552: From Ditch Digger to 9-Figure CEO: Building a Business That Runs Without You

What if your company’s success depends less on what you build and more on what your people are chasing?   For Ken Rusk, digging ditches became the foundation for building something far more valuable: a company where employees don’t just show up to work — they show up for their lives.   In this episode, I speak with Ken Rusk, nine-figure entrepreneur and author of Blue Collar Cash, about how he built his business by aligning personal dreams with company growth, and why creating a culture of ownership, vision, and peace is more powerful than chasing the next milestone.   Ken shares how he developed a visual goal-setting system that drives performance, why he made his company employee-owned, and how his leadership mindset shifted after overcoming personal and professional crises, including a health scare with his daughter and navigating the pandemic.   We talk about: How turning employees into goal-setters created unstoppable momentum Why giving up control was the best decision he ever made as a leader How to build long-term loyalty without high-pressure tactics or perks The difference between reacting and proacting as an entrepreneur What “comfort, peace, and freedom” really mean, and how to build toward them How to spot internal leaders (and how to help them thrive)   This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone building a business, leading a team, or simply looking to live more intentionally, not someday, but starting today.   Get Ken’s book here: https://www.kenrusk.com/blue-collar-cash/ Blue-Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life   Here are some free gifts for you:    Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo