BT Solutions Group

C-level expertise and perspective—without the full-time cost, hiring risk, or bandwidth strain.

I help founders, owners, and investors fix what’s broken, unlock growth, and build what’s needed to scale—faster, smarter, and leaner.

Who I Work With
✅ Startups with traction
✅ SMBs hitting ceilings—$1M to $10M
✅ Companies at $10M to $30M looking to reach $50M to $100M
✅ Founder-led orgs ready to scale
✅ PE & VC firms needing hands-on execution, EBITDA growth & value creation

As a Fractional COO and Advisor, I work in two ways:
• Hands-on leadership — stepping in as operator, integrator, or execution partner
→ 5–20 hours/week · 2–4 clients max · Monthly retainers
• Strategic advisory — providing clarity, planning, and decision-making support
→ 5–10 hours/month · 4–8 clients max · Monthly retainers

When needed, I scale through my trusted network—bringing in the right experts for Tech, HR, IT, Sales, Supply Chain, and more.

 Areas I support most:
🔹 Ops, Sales, Biz Dev, HR, Org Design, P&L, and Value Creation
🔹 Full P&L oversight—forecasting, modeling, KPIs, cost control, and funding readiness

Key Accomplishments
✅ Scaled a CPG distribution business from $0 to $100M ARR
✅ Reduced $20M in leases by 90% & turned $15M fleet liability into $2M profit
✅ Built GTM & investor-ready financials for startup beverage brand
✅ Created GTM plan for $10M Food Company 
✅ Cut costs 28% & grew subscribers 14x for $4M wellness e-com brand
✅ Built ops roadmap for $15M SaaS startup
✅ Ran in-house agency ops—brand, digital, content, and media

How I Drive Results
✔ Remove bottlenecks & unlock scale
✔ Strategic & financial leadership—P&L, KPIs, capital
✔ Build scalable systems & execution discipline
✔ Drive growth through GTM, sales, and business development

🔧 The OPTICS System™
Works with any framework (incl. EOS) to:
• Diagnose constraints
• Uncover growth levers
• Build scale-ready infrastructure
• Align teams & drive execution

📩 Let’s get you fixed.

Real work. Real results.

Fractional COO/Operator | Founder & CEO

Snake River Spirits

Investor-Led Turnaround | Fractional COO → F/T CEO & Board Member

Brought in by major investors to fix execution, cut costs, and reposition this liquor company after it burned through $12M in funding with no clear path forward. Transitioned from Fractional COO role to CEO and took full P&L ownership to drive profitability and restore investor confidence.

🔹 Key Wins:
✅ 2X EBITDA Growth – Increased margins through cost-cutting & operational efficiencies
✅ $2M in cost reductions – Eliminated waste & streamlined operations
✅ 2X revenue growth – Repositioned business to own key markets
✅ 2X new retail & distributor placements – Strengthened key relationships
✅ Secured $6M in new funding ($3M debt / $3M equity) – Backed by turnaround execution
✅ Expanded product portfolio – Launched innovation pipeline to drive future growth
✅ Fully restored investor confidence

💡 Proven expertise in value creation, financial strategy, and investor-driven turnarounds. Today I apply these hard-won experiences and skills towards being a Fractional Ops & Strategic Growth leader for startups, SMBs & investor-backed companies.

President and CEO/Board Member

Catapult Partners

COO & Strategic Growth Advisor | Value Creation for Investor-Backed Businesses ($0-$30M)

Led turnarounds, repositioning, and operational scaling across five investor-backed companies, including three startups and two SMBs ($10M & $30M ARR). Focused on driving efficiency, structuring growth, and advising on financial strategy and P&L management to improve forecasting, controls, and profitability—leading to investor confidence.

