Upleveling

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the key themes from a women’s leadership panel Joy recently moderated.We dive into shifting limiting beliefs, navigating imposter syndrome, and learning how to ask for more in your career or business. We also talk about building a better relationship with money, understanding the trade-offs that come with growth, and why embracing tools like AI is no longer optional.If you’re ready to stop waiting and start taking ownership of what you want, this episode will challenge your thinking and help you step into the next level of leadership. 

This episode of Upleveling dives into why post-busy-season burnout isn’t a discipline issue but an energy issue. Learn how to manage your energy, recognize business seasons, and build intentional recovery so you can perform at a higher level long term. 

On todays episode we talk about reframing your financials as a powerful decision-making tool. We break down the "Five Dials" of business health—including revenue trends, profit margins, and cash runway—and explain how a 30-minute monthly CEO Review can shift you from reactive to proactive leadership.

This episode breaks down some of the most impactful business books for entrepreneurs, organized by where you are in your journey, from leadership and scaling to sales, marketing, and team building. It’s not just about what to read, but when to read it, with a key reminder that growth eventually shifts from learning to execution. If you’re feeling stuck, this episode will help you focus on what actually moves your business forward.

In this episode of Upleveling, we explore one of the most important yet overlooked drivers of business success: culture. We break down the five C’s of building a culture people want to stay in: core values, communication, cadence, caring personally, and challenging directly. If you want to attract great people, keep your best employees, and build real momentum in your business, this episode will show you how to create culture on purpose. 

In this episode, we’re talking about the friction that comes with growth and why discomfort is often a sign you’re moving in the right direction. From raising prices and setting boundaries with legacy clients to introducing KPIs for your team and evolving personally, upleveling will create resistance. The key is learning to hold your standards, reflect well, and stay aligned with the leader your next stage requires. 

Business ownership can feel lonely, even when things are going well. In this episode, we talk about the power of community and why being part of a mastermind group can bring clarity, accountability, support, and fresh perspective. If you have been feeling stuck or like you are carrying too much on your own, this is your reminder that real growth happens when you surround yourself with the right people. 

In this episode of Upleveling, Joy sits down with wisdom-led mindset coach Vicki Baird for a powerful conversation on what it truly takes to uplevel, starting from within. They explore the growing pains of leadership, reframing failure, letting go of perfectionism, and building self-trust as your business grows. This episode is a must-listen for ambitious business owners who want to grow sustainably without losing alignment, contentment, or themselves along the way. 

At the start of a new year, Joy shares how structure, not more effort, is often the key to real business growth. In this episode, she breaks down how Aligned CPA uses EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, to create clarity, focus, and accountability through vision, quarterly priorities, and scorecards. If you are feeling busy, overwhelmed, or stuck despite working hard, this episode will help you understand how the right operating system can help your business scale without chaos. 

In this episode, we’re calling out the bullsh*t we’re not taking into 2026. From winging our days and doing everything ourselves to tolerating bad clients, weak leadership, and unclear goals. This isn’t about New Year’s resolutions; it’s about raising standards, leading with intention, and making disciplined decisions that actually move the business forward. If you’re ready to stop playing small and start upleveling for real, this episode is for you. 

Before you set bigger goals, you need to ask one important question: did last year actually work? In this episode, we explore why reflection is the missing link between recurring business problems and meaningful growth—and how answering three simple questions can bring clarity, alignment, and smarter decisions for the year ahead. 

At the end of every year, business owners rush to set new goals — bigger revenue, better margins, more time back. But most small businesses don’t have a goal problem… they have an issues problem. In this episode, we break down why traditional goal-setting often fails and why issues-based planning is a far more powerful approach for growing businesses.You’ll learn the real difference between goals, issues, and projects, how to uncover the root causes holding your business back, and a simple 90-day framework to finally create momentum. If you’ve ever set goals that went nowhere, this episode will show you what to focus on instead — and how to build a business that can actually support your big vision.

Scaling from $1M to $2M requires a total shift in how you lead, manage your time, and run your business. In this episode, we break down the key changes every CEO must make—from tightening focus and building systems to upleveling leadership and mastering sales. If you’re ready to grow without losing your mind (or your profit), this episode gives you the roadmap. 

Taxes shouldn’t blindside you every April—and if they do, it’s time to fix the process. In this episode of Upleveling, we dive into the mindset shifts and simple strategies that will help you avoid tax surprises, protect your cash flow, and make confident financial decisions year-round. From building a tax-saving cadence to why $0 tax bills might actually be hurting your long-term goals, this episode is a must-listen for growth-minded business owners. 

How do you keep your best people? In this episode, we dive into why retention is your real growth engine—and how to build a workplace A-players don’t want to leave. We’ll cover the 5 keys to a great culture, how to create calm, and what top talent needs to stay. If you’re tired of starting over, this one’s for you.

Great teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built through intentional onboarding, clear expectations, and continuous development. In this episode, we break down how to design a 30/60/90-day plan, instill your company culture, build strong systems, and use KRAs and KPIs to guide performance. Learn how to equip your team with the tools and clarity they need to thrive—because when your people grow, your business grows. 

Hiring the right person for the right role isn’t luck—it’s a system. In this week’s episode of Upleveling, we continue our People Framework series by walking you through a proven hiring playbook. From building a written hiring plan to screening for values and using a final decision checklist, you’ll learn how to stop winging it and start running a repeatable process that ensures you hire once, right. If you’ve ever struggled with bad hires or rushed decisions, this episode is your roadmap to building a team that fits your culture, delivers results, and helps your business grow. 

This week we kick off our People Framework series with Part 1: Attracting – How to Get the Right People to Notice You. If you’ve ever said, “I just can’t find good people,” this episode is for you. We break down why great candidates do exist—and how you can position your business so they actually notice you. From shifting your mindset about hiring, to building an employer brand that stands out, to practical tactics like creating a Careers Page that sells, we’ll walk you through how to attract A-players before you even need them. 

 In this heartfelt episode, Joy honors the legacy of her late mentor, Teresa Morgan—a trailblazing attorney and unapologetic builder of women. Through personal stories, Joy shares how one woman’s encouragement, confidence, and connections helped shape her life and career. This episode dives into what real mentorship looks like, how to be a mentee worth investing in, and why it’s your responsibility to prove you're ready for the opportunities you're asking for. Whether you're looking for a mentor, hoping to be one, or reflecting on the people who’ve shaped your journey, this episode is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can make—and how you can carry that legacy forward. 

AI isn’t here to replace you, it’s here to make life and business easier. This episode explores simple ways to use AI in everyday life, highlights custom GPTs that save time at Aligned, and shows how to build a team culture of curiosity. Start small, stay curious, and let AI multiply your effectiveness. 

In this episode, we’re talking all about what it means to live and lead with intention. We share how setting clear goals and building intentional habits has shaped our success, both personally and professionally, and how you can apply the same tools in your own life. From yearly vision-setting to daily non-negotiables we  walk you through practical strategies that will help you get clear on what you truly want and take consistent action to achieve it. Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or someone striving for more direction in your life, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.

Most business owners set ambitious goals. Whether it's scaling revenue, growing a client base, or hitting that next big milestone. But why do so many fall short? In this episode, we dive into a critical mindset shift: moving your focus from the outcome to the activity that creates the outcome. Whether you're aiming for your first $1M year or just want to move the needle, this episode will challenge you to trade wishful thinking for intentional action. Don’t just chase the goal, own the process. 

Feel like you don’t have time to understand your financials? In this short and practical episode, we break down a 5-minute monthly checklist that every business owner should review when they receive their financial reports. You’ll learn exactly what numbers to look at, why they matter, and how to use them to make smarter decisions, without spending hours in spreadsheets. Whether you're trying to improve cash flow, stay on top of expenses, or prepare for growth, this quick guide will help you feel more confident and in control of your business finances. 

In this episode of Upleveling, we're flipping the script on what it really means to lead. Growth doesn’t eliminate problems, it upgrades them. And the faster you learn to solve those bigger, messier challenges, the faster your business grows.We’re diving into:Why problem-solving is the CEO’s real job titleHow resilience is built through decision-making repsTools and tactics for making better, faster decisionsA simple mindset shift that could change how you lead foreverIf you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like the problems never end, this one's for you.

