I'm unpacking a pattern I keep seeing with smart, successful entrepreneurs who are doing everything right, and still ending up burned out, stuck, or even making less money.

I dive into what really happens when you commit to a business model that was never designed for you, and why following "proven" strategies can quietly pull you further away from your strengths.

I also share a very personal behind-the-scenes look at my own business evolution: what I changed, what I got wrong, and the moment I realized I had built something that didn't actually fit me.

If you've ever questioned your direction, your decisions, or your ability to grow, this episode will help you reframe what's really going on, and show you a way forward that actually works for you.

Top Quotes from This Episode

"They didn't end up worse because they were lazy or gave up. They ended up worse because they were good students of the wrong formula."
"If you hired a coach, followed everything they said, and it didn't work… that's not a personal failure. It's a diagnostic failure."
"You can be working harder than ever, putting in more time, more money, more effort, and still be going a hundred miles per hour in the wrong direction."
"At some point, you stop trusting yourself… because you've outsourced your instincts and let someone else become the CEO of your business."
"It's not that you're incapable of building a successful business. It's that you've been trying to force yourself into a model that was never designed for you."

Timeline Highlights

[00:00] – Why successful entrepreneurs can still end up worse off
[03:06] – The hidden cost of implementing the wrong business model
[05:18] – Why "success leaves clues" can actually mislead you
[10:53] – The moment your business starts draining more than it gives
[15:49] – My personal experience with an Evergreen model that didn't fit
[28:25] – The trap of overbuilding teams too early
[36:20] – Losing trust in yourself—and how to rebuild it
[43:02] – Rebuilding your business around your natural strengths
[49:08] – Why profit, energy, and alignment matter more than revenue

Links & Resources

CEO Type Quiz: https://lauraschoenfeld.com/quiz
Apply for 1:1 Advisory
DM "advisory" on Instagram for more details

Closing Thoughts

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with someone who needs to hear this message. And if you enjoyed it, don't forget to follow, rate, and leave a review—it really helps more people find the show. See you next week! 🎙️

You Didn't Lose Your Instincts (You Just Outsourced Them)