To A Million And Beyond

Matt Willis

Discovering how respected brands made their first million.Who should we interview next?Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com

Episodes

  1. JUL 29

    #007: Blue Gander Window Cleaning - A Coach Can Make All The Difference

    In this episode of To A Million And Beyond,  Matt Willis from Wizard of Ads talks with Bow Angemi, the owner of Blue Gander Window Cleaning. From washing windows with his dad since he was eight years old, Bow's journey took a transformative turn in 2018 when he decided to expand the family business into a seven-figure enterprise. Discover how mentorship, mindset shifts, and strategic hiring played crucial roles in this incredible growth story. Bow shares insights into company culture, customer service, and leveraging technology to ensure excellence. Tune in to learn about Bow's future vision for Blue Gander, including potential franchising and impactful community contributions. 00:00 Introduction and Mindset Shift 00:33 Meet Bow Angemi: From Family Business to Empire 01:21 Early Years and Family Influence 02:16 The Turning Point: Hiring and Mentorship 07:19 Rebranding and Scaling the Business 08:32 Key Hires and Business Growth 13:37 Building a Strong Company Culture 18:36 Foundations of Integrity and Professionalism 19:40 The Magic of Pixie Dust in Business 20:40 Building a Positive Work Culture 23:04 Employee Development and Growth Pathways 24:55 Leveraging Technology for Customer Experience 26:57 Comprehensive Service Offerings 28:20 Community Impact and Charitable Contributions 33:45 Awards and Future Plans 36:21 Conclusion and Contact Information Who should we interview next? Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com

    38 min
  2. JUN 25

    #006: Dillabaugh's Flooring - Roaring Past $65m by Stewarding Gifts and Blessing Others

    In this episode of 'Two Million and Beyond,' host Matt Willis from Wizard of Ads sits down with Casey Dillabaugh, owner of Dillabaugh's Flooring. Since taking over the family business in 2015, Casey has grown the company from $16 million to $65 million in annual revenue. Casey shares the secrets behind their success, emphasizing their deep commitment to loving their staff, customers, and community. Learn how their faith-led approach and leadership decisions have enabled them to rapidly grow in a competitive market, and hear a touching story about the significant impact they have on their employees' lives. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about growth, faith, and intentionality. 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 00:39 Meet Casey Dillabaugh 01:19 The Role of EOS in Business Growth 02:24 Hiring the Right Integrator 07:01 Family Business Origins 10:26 Casey's Early Years in the Business 17:17 Transitioning Leadership 28:33 Customer-Centric Approach 33:31 Empowering Staff with Autonomy 34:48 Challenges in the Flooring Industry 35:23 Learning from Mistakes 37:18 Focusing on Leading Indicators 39:28 Using AI for Hiring 44:45 Balancing Introversion and Leadership 48:18 Caring for Staff and Community 58:10 Impact of Cooperatives and Future Plans 01:03:31 Community Impact and Philanthropy 01:06:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections Who should we interview next? Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com

    1h 8m
  3. JUN 5

    #005: StoryPath - Software to Promote Human Flourishing

    To access the Sample, text "Marriage Breakthrough" to 53123 In this episode of 'To a Million and Beyond,' host Matt Willis, partner with Wizard of Ads, engages in an enlightening conversation with Michael Boerner, Founder and CEO of StoryPath.us. They explore how StoryPath is bridging knowledge gaps across various industries, from healthcare to financial services and required training. Michael shares the inception story of StoryPath, the hurdles faced, and the innovative solutions driving their success. Michael also delves into his personal spiritual journey, the importance of data-driven storytelling, and how his previous experiences with Engage Technologies and Mission 17 paved the way for StoryPath's rapid growth. Tune in to discover how a clear mission can lead to massive impact and business success by delivering timely wisdom and radical process improvement. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Transformation 00:11 Welcome to To a Million and Beyond 00:17 Understanding Knowledge Gaps 00:48 Introducing Michael Boerner and StoryPath.us 01:24 Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Healthcare 02:17 The Rapid Growth of StoryPath 03:18 Defining and Identifying Knowledge Gaps 04:27 StoryPath's Approach to Knowledge Gaps 05:43 Innovative Solutions in Healthcare 09:19 The Power of Storytelling in Business 15:39 The Journey of StoryPath and Personal Reflections 22:48 The Evolution of StoryPath and Future Prospects 37:58 Smart Binging and Personalized Reminders 39:26 Challenges in Video-Based Learning 40:44 The Power of Pixie Dust in Branding 41:44 Balancing Technology and Content Creation 43:20 Exploring New Market Verticals 44:27 Innovations in Required Training 47:17 Ensuring Knowledge Transfer and Engagement 51:04 Meaningful Work and Company Culture 52:08 Key Inflection Points and Mistakes 58:21 Advice for Entrepreneurs 01:02:31 Future Goals and Vision for StoryPath Who should we interview next? Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com

