Sheley Brien on Embracing Imbalance for Business Growth

INTRODUCTION

Today, we’re thrilled to have Sheley Brien, co-owner of a thriving commercial construction company, join us. With a rich background spanning finance, pharmaceuticals, and restaurant ownership, Sheley brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to our conversation. Owners in the trades who want this run by a specialist start with CFO services for home service contractors.

In this episode, Sheley dives deep into her unique approach to employee development and the importance of investing in people—even if they eventually leave. We’ll explore how she and her husband navigate the challenges of working together, the innovative methodologies they use to manage projects, and the crucial role of cash flow management in their industry. Sheley also sheds light on embracing work-life imbalance during growth phases, the power of family involvement, and the lessons learned from past failures.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business professional, or someone interested in personal development, Sheley’s insights on innovation, adaptability, and long-term strategic planning are sure to inspire you. So, grab your headphones and get ready for an episode packed with valuable takeaways. Let’s dive in!

ABOUT SHELEY BRIEN

Sheley Brien is a dynamic entrepreneur and co-owner of a thriving commercial general contracting business, which she leads alongside her husband. With a rich professional background spanning finance, pharmaceuticals, and restaurant ownership, Sheley brings a wealth of diverse experiences to her current role. Her journey began in corporate America, where she spent 16 years honing her skills before embracing her entrepreneurial spirit and transitioning to construction.

Sheley’s approach to business is deeply rooted in people development, strategic planning, and innovation. She is a strong advocate for employee development and invests heavily in her team, recognizing that even short-term gains can yield long-term benefits for both the individuals and the company. Managing cash flow effectively and integrating robust systems and processes are her key strategies for sustainable business growth.

Balancing a demanding career with personal commitments, Sheley emphasizes the importance of work-life integration, particularly during periods of growth. She and her husband strategically schedule personal time through weekly date nights and Friday day dates, maintaining a strong marital partnership amidst their professional endeavors.

A firm believer in continuous learning and evolving mindset, Sheley draws on her own successes and failures, including a significant loss in the restaurant industry, to fuel future advancements. She also addresses the unique challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, focusing on capabilities and delivering exceptional work to build credibility.

In addition to her construction business, Sheley is active in personal branding, health advocacy, and content creation. She maintains a strong online presence through platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and shares her insights on her podcast “More Action Podcast.”

Sheley Brien embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, with a focus on innovation, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence, making her an inspiring figure in her industry and beyond.

QUOTES

1. On Employee Development:
   • “I believe in investing in people, even if they leave after a few years. It’s more important to me to help develop someone who can go on to do great things than to hold them back out of fear they’ll leave. Our goal is to create a positive, nurturing environment where people can grow, which ultimately benefits the company and our clients.”
2. On Managing Cash Flow:
   • “Cash flow is the lifeline of our commercial construction business. We often front projects and have cash tied up for up to 60 days. To manage this, we use three separate business accounts to track profits, expenses, and reserves, ensuring we have liquidity and can invest in growth opportunities.”
3. On Overcoming Gender Misconceptions:
   • “Within male-dominated industries, it’s crucial to focus on capabilities rather than gender. I’ve faced challenges and misconceptions, but I believe that delivering exceptional work builds credibility. At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words, and it’s all about what we bring to the table.”
4. On Work-Life Balance During Growth Phases:
   • “Work-life balance means different things to different people. For us, we embrace the imbalance during this phase of exponential growth. It’s about creating meaningful moments rather than aiming for perfect balance. We involve our children in our business, showing them the value of hard work and the opportunities it brings.”
5. On Learning from Failures:
   • “Failures provide invaluable lessons for future endeavors. We’ve experienced significant losses, like in the restaurant industry, but each failure taught us something important. It’s about evolving your mindset and extracting the lessons to move forward quicker and smarter in the next venture.”

FUN FACTS

1. Sheley involves her children in the family business to teach them the value of hard work.
2. Sheley lost her eyesight in the left eye temporarily due to immune system issues from stress.
3. Sheley and her husband maintain their partnership with weekly date nights and Friday day dates to balance personal and professional life.

