Description:
In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen sits down with Madi Waggoner, founder of Building Remote, to unpack her framework for helping entrepreneurs scale without burnout.
With over 14 years of experience in tech startups and consulting, Madi has guided more than 40 founders through the shift from solopreneur to CEO. Her LYFT framework — Leadership, Infrastructure, Fuel, and Team — provides a blueprint for building businesses that grow sustainably while giving leaders the freedom to step back from the grind.
Together, Matt and Madi dive into:
- How to transition from “doing it all” to empowering your team
- Why structured hiring and candidate experience shape long-term culture
- The role of systems, communication cadences, and accountability in remote teams
- Strategies to protect your time and avoid entrepreneurial burnout
- Real-world lessons from leaders who learned to let go and scale smarter
Whether you’re leading a fully remote company or just looking to streamline your operations, this episode is packed with insights on building the foundations of a business that supports both growth and balance.
Madi Waggoner
As an operations strategist and business consultant, I’ve helped over 40+ companies implement the right systems, team structures, and processes to create real freedom—without losing traction.
My entire career I’ve worked directly with founders and entrepreneurs to tackle their chaos so they can focus on what’s most important (be it growth, leading their business, or more time with their families).
I love working directly with business owners and helping them reach their goals.
THE MEAT OF IT!
Introduction
- Matt introduces Madi Wagoner and Building Remote
- Why “scaling without burnout” is a universal challenge for entrepreneurs
The LYFT Framework
- Leadership: shifting from solopreneur to CEO mindset
- Infrastructure: building systems, communication cadences, and accountability
- Fuel (Revenue): stabilizing and diversifying income streams
- Team: structured hiring, onboarding, and empowering people
Delegation and Empowerment
- Teaching leaders to “fire themselves” from the day-to-day
- Encouraging independent problem-solving within teams
- Using retrospectives and feedback loops to continually improve
Hiring for Success
- Why candidate experience matters as much as customer experience
- Rubric-driven, structured interviews to reduce bias
- Balancing skills, culture fit, and long-term growth
Avoiding Burnout as a Founder
- Creating boundaries and intentional time off
- Tools like the Founder’s Focus Assessment
- Aligning business operations with personal goals
Stories & Lessons from the Field
- Examples from Madi’s work with 40+ entrepreneurs
- What great remote culture looks like in practice
- The “aha moments” leaders have when they step back
Closing Thoughts
- Building smarter systems as the path to freedom
- Where to find Madi and explore her resources
Click to See Episode Chapters and Timestamp
| Timestamp | Summary |
| 0:00 | Empowering Remote Entrepreneurs to Delegate and Avoid Burnout |
| 3:43 | From Remote Work Pioneer to Entrepreneurial Consultant |
| 8:51 | Transforming Careers Through Design Education and Mentorship |
| 10:53 | Transitioning to Remote Work and Building Company Culture |
| 14:12 | The Importance of Organization and Accountability in Course Creation |
| 17:41 | Empowering Teams to Alleviate Entrepreneurial Decision Fatigue |
| 22:15 | Effective Hiring and Team Building Strategies for Business Growth |
| 25:50 | Exploring AI and Web Design for Business Transformation |
| 26:52 | The Importance of Thoughtful Hiring and Specific Skill Sets |
| 29:43 | Effective Hiring Processes and the Importance of Structured Interviews |
| 32:07 | The Solopreneur to CEO Mindset Shift |
| 34:07 | Quarterly Momentum Check-Ins for Team Growth and Development |
| 34:55 | Optimizing Business Operations Through Leadership and Team Development |
| 39:45 | Accountability and Consistency in Business Meetings |
| 44:09 | Balancing Work and Personal Life to Avoid Burnout |
| 51:05 | Empowering Founders Through Strategic Team Building and Systems |
| 54:30 | Exploring Business Insights and Building Remote Connections |
Check out these related Episodes:
- Episode 239: Jennifer Denny – Building Smarter with AI: ChatGPT Projects & Business Efficiency
- Episode 237: Hunter Jensen – Building, Tinkering, & Thriving on the Cutting Edge (Not the Bleeding Edge)
- Episode 235 – The Builder’s Dilemma: Scale Big and Chase Growth or Be the Craftsman?
