Entrepreneurship often requires a deep understanding of both success and failure. For Daniel Kepka, founder of Kepka & Associates, this reality has shaped his entire journey. A seasoned entrepreneur, Daniel’s path has been full of diverse business ventures, some successes, and a few failures, all of which have built a foundation for his consulting firm that advises and invests in small businesses.
Daniel shares the key lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, from working in his father’s small businesses in Winnipeg to launching multiple ventures across industries. He also discusses the challenges of balancing life, family, and the drive to succeed.
Early Days: From Cars to Cubicles
Daniel’s entrepreneurial roots can be traced back to his childhood, where he worked alongside his father in the family’s windows and doors repair business. Later, he helped with the family’s auto body shop. “I was always hands-on—whether working on cars or managing money. It got me into the business world early,” he recalls. His father’s influence sparked an interest in entrepreneurship, and despite advice to pursue a more traditional career, Daniel’s passion never wavered.
After college, Daniel briefly entered the corporate world as a computer programmer, but it didn’t take long for him to realize the cubicle life wasn’t for him. “It was a good-paying job, but I always wanted more—I needed something entrepreneurial,” he explains.
Exploring New Ventures
Daniel’s first taste of entrepreneurship came through small ventures—he started a speed dating company and later, a delivery service. But his real break came when he moved to Calgary, where he and his wife, who ran a day-home business, started building connections and exploring real estate. They became realtors, started their own office, and quickly realized they loved running a business together.
“It was my first taste of a real business—dealing with money, HR, hiring, and cash flow. I loved it from day one,” Daniel shares. The business grew, but with the birth of their first child, the couple needed a more balanced work-life dynamic. “We couldn’t put in 20 hours a day anymore,” he laughs, “so we had to figure something else out.”
Building a Diverse Business Portfolio
Daniel’s solution was to combine his passion for systems and his wife’s expertise in childcare by opening a large daycare. “We went all in—a 6,000-square-foot space with over 20 employees. It was a huge leap, but I loved it,” he recalls. The daycare became a well-oiled machine, allowing Daniel to step back and explore other opportunities.
From there, Daniel ventured into e-commerce, where he found success and eventually exited the business. He also acquired several other companies, including an electrical contracting company and a roofing business. Not all of these ventures went smoothly. Daniel openly admits that some didn’t work out, such as his roofing company in Vancouver.
Learning from Failures
One of Daniel’s biggest setbacks came with his acquisition of the roofing company. Despite initial success, the business quickly faltered due to poor management and unforeseen personal challenges faced by his business partner. “We grew the business from $300,000 to $1.2 million in revenue in one year, but then things started going wrong—customers were upset, people weren’t getting paid, and my partner was hiding invoices,” Daniel explains.
The lesson? “I should have been more hands-on with the financials and had better systems in place. We lost our bookkeeper halfway through, and that led to a lot of issues,” he admits. “I also learned that running a business from a distance, without a strong management team, was a mistake.”
Despite the loss, Daniel didn’t let the setback define him. “Even when you’re experienced, you can still get kicked hard. But you learn from it and move on,” he says.
The Birth of Kepka & Associates
Daniel’s diverse experiences led to the creation of Kepka & Associates, a consulting and investment firm targeting small businesses with less than $5 million in revenue. “I’ve talked to over a hundred small business owners, and no matter the industry, 80% of them have the same problems—cash flow, employee issues, and overworking,” Daniel explains.
Kepka & Associates was born out of a desire to help solve these recurring issues while also looking for acquisition opportunities. Daniel’s approach is to consult with businesses, help them solve their problems, and sometimes acquire part or all of the company. “It’s a way to provide value to these businesses while also building relationships that could lead to future acquisitions,” he explains.
His team of associates, spread across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and France, brings decades of experience to the table. “When you work with us, you’re not just getting me—you’re getting an entire team with experience in everything from small deals to multi-million-dollar transactions,” Daniel says.
Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Daniel has distilled three key lessons that he believes every entrepreneur should master:
- Know your weaknesses – “A lot of entrepreneurs try to do everything themselves. Don’t. Identify your weaknesses and hire people or use systems to fill those gaps. It’s not about turning your weaknesses into strengths—it’s about focusing on what you’re good at and outsourcing the rest.”
- Pay yourself and avoid burnout – “Many entrepreneurs fail because they don’t pay themselves or take care of their own wellbeing. Burnout is real, and it can destroy a business. Take time for yourself, recharge, and don’t be afraid to step back.”
- Know when to quit or pivot – “This is one of the hardest lessons. Sometimes you need to know when to stop pouring money and time into a bad idea. But other times, you need to push through when you’re close to a breakthrough. It’s a tough balance.”
Looking Ahead: Overcoming Future Challenges
As Kepka & Associates continues to grow, Daniel is focused on finding the right people to help scale the business. “The biggest challenge is always hiring the right people—people who complement your strengths and fit into the culture you’ve built,” he explains.
Despite the challenges ahead, Daniel remains optimistic. His journey from working in his father’s auto body shop to running multiple businesses across different industries has taught him one key lesson: Entrepreneurship is all about resilience.
“Failure is part of the journey. You dust yourself off, learn from it, and keep moving forward,”
Daniel concludes.
Connect with Daniel Kepka on LinkedIn
Connect with Kepka & Associates on LinkedIn
