What were the biggest challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenges I have faced all have to do with people. There are four “decisions” in business: people, strategy, execution, cash. I believe that people — and the values, beliefs, mission and vision and culture that support them — are the bedrock of any successful business. 100% of my strategy, execution and cash problems usually come down to people. For many years, I let the business environment and our employees “define” our culture. In the past couple of years, we’ve been more intentional about working together to DEFINE and hold each other accountable to our culture. We’ve brought way more open and shared accountability into the business so that I can run the company, rather than having it the other way around. If you fix people — you fix business.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
I wish that someone had taken me aside and told me that no one would ever love this business as much as I do. No matter how hard I try to have people around me who are aligned with my vision and mission and values, they’ll never love it as much as me. When you love something too much, you smother it. And at various points in my career, I’ve been in danger of doing just that. Thankfully, I’ve got lots of great people around me to help me keep myself from loving my business to death — in the form of some great mentors, coaches and employees.
Who are your biggest influences and people you admire and why?
My biggest influences are other founders of scaling businesses who do not just the best they can — but whatever it takes — to grow their businesses. I am inspired every day by my fellow entrepreneurs who are committed lifelong learners who read, listen, watch and grow themselves to be able to grow their business. And if I had one business “idol,” I’d have to say that’s Mary Barra from GM.
Name a person who helped you along the way?
My coach, Rob Monson, has been instrumental in giving me the perspective to turn around my business and to build a foundation for accountable growth. I have learned so much from him, and I consider him a great mentor and friend.
