What happens when a founder’s vision collides with the messy reality of scaling a business? In this episode, Jacob sits down with Kelly Stacey—fractional CEO, COO, and self-described “founder whisperer”—to unpack what it really takes to grow beyond the early stage.
Drawing on her experience working with over 300 brands, Kelly shares:
* Why visionary founders often wait too long before asking for help
* The two most common gaps she sees inside growing companies
* How to have the tough conversations when friends or early employees no longer fit the business
* Why decision-making is the muscle every founder must strengthen
* The overlooked “trust-building reps” that make or break teams
* What she looks for in hiring beyond the résumé—and why overthinkers can be hidden superstars
Kelly brings a refreshing mix of candor, practicality, and empathy for founders who want to scale intentionally without losing themselves in the process.
👉 Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn to learn more about her fractional leadership work.
