He Built a Cookie Empire by Letting Go of Control | Bennett Maxwell

What if the secret to explosive business growth is letting go? In this powerful episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Josh Kosnick sits down with Bennett Maxwell—entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Dirty Dough. After scaling his cookie company to 450+ franchises sold in just 3 years, Bennett reveals the unlikely mindset behind his success: detachment from outcomes. This conversation is about more than business. It’s about identity, purpose, and leading without ego. Bennett shares how Eastern philosophy, fatherhood, and failure have shaped him as a man and a CEO—and how true success might mean learning how to surrender. What You"ll Learn: - How Bennett scaled Dirty Dough into a national franchise - The spiritual framework that keeps him grounded - What most founders get wrong about success - Why identity-based leadership outlasts outcome-driven tactics - How to lead with presence, purpose, and resilience 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:06 - The Importance of Perception 00:00:45 - Building a Community for Real Conversations 00:02:23 - Introducing Spartan Leadership 00:02:29 - Interview with Bennett 00:04:02 - Bennett"s Transition from Operator to Architect 00:04:07 - Bennett"s Entrepreneurial Journey 00:11:44 - Eastern Philosophy and its Application in Business 00:16:51 - Leadership Lessons 00:22:35 - The Drive to Build After an Exit 00:26:06 - Bennett"s Weight Loss Journey 00:28:56 - Bennett"s Daily Life and Prioritizing Health 00:31:10 - Exploring Psychedelics and Its Impact 00:36:08 - Returning to Business: Franchise Misconceptions 00:39:16 - The Illusion of Control in Business 00:45:37 - Thoughts on Success and Parenting 00:46:49 - Unpopular Beliefs 00:49:17 - Connecting with Bennett Connect with Bennett: https://linktr.ee/bennettmaxwell Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://www.joshkosnick.com Subscribe for More: Weekly conversations with high-performing leaders who lead with courage, conviction, and clarity. Spartan Valor Foundation is dedicated to empowering veterans, military families, and survivors of child trafficking. Through strategic partnerships, we provide critical resources, advocacy, and hope for those who have sacrificed so much. Join us in making a difference—because no hero should stand alone. 🔗 Learn more: spartanvalor.org Support the show CONNECT WITH ME HERE: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok YouTube SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube