Steve Taplin

CEO at Sonatafy, AI/ML led Nearshore Software Development synced with US time zones for maximum Productivity & Collaboration | Forbes & Entrepreneur Author

I am the CEO of Sonatafy Technology, where we help CTOs and engineering leaders fix software delivery problems that slow teams down and put outcomes at risk.

Most organizations do not fail because they lack talent. They fail because delivery lacks ownership, structure, and senior technical leadership.

At Sonatafy, we focus on predictable software delivery through a combined US-based and nearshore model. Our teams operate through managed delivery pods, CTO-level consulting, and outcome-driven execution designed to clear backlogs, reduce technical debt, and restore delivery confidence.

I spend most of my time working with technology executives who are dealing with stalled roadmaps, growing backlogs, legacy modernization, DevOps bottlenecks, and distributed teams that are busy but not effective.

In addition to leading Sonatafy, I host the Software Leaders Uncensored podcast, where I have candid conversations with more than 160 software leaders about what actually works and what does not when it comes to building, scaling, and delivering software.

I am also the author of "Fail Hard, Win Big," a book grounded in real-world experience building and scaling companies, focusing on resilience, execution, and the lessons learned when things do not go according to plan. Many of the principles in the book directly apply to leadership, decision-making, and delivery inside modern software organizations.

My perspective is shaped by decades of building companies, scaling engineering teams, and learning the hard way that execution beats strategy when accountability is missing.

If you are a CTO, VP of Engineering, or technology executive looking to improve delivery outcomes without adding chaos, I am always open to thoughtful conversations.

Chief Executive Officer & Board Member

Sonatafy Technology is a premier nearshore software development services company that provides its clients with expertise in Cloud Solutions, Web and Mobile Applications, E-Commerce, Big Data, DevOps Practices, QA, IoT, and Machine Learning.   With current and past signature clients such as IBM, FOX, Cisco, TaylorMade, Caterpillar, Alcatel, and more. Sonatafy Technology helps software teams perform at their best.

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Olly Downs, CTO of Curinos, for a thoughtful conversation on what it really takes to lead technology and AI initiatives in highly regulated, high-stakes industries like banking.

We discuss:
- The evolution of AI in the banking sector and where it’s actually delivering value
- The realities of managing and scaling software engineering teams
- Why aligning technology with business outcomes is non-negotiable
- Lessons learned from failure in AI implementation
- Practical advice for tech leaders navigating uncertainty and rapid change

Olly brings a grounded, experience-driven perspective on AI adoption, cutting through hype and focusing on execution, learning, and leadership.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#Curinos
#OllyDowns
#SteveTaplin
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

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I was thrilled to be recognized by CIO Today in their “Top 100 Influential Tech Executives of 2023” list. This honor belongs to the entire Sonatafy Technology team, our partners, and clients. Our collective passion for innovation and excellence in nearshore software development has been key.

Top Dynamic and Exemplary Business Leaders to Watch, 2023

Inc 5000 - Fastest Growing Private Company in US

Steve Taplin and Sonatafy Technology win prestigious Globee Awards Gold Prize as Startup of the Year in the IT category

Globee Awards Gold Prize | Startup of the Year in the IT category

Entrepreneur Leadership Network

Forbes Technology Council Member

Received for recognition of hard work, dedication, perseverance and for demonstrating leadership and achievement in their occupation, industry or profession.

The Global Directory "Who's Who" Honors

Annually Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine recognizes those individuals and businesses demonstrating vision, understanding, and a plan to bring investment services and products to the real estate market.

2012 Top 50 Real Estate Investment Opinion Makers & Market Leaders

“IBM Executive Development Program” an honor awarded to less than 1% of the 400,000+ person work force.

"Outstanding Effort Award" and nominated to the prestigious "IBM Executive Development Program"

Steve has received numerous awards for Collaboration, Solution Development, Teamwork, Service/Delivery Excellence, as well as one of the Best Fest (Top 1% IBM Performer) Award recipients.

"Best-Fest Award"  & "General Managers Teaming Award"

IBM issues this award to a select group of employees when they receive the highest scores for customer support, customer leadership, and customer satisfaction from at least 3 different clients in a calendar year. 

IBM "Customer Satisfaction" Award

Received MBA while working full time at IBM as a Top Sales Leader.  

During MBA, became a published author on Serial Entrepreneurship / Leadership.  The book, "Entrepreneurship:  The Way Ahead" offers insights and perspectives on entrepreneurship and effective leadership styles from the foremost academic and professional leaders in the field.  

Frequent Host, Guest and/or Featured Speaker at numerous business, sales, leadership, financial and investment seminars with 5K+ attendees

Radio platform was used to build credibility, increase exposure and to create business leads for TAPCO Private Equity Firm.  Stopped radio shows in 2012 when began engaging in public securities offerings.  

