The Dessert
The Dessert
Open Business Doors
helping humans do business better
The Mission
BEYOND THE HUSTLE
I help business owners move beyond burnout and hustle culture by teaching them how to build sustainable, values-driven businesses that evolve with them over time. Whether you are a founder or a community visionary, I help you build a purpose-driven business that is designed to scale, evolve, and last.
The Therapist’s Edge​
People often ask why a sex therapist would step into the business world,but the truth is, my work has always lived there. Navigation of vulnerable, emotionally charged topics requires trust, safety, and a deep understanding of human behavior.​
I don’t rely on pressure or gimmicks. I approach business the same way I approach therapy: educational, heart-centered, and grounded in what is genuinely right for the person.
The Framework
THE "BUILT TO LAST" BUSINESS CERTIFICATION
The core of this work is a five-phase framework that aligns your business growth with your human experience.
PHASE
ALIGNMENT
FOCUS
TEST IT
THE MIND
Explore ideas in low-risk, low-cost ways to take calculated action.
DO IT
THE BODY
Move into execution with structure, confidence, and action.
PROVE IT
THE HEART
Build real evidence that your business works and can be sustained.
OWN IT
THE SOUL
Step into your brand identity; create something aligned with who you are.
LEAVE IT
THE SPIRIT
Focus on legacy, impact, and what your business contributes beyond you.
Is This For You?
OUR IDEAL BUSINESS PARTNERS
I work with leaders who are ready to evolve from "improvising" a business to truly leading one.
-
🔥 The Burned-Out Builder You’ve created success, but now the business is exhausting you. You don’t want to quit, you want to love it again.
-
🎯 The Accidental CEO You found success through talent and hustle, but you lack a clear framework for intentional growth. You are ready to stop relying on "happy accidents".
-
🌱 The Legacy Leader You care about impact but feel frustrated by rigid, outdated organizational thinking. You want to build human-centered systems that outlast you.
Human-Centered Leadership
THE PEOPLE STRATEGY
To build a healthy business culture, you must understand how different humans work, communicate, and respond to stress. We use four personality types to help you make smarter "people" decisions: from hiring to sales.
THE COMPLIANCE CAPTAIN
Values clarity and rules. They need step-by-step processes to say "yes".
THE SKEPTICAL FIREWALL
Scans for risk. They need logic, transparency, and evidence before they trust.
THE SHINY OBJECT SPRINTER
Driven by energy and momentum. They need big vision and engaging messaging.
THE SILENT AVOIDER
Easily overwhelmed. They need low-pressure environments and small, simple steps.
The Philosophy
RADICAL TRANSPARENCY
I haven’t earned your trust yet, and I respect that.
Good business isn't built on blind trust; it's built on evidence. I’ve built a six-figure business since 2013 and navigated major industry disruptions, like the 2024 "Walmart effect" in therapy.
​
I am transparent about my limits: I am a specialist in solopreneurs and small teams, and I am currently "learning and testing" the path from six to seven figures myself. My goal isn't to teach you my way, it's to help you discover yours.
Take the Next Step
About Angela Skurtu
Licensed Marriage Therapist in the state of Missouri and
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Angela Skurtu is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Missouri and a nationally certified Sex Therapist through the American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). She holds a Master of Education in Counseling and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Since 2008, she has been helping couples navigate intimacy, communication, and sexual health.
As an AAMFT and AASECT-approved supervisor, Angela is a recognized expert in the field of sexual and relationship health. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Women’s Day Magazine, The Post-Dispatch, Good Therapy,and Psychology Today. In 2017, she received a media award from the Missouri Association for Marriage and Family Therapists for her contributions to blogging, podcasting, and media appearances. She also received the 2020 Best of Ballwin Award for marriage and family counseling.