Business

Elevate with Ease: Why High-Achieving Women Lean on Systems

By Brittany Truszkowski • Grand Canyon Law Group LLC

The Power of Systems: How Structure Multiplies Business Growth

Scaling a business is a hot topic at conferences, in masterminds, and on podcasts. But few explain what it looks like in real life. Even fewer show how to grow without losing what made your business successful.

As the COO of a criminal defense law firm and someone who has spent 16 years scaling three law firms from startups to multi-million-dollar successes, I've learned this: sustainable growth needs structure. More than that, it requires intention.

The good news? You don’t need to be a large company to think like one. In fact, the sooner you start, the more successful and more sane you’ll be.

You’re Not “Too Small” for Systems

One myth I often hear from women business owners is: “We’re not big enough to need policies or procedures yet.”

Wrong.

If your business doubled overnight—if you had twice the clients, emails, and deliverables—what would break?

Your intake process? Your production schedule? Your client communication?

The truth is: What will break if you don’t have documented systems?

Scaling starts with building infrastructure that supports your team, protects your time, and ensures consistency. This means documented policies and procedures (what some call SOPs or PSPs), clear workflows, and a centralized knowledge transfer system so new hires can learn without you repeating yourself.

At our firm, we created a Learning Management System (LMS) for that. Every department—reception, file clerks, intake specialists, paralegals, client relations, and attorneys—has access to trainings, templates, and videos. No one guesses. No one relies on tribal knowledge. Most importantly—no one is indispensable.

That’s what makes a business scalable.

Build It Like a Fortune 100—Even If You’re a Team of 5

Here’s the mindset shift I want every woman in business to embrace:

  • Don’t wait to think like a big company. Start acting like a Fortune 100 now.
  • Document everything. Create workflows. Build an org chart—even if your name is in five boxes right now.

At Grand Canyon Law Group, we update our org chart quarterly—not just to reflect where we are, but to prepare for where we’re going. 

We ask:

  • Do we have the right people in the right roles
  • What gaps are slowing us down?
  • What systems can we put in place to support the next phase?

We treat our service business like a tech startup ready for rapid growth—because if you want to scale, you must build proactively, not reactively.

Scaling Is a People-First Process

Systems are crucial—but they need people to work.

At every growth stage, the question is: How do I step back from daily tasks without lowering quality?

The answer? Hire people who share your values and empower them with training and clear expectations.

We don’t just hire for skills. We hire for alignment with our core values: Compassion. Honesty. Results.

We now equip every new hire with:

  • A 60-day onboarding plan
  • Video walkthroughs and checklists
  • On-demand access to our LMS and PSPs

This ensures a consistent client experience without micromanaging—and protects my time for strategic leadership.
 

My Story - Why I Believe in Structure Over Survival

I didn’t fall into operations—I ran toward it.

I grew up in chaos: addiction, instability, and foster care. In a world I couldn’t control, the only thing I could manage was my space. I cleaned, organized, and found peace in structure.

That instinct—the need to bring order to disorder—has stayed with me. It became my superpower.

I’ve spent my adult life turning chaos into clarity. That’s why I love the legal industry. Attorneys excel at practicing law—but law firms are businesses. Without policies, repeatable systems, and treating operations like a business, growth won’t happen.

Three Practical Steps to Start Scaling Now

Want to build a business that runs smoothly—even when you’re not present?
Start with these three steps:

1. Document Your Core Processes

Start small. Choose one area (client onboarding, billing, or scheduling) and write out the steps.

  • Record a Loom video explaining it.
  • Build a simple checklist or flowchart.
  • Review and refine quarterly. 


2. Build Your Dream Org Chart

Create three versions:

  • Your current team
  • A 1-year projection
  • A 3-year vision

Even if you’re the name in every box today, this visual helps clarify what to delegate and who you need next.

3. Invest in an LMS (or start with Google Drive)

  • Upload training videos, FAQs, templates, and guides.
  • Each time someone asks a question more than once—turn the answer into a system.
  • Use folders by department and keep updates easy to find.

You Were Meant to Lead, Not Just Manage

You didn’t start your business to drown in chaos.

You started it to create impact, build something meaningful, and maybe—just maybe—find some freedom along the way.

Scaling doesn’t mean doing more. It means doing things better. It means letting go of the idea that you must do it all alone. It means stepping into your role as a true leader, not just a manager.

More about Brittany

As Chief Operating Officer at Grand Canyon Law Group, I bring over 16 years of executive leadership to the table, driving operational excellence, business growth, and transformative leadership. A results-driven strategist, I specialize in scaling businesses, optimizing legal operations, and fostering high-performing teams. My expertise spans HR management, finance, sales systems, SEO, marketing, B2B partnerships, and client relations, ensuring organizations operate at peak efficiency. Recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women Leaders of 2024, my leadership has also earned me multiple accolades, including being a two-time runner-up for Small Business COO of the Year and recognition in Newsweek and SHRM. I hold SHRM-SCP and CPSP (Vanguard) certifications, underscoring my commitment to industry excellence. Beyond operations, my passion lies in empowering professionals and reshaping the legal industry through compassionate leadership, transparency, and innovation. I’ve cultivated a nationwide network of like-minded legal professionals, championing ethical business practices and client-centered service. When I’m not leading teams, you’ll find me snowboarding, mountain biking, or attending live concerts—embracing adventure with the same energy and intention I bring to my work. Above all, I value authentic connections, whether with my husband, our dogs, close friends, family, or professional network.