Superior Aluminum is a multi-generational family business that has thrived for more than 68 years. As the second generation of leaders began planning to retire, the organization’s board challenged the company to bring in a new leader who could provide fresh perspective and draw on outside experience. The organization hired Doug Borchers — a member of one of [ Read More ]
Every journey has a starting point, and for Danny McGeady, now owner of JEM Designs, it began with a desire for freedom. Dissatisfied with corporate life and craving independence, he went on to start his own path at 24 years old. With little expertise but a strong determination, Danny took the leap into entrepreneurship, co-founding JEM Designs in [ Read More ]
Your Content Goes HereSome of the greatest challenges a business owner faces can also feel like the loneliest — setting the direction for the business, navigating changes in the external environment, and preparing to leave the business to the next generation of leadership are emotionally, mentally daunting tasks. Which is why Aileron exists — to equip business owners and leaders [ Read More ]
For more than 25 years, Sandie and Greg Lange have pursued their shared passions for design as the owners of Swath Design. Together, they grew a business that became a well-known and respected leader in environmental graphic design and wayfinding. When they started discussing how they might transition out of the business while preserving what they’d worked hard [ Read More ]
Eric Wiechart, President Chairman of the family-owned All Service Glass company in Lima, Ohio, became part of the Aileron community almost 10 years ago when he attended Course for Presidents. At the end of the session, he took the opportunity to ask Aileron Founder Clay Mathile a question — and Clay’s response, he said, shook him to the core. [ Read More ]
Dr. Mike Hill founded The Hill Hear Better Clinic 35 years ago to improve quality of life for his patients. Armed with extensive audiology training, used equipment, and $6,000 in savings, Hill knew a lot about providing excellent patient care, but running a business wasn’t part of his formal training. “Caring for patients was my main priority, but [ Read More ]
After years of working in the family business, Jim Smith suddenly became CEO of Keith Smith Company, America’s largest independent producer and provider of broiler hatching eggs, in the early 1990s. Looking for support and guidance in his new leadership role, Jim eagerly connected with Aileron’s founder Clay Mathile through a mutual acquaintance and began his professional management [ Read More ]
Growing revenue and growing the life you’ve dreamed of are common goals we hear from new founders and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. For Matt Carlton, CEO of Carlton Construction, growth was great – until it was outpacing what he could handle. In 2018, the company experienced the best revenue year in its history, having doubled revenue for two consecutive years. [ Read More ]
Management consultant and author Peter Drucker is known for saying culture eats strategy for breakfast. Anyone who’s run a business can attest to the power culture has over all areas of the business. Underlying cultural struggles can make collaboration, recruitment and retention, and growth difficult or even impossible. Said differently, unless your culture is in working order, no strategy [ Read More ]
Doing the work of a CEO is one thing; feeling like a CEO is a whole different ballgame. We hear that sentiment a lot at Aileron, especially from young leaders who are fresh in their roles. While imposter syndrome – the self-limiting belief that you’re not as capable as you are – can contribute to not feeling CEO-ready, other [ Read More ]
