I grew up in a big, chaotic household—six kids, constant noise, and zero structure. We made things work, but we weren’t exactly running on systems and routines. School wasn’t my thing either. I wasn’t the kid acing tests or following a mapped-out path. I figured things out as I went—and that “figure it out” mentality followed me into business.
Starting Like an Amateur
When I launched my first company out of my garage, I didn’t know what a purchase order was. I micromanaged everything. I didn’t delegate. I didn’t trust anyone else to take control. I thought leadership meant outworking everyone around me. Strategy? I had none. My game plan was simple: “Sell more stuff.”
And for a while, it worked. Hustle got me to $10 million in revenue.
But then it stopped working.
Margins got tight. Cash flow was unpredictable. The team was frustrated, and so was I. I thought they should just “get it”—that they should know what I wanted without me saying it. I avoided meetings and coaching, assuming they were a waste of time. Why spend an hour talking when we could be working?
The truth hit me hard: hustle doesn’t scale. Amateurs rely on effort. Pros build real businesses.
What It Took to Go Pro
Shifting from amateur to pro didn’t happen overnight. It was a series of decisions—each one forcing me to grow as a CEO.
1. I Built a Strategic Plan
Instead of vague goals, I started working from clear roadmaps. Growth became intentional, not accidental.
2. I Started Trusting My Team
I hired leaders. Real ones. Then I got out of their way and let them lead. That trust allowed them to step up—and freed me to focus on what mattered.
3. I Embraced Weekly 1:1s
I stopped dodging meetings. Weekly 1:1s became my most important leadership tool. They aligned the team, built accountability, and created a stronger culture.
4. I Tracked KPIs
I didn’t just look at revenue anymore. I tracked margins, cash flow, team performance—the metrics that actually drive long-term success. Data became my compass.
The result? A more stable business, stronger team, and eventually—an exit to private equity.
Why It Matters
Through Apex CEO, I now help other CEOs make this same shift—from amateur operator to professional leader.
I’ve seen what happens when a founder hits a wall and realizes the old playbook won’t take them to the next level. I’ve been there.
And here’s the truth:
-
Amateurs micromanage. Pros empower.
-
Amateurs chase effort. Pros chase outcomes.
-
Amateurs wing it. Pros build systems.
Ask Yourself This:
Are you running your business like a pro—or still winging it like an amateur?
If you’re serious about scaling—and not just grinding harder—it’s time to make the shift. It’s not easy. But it’s worth it. The sooner you build a business that doesn’t rely on brute force, the sooner you’ll get your time, freedom, and clarity back.
Need help making that leap? I’ve walked this road—and I coach founders every week who are on the same path. Let’s talk.