    1h 13m
  4. APR 15

    #003: Lockehouse - Building a Business by Solving Industry Challenges

    Join Matt Willis, partner at Wizard of Ads, as he interviews Steve Cutter, owner of Lockehouse, a commercial real estate and property management firm. Founded in 2006, Lockehouse has become a major player on the West Coast. In this episode, Steve shares his journey from college to running a successful business, navigating through the 2008 financial crisis, and expanding his company. He discusses the importance of staying honest, managing a team, and the role of faith and fitness in his life. Learn about Steve's strategies for personal and business growth, the significance of client-first values, and his vision for future expansion. 00:00 The Importance of Integrity in Business 00:18 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:00 Steve Cutter's Journey into Commercial Real Estate 02:00 Starting a Career in Real Estate 03:13 The Challenges and Rewards of Real Estate 05:52 Founding Lockehouse and Early Struggles 09:07 Navigating the Great Recession 09:21 The Role of Development in Business Growth 19:42 Maintaining Company Values and Culture 25:32 Doing the Right Thing in Business 25:43 Integrating Faith in the Workplace 27:09 The Power of Pixie Dust in Branding 28:09 Community Involvement and Charitable Initiatives 30:37 Reaching the $1 Million Revenue Milestone 31:26 Passion for Clients and Team Growth 33:29 Key Decisions in Business Growth 35:11 Outsourcing and Operational Efficiency 37:17 Expanding Services and Geographic Reach 38:46 Personal Passions and Board Involvements 40:55 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 42:18 Current Markets and Future Vision 45:16 Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Interests 46:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Who should we interview next? Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com

    48 min
  5. APR 3

    #001: Chroma Coatings - It Was Always About Relationships

    From Paintbrushes to 10 Million-Dollar Success Welcome to 'To A Million And Beyond' with Matt Willis of Wizard of Ads! In this episode, we're joined by AJ Dressler, founder and owner of Chroma Coatings, a  painting company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. AJ shares the story of Chroma's growth from its founding in 2017 to nearly $10 million in revenue. Discover critical insights on overcoming roadblocks, the pivotal role of relationships, and the strategies that fueled their rapid expansion. Learn about AJ's early experiences in the painting industry, the challenges of scaling a business, and the impact of Chroma's culture of compassion and family. Dive into compelling stories from their work across North Carolina to Florida, and be inspired by Chroma's commitment to community outreach through the Alpha Foundation in Honduras and Mexico. Join us for an inspiring conversation on business growth, resilience, and the profound importance of relationships. 00:00 Introduction and Company Philosophy 00:17 Meet AJ Dressler and Chroma Coatings 03:10 AJ's Journey: From Canada to Chroma 05:39 Building a Business on Relationships 11:09 Challenges and Growth in the Painting Industry 14:35 The Importance of Company Culture 22:31 Recruitment and Employee Relations 24:51 Overcoming Early Hurdles 26:30 Reflecting on the Tough Years 26:50 Crossing the Million Dollar Threshold 26:59 Challenges of Commercial Projects 27:55 Navigating Financial Struggles 29:20 Expanding to New Markets 32:09 Transitioning to Quality Pricing 34:54 Building Relationships in Business 38:19 The Importance of Mentorship 40:46 Forming Strategic Partnerships 41:54 The Birth of the Alpha Foundation 42:46 Supporting Central American Communities 49:54 Advice for Aspiring Business Owners 51:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Who should we interview next? Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com

    52 min

About

Discovering how respected brands made their first million.Who should we interview next?Send nominations to WestCoast@WizardOfAds.com