Radio show host for Business, Sales, Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Investment Radio Shows with 1M+ listeners in Arizona and California

CEO, Sonatafy | Scaling Engineering Teams w/ Senior LATAM Talent | Host, Software Leaders UNCENSORED | 30 Startups: 10 Wins, 20 Bruises | Forbes & Entrepreneur Contributor

If you’re a CTO, CIO, or tech leader under pressure to deliver software faster, adopt AI, or scale a high-performing engineering team—without blowing your budget—I can help.

I’m the CEO of Sonatafy Technology, where we help software companies scale with nearshore engineering teams from LATAM that work in your time zone, speak your language, and move as fast as you do.

Over the years, I’ve started 30+ companies—with 20 failures and 10 wins—and that ratio has been my best teacher. I’ve learned what really matters:
➤ Building teams that trust each other
➤ Setting high expectations without burning out talent
➤ Using AI, automation, and smart process design to unlock 10x results

I write for Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine on leadership, software strategy, and company culture. My focus is helping other executives lead with clarity, make bold tech bets, and avoid the expensive mistakes I’ve already made (the hard way).

Let’s connect if:
➤ You need a fresh approach to engineering velocity
➤ You’re curious about nearshore but want a trusted partner
➤ Or you just want to trade stories from the startup trenches

➤ Learn more at sonatafy.com or DM me.

Sonatafy Technology will identify, acquire and deploy highly-qualified Nearshore Software Developers for your business.

Nearshore Software Developers - Sonatafy Technology

Assist local, state and federal officials with technical analysis / investigation of cyber bullying events involving children.

Fundraising and support of school events.

CEO, Sonatafy Technology, Helping CTOs Fix Software Delivery, Backlogs, and Execution Risk | Host of Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast | Best-Selling Author, Fail Hard, Win Big | Forbes & Entrepreneur Contributor

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Charity Majors, CTO and co-founder of honeycomb.io, for a candid conversation about building startups, scaling engineering teams, and what modern software leadership really requires.

We talk about:
- Charity’s journey through the tech industry and startup life
- Why observability is foundational to high-performing engineering teams
- Leading distributed teams in a fast-moving environment
- Embracing AI without losing engineering discipline
- Lessons learned as a woman building and leading in a male-dominated field
- Why supportive culture and learning from failure are non-negotiable

Charity brings clarity, honesty, and hard-won experience to a conversation every engineering leader and founder should hear.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#Honeycomb
#CharityMajors
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Check out a new episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast! This time, I sat down with Ajay Chankramath, Founder & CEO of Platformetrics, author of “Effective Platform Engineering,” and a former CTO turned entrepreneur who’s redefining how companies approach digital transformation.

Ajay has led platform and engineering transformations for some of the world’s biggest enterprises, and now he’s helping organizations rethink their developer experience, platform strategy, and AI integration from the ground up.

💡 In this episode, Ajay shared:
• How Platformetrics is transforming the consulting model, shifting from people-heavy projects to solution-first engagements built on proven frameworks and enablement.
• Why the biggest productivity gap isn’t tools; it’s clarity.
• How his product, Portal IQ, helps companies select the right developer portal tools using AI, not hype.
• How Portal IQ maps over 20 key criteria, from service catalogs to RBAC integrations, to recommend personalized solutions that reduce friction and improve engineering velocity.
• Why composability and replaceability matter more than brand names: “Your platform isn’t the tool you bought; it’s the ecosystem you can evolve tomorrow.”
• His bestselling book, “Effective Platform Engineering” (Manning Publications), bridges the gap between decision-makers and practitioners, exploring how engineering platforms evolve across industries.

Ajay’s Advice for Tech Leaders: “Stop buying more tools. Tools don’t make you successful, clarity and value delivery do.”

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#Platformetrics
#AjayChankramath
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

During my conversation with Mark Sundt, CTO of Stax Payments, we discussed that AI is no longer optional; it’s the foundation of smarter, faster, and more impactful work. Leaders who adopt an “AI-first” mindset unlock efficiency, creativity, and competitive advantage across every task.

Thank you again for the great conversation on the podcast, Mark!

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#MarkSundt
#SteveTaplin
#StaxPayments
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

CEO, Sonatafy Technology | Software Delivery Done Right | Host of Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast | Best-Selling Author, Fail Hard, Win Big | Forbes & Entrepreneur Contributor

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Don Allen, CIO and CISO of Moda Operandi, Inc, for an open discussion regarding pioneering technology within one of the most dynamic and challenging industries.

We dive into:
- Don’s diverse career journey across technology and leadership roles
- What it means to serve as both CIO and CISO in today’s risk-heavy environment
- The evolving role of AI in e-commerce from opportunity to responsibility
- Lessons from private equity and operating at scale
- Why strong collaboration between tech and business is essential
- The importance of establishing clear AI policies
- How adaptability, networking, and continuous learning keep leaders ahead

Don brings a grounded, strategic perspective on balancing innovation, security, and business impact, making this a must-watch for today’s tech leaders.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#DonAllen
#SteveTaplin
#ModaOperandi
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Sean ONeil, CTO of Dasion, to unpack a career built in the trenches of healthcare technology, and the hard-earned lessons that come with it.

