Running several businesses simultaneously requires more than just good ideas and capital, it demands teams that can withstand pressure, adapt quickly, and maintain high performance across different environments. Brad Burns has mastered this challenge through several ventures with his holding company structure. His straightforward approach to team-building combines efficiency, autonomy, and mutual accountability to create resilient organizations that thrive even in today’s challenging business landscape.
Creating Operational Efficiency Through Shared Resources
Brad’s approach to building teams has evolved significantly as his business portfolio expanded. Instead of creating redundant positions across each company, he implemented a more streamlined model that benefits all his ventures simultaneously.
“One of the things that we’ve done differently than when we began is now we have a shared services model. All the employees work for the holding company and we share redundant resources,” Brad explains. “We just have one group of people that do the accounting work for all the companies as opposed to having an accountant or bookkeeper inside each organization.” This approach allows his businesses to scale quickly without the burden of excessive overhead costs. The companies share those expenses until reaching capacity before adding additional resources.
Direct Expectations and Earned Autonomy
Brad believes in setting clear expectations from the beginning and providing team members with the opportunity to prove themselves. His onboarding process balances initial support with a strong push toward independence. “We’ll hold your hand for the first three, four, maybe five months to get acclimated to the process, the clients, the workflow—just everything you need to know to be successful,” Brad says. “And then once we get to that point, nobody’s going to micromanage you. You’re an adult; you understand your job description and the expectations.” This approach stems partly from necessity, as Brad notes they “run relatively lean, so everybody has got a heavy load on their shoulders.” Team members are encouraged to speak up when they need help, and the organization responds by adding resources to maintain efficiency as they continue to scale.
Fostering Resilience in Challenging Environments
According to Brad, resilience is non-negotiable in today’s business climate, especially for entrepreneurs and their teams. The path to success requires thick skin and perseverance through difficult periods that others often don’t see or appreciate. “I spent the first five years basically eating ramen and working 24/7, while you were sitting at a job and collecting a paycheck,” Brad reflects on the common misconception that entrepreneurial success comes easily. “There’s just a different set of circumstances that I had to tolerate for a period of time to get where I’m at to the situation where you think it looks super easy.” Within his organization, Brad has cultivated an environment that combines camaraderie with mutual support. “Here in the office we have more like a family type of atmosphere. Everybody kind of razzes each other, but ultimately, we’ve all got each other’s backs and we’re pushing for the same goals.”
When it comes to maintaining consistent culture across different ventures, Brad prioritizes authenticity and leading by example rather than formal value statements. “It comes from the top down. You treat everybody the same. You give them respect until they give you a reason not to,” Brad explains. “Being upfront and honest with people, being real is important. Some people put on this facade. I just don’t do that.” This authenticity extends to how the team holds each other accountable. “It’s not just me holding everybody accountable. It’s everybody pushing each other past their limits a bit and being the best version of themselves,” Brad emphasizes. “Anybody can say ‘this is what I believe in,’ but actions speak louder than words. If you live those things, it really resonates more than somebody just telling you something.”
To learn more about Brad Burns, connect with him on LinkedIn or check out his website.