How I Accidentally Built a Million-Dollar Business Before 40

Before I turned 40, I had already built my first million-dollar business.

But if I’m being honest, I didn’t fully grasp the strategy I was executing at the time, it just felt like relentless momentum toward a goal I couldn’t ignore.

They say our peak earning years are between 43 and 55.

I was determined to get there early.

Fast.

From Music to Corporate, and the Moment Everything Changed

In 2013, I found myself at the corporate headquarters of SERVPRO.

At the time, I didn’t recognize what a significant opportunity it was, but I genuinely enjoyed the experience. Before that, I had been working in music and non-profit roles, both fulfilling, but not financially sustainable after my daughter was born.

Like many new fathers, I had a wake-up call.

I needed to earn more, and fast.

Two years into the corporate life, an opportunity came my way: return to the music industry in Indiana or take a risk and work under a franchise owner within the SERVPRO network.

That decision changed everything.

I chose the franchise path, not because it was safer, but because the owner had vision.

Big vision.

The kind that ignites belief.

That’s when I learned one of the most powerful lessons in business: The true value of any company lies in its ownership.

Growth, Departure, and the Spark of an Idea

Within a short time, I built out a business development team that helped grow the franchise by millions.

But then, it was time.

Time to build something of my own.

Something fully sustainable.

Something scalable.

My first major breakthrough?

Consulting.

I charged thousands per month to help other operators grow their businesses.

From educational webinars to one-on-one coaching sessions, I was showing restoration business owners how to succeed with digital marketing.

But soon, the pattern emerged.

“Can you just do this for me?”

That simple request led to the birth of Tier Level Digital Marketing, a full-service agency built on the real-time needs of the restoration industry.

Controversy Wasn’t the Plan, But It Worked

One of the fastest ways to get attention?

Piss someone off.

That wasn’t my goal, but it’s what happened.

I’ve always been known for being brutally honest.

It’s polarizing. But it also creates clarity and trust.

Ironically, Donald J. Trump had just been elected President, and the media circus around him made one thing clear: controversy is a powerful marketing tool.

Whether you love or hate someone, strong opinions stir action.

That lesson hit home even more after hearing Gary Vaynerchuk speak at a conference.

He said something I’ll never forget:

“Assume half the people will love you, and half will hate you.”

So I leaned in.

I published articles calling out sloppy practices in the digital marketing space, especially those affecting franchise owners.

It didn’t take long for corporate leaders to notice, and get angry.

What followed?

Smear campaigns.

Cease and desist letters.

Legal threats.

But it didn’t matter.

Because on the other side of that firestorm were the people who mattered most, the franchisees.

They resonated with the message.

They saw someone willing to say what no one else would.

That trust turned into leads. And those leads turned into clients.

Tier Level passed the million-dollar mark within a year, fueled by nothing more than radical honesty, educational content, and consistency.

Building Momentum

What I’ve learned is this: momentum isn’t magic, it’s created.

It’s built through clarity, courage, and a willingness to speak the truth even when it’s uncomfortable.

The moment I stopped trying to please everyone and started focusing on real value, the entire trajectory of my business changed.

No blueprint.

No shortcut.

Just a deep commitment to doing the work, telling the truth, and serving the right people.

And that, more than anything, is what built my first million.

Didn't learn that in business school.

SML