Ditch Digger CEO with Gary Rabine

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Jeff Frient (https://www.bluemarpartners.com) is the managing partner of Blue Marlin Partners, a private investment firm in Washington, D.C. that invests in established lower middle-market businesses looking to substantially grow and realize shareholder value.   In this episode, Gary and Jeff Frient discuss:     1. Military Mindset in Business     2. War Time Leadership Lessons     3. Balancing Family and Career     4. Overcoming Fear of Failure LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-frient-28525b11/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfrient/ Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Jay Laabs, CEO of Spaulding Ridge, shares hard-learned lessons from life as a serial founder, acquirer, and board member of professional services firms. From defining value to measuring what matters most to firing clients, Jay offers priceless advice for his peers trying to create more valuable firms. In this episode Gary Rabine and Jay Laabs discuss: 1. Importance Of Relationships In Business 2. All Business Is Personal 3. EOB In USA 4. Giving Back LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-laabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayLaabs Website: https://www.spauldingridge.com/ Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Matt Massucci is the founder and CEO of Hirewell, a leading recruitment, and staffing firm in the United States. Hirewell is a global, tech-enabled Talent Solutions Provider. Hirewell is comprised of highly specialized recruiters in the highest-demand fields: Technology, Human Resources, Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance & Accounting, and Real Estate services. In this episode, Gary and Matthew discuss: Becoming an Extension of Your Client’s Business Benefits of Offering Options For Your Clients Relationship Sales - A Superior Way of Conducting Business Choosing The Right Company Values https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmassucci/ https://twitter.com/mattHirewell https://www.facebook.com/Hirewell Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ In this episode of DDCEO Gary Rabine (https://www.rabine.com/) talks about his focus on faith, family, freedom, and free enterprise. He is actively involved in fighting for the freedom and rights of American citizens by engaging with organizations like the Job Creators Network. Gary shares his vision for his businesses, including the goal to build world-class businesses that serve customers better than anyone else in the world. In this episode Gary and Chris discuss: ● Job Creators Network ● Blue Ocean Strategy ● Small Business Mentorship ● Core Values Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Lee Kirby (https://www.salutemissioncritical.com/) is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Salute Mission Critical, a premier global data center services company, launched in 2013 and founded to provide military veterans and their families with careers. He has dedicated himself to being a servant leader in the tech industry and changing the lives of military families worldwide.  In this episode, Lee and Gary discussed: How to Hire The Right People For Your Business Identifying Your Target Customer Veteran Employment: Supporting Veterans as a CEO Leveraging Military Skills in The Job Market https://www.linkedin.com/in/leekirby-datacenterservices-veteransprograms/ https://twitter.com/LeeKirby https://twitter.com/SaluteMissionC https://www.facebook.com/salutemissioncritical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOnbf0kGLYU Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Scott Painter (https://www.autonomy.com/) is the Founder and CEO of Autonomy and a serial entrepreneur in the automotive and technology industries who has founded dozens of disruptive companies over the past 25 years. In today’s podcast, Scott talks about his journey in the military, business, and automotive world. In this episode Gary and Scott Painter discuss: 1. Military Leadership 2. The Trillion Dollar Car Industry 3. Future Of Electric Automobiles 4. Elon And Twitter https://www.linkedin.com/in/spainter/ https://twitter.com/thescottpainter Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Uri Levine (http://urilevine.com/) is the Founder and Chairman of Pontera and is a passionate serial entrepreneur and disruptor. He co-founded Waze, the world's largest community-based driving traffic and navigation app, with more than 500 million drivers around the globe, which was acquired by Google in June 2013 for more than US$1.1 billion. Check out Uri's new book "Fall In Love With The Problem, Not The Solution" from https://urilevine.com/ In this episode, Gary and Uri discuss: 1. The Key to Fast Growth is Achieving Product Market Fit 2. Launch Your “Not Perfect” Product 3. Understanding The Categories of Users 4. Don’t be Afraid to Make Wrong Decisions 5. Getting Comfortable With Failure LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uri-levine/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/UriLevine1 Website: http://www.waze.co.il/ Website: http://urilevine.com/ Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Dean Wegner (https://www.authenticallyamerican.us/), the Founder and CEO of Authentically American, shares his story of creating Authentically American to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America by selling premium, competitively priced apparel that is all made in the USA.  In this episode Gary and Dean discuss: 1. What It Means To Be An American Entrepreneur 2. Why Making A Difference Matters 3. Why It's Important To Buy American Brands 4. How To Support American Workers https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-wegner-9874065/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/authentically-american/ https://www.authenticallyamerican.us/ https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticallyAmericanCo https://www.instagram.com/authentically_american/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6jMed1mFeNLWaMXS5H6NBw? https://veterancrowdnetwork.com/2020/09/americans-are-seeking-more-products-made-in-the-usa-dean-wegner-of-authentically-american-steps-into-the-spotlight/ Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: Website: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ditchdiggerceopodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

In this comeback episode, Gary talks about his experience in the last Gubernatorial elections and how it shaped and changed his views on patriotism, leadership, and what it takes to truly be a leader for the next generation.  Gary Rabine (https://www.rabine.com/) is the founder of the Rabine Group, which includes 11 companies. Client satisfaction, innovation, and a desire to excel globally are the three main focuses of Rabine Group.  Gary's passion for mentoring and inspiring others also inspired him to launch the DitchDigger CEO podcast. He loves working out, golfing, wakeboarding, and practicing his Catholic faith. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-rabine-80a43a10/ Website: https://www.rabine.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/rabinegroup Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ditchdiggerceo

Major General John Borling (http://www.sosamerica.org/) is a highly decorated, retired Air Force Major General.  He served worldwide in high level command and staff positions.  A graduate of the Air Force Academy, National War College, Executive Education at Harvard  Business School and the JFK School, he was also a White House Fellow.   A fighter pilot, he was shot down by  ground fire over North Vietnam. Seriously injured, he was captured while trying to evade and spent 6 ½ years as a POW in Hanoi. An ‘in demand’ speaker nationwide, he is a Life Member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, former Trustee and Regent of the prestigious Lincoln Academy of Illinois, author of the nationally acclaimed “Taps on the Walls”, contributor to the anthology, “Gettysburg Replies”, and producer/narrator of ‘Old War Poems’. His weekly, Sunday column, The Third Degree, is in its tenth month of publication. He occupies leadership positions in multiple business and civic organizations including: Founder/Chairman of Service over Self America and Business Board Chairman of Synthonics, a bio tech company that creates and patents metal coordinated pharmaceuticals. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-borling/ Website: http://www.sosamerica.org/ Website: http://www.synthonicsinc.com/ Website: http://www.tapsonthewalls.com/ Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Best-selling author and host of the “Undefeated Marketing” podcast, Phillip Stutts (@phillipstutts), comes from the cutthroat world of political and corporate marketing and has been described as a “marketing maverick reshaping business success using the secret formula that gets presidents elected.” Contributing to 1,407 election victories, including three U.S. Presidential victories and working with multiple Fortune 200 companies, Phillip plays the game of political and corporate marketing on the highest level, battling it out with fierce competition, multi-billion-dollar budgets, and a win or die mentality. He is the founder and CEO of Win BIG Media (a corporate marketing agency) and Founder/Executive Chairman of Go BIG Media (a political marketing ad firm). In this episode, we talk about politics, business, how he started in life, and how he started winning campaigns in both political and marketing arenas alike. Instagram: @phillipstutts Facebook: @ceophillipstutts Twitter: @phillipstutts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-stutts-a9ba872/  Website: www.phillipstutts.com The Undefeated Marketing Podcast: on all major streaming platforms Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business.  Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips.  Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Pastor Corey Brooks (http://projecthood.org/) is the founder and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago and founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D Communities Development Corporation. He established New Beginnings Church of Chicago in November 2000 in the heart of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhood - this opportunity was his first glimpse into the despair in the city of Chicago and served as the catalyst to his ongoing efforts to date. In this episode, we talk about Pastor Corey’s process of Vision Casting, and how he used it to start ProjectHOOD. We also talk about how he changed the lives of numerous people in Chicago with his project. https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-brooks-216903a/ http://nbcchicago.tv/ Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter:https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Rob Wilson (@employco) is president of Employco USA. Employco is a national HR outsourcing firm whose customized business solution have made them one of the top privately held HR outsourcing companies in the country. They work with companies to tailor outsourced solutions for payroll, HR, employee benefits and workers’ compensation insurance while reducing clients’ expenses by leveraging their substantial buying power. During the pandemic, Employco led more than 35 webinars on PPP loans and assisted more than 300 clients in applying for funds and loan forgiveness.  In 2015, Employco USA was recognized in Inc Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America.  This year, Employco proudly celebrated 25 years of outstanding service. Rob is a high-energy leader and an ambitious entrepreneur. He’s frequently interviewed by news publications, and is a sought-after public speaker. He’s been quoted by Fox News, Wall Street Journal, NBC, Forbes, USA Today, Reuter’s, Newsday, CNBC, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, and WGN Television. Rob was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business on their 2021 list of Notable Leaders in HR. He’s also been honored as a finalist for both Ernst & Young (Entrepreneur of the Year competition), and Business Ledger Magazine (Today’s Young Executive competition).   Website: www.employco.com Twitter: @employco  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robwilson-twc/  Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  02:30 Start 03:35 Getting to know Rob Wilson   09:00 Rob Wilson’s family   13:35 Starting his first company  15:30 Working with his dad   18:35 Business niches   21:00 Expanding the insurance and consulting business   24:50 The risk in taking risks   28:45 Going through recessions and setbacks  37:30 A look at how COVID affected businesses and their States’ response  48:40 A look back at the growth of Rob’s company   51:30 Becoming friends with customers  54:30 Holding people accountable to your core values  58:20 Rob’s vision   1:04:35 Rob’s executive coach  1:11:00 Rob’s family life   Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO 

Charles G. (Chuck) Hall IV is the Chairman of Vitality Living and founder and CEO of Charles Hall Construction, LLC. Vitality Living is a team of seasoned retirement living professionals passionate about creating vibrant communities for older adults, regardless of physical and/or cognitive challenges. Our goals are to eliminate labels that reinforce stereotypes of aging, to empower choice, and to create environments where all residents are successful. Charles Hall Construction, LLC, stands near the head of the class as one of the nation's leading builders and developers of senior living, active adult and multi-family communities. Founded in 1998, the company has been widely recognized for innovations it has pioneered to enrich the lifestyle and practical needs of today's families, while meeting the goals and requirements of clients, partners, and residents, alike. http://hallmanagement.com/ https://www.vitalityseniorliving.com/ Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  02:20 Hello! 04:40 Getting to know Charles Hall  07:30 Finding the right partners for your business  09:50 Charles’ childhood  17:50 Charles’ greatest lessons from his parents  23:00 Meeting Molly and moving to New York   27:45 Charles’ relationship with his family  28:35 You can write your own life   31:50 Starting his own business  35:45 Building Charles Hall Construction from the ground up  43:20 Moving to Clarendon Hills  45:35 Charles Hall Construction and Vitality Living  59:50 Charles’ new goals   1:08:50 You have the tools to write your own story  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Jeff Wald is the Founder of Work Market, an enterprise software platform that enables companies to manage freelancers (acquired by ADP). Jeff has founded several other technology companies, including Spinback, a social sharing platform (acquired by salesforce.com). Jeff is an active angel investor and startup advisor, as well as serving on numerous public and private Boards of Directors. Jeff is the author of the Amazon Best Seller The End of Jobs: The Rise of On-Demand Workers and Agile Corporations.  Twitter: @jeffreywald  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwald/   Website: www.jeffwald.com Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  02:23 How Jeff Wald got started   06:10 Starting his own company   09:00 Dealing with setbacks and getting back up  14:50 Does new technology take away jobs?  17:25 Starting WorkMarket   24:20 What makes Work Market great   41:30 Jeff’s new mission   43:40 The End of Jobs   51:15 The best minds are those who want to solve problems   54:00 Hire somebody that wants your job  59:55 What needs to change in politics   1:07:50 Unintended positive and negative consequences   1:18:20 What it means to be a leader  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Mike Berland is the Founder and CEO of Decode_M, an insights and analytics firm research and analytics firm that decodes data into momentum for its clients. In a world that runs on data, Mike strongly believes that everything is knowable, you just have to know where to look. Throughout his career, he has represented prominent political figures, major companies and social movements. Prior to founding Decode_M, he was the CEO of the insights and analytics arm of Edelman Public Relations, Edelman Berland, and President of the research and political polling firm Penn, Schoen & Berland. Website: https://www.decode-m.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Decode-M-115056910035445/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Decode_Momentum  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decode_momentum/ Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  03:30 What Mike learned in YPO  04:45 Who are Mike’s customers  08:45 The state of politics in Illinois  14:00 The similarities between business and politics   24:00 Identifying the momentum drivers for a company   25:45 Abundance 360 and moonshots   28:15 Disruption and polarization  32:00  Social impact   35:30 Being negative vs being positive  41:45 Mike’s childhood and 9/10/2001   46:45 Post 9/11 and the NHL  53:30 Public relations and momentum   1:00:00 Getting into the momentum mindset  1:03:45 Are things coming back to normal?  1:13:45 Mike’s family   1:17:45 Mike’s take on politics   1:21:15 Chris’ takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

