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Five Years of Double E: What I’ve Learned About Leadership, Business, and Staying the Course

July 28, 2025 In Other No Comments

As a disengaged employee, I knew I couldn’t let myself stay that way. I wasn’t being true to myself or my company. After 26 years in the chemical industry, I had to decide between what was comfortable and familiar versus taking a chance on myself and making a difference. The best way forward was to step out on my own and follow my internal compass.

So here I am, five years into launching Double E Workplace Solutions. Did I do everything right? Heck no, but the journey has been rewarding and full of continuous learning. I’m doing what I love: building relationships, helping shape cultures for the better, investing in leaders, and positively influencing employee engagement.

Taking the First Steps Toward Making a Difference

I firmly believe there is a leadership training gap for frontline leaders, especially those in blue-collar roles such as manufacturing. I always thought it ironic that the most essential leaders, who are viewed as too valuable to take off the shop floor, are often overlooked when it comes to development. It’s a demanding job, and too often, leaders take on these roles with little or no training.  They quickly find it’s a whole new ball game leading diverse groups of people. Without proper training, they soon become frustrated, discouraged, or, as I was, disengaged.

After speaking with trusted professionals and researching market needs, I confirmed that there was a need for a different approach to leadership training and workplace solutions. I envisioned Double E Workplace Solutions as a trusted resource to help organizations enhance performance through leadership development, employee engagement, and process improvement.

The Hard Part No One Tells You

What I didn’t expect was how tough it would be to build something from scratch. There were moments early on when the work was slow, the money was tighter than I’d planned, and I questioned whether I’d made a mistake leaving the security of my corporate job.

But I kept showing up. I got involved with the local Chamber, started attending business events, and said yes to as many coffee conversations as possible, even though I prefer orange juice. What surprised me most? My first clients didn’t come from a huge marketing campaign; they happened organically from past relationships. These were people who already knew me and trusted me. It was a humbling reminder that how you treat people matters. Every relationship counts, whether you’re leading a team or building a business.

Building Credibility and Connections

In the early days, I had a challenging yet essential realization: building something sustainable requires more than just passion. I knew the gap I wanted to fill in the leadership development space, but if people didn’t know me, trust me, or see the value in my work, then passion alone wouldn’t be enough.

One of the most significant shifts for me was moving from a product-focused mindset to a people-first approach. Early on, I made the mistake of creating content based on what I thought people needed. That was a humbling moment. I quickly realized I had spent all that time building something no one had asked for. That’s when I made the shift: from trying to tell people what they need to spending more time listening with the intent to understand.

So, I started showing up. Not just for clients, but also for programs, community partners, and local business groups, anywhere I could learn, share, and build credibility. I got a lot of value from those sessions, but what made the difference wasn’t just the knowledge. It was the relationships.

Those relationships opened the door for me to do what I love—engaging directly with people and equipping frontline leaders with the tools and confidence to lead effectively.

Building a Team

As my business grew, I realized that I couldn’t do this on my own. There’s pride in doing it all, especially early on when you’re proving the concept and still figuring things out. But growth brings a different kind of challenge: letting go of control, trusting others, and recognizing that scaling impact means sharing the mission.

If relationships got me this far, why not lean into the same strategy to build a team? So, I reached out to people I trusted—former coworkers, long-time friends, and new connections who were willing and able. Each person brings something different to the table, but what continues to unite us is a belief in the work and a commitment to helping leaders thrive. Whether it involves support for operations, marketing, content creation, or facilitation, the team works together in the same way the business does: through genuine relationships.

At Double E, we’re not just trainers, we’re real people who’ve been there. We’ve led teams, navigated challenging conversations, and felt the weight of pressure from all directions. This firsthand experience shapes our approach: practical, flexible, and built for the real world.

What I Wish I Knew at the Start

The journey of building Double E Workplace Solutions taught me that entrepreneurship is as much about growth and resilience as it is about strategy and execution. The bumps in the road became my best teachers, revealing insights I could never have gained otherwise. If I could advise someone venturing out on their own today, here’s what I’d say:

  • Don’t assume you know what people need—ask and listen.
  • Relationships will consistently outperform pitch decks.
  • Build your business like you’re planning to sell it, even if you’re not.
  • Stay grounded. Maintain a schedule, protect your mental well-being, and make time for reflection.

The past five years have been a powerful reminder that authentic leadership is about serving, listening, and learning. Looking forward, the next five years will follow a different trajectory.

We’re exploring AI tools, flexible delivery models, and new ways to scale our reach without losing the relationship-based core that makes Double E work. But our mission hasn’t changed. We’re still here to help leaders grow and to support companies in building cultures where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to do their best work.

Final Thought

If you’re building something, remember this: it takes time. Trust builds slowly, and progress isn’t always apparent in the early stages. But if you remain focused on service, keep learning, and surround yourself with good people, you’ll likely go further than you imagined. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey. Looking ahead, I’m excited to see what the next five years will bring.