Scaling the Gap

Scaling the Gap is a podcast crafted for the bold, bright, ambitious leaders of today. As an Owner, Entrepreneur, Founder, CEO, President you've already tasted success, and you’re on a quest for more — more impact, more growth, more fulfillment!Our podcast is your companion on this journey, offering a unique recipe of inspiration, introspection and innovation blended with high-impact tactical, practical business advice. We’re here to guide you through the complexities of scaling your business by providing proven tools and dynamic personal growth insights that will help you solidify your vision and transform it into a lasting legacy. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.legacyleadershipinstitute.com/podcast-guest.

Scaling the Gap is a business podcast hosted by Madeleine MacRae, with 112 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Madeleine MacRae hosts Scaling the Gap, a business show with 112 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #21

  Building a Business That Serves People First: Lessons from Surv’s Founder

  Sep 29, 202629 minS1

  How does a simple idea become a business that changes the way people think about work, community, and growth? On this episode of Bold Enough , Madeline McRae speaks with Patrick Brown , founder of Surv , about entrepreneurship, franchising, personal growth, and building a company around service. Patrick’s entrepreneurial journey started in college when he began knocking on doors in his community and offering his help to homeowners. His goal was simple: earn money for school while learning practical skills. But what he discovered was something much bigger — the power of building relationships and becoming part of people’s lives. That early experience became the foundation for Surv, a company designed to help homeowners with everyday tasks while creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and contribute to their communities. After expanding across Rhode Island, Patrick began franchising the business and building a model that could be replicated in new markets. In this conversation, Patrick shares what he learned while transitioning from being the person doing the work to the person building the system. He discusses the challenges of creating a repeatable franchise model, empowering franchise owners, and developing a business that can scale without losing its original mission. Patrick also opens up about one of the biggest lessons of his entrepreneurial journey: the importance of feedback. From having his first website completely critiqued by professional designers to learning how to separate valuable feedback from noise, he explains how growth comes from being willing to listen, reflect, and improve. At the heart of this episode is a powerful idea: Success is not just about reaching a finish line. It is about becoming who you want to become, creating meaningful impact, and embracing the journey along the way. A thoughtful conversation for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone looking to turn everyday opportunities into something meaningful. Pat Brown Website: https://www.wesurv.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pat-brown-surv Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

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  Episode #20

  The Overlooked Way to Build Confidence in Kids and Leaders Alike | Leigh Feldman

  Sep 24, 202631 minS1

  How do you build a business that helps people discover who they are? On this episode of Bold Enough , Madeline McRae speaks with Leigh Feldman , CEO of a youth enrichment brand platform, about entrepreneurship, franchising, leadership, and creating experiences that help children and families grow. Leigh’s work focuses on brands that combine education, creativity, and hands-on experiences to help children develop confidence and important life skills. Through Young Chefs Academy and Flower Power Cooking Studios , cooking becomes more than an activity. It becomes a way for kids to discover their abilities, build self-esteem, and learn that they can tackle challenges. In this conversation, Leigh shares why he believes every child deserves the opportunity to find the thing that makes their heart “flutter” — the activity where they feel connected, capable, and confident. They explore the importance of creating remarkable experiences, building strong franchise relationships, and supporting business owners through the challenges of scaling. Leigh explains why franchise success depends on reputation, relationships, and giving owners the tools they need to thrive. Leigh also discusses the challenges of evolving established brands, including maintaining culture, adapting processes, supporting different levels of technology comfort, and creating systems that serve everyone in the organization. At the heart of this episode is a powerful idea: Success is not just about what you build. It is about helping others discover what they are capable of building within themselves. A meaningful conversation for entrepreneurs, franchise leaders, parents, and anyone passionate about creating experiences that leave a lasting impact. Leigh Feldman Young Chefs Academy: https://youngchefsacademy.com Flower Power Studios: https://flourpowerstudios.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-feldman-39a2b4203 Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

