419 Leading with Purpose: Culture, Customers, and Chemical Supply with Dave Fitzgerald

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore reconnects with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald, President of North Metal & Chemical Company. Known for his forward-thinking predictions, Dave returns to share valuable insights into supply chain forecasting, emotional intelligence in leadership, and how a strong culture can shape business longevity.    Purpose-Driven Predictions  Dave doesn't just react—he predicts. Learn how he turns economic signals, freight trends, and material pricing into reliable forecasting tools to protect inventory and serve loyal customers.    Culture Starts with Emotional Frequency  From hiring and onboarding to daily operations, Dave shares how his team cultivates a culture of emotional intelligence, gratitude, and accountability—without micromanagement or ego.    Profit Sharing That Works  Hear how North Metal's equal-share profit system creates ownership thinking, motivates employees, and naturally builds peer accountability in a no-drama, high-performance workplace.   Mind Over Matter: Meditation & Mental Reframing  Dave's approach to meditation isn't about quieting the mind—it's about training emotional resilience. Learn how "emotional workouts" like cold showers and intentional emotion cycles sharpen leadership from within.    103 Years of Legacy with Eyes on the Future  As North Metal expands nationwide, Dave discusses how to honor legacy while preparing future generations and small businesses for long-term success in a consolidated industry.   Conclusion   From the warehouse to the boardroom, Dave Fitzgerald leads with a rare combination of foresight, humility, and heart. This episode will challenge you to rethink strategy, culture, and how you show up for your customers—and your team. Don't just manage—lead with purpose. Apply Dave's insights to build a resilient culture, forecast smarter, and turn your business into a place people are proud to be part of. Share the episode, subscribe, and join the Scaling UP! Nation in moving the industry forward. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps   02:39 – Trace Blackmore shares about his grandfather  05:50 – Water You Know with James McDonald  07:05 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   09:41 – Interview with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald of North Metal and Chemical Company  15:31 – Anticipating tariff cycles and preparing supply chains accordingly  21:37 – Building a culture of emotional labor, ego-awareness, and care  33:26 – The true story behind the "North" in North Metal    Quotes  "I like to turn my to-do list into a prediction list." - Dave Fitzgerald  "You're not an island—this industry is full of people who want to connect."   "Meditation isn't about clearing your mind. It's about intentionally shaping your emotions."    Connect with Dave Fitzgerald  Phone: 17175777941  Email: [email protected]   Website: https://northquestchem.com/   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dave-fitzgerald-b9809475     Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide    Guest Resources Mentioned   This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans by Seth Godin  Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success by Scott Adams  10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan  Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect – by Will Guidara North Metals & Chemical Company: Market Update (As of May 2025) North Metals 2025 Newsletter   Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind 334 Inventory Intelligence: Enhancing Profitability through Smart Decisions   Water You Know with James McDonald Question: When measuring a volume of water in a graduated cylinder, what do you call the curve of the liquid when it touches the side of the cylinder?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.