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In this episode of Born Scrappy I sit down with Brett Ekart, Serial Entrepreneur, Owner of United Metals Recycling and the host of A Scrap Life podcast, for a masterclass in what it really means to grow. Not just bigger, but smarter, broader, and with the right people alongside you.

Brett has built one of the most diversified operations in the scrap industry. From eight scrapyards in Idaho and Oregon to pipe supply, trucking, tire recycling, property development, and media.

But this episode isn't just about the businesses he's built. It's about how he thinks, how he spots opportunities others miss, how he finds the right people to back, and why giving away equity is one of the best decisions he's ever made.

Raw, honest, and full of hard-won lessons. This is Brett Ekart unfiltered.

In this episode, we talk about:

👉 His growth philosophy
👉 Backing the right people
👉 Knowing when to say no
👉 Diversifying beyond the yard
👉 Sharing equity to build success
👉 Learning from your swings and misses
👉 And more!

Whether you're running one yard or thinking about your next move, this episode will challenge how you think about opportunity, people, and growth.

Born Scrappy.

Brought to you by Buddy.

The only all-in-one platform for buying, selling, and managing scrap metal.

Built for scrappies, by scrappies.



https://www.tradebuddy.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy/



WHO IS STU KAGAN ANYWAYS?

28 years in the metal recycling game and still learning and growing…

I learnt from the best and worked my way up from yard labourer to Executive Director of Trading and Operations for the largest metal recycler in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsible for 4,500 employees, 85 sites, and the overall profitability of a multi-billion dollar operation.

I brought my breadth and depth of knowledge to bear and co-founded the fastest growing, most-loved, and most awarded metal recycling company in New Zealand.

I thought it was time that tech worked for our industry, so I built THE killer scrap app, Buddy - built for scrappies, by scrappies.

Father of two crazy-awesome boys. Husband to Lisa. Kids rugby coach. YPO member. Founder. Lifelong learner. Mentee. Mentor. Committed Stoic. Aspiring cowboy.

COME SAY HI ON LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stukagan/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-scrappy/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradewithbuddy