30 Apr Your Business is Running You: How to Reclaim Control From The Teenage Stage
Business life coach and Choice Wisdom podcast host Gayle Goodman Lynch shares her entrepreneurial journey and insights on leadership self-regulation.
The Corporate Exit
Gayle Goodman Lynch didn't always chart her own course. For years, she navigated the structured world of corporate America, climbing the ladder in marketing. "I actually had worked in corporate America for a long time like so many people do and my job sort of naturally came to an end," she recalled.
This unexpected severance, however, turned out to be a powerful catalyst. It arrived during the tumultuous Great Recession of 2008, a time when many companies were tightening belts and freezing hiring. "I lost my in-house job and thought, 'Oh my gosh, what am I gonna do next?'" Lynch explained, the memory still vivid.
Facing an uncertain job market, she decided to pivot from seeking traditional employment to creating her own opportunity. "No one is going to hire anyone at the vice president level in marketing during this economic downturn," she reasoned, "so maybe I should go out and try to make my own ring." This realization marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.
Building From Scratch
With a clear goal and a strategic mindset, Lynch launched her career as a marketing consultant. The timing, though challenging, proved fortuitous for her independent venture. "I wound up basically starting a business," she said, "and I got my first client within two weeks, and I stayed busy ever since."
Her initial success stemmed from filling a crucial need during the economic downturn. Businesses were hesitant to commit to full-time senior hires, making her fractional CMO and chief communications officer roles highly attractive. "They were able to get that senior-level load for a fraction of the cost, fraction of the time," Lynch noted.
This model not only provided essential expertise to clients but also offered Lynch a newfound sense of freedom. "I was able to enjoy a lot more freedom in my life, which then I realized I love," she stated, highlighting the unexpected personal benefits of her career shift.
The Teenage Stage
As her business grew, Lynch observed a common inflection point for many entrepreneurs: the challenging "teenage stage" of growth. This is when a business outgrows its initial startup phase and begins to take on a life of its own. "It's when you've gotten past figuring out how to run the business and all the pitfalls and just, you know, unusual stuff you weren't expecting, then it starts to really grow, and it really starts to take off," she explained.
This stage often leads to leaders feeling overwhelmed, as the business consumes their time and energy. "A lot of times you realize, oh my gosh, this business is now running my life and I'm not running it anymore. It's running me," Lynch said, articulating a feeling many founders experience.
Her role then evolved beyond just marketing strategy to guiding leaders through this transition. She helps them align internal teams with external messaging and, crucially, manage the personal impact of leading a growing organization. "My communications background is what I try to do is help my clients, you know, figure out how do you communicate with your external audiences and your internal audiences in a way that everyone's aligned and they know what they're doing."
Leadership Self-Regulation
A significant aspect of Lynch's coaching focuses on the leader's internal state and its external impact. "If you're the founder running a company, then you actually are very much a reflection of your company or your company's a reflection of you," she stated.
She draws parallels to parenting, where children often mirror their parents' habits and behaviors. Similarly, employees model their actions on their leaders. "Your self-regulation becomes way more important," Lynch emphasized. "If you're the kind of person who gets easily stressed, and start sweating or, you know, and that's not this client I'm talking about, but I've had other clients that's like they they get stressed and they start to get they get snarky or they get snippy or they make bad decisions."
By cultivating self-awareness and managing personal stress responses, leaders can create a more stable and positive work environment. "Your employees just are they blossom underneath you because they're not terrified anymore. They don't they're not like, 'Okay, which boss is showing up today?'" she observed. This focus on the leader’s inner state is presented as vital for sustainable business growth and team well-being.
Choice Wisdom Podcast
Originating from her own journey and a desire to help others navigate their paths, Lynch launched the Choice Wisdom podcast. "There is a part of my soul that loves to communicate, obviously, because I do that for a living," she explained, "but what she was really encouraging me to think about is that I love to help other people tell their stories."
The podcast aims to explore the pivotal choices individuals make that shape their lives and careers. "It's all about creating the life that you want. You know, what choices do you make? That's why it's called Choice Wisdom," Lynch said. The show features interviews with diverse individuals, delving into their experiences and the wisdom gained from their decisions.
Recently, she welcomed Louisa Garrett as co-host, expanding the podcast's scope. Together, they host interviews and discussions that offer insights into building a life and business aligned with personal values. "I just can't wait to publish all of them this year because they're just great stories. But it's all about creating the life that you want."
A New Venture
Beyond her coaching and podcasting, Lynch recently embarked on a new entrepreneurial adventure with her husband. They purchased a sign company, continuing her commitment to business ownership and growth. "Interestingly enough, my husband decided to leave his corporate career a couple of years ago and we bought a sign company," she shared.
She describes herself as an "entrepreneurial evangelist," believing in the power of owning one's business. "I am a big believer in owning your own business," Lynch stated. "And I really love working with other people who are growing businesses because I see myself in them too."
This new venture, "It's a Good Sign," allows her to continue applying her expertise in communications and leadership, this time with her husband as a partner. It exemplifies her belief in shared goals and complementary strengths, even amidst fundamental differences. "We both value each other’s gifts," she said, underscoring the foundation of their successful partnership.
Finding Purpose Through Choice
Lynch's extensive experience as a business owner and coach provides a unique perspective on leadership. She emphasizes that true success involves aligning one's business with a fulfilling life, rather than letting the business dictate terms. "I do help people sort of like zoom out and remember why is it you got in business to begin with and where are you trying to go with life?" she explained.
Her philosophy centers on the idea that intentional choices are the architects of a desired future. "When people show up at your memorial service fifty years from now, what do you want them to say?" Lynch posed a poignant question. "And they can't say anything about you if you didn't actually live a life all that time."
Ultimately, Lynch's work encourages entrepreneurs to actively shape their businesses and lives, ensuring their endeavors serve their aspirations. "No one ever wants to talk about the guy who worked all the time, right?" she concluded, a powerful reminder to live intentionally.
Gayle Goodman Lynch is a business life coach, host of the Choice Wisdom podcast, and co-owner of It's A Good Sign. This episode of The Jeff Crilley Show was produced in Dallas, Texas.
Key Topics
- the teenage stage of business growth
- leadership self-regulation under stress
- aligning internal and external communication
- building a business that serves your life
- the Choice Wisdom podcast journey
- entrepreneurial freedom after corporate life
About the Guest
Gayle Goodman Lynch is a 17+ year business owner, Business Life Coach, and co-owner of It's A Good Sign. She uses the CoEqual coaching methodology to advise business owners on corporate communication, marketing, and culture development, and she hosts the Choice Wisdom podcast.
Episode Timestamps
- 01:21 – Why it’s lonely at the top for entrepreneurs
- 02:10 – Losing a corporate role during the Great Recession
- 03:40 – The “teenage stage” of business growth
- 05:32 – From founder to true CEO: changing behavior as you scale
- 08:40 – The origin of the Choice Wisdom podcast
- 10:49 – When your business takes over your life
- 12:21 – Buying and running a sign company as a husband-and-wife team
- 14:22 – What a business coach really does
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Episode Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 00:48 – Jeff's Entrepreneurial Journey
- 01:38 – Introducing Guest Gayle Goodman Lynch
- 01:58 – Gayle's Career Transition
- 03:27 – Defining the Ideal Client
- 05:32 – The CEO's Role in Business Growth
- 07:49 – Self-Regulation and Business Impact
- 08:40 – The Choice Wisdom Podcast
- 10:49 – Building a Life Beyond Work
- 11:40 – Entrepreneurial Evangelism
- 13:09 – Marriage and Business Partnership
- 13:52 – Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action