There’s a moment every business owner hits. Not the breakdown. Not the burnout. The moment before that — when you realise you’re fooling yourself. This
This week’s stories all had one thing in common: They started in the wreckage. The mirror moment — when the problem wasn’t “out there,” but
Mark had everything most business owners dream of. A company pulling seven figures. A loyal team. Even a nice villa, with a view that made
Last Friday, during the SBC M&A Deep Dive, one of the participants said something that nailed what’s wrong with most business owners in our region:
At a recent event, I met the owner of one of the top PR agencies in the region. She was brilliant — sharp, strategic, and
“Mirror Mirror on the wall… what is my business telling me after all?” There’s a punch in the gut many business owners face – the
This week’s stories had one thing in common — control. The illusion of it. The cost of it. And what happens when you finally learn
Giles was the smartest owner in the room. In fact he would tell you .. the smartest in any room. Rules and contracts didn’t really
There’s an Owner I once knew — let’s call him Mark. Mark had built a thriving business over fifteen years. A loyal team, great clients,
Ever worked with someone who built a process for everything — except getting anything done? A client once told me about a manager like that.
We took my daughters to the community Halloween party yesterday. In the gaming section was a station where you threw a Velcro ball against a
I had drinks with my client the other week. He runs an eight-figure company. He doesn’t go to the office anymore. Takes his daughters to
Two businesses. Same profit. Different value. One was chaotic — late invoices, key clients dependent on the owner, constant fires. The other? Calm. Systemised. Predictable.
Could your business survive 90 days without you? Take some time to think about it… If not, how about 60 Days…. Or 30 Days…. Or
Tim Ferris – 4 hour work week, and Emyth are great reads but they are often misunderstood. Many business owners read them and think they
If so… there were much easier ways to do that… Such as volunteering at the local neighbourhood sweat shop. Or digging a swimming pool in
The first time I ever really delegated something important…it blew up in my face. The client wasn’t happy.The delivery was off.And the person I trusted
Yesterday, we talked about what happens when the best salesperson becomes the worst manager. He was a star broker. The kind of guy who could
He could sell ice to Eskimos.Charm, wit, energy — the full package.Every deal closed felt like a solo act. And when his company needed a
We got married in 2014 at a place called Stadion, a private home perched above the sea near Finikounda in Messinia. The owner, Kosta, was
Let’s play a little game. Walk into your office Monday morning. Now ask yourself one question: “Who am I in my business?” There are 3
Here’s a Harsh truth no one tells you: If your business needs you — it’s not worth s*** You might be pulling in high revenue.
It was one email. Just one I didn’t send. That was the moment everything started to change. I had a client who needed a report.
Meet Mark. Mid-40s. Successful. Owns a Seven-figure business. Well Respected in his industry. But he’s completely exhausted with a maxed out calendar. A phone that
I was having drinks with my “Koumbaro” (close friend) this Friday. I’ve spoken about him before He owns an 8 figure business that has tripled
Recap of this week’s stories and what they reveal about building a business that gives you your life back. This week, we didn’t talk about
Too many founders surround themselves with people just like them — and stall their growth. Here’s why having humility leads to smart business growth
I ran into someone last week I hadn’t seen in a long time. We used to be part of the same business networking group —
There’s a moment every business owner hits… That foggy middle ground where you’re busy — but stuck. Meetings, calls, pitching… yet no traction. So what
I was at a low point. Cash was tight. Confidence was thinner. Still, I forced myself out to meet an old colleague for a drink.
He almost didn’t make it. Worked through his 60s. Heartburn, fatigue, resentment.
But somehow, he rebuilt.
And at 70…He finally sold the business that once owned him.
Most don’t get that far.
This is the rare story of the guy who clawed his way out to get something….
but still left a vast majority of his lifetime of cash at the table.
It’s not a blueprint.
It’s a warning.
He opened the offer And felt sick.
There was a digit missing.
And when the broker explained why—it was a punch to the throat.
Not a finance issue.
Not a recession.
Just one painful truth:
If you’ve ever wondered what your company’s really worth…
This story might sting.
He spent three decades building it.
When it was finally time to walk away… no one wanted it.
He made one fatal mistake—one that 7-figure founders make every day without realizing it.
The worst part?
He didn’t even see it coming.
This isn’t a story about business.
It’s about the blind spot that kills exits before they even start.
He built the company.
Closed the biggest deal of his life.
Finally made it.
But instead of celebration, he got silence.
Cold dinners. Missed memories.
And one question from his daughter that nearly broke him.
This isn’t about revenue.
It’s about what success costs when you build it wrong.
I wrote this for the founder who thought the grind would end—but it didn’t.
It just got worse.
Most business owners don’t realize it…
But there’s a silent shift that happens somewhere between year 3 and year 10.
It doesn’t show up on the P&L.
It doesn’t get mentioned in strategy sessions.
But it kills freedom, ruins families, and traps even the most successful founders.
I wrote this for the ones who feel it—but can’t name it yet.
Read it. Then ask yourself:
Is this already happening to me?
Sometimes the truism is in front of you face to face.. last night it was the idea that who you spend your time with can play a big part of how successful you become. I saw the power of that in Sophia Moulin’s Epicon Iftar where I spent 5 hours speaking with successful family offices and investors and enjoyed the amazing conversations… I
Three years ago, a business owner had millions on the table. He wasn’t quite investor-ready, but with a few smart moves, he could have been.
We mapped out a plan. He didn’t say yes. He didn’t say no. He just disappeared.
Now? His numbers have dropped, and the best offer he can get is pennies on the dollar.
Opportunity doesn’t wait. It knocks—once.
Are you ready when it does?
At the gym, I used to see a guy who was obsessed with one thing—getting bigger arms.
Every day, he went straight to the curl station, lifting faster and harder, convinced this was the secret.
But no matter how much effort he put in, nothing changed.
Then one day, he disappeared.
I see business owners make the exact same mistake.
And it’s costing them time, money, and real growth.
And something else.. which I’ll touch on over the next few days..
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