🔹 Key Wins From Select Engagements:
✅ 2X EBITDA growth – Expanded margins through cost optimization & operational efficiencies
✅ 30% efficiency gains – Cut waste, streamlined execution, and improved scalability
✅ 42% revenue growth – Scaled operations & negotiated growth-driving contracts
✅ Implemented 5X scalable infrastructure – Built CRM, ERP, BI systems for growth
✅ Led market repositioning – Expanded customer base & improved margins

🔹 Industries these companies operated in:
CPG & Beverage | E-Commerce | Supply Chain & Distribution | Health & Beauty | Medical Device

💡 Proven value creation—optimizing operations, driving EBITDA growth, and maximizing enterprise value. Today I apply these hard-won experiences and skills towards being a Fractional Ops & Strategic Growth leader for startups, SMBs & investor-backed companies.

COO  

We Pack Logistics

COO | Multi-Industry SMB Leadership (7 Companies, $100M+ Revenue, Family-Owned Businesses)

Led transformation across seven SMB & LMM businesses (including We Pack Logistics) under the HWH parent company, driving significant growth, profitability, and operational efficiency while overseeing P&L, financial strategy, and capital allocation across diverse industries.

🔹 Select Achievements:
✅ 3X revenue growth & 90% EBITDA increase – Diversified customer base and offerings while optimizing operations, streamlining processes & reducing inefficiencies
✅ 40% profitability boost – Diversified client base & secured Fortune 500/global contracts
✅ 20% efficiency gains – Digitally transformed operations (ERP, WMS, TMS, CRM), improving inventory accuracy & reducing errors

🔹 Industries these businesses operated in:
Food & Beverage | CPG & Distribution | Logistics & Supply Chain | Manufacturing & Contract Packaging | Warehousing, Engineering & Construction

💡 These experiences provided the equivalent of a "PHD" in operating SMBs and shaped my expertise in fixing, scaling, and optimizing businesses—experience I now bring to startups, SMBs & investor-backed companies as a Fractional Ops and Strategic Growth leader.

President of We Pack Logistics & COO of HWH Companies (Holding Co.)

Talking Rain Beverage Company®

Sales & Distribution Expansion | Sparkling Ice

Led sales growth during explosive expansion, scaling distribution and optimizing retail authorizations for national reach.

✔ 10X+ revenue growth – Built a 130-distributor network, streamlining national sales
✔ Reorganized & scaled sales team to align operations with surging demand
✔ Secured key retail placements, strengthening distribution partnerships

💡 Helped Sparkling Ice transition from a regional brand to a nationally recognized market leader.

Director of Sales

Red Bull

Pioneering Red Bull’s U.S. Distribution Model

One of the first U.S. employees at Red Bull, pioneered the company-owned distribution model, scaling operations, and leading P&L for three high-growth distribution businesses.

🔹 Key Achievements:
✔ Built & scaled two distribution businesses, growing from $0 to $30M and $3M to $40M ARR
✔ Optimized operations & increased EBITDA 2-3X through efficiency & profitability improvements
✔ Developed infrastructure & best practices that fueled national expansion

💡 This experience shaped my passion and expertise for building, scaling, and optimizing businesses and GTM strategies —skills I now apply as a Fractional Ops & Strategic Growth leader.

General Manager

Fractional Executive Leader / Advisor / Consultant

🚀 I’ve built and scaled businesses from $0 to $100M.

Now I help founders, owners, operators, and investors grow companies in the $0–$30M range — faster, leaner, and smarter.

As a Fractional COO / Operator & Advisor, I help businesses scale by fixing what’s broken, unlocking what’s next, and building what’s needed — across ops, sales, biz dev, org design, execution, EBITDA, and value creation.

💡 Who I Work With

✅ Startups with early traction trying to scale
✅ SMBs hitting a ceiling — what worked at $1M is breaking by $10M
✅ Companies pushing toward $30M — what got them here won’t get them to $50M or $100M
✅ Founder-led businesses looking to step out of the weeds
✅ PE & VC firms needing a trusted operator across portcos — bringing clarity, execution, EBITDA growth & value creation

🔧 My proprietary OPTICS System™ plugs directly into a business to: 

• Uncover bottlenecks
• Identify untapped growth
• Build the infrastructure, accountability, and execution needed to scale
• Reposition the company and provide a clear GTM plan

It works alongside any framework — including EOS — to accelerate progress and bring strategy to life.

