Decision Points

True North Advisors

The Exit Planning Institute© recently released a survey that said 75% of business owners regret selling their business 12-18 months post sale.At Decision Points, we are committed to preparing and inspiring business owners to successfully operate, and one day sell, their business with maximum fulfillment in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. We’re speaking with business leaders, strategic coaches, exited entrepreneurs, mentors, and technical experts sharing their successes and failures, at key decision points in their careers, to help you lead a more prosperous entrepreneurial journey. Let’s take a walk…  

  1. Decision Points E84 – Adam Herrin: Strategic Risk, Market Cycles, and Building Platforms with Purpose

    2월 3일

    Decision Points E84 – Adam Herrin: Strategic Risk, Market Cycles, and Building Platforms with Purpose

    Real estate markets reward those who understand cycles, manage risk, and recognize when to create their own path. Adam Herrin has built his career at those intersections. From Celina, Texas, to Division I football at Rice University, to the deal rooms of HFF during the Great Financial Crisis, his trajectory reflects disciplined thinking, strategic repositioning, and a willingness to act when others hesitate. In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Adam Herrin, Founder and Managing Partner of Formation Interest, to examine the decisions and inflection points that shaped his development as an operator and investor. Adam discusses the early discipline that competitive athletics instilled, the lessons learned working through the 2008–2009 downturn, and how visibility into distressed capital markets sharpened his understanding of risk, timing, and execution. Adam details his progression from analyst to producer at HFF, the launch of an industrial capital markets team, and the strategic rationale behind co-founding Urban Logistics Realty. He reflects on the complexities introduced by the pandemic, how shifting visions required a reset, and why choosing to start again offered the clarity needed to build Formation Interest with intention. He also addresses the core principles that guide his approach to leadership, team construction, and sustainable business practice. The conversation offers a clear view into how Adam evaluates opportunities, balances quality of life with professional ambition, and thinks about long-term value creation in competitive real estate sectors. His experience provides investors and founders alike with practical insight into market cycles, strategic differentiation, and the discipline required to build platforms that last.

    52분
  2. Decision Points E83 – Reimagining Rideshare: Will Coleman and the Creation of Alto

    2025. 12. 16.

    Decision Points E83 – Reimagining Rideshare: Will Coleman and the Creation of Alto

    For Will Coleman, frustration with ride-hailing turned into a vision for something better. As co-founder and CEO of Alto, he set out to create a new kind of mobility company—one built on consistency, safety, and hospitality. In this episode of Decision Points, Will shares how a decade at McKinsey prepared him for the leap into entrepreneurship, and how a dinner-table conversation with his wife sparked the idea for Alto. Launched in 2018, Alto took a radically different path than its competitors: a vertically integrated model where drivers are employees, vehicles are company-owned, and every ride is designed to deliver the same trusted experience. Will opens up about the turbulence of building a company in a volatile industry. When COVID-19 hit, Alto saw revenues fall 96% overnight. Instead of folding, they doubled down on their strengths—cleanliness, safety, and service—emerging stronger with expansions into Houston, Los Angeles, and beyond. Strategic partnerships, including a recent deal with Uber, further demonstrate Alto’s ability to adapt and scale. Looking ahead, Will shares his vision for the autonomous future. With infrastructure already in place, Alto is positioning itself to integrate self-driving technology seamlessly into its service—bridging human-driven and autonomous rides under one consistent brand. More than just a tech story, Alto is also an employer story: offering benefits, stability, and culture in a gig economy defined by uncertainty.

    41분
  3. Decision Points E82 – Charting a Path to Mental Health Leadership: Dr. Jessica Gomez and the Future of the Momentous Institute

    2025. 12. 09.

