{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning","title":"312. Stuck or Scaling? How to Tell What Your Business Actually Needs","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2157,"description":"Ever feel like your business has taken on a life of its own—and you’re not sure if it still fits the version of success you’re chasing?\nYou’re not alone.\nIn today’s episode, Megan Gillikin sits down with award-winning photographer, educator, and content creator Vanessa Joy, whose two-decade career has evolved from darkrooms to YouTube stardom and now… clean water wells in Kenya.\nThis one’s about growth. But not the “scale at all costs” kind. We're talking about soulful evolution—the kind that happens when you realize you’ve built something great… but it’s time for something different.\nVanessa shares how to know when you’re scaling or spiraling, the not-so-glamorous reality of launching a passion project, and how to reconnect with what you actually want. (Oh, and she also talks about buying a seven-foot-tall printer—so buckle up.)\nWhether you're in burnout, busy mode, or just feeling the pull to pivot, this episode is your reminder: you're allowed to grow beyond the box you built.\nWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:\n✅ How to recognize when you’ve outgrown your business\n✅ The difference between shiny object syndrome and soul-led decisions\n✅ Why fear doesn’t mean stop—it just means be brave\n✅ What it really looks like to pursue a big, messy dream (like starting a nonprofit)\n✅ How to create space for rest—even in the busiest seasons\n✅ Why building long-term relationships is your best marketing strategy\n✅ The beauty of attracting the right clients (and repelling the wrong ones)\nSupport Vanessa’s Clean Water Project\nVanessa is raising funds to build clean water wells in Kenya through her limited-edition photo print sales.\nDM https://www.instagram.com/vanessajoy, with the words prints for water\nVisit: safariwildlifeandlandscapes.com\nTimestamps:\n00:00 – When growth feels like a wall\n03:19 – Overwhelm, marketing, and measuring what actually matters\n07:59 – Gut checks vs shiny objects\n10:07 – The messy middle of launching a nonprofit\n16:44 – Pouring into yourself when...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/YJ4cYMq8YKaHusQjVe21lcwfDQkhwO1vUDsTPInwO9c/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84MzZh/MTgzYTZkMjViZWZk/MDM2YjY1MDhlMTlk/YjU1NC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}