Is time management really the key to productivity—or just a well-marketed myth?In this episode, Joy breaks down why traditional approaches often fall short and what actually helps you get more done. She covers smarter strategies like time blocking, energy management, delegating tasks, and setting clear boundaries. If you're ready to stop feeling busy and start feeling effective, this one’s for you. 

Most business owners think growing revenue is complicated, but it really comes down to three simple levers. In this episode, we break down each one and explain how you can use them to increase revenue immediately. Whether it's bringing in more clients, increasing the value of each transaction, or encouraging repeat business, these classic levers are straightforward and effective. You'll walk away with practical tactics you can apply today to start seeing results. If you want help identifying which lever will move the needle fastest in your business, reach out to Aligned CPA and we’ll help you build a simple plan that works. 

In this week’s episode, Joy dives into one of the toughest decisions a business owner can face: letting someone go. But before you hand out the pink slip, there’s a critical question you need to ask—is this a people problem or a process problem?Joy unpacks how to spot the root of underperformance and shares a practical framework for diagnosing whether the issue lies with the individual or the systems they’re working within. You’ll learn how to approach the situation with clarity, reduce costly turnover, and strengthen your leadership muscle.This episode is a must-listen for anyone managing a team, building a business, or navigating difficult personnel decisions with confidence and care.

In this episode, Joy breaks down what it means to think like a CFO and how to bring that mindset into your business planning. She walks through how to thoughtfully reflect on the past quarter—what worked, what didn’t, and what you can learn from it—to make smart, forward-thinking decisions. You'll hear how to shift from being a reactive business owner to a proactive one by identifying problems early, creating intentional strategies to address them, and building in time for reflection. Joy also shares real-world examples of how we guide clients through this process at Aligned CPA to set them up for sustainable growth. Whether you’re heading into Q2 or Q4, this is your roadmap to confident, strategic planning. 

In today’s episode, Joy takes a moment to reflect on the wins, lessons, and challenges from last quarter—and why that reflection is a key move every CEO should make. She also shares powerful tactics to carry into the new quarter so you can show up stronger, lead with clarity, and continue growing your business with intention. If you’re ready to elevate how you lead and level up how you operate, this episode is for you.As mentioned in the episode, here’s your handout with all the questions we discussed.

 In this episode, Joy dives into the common cash flow challenges that many business owners face and shares practical strategies to improve your financial health and peace of mind. We break down the concepts of cash inflow and outflow, explaining what they really mean for your business and how you can optimize them. As mentioned in the episode, here is your Cash Flow Worksheet Template to help you put these strategies into action.If you’re looking to get a better handle on your finances and see a more stable bank balance, this episode is for you!

 In this episode, we break down what KPIs are, why they matter, and how to track them effectively. Understanding the right metrics can help you make better business decisions and drive growth.  Whether you're a startup, entrepreneur, or seasoned business owner, understanding your metrics is key to making informed decisions and scaling effectively.  As mentioned in the episode, grab your free KPI Scorecard here to start tracking your numbers like a pro! We hope you enjoy this weeks episode!

Every business owner hits that moment—when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Maybe cash flow is tight, your team is struggling, or you’re overwhelmed with too many problems at once. In this episode of Upleveling, we dive into how to take accountability, shift your mindset, and create a plan to move forward.If you're feeling stuck, unsure where to go next, or just need a reality check, this conversation is for you. Learn practical steps to regain control, make better decisions, and build resilience in your business.Hit play and let’s get back on track!

 What separates top-performing CEOs from the rest? In this inaugural episode of Upleveling: The CEO Advantage, host Joy Lutz breaks down the six key traits that drive business success—from making fast decisions to leveraging data and intuition. Whether you're looking to scale, build a high-performing team, or optimize your business strategy, these insights will help you lead with confidence and take your business to the next level. 

Welcome to Upleveling, the podcast for business owners who want to grow, optimize, and take things to the next level. In this short intro episode, we’ll break down what this podcast is about, why we created it, and what you can expect from future episodes.If you're looking for insights, strategies, and real conversations about running a successful business, you’re in the right place.Hit subscribe and check out our first two episodes to dive in!