Welcome to the daily grind podcast everybody. I'm your host Colin Morgan. Listen, are you tired not living a fulfilling life? Do you believe you deserve more?
Do you want more? Is it finally your time? If yes, then stick around. I welcome you to the daily grind Hey everybody, happy Monday and welcome back to another episode here on the daily grind today We are joined by a special guest Johnny Sirpilla Johnny is the founder of encourage LLC He's an entrepreneur a passionate leader and a committed family man He has endured personal tragedy which created the foundation and beliefs that led him to understand the leadership style He has been called to serve Johnny is an active public speaker and promoter reshaping thoughts through difficult times to accept grown eventually thrive His company is a self-funded small private equity firm with four divisions encourage healthy living encourage leadership encourage investments and encourage adoption Listen today's episode is super powerful as always everyone be sure you have a pen piece of paper sit back and really dive deep in today's interview with Johnny Sirpilla enjoy well Johnny Sirpilla.
Welcome to the daily grind. How are you? I'm doing well Colin. How are you today?
I'm fantastic. Thanks so much Johnny for for people listening. Where about you come from say I am in Naples Florida which is where we spend our winners and Home outside of that in the summer and better weather up north is in Canton, Ohio You're Ohio. Yeah, I didn't know that.
Yeah, about seven months a year in Florida Got you awesome. Well, Johnny for people being first introduced to today If you want mind kind of speaking a little bit more as to who you are and what is it you do? All right. Well, thank you Colin.
First of all, you know first and foremost I'm a father and husband You know, I like to say that falling in love with my wife was really easy and that happened really naturally But having a family for us was not so easy and so we struggled to build our family and there was a long and Emotional life challenging time but all in all we're better for the tragedy that that happened to us and so I'm a father of three children today And we we lost our first three children Nicholas Mary and Peter. We had triplist that died 25 years ago So we had those three first and then we were blessed with three more boba and stone that are 2022 and 24 today So, you know, I defined myself first and foremost as a father and husband because that's really all I ever wanted to be growing up Of course, there's a professional side to me But that personal side is big and you know I hang it in my office building in the lobby as a quote from other Teresa That I just love and it says if you want to change the world go home and love your family and that's a that's a principal In mantra that I try to live by Why was that so why was family so important to you? You know Colin, it's just I was raised by incredible parents that you know taught us my sisters and me You know taught us the value of hard work. My mother is 81 years old and still works six days a week in one of our family businesses in the clothing and home furnishings business and My dad was a hard worker right up until the day He died about 15 years ago and you know for us.
We just were taught the value of faith the importance of family And it just has always been where I felt most comfortable and and really most proud So I'm just all about family and for the honor to be a dad and create my own family with my amazing wife of almost 30 years You know for there's a long dark time that it didn't look like that was gonna happen for about four years of trying and You know after the passage of our first three kids, you know You look each other and say your careers are going great, but our family life on and what is gonna really define our happiness you know, we were spending a lot of time in the cemetery and Fortunately, we were blessed with our first son via adoption our son Bo and he brought a very bright light into a dark time and then We were one of those couples that you know with the 19 months had two more babies and you know We find ourselves with three kids under the age of four and you know two surprise pregnancies that were very rough of my right But she got through it and and we were off and running as a family Wow, that's amazing. Well, good for you guys And how about how about professionally you know for people who don't know what you do for for work and you know professionally If you want to speak about that as well Absolutely So I came into a family business over 30 years ago My dad was a pioneer in the RV industry and I ran our family business for about 15 years And then obviously we were a circular RV RV dealership in Akron, Ohio And then I sold it to what was a new roll-up company called Camping World and which is kind of like the RV version of Auto Nation going out and buying up car dealers Camping World Approach me as one of the first acquisitions early on back in 2003 And I sold my business to Camping World and was west to play many roles on the senior executive team including the president of the retail stores And then I retired as our chief business development officer as we had you know north of 10,000 employees and four billion dollars of revenue and at the time of our IPO it was on my 50th birthday and I was there in New York City at the Stock Exchange floor and I'll tell you just got it on my heart that it was time to go and I thought it meant to just hurry up to get home back to Kent for my son Stone for his football game. He was a quarterback And I wanted to get home for that and then as I kind of reflect it a little bit more It was it's just time to go on to the next phase of life And so I prayed to God to put the people in my path I meant to serve with and I feel that's exactly what he did which leads me up to what I'm doing now Amazing what was it ever difficult a for you to There was a family business was it was there ever a difficult decision selling it and then how about leaving it? Oh column Is that a loaded question For a beautiful Catholic Italian kid who you know always wants to please his parents and honor the family and that was Incredibly hard for me to sell it and I was so blessed that my dad was so supportive He died shortly after I sold it But was was there for the first year or so after and got to see the success I was having moving up In the corporate ladder of corporate America campy world But I was blessed because my dad said to me, you know, Johnny I had my time this is your time and if this is what you want to do then you do this and so I love being part of a team And I wanted to kind of have my imprint on the industry the way my dad did and I just didn't feel that that was gonna be running One dealership, you know for the next 30 40 years and so I had the chance to you know work at the very top of camping world up you know around, you know amazing people and You know, I took that and so it was really hard to sell But then you know the larger Campi world family became my family and then I say that retiring was The most selfish thing that I've ever done and the hardest thing I've ever done because I love the company love the people that I worked with But just felt it was on my heart that was it was time to go do other things that were important to me and You know, maybe a little bit of that was turning 50 that day in New York City But I had to follow my heart and that's what I did So great training like for you now all of a sudden you retired now you want to sort of pursue things that mean more to you What was the next step for you?
What's the next step? What was the next chapter? So what I did is I you know thought about exactly what I wanted to invest in I had invested in a number of companies During my time while I was still working full-time and just kind of side investments But I really decided that I wanted to focus on a small family office and really following passions of mine and so I started a company called encourage LLC and encourage is really it comes from a biblical verse of Thessalonians that says so encourage one another and lift each other up just as if as you are already doing and I thought you know I can't do like that. I love lifting people up.
I love inspiring people and and so that was the birth of encourage three years ago And in that I have four different divisions of the company Encourage healthy living and that has my population health management business in there that I've invested in we're delivering health improving Products and cost reducing products on the insurance side at the same time So really honored to work with just a insurance industry leader in that gentleman by the name of Larry Dustin So we're really doing some exciting things together. I can't say risk assessment program program in there with Dr. Caroline Peterson and some attorney partners of mine That has you know really hit my heart because cancer is hit my family In a very hard way and my wife had a double respect to me about Oh six seven eight years ago when we were about 45 years old and So loved to see what we can do to bring awareness to families with familial cancer histories that they might have and Invested in a company that I'm on the board on today called Tech Tron And we're doing the only concussion therapy medical trial in the world right now We're on the two of that trial and it's been fascinating to learn about Traumatic brain injuries and in the ways that through our cooling device. We can cool the brain to minimize further damage to the brain And I also in that group partner in a number of senior living communities, which is great to see that they're kind of care that we can deliver to seniors Amazing you also do some speaking correct.
