If you’re looking for a fresh take on business growth—one that ditches the old chase for vanity metrics and instead focuses on sustainability, purpose, and real impact—then this episode of the Business Acceleration Playbook is for YOU. Host Maria Daniels sits down with her long-time friend Pat Frew, Executive Director of the Covington Business Council and host of Inside Covington, for a powerful conversation about what truly makes a business community thrive.

What makes this episode unmissable?

• Hear how Covington, Kentucky transformed from skepticism to becoming a model city for intentional, community-focused growth.
• Get the inside scoop on why Covington says NO to bland big-box brands and YES to authenticity and local flavor. (Think “unapologetically Covington” and Authenticity Awards!)
• Discover how the Covington Business Council cracked the code for building deep, genuine connections—not just between businesses, but across civic and entrepreneurial lines.
• Learn why “growth for growth’s sake” isn’t the answer, and how focusing on connection and meaning can set both businesses and communities apart.

Plus, Maria and Pat get real about their own journeys—why finding your “superpower” matters, the lessons of authentic leadership, and practical advice you can use to build a business (or city) that people actually love.

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or just passionate about doing work that makes a difference, this episode will recharge your thinking—and maybe even change the way you look at growth forever.

Ready to be inspired? Click the link in the show notes to listen, and don’t forget to check out Pat’s new podcast Inside Covington for even more behind-the-scenes insight!

It’s time to build something better. Tune in now!

1. Prioritize Authenticity Over Size Whether you’re growing a city, a business organization, or your own company, focus on staying true to your unique identity. Don’t try to copy what works elsewhere—build on what makes you different.

2. Put Community at the Center Real, lasting growth happens when you connect with and uplift everyone in your area—not just the big players, but startups, small businesses, and creatives too.

3. Foster Intentional Connections Networking isn’t just about numbers. Build genuine relationships and focus on being a resource for others. The value you give will come back in powerful ways.

4. Engagement Matters More Than Headcount Bring people in who truly want to participate. It’s better to have fewer, deeply engaged members than a large roster of disconnected ones.

5. Leverage Your Local Strengths Don’t be afraid to “keep it local” and emphasize what sets your community apart—from unique attractions to values to creative culture. That’s what draws others in.

6. Learn, Adapt & Celebrate Your Own Path Get inspired by others but don’t replicate blindly. Observe, learn, but create your own playbook that fits your ecosystem and long-term vision.

Want to Learn More?

• Explore the Covington Business Council and listen to Inside Covington at www.cbcky.com.
• New to the podcast? Catch up on the “Build Better, Not Bigger” series for more insights on sustainable growth.

Subscribe, leave a review, and stay tuned for more actionable strategies from Business Acceleration Playbook. Your victory is our mission!

Find out more at https://business-acceleration-playbook.pinecast.co

Welcome back to another season of the Business Acceleration Playbook!

In our kickoff episode for Season 3, we’re flipping the script on traditional business and educational growth with our new series, “Build Better, Not Bigger.” Your host Maria Daniels is joined by Dr. Rich Melheim, a visionary educator and founder of Rich Learning, who’s challenging everything we know about how people—and especially kids—learn, innovate, and thrive.

Maria Daniels and Dr. Melheim dive deep into the failures of the “scale for the sake of scale” mentality, exploring instead how to build organizations and systems that are truly sustainable from the ground up. You’ll hear Dr. Melheim share his personal journey—as a dyslexic, creative learner struggling in traditional classrooms—to developing new, neuroscience-backed approaches that blend music, movement, play, and technology into powerful learning experiences.

From reinventing education for the digital age, to the entrepreneurial lessons of scaling with purpose and vision, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, business owners, and change-makers. Whether you’re reimagining classrooms or boardrooms, get ready for practical strategies on building resilient foundations, embracing innovation, making smart mistakes, and leading with both passion and heart.

This isn’t just about disrupting education—it’s about the future of building better businesses, teams, and organizations that can last. So, if you’re ready to learn, grow, and future-proof your approach, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!

In this episode of Business Acceleration Playbook, the Maria and Tim address the burning questions entrepreneurs have about scaling their businesses.

They provide a concise overview of the key topics covered in previous episodes and offer a FAQ-style approach to help listeners navigate the process of scaling their business effectively.

Whether you're considering scaling or unsure if it's the right move for you, this episode serves as a valuable resource to gain insights and make informed decisions.

Tune in to get the cliff notes version of scaling your business.

Timestamps:

00:05:17 Know where your feet are. 00:12:19 Leadership is crucial for scaling. 00:18:30 Maintain quality through uncompromising values. 00:23:39 Evaluate current state, consider personal life. 00:24:13 Consider personal life when scaling. 00:29:01 Importance of self-awareness in business.

Visit www.businessaccelerationplaybook.com