The Changemaker Interview Series with host Dr. Kristy Taylor, Career and Executive Coach. Story and video interview originally published by WORxK Global News Magazine.

Growing up surrounded by small family businesses, Pat Alacqua learned early that entrepreneurship wasn’t about suits and boardrooms. It was about showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and making it work. He spent his summers working 70-hour weeks before even finishing middle school. Watching his grandfather run a grocery store and his mother manage a motel at the Jersey Shore, he became fascinated by how businesses operated.

By the time most of his peers were heading off to college, Pat was already hands-on, co-founding a residential concrete business with his cousin. That experience taught him early on the value of learning from people who’ve already been there. It also kicked off what would become a lifelong journey of building, growing, and reimagining businesses from the ground up.

Over the years, Pat’s been at the helm of companies in just about every stage, launching startups, scaling growth, navigating turnarounds, and breathing new life into mature businesses. And what he’s seen is this: “The same growth challenges repeat, no matter the industry or stage.” That pattern has driven his mission to help leadership teams grow without losing control, and without losing the essence of what makes their business unique.

From hustle to systems

The success of his trade show services company was a turning point, but not just in the way you’d expect. The company was growing rapidly, but instead of feeling like a win, Pat found himself stuck. “I was the bottleneck. Every decision, every client issue, every crisis came back to my desk,” he said. It became clear that the problem wasn’t the business, it was how he was leading it.

That realization led to a critical shift. “You can’t scale the hustle,” Pat said. “The fix wasn’t working harder. It was shifting from doer to builder.” He started redesigning roles based on outcomes, clearly defining decision rights, and empowering others to lead without needing his constant involvement. This wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

During high-pressure moments, Pat learned to take a step back and ask one important question: “What result do we need right now?” That focus helped him move from reacting emotionally to leading with clarity. Over time, this discipline became part of how he operates and it’s something he now teaches others to do, too.

Helping leaders do the work that matters

Pat’s approach to business growth is grounded in two things: operational systems and leadership mindset. Both are essential, and neither can be overlooked.

“I help leaders both prevent and fix the breakdowns that come with growth,” he explains. That means identifying and tackling hidden barriers like decision bottlenecks, fire-drill culture, and misaligned teams. Using tools like his Windshield Process and 3Cs Framework, Pat gets organizations moving quickly but more importantly, sustainably.

“Leadership growth happens in real time, on the job,” he says. “We help leaders sharpen their thinking, strengthen decision-making, and build habits that make their organizations stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for whatever comes next.”

The goal isn’t just to hit targets. It’s to build something that lasts, and something that doesn’t depend on one person to keep running.

Success means letting go

Ask Pat what success means, and you won’t hear about profits or public recognition. He sums it up in a sentence that speaks volumes: “Success is building something that can thrive without you and gives you choices.”

One of the moments that truly reflected this was when he sold his trade show business. “It wasn’t the financial reward that made it meaningful,” Pat says. “It was what it represented.” The sale validated everything he had worked for—the systems, the culture, the structure. It proved that real success doesn’t come from doing everything yourself. It comes from building a company that runs on more than just your energy.

“When you do that,” he adds, “you create freedom, not just for yourself, but for the business and the people in it.”

That, for Pat, is the true mark of leadership. Much like raising kids, you pour your heart into it, but ultimately, your job is to help it thrive without you.

Scaling without losing control

As a business strategist, Pat helps organizations make the leap from growth to scale. That might sound like a simple transition, but it’s where many businesses stall.

“Business growth can be messy and emotional,” Pat says. “The systems and leadership habits that worked before can’t keep pace.” That’s why his work focuses on giving leaders exactly what they need, when they need it, so they can think, plan, and execute differently.

But it’s not just about doing things differently. It’s about thinking differently. “Growth demands more than hustle,” he explains. “It requires better systems, clearer roles, and the right leadership mindset.”

And Pat knows what it feels like to be caught in that in-between place—growing, but not scaling. That’s where he steps in to help leaders create structure, anticipate what’s going to break, and fix it before it does. “My goal is to help them grow without losing control,” he says.

The outcome? Organizations that are not just bigger, but better. Teams that thrive long after any one leader steps back. And businesses that don’t just survive change, they’re built for it.

Making an impact that lasts 

Pat’s vision isn’t just about helping companies make more money. It’s about longevity, adaptability, and alignment.

“The impact I’m after is more than financial results,” he says. “It’s organizations with staying power and leadership cultures that keep people engaged, aligned, and motivated to achieve shared goals.”

That’s why he’s currently focused on expanding his reach, through online programs, speaking engagements, and direct collaboration with leadership teams. By doing this, Pat can share his proven tools and frameworks with more people, helping companies stay true to who they are while still evolving to meet what’s next.

When companies work with Pat, they’re not just getting advice. They’re getting a blueprint for growth that actually works in real-world conditions.

Collaboration is how it all comes together

For Pat, collaboration is a key strategy.

“Collaboration helps us go further, faster by combining strengths to create outcomes neither side could achieve alone,” he says. Whether working with leaders directly or helping teams align internally, Pat uses his 3Cs Framework and 6-Step Collaboration Template to get everyone on the same page.

“We define the goals, map the path, and get everyone aligned before taking action,” he explains. “The best collaborations aren’t just about sharing ideas. They’re about removing roadblocks and creating synergy that drives results.”

And it works. Some of Pat’s biggest wins have come from partnerships where both sides brought something valuable to the table, and made something even greater together.

Advice for aspiring business leaders

If you’re just starting in this field, Pat’s advice is grounded, clear, and hard-earned: “You can’t grow and transform a company without growing and transforming yourself.”

Leadership isn’t static. What got you to this point won’t necessarily take you to the next one. That is why he encourages staying curious and surrounding yourself with people who’ve already been through what you are about to face.

“Remember you don’t know what you don’t know in any situation,” he says. “Seek out those people, learn from both their wins and their mistakes, and apply those lessons before you have to learn them the hard way.”

The leaders who adapt quickly and draw from the experience of others? They’re the ones who thrive.

Building for what’s next with Pat Alacqua

If there’s one consistent thread through Pat Alacqua’s story, it’s this: build with purpose. Build with systems. And build so the business doesn’t need you to function.

He’s lived the highs and lows, and he’s seen what happens when growth outpaces leadership habits. That’s why his work today is so impactful. It’s born out of real-world challenges and real-time transformation.

By helping leaders anchor their decisions to outcomes, sharpen their thinking, and prepare for change, Pat is shaping the kind of organizations that don’t just make it, they endure.