08/25/2026
Over the years, I’ve learned that building a company and building a valuable company are two very different things.
These three lessons changed the way I approached business:
1. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LEADERS — NOT CHEERLEADERS.
Build a team of people who are smarter than you in the areas where you are weak.
People who challenge your thinking.
People who leverage your strengths.
People whose talents overshadow your weaknesses.
You don’t need people who always agree with you.
You need people who make you better.
2. BUILD SYSTEMS THAT REMOVE YOU AS THE BOTTLENECK.
Create processes and procedures that are proven, tested, predictable, and duplicatable.
Then give capable people the autonomy to execute them.
The goal is to build a company that can operate, grow, and remain profitable without requiring your constant involvement.
Because if your business depends on you every day to function, grow, and make money…
You don’t own a business.
You own a job.
3. BEFORE YOU CHASE MORE CUSTOMERS, LOOK AT YOUR LTV.
When companies want to grow, they usually look at three things:
• Raise prices.
• Acquire more customers.
• Open more locations.
But many founders overlook one of the most valuable assets they already have:
Their existing customers.
Before spending more money finding the next customer, ask yourself:
How can I create more value for the customers I already have?
Add services.
Add solutions.
Solve additional problems.
Deepen the relationship.
Increase your Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) by becoming more valuable to the people who already trust you.
These three lessons apply at different stages of the entrepreneurial journey:
PEOPLE help you build.
SYSTEMS help you scale.
LTV helps you maximize value.
Know which stage you’re in — and apply the right lesson at the right time.
And remember:
We’re not imposters where we’re going.
Sometimes we become imposters where we are because we’ve already outgrown the people, places, and spaces that got us there.
Growth requires becoming someone your current environment may no longer recognize.
Keep growing. Keep building. Keep moving.
~POE~
