The Business Strategist With Adam Strong

From $0 to $419M: Leadership & the 9-Figure CEO Mindset


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How do 9-figure CEOs think differently?


Mike Fata built and sold Manitoba Harvest for $419M—today, he’s revealing the mindset shifts, toughest decisions, and biggest lessons that took him from startup founder to industry leader.


Mike is the co-founder and former CEO of Manitoba Harvest, a best-selling author, investor, and mentor to entrepreneurs scaling their businesses. After exiting his company in a $419M deal, he now helps founders build and sell businesses successfully.


Mike shares his journey from an overweight teenager to a health-conscious entrepreneur, how he scaled Manitoba Harvest into a 9-figure business, and the emotional rollercoaster of selling his life's work. This episode dives deep into leadership, decision-making, personal transformation, and the key mindset shifts required to go from 6 to 9 figures.


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5 Takeaways from This Masterclass:


  1. Mindset Makes the Difference – Scaling from 6 to 9 figures requires shifting from a "doer" to a strategic leader who builds systems and empowers teams.
  2. The Hardest Leadership Decisions Involve People – Letting go of employees, co-founders, or making restructuring moves is the toughest part of being a CEO.
  3. Growth Cures Most Business Problems – Expanding strategically solves financial and operational challenges—but overexpansion without demand can kill a business.
  4. The Exit is Emotional – Selling a company isn’t just a financial transaction; it comes with identity shifts, loss, and personal reinvention.
  5. Success After the Exit – True wealth isn’t just money; it’s about aligning your purpose with your next venture, whether investing, mentoring, or creating impact.


    If you're an entrepreneur looking to scale, exit, or shift your mindset for massive growth, this episode is a must-listen!


    🎧 Listen now and get inside the mind of a 9-figure CEO!


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Mike Fata's Journey

    02:46 Health Transformation and Entrepreneurial Beginnings

    05:41 Founding Manitoba Harvest: The Role of Nutrition

    09:07 The Evolution of Health and Nutrition Understanding

    12:03 Building a Business: From Idea to Execution

    14:48 Leadership Lessons and Growth Challenges

    17:56 Mentorship and Learning in Business

    21:00 Difficult Leadership Decisions and Their Impact

    23:49 Creating a Winning Company Culture

    26:59 Reflections on Growth and Personal Development

    36:17 Defining Mission and Values

    38:03 Evolving Definition of Success

    40:34 Navigating Life Transitions

    44:52 The Grieving Process of Change

    46:10 Mindset and Personal Growth

    50:26 Lessons from Entrepreneurship

    51:56 Acquisition Insights

    57:09 Risk Management in Business

    01:01:06 Learning from Mistakes

    01:04:39 Legacy and Future Aspirations


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    ABOUT THE GUEST


    Website: www.mikefata.ca


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themikefata/


    X: https://x.com/themikefata


    Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Unconventional-Becoming-Unstoppable-Entrepreneur-ebook/dp/B0BX42FDK1?ref_=ast_author_dp


    ABOUT THE HOST


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong


    Learn how to scale fast by taking the business growth Quiz: https://howtogrowabusiness.scoreapp.com


    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

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    The Business Strategist With Adam StrongBy Adam Strong

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