The Vault View: Focusing on the Big Pumpkins — Smarter Growth Ahead
We’re big believers in “reading” — though in our world, that usually means listening to great books and podcasts while driving, cleaning, or renovating. One author who’s had a huge impact on us is Mike Michalowicz, whose books Profit First and The Pumpkin Plan have shaped how we approach business and growth here at Vault Ventures.
If you’re not familiar, The Pumpkin Plan is all about focus. Michalowicz teaches that growing a business is a lot like growing a giant pumpkin — you nurture your best opportunities and cut off the smaller pumpkins that pull energy from the vine. The result? One massive, thriving pumpkin that grows to its full potential.
In business terms: focus on what you do best, serve those clients deeply, and trim away distractions that don’t move the needle. It also parallels the Pareto Principle (the 80/20 rule) — where 80% of your results often come from 20% of your effort.
Right now, our “giant pumpkin” is clear: Furnished Rentals — short- and medium-term stays that host traveling professionals, vacationers, and adventurers across the U.P. That’s where our energy, creativity, and growth have the biggest impact. From 4 properties and 12 doors pre-2020 to 8 properties and 30 doors today, we’ve grown far beyond our beginnings — and we’re still evolving and growing.
We also manage long-term rentals, a laundromat, vending machines, and storage units, and we’re proud to offer real estate services through Northern Michigan Land Brokers. But as we grow, we’re constantly asking: where is our time best spent?
This is where The Pumpkin Plan hits home. Should we prune some areas (like long term rentals, sales, or vending) to focus on expanding our furnished rental portfolio? Is it time to bring in new team members to handle cleaning, maintenance, renovations, and appliance repair — people who can grow with us as we grow Vault Ventures itself?
We’ve always believed in growing people as much as properties. If you know someone handy, motivated, or looking to build a role they can take ownership of — we’d love to connect. There’s endless potential for those who want to be part of something that grows by design, not by accident.
As we move toward 2026 business planning, the Pumpkin Plan is front and center in our thinking: trimming the vine, focusing on the biggest pumpkins, and preparing the next great harvest.
Cheers to smarter growth, strong roots, and the adventures ahead. 🎃