237. Running a $5M Business with a Lean Team with Denise Duffield-Thomas

The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

In this episode, Adrienne Dorison and Emily Doyle sit down with best-selling author Denise Duffield-Thomas to explore how she and her husband built a $5M business with a small, part-time team — and how they’ve structured their lives to work less without sacrificing income or success.

Denise opened up about the strategies and mindset shifts that allowed her to create a thriving business while maintaining balance and freedom. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business without overloading your schedule, this one’s for you!

Here’s what we cover: ✅ How Denise built a $5M business with a part-time team ✅ Why focusing on one core offer creates more growth (not less) ✅ The mindset shift around seasons of business and life ✅ Why building assets outside the business creates freedom ✅ How to avoid the trap of constantly launching new offers

Adrienne and Emily also dig into: 👉 The power of simplifying your business model 👉 How Denise maintained revenue while stepping back from the business 👉 Why saying "no" is crucial for sustainable success 👉 The importance of having personal goals and wins outside of work 👉 Why perfectionism and identity shifts are holding you back

If you’re ready to scale your business without working more, this episode will give you the inspiration and tactical advice you need. Hit play and get ready to simplify and grow! 🔥

🔑 Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Lean Growth is Possible – Denise built a multimillion-dollar business with a small team by staying focused on her core offer.

2. Focus on One Offer – Scaling happens more easily when you focus on improving and selling what’s already working.

3. Seasons Matter – Your business (and life) will have different seasons — understanding and respecting them creates longevity.

4. Build Outside the Business – Investing in assets and real estate created more financial freedom for Denise's family.

5. Set Personal Goals – Achievements like winning a ballet trophy or succeeding at cross-stitch can give you fulfillment beyond business success.

📚 Check Out Denise’s Book:

Denise is the author of Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!, and Chillpreneur — must-reads for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to break through money blocks and grow their wealth. 👉 Grab your copy here: https://www.denisedt.com/books

⏰ Chapters:

01:24 – How Denise built a $5M business with a lean team 04:50 – The decision to keep the team small and efficient 06:46 – Why staying focused on one core offer creates more growth 10:42 – Understanding seasons of business and life 14:44 – Personal wins and why hobbies matter 18:31 – The freedom that comes from building assets outside the business 22:34 – Overcoming identity shifts and perfectionism 29:44 – How Denise simplified her business model 34:38 – Saying "no" to protect personal time and energy 39:30 – Lessons from taking a sabbatical

📲 Links & Resources:

👉 Connect with Denise: denisedt.com 👉 Follow Denise on Instagram: @denisedt

Adrienne’s IGRLC IG