Zero To 5000

On this episode of Zero to 5000 with host Drew McClure, Kevin Stoller, co-founder of Kay-Twelve, shares his journey from traditional business beginnings to transforming over 700,000 students' learning environments. Kay-Twelve, a Michigan-based company, is a leader in designing active learning spaces, and its mission has landed the company on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. Kevin delves into the pivotal moment that changed Kay-Twelve’s trajectory from merely selling school furniture to driving cultural shifts in education. He also introduces his nonprofit, Second Class Foundation, and its docuseries, What We Show Them, which seeks to ignite conversations about reshaping education through compelling storytelling. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges of scaling a mission-driven business, the importance of designing engaging classroom spaces, and how tools like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) have helped Kevin build a successful, scalable organization. Key Takeaways Kay

Notable Quotes

Welcome back to the 0 to 5000 Podcast! In this episode, hosts Drew McClure sits down with Manick Bhan, Founder and CTO of Search Atlas and a leading voice in SEO innovation. From building eight-figure SEO companies to launching the groundbreaking AutoSEO tool, Manick shares his journey from entrepreneurial struggles to exponential success. Broadcasting from Medellín, Colombia, he dives deep into the secrets of SEO, leadership lessons, and finding purpose in both life and business.

The Journey to SEO Mastery

Building Authority Online

Entrepreneurial Lessons

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

Finding Purpose Beyond Profit

In this episode of the 0 to 5000 Podcast, host Drew McClure sits down with Roger Knecht, president and CEO of Universal Accounting Center, to dive into the often-overlooked world of accounting as it pertains to business growth and profitability. Roger shares his journey from communications and sales to becoming a leading figure in accounting education, offering vital insights for business owners on the importance of KPIs, interpreting financial statements, and evolving one’s business model to stay profitable. Roger breaks down common misconceptions business owners have about accounting services, explaining the distinctions between bookkeeping, tax preparation, and CFO-level strategy. He emphasizes the importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and leading indicators to foster proactive decision-making that drives growth. Roger also discusses the concept of "necessary endings," shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that arise when business owners let go of legacy products or services to align with current profitability goals. This episode provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs who want to leverage their accounting knowledge to build a robust, sustainable business.

Key Takeaways:

• KPIs and Leading Indicators: Roger highlights the significance of leading indicators and how tracking them allows business owners to take early action, creating a direct impact on lagging indicators like revenue and profit.

Notable Quotes:

• "Whatever you measure improves; whatever you measure and report will accelerate the improvement." – Roger Knecht

In this engaging episode of Zero to 5000, Drew McClure sits down with Lauryn Sargent, co-founder of Stories Inc., an innovative agency helping companies communicate their culture through employee stories. Lauryn shares her entrepreneurial journey—from winning a business plan competition to growing Stories Inc. into an industry leader in employer branding and recruitment marketing. Lauryn and Drew discuss the pivotal moments, co-founder dynamics, and resilience required to turn vision into reality, with Lauryn emphasizing patience, adaptability, and the importance of trusting your instincts. Listen in as Lauryn offers valuable insights for founders on the importance of meaningful connections, staying true to your mission, and the ever-evolving nature of building a successful business.

1. The Power of Partnership: Lauryn explains how finding the right co-founder, Scott Thompson, provided complementary skills and a shared vision that helped Stories Inc. grow and succeed.

• “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Themes:

• Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Zero to 5000 podcast, hosts Drew McClure and Jim Paolino dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Jim Paolino, CEO and co-founder of LodeStar Software Solutions. Since its founding in 2013, LodeStar has twice made the Inc. 5000 list, providing essential closing cost data solutions for mortgage lenders across the U.S. Jim shares the keys to LodeStar’s sustained growth and what it took to create Settlewise, LodeStar’s new national title agency. He reflects on early business challenges, revealing his mindset for overcoming obstacles and the advice that kept him focused when success seemed elusive.

Jim highlights the role of peer coaching in his business growth, particularly how his involvement in groups like Vistage provided critical feedback that improved his decision-making and company culture. He also discusses personal balance, offering practical insights on balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family life. As LodeStar enters its next growth phase, Jim reveals his approach to scaling sustainably and fostering a team environment that values feedback, growth, and resilience.

Small Wins Fuel Long-Term Success: In the early years of a startup, the focus should be on survival rather than immediate success. Jim’s advice to “keep the lights on one more day” builds the foundation for sustainable growth.

Embracing Peer Coaching: Jim emphasizes the value of coaching and mentorship, highlighting how peer feedback accelerates problem-solving and fosters growth. This practice enabled him to navigate the real challenges of business ownership without burnout.

Scaling Sustainably: Balancing growth with operational stability is crucial. Jim advises against scaling too quickly and highlights the benefits of hiring generalists in early stages before bringing in specialists.

Work-Life Balance Matters: Entrepreneurs need to protect personal boundaries for mental and emotional health. Jim speaks about managing work pressures alongside family responsibilities, drawing from a key ritual to transition out of work mode to family mode.

