21 Principles of the Top 0.1% Of Business Owners

There’s no magic secret to success. No overnight hack, no one-size-fits-all blueprint.

Most people work hard. They put in the hours, grind through challenges, and push themselves every day—yet they never break into the top 0.1%.

Not because they aren’t smart enough. Not because they don’t work hard enough. But because they lack a framework.

The top 0.1% don’t get there because they stumbled on some hidden knowledge—they get there because they do the small things right, over and over again.

They operate with discipline, consistency, and a relentless focus on execution. It’s not about one big move.

It’s about stacking tiny advantages, refining systems, and making better decisions every single day.

Most people look for shortcuts. The top performers build habits.

This isn’t a list of tricks—it’s a framework for thinking, working, and improving.

These 21 principles are what separate the best from everyone else. Let’s get into it.

Decision Making & Mindset

Warren Buffett’s Rule: “The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.”

Success at the highest level isn’t just about working harder—it’s about thinking better. The top 0.1% operate with a different mental framework. They don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis, chase quick wins at the expense of long-term success, or let ideas sit idle without execution.

They make decisions fast, cut through assumptions, and focus on compounding progress. Their mindset isn’t reactive—it’s intentional, strategic, and built for sustained dominance.

Here are four core principles that define how they think and operate.

Speed Over Perfection

The top 0.1% understand that speed wins. While others hesitate, overanalyze, and try to make every decision perfect, the ultra-successful move quickly, knowing they can adjust along the way.

Perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise. Every delay is an opportunity lost, every hesitation a step backward. The best don’t wait for ideal conditions—they take action, gather real-world feedback, and refine as they go.

I’ve sent out direct mail with typos. I’ve launched new systems in my business that weren’t fully fleshed out. And guess what? It didn’t matter. The mail still got responses. The systems still improved efficiency. Because in the real world, execution beats theory every time. You don’t need perfect—just movement. Business, markets, and opportunities move fast. If you aren’t making decisions at speed, you’re already falling behind.

First Principles Thinking

Most people try to fix problems by tweaking what already exists. They put out fires, patch up weak spots, and work around limitations—never questioning if the entire system is flawed to begin with.

The top 0.1% think differently. They strip problems down to their core truths, removing assumptions and conventional wisdom. Instead of asking, “How can we improve this?” they ask, “If we were starting from scratch, what’s the best way to solve this?”

I’ve made this mistake before—trying to optimize broken systems instead of rebuilding them the right way. The moment I started applying first principles thinking, everything changed. Instead of fixing symptoms, I started fixing the root problem. It’s harder upfront but saves 10x the effort down the road.

Stop looking for band-aid solutions. Question everything. Rebuild from the ground up.

Long-Term Over Short-Term

The ultra-successful don’t make decisions based on what’s easiest today—they play the long game. While others chase quick wins, they build systems, investments, and skills that compound over time.

When we opened our second BBQ restaurant, we almost made a costly short-term decision. Right up until the last moment, we planned to have someone build a replica of the smoker we already had. It was old, had no moving parts, and took people six months to learn. It worked, but it wasn’t scalable.

Instead, we made the tough call to buy a new smoker that was three times the cost. The difference? It only took six days to train someone on it. That one decision saved us years of headaches, labor costs, and operational friction.

Playing the long game isn’t always comfortable—it often requires bigger investments, more patience, and resisting the urge to take shortcuts. But in the end, it’s what separates those who struggle from those who scale.

Relentless Execution

Ideas are worthless without action. Everyone has great ideas, but only a small percentage of people actually execute on them. The top 0.1% don’t just think—they do. Relentlessly.

When I first came back to help grow the family business, we had no concept of marketing. I started reading everything I could, and the more I learned, the more ideas I wanted to implement. It was overwhelming.

So I took a step back and focused on one thing at a time. Sometimes it took a month, sometimes three—but I kept executing. No matter what, I kept moving forward. That consistency is what created momentum and, eventually, real results.

Most people get stuck in idea mode, waiting for the perfect plan. But action creates clarity. Execution, even when it’s messy, is always better than standing still.

Productivity & Leverage

Naval Ravikant: The leverage of code, media, and capital means the best people don’t just work harder—they work smarter.

As we scaled our restaurants, I had to juggle multiple roles—marketing, operations, hiring, and everything in between. There was no way to keep up by just working harder. The only way forward was to create leverage.

I leaned on tools, technology, and systems to multiply my impact. Instead of trying to personally manage every detail, I built processes that made execution automatic. Instead of working more hours, I focused on high-value tasks and delegated everything else.

The ultra-successful don’t rely on willpower or brute force—they engineer environments that make productivity effortless. Here are four key principles they use to maximize output without burning out.

80/20 Rule Mastery

Not all effort is equal. The top 0.1% understand that 80% of their results come from just 20% of their actions. Instead of spreading themselves thin, they focus on the few things that truly move the needle.

We applied this principle in our restaurants to maximize efficiency and profitability. When refining our menu, we cut items that didn’t sell well and doubled down on the ones that did. Instead of trying to please everyone, we focused on delivering what our best customers loved.

We took the same approach with promotions. Rather than offering random discounts, we created high-value offers specifically for our most loyal fans—like selling BBQ for Life memberships for $5,000. It wasn’t for everyone, but for the right customers, it was a no-brainer.

And when it came to marketing, we ignored distractions and focused on what actually mattered: building a customer database. Instead of chasing one-time sales, we built long-term relationships that kept people coming back.

The difference between spinning your wheels and making real progress? Ruthlessly prioritizing the 20% of actions that drive 80% of results.

How to Apply the 80/20 Rule

Most people stay busy with low-value tasks, mistaking effort for progress. The ultra-successful do the opposite: they identify what truly drives results and eliminate everything else. Here’s how you can apply the 80/20 rule in your business and life:

1. Audit Your Efforts – Look at everything you’re doing and ask: What are the 20% of tasks, customers, or products generating 80% of my results? For us, a small percentage of menu items accounted for the majority of our sales, so we cut the underperformers and streamlined operations.
2. Double Down on What Works – Once you identify your high-leverage activities, put more resources behind them. We saw that our most loyal customers drove repeat business, so we created high-value offers like BBQ for Life to strengthen those relationships instead of chasing new, unproven promotions.
3. Eliminate or Outsource the Rest – If something isn’t significantly contributing to your bottom line, either stop doing it or delegate it. We stopped wasting marketing dollars on broad, unfocused ads and put all our effort into growing our customer database—because that’s what actually generated long-term sales.
4. Keep Refining – The 80/20 rule isn’t a one-time exercise. As you scale, the 20% that matters will shift. Regularly reassess where your biggest wins are coming from and adjust your focus accordingly.

Time, energy, and resources are limited. The key isn’t doing more—it’s doing more of what matters.

Systemization Beats Willpower

Willpower is unreliable. People forget, get distracted, or make mistakes—especially when juggling a million things at once. The top 0.1% don’t rely on memory or discipline to get things done. They build systems that make execution automatic.

In our restaurants, we always had $20,000–$40,000 in receivables from catering events at any given time. It was critical that we invoiced customers who hadn’t paid, or we’d be leaving serious money on the table. But after our bookkeeper missed a few invoices, I knew we needed a better system.

Instead of hoping she would remember, I built a process that forced her to double-check her work. Every unpaid order was logged, reviewed, and flagged for follow-up. The system made it almost impossible to miss an invoice.

This is the power of systemization—when something is too important to leave to chance, you don’t rely on people remembering. You build a process that ensures it happens every time.

The ultra-successful don’t try harder—they make success inevitable by designing systems that remove human error from the equation.

The Power of Systemization

Most people think they just need to be more disciplined to get things done. But discipline fades. People get tired, distracted, or overwhelmed. The top 0.1% understand that the key to consistency isn’t willpower—it’s building systems that make execution automatic.

A well-built system ensures that tasks happen every single time, without relying on memory or motivation. It removes decision fatigue, reduces errors, and creates predictable results. The best part? Once a system is in place, it frees up your time and mental energy to focus on bigger things.

How to Build Systems That Work

1. Identify Repetitive Tasks – Anything that happens regularly in your business or life should have a system. Invoicing, customer follow-ups, marketing campaigns—if it’s important and recurring, it needs structure.
2. Eliminate Single Points of Failure – If a critical task depends on one person remembering to do it, it’s a weak link. Build a process that forces double-checks, automated reminders, or accountability checkpoints.
3. Document the Process – A system is only as good as its clarity. Write out step-by-step instructions, checklists, or templates so that anyone could execute it, not just the person who created it.
4. Automate Where Possible – Use tools and technology to remove manual effort. Whether it’s invoicing, scheduling, or follow-ups, automation reduces mistakes and ensures consistency.
5. Refine & Improve – No system is perfect from day one. Track performance, get feedback, and make adjustments to make it even more efficient.

The ultra-successful don’t waste time putting out the same fires over and over. They build systems once and let them run, so they can focus on what actually moves the needle.

Time Leverage

The biggest bottleneck in any business is usually the owner. Most entrepreneurs try to do everything themselves, thinking that if they can do a task, they should do it. But the top 0.1% know that real growth comes from leveraging time—not hoarding tasks.

When we first started scaling, I thought that because I had a CPA license, I needed to be the bookkeeper. It seemed logical—I was qualified, and I wanted things done right. But in reality, I was just holding the business back.

