Ep 45 - The Uncomfortable Truths of Entrepreneurship
- Chad Lingafelt
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Starting and growing a business is often portrayed as a glamorous, linear journey. However, as the hosts of the "Unlocked" podcast can attest, the reality is full of unexpected challenges and "uncomfortable truths." In this episode, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, pull back the curtain on the things they wish they had known before embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys.
1. The Need to Understand Human Psychology
Lars and Chad both emphasized that as a business scales, the job shifts dramatically from technical work to managing people. They found that understanding human psychology—both for customers and employees—is paramount. This includes learning to quickly identify customer personalities to communicate effectively and, on the employee side, recognizing that people are motivated differently and shouldn't be treated equally, but rather fairly. The hosts also noted the importance of empathy, especially when dissatisfaction arises, and resisting the urge to become defensive.
2. The E-Myth and the Technician’s Trap
The E-Myth is a powerful concept that the hosts referenced, and it's a trap many entrepreneurs fall into. The idea is that a great technician (a great locksmith, in this case) starts a business only to find themselves completely unprepared for the managerial and operational demands of running it. Success requires a fundamental shift in focus from "doing the work" to building systems and leading people. As Lars said, you must "know humans way more than I have to know locksmith" to succeed at scale.
3. The Isolating Feeling of Leadership
A particularly poignant truth discussed was the loneliness that can accompany growth. As a company matures, a leader's casual comments or "winging it" can be taken as direction, leading to unintended consequences. This can cause a leader to "shut down," ceasing to think out loud or bounce ideas off their team, which has a negative impact on the entire business. This isolating feeling, where a business owner feels they can't talk freely, highlights the importance of finding a new community, like a business group, for support and perspective.
4. The $3 Million Bubble
Lars teased a topic for a future episode: a "glass ceiling" in the security business that often occurs around the $2.5 million to $3 million mark. At this stage, a company typically has around 15 staff, but the owner feels stuck, grinding harder for less return. It's a common challenge where a company has grown beyond its initial startup phase but hasn't yet implemented the systems and mid-level management needed to break through to the next level. This "bubble" is a perfect example of a challenge that isn't about working harder, but about working differently—a truth that many entrepreneurs are unprepared for.
Links:
🔗 : https://unlockedpodcast.com