Growth Think Tank

On this episode of Grow Think Tank, Gene Hammett talks with Matthew Rooda, Founder/CEO of SwineTech (ranked No. 247 on the 2025 Inc. 5000), about the real challenges of scaling a business while keeping culture and customers front and center. Matthew shares lessons on why it's critical to address cultural issues early, build a strong foundation for sustainable growth, and truly understand what your customers want, especially in the meat industry. He also dives into the importance of honest customer discovery, hiring the right people, and creating a team environment where collaboration, ownership, and accountability thrive.

Matthew also shares practical tips on listening to your team, even in the small things, and why these simple wins can have a big impact on morale and engagement. He closes with advice for leaders on maintaining reasonable expectations, staying adaptable, and continually reinventing themselves and their businesses to navigate growth successfully. If you're a founder or CEO looking to scale without losing your culture or your sanity, this episode is full of actionable insights.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 4:12 The Journey of Swine Tech 9:31 Defining Scaling Smart 11:30 Building a Strong Foundation 15:56 Hiring the Right Talent 21:24 The Cost of Tolerating Culture 24:14 Key Takeaways for CEOs

Key Takeaways ✅Culture is foundational small issues left unchecked can derail growth. ✅True product-market fit comes from deeply understanding your customers' real problems. ✅Growth requires balance: business goals, customer satisfaction, and your team's well-being. ✅Hiring isn't just about talent; it's about mindset and alignment with your mission. ✅Small gestures, like payroll frequency or listening to feedback, can significantly improve morale. ✅Leaders must embrace flexibility, continuous learning, and reinvention to sustain growth.

If you're looking to scale your business without losing your culture or your mind, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lessons learned the hard way.

This episode is a must-listen for CEOs and executives looking to lead innovation with purpose, scale responsibly with AI, and build cultures where people feel empowered to think

About Matthew Rooda

Matthew Rooda is the Founder & CEO of SwineTech, an ag-tech company developing automation and data solutions to improve pig care and farm efficiency. He is also the host of the Popular Pig Podcast, where he interviews global leaders in the swine industry. Rooda has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and is an MBA graduate from Johns Hopkins University.

LinkedIn: Matthew Rooda (LinkedIn) Company Website: SwineTech Get In Touch with Matt: https://swinetechnologies.com/contact/

In this episode, I address key person risk for founders and CEOs, highlighting the importance of not having the business hinge on a single leader. I discuss strategies for creating robust systems and empowering teams to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance business value for investors. As a CEO coach, I emphasize transitioning to a team-driven culture that fosters stability and effective communication. I provide actionable insights to help leaders build sustainable growth that persists beyond their involvement.

0:09 Introduction to Key Person Risk 1:38 Understanding Your Value in Business 4:06 Transitioning from Work to People Focus 4:55 The Importance of Team-Driven Leadership 5:59 Exploring Solutions to Key Person Risk 6:40 Conclusion and Next Steps

If the success of a company depends heavily on one individual — often the founder or CEO — the business becomes less valuable to investors or buyers. A company that cannot operate smoothly without its leader signals higher risk, which typically leads to lower valuation multiples.

Gene challenges leaders to ask themselves a tough question: If you're the most valuable person in your company, how valuable is the company itself?

Reducing key person risk requires a shift in leadership identity. Instead of being the primary driver of sales, marketing, or operations, CEOs must transition from task-focused work to people-focused leadership.

This shift can be uncomfortable. Founders often feel they can do things faster or better themselves, which keeps them stuck in daily execution. But long-term growth depends on developing decision-makers across the organization.

Gene describes this transition as crossing a "leadership ravine" — moving from hands-on contributor to strategic leader who builds systems, confidence, and problem-solving capacity in others.

A business becomes more valuable when it is team-driven rather than founder-dependent. Investors and buyers look for:

• Strong leadership at multiple levels
• Clear communication and alignment systems
• Accountability structures
• Empowered employees who make decisions
• Processes that continue generating customers and results without the CEO's involvement

When these elements are in place, the company can operate smoothly even if the founder steps away — dramatically increasing scalability and valuation potential.

