Most six-figure earners feel “successful” on paper. The salary looks good, the benefits provide security, and the lifestyle seems stable. But under the surface, many professionals are stuck. Promotions are scarce, raises barely cover inflation, and the dream of building something meaningful feels out of reach.
That’s the exact gap Azgari, serial entrepreneur and consultant, helps people bridge. She works with high-performing professionals ready to break free from the corporate grind and launch businesses that reflect their skills, lifestyle, and goals.
This post distills her key insights from The Elite League Podcast into practical steps you can use if you’re considering your own leap.
Greg Carlson
Why Staying in Corporate Could Be Costing You
Azgari often begins with simple math.
- A manager earning $120K/year may see performance raises of 3–10%.
- Even after 10 years, they’ll likely cap out around $140–150K.
- Factor in inflation, and “growth” feels more like treading water.
Contrast that with a small, service-based business:
- Within 2–3 years, many owners can clear $150K.
- Growth is limitless. Scale comes from adding staff, marketing, or expanding services.
- You control the ramp-up, not corporate hierarchy.
The lesson is clear: security in corporate often masks a salary ceiling you’ll never break through.
Greg Carlson
Step 1: Align Your Business With Your Personality
One of Azgari’s biggest lessons? Fit matters.
“If you pick a business model that doesn’t match your personality, you’re going to quit in 3 years.”
She asks clients questions most people overlook:
- Do you enjoy working with people, or prefer independence?
- Do you want weekends off, or are nights okay?
- What income target truly motivates you?
- Do you prefer structure, or do you thrive in flexibility?
A business that clashes with your natural rhythm may work at first — but eventually, misalignment leads to burnout.
Action step: Audit your preferences. Write down your non-negotiables: working hours, desired income, and the kind of people you enjoy serving. Use these as filters when evaluating business models.
Greg Carlson
Step 2: Understand What You’re Really Seeking
Most new entrepreneurs aren’t chasing just money. They want:
- Pride in being an owner.
- Freedom to design their days.
- Security that doesn’t depend on someone else’s downsizing decision.
When layoffs hit — and they do, often — the pride and security of ownership become priceless.
Action step: Journal on this question: “Why do I want to own a business?” Clarity here will carry you through tough days.
Greg Carlson
Step 3: Build With Process, Not Impulse
“Amateurs wing it. Professionals have processes.”
Many people dabble in entrepreneurship through side hustles or ad hoc projects. Without systems, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and quit.
Azgari’s approach:
- Map out proven business models.
- Conduct competitive analysis (she even calls competitors directly to learn market gaps).
- Onboard clients into a 90-day launch plan that takes them from idea to first revenue.
Action step: Before launching, design a repeatable process:
- How will you generate leads?
- How will you fulfill services?
- How will you reinvest profit to grow?
Greg Carlson
Step 4: Redefine Fear as a Signal
Most people stop when fear sets in. Azgari does the opposite.
“If it’s scary, it’s gonna be good. Fear means I should lean in.”
Fear isn’t a stop sign — it’s a signal that you’re stretching into growth.
Action step: The next time you feel hesitation, pause and ask: “Am I scared because it’s wrong… or because it matters?” If it matters, lean in.
The Ripple Effect of Authenticity
When you show up as yourself, you give others permission to do the same. This ripple effect creates stronger teams, deeper client relationships, and a network built on genuine respect rather than convenience.
As one guest reflected:
“When you’re authentic with yourself, you give permission to others to be authentic with themselves too.”
Greg Carlson
Bringing It All Together
Authenticity in business isn’t about perfection. It’s about alignment — knowing your values, recognizing when you’ve drifted from them, and taking small, consistent steps to return.
Remember:
- It’s okay to adjust how much of yourself you share, as long as what you share is real.
- Fear is a sign you’re close to growth — not a signal to hide.
- Your ideal clients are drawn to who you truly are, not who you pretend to be.
Your Next Step
If you’re ready to build a business rooted in who you really are — and connect with other entrepreneurs doing the same — join us inside Elite League Mastermind.
We dive deep into conversations like this one, taken from The Elite League Podcast, and turn them into actionable strategies for growth.
📩 Subscribe today for free to get access to exclusive trainings, live discussions, and a network that values truth as much as results. 👇
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