I do that's all under the encourage leadership brand. Yep, and so You know, I'm on a number of boards and a large public company board LCI Lipper components known as LCI the pro football Hall of Fame and a chair to the board of our Catholic schools and then Alton Health Foundation incredible health network and Tech from as I mentioned and in the public speaking really is an offshoot of a lot of the board work that I've done and I love going into companies and even done some private coaching but more in the public speaking realm of you know talking with people about what it means to be a leader and You know today, I think so many people as our business world continues to grow and grow Grab the title of manager or supervisor or director or vice president or CEO for that matter and they really Don't think about the honor that it is to be responsible for other people's careers And that is something that is critically important to me I tried to live that as much as I could when I was running my family business And our clothing store Laura Pembroke our family business We try to really focus on that there and then I can't be more with it is important to me so I love getting out there and talking about what it is to be a leader and manage and you know to be countercultural as a leader And and I say that in the most positive way of being countercultural because you know people think that the boss has to Be a bad guy or you have to be a tough guy to be a good leader and I really like to practice awareness I'm really being aware of my surroundings and the words I'm using and be very intentional about the direction I'm giving so that I realize that I'm always playing the game of business with real people and humans that Depending how I interact with them they might go home in a better or worse mood because of the environment that we create at work and that's a big responsibility so being countercultural and being that leader that is completely thoughtful of your team and looking out for them you know, it's giving them the Ability to perform at their highest level when they feel supported but when they know very clearly what their instructions are and what their expectations are It's something that I'm honored to do so I like talking about that and thought management reframing our thoughts so many different topics like that Yeah, leadership's a really interesting one because you know oftentimes how people act as a leader is what they've seen leaders act Like it's kind of what's been taught to you and you know We work so hard people work so hard because you want to get in a leadership role But we're never actually taught how to act and how to help people once we're in that role. So you find that? Colin that's exactly what happens I think you know oftentimes a leader can take the worst habits of their previous leaders and manifest that into their own leadership style And all the things that they said that they would never do or what they didn't like about their boss because there isn't thoughtful good instruction giving to them and really just on the human level of of The company talking to about all right I want you to really appreciate that we want to give incredible customer service But it's got to be genuine and that genuine customer service doesn't happen in an environment of yelling and screaming and putting people down and that expecting when the customer Shows up that they're an actor all of a sudden they're gonna be able to put on this front and really deliver a genuine customer experience But it's not talked about enough It's not put out there enough where you know We call executive vp's on the fact that they're playing games and they're undermining another division in the company and ultimately that that is Gonna hurt the company right and hurt the brand and even at the highest levels of leadership inside a company Especially big companies you see so much division and they get competitive and territorial I always say that insecurities are the root of all workplace conflict and There's a lot of insecure people that have a leadership title and it just you know runs down the chain to their team And it creates tensions and ultimately hurts the brand Yeah, it's so true I've always said you know like I think the more power you give someone the more money you give someone the more they sort of show who they truly are That's exactly right, you know, I think it all I think it comes from what you said It's like it's almost like an esteem issue It's like now that they're have this title or position or money now They think now they think more of themselves and they start to act and say things more that they actually other things actually believe You're right then Colin I tell my kids that when someone you know really shows who they are Hear them acknowledge that And don't ignore it because people give you very good clues That are really that clue is meant to say stay away from me, right?
Because here's how I'm gonna mess with you Here's how I'm gonna play games. Here's how I'm not gonna be straightforward with you here I'm gonna say one thing and do another and when they really show that Accept it, you know, you can try to you know get your head around it and figure out why And you know, there could be as I said insecurities rooted in that but you know It's important that especially young people coming out of college and going into to their work I always tell them to be careful who they follow because just because somebody has a title It doesn't mean that their actions are that strong and merit to be emulated and followed but they have a title in a company But in the large company that I was in or even my company today, you know You do need to be careful who you follow because if you want to take on the actions of that leader That's doing a poor job I'm gonna notice that he's doing a poor job and he or she might get moved out of that role and they're out of the country And then you kind of hooked yourself to their wagon by taking on their afterbeats and traits And then likely you to be the next to go But if I allow those traits to continue in the company I should expect that those that that person leads sees that that is what I want in leadership traits because I'm tolerating it and Too often today companies are tolerating court leadership because the leaders are getting the job done They're not looking at the total picture of the wear and tear that it is on the brand in the process That's actually like that's such a good point and it's a really tricky balance right because you need to get results But oftentimes it's like it's the same thing. It's a win-it-all cosmetality similar to sports, right? But it's a very very tricky balance.