We dive into:
- Sean’s journey from help desk roles to CTO
- How AI and voice technology are being used for disease diagnosis
- The real challenges of leading software engineering teams
- Why empathy matters in hiring and team building
- The often-overlooked difficulty of securing funding for tech startups
- No-nonsense advice for tech leaders navigating complexity and pressure

Sean brings honesty, depth, and a grounded perspective on what it really takes to lead innovation in healthcare without the hype.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Dasion
#Podcast
#SeanO’Neil
#SteveTaplin
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Want better performance? Start by getting out of the way.

Christopher Moravec, CTO of dymaptic, and I discuss why empowering teams, rather than micromanaging them, is the actual driver of innovation and results.

Thank you again for the great conversation on the podcast, Christopher!

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#Dymaptic
#SteveTaplin
#SonatafyTechnology
#ChristopherMoravec
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Ken Pickering, a seasoned CTO and the technology leader behind Scripta Insights, a company committed to increasing transparency in drug pricing within the complex U.S. healthcare system.

We talk about:
- Ken’s career journey as a CTO and the realities of leading through constant change
- How AI is being integrated into business operations in meaningful ways
- Managing and scaling remote engineering teams
- The key traits Ken looks for when hiring engineers
- The very real impact of rising healthcare costs on families
- Why taking risks and learning from failure is essential to leadership growth

Ken brings a rare combination of technical depth, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership, making this a must-watch for anyone building technology that truly matters.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Scripta
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#KenPickering
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Samuel Clemens, CEO of Reprise, for a thoughtful conversation on entrepreneurship, product storytelling, and what it really takes to scale in today’s tech environment.

We cover:
- Samuel’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned along the way
- Why demoing software effectively is harder, and more important than ever
- How AI is being integrated into modern businesses
- The role of education in successful entrepreneurship
- The dynamics of building and leading engineering teams
- How macroeconomic forces influence product and business decisions
- Why staying deeply connected to customer needs is a non-negotiable for tech leaders

Samuel offers a practical perspective on leadership, innovation, and adapting roles in an AI-driven future, making this a must-watch for founders, product leaders, and engineers.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Reprise
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#SamClemens
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

CEO, Sonatafy-Scaling Engineering Teams w/ Senior LATAM Talent | Host, Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast | Best-Selling Author, Fail Hard, Win Big | Forbes & Entrepreneur Contributor

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Dan Zimmerman, Chief Product & Technology Officer at TreviPay, to talk about his journey from help desk engineer to executive leader, and what it takes to build and scale modern fintech platforms.

We dive into:
- Dan’s unconventional career path into leadership
- How TreviPay is innovating in the B2B payments space
- Why tightly integrating product and technology is a competitive advantage
- The challenges and opportunities AI creates for tech leaders
- Practical advice for leaders navigating rapid change and increasing complexity

Dan brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective on leadership, growth, and innovation, particularly at the intersection of product, technology, and business impact.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#TreviPay
#SteveTaplin
#DanZimmerman
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

In my conversation with William Steenbergen, Co-Founder and CTO of Federato, we discussed how many insurance practices have not kept up with modern expectations. By pinpointing inefficiencies and outdated processes, his team recognized an opportunity to implement significant changes.

Thank you again for the great conversation on the podcast, William!

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#Federato
#SteveTaplin
#WilliamSteenbergen
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

In my chat with Leonard Niebo, CIO of The Citadel, software leadership isn’t just about technology; it’s about embodying core values like honor, duty, and respect. This inspiring clip highlights how mission-driven principles can create a stronger and more meaningful workplace. It's a wonderful reminder that great code is rooted in great character.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#TheCitadel
#SteveTaplin
#LeonardNiebo
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

AI is reshaping not just how we work, but how we organize work itself.

In my conversation with Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio, we discussed how AI is impacting team structures, roles, and leadership, ultimately redefining productivity and collaboration.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Syndio
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#MariaColacurcio
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

CEO of Sonatafy Technology, Helping CTOs Fix Software Delivery, Backlogs, and Execution Risk | Host of Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast | Best-Selling Author, Fail Hard, Win Big | Forbes & Entrepreneur Contributor

AI is revolutionizing the way we teach and learn in software engineering.

In my conversation with Andy J., CTO of Stead Impact Ventures and Foundation, we discussed how AI is transforming engineering education by making code learning more adaptive, hands-on, and personalized.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#AndyJames
#SonatafyTechnology
#SteadImpactVentures
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Check out this episode of The Software Leaders UNCENSORED Podcast featuring Raj Bakhru, CFA, CISSP, GM at Datasite, to talk about his journey from hands-on developer to leading one of the most impactful AI-driven platforms in the M&A space.

