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For a lot of impartial entrepreneurs, particularly in industries dominated by conglomerates, personal fairness, or mega-groups, it will possibly really feel like the sport is already over.
I used to consider that too.
However over the previous 20 years, I’ve constructed and exited a number of know-how firms, scaled family-owned companies throughout a number of areas and accomplished greater than $700 million in cumulative transactions — all with out shedding management of our firms or tradition and with out counting on exterior traders.
At the moment, I function by a self-funded household workplace mannequin that offers me one thing large traders can by no means purchase: velocity, conviction and the power to make generational selections as an alternative of quarterly ones.
What I’ve discovered is easy: impartial entrepreneurs aren’t shedding — they’re taking part in the unsuitable recreation. Through the years, I’ve developed a system to combat again by pondering in a different way, and the identical ideas apply to nearly any enterprise. Right here’s my playbook:
1. Run each firm like a startup, not a legacy enterprise
Most impartial companies decelerate as they develop — an excessive amount of custom, an excessive amount of “that is how we’ve all the time executed it.” I reversed that sample. Each enterprise I run, whether or not tech, retail, or service-based, operates with:
Day by day standupsScoreboards and real-time KPIsClear accountability for each roleFast iteration with zero paperwork
Monitoring metrics in real-time — like buyer acquisition, operational effectivity and repair supply — enables you to make selections primarily based by yourself information, not assumptions. Pace, transparency and relentless accountability all the time outperform custom, regardless of your trade.
2. Construct digital infrastructure earlier than scaling
Earlier than increasing into a number of places or markets, I constructed digital know-how and operational frameworks from scratch. These instruments didn’t simply present capital — they created programs we nonetheless depend on in the present day.
Many entrepreneurs scale earlier than fixing programs, creating operational drag. With out constant methods to trace efficiency, onboard groups or forecast sources, development can develop into chaotic. Digital readability creates monetary readability and means that you can scale with out shedding management.
For instance, our proprietary instruments join each a part of the enterprise — from advertising and marketing to operations to customer support — offering real-time visibility into efficiency. This allows quicker selections, higher useful resource allocation and a aggressive edge over teams that depend on outdated stories and sluggish approvals.
3. Management your capital, don’t lease it
One of many largest benefits independents have is freedom from quarterly return pressures. That’s why our household workplace is self-funded. We reinvest closely into operations, know-how, expertise and scalable programs.
Proudly owning your capital offers you management over the timetable. We will purchase underperforming belongings, enhance them, and see outcomes inside months quite than ready for approval from exterior traders. Independents can transfer quicker, seize alternatives and make strategic selections that bigger gamers can’t.
4. Focus in your core benefit
Entrepreneurs usually unfold themselves too skinny, chasing a number of markets, merchandise, or concepts. Our edge comes from focus: bettering the shopper expertise and maximizing operational effectivity. All the things else is noise.
By concentrating in your strengths, you possibly can develop quicker than rivals who scale with no technique. Focusing vitality on what you do greatest creates differentiation, builds experience, and drives outcomes throughout industries.
5. Make expertise the middle of what you are promoting
Each enterprise I’ve grown — whether or not tech, retail, or service — has been constructed on expertise. Capital is necessary, however individuals compound quicker than cash.
We make investments early in high-performance operators, entrepreneurs, information analysts, culture-builders and buyer expertise leaders. Impartial companies can compete with bigger teams in the event that they deal with expertise as a development technique, not a price. Empowered groups execute quicker, innovate smarter and ship experiences that depart rivals scrambling.
6. Construct for the lengthy maintain, even should you plan to exit
It could appear counterintuitive, however constructing a enterprise as should you’ll personal it for 30 years creates optionality. Robust infrastructure, disciplined operations, and repeatable processes entice patrons naturally.
Our tech startups acquired unsolicited acquisition provides as a result of they had been well-run. The identical is true for different companies—long-term pondering doesn’t delay exits, it makes them simpler and extra worthwhile.
7. Embrace adaptability and self-discipline
Markets change. Client habits shifts. Know-how evolves. Entrepreneurs who succeed mix flexibility with rigor.
In our companies, we innovate quickly whereas sustaining structured working rhythms. Strict processes and requirements coexist with the power to pivot shortly when situations shift. Success belongs to those that can adapt with out shedding precision.
Be a disruptor, no matter your trade
Huge traders and conglomerates aren’t the enemy. Competitors isn’t the enemy. The one enemy is stagnation.
Impartial entrepreneurs who mix startup-style execution, digital-first operations, robust expertise, long-term pondering, and disciplined capital allocation can outperform bigger rivals. Cease making an attempt to compete with the massive gamers. Change the sport as an alternative.
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For a lot of impartial entrepreneurs, particularly in industries dominated by conglomerates, personal fairness, or mega-groups, it will possibly really feel like the sport is already over.
I used to consider that too.
However over the previous 20 years, I’ve constructed and exited a number of know-how firms, scaled family-owned companies throughout a number of areas and accomplished greater than $700 million in cumulative transactions — all with out shedding management of our firms or tradition and with out counting on exterior traders.
