Is Money Still Your Measure of Success? | Scaling the Gap Ep 75

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 sitting on executive leadership teams to sitting on the floor of a coworking space in tears, how those rock-bottom moments became the fuel for transformation, and why redefining success was the key to everything changing.

Key Takeaways

• Why money is the worst metric for success, and what to use instead.
• How predictable breakpoints in business signal growth, not failure.
• The real transformation required to scale from $1M to $10M+.
• Why no one builds a legacy alone (and how to ask for help).

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:15] The podcast’s flagship question: “Do you feel successful?”
• [02:29] Why profit matters more than top-line revenue
• [05:09] What are “breakpoints” and why they matter for growth
• [06:27] Why your next business breakthrough requires personal transformation
• [09:38] Who this podcast is really for (and how to be a guest)
• [13:52] Madeleine answers her own signature question
• [14:51] A raw story: negative bank balance, no diapers, and no way out
• [20:44] From struggle to stability: the power of healing and growth
• [21:52] Wealth in what matters: redefining success from the inside out
• [23:08] Advice to her younger self
• [24:09] Final reflections and encouragement

Notable Quotes

• [06:37] “You can hustle your way to a couple million. But you cannot hustle your way to $10 million.” — Madeleine MacRae

• [02:10] “ I heard a speaker say that having a number in your bank account that makes you feel successful is a poverty mindset.” — Madeleine MacRae

• [22:31] “ You can win the lottery. It doesn't make you successful, it makes you wealthy.” — Madeleine MacRae

Our Host

Madeleine MacRae is the CEO and Co-Founder of ProQ and the visionary behind Scaling the Gap. With years of experience helping business owners break past revenue plateaus, she’s on a mission to help leaders scale with systems, sustainability, and soul. Her journey from executive to entrepreneur has been anything but smooth—and that’s exactly why her insights resonate so deeply.

Resources and Links

Madeleine MacRae

• ProQ – https://proqsystems.com/
• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/
• Email Madeleine – [e-mail]
• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough