The numbers didn’t lie. The outdoor Amish furniture company in Pittsburgh was pulling in millions—but losing money. The owner was drowning in chaos, managing a dysfunctional team and struggling to track his income and expenses. He was working harder than ever, yet his business was running him instead of the other way around.

That all changed when he met Howard Partridge. With Partridge’s guidance, the business owner implemented systems, refined his leadership skills, and transformed his team. Little by little, the wrong people left, and the right ones joined. A few years later, the company had soared from $3 million in revenue to $10 million in profitable growth. Now, it runs on its own, allowing its owner to take vacations and enjoy life with his family.

Stories like this are what drive Howard Partridge. An internationally recognized business coach, #1 Amazon best-selling author, and professional speaker seen on Ted Talks, Partridge has dedicated his career to helping entrepreneurs build businesses that don’t consume their lives. But his passion comes from personal experience—he’s lived the struggle firsthand.

Partridge’s journey to success wasn’t paved with ease. Growing up on welfare in Mobile, Alabama, he faced significant hardships. But instead of letting those circumstances define him, he used them to develop an unshakable perseverance.

“[My early life experiences] gave me a lot of tenacity. I don’t give up. When you go through hard times, you learn how to persevere,” he said.

With just a $3 thousand wedding gift, Partridge started his first business out of the trunk of his car. Over 13 years, he built it to $30 thousand a month, yet found himself consumed by the very thing he created.

It wasn’t until he read The E-Myth Revisited and learned about business systems that everything changed. Within a year, his business skyrocketed to $800 thousand. Today, his businesses have earned millions, and his focus is on helping others replicate his success through predictable, profitable, and turn-key operations.

The Key to Growth: Mentors, Coaches, and Systems

When asked about the biggest turning point in his career, Partridge didn’t hesitate.

“The first one was learning from other people—coaching, having mentors and coaches, going to training. Training and coaching is what made the difference,” he said. “Today, the biggest life lesson that I’ve ever learned is, get around people who are already where you want to be, and who have a plan for you to follow.”

Partridge distinguishes between mentors, coaches, and trainers.

“A mentor may have been where you want to be, and they can give you good principles. A coach helps keep you accountable and on course. A trainer teaches you frameworks and processes,” he explained.

It’s not just about learning—it’s about implementation. According to Partridge, one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to grow is what he calls “FTI,” or Failure to Implement.

“They know what to do and how to do it, but they just don’t do it because they’re overwhelmed,” he said. Entrepreneurs juggle marketing, customer service, operations, sales, and leadership, often without the right systems or support in place.

Further, even with great systems, businesses can’t thrive without strong leadership. Partridge learned this firsthand.

“Most business owners are not great leaders,” he emphasized. “I had great systems and great people, but I had to learn leadership in order to build that team up. As John Maxwell said, ‘Everything rises and falls on leadership, and the toughest person to lead is ourselves.’”

Leadership, Maxwell believes, is simply influence.

“Everyone is a leader. They just don’t know that they’re a leader, and they don’t know what leadership is,” he said. “My definition of leadership is effectively communicating your vision. First, you have to have a vision. Secondly, you have to be able to communicate with other people.”

Partridge emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people—those who are humble, hungry, and emotionally intelligent.

“In order to hire the right people, you have to be the right person,” he said.

The Power of Systems: Creating a Turn-Key Business

A key part of Partridge’s coaching involves helping business owners build systems that allow their companies to operate without them.

“A system is simply a group of working parts that give you a certain outcome,” he explained. “Whether it’s a bicycle, a car, an airplane, it’s a set of systems. A marketing system is a step-by-step process that has been proven to get you results. A sales process is a script designed to influence someone to buy.”

The goal? To build what he calls a “phenomenal dream team” that can run the business without the owner being involved in every detail.

“One of my clients, Alyse, an architect, made her employees cry when she first started with us. She was unintentionally too harsh, and her team was frustrated. But as she learned systems and leadership, she went from being overwhelmed and frustrating her employees to a turn-key operation, where today, her team runs her business for her. Now, she spends her time with her daughter,” he said.

Partridge credits his faith as the driving force behind his personal and professional journey.

“Faith changes everything. I don’t think I would be here if I had not come to know the Lord. It changes your value system. You live a better life, that’s the benefit of being a believer,” he said.

For Partridge, business is more than just about making money—it’s a ministry.

“When I first came to know the Lord, I thought I was supposed to get rid of my business and go into full-time ministry, but God showed me that my business is my ministry. As a result, we’ve had an impact all over the world,” he said.

He believes that running a business “God’s way” isn’t just the best way—it’s the only way.

“Otherwise, if you’re following the world, you’re going to get the same outcome that the world gets. You might make more money, but you’re failing at home. You don’t have eternal life. You don’t have a balanced life,” he said. “Having a real, solid relationship with the Lord and with other believers gives you the faith, encouragement, support, and accountability that you need to be successful.”

Howard Partridge’s journey—from poverty to building multi-million-dollar businesses—is proof that success isn’t just about hard work. It’s about having the right mentors, implementing the right systems, developing leadership, and staying rooted in faith.

For entrepreneurs looking to build a business that works for them rather than because of them, Partridge’s message is clear: invest in mentorship, implement proven frameworks, and never underestimate the power of leadership and faith.

“Success isn’t about working yourself to death,” he said. “It’s about creating a life you love while making a difference in the lives of others.”

If you’re a struggling entrepreneur looking to gain freedom and success in your business, visit Howard Partridge’s website at https://howardpartridge.com/ to learn more about his proven frameworks and coaching programs that can help transform your business today.