Meet Karen Hairston

Scaling Shouldn’t Mean Growing Broke

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Running a tech business is exhilarating—but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Juggling growth, operations, and team dynamics while striving to scale profitably is no small task. More revenue doesn’t automatically mean more control. Without the right systems, growth can create more chaos than clarity.

I get it—because I’ve been there.

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Years ago, at a startup, I was handed a major project and asked to create a project plan and design document. I figured there had to be templates, right? Nope. Nothing. No systems, no processes—just a whole lot of reinventing the wheel.

So I built one. And that moment lit a fire in me.

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Since then, I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies, universities, government agencies, and fast-growing small businesses to streamline operations, align financial strategies, and empower teams. Whether working with Michigan State University, the State of Michigan, or major players like Ford, General Motors, Motorola, and Rockwell Collins, I’ve seen firsthand how businesses struggle when systems don’t support their growth. And more importantly—I’ve learned exactly what it takes to fix it.

The Real Problem: Why Most Businesses Struggle to Scale

Growing a business shouldn’t feel like a never-ending firefight. But for too many entrepreneurs, that’s exactly what happens—not because they lack talent or drive, but because they’ve been fed the wrong solutions.

What’s the real enemy?

🚨 Chaos & Inefficiency – The silent profit killers that leave businesses running on stress and guesswork.
🚨 The ‘Tech-First’ Fixation – Throwing automation, AI, or software at problems before fixing the underlying process.
🚨 The “It Is What It Is” Mindset – Accepting bottlenecks, overwhelm, and wasted time as just part of the game.

Why This Needs to Change

When these enemies take over, businesses start growing broke. Revenue might be increasing, but so are the inefficiencies—profit leaks, wasted hours, and a business that can’t function without the owner’s constant involvement. Scaling without the right systems doesn’t create freedom—it creates exhaustion.

That’s where I do things differently.

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How I Help You Stop Growing Broke

As a Business Systems & Profitability Consultant, I help tech entrepreneurs stop growing broke and start scaling profitably—without adding more hours to their already packed schedule. I work closely with business owners and leadership teams to:

Eliminate inefficiencies that waste time and money
Align systems, finances, and teams for sustainable growth
Turn complexity into clarity with simple, repeatable processes
Ensure growth actually increases profits—not just workload

No fluff. No rigid frameworks. Just smart, scalable systems that free up your time and boost your bottom line.

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A Holistic, Tailored Approach to Scaling

With over two decades of experience, I combine leadership, systematization, instructional design, and project management expertise to help businesses grow in a way that is both profitable and sustainable. 

My solutions are:

Practical & tailored—No one-size-fits-all approach. Everything is designed for your specific business.
Holistic—I integrate systems, finance, and people to create a foundation for long-term success.
Simple & effective—Even the most intricate processes become manageable when designed the right way.

I’m also a Certified Clear Path to Cash Professional, providing expert cash flow advisory services to help businesses maintain financial stability and maximize profitability.

My insights have been featured in the Small Business Association of Michigan’s (SBAM) Focus publication, on the SBAM podcast, in the Expert in You magazine, and on the Expert In You podcast.

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My Philosophy: Integrity, Service & Real Results

I believe in servant leadership and a “go-giver” approach—helping others succeed by providing real, actionable solutions. Integrity isn’t just about ethics; it’s about structural integrity—making sure your business is built to last. My mission is simple–to help you:

🛑 Stop growing broke
🚀 Start scaling profitably
💡 Reclaim your time, empower your team, and build a business that runs without running you into the ground.

 

Ready to Scale the Right Way?

If your business feels like it’s running you instead of the other way around, let’s fix that. Schedule a free consultation by clicking the button below and let’s build scalable, self-sustaining systems that actually work. No strings attached and no hard sell.

Core Values

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