Zero To 5000

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."

In this episode of the 0 to 5000 podcast, host Drew McClure sits down with Vinnie Fisher, a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully exited four businesses, including his most recent venture, Fully Accountable. Vinnie shares his unique journey, starting from his days as a lawyer to becoming a serial entrepreneur. He delves into the lessons learned from each business, the challenges of leadership, and his current mission to empower mentors to invest in the next generation of leaders. Vinnie discusses the importance of intergenerational unity, the transition from focusing on financial success to finding deeper value in life, and his new initiative, "Beyond Your Shadow," which aims to build a community of mentors to guide emerging leaders. This episode is packed with insights on leadership, legacy, and the power of mentorship.

Key Takeaways:

• Success in Business: Vinnie Fisher's journey highlights the rare accomplishment of successfully exiting multiple businesses, offering lessons on leadership and perseverance.

Notable Quotes:

• "Leadership is influence. You don't have to be an owner of a business to be a leader." – Vinnie Fisher

In this episode of "Zero to 5000," host Drew McClure engages in a captivating conversation with Josh Watts, co-founder of MedTrust. Founded in 2012, MedTrust is the largest private ambulance and mobile healthcare provider based in South Carolina, with over 500 employees across multiple states. Josh shares his unique journey from entering an unfamiliar industry to leading a rapidly growing company. He discusses strategic growth, legislative initiatives, workforce development, and the importance of organizational culture. Josh also delves into how MedTrust navigated significant challenges, including his co-founder’s illness and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining a strong commitment to caring for people.

Key Takeaways

• Unfamiliar Beginnings: Josh’s entry into the ambulance and mobile healthcare industry without prior experience brought fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.

Notable Quotes

• "You don't have the option to fail; that's a real convenient way to not fail."

In this episode of "Zero to 5000," hosts Drew McClure chat with Scott Arias, a seasoned entrepreneur with a unique journey from Navy service to CEO of a multimillion-dollar company. Scott shares his story of dropping out of high school, joining the Navy, facing severe injuries, and eventually earning a Ph.D. before his high school diploma. His career spans building U.S. embassies, directing design build projects, and founding a company that grew from $7,000 in its first year to $25 million. Scott discusses the importance of core values, servant leadership, and giving back, emphasizing how his faith and experiences have shaped his business philosophy.

Key Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Scott’s innate desire to forge his own path led him from the Navy to becoming a successful business owner.

Notable Quotes

• "I earned my Ph.D. before my high school diploma."

In this episode, Drew McClure interviews Chris Burkhard, the President and Founder of Placers Staffing, an 11-time Inc 5000 company. Chris shares his journey from being a fourth-generation entrepreneur to leading a successful staffing company. He discusses his father's influence, the importance of work ethic and integrity, and how he modernized and expanded the family business. Chris also discusses his book "Opposite the Crowd" and the philosophy behind it. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, balancing personal and professional life, and the constant need for adaptation and change in business.

Key Takeaways

• Legacy of Entrepreneurship: Chris Burkhard comes from a long line of entrepreneurs, which greatly influenced his career path and work ethic.

Notable Quotes

• "To be who you want to be, you must know who you are."

In this episode of "Zero to 5000," Phil Case, President of Max Connect Digital, joins us to share his journey from aspiring diplomat to a digital marketing leader. Phil discusses his role in growing Max Connect Digital, an agency specializing in paid digital media and performance marketing, to a leading firm serving multiple industries. He reflects on his early career, the strategic pivots that defined his success, and the importance of understanding business challenges. Phil also shares valuable insights on leadership, team building, and the power of focus and essentialism in achieving business growth.

1. Strategic Niching: Focusing on a specific industry, such as outdoor recreation, can differentiate an agency and accelerate growth.

1. "Hard is good. I love our day, and yesterday I went home and I felt that I was challenged throughout the day, and I appreciated that."

In this episode, hosts Drew McClure chat with Michael Seaman, co-founder and CEO of Swipesum. Michael shares the journey of founding Swipesum, a leading payment processing and merchant services consultancy. The conversation covers their innovative use of AI, proprietary software, and a customer-centric approach to optimize payment solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Key Takeaways

• Founding Story: Michael Seaman and his brother Steven founded Swipesum to streamline payment processing using AI and proprietary software.

Notable Quotes

• "We basically are experts at accepting money." – Michael Seaman

In this episode of the Zero to 5000 podcast, hosts Drew McClure has an enlightening conversation with Jason Lazarus, founder and CEO of Synergy. Jason shares his journey from a personal injury defense lawyer to an entrepreneurial leader in the niche field of healthcare lien resolution and Medicare compliance. He discusses the inception and evolution of Synergy, a company built to support personal injury law firms and their clients. Jason reveals how his vision of a multi-faceted service provider for personal injury victims came to life, emphasizing the mission of helping individuals in their toughest times.

Jason also delves into the challenges of transitioning from being an employee to an entrepreneur, highlighting the learning curves and the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. He shares personal stories, including a life-changing cycling accident, that prompted him to reevaluate his approach to life and business. This journey led him to prioritize emotional intelligence and servant leadership within his company.

The conversation further explores the implementation of the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) model and the use of Predictive Index for better team management and hiring practices. Jason emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting individual differences in a team setting to foster a supportive and productive work environment.

1. Vision and Mission: Synergy was born out of a need Jason identified in the market while working as a settlement planning consultant. The company's mission is to help personal injury victims get the compensation they deserve, thus improving their lives.

1. "The things that you are doing to help these people are an incredible opportunity to do something that matters every day."