Matt Carle's Linkedin Analytics

Every business owner needs to hear this advice:   No one gets everything right. And that's OK.

One of the most rewarding parts about working with small business owners? Getting messages like this! This is a business that used to make $1M per year. And they built up their systems to achieve $1M per month! Seeing numbers like this is the result of a lot of hard work. Lead generation. Customer fulfillment. Systems development. Training the sales team. High-quality production. Targeting ideal customers. Challenging limiting beliefs. Years of reputation building. And still it comes down to an Owner and his team putting in the work. I've been lucky to work with this company through a lot of ups and downs, and still today that work continues. Always looking at the next set of goals. And looking forward to the next milestone message. If you're looking for some support as you're pursuing your next set of goals - let's talk! Book a time using the link in my profile, and we'll work toward those goals together.

Best part about my week? A spur of the moment breakfast date with my wife & daughter. My schedule was clear I knew what I needed to get done and I knew I had time to handle everything. So when the idea for breakfast came up, it was an easy yes. It was a great reminder of why I've built my business this way. Because it gives me freedom and flexibility. Sometimes that means working from a coffee shop. Or taking time to attend parent-teacher conferences. Sometimes it means pancakes on a Thursday. This is what I mean when I say: "a business that supports the life you want to live."

If anyone out here wants to study what NOT to do in your own business... Talk to Comcast XFinity. In the last 2 months I've had: 1 Phone Call 4 Chat Sessions With at least 6 different Reps And two monthly bills for the wrong amount. And this week, finally got a resolution that put me on the right track (I think anyway, time will tell) And you know my biggest problem with this? It's not the money. Or even the time spent on the problem. It's the broken promises. Multiple times I've heard "Yes, we'll take care of that for you" Then the system breaks down, and the problem isn't fixed. And I'm back to square 1, trying to catch another Rep up on the story of how we ended up here. The internal systems are clearly not set up for customer success. And the employees are left out to dry by the decisions behind the scenes. I've never run a $124B company with 180,000 employees, so I won't pretend to know how complex it is. But if you get the simple things right - things like keeping your promises - then you're probably going to have an easier time. Was this post just an excuse to rant about the poor service with Xfinity? Maybe. But I also believe there is a real lesson to learn here. Keep your promises - to your customers, and your staff - and build systems to support them. That's the bottom line.

Chasing business revenue like it's a magic cure? You might be treating the symptom, not the cause. I saw this clearly with a former client. He was obsessed with his top-line revenue. He believed that more sales would solve everything. His strategy? • Be the "low-price leader" (razor-thin 20% markup). • No deposits, he'd cover upfront production costs. • Offer generous Net-30 terms to everyone. So, every new order actually cost him money upfront because he never took a deposit. And when we looked into it, his expenses were 28% of revenue - so the 20% margin was costing him money! Plus, he was waiting over 50 days, on average, to get paid. He was bleeding cash with every sale. A still there were people around him telling him "Just sell more!" Finally I got through to him, after he nearly missed payroll. And we were able to talk about the real issues. He increased his margins, started collecting deposits, and stopped dealing with deadbeat customers who didn't pay their bills. Now he can go out and sell confidently, knowing that growing sales will ACTUALLY mean a growing business. • Don't just chase revenue; diagnose the 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 problem. • Don't just focus on sales; optimize your 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 business. • Don't take bad advice from people who don't know your business; work with people you can trust.

As a business owner working 60, 80, 100 hours per week... Could you take 3 days off next week? Sit by the pool? Or take your kids on a trip? What would happen if you did? Would you come back to a mountain of work that would haunt you for weeks? Or just a few small items that need your attention? Could you spend those three days resting and recharging surrounded by family & friends?    Or will the stress of missing work be too much to bear?   I'm thinking about it, because this I'm in the middle of a 5-day trip at Disney World. And I know that short of a few emails to sort through, my business isn't going to have any nasty surprises waiting for me when I get back. That's allowed me to just be present, enjoy this time with my family, and focus on making memories. Look, I realize not everyone is in a position to take a trip like this. Because they're business won't allow it. They're stuck.   Stuck working all weekend to get caught up.    Stuck solving everyone else's problems.    Stuck playing catch up with bills.    Just plain stuck.    But I'm here to argue - even if you're stuck, you should take time off.    Grinding yourself to dust isn't going to save the business.    Burning out is going to make you less effective.    And taking a few days off to recharge, might be just what you need. You'll learn what's missing or broken in your business. You'll see what systems work without you. And once you're back, you can make a list of what you want to fix first.   You might not have the business that you want, yet.    But you can make your business today more like the business you want.    And it can be as simple as taking an extra day off this weekend. Or a few extra days next week.   Your business should support your life.    Not the other way around.    So take a day (or two or three), find some time to recharge.    And get back after it next week.    Your business (and your family) will thank you.

