We are excited to share that IA Business Advisors was recently featured on the Founder Talk Podcast, hosted by Alex B. Sheridan. In Episode 54 titled Why Slowing Down Is the Secret to Growth with Brian Smith, our founder, Brian Smith, joins Alex to explore what sustainable growth really looks like and why the best leaders know when to slow down.
For nearly 30 years, IA Business Advisors has guided leaders through the complexities of building and scaling organizations. That journey recently earned us recognition on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, an achievement rooted in steady, intentional progress rather than hypergrowth.
In this episode, Brian shares why many founders misunderstand scaling and how the pressure to grow quickly can create operational gaps, financial strain, and cultural instability. Instead, he encourages business owners to focus on strengthening their internal foundation before chasing aggressive expansion.
“You don’t need to go fast to be efficient. You need to be intentional. If that means slowing down, there’s a reason.”
A major theme throughout the conversation is the importance of knowing the difference between growth and scaling. Growth often requires investment in people, process, and tools. Scaling happens only when revenue begins outpacing those investments, which cannot happen sustainably without structure and clarity first.
Brian also discusses his personal leadership journey, including how slowing down helped him avoid burnout, reconnect with his family, and build a healthier company culture. This intentional approach now guides how IA Business Advisors supports organizations across the country, helping leaders align their goals, teams, and systems for the long term.
In this conversation, Brian highlights:
- The difference between growth and scaling
- Why growing too fast can harm culture, finances, and reputation
- How intentional leadership enables sustainable growth
- Why transparency and humility are essential to leading effectively
- The personal benefits of slowing down at work and at home
Whether you are a founder building your first team or a leader preparing for your next stage of growth, Brian’s insight offers a grounded perspective. Meaningful scale is earned, not rushed.
Watch the Episode
Founder Talk Podcast — Episode 54
Why Slowing Down Is the Secret to Growth with Brian Smith