Is your business set up to run without you? In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx and Chief Integration Strategist Brooke Dumas break down how high-performing CEOs can unplug without sales tanking, clients panicking, or team members messaging you every five minutes.

From restructuring owner-dependent businesses to building proactive teams and implementing clear systems, this conversation is your blueprint for building a company that scales, even when you’re OOO. Whether you're dreaming of a summer break or simply want to be able to go to a doctor’s appointment without chaos, this episode shows you what needs to shift (and how to do it without burning everything down).

Highlights:

(00:58) Why most founders struggle to fully unplug

(01:29) Two reasons your business can't function without you

(03:31) The hidden costs of owner-dependence

(04:21) What large-scale companies do differently

(06:16) A realistic timeline for stepping away

(06:59) The task audit that helps you reclaim 10+ hours a week

(09:19) What a future-proof CEO schedule actually looks like

(10:17) How to communicate boundaries with your team and clients

(11:35) Baby steps: how to test your team’s independence

(13:02) Why this isn’t just about vacations—it's about life

(15:00) What to do if you're anxious while away

(17:51) A message from your integrator: stop micromanaging

(19:14) How to ease back in after time off

(20:15) Our favorite proactive strategies for prepping to be OOO

(21:51) Why most founders only need to work 3–4 days a week

(23:24) Proactive planning to avoid post-vacation chaos

(24:44) The simple two-week time-tracking exercise that changes everything

(25:42) Rewriting your beliefs about what’s possible as a CEO

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram: @millionsweremade and @thejessicamarx

Website: Millions Were Made

Apply to work with Jessica: Tailored Premier