It is a you know, we're in a competitive workforce today And if you're you know the board I might have a publicly traded company We do need to deliver results But I can tell you that from our CEO down and throughout the board doing the right thing is critically important and that that company has a corporate psychologist on staff and Dr. Amber Selking is doing amazing work and has a great podcast that's worth following does amazing work in working with associates through all 12,000 employees in the company and being able to make a difference and choose lowered our companies Attrition rate people are not leaving as frequently as they were before because they find that they're connected to something and everybody of course people are working because they need a paycheck but everybody wants to be connected and feel valued and And so it can't be production and money at all costs because those costs are going to be the human capital And then when the human capital rotates in and out the door When you have turnover that high you're not going to get the results that you need in the company So it does have to be a top consideration. Yeah, so you brought up a really good point of you know Kind of younger people people starting out and even you know for older people as well Like when you're looking up to someone it's it's sometimes difficult because you look at what they have on social media And you look at the things they have and what do you look for like when you're following someone? What are the traits specifically that you look for that are important to you when when deciding on this person to be a mentor This person is who I should follow You know, I like that question because you know when I think about myself today like who am I authentically?
I don't even think Colin I know that answer anymore because I'm the sum of the blessing of so many amazing leaders that I've been around from receiving mentorship for men and women that I really admire You know, I feel like I've grown from the beliefs and the encounters that I've had with people that I have seen make an impact And so she's I don't know I think I'm just really a fan of taking all of that in and then putting it back out there in my own way And so I say I don't really know the real me anymore because I've been influenced by so many people That are truly good and and I want to make an impact the way that they have and so I'm drawn to people that Certainly have an energy that I have and a positive outlook and an enthusiasm to engage but I'm also drawn to people that are a little bit off of me and that just have something unusual about them that I'm intrigued by and I kind of like pulling back the layers of that onion if you will and understanding what motivates them because there's thoughts that people have that I can really get into digging into and thinking about a lot and you know, I love the diversity of personalities and experiences and you know, I think the more the older I get the more I realize that I don't know what I don't know and And I'm really incredibly comfortable with that You know my wife and I joke because I'll tell her that she's right all the time and it seems like a older We get the more my wife to say something like he said is exactly right And you know, it's not after 30 years of marriage the older we get the more we fight It's not at all fighting because it's just like a knowledge of it without any ownership of anything like you're dead right on that And I'm good with that and of course that's reciprocated back and I'm a big believer that for every action There's a reaction and when I get a reaction that I don't like I have to look at myself first because all they're doing is reacting off My action and so the control freakin me if you will Once they make sure that my reactions that I get are positive so I can control that by what I put out in my actions Yeah, you know, it's so funny to speak I'm like kind of reflecting because you know like I started the show It's kind of like a young punk You know, I kind of consider myself and as as I started, you know, speaking with people like yourself who are very successful I realize like I like the more successful people I speak to the most common trait is how humble and how they say they don't know things And it just blew my mind and I think over this whole experience for me That's what I've kind of learned to do more than anything else is just not be sure a hundred percent I think being a hundred percent sure about something is probably the worst thing you can do like yes I think you need to make decisions that you believe in but I think sure it is sometimes is a good thing But oftentimes it's not because it gets you stuck in one place and like kind of what you do like you've learned from so many different people You transition, you know, you're in so many different markets And that's has to be from you not being a hundred percent sure about things and just kind of being curious Well, I'll tell you the at 50 when I when I retired and said, you know I don't want to just have fun. I want to do I'm gonna make an impact to make a difference You know, I saw that new season of life and redefining myself professionally and challenging myself to invest in businesses that were meaningful to me And that would create change and a positive impact but then I didn't know a lot about I didn't know a lot about the insurance industry I didn't know a lot about traumatic brain injuries. I didn't know a lot about I'm in the spirits industry through my Encourage investments side and that's what the college roommate of mine Heaven's door and stolen acts some great brands angels envy I was part of some different ones there and Patriot software great payroll technology platform that is really taking off and booming and Dapper classics on men's sojourny, you know, all these things I've always been a little bit of a fashion bug So that was the easiest investment I did but I love learning going into industries that I don't know much about But I like the people I like the products I like the the story that's there and the people that I want to spend time with and I get really passionate about about a topic and then I want to make a difference and you know, I'm at the stage of my life and this season as I mentioned that It's about making a difference and and really finding the work that I want to do that I'm passionate about and and you know, that is that's a fun time to be in a fun time of life to be in and a big part of that is impacting young people, you know, my favorite audience group is at the university level because you find Students that are at such a pivotal point in life, especially juniors and seniors at college that I'm talking to and you know That thought that I'm gonna graduate and then I'm just gonna go kill it and life is gonna be you know Everything that I've always dreamed that it would be or social media tells us it will be and kids really can struggle And and one of the messages that I tell them I had a student asked me once in a presentation You know, what did I wish that I knew when I was sitting in their seat and the question was a simple question But it hit me hard and God put the answer on my heart right away And I said I wish that I knew that life was gonna be hard, but I'm gonna be okay. Yeah So true, I think that's oftentimes forgotten, right?
I think no matter where you are everyone goes through hard moments and it doesn't matter what you have or what you like There's always difficult, but you know, I'm seeing but so far it's always been okay, you know, yeah And everyone's got the cross the bear. I mean everyone has their scuffed and I think that's the you know, social media doesn't make You know amazing things But one of the bad things that does is it presents a snapshot in someone's life and time that gives an image that is You know, not the full story and and so, you know, life is gonna be hard We're gonna be okay when when I graduated from college the thought that we would have triplets pass away and my wife And I would literally struggle every day to get out of bed I could even get my mind around that nor did I think that I could ever survive that And you know after you know years of infertility and being so hopeful and you know as they took their last breaths and closed their eyes You know those thoughts of I could never get through this well. It's amazing what we can get through and You know, that's why I love talking about thought management and reframing your thoughts because you know We needed to reframe our thoughts as related to Nicholas Marion Peter and I couldn't live with that is the tragedy of our lives Because we had them for an evening Why couldn't that be enough? Why do we have to have more of everything and so, you know, I got to the point of saying I'm not gonna dishonor Nicholas Marion Peter's lives And and make it insignificant because they were brief their impact was huge.
It you know 25 years later We're still talking about them every day Bobella and stone our children today Know through us their older brothers and sister and we honor them on their birthdays. We talk about them a lot, you know, it is a very positive thing that happened in our lives because it shaped our hearts today and shaped the way that we were gonna parent and In this time where we always want more of everything it was a great lesson in learning to find the blessings in what we were given And and say thank you and and I still get to be their parent For the rest of my life, but I'm just not here with them under so earth raising them like I am my other kids but That doesn't mean that I didn't have a blessing there that we need to celebrate it So reframing our thoughts to something that's positive even good enough lifting I like thinking of them and smiling as opposed to the first several years of being in such a point of pain and having a hard time functioning that It was so heavy I needed to look at it differently and I really encourage people that anyone that has a challenge in their life whether it's losing a job it is losing a relationship, you know look back instead of with the bitterness on that and just find everything good in it and Seal that in your mind learn the life lessons you needed to from it But then seal all the positive pieces in it and reframe it that way so that when you think back on it You can lift yourself up a little bit as opposed to feeling just beaten down by something that didn't work out Yeah, I love that I think that's just a wonderful message for a lot of people I don't know better way to end here, but Johnny what's the best way people can connect with you learn more about your journey and Kind of what's coming on and what's next. I appreciate that Colin. My website is encouraged 33.com There's even some other podcasts I've done on there as well There's a little bit about my story in the various companies my email is Johnny and encourage 33.com 33 is a important number in my family So I worked that into a lot of my different business names, but they encourage 33.com website is where you can find me amazing That's encouraged 33 everyone I will share in the show notes section if you didn't catch it here to make it super simple to go ahead and visit follow along with Johnny And Johnny I want to thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule and sharing your wisdom and really opening up with the other Grand audience today.
I truly appreciate it. Thank you so much, Colin for the opportunity You can also get to me at Johnny's or fella on Instagram But you know again, thank you for what you're doing out there and getting people stories out And I love listening to your podcast and inspired by so many people. So thanks for what you're doing. Thank you very much And everyone if you enjoyed today's episode be sure you subscribe to the podcast leave a comment We'd love to hear your thoughts and share this out with a friend You feel like a really benefit from today's show We'll be back with another podcast until then everyone call them organ signing off and always remember to keep on grinding