From Burnout to Breakthrough: Russel’s Journey to Purpose-Driven Success

In this episode, Mark sits down with Russel Dubree, founder of Performance Faction and former agency owner who built and sold a multi-million dollar creative business. They talk turkey (literally), before diving into the hard-won lessons of entrepreneurship—what it means to grind, the challenges of hiring and leading a team, the highs and lows of partnerships, and what ultimately led to Russel’s decision to sell his agency and pursue business coaching. In this conversation, Russel shares the real story of growing a business from nothing—starting with a $500 credit card charge and a dream, all the way to a $5M agency with 16 employees. He opens up about poor hiring decisions, burnout, navigating family and business, and the wake-up call that helped him redefine success. Now, as a coach, he helps agency leaders find their purpose, build resilient teams, and grow with clarity and intention. Takeaways:Early business lessons often come through trial by fire.Good partnerships require alignment, clarity, and tough conversations.Hiring slow (and right) is one of the most important decisions in growing an agency.Don’t build to the price—price to the value.Growth without process can create chaos, not success.Purpose—not profit—will keep you going long term.Leadership means owning your shortcomings and creating a culture that retains top talent.Time with family can’t be an afterthought. Balance comes with communication.Saying "no" is often more important than saying "yes."Success doesn’t mean burnout—it means building something meaningful, on purpose. Connect with Russel: performancefaction.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/russeldubree Learn More:  Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it.  Stay Connected:  Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:34 Welcome to The Friday Habit  01:14 Guest Introduction: Russel Dubree  01:48 Thanksgiving Turkey Talk  09:57 Balancing Business and Family  10:56 Entrepreneurial Beginnings  23:10 Starting a Web Development Company  29:34 Pricing and Early Challenges  33:15 Hiring and Growing the Business  36:58 Reflecting on Early Growth and Challenges  38:23 Learning from Industry Experts  41:20 Defining Moments and Major Projects  44:39 Improving Processes and Team Dynamics  49:18 Finding Passion and Purpose  54:40 Deciding to Sell the Business  58:53 Post-Sale Reflections and Future Plans  01:14:23 Final Advice and Closing Thoughts