Profit by Design

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve recorded 400 episodes of Profit by Design! After working with thousands of business owners, we can tell you this: most owners do not have a revenue problem–they have a design problem. They built businesses that depend on them to survive, and that catches up with them in the form of the survival trap and burnout. Thank you so much for showing up here with us every week to build a better business and better life. We are so honored to celebrate 400 episodes with you. Your time is so valuable, and we thank...

If you’ve realized from our last episode that you’re burned out, the worst thing you can do next is try to “push through” or just take a vacation. Why? Because burnout isn’t the real problem; it’s just a signal that your business still depends on you in ways it shouldn’t. If you’ve tried taking time off, but you come back to the same problems, you know you haven’t fixed anything. Your team still needs you for decisions, you don’t trust things to run without you, and you feel stuck between “keep going” and “something...

Burnout doesn’t always look the way you think it does. You may be showing up, getting things done, and leading your team. Underneath it all, however, you’re exhausted and have very little patience, working with a brain that won’t shut off, and the thought of handling “just one more problem” feels heavier than ever before. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. High-performing business owners don’t crash overnight; burnout builds slowly as you normalize the stress, push through the fatigue, and tell yourself to just get through this “busy season.” The sad f...

You’ve hired talented people, so why aren’t they performing like A-Players? Why does it still feel like you have to double-check everything—like your team waits instead of leads, accountability is inconsistent, and you’re still the one carrying the standard? The real issue isn’t your people—it’s the culture they’re operating in. A-players don’t just show up; they respond to the environment you create. Even highly capable individuals can hold back, wait for direction, and avoid ownership when the culture lacks clarity, leadership, and trust. That’s why so many business owners feel frustrated, eve...

Why is it that the most driven, capable, high-performing business owners are often the first to burn out? You are the one everyone relies on because you care deeply and push harder than anyone else, but you’re exhausted, and the business still depends on you for everything. No matter how much you achieve, it never feels like enough. If you feel this way, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong; it’s because you’ve been rewarded for over-functioning. Your business has grown because you’ve stepped up, taken responsibility, and carried more than anyone else. The problem...

What if the biggest problem in your business isn’t actually THE problem? If you’re working harder than ever to fix things: hiring, pushing sales, trying to get organized—but nothing is changing, you’re still the bottleneck. You’re doing what most smart, capable business owners do, but you aren’t getting ahead. Instead of reacting to surface-level problems, you need to address the root cause, and this clarity about the real issue is what changes everything. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Kaitlyn Beaver break down the following: why smart, capable business owners misdiagnose their biggest challenges...

Let’s be honest. When was the last time you took a real vacation—without checking your email? If the idea of stepping away from your business makes your stomach tighten up in knots, this episode is for you. You didn’t start your business to be on call 24/7, yet most entrepreneurs are putting their businesses before their families. If this is you, you have an owner dependency problem. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling break down the real reason you can’t take time off from your business, and what it actually takes to build a self-m...

If your business is growing, but you’re more exhausted than ever–something is off. More revenue should mean more freedom. Instead, you’re stuck in the survival trap of being overworked, underpaid, and the bottleneck in your business. Stress has become your new normal. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling walk you through the exact framework we use inside the Tap the Potential Solution™. You’ll learn the 5-step business growth strategy that changes everything. Sustainable profit doesn’t come from hustle; it comes from strategy. Ask yourself this question: “If nothing changes, what will it cost me?” J...

Is your business completely dependent on you? If you take a vacation, will everything fall apart? If so, you are in the Business Owner Dependency Trap, and today’s episode reveals how to get out of it, change everything, and take your life back from your business. Business owners can escape survival mode by identifying the sweet spot of their business—the point at which profitability, freedom, and sustainability finally align. We have proven that working with fewer clients often increases profit, letting go of the wrong work creates growth, and systems (not hustle) create freedom. Melissa Kay and Dr...

When you go into business, you work really hard to get things going, but as you achieve success, the business takes over your life, right? You want to keep growing your business, but you can’t work more. You’re already exhausted and stretched too thin. If you’re tired of being the fixer, the one with the fallback plan, and the one who holds it all together, you are not alone! If you’re like most business owners we work with, you have revenue coming in, but you are still not profitable. You struggle to make payroll and attract...

Do you ever feel like anxiety is running your life and business? From the outside, your business may look successful, yet internally, you feel exhausted, stretched thin, and disconnected from yourself. Entrepreneurship doesn’t just demand strategy; it demands your energy, heart, capacity, and sometimes, your identity. In this deeply personal episode, Melissa Kay shares what the past year has taught her about recovering from emotional burnout and why self-care for entrepreneurs isn’t selfish, it’s strategic. Melissa is joined by her personal life coach, Robin Berning, who has helped her set boundaries with clarity and peace while stayin...

Does your business slow down the moment you step away? If every decision, approval, or problem still funnels through you, you’re not alone, but YOU are the bottleneck. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling break down how you can stop being the bottleneck and start building a self-managing business model that doesn’t depend on you for every decision. You’ll learn why capable teams still wait for the owner’s approval, the hidden ways business owners unintentionally create bottlenecks, what a self-managing business actually looks like, and practical leadership shifts that empower your team to take...

Do you ever feel like your mind is running faster than your business can keep up? When everything feels urgent, noisy, and heavy, staying grounded can feel impossible. In this episode, Dr. Sabrina Starling and Melissa Kay share their #1 grounding ritual: the simple, repeatable practice they return to–no matter what’s going on in business or life. This kind of grounding is all about creating a moment of steadiness that helps you lead with clarity rather than reacting from stress. You’ll learn why grounded leaders make better decisions under pressure, how one small daily ritual can calm your n...

Do you ever say yes in your business when every part of you wants to say no? Boundaries are easy to discuss, but incredibly difficult to live out, especially when payroll, clients, and team expectations are on the line. In this episode, we get real about the hardest boundaries we’ve ever set in our businesses and why setting them changed everything. Dr. Sabrina Starling and Melissa Kay share personal stories of boundaries they resisted, feared, and finally enforced, ranging from client expectations to time, availability, and scope of work. You’ll learn why business owners struggle so much with...

Loneliness isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a leadership and culture issue. In this episode, Dr. Sabrina Starling sits down with repeat guest and leadership expert Dov Baron to explore the growing epidemic of loneliness within organizations, and why it’s quietly eroding trust, engagement, and A-player retention. You’ll learn why high performers often feel the most disconnected, how loneliness shows up at work, leadership behaviors that create real belonging, and what business owners must do now to protect culture and retain their best people. If you’re leading a team and wondering why motivation, loyalty, or connectio...

Do you know the real reason most business owners don’t have a life outside work? It’s because of the survival trap. This is what happens when you take on clients, projects, or work outside your sweet spot, just to cover payroll, patch cash flow gaps, or respond to immediate crises. There is a better way! In this episode, you’ll discover how the survival trap subtly steals your time, energy, and freedom; why working in your sweet spot is the only way to grow and enjoy your business truly; and practical steps to move from survival mode to str...

If you’re worried about giving employee raises when revenue is tight, you’re not alone. In this episode, we explore ways to reward your team without putting your business at risk. You’ll discover smart ways to structure raises when cash flow is limited, how to communicate compensation changes without hurting morale, and strategies to retain top talent even when money is tight. If you’re a business owner trying to balance people and profits, this episode will give you practical steps you can implement now. Join Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling to learn smart, sustainable strategies for hand...

Most business owners wait way too long to get financial support, not because they don’t need it, but because they think their books are too messy, too far behind, or too embarrassing to hand over to a professional. In this episode, Tap the Potential’s Lead Strategist, Melissa Kay, talks with Tammy Little about precisely what you should look for in an accounting firm, and why you’re more ready for help than you think! We cover the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant, controller, and CFO (and who you actually need; the essential systems and processes to make your f...

Does the idea of taking a real vacation make you anxious instead of excited? If stepping away for even a day feels risky, the thought of taking four whole weeks probably feels impossible—but it’s not. You don’t need a massive team or endless cash flow to make it happen. In this week’s episode, we’re breaking down the exact systems, delegation strategy, and leadership habits you need to build NOW, so you can confidently step away later. You’ll discover the first thing to fix if your business can’t run without you, how to train your tea...

Are you feeling the pressure to do all the things this holiday season: gifts, events, wrapping up the year, and taking care of everyone? What if the most meaningful gift you could give wasn’t something you could buy? What if you discovered how small, intentional leadership actions, like encouragement, clarity, trust, and honest feedback, are the greatest gifts you can offer your team and yourself? In this episode, you’ll learn why encouragement has 5x the retention power of any holiday bonus, how clarity resets stress and boosts A-player performance, the trust-building habits that create a self-managing team, and...

