Michael Haglin is the Chief Executive Officer of Epilog, a New Braunfels, Texas-based startup organization. His responsibilities at the AI-enabled technology company encompass all daily operations, as well as the construction and development of the Epilog leadership team. Michael “Mike” Haglin also supports the company by managing all product development processes, from early design through the creation of go-to-market strategies.
Mike Haglin is also the founder of RxV Consulting, a leadership consulting and business coaching firm based in Hopkins, Minnesota. In this role, he helps financial advisors with marketing, practice management, and leadership effectiveness. Before joining Epilog, he served as the Executive Director of Versus Community and continues to hold the position of Vice Chairman for that organization. Mike also serves on the advisory board for the Salvation Army Adult Recovery Center in Minneapolis. His past leadership positions include Chief Marketing Officer and Divisional Vice President at Thrivent Financial.
Mr. Haglin earned his Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College of Financial Services. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from St. Cloud State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Evanston Il. where he was honored with the Beta Gamma Sigma award for commencing in the top 10% of his class of over 400 students.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days are structured but not rigid. I start with quiet time to think—usually reviewing priorities and clarifying what actually matters that day rather than reacting to email. I block time for deep work in the morning, schedule conversations and collaboration later in the day, and end with reflection: what moved the needle, what didn’t, and what needs to change tomorrow. Productivity, for me, is less about volume and more about direction.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I pressure-test ideas early. I write them down, simplify them, and ask: “Who does this help and why would they care?” From there, I involve others quickly—feedback sharpens ideas far faster than isolation. I focus on small pilots rather than perfect plans. Momentum creates clarity.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The normalization of technology that supports human connection, rather than replacing it. Tools that help people tell their stories, preserve meaning, and plan intentionally for family and legacy are becoming both more powerful and more necessary as society becomes more fragmented.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing things down—constantly. Thoughts become manageable when they’re externalized. Whether it’s goals, worries, or ideas, getting them onto paper reduces mental noise and improves decision-making.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You don’t have to prove your worth by grinding endlessly. Focus earlier on health, relationships, and long-term alignment. Success compounds when it’s sustainable.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Struggle, when addressed honestly, can be an asset rather than a liability. Many people try to hide difficult chapters in their lives, but those experiences often become the foundation for better judgment, empathy, and leadership.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Conduct regular personal and professional check-ins—formally. Most people audit their finances but never audit their time, energy, or values. Doing so prevents drift.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I slow down instead of pushing harder. I step away, simplify the problem to its core, and reestablish basic structure: sleep, movement, and clear next steps. Overwhelm is often a signal, not a failure.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Being willing to play a long game with people. Relationships built on trust, fairness, and follow-through consistently outperform transactional wins. Over time, reputation becomes a force multiplier.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Earlier in my career, I underestimated the importance of balance and self-awareness, which led to burnout and poor decisions. I addressed it by seeking support, reassessing priorities, and rebuilding with intention. The lesson was clear: performance without sustainability eventually collapses.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A digital platform that allows families to securely store stories, values, documents, and personal messages—accessible across generations and triggered at meaningful life events. Think of it as a personal legacy operating system rather than a static archive.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Notetaking and organization tools that centralize thinking. I use them to capture ideas, outline decisions, and reduce reliance on memory. When information is easy to retrieve, decisions improve.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Books and long-form learning resources. They offer disproportionate return on investment by improving perspective, not just skills.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Books that explore decision-making, human behavior, and long-term thinking. They consistently reinforce that clarity, patience, and ethics matter more than speed.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Stories centered on redemption, complexity, and growth. I’m drawn to narratives that acknowledge human imperfection while still offering hope and accountability.
Key learnings
- Sustainable success comes from alignment, not constant acceleration.
- Long-term relationships outperform short-term wins.
- Self-awareness and structure are critical leadership skills.
- Difficult experiences, when addressed honestly, can become strategic strengths.
- Clarity improves when complexity is reduced intentionally.