The Power of "No": Setting Boundaries for Business Growth (36)

The Power of "No": Setting Boundaries for Business Growth (36)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston June 26, 2025 Duration: 45:08

When it comes to business, is "yes" always the best answer? In this episode of Unlocked, hosts Tony, Chad, and Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe, dive into the challenging but critical topic of "When to Say No." They discuss how the immediate reaction to new requests is often rooted in a fear of making mistakes or stepping outside of comfort zones. You’ll hear candid stories about the risks and rewards of taking on new challenges, including a disastrous attempt at servicing revolving doors. The conversation explores how saying “no” can sometimes be a sign of laziness or a lack of imagination, but other times, a strategic decision that protects profitability and focus. Learn how to ask the right questions to uncover the real problem, tailor your answer based on the customer’s value to your business, and strategically refuse work that doesn’t align with your core mission.


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
Processing the Process (55) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:22
Do your business processes feel more like a tangled web of handcuffs than a straight path to profit? In this episode, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe, Tony from Assured Security, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security dive into th…
Stop Solving Problems, Start Finding the 'Who' (54) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Are you an entrepreneur stuck in the endless cycle of solving every problem in your business? This episode, recorded live in Austin, Texas, dives into the mindset shift needed to break the $3 Million Revenue Ceiling and…
Mastering Leverage, Cash Flow, and Debt (53) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:37
Do you view debt as a four-letter word, or as a tool for accelerated growth? In this financially focused episode, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc S…
Retention Strategies: Investing in Technicians (52) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:13
Are you an entrepreneur worried that investing in training only prepares your employees to become your next competitor? This episode dives deep into the high-stakes problem of technician turnover in the security and lock…
The Secrets to Being Sticky—Why Customers Keep Coming Back (51) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
It's the half-century mark! For Episode 50, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, dive into the question every business owner…
Business Consulting: Workshop our Problems (49) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:57
In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe, Tony from Assured Security, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security do a deep dive into an "uncomfortable truths" workshop, tackling real-time business challenges. Movin…
5 KPIs We Use to Drive Our Business (48) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Are you a business owner who feels like you’re just guessing at what's working? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Securi…
Strategic Planning: From Vision to Reality (47) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:07
Are you struggling to plan for the future of your business? 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,…
Breaking the $3 Million Ceiling (46) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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,…