Three Strikes, But Not Out

Success leaves clues for those willing to look beyond the obvious.

This month, I'm sharing how three failed attempts at getting my CDL license revealed deeper truths about strategic business ownership. Through this journey, I discovered that persistence transforms setbacks into stepping stones toward the American Dream.

You'll also meet Karen Kyman, a business owner who proves that unwavering principles and profitability can coexist. Her approach to leadership demonstrates how strategic decisions based on values create lasting impact. 

Plus, I'll break down my proven framework for developing employees who think and act like owners. Because true business success comes from building teams that drive value beyond their job descriptions.

These aren't just stories about overcoming obstacles; they're a blueprint for achieving freedom through smart, calculated risks and relentless determination.

 Leadership Lessons from the Driver's Seat

Success is about persisting through it. 

Abraham Lincoln understood this when he lost eight elections before becoming president. I learned it firsthand during my journey to earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), a mission that proved essential to running my industrial services company.

Most business owners would have delegated the CDL testing to someone else. But I believe in doing the hard things that fuel real growth. If my technicians needed to master these skills, I needed to understand their challenges firsthand. This was also about earning credibility and truly grasping every aspect of the business I'd acquired.

Mean Tester Mark, as I came to know him, had no interest in making the process easy. He showed up late, moved slowly, and seemed determined to find reasons to fail candidates. My first attempt at the vehicle inspection ended in rejection. Rather than give up, I spent the next week studying YouTube videos from a truck driving school in Colorado, determined to master every detail.

On my second attempt, I surprised both Mark and myself by passing the inspection and backup tests. But the behind-the-wheel exam proved I still had much to learn. My score was so low I had to wait weeks before retesting. During my third attempt, an ambulance entered the scene during a left turn. I completed the turn anyway, an automatic failure.

By attempt number four, I'd accumulated three failures and countless hours of practice. Most people would have questioned whether this was worth the effort. But Lincoln didn't quit after his first failed election, and I wasn't about to let Mean Tester Mark derail my vision of becoming a truly hands-on business owner.

That fourth test marked the turning point. 

Despite Mark's reminder that I "wasn't a good driver," I finally earned my CDL. The license itself mattered less than what it represented: proof that persistence transforms setbacks into stepping stones.

This experience reinforced everything I believe about achieving the American Dream through strategic business ownership. Success rarely comes from natural talent or perfect first attempts. It comes from the willingness to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward when others might quit. 

My CDL journey earned me more than a license—it earned me the respect of my team and deepened my understanding of the business from the ground up.

This is how real entrepreneurial success happens: not through shortcuts or easy paths, but through calculated risks and relentless determination. 

True leadership flows from unwavering principles, not just profit margins. 

Karen Kyman showed my BYU students this truth through her remarkable approach to business ownership. When profits exceed 40%, she returns money to customers. At 2 am on weekends, she shows up for employees in crisis. 

Karen runs her businesses with deep conviction and proves that principled leadership creates both prosperity and a positive impact. 

Want to learn more about how Karen uses strategic business ownership to make America stronger? Join me on LinkedIn for the whole conversation.

Entrepreneurial employees drive business value far beyond their job descriptions. Through years of buying and growing companies, I've developed a strategic approach to cultivating team members who think and act like owners.

Here's my proven framework for developing entrepreneurial talent:

Evaluate Potential

• Do they take ownership of problems without being asked?

• Are they focused on business growth, not just daily tasks?

• Do they suggest improvements to systems and processes?

Foster Growth

• Put them in the field to understand operations firsthand

• Give them autonomy to make meaningful decisions

• Share financial metrics so they grasp the bigger picture

Build Trust

• Be transparent about company goals and challenges

• Reward initiative with increased responsibility

• Create paths for advancement within the organization

Measure Impact

• Track their contribution to bottom-line results

• Monitor their influence on team culture

• Assess their ability to develop other leaders

The most valuable employees are good at their jobs and invested in the company's success as if it were their own. By developing these qualities in your team, you create a business that thrives even in your absence.

What strategies have you used to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking in your organization?

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.