The CEO Support System You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you’re running your business alone, I hate to break it to you, but you’re making it way harder than it needs to be.

And if you think building a support system is optional, let me ask you this: can you name a single top athlete who doesn’t have a coach? A team? A network of people supporting them?

Exactly.

Scaling a business isn’t just about hiring a team. It’s about having the right support system around you — people who can help you make better decisions, see your blind spots, and push you forward when you start second-guessing yourself. 

And if you don’t have that? You’re not just slowing down your growth. You’re setting yourself up for burnout.

I’m breaking down the three core pillars of a CEO’s support system, why going it alone is keeping you stuck, and how to start surrounding yourself with the people who’ll actually help you scale.

Why Most Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck

Most entrepreneurs start their business solo. You’re wearing all the hats, figuring things out as you go, and honestly? That’s normal in the beginning.

But there comes a point where doing everything yourself isn’t just exhausting — it’s actually holding you back.

You don’t have anyone to give you an outside perspective, so you start second-guessing everything.

You’re constantly reacting to problems instead of strategically planning for growth.

You’re working harder, not smarter, because no one is helping you see a different way to do things.

And here’s the biggest rub: Even when entrepreneurs know they need support, they don’t always know what kind of support they actually need.

The 3 Core Pillars of a CEO’s Support System

Scaling a business isn’t about doing more — it’s about building the right ecosystem of support so you can actually step into your CEO role and focus on high-level strategy.

There are three core roles every CEO needs in their support system:

1️⃣ A Mentor or Coach (For Strategy & Leadership)

I’m just gonna say it — every successful entrepreneur has had some kind of mentor, coach, or strategic support system.

I learned this the hard way.

When I first started my business, I was trying to figure everything out alone. And let me tell you, it was rough.

I had the skills, I knew my stuff, but I was completely stuck trying to communicate how I could actually help people.

It wasn’t until I found my own coach that things clicked. Having them was like holding up a mirror, reflecting back to me what I actually needed to focus on — both personally and professionally.

Because a mentor or coach helps you:

• See the bigger picture instead of getting lost in the weeds
• Identify blind spots that are holding you back
• Make decisions faster, with more confidence

And if you think you don’t need a coach, let me ask you this — do you know a single professional athlete who doesn’t have one?

Even the best of the best all have coaches. Not because they don’t know what they’re doing, but because having someone guide you, push you, and keep you accountable is how anyone continues to improve.

So if top athletes invest in mentorship to stay at the top of their game, why wouldn’t you?

2️⃣ A Peer Network (For Collaboration & Accountability)

Entrepreneurship can be lonely. You’re making big decisions, dealing with challenges your non-business-owner friends & family don’t get, and trying to stay motivated through the highs and lows.

That’s where your peer network comes in.

A solid network of like-minded entrepreneurs can:

• Give you fresh perspectives on challenges you’re facing
• Hold you accountable when you’re this close to talking yourself out of the next big move
• Help you stay motivated when things feel tough

This is one of the reasons I built Structure to Scale the way I did — it’s not just about systems and strategy, it’s about surrounding yourself with a community of other business owners who get it and can support you along the way.

3️⃣ A Reliable Team (For Execution & Scaling)

If you want to scale, you’re gonna need a team.

I don’t care if it’s a VA, a project manager, or a full-time COO — having people to support you means you can actually focus on being the CEO, instead of being buried in day-to-day tasks.

And if you’re thinking, “But Carla, I can’t afford a team yet”... I hear you. But you don’t have to start with a full-time hire.

• Start small — a VA for 5 hours a week can free up hours of your time.
• Focus on the tasks that drain you — not everything needs to be on your plate.
• Remember: hiring isn’t an expense — it’s an investment in the growth of your business.

If you’re feeling stretched too thin, it’s time to start building your team, even if it’s just one person to start.

Why This Matters for Scaling

At the end of the day, scaling isn’t about doing more — it’s about having the right support so you can step into your CEO role fully.

And this is exactly what I help you build inside my signature coaching program, Structure to Scale — the systems, strategy, and support you need to finally scale without the stress.

So here’s my question for you: what’s the biggest gap in your support system right now? Do you need a coach? A better peer network? A first (or next) team member? Drop a comment and let me know!

And if you’re ready to build the structure and support you need to scale, check out my free training, the Time Freedom Formula. It’ll walk you through exactly how to step out of the day-to-day and into your CEO role.