RelationshipOps of the Week #32.
Strategic Coaching & Marketing Consultancy
Strategic Coaching & Marketing Consultancy
|
May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
“Within 30 days I was flooded with work and decided to officially go into business for myself.”
“Within 30 days I was flooded with work and decided to officially go into business for myself.”
Aaron Lee.
This week’s feature brings us Aaron Lee, Founder of SIXQ… a strategic coaching and marketing consultancy, where founders and executives clarify their vision and build the strategies to realize it.
But that’s not how it started off.
In late 2000, the internet startup where he served as CMO was on its last leg. With a young family to support, he took a bet on himself… and started calling his existing contacts.
And what followed was a 22-year agency career that scaled from a side hustle into a multi-million-dollar operation, all powered by trust… across teams, clients, and partners.
Today, Aaron coaches purpose-driven founders and executive teams through business transitions, identity alignment, and strategic growth. His methodology is shaped by decades of hands-on leadership and decision-making, but also something deeper…
… a commitment to authentic connection.
SIXQ exists to help others “work from the inside out.” And it’s a reflection of how Aaron himself has operated since day one… by calling the people who already knew and trusted him, and were ready to say yes.
Let’s dive into how he’s built these relationships, and the philosophy behind.
Built on Trust.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Aaron Lee:
“In a service based business like a marketing agency or my current coaching practice, relationships are everything. Fundamentally someone chooses to move forward (or stick around) because you have been able to establish, develop and foster a level of trust. It doesn't really matter how low your price is or how many cool bells and whistles you can offer, because without that baseline of relationship trust it won't work.
Growing my agency from a home-based freelance gig into a multi-million dollar agency over 22 years was built on trust across so many dimensions, my team, clients and partners. But it all started with relationships and trust from day one.
In late 2000 and at 30 years old with a house, wife and two young kids, I found myself facing a choice. As the CMO of an internet startup that was out of cash and about to collapse, I chose to trust myself and see if I could make a go of supporting myself.
That was the first one. The next step was to pick up the phone and call everyone I had ever worked for or with.
Within 30 days I was flooded with work and decided to officially go into business for myself. Even after moving on from several different companies, all of my previous employers not only took my call, but said "yes I'd love to work with you again." That's a lesson I've always gone back to in the 25 years since then. Relationships built on trust are your highest value asset.”
Talk Every Week.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Aaron Lee:
“Maintaining relationships isn't hard, but they work best live. Social media, email, and messaging are okay, but making the time to talk is exponentially better. So, I make and take the time to talk every week. I don't use the easy social media "easy" button for birthdays either. I reach out personally. Trust is built through consistent, small actions that actually demonstrate how you feel and appreciate someone.”
Ignore That Voice.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Aaron Lee:
“Get out of your head. That voice that says "why would they want to talk to me, they're probably busy" is an idiot whispering the songs of Impostor Syndrome in your ear. Don't listen to that voice. Just pick up the phone anyway.”
Key Takeaways.
We’re glad to have Aaron Lee with us on this week’s series, but if anything, here are the few key takeaways:
Relationships built on trust are your highest-value asset. Aaron’s entire agency was built on calls to people who already knew and believed in him.
Don’t outsource the human stuff. Aaron picks up the phone, skips the birthday LinkedIn buttons, and reaches out in real life.
Get out of your own head. That “impostor” voice never has your best interest at heart… just reach out anyway.
That’s all for now.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Aaron Lee.
This week’s feature brings us Aaron Lee, Founder of SIXQ… a strategic coaching and marketing consultancy, where founders and executives clarify their vision and build the strategies to realize it.
But that’s not how it started off.
In late 2000, the internet startup where he served as CMO was on its last leg. With a young family to support, he took a bet on himself… and started calling his existing contacts.
And what followed was a 22-year agency career that scaled from a side hustle into a multi-million-dollar operation, all powered by trust… across teams, clients, and partners.
Today, Aaron coaches purpose-driven founders and executive teams through business transitions, identity alignment, and strategic growth. His methodology is shaped by decades of hands-on leadership and decision-making, but also something deeper…
… a commitment to authentic connection.
SIXQ exists to help others “work from the inside out.” And it’s a reflection of how Aaron himself has operated since day one… by calling the people who already knew and trusted him, and were ready to say yes.
Let’s dive into how he’s built these relationships, and the philosophy behind.
Built on Trust.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Aaron Lee:
“In a service based business like a marketing agency or my current coaching practice, relationships are everything. Fundamentally someone chooses to move forward (or stick around) because you have been able to establish, develop and foster a level of trust. It doesn't really matter how low your price is or how many cool bells and whistles you can offer, because without that baseline of relationship trust it won't work.
Growing my agency from a home-based freelance gig into a multi-million dollar agency over 22 years was built on trust across so many dimensions, my team, clients and partners. But it all started with relationships and trust from day one.
In late 2000 and at 30 years old with a house, wife and two young kids, I found myself facing a choice. As the CMO of an internet startup that was out of cash and about to collapse, I chose to trust myself and see if I could make a go of supporting myself.
That was the first one. The next step was to pick up the phone and call everyone I had ever worked for or with.
Within 30 days I was flooded with work and decided to officially go into business for myself. Even after moving on from several different companies, all of my previous employers not only took my call, but said "yes I'd love to work with you again." That's a lesson I've always gone back to in the 25 years since then. Relationships built on trust are your highest value asset.”
Talk Every Week.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Aaron Lee:
“Maintaining relationships isn't hard, but they work best live. Social media, email, and messaging are okay, but making the time to talk is exponentially better. So, I make and take the time to talk every week. I don't use the easy social media "easy" button for birthdays either. I reach out personally. Trust is built through consistent, small actions that actually demonstrate how you feel and appreciate someone.”
Ignore That Voice.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Aaron Lee:
“Get out of your head. That voice that says "why would they want to talk to me, they're probably busy" is an idiot whispering the songs of Impostor Syndrome in your ear. Don't listen to that voice. Just pick up the phone anyway.”
Key Takeaways.
We’re glad to have Aaron Lee with us on this week’s series, but if anything, here are the few key takeaways:
Relationships built on trust are your highest-value asset. Aaron’s entire agency was built on calls to people who already knew and believed in him.
Don’t outsource the human stuff. Aaron picks up the phone, skips the birthday LinkedIn buttons, and reaches out in real life.
Get out of your own head. That “impostor” voice never has your best interest at heart… just reach out anyway.
That’s all for now.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.