Lance Cayko on Mental Health for Entrepreneurs, Executives and Starting a Business From Scratch

Written By Julian Hayes II

Have you ever considered fear and doubt as the unlikely companions of success in terms of how to start a firm from scratch without losing your mental health? For my guest, serial entrepreneur Lance Cayko, this potential moment of fear and doubt showed up during the 2009 recession.

After Lance and his business partner Alex Gore were laid off, they faced contracting and victimizing themselves or choosing to do what most don't do: find a silver lining.

Fast forward: Lance co-founded the award-winning F9 Productions, which has gone from two employees to a team of 11. Lance also teaches part-time at the University of Colorado Boulder and North Dakota State and co-hosts one of the world's top five architecture and business podcasts, Inside the Firm.

In this episode, we dive into the mindset of what true entrepreneurship looks like from multiple angles. So many jewels were dropped in this episode. If you're looking to hotwire your mind and start to operate at a high level in times of uncertainty, this episode is for you.

Here are the top three lessons from this episode:

Embrace Counterintuitive Strategies During Hard Times

Lance’s story is a testament to the power of audacious action in the face of economic despair. When most professionals tightened their belts during the 2009 recession, Lance and his partner Alex boldly started their architectural firm.

This counterintuitive move demonstrates the first key lesson: do not avoid opportunities in tumultuous times. Instead, use such periods as a springboard for growth. By embracing fear, doubt, and uncertainty, you position yourself to capitalize on the unique circumstances that downturns can offer. It's about turning chaos into a ladder for success and not letting external conditions dictate your internal resolve.

Lance Cayko

Lance Cayko is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of wildly successful architecture and construction firms in Northern Colorado. His career in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry spans over two decades and includes several design awards including the international Architizer A+ Award for Architecture + Living Small in 2016.

He co-founded F9 Productions, his architecture firm, in 2009 with his business partner Alex Gore. Since its inception, the partners have grown F9 from two employees grossing less than six figures to a team of 11. They operate out of the brand new custom-built office that they designed, built, and developed in Longmont. In 2021, they earned the #1 spot in tier three of BizWest's Mercury 100 Fastest-Growing Private Firms, blowing out the competition with a 386% growth rate.

In 2023 they were named the Best Architecture Firm of the 2023 Best of Mile High Awards, an annual program that recognizes businesses in the Denver Metro that have demonstrated exceptional service and excellence in their respective industries.

Balance Extroversion with Introspection for a Richer Life

Lance’s commitment to balancing his extroverted entrepreneurial life with introspective activities, such as ice fishing, underscores the importance of personal equilibrium. The second lesson is that success is not solely about the relentless pursuit of professional goals but also about nurturing the mind and soul through stillness and reflection. By disconnecting and engaging in meditative activities, you allow yourself to recenter and rejuvenate. This practice of alternating between intense work and peaceful solitude creates a harmony essential for long-term resilience and success.

View Challenges as Catalysts for Growth and Opportunity

Throughout the episode, Cayko emphasizes the role of a stoic mindset in facing life's adversities. The third lesson to be learned is that negative experiences should not be shunned but rather embraced as catalysts for personal and professional development. Adversity forges resilience, determination, and the invaluable ability to navigate life's chaos. Whether it's skepticism from peers or industry barriers, challenges are opportunities in disguise that push you to innovate and evolve. This approach of converting potential setbacks into stepping stones is what distinguishes the triumphant from the rest.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lance Cayko’s narrative is a rich tapestry that illustrates the complexities of scaling a service-based business and the multifaceted nature of success. By defying the odds during tough times, maintaining a balance, and viewing challenges as avenues for growth, we can all construct our own ventures on solid foundations and craft a legacy that transcends the architectural designs we create. These lessons are not just blueprints for architects and entrepreneurs but for anyone who seeks to build a life of resilience and innovation.

Watch the Full Episode Below

Listen to Our Conversation Below (also available at all major listening outlets)

Julian Hayes II
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