Background: My name is Michael Leavitt and I am one of the owners here at Summitech. Pete and I opened the company about 19 years ago and I have focused on the sales, business development and growth of the company. I have a passion for what I do and have worked extremely hard from our humble beginning.

Well, it’s not quite officially Summer yet, but my mind is spinning with anticipation, nervousness, and possibly a bit of relief.  I have spent 19 years of my life working my dream job. From buying and selling companies, making friends, and absorbing all that is possible through my incredible mentors who have helped me mold my company. I have spent countless hours and worked around the clock. This might make it sound a bit like a retirement speech or that I’m throwing in the towel, or selling out; but it is in fact quite the opposite. Let me explain. I am going to be taking a few short vacations and to get ready for this, I’m going to completely unplug. Yes, shut down from this hyper-connected world for a few days, something I am not accustomed to. I have built a magnificent company, and as we continue to grow, expand, and diversify I believe it will be able to go on without me for a couple of days.

Oh, I also want to mention that I could not be prouder to say, it’s a “lifestyle company.” Throughout the years, A LOT of people have told me this isn’t possible and it will never work. But I am here to say that it can. I have employees who’ve conquered an Ironman, become scratch golfers, built a ranch, attended missions, spent valuable time with their families, and have become involved with local charities and fundraisers.

I am not afraid anymore of coming back to thousands of emails, worried that nobody can do my job or that people will think less of me. I have an incredible staff full of passion, knowledge, and dammit, they’re pretty fun too! I am not going to scurry off into another room to respond to emails throughout the night.  I will try my absolute best to put-off the hundreds of WeChat and WhatsApp messages and texts that I get in a day. Why? I have absolute trust in my team and their capabilities.  I have invested greatly into people, custom programs, incredible factories, offshore offices, and a fantastic environment to work in. The lesson to be learned is that if you invest in a strong team, who are passionate about what they do and always work hard, you can take a break. Most business owners or leaders of a company do not believe this is possible, but I hope that I can show you it is possible with the right people on your team.