Zero To 5000 ZeroTo5000

In this episode of the Zero to 5000 podcast, host Drew interviews Brock Berry, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of AdCellerant, a digital advertising company known for its staggering growth of over 4,000% in just four years. Brock shares insights from his 20-year journey in marketing and advertising, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of leading a business to achieve revenue exceeding $100 million. From the initial inspiration in a bar in Ireland to the intense sacrifices required to fuel his company's growth, Brock's story is a testament to the tenacity required in entrepreneurship. The discussion discusses the realities of business growth, strategic leadership, and the relentless pursuit of innovation, providing listeners with invaluable lessons on navigating the complex landscape of modern business.
Key Takeaways:
Strategic Sacrifice: Brock emphasizes the importance of sacrifice in entrepreneurship, detailing personal stories of financial risks and lifestyle changes that fueled his company's success.
Leadership and Growth: Insights into scaling a business from a startup to a major player in the industry, focusing on leadership development and maintaining a strong company culture.
Technological Integration: Brock discusses the pivotal role of technology in business scaling, particularly the impact of their proprietary platform, UI Marketing.
Realities of Entrepreneurship: Contrasting the mythicized version of entrepreneurship with the harsh realities of daily challenges, financial strain, and the continuous need for adaptability.
Notable Quotes:
"I thought being an entrepreneur would be easier; I was wrong. But it's been the most fulfilling journey of my life." - Brock Berry
"We set out on a mission to bring Madison Avenue marketing solutions to Main Street businesses." - Brock Berry
"The biggest mistake you can make is sacrificing the future of your business for immediate gain." - Brock Berry

Kelley Gann, President and CEO of Freestyle Creative, joined the podcast to share her inspiring journey within the company. Starting her career at Freestyle in 2014 when it was primarily a video production company, Kelley played a crucial role in its transition to a full-service marketing agency. Since then, Freestyle has not only expanded its services but also its impact, landing on prestigious lists like INC 5000 and Metro 50.
 
Kelley discusses her early days at the company, the strategic decisions that spurred growth, and how she navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship influenced by her partner's family history. She highlights the agency’s evolution, its culture-driven approach, and the strategic partnerships that have bolstered its capabilities and resilience, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Key Takeaways:
Leadership and Vision: Kelley’s transition from a partner to CEO was pivotal in scaling Freestyle’s operations and broadening its service offerings.
Cultural Investment: Freestyle thrives on a culture that values its people, recognizing that employee satisfaction translates directly to client success.
Strategic Growth: The agency’s growth has been both organic and strategic, focusing on sustainable development and adapting to market needs.
Community Impact: Freestyle has leveraged its expertise in marketing to make significant social impacts, particularly in public health initiatives.
Notable Quotes:
"It's really exciting to be part of building something from the ground up. You don't realize how exciting it is until you're a part of it." — Kelley Gann
"Business moves at the speed of relationships." — Kelley Gann
"We've been through a lot of peaks and valleys that many business owners go through over the years." — Kelley Gann

In this episode, we welcome Dom Farnan, a visionary leader who has shaped the talent acquisition landscape over the last two decades. Dom shares her journey from starting in recruitment at a young age to founding her agency, DoseConnect, and eventually facing and overcoming the challenges brought by the pandemic and shifting business dynamics. With a focus on conscious leadership and company culture, Dom discusses how her personal and professional experiences led her to advocate for a workplace free from corporate toxicity, where success is intertwined with genuine connection and empowerment.
Key Takeaways:
Conscious Leadership: Dom exemplifies how integrating mindfulness and compassion in leadership can transform corporate culture and lead to substantial business success.
Overcoming Adversity: Dom's story is a testament to navigating through economic downturns and personal losses, highlighting resilience and the ability to pivot and thrive in adversity.
The Importance of Self-Reflection: Dom emphasizes the significance of inner work, self-love, and mindfulness in achieving professional success and personal fulfillment.
Empowering Others: Her journey illustrates the power of nurturing talent and fostering an environment where individuals can flourish professionally and personally.
Adapting to Change: Dom’s ability to scale her business and then gracefully downsize shows the importance of flexibility and adaptability in today’s ever-changing business landscape.

In this episode, Drew welcomes Ali, a silver medalist from the 2004 Olympic Games and a successful business leader, to discuss her unique journey from the world of elite sports to the business arena. Ali shares her story of transitioning from being an Olympic rower to founding and leading a successful business - Noble West. The conversation delves into how the skills, discipline, and teamwork from her athletic career have played a crucial role in her business success. Ali emphasizes the importance of a competitive spirit, the ability to work in a team, and the application of high-performance habits cultivated in sports to her role in business leadership.
 
