#46: The School of Hard Knocks, with Casey Watland

In this episode, we dive into an inspiring entrepreneurial journey with Casey Watland, owner of Watland Custom Underground LLC, a company specializing in underground utilities in Texas. Casey shares his transition from a cautious employee to an ambitious business owner, discussing the impact of personal challenges, core values, and business growth strategies.

Key Points & Highlights:

1. Entrepreneurial Beginnings:

   • Casey's inspiration from his father's business experiences.
   • The decisive moment to start his own business with his father as a mentor and later business partner.

2. Challenges & Solutions:

   • Casey knew how to "work" and do the skill, but didn't know how to run a business.
   • Initially struggled with hiring and business knowledge.
   • Implemented a new hiring process and developed a strong company culture based on core values crafted with team input.

3. Core Values Discussion:

   • The significance of having actionable and meaningful core values.
   • Examples of core values at Watland: Perseverance, Loyalty, Teamwork, Accountability, Stability.

4. Leadership and Growth:

   • Transitioning from being hands-on in every project to trusting his team's abilities to handle key operations.
   • The role of continuous learning and mentorship in personal and professional growth.

5. Personal Transformation:

   • Casey's journey towards sobriety and its positive impact on his life and business.
   • The role of support systems and accountability in maintaining personal and business growth.

6. Advice for Entrepreneurs:

   • Importance of investing in employees and building a solid operational foundation.
   • Encouragement to seek mentorship and not shy away from asking for help.

Book Mentioned: The 2-Day CEO, by Skylar Lewis and Who: The A Method for Hiring, by Geoff Smart and Randy Street

Sales Training: www.bwpcoach.com/salestraining