If you’ve ever looked at a milestone birthday and thought, “Wait, how did we get here?”… you’re in good company.

Darren just turned 65. That’s right, sixty-five. The number feels surreal when you say it out loud, especially when the man in question still mountain bikes, bleeds from the occasional wipeout, and refuses to park in the senior parking spot at the grocery store.

This post feels different.

It’s not about systems, scaling, or leadership strategy. It’s not about franchising or finding momentum. It’s about me. The real, unpolished, slightly bruised version of me that’s been unraveling and rebuilding through the first seven years of my fifties.

I’ve jokingly called this stretch The Seven Year Bitch. Not to be crass, but because no other title felt honest enough to capture what it’s been. A little messy. A little sharp. Sometimes harsh. Always transformational.

These past seven years have been a season of personal undoing and redefinition, and if you’re navigating your own version of this right now, I want you to know: you’re not alone.

Let’s just start here: this stage of building? It’s wild.

It’s that messy middle where you’re no longer just dreaming, but not quite coasting either. The team is growing, the pressure is on, and you're straddling the line between hustle and holding it together.

In this episode of the Mr. & Mrs. CEO podcast, Darren and I sat down to unpack what these past few months have really felt like: from the inside. Not the press release version, not the “highlight reel.” Just us. Two co-founders figuring it out as we go.

Let’s be honest: growth sounds glamorous until you’re in it. Up to your ears in Slack messages, onboarding checklists, new hires, shifting roles, and more late-night franchise calls than you can count.

But here’s what I’ve learned over the past few weeks: the middle matters.

We’re not at the top of the mountain (yet), but we’ve climbed far enough to finally pause, catch our breath, and say, “Wow, we’re not where we started.”

Let me just say it: growth is uncomfortable as hell.

If you’ve ever sat in a room full of brilliant, visionary humans and thought, “What am I even doing here?” …you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Darren’s been there. And today’s episode is all about that exact moment when fear tells you to run, but your purpose whispers, “Stay.”

Welcome back to the blog, and more importantly, welcome back to us! After taking a season of silence (and sanity), Darren and I are behind the mics again, and I couldn’t be more excited to reconnect and share what’s been brewing in our world of business, family, and firewalking. Yep, literally firewalking. But more on that in a minute.

Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs! It’s Kim here, and today I want to dive into a topic that often keeps business owners up at night: competition. In our latest episode of the Mr. & Mrs. CEO podcast, we explored how shifting your perspective on competition can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Discover why redefining roles in a family business can be the key to scaling success and preserving your relationship. In this blog post, I share how “demoting” Darren was a strategic move that improved our business dynamics, boosted growth, and strengthened our marriage. Learn how honest conversations and letting go of ego can lead to a happier, more balanced life as business partners.

When it comes to running a business, there’s a common pitfall many of us stumble into — thinking that leadership starts and ends with just “being the boss.” In our latest conversation on the Mr. & Mrs. CEO Podcast, I had the pleasure of diving into this topic with Lindsay White, founder of High Voltage Leadership.

Hey there, it's Kim, and welcome back to the Mr. & Mrs. CEO blog! Today, I want to talk about something deeply personal but also incredibly universal for entrepreneurs and family business owners alike—balancing the weight of life’s losses while pushing forward in business.

Today’s blog is coming to you from a place that’s a bit unconventional — a bubble bath. Yes, you read that right. Darren & I decided to push the boundaries of our work-life integration by recording a podcast episode straight from the tub. Now, you might be wondering, "What could possibly inspire you to do business from a bubble bath?"

Hey there! Kim here, and today I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind a lot lately—something I’ve come to call “stress dysmorphia.” You’ve probably heard of body dysmorphia, where someone doesn’t see their body as it truly is. Well, stress dysmorphia is kind of like that, but instead of not recognizing our physical selves, we don’t recognize the stress we’re carrying around.

It’s Kim here, and today I want to talk about something that's close to my heart and vital for the survival of any modern business: content creation. If you're like me and Darren, juggling the demands of a family-run business while trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance, then you know just how crucial it is to stay relevant in today’s digital age. And believe me, that’s where content comes in.

Hey there, business aficionados and fellow family-first entrepreneurs! It's Kim here, back with another tale from the life of the Mr. & Mrs. CEO duo. Grab your favorite craft coffee and settle in because today, I'm sharing our wild moving day experience and the business lessons we learned along the way.

Hello, wonderful business owners and entrepreneurs! It's Kim here, and today, I'm excited to dive into one of my absolute favorite topics: team building. Now, I know that constructing a team with diverse personalities and skill sets can be daunting, but let me tell you — it’s worth every bit of effort. Let’s explore why teams are essential for your business’s success and how you can build the strongest one possible.

Running a family business isn't just about balancing spreadsheets and managing operations; it's about balancing relationships and managing expectations. Hi there, I'm Kim Hiebert, one half of the Mr. & Mrs. CEO duo, and today, I'm diving deep into the complexities of hiring friends and family in business.

In our latest podcast episode, Darren and I opened up about the joys and pitfalls of working with loved ones. Spoiler alert: it’s a rollercoaster! But with the right mindset and strategies, you can turn these challenges into a solid foundation for business success and familial harmony.

Hey there, fabulous family business owners and entrepreneurial dynamos! It’s Kimberley Hiebert here, back with another dose of wisdom, laughter, and heartfelt reflections.

In our latest episode of Mr. & Mrs. CEO, Darren & I took some time to reflect on the past year — a year that brought significant changes and a much-needed slowdown in our lives. Let’s dive in and explore these changing seasons together.

Hey there, amazing entrepreneurs and family business enthusiasts! It’s Kimberley Hiebert here, ready to dive into one of the most challenging aspects of any relationship: conflict. In our latest episode of Mr. & Mrs. CEO, Darren & I took an unexpected detour into real-time communication challenges, and I’m excited to share the insights we gained from this raw and honest conversation.

Hello, fabulous entrepreneurs and family business aficionados! It’s Kimberley Hiebert here, and wow, do I have a story for you. Grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s dive into the whirlwind that was the launch day of our first book, Awkward Family Dinners: A Guide to Building Better Family Businesses.

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, balancing personal relationships alongside a flourishing business is a challenge many couples face. Andrea Parker & Mel Mills, co-founders of FunXperience, exemplify how couples can sustain their business and personal dynamics through conscious partnership. Their approach offers invaluable insights for family business owners who strive to maintain a healthy balance between their professional ambitions and personal relationships.