S1E4: You Don’t Have to Solve Every Problem, Just the Most Important Ones | Sherri & Scott Yukel

Have you ever wondered how married couples manage to grow a business and thrive as a family at the same time? It takes more than being in love. There must be shared vision, clarity on roles and responsibilities, and strong communication. Most importantly, both relationships depend on a foundation of trust.

Today’s guests have been married and working together as a Visionary/Integrator™ Duo for decades. They have created a partnership that allows them the freedom to capitalize on their unique gifts while empowering their team with agency.

Sherri Yukel is the founder and Visionary of Big Dot of Happiness, a party supply business, and Scott Yukel is her husband and former Integrator. In this episode, they share their insights about how to empower your team, sell the company with EOS® intact, and find a new Integrator.

Key Takeaways: 

• Leadership teams need to feel empowered to make decisions without involving the Visionary/Integrator.
• EOS helps control the chaos.
• Find and lean on your mentors.
• You don’t have to solve every problem, just the most important ones.
• Engage new investment partners in your Vision/Traction Organizer™ immediately.

Some Questions Asked: 

• How did Sherri and Scott decide to implement EOS?
• How do Sherri and Scott balance being married and being a Visionary/Integrator Duo?
• What are some of the things Sherri and Scott do to ensure that their professional conflicts don’t come home with them?
• How do Sherri and Scott resolve professional conflicts?
• What did Sherri and Scott learn after hiring the wrong Integrator?

Controlling the Chaos With EOS

Sherri started Big Dot of Happiness back in the ’90s as a hobby. Five years later, she hired her husband, Scott, as her first employee. E-commerce was exploding, and so was their business. 

Sherri and Scott began to realize that they were no longer able to have the final say on every decision that needed to be made. They had young leaders on board, but they lacked the structure of accountability necessary to delegate. They decided to implement EOS.

“Chaos is necessary in order to stay on top of things [in e-commerce], and so controlling the chaos is what got really good with EOS – and how to implement that throughout not just the leadership team but down into the departments.” – Sherri Yukel [5:57]

Sherri and Scott struggled to work together in the early days of their professional partnership, but mentorship helped them overcome this challenge. Mentorship helps Visionary/Integrator Duos stay grounded and, in the case of a married duo, avoid bringing work home. Sherri and Scott encourage all Visionaries and Integrators to find leaders they trust to mentor them.

Early in 2020, Sherri and Scott decided to sell the company. As they prepare for this new chapter, they have been putting in the work to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.

“You do need this [Visionary/Integrator] duo to grow a company. They’re the two voices you can say anything to, and it will help you grow the brand and company. If there’s anything you’re holding back, it’s not the right duo.”  – Sherri [33:25]

While the first Integrator they hired to replace Scott did not go well, the experience helped them gain clarity on the importance of deep trust and communication between a Visionary and an Integrator. By refocusing on these priorities, they found an Integrator who is a great fit, and a new Visionary and CEO who will replace Sherri next year.

If you’re interested in how to find your perfect Integrator and the importance of trust and clear communication, don’t miss this episode of Rocket Fuel.

Learn More:

• • Sherri Yukel | LinkedIn
  • Scott Yukel | LinkedIn
  • Big Dot of Happiness website