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Collin Graves shares his journey from Air Force mechanic working on B-1 bombers to founding successful cloud computing and data analytics companies. He discovered his entrepreneurial path by identifying specific pain points for construction companies, creating cloud-based file-sharing solutions, and eventually building North Labs, where his team develops data analytics systems that transform businesses.

• Built his first tech company while still in the military, focusing on cloud storage solutions for construction companies
• Learned cloud computing through self-teaching, becoming one of the first 10 fully certified AWS professionals worldwide
• Sold his first company in 2014, which led to a two-year non-compete agreement
• Founded North Labs in 2016, focusing on data analytics as a profit center rather than just cloud migration
• Helped a $7 billion manufacturing company reduce their scrap rate with a data solution that saved them $40 million in just one year
• Emphasizes that most companies already have the data they need but don't know how to leverage it
• Creates "command centers" that unify data across different systems to provide actionable business intelligence
• Recommends the book "Simplify" by Robert Koch and Greg Lockwood for business owners
• Currently races in two series including Radicals and as a reserve driver in the Lamborghini series

Connect with Collin Graves on LinkedIn or visit NorthLabs.com to learn more about how data analytics can transform your business.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

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Will transformed his background in digital marketing to create a thriving dog waste removal business, turning a simple concept into a multi-million dollar enterprise within just a few years. His journey proves that finding underserved niches and applying sound business principles can create extraordinary opportunities even in seemingly ordinary services.

• Started with digital marketing background before realizing owning service businesses would be more profitable
• Launched an electrical company that hit $1M in revenue within six months
• Created Swoop Scoop after noticing poor service from existing dog waste removal companies
• Built market awareness where none existed previously through door-to-door marketing and Facebook ads
• Grew from 20 to over 300 accounts in just three months using targeted digital marketing
• Operates on a subscription model with pre-billing to maintain healthy cash flow
• Differentiates through professional branding, uniformed employees, company vehicles, and quality assurance
• Created "Poop Scoop Millionaire" educational platform to teach others how to start similar businesses
• Built such strong brand recognition that "Swoop Scoop" has become synonymous with the service in his market
• Plans to scale to $10M annual revenue through continued geographic expansion

Connect with Will and learn more about starting your own pet waste removal business at scoopstart.com or through the Scoop Start YouTube channel.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

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Al Levy transformed his family's heating business into a multi-trade powerhouse spanning four generations by developing comprehensive systems, training programs, and clearly defined organizational structures.

• Building operating manuals that defined processes objectively in writing
• Creating a corresponding training center to transform willing apprentices into skilled technicians
• Implementing a merit-based pay system rather than rewarding longevity
• Early adoption of technology like two-way radios and computerization
• Developing clear roles and responsibilities using "the box chart" to prevent micromanagement
• Prioritizing supplier relationships by paying vendors first
• Using a training center to test new products before taking them to customers
• Giving employees the opportunity to try products in their own homes at a discount
• Managing family business dynamics through clear communication and defined responsibilities
• Creating true career paths rather than just jobs

Check out Al's "7 Power Contractor" book and online programs at 7powercontractor.com for more resources on building a successful home services business.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

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Gabrielle Mills and her mother Chrissy took an unconventional path to entrepreneurship. After six years of searching for the perfect business model, they decided to invest in themselves instead of a franchise—starting what would become Sourced, a comprehensive back-office services company, from Chrissy's basement.

What makes their story remarkable isn't just the mother-daughter dynamic (though family ties run deep with siblings, in-laws, and extended family having worked in the business), but how they identified and filled crucial gaps for growing businesses. Sourced provides fractional accounting, marketing, HR, administrative support, and talent acquisition services—five distinct businesses under one roof, all focused on helping companies function more efficiently without the overhead of full-time staff.

Their success stems from a laser focus on solving pain points. For accounting clients, it's often financial chaos—whether preparing for an exit, supporting a CFO who can't function with inadequate reports, or rescuing businesses when bookkeepers depart. Their talent acquisition process employs a three-person team that thoroughly vets candidates before clients ever meet them, saving valuable time and ensuring strong matches. Marketing services range from foundational branding (including logos designed in PowerPoint!) to comprehensive campaigns that build credibility and attract clients.

After nine years of growth primarily through word-of-mouth, Sourced now faces fresh challenges. Their client base has evolved from small businesses to companies with $2-30 million in revenue—organizations that require different approaches to marketing and sales. Gabrielle's candid admission resonates with entrepreneurs everywhere: "We all have the same problem, and it's in sales. Nobody knows how to do it, nobody feels successful at it." It's this refreshing honesty, combined with their proven ability to solve complex business problems, that makes their journey so instructive for anyone building a service-based business.

Want to learn more about outsourcing your back-office functions or how a fractional approach might help your business scale? Visit GetSourced.com and discover how professional support can free you to focus on growth.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

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Your small business is vulnerable to cyber attacks whether you realize it or not. In this eye-opening conversation, IT expert James Sanford reveals the shocking truth that companies like yours face dozens of digital attacks daily—even if you're "just a handyman company" or small service business.

