Built for the Edge E #502: Why What Worked in 2023 Won’t Work in 2026 — with Deb Boulanger
In this episode of Built for the Edge, Kehla sits down with Deb Boulanger, founder of Life After Corporate, to explore why so many business strategies that once worked are quietly failing as entrepreneurs move toward 2026.
Drawing from decades of leadership and advisory experience, Deb names a growing disconnect between traditional growth models and the reality of today’s market — one shaped by accelerating AI adoption, a saturated coaching industry, and a deep erosion of trust. Together, they examine what happens when speed outpaces discernment, visibility replaces depth, and expansion becomes fragmented rather than directional.
The conversation moves through questions many entrepreneurs are avoiding: Why top-down revenue strategies are losing traction. Why being everywhere no longer builds momentum. Why relationships, capacity, and precision are becoming pressure points rather than “nice to haves.”
Rather than offering a playbook, this episode lingers in the tension of the moment — between old strategies that no longer convert and emerging approaches that haven’t fully taken shape yet. Deb shares how her own business has shifted in response to these changes, and why the next era will demand a different relationship with growth, technology, and leadership.
This is not a conversation about doing more. It’s about recognizing what no longer fits — and being willing to question the structures that once felt reliable.
Books, resources, and Deb’s revenue modeling gift are linked in the show notes for listeners who want to explore the ideas further.
Recommended Books:
1/ 10x is Easier than 2x - Dan Sullivan
2/ Rich Relationships - Selena Soo
Follow Deb on IG
Listen to Deb's Podcast: Life After Corporate
Deb + Kehla's episode on her channel: E #235: Decode the Gene Keys for Business Growth with Kehla G
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