Spending hours reconciling accounts and tracking expenses wasn’t the best use of my time. It didn’t grow the business, improve operations, or drive revenue. Once I let go and delegated bookkeeping, I freed up time to focus on higher-value work—like marketing, strategy, and systemizing the business for scale.

The ultra-successful don’t waste time on tasks that don’t require their expertise. They delegate, automate, or eliminate anything that isn’t the highest and best use of their time.

Here’s how you can start leveraging your time like the top 0.1%.

The 3-Step Framework for Time Leverage

If you’re constantly busy but not making progress, you need to start leveraging your time. Here’s how:

1. Audit Your Tasks – For one week, write down everything you do in a day. Then ask yourself:

• Does this task directly grow the business or create leverage?

• Can someone else do this just as well (or better) than me?

1. Delegate or Automate – Once you’ve identified what you shouldn’t be doing, take action:

• Delegate – Hire someone (even part-time or virtual) to take over repetitive or admin tasks.

• Automate – Use software, AI, or systems to handle things like invoicing, scheduling, and follow-ups.

3. Refocus on High-Impact Work – With freed-up time, shift your energy toward the highest-value activities—things only you can do. That could be scaling, building relationships, crafting a vision, or improving systems.

The Big Shift: From Worker to Business Owner

The top 0.1% don’t measure success by how busy they are. They measure it by how much impact they create.

If you’re stuck doing $10/hour tasks, you’ll never have time for $10,000/hour decisions. Leverage your time. Let go of what doesn’t need you. That’s how you scale.

Energy Management Over Time Management

Most people think productivity is about squeezing more tasks into the day. The ultra-successful know better. They don’t just manage time—they manage energy. Because without the energy to execute at a high level, all the time in the world is useless.

I used to think that working longer hours was the key to getting more done. But the harder I pushed, the more I saw diminishing returns. My focus dipped. My decision-making suffered. And the quality of my work declined. It wasn’t until I started prioritizing my energy—through better sleep, workouts, and structured recovery—that I saw my output actually improve.

The top 0.1% treat their body like an asset, not an afterthought. They optimize their routines, fuel themselves properly, and build habits that keep them sharp. Because high performance isn’t just about what you do—it’s about having the capacity to do it at the highest level.

Here’s how they do it.

How the Top 0.1% Manage Energy for High Performance

Most people try to cram more work into their day, thinking productivity is about time optimization. But the ultra-successful focus on energy optimization—because no matter how much time you have, if you’re running on fumes, your output will suffer.

Here’s how they maximize performance without burning out:

1. Prioritize Sleep Like a Competitive Advantage

The best performers don’t treat sleep as a luxury—they treat it as fuel. Poor sleep leads to worse decisions, lower creativity, and slower reaction times (both mentally and physically). Instead of cutting sleep to “get more done,” the top 0.1% protect their sleep habits to ensure peak performance.

✅ Stick to a consistent sleep schedule

✅ Cut out screen time and stimulants before bed

✅ Optimize your environment (cold, dark, and quiet)

If you want to operate at a high level, you need to recharge properly.

2. Train Your Body to Train Your Mind

Physical performance and mental performance are directly linked. If your body is weak, sluggish, or neglected, your mind will be too. High-performers integrate exercise not just for health, but because it makes them better at everything else they do.

When I started prioritizing intense workouts in my routine, I noticed an immediate shift—not just in my energy levels, but in my ability to stay focused, push through challenges, and make better decisions under pressure.

✅ Strength training + cardio for endurance

✅ Non-negotiable daily movement (even on rest days)

✅ Treat workouts like business meetings—never skip them

Your business depends on you. Keeping your body strong is an investment, not an expense.

3. Fuel for Performance, Not Convenience

Most people eat whatever is easy. The top 0.1% eat for output. They avoid the energy crashes and brain fog caused by processed junk and instead fuel their bodies with high-quality foods that keep them sharp.

✅ High-protein, nutrient-dense meals

✅ Limit sugar and processed foods to avoid energy dips

✅ Hydration as a priority (because even mild dehydration kills focus)

You don’t have to eat like a bodybuilder, but if you’re constantly sluggish, take a look at what you’re consuming. Your diet directly affects your performance.

4. Schedule Recovery Like You Schedule Work

Most people wait until they burn out before they rest. The ultra-successful plan their recovery just like they plan their workload.

✅ Build in rest days, vacations, and mental breaks

✅ Use active recovery—walks, stretching, or non-business hobbies

✅ Step away from work before burnout hits

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a sign of poor energy management. Sustainable success requires pacing yourself, not just grinding harder.

The Bottom Line

Time management matters, but energy management is what actually moves the needle. If you’re constantly tired, distracted, or sluggish, it doesn’t matter how many hours you work—you won’t be operating at your best.