In this episode of Growth Think Tank, I chat with Peter, the CEO of Your Your Money Line, about People First Leadership and its role in enhancing organizational success. We discuss the vital link between employee well-being and performance, highlighting financial health as a key stress reducer. Peter emphasizes the importance of empathy, accountability, and open communication in fostering a supportive team culture, leading to improved collaboration and reduced turnover. Our conversation reveals that prioritizing people is both a moral and strategic necessity for sustainable growth in businesses.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 4:08 The Importance of Financial Well-being 6:25 Defining People First Leadership 7:47 Building a People First Culture 12:10 Values That Shape Leadership 16:02 Challenges in Implementing Leadership Values 22:22 The Impact on Bottom Line

Key Takeaways ➤󠁯People-first leadership drives performance. ➤󠁯Employee financial stress directly impacts productivity. ➤󠁯Empathy is a leadership skill, not a personality trait. ➤󠁯Growth requires courage and accountability. ➤󠁯Feedback is an act of care. ➤󠁯Culture and accountability must coexist. ➤󠁯Retention is the clearest ROI of people-first leadership.

About Peter Dunn: Peter Dunn (aka Pete the Planner) is an award-winning financial expert and leader in financial wellness. As CEO and founder of Your Money Line, he has helped shape the employee financial-benefits space. A longtime columnist for USA TODAY, author of multiple books, and host of Pete the Planner Show, Dunn is a trusted national voice on money and workplace financial health. He has also been named one of Indiana's most influential leaders by the Indiana Business Journal.

How to Connect with Peter Dunn: LinkedIn: Peter Dunn https://www.linkedin.com/in/petetheplanner/ Company Website: Your Money Line https://www.yourmoneyline.com Blog & Media: https://www.yourmoneyline.com/hr-and-benefits-resources

In this episode, I discuss the evolution of CEO leadership, emphasizing that "What got you here won't get you there," as introduced by Marshall Goldsmith. I share insights from over 800 interviews, focusing on the need for leaders to adapt their mindsets and strategies as their businesses scale. Through a client's growth story, I highlight the importance of strategic shifts and personnel changes to meet new challenges. I encourage leaders to continuously reassess their approaches and balance operational tasks with empowering their teams, reinforcing that effective leadership is a dynamic and evolving journey.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

3:28 The Challenge of Growth 5:52 Evolving as a Leader 7:14 The Importance of Transformation 8:38 Conclusion and Next Steps

Key Takeaways

• What helps you start a business can eventually slow its growth • Scaling requires upgrading your team, strategy, and leadership mindset • Complexity grows faster than most CEOs expect • The best leaders evolve early — not when things break • A CEO's real job is building leaders, not doing everything themselves

Resources & Next Steps

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

In this episode, I speak with Kirsten Baker, CEO of Jeenie, Inc. (ranked No. 271 in 2025), a platform dedicated to breaking down language barriers through live interpretation. We explore the powerful intersection of AI innovation and the irreplaceable human element required for meaningful communication. Kirsten shares her perspective on building a culture of innovation, highlighting collaboration, embracing failure as a learning tool, and leading with purpose. We also discuss Jeenie's mission-driven approach to leadership, the importance of hiring for values alignment, and the successes of managing a diverse, fully remote team. Our conversation offers a compelling look at the future of Jeenie and underscores how effective leadership empowers people, nurtures creativity, and drives collective innovation.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 2:08 Leading Innovation 10:23 Core Leadership Principles 16:35 Embracing AI in Business 17:35 Creating a Culture of Innovation 23:20 Wrapping Up Insights

Follow me on Twitter @genehammett Website: www.genehammett.com

About Kirsten Baker Kirsten Brecht Baker is CEO & Co-Founder of Jeenie, an AI+Human multilingual and multicultural platform powering the next generation of smart-tech and AI for more inclusive communication. A Wharton MBA and serial entrepreneur, she has built and scaled ventures across SaaS, tech, and global market development. She is an Ernst & Young 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year, and made the top lists of Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company for leading in equity, innovation, and human connection. She is also a member of YPO, the SAFE-AI Task Force, INC. Leadership Forum, and Fast Company's Impact Council.

