Lessons From a $650K Loss

Founder Reflections | Real Money. Real Lessons.

The day I realized no one was coming to save me — and why that was a gift.

I took a hit. $650K gone. And with it, most of the noise and fake support that claps when you’re up but disappears when you’re down. That loss didn’t break me — it clarified me. I read more. Slept less. Took accountability for every decision. The biggest wins in my life started on the days I held the weight alone. Here’s what that season taught me.

I lost $650,000.

That’s not a typo. It happened slowly at first, then all at once. But I don’t share this story to vent. I share it because the loss taught me more than any win ever did.

The Setup

In 2022, we took on a large-scale expansion—new trucks, more techs, new markets, and a few expensive tools we thought we needed. We were hot off a profitable quarter and feeling ambitious.

I said yes to things I didn’t fully vet. I leaned into growth without safeguards. I ignored a few yellow flags because I didn’t want to slow down momentum.

Where It Went Wrong

Overhired too fast. Labor costs ballooned before revenue caught up.

Assumed contracts were secure. A major deal fell through—after we’d already staffed for it.

Skipped process documentation. Scaling without systems exposed operational cracks.

Didn’t track expenses daily. We were reactive instead of proactive. By the time we checked the balance sheets, it was too late.

What I Would Do Differently

Start with one market, dominate it, then scale.

Build an SOP before expansion.

Keep a daily financial dashboard—never rely on monthly summaries alone.

When in doubt, delay the hire.

Gut check excitement with a simple rule: “Can we survive if this flops?”

What I Gained

• Resilience and humility.
• A better relationship with money and metrics.
• The courage to say “not yet” instead of “why not.”
• A new hunger to build slower—but smarter.

This wasn’t the end. It was the reset.

Losing $650K wasn’t fun. But it forced me to build better habits, stronger systems, and wiser partnerships. And that’s what ultimately led me to launch two more businesses that actually sustain themselves.

Wins come from building. Losses come from rushing. Both teach.