The Generalist Advantage

E53: Running Seven Businesses with Jared Hamilton.


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Why Listen:  You’re tired of advice that says “pick one focus” and want to hear a different take from someone who didn’t niche — and still succeeded. 

Episode Description:  

What does it take to run seven businesses, coach other founders, and still find time to be a father of five, a hockey coach, and a community leader? In this episode, we sit down with Jared Hamilton — a farmer, entrepreneur, and systems thinker — to unpack the mindset and operational strategies that make it possible. Jared shares his journey from piling sod as a teenager to leading multiple companies across agriculture, real estate, and services. Along the way, he opens up about the crises that shaped him, the systems that saved him, and why he refuses to niche — despite all the advice to the contrary. Whether you're building something new, navigating burnout, or questioning whether being a generalist is a liability or an advantage, this conversation offers grounded wisdom and practical insights. 

Key Highlights:  

  • Systems Thinking: Jared outlines how building simple, repeatable systems allows him to scale, delegate, and avoid burnout across multiple businesses. 

  • Generalist Mindset: He challenges the mainstream advice to niche down, explaining how breadth of experience fuels better leadership and business growth. 

  • Crisis as Catalyst: Jared shares personal and professional hardships — from business losses to family grief — and how they reshaped his leadership philosophy. 

  • Entrepreneurial Roots: Starting at age 13, Jared’s early involvement in the family business shaped his work ethic, humility, and approach to decision-making. 

  • Opportunity Filtering: Using the "ostrich meat" metaphor, he offers a candid framework for evaluating new business ideas and avoiding shiny-object syndrome. 

About Jared: 

Jared Hamilton is a farmer, entrepreneur, and coach who wears many hats. And by many hats...he runs 7 businesses.  You heard that right. 7.  From growing turf to raising chickens to running teams, he’s built systems to make it all work.  and mastered crossover skills — in business, farming, and life, combined our two or many, he’s looking to grow and expand his own business through strategic partnerships and Mergers and acquisition as well as coach other founders and CEOs.   

Find Jared Here:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredwilliamhamilton/ 

  • Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jaredwhamilton/ 

  • Website:  www.mountainviewturf.com 

  •  Website: www.gemmapropertyservices.com

Find Us 

  • Connect with Julie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-lavergne/  

  • Follow the podcast’s LinkedIn page for next Episode release https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-generalist-advantage/?viewAsMember=true  

  • Visit our Website https://8ballclarity.com/  

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The Generalist AdvantageBy Julie Lavergne