The Forward-Thinking Founder

Let’s talk about loyalty. We all know it’s the heart of a great business. Loyal customers don’t just buy—they come back, again and again. Even better, they spread the word about your business, doing a lot of the hard work for you. The best part? Building that kind of loyalty doesn’t have to cost a ton. It starts with making things personal. When you know your customers’ names, their preferences, or even just something simple like their favorite way to connect, it changes the game. It’s like saying, Hey, I see you. I care. A quick follow-up after a service or sale, like “How’s that working out for you?” can mean more than you think. Another big win? Being fast and helpful. Nobody likes waiting around for answers, especially when they have a problem. If you can be the person or business that steps in quickly and solves it, you’ll stand out. Customers remember the ones who make their lives easier. And let’s not forget about surprises—those little touches that show you’re paying attention...

Running a business often feels like a balancing act, don't you think? You’re juggling costs, team management, and growth goals—all while trying to carve out time for your family and personal life. When profit margins get tight, the pressure to “do something” can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: improving your margins doesn’t mean making massive changes or slashing costs left and right. It’s about being strategic, resourceful, and intentional with what you already have. Let’s explore how you can maximize those margins while keeping your overhead steady. Start with a Fresh Look at Expenses Here’s a simple question: When was the last time you did a thorough review of your expenses? It’s easy to let things pile up—subscriptions you don’t use, contracts you haven’t renegotiated, or tools your team barely touches. Imagine freeing up hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars, just by cutting the waste. Here’s an idea: Block off 30 minutes this week to comb through your busines...

What Today’s Fast-Moving Markets Teach Us About Staying Ahead It’s Monday morning, and you’re at your desk. You glance at your email and see a headline from an industry newsletter: “How [Your Competitor] Doubled Their Market Share Overnight.”   Your coffee cools in your hand as dread sets in. You’ve been working tirelessly to grow your business, yet it feels like others are moving at light speed while you’re stuck in quicksand. This scenario hits close to home for many founders. In today’s fast-moving markets, change doesn’t come gradually—it happens in the blink of an eye. But here’s the thing: these markets don’t just challenge us; they also teach us how to thrive. The Lesson: Agility Beats Size Many founders believe that the key to staying competitive is growing bigger—more resources, more staff, more everything. But the real winners in fast markets aren’t necessarily the biggest; they’re the most agile. Take the rise of small direct-to-consumer brands disrupting retail giants. ...

In a recent podcast, I talked about the 5 steps to learning something new and becoming competent in it . Today, I want to take that idea even further and dive into how competency can directly improve the way you run your business. First off, let’s break down what competency really means. According to Merriam Webster, being competent means: Having the necessary ability or skills Being able to do something well enough to meet a standard. In business, competence doesn’t mean you have to become a master. It means being good enough to get things done. When you're a business owner, waiting to master something before taking action can leave you stuck. As a leader, your focus should be on learning enough to lead, not necessarily on becoming the best at every single skill. Take a moment and think about your current business. How often do you find yourself bogged down in tasks that others could handle? Maybe it’s dealing with client queries, handling tech issues, or even keeping the books in...

 If you remember, we started this 3-part episode with a question: “What would you do differently if you could step away from your business for one month?” In the first part of this episode, we talked about Business Automation – the kind where you delegate to a 2 nd  tier of management to Automate the tasks you need while you are away. In the second part, we talked about Scaling and how the preparation you do at that point makes everything work. Today, we’re going to put these and a few other ideas together to make sure you can successfully leave your business for a period of time. At first, it may only be a day; then two days; then a week; and then a month. But regardless of how long, ultimately, our time away is our WHY as we approach this process. BEFORE WE DO THIS I’m going to let you in on a little secret:   The first time I did what we are about to discuss, I was nervous as all get-out. As Murphy, the Optimist, would have happen … ·      ...

 Yesterday, I asked a simple yet powerful question: “What would you do differently if you could step away from your business for one month?” A month is a long time to be absent. Could you do it? Would your business still function smoothly without you there? The heart of yesterday’s conversation was all about Automation —the kind that gives you the freedom to step away from the daily grind. And if you missed it, the key takeaway was this: Automation is essential for creating the freedom to scale your business . So today, let’s dig into the word that’s central to the growth of any business: Scaling . What Does Scaling Really Mean? Scaling is more than just growth—it’s about setting the foundation for growth that can be sustained, planned, and leveraged over time. According to Anita Campbell, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends, “Scaling a business means setting the stage to enable and support growth in your company.” In other words, scaling is about your capacity to grow witho...

 Let me ask you this: What would you do if you could step away from your business for a whole month? Would you: Finally take that vacation? Unplug and relax? Get centered and recharge? Spend quality time with your family? Or maybe just spend some much-needed time with yourself? We all know the value of stepping away from our business from time to time. But let’s be real for a second. We’re entrepreneurs—our businesses are our babies. The idea of taking a full month off sounds impossible, doesn’t it? I get it. I’ve been there too. I can’t count the times I’ve longed for a break, but the thought of leaving the day-to-day chaos behind seemed impossible. So how do you make that work? Here’s the secret: Automation . I’m not talking about just any automation. I’m talking about Business Automation —the kind that lets you step away without the world falling apart. This isn’t about simply streamlining operations or automating minor tasks. This is the heavy-hitting automation that covers: Mo...