208. Serial Entrepreneur Lance Cayko on How to Start a Firm From Scratch Without Losing Your Mental Health

208. Serial Entrepreneur Lance Cayko on How to Start a Firm From Scratch Without Losing Your Mental Health

Author: Julian Hayes II February 23, 2024 Duration: 1:03:12

Have you ever considered fear and doubt as the unlikely companions of success in terms of how to start a firm from scratch without losing your mental health? For my guest, serial entrepreneur Lance Cayko, this potential moment of fear and doubt showed up during the 2009 recession.

After Lance and his business partner Alex Gore were laid off, they faced contracting and victimizing themselves or choosing to do what most don't do: find a silver lining.

Fast forward: Lance co-founded the award-winning F9 Productions, which has gone from two employees to a team of 11. Lance also teaches part-time at the University of Colorado Boulder and North Dakota State and co-hosts one of the world's top five architecture and business podcasts, Inside the Firm.

In this episode, we dive into the mindset of what true entrepreneurship looks like from multiple angles. So many jewels were dropped in this episode. If you're looking to hotwire your mind and start to operate at a high level in times of uncertainty, this episode is for you.

— Episode Chapter Big Ideas (timing may not be exact) —

(00:01) Intro + Entrepreneurship and Balance in Life

(12:50) Building a Successful Architecture Firm

(21:11) Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship

(31:20) Embrace Discipline, Benefit From Architects

(36:03) Understanding the Architectural Process

(39:06) Scaling Service-Based Business With Slow Growth

(46:24) AI's Impact on Architectural Community

(51:55) Successful Entrepreneurial Journey Building + Conclusion

— Impactful Words From Lance Cayko —

"Life is navigating this chaos every single day, especially as an entrepreneur, you can't control the macro economy, only your micro economy."

"If you can't sell your work, no matter how brilliant it is, it's like a beautiful painting that nobody will ever see."

"The biggest pushback we got was actually from my contemporaries, the people I graduated with... Now, some of them are calling me for advice, and I'm glad to help. That's part of my path."

"Just because you work hard doesn't mean you're guaranteed security, and security is oftentimes an illusion."

Connect with Lance Cayko

Website/Podcast — ⁠https://www.insidethefirmpodcast.com/

Podcast — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-firm/id1202464726

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-cayko-1227031a/

— Connect with Julian and Executive Health —

Curious about becoming a concierge client? Sign up for a complimentary Executive Health Meeting — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.executivehealth.io/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the 'Executive Athlete Journal' + get our free executive health report: 'The Optimal Executive: 17 Impactful Actions to Look, Feel, and Stay at The Top of Your Game.' Visit— ⁠https://www.executivehealth.io/report⁠

***DISCLAIMER: The information shared is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. This is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. The content here is not intended to replace your relationship with your doctor and/or medical practitioner. Any decision to begin the use of the following supplements or use any of the information on this website or podcast should be discussed with your doctor and/or medical practitioner.


There's a common, unspoken trade-off many leaders feel pressured to make: sacrificing personal health and vitality for professional success. Executive Health and Life exists because that's a false choice. Hosted by Julian Hayes II, this conversation dismantles the idea that high performance requires burnout, weaving together practical wisdom on leadership, strategic business thinking, physical health, and creating a life designed for longevity. Each episode features candid discussions with top performers from various fields, who share not just their career strategies, but the very real routines and mindsets that allow them to sustain their impact without compromising their well-being. You'll hear specific, actionable insights on integrating fitness, nutrition, and mental resilience into a demanding schedule, all framed within the context of ambitious career goals. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about building a comprehensive, personal framework for thriving in every sense. Tune in for a refreshingly honest take on what it truly means to win at the highest levels, for the long haul. The Executive Health and Life podcast provides a necessary roadmap for any leader or aspiring executive looking to elevate their game while fiercely protecting their most important asset-themselves.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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