Scaling the Gap
Madeleine MacRae
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Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Scaling the Gap episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Scaling the Gap for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Scaling the Gap episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Scaling the Gap Ep 59 | How to Build a Business That Feels Like Family: Janie Sandberg’s Story
Scaling the Gap
03/11/25 • 27 min
What if the secret to building a thriving business wasn’t about cutting-edge strategies or flashy marketing—but something much simpler, yet profoundly powerful? What if the key to customer loyalty, team satisfaction, and even personal fulfillment could be summed up in one word: love?
In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Janie Sandberg, co-owner of Floor Coverings International in Henderson, Nevada. Janie shares her inspiring journey of building a business with her husband, Jeremy, while balancing the chaos of family life with three kids in different schools. Together, they’ve created a flooring business that’s not just about floors—it’s about creating meaningful connections and delivering a "white glove experience" to their customers.
Key Takeaways
- The importance of customer service and creating positive client experiences.
- Balancing family life with the demands of running a business.
- The significance of building strong relationships with customers.
- Strategies for navigating challenges in the construction industry.
- The emotional aspects of entrepreneurship and managing stress.
- Redefining success beyond financial metrics to include personal fulfillment.
- The impact of a caring business culture on customer loyalty and community.
In This Episode
- (00:00:00) Introduction to Janie Sandberg
- (00:06:59) Creating a customer-centric experience
- (00:08:41) Unexpected joys of business
- (00:10:53) Reciprocal customer relationships
- (00:12:53) Challenges in the flooring industry
- (00:14:44) Continuous improvement mindset
- (00:16:46) Defining success
- (00:19:19) Broader definition of success
- (00:22:04) Navigating business challenges
- (00:25:15) Connecting with Janie
Notable Quotes
- (00:07:52) "The first thing that we're always thinking about is how can we show love to our customers?" — Janie Sandberg
- (00:09:03) "I have found a lot of friends which I think is unusual; my husband sometimes looks at me and goes like I don't think this is normal that we have all these customers that send us Christmas cards." — Janie Sandberg
- (00:17:13) "If I'm defining my success by showing love to my customers, are we delivering an outstanding experience, or are we adding value to their lives, then yes, 100% we're doing that." — Janie Sandberg
- (00:18:43) "Success is defined by being able to boldly live your values, by adding value to people's lives, by making the time for the things that matter in life, by navigating your life with an element of grace, and by having space for more achievements still to come." — Madeleine MacRae
- (00:23:59) "At the end of the day, I would still have my marriage, I'd still have my family, I would still have the relationships I built. Those things don't change; the rest of it's just money and stuff." — Janie Sandberg
Our Guest
Janie Sandberg is a small business owner and co-founder of a flooring company in Henderson, Nevada. With a deep commitment to customer service, she prioritizes creating a supportive, family-like experience for clients. Janie believes in leading with love, building lasting relationships, and continuously improving her business. She balances entrepreneurship with family life, embracing both challenges and rewards.
Resources and Links
Janie Sandberg
- Website
- For Las Vegas Locals: Reach out to Janie and Jeremy for your flooring needs!
Madeleine MacRae
07/09/24 • 6 min
We have a very special edition coming to you live from the floor of the International Window Covering Expo here in Dallas. This event is a beacon for innovators, forward-thinkers, and trailblazers in the world of design and business — and we have the privilege of sitting down with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Sarah Beth Cobb, Digital Marketing & Communications Strategist, of Mermet USA, shares her story of how he achieved success
05/13/24 • 9 min
We have a very special edition coming to you live from the floor of the International Window Covering Expo here in Dallas. This event is a beacon for innovators, forward-thinkers, and trailblazers in the world of design and business — and we have the privilege of sitting down with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Hear the stories of Ben & Jeffrey Kleinstein, owners of Kay Window Fashions!
09/03/24 • 25 min
In this episode of "Scaling the Gap," Madeleine MacRay interviews Tina Engdahl, owner of Apollo Draperies. Tina shares her journey from being a registered nurse to taking over a family-owned custom window treatment business. The discussion highlights the transformation of her career, the evolution of the business under her leadership, and the support she gained from joining the Exciting Windows network, which significantly influenced her professional growth and business expansion.
Scaling the Gap Podcast Ep 16 | IWCE Chat with Victor Soto
Scaling the Gap
05/13/24 • 6 min
We have a very special edition coming to you live from the floor of the International Window Covering Expo here in Dallas. This event is a beacon for innovators, forward-thinkers, and trailblazers in the world of design and business — and we have the privilege of sitting down with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Victor Soto, owner of Northeast Drapery, shares his story of how he achieved success!
The Success Genealogy: Who’s Really Behind Your Wins? With Dr. Phil | Scaling the Gap Ep 64
Scaling the Gap
04/15/25 • 25 min
Imagine standing at the edge of a breakthrough—your business, your dream, your legacy—but something holds you back. Is it fear? Lack of resources? Or have you simply never been shown the invisible architecture behind every great achievement?
In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae pulls back the curtain with Dr. Mercidieu “Phil” Phillips, a man who’s cracked the code on turning failure into fuel and ordinary beginnings into extraordinary generational impact. But here’s the twist: his biggest revelation isn’t about hustle, mindset, or even resilience. It’s about the people you’ll never meet. The ones who quietly opened doors for you. The failures that secretly guided you. The mentors who didn’t know they were mentoring you. Dr. Phillips calls it success genealogy—and once you see it, you’ll never chase success the same way again.
From losing everything in the 2008 crash to speaking for 86,000 people at the NBA, Dr. Phillips’ journey is a masterclass in audacity. But the real question is: Who’s in your success genealogy? And more importantly—who will be in yours because of the risks you take today?
By the end of this episode, you’ll rethink every setback, every open door, and every dollar you’ve ever earned. Because success isn’t just about you. It’s about the trail you blaze—and the hands you pull up behind you.
Key Takeaways
- The "Success Genealogy" Principle: How recognizing the people who opened doors for you (or taught you through failure) creates a ripple effect of opportunity.
- Why Dr. Phil’s restaurant collapse became the catalyst for his entrepreneurial empire—and how to reframe failure as data, not defeat.
- The "R&R" philosophy (Risk + Resilience) that helped Dr. Phil scale from "abject poverty" to generational change agent.
- The three non-negotiables for durable success: character, resilience, and humility (plus why he studies failure stories more than success).
- Why your network determines your net worth—and how to build a "resilience squad" for your next growth season.
In This Episode
- (00:00) Introduction to Dr. Phil Phillips
- (06:20) Upcoming event announcement
- (08:37) Courage in entrepreneurship
- (10:36) Highlighting success in others
- (14:01) Overcoming fear of failure
- (16:49) Defining success
- (17:57) Algorithm for success
- (19:23) Trailblazing in entrepreneurship
- (20:02) Success genealogy
- (21:49) Identifying role models
- (23:08) Resilience and community
- (24:01) Closing remarks
Notable Quotes
- (01:47) "I don't like to call myself a motivational speaker. I train business owners and organizations on how to improve and how to do what they do better." — Dr. Phil
- (03:30) "You can always be your own boss and you can chart your own course." — Dr. Phil
- (08:50) "I'm a risk taker. I'm not a daredevil. I just love taking risks and seeing what happens. I call myself the R and R guy, the risk and results guy." — Dr. Phil
- (16:49) "I consider myself a generational shift agent or change agent. I have generations coming after me that says, if you can do it, I want to do it. So for me, that's success." — Dr. Phil
- (15:27) "I love being around people like you because what you carry is so contagious. I never want to wear a mask around you because I want to catch it." — Dr. Phil
- (20:14) "No one is dropped out of a success helicopter. You have a trail." — Dr. Phil
Our Guest
Dr. Mercidieu “Phil” Phillips is a transformational leader whose passion is to positively touch people’s lives and affect holistic change. He is a much sought-after conference speaker, teacher, business consultant, and coach. His worldwide work in places such as Asia, Israel, Europe, South America, Central America, Canada, the Caribbean, and across the United States has made him an inspiration to millions. Dr. Phil is the President and CEO of Level Up Coaching Solutions. He is the author of several books, including, LeaderFlip, Divine Repairs, and his latest best-seller Navigating Defining Moments. Dr. Phil is an adjunct professor and guest lecturer. He has also written dozens of published articles on family, organizational development, and leadership. Since 1990, Dr. Phil has trained over 150,000 leaders and organizations.
