In this episode of Balanced, host Stephanie Blain gets real with a dose of tough love every business owner needs to hear. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or wondering why your business growth has stalled, this conversation will be your wake-up call.

Stephanie shares five brutally honest questions that challenge you to stop lying to yourself and start taking ownership of your success. From checking whether your work is truly worth paying for to facing the uncomfortable truths hiding in your books, this episode will help you trade denial for clarity — and clarity for growth.

With her signature warmth, humor, and real talk, Stephanie walks you through the mindset shifts and practical steps that lead to lasting progress in business and in life.

⏱️ Timestamps (Short)
00:00 – Welcome to Balanced
00:42 – Tough love time: stop lying to yourself
01:02 – The 5 brutally honest questions that change everything
01:21 – Question 1: Would you pay you for your work?
02:40 – Question 2: Are you chasing busy or building wealth?
04:10 – Question 3: Do you actually know your profit margins?
05:55 – Question 4: Does your calendar reflect your priorities?
07:50 – Question 5: What are you pretending not to see?
09:55 – Facing the truth and finding freedom
10:13 – How awareness sparks real growth
10:30 – Free consultation to identify your business blind spots
10:52 – Inside the Starlight DIY Club: bookkeeping support made simple
11:36 – Closing thoughts: face the hard truths, reap the rewards

✨ Perfect For:
✓ Small business owners curious about AI and automation
✓ Entrepreneurs who want to work smarter, not harder
✓ Creators and service providers seeking more freedom and clarity
✓ Anyone ready to embrace tech without losing their human touch

Links & Resources:
Book a free consultation
Join the Starlite DIY Club – step-by-step bookkeeping guidance

Start with the desk. Clean up your calendar. And remember—every hour you organize now is a gift to your future self.

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!