John Jonas helped thousands of entrepreneurs succeed in their business by doing outsourcing differently. He created the world’s largest website for finding Filipino Virtual Assistants, OnlineJobs.ph, which has over 1,000,000 Filipino resumes and hundreds of thousands of employers from around the world using it.  John had a normal "job" for 8 months after college and his biggest goal at that time was to be able to quit that job. He managed to quit back in 2004 and worked from home for himself ever since then. It was in 2006 that he first hired someone from the Philippines, he immediately knew he was onto something special. LINKS: Website: http://www.onlinejobs.ph  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnjonasofficial  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKa0JRgZg0kiZbU_w5bW0A?  Testimonials: https://www.onlinejobs.ph/success-stories  Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  01:30 Getting to know John Jonas   04:41 How Onlinejobs.ph works   08:40 John’s childhood  010:55 Building his own business  17:40 The importance of adding value   19:00 How OnlineJobs started  21:45 Why John decided to build a business with Filipinos  26:30 John’s relationship with his employees  35:00 The challenges of hiring virtual VAs   39:10 Challenges that John faced   46:00 Training leaders to make the most out of each opportunity  54:30 How VAs can ease your life   57:30 Aiming for excellent customer experience  1:02:47 Why the Philippines is so appealing   1:04:25 Replacemyself.com   1:15:16 What John does in his spare time  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Brian Spaly (@BrianSpaly) is currently the General Partner at Brand Foundry Ventures and Executive Chairman at Tecovas, a direct-to-consumer Western Bootmaker based in Austin, TX.  Up until January 2017, Brian was Founder and CEO of Trunk Club, where he focused on making it easy for men and women to discover and acquire awesome clothing without the hassles of the traditional shopping experience.  Prior to leading Trunk Club, Brian founded Bonobos, a men’s clothing company that is famous for the best-fitting pants on earth, by selling trousers out of the trunk of his car during business school in Palo Alto. Brian holds an MBA from Stanford and an AB degree from Princeton. He is an avid hockey player, cyclist, squash player, and enjoys watersports. He’s completed three Ironman distance triathlons and three adventures to Burning Man. His favorite authors are Roald Dahl, Neal Stephenson, Mark Helprin, and Nicholas Taleb. He is married to Carly Spaly and they have two daughters, Ruthie and Sylvie. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianspaly/   https://twitter.com/brianspaly?lang=en   Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  02:30 Getting to know Brian Spaly  05:15 Discovering his entrepreneurial side   09:15 The private equity guy who made his own clothes  11:00 Finding your passion beyond conventional jobs   15:30 Bonobos’ history and differentiation  21:30 Success, responsibility, and life lessons from business  30:45 Letting go of Bonobos  40:00 Brian’s career with Trunk Club  49:30 What companies excite Brian Spaly to invest  1:04:45 Mentors that inspired Brian  1:11:30 How Brian inspires his team   1:18:15 Balancing your company’s priorities  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/   Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO   Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Erik Weir (@WCMGlobalWealth) is the Founder and Principal of WCM Global Wealth, which seeks to deliver optimum quality investment advice and money management for high net-worth investors. Erik joined Merrill Lynch in 1989 and subsequently worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette as a Senior Vice President providing money management services to various founders of technology companies. He opened Weir Capital Management, LLC in 1999, developing a global client base for financial solutions, and was twice named one of the fastest-growing companies in South Carolina by the state's Chamber of Commerce. He launched WCM Global Wealth in 2011.  @WCMGlobalWealth on Twitter On LinkedIn Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  02:15 Getting to know Erik Weir   06:15 Erik’s film ventures   17:15 Erik’s upbringing  22:15 Starting out in business early  28:00 Erik’s college life  32:00 Erik during the tech bubble   36:00 The 2000s in Erik’s eyes  40:30 Getting into film  48:30 Erik’s other ventures   54:45 What excites Erik Weir?   58:00 What’s next for Erik   1:05:45 How companies are changing   1:07:15 Erik’s mentors   1:12:15 Building relationships and setting goals  1:18:45 Making lemonades out of lemon   1:25:30 What do you want your epitaph to say? Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Eva Yazhari (@beyondcapital) is the Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Capital, an impact investment fund founded on the belief that investing is a powerful mindset that can inspire good and improve lives. Throughout her 16-year career, Eva has worked in the impact investment, finance, and asset management industries.  Eva built Beyond Capital to be a recognized global brand. Its portfolio improves the lives of a growing 7 million low-income individuals, including investments in Kasha, a technology-driven e-commerce women's health company in East Africa; and Frontier Markets, a fast-growing distribution business providing goods and services for consumers living throughout rural India. Both companies are targeting addressable markets numbering billions of consumers and are uniquely poised for commercial financial returns as well as social returns. When it comes to impact measurement, Beyond Capital partners with pioneering firm Proof of Impact to independently verify and track the growth of outcome-linked metrics.  Eva has interviewed more than 40 purpose-driven leaders to shed light on their professional and personal stories for The Beyond Capital Podcast. She has also explored the various angles of conscious money and living on The Conscious Investor, a weekly online magazine. Eva is also an impact investor. She lives in Dallas, TX, with her family. www.beyondcapitalfund.org www.theconsciousinvestor.com www.beyondcapitalpodcast.com www.evayazhari.com Instagram  Eva Helene Yazhari on LinkedIn @beyondcapital on Twitter Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  01:30 Changes in business due to COVID   03:45 The globalization of solutions   05:30 Identifying a conscious leader   11:30 How Eva learned from the leaders in her portfolio   14:15 An insight into the capital raise   17:45 Do we need to lower expectations on profit for conscious leaders?  22:30 Balancing ESG factors in a company   25:30 Finding recession-proof companies   28:00 Leveraging on your network of leaders   29:30 Eva’s 10-year vision   Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMN Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO

Dean Vicha has accumulated 27 years in the truck rental and leasing industry. He has held a variety of posts of increasing responsibility up to his current position of President of NationaLease, obtained in 2012. He currently oversees the North American Organization which provides NationaLease Membership with Member to Member Support, Purchasing, National Account Acquisition and Management, and Meeting/Training Coordination to over 900 locations. In this episode, we talk about his stellar career at NationaLease, the company, and how his experiences shaped him to be the leader he is today. We also talk about his secrets to success and what are the three elements he looks for to know how someone can succeed. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-vicha-8a414822  Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  01:30 Start 03:15 Get to know Dean Vicha’s company, Nationalease  05:15 What makes Nationalease different   07:46 The Ace Hardware model  10:40 Getting to know Dean Vicha   22:15 Getting a CDL license   25:45 Dean’s challenges as a leader and lessons  29:45 Dean’s leadership style  35:15 Taking responsibility   38:45 Three elements of success   46:50 Shifting his focus from sports to education during college  53:50 How COVID affected the company culture   56:45 Preparing for 2021   59:30 Post COVID changes   1:08:25 Developing your company culture  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMN

Mark Kaufman (@Athltcoguy) is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Athletico Physical Therapy a leading provider of outpatient physical and occupational therapy. Athletico offers the highest quality orthopedic rehabilitation services to communities, employers and athletes in over 500 locations throughout 12 states. He attended the University of Iowa, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and Physical Education in 1986. In 1988, Kaufman obtained an M.S. in Exercise and Sports Sciences from the University of Arizona, and in 1989 he earned his B.S. in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University. Athletico employs over 5000 clinical and administrative staff and offers over 50 specialty programs and services. The growth of Athletico’s outreach programs has mirrored the advancement of their patient care. Athletico remains very much a close-knit, caring place to work, where a strong work ethic, commitment to continuing education, and dedication to superior customer service and community service are highly valued. Twitter  Instagram  LinkedIn  Facebook Check out www.DitchDiggerCEO.com for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you.  2:45 Getting to know Mark Kaufman and Athletico Physical Therapy  5:455 Mark Kaufman’s memories growing up in Iowa  13:45 How Mark’s parents shaped his work ethic   15:15 How Mark developed his work experience   18:15 Mark and wrestling  23:15 Mark’s career in sports   28:15 Starting a career in Physical Therapy   31:30 Mark’s Big Fat Greek Wedding   32:45 Differentiation  39:45 Athletico’s equity structure   42:30 When the right person does not work out   48:00 Scaling Athletico   53:10 Acquisitions, core values, and how to grow your company  1:05:0 Athletico now   1:07:15 How Mark inspires his team  1:12:10 Mark’s 10-year vision  1:20:00 Physical Therapy and technology  1:25:15 Athletico during the pandemic   1:29:00 Mark’s interests   Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO BLOG Follow DDCEO on Instagram Like DDCEO on Facebook Follow DDCEO on Twitter Subscribe on YouTube

Peter Kozodoy (@PeterKozodoy) is a TEDx speaker, author of Honest to Greatness: How Today's Greatest Leaders Use Brutal Honesty to Achieve Massive Success, and serial entrepreneur, currently serving as the CEO of Stradeso and the Partner/Chief Strategy Officer of GEM Advertising. Peter’s largest business has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America, and his articles on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship have appeared in Inc., Forbes, The Huffington Post and more. He holds a BA in Economics from Brandeis University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. In this episode we talk about how Peter got started in the business, building his first company, and how he defined his own success. Website: https://peterkozodoy.com/about Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterKozodoyOfficialPage Twitter: https://twitter.com/peterkozodoy Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. 2:15 Getting to know Peter Kozodoy 6:45 Peter’s childhood 9:15 Peter’s first business 13:30 Realizing what success meant for him 17:45 How Peter changed his business principles 23:15 How Peter hires the right people 29:30 Stradeso - Peter’s new business 33:15 Peter’s other businesses 37:00 Peter’s differentiation 42:15 Peter’s plans for the future 45:15 Getting to know Peter beyond the business 47:00 The reason behind Stradeso Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO

PJ Taei (@pjtaei) is a video monetization expert obsessed with creating a profitable space for creators, instructors and educators. After founding, growing and selling his first company, WebNet hosting, he founded Uscreen, a video monetization platform with clients like iChuze, Vida, Fitness Connection and more. In this episode, PJ talks about his family background, growing his first business, and his dedication to his newest company, Uscreen. He also talks about the value of handling feedback, and how he found growth in the midst of a pandemic. Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. 5:00 Getting to know PJ 7:30 PJ’s immigration story 8:30 How PJ started his first business 11:15 Selling his first business 12:30 Going all in and starting UScreen 20:00 Growing in the midst of a pandemic 22:00 How Uscreen works 26:15 PJ’s learnings growing uscreen 29:45 Focusing on that feedback loop 34:15 Differentiating from competitors 37:15 Uscreen’s core values 38:30 PJ’s vision for Uscreen 40:45 PJ’s mentors 44:15 PJ’s hopes for his future Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