🧠 Strategy + Execution = Results

Most consultants deliver frameworks with no follow-through.
Most operators execute but can’t design scalable strategy.
I do both — and make sure they work together.

✔ Strategic planning, positioning & growth clarity
✔ Execution, systems & accountability
✔ Biz dev, sales team buildout & GTM that drives revenue

🛠 How I Drive Results

✔ 360 audits & execution roadmaps
✔ Operational clarity + team alignment
✔ GTM execution & revenue acceleration
✔ EBITDA growth, value creation & margin expansion
✔ P&L, forecasting & capital planning
✔ EOS-compatible — I can plug into or alongside any system
✔ I step in as a true Integrator when needed

📊 Industry Experience

🛒 CPG & Beverage — Built national distributor networks. Led GTM, sales, ops, and growth for brands like Red Bull, Sparkling Ice, Alani Nu, and Prime.
📦 E-commerce, Fulfillment & Marketing — Scaled subscription ops, overhauled fulfillment, led in-house marketing agencies and external partners, and tied brand + media to revenue.
🏭 Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Commercialization — Oversaw and scaled manufacturing companies, restructured production floors, and led product dev, sourcing, co-manufacturing, logistics, pricing, trade marketing & distribution — from idea to shelf.

📩 If growth is stalling, ops are messy, or scale feels out of reach — let’s fix it.

Real work. Real results.

Bill Mattoon

Ghostwriter & Messaging Strategist helping leaders achieve 70% opt-ins with a Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to build trust and convert hesitant prospects into eager customers.

Most businesses struggle to convert leads because they rely on forgettable downloads and meaningless discounts that fail to create an emotional connection. 

Prospects don't just need information, they need to feel valued, to trust you, and to experience genuine engagement. 

That's why I created the concept of the Microstory Journey, a 5-day emotional experience that uses the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to touch hearts, build authentic connections, and establish unshakable trust, turning hesitant prospects into eager customers ready to take action.

AWAI Verified Copywriter
Case Studies Certification
Sales Enablement Certification

WRITING SERVICES I PROVIDE:

📨 5-Day Education Email Courses
💲 Ghostwriting on Social Media Platforms
📰  Newsletters
🌐   Web Content
✍️   Blog Posting
📧   Email Marketing
🛒   Sales Pages
📱   Facebook/Google Ads 

WHOM I WORK WITH: I help executives, CEOs, founders, & coaches.

3 Simple Steps to Powerful Messaging
1. Define your goals and messaging. 
2. Develop a customized storytelling strategy. 
3. Execute and refine messaging for maximum impact.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Email me at mike@mikehays.net OR
Book a call with me at https://calendly.com/ask-mikehays

Mike Hays

“If I were really that good… wouldn’t people just know?”

I used to think great work spoke for itself.

That thought used to haunt me.

I’d pour my heart into coaching, get referrals 
here and there, and quietly assume that great 
work would naturally lead to great clients.

Meanwhile, I watched others post daily.
Sharing testimonials. Wins. Lessons. Offers.
At first, I judged them. “Must be compensating,” I told myself.

But beneath that judgment?
A fear I didn’t want to name.

The day I tried writing a post about my services, I froze.
It felt like admitting I wasn’t good enough.
Like needing to promote meant my work couldn’t speak for itself.

But then a client said something that cracked the whole illusion:

I had no idea you even did that. 
I would’ve hired you months ago if I knew.

That hit hard.

Here’s what I finally realized:

The people who need you the most aren’t psychic.
They don’t see the lives you’ve changed unless you show them.
They don’t know the depth of your work unless you talk about it.

Self-promotion isn’t proof you’re not good enough.
It’s proof you care enough to serve beyond 
the ones who already found you.

Quiet brilliance doesn’t create impact.
Visible value does.

Self-promotion isn’t arrogance.
It’s leadership.

If you're a coach or consultant struggling to be seen
what's holding you back from showing up?

Follow Mike Hays for more insights on leadership.

Mike  Hays

Messaging Strategist & Ghostwriter for Leaders - I help you turn short stories into trust, influence, and premium clients with my Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint.

