Build It Backwards — Define Success Before You Build the Business

Most conversations about building a business sell you the highlight reel. This one doesn't. Aaron Cerrone — a 28-year military veteran and former chief of operations at U.S. Strategic Command, longtime gym owner, and former University of Nebraska Omaha business instructor — joins Kill Chain for a no-fluff conversation about defining success, surviving entrepreneurship, and protecting the one thing you can't get back: your health. If you've ever thought about working for yourself, or you're deep in it already, this one's for you. ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 Cold open 0:20 A different kind of episode 1:24 Meet Aaron: the chameleon 8:56 Define success first 11:14 The passion trap 15:33 Do you have the stomach for it? 20:57 Most people are better off employed 22:47 Bootstrapping vs. chasing the VC 24:15 Everybody sells something 25:15 The two-job recipe for success 33:38 Why the best product doesn't win 46:19 Health is the one thing you can't get back 1:01:30 Do hard things 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe to Kill Chain so you don't miss an episode. 🔗 Learn more at fleetdefender.com #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SmallBusiness #StartupAdvice #KillChainPodcast #FleetDefender