We dive into:
- Raj’s career evolution from engineering to executive leadership
- Why innovation is non-negotiable in today’s tech landscape
- The real challenges and complexities of M&A-driven environments
- How AI is reshaping the future of M&A
- Lessons learned from scaling products and teams over time
- Practical advice for tech leaders navigating constant change

Raj brings a thoughtful, experience-driven perspective on leadership, AI adoption, and building technology that thrives in high-stakes environments.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Datasite
#Podcast
#RajBakhru
#SteveTaplin
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

AI in security is a double-edged sword; it can protect us, but it can also empower attackers.

In my conversation with Jeff Williams, Founder and CTO of Contrast Security, we explored how leaders must harness AI’s potential for defense while staying vigilant against the risks it introduces.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#JeffWilliams
#ContrastSecurity
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

AI is transforming the entire insurance lifecycle, from underwriting and pricing to risk monitoring and renewal.

William Steenbergen, Co-Founder & CTO of Federato, and I discussed how intelligent automation is helping insurers make faster, more accurate decisions across every stage of the policy journey.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#Federato
#SteveTaplin
#WilliamSteenbergen
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

In stablecoin infrastructure, even the smallest mistake isn’t an option; precision is everything.

Jameel Al-Aziz, CTO of Bastion, and I discussed why zero-tolerance for error is the foundation of trust, security, and long-term stability in digital finance.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Bastion
#Podcast
#SteveTaplin
#JameelAlAziz
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Agile works, until it doesn’t.

Rick Schott, Co-Founder and CTO of Routemize.com , and I discussed the hidden costs that arise when companies scale too quickly. A sharp reminder that process without purpose can become expensive, fast.

Thank you again for the great conversation on the podcast, Rick!

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#Routemize
#RickSchott
#SteveTaplin
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Bridging sales and engineering is one of the biggest unlocks for building products that customers actually want.

Matt Ryan, Founder & CTO at Kythera Labs, and I discussed why tighter alignment between these teams enables faster innovation and better business outcomes through more effective feedback.

Check the full episode in the comments!

#AI
#Podcast
#MattRyan
#SteveTaplin
#KytheraLabs
#SonatafyTechnology
#SoftwareLeadersUncensored

Helping Founders Break the $10M Ceiling | Strategy, Cash Flow & Leadership Systems | Scaling CFO

I help founders simplify scaling.

You started your business. You pushed past $1M. Now you're stuck somewhere between $3M and $10M, working harder than ever but not moving faster.

The problem isn't effort. It's complexity.

Too many priorities competing for attention. Financials that don't tell you what to do next. A team that still needs you for everything. Growth that feels like grinding instead of building.
I fix that.

I'm Cruz Gamboa, founder of Ascend Growth Ventures. I combine Scaling Up methodology with CFO-level financial clarity to help founders cut through the noise and scale with confidence.

Before this, I spent 25 years in corporate finance - including Regional CFO at GE and strategic finance leadership at GE Capital. I've seen what works at scale. Now I bring that to founders building something that matters.

I work best with CEOs in professional services, coaching, SaaS, and service-based businesses who are ready to scale profitably without burning out.

One conversation can change your trajectory: calendly.com/cruzagamboa/call-with-cruz-ascend-30min

Cruz Gamboa

Scaling isn’t about being nice.
It’s about being clean.

Clean with roles.
Clean with standards.
Clean with truth.

You don’t fire people.
You outgrow misalignment.

As the Netflix CEO puts it:

“If I wouldn’t fight to keep you, I owe you honesty—and a generous exit.”

Not because someone failed.
But because one of three things is true:
•	The role evolved faster than the person
•	The seat was wrong from the start
•	The bar moved—and the company didn’t move it back

High-performing companies don’t drag this out.
They decide early and act with dignity.

No drama.
No ego.
No moral stories.

Just:
•	Radical clarity
•	Respectful exits
•	Fair severance
•	Clean energy left behind

Dragging misalignment is the real cruelty.
Clarity is the kindness.

Scaling isn’t loyalty to individuals.
It’s loyalty to the mission, the team, and the future.

Right people.
Right seats.
Right standards.

And when someone no longer fits?
You don’t shame them.
You set them free.

If you want to scale, stop managing discomfort.
Start architecting teams.

Managers hesitate.
Leaders make room.

#scalingup #founders #growth #ceo

Most businesses don’t fail because they’re bad.

They fail because they’re trying to be someone else.

Burger King copied McDonald’s for 30 years.
Same audience.
Same positioning.
Same “family-friendly” nonsense.

And they kept losing.

Because you can’t beat the market leader
by playing their game better than them.

By 2004, Burger King was dying.
So they asked the only question that actually matters:

“Who is already buying from us?”

Not who they *wanted*.
Not who looked good in presentations.

The truth.

The answer?
Men aged 18–34.
Heavy fast-food users.
People who came back again and again.

