Adam Fink - Marine Corps to Building a Business – Our most honest interview yet!

This might be the most raw and honest conversation we’ve ever had on From The Ground Up Show.In this episode, Erick sits down with Adam Fink—entrepreneur, former Marine, search and rescue volunteer, husband, father, and the co-owner of Clear Creek Septic Service and Laird Sanitation.What starts as a conversation about building a small service business quickly turns into something deeper. Adam opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, the weight of responsibility, lessons from military service, and the personal struggles that shape who we become as leaders and human beings.From growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in Buffalo, Wyoming… to serving in the Marine Corps and deploying to Afghanistan… to returning home and building a business from a single truck into a growing regional operation—Adam shares the real story behind the grind.This isn’t a polished highlight reel.It’s the honest version.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build something from nothing—and keep moving forward when life gets hard—this episode is for you.In this episode, we talk about:• Growing up around entrepreneurship and blue-collar work• Lessons learned from serving in the Marine Corps• Transitioning from military life to civilian business• Starting Clear Creek Septic Service with just one truck• Expanding into portable sanitation and acquiring Laird Sanitation• The emotional realities of entrepreneurship most people never talk about• Pushing through adversity and learning hard life lessonsAdam’s story is a reminder that building a life you’re proud of takes grit, humility, and the willingness to keep going when things get uncomfortable.If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who is building something of their own.And if you enjoy the show, leave a review andTHE WEEK'S CONVERSATIONS, IN ONE EMAILChoose the depth that fits your time: the full conversation, a roughly 20-minute CONDENSED edition, or a focused Topics episode.Join the From The Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/WATCH & LISTENWatch this full episode: https://youtu.be/WJsg52jD_ZkSubscribe to From The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9pListen in your podcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140SHORTER EDITIONSFrom The Ground Up Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the full conversation.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tAPodcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674From The Ground Up Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one useful question or lesson.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6oPodcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058GUEST & RESOURCESLaird Sanitation -http://www.facebook.com/lairdsanitation(307) 765-9995Clear Creek Septic Service -https://www.clearcreeksepticservice.com/https://www.facebook.com/p/Clear-Creek-Septic-Service-LLC-100071008086147/(307) 751-2829ABOUT FROM THE GROUND UP SHOWReal stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The Ground Up Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practical lessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle.Hosted by Erick Loden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From 2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue more than eightfold and operating profit nearly fifteenfold before completing a successful internal sale.Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.comHave a question for Erick or an upcoming guest?https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/Have a story built through hearts, hands, and hustle? Apply to be a guest and tell your story:https://fromthegroundupshow.com/be-a-guest/#Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Veterans #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurLife #FromTheGroundUp