Protect your sleep. Train your body. Eat for performance. Schedule recovery.

The top 0.1% don’t just work differently—they live differently.

Wealth & Business Growth

Most people focus on making money. The ultra-successful focus on building wealth. There’s a huge difference.

One of the biggest mindset shifts I ever had came from reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. It changed the way I thought about money, ownership, and financial freedom. It made me realize that wealth isn’t built by earning a paycheck—it’s built by owning assets that generate cash flow.

The top 0.1% don’t just work for money; they make money work for them. They prioritize cash flow over revenue, equity over salary, and recurring income over one-time wins. And most importantly, they don’t scale chaos—they build systems that make growth sustainable.

Here are four principles that separate those who stay stuck in the grind from those who create real financial freedom.

Cash Flow First: Revenue is Vanity, Profit is Sanity, Cash is Reality

For years, we were growing our restaurants, increasing sales, and feeling good about the numbers on paper. But the truth was, we weren’t actually making money. Revenue looked great, but after expenses, payroll, and unexpected costs, there was barely anything left over.

It wasn’t until we prioritized cash flow—after nearly 30 years of operating—that we finally started seeing real financial results. We restructured pricing, cut unnecessary costs, and made sure that every decision we made had cash flow in mind. The difference was night and day.

Most businesses focus on top-line revenue, but that’s a vanity metric. Profit is what actually matters. And even then, profit on paper doesn’t mean anything if there’s no cash in the bank. Without cash flow, you can’t pay your team, cover expenses, or reinvest in growth.

The top 0.1% know this: businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because they run out of cash. Cash flow is the oxygen of any business. Protect it, prioritize it, and never let revenue blind you to reality.

How to Improve Cash Flow in Your Business

If your business is making sales but struggling with cash flow, here’s where to start:

1. Watch Your Margins – Revenue means nothing if your margins are too thin. Look at your pricing, cost of goods, and overhead. If you’re selling a lot but not seeing the money, you might be underpriced.
2. Cut Unnecessary Expenses – Just because something seems necessary doesn’t mean it is. Audit your expenses every quarter and remove anything that doesn’t directly contribute to cash flow.
3. Speed Up Receivables – If you offer net-30 or net-60 terms, shorten them. Make it easy for customers to pay quickly (credit cards, auto-pay, discounts for early payments). The faster you collect, the better your cash flow.
4. Delay Payables Where Possible – On the flip side, negotiate longer payment terms with vendors. Stretching payments even a week or two can help stabilize your cash position.
5. Focus on Recurring Revenue – One-time sales are unpredictable. Subscription models, memberships, or retainer-based services smooth out cash flow and reduce financial stress.
6. Keep a Cash Reserve – Even a small buffer can keep your business from operating paycheck to paycheck. Start setting aside a percentage of revenue as a cash reserve to cover unexpected costs.

Cash Flow Is What Keeps You in Business

The top 0.1% understand that businesses don’t fail because they aren’t profitable—they fail because they run out of cash. It doesn’t matter how much you sell if there’s nothing left after expenses.

Cash flow is what allows you to survive, scale, and sleep at night. Protect it, prioritize it, and build your business around it.

Equity Over Salary: Own Assets, Don’t Just Trade Time for Money

Most people spend their entire lives working for a paycheck. Even high earners—doctors, lawyers, executives—are still just trading their time for money. The ultra-successful play a different game. They don’t just earn income; they own assets that generate wealth with or without them.

I learned this lesson firsthand when I purchased a business that operated without me. Unlike our restaurants, where I was heavily involved in day-to-day operations, this business had systems, a team, and cash flow that didn’t rely on my time. For the first time, I experienced what real financial freedom felt like—knowing that money was coming in whether I was working or not.

That’s the power of equity over salary. A paycheck stops the moment you do. But ownership? Ownership pays you forever.

The Wealth-Building Power of Ownership

The top 0.1% focus on owning assets, not just working for income. That’s how they break free from the cycle of trading time for money. Whether it’s:

✔ Buying businesses that generate cash flow without their daily involvement✔ Investing in real estate that appreciates and produces passive income✔ Building systems that allow their own companies to run without them

They aren’t just working in their businesses—they’re working to build wealth from them.

How to Shift from a Salary Mindset to an Ownership Mindset

1. Stop Thinking Like an Employee – Whether you work for someone else or own a business, your goal should be to build something that pays you beyond your effort.
2. Prioritize Cash-Flowing Assets – If you’re going to invest your money, put it into things that generate recurring income, not just speculative value.
3. Remove Yourself from Operations – If your business can’t function without you, you don’t own a business—you own a job. Build systems, hire the right people, and create leverage.
4. Reinvest Profits Wisely – Instead of spending every dollar you earn, use profits to acquire or build more assets that work for you.

