Ditch Digger CEO with Gary Rabine

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/

Dave Bolotsky (@UncommonGoods) is the founder and CEO of Uncommon Goods, a pioneering online marketplace known for its handcrafted, ethically made products and its people-first business model. A former Goldman Sachs retail analyst who traded spreadsheets for storytelling, Dave built Uncommon Goods from his New York apartment into one of the most values-driven eCommerce companies in America.

In this conversation with Gary Rabine, Dave shares the lessons he learned from icons like Sam Walton and Bernie Marcus, how he survived the dot-com crash, and why he believes business can — and must — be both profitable and purposeful.

In this episode, Gary and Dave discuss:

1. Building a business from the ground up with grit, values, and zero outside funding

2. How to lead through crisis — and why firing people taught him his most powerful leadership lesson

3. The culture of ownership: why Dave meets every new hire and gives employees a stake in success

4. Competing with Amazon through creativity, relationships, and exclusivity

5. The enduring impact of purpose-driven leadership and “shared prosperity”

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bolotsky/  

Website: https://www.uncommongoods.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncommongoods/  

X: https://x.com/uncommongoods 

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 Habeeb (@LeeHabeeb) is the creator and host of Our American Stories and one of the nation’s leading voices on storytelling, entrepreneurship, and the American Dream. In this powerful conversation with Gary Rabine, Lee dives deep into how great leaders and founders build enduring cultures, why incentives and recognition matter more than money alone, and how storytelling can unify both companies and the country.

In this episode, Gary and Lee discuss:

1. Why recognition matters as much as incentives

2. Culture doesn’t show up on the balance sheet

3. The Chick-fil-A principle

4. Storytelling as a leadership tool

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 Habeeb (@LeeHabeeb) is the creator and host of Our American Stories and one of the country’s leading voices on storytelling, entrepreneurship, and the American Dream. In this conversation with Gary Rabine, Lee explores how the power of story has shaped leaders, businesses, and even nations — and why founders and business owners must master it to build companies that last.

In this episode, Gary and Lee discuss:

1. The power of storytelling in business and leadership

2. Capitalism as a force for innovation

3. Integrity and incentives inside companies

4. The American Dream redefined

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/

Peter Griscom (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-g-350a21169/) is an Operating Partner and the Chief Executive Officer of Van Dyke Acquisitions, a boutique investment firm specializing in distressed mergers and acquisitions and turnaround opportunities. With over a decade of experience in the distressed investing sector, he focuses primarily on healthcare, consumer goods, and manufacturing.

In this episode, Gary, Dave, and Peter discuss:

1. Early hustle stories and DIY operations

2. Breaking into retail and scaling nationally

3. Embedding Christian values into business

4. Vision for legacy and long-term impact

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-g-350a21169/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/petergriscom  Website: https://vdacq.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

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/

Dave Durand (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davevdurand/) is currently the CEO of Leading Giants and Executive Chairman of Best Version Media, an international media company in Brookfield, Wisconsin. During Durand’s tenure as CEO, BVM was among the top 20 fastest-growing media companies in North America and the fastest-growing private company in Wisconsin of any type. In 2024, The Wall Street Journal publicized a BVM as one of the Top 100 Best & Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation.

In this episode, Gary and Dave discuss:

1. Business Exits and Second Bites at the Apple

2. Scaling “Dirty” Businesses with Innovation

3. Organic Growth vs. Acquisition Strategies

4. Entrepreneurship Without Industry Experience

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davevdurand/  

Twitter: https://x.com/durandondemand 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@durandondemand 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durandondemand/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Durandleadershipgroup/ 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/durand-on-demand/id1729237093 

Newsletter: https://leadinggiants.com/newsletter/ 

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JS7XPM 

Courses: https://leadinggiants.com/courses/the-ceo-giant-masterclass/ 

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/

Dave Durand (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davevdurand/) is currently the CEO of Leading Giants and Executive Chairman of Best Version Media, an international media company in Brookfield, Wisconsin. During Durand’s tenure as CEO, BVM was among the top 20 fastest-growing media companies in North America and the fastest-growing private company in Wisconsin of any type. In 2024, The Wall Street Journal publicized a BVM as one of the Top 100 Best & Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation.

