Episode 82: How to Become a Removable CEO & Build a Work-Optional Business

Aug 30

Heads up: I use affiliate links for my fave products. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants podcast with Alyssa Lang, founder of Workflow Queen and Magnetic Bookkeeping & Consulting. Episode topic: How to Become a Removable CEO & Build a Work-Optional Business

In this solo episode, Alyssa Lang covers the four key components you need to have in place in order to become a removable CEO within your business which include the right mindset, offers, systems and team.

In this episode you’ll hear:

How to reflect on how you got to where you are and how you will get to your next goal by shifting your mindset
How to optimize your offers to align with more profit and ability to afford your dream team
What systems you need to have in place in order to easily delegate and let go of the work
What the employee/contractor lifecycle looks like and how to hire the right people in your firm

Resources mentioned in this episode:
⚙️ Asana

⚙️ Notion

Listen to the Full Episode here 👇🏼

🎧 Listen on iTunes ⇨ Click here

🎧 Listen on Spotify ⇨ Click here

🎧 Chose another listening platform ⇨ Click here

How to Become a Removable CEO & Build a Work-Optional Business

Introduction

Are you exhausted from constantly putting out fires in your firm and never really getting the break you deserve? You're not alone! So many business owners feel stuck in the daily grind, unable to step away. But what if you could set up your business to run without needing you every second? That's what being a "Removable CEO" is all about—having the freedom to work on your terms, whenever and however you want.

In this episode, we dive into how you can become a Removable CEO by looking back at your journey, tweaking your offers to boost profits, setting up systems that help you let go of the day-to-day work, and hiring the right people to support your growth. Let’s break it down!

1. Reflecting on Your Journey and Shifting Your Mindset

First things first—take a moment to reflect on how you got to where you are now. Seriously, pause and think about it: What mindset got you here? And what needs to change to hit that next big goal? Sometimes, the habits and traits that helped us grow initially can hold us back as we try to scale. If you're someone who’s been hands-on and involved in every detail, that’s awesome, but it might also be what's stopping you from stepping back now.

To shift your mindset, you’ve got to recognize these patterns and decide to make a change. This could mean facing fears around letting go or feeling like no one else can do things as well as you can. We’ve all been there! But the truth is, addressing these mental blocks is the first step toward freeing yourself and allowing your business to grow without you.

2. Optimizing Your Offers to Align with Profit and Affording Your Dream Team

Next up, let’s talk about your offers. Are your current services and pricing making you the money you need to build the team of your dreams? As your business grows, so do your expenses—think team salaries, software, overhead, you name it.

It’s time to look at your pricing and see if it’s still working for you. Are there services that just aren’t bringing in enough profit or that you don’t even enjoy offering anymore? Don’t be afraid to shake things up! Maybe it’s time to package services differently or introduce new offerings that provide more value to your clients and more profit to your business. This will help you cover your costs and afford the right team to support you as you grow.

3. Building Systems That Make Delegation Easy

Let’s be real: Delegation is tough for many of us because we haven’t built the right systems to support it. To truly step back from your business, you need systems that allow your team to do their jobs without needing you every step of the way.

Start by outlining the core processes in your business—things like onboarding clients, delivering services, and managing client communication. Then, document these processes clearly. Tools like Asana can help you keep track of tasks and workflows by assigning responsibilities and deadlines. On top of that, using Notion can help you create detailed client profiles and store all the information your team needs to make decisions on their own.

It’s not just about having instructions; it’s about giving your team the info they need to handle things without always asking you. The goal is to make sure your team can operate smoothly, which means you can focus on bigger things (or take that vacation you’ve been dreaming about).

4. Understanding the Employee/Contractor Lifecycle and Hiring the Right People

Finally, let’s talk about building your team. To truly be a Removable CEO, you need the right people in place who can keep things running without you. This means understanding the entire employee or contractor lifecycle—from hiring to onboarding, training, developing, and even letting people go when necessary.

Start by figuring out what roles you need to fill to tackle your biggest challenges right now. Do you need someone to manage client relationships, or is it time to bring in an admin wizard? Once you know what you’re looking for, focus on finding people who not only have the skills but also vibe with your company culture.

During the hiring process, ask the right questions and maybe even set up some practical tests to see how they handle real tasks. And remember, the work doesn’t stop once they’re hired! You’ve got to onboard them properly, provide ongoing training, and keep the lines of communication open to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Having the right team means you can step back with confidence, knowing your business is in good hands. It’s all about setting up your people for success so they can keep the wheels turning while you focus on the bigger picture—or just enjoy some much-needed time off.

Conclusion

Becoming a Removable CEO isn’t something that happens overnight, but with the right mindset, the right offers, solid systems (hello, Asana and Notion!), and a great team, it’s totally doable. If you’re ready to build a business that runs without you having to micromanage everything, consider joining our "Breakthrough for Bookkeepers and Accountants" program. We’ve got the tools, support, and guidance to help you build a scalable, sustainable business that lets you live life on your own terms.

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @workflowqueen For more information about the Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

Visit our website: workflowqueen.com

Follow the Blog: workflowqueen.com/blog

Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alyssa-lang-wq

Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/workflowqueen

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/workflowqueen

Podcast Publishing Tools we use: