So, we had a client—a business broker who built his business on his own personal brand. Big move, right?
But here’s the catch: while his name was practically synonymous with the business, he didn’t have the processes in place to back up all that branding greatness. He wanted to grow, expand his team, and eventually build resources that made his company run without him at the center.
After going through the Vision Value Model™, this M&A guru gained a fresh perspective on how to grow sustainably and build a team that could take the reins.
The Problems:
Let’s break this down—this client’s biggest issues were glaring and honestly, a bit classic for businesses that are built on the owner’s name:
Built on the Brand, But Not the Processes
His business? Total rockstar status. But backstage? A mess. He was the face of it all, but didn’t have the processes in place to keep things running smoothly once his name (and experience) wasn’t front and center (isn’t it ironic…. dontcha think?).
Wanted to Expand the Team, But…
He knew he couldn’t keep wearing every hat forever, especially when he was looking to expand his team. But how do you expand without systems in place to manage it all?
Spoiler alert: you don’t. You burn out. And no one has time for that.
The Dream Was to Build Resources and a Bigger Footprint
He wasn’t just looking to add bodies to his team—he wanted to create actual resources. He wanted to grow the footprint, but didn’t have the solid foundation needed to pull it off.
Exit Planning… Future Opportunity?
He had a successful M&A firm but wanted to explore opportunities within the exit planning space.
Initially, it seemed like a side hustle—but we quickly saw the potential for integrating this new arm of his business with his existing M&A work. It could be a powerful lead generation tool.
However, before he could leverage this new opportunity effectively, the foundation had to be laid. Solid processes needed to be put in place first to ensure that both arms of the business could work seamlessly together and drive sustainable growth.
You can’t build a skyscraper on sand. We helped him solidify the M&A business first and use that as the base to grow the other side of the business.
The Solution:
Here’s how we took a blend of bold ambition and unrefined processes and turned it into a solid business foundation:
Getting Focused
First things first—we needed to focus. Like, laser-sharp focus. So, we put our heads together and went through the Vision Value Model™ (yep, we name-dropped that big thing).
We gave him clarity on where to focus first—processes, revenue, and shifting the branding focus. The business was no longer a solo mission.
We made sure the business had a clear vision and actionable goals. It’s about making the foundation steady enough to build on.
Defining Vision and Identifying Goals
Through the Vision Value Model™, we got clear on three key areas:
- Processes: No business can grow without processes. And we’re all about smooth operations.
- Revenue Growth: Let’s face it, no one’s business survives on vibes alone. We defined clear, measurable revenue goals.
- Branding & Awareness Shift: This was the juicy part—he didn’t want to be the face forever. He wanted to create a brand that didn’t rely on him at the helm.
Shifting the Brand Away from Him
Now, let’s talk about the personal brand dilemma. He didn’t want to be the front-facing person anymore. He wanted to be the genius behind the curtain, and his goal was to build the business around others.
We created a structure that allowed his team to step up and contribute to the brand, creating a team-oriented culture without him having to be the center of attention.
PiPP—People
We were crystal clear on this: his PiPP pillar was People. His whole aim was to build a supportive, resource-driven culture for his team. He wanted to provide resources and create a structure where specific team members served specific clients.
By focusing on his PiPP of People, he was able to create resources for his team that helped them grow into the business and not just work in it.
It wasn’t about him anymore—it was about making sure the right people had the tools to grow the business, while still having a team that felt like family. Win-win.
Building a business that doesn’t need you at the front of the line? That’s the dream. And we helped make it a reality.
If you’re ready to stop working in your business and start working on it, let’s talk. The Vision Value Model™ isn’t just a framework—it’s your ticket to building a brand that grows beyond you.
Contact us today and let’s get to work.