Ep: 33 Simplifying Business Transformation for Owners with Paul Ghesquiere

The Popcorn Principle: Embracing Change and Transformation

Hey, it’s Bryan, and if you caught the latest Driveway Marketing Podcast episode, you'll know things popped off—much like popcorn on a summer day in Georgia. I had the pleasure of chatting with Paul Ghesquiere of Highland St. Charles, a transformation coach for mid-market businesses. We dove deep into what it really takes to build a business that’s not just running, but thriving, profitable, and ready for a successful exit—whether that’s tomorrow or five years from now.

The Art of the Possible: Why You Need an Outsider’s Lens

So many business owners get stuck in the "art of what's on their plate right now"—putting out fires and tackling the urgent, but never truly stepping back for perspective. Paul talked about the "art of possible," and that hit home. Sometimes, you need an outsider—not your buddy, not your accountant, but someone who can poke at your blind spots. In corporate, execs actually paid guys like Paul to look for problems they couldn’t see themselves. That third-party lens is gold because, trust me, as the owner, you will miss things—either out of habit or emotional attachment.

Focus on the Acute Pain—Don’t Try to Fix Everything at Once

Here's something I wish I’d learned sooner: don’t try to fix all your problems at once. Sure, you might have 20 issues in your business. The knee-jerk reaction is to solve everything, and that just leads to overwhelm and inertia. Paul suggests (and I 100% agree), focus on the ONE problem causing you the most pain. Dedicate yourself to solving it. Define what success looks like, set milestones, and hold yourself accountable. Once that’s fixed, move on to the next. Your goal isn’t to put out every fire at the same time—it’s to stop the house from burning down, one room at a time.

SOPs, Profit, and the True Value of Your Business

If you want a business that’s worth something—not just to you, but to the market, your kids (if they’ll take it), or a buyer—you need standard operating procedures (SOPs). I can’t shout this enough: your SOPs are worth more than your list of longtime clients. They show anyone coming into your business that you have a clear, repeatable way of getting results and handling challenges. Don’t wait six months before selling to get your books or processes in order; do it now, and keep refining. Anyone doing real due diligence will want three to five years of buttoned-up ops and clean books.

Can You Step Away? The Real Test of Your Business

Here’s the holy grail: can you leave for two weeks, or heaven forbid, end up in the hospital, and your business doesn’t implode? I took a two-week trip to Europe and didn’t work. You know what? The world didn’t end. That’s when I knew we were heading in the right direction. Your business should not hinge on you being the arsonist and the firefighter. Build your systems, empower your people, and let the machine run. Only then will your business truly have value—and you’ll finally be free to enjoy the life you’re building.

Get Help—And Don’t Wait

Look, I’m not afraid to admit I got help. I couldn't do it alone. Getting a pro’s outside perspective changed everything. If you're stuck, overwhelmed, or don’t know where to start, reach out—to Paul, to me, to any trusted expert who can give you candid feedback and tactical next steps. Because the art of the possible starts with saying, “I don’t have all the answers—but I know when to ask for help.”

Want to dig deeper? Paul’s offering access to a killer SOP library and a QuickBooks health check—no strings attached. If you want to future-proof your business, that’s a great place to start.

Thanks for hanging out with me. Make sure to catch the full episode where I discuss this in even more detail with Paul!