The moment I stopped chasing income and started buying ownership, everything changed. Wealth isn’t built by working more hours—it’s built by owning the right things.

The Power of Recurring Revenue: Build a Model That Pays You Even When You’re Not Working

Most businesses wake up every month at zero, constantly chasing new sales just to keep the lights on. The ultra-successful build recurring revenue streams—so money keeps coming in, whether they’re working or not.

We saw this firsthand when we launched an Unlimited Sweet Tea Membership for $9.99/month. On the surface, it might not seem like a big deal—just free tea for members. But what it really did was create predictable, recurring cash flow and drive more foot traffic to our restaurants.

Here’s what happened:

✅ Customers loved the deal and kept coming back

✅ On average, they spent an additional $4 every visit

✅ We had steady, recurring revenue we could count on

This is the power of a subscription model. Instead of relying on one-time purchases, we created loyalty and consistency. And once a customer was subscribed, they were far more likely to visit again and again.

Why the Top 0.1% Love Recurring Revenue

✔ Predictability – Monthly recurring revenue smooths out cash flow and removes the stress of starting over each month.✔ Higher Customer Lifetime Value – Subscribers stay longer, spend more, and are less likely to leave for a competitor.✔ Scalability – With a well-built subscription model, growth isn’t limited by time or effort—it compounds.

How to Build Recurring Revenue in Any Business

1. Find What Customers Need Regularly – Look for products or services that naturally fit a subscription model (think memberships, maintenance plans, or exclusive access).
2. Create a No-Brainer Offer – Price it low enough to be an easy decision but valuable enough that customers feel like they’re winning.
3. Stack Additional Benefits – The more reasons people have to stay subscribed, the longer they’ll stick around.
4. Automate Payments – Set up seamless billing so revenue keeps flowing without friction.

Recurring revenue isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s what separates businesses that struggle from those that scale. If you want true financial freedom, build a model that pays you even when you’re not working.

Optimize Before You Scale: Growth Without Efficiency Is a Disaster

Most people think growth is always a good thing. But scaling a broken system doesn’t create success—it creates chaos. The ultra-successful don’t just grow for the sake of growing. They optimize first, ensuring their foundation is strong before they scale.

I’ve learned firsthand that sometimes you don’t see what’s going to break until you scale. When our catering sales grew 25–30% per year for several years in a row, we were on fire. Business was booming, and we said yes to everything. But at a certain point, the cracks started to show—orders got rushed, quality slipped, and customers noticed. We had grown too fast without adjusting our systems.

We had no choice but to pull back, restructure, and fix the inefficiencies that scaling had exposed. If we had done this before pushing for growth, we wouldn’t have had to take a step back just to catch up.

How to Optimize Before You Scale

1. Document and Test Your Systems – If your business relies on you to function, it’s not scalable. Build processes that can run without you, then stress-test them before expanding.
2. Fix Bottlenecks Early – Identify what slows you down now, because those issues will only get worse with growth. Whether it’s inventory management, hiring, or customer service, clean up inefficiencies before they multiply.
3. Measure Before You Multiply – Growth amplifies both strengths and weaknesses. Make sure your pricing, cash flow, and operational systems are dialed in before scaling up.
4. Don’t Let Revenue Distract You from Profitability – More sales don’t always mean more profit. If your margins are thin, scaling can put you out of business faster than staying small.

The top 0.1% don’t just chase growth. They ensure that every step forward is sustainable, profitable, and scalable. Because the only thing worse than staying small is growing too fast—and breaking everything in the process.

Relationships & Network

Success isn’t a solo game. The top 0.1% understand that their network—who they know and who they align with—can open doors that hard work alone never could. Your environment shapes your success, and the people you surround yourself with will either push you forward or hold you back.

We saw this firsthand when we started forming partnerships with other wedding vendors to increase catering referrals. Instead of just waiting for customers to find us, we built relationships with photographers, florists, and event planners who were already working with our ideal clients. By providing value to them—referring business their way, making their jobs easier, and creating seamless experiences for shared clients—we became their go-to catering recommendation. This single strategy fueled consistent, high-quality leads without spending a dime on ads.

The ultra-successful don’t just build connections—they build strategic relationships that create opportunities, multiply their influence, and drive exponential growth. Here are the key principles they follow.

Your Network is Your Net Worth: Surround Yourself with High-Value People

Success isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know. The top 0.1% understand that their relationships can accelerate or limit their growth. They don’t leave their network to chance; they intentionally surround themselves with high-value people who push them to think bigger, act smarter, and execute at a higher level.

If you spend time around people who are constantly making excuses, complaining, or thinking small, that mindset will rub off on you. But if you surround yourself with ambitious, high-performing individuals, their habits, strategies, and ways of thinking will become your new normal.

I saw this firsthand when we built strategic partnerships with wedding vendors to grow our catering business. Instead of just waiting for customers to find us, we made a conscious effort to connect with the best photographers, florists, and event planners in our market. These were people who were already working with our ideal clients, and by aligning ourselves with them, we tapped into a steady flow of high-quality referrals.

But it wasn’t just about getting leads—it was about elevating our business. These vendors had high standards, excellent reputations, and a commitment to delivering top-tier service. Working alongside them raised our own standards, pushed us to refine our operations, and positioned us as one of the go-to catering options in the wedding industry. If we had only networked with low-end vendors who cut corners, our brand wouldn’t have been nearly as strong.

How to Build a High-Value Network

1. Audit Your Circle – Take a hard look at the people around you. Are they pushing you forward or holding you back? Do they inspire action or drain your energy? If you’re not surrounded by high-level thinkers, it’s time to upgrade your network.
2. Be Proactive in Building Relationships – Don’t wait for the right people to find you—go find them. Attend industry events, join mastermind groups, or reach out directly to those who are operating at a higher level.
3. Add Value First – The best way to build strong connections is to give before you ask. Share insights, make introductions, help people solve problems—when you lead with value, you naturally attract high-caliber relationships.
4. Cut Ties with the Wrong People – If someone is constantly negative, full of excuses, or draining your energy, it’s time to distance yourself. You don’t owe anyone your time if they’re not contributing to your growth.

Your network will either elevate you or keep you stuck. The ultra-successful don’t just stumble into the right circles—they intentionally surround themselves with people who make them better.

If you want to level up, start by upgrading who you spend time with.

Provide Value First: The Fastest Way to Build Relationships

Most people approach networking with a take mindset—asking for referrals, favors, or introductions before they’ve done anything to earn them. The ultra-successful do the opposite. They give first. They lead with value, knowing that strong relationships are built on trust, goodwill, and a reputation for helping others.

When we were growing our wedding catering business, we made a simple but powerful decision: we would take care of the people who could help us grow. Instead of just showing up, delivering the food, and leaving, we found ways to add value to the other vendors and venue owners.

✅ We brought extra food for the photographers, planners, and DJs—vendors who were working long hours and rarely got a proper meal

.✅ We made sure to leave the venue spotless, going above and beyond to clean up, even areas that weren’t technically our responsibility.

✅ We took extra care of the venue owners, understanding that they were the gatekeepers—if they liked working with us, they’d send couples our way.

Who do you think they started recommending when engaged couples asked for catering suggestions? Us. Not because we asked, but because we had earned it.

The Key to Relationship Building: Give Without Expecting

Most people only think about what they can get from a relationship. The top 0.1% flip this—focusing instead on how they can help. Because when you make other people’s lives easier, they want to work with you, recommend you, and bring you opportunities.

How to Apply This in Your Business and Life

1. Find Ways to Add Value – Think beyond the obvious. How can you make someone’s job easier? Help them look good? Save them time or effort? A small gesture can build long-term loyalty.
2. Be the First to Give – Don’t wait for someone to ask for help. Offer insights, share resources, connect people in your network—without expecting anything in return.
3. Play the Long Game – Providing value isn’t about quick wins. It’s about consistently being the person who shows up, delivers, and makes things better for everyone involved.
4. Make Yourself Indispensable – The best relationships aren’t transactional. When people see you as a true asset, they want to keep you in their circle.

The fastest way to build relationships is simple: be valuable. Stop focusing on what you can get, and start focusing on what you can give. The opportunities will follow.

Learn to Sell & Persuade: Business Is a Game of Influence

If you want to succeed in business, you need to master one skill above all else—selling. It doesn’t matter how great your product, service, or idea is if you can’t convince others to buy in. The top 0.1% understand that selling isn’t about pushing a product—it’s about solving a problem or promising a reward.

I’ve spent years studying sales and persuasion, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: People run away from pain faster than they run toward pleasure. If you can identify a pressing problem and position yourself as the solution, selling becomes effortless.

Think about it:

✅ A restaurant doesn’t just sell food—it solves the problem of hunger and convenience.

✅ A fitness coach doesn’t just sell training—it solves the problem of low energy, poor health, and lack of confidence.

✅ A business consultant doesn’t just offer advice—they remove bottlenecks, increase profits, and reduce stress.

Selling is never about you—it’s about them. The better you understand your customer’s pain points, the easier it is to influence their decisions.

How to Get Better at Sales & Persuasion

1. Read Everything You Can on the Subject – Sales is a skill you can sharpen. Books, courses, and real-world practice will set you apart from 99% of people who “hate selling.”
2. Find the Real Pain Point – People don’t always know what they truly need. Ask deeper questions to uncover what’s really driving their decision-making.
3. Sell the Outcome, Not the Features – Don’t focus on what your product does—focus on what it changes. Will it save them time? Make them more money? Eliminate frustration? That’s what people care about.
4. Use Emotion, Not Just Logic – People justify decisions with logic but make them based on emotion. Tap into their fears, desires, and frustrations to create urgency.

