Most business owners spend years building a company they are proud of. Fewer pause to ask what the next phase of growth should look like once the business is stable, respected, and proven. In this episode of Self-Made Is a Myth, Coach Tim Campsall sits down with Heather Leslie of Studio 3 Design to unpack her 20-plus-year journey building an integrated architecture and interior design firm and how she approached growth at a pivotal moment. Heather shares how her background in interior design evolved into leading a commercial firm serving healthcare, multifamily, corporate, and hospitality clients. She opens up about starting the business with zero clients, navigating long stretches without pay, and the ongoing challenge of staffing and talent development in a smaller professional firm. The conversation explores why growth is never linear, how leaders must continually evaluate when to push forward versus pivot, and what changes when a business matures. Heather also reflects on the decision to merge with a larger firm, not as an exit, but as a strategic move to gain support, preserve culture, and unlock the next phase of growth. This episode is for business owners who have built something meaningful and are asking themselves what comes next. ⸻ What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How mentorship shaped Heather’s confidence as a business owner • The real staffing challenges small professional firms face • When to push forward and when to pivot • What growth looks like after 20 years in business • How mindset shifts open new opportunities • Why success is never achieved alone ⸻ Looking To Scale Your Business: Did you know that only 9% of businesses make it to $1,000,000 in revenue and less than 1% get to $5,000,000. The reason is that the hustle and grind that got you to $1,000,000 needs to shift to scaling strategies to go beyond. Book a Discovery Call now to learn how our ActionCOACH Business Operating System (ABoS) and coaching helps you to get unstuck and thrive to realize your personal and dreams and business goals. https://tbcactioncoach.com/discovery-zoom-call/ Sign up for our weekly business tips https://tbcactioncoach.com/resources/email-signup/ ⸻ Timestamps:

Welcome to Self-Made Is a Myth

Heather’s path into design and architecture

Starting a firm with zero clients

Early projects and credibility

Staffing challenges

Growth mindset shifts

Considering a merger

Defining the next growth phase