In this episode, host Sid Graef interviews Michael Dahlke, who took a failing $60K window-cleaning business and transformed it into multiple service companies now surpassing $40 million in annual revenue. Dahlke shares how he went from “chief firefighter” to a true leader who empowers others through structured growth opportunities. He dives into the mindset changes at each revenue milestone—overcoming the early chaos of 100-hour weeks, developing a people-first culture for scaling past $2 million, and focusing on accountability at the executive level once in the eight-figure range. If you’re aiming to grow beyond seven figures and want a leadership philosophy that prioritizes long-term thinking, personal development, and relentless learning, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. SHOW NOTES E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0887307280Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0688123163The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0785288376Extraordinary Popular Delusions & The Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1585092628Leadership & Personal Growth Influences Craig Groeschel (Life.Church, Global Leadership Summit): https://www.life.church/, https://globalleadership.org/Marcus Aurelius (Stoic philosophy, Meditations): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1503280462King David (Biblical leadership transformation) Tools & Systems ServiceTitan: https://www.servicetitan.com/Jobber: https://getjobber.com/Bloom Growth: https://bloomgrowth.com/Freedom Operating System (Huge Mastermind framework): https://www.thehugeconvention.com/mastermind Huge Convention & Supporting Platforms Huge Insider (Free Newsletter)Huge Foundations Education Platform (120+ hours of training)The Huge Convention 2025 in Nashville, TN (Aug 20–22): https://www.thehugeconvention.com/The Huge Mastermind (for $750K+ aiming for $1M, $5M, $10M+): https://www.thehugeconvention.com/mastermind TRANSCRIPT Sid (Host): Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Huge Transformations Podcast. I’m Sid Graef out here in Montana. Gabe (Co-Host): And I’m Gabe Torres here in Nashville, Tennessee. We are your hosts and guides through the landscape of growing a successful home service business. We do this by interviewing the best home service business builders and owners in the industry—folks that have already built seven and eight figure home service businesses, and they want to help you succeed. You have no fake gurus on this show, just real life owners that have been in the trenches and can help show you the way to grow profit. We get insights and truths from successful business builders, and every episode is 100 percent experience. We are going to dig deep and reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly. Our guests will share with you the pitfalls to avoid and the keys to winning. In short, our guests will show you how to transform your home service business into a masterpiece. Thanks for joining us on the Wild Journey of Entrepreneurship. Let’s dive in. Sid (Host): Hello, my friend, this is Sid with Huge Transformations Podcast and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited to start off this podcast with this particular interview today. I got to interview Mike Dahlke. Mike and I have been friends for about seven years. We first met at the Huge Convention, I think in 2017, and Mike is one of those guys that speaks with a quiet wisdom. He doesn’t like to be on stage; he likes to be behind the scenes, and he’s a very wise and astute business operator. And he’s wise way beyond his years. Interesting story, fun fact: he started his company when he started a—he purchased what would be considered a failing window cleaning company, literally on its last gasp of air. And it was a company that had done about $60,000. And that’s not a ton, as we both know. In a few short years, he built that up to a company with multiple locations with over $5 million in revenue. And in the few short years that have passed since then, he and his partners have built their companies from zero to over $40 million in revenue. That’s not—I don’t say that, and he would never say that to brag because he likes to be behind the scenes. But the fact is, it’s important for you to know who you’re listening to during this interview with Mike. Again, he’s been incredibly successful. He’s very wise. And one of his greatest strengths is finding and building leaders. He’s a great business operator, owner, investor, and teacher. And he’s also a big part of the Huge Mastermind, which you’ll hear more about as we go along. I appreciate you joining us today. Please meet Michael Dahlke. Sid (Host): All right, I’m here with Michael Dahlke. Michael, of course, business partner of mine. You’re part of the—you’re primary owner of the Huge Convention, you’ve been in window cleaning, you’ve been in house cleaning, you’ve been in all kinds of services, electrical...
