Every month, I receive at least one email like this. They enjoy reading CEO Mastery. They want to build something similar for their own business. They want to know how to start. So today, I’m not writing about revenue or valuation. I’m sharing why I started CEO Mastery in the first place — and why
Why I Started CEO Mastery Read More »
At my tech company, Tejora, I hosted a monthly lunch. Anyone celebrating their work anniversary that month — whether one year or ten — was invited to join me. Titles didn’t matter. A junior developer, a program manager, or a CXO sat at the same table. It wasn’t fancy. Sometimes pizza. Sometimes brown-bag style. No
The Best Meeting I Hosted Read More »
Over the past week, two founders reached out to me. Different industries. Different stages. Same question. “How do we grow 10x?” I genuinely enjoy this question. There is something energizing about ambition at that scale. It signals intent, a refusal to settle for incremental progress, a willingness to think beyond the next quarter. But over
I recently did a Decision Audit with a founder who felt stuck. On paper, his 2-Year startup looked solid.Everything documented. Systems in place. Margins better than industry benchmarks. Yet his frustration was boiling over. “Why are we not growing?”“Our product is better than what’s out there.”“The team delivers. So why isn’t the needle moving?” Then
What’s Your Founder DNA? Read More »
I’m a huge fan of Muji.I’m not a Red Bull person at all. Muji is quiet, minimal, almost invisible.Red Bull is loud, everywhere, impossible to miss. They sit at opposite extremes, yet both are wildly successful. I’ve been obsessing over these two lately because I caught myself wobbling a bit in clarity. Many founders experience
Muji vs Red Bull: What strong brands refuse to do Read More »
It’s Tuesday morning, and I still don’t have this week’s letter ready for Thursday. That’s not my standard practice. I’ve spent most of last week working on something that doesn’t show up on any dashboard. I’ve been clarifying my circle of competence and my moat. The two things that will largely decide what the next 10 years will
I Paused Execution to Think Long-Term Read More »
A few years ago, I was having a working lunch with my operations head. Midway through the conversation, she paused and looked at my wrist. “I keep seeing that hairband on your wrist,” she said.“And you don’t even have long hair. What is it?” I hesitated. It wasn’t a secret, but it felt oddly personal
Why I started wearing a hairband on my wrist Read More »
In 1971, Phil Knight felt like his business was about to collapse. Nike, Blue Ribbon Sports at the time, was growing, but the pressure was closing in. The bank had refused to extend the credit line any further.And at the same time, Nike’s only Japanese supplier threatened to cut off supply after Phil refused their
What ‘Shoe Dog’ Reveals About Growth and Risk Read More »
After my second exit, I “launched” my coaching practice. I posted a few times on LinkedIn.I spoke to a few people.I expected momentum. I had real experience.Results I could point to.Frameworks I believed in. And then… nothing. Not zero — but nowhere near the pull I expected. I felt confused.A little embarrassed.And if I’m honest
Every time we buy a stock — NVIDIA, Apple, Tesla — we do something interesting. We track the stock price.
Reflections, progress, and how CEO Mastery sharpens founder judgment in 2026.
A Year-End Reset for the Founder Who Thinks Long-Term Read More »
The wild story of a 98-year-old founder Warren Buffett chased for 20 years.
My Biggest Inspiration in Business (and What Founders Forget Today) Read More »
Selling any new idea — a product, a feature, a service, always hits a wall of objections. “That’s not how we work today.”
We change our tools, and then our tools change us Read More »
Last week, we explored how to choose the right co-founder.Here’s part 1 if you missed it.
How to Work With a Co-Founder (Part 2) Read More »
65% of startups shut down because founders fight.Not because the idea was weak or the market…
Choosing Co-founder? Read This First Read More »
I’m not sure if I like Elon Musk. But I’ve always been curious about how he operates, and why success…
Love him or hate him, but you can’t ignore him. Read More »
This is the 70th edition of CEO Mastery. When I sent the first one, I didn’t imagine it…
Celebrating 70 editions + a gift for you Read More »
Last week, we explored the first five filters to help you build a company investors love and founders envy…
How Smart Founders Actually Decide (Part II) Read More »
Charlie Munger’s 10 filters for building a business that lasts — and why rational founders always win.
Eliminate Stupidity Before Chasing Brilliance Read More »
Twenty-five people team felt like the promised land when you were ten. You thought…
You’re Running 2 Businesses, But Managing Only One Read More »
Twenty-five people team felt like the promised land when you were ten. You thought…
Your Team Isn’t Telling You the Truth Read More »
I’m in the middle of a 10-day LinkedIn series about the fundamentals every scaling founder should master.
10 Fundamentals: Behind the Scene Read More »
Every founder’s team looks to them for answers.But no founder has all the answers.
How to share your doubts with team without losing authority Read More »
I can’t tell you how many founders have told me: “People failed me.”“People slowed us down.
People: Asset or Liability? Read More »
You calculate effort and costs before bidding for the project.
Customer Delivery Slowing Your Growth? Read More »
Business is simple. There are only three ways to grow: Get more customers.
3 Mistakes About Revenue Growth Read More »
When I was selling my tech company, I got an unexpected offer from outside the industry.
I never thought of this until someone tried to buy my company Read More »
In my tech company, one of our core offerings was building offshore teams.
Don’t hire to grow. Design to grow. Read More »
I meet two types of founders. The first think they’re building the next unicorn…
2-Question Business Audit Read More »
Early in my career, I worked as a software test engineer. My job wasn’t to break the system.
7 Revenue Levers: Diagnose Before You Scale Read More »
You’ve been reading my words for a year. This week, you’ll hear me speak.
Revealing Unsaid Lessons Behind My Two Exits Read More »
I’ve said this more times than I can count—on LinkedIn, in newsletters, on coaching calls
40 new founders joined CEO Mastery this week. The last few weeks, I’ve been deep in build mode.
What if you’re just tired? Read More »
Last week, we celebrated the 50th edition of CEO Mastery.
You lose profit through unseen cracks, and here’s how to discover it. Read More »
This is the 50th edition of CEO Mastery. 50 weeks of business insights, frameworks, hard truths…
A Gift For You: 12 Ways You Can Exit Your Business, Successfully. Read More »
A few years ago, I had someone on my team who was brilliant.
How to Reduce Key-Person Risk in Delivery Read More »
Last week, a tech consulting founder said to me: “We’ve been getting ₹20–30L projects consistently.
3 Phases of Business Wealth (Most Founders Get Stuck at #1) Read More »
This letter isn’t going to follow the popular narrative. But after building my two companies
Why Great Management Outperforms “Leadership” Every Time Read More »
“I don’t want to be known as a one-product company.” That’s what a seasoned…
Famous for One Thing Read More »
Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you’re building something valuable.
Busywork. Liability. Asset. What Are You Really Building? Read More »
You know what $1M+ founders secretly fear? That if they take their eyes off the business…
Why You’re Still the Bottleneck (Even With a Team) Read More »
Neither of my exits was planned. Not the first. Not the second.
Exit #1 Was Luck. Exit #2 Was Strategy. Read More »
“We just crossed 7 figures. So why am I less profitable and feel burned out?”
Are You Paying the ‘Growth Tax’? [+ Valuation Tip of the week] Read More »
Most founders grow their companies with a simple formula…
Revenue Engine: Old formula vs. New formula Read More »
What if everything you’ve been taught about scaling a business is backwards?
I Built a 200-Person Company. My New One Has 0 Employees (Here’s Why) Read More »
![Why Your Ideas Stay Stuck in Your Head [+ Tip of the Week]](https://surabhishenoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NL39-1024x536.png)
In the last two weeks, I wrote about creating irresistible offers and building your own market monopoly.
Why Your Ideas Stay Stuck in Your Head [+ Tip of the Week] Read More »
After my last exit, I found myself drawn to coaching. I wanted to help founders…
How I’m building a monopoly in my 3rd business Read More »
Most founders have a solid product. But they can’t seem to close deals fast enough.
Clients ghosted Jay until he changed these 5 words Read More »
“We need you to stay for a year after acquisition.” That sentence is every founder’s exit nightmare.
My acquirer slashed my post-sale commitment from 12 months to 30 days. Here’s why. Read More »
In 2011, JCPenney made a bold move. They hired Ron Johnson, the mastermind behind Apple’s retail success.
Why great hires fail in startups — and how to prevent it. Read More »
Last week, I wrote about the biggest trap founders find themselves in: Waiting for more time. The responses I received were overwhelming – this challenge clearly struck a chord with many of you. Turns out, the real problem isn’t time. It’s staying trapped “in” the business. Trapped in My Own Business If you’re feeling trapped
From 17-hour days to 4hr days + 22% growth Read More »
Just last month, three different founders came to me. Each had everything needed for growth…
Why Founders Delay Their Own Success Read More »
Note: This is Part 3 of our Operating Model series. For best results, read Part 1 and Part 2 first.
[Part3] The 6-week guide to implementing your Operating Model Read More »
Last week, we explored why work gets stuck even with a perfect org chart (read Part 1 here). If you did the exercise, you probably noticed that the same bottlenecks appears across your company. I have been here. As my company grew, I found myself in endless meetings, constantly being pulled into decisions, and feeling
[Part 2] The system that saved my sanity (and my company) Read More »
What used to take 2 hours now takes 5. What used to be a quick decision now needs 3 meetings.
[Part 1] Why adding more people makes everything slower (and how to fix it) Read More »
The ancient banyan tree towered above me, its aerial roots reaching toward earth like fingers of time. Beside it lay its fallen brother. Once mighty. Now, returning to soil. Nature’s oldest lesson was playing out before me. Everything is temporary. In 7 days, I’ve walked over 60 kilometers through Singapore and Bali. Through manicured gardens
From Bali, With a Humbling Lesson… Read More »
Micromanaging? It kills trust. But ignoring problems? That kills your business. I’ve been coaching dozens of founders over the past 18 months. Every time they avoid stepping in, small issues grow into big problems. When operational issues or performance drops, the solution is obvious: The founder needs to step in. Yet, almost every time I
How to Micromanage (And Not Be That Boss) Read More »
“Just write whatever comes to mind!” “Express your feelings freely!” “Let your thoughts flow naturally!” That’s the standard journaling advice. It’s not wrong—but it’s incomplete. Most founders quit within a week because they’re missing the strategic element. For me, writing is thinking. And it gives me clarity. Over the past 12 years, journaling has been
The 15-minute ritual that powered my 2 businesses Read More »
Ever taken on a client saying, “This is not profitable right now but it will open many doors?”
The Revenue-Profit Matrix: Are You in the Danger Zone? Read More »
18 years of building a tech company taught me many lessons. But this $2M wake-up call stands out – a painful reminder about leadership blind spots. At the 10-year mark, with 200+ people spread across geographies, I thought we had it all figured out: Strong client relationships. Solid delivery team. Growing revenue. Then the resignations started coming
How I Lost My Big Client and Team (I Never Saw It Coming) Read More »
Last week, a founder I coach came to me frustrated. “We’re delivering solid results,” he said. “But no game-changing ideas. Are we stuck?” His worry was valid. Innovation sits in the dangerous quadrant of “Important but Not Urgent”. Your business runs well. Your team executes. But breakthrough innovation feels out of reach while competitors keep
Why Your Innovation Efforts Stall — and How to Fix Them Read More »
This is the wall you’ll hit: You want your team to make decisions. But they keep coming back to you. You say, “I trust you,” but they hear: “Make decisions, and I’ll judge them later.” Your team isn’t scared of making decisions. They’re scared of making decisions that don’t match your thinking pattern. The Hard
From Founder’s Brain to Company OS: A Tactical Guide Read More »
A founder’s guide to choosing the right growth speed at the right time.
Growth, Rapid Growth, Hyper Growth Read More »
Being ‘good’ at what you do isn’t enough anymore. Here’s what actually makes clients stick…
Make Clients Never Leave: 4 Steps to Become Irreplaceable Read More »
Here’s the truth: You’re probably running your meetings wrong. It’s not your fault. Most founders make the same mistake. They try to be both visionary and operator in the same meeting. I know because I did this, too. Your brain operates like an athlete: It can either sprint or meditate. Try both simultaneously, and you’ll
How to run Strategic vs Operational Meetings differently Read More »
This week, I’m sharing a client success story that you’ll relate to. It’s about how I helped a tech service company, as their strategic advisor, double their revenue in just 12 months using proven revenue growth strategies… Don’t miss the cheat sheet I’ve created for you at the bottom of this page. Let’s walk through
How I Doubled a Client’s Revenue in 12 Months with Unusual Revenue Growth Strategies Read More »
You’ve just promoted Maya to head of client services. The team is excited, and Maya is eager. But what you do in the next 72 hours will make or break this transition. Let’s break down exactly what needs to happen in those crucial first three days. Hour 1: The Announcement Do: Send a company-wide email
The First 72 Hours: How to Set Your Newly Promoted Leader Up for Success Read More »
Transform your sales team into tech-savvy sellers with this 30-day bootcamp strategy.
