58 - From Origin Story to Core Focus: Crafting Your Business Identity
Mon Dec 29 2025
In this Lucky 13 Podcast episode, Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the importance of "core focus" in business and personal development. They explore how a company's origin story shapes its purpose, passion, and niche, emphasizing the need to revisit and clarify these elements regularly. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, they highlight how a clear core focus guides decision-making, prevents distractions, and energizes teams. The conversation also touches on the value of discipline in saying no to misaligned opportunities and the role of both founders and employees in living out a shared purpose.
Podcast Introduction and Banter (00:00:08) Hosts introduce themselves, joke about swag, and discuss the sponsor and event planning.
Personal Update: Josh's Daughter at Liberty University (00:01:16) Josh shares about his daughter's hip surgery recovery and her experience at Liberty University.
Holiday and New Year Reflections (00:02:34) Discussion about Christmas, the episode's release timing, and looking ahead to 2026.
Introducing Core Focus Topic (00:03:25) Mike introduces the concept of "core focus" and its challenges in business.
Origin Story and Core Focus Questions (00:03:50) Josh explains the importance of a company's origin story and three core questions to clarify core focus.
Core Focus vs. Business Plan (00:04:49) Distinguishing between a company's core focus and its business plan, using Mary Kay as an example.
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In this Lucky 13 Podcast episode, Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the importance of "core focus" in business and personal development. They explore how a company's origin story shapes its purpose, passion, and niche, emphasizing the need to revisit and clarify these elements regularly. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, they highlight how a clear core focus guides decision-making, prevents distractions, and energizes teams. The conversation also touches on the value of discipline in saying no to misaligned opportunities and the role of both founders and employees in living out a shared purpose. Podcast Introduction and Banter (00:00:08) Hosts introduce themselves, joke about swag, and discuss the sponsor and event planning. Personal Update: Josh's Daughter at Liberty University (00:01:16) Josh shares about his daughter's hip surgery recovery and her experience at Liberty University. Holiday and New Year Reflections (00:02:34) Discussion about Christmas, the episode's release timing, and looking ahead to 2026. Introducing Core Focus Topic (00:03:25) Mike introduces the concept of "core focus" and its challenges in business. Origin Story and Core Focus Questions (00:03:50) Josh explains the importance of a company's origin story and three core questions to clarify core focus. Core Focus vs. Business Plan (00:04:49) Distinguishing between a company's core focus and its business plan, using Mary Kay as an example.