For a long time being the person who did everything was my greatest strength. It was also what almost stopped the company from growing. This article is about the transition nobody prepares you for and what it actually takes to get through it.

Nicolas Ivanov, Upnotch Member, is a commercial and operating executive with 13+ years helping fintech, SaaS, and technology-enabled businesses scale through growth, transformation, and institutionalization.

Everyone talks about growth like it has a formula. What nobody talks about is the season before it works — the one where you're doing everything right and still feel like nothing is moving. This article is about what makes early traction so hard, and what finally changes things.

Rachel Braun Scherl, Upnotch Member, is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of SPARK Solutions for Growth, a strategic and marketing consultancy helping brands and businesses drive topline growth.

Every year we celebrate independence. But the most important declaration you can make in your career has nothing to do with fireworks. It is the decision to stop waiting for someone else to hand you a path and start building one yourself.

Stephanie Sullivan, Upnotch Member, is the Founder of OptEva 360 and a senior Customer Success and Implementation leader with over 26 years of experience in healthcare operations and medical aesthetics. She has spent her career owning execution, outcomes, and accountability, bringing a hands-on approach shaped by time as both an owner and operator.

Veronica Jenkins, Upnotch Member, is the Founder & CEO of Navelle Health.

Widney Polynice, Upnotch Member, is the Co-owner, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Social Vibes Marketing.

Tanjina Shapiro, Upnotch Member, is a strategic advisor and fractional COO who helps fast-growing tech-enabled startups scale without chaos.

Andrew Ostarello, Upnotch Member, is the Founder & CEO of Only Choices.

Sarah Jones, Upnotch Member, is a therapist, coach, and the Founder & CEO of New Radiance Counseling.

Brad Halliwell, Upnotch Member, is a business coach and co-founder of Fractional CEO.

Teneé King, Upnotch Member, is a Senior Project Leader with a passion for operational excellence, strategic execution, and large-scale event experiences.

Gabriel Reyes, Upnotch Member, is the Owner of Gnosis Consultores LLC and a passionate advocate for innovation in the Silver Economy across Latin America.

Joyce Wells, Upnotch Member, is the Owner of Cougar Connection, LLC and Partner of the J. Hilburn Men’s Custom Clothing Studio in Houston, Texas.

Laura Lampa, Upnotch Member, is the Owner and CEO of LML StoryLab Consulting LLC.

Andrea Marciales, Upnotch Member, is a Corrosion Engineer at InnoTech Alberta and Marketing Specialist at the Women in Engineering Summit.

Erick Peña, Upnotch Member, is the Founder & Executive Creative Producer at CTRL FREQS.

Francis Hachem, Upnotch Member, is the Founder & CEO of CodeNekt.

Mitchell Robertson, Upnotch Member, is the Founder at Mitch Robertson Co.