From Government Job to Business Owner - Kevin Mizell

What does it really take to leave a stable career and step into business ownership? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Kevin Mizell, a former government construction engineer manager who walked away from a high-level career to buy a small business—right in the middle of the pandemic. Kevin shares the real, unfiltered truth about what it's like to go from a W2 job to owning a business. From taking on large debt for the first time, to navigating labor challenges, to realizing that "passive income" isn't what most people think—it's all here. If you've ever thought about leaving your W2 job and buying a business, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you a grounded, real-world perspective on what it actually takes to succeed. This isn't theory. This is what it looks like in the real world.     Timestamps:    02:00 – Leaving a stable career for business ownership   06:00 – Early entrepreneurial thoughts and risk considerations   10:00 – Choosing the right business (and core competency)   13:00 – Navigating the acquisition process   18:00 – Transitioning into ownership   22:00 – Employee challenges and leadership realities   26:00 – Buying during COVID uncertainty   28:00 – Managing debt and financial pressure   31:00 – Work ethic, integrity, and long-term mindset   36:00 – Advice for aspiring business owners   41:00 – Working with brokers and evaluating deals   44:00 – The reality of "owning vs. working in" a business   47:00 – Gratitude and closing thoughts     Connect with Kevin Mizell     Email - [email protected]   Phone Number: 928-515-9663   Bennett Glass: https://www.bennettglassandmirror.com     Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success:   Instagram: @ampedsuccess   Website: ampedsuccess.com   Email: [email protected]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/     Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode?   If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected]   Listen & Subscribe:   Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.