James takes us through his journey from solo IT consultant to managed service provider, explaining how the cybersecurity landscape has dramatically evolved from annoying pop-ups to sophisticated ransomware operations that can completely shut down your business. With remarkable clarity, he breaks down complex security concepts into practical advice using colorful analogies like "putting alligators in your digital moat" that make cybersecurity accessible to even the most tech-resistant business owners.

The most valuable segment comes when James outlines the five essential security measures every business needs: a proper firewall, endpoint detection and response software, password management tools, multi-factor authentication, and comprehensive backup solutions. These fundamentals form a solid security foundation that can protect your business from the most common threats without breaking your budget.

What truly stands out is the paradigm shift James describes—moving from reactive IT support that only fixes things when they break to proactive management that prevents problems before they impact your business. This approach not only improves security but dramatically enhances productivity by eliminating those frustrating technology disruptions that kill your team's momentum and waste valuable time.

Don't wait until you become another cybercrime statistic. Take the first step toward protecting your business by implementing these essential security measures today—because the cost of prevention is always less expensive than recovery after an attack.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Karl Maier didn't set out to become a business growth advisor. After studying economics and systems in college, he reluctantly joined his family's industrial distribution business—only to help scale it an impressive five times larger in just three years. That journey through entrepreneurship's trenches taught him lessons no classroom could provide, especially after a break-in left them with stolen computers and missing customer payment records.

From recovering that early setback to riding the dot-com wave (and subsequent crash), Karl developed a sixth sense for the realities of business growth that most entrepreneurs desperately need but rarely possess. His most valuable insight? Everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as founders expect—and sometimes that "twice" becomes four times when reality truly hits.

Today, Karl works with entrepreneurs who have brilliant technical ideas but struggle with the business fundamentals required to scale. One founder approached him needing $5 million to build his dream of reaching $50 million in sales, only to discover the harsh mathematical reality: investors would need approximately 125% ownership to make the deal worthwhile. These moments of truth allow Karl to help founders adjust their expectations and strategies, often by focusing on smaller, achievable goals that establish cash flow before attempting full-scale expansion.

Whether advising on fundraising approaches (which typically take 6-12 months, not the 60 days many founders expect), helping select appropriate business partners, or guiding operational scaling decisions, Karl brings the rare combination of financial expertise and entrepreneurial battle scars that make him an invaluable resource. If you're considering scaling your business or seeking funding for growth, connecting with Karl through his website Abunden.com or LinkedIn could be the most important 30-minute conversation in your business journey.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Luann Russian's entrepreneurial journey defies conventional wisdom about network marketing. A former pharmaceutical rep of the year, she left corporate life when her manager asked if she could "stay and be mediocre" while raising children. Twenty years later, her decision to join Arbonne has created both financial freedom and unexpected health transformation.

Unlike most who enter network marketing, Luann approached it analytically – evaluating compensation plans, market size, and business sustainability before even trying the products. "I jumped in for the business model," she explains, highlighting how she examined wellness and skincare as trillion-dollar industries with growth potential. This business-first mentality positioned her for success from day one.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Luann reveals how her purely financial decision evolved into a personal health revolution. After reluctantly trying Arbonne's 30-day healthy living program ("no one whined about it more than I did"), she experienced dramatic health improvements that eventually eliminated her fibromyalgia and Crohn's disease symptoms. "I really think the reason I ended up with Arbonne was to resolve my health issues," she reflects.

Throughout the episode, Luann shares practical networking wisdom gained from running business women's groups for over a decade. Her specific strategies for follow-up, referral requests, and maintaining client relationships offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs in any industry. Perhaps most importantly, she attributes her longevity to persistence: "I don't go away. You have a bad year, you have a downside, you don't quit."

Whether you're curious about network marketing, seeking business development strategies, or interested in the intersection of entrepreneurship and wellness, Luann's story demonstrates that sometimes the road less traveled leads to unexpected destinations worth discovering. Connect with her at luannrushinarbon.com to learn more about her approach to business and health.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

What happens when your $3.50 breakfast sandwich suddenly costs $12.50? When your skilled workers demand $30/hour instead of $18? When your commercial lease jumps 50%? Welcome to the economic reality of 2025 – a landscape transformed by persistent inflation, potential tariffs, and permanently reset price expectations.

This candid, unfiltered conversation dives deep into the practical challenges small business owners face as they navigate today's economic pressures. We explore the "Overton window" concept – how yesterday's outrageous prices become today's reluctant acceptance – and what this means for your pricing strategy. Using real-world examples from construction materials to commercial real estate, we illustrate how inflation has permanently altered business costs across industries.

Most valuably, we share actionable strategies for protecting your margins without alienating customers. You'll learn why 30-day estimate validity periods have evolved from sales tactics to financial necessities, how technology adoption can create operational efficiencies, and why employees often resist price increases more strongly than customers do. We also discuss the looming influence of potential tariffs – and why they're already impacting pricing decisions regardless of whether they're ultimately implemented.

Throughout this discussion, we maintain a strictly practical perspective focused on business survival rather than political posturing. The insights shared apply across industries and business sizes, making this essential listening for anyone navigating the complex economic terrain of 2025.

Ready to strengthen your business against inflationary pressures? Listen now to gain concrete strategies for maintaining profitability while continuing to deliver exceptional value in today's challenging economic landscape.

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.