11/25/2025
I started an electronics recycling company not knowing the difference between a hard drive and a processor.
14 years ago. Zero tech knowledge. Couldn’t open a spreadsheet. Had never heard of ‘profit and loss.’
But I knew I could: learn quickly, destroy data, actually answer the phone, recycle e-waste, show up and be responsive … you know, the daily basics.
Years 1-4: Tiny team, cycled through 6 employees
Years 5-9: Systems that couldn’t scale and more team turnover
Years 10-13: Trapped in daily operations, couldn’t grow
This year, it’s finally starting to click.
Dialed, locked-in team. New ERP software rollout, resolving so many processing bottlenecks. Hundreds of 5-star reviews, boosting our SEO.
What changed?
A ruthless commitment to systems. Simply put, we’ve doubled down on doing it right and documenting the process.
I like to call it, “Clarity insanity / Zero ambiguity,” and I’m often found saying, “Make the obvious obvious.”
Because its hard, near impossible, to have sense of urgency if you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing, what’s most important.
I’m “notion-ing” my face off (more software) and laying the ground work for something I can 10x on. This is how we delegate to our team, have visibility on project progress and communicate in a way that centralized and doesn’t require a meeting and good memory.
All of this in in year 14 but there were so many times that I questioned if we would make it.
From not knowing what a processor was to processing 10,000 pounds of electronics monthly, it’s the struggle that creates the breakthrough.
To anyone a few years in and grinding: I spent a decade plus feeling like I was failing forward. Year 14 is proving that we’re building something special, something that can stand the test of time.
Your breakthrough is closer than you think, just needs a little more time.
So give time time and don’t quit before it happens.
