By: Alexandra Perez

Courtney Strugnell didn’t set out to build a business that checked all the boxes; she built one that broke the mold. After working in the corporate world, having children, and attempting to balance everything, she realized something had to give.

“I wasn’t fulfilled in my corporate job,” she says. “I wanted to contribute financially, but not at the expense of missing my kids grow up.”

Her version of success began to shift, and she found herself ready to build something on her own terms.

The Path Wasn’t Straight, but It Was Hers

Let’s be real, no one stumbles into entrepreneurship with a perfect 10-step plan. Courtney explored various avenues, from marketing to subcontracting for a travel agency. She experimented, learned, and pivoted along the way. But after having her daughter, something clicked. That feeling of “this isn’t working” turned into determination.

“I went back to work after maternity leave, but I knew I wasn’t going to let the same thing happen again,” she shares. “So I went back to school for digital marketing.”

That decision marked a pivotal moment. She began offering digital marketing services, but soon found herself overwhelmed. “I was doing SEO, social media, ads… it was too much. I was burnt out, and ironically, I had created another job I didn’t love.”

Rather than quitting, Courtney decided to focus.

She asked herself: What do I actually enjoy? What gets my clients results? The answer? Email marketing and backend systems. These are the quiet powerhouses behind every scalable business.

The Breakthrough: Systems That Set You Free

Courtney didn’t just pivot; she committed fully. Once she saw the impact that automation had on her clients, she knew she was on the right path.

“We helped one client increase their annual revenue just by reviving their email list,” she recalls. “That’s when I realized this is what I’m meant to be doing.”

Now, Courtney helps business owners stop trading time for money by setting up smart, intentional systems. These aren’t just basic plug-and-play solutions, but systems that align with each business’s unique needs, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, energy, and focus on what matters most.

“I help them get out of the day-to-day grind,” she says. “When you’re not buried in tasks, you can finally focus on your next big move.”

No Templates, No Robots, Just Results

What makes Courtney different? She doesn’t rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. Her approach is one-on-one, hands-on, and deeply personal. She designs backend systems that reflect the brand’s true essence—its voice, its vibe, and its vision.

“I provide a white-glove service,” she says. “My goal is to make it feel like you, not like a bot wrote it.”

Her clients appreciate the results—not just the tools, but also the clarity, confidence, and sense of freedom her strategies offer.

Building a Business That Supports Real Life

Courtney isn’t interested in building a business that just looks successful; she wants one that feels good and supports her family, her schedule, and her sanity. She wants the same for her clients.

“I especially love working with moms,” she says. “Because I get it. We’re not trying to build empires just for the flex. We want time back. We want freedom. We want to be present and still provide.”

Looking ahead, Courtney’s vision is clear: to grow her team, scale her support, and help more entrepreneurs avoid burnout by building strategically from the start. Her next chapter includes even more system builds, new hires, and an expanded capacity to serve.

Her Message? Trust Yourself, You’ve Got This

Courtney’s biggest lesson? Stop trying to be everything to everyone.

“Pick the thing that lights you up. The thing you could talk about all day. The thing that gets people results. That’s your zone,” she says. “Trust yourself and trust the process.”

The entrepreneurial road is rarely smooth. It’s filled with pivots, breakdowns, and new roles you didn’t expect. But with every challenge, there’s potential for growth, as long as you’re willing to keep going.

Courtney Strugnell isn’t just setting up automations and fixing inbox funnels. She’s helping business owners—especially moms—build with intention, scale without chaos, and finally enjoy the freedom they envisioned when they first embarked on their entrepreneurial journey. Her work is a blend of strategy and soul, and it’s making a difference for her clients, one well-organized backend at a time.

Curious about how a tailored backend strategy could free up your time and fuel your next big move? Courtney’s one-on-one Systems Strategy Sessions offer a personalized approach, ready whenever you are, to build the workflows that let your business work for you, not the other way around.