And those customers didn’t want:

➡️ Safe
➡️ Cute
➡️ Corporate

They wanted:

➡️ Flame-grilled food
➡️ Control
➡️ Edge
➡️ Personality

So Burger King stopped pretending.

They brought back “Have It Your Way.”
Not as a slogan.
As a strategy.

They built everything around that one customer.

Marketing got bold.
Messaging got raw.
Campaigns got polarizing.

Subservient Chicken.
Whopper Freakout.

Not for everyone.
Exactly the point.

What happened next?

Same-store sales jumped.
Franchises grew.
And net income increased 2860% in three years.

That’s not a pivot.
That’s a resurrection.

Burger King didn’t beat McDonald’s.

They sidestepped them.

McDonald’s owned families.
Burger King owned young men who wanted control.

Different customer.
Different lane.
No direct competition.

Here’s the real lesson:

If you try to serve everyone,
you get ignored by everyone.

The fastest way to grow isn’t copying the leader.

It’s finding the customer they don’t care about
and building obsessively for them.

Specific beats broad.
Always.

#ceo #founder #growth

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Most businesses don’t fail from lack of effort.

They fail from listening to themselves instead of the market.

Dunkin didn’t pivot loudly.

They pivoted quietly by watching what people kept paying for. 

Then they let the data rewrite their identity.

That’s the real upgrade:
✅ Feelings → Facts
✅ Ego → Evidence
✅ deas → Income that repeats

The market is always talking.

Your sales are the language.

So here’s the uncomfortable check:
What do people come back for again and again?

And are you building more of that… or still pitching what you’re emotionally attached to?
#scalingup #CEO #founder #growth

cruzgamboadrive

patagonia-solar-llc

Your First Product Is Not Your Last

The first $5M? Brutal.
The next $5M? Still hard.
After $10M? Growth accelerates.

Here’s the scaling truth Kevin O’Leary calls out:

The first $5M is about survival. You’re learning how to deploy capital, take smart risks, and build systems that work. 

Most entrepreneurs quit here.

The next $5M? 

Execution matters. You’ve survived the grind, learned what works, and can now scale with confidence. Decisions compound. Efficiency improves. Strategy becomes your edge.

Beyond $10M? You’re playing a different game. Capital works for you, not the other way around. Systems, processes, and disciplined execution create leverage.

Lesson: 

Wealth and business scales the same way. 

Master the first phase. 
Build discipline. 
Then scale.
#scalingup #founder #growth #ceo

He was 78 years old
…when he launched a vodka brand
…with no distillery
…in an industry that laughed at him

Sidney Frank.
The man behind Grey Goose.

No product breakthrough.
No secret formula.
No startup hype.

Just one insight most people missed:
People don’t buy vodka. They buy status.

Sidney didn’t make better vodka.
He made a better story.

France on the label.
Luxury in the bottle design.
A price so high it forced belief.

While others chased volume,
he chased perception.

He didn’t market to the masses.
He placed Grey Goose in elite bars first.
When bartenders poured it,
the world followed.

He moved slowly.
Protected exclusivity.
Ignored trends.

8 years later:
➡ Grey Goose became the default “premium vodka”
➡ Competitors copied the look
➡ Bacardi paid $2.3 BILLION

No overnight success.
Just disciplined positioning.

Lesson most builders miss:
Innovation gets attention.
Positioning creates power.

Experience didn’t slow him down.
It sharpened him.

Long vision.
Clear narrative.
Unshakeable belief.

#founders #scalingup #businessstrategy #longtermthinking

Most people think Starbucks’ rewards program is about free coffee.

It isn’t.

It’s about cash flow.

Starbucks Rewards is not a loyalty perk.
It’s a prepaid deposit system.

When a customer loads money into the app, Starbucks gets paid before any coffee is made.
Accounting-wise, that money sits as deferred revenue.

But operationally?
It’s usable cash.

That’s the move.

Instead of waiting for daily transactions, Starbucks created a system where millions of customers fund operations in advance.

No interest.
No bank fees.
No dilution.
No debt.

Every preload improves:
✅ Working capital
✅ Liquidity
✅ Balance sheet strength

And Starbucks holds that cash until the customer redeems it.

Some never do.

Unused balances.
Forgotten cards.
Abandoned apps.

That “breakage” flows straight to profit.

Multiply this behavior across ~29 million users and you don’t have a rewards program anymore.

You have a deposit base.

This is why Starbucks scales so efficiently:
▶ Stores expand faster
▶ Cash flow stays predictable
▶ Capital stress stays low

They didn’t out-market competitors.
They re-engineered when money moves.

The lesson:-

Growth isn’t always about selling more.
Sometimes it’s about getting paid earlier.

Starbucks didn’t build loyalty.
They built a financial engine and wrapped it in a green apron.#ceo #scalingup #growth #ceo #founder

Most companies scale faster by cutting people.
Publix scaled stronger by owning the opposite.

95 years. Zero layoffs.
Not luck. Not culture posters.
A Scaling Up system done right.