How to Connect with Kirsten Baker: LinkedIn: Kirsten Baker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-brecht-baker/ Company Website: Jeenie, Inc. https://jeenie.com/

Resources & Next Steps Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

🌐 Explore More: training.coreelevation.com 🎧 Listen to the Full Episode: Growth Think Tank Podcast

In this episode, I explore the concept of the Multiplier CEO and how this leadership model differs from the traditional, operationally driven approach. I share why sustainable growth requires a mindset shift from doing everything yourself to empowering and developing the people around you. As businesses scale, leaders who invest in their teams reduce micromanagement, relieve burnout, and unlock collective performance. I also announce a free training for CEOs focused on overcoming burnout and building businesses that thrive without constant founder involvement. This episode is an invitation to adopt the multiplier mindset for long-term, scalable success.

1:55 Shift from Operator to Multiplier 2:55 The Role of a CEO Coach 4:17 Developing Leadership Across the Company 4:56 Upcoming Free Training Invitation

Most CEOs approach growth by working harder, refining strategy, or hiring more people. While these tactics can create short-term gains, they often lead to burnout, time scarcity, and rising costs. Operator-style leadership eventually hits a ceiling; there are only so many hours in a day, and only so much energy to give. True, sustainable growth requires a different lens. The real constraint isn't effort, strategy, or headcount, it's how the CEO shows up as a leader.

A Multiplier CEO shifts focus from "What can I do?" to "How do I engage and develop my team?" Instead of solving every problem personally, they build alignment, strengthen leadership systems, and empower others to make decisions. This mindset allows the business to grow beyond the founder. Small improvements come from working harder, but long-term, scalable growth comes from multiplying the capability and ownership of the entire organization.

Multiplier CEOs intentionally develop leaders across the company so the business no longer depends on a single hero. They create shared leadership language, accountability systems, and decision-making frameworks that enable people to lead confidently. When leadership is distributed, CEOs regain space to think strategically, step away when needed, and avoid burnout. This episode isn't a how-to; it's an invitation to reflect. If growth feels heavy or burnout is creeping in, it may be time to embrace the multiplier shift.

• Sustainable growth doesn't come from working harder it comes from multiplying leadership and capability across your team.
• Operator-style leadership creates short-term gains but eventually leads to burnout, time constraints, and rising costs.
• Multiplier CEOs shift their focus from solving problems themselves to engaging, developing, and empowering others.
• Hiring alone is not leverage; leadership systems, alignment, and accountability create true scale.
• Businesses that grow beyond the founder are built by developing leaders at every level—not by relying on a single hero.
• Adopting the multiplier mindset allows CEOs to step back from day-to-day operations and focus on long-term impact.

Ideal For: Founders, CEOs, executives, managers, and anyone committed to elevating their leadership capacity.

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

Explore More: training.coreelevation.com Listen to the Full Episode: Growth Think Tank Podcast

Join me for a conversation with Kevin Zerber, co-founder of TreeRing Inc. 5000 company ranked No. 3200 in 2025 that is redefining the yearbook experience through technology and innovation. Kevin shares how adaptive leadership has guided TreeRing from its earliest days, with an emphasis on continuous improvement, curiosity, and customer-driven personalization. We discuss how the company successfully pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain service continuity, as well as how fostering mentorship and an adaptive culture fuels both innovation and employee growth. Kevin also explains how integrating technology and data enhances efficiency and the customer experience while staying true to TreeRing's core values, offering practical insights for leaders looking to modernize traditional industries and build resilient organizations.

