How To Be A Family Man & Successful Business Owner
How To Be A Family Man & Successful Business Owner
When should business owners shift from hustling to strategic growth?
What I often see is people just hustling without a clear plan or strategy. Hustling is valuable—sometimes you need to push hard to reach that first million. At that stage, you might not even be doing things in the most strategic or profitable way, and that’s okay. Mistakes are part of the process; you might look profitable until a mistake wipes out those gains.
At some point, though, you need to shift from just surviving to thriving. Thriving means different things depending on the business and your goals, but making that transition is crucial. Once you’re ready to grow, you have to build the right relationships with a clear vision of where you’re headed—not just reacting to immediate needs. For example, if you’re a million-dollar business and you’re still figuring out financing or operations on the fly, you’re in a risky position. A business operating strategically can confidently take on bigger projects without panic, knowing they have the right support in place.
Smart business owners know when to turn down opportunities they aren’t ready to handle, like a $400,000 job when they’re typically doing $50,000-$100,000 jobs. They hold off until they secure the right project manager or finance partner. Those who wait until they’re truly ready are the ones set to succeed when given the resources to grow.
What does prioritizing all aspects of life look like?
Throughout my life, my priorities have evolved, but my commitment to my family—my wife and daughters—remains my top priority. I believe God has given me many opportunities, and my family reflects that blessing. I’m committed to being the best father, husband, and leader I can be, not just financially but by living at a high standard of health, fitness, education, and integrity.
I want my daughters, ages 16, 14, and 12, to see a positive example in me. Someday, they’ll go out and choose their own partners, and I want them to look for men with character and integrity. I want them to see me constantly learning, taking care of my health, and treating others with respect.
To me, success isn’t only about wealth; it’s about fulfillment. Financial freedom is part of my goals, as it provides freedom in life and the chance to give back and help others. I believe that if you’re given talents or the ability to learn, you have a duty to use them to your fullest potential for a greater purpose. That requires continuous growth, which can be challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding.
When should business owners set clear goals and prioritize key tasks?
If you don’t know where you’re headed, you’ll feel constant anxiety and rush through each day without direction. First, you need a clear goal. Once you know where you’re going, recognize that it takes time to get there. Working backward, break down your big goal into yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily steps.
When I say work urgently, I mean approach each day with intention. Don’t let the day control you. Identify the key things—those four or five tasks—that move you closer to your goal. These aren’t just to-do list items but the actions that directly impact your vision.
If you’ve never set a long-term goal before, start by asking what success looks like a year from now. Then work backward to identify gaps: do you need a project manager or a specific resource? Attack those key tasks daily until they’re checked off and you’re ready for the next steps.
This kind of urgency isn’t about keeping up with emails or minor tasks. At the end of the day, if you’ve tackled the most important steps, you can go home with a sense of accomplishment—even if some emails are left unread. Prioritizing the actions that move you forward will give you peace and confidence, knowing you’re on the right track.
What qualities make clients successful partners?
Over the years and hundreds of customers later, I’ve identified what successful clients share. They have a genuine opportunity, a strong desire to do things the right way, and enough humility to admit they don’t know everything. They choose to trust someone who can support their goals.
The best clients are those who look for solutions—not just money. Customers focused solely on securing funds often struggle because money alone doesn’t solve every issue. It’s about obtaining the right kind of financial support to address their specific opportunity or challenge. For example, receiving $100,000 with favorable terms can propel a business forward, while the same amount with restrictive terms can be detrimental. It’s not just about the capital but about finding the right partnership to fill in the gaps and help them succeed.
How can business owners choose the right peer groups for growth and support?
I believe not all groups are the same, and you have to find the right ones based on where you are in your journey. My goal in any group is to be the “dumbest” person in the room because that’s where you learn the most. If I’m the most experienced person, I’ll be adding value to others, which is great, but it’s not as beneficial for me if I’m looking for guidance.
If you have an immediate need and need more guidance than you’re providing, it’s essential to be around people who’ve already achieved what you’re aiming for. They’ll be more inclined to give back and help pull you up. That’s the key to finding a group that can help you succeed.
In successful groups, the first thing you learn is that the more you give, the more you’ll receive, even though it’s not transactional. Often, the person you help isn’t the one who helps you back, but once you embrace that, everything becomes easier—mentally, practically, and financially. It’s a challenging shift because most business training is transactional, teaching you to measure if something’s worth your time. However, truly successful people, almost all of them, understand that giving freely is what leads to success. It’s also much more rewarding and enjoyable because you’re cultivating energy and trust that it will come back to you, even if indirectly.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