Business is a game of influence. Whether you’re closing deals, marketing a product, or just getting buy-in from your team, everything comes down to sales and persuasion. Master this, and you’ll never struggle to create opportunities.

Avoid Energy Drainers: Cut Out Negative Influences Ruthlessly

Success isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about what (and who) you eliminate. The top 0.1% are ruthless about protecting their energy because they know that negativity, drama, and low-value distractions will kill momentum faster than anything else.

This isn’t just about external factors like bad environments, cluttered workspaces, or constant digital distractions. It’s also about the people in your life. The ones who constantly complain, doubt your vision, or drain your motivation with their negativity. The ones who don’t push you forward, but instead pull you back into their own limitations.

I’ve seen this firsthand. There were times when I had people around me who questioned every move, shot down big ideas, or brought constant negativity into conversations. It wasn’t until I cut them out or minimized my exposure to them that I truly started operating at my best. The mental clarity, energy, and focus that came from removing toxic influences made a massive difference.

How to Identify & Remove Energy Drainers

1. Audit Your Environment – Pay attention to what (or who) consistently drains you. Is it a cluttered space? A toxic workplace? A group of friends who never take action? Identify the source.
2. Set Boundaries – Not everyone deserves unlimited access to your time and energy. Learn to say no, limit interactions, or distance yourself from people who bring negativity into your life.
3. Surround Yourself with High-Energy People – Energy is contagious. Spend time around people who challenge you, inspire you, and make you better, not those who drain you.
4. Eliminate What Doesn’t Serve You – This applies to habits, commitments, and even content you consume. If something consistently lowers your mood or distracts you from your goals, cut it out.

Success requires protecting your energy. If something—or someone—is constantly draining you, it’s costing you far more than you realize. The top performers don’t tolerate negativity in their environment, and neither should you.

Learning & Adaptability

The world moves fast. Industries change, markets shift, and what worked yesterday won’t always work tomorrow. The top 0.1% don’t just keep up—they stay ahead. Their competitive edge comes from relentless learning, rapid adaptation, and the ability to execute new ideas before anyone else.

I’ve seen this firsthand. Every major breakthrough I’ve had in business came from learning something new—whether it was marketing strategies, automation systems, or financial principles. But learning alone isn’t enough. What separates those who win from those who stay stuck is implementation. The best don’t just collect information—they test, adapt, and refine until they get results.

Here’s how the ultra-successful approach learning and adaptability to stay at the top

Lifelong Learning is Non-Negotiable: The Top 0.1% Read, Experiment, and Adapt Constantly

The most successful people aren’t just willing to learn—they make it a non-negotiable part of their routine. They don’t assume they have all the answers. They seek out new knowledge, test it in the real world, and adjust based on what works.

For me, learning comes in spurts—depending on where I’m stuck in my business. When I hit a bottleneck, I go deep into books, podcasts, and courses on that specific issue. Whether it’s marketing, systems, or leadership, I absorb everything I can. But I don’t just consume—I immediately take action. I test new strategies, see what sticks, and adapt as I go.

This cycle of learn → implement → refine has been the biggest driver of my growth. The more I commit to learning, the faster I break through challenges. The top 0.1% don’t wait until they “need” to learn something—they treat it as a daily discipline.

How to Apply Lifelong Learning in Your Business & Life

1. Learn with Intention – Don’t just consume random content. Identify where you’re stuck and dive deep into that topic.
2. Implement Immediately – Knowledge without action is useless. Apply what you learn as quickly as possible, even if it’s messy at first.
3. Refine Through Experience – Not everything will work exactly as expected. Be willing to adjust, optimize, and make improvements based on real-world feedback.
4. Stay Curious – The moment you think you know it all, you stop growing. The best stay students forever.

Lifelong learning isn’t optional—it’s the price of success. The moment you stop learning, you start falling behind. The top 0.1% read, experiment, and adapt constantly. If you want to win, make learning a daily habit.

Measure Everything: Data Beats Gut Feelings

Most people think they know what’s working in their business. The top 0.1% know—because they measure everything. They don’t rely on gut feelings or assumptions. They track key metrics, analyze real numbers, and make decisions based on data, not emotion.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. There were times when I thought certain promotions were driving sales, only to check the numbers and realize they weren’t moving the needle. Other times, I was hesitant to raise prices, assuming customers would push back—until the data showed that demand stayed strong even with a price increase.

The reality? If you’re not measuring, you’re guessing. And guessing in business is expensive.

