Jumping In Without a Net: Why Acting On Instinct Sometimes Works Out

I’ll be honest, some of the most important moves in my career started off as pure leaps of faith. I think most business folks have at least one “I have no idea what I’m getting into” story. For me, it was signing up to help with Boy Scouts when my son was just a little guy. I thought I’d be tying a few knots and handing out juice boxes and somehow ended up with almost two decades of adventure, friendships, and a ton of lessons learned.

Kim blew me away with her story about buying a piece of land just because it “felt like a good spot for a Dairy Queen.” No deep market research, no fancy spreadsheets, just a good hunch. Turns out, it was a home run. Biggest volume store we’ve got, all because she trusted her gut.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should always fly blind. Sometimes charging ahead too fast has landed us neck-deep in trouble. But it’s wild how many times instinct can lead you to the right place, if you’re willing to roll those dice.

From Solo Voices to Team Huddles: How Decision-Making Slows Down (and Gets Better)

Back in the day, making decisions in our family business was fast and sometimes, honestly, a little reckless. When we started, it was just me, Tom, Kim, and Shirley bouncing ideas around. If we agreed, boom, action. If not, maybe a quick debate, but not much analysis paralysis.

But as the years piled up and our teams grew, the process changed. Suddenly, we’ve got a management team, a district manager, friends outside the family, kids chiming in with totally different perspectives, sometimes ideas I’d never dream up. Kim especially, who said she used her husband, kids, friends, and even former corporate types as sounding boards now. It’s kind of wild how big that circle has become.

Does it slow things down? Absolutely. There are days when I’d pay cash to make a call and move. But the upside is you get a wider view, more buy-in, and you avoid some of those “oops, didn’t see that coming” moments. You can go fast alone, sure, but you go far together.

Mistakes, Regrets, and Lessons Learned Along the Way

We’ve all stumbled by moving too slow or too quick. I think about missed hires because we weren’t decisive and, on the flip side, all the times we wound up digging ourselves into a hole by blazing ahead before we’d thought things through. The best rule I’ve found? If you’re in a hole, stop digging. Simple, but true.

It’s about getting good at knowing when to tap the brakes, when to pivot, and, like Tom pointed out, not ignoring that younger generation. They’re closer to the day-to-day customer experience and see things we sometimes miss. With new tech, the internet, and even AI on the horizon, you can’t afford to get stuck in your old ways.

Advice for New, Old, and In-Between Family Businesses

If you’re just starting out, buckle up, those first couple years are wild, and frankly, a little scary. Stick with it, lean on whoever’s in your corner, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Once you hit that five or ten year mark, broaden your support network. Use the internet, but don’t ignore calls to your banker or accountant. The best advice can come from unexpected places.

If you’ve been around decades? Start letting the next generation and your team carry some of the load. Guide, listen, and, if you can, try not to micromanage every move. Enjoy seeing the business grow beyond just your own ideas.

One Day at a Time

Family business is like raising a kid - it’s messy, unpredictable, and changes every year. Our decision-making used to be lightning fast; now it’s more like a group hike. It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t trade the lessons and laughs for anything.

If you want to share your own family business story, we’d seriously love to hear it - reach out to brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com and maybe join us for a future episode. Until then, keep making the best choices you can (and don’t be afraid of a little leap of faith).

Listen to the full episode 79 right here and make sure to check out our other blogs for more business details!