Behind the scenes: scholarships, partnerships, and building slowly on purpose
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this behind-the-scenes episode of Change Champions, we share what we’ve been working on inside the business over the past few months. And what it’s really taken to do it well.
We talk openly about three things we’ve just gone through for the first time together: running a fully funded scholarship and live event, launching our first long-term partnership pilot, and carefully expanding the team using people from within our own ecosystem.
This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a practical look at the time, focus, emotional weight, and trade-offs that come with building something sustainable. Especially if you care about values, relationships, and doing work you actually enjoy.
If you’re a coach, consultant, or facilitator trying to grow without turning your business into something you don’t recognise, this episode will resonate.
For stories, tips, and resources we don’t share anywhere else, subscribe to the newsletter:leverageaccelerator.co
To explore relationship-first business development and see the roadmap we referenced in the episode, join the community here:networkandsell.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Why we’re sharing the behind-the-scenes, not just outcomes01:25 The fully funded scholarship and why it mattered personally03:55 Paying it forward and the emotional weight of offering support04:30 Designing the live giveaway event to serve everyone, not just the winner05:35 What it actually takes to plan, promote, and run a live event06:10 Attendance, prep work, and what surprised us07:40 The real time cost behind “one simple idea”09:00 Focus, momentum, and why unfinished projects quietly fail11:10 Shifting from solo growth to partnership thinking12:20 How our first long-term partnership came together14:05 Mission, values, and why alignment matters more than speed16:00 Abundance vs scarcity in entrepreneurship17:30 Building an ecosystem where everyone benefits19:40 Turning lived experience into teachable systems20:30 Expanding the team without building an empire23:00 Hiring from within the community and why it works25:10 Staying hands-on while still growing27:00 Sustainable growth vs performative success30:20 Freedom, autonomy, and choosing your own version of “enough”32:40 Final reflections and where to explore next
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In this behind-the-scenes episode of Change Champions, we share what we’ve been working on inside the business over the past few months. And what it’s really taken to do it well. We talk openly about three things we’ve just gone through for the first time together: running a fully funded scholarship and live event, launching our first long-term partnership pilot, and carefully expanding the team using people from within our own ecosystem. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a practical look at the time, focus, emotional weight, and trade-offs that come with building something sustainable. Especially if you care about values, relationships, and doing work you actually enjoy. If you’re a coach, consultant, or facilitator trying to grow without turning your business into something you don’t recognise, this episode will resonate. For stories, tips, and resources we don’t share anywhere else, subscribe to the newsletter:leverageaccelerator.co To explore relationship-first business development and see the roadmap we referenced in the episode, join the community here:networkandsell.com Timestamps: 00:00 Why we’re sharing the behind-the-scenes, not just outcomes01:25 The fully funded scholarship and why it mattered personally03:55 Paying it forward and the emotional weight of offering support04:30 Designing the live giveaway event to serve everyone, not just the winner05:35 What it actually takes to plan, promote, and run a live event06:10 Attendance, prep work, and what surprised us07:40 The real time cost behind “one simple idea”09:00 Focus, momentum, and why unfinished projects quietly fail11:10 Shifting from solo growth to partnership thinking12:20 How our first long-term partnership came together14:05 Mission, values, and why alignment matters more than speed16:00 Abundance vs scarcity in entrepreneurship17:30 Building an ecosystem where everyone benefits19:40 Turning lived experience into teachable systems20:30 Expanding the team without building an empire23:00 Hiring from within the community and why it works25:10 Staying hands-on while still growing27:00 Sustainable growth vs performative success30:20 Freedom, autonomy, and choosing your own version of “enough”32:40 Final reflections and where to explore next