Executing on Promises and Hustle Culture featuring Jeffrey Lerma

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Jeffrey Lerma, President & CEO at Supply Solutions and Soap2o, a full-line distributor of janitorial supplies, packaging supplies, and office products. Jeffrey shares the incredible journey of his company over the past 20 years, from its humble beginnings with just a cargo van and a garage to becoming a large player in the market. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, swift execution, and hustle in cultivating a thriving company culture. Jeffrey explains how maintaining transparency and focusing on personal and team growth have been pivotal to his business's success. The episode provides valuable insights and inspiration for business leaders and entrepreneurs committed to creating an impactful and human-centered work environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authenticity and trust are foundational to building a strong company culture.
• Execution—following through on commitments—is as important as authenticity.
• Growth and disruption are core values; being willing to go against the grain sets a company apart.
• Hustle and grit are essential differentiators, especially for small businesses.
• Placing people in roles where they can thrive is critical for long-term success.
• Human-to-human connection remains vital, even in a digital and AI-driven world.
• Leaders must be transparent and lead by example, as employees closely observe their actions.
• A culture that avoids blame and encourages teamwork fosters growth and low turnover.

QUOTES

• “Hustle’s the one thing that is the differentiator. Not a lot of people have it, and that’s what makes it the most important verb in the world.”
• “If you don’t have an authentic heart and you’re not able to get that message across to your customers, you can’t set yourself apart.”
• “People still want to deal with people. The human connection’s never going to go away.”
• “It’s better for me to be authentic and transparent with people so they know what to expect.”
• “As a small business, your only advantage is you can move faster than everybody else.”
• “Disruption. I would say disruption is the one word for Supply Solutions.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Jeffrey Lerma.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-lerma-51138929/

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