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“Don't let it be about control. Don't let it be about guilt. Let it be about, wow, I'm going to be able to accomplish so much more by not having to waste my time on these things that I could hire outsource for.”
In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, host Ingrid Zapata-Read sits down with fractional COO and founder of La Pausa Consulting, Adair Vilella, to unpack what it really takes to build a business that can grow with intention. From messy data and unclear systems to overwhelmed founders stuck in the day-to-day, Adair shares how she helps women entrepreneurs pause, reset, and rebuild the operational foundation needed for sustainable success.
Together, they dive into the realities of scaling—from the million-dollar “breaking point” to the challenges of balancing e-commerce and retail in a post-pandemic world. Adair also reveals why so many founders struggle with delegation, how to align marketing, PR, and sales for real results, and what your numbers are actually trying to tell you.
What We Talked About:
The Importance of Pausing [6:01]
Navigating E-commerce Post-Pandemic [11:59]
Understanding Financials and Data Visualization [18:13]
Marketing, Sales, and Operations [24:11]
The Role of a Fractional COO [30:12]
Connect with Adair:
@laupausaconsulting on Instagram
Adair Vilella on LinkedIn
La Pausa Consulting
Connect with Carlyn:
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
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Guests
Adair Vilella
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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