➡ Promote from within
➡ Clear succession planning
➡ Everyone thinks like an owner
➡ Leaders built, not bought
➡ Long-term value over short-term savings

When people own the outcome, execution compounds.
When leadership is grown internally, trust scales.

This isn’t a feel-good story.
This strategy may not be your strategy. 
For Publix, It’s a people strategy that beat Walmart.

You have to find what it's true for your company. 

Scale isn’t about size.
It’s about who owns the results.

#scalingup #growth #CEO

No Layoffs?

McDonald’s didn’t win because the food was amazing.

They won because nothing was left to chance.

400°, not 375°.
2 minutes 50 seconds, not 3.
Two pickles. Always two.
Golden outside. Fluffy inside.
If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.

That’s not micromanagement.
That’s scale.

69M customers a day don’t tolerate creativity.
They tolerate consistency.

Ray Kroc didn’t build a burger company.
He built a machine that produces the same outcome, every time, anywhere in the world.

Most businesses fail because:

➡️ The standard lives in the founder’s head
➡️ Quality depends on “good people”
➡️ Execution changes with mood, energy, or talent

McDonald’s removed all three.

They turned judgment into instructions.
Talent into training.
Excellence into a checklist.

If your business needs you present to run well,
you don’t own a business.

You own a job.

Scale happens when systems are so tight that average people produce elite outcomes.

#scalingup #growth #ceo #founder

ADIDAS LOST €1.5 BILLION.
NOT TO NIKE.
NOT TO THE MARKET.
BUT TO ITS OWN BUREAUCRACY.

January 2023:
Dead Yeezy stock.
First loss since 1992.
Slow teams. Scared decisions. Broken speed.

9 months later?
Profitable. Faster. Sharper. Beating Nike.

The turnaround wasn’t magic.
It was leadership.

One CEO did 3 things most companies avoid:
→ Cut layers
→ Killed approvals
→ Simplified what already worked

No hype.
No noise.
Just speed, clarity, and conviction.

Big lesson:
You don’t lose because you’re small.
You lose because you’re slow.

Sometimes the fix isn’t more strategy.
It’s less nonsense.

#scalingup #CEO #founders #growth

ADIDAS Story

He didn’t fail for 10 years.
The market just wasn’t ready yet.

Hwang Dong-Hyuk sold his $675 laptop to buy food.
Lived with his grandmother.
Got rejected for a decade.

Studios said:

➡️ Too weird
➡️ Too violent
➡️ Not commercial
➡️ Too complex

Same script.
Same idea.
Same “no”.

Here’s the part most people miss 👇

This wasn’t a talent problem.
It was a timing + distribution problem.

He had the product early.
The market came late.

In 2018, Netflix expands globally.
Needs bold, non-safe content.
Needs local stories with global emotion.

One exec reads the script and says:
“This is exactly what we need.”

$21.4M invested.
Zero marketing push.
No homepage love.

Result?

✓ #1 in 94 countries
✓ 1.65B viewing hours
✓ $900M+ value created
✓ Best ROI in Netflix history

Scaling lesson most founders ignore:

Great ideas don’t die.
They wait.

If you’re early:
Don’t dilute the vision to get small yeses.
Build proof elsewhere.
Survive long enough to meet the right platform.

Scaling isn’t about changing your idea.

It’s about finding the right leverage.

One right distributor > 1,000 wrong pitches.

Ten years of “weird”
became a global empire.

Sometimes the world just isn’t ready yet.

Stay in the game long enough… and it will be.
#scalingup #founderstories #growth #CEO

The World Isnt Ready

Growth without cash flow is just noise. 📉
Dives deeper into why founders who master cash strategy scale faster, stay resilient, and win long term.

Full Cash Is King podcast episode premiering Friday 🚀

🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next clips—and the full conversation.

👉 Set your reminder & watch the premiere here:
https://lnkd.in/eBnXhnie

#CashIsKing #DevinSizemore #PodcastShorts #BusinessPodcast
#CashFlowManagement #ScalingBusiness #FounderMindset
#SustainableGrowth #WealthStrategy #EntrepreneurLife
#YouTubePremiere #PodcastReels

A Sony engineer watched his daughter play Nintendo in 1984 and thought “the sound on this thing is garbage.”

Ken Kutaragi secretly built a better chip and gave it to Nintendo. Sony almost fired him for it.

Then he convinced Sony to partner with Nintendo on a CD-ROM console called the “Play Station.”

June 1991. Sony announces the partnership at CES.

Next morning? Nintendo takes the same stage and dumps Sony for Philips.

Sony’s board wanted to quit gaming entirely. Called it a “toy business.”

Kutaragi stormed into the president’s office. “Are you going to be a laughing stock to Nintendo for the rest of your life?”

The president’s response: “Just do it.”

They had to exile Kutaragi’s team to Sony Music because headquarters refused to house the project.

