Laia Sastre on Why Most Small Businesses Stall at 500K (And How to Break Through) | Ep 224 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Laia Sastre, Virtual Business Manager and Productivity Consultant at Elevate Business Management, to explore what it really takes to run a business that’s both efficient and aligned with your personal values. Originally from Spain and now based in Auckland, Laia brings a wealth of experience across journalism, communications, project management and operations. Together, they unpack the challenges of navigating growth, change, and burnout—and the power of building a business (and life) that actually works for you.

Laia shares her personal journey from Mallorca to post-earthquake Christchurch, where she rebuilt her career from scratch before carving out her niche as an Online Business Manager. Drawing on her background in communications and operations, she now helps small businesses across New Zealand set up the right systems, strategies, and rhythms to thrive, whether that means scaling sustainably or optimising for lean, high-value delivery.

Throughout the episode, Laia reflects on the emotional impact of cultural transitions, the struggle to fit in, and the transformation that came from starting her own business. She discusses how burnout often stems from misalignment, both in values and in the type of support businesses seek, and why it's vital to engage the right kind of help at the right time.

Together, Anthony and Laia explore how technology, when implemented with clarity and communication, can support real organisational change. They discuss the risks of overwork, the societal pressure to constantly produce, and the importance of self-awareness in business leadership. Whether it's micro-moments of rest or strategic planning sessions, Laia emphasises that success isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about building a business around who you really are.

Whether you're an early-stage founder, a solo operator juggling hats, or a business owner approaching the next stage of growth, this episode offers practical wisdom and grounded insight into building a business that supports both your goals and your wellbeing.

#SmallBusinessGrowth #ProductivityTips #BusinessOperations #EntrepreneurLife #BurnoutRecovery #FounderJourney #ScaleSmart #DevReadyPodcast