Why Your Business Isn’t Making Money (And the Strategy That You Need Instead)

What does good strategy actually look like, and why do so many businesses get it wrong?In this episode, we’re talking about business strategy and why it is often the difference between growth and stagnation. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of strategy, or wondered how founders and companies actually make clear decisions about where they are going, this conversation is for you.I’m joined by Sam Cooper Gray, the founder and Chief Owl of The Wisdom Studio, a strategy consultancy that helps scaling SMEs and global organisations design practical strategies that actually get implemented. She is also the founder of the national campaign Women Are Good Business, which reframes women not as a diversity initiative but as one of the biggest economic opportunities of our time.She is the Chair of The Gender Index and sits on the board of the Invest in Women Taskforce, where she works to increase funding and opportunities for female founders.In this conversation we talk about the investment gap facing female founders, why more women starting businesses could transform the economy, and the role strategy plays in building sustainable, profitable companies. We also get practical about cashflow, delegation, attracting female clients, and the mindset shifts that happen when you move from being an employee to running a business.This episode is for anyone who wants to better understand strategy, build a stronger business, or rethink how women are valued in the economy.Timestamps00:01:00 Why is there an investment gap?00:04:00 What about if you don’t think business is for you?00:10:00 Being an employee vs being a CEO00:12:00 Attracting female clients00:19:00 Strategy and why it matters00:23:00 Troubleshooting your strategy00:29:00 Talking about money00:35:00 Cashflow00:38:00 The skillset of a female founder00:41:00 Delegating00:47:00 A Beginner’s Guide to Being a Grown UpConnect with SamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samcoopergray/The Wisdom Studio: https://www.thewisdomstudio.co.ukWomen Are Good Business: https://www.womenaregoodbusiness.comPodcast: A Beginner’s Guide to Being a Grown Up – https://www.youtube.com/@ABeginnersGuidetoBeingaGrownUpThe Gender Index: https://www.thegenderindex.co.ukBUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREERBossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠WORK WITH MECreator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠Follow The Podcast/ Connect With MePodcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossyPodcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossyMy Instagram: @maahika.sMy TikTok: @maahika.sCollaborations + enquiries: [email protected]