We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Allison Maslan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

When I started my first business—a personalized greeting card service that grew into a full service advertising and PR agency—I had passion and marketing skills, but no understanding of scalability. I had a small team, but I still tried to do everything myself, which led to burnout and ultimately walking away from that business. That experience became the foundation for what I teach today through the SCALEit Method.
Scaling my current business, Pinnacle Global Network, meant shifting from being the bottleneck to building a strong, team-managed company. I hired high-level CEOs as mentors to work directly with our clients, creating a ripple effect that allowed us to multiply our impact without sacrificing quality.
Systems were critical. I prioritized documenting every process, ensuring everything was repeatable and scalable. Staying ahead of trends, such as integrating AI, has kept us agile and efficient.
Challenges were inevitable. During the pandemic, we pivoted to a fully online model, which expanded our global reach. This reinforced the importance of adaptability and having systems that evolve with the times. I also learned the hard way that scaling without a clear team alignment creates inefficiency. Now, every team member is tied to our mission, guided by measurable metrics.
Strategic partnerships also played a key role. Collaborating with industry leaders and building a community of like-minded CEOs accelerated our growth and opened doors we didn’t even know existed.
Scaling isn’t just about revenue—it’s about creating a business that thrives without you and positively impacts others. My journey has been full of challenges and lessons, but each step has made our company and me stronger. It’s all about turning passion into a sustainable, scalable vision.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Allison Maslan, and I am the CEO and Founder of Pinnacle Global Network. Entrepreneurship is in my blood—I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and learned much of the business mindset from my father, who built the largest chain of privately-owned women’s clothing stores in the 1970s. Watching him innovate and take risks inspired me to carve my own path.
I started my first business over 40 years ago, creating personalized greeting cards for special occasions. What began as a small project quickly grew as clients started asking for brochures, commercials, and advertising. That inspired me to think bigger and led to my first marketing agency. Over time, I realized the importance of building systems, empowering a team, and creating a scalable business—lessons that became the foundation of my work today.
Over the past 40 years, I’ve built and scaled ten successful businesses. My tenth, Pinnacle Global Network, is now 16 years old and has helped over 150,000 business owners scale their companies. We use my proven SCALEit Method, which focuses on aligning vision, leadership, systems, and team structure to create sustainable growth.
I’m honored to have been named one of Forbes’ “Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs to Watch” and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author for Scale or Fail, endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank. I’ve shared the stage with leaders like Richard Branson and Magic Johnson, and my expertise has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and on major networks like ABC, NBC, and CNN.
At Pinnacle Global Network, my mission is to help CEOs step into the visionary role, build team-managed businesses, and achieve growth without burnout. Nothing drives me more than helping others scale their dreams into reality.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I could do it all myself. When I started my first business, I believed success meant being the one to handle everything. I thought if I worked harder, I could solve every problem and scale on my own. But that mindset led to burnout. My business became dependent on me for every decision, and I eventually hit a wall where growth was impossible.
The turning point came when I realized that true success isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about building a support system. I sought out mentors who had already achieved what I aspired to and learned from their experience. That guidance was invaluable. They helped me see blind spots in my strategy, avoid costly mistakes, and focus on what really mattered for growth.
I also discovered the power of being part of a community of like-minded individuals. Surrounding myself with other driven business owners created an environment of shared resources and encouragement. It’s incredible how much faster you can solve problems and grow when you’re supported by people who understand your journey.
These lessons became the foundation for Pinnacle Global Network. Today, we provide not only mentorship but also a global community of CEOs who help each other scale. This collaborative approach has been transformative for my clients—and it’s what allowed me to grow my own business to where it is today. Scaling isn’t a solo sport; it’s a team effort, and it’s one of the most rewarding shifts I’ve ever made.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with creating a culture of trust, alignment, and purpose. People thrive when they feel valued and connected to a bigger vision, so as a leader, it’s essential to communicate that vision clearly and ensure everyone understands how their role contributes to the company’s success.
The first piece of advice I’d give is to focus on hiring passionate, driven individuals who align with your mission. Passion can’t be taught, and when people truly believe in what they’re doing, their motivation becomes intrinsic. This reduces the need for constant external encouragement because they’re genuinely excited about the work.
Second, empower your team by giving them ownership of their areas. No one thrives under micromanagement. Instead, equip them with the tools and resources they need to succeed, and trust them to rise to the occasion. This not only builds confidence but also fosters a sense of accountability and pride in their work.
Another key is fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Celebrate wins, both big and small, and ensure open communication where feedback flows both ways. People feel valued when their voices are heard, and this sense of inclusion builds loyalty and engagement.
Lastly, lead by example. Show up with integrity, resilience, and enthusiasm. If you prioritize your team’s well-being and demonstrate your commitment to their growth, they’ll mirror that energy. At Pinnacle Global Network, we’ve built a culture where everyone feels like they’re part of something bigger than themselves—and that shared purpose is what keeps morale high, even during challenging times.
Remember, a thriving team drives a thriving business. Invest in your people, and they’ll invest in your mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmaslan/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmaslan/
• Other: https://scaleitlive.com/