The Minimalist CEO

Latest Episodes:

EP 030 Kevin Rothschild-Shea: From Kitchen Table To 7-Figure Architect Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

Kevin Rothschild-Shea started as a one-person shop and through 14-years of perseverance has expanded his business, Architecture EL, to eight people and seven-figures. Kevin is in the challenging field of building multifamily housing, with the focus on affordable housing, especially in areas where people are underserved.

Kevin is licensed in Massachusetts, and CT, and holds memberships with the National Council of Architectural Registration Board and the American Institute of Architects. In 2020, Kevin’s company received a Citation Award from the Western Massachusetts chapter of the American Institute of Architects for their design of the first branch of the New Valley Bank in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In our conversation, Kevin explains the challenge of working in an industry with projects that can sometimes take three to five years to get approval and funding, even before being able to start the design process. He shares insights on his journey, including:

· The turning point and not allowing regrets.

· Living on the lean and stripping overhead.

· His philosophy on being supportive of others.

· If you have the desire to do something, do it and don’t listen to naysayers.

· The importance of family support.

Enjoy the show and be sure to stay tuned for our CEO Turning Point sessions with live coaching on Thursdays.

Connect with Kevin:

Website: https://architectureel.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchitectureEL/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/architecture-el-inc./

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 029 Brandon Faust: A Breath of FRESH AIR - The Root Cause Matters More Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

My guest, Brandon Faust, has shared ideas in this episode that apply to all of us no matter what business we’re in. Brandon is the Co-Owner and CEO of Mold Zero in Tampa, Florida. He confidently states that what has led to the success of his seven figures and continually growing company is that, more than anything, he wants to make a difference in people’s lives.

Brendon gets right to the heart of the matter as he shares how his infant son was severely suffering and miraculously the root cause was found. It turned out to be a pinhole wall leak where mold spores were blowing around the home. Brendon also had incorrectly diagnosed health issues related to a prior incident with unsuspected mold growing in his bedroom.

Those two life experiences changed how his company went further into finding and creating healthy homes free of toxins. Brendon also discussed how maybe only one family member has mold sensitivities, and these toxicities could actually lead to brain and nervous system problems, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Liver Cancer or other diseases and people don’t realize the connection.

Highlights of our conversation include:

· Educating clients and putting their interests first helps to expand the company.

· The challenge of overcoming trying to do it all on one’s own.

· Inspiring a team to understand what is the company’s mission.

· Mycotoxin detoxification requires a different expertise in the restoration industry.

· The process of finding out the health of a house.

· Changes needed in the restoration industry.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Brandon:

Website: https://www.moldzero.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoldZeroFL/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-faust-258043137/

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 028 Joseph Wood: The "Un-Special" Sauce That Wins Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

What’s the secret sauce in starting as an individual plumber to growing into a 60-person, $20 million dollar a year revenue company in just 13 years?

Joseph Wood, Founder and President of Boston Standard Company, has created Boston’s leading independent residential plumbing, heating and cooling company that keeps on growing. This year, the company has added electrical services to its portfolio.

Joe has followed the rules of being a Minimalist CEO throughout his journey, based on the foundation of learning how his brother ran a company. Joe admits there are always challenges of leading a company, and those challenges are consistently changing.

In our conversation, we discuss how Joe overcomes obstacles and how listeners can benefit from his experiences, including the “un-special” sauce.

We discuss:

· Managing is delegating.

· Attracting good people to enter the trades for a career.

· When you can’t find mentors, create masterminds.

· Figuring out the next steps to develop and meet consumer expectations.

· Correct mistakes and just keep moving.

· Getting more free time to get entrepreneurial things moving.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Joseph:

Website: www.bostonstandardplumbing.com

Facebook: @bostonstandardcompany

Instagram: @boston_standard_company

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 027 Jeremy Haug: B2B Plug-and-Play Lead System Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

To expand and grow, B2B companies need a Plug-and-Play Lead System. As my guest Jeremy Haug reminds us, a business needs to run without the leader present, the business is not dependent on you. That means putting systems in place, especially with getting leads and conversions.

Jeremy is a world-class marketing expert and leader that has led multiple companies to the Inc 5000 and the Inc 500 award.

Jeremy takes a very different approach to how he does marketing for companies. He looks for a joint venture opportunity so that he can develop a long-term relationship with a company, and work on the operational side of things from a technology perspective.

Highlights of our conversation include:

· Recurring revenue stabilizes the business.

· Most clients need a strong CRM technology.

· Company growth from $500K a year to $100K per month.

· Every business should be built with the exit strategy in mind.

· You have an obligation and responsibility to always market your business.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Jeremy:

Website: https://www.b2bbusinessexperts.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-haug-93a1a5108/

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 026 Tim Fagan: Creating the Heart of Service in 178 Territories Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Tim Fagan is the President of both 1-800 Water Damage, a property restoration company and Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, a contents restoration company, part of the Belfor Franchise Group based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Tim has been in the restoration industry for over 25 years, starting part-time in his dad’s business that had 17 employees and did about $700-thousand in annual sales. When he became full time and took over the company, Tim scaled quickly.

Today, Tim handles 93 franchises in about 30 States. He has managed emergency losses in residential, hospital, university, business, manufacturing, multi-family and K-12 school facilities.

In our conversation, Tim shares his various career choices and sports experiences that taught him leadership skills and gives him the expertise in leading the company today.

We discuss:

· Creating long-time relationships for referrals.

· The process for continuing education credits.

· If you want to scale, what to look for in employees.

· Understand your business’s end goal and strategy to get there.

· Successful businesses learn from other successful businesses.

· Create a sustainable business model.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Tim:

Website: 1800WATERDAMAGE.com

Website: https://www.bluekangaroopackoutz.com

Instagram: @1800waterdamange

Instagram: @BlueKangarooPackoutz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1800WaterDamageCorp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueKangarooPackoutz

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 025 Pavel Stepanov: Don’t Get It Done and Win Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

Business owners often hear but ignore the advice on how one can be more productive through the use of a virtual assistant. Finding, training and using a VA properly can be a challenge and stressful.

Pavel Stepanov, CEO and Founder of Virtudesk, grew his VA company to the multi-million-dollar level by eliminating fears and objections busy professionals have as they look for high-quality and appropriate VAs.

The Virtudesk team screens, hires, takes care of payroll, medical benefits and qualifies people that are a perfect fit for what one may require. They even take a team approach to back up your VA for seamless client productivity.

Pavel started using VAs in his real estate business and knows first-hand how the use of VAs helped him create businesses and a lifestyle that he enjoys and values.

In our conversation, we discuss:

· Eliminating distractions to increase productivity.

· Using VAs in the real estate industry.

· How Covid became a growth opportunity for the company.

· Turning down opportunities for a better life balance.

· Ignoring societal pressures to finish things just for the sake of finishing.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Pavel:

Website: https://www.myvirtudesk.com/

Instagram: https://www.myvirtudesk.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.myvirtudesk.com/

Twitter: https://www.myvirtudesk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtudesk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWXa0tYybr6QDjMi4txWuKw

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 024 Michelle Jackson: Snapshot of Almost A Million Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

How do you get more sales when there is no opportunity for repeat business from a customer? That’s the challenge facing Michelle Jackson, Marketing Director and co-owner of Get Dry Inc. in Florida. Michelle is getting her restoration company to the one-million-dollar mark with conscientious care, consistency and continual improvements to how she and her team helps people while preforming mitigation services for those affected by disaster.

Part of Michelle’s brand is wearing the suit out in the field in a male dominated industry. She’s used to that outfit from her previous role as a bank branch manager and leading a team in superior customer service. And people always remember Michelle for being the go-to person in the community who takes part and volunteers in many local activities.

Michelle is honest and transparent in her efforts to increase and systematize her business. In our conversation, we discuss:

· What to do when you don’t have repeat customers.