As executive chairman of ESD, Raj Gupta leads the company's mission to Improve Society Through the Built Environment. He works on long-term initiatives to support the company’s future, including the expansion of career development paths for employees, promotion of the ESD brand and corporate governance. He champions ESD's embrace of globalization and positions the firm to compete in our digital economy. He nurtures ESD’s unique culture and advances its values: respect everyone, work hard and play to win. In this episode, Raj talks about his journey to success. From the humble beginnings with his parents working for their American Dream, to facing two financial crisis, a pandemic, and innovating their company to the success that it is today. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajpgupta/ Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. 6:00 Getting to know Raj 9:00 Raj’s take on failing and failures 14:15 Raj’s family business and how Raj started 23:15 Differentiate or die 28:30 Raj’s education 31:15 Your children joining the family business 36:45 Visionaries in the business 41:30 Raj’s views on mentorship and leadership 47:15 Raj’s three core values 53:15 Applying your company’s culture and values 57:15 Raj’s toughest times in business 1:04:00 Improving indoor air quality 1:13:00 Raj’s company Cohesion 1:18:45 Raj’s take on partnerships Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Eva Yazhari (@beyondcapital) is the CEO of Beyond Capital, an impact investment organization that believes investing is a mind-set that can inspire good and improve the lives of impoverished communities. Throughout her career, Yazhari has worked in the impact investment, finance, and asset management industries.  Eva founded The Conscious Investor, a weekly magazine that sheds light on the world of impact investing. Eva is the co-host of the Beyond Capital Podcast. She speaks to audiences about the Power of Impact Investing. Eva graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University with a B.A. in Mathematics. Eva lives in Dallas, TX with her family and when possible travels often to Los Angeles, London and Zurich. In this episode, Eva talks to us about her experience growing up in the art community, her educational life and career, and her amazing journey putting up Beyond Capital and making an impact while investing in sustainable startups from across the world. www.beyondcapitalfund.org www.theconsciousinvestor.com www.beyondcapitalpodcast.com www.evayazhari.com https://www.instagram.com/beyondcap/ https://twitter.com/BeyondCapital https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-yazhari/ Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. 5:45 Getting to know Eva 9:15 Growing up an only child in the art community 12:30 Eva’s school life 16:30 The mentors in Eva’s career 18:30 Making the transition from hedge fund to impact investor 21:30 Starting Beyond Capital 30:45 Beyond Capital’s community partners 43:15 Eva’s core values 55:30 Eva’s vision for the future Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Michael Brody-Waite (@mikebrodywaite) joins us to discuss how a life of Rigorous Authenticity can lead to genuine leadership, improved team effectiveness, and higher overall success.  His Mask-Free Program, a system built on three principles inspired by his recovery from drug addiction, lays out a system that anyone can follow for concrete results. Michael Brody-Waite is an award-winning CEO, tech-startup entrepreneur and recovering drug addict. In 2009, Brody-Waite left a Fortune 50 company to co-found and lead InQuicker, a healthcare SaaS company that allows patients to self-schedule appointments. His leadership grew the organization exponentially and landed InQuicker a spot on the Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies. In 2015, InQuicker was sold to a publicly traded company. In the time since InQuicker went public, Brody-Waite has made a name for himself as an untraditional leadership coach. He credits his success to the tools he learned in the 12-step program, and now teaches others how to lead his Mask-Free Program. His unique views are captured in his TEDx Talk, “Great Leaders Do What Drug Addicts Do,” which has been viewed more than one million times. Brody-Waite’s first book, Great Leaders Like Drug Addicts, is now available for purchase. https://michaelbrodywaite.com/ http://greatleadersbook.com/ Instagram: @michaelbrodywaite Twitter:@mikebrodywaite Facebook:@michaelbrodywaite Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/for this week's Top 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful business growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. 1:58 - Leading through rigorous authenticity 11:06 - From kiosk to corporate 17:09 - Authentic leadership means asking for help 22:57 - Seeking authenticity 24:03 - The mask addiction 24:56 - Three principles 30:03 - Looking for the problem 30:48- The job interview question 45:55 - How do you implement change? 57:40 - Partnering with other companies 1:01:41 - When it’s good to have a low authenticity score 1:06:31 - Giving back 1:16:24 - Creating a mask-free world 1:29:10 - Authentic leaders go first 1:30:12 - A valuable teammate calls you out Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  https://www.ditchdiggerceo.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Chris Joyce (@dealrules) is the founder of 24 companies in high tech, consumer goods, health, and manufacturing. His products have been sold in more than 11,000 stores in 23 countries, with users in 148 countries across the globe. His newest venture is Gusher: the simple, quick, and easy way to create and build a startup without the need for investors or capital. Gusher helps Entrepreneurs create and launch startups using time equity. Everything from technology, media, and health to design, finance, and gaming. If you have a great idea and need the expertise of others to help bring it to life, Gusher can help. Go to the Gusher site and get started: www.gusher.co   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dealrules/   7:30 - Lessons you learn from early entrepreneurial experience 10:00 - How dealing with $#^! makes you stronger  19:30 - Why building a business from scratch is better training than college  21:20 - Exposure is everything  30:00 - Riding the low-carb coaster  34:10 - Why you should never build on someone else’s trend  40:30 - VIM for vigor: identifying your Vested Interest Market  44:00 - Can you really succeed with nothing but a great idea and great people?  52:10 - What ties together all successful entrepreneurs  1:01:00 - Confidence and gender inequality   1:03:30 - Do what you know, and teach your kids that  1:09:50 - Why you should never kill ideas & never give up  1:13:20 - The most effective way to increase sales right now  1:30:50 - Rob’s Takeaways   Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Ann Hiatt (@AnnRHiatt) received her initial business training during 15 years as the Executive Business Partner to Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon) and Chief-of-Staff to Eric Schmidt (CEO and Executive Chairman at Google/Alphabet). Ann now consults with executives and companies across the globe to reverse engineer their moonshot goals and get results. Ann is a sought-after international speaker and is on several advisory boards. Ann has recently relocated from Silicon Valley to Europe and brings with her a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in business today. In this episode, we talk to Ann about her amazing career with Amazon and Google. She describes her journey from her early years to becoming a name in leadership and management after working with Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt. Now, she manages her own consulting firm and shares to us her learnings and experiences in leadership and striving to be a better CEO. http://www.annhiatt.co https://www.instagram.com/annhiatt/ https://twitter.com/AnnRHiatt https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-hiatt/ 1:45 Who is Ann Hiatt? 09:06 Ann’s ‘interview’ for Amazon 14:06 Is grit a factor in getting hired? 15:55 How Ann’s father’s military background help shape her 24:36 Working in Amazon 27:12 Ann’s biggest challenge at Amazon 29:55 Women leaders 35:11 Ann’s Book 37:11 What make these great CEOs and Leaders great? 40:41 Being the dumbest person in the room and leadership 46:34 Always being challenged 51:18 What’s Ann Hiatt doing now? 1:01:59 Ann’s experience doing business in Europe 1:05:25 AI needs in companies 1:12:29 Ann’s Moonshot mindset 1:16:28 Smart people with no egos are a recipe to success 1:22:31 Robbie’s take on Ann’s career and journey 1:25:21 Talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not 1:29:20 Diversity in tech 1:32:11 The value in risk-taking Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter:https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Brent is the co-founder and CEO of Savant Capital Management, a nationally ranked wealth management firm that manages over 8 billion in assets for 6000 clients and employs over 200 professionals and team members. Brent earned degrees in finance and economics and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®), and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® (AIFA®). He is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and serves on the boards of the Northern Illinois University Foundation and the Rock Valley College Foundation. Chicago magazine named Brent as the #1 independent financial advisor in Chicagoland. He represents Savant on the Barron’s Hall of Fame as one of the nation’s top financial advisors for over 10 years.  He was also ranked by Forbes as the #40 top wealth advisor in the nation. Brent’s passions are being an entrepreneur, drinking wine, and spending time with his family at his lake home in Lake Geneva, WI! Website: https://www.savantcapital.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/savantweets LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savant-capital-management/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavantCapital 05:30- The Brodeski family council 07:50 - How education creates confidence 09:00 - Extroversion can be learned 30:15 - Synergy can be strategized 33:00 - Why you need systems and structures 37:00 - The value of hiring subject matter experts  46:00 - Growing without the pains 51:00 - Creating a master playbook by combining the best of all involved 53:58 - Core values are non-negotiable 59:15 - How to hire like a boss 1:08:30 - Robbie’s take-aways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/ Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg/featured?view_as=subscriber

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Anthony G. “Ozzie” Giglio is CEO/Dealer Principal of Windy City Motorcycle Company (WCMC). Ozzie’s experience has run the gamut. He was active duty USN, where he served four tours in the middle east as part of a special ops team focused on counter intel and counter terrorism. He’s now a captain in the Navy Reserve. He holds a JD and is barred in Illinois and Texas. He practiced corporate law, but transitioned to financial services, where he worked on transactions and acquisitions, including real estate. This teed him up for success as the CEO of Windy City Real Estate Group and the eventual acquisition of 10 Harley Davidson dealerships. He founded WC-F with his wife, Jill, in 2000 and they now have 18 locations and employ over 400 people. https://youtu.be/d1PBIBTZsJ4 https://bizcasthq.com/cxo/ozzie-giglio/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/windy-city-motorcycle-company/ 3:35 - Ozzie’s family values: hard work and education 13:30 - The value of maturity and doing things on your own schedule 16:50 - What you learn as an intrepid entrepreneur without a safety net 20:00 - What you learn in the military: leadership, discipline, and the commitment to team 35:30 - Leadership lessons from the military 37:30 - Starting a business after 9/11 49:50 - Developing a network to defeat a network 54:30 - Why growth matters to you, your employees, and your customers 56:40 - How to create a sense of ownership among your employees 1:02:35 - What it’s like to build a family later in life 1:12:10 - How the COVID crisis is driving innovation 1:24:00 - There’s no place like the U.S.A. 1:32:30 - Rob’s takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/ Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg/featured?view_as=subscriber

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Robert Blackwell, Jr is the founder of Quant16 as well as a successful entrepreneur and former trader. He also founded Killerspin, the world’s leading table tennis engagement brand. The Killerspin experience reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually in over 160 countries around the world. Robert has served on many civic boards over the course of his career, and he currently serves the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council as well as being on the executive committee to Choose Chicago.   http://robertblackwelljr.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blackwell-jr-4218023/   2:00 - How do people go from poverty to prosperity?  15:30 - The advantage of growing up without money  22:15 - Robert’s long-time friendship with former president Barack Obama  25:30 - Why Robert sold his car to use ride share services exclusively  26:30 - Robert’s life-changing visit to West Africa  34:30 - Learnings from the ‘87 market crash  45:30 - Robert’s formula for decision making  49:30 - Killerspin’s company values  52:30 - Investing in ongoing economic opportunities for those with special needs  54:00 - Lagniappe: a little something extra you weren’t expecting  56:30 - What’s next for Robert and Killerspin?  1:02:30 - Why you should have an innovation budget   1:08:30 - Quantitative analysis vs. quantum computing  1:18:35 - You can get mentorship by reading, listening, and watching  1:19:05 - Rob’s takeaways   Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Daniel Porcaro has spent the past 33 years growing and developing four companies.  Growing companies is his passion.  Dan grew all the companies mostly through organic growth with very few acquisitions.  He is passionate about long-term revenue and profit growth through the development and execution of a strategic plan and the development of a strong culture. Currently, Dan is the Managing Partner of Porcaro Stolarek Mete Partners LLC (known as PSM Partners).  Founded in January of 2015, PSM offers IT consulting and talent acquisition services to small and mid-sized firms in the Chicago area.  As of January 2020, PSM employed 73 consultants and 300 clients.  Dan started the firm with his Partners and close friends Mike Mete and Dave Stolarek to grow PSM into the firm it is today.  PSM certainly would not have been nearly as successful without them. From 1998 through 2012, Dan founded and ran Project Leadership Associates (PLA).  PLA was a business and technology consulting firm headquartered in Chicago.  With five practice areas -network integration, managed services, software development, business intelligence, and business strategy, PLA was unique for its size.  Starting with one employee, Dan grew PLA to 265 people, 50 million in revenue, and 6 offices across the country.  PLA was one of the most profitable, successful firms of its type in the country.  PLA also had a ten-year period where voluntary turnover was less than 2%.  Additionally, Dan is proud to say that PLA never lost money in any month of its existence under his tenure.  Dan sold PLA in 2012 to a private equity firm. Prior to founding PLA, Dan was a partner in Workgroup Productivity Corporation (WPC).  WPC was a Lotus Notes consulting firm.  Dan was asked to join WPC as an equity partner to grow the firm, nationalize its services, and find a buyer.  He accomplished the growth plan over a 3- year period (growing revenues by 65%) and found a buyer for the firm.  After this transaction, Dan left to start PLA. Prior to WPC, Dan was an Executive Director and Partner at Lansystems.  Headquartered out of NY, Lansystems was a nationwide network integration firm with an east and west coast presence.  Dan started the central region for Lansystems and quickly grew it from 2 to 60 employees while becoming the most profitable region in the country for the firm.  Lansystems was sold in 1994. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-porcaro-8540391/  Website: https://www.myefbc.com/board-staff/dan-porcaro/ 4:27 - What’s more important growing up: loving support or a strong entrepreneurial role model?   4:58 - Leadership: learned or innate?   11:47 - The importance of being well-rounded as a leader  17:21 - Learning from others’ mistakes  36:08 - What makes for a solid business strategy  45:03 - How to bake sales success into a company’s culture  49:16 - What really motivates employees (spoiler: it’s not the money)  1:02:55 The difference between growing a company you plan to sell vs. one you plan to keep  1:07:53 Can you pandemic-proof a business?  1:11:44 The positives of partnership  1:13:44 How culture interacts with earnings growth 1:15:36 Incubating new businesses  1:21:11 Rob’s take-aways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:   Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/   Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO   Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg/featured?view_as=subscriber

