Collin Graves on Why Data Beats Gut Instinct in Business

Send us Fan MailNever Been Promoted Podcast with Thomas HelfrichCollin Graves shares his unorthodox journey from Special Operations support in NATO to building a thriving data analytics empire. As the founder of North Labs, Collin helps companies harness the power of their data to drive operational excellence and maximize profitability.About Collin Graves:Collin Graves is a former Special Ops support professional turned entrepreneur. With over 17 years in cloud computing, he founded North Labs, a company specializing in data analytics and cloud solutions for mid-market manufacturing and industrial clients. His background in military aviation and problem-solving has given him a unique perspective on leadership, business growth, and leveraging data to drive impact.In this episode, Thomas and Collin discuss:From the Military to EntrepreneurshipCollin reflects on his military service, including his experiences supporting NATO Special Operations, and how that discipline, leadership, and problem-solving mindset translated into the business world.Building a Data-Driven BusinessCollin breaks down how North Labs helps companies make sense of their existing data, improving decision-making, efficiency, and profitability.The Power of Niching Down in BusinessAfter years of trying to be a generalist, Collin explains how focusing on manufacturing and industrial clients helped North Labs scale and establish a clear value proposition.Key Takeaways:Your Past Experience Shapes Your Entrepreneurial MindsetCollin’s time in the military provided the grit, discipline, and leadership skills that helped him transition into business ownership and growth.Data is a Goldmine—If You Know How to Use ItCompanies are sitting on mountains of untapped data. Collin shares how unlocking this data can lead to massive efficiency improvements and financial gains.Niching Down is the Key to GrowthEarly in his entrepreneurial journey, Collin tried to serve too many industries. He now emphasizes the power of specializing and targeting a specific audience for long-term success.“We help companies use the data they already have to drive better decisions, higher profits, and real operational change.” — Collin GravesCONNECT WITH COLLIN GRAVES:Website: https://www.northlabs.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collingraves/CONNECT WITH THOMAS:X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromotedWebsite: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromotedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/Email: [email protected] the showhttps://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie