The Company You Keep Is Holding You Back
The Company You Keep Is Holding You Back
What motivates you to keep pushing for growth and improvement in your business?
I'm passionate about personal development, and I'm a big fan of Tony Robbins. I call July 22, 2017, my "second birthday" because that’s when I attended "Unleash the Power Within" (UPW). At the time, I was working on Wall Street in a corporate job, pushing 70-80 hour workweeks. I realized something was wrong—this wasn't what I wanted for my life.
The reason I'm still going is because I found my niche and a calling. I love hospitality and providing five-star service. I still read all the reviews for our properties, and I truly enjoy that feedback.
Another big motivator for me is the fear of looking back when I’m 60 or 70 and regretting not taking action. My goal is to live my life to its fullest potential—why not? Why not push myself? Why not run a marathon? I’ve embraced a mindset focused on "why not?" instead of "why should I?"
How can business owners embrace freedom to control their success?
When I was with Tony Robbins and the exercises we did, one exercise had us visualize our future—seeing how things could get worse if we didn’t change. We imagined 20, 30, 40 years down the line, and it was like, "Oh no, this has to stop." I realized that I wasn't free to do what I truly wanted. I wasn't in control of my success or my career.
That realization was huge. Even today, I value the freedom I gained. I signed up for this, and now I get to set my own schedule and control my career path. Freedom can be daunting for some because it comes with responsibility—you’re fully accountable for your success. Many people prefer to work a nine-to-five job because it means they don’t have to carry that weight. For me, though, that freedom and responsibility are everything.
Why should business owners trust their instincts when making decisions?
Listen to your gut. The more you pay attention to that inner voice, the stronger it becomes. It may sound a bit abstract, but trusting your instincts is crucial. I like to say, listen, and then ask yourself if it makes sense. If it does, act on it—don’t dwell too much. Make decisions quickly, and learn from them as you go.
How does surrounding yourself with the right people influence your success?
I spent time with the wrong people. That’s a huge factor, especially when you don’t have a clear direction or set goals. Without a "true north," it's easy to get sidetracked by the wrong crowd and do things that don’t align with your goals. Fortunately, I didn't get into serious trouble, but I view it as a learning experience.
It's essential to surround yourself with the right people. I believe you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you want to be a millionaire, but your friends aren’t on a similar path, you need to change your environment. Pick the right people—those who lift you up, cheer you on, and are your biggest supporters—instead of those who hold you back.
What can business owners do to build a network for growth and success?
Going back to the idea of being the average of the five people you spend the most time with, I strongly believe you need to create your own network. If there's something you want to achieve, meet those who have done it, talk to them, and follow their lead. Ideally, shadow them if possible. If they’ve made a million dollars, why not you? Observe what they do, follow their steps, and learn from them.
I’m part of two masterminds, and for me, it’s essential. You can’t succeed as a solo entrepreneur thinking you know it all. You need others to help you grow.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
