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This week on the Thriving Business Podcast, Sam and Kate dig into the mindset shifts that separate business owners who scale sustainably from those who burn out or quit. Drawing on Carol Dweck's growth mindset research, they break down five practical ways to spot whether you're operating from a fixed or growth mindset — covering how you handle setbacks, competitors, client feedback, skill gaps, and the inevitable "valley of death" every founder hits at some point.

Sam also shares how her time in the Navy shaped her resourcefulness and leadership style long before she became a business owner, and why so many entrepreneurs are "square pegs" who never fit the corporate mould. Plus: why finding your zone of genius — and helping your team find theirs — might be the most underrated leadership skill in small business.

In this episode:
– Growth mindset vs fixed mindset for entrepreneurs
– How to reframe failure and setbacks in business
– Why competitor research should make you curious, not threatened
– How to ask for client feedback without it stinging
– Finding (and leveraging) your zone of genius as a leader
– Surviving the "valley of death" in business growth

In this episode: our leadership and emotional intelligence workshop on June 24, and our upcoming Bali business retreat.

Visit thrivingbusinesspodcast.com to join the community and grab your workshop ticket or Bali Retreat spot.

Connect with Your Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com

Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/

JOIN OUR WORKSHOPS

🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/workshops

COME ON THE 2026 BALI RETREAT

🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/baliretreat2026