Business Owners - use this framework to implement new ideas in your business: Plan Track Report Adjust

I started giving myself a score every day. Every day I tally up 6 categories, scored 1-10. And it's really helped me keep things in perspective. I took inspiration from a Marshall Goldsmith exercise. And adapted it to my needs. I look at my work performance, presence with my family, and how I'm taking care of myself. Daily, scored out of 10 points. Some days score a lot better than others. And I get to think about what went well and why. On the days when I don't score too well, I get to reflect on those choices. And look for ways to be better. I've been at this for 10+ months, and I really feel like it's making a difference. The constant reminder to stay focused, to be present, and show up as the best version of myself for the people around me, makes a difference. I'm far from perfect, and way too self-critical to ever give myself all perfect scores. But taking a few minutes daily to reflect, and look for ways to get better has been powerful! And I know that if I'm not getting better, my business isn't either. Want to check out the template I'm using? Drop and comment or send a DM!

Most business owners rank this issue as the # 1 thing holding them back. Do you know what it is?

I bet that in a 45-minute conversation,   we can uncover ~80% of your business issues. Within that 80% - there are probably a few key issues. And when you get to the root of the key issues, a lot of other problems will start to clear up too. I was reminded last week how powerful these calls can be. Talking things through with business owners who feel stuck, lonely, isolated. It's rare that owners can open up and talk things through with the people around them.  Which is one reason I love being a coach. And another reason these 45-minute calls are so important. Whether or not we work together in the long-run, you'll get some insight and actionable ideas that you can use in your business. And having some clarity, and an experienced sounding board can make a big impact. I have just a couple of open spots in my practice, so if you've been thinking about getting some coaching support - now is a great time to talk! Let's get your 45-minute call scheduled.   Use the link on my profile to schedule.

What do my clients get while working with me? Organization. Focus. Accountability. This is maybe the best kind of testimonial. Because this is exactly the stuff that I promise to my clients. I can't do the work for you. I don't have a silver bullet to sell you. I can't promise that everything is going to work out. But I can promise you a supportive coach who will help you stay organized, focused, and hold you accountable. Someone who will keep you on track, lend an ear when you need to vent, and help you find the right levers to pull. And I know that if you show up and do the work, you'll see results in your business, too. I love getting to work with business owners on this stuff. Because I know just how impactful this work can be. If you think coaching could be a fit for you, book a call using the link in my profile - and let's chat about how we can work together!

One of the best things I've ever heard from a client: "We need to reschedule..." Not because they were overwhelmed. Not because they were skipping meetings. Because our regular meeting time conflicted with their son's lacrosse games. And they wanted to be at every single one. "We need to reschedule..." That phrase marked an important shift. I had been working with these partners for two years. Their business, designing and building retail displays for major brands, was good. But they knew it could be better. Like a lot of Owners, they were caught in the day-to-day. Answering every question. Solving every problem. Putting out every fire. Early on, mindset was a challenge. They wanted changes, fast. But consistent implementation became our focus. I preached patience at every turn. Then, the magic happened. Processes became efficient. Systems developed. Solutions emerged. When the business started to improve, the owners shifted responsibilities. They focused their time on high-impact activities. They rediscovered the joy of ownership. In the next 12 months they: • Increased revenue without adding headcount. • Gained major accounts through referrals. • Invested in a custom-built facility. They took more vacations and intentional time away from the business. Never missed a recital or a lacrosse game. Because they built a business that runs 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 them. That's a business that supports the life you want to live. Consistent action, a better business, and ongoing rewards.

Come for the prioritization talk. Stay for the Ron Swanson quote. The best way to get more done as a business owner: Do less.

We're going to Disney World!!! Really, we are. My wife and I have been planning this trip for months. And the kids couldn't be more excited. And, by the time you're reading this, I'll be on a plane. Is this just to brag about my vacation? No, it's not. But it is to point out the fact that my business is going to keep humming while I'm away. And I get 6 days of fun and relaxation with my family. I don't have a single business worry while I'm away. Because my business systems are already in place. Content? Scheduled. Calendars? Blocked off and managed. Communication with my clients? Done in advance. Invoicing & payments to be made? Automated, done. Anything else? Well, nothing will burn down by next Thursday. This is the way I want my business to run, and I've spent years getting it to this point. So I can take the next 6 days, and enjoy every magical minute with my family. I can be present and make lifetime memories. And not worry about anything waiting for me when I get back to my desk in a week. Your business can run this way too. And I know this, because this is what I help my clients do - build a business that supports the life you want to live. Want to find out the next step to making that happen? Schedule a meeting using the link in my profile. And I'll talk to you when I get back!

