Starting and running a business takes a lot of time; usually takes a lot of money; and can get pretty stressful, if you let it. But, it doesn’t have to be lonely at the top. Here, at The Executives Institute;
We give you talking points to open up conversations with other Founders, Presidents, CEOs and business builders across America, because we all face pretty similar issues, the unexpected roadblocks and the same constant distractions.
We share turning points from their real world experiences, because there are only two types of best practices: the ones we learn from others, and the ones we learn the hard way.
And, we create entrepreneurial challenges, designed to build discipline in young or first-time business owners, but also to nudge senior executives back on track when our own success has caused us to drift off course a little bit.
Welcome to America’s biggest boardroom. I’m Kurt McSparron, Founder of The Executives Institute and we’ve finally pulled together this idea that’s been simmering on the back burner since the summer of 2015. This project is intended to make starting, building, leading and exiting a small business more fun, more profitable, less intimidating and hopefully, a little less lonely.
The Executives Institute cirriculum will probably take around 1 hour per week to study. And, it’ll cost you $0, forever. I promise. We’re here to help you make money, not spend it.
We want to see you build something significant for yourself and to lead a happy life. That’s it. Don’t waste your time looking for “the catch”, there isn’t one, seriously. We’re here because we’re proud of our nation’s history and we simply want to create more and better entrepreneurs to keep it moving forward, by sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what we wish we’d known sooner. We’ve tried to make this site and this program as clean and simple to use as possible. No login. No advertising. No “premium content with subscription”. Nothing.
Remember the days when you could visit a website…and just read? Here it is.
I’m not here to impress you with my business acumen. I barely finished high school (not because I’m stupid, just insubordinate and undisciplined. it was the 80s), spent zero days in college (mostly because I didn’t know how to apply. pre-internet), and have screwed up most of the entrepreneurial endeavors I’ve gotten myself into. The couple that gave me any success at all, were merely by a spurt of self-discipline, a lot of determination, and a handful of dumb luck. Nobody needs another place to be impressed. We’re all tired of being sold to and lied to. We need a place where we can learn something useful, build on honest conversations and hard truths.
I don’t take myself too seriously. Business is important. Building something significant matters. Providing for families, creating jobs, and contributing to our communities matters. But most of the problems we face at work aren’t life or death. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you get it wrong. Sometimes you make a mess of things and have to clean it up. That’s business. Own it. Learn from it, laugh about it when you can, get back on your feet, and keep moving. We’re here to share a little wisdom, challenge each other, enjoy the ride, and leave something worthwhile for the next generation of business builders. No pretense. No nonsense.
It doesn’t have to be polished, it just has to be real.
do the work —and, let me know if I can help. Kurt kurt@theexecutivesinstitute.com
timeless business principles.
The fundamental rules for building strong businesses haven’t really changed in decades. And, when it comes to the rules, standard operating procedure for most entrepreneurs is: Follow. Succeed. Ignore. Repeat.
When business is good, our discipline fades and our standards can slip. Everyone at this table understands that. We also understand what it takes to get back on track. A simple reminder of what works, and what doesn’t. Sometimes, it’s a hard truth from a colleague or smack in the back of the head from someone who’s made the same mistake. Because anyone can read the rules, the value comes when someone says, “let me tell you how that played out in my company”.
collective modern insight.
Every Monday morning,
we highlight one of the 100 fundamental Rules of Business; share the guiding principle, give you executive talking points and a weekly entrepreneurial challenge to help turn the Rule into a habit, alongide one of the classic business reads of all-time, the book behind the Rule. Because, the Rules matter.
We want everyone to understand the rules.
We provide a candid forum
for executives and entrepreneurs across America to share the hard truths of building and maintaining a small business, but also to showcase the rewards, freedoms and opportunities opened up when you succeed. Those experiences are the most valuable contribution our Institute can receive.
We want to collect and share good ideas.
America builds the most important stuff.
Somebody needs to take the risk and somebody needs to do the work. The Executives Institute is here to help. This project is real. This isn’t an AI-generated list of platitudes and motivational memes. These Rules, prinicples and lessons have been collected from people who’ve built businesses and walked the same path you’re on. Together, we’re here to help every entrepreneur build something significant. Something that benefits your community, our country and your family.
We want to create more and better entrepreneurs.
If you have hard-earned lessons
or turning points in the life of your company or career, this is where we capture them. The Tell us your story page and Add your insights form within each Rule, is a simple way to gather and share the collective wisdom of today’s business leaders, and archive your experiences for generations of American entrepreneurs to come.
The insights you share might be the turning point someone else is waiting for.
It doesn’t need to be polished. It just needs to be real.
Sometimes good people just need a little help.
The What Do You Need Fund provides a leg up to business owners at any stage, facing a legitimate need or unexpected challenge. We don’t make business loans. We don’t take an ownership stake. And we don’t pretend we can solve all your problems. Just a helping hand. 25% of all donations go into the endowment pot. Starting in 2027, awards of up to $25,000 may be made to worthy applicants, based on their circumstances and our resources available.
When we can help, we’ll try.
The cirriculum here is free.
As a federally recognized 501(c)(3), the Institute is sustained entirely through voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations who believe this mission matters. We’re not going to clutter this site or distract the important work of building your company, with advertising, pop-ups or offers to buy programs. Every contribution, whether $25 or $10,000, advances the same mission.
Your contribution helps us keep it that way.
Reach out if you have questions about this project, have an idea or want to talk to someone about your business. Email Kurt or text my cell at (701) 541-1073, 9am-3pm EST (I’m in eastern Tennessee). Please don’t call my cell, text only. If you call and try to pitch me something right off the bat, I’ll just block your number. Don’t be that person. The fastest way to lose a sale is to ask for it before you’ve earned it. Build trust before selling —Rule No. 37. Thank you for being here, sincerely.