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Marc Randolph (@thatwillneverwork) is a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. Marc was co-founder of Netflix, serving as their founding CEO,  the executive producer of their web site, and a member of their board of directors. Although best known for starting Netflix, Marc’s career as an entrepreneur spans more than four decades.  He has founded or co-founded more than half a dozen other successful start-ups, mentored rising entrepreneurs—including the co-founders of Looker Data, which was recently sold to Google for $2.6B—and invested in numerous successful tech ventures. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, works extensively with young entrepreneur programs, sits on the board of the environmental advocacy group 1% for the Planet, and chairs the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Board of Trustees. Website: https://www.marcrandolph.com/ Twitter: @mbrandolph Instagram: @thatwillneverwork Facebook: @marcbrandolph / https://www.facebook.com/marcbrandolph/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcrandolph 2:00 -  How Marc and his family became risk-encouraging—and how this set him up for success 12:30 - Influential entrepreneurs Marc has worked with and how that shaped his experience 22:00 - Netflix now vs. its humble beginnings and the beauty of startups 25:00 - What if Blockbuster had bought Netflix? 26:30 - The role of mentorship 36:45 - Culture and vision 1:00:45 - American exceptionalism and success  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

David Hassell (@dhassell)  is a serial entrepreneur, business columnist, and  speaker who believes that when leaders support employees in becoming  their best selves, high engagement and performance and uncommon loyalty  naturally result. As co-founder and CEO of 15Five, David and his  team have developed industry-leading people management software that  helps build phenomenal cultures via a suite of features including  check-ins, OKR tracking, 1-on-1s, and peer appreciation. While  at 15Five, David created the science-inspired Best-Self Management  methodology that helps leaders address hidden factors that stimulate  sustainable growth and development – things like intrinsic motivation,  strengths, and psychological safety. By practicing Best-Self Management  and using 15Five internally, they have experienced near-zero attrition,  rapid growth, and awards like ranking #3 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to  Work. David was named “The Most Connected Man You Don’t Know in  Silicon Valley” by Forbes Magazine, and has also been featured in The  Wall Street Journal, Inc., and Fast Company. https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhassell/ https://www.15five.com/story/ https://medium.com/@dhassell https://www.instagram.com/dhassell/ 3:25 - Entrepreneurship as a form of rebellion 6:15 - The importance of continuity and creating something beyond yourself 7:55 - Life in “beige cubicle land” 10:25 - Why “surfing the net” isn’t really a thing any more 16:04 - Why you need both passion AND profit to thrive 18:25 - How helping others and adding value helps you succeed 23:13 - Why some companies succeed where others fail 25:35 - Why “best-self management” is more effective than performance management 26:25 - The inspiration behind fifteen/five reports: “Sorry, Yvonne [the CEO of Patagonia] is out surfing.” 35:35 - Company relational mastery: what it is and how to achieve it 48:47 - The future of work is collaborative Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. BONNIE LOW-KRAMEN (@BonnieLowKramen) is an international thought leader, speaker, bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of Ultimate Assistant Training. A celebrity assistant for 25 years to Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Bonnie is an award-winning speaker who empowers staff and executives alike to build ultimate partnerships that are both mutually respectful and profitable. She teaches the BTUA workshop all over the world and in fact, Gary’s EA Debbie Furlano has taken this class. Her work was featured in a Forbes 2019 cover story and her book, Be the Ultimate Assistant, is a must-have resource for every assistant. Bonnie is passionately committed to ending workplace bullying and closing the wage gap as her way to build confident and courageous women in the world. In 14 countries and 38 states, Bonnie's gift is the ability to guide the humans of our workforce toward meaningful transformations that they feel on a visceral level and coming to solutions together that stand the test of time. Website: https://www.bonnielowkramen.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bonnie.Low.Kramen Twitter: https://twitter.com/BonnieLowKramen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnielowkramen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiOX60cn5nY&feature=emb_logo 11:15 Childhood impacts your whole career 15:00 The real value of great assistants 18:15 Bonnie’s team and her organization 22:00 Empowering the minority demographic 22:45 Finding and revealing greatness in others 52:45 Establishing/defining core values and respecting employees 1:04:45 Human beings just want autonomy Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/ Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg/featured?view_as=subscriber

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Robert Blackwell, Jr is the founder of Quant16, formerly EKI Digital, as well as a successful entrepreneur and former trader. He also founded Killerspin, the world’s leading table tennis engagement brand. The Killerspin experience reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually in over 160 countries around the world. Robert has served on many civic boards over the course of his career, and he currently serves the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council as well as being on the executive committee to Choose Chicago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Blackwell_Jr. http://robertblackwelljr.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blackwell-jr-4218023/ 13:40 Growing up in the first black family in the Western suburbs of Chicago 22:35 Three great pieces of advice from Robert’s father 26:00 How Robert got his Mom to quit smoking. 36:37 Why Robert gets rid of stuff as soon as he starts to get too attached 51:24 Robert’s greatest blessings in life 1:3:02 The decline of black neighborhoods in America, and what Robert’s doing to combat it 1:16:20 Why you should avoid being a “minority business” 1:17:15 Be #1 in the world at something (anything), and you’ll never be broke 1:25:57 Robert’s take on responsible giving and how to revitalize free enterprise Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Steve Grubbs (https://www.victoryenterprises.com + https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-grubbs-4708825/) is an Internet and technology entrepreneur, having founded four companies: Victory XR, Paradigm, Victory Enterprises, and VictoryStore.com. In 2016, VictoryXR was founded, which produces virtual reality curriculum for schools. In 2018, Intel invited VictoryXR to participate in its mentorship program and Microsoft licensed it’s content. Viveport awarded VictoryXR its award for best education VR content for 2018. In 2018, Paradigm, an early virtual reality and esports tech center was opened. Its model combines virtual reality, esports, STEM tutoring and corporate VR training to create an LBE model that is sustainable. Steve Founded Victory Enterprises in 1997 and built the first websites for the cities of Davenport, Moline and Eldridge. In 1999, Steve founded VictoryStore.com, which has grown to be an umbrella organization for more than 25 eCommerce sites. VictoryStore.com has been recognized by Internet Retailer magazine as one of the largest eCommerce stores in the United States. Steve served as Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization international technology network. This network had more than 3,000 tech CEO's as members. Steve also served previously as an Iowa legislator from ‘90-’96 and in that capacity, was chair of the House Education Committee which passed the state’s first technology funding bill. 2:14 Steve’s intro and values: always an entrepreneur 8:53 VR simulator and scenario training for job safety 12:18 Applications to social services, etc. 18:14 Why VR is the most effective tool for learning 21:18 VR tech success stories 24:31 Steve’s unique model for supporting new tech and investors 27:01 Are entrepreneurs born or made? 38:30 Upbringing 43:29 Biggest mentors and best lessons Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Scott Robinson (www.rrgexec.com) has 35 years of experience in the human capital industry. After founding and leading the largest full-service human resources firm in the Midwest, Scott returned to his entrepreneurial roots to launch Robinson Resource Group, where he now continues to serve as a trusted advisor to executives in the C-Suite. Scott is certified by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches as a Registered Corporate Coach™-one of fewer than 1000 such certified Coaches worldwide. He is also a member of the Institute of Coaching Professional Association at McLean Hospital—a Harvard Medical School affiliate and is certified in the Hogan Assessment and the full suite of MRG assessment tools. In addition to serving on several BODs, Scott is highly active in many business organizations including The Executives’ Club of Chicago (ECC), the Young Presidents Organization (YPO Gold), the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the ESOP Association. 2:30 Executive coaching and executive search 6:00 It’s all about the culture fit 24:20 Effective extrication from a direct management to a high-level leadership position 29:43 How to prep for future executive success 30:40 One company’s culture fit is another company’s NOPE 40:10 How Scott’s small-town upbringing informed his values 48:00 Relationship building as marketing; customer service is king 52:00 Transition from Counseling to Coaching & one essential ingredient for success: a supportive partner 1:1:30 Understanding what motivates your employees and clients 1:11:20 Never underestimate the power of a great Executive Assistant and a great team Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Bruce Leon is the founder and CEO of Tandem HR (www.tandemhr.com). Tandem is a Chicago-based professional employer organization that prides itself on its customized human resource solutions. Tandem provides high-touch, tailored HR solutions in payroll, benefit administration, people management, risk management and organizational development. Bruce Leon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-leon-23601311/ 5:30 - Bruce’s childhood - don’t get caught up in 11:45 - Lost mother when he was 19 15:00 - Life is a roller coaster 24:00 - Starting an HR company 36:00 - 2 to 100 employees “Billion in payroll” 40:30 - Biggest differentiators 46:00 - The world’s greatest mailman. 51:30 - Where do you go from here? Steve Jobs story 56:00 - Developing people from within 1:03:30 - Dash in the middle 1:04:30 - Could you have built this company anywhere else? 1:14:00 - When people ask you advice  Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Michael Crafton (@MichaelCrafton2) is the President and CEO of Nelbud Services Group, a life safety services company he founded in 2005 with $800 and built into a global leader with more than 20 locations and over 30,000 recurring customers.  Michael has successfully steered Nelbud through (2) private equity buyouts, multiple buy-side acquisitions, and engineered numerous change management style company transformations over the past 15 years.  Michael has pioneered several industry leading technology platforms that have helped enhance the organization and position itself as a luxury brand.  Michael has a B.S. in Business from Indiana University, is very active in numerous community organizations, and an avid traveler. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-crafton/ + http://instagram.com/michaelcrafton2) 3:00 How Michael developed his work ethic 6:45 Who instilled money management in you? 8:45 Never missed practice, but never once looked at a playbook. 12:15 80% of success is showing up 15:15 How important is a friend group for your career/business? 17:15 Value of Networking 18:45 Michael’s business story 25:30 Million dollar lessons from entry level jobs 39:00 Mindset to stay motivated 41:30 Maintaining valuable relationships 52:00 Future of Nelbud? 55:45 How did you come up with CHAPTERS? 58:00 Growth and differentiation 1:02:00 How to avoid chasing shiny objects 1:05:00 Delivering value to customers 1:11:30 Fix what’s wrong instead of firing 1:17:30 Could you have done this in any other country? Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Sylvie Légère is the co-founder and President of The Policy Circle (http://www.thepolicycircle.org), a national grassroots network with a mission to educate, inspire and develop community leaders. Equipped with facts, policy circle women get involved in the governance of their communities, and assert their voices into dialogs on the impact of public policy on creativity and entrepreneurship. Sylvie spent her career in technology program management, including infrastructure and learning technologies, at firms such as Accenture, TD Ameritrade, and JP Morgan Chase. She was the co-owner of a bicycle shop, and is also an investor in start-ups committed to connecting people from vulnerable communities to jobs. Sylvie earned an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and a Master’s in Computer Science with a specialization in the Learning Sciences from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois. 5:00 Sylvie’s childhood; father was a politician 11:55 First job at Accenture 15:35 Problem solving 18:04 STEM and going into computer science 21:49 “Raise your gaze” - [Elise Stefanik] 23:37 Gary worked in a factory during winters 27:11 Knowing your industry 28:21 7 habits of highly effective people 34:50 The Policy Circle starting Fact-based articles so you can engage in a discussion Gives you the tools to affect your community Technology widens the gap 48:13 Policy Library: over 300 circles; busy women 52:56 Finding the middle ground 55:30 The goal of The Policy Circle: eliminate conflict and focus on facts 1:01:20 Mentors / DiSC is most valuable tool 1:05:48 3500 members 1:11:11 Talked to JCN 1:15:28 Could you do this in any other country? 1:17:31 Quinton’s true takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO

Jonathan Slain (https://Recession.com/) is a recession expert, speaker, EOS (Traction) implementer, and helps companies slingshot past the competition in downturns. Having come from the world of investment banking, working on mergers and acquisitions, Jonathan has seen firsthand how businesses with successful leadership mistakenly hit plateaus. Now, working exclusively with Founders, Owners, CEOs, and Management Teams, Jonathan uses that experience to help best-in-class companies worldwide achieve their vision of success. Whether working with entrepreneurial niche/specialty firms or large corporations ($10M+ in annual revenue), the direction and insight Jonathan imparts, positions businesses to advance to levels they dream about often, but rarely achieve on their own. Jonathan’s book, “Rock the Recession: How Successful Leaders Prepare For, Thrive During, and Create Wealth After Downturns” is available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Recession-Successful-Leaders-Downturns/dp/1544501919). Use Coupon Code “DDCEO” at https://recession.com/shop/ to get 50% off the "Rock the Recession" Workbook. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 4:15 Dad was a used car salesman - you can haggle at Best Buy and Home Depot 6:30 Working with family is the BEST way to maintain a great relationship 9:45 Integrity - core value 13:20 First job 15:20 Where does your energy come from? 18:00 Everyone should work for tips at some point in their lives 20:30 How to develop a super strong work ethic 21:00 How a strong work ethic can go wrong 23:30 Hard to read the label when you’re in the jar 25:00 College & first gigs 31:00 Valedictorian - building academic career for a scholarship 34:00 Post-college investment banking - getting involved with brother’s franchise 36:00 Hard time working for someone else, that’s why I’m an entrepreneur 39:00 Leaders making clear paths to leave and come back 40:30 Boring interview questions for a job interview 41:00 Employees coming back to leaders 43:30 Gym investment stories - 30 years old with 30 employees 45:30 Enter “Traction” and the EOS system; most unit ad revenue goals 46:00 No one wants to buy Personal Training sessions in a recession 47:00 Recessions are opportunities as long as you have a plan 49:00 Example of a plan; 70x ROI - “How to thrive and grow during a recession” 50:30 Gary meeting Paul - fast friends - If we didn’t switch to maintenance we’d be in a different business today 52:00 Getting through the Great Recession and writing the book - Discovering his passion 59:00 This project was his recession plan 1:00:00 Inverted yield curve 1:02:30 First steps to helping a new company to become recession-proof; avg score is a 38 1:04:00 Gary - how to be as busy during a recession as you are in a bull market 1:05:00 Which industries to get into to prep for a recession 1:09:30 How to mitigate risk 1:12:30 Core values 1:18:00 Could you have achieved this success anywhere else? 1:22:00 How to rock your life? 1:24:00 Quinton’s true takeaways Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "We would tell our staff, 'we have to make nickels sound like manhole covers.'" - Kent Emmons. Kent Emmons (https://kentemmons.com/) is an All-American businessman and entrepreneur who has had a long successful career in the entertainment industry. From humble beginnings mowing yards in Mt. Carmel, IL, to signing top 10 recording artists in Atlanta and creating the 24/7 comedy radio format in Hollywood, he has definitely made his mark across a variety of industries. Through his group of companies, he focuses on investments, operations and joint ventures in the fields of media, leadership and politics, finance and international business development.  He shares his personal journey with us and the secret strategies to his success. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 01:35 - Buying another radio station, using the same format 04:50 - Valuation of the real estate 05:36 - Milton Crabapple 7:00 - Partnering with other radio stations 9:06 - Blue ocean opportunities today in media 11:58 - How Kent figured out this strategy 14:19 - His friend Bob Eubanks from the Newlywed Game 19:45 - Few comedy albums were registered with performing rights organizations back in the old days 28:20 - Infomercials are the least sexy business, but they are effective. “Don’t rely on ratings or traffic” 30:00 - Crazy story of a guy buying radio spots  33:20 - Sell good products with some dynamic information products 38:04 - Bertie Higgins 40:10 - Kent is focusing on his fully live media product 'Crave News' 49:39 - Mentorship has been everything to his career 51:32 - Retirement 55:54 - Q’s true takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "The best networkers are the first to arrive, and the last to leave." - Kent Emmons. Kent Emmons (https://kentemmons.com/) is an All-American businessman and entrepreneur who has had a long successful career in the entertainment industry. From humble beginnings mowing yards in Mt. Carmel, IL, to signing top 10 recording artists in Atlanta and creating the 24/7 comedy radio format in Hollywood, he has definitely made his mark across a variety of industries. Through his group of companies, he focuses on investments, operations and joint ventures in the fields of media, leadership and politics,  finance and international business development.  He shares his personal journey with us and the secret strategies to his success. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 05:55 - How it all started for Kent 12:10 - His dad was an entrepreneur 13:50 - The value of networking 16:00 - The benefit of curiosity 14:49 - The best networkers are the first to arrive, and the last to leave 17:30 - Kent's college experience 20:45 - Kent's father learned 'real-world experience' from night class teachers 22:06 - Why Q focuses on entrepreneurs who are results-driven 24:50 - The value of shared experiences 25:10 - Ask people on the peripheral 26:10 - Great public school system and education experience 27:30 - Great anecdote about how to be a good writer 30:30 - Meeting a key musician that Kent started managing 36:15 - Growing Lowry Music in Atlanta, GA with Edwin McCain and Top 10 hits 42:00 - Kent's first experience with radio and his genius idea 47:00 - Gary found the secret to his success in Branson, MO 49:26 - Table Rock Lake, Missouri Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Gary took a trip to India to find out more about some potentially world changing cancer treatments. Tune in as he shares his experiences and the lessons he learned interacting with people from different walks of life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 01:00- Gary’s principle - “respect all, fear none” 06:10- Golfing in India 08:10- Gary gives his driver some entrepreneurial tips 10:20- Gary on experiencing a festival, his driver’s home and Indian hospitality 15:30- Visiting the doctor 19:10- Brain cancer procedures coming from India 22:10- Amazing medical innovation 23:10- Water treatment and medical advancements with 30-year-old technology 27:30- Drawing water from the air 29:40- A vacation in Dubai 37:00- Gary’s takeaways from India 42:00- How the Indian people respect everything and fear nothing 44:15- Entrepreneurship in India, specifically businesses that help people 51:45- Q&A time Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “One of our clients had a 3 million square foot distribution center and wanted to zoom in and find a penny on the ground that he knew was there, and he did.” - Austin Rabine, Founder of SITE SITE has been nominated as a finalist for the Chicago Innovations Award. Please vote for them here! Austin Rabine started SITE as a pavement assessment service that utilizes modern technology to give their customers in-depth analysis and reporting on their properties. Austin set out to create a product that was an easy way to show businesses a portfolio of their property maintenance items so they can make quick and informed decisions. Austin is the son of our host Gary Rabine, who adds color to the early days of Austin’s entrepreneurial spirit. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: 01:34- Designing SITE and building a network of thousands of drone pilots 10:20- Current properties assessed: Faster. Better. Cheaper. 12:40- How did Austin get customers to buy in? 20:00- How to maintain relationships with great clients 26:00- What is Austin learning? 27:00- How to create a fun environment 30:40- Could Austin's business happen in any other country? 33:10- Competitors and innovations 37:30- Quinton's true takeaways 39:35- Quinton's new baby boy Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “Surround yourself with people that are better at the things that you aren’t good at or don’t want to do and focus on your strengths in business” - Austin Rabine, Founder of SITE Austin Rabine started SITE as a pavement assessment service that utilizes modern technology to give their customers in-depth analysis and reporting on their properties.  Austin set out to create a product that was an easy way to show businesses a portfolio of their property maintenance items so they can make quick and informed decisions. Austin is the son of our host Gary Rabine, who adds color to the early days of Austin’s entrepreneurial spirit. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: 04:20- Gary just got back from India, shares his experience 09:00- Introducing Austin and what he learned from his parents 11:10- First official job - mowing lawns 15:45- How Austin learned to invoice and made $1000 per week at age 14 19:40- Playing sports and maintaining the business 21:45- Learning financial lessons through insurance and car accidents 24:20- How to get out of a ticket #UglyCry 26:10- Austin's perspective on college 30:00- The family business 33:30- How Austin started working with Nick Mathey 35:10- How did Austin differentiate himself? 37:00- The most important pitfall to avoid as an entrepreneur 38:25- Surrounding yourself with good people who are good at what you are not Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "I'll take no's all day long, but I'll find that one yes that's gonna help change my life." - Chris Krause 01:34- Chris Krause really knows 'why' he's doing the work he does 07:00- Graduating with a meaningful degree + 'athleadership' is a competitive edge 10:30- 5 aspects of championship culture 13:15- The importance of making and achieving a game plan 19:45- Chris's thoughts on mentorship 27:00- Chris's next goals 30:30- Could Chris have built this business anywhere else? 34:30- Interview with Chris Krause Jr. 39:30- Quinton's true takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "This [NCSA] can change communities. When it becomes the expectation that you go to college rather than the outlier that got to go to college." - Chris Krause HIGHLIGHTS: 01:34- Introduction 06:00- Origin story 07:20- Experience caddying and honing interpersonal skills 12:05- Started playing football in 4th grade 17:10- High school football team inspired National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) 20:15- He was his own first client 25:10- How he transitioned to building a business 29:55- How to make sales a win-win 32:50- Getting employees excited about the vision and making it scalable 37:00- How to hit your 5 year goal in 18 months 41:20- Dealing with continuity and rapid growth   Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

"Solid Core Values Make It Easy To Hold People Accountable"  - Tom Walter, Founder of Tasty Catering Tom Walter (https://thomasjwalter.com/) is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, as well as a principal in numerous companies with over forty years of experience as an owner and operator in the service industry. He has started 32 companies, acquired 3, sold several others, and even terminated a few. He started his first business—a fast food restaurant called Tasty Pup—in 1971, with the help of his girlfriend’s monetary investment. Over the years, Tasty Pup evolved from its origins as a fast food restaurant, into today's Tasty Catering, which remains Tom’s primary and largest investment. Tasty Catering employees are shareholders in eight of the nine companies. Five of those companies are the result of employee-constructed business plans that were submitted to Tom and his brothers. Tom, Larry, and Kevin assisted in the start-up of those companies, and then remained on as equity investors. Tom’s many tasks keep him busy—sometimes that including seven-day workweeks—but he has never, in the last 40 years, felt over-worked. He believes that if you’re passionate about something you love, it will never be constituted as “work.” 01:40- A good gauge of a company is employee engagement 03:40- The average company gets 4-6% of their employees thoughts per day 06:10- Solid values make it easy to hold people accountable 06:55- Tom's seven core values 09:30- All about Tom's book and why he wrote it 13:45- Distributed leadership 16:35- Tom's most important awards 19:25- When the national average for turnover is 50%, Tasty Catering's is 4% 22:00- Finishing big: What's next for Tom? 27:35- Could you have created this business in any other country? 38:40- Q's takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

"Hire people not only for skill, but for who they are. What kind of culture do they have?" - Tom Walter founder of Tasty Catering Tom Walter (https://itsmycompanytoo.com/) is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, as well as a principal in numerous companies with over forty years of experience as an owner and operator in the service industry. He has learned a lot of life lessons from the start up of 32 companies, acquisition of three, sale of several, and—in a few cases—the termination of businesses, all in a broad spectrum of markets.   He started his first business—a fast food restaurant called Tasty Pup—in 1971, with the help of his girlfriend’s monetary investment. Over the years, Tasty Pup evolved from its origins as a fast food restaurant, through many other food-related businesses, and into the Tasty Catering of today, which remains Tom’s primary and largest investment. Two of his businesses were large failures, which he considers to be great learning examples.   He is currently a principal in nine of the successful organizations. To an outside source, his involvement in so many businesses simultaneously may appear a bit overwhelming, but many of his concurrent ownership's came about because of Tom’s strong belief in the investment of young people’s ideas. Tasty Catering employees are shareholders in eight of the nine companies. Five of those companies are the result of employee-constructed business plans that were submitted to Tom and his brothers. Tom, Larry, and Kevin assisted in the start-up of those companies, and then remained on as equity investors. Tom’s many tasks keep him busy—sometimes that including seven-day workweeks—but he has never, in the last 40 years, felt over-worked. He believes that if you’re passionate about something you love, it will never be constituted as “work.” 05:10- Tom Walter's story 07:45- Tom's seventh business failure 14:30- How to balance family and work 15:30- Money vs Family 17:25- Entrepreneurs have a disease 20:15- There's nothing worth losing a child 21:20- Early days at tasty catering 23:50- Gary's favorite book 26:20- Tom's favorite book 30:00- Changes happen when Tom started Tasty Catering 34:40- If the VP doesn't know the values, you are in trouble 36:00- Core values contribute to your bottom line 38:00- Hire and fire by values 45:00- Four keys to culture Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

