Let's Talk small Business with Mitchell Wilson

Oct. 26, 2026

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Let’s Talk Escaping the Operator Trap: From 168-Hour Hustle to Total Freedom with Mike Dejong

Ever landed on a beach in Mexico, ordered a cocktail, and picked up the phone only to hear your general manager quit on the spot? Turnaround specialist, multi-unit franchise owner, and author of Grow Smart, Mike DeJong, lived that exact nightmare. That brutal wake-up call forced him to realize he didn’t own an actual company—he owned a high-stress job with massive overhead.

In this episode, Mitchell and Mike get real about the "operator trap" that burns so many hardworking owners out. Mike shares how he transitioned from commercial pilot and corporate manager to building automated business operations that run without him. Discover why simple video SOPs beat 100-step manuals, the danger of "delegate and disappear," and the two non-negotiable tests you must pass before opening location number two.

Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business? Come join fellow owners building smarter systems inside The Business Nest: https://www.skool.com/businessnest

Business

English

United States

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IN THIS EPISODE

grow smart

# mike dejong

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