Beyond the Blueprint – How Lance Cayko Masters Business and Balance

In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, Jamie Seeker sits down with Lance Cayko, a multi-talented entrepreneur, architect, professor, podcast host, and co-founder of F9 Productions. Lance shares his journey from growing up on a North Dakota farm to becoming a leader in the architecture and design industry. He dives into how getting laid off pushed him to start his own firm, the importance of discipline and intentionality in business, and how he balances work with his passion projects like fishing and community gardening.

Listeners will gain insights into entrepreneurship, time management, leadership, and redefining work-life balance into work-life harmony. Lance also shares his thoughts on hiring, leadership development, and why setting boundaries is the key to success.

💡 Key Takeaways & Notes

1️⃣ Lance’s Journey into Entrepreneurship

• Started working in construction at 13 after quitting a farming job.
• Learned about business margins early from his mentor and developed a passion for architecture.
• Went from construction to architecture after realizing he wanted control over design and execution.
• Graduated at the top of his class in architecture and moved to Boulder for work.
• Got laid off during the Great Recession, which fueled his drive to start F9 Productions in 2010.
• Built his firm by reacting to common industry complaints and focusing on customer service & quality.

2️⃣ Overcoming Entrepreneurial Challenges

• Drew inspiration from Michael Jordan’s rejection story, using setbacks as motivation.
• Initially carried anger toward being laid off but transformed it into positive motivation.
• Developed a strict morning routine to maintain productivity:
• 4:30 AM wake-up
• Hydration, stretching, meditation/prayer
• Creative work during the “golden hours”
• Stresses that discipline equals freedom – success comes from being intentional with time.

3️⃣ Work-Life Harmony vs. Work-Life Balance

• Rejects the idea of "work-life balance" – prefers work-life harmony where personal and professional passions intertwine.
• Uses intentional scheduling to make time for fishing, family, and community work.
• Says, "I’ve made business deals on the ice while fishing!"
• Incorporates his architecture firm into his nonprofit work (staff helps design and build for community gardens).

4️⃣ Leadership & Company Culture at F9 Productions

• Inspired by Steve Jobs’ philosophy: Your best workers should be your leaders.
• Created an F9 Leadership Group to support newly promoted managers.
• Leadership training focuses on coaching, problem-solving, and maintaining a feedback loop.
• Believes in hiring based on shared values, not just skills—skills can be taught, but values must align.

5️⃣ Boundaries & Time Management for Success

• Sets strict work boundaries at F9: Employees choose between 7-4 or 8-5 schedules (no overtime culture).
• Many firms in the architecture industry glorify 50-60 hour workweeks—Lance proves success is possible without burnout.
• "Boundaries equal freedom" – structuring work allows for personal pursuits without sacrificing business growth.

6️⃣ Signature Question: What Does...