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Entrepreneur
12-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
6 Steps That Helped Me Lead Through Three Global Crises
Feeling afraid is natural. But feeling afraid every day? That's not sustainable, especially for entrepreneurs. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In 2000, I was head of the first fintech in Mexico, Finanzas Web. A company so innovative that we survived the market collapse when the dot-com bubble burst because we had capital reserves and a clear execution plan. In 2008, the Great Recession hit, and I was in the eye of the hurricane with a business specializing in mortgages for the Hispanic market. When the bank cut our lending overnight, I lost the company and was left with $1 million in personal debt. Third time's the charm, right? In 2020, amid COVID, my current company, Growth Institute, was prepared. We doubled revenue and made the Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year. We came out stronger than ever. Same CEO. Same world. Different outcomes. So, what changed? Better systems, deeper awareness and a disciplined mindset. Related: Fear Can Hold Us Back – But It Can Also Drive Us Forward. Here's How to Turn Fear Into Fuel. Step 1: Name the fear The first step in managing fear is naming it. Psychologists Justin Milano and Dan Cordaro emphasize that high-performing entrepreneurs don't deny fear — they study it. When fear arises, don't suppress it. Ask: What's the fear? Where do I feel it in my body? Is it rooted in a real threat or in a future that may never happen? Anxiety often stems from mental loops rather than concrete facts. For instance: "What if we run out of cash?" or "What if the product fails?" These fears narrow your thinking, reducing your ability to problem-solve. When you label the fear, you reclaim power over it. Step 2: Shift the lens Fear signals potential loss. But what if it's pointing to opportunity? Milano and Cordaro outline three common fear mindsets: Scarcity: Believing there's never enough. Aversion: Resisting reality as it is. Unworthiness: Feeling inadequate. The moment you shift from "What might I lose?" to "What could I gain?" you take back control. Related: 3 Steps to Overcome the Fear of Uncertainty and Daily Stress Step 3: Build systems before the storm Jim Collins coined the term Return on Luck, which he defines as the ability to turn unexpected events—good or bad — into momentum for scaling. And here's the key insight: successful and unsuccessful companies receive the same amount of luck. The difference is in what they do with it. How to increase your Return on Luck: Stay alert: Opportunities rarely look like opportunities at first. Act with discipline: Minimize emotions. Rely on data and strategy. Learn fast: Every crisis brings a lesson. Are you listening? Be consistent: Don't change course with every breeze. Discipline sets you free. ROL allowed my companies to collapse or scale, depending on our preparedness. So ask yourself: Do we have a system for cash flow management? Do we have KPIs we monitor weekly? Can our team execute without micromanagement? Luck is unpredictable — but your response to it isn't. Adopting a disciplined mindset can turn uncertainty into growth and lasting success. Train for chaos before it arrives. Step 4: Tighten your execution disciplines In times of uncertainty, operational discipline becomes your safety net. Think of your business like a car. Without a dashboard — clear KPIs, priorities and communication rhythms — you're driving blind. Go back to the basics: Define your top priorities. Hold daily and weekly huddles to maintain alignment. Make your metrics visible and reviewed consistently. Beyond the mechanics, reinforce your company's strategy and values in every meeting. Be vocal. Be repetitive. Leadership means becoming a constant messenger of your vision. And don't just trust your gut. Use data. In uncertain markets, instinct can be misleading. Stay alert to trends, benchmark your performance, and course-correct early. Finally, empower your team. Give clear direction, then step back. Agility comes from confident, decentralized execution, not from micromanagement. Related: Leading With Transparency in Times of Uncertainty Step 5. Lead with transparency and strategy In crisis, communication becomes your most powerful tool. It's not enough to have a strategy. You must communicate it clearly and consistently. That means: Articulating your vision in simple, repeatable terms Listening to your team's concerns without judgment Staying transparent during tough calls Leadership is not about having all the answers but showing the path forward. Step 6: Negotiate like a pro During economic instability, one of the most overlooked levers is your supplier relationships. While most CEOs rush to cut headcount or pause marketing, the smart ones call their vendors. Consider this approach: "Like you, we're feeling the pressure. Let's revisit our agreement and find a win-win." You might be surprised how flexible suppliers become when the relationship is strong. Here are quick wins to explore: Extended payment terms Lower minimum commitments Locked-in pricing for more extended periods Proactive negotiation in times of uncertainty isn't a risk. It's strategic leadership. You can't eliminate fear, but you can lead through it Fear doesn't disappear as you scale; it evolves. However, so can your strategies and resilience. The best entrepreneurs don't wait for confidence to act. They act their way into confidence. As someone who's experienced three major crises and emerged stronger on the other side, my advice is this: Don't try to outrun fear. Make it your ally.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Disrupting the Status Quo: How Platinum Realty Became Kansas City's #1 Office and a Midwest Power Brokerage
By doing things differently, Platinum Realty created an innovative brokerage and agent-first environment where agents and their clients win KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Realty was born by a bold vision, but its unwavering commitment to its agents has defined its success as Kansas City's largest residential real estate office by transaction count. As it celebrates its 20th anniversary milestone, Platinum Realty stands as undeniable proof that the flat-fee agent compensation model not only works — it thrives. Once dismissed by naysayers, this disruptive model has shattered outdated notions by bucking the status quo. In 2005, Platinum Realty pioneered the flat-fee agent compensation model, enabling agents to keep what they earn and meet clients' needs more efficiently than their competitors. It quickly gained a secure foothold in the Midwest. Fast-forward to today: the firm boasts 2,400 agents, 13 offices, operates in five states and seven markets and is a ten-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company. United Real Estate President Rick Haase explains how full-service support is possible within the firm's business model. 