Do you need to run your business from the beach? Or do you just need to be home for dinner? Contrary to what some might suggest… Most business owners don’t need: A 9-figure business. That they run from the beach. In only 4 hours per week. It’s easy to get lost in all of the shiny success stories that are so prevalent online. It's easy to chase those goals that sound great in theory. But if you’re honest with yourself - that's not what you're really after. You don’t really need: a massive business, location independence, or a million followers on social media. You need a business that is profitable, with positive cash flow. You need a business that runs predictably, using systems that your employees understand. You need a business that can run without you, when you take time on a Wednesday to be with family. Build a business that lets you: Sleep at night. Spend time with family, guilt free. Create a foundation for everything else you want to do. Forget building a business that you run from Tulum. Focus on a business that delivers results - here and now. Build a company that's sustainable, profitable, & enjoyable to own. One that allows you to see your family for dinner. That is a massive win, and better than most entrepreneurs accomplish. So, are you building a business that supports the life that you want to live? PS - If you’d like to see your business grow and be home for dinner more often, book a call in using the link in my profile - let's talk!

You built your business through hard work. Hustle and grit got you here. But it won't get you there. You can't just hustle your way to the next level. Starting out it was all long hours, doing it all yourself That's unsustainable. Trying to build a $5M business the same way you built your $1M business is a recipe for struggle, burnout, failure. To grow, you must change. Yes, hard work is still essential. But the focus has to shift. From doing the work yourself, to building the business. That mean's doing the Owner's work. As an Owner, you have to prioritize. And that means you have to focus on: • Strategy • Systems • Structure If you can't change the way you work, you're risking the business. Hustle is valuable. But owner-level work compounds results. Work on your business. Build something that doesn't rely solely on your hustle. Build something that supports your life. And you'll start to see the difference.

If you want to sell your business someday, Here are 3 critical items to consider... Financial Performance Repeatable Results Owner (In)Dependence Financial Performance means: ▪️ Bring in revenue ▪️ Make a profit ▪️ Grow year-over-year ▪️ Pay the Owner, and the staff well Repeatable Results means: ▪️ Systems and processes documented ▪️ Systems and processes are used regularly ▪️ New staff can be trained to do the work ▪️ New owners expect the business to continue producing similar results Owner (In)Dependence means: ▪️ Owner doesn't have to be involved daily ▪️ Results can happen without the owner ▪️ Owner enjoys owning the business ▪️ Business doesn't rely solely on owner's relationships for sales & growth You might not be thinking about selling today, that's OK. Because building a business that is profitable, predictable, and easy to own. Is really rewarding for you as an Owner. And, bonus, it will also be ready to sell when you decide it's time. But, because the business has to be ready to sell before you decide to sell it. That means if you're not thinking about these issues now, you might miss your opportunity. So start with these three items and go from there. PS - If you want to talk about building a better version of your business, and getting it ready to sell some day? Schedule a call using the link in my bio!

With "It's a Small World" still ringing in our ears... We're back to reality. We're back from an incredible trip to Disney World. And while there were quite a few emails waiting for me when I got back. There are no major fires to put out. No issues to tackle. No crisis. Because my business is set up to run this way. To give me flexibility to take time off, and not miss a beat. And I work with other Owners who want to do the same. If you're not building a business that supports the life you want to live, you're working on the wrong things. If you want to start building a business that gives you the time, finances, and freedom to take your kids on a dream vacation - schedule a call using the link in my profile!

"If you think you have to be an asshole to be successful, you might be an asshole." -Adam Grant Couldn't say it any better myself, So I decided to just quote a master here. Being a bad boss doesn't get good results. And the research proves it. (Go check Grant's IG for relevant sources) Choosing to abuse people says more about you than it does about them. And no one wants to work for an asshole. Except, maybe, other assholes. Creating a culture that doesn't tolerate bad attitudes and bad behavior is priceless. And it all stems from the Owner. Treat people fairly, kindly, and with respect. And you're a lot more likely to get results.

I work with small business owners daily, And this is the advice I give most often:   "𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭."   I tell my clients this regularly.    I tell myself this regularly.    And I'm still trying to learn the lesson.    You can't control interest rates.  You can't control the stock market.  You can't control other people's decisions.    Focus on what you can control.      For me, this week, that meant:    Focus on outreach to prospects  Focus on getting content scheduled  Focus on asking great questions  Focus on giving time & energy to my kids    Trying to control anything that happens outside your own brain...that's how to drive yourself crazy.    So if you ask,  "Matt, what's your best piece of advice?"    Focus on the things that you can control.    Make decisions.    Protect your time.    And take action to implement.    That's the best advice I can give you.