The Elevator Growth Quiz: Discover Your Level of Elevation

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  You’re reviewing your annual revenue at the end of the year. What number are you typically seeing?

  • A.
    Under $1M
  • B.
    $1M–$5M
  • C.
    Over $5M
• 2.
  How long have you been in business?

  • A.
    Less than 3 years — still early in the game
  • B.
    3–5 years — we’re gaining traction.
  • C.
    Over 5 years — we’ve been around the block.
• 3.
  It’s Monday morning. How many full-time team members are you managing?

  • A.
    1-10, including me.
  • B.
    11-25. Our crew is growing.
  • C.
    25+. We’ve built departments.
• 4.
  You land a new job. How is it tracked from intake to completion?

  • A.
    We write it down on paper and utilize some systems.
  • B.
    We have tools in place, but they're not integrated, so a lot of tasks get repeated.
  • C.
    We manage everything through a solid CRM/ERP system.
• 5.
  When decisions need to be made, who’s making them?

  • A.
    I handle it all.
  • B.
    Usually me, with help from my #2.
  • C.
    Our leadership team handles most day-to-day decisions.
• 6.
  A new employee starts today. What do you hand them?

  • A.
    A handshake and a loose verbal rundown.
  • B.
    A mix of previous docs and instructions.
  • C.
    A full SOP and onboarding process.
• 7.
  What’s the biggest thing slowing your business down right now?

  • A.
    I’m wearing too many hats.
  • B.
    We’re moving fast, but things fall through the cracks.
  • C.
    Our systems aren’t keeping up with our scale.
• 8.
  How would you describe your right-hand person or second-in-command?

  • A.
    I don’t have one yet.
  • B.
    I have someone in mind, but we’re still getting aligned.
  • C.
    They’re in place and helping lead operations.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  FIRST FLOOR FOUNDER

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  You've laid the foundation for your elevator business, now it's time to set it in motion.Let's review what you’ve got:Typical start-up systems in placeWork coming through the doorA few team members keeping things moving alongA drive to continue building momentumThis is an amazing start to a powerful business, but as you grow, you're facing new challenges:You're doing pretty much everythingThe workflows are all manual — nothing is automatedLacking structure for decision-makingNo real plan for scaling and growthYou've taken on a huge endeavor and you're making steady progress. That is something to be proud of.But in this industry, growth isn’t linear—and it’s definitely not guaranteed. It takes time, experience, and a willingness to learn. Most of all, it takes systems, processes, and leadership geared toward long-term success.Here’s what we recommend next:1. Strengthen your operations backbone.Your business is functioning—but overtime, the cracks will begin to show. Now’s the time to revisit your financials, standardize your team processes, and clean up your tech stack so you can stay ahead of your jobs and your hiring.2. Define and delegate with intention.Put your energy where it matters most as a business owner: leading rather than reacting. If every decision still runs through you, it's time to choose your #2—someone who aligns with your vision and can help carry it forward.3. Get out of survival mode.Working 60+ hours a week across job sites and the office isn’t sustainable. In fact, a Stanford study found productivity drops sharply after 50 hours. Just because you can figure everything out doesn’t mean you should do it alone. Gaining strategic support will help you see things from a different lens, consider what’s working, and adjust what isn’t.I've spent the last 15 years supporting dozens of elevator business owners generate over $100 million in revenue—using the same systems and frameworks I built to scale and sell my own company, Madden Elevator, for over 2X market value.What is Elevator Strategic Hub?The Hub is your go-to growth platform, created to support elevator business owners through every stage of growth with the tools, strategies, and advisory support needed to build sustainable companies.Inside the Hub, you’ll find:Clear frameworks to streamline your systems, team, and financesOn-demand trainings built by an industry expertTemplates and tools you can implement right awayLive strategy support (when you’re ready) to help you lead like a Visionary CEOA connected community of owners working toward the same scalable successIt doesn't matter if you're on the ground floor or scaling toward the penthouse, esHUB gives you the guidance, accountability, and structure to move forward with purpose.Ready for a quick win in your business?1. Tune into The Elevator Entrepreneur PodcastWhere I interview incredible industry experts in every stage of business growth, and I’m all about providing you with valuable insights.2. Connect with me on LinkedInI share weekly tips, tools, and strategies for industry professionals ready to make an impact in their business. Let’s stay in touch.3. Download my free eBOS - Elevator Business Operating SystemMy industry-specific eBOS template and a 30-day free trial of Ninety.io—the same software I used to scale Madden Elevator Company. It's filled with the frameworks for a sustainable business.
• 2.
  ELEVATION MANAGER

