Five kids, five different schedules, five sets of needs—and somehow, my wife and I make it work. As I lace up my running shoes for my daily miles through Germantown, I can't help but reflect on how raising five children has fundamentally shaped my approach to business growth and leadership.
Most business books talk about scaling in terms of systems and processes. But parenting five kids? That's the ultimate masterclass in operational efficiency, resource allocation, and strategic thinking.
Here's what two decades of fatherhood taught me (so far!) about building something bigger than myself:
5 Lessons from Fatherhood for Scaling Your Business
Lesson #1 – Systems Beat Willpower Every Single Time
When you have one or two kids, you can muscle through with sheer determination. By kid number three, you realize that's not sustainable. By five? You'd better have systems that work without you micromanaging every detail.
In our house, we've built routines that run themselves: designated homework zones, color-coded calendars, and clear responsibilities for each child based on their age and ability. Everyone knows their role.
The same principle transforms how we scale our businesses. Instead of trying to personally oversee every decision, create repeatable processes that empower our team members to make decisions independently.
Lesson #2 – Individual Attention at Scale Requires Intentional Design
Spreading out individual attention doesn't get easier with practice—it requires increasingly sophisticated strategies. Each child needs to feel seen, heard, and valued, despite being part of a larger family unit.
I've learned to create "micro-moments" of connection: a two-minute conversation while driving to practice, a quick text checking in during the day, or joining one child for an early morning walk before the house wakes up. These small investments compound over time.
In business, this translates to personalized touchpoints within scaled operations. Whether you're managing five team members or fifty, people need to know they matter as individuals. Automated systems handle the routine; human connection handles what matters.
Lesson #3 – Constraints Force Creative Excellence
Five kids means five tuition bills, five sets of sports equipment, five everything. You learn quickly that resources—time, money, energy—are finite. But here's the counterintuitive truth: constraints don't limit excellence; they define it.
We can't say yes to every opportunity, so we get ruthlessly clear about priorities. My kids have learned to share, collaborate, and make the most of what we have. They're more resourceful and responsible because of it.
This constraint-based thinking is invaluable when leading a business. Efficiency isn't about doing everything; it's about doing the right things exceptionally well.
Lesson #4 – Culture Scales Before Strategy
With five kids spanning 13 years, we're essentially running three different developmental stages under one roof. What keeps us unified isn't rules—it's culture. We've established core family values that transcend age differences: respect, responsibility, and resilience.
These values guide decisions when Michelle and I aren't in the room. Our teenagers know how we approach challenges because they've absorbed our family culture over years of consistent modeling. They can predict what we'd say because they understand why we'd say it.
The parallel in business is obvious but often overlooked. Strategy changes with market conditions, but culture endures. And that culture sets the stage for success, regardless of who you hire: from the fresh-out-college greenhorns to the seasoned industry pros.
Lesson #5 – Growth Requires Letting Go
Perhaps the hardest lesson has been learning when to step back. My oldest doesn't need me to coach their every move anymore. My middle schoolers can handle responsibilities I once managed for them. Sometimes it makes me feel obsolete! But true growth happens when you trust others to rise to the occasion.
This applies directly to business leadership. Scaling isn't about doing more yourself; it's about developing others to do what you once did, often better than you did it.
The Real Measure of Scale
Success at scale, whether in family or business, isn't measured by size alone. It's measured by whether each individual component thrives within the larger system. Five kids who feel loved and supported. Team members who feel valued and empowered. Customers who feel served and appreciated.
That's the kind of scale worth building. And it starts with seeing every challenge as a lesson, every constraint as an opportunity, and every responsibility as a privilege to grow something meaningful.
What lessons from your personal life have carried over to your career? I’d love to hear them in the comments!