2019 Aggie 100: Lessons Learned From Fast Growing Entrepreneurs

“The road to success is always under construction” – Lily Tomlin                                                                                                                        

Being an entrepreneur is one of the most difficult things that you can strive to accomplish. You are always grinding and striving for better. So never pass up the opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments and success with your team.

Last week, I had the opportunity celebrate with the 100 fastest growing Aggie owned and operated companies in the world at the 15th annual Aggie 100 Awards Banquet. This year’s banquet lived up it’s reputation as one of the best parties in Aggieland. I am always ready to soak up some knowledge from entrepreneurs – here is what I learned that impacted me the most:

Raul Arellano, owner of CR Systems INC / Aggieland Roofing told me that the best way to ensure the newest employee in your company catches the value of your company is to BE WITH them and SHOW them. Raul feels that it is his main job (QBR) to train the new guys. Not train them in their technical skills, but train them how to act as if this was their company. From picking up trash on the job site to always treating the customer with professionalism and respect, the boss MUST set the example. 

Persistence is a trait the every entrepreneurs must have. Jack Perry of Doorstep Digital shared the history of his company. Multiple times during his 20+ year entrepreneurial journey he could have packed it up and gone to work for someone else. It would be less stress and less work – but that is not who Jack is. Time and again he persisted against all the odds (just ask any Houston, Texas entrepreneur how persistent they had to be following Hurricane Harvey) by having a vision, a plan, and a team of supporters. This allowed him to keep moving – and boy did it pay off for him!

Old-fashioned customer service is easy to say, but hard to deliver. This is what allowed Jared Pollard, founder of Wildernex, LLC (www.wildernex.com) to receive the first, of what I would image to be many, Aggie 100 award in the company’s history. His obsession of customer service is seen in the way that his employees treat the customer every step of the process. Jared realizes that his customers don’t call a pest control company when they are in a good mood. He only gets a call when an intruder has invaded the personal living or working space of his customers – and they want Jared and his team to fix the situation. Jared has a highly educated team (with all members having at least a 4-year degree in animal science, wildlife management, or a similar degree) not only on how to deal with critters (that is the technical term for vermin) but also customers. By delivering a constant flow of communication and expectations of the next steps they put their customer’s minds at ease during an extremely stressful time.

As a 5 time Aggie 100 winner, Ross Morel, founder and CEO of Frogslayer (no not another pest control company, but rather an amazing custom software developer) has definitely cracked the code on sustainable growth. He has told me on more than one occasion, that no one is able to get anywhere without a team. Definitely he is on to something! Ross and his team are changing the world by developing custom software that is disrupting multiple industries. However, they never loose sight of the fact that without attracting and investing in the team, all of their efforts would be short lived. Ross is building a company that, in my opinion, will last for generations. Not because he is the best coder on the planet, but rather because he has his priorities and focused aligned with his core value – and he makes sure that his team is with him every step of the way. If you want to go fast, go alone – if you want to go far, go together.

There are many more lessons that can be learned from these amazing, smart, brave, courageous and strong entrepreneurs, but these were my top 4. To all the Aggie 100 honorees – a well deserved congratulations. I hope you enjoyed a marvelous celebration in your honor and you were able to rest up. 2020 is just around the corner and I can’t wait to party with you next year! Who has already booked their reservation?

Being an entrepreneur is one of the most difficult and demanding things you can do. The good news is that entrepreneurship today is a team sport. Hit the connect button on LinkedIn or Facebook NOW and together we will work towards hitting your 10-year target. Along the way we will increase your profit, strengthen your leadership skills and define your strategic vision. This will lead to confidence in your path, freedom to dream up bigger targets and a strategic banking relationship. When we connect, tell me about what you do to ensure that you are always growing.

Greg Martin is an entrepreneur’s insider to the banking industry and passionately believes that every person was uniquely designed for a higher purpose and calling. Greg guides entrepreneurs in defining and achieving their purpose and calling. His deepest passion is living life with his wife and their wonderful son.