Zach Rapaport is the Founder and Principal of Meerkat Development, and we spoke about what it takes to transform big dreams into scalable realities. With a rich background in construction, project management, and development, Zach shared his journey from working on his father’s job sites to leading national expansion projects for global brands like Joe & the Juice. He now brings his expertise to entrepreneurs looking to scale their brands without losing focus on what matters most: time, efficiency, and quality.
Here are some of the key topics we explored:
- Scaling Smarter: Zach shared how he acts as a "fractional head of development," offering cost-effective and expert guidance for brands at any stage. "Your time is probably worth $750 an hour," Zach tells his clients, highlighting how he helps them save time and money.
- The Calm in Chaos: Drawing on his experience managing complex, high-stakes projects, Zach explained how staying grounded is essential in navigating fast-paced development cycles. "You can't make a good decision when you're feeling emotional about something," he emphasized.
- Lessons from the Field: From digging with a shovel on his father’s sites to managing nationwide rollouts, Zach recounted how hands-on experience and resilience shaped his ethos. "That eliminated any kind of sense of entitlement that I had at that time," he reflected on his early days.
Takeaways for listeners:
- The Role of the Nucleus: Learn why having a central point of contact—someone who "can speak the language of architects, contractors, and owners"—is critical for project success.
- Planning Pays Off: Zach explained how meticulous planning before a single hammer swings saves time, money, and stress: "You don't want to take [a project] out of the oven before it's ready."
- Scaling with Strategy: Discover how Zach uses market research and gut instinct to advise brands on expansion, helping them decide, "Where should we go next?"
Whether you're a restaurateur expanding to new locations or an entrepreneur managing growth, Zach's insights will resonate.
