Today was a turning point. Not because something broke—but because something is finally starting to bend the way it should.
It started with a simple Zoom call.
A Spanish lawyer named José—funny, kind, confident—walked me through the Digital Nomad Visa process. He’s helping my family extend our stay in Spain this fall, where we hope to continue supporting a Montessori school and serve in a way that aligns with our bigger mission.
But then came the reminder: Spain is slow. Bureaucratic. Dysfunctional in that almost comedic, charming Mediterranean way.
He told me, “The paperwork is easy. The process is… not.”
That’s bureaucracy.
That’s government.
That’s what I fear Canada is becoming.
That’s what Spain already is.
But I’m still moving forward.
Because this story isn’t about perfect systems.
It’s about building something better in the spaces where people still care.
The Real Lesson of the Day: Letting Go to Grow
Back home, my business is doubling in size.
Revenue’s climbing fast.
So is the complexity.
And today, I had one of those conversations with two of my longest-tenured team members. They've been around longer than I’ve owned the company. They're sharp. Loyal. Hungry.
And they’re stressed.
Because when you double revenue, you don’t just double opportunity.
You double:
- The decisions
- The tension
- The risk of breaking what’s already working
The conversation was honest. Tense at times. But necessary.
They needed to hear that I’m not here to squeeze more out of the system.
I’m here to support it.
To patch holes.
To get out of the way when needed.
To step in only when I must.
Control Is the Drug of Founders
And I’ve had my hit.
Control feels safe. Clean. Satisfying.
But it’s a lie.
If you want to build something that outlives you—you have to let go before you’re ready.
That’s what I’m doing now. I’ve written code this week to fill in some of our system gaps. We’re hiring smart. We’re building process.
But I’m also reminding myself:
If I stay in the center of every decision, I become the bottleneck.
What It Means to Be a Real Leader
I’ve been guilty of pushing people into roles too early.
Of wanting their growth more than they do.
Of inserting myself too much, too often.
But I’m learning to lead differently now.
Leadership means:
- Holding the burden of uncertainty so your team doesn’t have to
- Anticipating the breaks before they happen
- Building systems that don’t need you—but still reflect you
- Listening, even when you want to talk
And above all: being the least stressed person in the room.
Because stress trickles down. So does trust.
From Control to Culture
What I’m most proud of isn’t our numbers. It’s our culture.
We’re building a place where:
- No one points fingers
- Everyone owns the outcome
- Ego takes a backseat to service
- People don’t just survive the day—they find meaning in it
And when someone messes up, they don’t hide.
They lean in.
Because they know I’ll do the same.
This Isn’t a Fairy Tale. It’s a War Zone That Feels Like Home.
Let me be clear: none of this is easy.
The next few months are going to be gnarly.
We’re growing. Fast.
And growth always breaks things before it builds them.
But I’ve been through worse.
I’ve had sleepless nights. Payroll panic. That pit-in-your-stomach dread.
And I don’t need to live like that anymore.
I’ve got perspective.
And faith.
And a team that’s worth all of it.
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