    Decision Points E82 – Charting a Path to Mental Health Leadership: Dr. Jessica Gomez and the Future of the Momentous Institute

    For Dr. Jessica Gomez, leadership begins with empathy. From the south side of Chicago to the helm of one of Dallas’s most respected mental health organizations, her story is a testament to purpose, perseverance, and the power of community. In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Dr. Jessica Gomez, Executive Director of the Momentous Institute, to explore her journey from aspiring physician to nationally recognized psychologist and nonprofit leader. Jessica shares how formative experiences growing up in Chicago shaped her drive to help children and families, and how that calling led her to the Momentous Institute—a century-old organization at the forefront of mental health, education, and community impact. She discusses the decision to pivot from medicine to psychology, her early years serving through the Salesmanship Club, and her evolution from practitioner to executive. The conversation dives into leading through the pandemic, implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to strengthen organizational clarity, and scaling the Institute’s programs nationwide—from the Momentous School to their groundbreaking Change Maker curriculum. With a goal of impacting one million lives by 2031, Jessica shares a vision that extends beyond traditional therapy, reaching into workplaces, schools, and communities across the country. Her message is clear: investing in mental health isn’t just a social good—it’s a foundation for stronger, more resilient organizations and lives.

    42분
  4. Decision Points E80 – Building Camelback Equity Partners: Entrepreneurship, Partnership, and Legacy with Jeff Thompson and Mike Trueman

    2025. 11. 18.

    Decision Points E80 – Building Camelback Equity Partners: Entrepreneurship, Partnership, and Legacy with Jeff Thompson and Mike Trueman

    Some partnerships are built on opportunity—others on shared vision. For Jeff Thompson and Mike Trueman, Camelback Equity Partners is the product of both. From their individual journeys through real estate and finance to the founding of their Phoenix-based firm, their story is one of collaboration, discipline, and purpose. In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Jeff and Mike, co-founders of Camelback Equity Partners, to discuss the origins of their company and the dynamic team behind it. They trace their paths from early careers in development and investment to the decision that brought them together under one banner—creating a firm focused on real estate development, acquisition, and entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights how their complementary skills and shared values have shaped Camelback’s approach to building long-term value through intentional growth, thoughtful partnerships, and a culture that blends professionalism with fun. Jeff and Mike also share their insights on the current real estate landscape, from navigating rising interest rates to identifying sustainable growth opportunities. Looking ahead, they discuss expansion plans, the evolving nature of their work, and the importance of legacy—building something that endures for future generations. With candor and humor, they remind us that success isn’t just about the deals you make, but the people you build them with.

    38분
  5. Decision Points E77 - Building Success and Resiliency with Jim Dahlgren

    2025. 10. 28.

    Decision Points E77 - Building Success and Resiliency with Jim Dahlgren

    In the world of luxury goods, few stories are as compelling as Jim Dahlgren’s. From knocking on doors selling cookware to building Dahlgren Duck, a premier luxury distribution company, Jim’s journey is full of grit, vision, and lessons learned the hard way. Growing up in Springfield, Missouri, Jim’s childhood was shaped by his father, a World War II veteran who taught him about resilience, hard work, and the value of teamwork. These early lessons stuck with Jim, even as his career took an unexpected turn. What started as a reluctant step into cookware sales became the foundation for his career, teaching him how to face rejection and turn a challenge into an opportunity. Jim transitioned into the luxury goods industry, and not only adapted but thrived. Inspired by European craftsmanship and driven by a desire to bring something unique to the U.S. market, he built a business that catered to the ultra-wealthy, emphasizing quality and relationships. Along the way, Jim partnered with Alan Duck to create Dahlgren Duck, aimed to grow a niche business while staying true to their values. Jim shares what it took to grow the company debt-free, how he built a culture of loyalty and trust, and why faith, family, and humility were always at the center of his decisions. He also opens up about the pivotal moment when he decided to sell the company, sharing insights for anyone considering their own exit strategy. Jim’s journey is proof that success doesn’t come from shortcuts but from doing the work, learning from every step, and staying true to what matters most.

    1시간 3분

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The Exit Planning Institute© recently released a survey that said 75% of business owners regret selling their business 12-18 months post sale.At Decision Points, we are committed to preparing and inspiring business owners to successfully operate, and one day sell, their business with maximum fulfillment in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. We’re speaking with business leaders, strategic coaches, exited entrepreneurs, mentors, and technical experts sharing their successes and failures, at key decision points in their careers, to help you lead a more prosperous entrepreneurial journey. Let’s take a walk…