Business Growth and Leadership Insights from 30+ Years as a CEO and Investor
For more than three decades, I’ve been building businesses, leading teams, and investing in companies that went on to have successful exits. Along the way, I learned that growth isn’t just measured in revenue or transactions — it’s in people, relationships, and the lessons that come from hard-won experience. This blog is where I share those lessons, the turning points that shaped me, and the ideas I believe matter most for leaders today.
The biggest mistake leaders make? Ignoring their best people. When top performers aren’t empowered or recognized, they leave—and the ones who stay usually aren’t the ones you want. Leadership isn’t about doing the work yourself, it’s about building culture, rewarding excellence, and creating an environment where great employees thrive. Ignore that, and you’ll lose the very people who make growth possible.
Most founders ask, “How do I raise capital?” when they should ask, “Do I need it?” Raising money feels like progress, but real momentum comes from customers, traction, and proof—not pitch decks.
Keeping people just because they’ve been around forever isn’t loyalty, it’s stagnation. I had folks on my IT team who’d been there for years. I didn’t question it. Things “worked.” But once I brought in someone stronger, I realized how inefficient we’d actually been. I couldn’t unsee it.
Delegation isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about leadership. From a Navy admiral’s radical approach to a small auto shop’s struggles, this post explores why letting go is so hard, and how trust and distributed leadership unlock real growth.
Resistance to change is one of the biggest threats to your business—and it’s often invisible. In this post, Justin shares real stories and proven strategies for spotting hidden resistance, redirecting focus toward what matters, and building a culture where adaptability wins every time.
Discover why your greatest enemy in business might be hiding in plain sight. In this insightful piece, we explore how unmanaged expectations can become the silent predator that derails even the most well-planned ventures. Just like a movie villain who catches the hero off-guard, it's often the unexpected challenges that test our resilience as entrepreneurs. Learn how mastering your mental game could be the key to not just surviving, but thriving through business storms.
Every entrepreneur's journey has its challenges. While launching your dream company is exciting, the path isn't always smooth sailing.
Through sheer determination, we embraced a bootstrap mentality, taking on second jobs and transforming our struggling venture into a success story.
Remember: seeking help isn't failure - it's about finding the right partner to fill crucial gaps in your business.