From Duck Donuts CEO to Business Growth Consultant | Betsy Hamm’s Next Chapter | Central PA Podcast

What happens after you help scale a company from 20 to nearly 200 locations? In Episode 67 of the Lead Lamp Podcast, we sit down with Betsy Hamm, former CEO of Duck Donuts, to talk about her journey from corporate structure at Hershey to the fast-paced chaos of scaling a national brand, and what she learned along the way. After eight years with Duck Donuts, Betsy stepped away to start her next chapter: Lifted Studio, where she works with growing businesses (especially in the restaurant space) to help them navigate the exact growing pains she experienced firsthand. We dive into the realities of scaling a business, including: • The difference between corporate structure and startup chaos • What breaks when companies grow too fast • Why founders struggle during growth phases • How to build structure without becoming “too corporate” • The common mistakes businesses make when trying to scale • Why sometimes the best move is to slow down and refocus We also talk about Betsy’s Loud and Lifted Podcast, where she’s created a platform centered around women supporting women, along with speaking, coaching, and leadership development. If you're a business owner, operator, or leader trying to grow your company, this episode is packed with real-world insight from someone who has actually done it at scale. The Lead Lamp Podcast is a Central PA Podcast highlighting the entrepreneurs, personalities, operators, and leaders shaping businesses across Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, and beyond.