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.
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...
Busting the “Hard Work = Success” Myth
We've all been there. Someone asks how you're doing, and your automatic response is "I'm good, I'm busy!" It's like wearing busyness as a badge of honor. But what if I told you that working harder...
The Hiring Myth That’s Costing You Great Employees
Ever found yourself torn between hiring the most qualified candidate on paper and the person who just "feels right" for your team? You're not alone. There's a persistent myth in hiring that skill...
Micromanagement: The Productivity Killer in Disguise
“But if I don’t stay on top of everything, how do I know it’ll get done?” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many leaders fall into the trap of thinking that tighter control equals better outcomes....