Are you craving more time, more freedom, and a team that actually takes ownership? Dr. Sabrina says, “If I could give every business owner one gift, it would be the ability to empower your leadership team to run the business without you.” In this week’s episode, she shares the gift she wishes every entrepreneur would receive: the confidence, structure, and support to step back and let your team step up. Melissa Kay shares her gift, too: a simple yet powerful time strategy to help you identify your $10K-per-hour activities, along with the exact way to help your team member...

Do you want to work fewer hours each week? We can get you on track to make it happen! Take charge now and plan ahead for a healthier, happier 2026 as a business owner. When you join our Better Business Better Life program, our guarantee to you is that you will shave 10 hours off your workweek, go home at a set time each day to be fully unplugged and present with your family, and take your weekends off. We guarantee all of these things to happen within the first 30 days of our program! If you want 2026 to be a better...

It’s become an annual tradition to share our Strategic Planning Series with our listeners, and there is no better time to do it than right now, on the cusp of a new year. Dr. Sabrina Starling hosts this two-part series that begins with this episode. She is “The Business Psychologist” and the author of the international bestselling series, How to Hire the Best, and The 4 Week Vacation book. In today’s episode, Dr. Sabrina shines a spotlight on your $10,000 an hour activities for these last couple of weeks of 2025. Utilizing your time in $10,000 an hour activities only comes through...

What tasks in your business, when completed, make other tasks easier or unnecessary? Those are your $10,000 an hour activities, and they should be at the top of your daily to-do list. By prioritizing these tasks each day, you can stop working at a set time, leave the office, and prevent work from spilling over into your personal life. Join Dr. Sabrina Starling as she reveals the foundational principles that allow her to work less and still accomplish her goals in a growing business. In this training, you’ll discover the mindset, systems, and foundation to take your life back fr...

Are you struggling to raise your prices because you are afraid of losing clients? You are not alone! In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling explore specific strategies to increase your rates while keeping your best clients satisfied confidently. You’ll learn the mindset shifts that make price increases feel natural and justified, how to communicate price charges without losing trust, and proven strategies business owners use to raise rates and grow profits. Stop leaving money on the table and start charging what you’re worth—without fear. 

Profit by Design is a Tap the Potenti...

Are you feeling pulled in a hundred different directions and wondering why nothing seems to move your business forward? It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right ONE thing. In this episode, we are diving into how narrowing your focus can accelerate results, reduce overwhelm, and simplify decision-making. Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling will help you identify the one thing that will create the biggest impact in your business, understand why multitasking and busywork stall growth, and share a simple strategy to stay focused and maintain momentum. If you’re ready to finally make real p...

Are you struggling to get your team focused and aligned, but are left wondering why the results aren’t what they should be? In this episode, we delve into how simply being fully present as a leader can transform your team, decision-making, and business outcomes. You’ll learn why presence is the secret weapon behind high-performing teams; how your mindset as a leader shapes focus, collaboration, and results; and simple strategies to show up fully without burning out. If you’re looking for a leadership approach that drives clarity, accountability, and measurable growth, this episode is your roadmap. 

Profi...

Are you feeling drained, distracted, or stuck in overthinking mode? Before you blame your workload, take a look at your screen time. You might find the problem there. In this episode, we are exploring how constant scrolling impacts your focus, creativity, and peace of mind—and what to do about it. You’ll discover why screen time quietly sabotages your mindset and energy, a simple and science-backed reset that only takes a few minutes, and how breathing and mindfulness help you refocus and show up as your best self. If you’re ready to break free from distraction and reclai...

Are you frustrated by the constant turnover that costs you your best people? In this episode, we are revealing the simple action you can take to inspire loyalty and keep your top team members engaged. Dr. Sabrina Starling and Melissa Kay team up with Kaitlyn Beaver to each share their #1 leadership habit that makes A-players want to stay, how small and consistent actions build long-term team loyalty, and the simple shift you can start practicing today. Don’t let your best people slip away! Hear from each of our experts about their top leadership habits essential to creating a cu...

Are you tired of pushing your team to hit goals, only to see mediocre results, increased frustration, and burnout? In this episode of Profit by Design, we are breaking down what really makes A-players different, and how you can build a team that thrives AND delivers. Join Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling as they talk with Kaitlyn Beaver, the How to Hire the Best Strategist at Tap the Potential. You’ll discover the three traits A-players have that fuel results without burnout, how to spot (and keep) top talent in your business, and the simple shifts you can ma...

