Scale Architects
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Managing change is a people problem. It is exceptionally difficult in part because it is inherently subjective. In this article, you'll learn how to get past that subjectivity to objectively identify what needs to change, who will struggle with the change, and how to help them through it.
8 out of 10 startups fail. In this article, I’ll explain why and what you need to do to get through this grueling phase in the corporate lifecycle.
Ask a room of 100 successful executives what the most important business question is, and you will get close to 100 different answers. However, you will find that you can boil those responses down to just four one-word questions. "Why?", "What?", "How?", and "Who?" These questions seem relatively straightforward until you recognize that you have a bias toward one or two of these questions.
In this empowering episode, Dennis McCurdy, Principal Owner of McCurdy & Andrew Investments, shares why going it alone as a solopreneur leads to the Valley of Dead Dreams and how accountability changes everything. If you’re grinding alone and watching your best ideas collect dust, you won’t want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why you need a selective “gang” that will tell you the truth and push you forward
- How to choose accountability partners who show up and call you on your stuff
- What makes peer accountability more powerful than family or friends for growth
In this clarifying episode, Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director of Speyside Equity, shares how to succeed as an investor when someone else is driving and you can no longer grab the wheel. If you’re moving into true ownership or private equity and struggle to let go of hands-on control, you won’t want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why managing through people, processes, and systems is the essential skill at Level 6
- How to use scorecards and exception-based reviews so you lead without micromanaging
- What makes strong investors accept 80-90% results and focus on removing impediments
In this strategic episode, Ally Machate, Founder and CEO of The Writer's Ally, shares how to write the right book that actually grows your business instead of one that just looks good. If you’re a stage 2 founder considering a book but unsure what it should achieve or who it’s for, you won’t want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why clarifying your book’s business goal is more important than writing a “good” book
- How to reverse-engineer the right book from your desired outcome and ideal reader
- What turns a book into a marketable tool rather than a Field of Dreams project
In this myth-busting episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares why legacy is not reserved only for Level 7 and how you can start building one right where you are. If you believe lasting impact must wait until the end of the journey or feel stuck without a clear path to purpose, you won’t want to miss it
You will discover:
- Why most founders are not called to Level 7 and can leave a powerful legacy sooner
- How to move from dissatisfied employee to purposeful employee and find meaning in the margins
- What unique capital Level 7 founders accumulate that unlocks a different scale of impact
In this exciting episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares the release of his new book "The Founder’s Game". If you’re overwhelmed by endless advice, unsure which level is right for you, or working far more hours than necessary, you won’t want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why there are seven possible right levels and how to choose the one that fits your vision
- How the three-part structure gives you both clarity on where you are and a playbook for where you want to go.
- What pre-ordering unlocks, including a free Level 7 course and the first chapter right away
The "Stop Doing List" has been one of the most painful but powerful tools I have had to learn to use over the last 13 years of running a successful small business.
In this closing episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares why level 6 ownership is not the end and when to move to level 7 legacy. If you're in stage 6 with time and financial freedom but wondering what's next or struggling with purpose, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why you must have a compelling vision for what comes after the CEO role before fully stepping down
- How to thrive as a portfolio owner in level 6 while preparing for greater impact
- What it takes to shift from personal ROI to planting trees whose shade you'll never sit under in level 7
In this perceptive episode, Jonathan Maharaj, Founder of Aurora Financials, shares how to bridge the growing information gap between you and your team as a stage 5 founder. If you're leading executives but struggling with confidence in the numbers and hidden dysfunction, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why scaling creates more dysfunction and information asymmetry at the board level
- How to distinguish symptoms from root causes in financial and operational issues
- What soft controls and people-focused leadership look like to maintain alignment
In this strategic episode, Everett O'Keefe, Founder of Ignite Press, shares how a book can be your most powerful marketing tool as a stage 3 founder. If you're struggling with visibility, long sales cycles, and proving expertise that others can't see, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why a book dramatically raises your authority even if prospects never read it
- How to write a book that attracts ideal clients and makes them more compliant
- What it takes to use your book as the ultimate marketing asset