Resources and Links
Mentioned Book
Dr. Mercidieu “Phil” Phillips
Scaling the Gap EP 54 | The Greatest Lessons in Leadership from a Second-Generation Family Business
Scaling the Gap
02/04/25 • 30 min
What really makes a leader stand out? Is it just about boosting profits, or is it about something bigger—like inspiring a team, navigating challenges, and leaving a lasting impact?
In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Agata Olivieri of Maple Drapery and Carpet to unpack the real essence of leadership. They dive into the ups and downs of running a multi-generational family business, the emotional side of working with loved ones, and the power of self-awareness in decision-making. Agata shares how she and her brother took over the family legacy, why focusing on core strengths (and saying “no” to distractions) is crucial, and how continuous learning fuels long-term success.
If you’re a leader—or aspiring to be one—this conversation is packed with insights on building a strong, accountable team, planning for the future, and redefining success beyond just the numbers. Tune in and get ready to take your leadership to the next level!
Key Takeaways
- Leadership and its significance in business growth
- Challenges of multi-generational transitions in family businesses
- Importance of introspection and self-awareness for leaders
- Strategies for building a strong and accountable team
- Defining success beyond financial metrics
- Emotional dynamics and family relationships in business
- The role of professional development and continuous learning
- Focus on core competencies and the importance of saying "no" to distractions
- Planning for the future and creating a sustainable legacy
- The impact of leadership on employees and the community
In This Episode
- [00:00] Introduction to Agata
- [03:20] Challenges of multi-generational business
- [05:29] Building a strong team
- [06:13] Wealth management insights
- [08:00] Importance of specialization
- [09:15] The value of time
- [10:30] Exit strategies for business
- [14:43] The money test concept
- [17:27] Building a path of education and accountability
- [17:55] The necessity of the right team
- [20:06] Accountability as an empowering tool
- [21:01] The heartbreak of closing doors
- [22:28] Defining personal success
- [25:33] Success formula breakdown
- [27:56] Broader definitions of success
Notable Quotes
- [04:23] "When certain family members moved on, like my sister or my nephew, it felt a little bit painful because that was our trust factor." — Agata Olivieri
- [05:29] "Growing up, my parents were immigrants and they worked really hard to get what they got. They had nothing, like a second-hand couch was a big deal at the time." — Agata Olivieri
- [10:30] "If you don’t put an exit plan in place, what happens is that when your time is done, then your business’s time will be done because you didn’t prepare for that transition." — Madeleine MacRae
- [22:28] "I know I consider myself to be successful, and it probably took me a long time to realize that. I started to realize it when I was finally comfortable with accepting or taking a compliment." — Agata Olivieri
- [21:01] "For me, it's a little tiny bit heartbreaking when someone has worked so hard and then just closes the doors because just a little extra work, a little extra investment, could make such a difference." — Madeleine MacRae
- [23:45] "I am happy that I'm able to change lives within the business and outside the business with the work we do." — Agata Olivieri
Our Guest
Agata Olivieri is the co-owner of Maple Drapery & Carpet, a second-generation family business in Ontario specializing in high-quality window treatments and flooring solutions. With a deep-rooted passion for interior design and a commitment to excellence, Agata has been instrumental in upholding the company's legacy of transforming residential and commercial spaces since 1988. She emphasizes the importance of introspection, continuous learning, and focusing on core competencies to ensure long-term success. Under her leadership, Maple Drapery & Carpet continues to thrive, offering personalized design consultations and a curated selection of premium products to clients across Ontario.