If Your Team Can't Picture Your Strategy…

They'll Never Execute It Properly.

(The visualization gap that kills execution)

Everyone says, "communicate the vision."
But here's what leaders miss:

↳ Abstract strategies create confusion.
↳ Clear mental pictures drive action.

Here's why visualization transforms execution:

1. Cognitive Clarity

↳ Brain processes images 60,000x faster than text
↳ Visual concepts eliminate interpretation gaps
↳ Teams align on the same mental model

2. Emotional Connection

↳ Pictures trigger emotional engagement
↳ People commit to what they can see
↳ Abstract goals feel impossible to reach

3. Decision Framework

↳ Clear vision becomes a filter
↳ Teams self-correct toward the picture
↳ Reduces constant micro-management needs

4. Progress Tracking

↳ Visual goals show measurable progress
↳ Milestones become obvious checkpoints
↳ Momentum builds through visible wins

The Leadership Reality:

↳ Complex strategies overwhelm teams
↳ Clarity beats complexity every time
↳ Simple pictures inspire action

Your team isn't failing execution.
They're failing visualization.

Quick Question:

How do you help your team picture success?

Share your approach below
Follow Mike Hays  for more leadership insights

The Simple Clarity System I Guarded for Years

Now I’m Finally Sharing It

My career has been defined by high-stakes decisions and ticking clocks.

One thing kept me from burning out.

Clarity.

When the pressure hits, your brain 
wants options, not decisions.

More meetings, more messages, 
more browser tabs pretending to be progress.

Early in my career, I played that game.
I was always busy, rarely moving the needle.

Then higher roles raised the stakes even further.

Clients waited on my calls, revenue hinged on my calendar.

That pressure forced a hard truth on me.

Clarity isn't a nice-to-have.
Clarity is survival.

So I built a simple productivity system my career could trust.

Here is the system I use every single day:
→ Decide what you want.
→ Write it down where you will see it.
→ Each morning, choose the ONE task that moves you closest.
→ Block time and do that task before anything else.

No inbox.

No scrolling.

No “quick favors” that hijack your day.

This is how I rebuilt myself, again and again.

I have started companies, sold franchises, and pivoted careers.
Every reinvention began with one clear daily priority.

Most people confuse movement with progress.

Their calendars are full, their results are thin.

You win when your day serves your direction.

Tonight, will you pick tomorrow's one non-negotiable task?

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

Most communication fails before the first word is spoken.

(And it has nothing to do with your message)

Everyone focuses on what to say.
But the real breakdown happens earlier:

↳ Wrong context makes everything irrelevant.
↳ Wrong timing destroys perfect words.
↳ Wrong audience kills brilliant ideas.

Here's where communication actually breaks down:

1. Preparation Phase

↳ You skip understanding their current state
↳ You assume they're ready to listen
↳ You ignore their emotional context

2. Attention Phase

↳ They're distracted before you start
↳ Their priorities don't align with yours
↳ You compete with 1,000 other messages

3. Reception Phase

↳ They filter through their existing beliefs
↳ Past experiences shape their interpretation
↳ Your intent gets lost in their translation

The Hidden Truth:
↳ Timing beats technique every single time
↳ Perfect words to the wrong person = Failure
↳ Average words to the right person = Success

Most people craft messages.
Masters craft moments.

They understand that communication succeeds when the audience is ready, willing, and able to receive it.

Quick Question:

What's the biggest communication mistake you've witnessed in business?

⤵️ Share your experience below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights

There’s no “magic list” of buyer emotions.

But there is a sequence you can’t skip.

Every time someone says yes to your offer
They’ve walked an invisible emotional path to get there.

Not because you convinced them.
Because you reflected what was already true.

They were feeling something.
They saw themselves in your words.
And something clicked.

It didn’t start with logic.
It started with emotion.

Here’s what that emotional journey looks like underneath the surface:

Desire: “This matters to me.”

Resonance: “You get me.”

Belief: “This could actually work.”

Vision: “That’s what my life could look like.”

