Business Spotlight with Kyle Mealy from Next Level

In a recent podcast, Coach Jackie Zach interviews Kyle Mealy from Next Level, who shares insights about his entrepreneurial journey and leadership philosophy. Kyle reflects on his experiences working closely with CEOs in various roles before deciding to launch his own business, driven by a desire to help small businesses integrate their marketing and sales efforts for sustainable growth. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, where empowering team members ultimately leads to greater success. Through his experiences, Kyle learned the significance of embracing imperfections in leadership and the necessity of authenticity.

Kyle also discusses the importance of building a supportive environment in business, where delegation is key to success. He encourages business owners to “drink their own champagne,” meaning they should apply their principles to their operations. Looking to the future, Kyle aims to scale his business in a way that allows it to thrive independently, incorporating AI and systems that empower others. His journey emphasizes that focusing on strengths and empowering others creates a more enjoyable and effective work environment.

Podcast Transcript:

Jackie Zach: Hi everyone, I’m Coach Jackie Zach, and I’m thrilled to have Kyle Mealy from Next Level with us today. Kyle is an inspiring leader, teacher, and speaker who wakes up every day eager to unlock the potential within entrepreneurial businesses and their leaders. His journey is shaped by various training experiences, and you’ll soon see his engaging personality shine through. While managing a lab, his team won Lab of the Year. He also helped a martial arts school grow from $500,000 to a million dollars, making it the top in the nation from a single location. Additionally, he transformed a stagnant digital marketing agency from $3 million to $7 million in less than three years. I can’t wait to learn more about him and his business. Welcome, Kyle!

Kyle Mealy: Thank you! I’m feeling fantastic and hope to provide your listeners with valuable insights to help them grow their businesses. If I can give back anything after that introduction, I’ll be satisfied.

Jackie: Great! Can you share a bit about your personal story?

Kyle: Sure! It’s a bit of a humorous journey—filled with errors and learning from intelligent individuals, always striving for improvement. That’s actually the inspiration behind the name “Next Level.” I’m passionate about elevating things repeatedly, almost obsessively.

Jackie: Awesome! How did you reach your current professional status, and what inspired you to start your own business?

Kyle: I often found myself working closely with the CEO or visionary in my roles. This was true at the karate school and later at the digital marketing agency. Eventually, I felt I had no choice but to take the entrepreneurial leap, falling in love with small businesses and helping them succeed. I had always been in a supporting role rather than a leadership position, but I believed I could make a bigger impact this way.

Jackie: Fantastic! How would you describe your leadership style now that you’ve made that leap?

Kyle: My journey to this leadership style was quite interesting. When I was at the lab, I was the youngest by 23 years. At just 22, I was managing veteran workers who didn’t prioritize running the lab. I had to build processes and systems while earning their respect, so I approached it with humility, saying, “I believe this is the right way, but let’s figure it out together.”

My leadership style evolved further into servant leadership during my time at the martial arts school. I learned that empowering others ultimately helps elevate yourself. This concept was reinforced in the corporate environment at the digital marketing agency, where I observed the dynamics of authority and expertise. My leadership approach is centered around servant leadership, marked by authenticity. I want to communicate openly and supportively, even when I need to challenge ideas.

Jackie: That sounds inspiring! Can you tell us more about your company and your target market?

Kyle: Absolutely! The company started with the idea that human connection is crucial in modern B2B, especially in fields with longer sales cycles, like digital marketing and managed service providers (MSPs). I noticed that marketing and sales were often treated as separate entities, leading to conflict. I advocated for an integrated approach, emphasizing that marketing plus sales equals revenue. In today’s landscape, simply hiring more salespeople isn’t enough.

My role is akin to a fractional Chief Revenue Officer. I help small businesses by integrating their marketing and sales efforts for more predictable and profitable revenue. The key is to do this affordably without straining finances, led by one person who can unify these functions.

Jackie: So, it’s like a fractional marketing and sales leadership service.

Kyle: Exactly! I typically step in when a CEO is frustrated with ineffective agencies or when their current sales and marketing strategies aren’t working as needed.

Jackie: It’s crucial for people to understand your offerings so they can reach out for help. When did you gain the confidence to take the leap into entrepreneurship?

Kyle: I experienced significant frustration in my previous jobs, knowing we could perform better. Whenever I had the chance to lead, I saw success, but I felt constrained. This frustration pushed me to change jobs frequently, especially when I recognized a better path ahead.

Growing up, my father instilled in me the importance of stability: a good job with benefits was essential. So, I felt pressure to stay in a secure position. However, my wife encouraged me, saying, “Wherever you go, money follows. I trust you to take care of our family.” That support was invaluable, allowing me to spend a year building my business before launching it.

Jackie: It’s vital to have a support system that believes in you.

Kyle: Absolutely! I have doubts and fears like anyone else, but I remind myself not to create the frustrations I experienced when serving others. That serves as my guiding principle.

Jackie: Reflecting on your career, is there anything you would do differently if you could start over?

Kyle: Honestly, I wouldn’t change much. My experiences in the lab instilled a deep appreciation for data, which is now fundamental to my business approach. I’ve learned to be analytics-focused, akin to “Moneyball” for small businesses, finding value where others might overlook it.

From my martial arts background, I adopted an entrepreneurial mindset, quickly onboarding people and solving problems. Although my initial year was challenging, I learned significant lessons. If I could advise my past self, I’d encourage being bolder from the start. Initially, I focused only on meeting basic needs, but within three months, I filled my client roster. I wish I had built the business to grow beyond just my contributions.

Jackie: There are great lessons there! What do you think is a common myth about being a president, CEO, or founder that you’d like to debunk?

Kyle: When I was running the karate school, I believed that every CEO had it all figured out. However, after working with many CEOs at the digital marketing agency, I realized they often felt just as lost. They’ve simply taken more risks, and despite their imperfections, they’ve shown boldness. I admire that blend of being beautifully flawed and courageous, which challenges the myth that they have it all together.

Jackie: I love how you put that! As a business coach, I also assist imperfect business owners. We can’t know everything; that’s why we hire experts like you.

Kyle: Exactly! One piece of advice I’d emphasize is the importance of “drinking your own champagne.” If you’re in professional services, ensure you apply your principles to your own operations. For instance, if you’re a marketing agency, invest in your marketing as you would for a client. I aim to practice what I preach in my business.

Jackie: That’s a fantastic philosophy! Speaking of learning, what’s something new you’d like to explore outside of work?

Kyle: I want to improve my golf skills, but as a karate enthusiast, I tend to hit the ball too hard, which is contrary to the game’s approach. I recently had a coach analyze my swing, and it was embarrassing to see how I was approaching it.

Jackie: Back to business—what area have you always wanted to master?

Kyle: I believe in focusing on the “who” rather than the “how.” I’m learning to delegate expertise instead of being the expert in everything. I aim to free my mind from unnecessary tasks, which ultimately strengthens the business and enhances the work environment for everyone involved.

Jackie: That’s excellent advice for business owners! What’s the next big goal for your business over the next few years?

Kyle: I have a clear three-year vision: to sell the business. After my initial overwhelming experience, I realized I needed to challenge myself in the same way I encourage my clients. I aim to scale the business, not just for survival but to create a company that can thrive independently of my direct involvement. I’m exploring AI and developing systems that empower others to implement our concepts without my direct input.

Jackie: Great insights! What advice would you give to business owners trying to handle everything themselves?

Kyle: Stop! You shouldn’t spend energy on tasks you dislike or aren’t good at. Delegate responsibilities to those who excel in those areas. Allowing others to shine in their strengths not only benefits the team but also fosters a more enjoyable work environment.