5 Things I Believe Now That I Didn't 5 Years Ago

In this episode, I’m reflecting on five beliefs that have fundamentally changed for me over the last five years as a business owner. When I look back at who I was coming out of the pandemic, I see someone who was working hard, growing quickly, and learning constantly, but I also see someone who held very different assumptions about leadership, feedback, success, time, and personal growth. This conversation is less about tactics and more about perspective. The beliefs we carry shape the decisions we make, the risks we take, the opportunities we see, and ultimately the results we create. I talk about why I no longer believe business success is primarily driven by luck, how my relationship with feedback has completely changed, why I’ve come to view myself through the lens of inputs and outputs, and the mindset shift that has helped me stop labeling myself as “bad” at certain parts of business. If you’ve been in business for a while, I think you’ll recognize some of your own evolution in this conversation. And if you’re earlier in the journey, hopefully some of these lessons help shorten the learning curve. And if you’re looking to accelerate your growth alongside other ambitious pet care business owners, I’d love to have you at the DogCo Business Summit this October. 👉 https://dogcosummit.com ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Looking back at who I was five years ago 1:35 – Belief #1: Success is not primarily luck 3:39 – How data changed the way I lead a business 5:55 – Belief #2: Feedback is a kindness, not a burden 7:01 – From reactive leadership to proactive coaching 8:17 – Belief #3: Thinking in inputs and outputs 10:12 – Belief #4: Time is more valuable than money 11:43 – Belief #5: I’m not bad at it, I’m just unpracticed 13:03 – Reflection and listener challenge 🧠 Key Takeaways • Data creates clarity when circumstances feel uncertain • Business outcomes are influenced more by decisions than luck • Feedback is one of the most valuable gifts a leader can provide • Proactive coaching outperforms reactive correction • Inputs drive outputs, both in business and in life • Personal performance can be improved through intentional inputs • Time is often a business owner’s highest-leverage resource • Resource allocation matters more than resource accumulation • Most skill gaps are practice gaps, not talent gaps • Growth often begins with changing the stories we tell ourselves 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If you’re serious about becoming a stronger leader, building a more resilient business, and learning from some of the best minds in the pet care industry, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. October 2nd–4th in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In-person and digital tickets available here: https://dogcosummit.com -M