"Hope is not a strategy." In the first episode of the Build Boldly 2026 Business Roadmap series, host Pat Rodgers breaks down the foundation every successful business needs: strategy and operations.

Too many entrepreneurs rely on hustle and hope instead of a clear plan. In this episode, Pat walks through his top five strategy and operations principles to help business owners move from reactive to intentional growth. From conducting a 360° review of 2025 to identifying bottlenecks, defining a North Star goal, setting measurable milestones, and, most importantly, getting true buy-in from your team, this episode lays the groundwork for the entire year ahead.

You’ll learn:
• How to perform a full 360° business review (the wins and the misses)
• Why strategy without operations is meaningless and operations without strategy fail
• How to identify the roadblocks and bottlenecks holding your business back
• How to define a clear North Star goal that your entire team can rally behind
• Why employee buy-in is the single most important driver of execution and growth

Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a seasoned operator, this episode will help you build a clear, executable plan for 2026. Specifically, a plan that removes friction, aligns your team, and sets the stage for sustainable growth.

Next up in the series: Finance & Accounting, the cornerstones of every healthy business.

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Build Boldly is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.