Leadership Blueprints

Most business owners can rattle off their revenue, their pipeline, and their biggest headaches. Almost none can answer this one. What is the business actually doing to serve you in your life? Krystn Macomber asks her clients that before anything else. She's a fractional Chief Growth Officer who helps small government contractors stop chasing every shiny opportunity and actually build a strategy.

In this episode, Krystn and BJ get into the BD curse of always saying "maybe we can win this," why the first year of her own business was the easy one, where AI actually helps in marketing and where it falls flat, and the rule she made about saying yes to the scary stuff. If you run a business or you're sitting in corporate thinking about leaving, this one has something you can use this week.

Topics discussed:

00:00 - What fractional growth support actually is
01:46 - Who Krystn says no to as a client
05:15 - The business development curse
08:01 - How chasing everything burns out your best people
10:12 - Where AI helps in BD and where it falls flat
14:16 - Why the first year of business was the easy one
15:27 - The LinkedIn highlight reel needs to go
20:10 - Promoted to manage 25 people overnight
24:01 - The rule she made about saying yes to scary things
31:08 - The question every business owner should ask themselves

Connect with Krystn Macomber:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystnmacomber/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summitstrategywins/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summitstrategywins/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6BGAiN7JAN_RvI6K9mzAzA
Website: https://www.summitstrategywins.com/

Connect with BJ Kraemer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bj_kraemer/
Website: https://mcfaglobal.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bcvcAw0rigwymZCwZgfgN?si=45fc1e07c82742ee
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-blueprints/id1561090224


This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique: https://www.podcastboutique.com


What is Leadership Blueprints?

Leadership Blueprints is a podcast dedicated to helping leaders align teams, navigate chaos, and accomplish the mission. Hosted by BJ Kraemer—West Point graduate, combat veteran, and President & CEO of MCFA—this show dives into the principles, stories, and strategies behind effective leadership.

With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.

Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.