It's been a weird snow season here in the Pacific Northwest. Lots of precipitation, but not cold enough. The resorts have been struggling.
Last week we finally got a few days of epic conditions. My daughter Pia (home from college) and I were stoked. First run of the season. We left the house at 7am.
We arrived at 9am, and that's when the parking lot attendant told us the power went out. Resort closed for the day.
The untouched powder on the mountain was mocking us.
When the Mountain Shuts Down
We sat in the car discussing what to do. The snow kept falling.
I asked Pia and her friend: go home and try another day, or follow some random people we saw hiking up a trail with their boards?
We decided we were already there. Might as well get one little run in.
I thought it would be 10 minutes up and down. Like sledding.
It turned into a 2-hour hike on a 3-4 foot wide path winding up the mountain. Two miles of climbing.
Here's the thing. I wasn't overly upset about missing the resort (it was out of my control anyway). But as we ascended, something shifted.
We got a great workout. We enjoyed each other's company. We met some new people and their dogs. We got remarkable views of the Cascades.
That's when it hit me.
The purpose of this trip wasn't to go snowboarding. It was to spend quality time with my daughter. It really wouldn't have mattered what we did. Even the car ride was good.
Two hours and two miles later, we snowboarded down. Half the time in knee to waist deep powder between the trees. Half the time surfing the trail.
We even found a jump some people built. Played on that for a while.
It was amazing.
When your purpose is clear and embraced, it can turn frustrating situations into memorable experiences.
🎯 HiPer8™ Principle: Purpose
"I have a compelling 'why'"
Purpose is your north star. It's the reason you show up when things get hard. It's what transforms obstacles into opportunities.
In life, purpose gives meaning to your daily actions. In business, purpose creates alignment across your entire organization.
After Lisa McLeod spoke at one of our ShelfGenie conferences, a lightbulb went off for me and our entire team. Understanding our purpose was the key to aligning how we operate with the impact we have on clients.
For example, I changed the term "close rate" (a sales metric) to "help rate." Because we help people, not close them.
This simple change in language demonstrated to our team and clients that we're truly focused on client impact.
That clarity in purpose allowed us to make changes throughout our operations. Sales went up. Team performance improved. Team retention increased.
When you're focused on the impact you have on your clients, your service level is high. When your team is focused on that same impact, you reach the pinnacle of service. When you combine caring about your clients and your team, you get amazing service and high retention.
Purpose isn't just a feel-good concept. It's a strategic advantage.
Try this: Write down why your work matters beyond the paycheck. What impact do you have on others? How does your team contribute to that? Share it with them.
📍 Quick Updates
🎙️ Podcast milestone: Just hit 40 YouTube subscribers and 10,000 total views across all platforms! Up from 32 subscribers last month. The grind continues, and it's working.
🎾 Tennis tournament: My partner and I won the 45's Men's Doubles title at the Northwest Washington National Senior Tournament (Level 3) in January. The finals were a battle- we won a tight first set 7-6, got destroyed in the second 2-6, but refused to quit and took the match tiebreak 10-7.
🎙️ This Month on The Podcast
Episode 19: Franchise Financing Secrets - Kent Craven
Kent Craven brings over 30 years of franchising experience and breaks down SBA loans, ROBS, Solo 401k strategies, and why under-capitalization is the #1 killer of new businesses. Whether you need $50,000 or $500,000, this episode delivers the roadmap.
Episode 20: Independent Business vs. Franchise - Alan Regala
In this solo episode, Alan reveals why most entrepreneurs waste 6+ months drowning in infrastructure instead of generating revenue. Learn the real math behind his $150K investment that became a $4M+ business, and how to know if franchising is right for you in 2026.
Episode 21: The Hidden Power of "Dirty Jobs" - Keith Wachter
Keith Wachter from Belfor Franchise Group uncovers two powerhouse restoration brands. Learn why services mandated by law or paid by insurance are the safest bet for corporate professionals, and how a van-based model scales from $400K to $1.2M+ in revenue.
📚 Free Download: The Franchise Fit Playbook
With over 4,000 franchises out there, how do you choose the right one?
My 50-page guide walks you through the entire selection process: self-assessment, investment analysis, franchise categories, validation with existing owners, financing options, and comparing your final choices.
It's the roadmap I wish I had when I started.
Ready to Talk?
February is when most people give up on their January excitement for positive life changes. Don't be most people.
If you haven't started exploring franchise ownership, now is the time to start learning. If you've already started, keep moving forward. Build momentum. Don't stop until you've made an educated decision one way or another.
I work one-on-one with qualified professionals to find franchises that match their goals, skills, and investment level.
My coaching is free. I'm only paid by franchisors after you find the right fit and move forward.
Thanks for reading. Clarity of purpose turns obstacles into opportunities.
-Alan
Alan Regala
High Performance Franchise Coach
Former Multi-Million Dollar Franchise Owner
Athlete to Owner
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