How do 9-figure CEOs think differently?
Mike Fata built and sold Manitoba Harvest for $419M—today, he’s revealing the mindset shifts, toughest decisions, and biggest lessons that took him from startup founder to industry leader.
Mike is the co-founder and former CEO of Manitoba Harvest, a best-selling author, investor, and mentor to entrepreneurs scaling their businesses. After exiting his company in a $419M deal, he now helps founders build and sell businesses successfully.
Mike shares his journey from an overweight teenager to a health-conscious entrepreneur, how he scaled Manitoba Harvest into a 9-figure business, and the emotional rollercoaster of selling his life's work. This episode dives deep into leadership, decision-making, personal transformation, and the key mindset shifts required to go from 6 to 9 figures.
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5 Takeaways from This Masterclass:
Mindset Makes the Difference – Scaling from 6 to 9 figures requires shifting from a "doer" to a strategic leader who builds systems and empowers teams.
The Hardest Leadership Decisions Involve People – Letting go of employees, co-founders, or making restructuring moves is the toughest part of being a CEO.
Growth Cures Most Business Problems – Expanding strategically solves financial and operational challenges—but overexpansion without demand can kill a business.
The Exit is Emotional – Selling a company isn’t just a financial transaction; it comes with identity shifts, loss, and personal reinvention.
Success After the Exit – True wealth isn’t just money; it’s about aligning your purpose with your next venture, whether investing, mentoring, or creating impact.
If you're an entrepreneur looking to scale, exit, or shift your mindset for massive growth, this episode is a must-listen!
🎧 Listen now and get inside the mind of a 9-figure CEO!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mike Fata's Journey
02:46 Health Transformation and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
05:41 Founding Manitoba Harvest: The Role of Nutrition
09:07 The Evolution of Health and Nutrition Understanding
12:03 Building a Business: From Idea to Execution
14:48 Leadership Lessons and Growth Challenges
17:56 Mentorship and Learning in Business
21:00 Difficult Leadership Decisions and Their Impact
23:49 Creating a Winning Company Culture
26:59 Reflections on Growth and Personal Development
36:17 Defining Mission and Values
38:03 Evolving Definition of Success
40:34 Navigating Life Transitions
44:52 The Grieving Process of Change
46:10 Mindset and Personal Growth
50:26 Lessons from Entrepreneurship
51:56 Acquisition Insights
57:09 Risk Management in Business
01:01:06 Learning from Mistakes
01:04:39 Legacy and Future Aspirations
🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️
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ABOUT THE GUEST
Website: www.mikefata.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themikefata/
X: https://x.com/themikefata
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Unconventional-Becoming-Unstoppable-Entrepreneur-ebook/dp/B0BX42FDK1?ref_=ast_author_dp
ABOUT THE HOST
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong
Learn how to scale fast by taking the business growth Quiz: https://howtogrowabusiness.scoreapp.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong
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