As a marketing strategist with nearly two decades of experience, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been hired to solve a marketing problem that turned out to be something else entirely. It’s a pattern I’ve seen repeat itself over and over again, and it’s why I’m so excited about our latest episode of The Business You Really Want podcast.

In this episode, co-host Gwen Bortner and I dive into a topic that’s close to my heart: the hidden culprits behind common business challenges. We explore Gwen’s unique G.E.A.R.S. framework, which offers a fresh perspective on how businesses really operate.

As a marketing professional, I’ve often been brought in to increase sales or boost visibility. But time and time again, I’ve discovered that the real issues lie deeper within the business operations.

Just a few examples from my own experience:

• Initiating expensive branding initiatives only to find out poor internal communications is sabotaging the efforts.
• Spending thousands on branded merch only to have paychecks bounce due to insufficient funds.
• Investing in new sales pages and copywriting for programs and services, only to uncover failure at every stage of fulfillment.

While it’s frustrating to design marketing plans destined to fail due to systemic issues beyond my control, I also hate what it means for the executives who hire me. Business owners work too hard to throw money at the wrong solutions. And often, what looks like a marketing challenge actually stems from misaligned goals, ineffective leadership, or poorly managed resources.

Looking into the Root Cause of Business Problems

That’s why I believe this conversation with Gwen is so important. Her approach to business operations is unlike anything I’ve encountered before, and she’s really good at explaining it in a way that makes sense. She views a business as an engine, with five key functions (or gears) that need to work in harmony:

1. Goals
2. Effectiveness
3. Accounting
4. Resources
5. Systems

But what’s most profound is Gwen’s emphasis on context. Unlike many business gurus who offer one-size-fits-all solutions, Gwen stresses the importance of understanding each business’s unique situation. It’s an approach that resonates deeply with my own experiences in marketing and as a business owner.

Listen for a Roadmap to Sustainable Success

During our discussion, we tackled some hard truths. For example, how constantly chasing more sales without addressing underlying operational issues can lead to disaster — even bankruptcy. It’s a scenario we’ve both witnessed firsthand, and it’s heartbreaking.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. This episode is packed with insights that can help you identify and address the real issues in your business. Whether you’re a solopreneur or leading a team, I believe you’ll gain a new perspective on your challenges and a framework for solving them.

As someone who’s spent years trying to solve business problems through marketing, I can’t stress enough how valuable this conversation is no matter your stage of business. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to grow your business sustainably, this episode will shed led on the likely cause for those frustrating feelings.

You can listen to show using the player above, on Apple and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Trust me, it might just change the way you think about your business forever.