In this episode of Founders Story, Allison Maslan—an entrepreneur with over forty years of experience and the founder/CEO of Pinnacle Global Network—shares her journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family to building ten companies across diverse industries. Allison dives deep into the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of transitioning from an operator to a visionary leader, and her proven five-phase model for scaling. Along the way, she reveals how she’s helped over 150,000 entrepreneurs overcome the pitfalls of micromanagement, burnout, and operational overwhelm to create sustainable, team-managed businesses.

Key Discussion Points

The Entrepreneurial Spark

• Family Influence: Inspired by her grandfather’s and father’s ventures in the retail space, Allison developed a passion for business from an early age.
• Early Beginnings: She launched her first business at nineteen, setting the stage for a lifelong entrepreneurial journey.

Transitioning from Operator to Visionary

• Overcoming Early Challenges: She faced significant stress and burnout in the early days of managing every aspect of her businesses, including a near-fatal car accident due to overexertion.
• Mindset Shift: Realized the need to move away from being the “end-all” operator to becoming a visionary CEO who empowers a team.

The Pinnacle Global Network Solution

• Solving Common Entrepreneurial Issues: Identified that 95% of business owners struggle with similar challenges—overwhelm, micromanagement, and lack of a clear growth roadmap.
• Building a Supportive Ecosystem: Founded Pinnacle Global Network in 2010 to provide a community and strategic roadmap that helps CEOs build sustainable, team-managed companies.
• Premier CEO Network: Currently supports over 150,000 entrepreneurs, offering guidance, mentorship, and a strategic framework for growth.

Scaling Phases and Leadership Evolution

1. Five Phases of Scaling a Business: Startup Phase: The early stage where everything revolves around the founder.
2. Pioneer Phase: Transition into mid six-figures with initial team building—often hindered by fear of delegation.
3. Ringleader Phase: Overcoming the pitfalls of micromanagement and clarifying what success looks like.
4. Co-Creator Phase: Developing a collaborative culture where leadership is shared and team members drive initiatives.
5. Visionary Phase: Achieving a founder-independent business model, allowing the CEO to focus on strategic growth and personal well-being.

• Real-World Example:Shared the transformative journey of Marshall Doyle, who moved from exhaustive day-to-day management to achieving nine-figure revenue and reclaiming his personal life.

The Importance of Personal and Company Branding

• Building a Dual Brand: Emphasizes the need for both a strong personal brand and a champion company brand that resonates with team culture and client values.
• Attracting the Right Talent: Focuses on promoting company culture, vision, and mission in recruitment to ensure alignment and foster growth.

Embracing AI & The Future of Business

• Integrating Technology: Discusses how AI is being incorporated to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and support creative decision-making.
• Maintaining Human Connection: Despite technological advancements, underscores the importance of human connection, team collaboration, and leadership development.

Practical Takeaways

• Embrace Delegation: Transition from being an overbearing operator to a visionary leader by empowering your team and establishing clear roles.
• Adopt a Proven Growth Roadmap: Utilize the five-phase model to identify which stage your business is in and apply targeted strategies for each phase.
• Invest in Branding: Build a strong personal and company brand to attract the right talent and create a culture that fuels growth.
• Leverage Technology: Embrace AI and other innovative tools to streamline operations, but remember that human connection remains key.
• Focus on Work-Life Balance: Scaling a business should also mean reclaiming your time and energy to lead a fulfilling life.

How to Connect

• Learn More About Pinnacle Global Network: Visit pinnacleglobalnetwork.com to discover more about their services, CEO strategies, and community.