Boots on the Ground: From Key Employee to Business Owner - Ryan Carr
What's Your Deal? | Business Buying, Business Acquisitions, Investing & Exit StrategiesShow Notes
What happens when a key employee becomes one of the most valuable partners in a small business? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with longtime business partner Ryan Carr to discuss small business ownership, business partnerships, leadership, entrepreneurship, company culture, employee management, and business growth. Ryan shares his journey from employee to owner after starting with a Northern Arizona commercial property maintenance company in 2016 and becoming a business partner in 2018. Today, he helps lead one of the top commercial property maintenance companies in Arizona, providing parking lot sweeping, pressure washing, fleet washing, portering services, snow removal, and exterior maintenance services.
Timestamps:
01:35 - How the business sale and partnership came together
04:25 - Ryan's transition from employee to owner
05:40 - Ryan's background before joining the company
07:05 - Why confidentiality matters during a business sale
08:05 - How ownership changed Ryan's mindset
09:15 - Ryan and his wife working together in the business
10:55 - Working on the business vs. in the business
12:00 - Why blue-collar businesses are strong opportunities
13:10 - Managing people, personalities, and company culture
14:00 - COVID, staffing shortages, and leadership challenges
15:00 - Learning to delegate and stop micromanaging
17:40 - Why toxic employees can damage a company
19:40 - The importance of making difficult decisions quickly
20:40 - Business growth, profitability, and company culture
21:35 - Choosing the right business partners
22:50 - How their partnership structure works
24:20 - The value of passive partners and advisors
25:00 - Ryan's toughest moments in business
26:40 - Labor shortages and hiring struggles after COVID
27:30 - Why the company is stronger today
28:00 - Delegating more responsibility to the team
28:50 - Snow removal and managing a 24/7 business
30:40 - Taking pride in the company and community impact
32:00 - Supporting employees through difficult times
35:00 - Why treating employees like people matters
35:50 - Advice for people who want to own a business
36:40 - Family sacrifice, business ownership, and success
37:50 - Ryan's gratitude for his family and support system
Connect with Ryan
Email - [email protected]
SweptAwayAZ.com
Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success:
Instagram: @ampedsuccess
Website: ampedsuccess.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/
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