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  Episode #19

  The Accidental Owner: Building a Legacy Business with Heart and Humility

  Sep 22, 202625 minS1

  What happens when you say “yes” to an opportunity before you feel completely ready? On this episode of Bold Enough , Madeline McRae speaks with Jen Young , owner of Mr. K’s Fabric Shop , about her unexpected journey from sales and marketing professional to entrepreneur and steward of a long-standing community business. Jen’s path into business ownership began with an offhand comment. While discussing ways to expand her husband’s carpet business, she jokingly said she could buy Mr. K’s. The very next day, the owner of the window coverings business contacted her about selling it. Despite having no experience in window treatments, upholstery, or awnings, Jen decided to take the leap and become the next owner of a company established in 1973. In this conversation, Jen shares how she used the skills she had developed throughout her career, from sales and customer service to HR and relationship building, to grow the business and preserve the trust customers had built over generations. She discusses the challenges of stepping into a legacy company, navigating uncertainty, building a stronger team, creating processes, and continuing to evolve while respecting the foundation that came before her. Jen also shares why success is not defined only by financial results. For her, success means having committed employees, loyal customers, strong community relationships, and the ability to continue building something meaningful. At the heart of this episode is a powerful reminder: Opportunities often come disguised as moments of uncertainty, but the preparation you build along the way gives you the confidence to say yes. A must-listen conversation for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone considering taking the next bold step in their journey. Mr. K’s Fabric Shop Website: mrksquincy.com Facebook: Mr. K’s Fabric Shop – Quincy, IL Phone: (217) 222-5816 Jennifer Young LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-young-a0977349 Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

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  Episode #18

  From Oil-Stained Engineer to Remote CEO: The Reinvention of Judy Cisler

  Sep 21, 202629 minS1

  How do you build a business that gives you freedom instead of taking it away? On this episode of Bold Enough , Madeline McRae speaks with Judy Cisler , entrepreneur and owner of a custom window coverings business, about her journey from industrial engineer to business owner and the lessons she learned while building a company that can thrive without her being involved every day. Judy’s path into entrepreneurship was anything but traditional. After working as an industrial engineer, she decided to create something of her own and discovered an opportunity in custom window treatments, a field that combined her natural eye for design with her passion for helping customers create beautiful spaces. Over the years, she built a showroom, purchased the building her business operates from, developed a team, and created systems that allowed her to step away from daily operations and focus on the strategic side of the company. In this conversation, Judy shares the challenges that came with scaling, including learning that hiring does not automatically solve problems, navigating difficult employee decisions, and evolving her own mindset as the business grew. She also explains why some of the greatest rewards of entrepreneurship come from watching other people grow, seeing employees develop confidence, and creating an environment where customers and team members feel valued. At the heart of this episode is Judy’s definition of success: A happy team, strong customer relationships, predictable processes, and the ability to continue building a life she loves. A powerful conversation for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to create companies that can grow, thrive, and provide freedom for the people behind them. Judy Cisler Website: https://www.gotchacovered.com/grand-rapids/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judy-cisler-71600944 Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

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  Episode #17

  Why Delegation is Your Growth Multiplier with John Nieuewenburg

  Sep 15, 202643 minS1

  What happens when the person who built the business becomes the biggest thing holding it back? On this episode of Bold Enough , Madeleine MacRae speaks with John Nieuwenburg , business coach and founder of W5 Coaching , about the transition every growing entrepreneur must make: moving from being the expert who does the work to the leader who builds the organization. John specializes in helping small business owners, particularly those in trades and professional services, who have mastered their craft but need support learning how to run and scale a business. He shares why many entrepreneurs struggle not because they lack talent, but because they haven’t developed the leadership, delegation, communication, and mindset skills required for growth. In this conversation, John explains why business coaching is often personal coaching in disguise, helping owners improve not only their systems and strategies but also their ability to lead, communicate, and think differently about their role. They explore the biggest challenges business owners face: time, team, and money. John shares why many owners spend their most valuable hours on tasks they shouldn’t be doing, how to create systems that allow others to succeed, and why culture must be intentionally built rather than accidentally created. John also shares powerful leadership lessons around accountability, difficult conversations, and defining success beyond traditional measures. His perspective on success comes from his own journey, including overcoming one of the darkest moments of his life and discovering a renewed purpose in helping others move forward. At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful idea: You cannot grow your business beyond the mindset and leadership capacity of the person running it. A must-listen conversation for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who want to scale with intention, build stronger teams, and create a business that works beyond themselves. John Nieuwenburg Website – https://w5coaching.com/ Blog – https://w5coaching.com/resources/ TEDx Talk – Search “John Nieuwenburg TEDx” on YouTube Madeleine MacRae Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

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