F*cked to Focused
F*cked to Focused
How can new business owners avoid common startup mistakes?
In the early stages of building my company, I often wished someone had encouraged me to keep going or pointed me in the right direction. However, many influential figures were promoting entrepreneurship as an easy path to success, equating it to overnight millionaire schemes, which was misleading. I admit I was initially drawn to this excitement, which led me to start my own company. As I navigated through my business, I realized the lack of genuine help available. Surprisingly, when I began sharing my mistakes and the lessons I was learning, others started seeking my advice, even though I felt unqualified at the time. It became apparent that many people were struggling with similar issues—they didn't know how to start or manage a business effectively. I decided to share my learning journey, focusing on basic yet vital business concepts that were often overlooked. My mission became clear: to help as many people achieve freedom through entrepreneurship without the burdens of a corporate job. This drive to share knowledge is about reaching as many people as possible, ensuring they don’t just create another job for themselves but build a life of freedom.
How can business owners use automation and mentorship to scale efficiently?
The best decision I made in my business was to automate everything. We hired an automation specialist who reviewed all our processes and implemented automation across the board. While it's not foolproof, and issues do arise, the efficiency gained from automation is tremendous. The second pivotal decision was hiring a fractional mentoring officer who provided guidance not only to me but also to my executive team and staff. Many of our team members, having left corporate America to start their own ventures, brought with them various challenges. To address this, we introduced Bob, a corporate mentor, and Mandy Morris, a therapist. Our entire executive team and many staff members regularly consult with a therapist to ensure their personal growth, enhancing their professional performance. These decisions were all critical to the development and success of our company.
What have been the most impactful decisions for your long-term growth?
Once, we made a significant decision that impacted our client base dramatically. We decided to cater exclusively to a specific type of business owner, which required our entire client base to fit a particular mold. Unfortunately, we hadn't surveyed our clients or sufficiently analyzed the industries we served. Within 24 hours of announcing this decision, I received a barrage of calls and emails. One group of clients, in particular, was extremely upset. They felt completely alienated by our decision, and all decided to leave our service immediately. Faced with losing half of our clients, I quickly retracted the decision. This experience taught me the importance of considering decisions carefully. A mentor advised me to wait 24 hours before making significant decisions to allow any emotional impulse to settle. This approach has since saved me from making several potentially damaging choices.
How can business owners set better decision-making boundaries?
I have specific areas where I allow myself to make decisions. I handle decisions related to the company's revenue because I'm naturally fast-paced and suited for these choices. However, I stay away from operational decisions; that's not my strength. It's crucial to recognize your strengths and limitations. I explain this concept to my team using an analogy: Every morning, I walk my farm with my German Shepherds. There's a path with a creek on one side and a barbed wire fence on the other. This path represents the boundaries I must respect when making decisions. If you don't set these boundaries, you're likely to make poor choices, especially if you tend to make snap decisions. In a business, it's important to identify which decisions you should make and trust other team members with their respective decisions. Empowering them also means taking responsibility for the outcomes, good or bad. If a decision fails, it's on me to enable that choice, not on them. This approach helps address mistakes constructively, asking how we can prevent similar issues in the future rather than placing blame.
How can business owners set financial and role boundaries in marriage?
Since we got married, my wife and I have maintained separate bank accounts, aside from a joint account we use for shared expenses. This setup prevents financial disagreements; she manages her funds, and I manage mine. Although I'm the primary earner and cover most of our extravagant expenses, she has the freedom to spend as she pleases. Interestingly, as we speak, my wife is about to quit her job to manage our farm full-time—a goal we've been working towards. She might not be the typical ambitious entrepreneur, but she's incredibly driven when focused on a task. We've decided that she will take over the farm operations, and I will provide the necessary financial support. Despite our collaboration on the farm, working together in other capacities would be impossible due to our different personalities. However, she has the liberty to expand the farm operations as much as she wants, whether as a significant venture or just a hobby. Understanding each other's roles and responsibilities is crucial, not just in marriage but in all aspects of life.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
