Andrew Spikes is the owner of Missio, a digital marketing agency whose mission is to glorify God with digital marketing. As a rapidly growing business (highest ranked Christian digital marketing agency for two years running on the Inc 5000 list), Andrew shares powerful insights into building a team around culture and mission. You can learn more about Missio here (https://missiodigital.com/) and you can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewspikes/).

Key Takeaways

– Missio is a fast-growing Christian digital marketing agency, twice named to the Inc. 5000 list
– Andrew emphasizes the importance of core values, profit focus, and work-life balance for entrepreneurs
– Key advice: Start as a side hustle, build a savings cushion, and be ~80% confident before going full-time

Topics

About Missio and Its Growth

– Digital marketing agency with a mission to “glorify God with digital marketing”
– Serves organizations led by Christian leaders who bring faith to work
– Named to Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies twice
– Grew from 13 team members to 35, now all remote

Hiring and Team Building

– Initially hired all 1099 contractors, later transitioned leadership/key roles to W2
– Learned the importance of hiring for both mission alignment AND technical skills
– Now uses testing (Wonder, OMG) to assess cognitive ability, personality, motivation
– Implements regular 1-on-1s (30-60 min) where team members set agenda

Core Values and Culture

– 5 action-oriented core values: Execute with excellence, Love your neighbor, Make a difference, Think like an entrepreneur, Take ownership
– Uses core values in hiring/firing decisions and performance discussions
– Emphasizes servant leadership and refers to “team members” not “employees”

Financial Management

– Early mistake: Focused on revenue growth without profitability, nearly broke business
– Now tracks operating ratio (OR) for different business functions
– Aims for 10-20% OR for success management, 50% for cost of labor in social media

Work-Life Balance

– Sets clear start/stop times for work day
– Involves spouse as sounding board for business decisions
– Advises using entrepreneurial flexibility for family time (e.g. afternoon dates)

Advice for Entrepreneurs

– Start as a side hustle to prove the concept without full financial pressure
– Build a $100k savings cushion before going full-time
– Be ~75-80% confident in business before leaving your day job, not 100%
– Read entrepreneur autobiographies (e.g. Shoe Dog, Ride of a Lifetime) for inspiration

Chris Hanks is the Founder of the ⁠Institute for Entrepreneurship (https://instituteforentr.com/)⁠. After various successful stints in developing entrepreneurship programs at colleges like The University of Georgia, Georgia State, and Kennesaw State, Chris is focused on developing the community within the Institute. You can connect with Chris through the Institute’s website or via ⁠LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hanks-8480539/)⁠.

Key Takeaways

Chris is committed to building a transformational organization focused on impact rather than just information
Systems and people development are crucial for business growth and scaling
Work-life balance is a myth; instead, focus on being fully present in each moment
Having a strong “why” is essential for entrepreneurial success and perseverance

Topics

The Institute for Entrepreneurship
Mission: Create the most transformational organization in entrepreneurship
Focus on impact rather than just information dissemination
Bringing together 100 transformational CEOs to mentor and develop others
Emphasis on executive development, emerging leader development, and investing in the next generation

Business Growth Fundamentals
Systems are crucial for scaling: marketing, execution, customer experience
People development is key: hiring the right people and nurturing their potential
Importance of clarity in defining success and keeping score
Need for a consistent process in developing team members

Work-Life Integration
Reject the concept of work-life balance; focus on work-life presence
Create memorable moments rather than worrying about the duration
Be fully present and focused in both work and personal life
Put away distractions (e.g., phone) during family time to show true engagement

Goal Setting and Commitment
Shift from “goals” to “commitments” for stronger personal investment
Chris’s commitment: Building a place famous for love and transformation
Recognize the challenge of loving well and creating a caring environment

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Carefully consider your reasons for starting a business
Understand that entrepreneurship will test your character and abilities
Have a strong “why” to withstand challenges
Be willing to sacrifice and go through discomfort for long-term success
Fully commit without relying on a “backdoor” or easy way out

Matthew Efird shares his journey from working at a pharmacy management company to becoming a business owner, investing in Mosquito Joe and Lighting Pros. He discusses the challenges and successes he faced in starting and growing these businesses, as well as the decision to create a franchise system to support other seasonal business owners. Matthew emphasizes the importance of being a good steward of his investments and the value of embracing new challenges while acknowledging the need to balance ambition with practicality.

Matthew also discusses the significance of defining core values and hiring employees based on them, integrating these values into various aspects of the organization such as interviews, performance reviews, and team building activities. He emphasizes the culture of continuous improvement and personal development, aiming to create an environment where employees are encouraged to grow and learn. By setting the expectation for growth and learning from the beginning of employment, Matthew aims to foster a culture where employees are motivated to improve, ultimately benefiting the business and creating opportunities for personal and professional advancement.

Furthermore, Matthew highlights the pivotal role of customer feedback in driving business improvement, drawing from his own experience in the lighting industry. He emphasizes the value of accountability and appreciation for customer feedback, stressing that it not only fosters customer satisfaction but also mitigates the risk of negative reviews and customer attrition. His insights underscore the critical importance of actively soliciting, acknowledging, and acting on customer feedback to drive positive change and business growth.

Matthew Efird introduces The Family Table podcast, which focuses on family values and experiences. He shares personal details about his family, including their traditions and the format of the podcast. He also discusses the core values and parenting strategies within his family, emphasizing the importance of respect, helping each other, responsibility, and independence.

Additionally, he details the strategies for maintaining strong relationships within the family, including regular date nights and intentional time investment in their children. The conversation also touched on the challenges of navigating the pull between personal and professional commitments, and the importance of delegating tasks to create space for meaningful investments in various aspects of life.

Furthermore, Matthew delves into his method for navigating challenging discussions with his children, specifically focusing on addressing intense emotions such as anger. He stresses the value of repetition and practical guidance in these interactions, highlighting the impact of his approach on fostering meaningful and productive conversations with his children. Lastly, he reflects on the wisdom and traditions he hopes to pass down to future generations, focusing on the values of taking ownership of actions and fostering a genuine love for people within his family. The section concludes with a glimpse into the format of future conversations around the family table, where a diverse range of guests will be invited to share their wisdom.