In this episode of the Built Different podcast, Avo sits down with Mike Dardin, CEO of a logistics company doing over $75 million in annual sales. Mike shares his real, unfiltered journey from starting at the ground level of the produce and transportation industry to building and scaling a massive operation without a college degree. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what entrepreneurship actually looks like once the numbers get big.

Mike breaks down why most entrepreneurs fail long before they ever hit real scale, and it has nothing to do with talent or work ethic. They dive deep into delegation, control issues, trust, hiring mistakes, and the lies founders tell themselves that keep them stuck. Mike explains how trying to do everything yourself caps your growth, why trusting your team is non negotiable, and how letting go was the turning point in his business.

The conversation also covers the realities of being a CEO, including cash flow stress, payroll pressure, forecasting in volatile markets, and the weight of responsibility that comes with leading a large team. Mike shares how he manages stress through intense daily training, racing cars, and embracing risk as part of who he is both in business and life.

This episode is a must listen for entrepreneurs who want to scale, operators who feel trapped by their business, and anyone who believes success only comes through a traditional path. Mike's story proves that starting at the bottom, learning the business from the inside out, and executing relentlessly can outperform any shortcut.

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Guest: Mike Dardin IG @mikedardin Website: www.dardinilogistics.com