In this episode, Gary and Dave discuss:

1. Business Exits and Second Bites at the Apple

2. Scaling “Dirty” Businesses with Innovation

3. Organic Growth vs. Acquisition Strategies

4. Entrepreneurship Without Industry Experience

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davevdurand/  

Twitter: https://x.com/durandondemand 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@durandondemand 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durandondemand/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Durandleadershipgroup/ 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/durand-on-demand/id1729237093 

Newsletter: https://leadinggiants.com/newsletter/ 

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JS7XPM 

Courses: https://leadinggiants.com/courses/the-ceo-giant-masterclass/ 

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/

Dr. Joel N. Myers (https://corporate.accuweather.com/company/about-us/dr-joel-myers/) is a proven visionary leader, founding AccuWeather in 1962 and successfully establishing it as the world's fastest growing and most trusted source of weather forecasts and warnings as well as a global leader in digital media. He has been recognized as one of the greatest entrepreneurs in American history in the Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Gary and Dr. Joel discuss:

1. What Happens When Your Business Saves Lives

2. How Accurate Data Can Save Your Business Thousands—Literally

3. 24,900 Rejections Later: The Relentless Path to 1 Billion Users

4. Deliver More Than You’re Paid For

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myersj/ 

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accuweather/ Website: https://www.accuweather.com/               joeymyers.com Twitter: https://x.com/accuweather YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/accuweather  Dr. Myers tedex talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkqyTJqgMU0 Recent interview at WEF in Davos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCoU3e-EgEg Interview in Medium.com about 5 Things I wish I knew before I began leading my company: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/accuweather-founder-dr-joel-n-myers-5-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-before-i-began-leading-my-comp-b956785dbcb8 

Press release on his book, Invisible Iceberg: When Weather and Climate Shaped History: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invisible-iceberg-when-climate-and-weather-shaped-history-by-accuweather-founder-dr-joel-n-myers-releasing-tuesday-january-16-2024-302035276.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accuweather/?hl=en

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/

Jose Herrera (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseherrerap/) is the CEO and Co-Founder of Horatio. Horatio is the trusted partner for some of the fastest-growing startups and enterprises in the world. Their on-brand customer support teams help them leverage CX as a revenue generator through personalized customer experience support. As seen on INC, Forbes, and Bloomberg, as well as the 2022 Customer Contact Week Next Generation Leaders Award recipient. Horatio is headquartered in New York City, with main offshore offices in Santo Domingo and Santiago, Dominican Republic.

In this episode, Gary and Jose discuss:

1. Do What You Do Best, Outsource the Rest

2. Helping Founders Scale with Documentation & Process

3. Why a Culture of Giving Builds Teams That Go Beyond the Paycheck

4. Profitability Is Not a Dirty Word: Rethinking Startup Growth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseherrerap/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jose.horatio/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/hire_horatio   Website: https://www.hirehoratio.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 

Download Gary’s 13 Keys to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Business from https://www.DitchDiggerCEO.com/

David Blake (https://degreed.com/) is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Degreed. Millions of individuals and hundreds of organizations use Degreed’s platform to discover and answer for all of their learning and skills. Prior to Degreed, he consulted on the launched a competency-based, accredited university and was a founding team member of university-admissions startup Zinch (acquired by NASDQ: CHGG).  David Blake operates at the intersection of the future of work and the future of politics. He is the founder of VICE.RUN, a national bipartisan reform movement to reclaim America's 12th Amendment right to democratically elect the Vice President. VICE.RUN is an answer to President Lincoln’s age-old call for new thinking and new solutions: “As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew…and then we shall save our country.”

In this episode, Gary and David discuss:

1. Jailbreaking the College Degree

2. The Future of Corporate Learning & Workforce Development

3. AI or Obsolescence

4. Why Founders Must Stay Politically Aware

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidblake/  

Website:           

(Company) https://degreed.com/            

(Blog) https://www.davidblake.com/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/davidblake 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidBlake 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidblake/ 

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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Gary Rabine and DDCEO on: