Mike Tecku first appeared on this podcast in 2019 as an Amazon market vendor. He then offered that enterprise, a maker of floormats, shortly afterward. He retired, turned bored, and in 2022 launched Momentum, a direct-to-consumer dietary shake producer. He and I mentioned that enterprise final 12 months in his second look.

He’s again. Momentum Shake is flourishing, as is Tecku. He’s advanced from the nuts and bolts of getting cash to attaining a goal, constructing a staff, and self-improvement. “If I’m not rising, I’m dying,” he informed me.

Our whole audio dialog is embedded beneath. The transcript is edited for size and readability.

Eric Bandholz: Your entrepreneurial journey is spectacular.

Mike Tecku: Development offers me which means and a way of being alive. If I’m not rising, I’m dying. The American dream of not having to do something runs counter to human nature. When I retired, I bought good at golf. I learn many books however couldn’t shake the urge to unravel issues. I’d be in a retailer and assume, “That is an fascinating product. I’m wondering if I might make this.”

I bought depressed after I wasn’t engaged on something. I might really feel myself shrinking. A few 12 months into that, I made a decision I wanted to re-embrace being an entrepreneur. That’s simply who I’m. These are my presents. I wished to make use of my presents and strengths, and now I had the privilege of utilizing them in a method that I wished, not simply to outlive or earn a living.

The world is consistently altering. To make one thing excellent is not possible, however you’ll be able to pursue it by frequently adjusting. The farther you get alongside, the extra exact the vacation spot is, and the extra attuned you’re to your aim. You acquire data and make higher choices. If you’re actually into one thing, you’re frequently rising and perfecting your artwork.

Bandholz: How does an organization attempt for perfection?

Tecku: You should develop belief together with your clients so that they know you’ve their greatest curiosity at coronary heart. If we alter the flavoring of our shakes, clients fear we’re making it cheaper when the fact is the other. You should be clear with clients and talk that you just wish to add extra worth with out growing their prices. It’s important to zoom out past provide and demand. What benefit are you able to convey to the market apart from making extra money?

I wish to produce a product 10 instances higher than all people for a similar value. Most companies are simply media and advertising and marketing platforms. They don’t contact the product. In the event that they’re doing something in any respect, they’re promoting commodities. I wish to make one thing that may be a masterpiece and stacks a lot worth into it.

That wasn’t occurring with our outsourced producer. I really like these individuals, however they’ll’t innovate on the pace I need. I can minimize prices by 30% after I take over manufacturing. I can shrink money stream, enhance amount, cut back prices, and enhance high quality. The one method to do this is thru proudly owning the manufacturing course of.

Bandholz: What are the pitfalls of in-house manufacturing?

Tecku: Step one is believing it’s doable. I spent 10 years considering manufacturing was difficult and past my experience. However I needed to begin questioning myself. Why can’t I assemble a staff of clever, hardworking people? Why can’t I remedy these issues?

The aim is to make manufacturing simple. If I can construct one thing easy and scalable, will probably be safer and dependable. I prefer to forecast 5 to seven years down the highway. What are my targets? I wish to scale to 100 million {dollars}. What does that appear to be within the variety of models I must make a day and the machines able to that?

I’m shopping for machines to simplify and cut back the possibility of error. We will’t get rid of errors, however we are able to streamline processes, steps, and inputs. The machines I’m shopping for ought to be capable to make a thousand baggage an hour with one worker. That’s a scalable system.

Bandholz: You’ve gotten a single SKU incomes 1000’s of {dollars} month-to-month. You’re not touching it. There’s magnificence in that.

Tecku: It’s stunning as a result of it frees me for progress and enchancment. Recall the outdated phrase, “Work on what you are promoting, not in it.” That may’t change. It’s important to be on high wanting on the items. My job is decision-making. I need two hours of hyper-focused considering day-after-day.

Continually executing just isn’t the very best use of my abilities. Some persons are method higher at it. I contemplate all elements of the enterprise to be belongings. The manufacturing facility I’ve been constructing for the final six months is an asset. I need it to run completely with out me. That entails the machines, the house, the staff — each determination.

Bandholz: I wrestle with shifting from the execution position into technique and decision-making.

Tecku: I attempt to test with my staff to see in the event that they want one thing from me. I’ve to remind myself that is what they’re good at and that they recognize my belief in them. If you wish to create impartial individuals who assume for themselves, it’s important to allow them to fail. My job is to find out the following step. There’s no proper path. It requires quite a lot of strolling round, studying books, speaking to people, and paying consideration.

Bandholz: The place can people comply with you?

Tecku: Our web site is MomentumShake.com. I’m on LinkedIn.