Key Takeaways:
Transferable Skills: Ali highlights how qualities like teamwork, perseverance, and strategic planning in sports are applicable and beneficial in business.
Leadership Insights: Her experience as an Olympic athlete has provided her with unique leadership insights, especially in fostering team spirit and achieving collective goals.
Overcoming Challenges: Ali shares anecdotes about overcoming setbacks and challenges, both in her sports and business careers, illustrating her resilience and adaptability.
Strategic Thinking: She discusses how strategic thinking and competitive analysis from rowing helped her in business decision-making and strategy development.
Personal Growth: Ali's journey underscores the importance of personal growth, continuous learning, and adapting to new roles and environments.
Notable Quotes:
"Winning big as a team is more fulfilling than succeeding individually."
"In business, as in rowing, you need to be in sync with your team to achieve the best results."
"The discipline and focus required to compete at the Olympic level are directly applicable to leading a successful business."
"Every race, like every business challenge, is an opportunity to learn and grow."
 
Follow Ali: 
 
Noble West: https://wearenoblewest.com/
https://www.instagram.com/wearenoblewest/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicox
 

In this episode Drew dives deep into the remarkable journey of Dr. Judy Morgan. With over 38 years of experience, Dr. Morgan has evolved from a traditional veterinarian to an advocate for natural pet health, leveraging her expertise in acupuncture, chiropractic, and food therapy. Facing numerous challenges, including overcoming adversity in the traditional veterinary field, embarking on self-employment, and navigating financial hurdles to establish her own practice, Dr. Morgan’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to pet health. Her ventures into writing, entrepreneurship, and creating a thriving online community have not only transformed her career but also made a significant impact on pet care worldwide.
 
Key Takeaways:
Adaptability and Resilience: Dr. Morgan’s journey underscores the importance of adaptability in both personal and professional life, demonstrating resilience through numerous challenges.
Holistic Pet Health: Advocating for a holistic approach to pet health, Dr. Morgan emphasizes the use of natural therapies and the minimization of chemicals and processed foods.
Entrepreneurship Journey: Transitioning from veterinary practice to entrepreneurship, Dr. Morgan shares invaluable insights into the highs and lows of building a business, including facing financial challenges and recognizing the power of consultancy and networking.
Importance of Education and Advocacy: Through her books, social media presence, and online platforms, Dr. Morgan stresses the importance of educating pet owners on natural health alternatives and advocates for informed decision-making in pet care.
Notable Quotes:
“If it can go wrong, it's probably going to, but it's how you deal with that. There is no option to fail.”
“For me, adversity almost makes me figure things out faster because there is no option to fail.”
“You need to find your passion. Because if you're not passionate about what you're doing, it's never going to stick.” 

In this episode we get a chance to talk with E.J. McCoy, CEO of Chorbie and Scoop Soldiers. McCoy shares his mission to transform the home service industry through technology and franchising, aiming to enhance the experience for both clients and franchisees. Starting from humble beginnings, McCoy's journey from mowing lawns at a young age to becoming an industry innovator is both inspiring and insightful. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the importance of being a dreamer, and his strategic approach to business growth through franchising. The episode also explores McCoy's efforts to raise awareness for the pet waste removal industry and his vision for the future of home services.
Key Takeaways:
Innovation through Franchising: McCoy emphasizes the role of franchising in expanding his business, highlighting the mutual benefits for both the franchisor and franchisees.
The Power of Being a Dreamer: McCoy credits his success to his ability to dream big and envision the future, driving him to pursue and achieve his goals.
Importance of Self-Awareness: Recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses is key to McCoy's approach, allowing him to delegate effectively and focus on growth.
Raising Industry Awareness: McCoy is passionate about increasing awareness for blue collar and service based businesses, showcasing it as a viable and profitable business venture.
Balancing Ambition with Life: Despite his ambitious endeavors, McCoy stresses the importance of balance, family, and health in sustaining long-term success.
Notable Quotes:
"I always had an interest and ambition, and financial ambition, frankly."
"What better way to prove that the American dream still exists than to build a successful business out of scooping poop?"
"I'm a dreamer. I live in the future, and that has always driven me to figure it out, to make those dreams a reality."