From the Snakes Lair to My Family Kingdom: How I Lead a Company While Staying Present for My Family
By Anthony Zandonatti Published: 2026-02-06
Building a company while raising a family isnt about perfect balanceits about being cause in the matter for your commitments, both in business and at home. Early days at Fiber Stream were raw and relentless. As CEO, I was in the trenchesliterally. I hand dug trenches for fiber lines, crawled through attics pulling ethernet and fiber runs (often coming out cut and bleeding), had nails pierce my head from low beams, and faced hazards no one else would touch.
One site stands out:
a massive attic full of large snakes. No one on the team would pull the wires through that lairit was too freaky. I couldnt force the guys, so I went in myself. Heart pounding, I told myself it was winter, they were slow and sluggish... and I got the job done.
Those experiences built the foundation: hands-on learning of every detail in R&D, installations, and turning internet infrastructure into a genuine profit center for multifamily properties.That grind paid off, but it cost me. Weeks on the road, missed dinners, family life on hold. I learned the hard way that unchecked drive leaves quiet gaps at home.These days, Ive found more balancethough Im still the driving force and leader, fully immersed. I structure everything around family more intentionally.
Im not perfect, but I do this for them and for the company. When my family thrives, my leadership sharpens, and the Company accelerates. I make time for honey-do's, and for nerf gun wars with my son. Soccer games on the weekend. When crises hit (network issues, rollout challenges), I ask the Landmark-inspired question: What commitment am I honoring in my response? Control often tempts, but I choose trustin my team, our processes, and our shared vision.
Family life gets the same ownership. We do quick 60-minute family meetings to establish our kingdom rules.
Everyone gets a third vote(especially meaningful for our 10-year-old, so he owns the rules he helps choose and is more likely to follow them).
We review the calendar, share wins, and align as a team. I live for those moments: cheering at soccer games, attending musical performances, admiring his latest artwork. Being there isnt raw hoursits full presence and ownership of attention.
When the family bank account is fullconnection, fun, gratitudeprofessional results compound. When its empty, even big wins feel brittle. The real multiplier is presence: where joy lives, sustainable success grows, and I lead better because Im doing it all for the people who matter most. What about you? How do you weave family presence into your leadership and ambitions?
Anthony Zandonatti