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
Uncomfortable Truths of Entrepreneurship (45) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
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, dive into some of the uncomfortable truths of entrepreneurs…
Elevate Your Career: Beyond the Job Description (42) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:47
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Top 10 Things Your Boss Wishes You Knew (41) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:49
Want to impress your boss and accelerate your career? 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, revea…
Navigating Employee Termination with Honesty and Kindness (40) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:22
Navigating the difficult terrain of employee termination is a challenge every business owner faces. In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad…
Prioritizing Processes: Navigating the "Messy Middle" of Growth (39) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:40
Is your growing business caught in the "messy middle" where chaos reigns and consistency is a distant dream? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota,…
The Visionary & The Integrator: Powering Business Growth (38) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:46
Are you a big-picture thinker or a meticulous executor? 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, div…
Old Mindset, New Market: Innovating in the Security Industry (37) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:01
Are traditional approaches holding your security business back? 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,…