Most business owners start with a passion for the product or service they provide—but the moment they hire employees, everything changes.
Suddenly, you’re navigating pay, benefits, compliance, tough conversations, time management, and so much more.
That’s exactly why I created my 6-Month "People Power" Masterclass for Small Business Owners—to give you the essential tools, knowledge, and support to confidently manage your growing team. This isn’t just another training; it’s a combination of learning, community, and coaching designed specifically for small business owners just like you.
This Masterclass is for you if....
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You’ve hired employees, and now people leadership is taking up more of your time.
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You’re figuring things out as you go but wish you had a clear plan.
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You’ve struggled with pay, compliance, performance issues, or difficult conversations.
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You’re serious about growing as a leader and want expert guidance to get there.
Program
Details
Program Structure:
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Duration: 6 months, beginning May 23, 2025 - October 31, 2025 (detailed dates listed below)
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Session Length: 90 minutes total
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Session Approach:
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Business Check-In (10 min): Share wins, challenges, and focus areas by each participant.
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Topic Deep Dive (30 min): Expert-led session on a leadership topic.
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Application & Discussion (40 min): Practical strategies, case studies, and live group coaching.
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Action Steps (10 min): Takeaways to apply immediately.
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Frequency: Bi-weekly
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Participant Limit: 10 participants, creating a supportive, high-impact environment
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Format: Fully remote via Zoom
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Meeting Time: Fridays, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Who this is designed for:
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Small to mid-size business owners looking to build a strong leadership foundation and scale effectively.
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#2 or second-in-command leaders who play a crucial role in driving business success.
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Critical business leaders responsible for managing teams, making key decisions, and fostering a strong workplace culture.
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Entrepreneurs in growth mode who need to develop leadership skills and people strategies to support expansion.
Topics Covered:
May 23 – Kickoff + What Kind of Leader Do You Want to Be?
Set the tone for the program and help participants get clear on their leadership identity.
June 6 – Set Clear Expectations
Learn how to define roles, responsibilities, and results so your team knows exactly what’s expected.
June 20 – Simple Systems Every Employer Needs
Understand what foundational tools you actually need: handbooks, job descriptions, and onboarding plans.
July 11 – When They Come to You with Problems
Stop fixing everything—learn how to coach your team through challenges so they become more self-sufficient.
July 25 – Handle the Hard Stuff
How to have direct, respectful conversations around performance, conflict, and team dynamics.
August 8 – What to Do When Someone Isn’t Working Out
How to document, coach, and make tough decisions when someone’s not a fit.
August 22 – Manage Your Time as a Leader
Learn how to prioritize leadership and protect your schedule from people-related distractions.
September 5 – Don’t Build Your Business Around One Person
Avoid over-reliance on key employees and create a more stable, resilient team.
September 19 – Give Feedback That Actually Helps
Master the skill of giving and receiving feedback that improves performance and builds trust.
October 3 – Keep Your Best People
Learn how to motivate, grow, and retain your top performers without burning yourself out.
October 17 – Plan Ahead for People Growth
Identify future leaders and invest in their development—before you need them.
October 31 – Let Go to Grow
Learn how to delegate with confidence and finally stop doing it all yourself.
What's Included:
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Pre-Program Kick-Off Session: A 60-minute session to introduce participants, review goals, answer questions, and provide an overview of the Facebook group for ongoing interaction.
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12 Transformational Group Coaching Sessions Each session targets a key area of team leadership, designed to equip you with actionable strategies and practical insights.
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Exclusive 1:1 Coaching Session: Each participant receives a 60-minute individual session to be used during the program duration for customized guidance. Alumni of the program receive special pricing for additional sessions.
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Certificate of Completion: Each participant receives a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program, recognizing their dedication and achievements.
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Exclusive Slack Group: Each cohort will have an exclusive Slack group for ongoing support, sharing, and collaboration between sessions.
Investment:
This is the first-ever cohort, and I’m looking for a small group of business owners to join me as we test and refine this experience. In exchange for your honest feedback and full participation, I’m offering an exclusive, one-time discount for this founding group: $2,495 (normally $3,495) — $1,000 off!
Payment Options:
1. Full payment: $2,495 due at registration
2. Monthly payments (Auto payment + 3% Fee required)
The Transformation You’ll Experience
This Masterclass isn’t about managing—it’s about leading with confidence, clarity, and impact. Over six months, you’ll move from feeling stuck in daily people challenges to having the tools, mindset, and strategies to build a thriving team and make decisions that fuel business growth.
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From Reactive to Proactive – Shift from constantly putting out fires to leading with a plan. You’ll gain frameworks that help you anticipate challenges and address them before they escalate.
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From Overwhelmed to Focused – Instead of feeling pulled in every direction, you’ll learn how to set clear expectations, boundaries, and priorities—freeing up time to focus on your business, not just the people problems.
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From Uncertain to Confident in Decision-Making – You’ll develop practical decision-making skills that help you navigate tough employee issues, provide meaningful feedback, and lead with authority—without second-guessing yourself.
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From Employee Turnover to Team Retention – By improving onboarding, communication, and leadership alignment, you’ll build a culture that keeps your best people engaged and invested in your business.
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From Stagnant to Strategic Growth – With a mix of structured learning, group coaching, and a Growth Seat for direct feedback, you’ll develop customized leadership strategies that fit your unique business and leadership style.
At the end of this program, you won’t just run your team—you’ll lead them with purpose, clarity, and the confidence to handle whatever comes next.
Meet your Program Leader
Susan S. Mahaffee, Certified Executive Coach
I am Susan S. Mahaffee, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, NDCCDP, CEC, the President and Founder of People Rise LLC, a strategic HR and leadership consultancy dedicated to helping small to mid-size businesses grow and scale effectively. My career has taken me inside billion-dollar private family-owned companies, fast-scaling entrepreneurial ventures, and complex corporate environments, giving me a practical, real-world perspective on leadership, people strategy, and business growth.
I’ve worked across manufacturing, retail, hospitality, food & beverage, and supply chain industries, allowing me to apply solutions that work across different business models. I understand the real challenges of building teams, managing growth, and leading through change—because I’ve been inside businesses doing exactly that.
As a woman-owned small business owner, I know the weight of leadership, the responsibility of making tough decisions, and the challenge of scaling a business while keeping a strong team in place. My approach is straightforward and engaging, helping leaders untangle complex challenges, make better decisions, and create long-term success.
With deep experience in hiring, retention, leadership development, and business strategy, I equip leaders with the tools they need to build strong teams, drive results, and confidently navigate the complexities of growing a business.
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