Business Growth Spotlight
Welcome to Business Growth Spotlight, the podcast where we shine a light on innovative business leaders, cutting-edge strategies, and the latest trends shaping the world of business growth. Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or online educator, this podcast delivers actionable insights and expert conversations to help you scale your business, increase revenue, and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Join host Heidi Schalk as we dive deep into the stories and strategies of industry leaders, uncovering the tools and tactics they use to drive success. From navigating corporate challenges to mastering online visibility, this podcast is your go-to resource for scaling your business and reaching your goals.
Tune in weekly for inspiring conversations, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.
Business Growth Spotlight
Ep. 146 Lean Startup Strategies Every Founder Should Use Before Spending Money
Show Notes:
In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk, Co-Founder of HLH Growth Solutions, sits down with Maura Mitchell, Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Services at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC). As we step into 2026, the conversation explores what it truly takes to start and scale a business without burning out, overspending, or going it alone.
Maura shares how the WBDC has supported entrepreneurs for nearly 40 years by providing access to capital, contracts, and connections. She breaks down why traditional business plans often fail early-stage founders and explains how the Lean Startup Method and the Business Model Canvas create faster clarity with far less risk.
The discussion also goes deeper into the human side of entrepreneurship. Maura opens up about how personal loss reshaped the way she advises business owners, why holding space matters, and how stillness can unlock clarity, creativity, and sustainable growth. Together, Heidi and Maura challenge hustle culture, emphasize market validation over perfection, and invite listeners to define success on their own terms.
This episode is a must-listen for founders, solopreneurs, and advisors who want to build profitable businesses that actually fit their lives.
Bio:
Maura helps entrepreneurs navigate the hardest parts of starting and growing a business with honesty, curiosity, and a deep understanding of what it means to keep going after profound loss. After losing her husband and best friend, Duncan, she learned firsthand how to lead with both courage and tenderness.
Now, she guides others through moments of uncertainty, whether they’re launching something new or scaling a business that no longer fits who they’ve become. Her approach blends strategy with stillness, vision with vulnerability. She reminds entrepreneurs they don’t need all the answers to begin. They just need to take one brave, honest step forward.
To connect with our guest, click on the links below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellmaura/
Website: www.wbdc.org
Connect with me:
🎁Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/