“Don't let it be about control. Don't let it be about guilt. Let it be about, wow, I'm going to be able to accomplish so much more by not having to waste my time on these things that I could hire outsource for.”

In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, host Ingrid Zapata-Read sits down with fractional COO and founder of La Pausa Consulting, Adair Vilella, to unpack what it really takes to build a business that can grow with intention. From messy data and unclear systems to overwhelmed founders stuck in the day-to-day, Adair shares how she helps women entrepreneurs pause, reset, and rebuild the operational foundation needed for sustainable success.

Together, they dive into the realities of scaling—from the million-dollar “breaking point” to the challenges of balancing e-commerce and retail in a post-pandemic world. Adair also reveals why so many founders struggle with delegation, how to align marketing, PR, and sales for real results, and what your numbers are actually trying to tell you.

What We Talked About:

The Importance of Pausing [6:01]

Navigating E-commerce Post-Pandemic [11:59]

Understanding Financials and Data Visualization [18:13]

Marketing, Sales, and Operations [24:11]

The Role of a Fractional COO [30:12]

Connect with Adair:

@laupausaconsulting on Instagram

Adair Vilella on LinkedIn

La Pausa ConsultingConnect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠@itsingridsworld⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to learn more about joining us at Founders Weekend or joining the Entreprenista League? Schedule a call with the Entreprenista team ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the ⁠Entreprenista League ⁠today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website,⁠ social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Twitter,⁠ ⁠Instagram,⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn.⁠ And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – ⁠⁠visit our website⁠.