In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz sits down with Matt Bernath to break down what it takes to set a business up for lasting growth—especially as many integrators settle back to pre-pandemic norms. Matt shares how some owners used the COVID spike to build stronger companies, while others struggled to adjust as demand returned to normal. He explains that clear financial planning and honest self-assessment have separated resilient businesses from those still chasing past highs.

Matt guides listeners through a simple, actionable approach for setting a vision and translating it into daily action. He encourages owners to dream big but focus on what needs to be true each year to keep moving toward that bigger goal. The conversation covers why most planning fails, how to avoid common traps, and the power of breaking goals into small, inevitable steps.

Brent and Matt close with practical advice for making progress stick—both in business and in life. They highlight the importance of habits, realistic targets, and tracking what matters most. If you want to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear path forward.