SoloFire

365 days as CEO of SoloFire —and what a year it’s been. The photo below is a special one for me. It’s from the day we closed the deal with our investors. No fancy boardroom or suits—just a celebration at a local spot to kick off this new chapter. We’ve grown the business and launched new features since then, but more importantly, we’ve learned what it takes to build something that actually matters to our customers. It doesn’t feel like "work" when you’re solving real problems with people you genuinely enjoy. ✋5 things this year taught (or reminded) me: 1. Listen first. Your customers always have the roadmap if you’re willing to hear it. 2. Trust is a tangible asset. It’s the glue between me, our employees, and our customers. When trust is high, everything moves faster. 3. Financial savviness is a requirement, not an option. It’s been one of the steepest learning curves of my career, and I didn't see it coming. Understanding the "why" behind the numbers is what allows you to lead with clarity. 4. Do not kick the can down the road. There is no good reason to avoid a crucial conversation. Someone has to pick up the phone, and someone has to make a decision. The sooner, the better. 5. Trust your gut on growth. If a strategy doesn't have "legs," stop feeding the machine. I’ve learned to pivot away from a bad road quickly rather than chasing a promise that won't deliver. AI was a game changer this year. We didn't just add AI for the buzzword; we used it to Speed up our internal dev cycles. Launch a specialized AI assistant trained on a team’s unique sales content so reps get instant coaching right inside the platform. Huge thanks to the SoloFire team and our incredible customers. And a special thank you to our investors ( John Richards , Tyler Richards, and Startup Ignition Ventures ) #ThankYouTeam #GratefulFounder #FounderLife #StartupLeadership #OneYearIn #SalesEnablement #MedDeviceSales #AI

Pain has a way of forcing clarity. About a month ago, right as the holiday chaos and end-of-year commitments were stacking up, both personally and professionally, my back went out. Again. When that happens, I’m not just in pain. I’m sidelined. My wife picks up all the slack. The kids feel it. I feel it. And it’s not the pain itself that hits the hardest. It’s the helplessness. Not being able to contribute. Not being able to show up. But in those moments, priorities snap into focus. I have to let go of the noise and focus on what truly matters. It’s made me rethink how I approach my work at SoloFire too. Am I focused on the highest priorities? Or just staying busy? That clarity, choosing impact over activity, is something I want to carry forward this year. In work, in life, in everything. This is my MRI from when this all started in 2023, just before a stem cell treatment. ✋ I’m trying to stay focused on impact over motion. What’s helping you do the same?

Grateful for a great week at MD&M Midwest. Such a strong showing of innovation, great conversations, and even better people. Minneapolis, you’re a city full of warmth and sharp minds. It was a pleasure catching up with some of our customers and meeting new folks in the med device and life sciences space. Always energizing to hear where the industry’s headed and how we can help teams move faster in the field. Appreciate every conversation and connection. Already looking forward to what’s next! #MDMMidwest #meddevice #lifesciences #salesenablement #gratitude #minneapolis