Trail Talk (Blog)
A Blog For Business Owners and Leaders
It’s on the trails where the true conversations about leadership, life and strategy come out.
Join the talk on the trails with Jonathan (Jono) Brake.
Monday Myth Check: Why Higher Salaries Aren’t Always the Answer
We often assume that paying more automatically equals better results. But before defaulting to salary increases as your primary motivator, consider where that logic leads. Here are three reasons why...
The Innovation Myth: Why Consistency Often Beats Novelty
While innovation gets all the headlines, the idea that "you must innovate to succeed" deserves serious scrutiny. Don't get me wrong—I love creativity and pushing boundaries. But as leaders, we need...
The Tech Trap: Why More Apps Don’t Mean More Productivity
We've all been there – downloading the latest productivity app, convinced it'll finally solve our workflow problems. But here's the uncomfortable truth: technology doesn't always make work easier....
Success Means Going it Alone Right? … not so fast!
The common myth that successful people got there by hard work alone is false. Success is a team effort that requires mentors, collaborators, and strong support systems. Opportunity plus effort also...
The Passion and Grit Myth: Why Hard Work Isn’t Always Enough
We've all heard it before: "Follow your passion, work hard, and you'll succeed at anything." While this sounds inspiring, the reality is more complex. Passion and perseverance are valuable, but...
The Unexpected Business Connection I Made on a Gravel Climb
Ever notice how some of your best conversations happen in the most unexpected places? Yesterday, what started as a routine bike ride turned into a reminder about the power of staying open to...
Myth Check: A Great Product Sells Itself
Ever heard someone say "build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door"? After 30+ years in marketing and product development, I'm here to tell you that's complete nonsense....
The Real Journey: What 15 Years of Building a Business Has Taught Me
G'day! I'm Jonathan Brake, and I want to take you back ten years to a moment at Niagara Falls with my Bride, Rebecca. After 15 years of grinding it out in business, we had finally reached a position...
First Mover Advantage: The Startup Myth That Could Cost You
Picture this: You're sitting in a boardroom, palms sweaty, pitching your revolutionary idea. Someone inevitably asks, "But what about first mover advantage? Shouldn't we rush to market?" Sound...
More Meetings = Better Communication
Ever find yourself scheduling another meeting to "improve communication" only to watch your team's eyes glaze over? You're not alone. MYTH BUSTED: Most meetings are actually a waste of time, and...