Outgrowing the Entrepreneur: When Systems Replace Duct Tape Solutions | Natalie Lemas Hernandez and Jennifer Deroin
Jul 31, 2024
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Natalie Lemas Hernandez, CEO of Commercial Northwest Property Management, discusses her remarkable transition from feeling overwhelmed to embracing business growth. She shares the emotional journey of evolving her family business and emphasizes the importance of resilience and community commitment. The conversation delves into implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) for structured growth, transformational leadership, and creating an intentional company culture. Personal anecdotes highlight the challenges and rewards of taking charge and supporting others in need.
Natalie Lemas Hernandez highlights how adopting the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) transformed her leadership approach and streamlined operations.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of fostering community engagement through holistic support initiatives, enhancing residents' overall well-being beyond traditional property management.
Deep dives
Embracing Transformation in Business
The podcast emphasizes the significance of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in transforming business practices and leadership styles. The guest speaker, Natalie Lemus Hernandez, shares her journey of recognizing that her company had outgrown her capabilities as a leader. After struggling with the challenges of delegation and burnout, she discovered EOS, which provided a structured framework to empower her team and streamline operations. This indeed allowed her to shift from being overburdened with decision-making to focusing on her visionary role within the business.
A Legacy of Resilience
Natalie's family history is marked by resilience, including overcoming bankruptcy and rebuilding their property management business from the ground up. Originally founded by her parents in the late 90s, the journey included personal struggles and a pivot to a service-driven mission after facing significant challenges, including her mother's illness. This legacy of determination shaped Natalie’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to not only grow the business but also to foster a supportive community. The narrative portrays how adversity can fuel passion and innovation, instrumental in shaping a successful career.
Innovative Community Engagement
Natalie's company distinguishes itself through its mission of 'housing the whole person' by offering holistic support to residents. This includes organizing a free annual personal growth retreat aimed at providing residents with valuable life skills such as financial literacy and personal development. The initiative reflects the company's commitment to enhancing not just the physical living arrangements but also the emotional and mental well-being of its community. It showcases how engaging deeply with residents can lead to transformed lives, demonstrating the company's dedication beyond conventional property management.
Navigating Leadership and Accountability
The discussion delves into the challenges of transitioning from a close-knit team to an accountable leadership structure essential for scaling the business. Natalie faced considerable difficulties in restructuring her leadership team to meet the evolving needs of their clientele as the business expanded. Implementing EOS not only introduced accountability but also required redefining roles within the organization, necessitating tough conversations about culture and expectations. This evolution highlights the critical nature of having the right people in the right seats to facilitate growth while maintaining the core values of the company.