Breaking the $3 Million Ceiling (46)

Breaking the $3 Million Ceiling (46)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston September 4, 2025 Duration: 1:06:36

Are you an entrepreneur stuck in the "messy middle" of growth, hovering around the $3 million revenue mark? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, tackle the infamous "glass ceiling" that many small businesses hit. They discuss why, at this stage of having around 10-15 employees, the owner often becomes the biggest bottleneck to further growth. The conversation delves into the psychology of a business owner who struggles to delegate and trusts others to make decisions, and the detrimental effect this has on team development and morale. The hosts share practical strategies for shifting your mindset, building a capable leadership team, and the "cut the grass" methodology to delegate effectively. Learn why reinvesting in your team and systems is crucial for scaling and how to avoid creating new bottlenecks as you grow.






Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 76

Unlocked Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Specialist vs. Generalist - Revisited (Episode 74) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:21
In Episode 74, the Unlocked trio—Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe)—engage in a high-stakes debate over the future of security sales. Fresh off a trip to Las Vegas for ISC We…
Orchestrating Organic Opportunities (Episode 73) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:14
In Episode 73, Tony (Assured Security), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) tackle the challenge of growing organically by capturing large-scale projects. The trio explores tactical ways to move beyon…
Leveling Up with System 1 and System 2 Thinking (Episode 72) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:39
In Episode 72, the Unlocked trio—Tony (Assured Security), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security)—dive into the psychology of decision-making. Inspired by the work of Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman an…
Navigating the Messy Middle (Episode 71) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:19
In Episode 71, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) dive into the psychological and operational warfare of "The Messy Middle." Inspired by Scott Belsky’s framework, the trio ex…
12 Must-Read Books for Scaling Leaders (Episode 70) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:47
Buckle up for Episode 70, where the trio takes on an Instagram-inspired "Blind Rank" challenge that nearly breaks the podcast. Tony (Assured Security) forces Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) to rank…
System Over Motivation: Master Your Time and Calendar (Episode 67) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:23
In Episode 67, the trio tackles one of the most critical challenges for any entrepreneur: moving from a reactive "firefighting" mindset to proactive leadership. Tony (Assured Security) kicks things off by operating from…
The Unique Factor: A Leadership Therapy Session (Episode 66) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:19
In Episode 66, Lars Johnston from Calgary Lock & Safe challenges the trio to get vulnerable with a high-stakes leadership exercise: identifying their "Uniques." Moving past typical corporate bios, Chad (Loc-Doc Security)…