Never in Reverse

In episode 39 of the "Never in Reverse" podcast, hosts Jeremy Axel and Doug Cox break down the truth about hiring your first employee and why it’s not always the success milestone people think it is.

They share real-world lessons on what can go wrong and right when bringing someone onto your team, from hiring friends or family to setting clear expectations and avoiding early hiring mistakes.

If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, or small business owner, this episode delivers practical insights on leadership, accountability, and team building, helping you make smarter hiring decisions that actually support your growth.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00)  The Gamble of the First Hire
Discussing the misconception of the first hire as a milestone, emphasizing it's actually a significant gamble for entrepreneurs.

(00:00:19) Introduction 

(00:01:23) The Excitement and Fallacy of the First Hire 
Exploring the emotional high and unrealistic expectations entrepreneurs have when making their first hire.

(00:02:23) Delegation and Lack of Structure 
Challenges of delegating responsibilities without clear structure or expectations for the new hire.

(00:03:04) Personal Experiences with First Hires 
Hosts share their own stories about hiring too early and the lack of preparation and clarity.

(00:05:09) The Importance of Setting Expectations 
Discussing how crucial it is to set clear expectations and follow through with accountability for new hires.

(00:07:09) Risks and Costs of Hiring Too Early 
Examining the dangers of premature hiring, including ego, onboarding costs, and lack of readiness.

(00:09:22) Delegation, Trust, and Maturity 
The need for maturity, trust, and proper delegation as the business grows beyond startup mode.

(00:10:50) Goal Setting and Alignment 
Importance of having clear short- and long-term goals and ensuring new hires align with them.

(00:12:32) Firing Fast and Avoiding Dead Weight 
Learning to let go of underperforming employees quickly to maintain a healthy company culture.

(00:13:55) Loyalty, Friendship, and Business Boundaries 
Navigating the complexities of hiring friends, maintaining boundaries, and separating business from personal relationships.

(00:16:07) Hiring Friends and Family: Pitfalls and Growth 
Reflecting on the challenges and necessary maturity when hiring friends or family members.

(00:19:12) The Resume vs. Reality 
Warning about the gap between a candidate’s resume/interview and their actual performance in a startup environment.

(00:21:34) Dealing with Bad Hires and Firing 
Sharing experiences with bad hires, the importance of reviews, and the difficulty of firing employees.

(00:23:33) Growth Stages and Team Evolution 
Discussing business growth milestones and the need for team members to evolve and level up with the company.

(00:25:59) Evaluating Fit and Employee Aspirations 
Encouraging honest conversations about whether the company is the right vehicle for employees’ personal goals.

(00:27:42) Letting Go and Maintaining Culture 
Recognizing when team members are no longer growing with the company and the importance of maintaining a strong culture.

(00:29:32) Listening to the Team and Making Changes 
The value of feedback from employees and making necessary changes to support collective growth.

(00:30:02) Final Thoughts and Practical Hiring Tips 
Concluding advice: treat the first hire as a gamble, be strategic, check references, and consider trial periods.

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FOLLOW US
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeverInReverse
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39zLUYtDfBDVkbeLAVuTcI
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/never-in-reverse/id1756324120
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01bdb6c8-fbc3-47c8-b47f-c1f640360356/never-in-reverse.

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CONNECT WITH US:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverinreverse/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/neverinreverse
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neverinreverse
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@neverinreverse1?_t=8rbZo6eWaJq&_r=1
Website: https://neverinreverse.com/

In this insightful episode of Never in Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel sits down with Joe Dillon, a divorce mediation pioneer and co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, to challenge the biggest misconception about divorce.

With 17 years of experience, an MBA in finance, and advanced training from Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern, Joe brings both heart and strategy to the discussion. He shares how mediation empowers couples to make emotionally and financially sound decisions outside the courtroom, protecting families, sanity, and futures.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:02:50) Joe Dillon's Background and Credentials
(00:03:11) Joe Dillon's Experience in Corporate Publishing
(00:04:21) Joe Dillon's Background and Transition to Mediation
(00:05:10) Personal Experiences with Divorce
(00:05:40) The Lack of Art and Integrity in Disruption and Personal Experiences with Divorce
(00:06:15) Relationships and the Win-Lose Mindset
(00:06:50) Personal Perspectives and Podcast Discovery
(00:07:47) Joe's Music Listening Habits and Discovery of the Podcast
(00:08:41) Introduction to Joe Dillon's Expertise and Background
(00:09:27) Joe Dillon's Motivation and Perspective on Conflict Resolution
(00:10:00) Commonalities and a Personal Story in Hong Kong
(00:11:35) The Impact of Mediation and Personal Experiences
(00:13:08) Personal Growth and Perspective
(00:13:49) Misconceptions About Divorce
(00:20:38) Agreement and Integrity in Negotiation
(00:21:46) Dynamics in Conflict Resolution and Personal Impact
(00:23:01) Personal Discovery and Addressing Past Insecurities
(00:24:15) Understanding Childhood Perspectives and Professional Parallels
(00:25:30) Mediation and Personal Responsibility
(00:26:45) The Mediator's Role and Future Trends
(00:27:35) The Impact of AI on Mediation
(00:31:40) Advice for Newlyweds: Prenups and Financial Compatibility
(00:32:52) Family and Career Considerations
(00:34:06) Importance of Clear Agreements and Addressing Difficult Times
(00:35:22) Advice for those going through a divorce
(00:36:37) Concluding Remarks and Guest Information

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CONNECT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOE DILLON
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Instagram:   / equitablemediation 
Facebook:  

In this episode of Never in Reverse, hosts Jeremy Axel and Doug Cox explore the real-world challenges and breakthroughs shaping today’s supply chains. From the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the ripple effects of global tariff wars, they share how businesses can stay agile and thrive through uncertainty.

They discuss the value of building diverse partnerships and why proactive risk management matters now more than ever. Jeremy and Doug also highlight how data, automation, and transparent vendor relationships, including on-site visits and due diligence, help companies build supply chains that are stronger and more adaptable.

Full of practical advice and honest insights, this episode shows how every disruption can become a chance to grow and innovate.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Overview of the episode’s focus: real-world supply chain crises, ignored red flags, and innovations turning bottlenecks into breakthrough

(00:01:14) Personal Experiences and COVID-19 Lessons 

Hosts share personal stories from COVID-19, highlighting vulnerabilities like single-source dependencies and lack of diversification

(00:03:55)  Impact of Tariff Wars and Ongoing Supply Chain Struggles 

Discussion of recent tariff wars, ongoing supply chain pressures, and the importance of supplier diversification.

(00:06:43) Risks of Single-Source and Specialized Vendors 

Exploring challenges with unique, patented, or single-source components and the pain of limited vendor options.

(00:09:10) Leveraging Data and Automation in Supply Chains 

How historical data and automation can improve purchasing decisions, planning, and vendor communication.

(00:10:13) Proactive Vendor Communication and Planning 

Emphasizing the need for proactive engagement with suppliers and learning from past disruptions.

(00:10:36) Vendor Relationships and the Importance of Diversification 

The value of strong vendor relationships, diversification, and learning from chip shortages in automotive supply chains.

(00:12:34) Automating and Structuring Supply Chain Data 

Benefits of automating data, creating unified systems, and supporting both urgent and planned customer needs.

(00:15:38) Understanding Vendor Vulnerabilities and Customer Impact 

Encouraging open conversations with vendors about their constraints to better serve customers and avoid losing business.

(00:16:43) Site Visits and Vendor Validation 

The importance of on-site vendor visits, looking beyond marketing, and validating capabilities before committing.

(00:19:24) Building Trust and Avoiding Marketing Traps 

Why direct references and transparency matter more than flashy marketing or case studies in vendor selection.

(00:23:11) Final Takeaways: Diversification, Validation, and Seamless Partnerships

Key advice: diversity suppliers, validate vendors, automate data, and build seamless, trustworthy supply chain partnerships.

CONNECT WITH US:

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In episode 37 of "Never in Reverse Podcast," hosts Jeremy Axel and Douglas Cox explore the challenges founders face with delegation. They discuss how holding on to control leads to burnout, bottlenecks, and stunted growth. Through personal stories and practical advice, they emphasize the importance of trusting the right team, setting clear processes, and allowing room for mistakes.

The hosts highlight that effective delegation is key to scaling a business, improving morale, and fostering innovation, urging leaders to let go, empower their teams, and focus on strategic growth rather than micromanagement.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) The Hidden Danger of Founder Control
Why companies fail due to founders’ need for control; delegation as survival, not surrender.

(00:01:55) Delegation as a Breaking Point
Jeremy shares a personal story about reaching a health crisis due to a lack of delegation.

(00:02:44) Building the Right Team & Guardrails
Importance of having the right people and setting clear brand guardrails for effective delegation.

(00:04:14) Letting Go of Insecurity and Control
Jeremy discusses insecurity as a root cause for not delegating and learning to trust team's abilities.

(00:05:50) Risks of Micromanagement and Bottlenecks
How micromanagement creates bottlenecks, stifles growth, and impacts organizational processes.

(00:07:32) Personal and Operational Costs of Control
Negative effects of excessive control on health, family, and business operations.

(00:09:44) Trust, Accountability, and Avoiding Micromanagement
Balancing trust and accountability; why micromanagement is unsustainable as a business scales.

(00:12:06) The Bottleneck of Approval & Process Design
How approval bottlenecks slow progress; need for clear processes to empower teams.

(00:13:05) Permission to Fail and Team Involvement
Allowing team members to fail and learn; importance of involving others in decision-making.

(00:14:38) Attention to Detail vs. Speed
Balancing speed and quality; risks of repeated mistakes due to lack of clarity or detail.

(00:15:40) Impact of Control on Team Morale
How lack of delegation drains team morale, trust, and process efficiency.

(00:16:33) Leadership Gaps and Departmental Friction
Problems caused by poor leadership at various levels have resulted in interdepartmental friction.

(00:18:06) Delegation and Elevation
Jeremy’s mantra: “Delegate and elevate”; need for transparency and clarity in delegation.

(00:18:52) Delegation Structure and Bandwidth
Creating non-paralyzing delegation structures; ensuring team members have the capacity for new tasks.

(00:19:58) Delegation Audit and Bottlenecks
Conducting delegation audits to identify bottlenecks and wasted time; real-world example of firing due to bottlenecking.

(00:22:04) Encouraging Fast Failure and Learning
Preferring quick action and learning from mistakes over slow, perfectionist approaches.

(00:22:18) Delegation’s Effect on Customer and Employee Experience
How poor delegation impacts morale, customer service, and business results.

(00:23:04) Letting Go and Trusting the Team
Encouragement to let go, trust the team, and reevaluate roles if delegation fails.

(00:24:20) Final Thoughts: Stop Micromanaging
Summary advice: delegate, trust, fix systems, and avoid micromanagement for business and personal growth.

FOLLOW US
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Apple Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01bdb6c8-fbc3-47c8-b47f-c1f640360356/never-in-reverse

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverinreverse/
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In Episode 36 of "Never In Reverse Podcast," host Jeremy Axel and co-host Douglas Cox discuss how sales teams can adapt and succeed during economic downturns. They share strategies for maintaining deal flow, morale, and credibility, emphasizing the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and saying "no" to clients who are not a good fit. 

The conversation highlights the importance of grit, adaptability, and prioritizing quality over quantity. Real-world stories and practical tips illustrate how aligning sales promises with company capabilities and building authentic relationships help sales professionals weather tough times and thrive in challenging markets.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) Introduction and Episode Overview 

(00:01:05) Sales Vulnerability and Honesty 

Emphasizing vulnerability, honesty, and saying "no" in sales to build trust and protect credibility.

(00:03:24) Aligning Sales Promises with Delivery

Discussing the importance of matching sales promises with operational capabilities and being transparent with customers.

(00:06:30) Personal Brand and Long-Term Relationships 

How personal brand and reputation are shaped by honesty and long-term relationship building in sales.

(00:07:34) People Before Profit Philosophy 

Advocating for prioritizing relationships over commissions for sustainable sales success.

(00:08:10) Building Deeper Customer Connections 

The value of trust, problem-solving, and personal connection in modern sales environments.

(00:09:10) Standing Up to Unethical Sales Pressure 

Stories about resisting leadership pressure to close bad deals and maintaining personal ethics.

(00:12:02) Pre-Qualifying Questions and Transparency 

Using budget, timeline, and decision-maker questions to pre-qualify leads and ensure transparency.

(00:14:20) Wasted Time on Poor-Fit Leads 

Statistics and anecdotes about the high percentage of time wasted on leads that don’t fit.

(00:15:52) Revenue-Generating Activities and Time Management 

Advice on calculating your worth, focusing on revenue-generating activities, and aligning time with goals.

(00:20:20) Grit vs. Natural Talent in Sales 

Comparing the value of grit and adaptability versus natural charisma in sales performance.

(00:23:35) Learning from Top Performers 

Encouraging learning from successful peers, mentors, and always adding new skills to your sales toolkit.

(00:28:10) Continuous Improvement and Industry Learning 

The importance of ongoing learning from others’ experiences and adapting through market changes.

(00:28:36) Recap and Final Advice 

Summary of key points: honor your time, be diligent, adapt, and focus on relationships over transactions.

(00:29:21) Belief in Product and Career Alignment 

Stressing the need to believe in what you sell and aligning your career with your values.

CONNECT WITH US:

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

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

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/never-in-reverse/

In episode 35 of the Never Reverse Podcast, hosts Jeremy Axel and Douglas Cox dive deep into the real-world impact of process improvement, automation, and operational efficiency in modern organizations. Discover why some leaders resist change, often driven by fear, ego, or insecurity, and how this resistance can stall growth, fracture team morale, and cost companies thousands every month. 

Jeremy and Douglas share actionable insights on recognizing leadership weaknesses, investing in the right people, and building a culture that embraces adaptability and innovation. They discuss the pitfalls that occur when a sales team's growth outpaces its infrastructure, and why proactive leaders must champion new technologies and process improvements to avoid chaos and inefficiency.

