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Breaking Bottlenecks in Business: The CLIMB Framework

with Katie Hahn

Visibility Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs Podcast | Hosted by Tori Barker

What if the biggest thing standing in the way of your growth… was you?

In this episode of Visibility Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, I sat down with Katie Hahn, a coach, former fractional COO, and the creator of the CLIMB Framework. Katie has walked the path from running brick-and-mortar businesses to closing high-ticket sales and scaling coaching companies from behind the scenes. Along the way, she discovered that most women entrepreneurs aren’t struggling because of passion or talent, they’re struggling because of chaos.

We unpack why women often become the bottleneck in their own business, the systems that can set you free, and how visibility is the key to sustainable growth.

🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

00:00 Katie’s Story: From CEO to Coaching

Katie shares her journey from running local businesses to stepping into high-ticket sales and eventually supporting coaching companies as a fractional COO. She realized she loved building systems and helping others grow, but also needed to start applying that wisdom to her own business.

“I just wanna be the fairy godmother of businesses. It isn’t about the money, I wanna see people grow and evolve.”

12:15 The CLIMB Framework Explained

Katie created the CLIMB Framework to evaluate where a business is, identify the systems missing, and map out a growth path. At the heart of her method is the truth most women don’t want to admit: we can be our own bottleneck.

“No woman ever wants to admit they’re the bottleneck… but when you put the right systems in place, you don’t have to carry that weight anymore.”

18:40 Mindset Shifts & High-Ticket Coaching

Women transitioning from corporate careers often underestimate their own value. Katie explains how clarity in your business model and recognizing your zone of genius is the first step toward selling at higher levels with confidence.

24:00 Small Steps Toward Visibility

Visibility can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re uncomfortable with social media or public speaking. Katie encourages women to start where they already are, whether it’s local networking, small sponsorships, or conversations in the DMs.

“Just start talking to people. That’s visibility, even if it’s behind the scenes.”

34:00 Balancing Business, Family & Structure

As a mom of three, Katie knows firsthand the juggling act of business and life. She shares how time blocking, project management tools, and realistic scheduling keep her business moving without sacrificing family priorities.

39:20 Why 60% of Your Time Should Be Visibility

Katie reminds us that when you’re growing, visibility isn’t optional, it’s essential. She recommends dedicating as much as 60% of your working time to being visible, whether through networking, content, or showing up in your audience’s world.

✨ Quick Tips from Katie:

Start small: Visibility begins with conversations.
Don’t hide your chaos, put systems in place.
Ask for help: growth doesn’t happen alone.
Structure your time to prioritize what matters.
Remember: clarity + consistency = confidence in your business.

🎯 Key Takeaway

The biggest bottleneck in your business might actually be you. When everything depends on you, growth stalls and chaos creeps in. By putting systems and frameworks in place, you free yourself from the overwhelm and create space for real momentum. Shifting your mindset is just as critical, especially if you’re stepping into high-ticket sales where confidence and clarity matter most. Visibility, too, is the lifeline of growth and needs to be scheduled like a non-negotiable part of your business. And ultimately, balance doesn’t come from doing it all perfectly, but from building the structure that allows you to thrive in both business and life.

Katie Hahn

Katie Hahn is a coach and former fractional COO who helps women entrepreneurs break bottlenecks and scale with clarity. Through her CLIMB Framework, she equips women with the systems, strategies, and confidence to grow their businesses while reclaiming their time and freedom.

👉 Connect with Katie:

Visit her Website: https://katiehahncoach.com/

Learn about The Coaching Growth Lab, where you can access courses, coaching & community for women coaches who are ready to scale without chaos: https://katiehahncoach.com/community

Final Thoughts

Scaling your business doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your sanity or carrying all the weight yourself. With frameworks like CLIMB, you can step out of the chaos, break bottlenecks, and create space for both growth and freedom.

🎧 Catch the full conversation with Katie Hahn on Visibility Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, and start building a business that supports the life you actually want.

✅ Want to Know Where You Stand in Your Visibility Journey?

Take the Visibility Quiz to discover your stage and get a personalized roadmap to grow with clarity and confidence.

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