Our featured article either offers a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to at Empower or provides a fresh lens on how to grow, operate or think differently about business.
FINDING RHYTHM & SETTING NEW STANDARDS
This edition closes the 2025 chapter for The Empower Edit. It’s been a fulfilling year, and this readership has grown nearly 2.5x during the past 12 months.
I’m ending December with intention and using the next couple of weeks to set new rhythms as the page turns to 2026. Rhythm is a word that’s resonated a lot with me recently, whether personally or professionally. It’s an aspiration and a north star. My word of the coming year.
Instead of sprinting and jamming in everything between now and December 31, I’m instead focused on executing for existing partners, setting the tone for new projects and refining priorities.
Since this is a closing edition, it’s fitting to:
Reflect on 2025.
Remind you about Empower and why the business exists.
Share what’s evolving in 2026.
Reflection: Three truths from 2025
The unexpected: When I sat at this desk a year ago, I didn’t imagine the 2025 that transpired. Uncertainty in Q1 bled into early Q2, making it challenging to hit my lofty revenue goals. That was a hard miss, but things picked up. I’m now here with more organic referrals than I’ve ever had and work I’m genuinely enjoying.
The promising: I’m operating a profitable, six-figure run rate business, and I’m positioned well for the next phase.
Building my way: I’m running hard and still have those big goals. I’m also navigating this journey in a way that works for me and best supports partners who entrust Empower.
I’ve come a long way, and there’s still more to build.
The Reminder: What is Empower?
I don’t often use this newsletter to promote the business. But, it’s a good time for a refresh, both for those of you who’ve been here a while, and new subscribers.
What we do
Empower designs and builds the operating structure founder-led businesses need to grow with clarity, consistency and control. We demystify operations, create a clear plan and work alongside teams so progress becomes predictable.
When I launched the brand’s visual identity, I spoke about architecting, co-creating and developing strong, interconnected foundations. The business is evolving and I’ve put a finer point on positioning, but those fundamentals to our approach haven’t changed.
Who we serve
Founder-led businesses at prove-and-scale moments, or the “messy middle.” Our core includes bootstrapped through Series B tech startups and growing 7-figure SMBs.
Our Empower Progress and new Empower Hours (see below) offerings are also suited for earlier-stage teams and solopreneurs.
How we work
Advisory, focused project sprints and Fractional COO / EOS Integrator services. I’ve tailored what we offer to meet businesses and their founders at their moment.
Education is another big piece of what I do personally. In 2026, I hope to double down on interactive workshops and speaking opportunities within entrepreneurial ecosystems.
With each year, quarter, month, week and day, I’m constantly learning.
With that process comes the opportunity to elevate and evolve (or stand still).
Because I’m not one to stay stagnant, I’m choosing evolution.
The Refresh: Empower’s Offerings
I’ve further refined what best suits and resonates with our past, current and target partners. We’ll continue to offer a combination of advisory, project-based and Fractional COO / EOS Integrator options.
The New: Empower Hours
‼️ I’m also announcing something new! Introducing: Empower Hours
Sometimes you may need 15 minutes for three burning questions. Other times, you want an hour with a peer group. Empower Hours will be the space for that. Open office hours, 1x per month, 90 minutes with me, an approachable investment and a capped group of 10 virtual attendees to maintain quality.
Come with your questions.
Stay for the collaboration.
Leave with next steps.
Come and go as you please.
The first session will take place on Thursday, January 8, at 1:30 p.m. CST. From there, every second Thursday each month at the same time.
You can sign up for one session or pre-book multiple.
Want in?
🌟 As newsletter subscribers, you get the first look and chance to book.
The Edit: This publication in 2026
The newsletter is here to stay.
Over the past year, you’ve told me what you value most. So, we’re tweaking around the edges, starting with Edition 053.
While engagement is always high, the #1 piece of feedback I’ve received on the newsletter relates to length. According to Beehiiv’s 2025 Rewind, I wrote over 34,000 words this year. I’d be happy to pare back 😊
Based on what I heard, 2026 will look like this:
In Focus
Behind the Build
Fuel for Thought (with a twist). Switching to a quick list of links for notable reads, listens or ideas since the last edition.
