In this episode of Innovative Entrepreneurs, Erica Bailey sits down with Courtney De Ronde, CPA, CEO of Forge Financial, and creator of the Simple Scale-Up System. With over 20 years in finance and leadership, Courtney shares the frameworks that help businesses escape the chaos of startup life and transition into sustainable, scalable growth.
Discover how the R3D (Roles, Responsibilities, Results) framework, the Right Fit Assessment, and her signature Scaling Leader program help entrepreneurs make strategic decisions rooted in data—not just instinct. This episode is packed with actionable insights on leadership, human behavior, productivity rhythms, financial intelligence, and how to build a business that runs on clarity and purpose.
⏱ Timestamps:
08:25 – Courtney’s journey from CPA firm to co-founding Forge
13:21 – Why great technical talent doesn't always equal leadership
20:10 – How to assess “right fit” for leadership roles using CliftonStrengths, Enneagram, and Kolbe
33:00 – Instincts vs insights: the map and guide you need to scale
43:33 – Why financials are not the story—they tell the story
55:44 – How to prepare leaders (not just promote them)
1:07:16 – First step to scale: Build your 3-year business vision
1:15:37 – Courtney’s best elevator advice: Don’t give up.
✅ Key Takeaways:
🔄 What got you here won’t get you there—scaling requires systems, not just hustle.
🧠 Great performers aren’t always great leaders—use tools like Kolbe and Enneagram to make the right leadership hires.
🔍 Business intelligence beats guesswork—gut instinct needs data to evolve.
📊 Financials tell a story—but the root issues are often leadership, productivity, or culture.
📅 Start with a 3-year vision—clarity now prevents chaos later.
💡 Leadership is shared load, not solo strain—don’t try to scale alone.
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🔗 Links & Resources:
🔍 Take the free Business Intelligence Grader: assessments.forgeahead.com
🌐 Learn more about Courtney’s work: forgeahead.com
💬 Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn: Courtney De Ronde
💭 Final Thoughts:
Courtney reminds us that scaling a business isn’t just about revenue—it’s about responsibility. Growth without clarity will crush you. But with the right frameworks, the right people, and the right mindset, you can build something sustainable, sellable, and deeply fulfilling. Don’t just level up—lead up.
To Your Success,
Erica Bailey