· Educating customers about the musty smell.

· Keep your employees happy.

· Know your role in the company.

· Using templates to save time and money.

· How outsourcing payroll saves six weeks of time each year.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: www.GetDryInc.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tJLUZGXkE-Y

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Instagram: @natelindquistmentor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinimalistCEO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natelindquist?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfOQkYaZZgOCiJCla3o_iA/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelindquistresults/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 023 Richard Whitten: Capturing Your Special Sauce Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

My thanks to all my listeners who requested that we bring this popular guest back for another conversation. Richard Whitten is CEO of Reconstruction Experts. He started as the Chief Financial Officer, then moved to the role of Chief Operating Officer. As CFO, he implemented accounting procedures and a performance reporting framework, and as COO he created standardized systems and processes to consistently generate high-quality outcomes.

Our conversation in this episode goes deeper into company culture, growing a business, and how employees are supported in providing a great customer experience. Richard is open and honest on the success of the company and shares the special sauce to scale it to 9 figures.

One nugget that Richard shares sets the tone for this interview. He said, “We all make mistakes, but what we do next really defines us.” There is so much wisdom for any company leader to learn today, and I hope you also enjoy our previous conversation in Episode 19.

Highlights include:

· Anticipating and planning for a great customer experience.

· Client planning, setting expectations and running a seamless execution.

· Creating a system to balance capacity with what the company offers.

· The essentials of Customer Care, Creativity and Communication.

· Scaling a company requires making investments.

· How work cultures are changing in all industries.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Richard:

Website: https://www.reconexp.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reconstruction-experts/

Facebook: @ReconstructionExpertsinc

Instagram: @reconstruction_experts

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 022 Ian Bentley: $20-Million Exit by Saying NO to All But This Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Ian Bentley, CEO of Pivot and Scale, is the perfect example of a Minimalist CEO as he repeats his message, “Focus on your niche and expertise. Do your one thing exceptionally well and you will succeed.”

Ian was a founder of the lead generation agency Cyber Ventures and the branded consumer automotive site Autotropolis, one of the nation’s largest privately held Lead Providers in the automotive industry. The companies were acquired by Autobytel for an 8-figure liquidation exit, growing to $10 million in annual revenue with no VC or Angel Investing.

Today, Ian shares his expertise by consulting digital agencies and giving them a blueprint and tools to leave the traditional retainer model and adapt a Pay Per Lead strategy. Ian teaches how to streamline the operations, giving an agency the ability to scale fast!

In our conversation, we discuss:

· As a leader, it’s about checks and balances, not micromanaging.

· Find somebody better to do the task than you can.

· Salespeople and commission structures.

· Working with the philosophy stated in The Pumpkin Plan.

· The importance of taking imperfect action.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Ian:

Website: www.PivotandScale.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbentley1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theianbentley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bentley/

Book Recommendation: The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 021 Tim Cosby: Space for Greatness To Blossom – Retain Top Talent Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

One of the biggest challenges for companies today is finding and keeping outstanding talent. Managers are 70 percent responsible for employee engagement, and those managers need support. The definition of the word leadership has changed over the years, and the approach is a transition to a “coach” culture.

Tim Cosby, President/CEO of Real Retention, runs a training and consulting firm that works with leaders to help them keep their best people and transform corporate culture in a way that results in higher retention, productivity, profitability and employee satisfaction.

Throughout our conversation, we discussed how the culture of leadership has changed and examples of great leadership. We both share our lessons and stories of what works in the changing environment, especially acknowledging what needs to be changed with younger hires.

Highlights of our conversation include:

· Why corporate culture is important in retaining top talent.

· Leaders may want to change, but don’t know how.

· The importance of being transparent, authentic, and vulnerable.

· Overcoming resistance to the coaching culture.

· The importance of focus.

· How great leaders lead by engaging and empowering employees.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Tim:

Website: https://realretention.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tcosby/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realretention