Momentum: “I don’t want to wait another day.”

That’s the runway.

Not persuasion.
Progression.

If your story, sales page, or pitch isn’t landing
Check the emotional sequence.

Are you rushing to urgency…
Before someone even believes it’s possible?

Are you pitching transformation…
Before they’ve felt seen?

Every skipped emotion is a drop-off point.
Every honored one builds trust.

Don’t just move people.
Walk with them.

Which step in the emotional journey are you most likely to skip?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication strategies

How a 30-Second Ordinary Moment

Creates Massive Engagement

Most people think great stories need big drama.
They don’t.

I used to believe “epic” moments made content compelling.
Massive wins. Huge failures. Perfectly crafted narratives.

But the posts that resonated most were never the dramatic ones.
They were the small, honest moments I almost didn’t share.

Like the awkward client call.
Or the lesson learned on a random Tuesday.
Or the quiet realization that changed how I lead my team.

You probably don't want to hear this...
Readers connect far more with relatability than spectacle.

They don’t want heroes.
They want humans.

Big stories entertain.
But simple stories connect.

The imperfect detail is what makes people trust you.
The honest moment is what makes people remember you.
The everyday struggle is what makes people engage with you.

You don’t need a dramatic arc to be compelling.
You need clarity, honesty, and a moment someone can see themselves in.

Small stories build big impact.
What “ordinary” moment taught you something recently?

Follow Mike Hays for more microstory tips

Most businesses think positioning is just marketing fluff.
(They're dead wrong)

It's the foundation of every buying decision.

But here's what they don't understand about positioning:
It's not about what you say.
It's about what your audience believes.

Facts you should know:
↳ 64% of consumers share values with brands they buy from
↳ Consistent positioning increases revenue by 23%
↳ Trust drives 88% of purchase decisions

Here's why positioning builds unshakeable loyalty:

1. Mental Real Estate

↳ You own a specific space in their mind
↳ Clear positioning eliminates confusion
↳ Customers know exactly what you deliver

2. Value Alignment

↳ Your beliefs match their worldview
↳ Creates emotional connection beyond price
↳ Transforms customers into advocates

3. Decision Shortcuts

↳ Strong positioning reduces choice paralysis
↳ Customers pick you without comparison shopping
↳ Premium pricing becomes justified

Where businesses go wrong:
Everyone has features.
Everyone has benefits.
But only positioned brands own customer minds.

Quick Question:

What position do you own in your customer's mind? Share below.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication tips

If You Think Your Question Isn't Worth Asking…

You're Missing the Biggest Growth Opportunity.

(The mindset shift that changes everything)

Everyone thinks, "My question is too basic."
But here's what I've learned after 15 years:

↳ Your "dumb" question is someone else's breakthrough.
Here's why you should ask anyway:

1. The Expertise Curse

↳ Experts forget beginner struggles
↳ Your question fills knowledge gaps
↳ Creates valuable teaching moments

2. Collective Intelligence

↳ Questions spark deeper discussions
↳ Others have the same uncertainty
↳ Community learning accelerates growth

3. Vulnerability Creates Connection

↳ Admitting confusion builds trust
↳ Shows authentic learning mindset
↳ Attracts genuine helpful responses

4. Question Quality Myth

↳ "Basic" questions often reveal fundamentals
↳ Simple inquiries expose complex issues
↳ Clarity benefits everyone involved

What you should know:
↳ Courage to ask creates breakthrough moments.
↳ Your question validates others' confusion.
↳ Silence keeps everyone stuck.

The smartest people ask the most questions.
Not because they know less.
Because they understand learning never stops.

Quick Question:

What's one question you've been afraid to ask? 
Share below and let's learn together.

Want to Be the Most Interesting Person in the Room?
Stop Trying So Hard.

(The counterintuitive truth about charisma)

Everyone wants to captivate.
But here's what actually works:

↳ Curiosity beats performance every time.

