When I stepped into my family’s insurance agency years ago, we were doing well from the outside looking in. We had loyal clients, steady referrals, and a small but committed team. But behind the scenes, it felt like we were running on fumes. Everyone was stretched thin, and no matter how hard we worked, it… Read More
Author: Anais Babajanian
From Firefighter to Leader: How to Escape the Crisis Cycle
When I was in the trenches of running my previous business (our family insurance agency), there was a moment when I sat in my car outside the office and couldn’t bring myself to go inside. Not because of any single crisis, but because I knew another day of putting out fires was waiting for me…. Read More
The AI People Pleaser Problem: Why Your Team Needs Better Training
At this point, you have probably heard all the promises: AI will transform your business, boost productivity, and give you a competitive edge. Your competitors are already experimenting with ChatGPT and Claude. The pressure is mounting to “do something” with AI. But before you introduce any AI tools to your team, there’s a critical question… Read More
How to escape the validation trap as a leader
Last month, I had several conversations with business owners and leaders that had a recurring pattern. In one instance, an employee pushed back on constructive feedback, claiming they felt “singled out.” For another, a client questioned their protocols and suggested that they were being “unfair.” In these moments, something inside these leaders shifted—suddenly, they weren’t… Read More
Know your leadership style: The key to driving business growth
It’s no surprise that the most successful business owners share one critical trait: they know exactly what kind of leadership style they have. This self-awareness allows them to define their role clearly, set appropriate expectations for their team, and build systems that complement their natural strengths while addressing their blind spots. Yet many entrepreneurs operate… Read More
How to break free from being your own bottleneck
Have you ever felt like you can’t get anything done because your team constantly interrupts you with questions they should be able to answer themselves? I lived this reality every day at our insurance agency. My business partner and I became the ultimate bottleneck – our staff depended on us for nearly everything, from basic… Read More
Escape the lonely path of leadership with a business coach
Have you ever felt like you’re on an island? Many of my clients have been sharing how isolated they feel as leaders and small business owners. There’s a freedom that comes with being at the top, but the price you pay is having nobody to answer to but yourself. The Silent Burden of Leadership As… Read More
What it (actually) takes to grow your business
It’s a common misconception that in order to grow your business, you have to endure years of “the grind” before you start seeing the light and gaining time back to scale. While staying consistent and diligent is important, what will truly allow you to go from surviving to thriving is pivoting the way you approach… Read More
How to break the cycle of employee turnover
Employee turnover is arguably the most damaging challenge that business owners face, especially when you’re caught in an endless cycle of hiring and firing. This becomes even more difficult when you’re already overwhelmed, making it tempting to onboard the first person you interview. But – this is exactly why you’re stuck in this cycle. The… Read More
How to say no: Stop being your team’s personal Google
Learning how to say “no” to your team is one of the most challenging, but crucial skills to develop as a leader. There is a fine line between providing your staff with the resources they need to perform their work and becoming the bottleneck that stops them from getting anything done. The key to getting… Read More