"The Most Important Thing is To Have Passion" - Dr. J. Roberto Trujillo, M.D Hi, Ditch Digger CEO listeners. We did something a little different with Dr. Roberto's episode. This guy is so amazing and has so much to talk about. We had to create two parts. It was great timing for us to create two parts because something has happened in the last week that I'm super excited about. Dr. Roberto has scheduled my son Nik and I to go to his research center in Bangalore, India to be treated. Nik for cerebral palsy and me for epilepsy. We will be going for 28 days of treatment. Both of our cases are on the mild side of the spectrum. We know we have challenges to overcome and there's no proven cure for either of our diseases. We will also be going to get a chance to understand the technology and the protocol in case my wife Cheryl needs to go to Dr. Roberto's clinic for treatment of her brain cancer and other presumed incurable disease. So strap on your seat belts as we enjoy one of the leading minds in the world of medicine today, Dr. Roberto Trujillo, with his slogan to cure the incurable. Enjoy! Dr. J. Roberto Trujillo, M.D., Sc.D. is the Chairman and CEO of TruCytonics Institute & NeuroCytonix, Inc., at the Montgomery Biotechnology campus of Johns Hopkins University. His current focus is on translation research of neural tissue engineering (quantum magnetic resonance) for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. He is a member of the medical advisory board at Fisher Wallace Laboratories, LLC. As a pioneer in the field of neurovirology at Harvard, Dr. Trujillo founded the Pan-American Society of NeuroVirology in 2000. He is the co-inventor of CERCA, a U.S. patented photodynamic therapeutic medical device for the prevention of cervical cancer. Dr. Trujillo is a leader of medical sciences of the Americas, and he has received numerous awards, professional titles, and honorary doctor degrees. Following an internship in medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, he completed a two-year clinical neurological and neurosurgical fellowship at Texas Medical Center. After receiving a training award from NIH, Dr. Trujillo obtained his Doctor of Science degree in Neurosciences and Molecular Virology at Harvard University. 01:30- Brain dogma: "I never gave up because I wanted to serve people" 08:30- Dreaming big gets us to the moon 10:38- Success with NeuroCytonix and looking forward 14:48- Where this progress will go in the next 5-10 years 17:00- $280 Billion spent on this research and why it costs so much 20:27- The beauty of being an American 23:55- The source of Roberto's focus 25:52- Back pain cure takes time 29:10- How Roberto's technology helps a patient with epilepsy 34:50- AMAZING brain cancer trials and improvements without side effects 38:55- FDA approval status 40:06- The exact process of Roberto's technology 45:05- About Roberto's family 50:30- Doctors need to learn business Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit DDCEO on iTunes Visit our Website Like DDCEO on Facebook Follow DDCEO on Twitter Follow DDCEO on Instagram

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "The Most Important Thing is To Have Passion" - Dr. J. Roberto Trujillo, M.D Dr. J. Roberto Trujillo, M.D., Sc.D. is the Chairman and CEO of TruCytonics Institute & NeuroCytonix, Inc., at the Montgomery Biotechnology campus of Johns Hopkins University. His current focus is on translation research of neural tissue engineering (quantum magnetic resonance) for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. He is a member of the medical advisory board at Fisher Wallace Laboratories, LLC. As a pioneer in the field of neurovirology at Harvard, Dr. Trujillo founded the Pan-American Society of NeuroVirology in 2000. He is the co-inventor of CERCA, a U.S. patented photodynamic therapeutic medical device for the prevention of cervical cancer. Dr. Trujillo is a leader of medical sciences of the Americas, and he has received numerous awards, professional titles, and honorary doctor degrees. Following an internship in medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, he completed a two-year clinical neurological and neurosurgical fellowship at Texas Medical Center. After receiving a training award from NIH, Dr. Trujillo obtained his Doctor of Science degree in Neurosciences and Molecular Virology at Harvard University.  02:24- Story of how Gary and Dr. Roberto Trujillo met  05:30- Roberto's story and upbringing 11:25- Started rotation at age 18 12:00- Difference between US and Mexican medical school 16:54- Challenges are opportunities to grow 19:50- Passion is to study the brain 23:25- AIDS virus causes so much damage to the brain 23:55- Becoming the first molecular neuro-virologist at Harvard 25:52- The importance of passion 28:30- 3 keys to success 29:52- Advantages in America 32:50- If you have an idea you can pursue it, unreal medicine 37:35- All about the NeuroCytonix company 39:40- What clinics look like in America vs India 42:25- Turning brain dogma upside down Tune in for part 2 next week! Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit DDCEO on iTunes Visit our Website Like DDCEO on Facebook Follow DDCEO on Twitter Follow DDCEO on Instagram

"If we're going to be better tomorrow we've got to start opening ourselves to different thoughts in the most humble way we can." - Scott Mordell I'm so excited to get my buddy Scott Mordell in front of my listeners.  Scott's an amazing guy. He's a leader of leaders. Starting out in the accounting world going to school for accounting in Michigan. Becoming an accountant at a big firm, and then having the opportunity to go to work for an entrepreneur organization like the Duchess group, being mentored by,  just two great guys a father-son, team, Dick-Duchess, and a son Craig, as well, as so many others. He's become such an amazing leader in the world today.  Plus he's not just a CEO of any normal company, but a CEO of 28,000 CEOs across the globe. How crazy is that? And this guy does an awesome job of guiding this great organization, an organization that has grown from 18,000 members to 28,000 members.  That has caused people to start pounding on the door to get into YPOs chapters all over the world.  So get your learning ears on and and listen to a great friend of mine, a guy I really love and an amazing leader in our world today that not many people get the opportunity to spend time with, Scott Mordell! BIO: Scott Mordell has been a YPO member since 1995 and a former chair of its Chicago Chapter. He has more than 20 years of CEO-level experience in organizational management, strategy development and implementation, global commerce and public policy.  YPO is the premier global leadership organization for more than 28,000 chief executives, who employ more than 22 million people globally and generate $9 Trillion in annual revenues. For more information, visit www.ypo.org.  00:00- Intro 01:35- Podcast summary 03:30- Talking about Scott 06:05- Forum IPO mates with Gary 06:40- Scott's upbringing-grew up in Detroit, high school 08:40- Sports played- football, hockey 11:05- Folks go into public accounting when they don't know what to do? 14:25- About accounting lessons 15:35- Public accounting for 4 years then went to grad school 16:15- About cereal 17:55- Getting great advice- go into business 21:15- Arlington race track experience  21:45- "I thought it was going to be an attorney" 22:35- Traits you saw in your mentor 27:10- Time at Arlington was from CIE to CEO 28:15- Join YPO or get fired 30:15- Gambling regulations, had to close the racetrack 34:40- Dealing with Illinois politics, your organization purpose 35:45- People profits capital 38:05- The importance of ethics 39:55- Success at the racetrack 42:05- Post horse racing- corporate 45:45- How Scott got involved with YPO - Scaling service is more difficult than scaling manufacturing 49:05- How the forum changed Scott's life 53:55- Why it's important to be curious 54:55- Going from 18,000 to 28,000 members 56:35- The 5 keys for successful scaling 01:05:20- No straight lines through life 01:05:50- How did you build the grit needed to manage other CEO's 01:10:15- Next 10-15 years? 01:14:05- Scott for governor? 01:15:30- Advantage to america free enterprise system 01:19:35- Q's take aways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO PODCAST: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ditch-digger-ceo-with-gary-rabine/id1440312967?mt=2  Visit the DDCEO BLOG: http://ditchdiggerceo.com/  Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO  Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO 

The "Ditch Digger CEO" is a podcast for trailblazers. It’s about climbing to the top of the ladder no matter where you start. It's for those with big, bold ideas who want to learn from the experiences of some of the most successful people in the world. This is a show about those who grow their businesses from nothing to million- or even billion-dollar enterprises.  Often beginning their journey in ‘dead-end’ jobs, as single parents, or working multiple part-time gigs with only their grit and work ethic to work with.  Our guests are shining examples of success against the odds that want to share all the secrets of how they achieved their incredible success. With Gary Rabine (of Rabine Group) and Quinton James (of True Mentors) as your hosts, this is an inspirational business podcast that gives relatable, actionable, real-life advice from trailblazers that have been there.  Gary and Quinton bring their tough questions, fresh perspectives, and business-savvy to the podcast’s spirited dialogue on how to get ahead in whatever industry you are in.  Our goal is that these tips and mindsets will encourage you to turn your dreams into ambition, making your situation a little more enjoyable, profitable, and at the very least, wildly successful.  Our guest lineup includes some extremely exciting and inspirational personalities, including the founder of Jimmy John’s, the co-founder of RedBox, sports stars & legends, and so many more.  Launch yourself forward with Ditch Digger CEO  Shownotes: 5:00 Motivation from when people tell you you can't do something  9:00 Gary’s Family  15:30 Why Gary Started DDCEO  28:30 How did the Rabine Group get started  36:00 Gary's thoughts on the best way to start a business in 2018  42:30 "Do's and Don'ts" when working with family  45:00 The importance of mentors  55:00 How to stay positive in the face of certain doom  60:00 Growing to $200 million in revenue from 2004-2013  1:10:00 How Rabine Group was able to thrive during the 2008 recession  1:13:30 The importance of NOT being the smartest guy in the room  1:16:00 How to use differentiation to drive your growth  1:21:00 The importance of philanthropy  1:30:00 Why should you listen to DDCEO?  1:31:00 Quinton's True Takeways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "Human Capital Leads to Innovation Which Creates Wealth" - Jose Vargas Our guest this week is Jose Vargas. He is a serial entrepreneur and investor, building and growing technology companies for over 18 years. Former co-founder of AutoWeb (acquired by Autobytel), BlueKite (acquired by Xoom Corporation/PayPal), MedicareSupplement.com (acquired by Tranzact), BrokersWeb (acquired by VantageMedia) and MailCreations.com (acquired by Livedoor). Currently board member at PeopleFund a technology VC, HealthCare.com and AutoWeb NASDAQ [AUTO]. Jose lives in Miami with his wife and children and is an active member of the Young President Organization (YPO) and supporter of a number of philanthropic efforts. 4:36 Jose’s background- from Venezuela to the States and beyond. 10:08 What happened to Venezuela? The impact of socialist regimes. 22:04 Starting businesses- it’s all about trial and error. 36:30 Mergers and Acquisitions. 44:00 After the first success- dealing with fear. 47:40 Experiencing NY young and rich. 48:40 Working on HealthCare.com. 58:50 Seed investing- People Funding. 1:06:50 Getting great at exiting- How to know when you’re ready to sell. 1:12:00 Important mentors and helping others grow. 1:22:00 Jose’s core values- a discussion on karma. 1:23:53 The success Jose is most proud of. 1:25:23 Are there any other places in the world which offer the same opportunities for success as the USA? 1:25:50 The most important book to Jose. 1:28:20 Quinton’s True Takeaways To take a look at some of the books mentioned by Jose, click on the links below! Be My Guest The Philosophy of Spinoza Awaken The Giant Within Mastery FIVE SUPREME SECRETS OF LIFE For more information on PeopleFund, click here. Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO:  Visit the DDCEO PODCAST  Visit the DDCEO BLOG Like DDCEO on Facebook Follow DDCEO on Twitter Follow DDCEO on Instagram

