The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

When Brian Scudamore wanted to franchise 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, about a dozen franchise experts told him it couldn't be done. Years later, with the company close to bankruptcy, he removed his COO against the advice of everyone in the business. In both cases, asking the right questions, and finding the right people, is what got him through.
In this episode:
How the experts' Nos became the franchise model: a national brand, clean shiny trucks, friendly, uniformed drivers, and a central call center
Why only 20% of Harvard MBA students got "the right answer" when Brian taught his own case study
The 14-month COO hire that didn't share his vision, and the three-year turnaround that followed with 300 franchises at stake
Why his "MBA" is a mentor board of advisors, plus 30 years in the Entrepreneurs' Organization and the Gathering of Titans
How one hello at an International Franchise Association meeting turned into car-phone mentoring calls with Subway founder Fred DeLuca
Free press as a growth engine: 100 franchises sold in the first year, 151 calls the day Fortune ran, and 15 months of calling to get on Oprah

Audio Timestamps:
00:00 - Why nobody calls the experts, and welcome to Part 2
01:29 - Using AI as a thought partner, and turning the experts' Nos into a franchise
08:36 - Why he never quit, and the COO hire that nearly sank the company
14:12 - Choosing people over the balance sheet, and the personal cost of the turnaround
17:59 - Marrying an entrepreneur, and the peer groups behind the business
23:43 - Building a mentor board, and how a hello led to Fred DeLuca
29:33 - Staying 100% franchised, and why keeping control mattered
34:09 - Free press as the growth engine, and how they landed Oprah
42:26 - Telling a better story, and why specifics sell
44:31 - Wrapping up the big lessons from both parts
Guest Bio:
Serial entrepreneur, Dragons’ Den investor, and author Brian Scudamore has always taken the road less travelled. At just 19 years old, he pioneered the industry of professional junk removal with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, turning a chore people avoid into an exceptional customer service experience. Then he scaled that success into two more home-service brands, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine, under theO2E Brands banner.
Connect with Brian Scudamore
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scudamore/
https://brianscudamore.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brianscudamore
https://www.facebook.com/bscudamore/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpQVYv5YMEqKZd5u7ANifYA
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In 1994, five years into running his junk removal business, Brian Scudamore called all 11 employees into a morning meeting, apologized for letting them down, and fired every one of them. He went from five trucks to one. What he built next started with a single page describing a future nobody else could see yet.
In this episode:
Why Brian's grandparents' San Francisco surplus store was robbed only twice in 20 years while neighbouring shops were hit almost weekly
The 1994 reset: owning the failure ("it was all on me") and rebuilding around the right people
The "painted picture": a one-page, double-sided vision written in present tense, and how the 1998 version's goal of the top 30 metros came down to 28 of 30 with 90 days left
How a failed 1997 summer franchise model, the only two years the business lost money, led to year-round franchising
The five-minute sheet-of-paper exercise Brian uses to pull his leadership team out of a dark moment
How one question about a dream trip got former COO Cameron Herold to picture a vision

Audio Timestamps:
00:00 - Vision Sets Direction
00:29 - Podcast Intro Guest Bio
02:05 - Entrepreneurial Roots
03:12 - Grandparents Respect Lesson
06:31 - Wisdom Over Time
10:12 - Impact Over Status
13:08 - Firing Everyone Reset
16:38 - Hiring For Culture Fit
18:51 - Shared Vision Leadership
22:36 - Painted Picture Framework
25:49 - Owning Failure Learning
27:04 - Clarity Drives Scale
28:13 - Painted Picture Defined
29:55 - Vision That Unites Teams
30:31 - Scaling Vision Across Companies
32:48 - Making Vision A Ritual
34:58 - Never Lower The Bar
37:17 - Courage To Pivot
40:02 - Willing To Fail Lessons
45:48 - Possibility As A Mindset
47:32 - Teaching Vivid Vision
51:04 - Questions Drive Innovation
53:26 - Closing And Next Episode
Guest Bio:
Serial entrepreneur, Dragons’ Den investor, and author Brian Scudamore has always taken the road less travelled. At just 19 years old, he pioneered the industry of professional junk removal with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, turning a chore people avoid into an exceptional customer service experience. Then he scaled that success into two more home-service brands, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine, under theO2E Brands banner.
Resources mentioned:
Brian’s Books - WTF: Willing to Fail and BYOB: Build Your Own Business Be Your Own Boss
Vivid Vision book by Cameron Herold
Start With Why book by Simon Sinek

