Chris Lee’s journey from bankruptcy to building a $200 million business inspires entrepreneurs to focus on leadership and systems to scale.
In 2014, Chris Lee was at rock bottom. After years of building a business, the stress, mistakes, and missed opportunities led to a bankruptcy of $2.2 million. What followed was a humbling journey of rebuilding his career from scratch. Today, he’s the founder of Next Level Pros, a fast-growing business-growth community that has helped countless entrepreneurs scale their businesses with purpose and clarity. But the road to success wasn’t a straight line—it was filled with setbacks, lessons, and ultimately, the realization that leadership, systems, and time management were the keys to sustainable growth.
The Rise and Fall of Chris Lee’s First Business
Chris Lee’s entrepreneurial journey began like many others: with a dream of building a thriving business. Starting from humble beginnings, he grew his company with passion and hard work. However, the challenges of managing growth soon became overwhelming. As the business scaled, Chris found himself entangled in daily operational issues, constantly firefighting rather than focusing on strategic growth.
The pressure caught up with him, leading to a bankruptcy that wiped out millions. However, this setback didn’t break Chris. Instead, it fueled his determination to rebuild, but this time, with a different approach. Chris knew that to succeed, he needed to think and operate differently—he needed to focus on leadership and building systems that could withstand the pressures of growth.
The Turning Point: Focusing on Leadership and Systems
After his business collapse, Chris took a step back. He returned to working as an employee, a humbling experience that forced him to learn from his past mistakes. It was during this time that he realized that the key to scaling any business lay not just in the hustle, but in effective leadership and operational systems. Chris didn’t just want to build a company; he wanted to build a company that could run without him being in the weeds every day.
From there, Chris immersed himself in learning how to create strong leadership teams, develop systems, and manage time effectively. He realized that most entrepreneurs were stuck not because they weren’t working hard enough, but because they were focusing on the wrong tasks. Instead of being bogged down by daily operational struggles, Chris built frameworks that allowed business owners to focus on what truly mattered—the high-value work that drives growth.
Building Next Level Pros: A Real-World Business Growth Community
With this new perspective, Chris launched Next Level Pros, a business-growth community designed to provide practical, real-world strategies for scaling companies. Unlike many business programs that focus on theoretical frameworks, Next Level Pros is rooted in Chris’s own experience. The principles taught within the community come from real businesses that scaled quickly and effectively, employing hundreds of people and serving thousands of customers.
Next Level Pros quickly gained traction with home service, trades, and medical practice owners who were looking for practical solutions to their own growth challenges. Chris’s story resonated deeply with these entrepreneurs—many of whom felt stuck or overwhelmed by the demands of their businesses. Chris’s approach emphasized the importance of leadership, systems, and the ability to “buy back” time through effective delegation.
What Makes Next Level Pros Different
So, what makes Next Level Pros stand out from other business growth communities? The answer is simple: experience. While many business coaches teach from a place of theory, Chris teaches from a place of lived experience. He didn’t just grow a company in ideal conditions; he rebuilt after a devastating bankruptcy and scaled a company from zero to $200 million in just five years.
The frameworks and systems Chris developed have been proven in high-pressure environments. These aren’t hypothetical strategies; they are battle-tested methods that have worked in real businesses. One of the key frameworks Chris developed is the Impact Audit, which helps owners identify where their time is going and shift into higher-value tasks that drive business growth.
Next Level Pros also emphasizes the importance of community. Entrepreneurs don’t just get access to strategies; they also receive ongoing support from a network of like-minded business owners who understand the challenges of scaling a company. The collective knowledge within the community creates a powerful environment for growth, offering real-world insights and hands-on guidance.
The Personal Touch: Chris Lee’s Leadership Philosophy
Chris’s journey wasn’t just about scaling a company; it was about transforming himself as a leader. One of his key beliefs is that “If you want a bigger business, you have to become a bigger leader.” This philosophy permeates everything Chris does at Next Level Pros. Leadership isn’t about doing more work—it’s about doing the right work and empowering others to take ownership of key areas within the business.
His leadership philosophy is rooted in personal responsibility and emotional resilience. “I didn’t rebuild my life by trying harder. I rebuilt it by learning how to lead,” Chris says. These words resonate with entrepreneurs who often find themselves stuck in the day-to-day grind, unable to focus on the bigger picture because they are consumed by low-value tasks. Chris teaches his community how to become better leaders, manage their time effectively, and focus on what really matters.
Next Level Pros Wins Prestigious Award for Best Business Growth Community
Next Level Pros has been named the Best Business Growth Community for Home Service and Trades Owners in the United States of 2025. This recognition highlights the company’s unique approach to scaling businesses, which combines proven leadership strategies, robust systems, and a supportive community for entrepreneurs. With a focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and hands-on coaching, Next Level Pros stands out for its real-world impact on businesses in high-pressure industries. This award reinforces the company’s commitment to empowering business owners with the tools and strategies needed to thrive.
The Impact of Next Level Pros: Real-World Success Stories
Chris’s methods have already helped countless entrepreneurs scale their businesses, and the success stories continue to roll in. One notable example is a medical practice that was losing $50,000 a month before joining Next Level Pros. Within just 60 days of being coached, this business turned around its financials, going from near bankruptcy to having $23,000 in cash and approaching $100,000 in monthly profits.
These stories are the heart of Next Level Pros. Chris doesn’t just teach theory; he helps business owners achieve tangible results. Through workshops, live events, and personalized coaching, Next Level Pros has become a trusted resource for entrepreneurs looking to scale with intention and clarity.
Join the Next Level Pros Community
Next Level Pros is more than just a business-growth community—it’s a movement focused on creating sustainable, scalable businesses. With Chris Lee’s leadership and the proven systems that have helped him scale a business from bankruptcy to $200 million, Next Level Pros offers a roadmap for business owners who want to break through their growth barriers.
If you’re ready to shift from chaos to clarity and scale your business with purpose, Next Level Pros is the community you’ve been looking for. Learn more about the frameworks that took Chris Lee’s business to new heights and start your own journey today by visiting Next Level Pros.
You can also connect with Chris Lee and Next Level Pros on various social platforms:
- YouTube: Chris Lee’s Channel
- Instagram: Chris Lee’s Profile
- TikTok: Chris Lee’s TikTok
- Facebook: Chris Lee’s Facebook
Chris Lee’s story is one of resilience, growth, and leadership. His journey from bankruptcy to building a $200 million business is proof that with the right systems, strategies, and mindset, anything is possible. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, Next Level Pros is here to guide you every step of the way.
