In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Dustin Singer out of Pittsburgh for one of the most powerful conversations we've had on the show. Dustin's story is a real-time example of what happens when personal growth finally catches up to business ambition—and how everything changes when it does.
We unpack how Dustin doubled his revenue, doubled his team, and expanded into commercial real estate in a single year—not by working more hours, but by rebuilding himself as a leader. From losing 50 pounds and reclaiming his discipline to implementing simple KPIs, building the right team, and running his business like a pilot flies a plane, this episode is proof that business growth follows personal growth every time.
Timeline Summary:
[0:00] – Dustin's background and diversified investing business in Pittsburgh
[2:45] – Why commercial real estate became his new focus
[4:00] – Doubling revenue and contract volume year over year
[5:30] – The turning point: prioritizing health and personal discipline
[7:00] – Losing 50 pounds and rebuilding energy, focus, and confidence
[9:00] – Why leadership starts with how you treat your body
[11:00] – The first 90 days: regaining momentum and decisiveness
[12:30] – Reinvesting energy into hiring and team growth
[14:00] – The first key hire: lead management
[15:30] – Building the right team instead of spending more on marketing
[17:15] – How physical discipline transferred into business discipline
[18:30] – Treating health like a business KPI
[20:00] – "Life is a sport": training for longevity, not just aesthetics
[21:30] – Creating vision, cadence, and accountability for the team
[23:30] – The 7 KPIs Dustin tracks to run the business
[25:00] – Daily huddles, weekly syncs, and monthly reviews
[27:00] – Why data—not stories—drives better decisions
[28:45] – Learning from CG and implementing one thing at a time
[31:00] – Expanding into commercial real estate with the right team in place
[33:00] – Buying a $3.2M commercial property
[35:00] – The pilot analogy: KPIs as flight instruments
[37:00] – How autopilot systems free you to think bigger
[38:45] – How to connect with Dustin
5 Key Takeaways:
- Personal Growth Precedes Business Growth – When Dustin rebuilt his health, everything else followed.
- Energy Is a Leadership Tool – You can't lead people well if you're exhausted and undisciplined.
- Hire People Before Spending More on Marketing – Team leverage unlocked real scale.
- Simple KPIs Win – A small set of metrics tells you exactly where the business is breaking.
- Run the Business Like a Plane – Systems, checklists, and instruments create safe, scalable growth.
Links & Resources:
- ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community
- Connect with Dustin – https://www.facebook.com/dustin.singer.33
If Dustin's story resonated with you, it's probably because you know something needs to change—personally or professionally. Start with one thing, build discipline, and let the momentum compound.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate, review, and share the Collective Genius Podcast with someone who's ready to grow, lead, and scale at the next level.