Connect with Brian Scudamore
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scudamore/
https://brianscudamore.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brianscudamore
https://www.facebook.com/bscudamore/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpQVYv5YMEqKZd5u7ANifYA
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Seventeen years ago, four strangers decided to build something almost no one commits to: a mastermind group that outlasts the businesses, marriages, and identities its members walk in with. In Part 2, Dwayne sits back down with three of the four, Curt Cronin, Michael Grandjean, and Sam Hazledine (missing Keiron McCammon)to unpack what actually kept the group alive that long, and what it cost them to get there.
In this episode:
Why Curt distinguishes a mentor ("shape me in their likeness"), a coach ("hold a container and ask me questions"), and a consultant ("give me the answer") as three completely different relationships and why conflating them causes friction
Sam's case for why "in business, generally speaking, the coaches are not the ones who are successful at business" and what that selection bias means for anyone hiring one
Curt's math on the actual hours he has left with his teenage daughter based on their current visiting cadence, and how that number changed how he shows up for her
Why Sam believes selection, who's in the room, matters more than structure, using the analogy that "date night doesn't work if you're married to the wrong person"
The origin story: how Curt, Michael, and Sam actually formed the group after meeting through Tony Robbins' Platinum Partners program, and why Tony himself turned down an invite to join
Michael's take on the single biggest shift that took the group from well-meaning to effective: bringing in real structure and prep

Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Mentorship Mindset
00:35 Podcast Intro
01:38 Creating Your Reality
04:21 Beyond Tactics to Mindset
07:14 Accountability and Growth
10:03 Aligned Vision Matters
15:21 Belief and Creation
21:27 Finding Great Mentors
25:12 Mentor vs Coach
28:52 Coaching Limits in Business
30:51 Curiosity Over Assumptions
34:12 Resetting Miscommunication
36:29 Courageous Conversations at Work
38:51 Building Trust With Windshield Time
39:58 Starting a Mastermind Group
41:22 Structure Prep and Standards
43:36 Finding the Right People
47:00 Origin Story and Commitment
51:50 Speaking to the Fifth Person
52:54 Parting Shots and Farewell
59:50 Podcast Outro and Disclaimer
LINKS TO PREVIOUS EPISODES:
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/2-from-navy-seal-to-entrepreneur-the-transformative-journey-with-curt-cronin/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/24-part-1-curiosity-change-embracing-growth-and-discovery-with-curt-cronin/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/25-part-2-unlocking-potential-from-beyond-the-comfort-zone-with-curt-cronin/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/5-beyond-achievement-unlocking-fulfillment-with-dr-sam-hazledine/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/121-collapse-courage-and-comeback-with-michael-grandjean/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/122-forgiving-yourself-and-rebuilding-after-failure-with-michael-grandjean/
Follow The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast for more conversations like this one, and catch Part 1 of this mastermind episode if you haven't yet.
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Seventeen years, six men, and one rule: no advice allowed. On this panel, three members of Dwayne Kerrigan's mastermind group, the "Honey Badgers", pull back the curtain on the framework that's carried them through startups, exits, burnout, and grief, and explain why the group that changes them most is the one that refuses to tell them what to do.
In this episode:
Curt Cronin breaks down "dynamic subordination," the Navy SEAL handoff principle the group uses to know who leads and who steps back in a crisis
Sam Hazledine explains why "nature abhors a vacuum" is the real reason humans default to giving advice, and why it usually backfires
Michael Grandjean opens up about losing everything and the one thing that got him through it: learning to forgive himself
Dwayne and the group unpack the "event, meaning, emotion, behavior, result" chain and how the stories we attach to events quietly run our lives
Sam introduces the idea of becoming a "mindful steward" instead of a "benevolent dictator" as a business scales
The group previews Dwayne's upcoming Founders Council program, built on the same gestalt-style mentorship model

About the guests: Curt Cronin is a former U.S. Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur and a founding member of the Honey Badgers mastermind group. Michael Grandjean spent 30 years in construction for the Department of Defense and the U.S. government before rebuilding his career after a period of significant personal and financial loss. Sam Hazledine is a physician based in New Zealand and founder of a medical staffing, technology, and research business. All three have been meeting with Dwayne Kerrigan as part of the same mastermind group for 17 years.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Brotherhood Origins
01:10 Meet The Honey Badgers
02:06 Sam Hazledine Introduction
03:19 Mike Grandjean and Curt Cronin Introductions
05:04 How the Mastermind Group Formed
07:07 Why the Group Works
10:06 Beyond Advice Gestalt Feedback
16:05 Trust and Safe Space
20:07 Dynamic Subordination Explained
23:21 Scaling Leadership Mindful Steward
28:53 Enough More and Seasons
31:41 Stuck In The Middle
32:16 Paying The Price
33:34 Forgive Yourself
35:14 Pain Versus Suffering
38:25 Blind Spots And Truth
42:26 Power Of Story
49:38 Intimacy And Proximity
54:31 Mastermind Framework
58:31 Proximity Is Power
01:02:57 Closing And Next Week
Follow The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast for Part 2 of this conversation, and find Curt Cronin, Michael Grandjean, and Sam Hazledine's own episodes in the show's back catalog.
Links to Previous Episodes:
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/2-from-navy-seal-to-entrepreneur-the-transformative-journey-with-curt-cronin/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/24-part-1-curiosity-change-embracing-growth-and-discovery-with-curt-cronin/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/25-part-2-unlocking-potential-from-beyond-the-comfort-zone-with-curt-cronin/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/5-beyond-achievement-unlocking-fulfillment-with-dr-sam-hazledine/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/121-collapse-courage-and-comeback-with-michael-grandjean/
https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/122-forgiving-yourself-and-rebuilding-after-failure-with-michael-grandjean/
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

FlyGuys CEO Joe Stough returns for Part 2 of this conversation on scaling technology companies through operational excellence, culture, and AI.
Joe breaks down the four-element operational excellence management system he built plus the cultural foundation of the golden rule and iron sharpens iron and explains how the company's AI data infrastructure platform now serves seven industries through one configurable pipeline.
If you're building a company that needs to scale past its current ceiling, this episode is a playbook.
In this episode:
Joe walks through FlyGuys' four-element Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) — leadership, individual development, incident learning, and continuous improvement — built on a fifth "element zero": culture.
He unpacks FlyGuys' five cultural principles: the golden rule, iron sharpens iron, goal zero, raving fans, and one for all and all for one.
Joe details the Waitr acquisition that used almost all of the company's post-SPAC cash within two weeks of going public — a transaction later written down by $190 million.
He explains how FlyGuys' AI data infrastructure platform now serves seven verticals (construction, solar, asset management, agriculture, public safety, insurance, and telecom) through one configurable pipeline.
Joe shares his networking philosophy — prioritizing "vision alignment" over job titles, including the mid-level ExxonMobil manager who opened the door to a multi-year enterprise contract.
He gives direct advice for business owners bringing AI into their operations: don't skip the architecture expertise, and pair AI orchestration with real industry knowledge.

Episode Time Stamps:
00:00 Iron Sharpens Iron Culture
00:28 Podcast Intro and Recap
01:29 Scaling Lessons and AI Risks
03:21 Pricing and Org Costs Trap
06:47 Operational Excellence Foundation
10:15 Mapping the Process Day One
13:33 Defects and Incident Learning
15:12 Customer Journey Method
18:53 Culture Principles Element Zero
24:55 OEMS Elements Breakdown
28:20 How It Became Intentional
30:43 Can OE Reduce Failures
32:46 Waitr Acquisition Mistake
37:16 Waitr Deal Fallout
38:56 Mentor Sam Smolik
41:17 Networking Beyond Titles
44:05 Vision Alignment Story
47:43 Risk and Diversification
53:22 Platform for Complexity
57:20 Vertical Workflow Examples
01:04:56 Agentic AI and Scaling
01:12:48 Final Scaling Playbook
01:18:32 Closing and Where to Find
Resources Mentioned:
Interpersonal Technology: The Art and Science of Personal and Professional Effectiveness by James A. Gwaltney (Author)
https://a.co/d/06TD2z2R
The Power of Goal ZERO: A Practical Leadership Guide for Achieving Superior Performance by Sam Smolik (Author)
https://a.co/d/06CjUZI2
The Daily Pursuit of Excellence: The 4 Keys to Achieving Superior Performance by Sam Smolik (Author)
https://a.co/d/03YXAfrQ
About Joe Stough: Joe Stough is CEO of FlyGuys, an AI data infrastructure platform serving industries including construction, solar, agriculture, insurance, and public safety. He previously served as President and COO of Waitr, and earlier built Impact, an operational excellence and safety management software adopted by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total, and Koch Industries. Stough sits on the board of directors of Ducks Unlimited alongside his mentor Sam Smolik, author of Daily Pursuit of Excellence and Goal Zero, whose influence shaped FlyGuys' operational excellence system.
Connect with Joe Stough:
https://flyguys.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-stough/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/flyguys.io/
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.