What
Does Impossible Freedom Look Like?
We know what you might be thinking—"That worked for her, but could it really work for me?"
If you’re a high-achieving business founder or CEO who’s ever felt stuck in overwork, held back by time constraints, or unsure how to scale without sacrificing your life, you’re not alone. Every Powerhouse featured here once felt the same way—trapped in the very business they built for freedom.
What changed? They chose a different way forward.
Through the Impossible Freedom Equation, they reclaimed their time, empowered their teams, and reshaped their businesses to create more income, more impact, and more space to live fully. Their success isn’t about luck—it’s about shifting how they lead. And if you’re willing to make that shift, these kinds of results are possible for you too.
Read their stories and imagine what’s next for YOU. What if your biggest breakthrough is just one decision away?
“I work 75% less, my team is thriving, and we landed our biggest contract ever.”
I spent years working 60-80 hours a week, feeling like I could never step away. I knew I wanted to scale back, but I didn’t see how my business could run without me in the middle of everything.
Working with Nadine and Derek gave me a new perspective on leadership. They helped me trust my team, set clear boundaries, and step into a more strategic role. Now, I work 25% of what I used to, my company is thriving, and we secured our biggest contract in history—all while I finally have the time and space to enjoy my life.
– Anne Staines, Sagent Marketing | Read Success Story →
"I cut 200 hours from my schedule—and more than doubled my revenue."
Before working with Nadine and Derek, I thought success meant working harder, putting in more hours, and constantly chasing growth. But I was stretched thin, struggling to step into the next level of leadership, and unsure how to scale without burning out.
Through Ascend to Freedom, I learned to trust my instincts, reclaim my time, and make bold decisions that actually moved my business forward. I stopped chasing small, incremental wins and started leading with clarity and confidence. The impact? I cut five full work weeks from my schedule while more than doubling my revenue. I’m no longer just growing my business—I’m growing it in a way that fuels my freedom.
I'm now growing my business substantially with ease and flow—I don’t have to kill myself hustling and grinding to do it. I get to be an example of growing a business in a sane, healthy way.
– Stef Tschida, Tschida Communications | Read Success Story →
“I no longer feel guilty about investing in my leadership. I now see this isn’t indulgent—it’s necessary.”
Before working with Nadine and Derek, I was stuck in survival mode, modeling the same burnout behaviors I saw in my team. I knew something had to change, but wasn’t sure what. Nadine and Derek helped me step back, realign my leadership, and create a healthier, more sustainable path for my business and my life.
Now, I make strategic decisions with confidence, knowing I have the clarity, tools, and support to build the future I envision—for myself, my team, and my family. I no longer feel guilty about investing in my leadership. I see now that taking care of myself isn’t indulgent—it’s necessary."
If you’re thinking about coaching but unsure if it’s the right investment—trust me, it is. I never thought I needed a coach, but working with Nadine and Derek has changed the way I lead, the way I make decisions, and the way I show up in my business and life. Their support has been invaluable."
- Susie Quesada, Ramar Foods | Read Success Story →
"4X the income in half the working hours with a spacious calendar!"
Before working with Nadine and Derek, I was heading toward burnout—sales were higher than ever, but my ability to deliver was crashing. In just 7 days, they completely transformed my calendar, cutting clutter and inefficiencies while creating a service model that allowed me to scale without overwhelm. Within 30 days, I had a clear path to quadruple my revenue, build a team, and create a work rhythm that felt both luxurious and sustainable. It was like lifting the weight of the world off my shoulders.
– Julie Cabezas, Copy Crimes
“I took the most vacation time ever and had my highest revenue year in 37 years.”
I was overworked, exhausted, and questioning whether I should just retire. Nadine and Derek helped me shift my focus, reclaim control, and finally build a business that worked for me instead of running my life. I now show up with more power, enjoy my business again, and get the right results from the right efforts. My dreams didn’t just stay ideas—they became reality. Looking back, I’m not sure I’d still be in business if I had kept going the way I was.
– Rachelle Lee, Einblau & Associates | See Success Story →
“I now have the freedom to focus on a legacy project that is of paramount importance to me.”
Before working with Nadine and Derek, I was spread too thin, overwhelmed, and constantly in the weeds of my business. I needed balance, stronger leadership, and a team that could take more ownership.
After working together, I’ve completely redefined how I lead, set strong boundaries, and empowered my team—giving me the time and energy to focus on my biggest legacy project yet. With their help, we also solved major operational pain points and brought in a large amount of outstanding revenue. The results happened fast, and the process was seamless.
– Gretchen Lambert, Studio 2LR
Member, Women Presidents Organization
“I’m accomplishing my goals without burnout for the first time in my life.”
Before working with Nadine and Derek, I doubted whether I could grow a thriving business without exhausting myself. But they helped me remodel both my business and my life in a way that truly works for me. Now, I have a sustainable rhythm that keeps me energized, I’ve stabilized my self-care practices, and I’ve quadrupled my revenue while working half the time. My entire life has transformed, and I finally feel aligned in every area—business, health, and personal fulfillment.
– Joni Tabbiner, J. Tabbiner Consulting | Read Success Story →
“I have more freedom and spaciousness in my life than ever before—and my profits continue to increase.”
I was stuck in the Middle Zone, constantly working harder for diminishing returns and sacrificing my personal time to keep up. With Nadine and Derek’s help, I completely restructured my work rhythm.
Now, I rarely work after hours, spend more time with my family, and my revenue has doubled—after years of only seeing a 10% increase. I’m a better leader, mother, and business owner, and for the first time, I truly trust myself, my team, and my decisions.
– Jen Zagorsky, Bright HQ Organizing Co. | Read Success Story →
Every leader we work with has a moment where they realize success doesn’t have to come at the cost of their time, energy, or freedom.
If you’re nodding along, wondering what it would look like to step into your own version of Impossible Freedom, we invite you to explore our Ascend to Freedom program.
More success shouldn’t mean less life.
“I took control of my time, got my passion back, and grew my company by 83% in one year.”
I was waking up in the middle of the night, completely drained and stuck in a cycle I couldn’t break. Nadine and Derek helped me see that I had put myself on the backburner, and it was taking a toll on my business, my family, and my health.
After working together, I took control of my time, reconnected with my passion, and completely shifted how I lead my business and my team. The results were fast and significant—my company grew by 83% in one year—and I finally feel excited about the future again.
– Katie Phillips, Tricon Solutions Inc. | Read Success Story →
Member, Women Presidents Organization
“I doubled my revenue with more ease, spaciousness and joy.”
Before working with Nadine and Derek, I was overwhelmed and overloaded, spending too much time on my computer and not enough on what truly mattered. I wanted better boundaries, more time for relationships and play, and to grow my business without overworking.
They helped me achieve all of that and more. I doubled my revenue while working with more ease and joy, strengthened my client relationships, and created a rhythm that feels truly sustainable. The ripple effect of this work continues to bring me deep gratitude and awe.
– Alice Hong, alicehong.com | Read Success Story →
“I am now moving forward in a way that is BOTH personally and professionally satisfying.”
I was burned out, stretched thin, and knew there had to be a better way. Nadine and Derek helped me get absolute clarity on what truly matters, define my zone of genius, and remodel my services to align with my values, priorities, and strengths.
My business now operates in a way that energizes me instead of draining me. I feel a level of satisfaction and alignment I never thought possible—both personally and professionally.
– Danielle Demers, Danielle Demers Consulting
“I was starting to feel my life was all about my business.”
After a decade in business, I was successful but unfulfilled, stuck in a cycle where my work consumed all my time. I had big dreams but no space to pursue them.
Working with Nadine and Derek was transformative—they helped me shift my mindset, set powerful boundaries, and create a strategy that aligned with my vision. My spirit was completely rejuvenated, and I finally feel like I’m moving forward as the leader I was meant to be.
– Janet Pliszka, Visual Hues Photography
“If you want FREEDOM, this is it. I’m working less, my revenue has doubled, and I enjoy my business SO much more!”
I was stuck overworking, over-delivering, and feeling resentful. I had built armor around myself that made it impossible to truly be seen, valued, and connected. Nadine and Derek helped me shatter that armor and step into my leadership from a place of self-trust and ease.
Now, I work less, earn more, and LOVE what I do. They showed me that growing a thriving business doesn’t mean sacrificing well-being or integrity—it means embracing a new way of leading.
– Lisa Haggis, Realize Your Brand
“Nadine and Derek are my trusted allies and advisors, on my team to take my vision forward with me. They make me stronger.”
As my business grew, so did the stress, self-doubt, and anxiety. I felt like I was living my life through my business and putting everything else on hold. Nadine and Derek helped me take a stand for my personal life, my deepest desires, and my well-being.
I no longer wake up with worry—I wake up thinking, “I love my life.” Their guidance gave me the confidence, clarity, and trust in myself that I had been searching for.
– Kirei Yasunori, Evolved Strength
“No longer feel the constant pressure of needing to be further ahead.”
I was caught between what I thought I should be doing and what I truly wanted. Nadine and Derek helped me get clear on my vision, dream bigger, and take meaningful action without guilt. They held me accountable, challenged me when needed, and never let me fall.
The biggest shift? I now allow myself to be present in the moment instead of constantly feeling like I should be further ahead.
– Alana Humphreys, Alana Humphreys Interior Design
“They will 110% have your back.”
Nadine and Derek are an incredible blend—Nadine brings deep wisdom and unwavering belief in your potential, while Derek has an analytical mind that simplifies the complex.
Together, they create the structure and space for you to level up your business and life. They don’t just coach—you feel seen, supported, and understood in a way that makes growth feel possible (and inevitable).
– Dawn Ross, Bit by Bit Bodyworks
Your Impossible Freedom Is Waiting
Right now, you’re standing at a crossroads. You can keep running on overdrive, hoping things change on their own—or you can take the first step toward Impossible Freedom. Not someday, NOW.
One year from now, what will your success story be?
“I finally took back my time.”
“My business grew without me needing to do more.”
"I stopped chasing success and started designing freedom."
The founders and CEOs you see on this page once faced the same challenges—until they decided to lead differently. Now, they’re thriving. You can too.
Ready to step into your next level of success while living your best life, at the same time?
We’re Nadine & Derek Nicholson, founders of Ascend Leadership Co. We guide powerhouse $1MM+ founders and CEOs out of the Middle Zone of time stress, guilt, and overworking—while climbing to never-before-seen levels of success.
Our clients refuse to settle for business success at the cost of their personal freedom—and are ready to embrace a new way of leading themselves, their time, and their team. NOW, not someday.
Our signature Impossible Freedom Equation is a proven path to live your best life and drive next-level business growth. No trade-offs required.
The sooner you identify your biggest leadership gaps, the faster you step into a business that fuels your freedom—not one that drains it. In less than 5 minutes, the Impossible Freedom Quiz will reveal your best next step.