Here's why being interested beats being interesting:

1. People Remember How You Made Them Feel

↳ Not what you said about yourself
↳ Not your accomplishments
↳ But how seen and heard they felt

2. Questions Create Connection

↳ "Tell me more" builds trust
↳ Genuine curiosity disarms people
↳ Listening creates loyalty

3. Your Ego Gets in the Way

↳ Talking about yourself = transactional
↳ Learning about others = relational
↳ Relationships drive opportunities

4. Interesting People Are Collectors

↳ They collect stories, not spotlights
↳ They gather insights, not applause
↳ They build depth through others

5. The Paradox Nobody Talks About

↳ The less you try to impress
↳ The more impressive you become
↳ Authenticity always wins

The Real Secret:
↳ Stop broadcasting. Start discovering.
↳ Stop performing. Start connecting.
↳ Stop talking. Start listening.

When you walk into a room focused on understanding 
rather than being understood, everything shifts.

You become magnetic not because of what you say, 
but because of how you make others feel valued.

Quick question:

Who's the most interesting person you've ever met  
and what made them that way?

⤵️ Share your story below
Follow Mike Hays for more insights on authentic connection

She made a decision most people never do.

Did the world’s most famous coaches give her the right advice?

She stopped asking if she should leave her marriage.

And asked something much harder.

They still loved each other. That part wasn’t broken.

But the relationship?
It was stuck.

↳ No spark.
↳ No growth.
↳ Just a subtle decay
Like paint fading in slow motion.

She felt invisible in her own life.
Still loyal. Still present.
But disconnected from the woman she used to be.

She didn’t want a divorce.
She wanted her clarity back.

So she took a chance and asked for help 
from two people known for unlocking human potential.

They didn’t give her an answer.
They gave her a challenge:

What if, for the next 90 days, you led with love, not logic?

What if you stopped waiting to feel it, and became it?

Not the kind of love that feels good to give.
The kind that feels good to receive from him.

↳ Appreciation.
↳ Recognition.
↳ Presence.

Not to change him.
Not to fix anything.

But to clean the lens so she could finally 
see what was real and what wasn’t.

Long-term relationships gather dust.
Old resentments. Recycled assumptions.
Little bruises that go unspoken.

That dust clouds everything.

But clarity doesn’t come from distance.
It comes from immersion.

The question wasn’t:
"Do I stay or go?"

It was:
“Can I show up with zero agenda, total presence, 
and serve the love that’s still alive?”

This isn’t just about marriage.
It’s about ANY relationship that matters.

Whether it's a spouse, a business partner, or your own team:

* Don’t wait for change—>lead it.
* Don’t negotiate love—>demonstrate it.
* Don’t react from fear—>respond from alignment.

She didn’t find the answer.
She became the woman who could see it.

And the coaches who guided her through that?

Tony Robbins and Sage Robbins.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Show Up as Yourself 

Attracts Better Clients Than Any Polished Brand Voice.

If visibility feels like selling out, this is for you.
I used to hide behind my clients’ success instead of my own.

As a coach, I hated those polished, corporate-sounding posts.

Every draft I wrote sounded like a brand deck, not me.
So I stayed quiet and told myself silence meant integrity.

Meanwhile, louder voices defined what “leadership” looked like in my space.
Then a dream client said something that stopped me cold.
“I keep referring you, but your online presence doesn’t sound like you.”

They weren’t asking for a polished version.

They were begging for the real coach they met in sessions.

That day I made one rule for visibility.
I will show up as the room version, not the stage version.

↳ No perfect brand voice.
↳ Just the questions I actually ask clients, written in my voice.
↳ No glossy carousels.
↳ Just simple stories, real stakes, and clear invitations to reflect.

The result surprised me.

Views were smaller, but the right people started reaching out.
They quoted my messy lines, not the polished phrases.

Because leadership and coaching land when they feel human.

If you fear selling out, try this experiment for thirty days.

↳ Post as if you were recapping a session to a trusted friend.
↳ One story, one client moment, one honest insight each time.
↳ Hit publish before you smooth the interesting edges away.

Visibility is not selling out when your values hold the microphone.
What part of you are you still hiding from clients?