0:58 The Importance of Adaptive Leadership 2:29 Understanding TreeRing's Journey 8:50 Exploring Adaptive Leadership Principles 14:51 Mentoring for Employee Growth 18:08 Technology and Cultural Alignment 23:30 Adapting Through Challenges 23:52 Closing Insights on Adaptive Leadership

In this episode, I speak with Kevin Zerber, co-founder of TreeRing, about how adaptive leadership has shaped the company's evolution over nearly 17 years. Kevin explains how a commitment to continuous improvement has been foundational to TreeRing's success, emphasizing that excellence is never a fixed destination. By embracing adaptability and ongoing innovation, TreeRing has built a resilient organization capable of learning, evolving, and thriving in a changing market.

Kevin shares how TreeRing entered the yearbook market as a disruptor, challenging the one-size-fits-all model with a technology-driven, personalized approach. TreeRing's platform empowers families to customize yearbooks, enabling individual storytelling and deeper engagement. We explore how innovation and thoughtful design have allowed TreeRing to deliver high-quality yearbooks that better reflect today's students and communities.

We conclude by discussing the importance of curiosity, mentorship, and continuous learning within teams. Kevin explains how fostering an adaptive culture encourages creative problem-solving and supports employee growth. He also shares how TreeRing leverages technology, data, and AI to scale efficiently while staying true to its core values, sustainability commitments, and customer experience.

True leadership is built on trust, and trust is earned by doing what you say you will do. Austin shares how leading by example shapes culture, influences behavior, and reinforces standards throughout the organization. As leaders mature, they must also learn to let go of micromanagement and release attachment to perfect outcomes. There is no flawless business—only leaders who care deeply, persist through challenges, and remain committed to developing themselves and their teams.

• Adaptive leadership enables organizations to respond effectively to disruption while maintaining long-term vision.
• Continuous improvement is an ongoing journey, not a one-time initiative.
• Personalization and technology can successfully modernize even the most traditional industries.
• Rapid pivots during crises can create new growth opportunities when guided by strong leadership principles.
• Cultivating curiosity, mentorship, and learning drives both innovation and employee development.
• Leveraging data and AI can improve efficiency and customer experience without compromising core values.

About Kevin Zerber: Kevin Zerber is the co-founder and CEO of TreeRing, a technology company transforming the traditional yearbook industry through personalization, sustainability, and innovation. With decades of experience in software engineering and technology leadership, Kevin has guided TreeRing's growth by applying adaptive leadership principles, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on customer experience.

How to Connect with Kevin Zerber:

LinkedIn: Search for Kevin Zerber on LinkedIn for professional updates and leadership insights Company Website: Visit TreeRing.com to learn more about the company, its mission, and leadership team TreeRing Blog & Media: Kevin's perspectives are often featured through TreeRing's content and interviews

Resources & Next Steps

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, I tackle the often-ignored topic of blame in the workplace. I highlight how attributing performance issues to employees or external factors can impede both personal and organizational growth. Drawing from my experience coaching CEOs, I emphasize the importance of self-awareness in leadership and the need to confront uncomfortable truths. Leaders are encouraged to reflect on their roles, recognizing that the solution often lies in their own leadership approach rather than their teams. I provide insights on fostering engagement and redefining company culture, stressing that personal accountability is key to effective business management. Listeners are invited to join a training program aimed at empowering leaders to move beyond blame and embrace growth through intentional action.

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, Gene Hammett sits down with Austin Yarborough, founder of Central Coast Moving, ranked No. 2,278 on the Inc. 5000 list, to explore the power of leadership and continuous improvement. Austin shares how high standards, self-awareness, and leading by example have been essential in scaling his business, attracting A players, and building a strong organizational culture.