Train Your Tech Sales for Consultative Selling Read More »
When I sold my tech company in 2021, the acquiring CEO said: “We’re not just buying your company; we’re buying the trust you’ve built with your team and customers.” That trust was 18 years in the making. My leadership team had been with me for as long as 13 years, and some customers for up
The Science of Trust: How to Transform it into Profit Read More »
Pinpoint what’s stalling your business growth, in just 20 minutes, with this Free tool…
What’s Holding Your Business Back? Read More »
Last week, I sat across from a tech CEO whose company had just launched a game-changing product. His eyes lit up as he detailed the innovative features. Then I asked a simple question: “What’s your projected revenue for the next quarter?” The enthusiasm drained from his face. He fumbled for words, eventually admitting he wasn’t
The Million-Dollar Blindspot: Turning Financial Foresight into Your Superpower Read More »
Imagine you’re playing a game of chess. You’ve spent years perfecting your strategy, studying every move, and mastering the art of the game. But what if I told you that you have the power to redesign the entire board? This, my friend, is the potential of business model innovation. By the end of this newsletter,
Beyond Barbie and Big Mac: The Surprising Secret of Business Models Read More »
Imagine you’re standing in front of a buffet with 100 different dishes. Do you try a bit of everything to find the perfect meal? Or do you pick the first few items that look good? Your answer reveals a lot about how you make decisions as a founder. As an entrepreneur, you face this buffet
Maximizing vs. Satisficing Read More »
When most entrepreneurs think about growth, their playbook is predictable: land more clients, take on bigger projects, hire more staff, and maybe even open new locations. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: If your business model isn’t scalable, focusing solely on these operational aspects will always limit your growth. Your success will be constrained by your
Don’t scale your business. Scale your business model. Read More »
Picture this: You’ve just spent countless hours crafting what you think is the perfect proposal. Your contact at the client’s company loves it. You’re feeling confident. Then, silence. Weeks pass. Finally, the dreaded email arrives: “Thanks, but we’ve decided to go in a different direction.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The real culprit? Unseen stakeholders
Seal the Deal: The power of stakeholder-centric proposals Read More »
Did you know businesses in the United States alone lose up to $1.8 trillion annually due to lost productivity from high employee turnover? The same trend is reflected the world over. Here’s a strategy I’ve used repeatedly, and now you can, to ensure it doesn’t happen in your company. I led my tech company for
High Employee Turnover? Implement the Stay Interview Strategy Read More »
Do you realize that only a handful of customers drive your growth? Learn strategies to increase your tech sales by focusing on key customers. Today, we’re diving deep into a principle that can transform your tech business: The 80/20 Rule of Sales. At its core, the 80/20 rule (or Pareto Principle) in sales suggests that
80/20 of Tech Sales: Multiply Revenue, Minimize Effort Read More »
This week, we’re diving into a powerful mental model that’s transformed countless businesses: the flywheel effect. But first, what’s a mental model? It’s a thinking tool that helps us understand how things work in the real world. Mental models simplify complex ideas and help us make better decisions. A common mental model is the Pareto
Flywheel Effect: How to accelerate your business growth Read More »
This week, we’re exploring an often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of business growth: maximizing your company’s value. Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned business owner, focusing on value creation is essential for long-term success and financial security. Why does this matter? Strategically increasing your business’s worth, results in a more resilient operation, it will
How to Maximize Value of your Business Read More »
In this edition, we’ll dive deep into mastering growth for your company. I’ll share with you: The real meaning of “growth” The right growth type for your business Balancing rapid and responsible growth My top two strategies for growth How you can prepare for growth Let’s dive in. What does Growth really mean? There’s a
Rapid & Responsible Growth: Your 3-minute guide to scaling smart Read More »
In this edition, I will show you how to become a well-rounded tech entrepreneur. In my early days of entrepreneurship, I felt like an idiot —lost, confused, and stressed out. As I shared in my journey from engineer to CEO, this feeling is common among new entrepreneurs. It took me years to realize a crucial
7 Must-have skills for tech founders: are you missing any? Read More »
Selling Tejora Technologies has been pivotal in my entrepreneurial journey. In this edition, I will share the process and my key insights. This builds on my journey from engineer to CEO, which I shared in our first edition. These could be valuable whether you’re considering an exit or want to build a more robust business.
Lessons from selling my tech company. Read More »
I’m so excited to start this journey with you. This newsletter will help you reach your peak performance and grow your business while operating stress-free. You’ll discover strategies, tips, and resources I have learned over two decades of building (and profitably selling) 2 multi-million dollar businesses. Let me share a bit about how I did
From Engineer to Entrepreneur to Exits Read More »
