Built to Run
Designing a Business That Thrives Without You
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Pub Date 27 Oct 2026 | Archive Date 15 Nov 2026
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Description
Comfort Kills. Build a Business That Doesn’t Depend on You.
Most founders built their businesses on personal effort and expertise. Every decision, every client relationship, and every crisis runs through one person. That model delivers results until it becomes the thing that holds the business back.
Built to Run: Designing a Business That Thrives Without You is a field guide for founders who want to move from daily operator to business architect. Michael McCready spent three decades building a multi-state professional services firm, then proved his model by relocating a thousand miles away and watching it continue to grow.
Inside, readers will learn how to:
- Identify founder dependency and design delegation systems that hold
- Forecast capacity so growth strengthens the business instead of straining it
- Implement AI and automation to multiply what already works
- Retain top talent by building a culture of ownership and accountability
- Plan for succession so the business outlasts its builder
Each chapter includes applied exercises for immediate implementation. Whether you run a ten-person firm or a growing organization, this book provides a tested path to operational independence.
Advance Praise
“I work with law firms nationwide and can tell you firsthand that Mike McCready defines what it means to run a modern, efficient personal injury firm. This book provides a rare look into the technology and systems that drive his success—a must-read for any forward-thinking lawyer.”
— Todd Richheimer
Founder & CEO, Lawfty
“I’ve known Mike McCready for over ten years now. What began as a professional advisor-client relationship has moved into a mutually respectful and valuable friendship. Mike’s book brings to mind the proverbial hammer hitting the proverbial nail right on the head! Mike’s observations are spot on. Those wishing to move their needle positively and with more speed should read and pay close attention! But most importantly, take the uncomfortable action. Bravo, Mike!”
— Tim McKey
CEO, Vista Consulting Team
“When I first met him in 2015, Michael McCready, Esq., owned a small, successful plaintiffs’ firm on the south side of Chicago. Today, Michael owns a thriving plaintiffs’ firm with offices throughout the Midwest and a powerful overseas team. Michael created a law firm by design and intention that has given him the life he envisioned, and he did this by embracing change and taking action. The transformation of Michael and his firm has been nothing short of amazing, and there’s no reason you can’t do the same. In his book, Built to Run, Michael shares his secrets for success and holds nothing back. Do you want to know how a highly successful plaintiffs’ lawyer got there? Everything you need to know is in Michael’s book. Read the book, reread the book, and most importantly, take action and implement Michael’s ideas. Reading Michael’s book just might be the best investment you will ever make.”
— John Fisher
The New York Injury and Malpractice Law Firm
“Michael cuts right to the heart of what holds firms back—and what it takes to move forward. If you run a firm, this is a must-read.”
— Seth Price
Managing Partner, Price Benowitz; Founder, BluShark Digital
“Having worked with over 2,500 law firms nationwide, I can say this with confidence: ‘founder heroics’ is a trap, and this book is the way out. Required reading for any firm owner who’s ready to stop being the last line of defense for everything—and start building a firm that runs without them.”
— Ray Mieszaniec
Cofounder & COO, EvenUp
“Michael McCready is much more than a continuous learner. He relentlessly applies newly acquired knowledge to stay on the bleeding edge of innovation. He masters the strategic implications of emerging technologies and is on his third iteration of implementing tactics before most others have even started their first. Michael is a generous sharer and a leader that I admire.”
— John Nachazel
COO, Mike Morse Law Firm; Fireproof
“A powerful reminder that ‘good enough’ is the silent killer of greatness. In business and in life, it is easy to feel busy while standing still. This book is an essential guide to breaking that cycle and reclaiming the growth waiting on the other side of chosen discomfort.”
— Kevin McCarron
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Morgan and Morgan
“From the moment I met Michael many years ago, we immediately connected. Our connection was understanding and using metrics and accountability to grow. What impressed me most about Michael McCready was his willingness to understand what was not working and find a solution based on facts, and his approach to understanding every metric in his firm. He is—and certainly was—an early adopter of technology, software, and accountability. Fast forward several years, and he has positioned his firm, because of that early adoption, as a premier and financially successful operation, leaving most of his competitors in the dust. What he did and does differently is pay attention to details and the numbers. In today’s world, accountability is everything. By having his focus on accountability and performance, he can now manage his firm from anywhere in the world and have control of his destiny. Most importantly, the outcome is profitability and his own sanity.”
— Harlan Schillinger