Boots on the Ground: From Key Employee to Business Owner - Ryan Carr

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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