Follow Mike Hays for more visibility advice

Sometimes the most obvious solution is staring us in the face…

But we can't see it because we're looking too hard.

(The hiring mistake that costs us millions)

We overthink everything:
↳ The revolutionary marketing agency
↳ The perfect candidate profile
↳ The groundbreaking strategy

But here's what we miss:

What No One Wants to Admit:
↳ 73% of great hires come from internal referrals
↳ Our best marketing ideas already exist in customer feedback
↳ Winning strategies are often simple executions done consistently

Here's why we overlook the obvious:

1. Complexity Bias

↳ We assume harder = better
↳ Simple solutions feel too easy
↳ We discount what's right there

2. External Validation Trap

↳ We chase shiny new agencies
↳ Ignore our internal expertise
↳ Outsource what we already know

3. Strategy Paralysis

↳ We overcomplicate proven methods
↳ Analysis replaces action
↳ Perfect becomes the enemy of good

The Hidden Power:
Our best people are already here.
Our winning message is in our reviews.
Our strategy worked last quarter.

Quick Question:

What obvious solution have you been overlooking in your business?

⤵️ Share below

The Day I Realized the Market Wasn’t My Enemy

It Was My Mind.

Most entrepreneurs struggle with the same invisible enemy:
(And it's not competition, market conditions, or lack of resources)

False beliefs about themselves.

I know because I fought these battles:
↳ Wasn't a natural communicator
↳ Struggled with confidence
↳ Came from nothing
↳ Felt "not enough"

Here's what changed everything:

1. Evidence Collection

↳ Document every small win
↳ Track progress, not perfection
↳ Your past proves your capability

2. Reframe Your Origin

↳ "From nothing" = resourceful problem-solver
↳ Scarcity taught you efficiency
↳ Your struggle is your competitive advantage

3. Confidence Through Repetition

↳ Confidence isn't innate, it's built
↳ Every post, every conversation adds up
↳ Action creates belief, not the reverse

4. Communication as a Skill

↳ Nobody is born a great communicator
↳ Clarity beats charisma every time
↳ Practice makes you powerful

The Truth:
Your false beliefs aren't facts.
They're outdated stories you keep telling yourself.

Quick Question:

Which false belief held you back the longest?

⤵️ Share below

Thank you, Holly Moe, for helping me rewrite the story I was telling myself.

Storytelling isn’t a gift.

It’s a skill.

For years, I believed:

↳Some people are born with it.
↳Some aren’t.
↳Talent decides everything.

I thought charisma was the secret sauce.
And if you didn’t have it… tough luck.

Then one day, a coach told me something simple:

“You already tell great stories.
You just don’t notice them.”

That hit me.

I realized I was telling stories to my kids every night.
↳Small moments.
↳Tiny lessons.
↳Real emotion.

Those same stories worked flawlessly with clients.

The breakthrough wasn’t learning to be a storyteller.
It was recognizing that I was already one.

Most people think they need “better stories.”
They don’t.

↳They need to notice the stories they’re already living.
↳The awkward moments.
↳The small wins.
↳The passing conversations.
↳The doubts.
↳The tiny transformations that happen every day.

Consistent storytelling isn’t about creating bigger moments.
It’s about paying attention to the ones that already exist.

When you start seeing these moments, 
your storytelling muscle grows fast.

Repetition builds confidence.
Structure beats talent.
Authenticity beats perfection.

Your best stories are already happening.
All you have to do is notice them.

What’s one small moment from this week that taught you something?

Follow Mike Hays for more microstory advice.

Authority isn’t about confidence.

It’s about language.

We often assume people follow the loudest voice in the room.
But in real conversations, especially at work
authority shows up in much quieter ways.

I started paying attention to the people who 
consistently guided discussions.

↳ They weren’t forceful.
↳ They weren’t dramatic.
↳ They simply used intentional phrasing that changed how others responded.

And once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

Three simple shifts can instantly change 
how people perceive your authority even 
if nothing else about you changes.

1. Use words that imply direction.
Phrases like “I’d like to set the direction here…” 
or “I don’t like the direction this is heading…” 
subconsciously signal leadership.