Intentional Feedback: Both praise and constructive criticism should be routine, making feedback a natural and consistent aspect of team communication, which helps create a more trusting and less defensive work culture.

• "The goal in the early stages is just to keep the lights on one more day and give yourself the chance for success."

In this episode of the 0 to 5000 podcast, hosts Drew McClure and Jordan Mitchell speak with Remy Raisner, a dynamic entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of The Raisner Group. Remy shares his story of overcoming adversity, starting his real estate career in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, and bootstrapping his way to success in Brooklyn's competitive market. From initially buying non-performing debt at auction to now managing over 60 properties, Remy offers unique insights into urban renewal, building relationships in local communities, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. He also emphasizes the importance of aligning investor relationships with long-term goals, leveraging sports lessons for business resilience, and how Brooklyn remains an exciting opportunity for real estate growth.

1. Adapting to Adversity: Remy’s entrepreneurial journey started out of necessity, during a time of financial crisis, which shaped his resilient mindset.

In this episode of the zero to 5000 podcast, hosts Drew McClure sits down with Robin Alex, co-founder of GoHighLevel, a software company revolutionizing business automation. From its inception, Alex’s journey is one of relentless problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration. He shares how GoHighLevel grew from a simple concept on a whiteboard to serving over 70,000 businesses globally. Robin’s insights cover everything from overcoming scaling challenges to fostering a strong co-founder relationship, where roles overlap to tackle problems effectively. His philosophy centers on giving value first, building strong client relationships, and maintaining a “bias to action” to achieve results swiftly. With stories of serendipitous meetings and his unorthodox path to co-founder, Robin offers invaluable lessons on innovation, teamwork, and navigating growth in today’s fast-paced business world.

• Bias to Action: Speed and responsiveness helped GoHighLevel grow quickly, with a focus on delivering value fast and fixing inefficiencies later.

1. "The most expensive thing for any entrepreneur is their time." – Robin Alex

In this episode of the 0 to 5000 podcast, Drew McClure sits down with Steve Griggs, an award-winning landscape architect who has transformed the industry with his creative approach and decades of experience. Steve shares his inspiring journey from a humble start with just a wheelbarrow to becoming a two-time Inc 5000 honoree. He discusses his early struggles, the importance of resilience, and the mindset that has helped him endure the ups and downs of a 40-year career. Steve opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, managing high-end clients, and how personal growth has been a key to his success. He also emphasizes the importance of taking ownership, especially when things go wrong, and how his father’s work ethic in New York’s construction industry helped shape his mindset. Steve's candid and motivational insights are perfect for anyone looking to learn the ins and outs of running a successful business, no matter the field.

1. Persistence Pays Off: Steve’s journey from humble beginnings to working on high-end projects highlights the importance of persistence and long-term effort.

• "Some days you're the hammer, and some days you're the nail."

In this episode of the 0 to 5000 Podcast, host Drew McClure sit down with Anna Crowe, the founder and CEO of Crowe PR, to discuss her journey from a CPA at Deloitte to running an award-winning public relations agency. Anna shares her strategic approach to scaling her business over the past decade, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and how her financial background became a competitive advantage in the marketing world.

Anna’s agency specializes in public relations for mid- to large-size consumer goods, healthcare, technology, and hospitality brands. Her emphasis on leadership development, a creative yet data-driven approach, and the importance of understanding customer needs has helped Crowe PR achieve national recognition. The conversation delves into entrepreneurship, the challenge of building scalable processes, the importance of core values in hiring, and leveraging an integrated PR strategy to drive business growth.

Anna also touches on the evolving role of PR, the importance of media relations, and how to build lasting relationships with clients and customers. With insights into hiring for cultural fit, creating effective business systems, and managing the ever-changing landscape of PR, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs.

1. The Power of a Financial Background in PR: Anna’s knowledge of numbers and strategy provided her with a unique edge in growing Crowe PR by applying data-driven insights to creative marketing.

• Anna Crowe on pivoting to PR: "I loved numbers because they make sense, but I also love creativity. I found my passion in public relations, where I could blend both."

In this inspiring episode of the 0 to 5000 podcast, Drew McClure dives deep into the incredible journey of Aaron Gaynor, founder, and CEO of Eager Plumb, Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians, a $75 million home service business. Aaron shares his raw and honest story, recounting the rise and fall of his first business during the 2007 housing market crash, leading him to bankruptcy. At 28, Aaron found himself on his mother’s couch with a three-year-old son and a mountain of debt. However, his unwavering determination led him to rebuild his life and business from the ground up. Aaron discusses the mindset shifts, personal development practices, and actionable steps that helped him turn his hardships into success, ultimately scaling his second venture to new heights. From personal challenges to the strategies that worked, this episode is a treasure trove of lessons for anyone looking to overcome adversity and achieve business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience in the Face of Failure – Aaron shares how he rebuilt his life after losing everything, emphasizing the importance of taking action and learning from mistakes.

Notable Quotes:

• "I promised my son: this won’t be our life. I’m going to figure it out."