Stuck? Time to Scale.

According to the SBA,

82% of businesses never hire anyone beyond the founder
99.9% of companies are classified as small businesses
90% of startups fail

New startup formations are up 36% in 2026 compared to last year.

Late last year, I predicted that 2026 would be the “Year of the Startup.” The early data suggests that may be exactly what’s happening.

What’s driving it? A couple of things we can reasonably surmise.

AI has dramatically lowered the cost of starting a company. Small teams can now build products that once required an entire engineering department.

Layoffs over the past two years have also pushed many talented people out of big companies and into building something of their own.

When technology lowers the barrier and talent gets redistributed, entrepreneurship tends to surge.

That’s exactly what we’re seeing right now.

I have started, scaled, and exited more than a dozen companies. For me the scale phase has always been easier than the start phase.

That is why we decided to go all in and create what I am calling the ultimate scale workbook. 

We took the scale section from the book and spent two years developing and refining exercises designed to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses.

Today we launch: The Official Scale Workbook for Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat.

It took ten years to write the book Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat.
It took two years to create the Scale Workbook.

A team of five people helped design and develop the workbook.

We expanded the ideas in the original book and turned them into practical exercises. When these exercises are completed, they can dramatically increase your chances of success by helping you scale your business.

We also partnered with the teams at Rhythm Systems on strategic planning and with The Sales Playbook to strengthen the sales execution component.

What we created is one of the most comprehensive guides on how to scale a business.

Here is what the workbook focuses on

Story
It starts with the formula. You must understand what makes your business unique. Identifying your X Factor can change everything.

People
Scaling is not about doing everything yourself. It begins with understanding your strengths and building a team that can help you scale in zeros.

Money
The right capital at the right time matters. There are many sources of funding, but they should only be used once you have proven a formula that can accelerate with additional capital.

Systems
Systems are what allow a company to grow beyond a few individuals. When the right systems are in place the business can scale much faster.

I have started, scaled, and exited more than a dozen multimillion dollar companies. Each time the process came back to the same four elements. Understanding the story, hiring the right people, securing the right capital, and building the systems needed to scale.

When those pieces are in place growth becomes much easier.

We intentionally designed these exercises to be simple. All you need is a pen and some focused time.

But don’t mistake simplicity for lack of technology. Throughout the workbook we’ve embedded GPTs (mini AI programs) that you and your team can use to help complete the exercises. Just scan the QR code to access them.

The Scale Workbook is officially live!

Designed as a practical companion to Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat., this workbook helps founders move beyond startup instinct and into repeatable execution. Inside you’ll find guided exercises, frameworks, and planning tools to help you build systems, align your team, and scale with intention.

It also features practical exercises from Dan Larson of The Sales Playbook and Patrick Thean of Rhythm Systems, bringing proven sales and execution frameworks directly into the scaling process.

If you’re past the early startup shuffle and ready to grow with structure, this workbook is built for you.

Upcoming Shows on Clubhouse

Thursday, March 12th at 4pm ET - The Ultimate Scale Workbook Official Launch

We’re celebrating the official launch of the Scale Workbook, the practical companion to Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. Join us on Clubhouse as we unpack the frameworks, exercises, and systems founders can use to move beyond startup instinct and build companies that scale. Come share your experiences, ask questions, and explore what it really takes to grow with structure.

• What is the biggest shift founders must make when moving from start mode to scale mode?
• Which exercise or framework from the Scale Workbook could immediately improve how your company executes and grows? 

Thursday, March 12th at 5pm ET - The Scale Mindset -The Complete Entrepreneur

Scaling a company requires a shift in thinking. In this conversation, we explore the scale mindset or the transition from founder hustle to building systems, teams, and processes that allow a business to grow sustainably.

• What mindset shift is hardest when moving from startup mode to scale mode?
• What systems or habits helped your company move from founder-driven to scalable?

Friday, March 20th at 2pm ET: Managing Business Burnout & Self Doubt Entrepreneurship can be exhilarating, but it can also bring moments of burnout and self-doubt. In this conversation, we explore practical ways founders can manage the mental load of building a business while staying resilient and focused. Join us as we share strategies for navigating the tough moments that come with the entrepreneurial journey.

Friday, March 27th at 2pm ET: What Private Equity Isn’t Telling You with Alexis Sikorsky

Private equity can be a powerful growth partner, but founders often only hear the upside. In this candid conversation, Alexis Sikorsky shares what investors don’t always say out loud, how deals actually work behind the scenes, and what entrepreneurs should understand before taking outside capital.