Summary
Scaling a company shouldn’t cost you your life. Learn how to build a high-growth startup while prioritizing your wellbeing, setting boundaries, and creating a healthy culture.
Many entrepreneurs start their businesses to escape toxic workplaces, rigid rules, and the soul-crushing cycle of burnout. Yet, a few years into the journey, many find they have accidentally recreated the very environment they tried to flee.
The long hours, constant pressure, and the guilt of stepping away slowly erode the freedom you set out to find. If your business feels like it’s consuming your life rather than supporting it, it’s time for a different path. It’s time for The Reverb Way.
Building a thriving business doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your well-being. As I often say:
“What if it was possible to build something meaningful and profitable without losing sight of your health, your family, and all the things that make life feel like your own?”
Culture is What You Tolerate
We often talk about “culture” as if it’s a nebulous concept or a set of perks. In reality, my favorite definition is simple: “The way we do things around here.” As a founder, your company will emulate you—both the good and the bad. Culture is not defined by what you say you value; it is shaped by what you consistently tolerate, reward, and model. If you want a team that respects boundaries, you must model them yourself. Take that long lunch. Enjoy meeting-free Fridays. When you stop defaulting to “how it’s always been done,” you open the door to a leadership style that honors both results and relationships.
Practical Steps to a People-Centric Business
To transition your company to a flexible and people-friendly model, you probably need to start by auditing your HR and people practices. Here are three actionable areas to focus on:
1. Hire for Values and Grit
The old adage “hire slow, fire fast” is a dangerous myth. I prefer to reframe it: Hire slow, fire thoughtfully. Focus on Potential: Talent matters, but persistence and lived experience often carry people further than credentials.
- Align on Values: Every hire moves you either a step closer to or further from the business you set out to build.
- Invest in People: Payroll is not the place to cut costs. Pay people fairly and competitively so they feel valued and encouraged to stay.
2. Prioritize “Flex Time over Face Time”
In a modern, people-centric company, “face time” is an outdated metric. High-quality results and a flexible work environment can—and should—go hand in hand.
“Let people work when, where, and how they want, to the extent possible.”
By focusing on outcomes rather than hours, you build a culture grounded in autonomy and trust. This shift allows your team to manage their own lives, which in turn creates a virtuous cycle of loyalty and performance.
3. Resource for Sustainability
Burnout is rarely a character flaw; it’s usually a resourcing problem. I’ve left jobs in the past because there was consistently 25% more work than I could realistically do.
- Audit Workloads: Ask yourself: “Does every job leave space for people to live their lives outside of work?”
- Anticipate Needs: Use your instincts to predict when your team might need extra support before they hit a breaking point. Resourcing isn’t just about headcount; it’s about building a company where people can do great work without sacrificing their health.
The Power of Saying No
As a leader, saying “no” is one of your most powerful tools. It helps maintain focus and ensures your team is working on what truly matters. At Reverb, we even have a boundary that we won’t work with clients who are unkind or disrespectful.
Values matter, but it’s the combination of stated values and lived norms that makes a culture real.
Your Legacy is Your Culture
You have the power and the responsibility to make your company the place you actually want to work. Legacy isn’t just measured in revenue; it’s measured in the quality of life you create for yourself and your team along the way.
The Reverb Way is a guide for business owners who want meaningful work, the freedom to lead in alignment with who they are, and the energy to enjoy a full, well-lived life.
Mikaela Kiner is the founder and CEO of Reverb. Her new book, The Reverb Way, is available now.