Then Kutaragi pitched Sega on a joint console. Their board laughed: “That’s a stupid idea. Sony doesn’t know how to make hardware.”

Betrayed by Nintendo. Rejected by Sega. Nearly killed by his own company.

December 1994. PlayStation launches. 100,000 units sold day one.
At E3, Sega announced the Saturn at $399. Sony’s Steve Race walked to the mic, said “$299,” and walked off. Standing ovation.

By 1998, PlayStation was 40% of Sony’s total profit. 563 million PlayStations sold across all generations. The PS2 is still the best-selling console ever.
The prototype’s codename? “PS-X.” Everyone knew the X was a reminder of who crossed them.

Most founders think this is a story about revenge. It’s not.
Kutaragi’s biggest fight wasn’t Nintendo or Sega. It was his own organization that thought the vision was beneath them.

That’s usually the real constraint. Not your competition. The blind spots inside your own company that nobody’s willing to name.

#scalingup #founder #ceo #growth

GIANTS don’t fall overnight.
They fall one comfortable decision at a time.

They built the category.
Owned the market.
Had money, talent, and trust.

Then they did one thing wrong 👇
They stopped adapting.

Motorola. 
Intel. 
Netscape. 
Borders.

Not stupid.
Not unlucky.
Just late.

The market doesn’t punish failure.
It punishes complacency.

Scroll through this carousel if you want a reminder of one brutal truth:
➡️ Past success is not future security.
➡️ Comfort is more dangerous than competition.
➡️ If you’re not improving, someone else is preparing to replace you.

Stay hungry.
Or become a case study.
#SCALINGUP #CEO #FOUNDER #GROWTH

CRITICAL MISTAKES

Most people don’t need a new year.

They need a new operating system.

2026 won’t reward louder marketing, more hustle, or more tools.
It will reward founders who build clarity early and compound it fast.

What I’m seeing with founders between $3M–$10M is consistent:
• When financial visibility improves, decisions slow down in the right way
• Leadership shifts from reactive to intentional
• Teams stop guessing and start executing
• Growth becomes calmer, not heavier

Breakthroughs rarely come from doing more.
They come from removing noise and tightening the system.
That’s the mindset I’m taking into 2026.

Less chaos. More leverage. Fewer moves. Better ones.

If you’re also thinking about how you want to operate differently next year, I wrote a short piece on what actually creates momentum at this stage.

DM me or write "2026", and I will share the memo I wrote for my clients and friends with you.

#ceo #founder #scalingup

He refused to touch a $1.50 hot dog, and it helped build a ~$250B business.

Jim Sinegal.
Costco co-founder.

Inflation hit.
Costs rose.
Wall Street pushed the obvious move:

“Raise prices.”

Jim’s response was blunt:

“If you raise the price of the hot dog, you’re done.”

No slides.
No consultants.
No narrative gymnastics.

Just a rule.

So Costco did what most companies won’t:

They redesigned the system.
* Built their own production capacity
* Reduced supplier dependency
* Ruthlessly simplified SKUs
* Absorbed costs where trust mattered most

Instead of passing pain to customers, they owned it.

While others:
→ Blamed inflation
→ Shrunk products
→ Optimized short-term margins

Costco:
→ Held the line on iconic prices
→ Added ~5M new member households
→ Sustained ~92% renewal rates
→ Scaled to ~$250B in annual revenue

Here’s the part most founders miss:

They weren’t protecting a hot dog.

They were protecting trust.

And trust compounds faster than margins ever will.

Most companies raise prices to survive.
Strong companies redesign economics so prices don’t have to.

Boring moves.
Brutal discipline.
Unfair long-term advantage.

So what’s the one price, promise, or principle in your business that you refuse to break, no matter the pressure?

#scalingup #founders #leadership #pricing #ceo

In 1997, Jeff Bezos was stressed for all the right reasons.

Amazon was losing money.
Online retail wasn’t proven.
Most investors thought he was wrong.

Here’s the part people miss:

Stress doesn’t come from working hard.
It comes from knowing what to do and not doing it.

So Bezos acted.
Packed boxes himself.
Made the calls.
Shipped anyway.

No fancy office.
A door for a desk.
A Honda Accord in the parking lot.

Fast forward to amazon have $2.6 TRILLION market cap.

Lessons for founders:

▶️ Action kills anxiety
▶️ Clarity is earned through execution
▶️ Fancy setups don’t build big companies
▶️ Ignore opinions, obey the math
▶️ The long game compounds quietly

If something is stressing you out right now,
it’s probably your to-do list calling you out.

#scalingup #founder #ceo #growth

If everything is a priority, nothing scales.

That’s why most companies don’t stall from lack of ideas.
They stall from lack of focus.

The Power of One fixes that brutally fast.

Here’s the rule:

At every level of the business, there is ONE thing that matters more than everything else.

Not a vision board.
Not 12 KPIs.
One outcome that moves the needle now.

Company:
→ One #1 priority for the quarter that makes growth unavoidable.

