Casey Cole of ARE Solar talks leadership, industry volatility & building a resilient solar business

Building a sustainability business means learning how to lead through uncertainty - not just when things are going well, but when policy, incentives, and markets are constantly shifting.In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, Chris sits down with Casey Cole, President of ARE Solar, to talk about what it really takes to build a resilient solar business over the long term.Casey shares his journey from starting out as a solar installer to leading the company through industry volatility, changing tax incentives, and the so-called “solar coaster.” Along the way, he reflects on the mindset shifts required to move from operator to leader - and why staying grounded in mission matters more than ever.In this conversation, we explore: How leadership changes as sustainability businesses scaleWhy the solar industry is inherently volatile - and how founders can prepareThe balance between short-term pressure and long-term impactWhy mission matters most when markets and policies shiftWhat sustainability leaders should prioritize to build businesses that lastIf you’re building in sustainability, clean energy, or climate tech - and trying to grow without losing focus - this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective from someone who’s lived every stage of the journey.