Trusted Advisor, 9x Founder, and CEO Coach
I'm John Hittler, and yes, that really is my name.
I've been in your shoes….9 different times, building and selling medical device companies, financial service companies, an international non-profit in Russia, and even a catering company, among the businesses I have founded.
Having navigated the challenges and triumphs of leadership across multiple industries, I've led organizations ranging from innovative startups to multimillion-dollar enterprises, building and leading teams of 50 to 500+. The companies were varied.
You’re the one member of the organization in charge of everything, whether or not you run it day-to-day.
I KNOW THE JOB
If you’re doing the job well, you’re actually not in control of much. It’s a tricky balance—being responsible for everything, while realizing most of it is out of your hands.
That’s why building great teams, trusting your leaders, holding people accountable, and inspiring them with a clear mission is so important. And of course, you’re often doing all of that without all the resources you really need! It’s definitely not easy—but if you’re anything like me, you wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
I get the pressure, the tough calls, and the loneliness that comes with being a CEO—because I’ve lived it too. Across 9 companies, I’ve had wins, I’ve had failures, and I’ve learned something valuable from every one of them.
But the hardest part? Juggling it all while raising 7 kids, being present in my marriage (failed at this once), and trying to stay healthy. I pulled it off while running multiple companies—and now I work alongside other CEOs to help them do the same.
CEO Coaching & My Genius Talent
I got into coaching by accident—someone asked for advice, and it turns out helping other CEOs create big results was actually connected directly to my own genius talent. I found it even more fun than being a CEO myself because I get to collaborate with amazing leaders across different companies, and their success becomes mine too.
My coaching style is personal, playful, direct, and focused on real results—we’ve even tracked “Million Dollar Calls” where clients unlock huge wins in just one session. But the best part? The lasting relationships and the joy clients feel when they grow not just their businesses, but their lives.