Leaders:
→ One measurable result they own. No hiding. No excuses.

Teams:
→ One clear objective that directly supports the company's priority.

Individuals:
→ One commitment that, if done daily, makes execution inevitable.

Why this works (and why most won’t do it):

➡️ Focus beats intelligence
➡️ Clarity beats motivation
➡️ Ownership beats meetings
➡️ Execution beats strategy decks

Scaling isn’t about adding more people, more tools, or more plans.

It’s about removing everything that doesn’t matter
until what’s left cannot fail.

That’s the Power of One.

What is the one thing in your business that is calling for your full dedicated attention?

What are the things you are willing to pause so that you can fix it and remove the constraint?

#scaling #founders #growth #ceo

This is Why Companies Fail

Most founders do not have a growth problem.

They have a strategy stacking problem.

That is what the 7 Strata of Strategy solves.

It is a framework created by Verne Harnish to force clarity on the 7 layers that actually drive scale, profitability, and differentiation.

Not vision statements.
 Not buzzwords.
 Real strategic leverage.

What is the 7 Strata?

A practical checklist for building a strategy that compounds.

It answers one question:

“Why should the right customer choose you, pay you more, and stay longer?”

When to use it

Use the 7 Strata when:
• Revenue has stalled between $3M to $10M
 • Sales feels harder than it should
 • Margins are thin
 • Marketing sounds generic
 • The team cannot clearly explain why you win
 • You are scaling but complexity is rising faster than profit

It is especially powerful during:
• Annual planning
 • Strategy resets
 • Go-to-market changes
 • Repositioning
 • Pre-scale phase

What each Stratum means

Words You Own
 The category in the customer’s mind.
 If you do not define it, the market will.

Sandbox
 Who you serve and where you win.
 Focus creates power.

Brand Promise
 The measurable result customers can expect.

Brand Promise Guarantee
 How you reduce risk and increase trust.

Differentiating Activities (3 to 5)
 What you do differently that competitors cannot easily copy.

X-Factor
 Your 10x to 100x structural advantage.
 Process, data, network, cost, or ecosystem.

Profit per X + BHAG
 Your economic engine and long-term target.

This is where strategy meets money.

Why 7 Strata?

Because advantage is layered.

Most companies operate with 2 or 3 layers.

Strong companies stack all 7.

Each layer multiplies the others:

Positioning
 → Focus
 → Trust
 → Differentiation
 → Structural advantage
 → Profit engine
 → Long-term dominance

Miss one, and growth leaks.

The founder truth

If your strategy cannot be explained on one page, it cannot scale.

Clarity is not a branding exercise.
 It is a profit lever.

If you are operating between $3M to $10M and growth feels heavier every year, your next breakthrough is probably not more hustle.

It is a sharper stack.

If you want, I can share the worksheet I use with founders to map this in under 60 minutes.

Just DM SEVEN

#scaling #growth #CEO #founder

Cash flow isn’t optional—it’s the #1 rule behind sustainable business growth 💸
In this episode, Devin Sizemore breaks down how smart cash strategy fuels scale, stability, and long-term success.

Full podcast episode premiering 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝟳𝗔𝗠 𝗘𝗦𝗧 🚀

🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next reels and the full episode.

👉 Set your reminder & watch the premiere here:
https://lnkd.in/eBnXhnie

#CashIsKing #DevinSizemore #BusinessPodcast #PodcastReels
#CashFlow #EntrepreneurMindset #ScalingBusiness #FounderTalk
#SustainableGrowth #WealthStrategy #StartupGrowth

Most founders brag about revenue.

That’s a mistake.

I’ve seen companies doing millions a year…
and the owner is still stressed, still stuck, still one bad month away from panic.

Why?

Because revenue doesn’t buy freedom.
Profit does.

More revenue without profit just gives you:

• More people
• More complexity
• More risk
• Same lifestyle

That’s not growth.
That’s leverage working against you.

Here’s the truth:

Growth does not start with selling more.
It starts with a profitable system.

There are only 3 levers that matter:

1. Price – Are you charging what it’s worth?

2. Volume – Are these the right customers?

3. Cost – Are you efficient without breaking delivery?

Everything else is noise.

Fix those three, and profit shows up.

Profit gives you:

➡️ Margin for mistakes
➡️ Proof the model works
➡️ Room to breathe

Profit turns into cash.

Cash pays the team.
Cash pays you.
Cash funds growth without stress.

Then you reinvest:
Better people.
Better systems.
Better clients.

That feeds the engine.

The engine creates more profit.

And now growth funds itself.

Stop asking:
❌ “How do we get more revenue?”

Start asking:
✅ “How do we make this system more profitable?”

Revenue is movement.
Profit is power.

If your business feels fragile, it’s because it is.

Fix the system.
The money follows.

Are you focused on more revenues or more profit in your business?  What would your business look like if you had more profit with the same amount of revenue?

#scalingup #growth #Ceo #founder

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