Episode 8: From Beer to Bugs: Building Businesses That Actually Matter with Stephen Dixon

 In this episode of the Build to Last podcast, Levi and Colby sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “solutionist” Stephen Dixon, founder of GrimRoss Brewing. The conversation ranges widely—from the messy, nonlinear path of growing a business to the philosophical underpinnings of meaningful work. Stephen shares how brewing beer led him to create a side venture tackling industrial waste with black soldier fly larvae, all in the pursuit of sustainable, circular solutions.But this isn’t just a story about business success. Stephen opens up about burnout, rediscovering health after years of neglect, and why legacy now means solving real, human-scale problems. Whether you’re scaling a company or just trying to reclaim your time and purpose, this episode offers wisdom wrapped in laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection.  Links and ResourcesStephen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonstephen/GrimRoss Brewing Co. – https://www.grimross.com/The Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend – https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/the-solutionists-9781398609327Peter Attia – Physician known for work on longevity and the “Centenarian Decathlon.” https://peterattiamd.com/BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits – Framework that helped Stephen overhaul his health through small changes. - https://tinyhabits.com/Naval Ravikant – Entrepreneur and thinker mentioned in the context of big questions and meaning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_RavikantChris Williamson Podcast – Referenced in the discussion around self-kindness. - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Central to Stephen’s waste management startup concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucensQuotes Worth Sharing“I don’t want to be dependent—I want the freedom to choose how I spend my day.” – Stephen Dixon“Entrepreneurship is just solving problems people care about. That’s it.” – Stephen Dixon“You can’t outsource understanding. I needed to know how everything worked so I could build it and let it go.” – Stephen Dixon“Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about tiny habits, compounding over time.” – Stephen Dixon“We’re trying to build systems so we don’t have to do it—so we can, not so we must.” – Levi LawrenceEpisode Breakdown5:00 – 12:30 | Starting GrimRoss & Leaving the Safety NetBrewing beer as a side hobby and early-stage entrepreneurship.The moment Stephen decided to build something he could fully understand and operate solo.12:30 – 21:00 | Delegation, Growth, and Letting GoHow GrimRoss scaled through organic need—staffing, systems, and trust.Why meaningful delegation is a constant cycle, not a one-time event.21:00 – 30:00 | The Shift Toward ImpactStephen’s personal health crisis and COVID wake-up call.Redefining success: from ROI to long-term human impact and sustainability.30:00 – 43:00 | The Black Soldier Fly AffairThe hilarious and humble beginnings of an insect-based waste solution—starting in a basement.Exploring circular economy thinking and the protein revolution.43:00 – 54:00 | Systems Thinking & Iron House Pro’s RoleWhy most founders want independence—not retirement.Discussing Iron House Pro’s work helping businesses reduce founder dependence and scale sustainably.54:00 – 1:10:00 | Fitness, Identity & The Long GameStrength, mobility, and the Centenarian Workout.How physical health mirrors organizational health—and how to shift from guilt to purpose-driven habits.1:10:00 – 1:25:00 | Big Questions, Small ChangesMeditation, moderation, and meaning: lessons from Buddhist thought and quantum theory.