As entrepreneurs, we often chase business goals with everything we’ve got, late nights, endless tasks, and the constant drive to succeed.
During my conversation with Jeff Lestz, I was reminded of something powerful: true success isn’t about money or titles. It’s about building a life where business and relationships grow together, not at the expense of each other.
Jeff Lestz is a Christian entrepreneur and the founder of a thriving financial services business. He reached millionaire status by 31, yet what inspires me most is that he’s been happily married to his wife, Margot, for over 45 years.
Their story deeply touched me because it reflects what I call 360º Success, achieving balance and fulfilment in business, relationships, health, and purpose.
Here are the biggest takeaways from my chat with Jeff.
1. Treat Your Marriage Like a Garden
Jeff shared that the number one key to a successful marriage is to treat your partner like you did when you were dating. Marriage, he says, is like a garden, you can’t just plant it and walk away. It needs care, attention, and regular “weeding.”
What I love about this analogy: It’s a reminder that the little, everyday actions matter the most. Consistent kindness, listening, and being intentional with your partner keeps love alive, just like consistent nurturing keeps a business running.
2. Set “His, Hers, and Ours” Goals
Jeff and Margot’s approach to life and business is unique. From the early days, they made sure to have personal goals (his and hers) as well as shared goals (ours). When their business took off, Jeff encouraged Margot to take 10 years off to pursue her passion for study and travel.
Lesson for entrepreneurs: Your partner’s dreams are just as important as your own. By supporting each other’s individual growth, you grow stronger as a couple. This aligns perfectly with my 360º Success framework, real success is not just shared, it’s celebrated individually too.
3. Build Habits of Connection
It’s not just about waiting for holidays or anniversaries to reconnect. Jeff and Margot made Friday date nights a ritual and planned short getaways every 90 days. These moments of connection weren’t optional, they were part of their life blueprint.
Why it matters: Entrepreneurs are always “on,” but you can’t run your business effectively if your relationship is running on empty. Making time to recharge together can give you clarity, joy, and energy to thrive in all areas of life.
4. Respect is Everything
One of the things that impressed me the most was how much Jeff respects Margot’s intuition. Over the years, her quiet wisdom has saved him from poor business deals and decisions. He has learned to value her perspective as much as any mentor or advisor.
The takeaway: Success isn’t about who shouts the loudest, it’s about truly listening. Respecting your partner’s voice creates not only a healthier relationship but also better outcomes in business and life.
5. Money is Not the Main Goal
Jeff made it clear that money was never the ultimate goal in his marriage. Of course, financial stability is important, but what mattered most was keeping their friendship strong and their values aligned.
Reflection: How often do we let business goals overshadow our personal lives? Jeff’s story reminded me that wealth means very little if you don’t have someone to share it with.
6. Grow Together and Apart
Margot took breaks from the business to study, travel, and follow her passions and Jeff supported her every step of the way. He didn’t see her independence as a threat; he saw it as a way to keep their relationship alive and evolving.
Lesson: The best relationships create space for growth. When both partners are fulfilled, the relationship thrives.
7. Keep Having Fun
Even after 45 years, Jeff and Margot still laugh together and find ways to stay young at heart. Adventure, travel, and light-hearted moments are as much a part of their marriage as hard work and planning.
The reminder for us: Success is not just about building—it’s also about enjoying. My 360º Success framework always highlights lifestyle and joy as core pillars of a fulfilling life.
My conversation with Jeff Lestz reminded me that you can have both, a thriving business and a thriving relationship, if you’re intentional.
Success is never just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about building a life where love, health, business, and purpose all work together in balance.
So, ask yourself: Are you nurturing your own “garden”? Are you making time for the people who matter most while building your dreams?
Because real success, 360º Success, means winning in every part of life, not just one.
