Zero To 5000 ZeroTo5000

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.
Work Ethic and Integrity: Key values instilled by his father, emphasizing that character matters even when no one is watching.
Servant Leadership: The importance of empowering employees, removing barriers, and fostering growth.
Balancing Life and Work: The significance of creating personal rhythms and routines to maintain overall well-being and productivity.
Adaptation and Change: The necessity of continual adaptation and change in business to stay relevant and successful.
Notable Quotes
"To be who you want to be, you must know who you are."
"Leadership is about helping your people be the best they can be."
"We all have the choice to change things. That's what's beautiful about being your own boss."
"You can't pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself to be able to lead effectively."
"If you want success when you're standing alone, you need to be willing to go against the grain."

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.
Key Takeaways:
Strategic Niching: Focusing on a specific industry, such as outdoor recreation, can differentiate an agency and accelerate growth.
Leadership Evolution: Transitioning from a leadership athlete to a leadership coach is crucial for scaling a business.
Essentialism in Business: Embracing the power of saying no and focusing on core strengths leads to greater success.
Building a Resilient Team: Hiring based on cultural values and allowing team members to face challenges independently fosters growth.
Client-Centric Approach: Understanding the broader business challenges of clients beyond marketing needs is essential for effective strategies.
Notable Quotes:
"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."
"Focus and harnessing the power of no in essentialism allows you to actually accelerate at a faster pace in what you are good at."
"We want to make sure that anyone that's a harder worker than somebody else and they're performing, that they'll move up more quickly in the organization."
"If you can understand a profit and loss statement and how businesses make money, then it's easy to figure out the marketing in terms of what needs to be done."
"There’s no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone."

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.
Innovative Solutions: Swipesum’s AI-powered software, Staitment, audits payment statements in seconds, reducing fees and enhancing transparency.
Business Philosophy: Emphasis on ethical practices, offering clients the best deals, and cautious financial management.
Building a Team: Focus on assembling a high-performing team akin to an Olympic team, where each member excels in their role.
Customer-Centric Approach: Swipesum offers tailored solutions, from payment optimization to vendor evaluation, ensuring businesses receive the best possible service.
Notable Quotes
"We basically are experts at accepting money." – Michael Seaman
"We started building the first use case of AI in payments back in 2016, and it can audit a full business's reporting in minutes instead of months." – Michael Seaman
"Instead of copying what the newest unicorn is doing, we focus on building what our customers actually need." – Michael Seaman
"We think of our team like an Olympic team – everyone is a superstar in their own right, motivated around a common goal." – 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.
Key Takeaways
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.
Entrepreneurial Journey: Transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur involves significant learning curves and challenges. Jason emphasizes the importance of perseverance and learning from mistakes.
Emotional Intelligence: Personal experiences, like Jason's cycling accident, can prompt significant self-reflection and growth. Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership.
Team Management: Using tools like Predictive Index can help in understanding team dynamics and ensuring that individuals are placed in roles where they can thrive.
Customer Experience: Small, personalized touches can significantly enhance customer and employee experiences, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty.
Notable Quotes
"The things that you are doing to help these people are an incredible opportunity to do something that matters every day."
"If you truly are driven, it's hard to shake the doubt and imposter syndrome completely, even when you're successful."
"Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership."
"Small, personalized touches can significantly enhance customer and employee experiences."

In this episode Drew McClure engage in a profound dialogue with Kia Weatherspoon, a pioneering interior designer focused on making luxury design accessible. Kia, the force behind the Washington, DC-based firm Determined by Design, shares her journey from her initial insight into the impact of physical spaces during her brother's incarceration to founding her own firm. She discusses the challenges of bringing quality design to economically disadvantaged areas and how her experiences in the Air Force influenced her approach to space and privacy. The conversation delves deep into the philosophy of design equity, the psychology of space, and the systemic changes needed in design thinking for marginalized communities.
 
Key Takeaways
Impact of Spaces: Kia emphasizes the profound effect of well-designed spaces on mental health and community well-being.
Equitable Design: The discussion highlights the necessity of design equity and challenges the notion that luxury design is only for the affluent.
Personal Journey: Kia’s personal and professional experiences powerfully illustrate how adversity can lead to a life-changing mission.
Business Insights: The episode provides valuable insights into running a mission-driven business, dealing with financial challenges, and the importance of aligning business operations with personal values.

In this episode host Drew interviews Austin Netzley, founder and CEO of 2X, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs streamline their operations and scale their businesses efficiently. Austin shares his transition from a corporate engineer to a successful entrepreneur, detailing the inception and growth of 2X, which has been recognized among the INC 5000 fastest-growing companies in consecutive years. He discusses the challenges and breakthroughs in building businesses and offers insights into the importance of operational excellence, strategic simplification, and mindset shifts necessary for scaling from six to seven figures.
Key Takeaways:
Entrepreneurial Journey: Austin's shift from engineering to entrepreneurship was fueled by his desire for impact and freedom. Each business venture taught him valuable lessons, leading to the foundation of 2X.
Operational Excellence: 2X focuses on hands-on, one-on-one coaching to simplify and systematize operations, emphasizing the importance of cutting non-profitable activities and focusing on what works.
Mindset for Scaling: Transitioning from a 'six-figure hustler' to a 'seven-figure CEO' requires significant mindset shifts, focusing on strategic decisions that align with long-term business growth.
Importance of Systems: Austin highlights how creating systematic approaches and standard operating procedures can free up entrepreneurs to focus on growth without being caught up in day-to-day operations.
Health as a Priority: Reflecting on personal experiences with burnout, Austin underscores the importance of entrepreneurs treating their health as a priority, akin to professional athletes.
Notable Quotes:
"Complexity will kill a small business. Simplicity in strategy and operations is key to scaling effectively." - Austin Netzley
"We don't just teach business strategies; we transform mindsets to foster real growth and freedom." - Austin Netzley
"Your business should work for you, not the other way around. Setting up the right systems is the first step towards true entrepreneurial freedom." - Austin Netzley