In this riveting episode of Electric Theory, we delve deep into the mind and journey of Craig, the founder of GigWage. From growing up somewhere between privilege and hardship to navigating the vast landscapes of entrepreneurship, Craig's story is one of resilience, ambition, and a burning desire to ensure his family's legacy.

Key Topics:

1. The Influence of Culture:
2. Craig emphasizes how culture drives everything in a business. It dictates hiring, decision-making, and the overall growth of a company.
3. Mindset and Growth:
4. The importance of a growth mindset in entrepreneurs.
5. Early stage entrepreneurs have to display grit, determination, and a continuous desire to level up.
6. Learning from failure and iterating is a crucial part of success.
7. Importance of Thinking and Decision Making:
8. The power of strategic thinking. When entrepreneurs are able to think clearly, they can create and innovate.
9. Dealing with challenges: At every stage of business growth, challenges arise, but motivation to solve for them keeps you going.
10. The Significance of Hiring:
11. Importance of hiring people better than oneself to foster a company's growth.
12. Craig's goal: Hiring progressively better people at each level, ultimately allowing him to focus on innovation and building shareholder, customer, and employee value.
13. Personal Experiences and Learning:
14. Both Josh and Craig share personal anecdotes and lessons, highlighting the importance of mentorship and continuous learning.
15. The journey of an entrepreneur isn't smooth. It's filled with highs and lows, but resilience and determination lead to success.
16. Role of Culture in Business and Individual Growth:
17. Culture isn't just about organizations, it's deeply personal too.
18. The essence of culture can't always be quantified but its impact is undeniable.

Quotes:

1. "New levels, new devils."
2. "It's not about an actual thing that you do. It's about where you want to be and who you want to become."
3. "Everything that can be counted doesn't count. But everything that counts can't necessarily be counted."

Questions We Cover:

1. What moments from your upbringing, between privilege and hardship, most shaped your entrepreneurial spirit?
2. How has the influence of your parents, specifically their tenacity and drive, shaped your outlook towards business?
3. Why is legacy important to you, and how do stories like Ed Schallmeyer's inspire your approach?
4. In your view, how do the wealthy strategize differently when it comes to creating a lasting impact?
5. How does GigWage address the pain points of businesses in the gig economy, especially around payments and compliance?
6. How has the traditional payroll system evolved (or not) to address the needs of the modern gig workforce?
7. Can you share a challenging decision you've made for GigWage and the aftermath of that choice?
8. How do you maintain a company's culture after facing adversity, such as layoffs?
9. What does "adapting to the market" truly mean for a startup in its growth phase?
10. How do you embed and practice core values in a fast-growing company, ensuring every team member resonates with them?

Join us, alongside co-hosts Gina and Josh, as we traverse the multifaceted world of enterprise sales, the burgeoning gig economy, and the raw reality of leadership. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an aspiring leader, or someone fascinated by the complexities of personal growth and business strategy, this episode promises a wealth of insights, a touch of humor, and a candid look at what it takes to succeed in the modern business landscape.