Building a Business by Trusting Your Gut with Dana Staszkiewicz Ep 14

Episode 14: Building a Business by Trusting Your Gut with Dana Staszkiewicz Jumping into a business you know nothing about, just trusting yourself to figure it out, sounds like a formidable risk. But that’s exactly what this episode’s guest, Dana Staszkiewicz, did when she joined her brother’s plumbing business. Co-hosts Zach and Mike sit down with Dana to chat about business growth, leadership, and what it really takes to scale without losing your values along the way. Dana shares how she joined her brother’s plumbing company right before the world changed in 2020, helped restructure the business during the pandemic, and played a major role in growing it from $12 million to $20 million in less than 36 months. It’s a great conversation about moving fast, learning on the fly, and building systems that actually support growth. We also dig into the people side of business. Dana talks openly about accountability, culture, leadership, and why so many businesses struggle to turn a profit, even when revenue looks strong. She also shares why she created the Audara Collective to support women business owners and why stepping away from the day-to-day is just as important as knowing when to push. You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Dana made the leap from advertising into a $12 million plumbing business with no trades background Why restructuring during uncertain times helped Dana’s company get tighter, stronger, and more prepared What can happen when you follow your intuition How Dana and her team grew Opus & Gold from $12 to $20 million in under 36 months The importance of maintaining company culture and family values when growing a company How accountability is one of the biggest missing pieces in so many growing businesses Why Dana started the Audara Collective to help women business owners become better leaders How mindset, physical health, and mental health help you become a stronger business owner Why taking time outside your business can help you think more clearly, lead better, and stay inspired Quotes “Sometimes you just have to make a leap.” “How do you get a little corporate but still be family owned and still have a beautiful culture. That was the balance.” “No one told me, either. Especially nowadays, there are so many avenues where you can find out information. I seek to learn. I’m a big podcast listener. And now with AI, we have so many answers at our fingertips. There’s really no excuse.” About Dana Staszkiewicz  Dana Staszkiewicz is the Co-Founder of The Opus & Golds Group, where she helps trades businesses reach their next level of success, whether that's preparing for sale, accelerating growth, or transitioning owners out of day-to-day operations. The group also partners with select companies through equity participation to ensure aligned long-term success.  As the former General Manager/COO of All Hours Plumbing, Heating, and Air, she drove the company's growth from $12M to $20M in under three years, leading to a successful sale in 2023. Her impact included leading the sale, overseeing a comprehensive rebranding, establishing leadership and management teams, and optimizing company processes.  With a diverse background spanning corporate retail management, product buying, and nearly a decade of leadership at advertising agencies, Dana brings unique expertise to the home service industry. As Director of Client Relations, she managed relationships with Fortune 50 companies before transitioning to her current roles.  While actively involved in the day-to-day operations of The Opus & Golds Group, Dana also owns and leads Audara Collective, a Fractional CEO company that mentors and empowers women to run their companies effectively.  She hosts The Trades Accelerator podcast, dedicated to helping people in trades grow and lead, whether they're already in charge or just getting started.  Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new places with her fiancé, cherishes time with her children and grandchildren, and remains dedicated to giving back to the community. Find Dana Staszkiewicz on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment