Struggling to Build the Right Team
Ben Kalkman had owned and expanded Cutting Edge Kitchens for over a decade when he realized he was hitting the same roadblocks over and over. Hiring was inconsistent, morale was uneven, and leadership felt heavy. “It can be hard to get a group of young men to consider things like work culture,” Ben said.
He’d worked with a business coach in the past, but the relationship didn’t stick. When several peers recommended Allison Dunn at Deliberate Directions, Ben gave it another shot. It turned out to be one of the most important decisions he’s made for his business.
High Expectations, Low Alignment
Ben described himself as a dreamer with high expectations—but that sometimes left him disconnected from what his team needed. He wanted accountability and passion from his crew, but struggled with communicating clearly, setting realistic expectations, and finding the right people to support the company’s growth.
He also battled self-doubt. “I always thought I needed a business partner to be successful,” he admitted. Years of people-pleasing and failed partnerships left him second-guessing his decisions.
Rebuilding Culture from the Inside
Ben’s coaching began with a quarterly planning process Allison calls the Blueprint. “It was overwhelming and exhausting,” he said—but it helped him clarify goals and move with purpose.
They focused on three key areas:
- Work Culture: Ben implemented weekly shop meetings, practiced open-book budgeting, and involved his team in building shared values. He learned to balance high expectations with active listening and trust.
- Recruitment: Instead of hiring out of urgency, Ben began crafting ideal candidate profiles and strengthening his interview process. He learned that smart hiring directly impacts retention and morale.
- Confidence: With Allison’s guidance, Ben began believing in his ability to lead alone—and to trust his own decisions.
Hiring Smarter, Leading Stronger
Ben’s confidence didn’t just grow—it transformed how he ran the business. He now enters coaching sessions with plans, not problems. He shares wins during weekly check-ins and brings sharper questions like, “Am I missing something?” or “Am I seeing the full picture?”
Hiring improved. Culture improved. And Ben finally felt like he was building the company on his own terms—not just reacting to problems.
Running with Confidence and Clarity
Ben describes Allison as “genuine, encouraging, caring, and determined.” Coaching with Deliberate Directions helped him step fully into his role as a confident leader with a clear vision for Cutting Edge Kitchens.
“It’s like having an atlas instead of just driving east and hoping for the best,” he said. “If you have the map, you’re going to get there a hell of a lot quicker.”
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