LESSONS LEARNED

Mastering Employee Development

Sheley Brien believes investing in employee growth is crucial, even if staff move on after a few years. Emphasizing the significance of personal and professional development, she argues that the expertise gained benefits both the employees and the company in the long run. This approach not only boosts morale but also creates a culture of continuous learning and improvement, proving advantageous for business evolution. Sheley’s commitment to developing her team showcases an entrepreneurial spirit advocating for innovation and excellence.

Cash Flow Management Strategies

In commercial construction, maintaining cash flow is critical due to the financial complexities of fronting projects. Sheley Brien shares her strategy of using three separate business accounts to track profits, expenses, and reserves, ensuring liquidity. This multi-account system, inspired by the Profit First methodology, provides a clear overview of the financial health of the enterprise. By keeping track of finances meticulously, businesses can stay resilient and seize investment opportunities as they arise.

Embracing Entrepreneurial Flexibility

Sheley emphasizes the value of combining various methodologies over strict adherence to one rigid system. Drawing from systems like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and implementing tools like Slack and Procore for communication and project management, she demonstrates the importance of flexibility. By blending diverse strategies, businesses can adapt more efficiently to challenges and changes, fostering innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in dynamic markets.

Balancing Work and Personal Life

For Sheley Brien, the concept of work-life balance involves embracing imbalance, especially during periods of business growth. She and her husband prioritize quality moments and strategic downtime, such as scheduled date nights, to maintain their marital partnership. Sheley also involves her children in the business, teaching them the rewards of hard work. This pragmatic approach ensures sustained personal and professional development, highlighting that success often requires a customized, flexible balance.

TAKE ACTION

1. 1. Adopt a Multi-Account System for Cash Flow Management Create separate business accounts for tracking profits, expenses, and reserves. This system will help you manage cash flow more effectively, ensuring liquidity for ongoing projects, opportunities for investments, and a clear overview of your financial health.
   2. Incorporate Technology for Communication and Project Management Utilize communication tools like Slack and project management software like Procore to enhance team coordination and client experience. These platforms streamline processes and keep everyone on the same page, which is particularly beneficial in fast-paced industries like construction.
   3. Prioritize Scheduled Personal Time Ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance by scheduling regular personal and relationship time, such as weekly date nights or day dates. This practice helps sustain personal relationships and prevents burnout, making it easier to stay focused and motivated in your business.

QUESTIONS

1. Employee Development Philosophy: Sheley Brien emphasizes investing in employee development even if they leave after a few years. How does this philosophy impact the overall morale and long-term success of a business?
2. Technological Integration: Sheley mentions using virtual talent and software like Procore to manage projects. How can businesses in construction and other fields leverage technology to enhance both efficiency and client experience?
3. Methodological Flexibility: Sheley combines various methodologies rather than adhering strictly to one like EOS. In what ways can this flexible approach benefit a business, and how can leaders determine which elements from different methodologies to combine?
4. Cash Flow Management: Sheley’s use of three separate business accounts for managing profits, expenses, and reserves is a notable strategy. How does this method compare and contrast with the “Profit First” approach, and what lessons can other businesses learn about ensuring liquidity?
5. Role of Communication Tools: The use of communication tools such as Slack seems critical for Sheley’s team. How do these tools improve teamwork, especially in a high-demand environment like commercial construction?
6. Work-Life Balance: Sheley suggests embracing imbalance during growth phases and focusing on making meaningful moments. How can entrepreneurs find their own balance between work and personal life, and what methods could they implement to manage stress and avoid burnout?
7. Challenges in Male-Dominated Industries: Sheley addresses misconceptions and challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries. How can businesses and individuals foster a more inclusive environment that focuses on capabilities rather than gender?
8. Learning from Failures: Sheley believes that learning from significant business losses, such as in the restaurant industry, provides valuable lessons. What are some strategies for extracting constructive insights from past failures to drive future business success?
9. Aligning Core Values: Sheley stresses the importance of understanding and aligning team members with core values. How can businesses effectively communicate and reinforce their core values to ensure cohesive and focused team efforts?
10. Strategic Planning Outlook: Shifting their planning perspective to focus on decades rather than years altered Sheley Brien’s decision-making processes. How can long-term strategic planning contribute to sustainable growth, and what are some key considerations when adopting this approach?

LINKS

Sheley’s Site

LinkedIn