The moment you reference direction, people look to you to guide it.

2. Frame ideas through experience.
Open with, “In the past, I’ve found…” 
or “In these situations, I prefer…”

These phrases add instant credibility
not because you’re boasting, but because 
you’re grounding your perspective in pattern recognition.

3. Set expectations clearly and calmly.
Statements like “Let’s focus on the issue at hand…” or 
“Here’s what I think we should prioritize…” 

Bring clarity to the conversation.
And clarity creates trust the foundation of authority.

None of this requires a title.
None of this requires dominance.
Authority is simply controlled direction, 
earned clarity, and consistent language.

Credit to Jefferson Fisher, whose ideas inspired this lesson.

If you want more authority, start with your words they shape the room long before your title does.

What phrase do you use to guide conversations?

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I could visualize every game as an athlete.
But in business? I couldn’t see anything.

On the field, mental rehearsal was easy.
➤ I knew the plays.
➤ I knew the opponents.
➤ Everything was predictable.

Business wasn’t.

I couldn’t “see” my customers, my market, or my next move.
And it frustrated me.

Then it clicked:

Athletes visualize what they already know.
Entrepreneurs visualize what doesn’t exist yet.

So I changed my approach.

Instead of trying to see the whole future, I visualized one thing:

• One customer with one problem
• One conversation that creates clarity
• One outcome I can actually influence
• One referral from solving that problem

That’s when visualization started working again.

Because business visualization isn’t about perfection.
It’s about specificity.

Stop trying to imagine “success.”
Start imagining the next real scenario you’ll face.

Small picture → clear action → real results.

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

Before: Brilliant but Invisible. 

After: Visible, Trusted, In-Demand.

The most talented professionals often remain invisible in their industries.

(And it's not because they lack expertise)

It's because of three limiting beliefs.

But here's what they don't realize about visibility:
It's not about ego.
It's about impact.

The Hidden Barriers:
↳ "My credentials should speak for themselves"
↳ "Good work will naturally be discovered"
↳ "Self-promotion feels arrogant"

Here's why these beliefs sabotage success:

1. The Service Reframe

↳ Sharing knowledge isn't bragging. It's helping
↳ Your expertise solves real problems for people
↳ Staying quiet deprives others of solutions

2. The Credential Trap

↳ Qualifications open doors, but stories close deals
↳ People connect with transformation, not titles
↳ Your experience matters more than your degrees

3. The Discovery Myth

↳ Exceptional work happens behind closed doors
↳ Visibility requires intentional communication
↳ Talent without promotion equals missed opportunities

The Part You Can’t Ignore:
Your expertise sitting in silence helps no one.
Your knowledge locked away serves no purpose.
But your voice sharing wisdom changes everything.

The experts who break through don't abandon humility, they channel it into service.

They understand that hiding their light isn't noble; it's selfish.

Quick Question:

What's one piece of expertise you've been keeping to yourself that could transform someone's business?

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership insights.

AI Is Your Edge. Your Only Edge.

AI tools are the ultimate differentiator in today's market.

The old way:

→ Time-consuming content creation
→ Standard competitor monitoring
→ Manual research and analysis
→ Generic product positioning
→ Reactive customer service

The new way:

→ Instant content generation
→ Smart pricing optimization
→ Proactive problem solving
→ AI-powered market insights
→ Data-driven decision making
→ Customized solution delivery
→ Intelligent workflow automation
→ Strategic positioning refinement
→ Enhanced customer experience
→ Automated personalization at scale
→ Real-time competitive intelligence
→ Predictive customer behavior analysis

AI tools transform how you compete.

→ Using AI to understand and serve customers 
better creates unmatched value and loyalty.

Business leaders confirm:

AI differentiation isn't about having the technology.

It's about applying it strategically to solve real customer problems.

The tools identify patterns and opportunities humans miss.

This creates unique advantages competitors can't easily replicate.

It's not just automation, it's about delivering superior experiences.

Companies that integrate AI thoughtfully stand out and win.

Follow Mike Hays for more business growth tips.

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