Resources and Links
Agata Olivieri
Madeleine MacRae
Scaling the Gap EP 53 | Cracking the Code of Marketing Strategy: Insights from James on Reaching Your Ideal Customer
Scaling the Gap
01/28/25 • 29 min
How often do businesses pour countless hours, resources, and energy into their marketing campaigns, only to feel like they’re speaking to an empty room? Picture this: you’re addressing a crowd of 10,000 people, but none of them are your ideal buyers. All that time and effort are wasted because your message isn’t reaching the right audience. It’s frustrating, right?
In this episode of Scaling the Gap, Madeleine MacRae sits down with marketing expert James Hipkin to discuss the game-changing power of marketing strategy. They explore why so many businesses misdiagnose their challenges as lead generation issues when, in reality, the problem lies in a lack of strategic focus. James offers valuable insights, emphasizing the importance of truly understanding customer needs and mapping out their buyer’s journey.
The episode makes one thing clear: focusing on customer outcomes—rather than just features or products—is the key to standing out in today’s noisy market. Are you ready to stop marketing to an empty room and start connecting with the right audience? Tune in and learn how a well-defined strategy can transform your business.
Take action today: Listen to the full episode and start crafting a marketing strategy that reaches the right people and drives real results. Your ideal customers are waiting!
Key Takeaways
- Importance of marketing strategy over mere mechanics
- Understanding customer needs and the buyer's journey
- Misdiagnosis of marketing challenges as lead generation issues
- Creation of customer avatars and journey maps using AI
- Focus on outcomes rather than features in marketing
- Selling transformations instead of just products
- Building trust through genuine relationships in business
- The overwhelming volume of marketing messages consumers face
- Humanizing marketing efforts to connect with customers
- Leveraging technology for effective marketing insights and strategies
In This Episode:
- [00:01:03] Introduction to James Hipkin
- [00:04:55] The importance of the buyer's journey
- [00:05:18] Branding vs. marketing strategy
- [00:08:07] The gray noise of marketing
- [00:10:13] The necessity of a marketing strategy
- [00:11:08] AI in marketing strategy development
- [00:14:57] Humanizing the marketing process
- [00:17:54] The importance of contextualizing marketing
- [00:18:14] The story of FedEx
- [00:19:58] Understanding customer needs
- [00:21:24] Selling transformation, not products
- [00:24:12] James’ definition of success
- [00:27:17] Conclusion and resources
Notable Quotes
- [00:07:20] "We spend so much time, effort, and energy just marketing to an empty room. Even if the room is crowded with 10,000 people, if not one of them is your ideal buyer, it's essentially empty for you." — Madeleine MacRae
- [00:10:55] "You don't have to compete with the masses and the mass marketers. In your local market, you just need to be 10% better than everyone else, and strategy will give you that 10% and more." — James Hipkin
- [00:14:33] "So often, marketing feels really sterile. When I put on my marketing hat, my language becomes so stiff, and I'm like, who is this woman? This is definitely not the Madeleine that shows up on stage or in a conversation." — Madeleine MacRae
- [00:18:58] "They went after those executive assistants who knew they were going to get yelled at by their boss if the package didn’t get from Chicago to New York overnight." — James Hipkin
- [00:21:06] "You’re really buying access to the destination. You just want to be there, right?" — Madeleine MacRae
- [00:24:18] "Success for me is not a tangible thing. I feel I’ve achieved success when I have the respect of my peers." — James Hipkin
Our Guest
James Hipkin is the founder of Inn8ly, a company dedicated to helping six-figure business owners grow to seven figures by offering professionally designed, secure, and customer-centric websites. With over a decade of experience in web design, James uses his expertise to simplify complex website management for small businesses. Inn8ly’s services are backed by Red8 Interactive’s 10+ years of corporate experience, ensuring efficient website builds, secure hosting, and customer-focused strategies. James is passionate about demystifying digital marketing and helping businesses thrive online.
