The Climb

Good things come to people who do hard things.

The American Dream thrives in the moments when we choose the strategic path over the easy one. Nowhere did this ring more true than at the base of Mount Niesen in Switzerland, staring up at the world's longest staircase: 11,674 steps of pure grit that would test every lesson I've learned about success through smart business acquisition.

I'd chosen this grueling climb to celebrate selling my industrial services company, a business I'd strategically acquired and grown rather than building from scratch. The sale represented everything I teach about entrepreneurship: calculated risk-taking, embracing challenges as fuel for growth, and creating value that extends beyond personal gain.

Getting a spot in this legendary race took ten months of persistent Friday emails to Nico, the organizer. This same persistence drives my approach to business acquisition—success comes from consistent, strategic action, not from rushing into risky ventures or starting from zero.

My father, who once completed a 100-mile race in under 24 hours, stood beside me at the start. His presence reminded me why I push others toward entrepreneurship through acquisition. Like this race, building wealth through strategic business ownership isn't just about personal achievement—it's about understanding how our country's economic backbone functions.

The pain hit early, around step 1,000. But pain transforms into progress when you approach it strategically. A blind participant ahead of me tackled these brutal stairs with a guide, showing that with the right support and strategy, perceived limitations become opportunities. This mirrors what I've learned through years of business acquisition — success comes from seeing potential where others see obstacles.

I'd prepared by climbing my high-rise stairs at 4 AM daily and organizing training groups to push each other forward. This mirrors how business ownership works—you grow by lifting others, creating value for your community, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for transformation.

Reaching the summit alongside my father and Nico, I understood more deeply than ever why I advocate for strategic business acquisition. The American Dream isn't about starting from nothing or taking unnecessary risks. It's about making calculated moves that transform both you and your community. When you buy and grow existing businesses, you become a better citizen who understands how our country works at the ground level.

The view from 7,749 feet was stunning. But the real victory was proving once again that embracing strategic challenges leads to meaningful growth. That's the essence of entrepreneurship—not just reaching the summit, but transforming yourself and your community through the climb.

Business ownership teaches more about America than any classroom ever could.

When you own a business, you see how our nation's ecosystem truly works—from tax policies and labor laws to local regulations and economic cycles. Every decision you make shapes not just your future, but your community's prosperity.

Want to know how to make that happen in your life? Join me on LinkedIn for the whole conversation.

A business becomes truly powerful when every person on your team lives and breathes the mission. Getting there means making tough choices about who stays and who needs to find their path elsewhere. Not everyone who starts the journey with you should finish it — and that's okay.

Here's what I've learned about building a business that's bigger than you:

• Cut non-resonant anchors with respect. When someone doesn't fully align with your mission, keeping them on board does a disservice to everyone. Letting go allows both sides to grow.

• Make mission alignment non-negotiable. Ask yourself: "Does this person add to what we're building, or are they holding us back?" Being intentional about your team isn't about loyalty - it's about shared vision.

• Focus on creating long-term impact. Your role as an owner isn't to maintain the status quo. It's to build something that thrives long after you're gone. Invest in people who 'get it,' who are driven to make a difference, then give them space to lead.

When you focus on leaving it better than you found it, you create a legacy that keeps improving lives, one strategic decision at a time.

The American Dream grows stronger when we share our stories. Join me on LinkedIn to discuss how you're using business ownership to create positive change in your community. Let's explore how strategic acquisition can transform both our businesses and the fabric of our nation. Connect with me here.