Scaling a Specialized Company Through Systems, Culture, and AI with Tony Ricketts at Lawnline Marketing
Release Date: 06/26/2025
How a Hands-Off Culture Fuels Startup Growth with Greg Dobak at Standard Information
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with Greg Dobak, Founder and CEO of Standard Information, to explore how embracing a Hands-Off Culture can be a powerful driver of startup growth. Ranked No. 1684 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, Standard Information has thrived by giving its people the freedom to make decisions, take ownership, and innovate without constant oversight. Greg shares how cultivating a Hands-Off Culture leads to increased trust, faster execution, and stronger team performance. We dive into the practical steps leaders can take to build autonomy while staying aligned with company goals. If...
info_outline
Tough Conversations about Quiet Quitting with Gene Hammett
Growth Think Tank
Quiet Quitting is a silent issue that can erode your company culture and performance if left unaddressed. In this episode, I share how to have tough conversations about Quiet Quitting before it becomes a bigger problem. I’ll walk you through practical ways to re-engage team members, set clear expectations, and foster real commitment. Addressing Quiet Quitting isn't just about performance—it's about leadership, clarity, and accountability. I'm Gene Hammett, an executive coach with over ten years of experience working with CEOs and their executive teams. After studying the leadership of...
info_outline
Scaling a Specialized Company Through Systems, Culture, and AI with Tony Ricketts at Lawnline Marketing
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with Tony Ricketts, founder and CEO of Lawnline Marketing, to unpack how scaling a Specialized Company through systems, culture, and AI drives remarkable growth. Under Tony’s leadership, Lawnline Marketing secured the No. 306 spot on the 2024 Inc. As the leader of a specialized agency focused on the green industry, Tony shares how concentrated expertise and tailored processes helped Lawnline expand to support over 200 lawn and landscape businesses nationwide. We dig into how a Specialized Company leverages AI tools to automate content creation while preserving...
info_outline
How to Maintain Culture as You Scale and Protect What Makes Your Company Great with Gene Hammett
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I explore how growing companies can effectively maintain their culture as they scale. Drawing insights from my experience with over 800 CEOs from the Inc. 5000, I address the challenges that arise when transitioning from small teams to larger organizations. I argue that attempting to preserve the original culture can be misguided; instead, leaders should focus on adaptability while upholding core values. I emphasize the importance of establishing clear values, aligning new talent with these principles, and viewing hiring as fostering a shared mission. Additionally, I discuss...
info_outline
How Adaptable Leadership Drives Rapid Expansion with Marcos Rivera at PRICING I/O
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with Marcos Rivera, CEO of Pricing I/O, to explore how Adaptable Leadership drives rapid expansion in fast-growing companies. Marcos shares how embracing Adaptable Leadership has allowed Pricing I/O to secure a spot at No. 1,915 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, thanks to a 27% three-year revenue growth. We dive into real-world examples of Adaptable Leadership, including how he adjusts strategies in response to changing market conditions and team needs. Marcos provides actionable insights on empowering leaders to stay flexible, decisive, and resilient as their companies...
info_outline
How to Address the Biggest Mistake When Scaling Your Company with Gene Hammett
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I dive into the biggest Mistake When Scaling that I see leaders make—and how you can avoid it. If you're growing fast, it’s easy to focus only on sales or systems, but ignoring the human side is often the critical Mistake When Scaling. I’ll walk you through the leadership shifts that are essential as your team expands and your company evolves. I’ve coached hundreds of founders and CEOs through this journey, and today I’ll share specific strategies to help you stay ahead of the most common Mistake When Scaling. I'm Gene Hammett, an executive coach with over ten years...
info_outline
Scaling a People-Centric Business with Max Friar at Calder Capital
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with Max Friar, founder and Managing Partner of Calder Capital, to explore how building a People-Centric Business has fueled the firm's impressive growth. Max shares how prioritizing team development, transparency, and a culture of ownership has been key to scaling a People-Centric Business in the competitive M&A industry. We discuss the systems and leadership philosophies that have enabled Calder Capital to thrive, even amid economic headwinds. Ranked No. 1,409 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, Calder Capital has achieved a remarkable 346% growth since 2020, a...
info_outline
The Importance of Strategic Leadership Development as a CEO with David Fan at Fanale Drinks
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with David Fan, founder and CEO of Fanale Drinks, to explore how Strategic Leadership Development has been instrumental in scaling his boba tea supply business. David shares how prioritizing Strategic Leadership Development enabled him to build a resilient team, adapt to market shifts, and sustain rapid growth. We delve into the specific leadership frameworks and mindsets that helped Fanale Drinks evolve from a small Hayward-based startup to a national supplier of boba ingredients and equipment. David emphasizes that Strategic Leadership Development isn't just about...
info_outline
The Importance of Strategic Leadership Development as a CEO with David Fan at Fanale Drinks
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with David Fan, founder and CEO of Fanale Drinks, to explore how Strategic Leadership Development has been instrumental in scaling his boba tea supply business. David shares how prioritizing Strategic Leadership Development enabled him to build a resilient team, adapt to market shifts, and sustain rapid growth. We delve into the specific leadership frameworks and mindsets that helped Fanale Drinks evolve from a small Hayward-based startup to a national supplier of boba ingredients and equipment. David emphasizes that Strategic Leadership Development isn't just about...
info_outline
The Power of Radical Transparency to Build a Great Culture with Brian Hunter at Tiny Rhino Group
Growth Think Tank
In this episode, I sit down with Brian Hunter, founder and CEO of Tiny Rhino Group, to explore how Radical Transparency can be a powerful force in building a thriving company culture. Brian shares how embracing Radical Transparency has helped his team foster trust, accountability, and alignment across all levels of the organization. We discuss the challenges and breakthroughs that come with leading openly and how Radical Transparency can accelerate performance in fast-growth environments. Tiny Rhino Group, founded in 2018, has rapidly expanded its impact in the dental industry by focusing on...
info_outlineIn this episode, I sit down with Tony Ricketts, founder and CEO of Lawnline Marketing, to unpack how scaling a Specialized Company through systems, culture, and AI drives remarkable growth. Under Tony’s leadership, Lawnline Marketing secured the No. 306 spot on the 2024 Inc. As the leader of a specialized agency focused on the green industry, Tony shares how concentrated expertise and tailored processes helped Lawnline expand to support over 200 lawn and landscape businesses nationwide. We dig into how a Specialized Company leverages AI tools to automate content creation while preserving high-quality, industry-focused output. Tony emphasizes the importance of a strong cultural foundation—built intentionally—to sustain a Specialized Company as it scales. Tune in to learn how specializing strategically can give your business a competitive edge and set the stage for scalable success.