Season 2 Epiosde 1 | 1.15.2026

Stop Doing Business The Wrong Way With Michelle Mitchell

This conversation explores the journey of transitioning from an employee mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset, emphasizing the importance of recognizing milestones, understanding accountability, and the balance between passion and purpose in business. 
Michelle and Sean discuss the significance of reflection, the dynamics of supply and demand, and the necessity of documenting lessons learned to avoid past mistakes. 

Takeaways:
• Recognizing the importance of milestones in business growth. • Transitioning from an employee mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial. • Understanding the difference between passion and purpose can guide business decisions. • Accountability in business is a significant shift from being an employee. • Reflecting on past experiences helps in recognizing future opportunities. • Supply and demand dynamics are different for small businesses compared to larger corporations. • Building sustainability requires understanding market needs and client relationships. • Documenting lessons learned is essential for growth and avoiding past mistakes. • Hesitation can lead to missed opportunities in business. • Creating convenience for clients can lead to successful business models. Entrepreneurship requires a balance between personal and professional life. • Building a supportive team is crucial for success. • AI can enhance business efficiency and decision-making. • Understanding risk is essential for making informed decisions. • Clarity and competence lead to confidence in business. • Personal stories can inspire and educate others. • Financial literacy is vital for entrepreneurs. • Reflecting on past experiences helps identify patterns for future success. • Trust is built through consistent actions and communication. • Creating a supportive environment fosters growth and collaboration. 


Sound Bites:● “No one is telling me, no one is motivating me — it has to be internal.”● “Sometimes people think they’re in business, but what they really have is a nonprofit.”● “When you own the business, it’s 24/7. A lot of people don’t realize that.”● “Once you see certain patterns, you can’t unsee them.”● “If we’re so focused on passion, we can bypass the purpose.”● “If it’s not making money, it’s not a business—it’s a hobby.”
Projects:3 Simple Financial HabitsMitchell Consulting YouTube Channel
Sean: Subscribe to YouTube: The Strategic Thinkers PodcastThe Coaches Corner Subscribe to the newsletters:Questions Worth Asking NewsletterStrategically Speaking

📌 Timestamps:Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Seasons of Business and Life
02:49 Understanding the Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur
05:41 The Importance of Mindset and Internal Motivation
08:32 Navigating Passion vs. Purpose in Business
11:10 The Accountability Spectrum in Entrepreneurship
14:00 Consulting vs. Entrepreneurship: Bridging the Gap
16:51 The Role of Business Models in Success
19:39 Building a Strong Foundation for Sustainable Growth
25:41 Understanding Client Needs for Sustainable Business
30:24 The Importance of Seizing Opportunities
34:36 Documenting Patterns for Business Success
39:22 The Transition from Running to Owning a Business
44:03 Finding the Middle Ground in Business Relationships
50:48 Outsourcing and Trust in Business
52:48 Understanding Consequences and Risk Management
54:53 Personal Growth Through Adversity
57:20 The Four Cs of Business Success
01:00:02 Sharing Personal Stories and Building a Legacy
01:02:07 Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs
01:07:47 Guiding Entrepreneurs to Success
01:11:33 Connecting with Michelle Mitchell

Michelle Mitchell

Michelle Mitchell: The CFO With a Mission, a Mic, and a Whole Lot of SparkleMichelle Mitchell isn’t just a financial strategist — she’s the truth-teller and confidence-igniter that ambitious women didn’t know they needed. As the founder of Mitchell Consulting, she’s spent over 15 years helping powerhouse service providers get real about their finances, scale with intention, and finally break free from the bottlenecks holding their business (and theirpeace) hostage. 
But here’s what sets Michelle apart: she doesn’t sugarcoat. She gets to the heart of what’s really driving your decisions — your beliefs, your fears, your default money patterns — and then helps you rewrite the script so you can lead with power and purpose.
She’s walked the talk, evolving from an overworked “laptop mom” to a liberated CEO who built a business that runs without her — and now she’s coaching others to do the same. Whether she’s guiding a CEO through her first million-dollar year or helping a service provider make her firstconfident hire, Michelle brings strategy, soul, and just the right amount of sparkle to every conversation.
Because that sparkle? It’s not fluff — it’s fuel.Fuel for clarity. Fuel for confidence. Fuel for building a business that actually feels good to run.
Website: Mitchell Consulting Services