stepped away.

So I pushed harder, thinking that was the only way.

Then life forced me to stop.

I ran headfirst into a glass window. A concussion took me out for eight weeks. No emails, no meetings, no problem-solving. For the first time, I couldn’t step in to fix things.

And when I came back, I was shocked. The business hadn’t just survived. It had thrived.

That moment forced me to question everything.

I always thought the key to scaling was working harder and building better systems. And systems did help. But what really made the difference wasn’t the business. It was me.

I had built a company that depended on me, not because it had to, but because I didn’t know how to let go. I believed that stepping back meant losing control. That if I wasn’t involved in everything, things would fall apart.

That belief had to change.

Learning to trust my team, step back, and stop being the bottleneck wasn’t easy. But once I did, everything changed.

The systems worked because I let them. My team thrived because I gave them space. And the business grew faster than ever, not because I was in every decision, but because I wasn’t.

Now, I help founders do the same.

Most founders come to me because they feel stuck. They’re scaling, but at the cost of their time, health, and freedom. It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re ready to build a business that grows without you being in the weeds, join me for daily insights on scaling, leadership, and personal growth.

Let’s get started.
—--
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⚫️ 1:1 CEO Coaching – If you want direct guidance to break free from the grind, let’s talk. 

Let’s connect:
Email: hello@christinecarrillo.com
Twitter: @ChristineCarril

Christine Carrillo

No one stays for the perks.

They stay to feel seen.

Too many leaders think loyalty comes from money.

You can offer top salaries.
Perks. Bonuses. Company shares.

But if your team feels invisible?
They'll leave.

Here's what actually builds loyalty:
→ Being seen.
→ Being heard.
→ Knowing their work matters.

Team members aren't asking for a parade.
They just want to know their work means something.

Because when they feel appreciated:
→ They care more.
→ They give more.
→ They show up more.

Without ever being asked.

You want people to go above and beyond?
Start with a simple "thank you."

How do you make your team feel valued?

♻️ If this hits home, share it with your network.
Follow Christine Carrillo for more leadership insights.
Ready to build a big business with a tiny team? This is the playbook: https://lnkd.in/gQCveimB

Helping Overwhelmed Managers Become Impactful Leaders - Faster | Mom, Entrepreneur & MGMT Co-Founder

Promotion is not preparation. Most managers step into leadership having mastered their craft, but with no training in the actual job of managing people.My husband Dave and I built MGMT Accelerator and MGMT Fundamentals to fix that. Together we've coached 1,400+ managers into leaders their teams actually want to follow. From Google, Goldman Sachs, Bridgewater, Nvidia, Amazon, and Uber to managers at a range of start-ups and small businesses.Two coaches. 30+ combined years of experience. One approach: live, practical, frameworks to help you deliver and get home for dinner.My own training ground? I started as an engineer who preferred to present. A Wall Street chapter immersed in high performance. Craved sales experience and joined Google. Becoming a parent made me a more patient and thoughtful leader. And I study teams and locker room speeches. Sport is management with a scoreboard.Each week we send The MGMT Playbook to 57K leaders. Practical insights and systems you can use the same day.Become the leader you would follow. Faster. Start with MGMT Fundamentals or apply for MGMT Accelerator. Links in my featured section.DM me with any questions.I use AI to create time. I use that time to respond to notes. No bots. Just me. After all, management is personal.Helpful links:MGMT Playbookhttps://mgmt.beehiiv.com/MGMT Fundamentals (new managers)https://maven.com/dave-kline/mgmt-fundamentalsMGMT Acceleator (experienced managers)https://maven.com/dave-kline/mgmt-accelerator

Marsden Kline

"Fine" was never the goal.
Everyone's quick to point fingers.
Few are willing to roll up sleeves.

It can be easy to walk past a problem.
Or whisper a complaint.

In fact, this seems to be celebrated by many.

But I'm inspired by those who who ask:

"How can I make this better?"

At work, they don't simply meet to check the box.
They debate and decide.

In the gym, they don't practice just to practice.
They endeavor to improve.

When projects fall behind, they step up.
When quality slips, they raise the bar.
When someone's struggling, they make time.

This isn't about doing everyone else's job.
It's about refusing to accept mediocre as normal.

This isn't blind optimism.
It's a better default.

And this doesn't mean always having dinner at your desk.

Use your courage and creativity.
Create a Loom instead of a 20 page deck.

You may have learned through hazing and late nights.
But is that the best way?

Help someone skip mistakes.
Challenge the process that wastes everyone's time.

The world has enough people who shrug and say "not my problem."

Be someone who makes those around them better.

Because fine was never the goal.

♻️ Share to help someone
🔔 Follow Marsden Kline for more

--
If you are the average of the 5 people you spend time with, 
Choose carefully.
Be in rooms that make you better.

Never underestimate leaders who make time to learn.
Jon our top-rated programs.

For new managers:
https://lnkd.in/gCwT7kU7

For experienced managers:
https://lnkd.in/eTYt-ZXJ

Most managers are set up to fail. 60% do. We’ve coached 1,400 who chose differently. | Co-Founder, MGMT Accelerator & Fundamentals

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The Battle

Christine Carrillo

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