Ever wondered how to build a thriving business without sacrificing your family, your faith, or your sanity? Or how discipline and philosophy can shape not just your company, but your entire life? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with architect, entrepreneur, and podcast host Lance Cayko to explore what it truly means to design a life with intention.

Together, we dive into Lance’s remarkable journey from roofing houses at age 13 in rural North Dakota to becoming the co-founder of F9 Productions, an award-winning design-build firm in Colorado. Lance shares how early lessons about money, mentorship, and entrepreneurship shaped his drive to create freedom through business ownership.

We explore powerful concepts like the law of polarity and how embracing both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship builds resilience. Lance shares why he believes challenging seasons often signal that growth is right around the corner, and how maintaining calm and clarity creates space for the next breakthrough.

You’ll also hear about his philosophy of work-life harmony and the discipline of the “golden hour” — a structured, intentional morning routine that has fueled decades of entrepreneurial success while allowing him to remain deeply present for his four children and his community.

Lance also walks us through the nine foundational principles behind F9 Productions, including:

• Be brilliant at the basics
• Communicate and respond quickly
• Take extreme ownership
• Deliver value to be valuable
• Have fun

This conversation is filled with practical leadership insight, mindset shifts, and grounded wisdom for entrepreneurs who want sustainable success. If you are building something meaningful and want it to support your life rather than consume it, this episode is for you.

Tune in to discover how discipline, philosophy, and foundational principles can help you build a business and a life you are proud of.

Let’s make your passion pay!

Lance Cayko’s Bio:

I’m Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions, a design-build firm based in Longmont, Colorado. I have spent more than two decades in architecture, engineering, and construction, building a career that blends design excellence with entrepreneurial grit.

After launching F9 Productions in 2009 during the recession, my business partner Alex Gore and I grew the firm from a two-person startup into an award-winning company recognized for rapid growth and design innovation. Our work has received honors including the Architizer A+ Award, multiple Best Architecture Firm awards, and recognition as one of BizWest’s Fastest-Growing Private Firms.

Beyond the firm, I co-host the global architecture and entrepreneurship podcast Inside the Firm, lecture at the University of Colorado Boulder and North Dakota State University, and mentor aspiring architects on practical design and business strategy.

I am also the founder of Longmont Community Gardens, a nonprofit focused on sustainable urban gardening and community education. At home, I am a proud father of four and an avid fisherman who shares outdoor adventures through my YouTube channel, Fishing with Lance.

My passion lies in helping others build resilient businesses, design meaningful work, and create harmony between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.

Connect with Lance:

Website: https://www.f9productions.com
Podcast: https://www.f9productions.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fishingwithlance

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!