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

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

Our total audio dialog is embedded under. The transcript is edited for size and readability.

Eric Bandholz: Your entrepreneurial journey is spectacular.

Mike Tecku: Progress provides me that 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 obtained good at golf. I learn many books however couldn’t shake the urge to resolve issues. I’d be in a retailer and suppose, “That is an fascinating product. I’m wondering if I may make this.”

I obtained depressed once I wasn’t engaged on something. I may really feel myself shrinking. A couple of yr 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 needed to make use of my presents and strengths, and now I had the privilege of utilizing them in a method that I needed, not simply to outlive or become profitable.

The world is continually altering. To make one thing good is inconceivable, 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 might be to your purpose. You acquire information and make higher choices. If you’re actually into one thing, you’re frequently rising and perfecting your artwork.

Bandholz: How does an organization try for perfection?

Tecku: You will need to develop belief along with your prospects so that they know you’ve gotten their greatest curiosity at coronary heart. If we modify the flavoring of our shakes, prospects fear we’re making it cheaper when the fact is the other. You have to be clear with prospects and talk that you just wish to add extra worth with out rising 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 more cash?

I wish to produce a product 10 occasions higher than everyone for a similar value. Most companies are simply media and advertising 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 could be a masterpiece and stacks a lot worth into it.

That wasn’t taking place with our outsourced producer. I like these individuals, however they will’t innovate on the pace I would like. I can lower prices by 30% once I take over manufacturing. I can shrink money move, improve amount, cut back prices, and enhance high quality. The one method to try 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 resolve these issues?

The purpose is to make manufacturing simple. If I can construct one thing easy and scalable, it will likely be safer and dependable. I wish to forecast 5 to seven years down the street. What are my objectives? I wish to scale to 100 million {dollars}. What does that appear to be within the variety of items I have to 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 will 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 may have a single SKU incomes hundreds of {dollars} month-to-month. You’re not touching it. There’s magnificence in that.

Tecku: It’s lovely as a result of it frees me for development and enchancment. Recall the previous phrase, “Work on your enterprise, not in it.” That may’t change. You must be on high wanting on the items. My job is decision-making. I would like two hours of hyper-focused considering day-after-day.

Continuously executing isn’t the most effective use of my expertise. Some persons are method higher at it. I take into account all parts of the enterprise to be belongings. The manufacturing facility I’ve been constructing for the final six months is an asset. I would like it to run completely with out me. That entails the machines, the area, the staff — each determination.

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

Tecku: I attempt to examine 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 suppose for themselves, you need to allow them to fail. My job is to find out the subsequent step. There’s no proper path. It requires loads of strolling round, studying books, speaking to people, and paying consideration.

Bandholz: The place can people comply with you?

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