A typical day in my life includes… Reading, working with executive teams from across the nation here at Next Level Growth, writing (currently working on my third book), relaxing evenings under the Arizona sky with my wife.

I was born… in High Point, North Carolina

My favorite thing about Arizona… is all the variety of things to do both in town and within a 2-to-3-hour drive.

I’m listening to… American Icon, the story of Alan Mullaly

My family… Is awesome – My wife Elizabeth and I met at 4, started dating at 15, married at 22, right out of college. We have two adult sons, Zachary (24) who works at Privado, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, and Matthew (28) who works in the hardwood industry in Michigan and has given us two granddaughters, Grace and Adalynn.

One thing I cannot live without… My Executive Assistant Team at Next Level Growth…having the right team of A-Players around me to help me focus on where I bring the greatest value to my business and our clients is huge.

When I was younger, I wanted to be… An orthopedic surgeon. I was fascinated by anatomy and physiology in high school and college.

I’m inspired by… entrepreneurs…they take all the risk and boldly go forward into uncharted territory bringing us innovation and growth. It’s an honor for me to work with them on a daily basis.

The person/people who motivate(s) me is/are… My wife, Elizabeth, and the executives I get the pleasure of working with at Next Level Growth who are building elite organizations.

If I could change anything in the world, it would be… the divisiveness that has grown so much over the past several decades.

The perfect day would be… Spent on the water, cruising under sunny skies from Newport Beach to Catalina for the weekend with a pod of dolphin playing off the bow.

My first job was… Working in the bag room at a golf course at 14 years old and getting to drive the cart on the driving range to pick up golf balls.

My favorite escape… is on the water.

My life… Blessed…I’ve been given an opportunity to take everything the first half of my life has taught me and spend the second half sharing the lessons learned openly with others and through my books and in doing so, give it all back.

I’m currently working on… my third book.

Always… tell the people you love that you love them, every time you hang up the phone or have to part ways.

Never… go to bed mad at your spouse.

Favorite Quote… “Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.” — W. Edwards Deming

Biggest Dream… To be living the life I’m currently living.

My Pet Peeve(s)… Bad manners and people who don’t put away their shopping carts.

Bio-on yourself/company:
Michael Erath is Founder and Lead Business Guide at Next Level Growth – a company comprised of experienced entrepreneurs turned Business Guides who are passionate about Helping Entrepreneurial Leaders Build Elite Organizations® – and author of two best-selling books, RISE: The Reincarnation of an Entrepreneur and The Path to the Pinnacle: Using Customized Business Operating Systems to Drive Growth. In addition to being a Certified Pinnacle Business Guide, Former record holding Certified EOS implementer®, Former Certified Scaling Up Coach and Co-Creator of Process Optimizer® (the only business guide in the US to have simultaneously held all titles), Michael also had a 15-year career growing a family manufacturing business on the East Coast. He now has the pleasure of helping guide other leaders to their next level of success. Over the past 9 years, Next Level Growth has helped with the development and expansion of some of the biggest companies in the state, including the likes of Upward Projects (Postino WineCafe), AlphaGraphics, Embark Behavioral Health and many more. For more information, visit www.nextlevelgrowth.com.