125. Think Like A CEO - What Happens When You're Kicked Out of Your Own Company with Jennifer Barnes
Jennifer Barnes kicks off our Think Like a CEO series with a remarkable story of resilience that will inspire anyone who's faced career setbacks. After being fired just six weeks before her wedding, Jennifer watched as 12 of her 15 clients chose to follow her – essentially handing her a business overnight. She grew that first venture to $6 million in revenue over six years, only to face another devastating blow when her business partners pushed her out of the very company she built.
Most people would have taken time to regroup after such a betrayal, but Jennifer launched Optima Office just three days later. Nearly 30 employees followed her, and despite facing a lawsuit from her former partners, her new company generated $3.5 million in its first year. Today, Optima has grown to 110 employees and established itself as a leading outsourced accounting and HR firm.
Throughout our conversation, Jennifer shares the leadership principles that guided her through these challenges. She emphasizes the power of quick decision-making, explaining that CEOs can't afford analysis paralysis – make decisions quickly and course-correct as needed. She discusses how true CEOs must rise above day-to-day operations by delegating effectively and hiring people who complement their skills.
What stands out most about Jennifer's approach is her commitment to creating a company culture where people genuinely want to work. From comprehensive benefits to mentorship programs and regular team events, her philosophy centers on taking care of her people first. She's built Optima to function smoothly without her constant presence, allowing her to maintain work-life balance while running a successful business.
Whether you're an entrepreneur facing setbacks or a leader looking to elevate your decision-making, Jennifer's journey demonstrates how resilience and strategic thinking can transform challenges into opportunities for even greater success.
In this podcast you will learn how Jennifer:
• Built a business from scratch after being fired and having 12 of 15 clients follow her
• Dealt with challenging business partnerships and being escorted out of her own company
• Launched Optima Office just three days after being pushed out and growing it to $3.5 million in the first year
• How to make quick decisions as a CEO and not letting perfectionism slow growth
• How to step into the CEO role and learning to delegate effectively
• Developing comprehensive hiring processes to find the right cultural fits
• Creating an employee-friendly culture with benefits, events, and development opportunities
• Maintaining work-life balance while running a successful company
• Becoming comfortable with discomfort during the change process
• Reframing hard work as strategic thinking rather than constant busyness
Highlights:
0:00
Jennifer Barnes' Entrepreneurial Journey
7:38
Fired and Starting Over
Partnership Gone Wrong
Speed of Decision Making
Stepping into the CEO Role
Hiring and Building a Strong Team
Creating an Employee-Friendly Culture
Work-Life Balance for Success
Interested in 1:1 Coaching?
Kristin partners with high-performing financial advisors, leaders, and business owners who are ready to lead with more clarity, focus, and intention.
Clients often come to her with a strong vision, but they aren’t sure how to close the gap between where they are now and where they want to go. Many are navigating a season of growth, stepping into expanded leadership, or realizing they’ve outgrown their current systems and ways of working.
They know they’re capable of more and want a strategic thought partner to help them get there, someone who will ask the tough questions, create space to think deeply, and offer a proven process for turning ambition into meaningful progress.
If this sounds like the kind of partnership you’ve been craving, email meet@kristinburke.com to learn more and connect.
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