What does it take to grow a business from $30 million to $300 million while transforming operations, navigating succession, and building long-term value? In this episode of UNMASKED: The CEO Files, Chris Hughes shares lessons from his journey from receptionist in his family’s maintenance business to Chief Executive, leading major acquisitions, a whole-of-business transformation, and an eventual exit to an iwi partner. Now working through Aperture Limited and Duality as an owner, operator, and investor, Chris is putting that experience to work helping business owners and CEOs navigate growth, change, and what comes next. In this episode, we explore: ➡️ How Chris helped grow a family business from $30 million to $300 million in turnover. ➡️ The role acquisitions and strategic partnerships played in transforming the business. ➡️ Why successful transformation means redesigning how people, processes, systems, and customer experiences work together. ➡️ What business owners should consider when planning succession and choosing the right ownership partner. ➡️ How operational experience can uncover new opportunities for growth, investment, and long-term value. 🔗 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hughes-newzealand/?isSelfProfile=false ______ UNMASKED: The CEO Files. The mic is on. The masks are off. UNMASKED: The CEO Files explores the leadership journeys you don’t see on LinkedIn. The turning points, the real pivots, the moments that shaped who these leaders became beneath the title. We sit with executives as they talk candidly about building trust at scale, shaping culture, and staying visible without selling out who they are. Why it matters: In a world of curated content and algorithm-chasing brands, UNMASKED offers something rare: a human signal that resonates. These are the stories behind the success. The decisions made in uncertainty. The moments that rewired how a leader shows up. If investor trust isn’t building fast enough, your raise may require more conversations than it should. Try the Capital Room Scan: https://stratacapitalroomscan.s.gy/origRm 🔗 Connect with STRATA Website: www.strataoriginals.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strataoriginals/posts/?feedView=all