What does it really take to build, scale, and exit businesses—without losing your sanity or burning out? In this episode, Max sits down with Chad Nikkel, a serial entrepreneur who has founded and scaled 11 companies, completed 7 acquisitions, and navigated 4 high-value exits. From losing his first business at 21 to building a $50M roofing company, Chad has seen it all: the highs of rapid growth, the lows of bankruptcy, and the wisdom of starting over. Today, he helps entrepreneurs and leadership teams at Next Level Growth design businesses that scale and give them a return on life, not just money. This conversation covers everything from delegation struggles to second-in-command hires, from painful mistakes to powerful operating systems that actually fit the people using them. If you’ve ever felt stuck in firefighting mode or wondered how to break through growth ceilings, this is the episode for you.   💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode: - The Importance of Systems: Don't sell a business too soon; instead, focus on establishing robust systems and strong teams. - The Day of Chad: Prioritize white space for strategic thinking and visionary work. - Return on Life: Balance business success with personal time and family to avoid burnout. - Learning from Failure: Mistakes and setbacks, like bankruptcy, can be valuable learning experiences that shape future business decisions.   —   🔗 Connect with Chad Nikkel 🌐 Website: https://nextlevelgrowth.com 📧 Email: chad@nextlevelgrowth.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadnikkel 📣 Connect with Max Hansen & Y ScoutsMax Hansen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxhansen/Max Hansen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhansen44/Y Scouts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yscoutsY Scouts Website: https://yscouts.comListen now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjwlGgcMvG8