How To Set Healthy Boundaries If You're An Entrepreneur
How To Set Healthy Boundaries If You're An Entrepreneur
How can a strong work ethic and passion influence business success?
Since I was a kid, I’ve had a drive to outwork others. I wasn’t the most athletic, but I had the hustle to outlast anyone. I’ve carried that mindset into my business life—whether in physical challenges or business, I’ll simply outwork you.
I joke that I don’t need coffee; my passion wakes me up. I believe in being fully committed to whatever you’re focused on. That drive and passion have shaped both my personal and business life.
Why is it important for business owners to prioritize all areas of their life?
I remember sitting on a job site at 5:00 PM on a Friday after a 60-hour week, realizing I hadn’t taken a real vacation in years. I’d only made short weekend getaways, and it hit me that I needed a better work-life balance. So, I made a change—I bought a timeshare in the Caribbean. People teased me about it, but it forced me to take a full week off each year. Having that dedicated time for a real vacation was a game-changer, helping me balance work and life more effectively.
How can business partners resolve differences in backgrounds and work styles?
When we started the business, my partner and I came from different backgrounds. I’m 10–12 years older and have a corporate background working with big home builders, while he’s a skilled carpenter. We wanted to be equal partners, splitting everything 50/50. In the first year or so, we both handled sales calls, estimates, and project management. It quickly became draining.
Eventually, we sat down and had a heated argument about the business. It wasn’t working, and we both knew it. At that point, I had only known my business partner, Matt Powers, for about a year and a half before we joined forces, so everything about this partnership was new to me. After our argument, I went on vacation, sat on a beach, and reflected. I realized I needed to step up and be the leader because I had more experience. But I also asked myself, ‘What can I do to make his life easier?’ and ‘What can I do to improve the business?’
We decided to divide responsibilities. I would handle all the customer service, sales, and business operations, including managing social media and estimates. He would focus on managing the projects, supervising the team, and handling materials. Once we defined our roles, it changed everything. We stopped stepping on each other’s toes, eliminated redundancy, and became more efficient. That clarity made a massive difference.
Since then, our business has grown significantly. When we started in 2017, it was just the two of us. Now, six years later, we have 15 employees. Clearly defining roles was a game-changer for our growth and success.
When should business owners focus on core services instead of expanding?
Before my current business, True North, I had a development business where I built office condominium projects. I thought I could maximize my efforts by adding more services. I started a company to provide security monitoring for my office clients and decided to manage the condo associations as well.
However, I was the only person handling everything, and I quickly realized I was spreading myself too thin. By trying to do too much at once, each area suffered. The security business failed, and property management didn’t work because I couldn’t dedicate enough time or focus to make them successful.
I finally realized I needed to focus on being really good at one thing: building office condominiums and developing. I had to let go of the other businesses I was trying to build because they just weren’t working. That was a hard lesson for me. I shut down two businesses and focused entirely on the condos. It took a while for me to step back and admit that I was exhausted and the other businesses were just mediocre.
I didn’t want mediocrity—I wanted one business to excel. That failure ultimately led to success. Once I recognized that I couldn’t do everything as an entrepreneur, it helped me focus. Entrepreneurs often try to juggle too many things, aiming for recurring revenue streams and grand plans, but that overreach can lead to failure. Scaling back was the best decision for me. By focusing solely on office condominiums, I was able to build something successful.
Why is understanding your purpose essential when starting a business?
Over the years, my approach has evolved, especially with True North. One thing I firmly believe in is reading—personal development books, business books, and more. I read a lot. At True North, I even established a book club for our team. Every other Monday, we read and discuss a portion of a book we’ve chosen.
When we started the business, my partner and I read Find Your Why by Simon Sinek, and it was a game-changer. During the first couple of months, we’d sit in a conference room and discuss the book, focusing on the question, "What is our why?" Sure, everyone says their "why" is to make money or be successful, but for us, it comes down to relationships.
We realized that building great relationships is our "why." This applies to our customers, trades, suppliers—anyone in our circle of influence. Focusing on relationships has been transformative and played a major role in growing our business.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