Discover Austin's practical strategies for:

• Embracing Kaizen principles: getting 1% better every day

• Leveraging social media to build trust, not just chase clients

• Tracking progress for personal and professional growth

• Leading by example to influence culture and team performance

• Letting go of micromanagement while maintaining high standards

If you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or leader looking to grow your business and become a better leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Connect with Austin Yarborough:

• Central Coast Moving: https://centralcoastmoving.com

• Instagram: @centralcoastmoving | @officialaustinarybrough

• The Moving Army: https://www.themovingarmy.com

Subscribe for more leadership insights, growth strategies, and interviews with founders of the fastest-growing companies: [Subscribe Link]

Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Why continuous improvement matters 3:11 – Building trust through social media 5:50 – Core principles of leadership 7:52 – The journey of continuous improvement 12:20 – Transforming leadership skills 14:06 – Leading by example 18:47 – Letting go of the outcome 20:21 – Closing thoughts

Keywords / Tags: Leadership, Continuous Improvement, CEO Growth, Kaizen, Central Coast Moving, Inc 5000, Attracting A Players, Leadership Development, Business Scaling, Executive Coaching

In this episode, I share critical year-end reflections for growth-stage CEOs, especially those leading organizations of around 20 employees. As companies scale, leadership must shift from personal execution to empowering others and ensuring the business can thrive even in the leader's absence. I walk through seven powerful reflection questions designed to accelerate leadership growth, from identifying your highest-impact actions to confronting avoided conversations and evaluating how well you're adapting to what the future demands. This episode challenges leaders to lead with courage, rethink their approach for the year ahead, and strengthen both self-awareness and organizational health. All reflection questions are included in the show notes for easy reference.

3:09 Seven Reflection Questions for CEOs 6:33 Exploring Leadership Identity Changes 7:16 Leading with Courage in the New Year 7:54 First Steps to Empower Your Team 9:00 Closing Thoughts and Final Reflections

In this episode, I guide growth-stage CEOs through a critical year-end reflection often missed during scale, especially around the 20-employee mark. As leadership demands increase, success is no longer about doing more yourself, but about building a business that can move forward without your constant presence. The episode challenges leaders to confront a simple but sobering truth: "If nothing changes in how you lead, this is exactly where your company will be next year."

Through seven focused reflection questions, I help CEOs evaluate where their leadership truly creates leverage, where it limits growth, and what must change to build a healthier, more scalable organization.

The 7 Reflection Questions

1. The Leverage Audit Which 20% of your leadership actions created 80% of your company's momentum this year?
2. The Impact Test Where did your leadership create meaningful growth in others, not just results? Who became more capable because you led differently?
3. The Avoided Conversation What is the one conversation if addressed that would most reduce friction and free you as the CEO?
4. The Capacity Gap Is the way you're currently leading sustainable for the next stage of growth?
5. The CEO Identity Shift As your company grows, which parts of your founder identity are no longer serving you? Who must you become for the business to grow beyond you?
6. The Courage Move If you were willing to lead with more courage, not more effort, what would you do differently in the first 90 days of the new year?
7. The First Shift What is the first leadership behavior you will stop, start, or delegate in the next week to reinforce a business that doesn't depend on you?

Closing Reflection

If nothing changes in how you lead, where will your company and your energy be this time next year?

All reflection questions are included here for easy reference.

• Growth-stage CEOs often become the bottleneck around the 20-employee mark; scaling requires a shift from personal execution to leadership leverage.
• If your leadership approach does not change as the company grows, it will eventually limit both organizational performance and your personal energy.
• Effective leadership is measured not by how much you do, but by how well others perform and grow in your absence.
• Identifying the small set of leadership actions that drive the majority of results creates clarity, focus, and momentum.
• Avoided conversations are often the hidden source of organizational friction and CEO overload.
• The leadership style that helped you reach this stage may not be the one required for the next phase of growth.
• Courage not increased effort is the defining factor in meaningful leadership evolution.
• Small, intentional behavior shifts (what you stop, start, or delegate) can rapidly increase organizational independence.
• Year-end reflection is not passive; when done well, it becomes a strategic act that shapes the company's future.
• Sustainable growth depends on building a business that can operate and win without relying on the CEO's constant presence.

Ideal For: Founders, CEOs, executives, managers, and anyone committed to elevating their leadership capacity.

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.