Six Years at DOBI: Growth, Leadership, and Lessons Learned
It’s hard to believe that six years have passed since I started DOBI. There have been moments where time seemed to fly by and others where things moved slowly. But as I reflect on the journey, I’m amazed at how far we’ve come.
Seven years ago, I was still heavily involved in sales, doing around $20 to $25 million a year. Fast forward to today, and we’re hitting $400 million in sales. That’s a 16x growth. When I look back, I realize how much we’ve accomplished without a clear blueprint—just learning through trial and error, taking risks, and constantly evolving.
As I think about the next six to seven years, I envision another 16x growth. That would put us at $6.4 billion. Crazy? Maybe. But when I started DOBI, people thought I was crazy then too. Those same people are still doing the same numbers they were seven years ago, while we’ve grown exponentially. So, why not dream big?
Key Lessons Learned Over the Past Six Years
Over the years, my perspective on leadership, business, and personal growth has changed significantly. Here are a few of the most important lessons I’ve learned:
1. Stay Focused on Personal Growth
One of the biggest turning points for me was realizing that when things go off track—whether it’s my vision, energy, or passion—it’s time to refocus on myself. I’ve learned to recognize when I’m stuck and know how to get back on course. This usually means going back to basics: working out, reading more, and focusing on what I can control.
2. Eliminate Distractions
To achieve big goals, it’s critical to eliminate distractions. Social media, TV, and endless phone calls can drain valuable time. Instead, I focus on what truly matters—my family, my health, and my work. When I get rid of the noise, I have more time and energy to focus on growing the business and achieving my goals.
3. Take Responsibility
Another major lesson I’ve learned is the importance of taking responsibility for everything in my life and business. When something doesn’t go as planned, it’s easy to blame external factors. But the truth is, growth happens when you own your mistakes and learn from them. By taking responsibility, you also eliminate anger and negativity, which helps attract the right people and opportunities.
4. Commit to Self-Development
Personal growth isn’t just about mastering your craft—it’s about continuously learning and improving. I wasn’t always a big reader, but once I realized how much I could learn from books, I committed to it. Think about it: if you read for just one hour a day, you can finish 52 books a year. That’s a significant investment in yourself. Over time, this knowledge compounds and positions you as an expert in your field.
5. Execute Relentlessly
Execution is everything. It’s easy to come up with ideas, but following through is where the real magic happens. I’ve learned that the fear of failure or looking foolish is nothing compared to the regret of not taking action. Make decisions, take risks, and learn from your failures. Not taking action is often the worst decision you can make.
Looking Ahead: The Next Six Years
As I look toward the future, I’m excited about where we’re headed. I truly believe we can achieve 16x growth again over the next six to seven years. It’s not about magic; it’s about committing to the basics—focusing on personal growth, eliminating distractions, and taking responsibility for everything in our lives.
Time is our most valuable asset, and every day we waste by not committing to growth is time we can never get back. The journey ahead will be full of challenges, but I know that by continuing to work on myself and lead by example, we can achieve incredible things.
To everyone at DOBI, let’s keep pushing forward. We’ve already accomplished so much, but there’s so much more we can do. Let’s finish the year strong and continue striving for greatness.
