We fired everyone who was late...this is why..

How I got here…

21: Graduated Vanderbilt in 3 years Magna Cum Laude, and took a fancy consulting job.
23 yrs old: Left my fancy consulting job to start a business (a gym).
24 yrs old: Opened 5 gym locations.
26 yrs old: Closed down 6th gym. Lost everything.
26 yrs old: Got back to launching gyms (launched 33). Then, lost everything for a 2nd time.
26 yrs old: In desperation, started licensing model as a hail mary. It worked.
27 yrs old: "Gym Launch" does $3M profit the next 6 months. Then $17M profit next 12 months.
28 yrs old: Started Prestige Labs. $20M the first year.
29 yrs old: Launched ALAN, a software company for agencies to work leads for customers. Scaled to $1.7mmo within 6 months.
31 yrs old: Sold 75% of UseAlan to a strategic buyer in an all stock deal.
31 yrs old: Sold 66% of Gym Launch & Prestige Labs at $46.2M valuation in all-cash deal to American Pacific Group. (you can google it)
32 yrs old: Started making free content showing how we grow companies to make real business education accessible to everyone (and) to attract business owners to invest or scale their businesses.

Today: Our portfolio now does $200M/yr between 10 companies. The largest doing $100M/yr the smallest doing $5M per year. Our ownership varies between 20% and 100% ownership of the companies. Many of them we invested in early and helped grow (which is how we make our money - not youtube videos).

To all the gladiators in the arena, we’re all in the middle of writing our own stories. The worse the monsters, the more epic the story.

You either get an epic outcome or an epic story. Both mean you win.

Keep crushing. May your desires be greater than your obstacles.

Never quit,

Alex

*FULL DISCLOSURE*
I make content to make money - just - on a longer time horizon than most. I want to build trust with business owners so we can find the best ones and help them scale. And if they’re awesome, write them a check and go all the way as partners.

[LYFEMarketingAtlanta]

0:00 - Intro
0:29 - When I just starting out Gym launch business
2:09 - Set the tone and reset the bar
2:37 - My first job experience
3:39 - Difference between the 2 styles of management
4:28 - 2 Components of a business (smarts and hearts)
6:17 - Championship mentality and loser mentality
7:28 - Advanced people never don't do the basics
9:15 - Outro

[DuTubeable]

I've always followed this type of mentality from my first job up until today. I was always moved up and promoted because of my attitude and willingness to learn.
These last few years however... no raise, no promotions (other than part-time to full time) but lots of accolades and being called a top performer. Accolades don't put food on my table or pay the bills. Wages are just not matching skills and experience anymore. I'm almost 60... and tired.

[charleybowling]

The way you articulated your message makes me want to go back and watch this video a few times over. Great delivery and ability to paint a picture by connecting stories to them. Very captivating and also true. Thanks for sharing!

[zevkej]

Alex, this was the most engaging and straightforward information presentation that I've have seen in a long time. And I do not say this easily or lightly. Thank you.

[homeofthegooddeal]

3 months ago, I was 5 minutes late for work. Last time I was late, I can't remember. Has to be
If I was to be fired in that same way because of my tardiness, I would be happy. Not because I lost my job, but that I would be free from a company that makes spur of the moment irrational decisions.

[PrivateLabelMasters]

Just found you and your wife's Channel. I am compelled to write this: Following your journey and listening to both of your channels WILL be THE catalyst to both of my companies' ascension to the next level. These two channels are the highest value per subscriber ratio of any youtube Channel currently out. If you read this, I just want to say thank you & please keep making videos.

[abasis.baruti]

Brutal honesty is an absolute requisite to success. Excuses are not. You sign up for a job, you carry your weight. Finish or quit.

[TraderRoss]

Cute story but I don't like blindly doing stuff. Since were keyboard managing, here's the plot twist. Late guy 1 was late because he was a POS that needed to be fired. Late guy 2 was late because he just signed up a HOA sponsor & got 200 more members to join & it took a few extra minutes discussing with clients. Late guy 3 was late because some old lady fell crossing the road in front of him & he called an ambulance for her & it took a few minutes to clear up. While the story is about setting the bar as a leader, when you blindly make decisions without all the relevant information it can be wrong even though your trying to do something right. The effect on peoples lives of managements mistakes can be a tragedy.

[glove]

Worked for my father as a carpenter for 8 years. He taught me great work ethic. Ive been a stationary building engineer for about 7-8 years now. Nearly every single other engineer ive worked with is lazy, calls out, comes in late, leaves early, sleeps on the job. It absolutely blows my mind how many companies have employees with terrible work ethic. Integrity is rare and its sad

[clubx]

This was actually one of Alex’s best videos. We all have a person on staff that is lowering the bar for the rest of the team. He’s right, get rid of that virus on the team. Thank you

[syleee]

If i was sitting in that office on time, i’d be starting to look for another job. Ain’t no way I’d working for that company that fired people over 30 seconds late.

[whatsupkev]

Just came across one of your tik toks where you said “until you make more than the guy that taught you that system, you do that system exactly the way that it was outlined”. Blew my mind and directly applies to my situation. Naturally, I immediately came to your YouTube and dude - I’m hooked. Thanks for the video! Can’t wait to start watching more of your content.

[BulletsBucks]

This dude is real bro... listen. I don't agree with his non business philosophy but his business info is gold

[TheBusinessGuy]

Your billionare video was outstanding. Good solid advice. You lived in Glen Arm and Huntington Beach right? My son just bought a house in HB. TX great choice for taxes! I moved from CA to FL for the sunshine (better than CA) and the taxes and love it! P.S. Was a bodybuilder in younger days. Was Mr. Oregon Coast (pretty small potatoes). Feel free to reach out, friend.

[acousticide]

Dude!! ... This is a GREAT VIDEO! It clearly explains why 90% of businesses suck! There is a severe lack of leadership in companies, and by that I mean everyday businesses. Service sucks everywhere, and there is no one upholding any standards anymore. I have spent 30+ years in the restaurant business in every capacity. Sure, plenty of restaurants are busy, but it doesn't mean they don't suck. I currently work in a hotel on the Las Vegas strip where from the very beginning they claimed to be different, and revolutionary in the industry. It was wrecked by the first week with poor leadership that continues to this day. Now you have a bunch of minimum effort employees on their phones every spare moment. They will never realize the potential of the business or themselves.

[frankcano]

Setting the tone only works if your pay is actually competitive. I get where you're going with this story but you pay for my time, its a business relationship. I'll only be as motivated as you pay me and if the pay is present then the short term/ long term goal will be envisioned. Once this vision is present you get amazing workers because not only are they loyal to you due to their pay but because they want to grow within this company and so the two way relationship can benefit each other. I have a feeling the people that made it to the meeting eventually left UNLESS their pay is well.

[brianterrell]

Such a fantastic reminder. We can also do better. Sharing this video with my Mgmt team now. Thank you!

[ProbablySavvy]

I’m glad you’re finally getting picked up in the algorithm. Your content is genuinely better than 99% of what’s on YouTube. Thank you for your time.

[strawberryturtle]

Haven't watched the video yet, but I promise you'd be firing the best people in my industry if you based it on tardiness.

Software engineers work bizarre hours, and are often times researching and learning new things all through the night that will benefit your company. The downside? They are often not morning people and will be "late" to the pointless morning meetings.

I'll revise this comment if I'm way off base here after watching the vid!

Edit: Still stand by what I wrote. I think it's wrong to fire employees over a problem the managers contributed to.

[tizzlekizzle]

Firing those people just showed everyone else that they are expendable. Fire bad employees yes....but...doing a stunt like that....manager can high five himself for that...but sends wrong message.