In this episode of Buying Local, host Mike Nelson sits down with entrepreneur and EOS implementer Dave Borland to talk about the real challenges business owners face when scaling their companies. From early failures and marketing mergers to the power of systems like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), Dave shares hard-earned insights from over a decade of helping teams grow with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re struggling with structure, scaling too fast, or just feeling stuck, this episode delivers candid advice on building strong leadership teams, gaining traction, and knowing when to get help. If you’ve ever felt “unemployable” or overwhelmed as a business owner, this one’s for you.
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Learn more about Dave and Grow Exceptional at growexceptional.com. Contact him at dave.borland@eosworldwide.com to implement EOS, strengthen your leadership team, or get your business back on track.
00:00 Introduction & Local Business Background
01:30 Early Entrepreneurial Struggles
04:00 Transition from Web Design to Strategy Agency
06:00 Navigating Rapid Change in Marketing & AI
08:30 Discovering EOS and Turning Around a Business
11:00 Starting as an EOS Implementer
13:30 Lessons from Working with Small Town Manufacturers
16:00 What an EOS Implementer Actually Does
18:00 Ideal Company Size & Team Structure
20:00 Building Out a Leadership Team
22:00 Marketing vs. Sales: Clarity in Roles
24:30 Common Entrepreneurial Struggles & Patterns
26:30 Process, Documentation & Building Systems
28:30 Organizational Checkup & Getting Started with EOS
30:30 90-Minute Meeting & Help First Philosophy
32:30 Self-Implementing EOS vs. Hiring a Coach
34:30 Typical EOS Implementation Timeline & Process
36:30 Why Some Clients Never “Graduate”
38:30 The Value of Coaching & External Perspective40:30 Outcomes: Shared Vision, Right People, Healthy Teams42:30 Final Thoughts on Growth, Leadership & Systems
