The Mindset Shift That Took Him From One Course to a Multi-Program Hospitality School

<p>🎙️ What if the real reason your business isn&#39;t scaling isn&#39;t a lack of passion… but your inability to master discipline, pricing, and delegation?On this episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert sits down with entrepreneur, master baker, and founder of culi Next Institute, &quot;Sisco&quot;. Together, they unpack what it really takes to scale a business from a local coffee shop into a full-scale baking and hospitality school. Sisco shares how he navigated the high-stakes transition from a hands-on creator to an institutional leader, and why cash flow, strict leadership, and intentional positioning matter far more than rapid, unstructured expansion.Sisco dismantles the myth that being a &quot;cool boss&quot; or doing everything yourself will build a sustainable company. Drawing from real-world experiences in his own growth journey, he reveals why a scone sold at a robot for R2 commands R10 in a supermarket due to packaging and presentation, how hiring qualified experts smarter than himself elevated his school’s offering, and why cash flow must always beat top-line revenue in day-to-day operations.💡 Some of what he gets into:-Cash Flow vs. Revenue &amp; Financial Discipline: Why cash flow is the lifeblood of day-to-day operations, the dangers of over-spending when a new project comes in, and why sound financial discipline keeps the doors open.-&quot;The R2 vs. R10 Scone&quot; (Packaging &amp; Positioning): How presentation, branding, and packaging create perceived value in the market, allowing businesses to charge premium prices for the exact same core product.-Overcoming the &quot;Cool Boss&quot; Trap: The hard leadership lessons Cisco learned about setting boundaries, managing student accounts and fees, and stepping into strong authority rather than trying to be everyone&#39;s friend.Strategic Networking &amp; The &quot;Offer Cake First&quot; LinkedIn Method: How ---Sisco uses LinkedIn DMs to connect with senior executives by leading with value—offering free cake to open doors and build long-term relationships before ever asking for a deal.✨ He also talks about:-The Power of &quot;CEO Vlogs&quot; &amp; Founder Storytelling: Why digital audiences want to see raw, authentic founder content—including the late nights, the hustle, and what happens when you don&#39;t get the deal.-Hiring Smarter Than Yourself: Why you should never hire too fast, requiring practical &quot;bake-offs&quot; during recruitment, and delegating to qualified pastry c