Today’s episode is all about systems, and not just systems, but identifying who on your team can support you in getting systems in place. Hint: you, the business owner, don’t need to do it; you need a “systems champion.” Dr. Sabrina Starling hosts her friend and colleague, David Jenyns, for today’s discussion. This is David’s fourth time on Profit by Design, and we are always thrilled to hear his practical wisdom for small business owners. Join us!

David Jenyns is an experienced entrepreneur who sold the Melbourne Cricket Grounds in his early 20s and founded...

In today’s show, Dr. Sabrina Starling visits with Sara Nay of Duct Tape Marketing. These two entrepreneurs are highly aligned in their passion for work that supports life, rather than the other way around. Sara discusses her book, which is full of strategy, not just marketing tactics, along with an understanding of the value of relationships. If your marketing strategy needs an overhaul, this show is for you. Join us! 

Sara Nay is the CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, where she helps small businesses turn their marketing strategies into scalable systems that their teams can actually exe...

Are you stuck feeling like your business can’t run without you? Wouldn’t you love to have a team that manages itself? In this episode, you’ll hear what happened when Dr. Sabrina stepped back and Melissa Kay took full ownership of delivery. Spoiler alert: the coaching didn’t just stay on track, but it got even better! You’ll discover why giving your team autonomy is the key to growth and freedom and how stepping back creates space for innovation and improvement. We’re providing practical steps you can follow to build your own self-managing team. If you’ve ever...

Are you working harder than ever but still not seeing the results you want in your business? The problem may not be your strategy, your team, or even your market; it COULD be your mindset. In this episode of Profit by Design, we uncover the hidden ways your thinking might be holding you back, and more importantly, the shifts you can make to move forward with confidence. Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling explain how you can identify the limiting beliefs that are costing you profit and freedom, the most common mindset traps for entrepreneurs, and practical steps to...

Most business owners, even the most successful ones, wrestle with imposter syndrome. It’s not a sign that you’re failing, but it’s proof that you’re growing. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling are uncovering the reasons why courage, not confidence, is the real key to shutting down imposter syndrome and leading your business with conviction. You’ll discover how to take action even when self-doubt screams the loudest, how to reframe fear into a force for momentum, and how to build the kind of confidence that sticks—no matter what. 

Profit by Design is...

Do you ever wonder what it really takes to create a successful podcast? After 7 years of hosting Profit by Design, we have fine-tuned a system that makes podcasting doable AND impactful for our business. Today’s conversation takes you behind the scenes to learn how we plan content that aligns with our business goals, what goes into the recording process, and how we repurpose each episode to save time and expand our reach. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast to grow your business, this episode is your roadmap. Join Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling to learn more...

Have you considered launching a podcast or leveraging podcast visibility to promote your business? Today’s conversation between Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling is eye-opening and inspiring about the purpose of podcasting. From attracting “right-fit” clients to building authority and actually enjoying marketing, Dr. Sabrina proudly declares that podcasting has changed the way she grows her business. She’s pulling back the curtain to share tips, strategies, and insights into her updated marketing philosophy. There is so much to learn! Join us!

Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential Production. 

Show Highlights:

It was one year ago when Dr. Sabrina Starling took the TEDx stage to share her bold message: From Burnout to Balance: Redefining Success in Work and Life. What happened next? What does it really take to lead for freedom day in and day out? In this powerful episode of Profit by Design, Dr. Sabrina reflects on the hard-earned lessons, big wins, and leadership shifts she’s made since her TEDx talk aired. If you are ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business and build a team that runs things without you, this episode is your invitation to...

Are you a business owner who is tired of being the only one to get things right? Are you dealing with team members who are stuck and not taking initiative? You hired a team to take things off your plate, but instead, you’re buried in follow-up, approvals, and rework. Sadly, you’ve unknowingly undermined your team members and trained them NOT to take initiative. Ready to break this cycle?

In this episode, you’ll learn how to stop micromanaging and start building a team you can trust to OWN their work. Dr. Sabrina Starling and Melissa Kay di...

Instead of your team stepping up, you’re stuck answering constant questions, fixing mistakes, and wondering why you’re STILL the one holding everything together. If this sounds all-too-familiar, join us for this episode as we unpack the reasons why your team isn’t taking initiative–and what you can do about it. You’ll learn how to lead in a way that fosters genuine accountability, how to stop micromanaging and start empowering, and how to transition into an authentic leadership role. Join us if you’re ready to grow your business without burning out.

Profit by Design is a...