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “B people hire C people but A people hire A+ people” - France Hoang Francis Q. Hoang (@FQhoang) is a veteran entrepreneur who has been on the founding teams of companies that have generated over $600 million of combined sales and employed over 1,200 professionals across the fields of law, aerospace, defense, government services, and technology. (https://boodle.ai/) France has over 20 years of national security experience, with service in every branch of the U.S. Government. He clerked for Judge Thomas Griffith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and was appointed by President George W. Bush as an Associate White House Counsel and Special Assistant to the President.  France graduated in the academic top 1% of his West Point class, received a Masters in Criminal Justice from Washburn University, and graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. He somehow also managed to pass both Ranger School and the CPA Exam. France was born in Saigon, Vietnam, immigrated to the United States at the age of 2, and was raised in Tumwater, Washington. Shownotes: 2:00 France’s childhood 6:00 What inspired France to serve 14:30 How do those West Point values affect your life? 17:00 Life after West Point Graduation 21:00 Frances mindset to get through Ranger School 24:30 After Ranger school 26:00 How the special forces are the entrepreneurs of the military 42:00 How did your culture assist in growing to your current size? 48:30 How to split time between working for two high performance businesses 54:00 France's biggest passion today Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

“3 Things That Create A Dynamic Culture - Care, Trust, and Help” - Barry Schlouch Barry Schlouch is Co-founder and President of Schlouch Incorporated, a 270-person site design and construction firm headquartered in Blandon, Pennsylvania, USA. He is the author of the book “Excellence In Construction,”  (https://www.amazon.com/Excellence-Construction-achieving-success-everyday/dp/1481287486) a speaker, consultant and mentor to both businesses and individuals interested in achieving excellence in business and life. His website is http://barryschlouch.com/ Schlouch Incorporated provides site construction services throughout Pa & surrounding states. Our services include site design, survey, excavating, utilities, concrete & paving for commercial, residential, energy, & public sectors. Schlouch performs $65 million in annual revenues, employs 270 talented team members, and owns 175 pieces of heavy construction equipment. Barry and Deb Schlouch founded Schlouch Incorporated in 1983 in the basement of their home in Berks County, Pennsylvania to do excavating and utilities. They didn’t own any equipment at the time and had no firm jobs on the books. Schlouch’s first job in 1983 was a $15,000 assignment to prepare a site for Wendy’s Restaurant in West Reading. Since then, they have gone on to add design, survey, blasting, concrete and paving. Their vision and confidence was the beginning of what has become one of the leading total site preparation specialists in Eastern Pennsylvania. Today, Schlouch is a company with 275 employees and 300 plus pieces of equipment including 150 pieces of heavy equipment. The company enjoys repeat business from most major local and regional owners, developers and contractors as well as from many national firms handling construction management in the area. More than 60% of Schlouch’s business each year comes from repeat customers, a testimonial to Schlouch’s quality work, on-time performance and competitive pricing. Schlouch has never lost sight of its roots. While the company receives many multi-million dollar contracts each year, Barry and Deb are proud to say that their firm still does excavation for basements and small residential and commercial projects and has a skilled team with their own equipment just to handle those tasks. Shownotes:  4:00 How did you get your start? 8:30 How did you create such a great place to work? A place voted best place to work in Pennsylvania OVER Harley Davidson and Hershey foods 12:30 How does culture change for the better?  15:00 The 3 things that create a dynamic culture - Quote/clip 22:00 Maintaining such a high customer retention rate 28:30 Why did you write your book? 32:00 Most important mentors 37:00 The importance of mentoring people 42:30 Barry's most important failures 45:00 Worst day in business life 49:30 Defining your vision 51:00 Best mindset for an entrepreneur 57:00 How do you stay so competitive? 58:30 Thoughts on the American free enterprise system

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “Always strive to be quicker, better and more reliable than competitors.” - Stéphane Rambaud “Build an exceptional company by doing MORE of what you are great at.” - Stéphane Rambaud A third generation freight forwarder, Rambaud began his career in 1986 at Phoenix International, a Chicago-based privately held freight forwarder. He was instrumental in Phoenix International's global expansion, especially with the creation of an Asia office network in 1995.  While at Phoenix International, Rambaud held a variety of positions including executive vice president, chief operating officer, and president and CEO.  After C.H. Robinson's acquisition of Phoenix International in 2012, he led the global forwarding integration between the two companies. Rambaud is a member of the Global Young Presidents' Organization, the Economics Club of Chicago, and studied International Commerce at Académie Commerciale Internationale in Paris, France. Shownotes: 3:00 Stéphane's childhood 6:30 How Stéphane came to America 14:00 Here is what entrepreneurs you should implement now 23:30 How did your partnerships work out? 27:00 Getting partners to buy into plan 30:30 Stephan's definition of luck 32:30 Big differentiators 35:30 Building the company culture 40:00 Maintaining culture through the sale 44:00 Most important mentors 47:00 Growing a business in America 58:00 Collecting and restoring classic european cars 1:07:30 Quinton's True Takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “A true entrepreneur is someone with an idea that hasn’t been done before.” - Ray H. Neisewander III Chairman & CEO, Raynor Garage Doors Ray H. Neisewander III currently serves as the Chairman and CEO for Raynor Worldwide, Inc. Ray's career has been committed to the family business since 1986, when he joined the Raynor Executive Management Team and Board of Directors. He has held several positions in the family's enterprises, including Raynor's Motorsports Group, KWIK-WALL division, and Holiday Inn franchise. Ray III enjoys advising and speaking on topics relevant to family business, including strategy development and execution, succession and contingency planning, governance, organizational development, compensation, and generational transitions. He has participated in conferences at the Loyola Family Business Center/Chicago, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Young Presidents Organization (YPO) International. Ray III resides in Dixon, with his wife, Cindy. They have five children, Brittany, Brandon, Jonathan, Jacob, and Rayuel.  3:00 How Gary met Ray 17:30 Elvis connection 23:00 How Raynor grew 30:00 How to identify the best opportunities 36:00 The biggest problem with handing off a company to the next generation 40:00 Combining culture with a third generation business 43:00 Thinking of the team as extended family 46:00 Maintaining work ethic through three generations 49:00 Avoiding the temptation of giving your kids everything 55:00 Living life to the fullest 1:01:30 The importance of faith 1:04:00 The huge advantage of a great life partner 1:06:00 Garage Mahal Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg 

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “The best leaders are trusted and respected” - Sam McBride Sam McBride (@samacmcbride) is Chief Operating Officer at @RXBAR, a Chicago-based food manufacturer, overseeing the organization’s supply chain, sales, marketing and operations teams. With a passion for growing consumer products companies, Sam joined RXBAR as employee number four. Sam grew RXBAR’s top line growth though retail distribution and e-commerce from $2m to $130m in just three years, helping fuel its acquisition by Kellogg for $600m in 2017. Prior to RXBAR, Sam led the sales and marketing teams at Rabine Group, overseeing 12 operating companies with $180mm in annual revenue. As RXBAR continues its domestic growth, international expansion and product innovation, Sam sets the tone for his team, empowering them to foster unrivaled brands. Sam has an incredible mind for driving growth and he shares some of his most effective and powerful strategies. If you have any inkling of growing your business this episode is NOT to be missed!  4:00 Sam's upbringing 6:30 How did you decide to become an entrepreneur? 8:30 What characteristics did you pick up early that assisted you in your career? 10:45 How did your first jobs affect you? 15:00 How did you meet Gary? 19:00 How did you get involved with RXBar? 27:45 The origin of No BS (No bad stuff) 32:30 The unique influencer marketing strategies that helped RXBar sales explode 41:15 Figuring out the distribution strategy 47:00 The value of making a physical thing that you can give people 48:00 Going from revenues of $2m to $130m in 3 years.  54:00 Key systems to drive growth 56:00 How did you get acquired by Kellogs? 60:00 Where are you going to be in 10 years? 1:03:00 What should new entrepreneurs know?  1:04:30 Most important mentors 1:08:30 Balancing family life and business.  Quote: The importance of self awareness 1:14:00 Could you have this success in any other country? 1:15:30 Quinton’s True Takeaways

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "If they (clients) complain when you're making money, they will be terrible if you ever lose money" - Tony Saliba (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonysaliba/) Tony Saliba (@ajsmarketwizard) is the Chief Executive Officer at Matrix Holding Group & Mercury Digital Assets Considered a pioneer and leader in the Chicago derivatives market, was the only options trader to be profiled in the best-selling 1989 book “Market Wizards.” He has been a pioneer and active participant in the Chicago derivatives markets for over 20 years. He holds exchange memberships on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (serving on the Board of Directors from 1987-1990), The Chicago Board of Trade, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  3:00 Tony’s background 7:30 What did starting early teach you about grit? 16:30 The value of Caddying  24:00 The spread 27:00 When and how to break out of a business relationship 39:00 The 70 month streak 47:00 Necessity is the mother of all invention. 50:30 How to fly five million miles in a year 56:00 Ethics of competing with a previous business 1:00:00 Running your business like a family 1:07:00 Did the Chinese try to take over the Chicago stock exchange? 1:19:00 Thoughts on a $15 minimum wage 1:26:00 How has the free enterprise system aided your success? 1:38:00 True Takeaways 1:30:00 Created Uber in 2003 but was 4 years too early About Host: In the Spring of 1981, Gary Rabine was a senior in high school trying to decide which way his future would go. While his friends were busy preparing for college, Gary was dreaming of starting a landscaping or paving business. With the experience he gained laboring and running heavy equipment for his dad's small business, he new he could do it.  One afternoon in his schools cafeteria, surrounded by college-bound friends, Gary was asked what his college plans were. When he replied that he planned to save money to start a business, a smart ass friend eagerly termed him a "Ditch-Digger", loudly laughing “Gary's going to be a Ditch Digger”.  Gary harnessed this memory and used it to motivate him to walk his own path. 37 years later, Gary Rabine has grown Rabine Paving and many others businesses which are now the Rabine Group of Companies. This podcast is about stories like his. From "ditch-digger" to the founder/CEO of a national facilities services empire.  

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “If you always do, what you always did, you'll get what you always got” - Garry McCarthy Garry McCarthy was one of the earliest candidates to declare a run against Mayor Rahm Emanuel, before he made the surprise decision in September that he would no longer seek to serve a third term. The native New Yorker ran the Chicago Police Department under Emanuel for more than four years. Garry’s public service includes 25 years (1981-2006) as an officer on the New York Police Department, including six as deputy commissioner for operations; five years as police director in Newark, N.J. (2006-11) and four years as Chicago police superintendent (2011-15). Garry is a proven leader and he shares some of his deepest leadership knowledge and wisdom during this episode.  Our co-host this episode is Nick Lodge.  Shownotes: 2:49 Story of the second R in Garry 4:00 Garry's upbringing 7:27 How Garry knew being a policeman was the right path for him 19:51 Did 9/11 change your political views? - NY Has foiled 30 plots since 9/11 22:20 How Garry came to work in Chicago 29:51 How they achieved such a significant decrease in crime in Chicago 35:21 What makes a great police officer? 42:18 How would you change things if you were elected major? 49:31 Is there way to create more jobs in these underserved neighborhoods? 54:00 How do you convince businesses to stay with the possibility of paying more taxes? 1:01:23 How Garry used technology to benefit his police force 1:03:00 Where did you get your leadership principles? Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "If you are not a serial optimist then don't get involved in business" - Charlie Kirk Charlie Kirk is the Founder and Executive Director of Turning Point USA,  a national student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and  empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets, and  limited government. Since the inception of Turning Point USA on June 5th of 2012, Charlie Kirk  has grown Turning Point USA from nothing to having representation on  over 1,200 high school and college campuses nationwide and over 150 full  time staff. At 24 years old, he has appeared on Fox News, CNBC, and FOX  Business News over 600 times. Charlie Kirk is also a best-selling  author, was featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2018, he was the youngest  speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and a proud Eagle  Scout. Shownotes: 2:33 Charlie's upbringing 5:12 How too much energy is a blessing and not a curse to be medicated 6:40 How Charlie's parents raised him 14:16 Most important books read in high school 18:43 What happened after high school? 24:49 Meeting Bill Montgomery - how TPUSA formed into the powerhouse that it is 29:30 Other great people that helped along the way 40:18 How to convince investors to invest in you and your business 44:13 How to visualize the metrics you'll need for success 1:05:14 Where are you going? 1:13:18 Emotional intelligence 1:21:08 How to identify leaders 1:29:06 How to keep pride at bay 1:42:14 Quinton's True Takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Ryan is AFN’s co-founder and chairman (https://www.loadafn.com/). When he graduated from Indiana University, Ryan joined the dynamic third-party logistics industry. He fell in love with the daily challenges, the fast pace, and the huge potential for personal and professional growth. Ryan quickly realized that there was a real need in the market for a 3PL that was focused on delivering hands-on, results-oriented service that put the needs of clients first and foremost. In 2003, Ryan founded AFN to not only meet this need, but to exceed the expectations of our clients. In addition to leading AFN, Ryan is a dedicated philanthropist, actively supporting the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, among other causes. Ryan is also a co-owner of Camp Kawaga, a summer camp for boys located in Minocqua, WI, which he is proud to help guide into a vibrant future. Shownotes: 5:52 What gave you the confidence to go off and start your own business at such a young age? 8:55 Any sports in High School? 13:04 How has your competitive nature benefited you? 15:56 Competitive advantages? 17:50 Why Ryan was able to give better customer service? QUOTE Honesty 22:21 How did you duplicate and scale your personal success with selling in the business? How Ryan built the culture of his business? 27:25 When core values are solidified 30:07 How has your culture changed since day 1? 35:52 The happy medium between grit and comfort 37:06 Do you need to be tough on your team? 48:15 When should you be transparent and when should you hold your tongue? 54:00 What are you focused on now that the business is sold? 57:28 Could you have built this business in any other country? 59:21 Who have been your key mentors? 1:01:49 What role did your dad play in the business? 1:06:10 Ryan's vision 1:11:17 What Jacob and Ryan are working on 1:32:30 Quinton's Quick Takes

