S02E03 | From Boots to Boardroom with Matt Cathell | Vegetation Management, Power Grid Reliability & Building Exit-Ready Field Service Companies | KYRO AI

In this episode of Boots to Boardroom, we talk to Matt Cathell — Founder of Gunnison Tree Services. Discover how entrepreneurial resilience turned a childhood obsession with heavy equipment into a powerhouse company sold to private equity. Matt shares his deeply personal journey of growing up with dyslexia and using it as a foundation for his grit and resilience. We explore his early start as a 14-year-old entrepreneur, the challenges of gaining trust in the tree care industry, and his path to becoming the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022.What you'll learn How Matt turned a childhood passion for trees into a massive business The role of dyslexia in building entrepreneurial resilience and grit Strategies for gaining customer trust when starting a business at a young age Why referrals are the most powerful marketing tool for any trade business The reality of balancing a work-study program while scaling a company About the guest: Matt Cathell is the founder of Gunnison Tree Services, a company he started in 1999 at just 17 years old. Over two decades, he scaled the business into an industry leader before selling to a private equity firm in 2020. Recognized as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022, Matt is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in entrepreneurship. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and overcoming early academic challenges to achieve massive success in the trades while leading with vision and tenacity.Follow Matt Cathell here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cathell-8999338/About the Show: From Boots to Boardroom is a podcast that shines a light on the people who keep America running. Not every leader sits in a corner office — leadership is found on job sites, in the field, and in the boardroom. In each episode, we share the journeys of those who build, restore, and power our nation. From linemen and builders to entrepreneurs and executives, these are stories of grit, tenacity, empathy, and vision. Subscribe for episodes featuring the leaders who power America's infrastructure! Like this episode? Hit the thumbs up and let us know what leadership topic you'd like us to explore next! Follow Hari Vasudevan, Founder and CEO of KYRO AI here LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harivasudevan/ Follow us on our socials:Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-boots-to-boardroom/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frombootstoboardroom/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FromBootsToBoardroomPodcast/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@frombootstoboardroomFor more information, visit - https://www.frombootstoboardroom.com/Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the guest are solely their own and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of KYRO AI, From Boots to Boardroom, or the host. Any appearance by a guest on this program does not constitute an endorsement of the guest’s views, products, services, or affiliations. KYRO AI, From Boots to Boardroom, and the host disclaims any liability relating to the content discussed and makes no representations regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information shared.