Resources and Links
James Hipkin
Madeleine MacRae
Beyond Blinds: The Human Code Inside a Robotic Franchise With Kristopher Stuart | Scaling the Gap Ep 65
Scaling the Gap
04/22/25 • 45 min
In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Kristopher Stuart, co-founder of Bloomin’ Blinds, to unravel how a family-built window coverings business is rewriting the rules of franchising with AI, robotics, and a firefighter’s grit. But here’s the twist: their biggest innovation isn’t in the tech—it’s in the human connection the tech enables.
From repairing blinds as a 10-year-old to leading a franchise empire of 80 locations, Kristopher reveals how Bloomin’ Blinds is using AI to strip away everything except the irreplaceable moments of trust between their franchisees and customers. Think drone deliveries, robot installers, and coffee-fueled conversations—because the future of home services isn’t just automated; it’s intentionally human.
Stick around for a masterclass in resilience, the “deposits of grace” that sustain long-term partnerships, and why Kristopher believes we’re living through a once-in-history opportunity to redefine industries. By the end, you’ll rethink how technology serves relationships—not the other way around. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- The AI-Human Paradox: How Bloomin’ Blinds uses AI to automate everything except the face-to-face customer experience—turning window coverings into a high-trust, high-tech service.
- From Firehouse to Franchise: Kristopher’s firefighting background shaped their management style: “Treat the office like a fire station—drop everything when the call comes in.”
- The “Deposits of Grace” Principle: Why building relational capital (and owning mistakes) is the secret to franchisee loyalty—even when tech rollouts hit snags.
- The Generational Tech Shift: “We went from changing TV dials to coding AI bots—this is the only time in history that’ll happen. If we’re even 10% right, we’re ahead of 97% of the market.”
- Redefining Success: Kristopher’s algorithm: Spearheading a movement + robust relationships + being of service—not just profits.
In This Episode
- [00:00] Introduction to Kristopher Stuart
- [09:22] AI and robotics in business
- [13:50] Leveraging AI for efficiency
- [20:06] Impact of technology on customer experience
- [21:29] Future of technology in home services
- [23:36] The origin of the franchise
- [24:10] Expanding beyond window treatments
- [24:27] The vision of robotics in installation
- [25:24] Human connection in technology
- [27:50] Challenges in the journey
- [29:05] Optimism in overcoming obstacles
- [33:34] Defining success
- [36:15] Personal success algorithm
- [40:31] Mutual understanding in leadership
- [43:15] Closing thoughts and connections
Notable Quotes
- (23:33) "Technology should enhance the human relationship, not replace it." — Kristopher Stuart
- (26:23 )"I think the haves and have nots going forward, because information is available to everybody. It used to be information, it's now going to be the creativity to apply it."— Kristopher Stuart
- (33:48) "I found my happy place. I'm successful as I'm joyful, have a happy, healthy family that loves and supports me."— Kristopher Stuart
- (40:58 )"Everybody in the company should have decision-making authority on behalf of the company. If they don't or shouldn't, they shouldn't be in the company."— Kristopher Stuart
Our Guest
Kristopher Stuart is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Bloomin’ Blinds, a family-owned franchise specializing in window coverings. From his early days as the company's first employee and field technician, he has played a pivotal role in its growth to over 80 locations nationwide. Kristopher also served as a career firefighter and paramedic, bringing his leadership and team-building skills to the business. Today, he focuses on coaching franchisees in growth and business development, emphasizing self-awareness and operational excellence.
