Scaling With Sustainability: How Founders Protect the Downside While Growing Fast | Belen Benitez
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode, I sit down with sustainability expert Belen Benitez to talk about something most entrepreneurs completely ignore while scaling their businesses: protecting the downside. We break down why sustainability has nothing to do with being “woke” or environmental politics and everything to do with building a business that can survive uncertainty, leadership changes, labor shortages, pandemics, and economic chaos. Belen explains how fast growth without systems, culture, policies, and risk planning eventually leads to burnout, furloughs, and failure, and why slowing down strategically actually creates more money over a longer runway. This conversation challenged how I think about growth, risk, and long-term success, and it will do the same for any founder who wants to build something that truly lasts.
About Belen:
Belen Benitez is a sustainability strategist and founder of Baseline SD, a minority-owned consulting firm that helps companies turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. With nearly two decades of experience, she works with startups through global enterprises to build resilient, scalable business models that align growth, profitability, and long-term impact. Holding a master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University, Belen has advised C-suite leaders and boards at organizations including Kelly Services, Holcim, UNDP, and Astrix Technology Group. Born in Ecuador and based in Miami, she brings a global perspective shaped by work across 18+ countries, helping founders and executives scale sustainably by integrating purpose, governance, and performance into their core business strategy.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belenbenitezcsr/
Website: https://www.baselinesd.com/
Instagram: @baseline.sd
Email: growth@baselinesd.com
About Justin:
Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The Science of Flipping podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur who built his wealth through real estate, completing nearly 3,000 deals across wholesaling, fix and flips, and long-term rentals.
With over 18 years of experience, Justin has generated seven figures in active income and accumulated a diverse real estate portfolio that includes apartment buildings, single-family homes, and commercial assets. His longevity comes from his ability to adapt to changing markets, raise private capital, and build powerful lead-generation systems.
Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.
Connect with Justin:
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thejustincolby">@thejustincolby</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/JustinColby">Justin Colby</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@justincolbytsof">@justincolbytsof</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincolby">Justin Colby</a>
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this episode, I sit down with sustainability expert Belen Benitez to talk about something most entrepreneurs completely ignore while scaling their businesses: protecting the downside. We break down why sustainability has nothing to do with being “woke” or environmental politics and everything to do with building a business that can survive uncertainty, leadership changes, labor shortages, pandemics, and economic chaos. Belen explains how fast growth without systems, culture, policies, and risk planning eventually leads to burnout, furloughs, and failure, and why slowing down strategically actually creates more money over a longer runway. This conversation challenged how I think about growth, risk, and long-term success, and it will do the same for any founder who wants to build something that truly lasts. About Belen: Belen Benitez is a sustainability strategist and founder of Baseline SD, a minority-owned consulting firm that helps companies turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. With nearly two decades of experience, she works with startups through global enterprises to build resilient, scalable business models that align growth, profitability, and long-term impact. Holding a master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University, Belen has advised C-suite leaders and boards at organizations including Kelly Services, Holcim, UNDP, and Astrix Technology Group. Born in Ecuador and based in Miami, she brings a global perspective shaped by work across 18+ countries, helping founders and executives scale sustainably by integrating purpose, governance, and performance into their core business strategy. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belenbenitezcsr/ Website: https://www.baselinesd.com/ Instagram: @baseline.sd Email: growth@baselinesd.com About Justin: Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The Science of Flipping podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur who built his wealth through real estate, completing nearly 3,000 deals across wholesaling, fix and flips, and long-term rentals. With over 18 years of experience, Justin has generated seven figures in active income and accumulated a diverse real estate portfolio that includes apartment buildings, single-family homes, and commercial assets. His longevity comes from his ability to adapt to changing markets, raise private capital, and build powerful lead-generation systems. Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence. Connect with Justin: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thejustincolby">@thejustincolby</a> YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/JustinColby">Justin Colby</a> TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@justincolbytsof">@justincolbytsof</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincolby">Justin Colby</a> Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.