Dear Reader,
Ashley leaned across the table and asked Aaron, “What kind of father do you want to be?” When he looked up, he saw the clear, wet crescents forming on the edge of her bottom eyelids. The tears were there, but they weren’t falling. Ashley willed them to stay put. She wasn’t going to let them fall. She wanted her husband’s thoughts, his heart, but not his pity. She wanted the decision to be his.
“You’re going to have to make a choice. You can be absent from our lives, or you can be present. But you can’t keep working like you’re working and still be the father and husband we need you to be. So, what kind of father do you want to be?”
This time, it was Aaron’s turn to hold back the tears.
He looked at his wife. “I’m going to be the husband and father God has called me to be.”
“Then you’re going to have to start trusting your people. You’re going to have to let them lead.”
From this pivotal moment, everything changed. The wisdom of a loving wife struck Aaron in both his heart and his head. Ashley took the risk to say what mattered most, and in doing so, created the change that made big things possible.
This is the story of Aaron Hagan and how he almost lost it all, only to build a $65 million electric-only powerhouse. And even though Ashley isn’t in this episode, this is also her story.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- Training hard to make work easier
- Culture erosion through unhealthy competition
- Faith as a compass for decision making
- Scaling through people—not just systems
- The power of mentorship and shared vulnerability
- Franchise advantages vs. independent ownership
Episode Chapters & Summary
Grit, Humility, and the Power of Vulnerability
“Don't waste a good failure.”
Aaron shares how resilience and learning from failure helped him lead through multiple crises—including near bankruptcy and a total rebuild. His honesty creates deeper connections with team members and mentees.
Key Takeaways:
- Grit is earned through failure, not born.
- Vulnerability strengthens leadership trust.
- Being real attracts mentorship and loyalty.
The Family Conversation That Changed Everything
“What kind of father do you want to be?”
After burning himself out across multiple cities, Aaron's wife asked him a life-altering question. That moment sparked a shift toward building systems, empowering leaders, and creating a healthier business—and home—life.
Key Takeaways:
- Growth must not come at the cost of family.
- Systems and video conferencing kept team unity strong.
- Letting go of control allowed the business to scale.
From Competition to Core Values
“Train hard. The work is easy.”
Aaron reveals how an overly competitive culture eroded trust and loyalty. After losing his entire team in 2017, he rebuilt the business on core values—shifting the focus from revenue to responsibility and training.
Key Takeaways:
- Toxic competition can destroy team morale.
- Core values must be visible and reinforced daily.
- Training is the foundation for lasting culture.
Scaling With the Right Operators
““We've gotten better every time.””
Aaron outlines how each new location got stronger. By partnering with franchisees and building teams around strong managers, he now launches multimillion-dollar operations quickly and efficiently.
Key Takeaways:
- Partnering with established brands accelerates growth.
- Hiring leaders before launching pays dividends.
- Systems matter—but people scale the company.
Faith, Family, and Purpose-Driven Growth
““My faith gives me the confidence to know it's going to be okay.””
Aaron talks about how his faith grounds his leadership decisions and gives him peace even in uncertainty. He aligns his work with a sense of purpose rooted in integrity and service.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith provides resilience during tough decisions.
- Purpose-driven leadership builds loyal teams.
- Confidence doesn't come from control—it comes from belief.
The Future of Leadership
““Your business will only grow as fast as your people do.””
Aaron highlights the growing need to train not just techs but future operators. He discusses internal programs to identify and mentor leaders capable of scaling with the company.
Key Takeaways:
- Succession planning is critical for sustained growth.
- Investing in people is the ultimate multiplier.
- Leadership training is just as urgent as recruiting techs.
Franchise vs. Independent: Owning the Path Forward
““The network is the biggest advantage of a franchise.””
Aaron addresses the stigma around franchise limitations and potential exits. He argues the relationships, systems, and shared culture within a franchise outweigh short-term equity trade-offs.
Key Takeaways:
- Franchises offer support that independents lack.
- Culture-sharing across locations accelerates learning.
- You can scale and still preserve your independence.