Listen for practical strategies, including:
- Overcoming leadership stonewalling and resistance to change
- Harnessing automation to streamline operations without losing the human touch
- Creating scalable, repeatable processes for long-term growth
- Identifying the hidden costs of inefficiency and fragmented systems
- Fostering accountability and clarity through process mapping and data-driven decision-making

Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or aspiring manager, this episode will empower you to drive operational efficiency and process improvement without sacrificing your team’s humanity. 

Timestamps:
[00:00:07] Intro & Banter
[00:02:15] Transition to Podcast Topic
[00:03:38] Leadership Stonewalling & Resistance
[00:04:38] Frontline Feedback & Organizational Stagnation
[00:06:38] Recognizing and Overcoming Stonewalling
[00:07:34] Decision-Making & Research Pitfalls
[00:07:59] Leadership Insecurity & Ego
[00:08:32] Outdated Investments & Resistance to Change
[00:09:39] Ego, Image, and Internal Investment
[00:10:30] Strong vs. Weak Leadership
[00:12:44] Recognizing Leadership Weaknesses
[00:13:28] Culture of Stagnation & Competition
[00:13:56] Sales Team Challenges & Stonewalling
[00:14:23] Leadership’s Unrealistic Expectations
[00:16:14] Navigating Internal Challenges as a Leader
[00:17:05] Automation, Processes, and Human Element
[00:17:24] Proactive vs. Reactive Management
[00:17:56] Fragmented Systems & Implementation Resistance
[00:19:13] Integration & Data Transparency
[00:21:06] Critical Thinking & Continuous Improvement
[00:21:48] Automating for Growth & Personal Development
[00:23:08] Maintaining Humanity in Business
[00:23:22] Reality of Scaling & Automation
[00:25:12] Alignment & Data-Driven Processes
[00:26:02] Decision-Making Agility
[00:26:10] Hidden Costs of Inefficiency
[00:27:08] Automation vs. Adding Headcount
[00:27:53] Accountability & Broken Processes
[00:29:12] Process Mapping & Customer Experience

Connect with Us:
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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/neverinreverse
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/never-in-reverse/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@neverinreverse1?_t=8rbZo6eWaJq&_r=1

In this episode of Never in Reverse Podcast, Jeremy Axel and Doug Cox dismantle the myth of overnight business success and reveal what really happens behind the highlight reel. Discover why the real journey to success is shaped by the ongoing battle of luck vs. grind, and why those instant wins you see in the media are rarely the whole story. 

We dive into:
- How highlight reels and media hype distort the realities of business success
- The importance of persistence, resilience, and long-term effort over chasing perfection
- The hidden balance of luck vs. grind in every success story
- Surprising stats about how long real business success actually takes

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by someone else’s highlight reel or wondered if you’re falling behind, this episode will inspire you to embrace the unglamorous, powerful truth: business success is earned through hard work, setbacks, and determination far from the overnight sensation it’s made out to be.

What if the biggest obstacle in your business isn’t the market, the competition, or even your resources but your own ego? In this episode of Never In Reverse, we dig into how unchecked pride and bad habits can quietly sabotage a team, a vision, and even an entire company. From shady influences to leadership blind spots, we pull back the curtain on the hidden dangers that can bring down even the strongest business if left unaddressed.

But it’s not all warning signs we also dive into practical solutions. You’ll hear how to balance ego with humility, why leaders must lead by example, and how building mutual understanding with your team creates lasting success. From putting the right people in the right roles, to embracing feedback, to continually learning beyond what you once knew, this episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is about growth, collaboration, and lifting others up as you move forward together.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction to Never In Reverse Ep 33

[3:11] The ego in leadership, hosts share their bad habits, thoughts, and how business team leaders need to call each other out from time to time.

[6:00] The difference between ego and passion

[7:20] Owners need to lead by example

[8:50] having humility within your own ego to keep growing

[11:43] Have an understanding with your team - things cannot be one sided

[13:23] Get the right people in the right seats.

[15:00] How feedback can make us great

[17:32] Know your people, know you team

[19:00] Keep learning up-to-date material, not just what you learned in college

[22:10] Step in and help, no matter your rule because rules don’t really matter

[26:20] Owners and employees should work to better each other

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Every entrepreneur hits walls, but it doesn’t mean the dream is over. In this episode, we dive into the real challenges of building a business—from financial hurdles to early failures—and share practical ways to rise stronger. You’ll hear why mentorship matters, how rushing only creates setbacks, and why embracing the hard moments is part of the journey. If your passion has ever felt like a burden, this conversation will remind you that rock bottom isn’t the end—it’s the foundation for your comeback.

For more detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

[0:00] Introduction 

[2:00] Every phase is different - the financial side of starting up

[8:25] Accept help from mentors

[11:00] Failing at first is okay

[16:14] Rushing just causes a headache

[24:26] We can do hard things

FOLLOW US:

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Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/never-in-reverse/

Website: https://neverinreverse.com/