From People Pleaser to Purpose-Driven: Erin Koss on Scaling a Consulting Firm

Can you "have it all" in business and life? In this episode of Women's Million Dollar Conversations, Alice Tang sits down with Erin Koss, CEO and Founder of Syte Consulting Group. Erin shares the honest reality of her 30-year journey, including the moment her firm hit the million-dollar revenue mark—only for her to realize the clients didn't align with her core values. Erin reveals why she intentionally let her revenue dip to reset her firm's foundation and how that choice led to a more predictable and higher trajectory of success. If you are a woman striving to balance leadership with a complex personal life, Erin's insights on creating space for your "authentic truth" are essential. In this episode, you'll learn: Why you can have everything you want, but not all at the same time. The difference between "people pleasing" and true "service" in a male-dominated industry. How to use high-stakes decisions to get in touch with your gut and authentic story. The value of choosing a contractor-based model for high-functioning team accountability. Key Moments: 02:15 – Transitioning from national consulting to founding a firm to start a family. 04:55 – The "Have It All" lesson: Why intentionality is your best business tool. 06:40 – Hitting the $1M milestone and the subsequent "Values Pivot". 09:15 – The fine line between serving your clients and simply pleasing them. 11:35 – Creating space: Why a quarterly weekend alone is a strategic business move. 14:20 – Breaking the "Black and White" bias: Learning to lead in the gray. 19:15 – Accountability and family: Why Erin views her team of contractors as a family. 21:40 – Trust and safety: Making hard decisions by saying "I don't know". 25:05 – Money as Options: Why financial capital is really about flexibility.