Built by Margin
Built by Margin is the podcast at the intersection of risk, numbers, and decision-making for founders, CEOs, and high performers. Hosted by CPA, fractional CFO, and author of the upcoming book Risk Worthy, Laurie Chen, CPA, MBA, the show explores how better decisions create better businesses, stronger leadership, and more meaningful long-term outcomes. From financial strategy and entrepreneurship to intelligent risk-taking and growth, each episode helps you think sharper and build with intention.
Built by Margin
How Decisions Compound - Risk Worthy Insights with Laurie Chen
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In episode 30 of Built by Margin, Laurie Chen shares key insights from her upcoming book Risk Worthy - decisions compound. Most people think of compounding only in financial terms, but the same principle applies to the choices we make every day—how we spend our time, what we prioritize, the risks we take, and the future we build through repeated action. This episode unpacks why small decisions are rarely small, and how their long-term effect often matters more than the immediate result.
Drawing from her upcoming book Risk Worthy, Laurie breaks down the difference between short-term optimization and long-term alignment. She explores the idea of qualitative ROI—the return that comes from making decisions that shape your character, expand your capacity, and move you toward your best possible future, even when the payoff is not immediate or easily measurable. This episode is a reminder that the best decisions are not always the safest or fastest ones, but the ones that compound into the life and business you actually want.
Whether you’re a founder, CEO, operator, or someone in a season of meaningful decisions, this episode will challenge you to think beyond isolated moments and start viewing your choices as part of a larger pattern. Because over time, your decisions don’t just affect your future—they create it.
QUOTES
- " Because we live in a world of cause and effect, every decision we make will impact another person, another event, or another outcome. If you want to minimize risk in both life and in business, then you should consider how effectively you are using your time. What are you investing your time in and are those activities moving you towards your best possible future? " - Laurie Chen
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Laurie Chen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriechencpamba/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriechen/
WEBSITES
Risk Worthy: https://www.riskworthy.co/
Advanced CFO: https://www.advancedcfo.co/
Built By Margin: https://www.builtbymargin.com/