The Conversation Most Founders Avoid forbes Jun 30, 2026

The hardest conversation I have ever had as a founder was the one where I told someone good they could not stay.

Not because they were bad at their job. Because the fit between them and where the business was going no longer worked.

There is no easy ve...

What Is It Exactly That Makes You Special? forbes May 21, 2026

Early in building Solpak, I would introduce myself at networking events and watch people's eyes glaze over.

“I'm in packaging.”

“Oh, cool. What kind?”

“For food.”

“Like for the meat platters at the butcher?”

“No, not really. More for prepared meals...

The Night I Stopped Pretending the Phone Wasn’t Ringing forbes Apr 16, 2026

My wife had just given birth.

It was a complicated delivery. She was finally holding our newborn. Family, music, chaos. Her smile looked forced.

Then my phone rang

One of my largest clients. Equipment failure. I was the only person on the team who k...

If This Business Grows Because of You, Do You Grow With It? forbes Mar 26, 2026

See Original Forbes Business Council Expert Panel Post

One of our team players asked me a direct question once.

She wanted to know what Solpak's growth meant for her future.

Performance bonuses reward this year. Profit sharing rewards this quarter. Both matter. But neither answers the question a go...