The Greatest Journey from Tragedy to Triumph in Business with Justin Lapier

In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Justin Lapier, founder and CEO of Synctivate. Justin shares his journey from military service and overcoming personal tragedy to building a tech company that empowers small businesses. The conversation covers his challenges with a past legal issue, his vision for accessible software solutions, and the importance of resilience, company culture, and giving people second chances. Justin’s story highlights perseverance, leadership, and the drive to create meaningful impact for both his team and the broader small business community.

About Justin Lapier

Justin isn't just a leader; he's a pioneer in the software industry. His vision for innovation and knack for creating user-friendly, scalable solutions have helped hundreds of businesses streamline their operations. He's been in the game long enough to know what works and what doesn't, making him an invaluable asset to any project.

Justin’s Background and Early Life (00:01:14) Justin shares his upbringing in Fredericksburg, family background, and high school years.

Military Service and Early Adulthood (00:03:48) Justin discusses graduating high school, joining the Navy, and his role as an aviation electrician.

Transition from Navy to Civilian Life (00:04:39) Justin talks about leaving the Navy, going back to school in Germany, and working various jobs.

First Steps into Tech and Applebee’s Years (00:05:07) Justin describes working at Applebee’s, other odd jobs, and pursuing a computer networking degree.

Breaking into Tech: Intuit Opportunity (00:05:59) Justin explains applying for tech jobs, getting offers from Intuit and his brother’s company.

Landing the Intuit Job and Setback (00:07:12) Justin details the Intuit interview, job offer, and last-minute background check issue.

Legal Trouble and Its Impact (00:09:09) Justin reveals his past manslaughter charge from a car accident during his Navy years.

Present Day: Sync Devait and Buildable (00:10:21) Justin introduces his current companies, Synctivate and Buildable, and their missions.

Building a Billion-Dollar Business (00:11:28) Justin shares his vision for Buildable, aiming to help small businesses and scale massively.

What is Buildable? (00:12:47) Justin explains Buildable as a customizable, no-code business system platform for small businesses.

Product Launch and Local Focus (00:13:48) Justin discusses Buildable’s launch, AI integration, and plans to support local businesses.

Real Estate Ventures (00:15:05) Justin talks about starting a real estate company with his brother and buying commercial property.

Revisiting the Legal Past (00:15:19) The conversation returns to Justin’s car accident in 2004 and its aftermath.

The Accident and Its Aftermath (00:16:06) Justin recounts the details of the accident, loss of friends, and emotional/psychological impact.

Legal Proceedings and Recovery (00:21:48) Justin describes the legal process, jail time, and the struggle to recover emotionally.

Transition to Applebee’s and Job Search Struggles (00:23:13) Justin talks about post-jail life, depression, and difficulty finding tech jobs due to his record.

Turning Point: Taking a Chance at Intuit (00:28:25) Justin’s father encourages him to show up at Intuit despite setbacks, leading to a career breakthrough.

Corporate Career and Growth at Intuit (00:31:16) Justin shares his work ethic, promotions, and training roles at Intuit.

Moving into No-Code Development (00:32:29) Justin explains his transition to Quick Base, learning development, and the no-code software movement.

The Vision for Buildable and AI Integration (00:33:51) Justin details how Buildable leverages AI to make no-code solutions truly accessible for small businesses.

Entrepreneurial Journey: From Employee to Founder (00:35:25) Justin describes leaving Quick Base, joining a partner company, and eventually founding Synctivate \.

Client Success Story: National Drying Technologies (00:37:04) Justin shares how his systems helped a client grow and get acquired for $100 million.

Business Philosophy: Consultative Sales and Relationships (00:38:04) Justin discusses his approach to sales, focusing on trust and long-term client relationships.

Giving Back: Speaking to Young Drivers (00:40:00) Justin talks about sharing his story with young drivers to prevent similar tragedies.

Personal Growth and Openness (00:41:56) Justin reflects on opening up about his past, the support from his wife, and helping others.

Impact and Redemption Through Business (00:42:51) Justin finds meaning in giving opportunities to others and making a positive impact.

Reflections on Responsibility and Hypocrisy (00:43:22) Neil discusses societal judgment, personal responsibility, and empathy for Justin’s journey.

Ambitions for the Future and Community Impact (00:45:36) Justin shares his dream of owning a professional soccer team and helping small businesses.

Spirituality and Healing (00:48:52) Justin discusses his spiritual journey, returning to church, and its role in his healing process.

Company Culture and Team Building (00:52:25) Justin describes the culture at Synctivate,  benefits, hiring philosophy, and team development.

Closing Reflections and Advice (00:57:37) Justin and Neil reflect on grit, overcoming the past, and advice for others facing adversity.

QUOTES

" I remember the ambulance getting there, and the first thing they did was put a sheet over the back of the car. They already knew that my friends Chris and Chad had passed away. Next thing I knew, I was in the ambulance, being taken to the hospital, and not allowed to drink water because they wanted to test me for alcohol. That just started a whirlwind in my life—the worst day ever. For the record, I would take my friends’ place any day of the week if I could. It was just a hard time.'

" After that accident, I shut down for years. I wouldn’t hang out with friends, even though I was in Norfolk. I would come home every weekend, but in the evenings after work in the Navy and at home on the weekends, all I would do was play computer games and just get in with my friends that I knew worldwide. That was my only escape. I was going into this world of this game, and that was making me forget about the rest of life."

" I can’t tell you how many—dozens of opportunities—that I got turned down from because of that conviction. I lost my best friends. It’s not like I went into a 7-Eleven and held it up with a gun or something like that, but not many people wanted to take a chance on me, and it was hard. That added to the depression because it’s like, am I ever going to be able to achieve what I think I can achieve? At the same time, as I told you the other day, I don’t want my friends’ names to be in vain. I feel like I’d take their place any day of the week, but if I can’t do that, then I have to make something of myself. I can’t let this be a waste, and that was eating at me too. That was driving me to do better, be better." 

Connect with Justin Lapier here 

Synctivate - Custom Software Solutions & Business Process Automation

Connect with Neil Darling & Ringspaces here

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Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com

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