Always Bet on People: A Reflection on Leadership, Trust, and Growth
Throughout my career, the most transformative moments have come when people placed extraordinary trust in me, or when I did the same for others. The trajectory of my professional and financial life was shaped not by systems or strategies alone, but by the faith of key individuals who entrusted me with responsibilities that, at times, felt overwhelming. But it was in those moments, with their support and belief, that new doors opened, and exceptional outcomes were achieved.
Four individuals stand out as pivotal to my journey: Dr. Douglass (UofR), Tom Rosenecker (Science Kit), Mike Colyer (VWR), and Sumit (Eisco). Each one believed in me when I wasn’t even sure I could shoulder the weight of the tasks they entrusted me with. Their trust propelled my career from 0 to 100 mph, and in return, I pushed myself to deliver results that matched their confidence in me.
From these experiences, I’ve learned an essential truth: to build anything substantial, you must place that same level of trust in others. One of the most critical moments I got this right was in 2012, just months after starting my business. I saw early on that Amazon was going to reshape e-commerce, and I knew exactly who could help navigate that shift—Matt.
Matt and I had met through a corporate leadership program years before, and I recognized his potential. When I asked him to join me, I didn’t sugarcoat the situation. I showed him everything: our modest St. Paul office, introduced him to my operations manager (who happened to be my dad), and laid out the financial reality—$30,000 in savings to fund wages, and the need to generate positive cash flow before those funds ran out. It was a huge responsibility, but I had full faith in Matt, and I was transparent with him because that trust was essential.
For 48 long hours, I waited as Matt weighed his options, even knowing he had another opportunity on the table in a new city. Those were some of the longest hours of my professional life, but deep down, I knew Matt was the right person. He chose to bet on me as I had bet on him, and together, we’ve built something incredible. To this day, we trust each other to divide and conquer as we continue to grow the business.
Entrusting others with high-stakes responsibilities always comes with risk. When things go well, the rewards are immense. But when things don’t pan out, when performance falls short, or when visions diverge, the emotional toll can be heavy. Betting on someone is an emotional investment in their success, and when it doesn’t work, it stings. I recently faced this with an employee who is no longer with us, and it left me questioning my decisions. Yet, I remain steadfast in my belief that trust and faith in others are cornerstones of leadership, and I am confident I made the best decision I could with the information and instincts I had at the time.
So, why share this now? Our company is undergoing significant change—our move, a major ERP upgrade, and the challenge of harnessing our rapid growth. As we prepare for 2025, it’s clear that new roles and responsibilities are emerging, and it’s time for people to step up. Leadership will be placing their bets on those who are hungry, capable, and ready to rise to the occasion. If someone bets on you, don’t let them down. These moments are rare, scary for both parties, and powerful.
For those interested in a deeper exploration of placing trust in others with a calculated approach, I highly recommend the book *“Who Not How”* by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. It offers valuable insights into building successful teams by focusing on *who* can help you achieve your goals, rather than *how* to achieve them alone.
Have faith... bet big. - Ben
Four individuals stand out as pivotal to my journey: Dr. Douglass (UofR), Tom Rosenecker (Science Kit), Mike Colyer (VWR), and Sumit (Eisco). Each one believed in me when I wasn’t even sure I could shoulder the weight of the tasks they entrusted me with. Their trust propelled my career from 0 to 100 mph, and in return, I pushed myself to deliver results that matched their confidence in me.
From these experiences, I’ve learned an essential truth: to build anything substantial, you must place that same level of trust in others. One of the most critical moments I got this right was in 2012, just months after starting my business. I saw early on that Amazon was going to reshape e-commerce, and I knew exactly who could help navigate that shift—Matt.
Matt and I had met through a corporate leadership program years before, and I recognized his potential. When I asked him to join me, I didn’t sugarcoat the situation. I showed him everything: our modest St. Paul office, introduced him to my operations manager (who happened to be my dad), and laid out the financial reality—$30,000 in savings to fund wages, and the need to generate positive cash flow before those funds ran out. It was a huge responsibility, but I had full faith in Matt, and I was transparent with him because that trust was essential.
For 48 long hours, I waited as Matt weighed his options, even knowing he had another opportunity on the table in a new city. Those were some of the longest hours of my professional life, but deep down, I knew Matt was the right person. He chose to bet on me as I had bet on him, and together, we’ve built something incredible. To this day, we trust each other to divide and conquer as we continue to grow the business.
Entrusting others with high-stakes responsibilities always comes with risk. When things go well, the rewards are immense. But when things don’t pan out, when performance falls short, or when visions diverge, the emotional toll can be heavy. Betting on someone is an emotional investment in their success, and when it doesn’t work, it stings. I recently faced this with an employee who is no longer with us, and it left me questioning my decisions. Yet, I remain steadfast in my belief that trust and faith in others are cornerstones of leadership, and I am confident I made the best decision I could with the information and instincts I had at the time.
So, why share this now? Our company is undergoing significant change—our move, a major ERP upgrade, and the challenge of harnessing our rapid growth. As we prepare for 2025, it’s clear that new roles and responsibilities are emerging, and it’s time for people to step up. Leadership will be placing their bets on those who are hungry, capable, and ready to rise to the occasion. If someone bets on you, don’t let them down. These moments are rare, scary for both parties, and powerful.
For those interested in a deeper exploration of placing trust in others with a calculated approach, I highly recommend the book *“Who Not How”* by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. It offers valuable insights into building successful teams by focusing on *who* can help you achieve your goals, rather than *how* to achieve them alone.
Have faith... bet big. - Ben
