Pivot and Triage: Diana Khan on Building Seven Integrated Businesses and Defining Success on Her Own Terms

On this episode of Badass Women in Business, we welcomed Diana Khan, a Maryland-based attorney, entrepreneur, and real estate broker, who brings a fresh take on building and managing multiple businesses. Diana doesn’t just manage one company; she runs seven — each strategically integrated within her field to complement and support each other. With over 15 years of experience, Diana shared her path to success, her philosophy on work-life balance, and her approach to hiring and leadership.

Embracing the Pivot and Triage Mentality

“Pivot and triage” is how Diana describes her approach to daily decisions, whether it’s business, personal, or anything in between. For her, every day is about shifting priorities and addressing immediate needs while keeping her broader goals in mind. This adaptability is crucial not only in scaling a business but also in managing a life filled with demands.

Diana’s perspective is grounded in setting aside expectations, adjusting as circumstances change, and staying flexible. This mindset of pivoting — and the honesty to accept when something isn’t working — has helped her maintain resilience and focus.

Vertical Integration: Building a Cohesive Business Ecosystem

Each of Diana’s seven businesses serves a unique purpose but operates within a vertically integrated model, meaning they all play supporting roles in one another’s success. For instance, her law firm provides legal services to her real estate brokerage, while her title and construction companies create seamless client experiences. By structuring her businesses this way, Diana optimizes workflows and provides comprehensive services that add value to her clients.

With a primary focus on estate planning and real estate law, Diana’s expertise in these areas creates a strong foundation for each of her ventures. Her law firm, DK Law Group, forms the core of her enterprise, while other businesses within her portfolio expand her service reach and bring efficiency to her practice.

A Unique Approach to Leadership and Hiring

When it comes to bringing people into her businesses, Diana has found that traditional job descriptions rarely work. Instead, she focuses on potential team members’ adaptability and enthusiasm for learning. Diana gives her hires a broad view of the company by exposing them to multiple roles in the first 30 days, allowing both her and the new hire to discover where they fit best.

This fluid approach reflects her own path, pivoting as needed and letting go of rigid expectations. Diana doesn’t believe in micromanaging or forcing employees into boxes; instead, she empowers her team to find their strengths and align them with the company’s goals.

Defining Success Beyond Expectations

Diana’s journey to entrepreneurship wasn’t without challenges, but it was shaped by her drive to create something meaningful and sustainable. Rather than chasing industry definitions of success, she’s built a model that prioritizes both her personal values and business ambitions. This approach has made her business ventures sustainable and has given her the freedom to define success on her own terms.

For Diana, managing a full business portfolio with seven companies doesn’t mean working nonstop — it means finding efficient ways to work smarter. By focusing on vertical integration and understanding her goals, Diana keeps her businesses aligned with her lifestyle.

Finding Balance in Every Pivot

Diana’s story is a reminder that success can come from flexibility and prioritizing what matters most. She doesn’t just build businesses; she builds them to work cohesively and support her long-term goals. For other women in business, Diana’s journey underscores that defining your own path, setting priorities, and adjusting as needed are key components of achieving your version of success.

Connect with Diana Khan

To learn more about Diana’s work or connect directly, follow her on social media:

Aggie And Cristy ProveHER

Aggie Chydzinski and Cristy O'Connor

Aggie Chydzinski and Cristy O'Connor are seasoned business veterans with a distinct focus on the realities of owning a small business.

Aggie, with over two decades of experience, excels in operational strategy and finance. Her primary mission? To empower and uplift women in business, providing them with the tools and insights needed to thrive in competitive markets. When not steering business transformations, she co-hosts a podcast, offering practical advice drawn from real-world scenarios.

Parallelly, Cristy's robust track record in achieving revenue growth speaks volumes. Her passion lies in working alongside women entrepreneurs, guiding them towards achieving their goals and realizing their business potential. Like Aggie, Cristy uses their joint podcast as another platform to engage, inspire, and assist.

In short, Aggie and Cristy aren't just business leaders—they are trusted allies for women navigating the challenges of business ownership.

https://proveHER.com
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