Blake Harber: The J-Curve is Real — What Happens When Your Business Shrinks 65%

Blake Harber knows how to scale — but he also knows how to struggle. At HireVue, Lucid, and Workstream, he helped take SaaS companies past $100M in revenue. Then he left the high-growth tech world for small business, trading venture-backed chaos for steady, cash-flow-driven businesses. But the transition wasn't easy. The J-Curve was real. One of his companies shrank 65% in his first year, a curveball that tested everything — his resilience, his stress limits, and his ability to adapt. It forced him to figure out what he was really made of, seek therapy, and rethink what success looked like outside of tech. Today, Blake runs a portfolio of unconventional businesses, from managing 23 vending machines across Utah to acquiring Appleton Electronics Group, a company specializing in sourcing hard-to-find electronic components. He also hosts the Routine Revenue podcast, where he explores small businesses and side hustles often dismissed as boring — but brimming with opportunity.  In this episode, we dig into the reality of jumping from tech to small business, the difference between building with a team versus going solo, and what happens when your company shrinks before it grows. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to transition from tech and corporate to small businesses, this one's for you. Learn more about Durable on our website.