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  You’ve moved beyond the start-up phase—and now you’re the one holding the elevator in motion.Let’s review what you’ve got:A steady flow of workA few team members (or subs) keeping jobs movingBasic systems in place that help you get byA solid drive to grow—but not just for the sake of growthYou’re managing an empire, but new growth brings new friction:You’re still the go-to for (almost) every decisionCurrent systems struggle with larger/multiple jobsYou’ve outgrown your workflows, but haven’t replaced themYou're not sure how to get your team rowing in the same directionYou’ve built something meaningful, and you're making decisions that impact more than just your day-to-day. That’s something most business owners struggle with getting to.But growth at this level doesn't come as easily. It requires systems, structure, and leadership that can support the business you’re building toward (and not just the one you're running now).Here’s what we recommend next:1. Build a business that runs without you at the center.It’s time to step back, define ownership, and set up systems that allow your team to operate without a need for constant intervention.2. Rework your operations to support growth.Manual systems and verbal processes can't scale. Start documenting your standards, delegating more consistently, and installing tools that will reduce friction between the field and office.3. Step fully into your leadership role.You know your business better than anyone else. At this stage, leading people is just as important as knowing the work. Clear communication, consistent expectations, and structured check-ins will take you further than solving every problem yourself.I've spent the last 15 years supporting dozens of elevator business owners generate over $100 million in revenue—using the same systems and frameworks I built to scale and sell my own company, Madden Elevator, for over 2X market value.What is Elevator Strategic Hub?The Hub is your go-to growth platform, created to support elevator business owners through every stage of growth with the tools, strategies, and advisory support needed to build sustainable companies.Inside the Hub, you’ll find:Clear frameworks to streamline your systems, team, and financesOn-demand trainings built by an industry expertTemplates and tools you can implement right awayLive strategy support (when you’re ready) to help you lead like a Visionary CEOA connected community of owners working toward the same scalable successIt doesn't matter if you're on the ground floor or scaling toward the penthouse, esHUB gives you the guidance, accountability, and structure to move forward with purpose.Ready for your next business move?1. Tune into The Elevator Entrepreneur PodcastWhere I interview elevator business owners navigating growth, leadership, and the strategies they’re using to move their businesses forward.2. Connect with me on LinkedInI share weekly insights and strategies for owners building stronger teams, systems, and leadership habits. Let’s stay connected.3. Download my free eBOS - Elevator Business Operating SystemMy industry-specific eBOS template and a 30-day free trial of Ninety.io—the same software I used to scale Madden Elevator Company. It lays the groundwork for developing KPIs, long-term goals, and meeting rhythm syncs—all foundational elements of a scalable business.
• 3.
  PENTHOUSE OPERATOR

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  You’re operating at a level most business owners dream of reaching.Let’s review what you’ve got:A strong team or leadership layer in placeSolid financial footing and consistent revenueCore systems that keep most things movingA big-picture mindset—you’re thinking about sustainabilityYou’ve reached a level of growth that many owners never hit. But staying here (and going further) brings new challenges:You’re still pulled into high-level decisions that slow momentumScaling feels very possible, but complexYou need deeper insight into what’s working and what’s notYou’re leading, but you’re also isolated at the topYou’ve already proven you can build something that lasts. Now it’s about leading it better, optimizing it faster, and positioning it to grow without adding even more weight to your shoulders.Here’s what we recommend next:1. Clarify your vision and lead with precision.You’ve got the team—they just need better direction. A clearly defined vision, paired with documented goals, KPIs and expectations, creates alignment that doesn't require your constant involvement.2. Tighten your systems, reporting, and accountability.At this level, operational blind spots can slow everything down. It’s crucial to install leadership rhythms, track performance metrics, and give your team a project management framework they can run without needing your approval for every move.3. Step fully into your CEO role.You’re past the building phase. You're in optimization mode. Your role now is to make sharper business decisions with better data, create the conditions for others to lead, and carve the path toward the next phase of company growth (or exit, if that’s on your mind).I've spent the last 15 years supporting dozens of elevator business owners generate over $100 million in revenue—using the same systems and frameworks I built to scale and sell my own company, Madden Elevator, for over 2X market value.What is Elevator Strategic Hub?The Hub is your go-to growth platform, created to support elevator business owners through every stage of growth with the tools, strategies, and advisory support needed to build sustainable companies.Inside the Hub, you’ll find:Clear frameworks to streamline your systems, team, and financesOn-demand trainings built by an industry expertTemplates and tools you can implement right awayLive strategy support (when you’re ready) to help you lead like a Visionary CEOA connected community of owners working toward the same scalable successYou've arrived at the penthouse, but even here, esHUB delivers the structure, clarity, and high-level guidance to move forward with purpose.Ready for a quick win in your business?1. Tune into The Elevator Entrepreneur PodcastFor high-level conversations with industry owners who’ve scaled, exited, or restructured how they run their companies and the strategies that helped them get there.2. Connect with me on LinkedInI share industry insights about financial structure, executive leadership, and the systems behind sustainable growth for elevator business owners. Let's stay connected.3. Download the free eBOS - Elevator Business Operating System FrameworkTo optimize what's already in motion. This industry-specific template, along with a 30-day trial of Ninety.io, helps reduce operational lag, tighten leadership accountability, and give you real-time visibility across your team. It's the first step to strengthening your internal structure.