What to Track in Your Business

1. Marketing Performance – Which ads, emails, or promotions are actually bringing in customers? Stop wasting money on what feels good and double down on what the numbers prove is working.
2. Customer Behavior – Where are people dropping off in your sales process? What products or services are driving the most profit? Data can show you exactly where to focus.
3. Cash Flow & Profitability – Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, and cash is reality. If you don’t have a clear picture of your finances, you’re flying blind.
4. Operational Efficiency – Track how long key tasks take, where bottlenecks exist, and what slows down execution. The faster and leaner you operate, the more profitable you become.

How to Apply This

✅ Set Up a Simple Tracking System – You don’t need fancy software. Even a basic spreadsheet with key metrics can help you make smarter decisions.

✅ Review the Numbers Regularly – Data is only useful if you use it. Schedule time weekly or monthly to analyze what’s working and what’s not.

✅ Trust the Data, Not Your Ego – Sometimes, the numbers will tell you that something you love isn’t actually working. Be willing to adapt based on what the data says.

The top 0.1% don’t make decisions based on feelings—they make them based on facts. If you want to scale, stop guessing. Track, analyze, and optimize. Data always beats gut instinct.

The Evolution Loop: Learn, Implement, Refine, Repeat

The top 0.1% don’t just learn—they execute. And they don’t just execute once—they refine, adjust, and improve constantly. This is the difference between those who stay stuck and those who build unstoppable momentum.

I’ve followed this cycle in every stage of business growth:

1. Learn – Identify a gap in knowledge or skill. Whether it’s marketing, systems, or leadership, I dive deep into books, podcasts, and case studies.
2. Implement – I don’t wait until I have the perfect plan. I test ideas as quickly as possible in the real world.
3. Refine – No strategy works flawlessly the first time. I analyze what worked, what didn’t, and make adjustments.
4. Repeat – Once one area is improved, I move on to the next challenge, always evolving and optimizing.

I’ve seen this process transform our business. Whether it was overhauling our marketing, refining our catering operations, or improving customer experience, nothing was ever perfect at first—but iteration made it great.

How to Apply the Evolution Loop in Your Business

✅ Commit to Constant Learning – Never assume you’ve “figured it out.” There’s always a better way.

✅ Take Action Quickly – Learning without execution is wasted time. Test ideas as soon as possible.

✅ Track & Analyze – Measure results so you can refine what’s working and cut what’s not.

✅ Embrace Iteration – Every system, process, or strategy can be improved. The best businesses never stop optimizing.

The biggest mistake people make? Learning without execution—or executing without refining. The ultra-successful operate in a continuous loop: learn, implement, refine, repeat. If you want to stay ahead, adopt this mindset and never stop evolving.

Be Ruthless With Your Time: Guard Your Calendar Like Your Life Depends on It—Because It Does

Time is the most valuable asset you have. You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time. The top 0.1% understand this, and they ruthlessly protect their schedules from distractions, low-value tasks, and unnecessary commitments.

Early in my career, I said yes to everything—meetings, calls, coffee chats, even tasks I had no business doing. I thought being busy meant being productive. But all it did was fill my days with other people’s priorities instead of my own. Once I started guarding my time like my business depended on it, everything changed.

How the Ultra-Successful Protect Their Time

1. Audit Your Calendar – Look at where your time actually goes. Are you spending it on high-impact work or just being busy?
2. Say No More Often – If a task, meeting, or request doesn’t align with your goals, decline it. Every “yes” to something small is a “no” to something big.
3. Time Block Relentlessly – Schedule deep work sessions, strategic planning, and personal growth just like you would an important meeting. If it’s not on your calendar, it won’t happen.
4. Automate & Delegate – If something doesn’t require you, someone (or something) else should be handling it. Free yourself from low-value work.
5. Limit Meetings & Interruptions – Most meetings are a waste of time. Require clear agendas, keep them short, and eliminate unnecessary ones altogether.

Your calendar reflects your priorities. If you’re constantly overwhelmed, pulled in different directions, or stuck doing low-impact work, it’s because you haven’t taken control of your time. The top 0.1% treat their schedule like a fortress—because they know their future depends on it.

The Execution Gap

Most people know what to do—they just don’t do it. The gap between knowledge and success isn’t intelligence, luck, or even experience. It’s execution. The top 0.1% aren’t necessarily smarter; they just take action faster, more consistently, and with better systems in place.

The difference between where you are now and where you want to be isn’t another book, another podcast, or another strategy—it’s applying what you already know.

Take Action Today

If you struggle with focus, leverage, or scaling your business, don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Pick one principle from this newsletter and apply it this week. Small, intentional shifts lead to exponential results over time.

DM me if you want to discuss how to apply these principles to your business. Let’s close the execution gap and get real results.