A little shorter.
No less valuable.
Hopefully, another year of significant growth.
I wish you a meaningful end to 2025. Enjoy the festive season. See you on the other side.
A peek into another entrepreneurial journey. The wins, challenges, pivots and lessons.
MEET LAURA DEL GRECO, FOUNDER & CEO OF MUSAY
Q: When did you know you were destined to build a business?
A: “When I was 16.“
Q: What’s the most unexpected thing (+/-) that’s happened along your entrepreneurial journey?
A: “Moving to Nashville from NYC - by myself - to build MUSAY.“
Q: When did you hit your first scaling challenge, and how did you overcome it?
A: “I had to move from vision to execution fast, and in order to do that, I hired you!“
Q: If you were starting all over, what’s one piece of advice you would give yourself?
A: “For me, advice is for binary decisions and being an entrepreneur is a life choice and that requires a philosophy so I would tell myself: ‘Be prepared to be transformed. Whoever you are now, you will be better for this experience if you accept each challenge as an opportunity. Be prepared to walk through the fire in ways that incinerate the parts of you that were holding you back so you can find limits you no longer choose to accept. Every morning of every single day you will ask, does this matter, does it bring me joy. If it does - then you figure out a way to lean further in no matter how exhausted, frustrated or in need of funding you are. And THAT is when the magic happens. Because, to do that, you have to be better than you were yesterday and then you’ll know you have the courage to build a future only you can see. A future that deserves to be.’“
Q: Do you have one ask or offer you would like to share with the Empower community?
A: “Founders need to know other founders because no one else understands what it takes - I'm here if anyone wants to just talk to someone who can relate.“
Q: A fun one, what’s your all-time favorite restaurant and where is it located?
A: “Tarrallucci e Vino - small Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side of NYC - not fancy but if you sit at the bar and have the pappardelle with truffles and a Barolo - you'll think you're in heaven!“
Want to learn more?
Lucky for me, I get to work with Laura and the MUSAY team as Fractional COO & Integrator. If you’re interested in learning more or connecting with Laura, reply directly to this newsletter! You can also follow @musay_today on IG or check out musay.com.
An approachable tip designed for incremental improvement with outsized impact.
NAME THE ONE GOOD THING
Whether you had an unbelievable year, or one that fell short, this quick daily ritual will cut through the noise and enable you to visualize progress.
Each day between now and January 1, open your notetaking app and type one positive thing that happened that day. Create written evidence of what you’re pushing forward each day.
If you’ll forget, set a timed reminder each day.
On January 2, read the list, internalize the positivity and let that help set your rhythm for the new year.
Curated reads or listens to spark new ideas or expand your thinking.
2025 WORD OF THE YEAR: SLOP BY Merriam-
Webster
Oof, this one is kind of depressing, but I’m sure many of us feel it. The growing abundance of AI-generated “slop” across content channels and media is hard to ignore. Even though I’m sure a few of us get the warm and fuzzies about a year defined by the word “slop,” maybe we can rest easy that it’s still human creativity and a level of taste that leads the way.
Playful and purely for enjoyment.
MY 2025 RESOLUTION SCORECARD
At the beginning of the year, I shared my 2025 resolution: Find at least one opportunity each quarter to volunteer my time.
My scorecard? ✅✅✅✅
Beyond merely keeping commitments, the opportunities I pursued allowed me to learn, help others, get outside my comfort zone and build new relationships.
Not sure what I’ll commit to in 2026 yet. But this theme of intentional service will persist.
LOOKING FOR MORE EMPOWERMENT?
You’ve worked hard to build your business. Let’s work together to make it last. We want to be your partner in the journey to develop the business that lives into your vision.
There are four primary ways Empower can partner with you to help your business reach the next level. Click the image below to learn more about our core offerings.
If you’re ready to take the step, reach out to discuss how we can support your goals.
If you were forwarded this newsletter and enjoyed it, I encourage you to subscribe and join the Empower community.