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. Ed Zeman, Chairman of Zeman Homes, Inc. is this week's guest (https://www.zemanhomes.com/) He began his career in 1983 and has grown to become one of the most respected and accomplished manufactured home community real estate executives in the country.  With expertise in green field development, acquisitions, strategic planning and capital raising, he has a solid record of double-digit revenue growth and long-term value creation.  Under his leadership, Zeman Homes has become one the largest privately-owned operator and manager of manufactured home communities in the country. Shownotes: 1:00 Quinton's first time meeting Ed 2:00 Ed's youth and growing up 6:30 Ed's education 8:30 How did these early life experiences affect your motivation to succeed? 9:51 How Ed got his start with Zeman Homes 13:15 Great things Ed's father taught him about raising kids 15:41 How Ed transitioned to become the leader of Zeman Homes 17:30 Becoming the leader of a business and a father at the same time 18:43 How did you balance family and work? 22:18 How Ed thrived as head of the business after his father developed brain cancer 25:00 How Ed identified his strengths and weaknesses to fill out his support team 28:20 Ed's most important mentors 31:30 What type of mentee do you look for? 34:00 Who's a mentor that really helped you grow? 35:30 Is there anyone that you modeled? 38:15 How have you differentiated yourself and Zeman Homes? 41:00 Toughest times 42:30 Doing the dirty jobs is one of the best ways to be a leader 43:30 Industry disruptions? 47:10 Story of Ed's grandfather founding the Bears 55:00 Could your success have happened in any other country 1:02:00 Future of your industry 1:03:00 Leaders in the manufactured homes industry they try to emulate 1:05:30 What's going to drive you for the next 15 years 1:07:30 What do you want your legacy to be? 1:09:50 Quinton's True Takeaways

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "Creating a sense of meaning and purpose is the best part of the job" - Nick Mathey   Nick Mathey is the CEO and Founder of Pipe View America (http://pipeviewamerica.com)   Pipe View America inspects, locates and documents pipelines and they have several inspection vehicles that can turn and maneuver  inside sewers and underground detention systems. This allows multiple runs through otherwise impossible areas to be viewed without direct access.  This technology allows Pipe View America to tackle the most challenging  underground systems.   Shownotes: 2:00 How Nick Mathey created Pipe View 10:00 How Nick and Gary started working together 12:00 How to inspire your team to train others without fear they may be training their replacement 15:00 Nick’s 6 core values 18:00 The absolute necessity of standard operating procedures 25:00 The best part of the job is creating a sense of meaning and purpose in the job at hand 30:00 Key to success: Hiring folks with grit and the urge to grow 36:30 The boss’s job is to let the machine run and be an oil can 39:00 How to build and maintain a world class team 45:00 How to inspire team members to embrace core values 50.00 How important is a great partner to your success? 54:00 Could you have built this business anywhere but America? 58:00 Quinton's True Takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “Hopefully (your journey) is not all good. Cause if it’s all good. You got cheated.” - Bill Ryan Bill Ryan, the Founder, and CEO for William Ryan Homes (https://www.williamryanhomes.com/), is a native of Pittsburgh and family home building. “My grandfather built his first home in Pittsburgh in 1925,” says Ryan. “My dad and uncles eventually became part of that business, with my dad taking on the role of opening up new cities for the company. That’s how we ended up in Cincinnati. Having gone to school at Marquette in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I spent some time in Chicago and fell in love with it. By 1990, I had an overwhelming urge to start my own home building company and, at that time, Chicago was picked to be the country’s leading home building market. So that made the decision pretty easy and I packed up my family and headed to Chicago.” Ryan’s move paid off as the still privately-held company has built more than 10,000 single-family homes and branched beyond Chicago to markets in Wisconsin, Florida and Arizona 2:30 Bill's family history 15:31 How Bill came to Chicago from Pittsburgh and started his own business 25:31 Best ways to work and not work with family 32:00 Growing up learning the business from his dad 33:19 How Bill survived and thrived during the 2008 recession 36:30 How Bill started his company 44:47 What would you do differently? 50:39 How were you able to grow so fast? 57:30 Leveraging the Ryan name 57:00 Getting into manufactured housing 1:05:00 How to take the right risks 1:10:00 How Bill built so many homes per year 1:17:00 How they survived the 2008 recession 1:25:34 What are you working towards? 1:36:00 How do you train team members 1:38:08 Quinton's True Takeaways 1:40:06 Could you have built this business in any other country? Be sure to check out https://www.ditchdiggerceo.com for shownotes, clips, quotes, and other great entrepreneurial wisdom! And don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @DitchDiggerCEO!

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. "To stay innovative, I ask every manager, if I gave you ten million dollars what would you invest in?" - Paul Darley Paul C. Darley is Chairman, CEO & President of W.S. Darley & Co. Under his leadership, sales have increased over 1000% to over $185 million in 2016. He began in pump sales in 1985 and was named Vice President for the Fire Pump Division of W.S. Darley & Co. in 1990. In 1997, he became President and COO and was appointed President & CEO in 2003. He was named Chairman in 2011. Founded in 1908, W.S. Darley & Co is a fourth generation family business, led by Paul and an executive team that has transformed this 110 year old company into a world leader in the firefighting industry with ISO 9001 certification and an electronic catalog of more than 10,000 items. Paul earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Paul has traveled to 80 countries in his 25-year tenor, and has made over 500 industry speaking engagements. He is involved with numerous charitable and service organizations including Past Chairman of the Chicago Windy City Chapter of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization). Paul recently released his book “Sold! The Art Of Relationship Sales” that spells out the theory that companies run by CEOs with a sales background outperform peer companies with CEOs who come up through other disciplines. You can find out more about the book here https://www.edarley.com/book-sold/ Paul is married to his high school sweetheart and together they are raising three daughters in Elmhurst, IL. Shownotes: 5:00 Intro to Gary and Pauls friendship 9:00 What friends do you want to speed 80% of your time with? 11:00 If your life is below a 7 out of 10 you’re going to have to talk about it 14:00 Grit is how you are able to survive for 110 years 25:00 The challenge of running a family business."Still go to classes at Northwestern every year and work outside of business for 3-5 years" 28:00 Growing from $12 million in 1997 to $200 million 29:00 60% of profits come from products we didnt have two years ago 32:00 How do you identify the right innovations to pursue? 33:30 Creating a work environment that gives millennials everything they need to succeed 39:00 Tell me about your education and how it benefited your business? 42:00 Where to look for great mentors 45:00 "No harder to go after a big deal than a small deal" 46:00 Questions to ask that help build rapport 49:00 Taking your business to the 5th generation 53:00 Profit sharing plan has created a lot of millionaires. 56:00 How to be world class through differentiation. 1:01:00 What are the most important causes? 1:05:00 When to start corporate responsibility 1:06:00 What did you want people to get out of your book? 1:12:00 Could you have built this company in any other country? 1:16:00 Advice to 34 year old Paul CEO

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “Praise publicly, coach privately” - Shelly Sun Shelly Sun is the CEO and Founder of BrightStar Group Holdings, Inc., the parent company of BrightStar Care® and BrightStar Senior Living & Memory Care. BrightStar Care® is a premium healthcare staffing company providing the full continuum of care, from homecare to supplemental staffing for corporate clients such as nursing homes and physicians. BrightStar Care is Ranked as the #1 Franchise in Investment Level by Forbes Shelly went "undercover" with BrightStar caregivers on CBS' "Undercover Boss" (featured April 17, 2011) They are also in the top 10 on the American Express Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Companies each year 2011-2015, and Shelly was named the 2009 IFA Entrepreneur of the Year. Shelly grew the BrightStar brand to over $300 million in system-wide sales in under 10 years since launching franchise early 2006 with OVER 300 locations throughout the U.S. Shelly also published her first book, Grow Smart, Risk Less, (http://growsmartriskless.com/) where she discusses her journey as an emerging franchisor through amazing growth, lessons learned and game-changing ideas. Shownotes: 3:30 How Shelly became an entrepreneur 10:30 How did you make the vision of what you wanted so clear? 13:44 Biggest differentiators 15:51 The value of incorporating processes 17:20 Where did you learn these entrepreneurial skills? 26:30 Important social skills to develop 29:55 How do you avoid getting a big ego after so much success? 38:55 When is the right time to start a new venture? 43:13 The importance of conflict 45:00 Shelly's 5 core values 45:52 Using core values to hire and fire 46:57 MENTION the book Traction 47:36 Most challenging core value to hold people accountable for 50:33 Where do you see Shelly Sun and Brightstar ten years from now? 54:43 MENTION Shelly's book grow smart risk less 58:00 When to hand off the reigns of your business? 1:00:09 What Shelly does outside of business 1:07:28 Quinton's Quick Takes

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to millions or even billions in value so if you feel any benefit from this episode please let us know by leaving an iTunes review, sharing this episode on social media and emailing a link to anyone you think would also find benefit here. Thank you. “The definition of leadership is credibility plus vision” - Dennis Barsema Dennis Barsema was previously the President and CEO of Redback Networks, where he led the company through rapid growth and one of the most successful IPOs in Wall Street history. Dennis has more than 30 years of executive experience in telecommunications, software, and optical networking. Dennis is the current Chairman of the Northern Illinois University Foundation and he has been a director on numerous non-profit boards, including Oportunidad Microfinanzas of Mexico, Se Mas (a microfinance institution) of Mexico, NEST (St. Louis), Collaboration Group, and Carpenters Place of Rockford, Illinois. He is also an advisor to the non-profit, microfinance organization, Opportunity International in Oak Brook, Illinois, Panzanzee, and the School of Business at Northern Illinois University, and is a past advisor to the School of Business at Santa Clara University in San Jose, California. 7:22 Overcoming a stutter 9:20 How Dennis got into the tech space 12:00 Most important mentors + role models. 14:32 Lessons learned from Dennis's upbringing 15:00 Definition of leadership is credibility plus vision 19:11 Dennis's first entrepreneurial experience 36:00 Keeping bridges unburned. 40:00 How to keep fear from making your decisions. 48:00 5th most successful IPO in the history of US companies 56:00 Biggest unfair advantages 1:02:00 Next opportunity after Redback - Blue Lane 1:09:00 The folly of pride 1:10:00 Live where your purpose is 1:17:43 How do you get people to like you? 1:18:50 How do you build your reputation? 1:23:00 What makes a great salesperson? 1:26:00 What do you want your legacy to be? 1:27:30 Quinton's True Takeaways Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO: Visit the DDCEO BLOG: https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ Follow DDCEO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DitchDiggerCEO Like DDCEO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchDiggerCEO Follow DDCEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitchDiggerCEO Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Px5ez_xe_oE_iJMMNIg

Check out https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/ for this week's TOP 8 Business Growth strategies and subscribe to our newsletter to download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business. Follow us on Instagram @DitchDiggerCEO (https://www.instagram.com/ditchdiggerceo/) for more helpful Business Growth tips. Our goal is to inspire everyone to start their own business and help you grow it to