Built by Margin with Laurie Chen
Built by Margin is the podcast at the intersection of risk, numbers, and decision-making for founders, CEOs, and high performers. Hosted by CPA, fractional CFO, and author of the upcoming book Risk Worthy, Laurie Chen, CPA, MBA, the show explores how better decisions create better businesses, stronger leadership, and more meaningful long-term outcomes. From financial strategy and entrepreneurship to intelligent risk-taking and growth, each episode helps you think sharper and build with intention.
Built by Margin with Laurie Chen
The Risk of Staying Comfortable: Brad Lauter on Reinvention, Systems, and Building in Mexico
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What if the greatest risk isn’t making a dramatic change—but staying comfortable in a life that no longer fits?
In episode 51 of Built by Margin, Laurie sits down with entrepreneur Brad Lauter, who shares how the loss of his father forced him to confront a powerful question: What are you exchanging your life for? That realization led Brad to leave behind his job and established life in the United States, move to Mexico, and ultimately build a technology company providing reliable, self-healing internet infrastructure for businesses and properties.
Laurie and Brad explore why remaining stuck can be riskier than stepping into uncertainty, while also questioning whether external change can truly create internal happiness. They discuss the importance of mindset, systems, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Brad also explains how he is using AI to identify problems before customers experience them, automate operations, and create more resilient technology—while emphasizing that human judgment and real-world context remain essential.
This conversation is about building a business and life intentionally, using systems to turn bold decisions into sustainable progress, and recognizing when comfort has quietly become the riskiest choice of all.
Quotes
- "The risk is always greater that you just stay somewhere because you’re comfortable." – Brad Lauter
- “We’re trained to think risk is doing something dangerous and uncertain. But the real risk is not changing." - Laurie Chen
Laurie Chen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriechencpamba/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriechen/
Risk Worthy: https://www.riskworthy.co/
Brad Lauter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brad.lauter