'Platinum Realty was built on three pillars of success: scale, excellence and efficiency. These powerful drivers have made it a standout performer, laser-focused on equipping agents to win in today's ever-evolving real estate market. Early on, critics claimed the 100% agent compensation model couldn't generate enough scale to sustain operations. We've proven them wrong. By leveraging scale, smart technology development and purchases and by slashing inefficiencies, we've built a model that delivers unmatched value and real results for agents and clients.' Growth continues. A year-over-year transaction growth of 10% and a 13% jump in sales volume reflect the ongoing achievements of its agents, despite the most sluggish real estate market in decades. The Platinum Realty team keeps a laser focus on its comprehensive support system, introducing industry-leading innovations that benefit agents and clients. It has become the firm's hallmark and source of an ever-growing agent base. Platinum's support platform is robust, flexible and designed to give agents everything they need without paying for tools they don't want. From hands-on staff support and cutting-edge marketing to sleek office spaces and a tech-forward approach, it's a turnkey system that fuels success. Platinum Realty Director of Growth and Market Development, Rob Hill, explains how their agent-first approach drives loyalty. 'We do things differently because agents have decided they no longer wish to be treated as employees. That's evident in our growth and retention. They come to Platinum Realty to run a real estate business and enjoy industry-leading technology, systems, tools, training and support without the profit-depleting commission splits and unnecessary fees. Our approach to supporting agents is simple, personal, practical and empowering. Agents come here to build something real — and they stay because they know they are supported and backed every step of the way.' And there's more good news. The National Association of REALTORS® predicts Kansas City to be a top 10 real estate market in 2025. Thanks to its strong affordability and opportunity, Platinum agents are perfectly positioned to seize the moment and surge ahead. About Platinum Realty Founded in 2005, Platinum Realty was conceived as a brokerage unlike any other – the name 'Platinum' was chosen to reflect its quality and rarity. Designed by an agent for agents, Platinum Realty is a ten-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private U.S. company and is a member of United Real Estate's national network. It is a market share leader and one of the largest independent residential brokerages in the Midwest with over 2,400 agents in thirteen offices serving five states and seven major markets. Learn more about careers at Platinum Realty. About United Real Estate United Real Estate (United) – a division of United Real Estate Group – was founded with the purpose of offering solutions to real estate brokers and agents in the rapidly changing real estate brokerage industry. United provides the latest training, marketing and technology tools to agents and brokers under a flat-fee, transaction-based agent commission model. By leveraging the company's proprietary cloud-based Bullseye™ Agent & Broker Productivity Platform, United delivers a more profitable outcome for agents and brokers. United Real Estate operates in 35 states with 170 offices and more than 22,000 agents. The company produced over 73,000 transactions and $26.3 billion in sales volume in 2024. Media Contact: April Gonzalez Media & Investor Relations [email protected] 504-237-3500 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE United Real Estate
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Zoom Room Taps Don Allen to Lead Franchise Operations Innovation in 2025
Dog Training Brand Committed to Enhancing Experience of Franchisees, Customers for Sustainable Growth LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoom Room, the venture-backed, revolutionary indoor dog training gym, has named Don Allen as the brand's new Vice President of Operations. In his new role, Allen will spearhead the company's operations and pave the way for sustained growth and achievement across the national franchise system. Allen brings more than three decades of franchise operations experience, having excelled on both the franchisor and franchisee side of several premier health and wellness brands. He got his start in franchising with Orangetheory Fitness, where he served as CEO of an area developer group in Florida. Allen personally built eight franchise locations from the ground up and helped develop 20 additional units before the group was sold to private equity. During this time, Allen was responsible for increasing net income by 700 percent over five years. Allen also recently built out 32 fitness franchises of another notable fitness brand and is an investor and area developer with KidStrong, a child development training center franchise. 'I see a lot of similarities between Zoom Room and Orangetheory in terms of their commitment to excellence and unique market position,' said Allen. 'I am excited to join a brand that has created something truly distinctive in the pet training space.' 'Don's experience and passion will be invaluable as we concentrate on elevating the success of our franchisees and solidifying Zoom Room's position as a leader in the pet industry,' said Zoom Room CEO Mark Van Wye. This month, Zoom Room was ranked No. 220 on the coveted Entrepreneur magazine's 2025 Franchise 500® list, highlighting the brand's exceptional performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability and brand power. The ranking marks a 330 percent jump up the list for Zoom Room in just three years. Zoom Room continues its growth trajectory across the country through expansion into new markets and with multi-unit franchisees who are eager to build businesses within their communities that serve as a hub for dog socialization. To learn more about Zoom Room and its franchising opportunities, please visit About Zoom Room Established in 2007, Zoom Room® is a venture-backed and revolutionary indoor dog training gym, recently recognized as one of the Top 40 fastest-growing consumer service brands in the United States per the Inc 5000 list. Zoom Room's mission is to deepen the bond and communication between dogs and their human companions through its focus on socialization, positive reinforcement, human education, and interactive learning. Accolades include rankings on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list and their esteemed list of Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They are also the authors of the best-selling dog training book, Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps and Ultimate Puppy Training for Kids. Committed to social responsibility, Zoom Room celebrates responsible pet owners and actively collaborates with animal rescue and welfare organizations at both local and national levels. Discover more about how Zoom Room is redefining the pet industry at
