The Entrepreneurial Journey Is Really The Inner Journey

A Chat with Entrepreneur Michael McAllister

Last week I caught up with Michael McAllister about his entrepreneurial experience from founding of The CE Shop, an online e-learning provider, to exit. (DM me for a link to the full interview). We talked about not just his business achievements, including a life-changing transaction in 2020, but also the personal growth that came along with them.

Here are some of the highlights—

From Employee to Entrepreneur

Michael grew up in an entrepreneurial family. “I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Michael shared. “I was never a good employee per se. I had other ways of doing things.” His path to starting his own business was not straightforward, but it was driven by a clear understanding that he needed to create something on his terms. After ten years in technology sales and marketing, Michael found himself building a business model that resonated with his vision.

“I actually built a spreadsheet with all the characteristics of a business that I wanted,” he said. Evaluating different opportunities, he found a business in Texas providing licensing education through mail-order materials. Although he didn’t end up buying that business, it inspired him to create his own.

Navigating Challenges While Staying True to Core Values

One significant lesson from Michael's journey is the importance of aligning business decisions with core values. He recounted a pivotal moment when he turned down an attractive deal because it didn't align with the company’s values. “Listening to your gut and knowing what you have is amazing is crucial. We ended up waiting, and it paid off. Covid hit, our business doubled, and we later secured a deal that was twice the original offer.”

The Inner Journey of Entrepreneurship

“The entrepreneurial journey is really the entrepreneur's inner journey,” Michael emphasized. This intertwined nature of personal growth and business success became evident as he discussed the challenges of balancing work with personal life. “I was physically present but not always emotionally connected,” he admitted, highlighting the sacrifices made along the way.

Michael's drive was partly fueled by a desire to overcome a sense of lack he felt growing up. “I know that part of my soul's journey was to say, ‘Okay, we're done with that.’ I wanted to give everyone in my family some breathing space,” he said.

Life After the Exit

Post-exit, Michael has focused on supporting early-stage companies and entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of self-awareness and alignment with personal values. "I have no interest in investing in anything just to make money. It needs to be rooted in something greater."

Looking Forward

Michael is taking a relaxed approach to his next steps, letting things unfold naturally. “I'm really committed to letting it emerge, to show up,” he said, showing a shift from his previous, more driven approach. He believes in the power of manifesting one's vision. “We are powerful beyond our own awareness,” he said.

He recounted a story about his early days working in a small, cold office in Fargo, North Dakota, dreaming of a prosperous business with a view of the Rocky Mountains. “Sure enough, in 2014, we moved the business to Denver and rented a spectacular office with a view of the mountains,” he said.

Join Us on September 17

I'm excited to announce that Michael and several other entrepreneurs will join us for a special event on September 17. We’ll dive deeper into their experiences, their insights, their words of caution. Don't miss this chance to learn from those who have navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with wisdom and resilience.

We will be making room for a limited number of entrepreneurs to join us live for this invitation-only virtual event. The recording will be made available to anyone who requests it.

If you’ve like to be considered, please reply “founder” in the comments below or send me a DM.

We’ll be sharing more stories from inspiring entrepreneurs in the weeks to come.

#founder #founders #exit