Resources and Links
Kristopher Stuart
Madeleine MacRae
Fail Fast, Scale Faster: Future-Proofing a 21-Year-Old Multimedia Business with Tom Bohn
Scaling the Gap
04/08/25 • 27 min
What does it take to transform a 21-year-old print magazine into a cutting-edge multimedia empire powered by AI? In this compelling episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Tom Bohn, CEO of TheHomeMag, who did exactly that—and doubled his company's revenue in just three years.
In today's rapidly evolving market, standing still is the fastest path to irrelevance. Under Tom’s leadership, the traditional home-improvement media company embraced AI tools like ChatGPT, launched a competitive digital platform, and even expanded into the pet industry—all while maintaining the human touch that built their legacy. Tom also shares profound leadership lessons from his most formative moments and his "Clear the Path" philosophy that creates a culture where teams move fast, fail forward, and challenge ideas without ego.
For any leader facing disruption—whether from AI, market shifts, or internal growing pains—Tom's story offers both inspiration and actionable strategies. Discover what it truly means to build a business that evolves without losing its soul.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding how AI tools can boost efficiency by 30% and how we should recognize them as our co-pilot, not our replacement
- How a “clear the path” and trust-filled work culture removes roadblocks for both teams and customers
- The importance of laughter as a secret weapon in high-pressure situations
- Why it’s better to fail fast than to fail cheap and to strive for progress over perfection
- The realization that success isn’t a paycheck; it’s freedom, family, and writing your own rules
In This Episode
- (00:00) Introduction to Tom Bohn
- (01:10) Transforming TheHomeMag
- (02:56) Embracing change and innovation
- (08:06) The role of AI in business growth
- (15:47) The importance of resilience and trust
- (22:36) Defining success and leadership
- (26:07) Conclusion and final thoughts
Notable Quotes
- (01:46) "If you just stay comfortable with what you are and who you are, what's going to happen is that's all going to start to disappear and change because the world's changing so rapidly." — Tom
- (07:40) "AI has now made it so that the speed and the radicalization of change that's coming at everything is so significant that you actually have to get out ahead of it and integrate and utilize it." — Tom
- (08:51) "AI is not a job replacer, it's a job enhancer. What it has done for us is taken the ability for us to bring product to market much quicker." — Tom
- (14:38) "I'll take speed over accuracy any day. I will argue that to the nth degree because if you're fast enough, if you're resilient enough, you can always change course, you can always tweak. But if you're late, too many people are going to beat you out to it." — Tom
- (19:36) "Resiliency is often incredibly underestimated. [...] Now is the time to try and fail. Eventually, you get to a place where you want to be." — Tom
- (22:35) "I think I'm successful because, by and large, I've been able to do what I wanted to do my entire career." — Tom
Our Guest
As CEO of TheHomeMag, Tom Bohn transformed the 21-year-old print publication into a $60M multimedia powerhouse spanning home improvement and pet care. His "Clear the Path" leadership philosophy drives innovation through AI adoption and bold experimentation. Known for hiring philosophy majors over programmers, this disruptive leader proves legacy businesses can outpace startups when they embrace change fearlessly.
Resources and Links
Mentioned Book
Tom Bohn
Madeleine MacRae
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FAQ
How many episodes does Scaling the Gap have?
Scaling the Gap currently has 66 episodes available.
What topics does Scaling the Gap cover?
The podcast is about Entrepreneurship, Podcasts, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Scaling the Gap?
The episode title 'Scaling the Gap Episode 1: Creating a thriving business that goes beyond financial profitability' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Scaling the Gap?
The average episode length on Scaling the Gap is 29 minutes.
How often are episodes of Scaling the Gap released?
Episodes of Scaling the Gap are typically released every 5 days.
When was the first episode of Scaling the Gap?
The first episode of Scaling the Gap was released on Feb 5, 2024.
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