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From Bootstrap to $100M: How Lion Energy Built an Energy Revolution | Tyler Hortin

Author
@apentz
Published
Tue 25 Mar 2025
Episode Link
https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28x066v8-from-bootstrap-to-100m-how-lion-energy-built-an-energy-revolution-tyler-hortin

In this episode of Small Business Black Holes, host Alan Pentz sits down with Tyler Hortin, Co-founder of Lion Energy, who shares his journey of growing a bootstrapped emergency power solutions company from its founding in 2012 to $100 million in revenue, focusing on sustainable growth, product innovation, and strategic decision-making.

What You'll Learn:
  • How to scale a bootstrapped business through disciplined reinvestment and strategic product development
  • The essential balance of managing growth while maintaining profitability in a capital-intensive business
  • Why quality control and extensive product testing are crucial for maintaining customer trust and reducing returns
  • How to navigate the transition from product-focused to technology-driven business model
  • The framework for making strategic decisions about product development and R&D investment
  • Why distributed power storage solutions are becoming critical infrastructure beyond environmental benefits
  • How to manage the crucial challenge of scaling your team alongside rapid business growth
  • The importance of balancing multiple sales channels while maintaining product quality and customer experience

Highlights:
[5:12] Disciplined Bootstrapped Growth Strategy
[09:52] Product Development Funding Framework 
[13:17] Quality-First Testing Protocol
[20:36] People-Centric Growth Management

Episode Resources:
Alan Pentz LinkedIn
Tyler Hortin LinkedIn
Owner Institute website
Lion Energy website

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