Scaling the Gap

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Klay Hafeez, a former oil and gas engineer turned multi-franchise owner, for a powerful conversation about identity, risk, grit, and building a legacy from scratch.

Klay’s journey is anything but ordinary. He grew up in a culture where entrepreneurship wasn’t the norm, but he persevered; writing “10 in 10” on a piece of paper, and building toward it. After ditc...

Many leaders focus on skills, but Rob White built his career on purpose, passion, and a belief in serving others. In this heartfelt episode, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Rob, Brand President at Monster Tree Service, to unpack how values-driven leadership, a love for small business, and the courage to follow divine direction can lead to enduring impact.

From launching a Rainbow Restoration franchise with zero handyman skills ...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jeremy Morgan, Group President at Horsepower Brands, to explore how hands-on leadership, lived experience, and leading with influence can transform your business and your legacy.

Jeremy shares his unconventional journey from broke college student running a painting franchise to overseeing two high-growth home service brands, Groovy Hues and Bumblebee Blinds. Al...

If you’re great at your craft but feel like running your business is the hardest part, you’re not alone. 

In this episode, Madeleine MacRae welcomes seasoned business coach John Nieuwenburg, who specializes in helping small business owners make the leap from “technician” to true CEO. John works with tradespeople and professionals who’ve mastered their skill set but now fin...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes David Balkan, a veteran entrepreneur who spent the last 40+ years growing his family’s plumbing company into New York City’s largest house sewer and water service line contractor. But what makes David’s story compelling isn’t just the scale of the business—it’s the transformation behind the scenes.

David opens up about what it really took to evolve from a fear-driven...

What if the business that fired you ended up being your biggest blessing?

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Matt Cobb, co-owner of Southern Traditions Window Fashions, for a conversation that hits every note: grit, failure, rebuilding, and leading with purpose.

Matt shares his unconventional journey: laid off with a newborn at home, he eventually became co-owner of the very company that had let...

What does success really mean to you? In this episode, host Madeleine MacRae breaks format and flies solo to share a raw, deeply personal reflection on what it truly takes to scale, not just your business, but yourself. If you've ever felt like you should be further along by now or questioned whether the struggle is worth it, this episode is for you.

Madeleine takes you behind the scenes of her own entrepreneurial journey from sitti...

We all know complacency when we see it in others—but what about when it’s hiding in our own routines, masked as success? It’s easy for leaders to mistake comfort for progress—until a harsh wake-up call reveals just how far they've drifted from their drive. So, how do you reignite your hunger for growth when success starts to feel… safe?

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Chris Robinson, Executiv...

So many entrepreneurs hit pause, waiting for all the pieces to fall into place before they take action—but that pause can come at the cost of real momentum. What if the secret to success is just getting started, even when things feel a little messy?

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Todd Green, president of Premier Blinds and Shades and host of The Premier Podcast, for an unfiltered look at wha...

Is cutting corners the only way to get ahead in business? Plenty of people think so—chasing quick wins and flashy success while leaving their values behind. But some entrepreneurs choose a different path. They stay grounded, play the long game, and still come out on top.

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Craig Ceccarelli, founder of HomeSpec BasementFix, a long-standing basement waterproofing and fou...

What if everything you’ve been told about success is wrong? You’re crushing your goals, hitting your targets—maybe even making more money than ever. So why does it still feel like something’s missing?

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Zac Palmer, renowned sales and persuasion strategist, who’s personally driven over $150 million in sales a...

Are you feeling stuck in your career, yearning for something more but unsure how to make the leap? You're not alone. Many people dream of entrepreneurial success but struggle to break free from the golden handcuffs of corporate life.

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae chats with Steven Livingston, a self-proclaimed "corporate misfit," and entrepreneur whose journey is as real as it gets. Growing up in Jamaica...

In this episode, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Meghann Conter, founder and CEO of The Dames, to dismantle the myths of hustle culture and redefine what success looks like for high-achieving women. From physiological differences in productivity to personal stories of burnout, ADHD diagnoses, and solo parenting, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership and aligned living.

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