Digital Social Hour Podcast Summary: "How I Built a $40M Company Without a College Degree | Matt Sapaula DSH #906"

Release Date: November 20, 2024

In this compelling episode of the Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with Matt Sapaula, the dynamic leader behind the Seven Figure Squad and a top performer within PHP Agency. Matt shares his inspiring journey of building a $40 million revenue company without holding a college degree, offering invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, company culture, and personal growth.

1. Introduction to Matt Sapaula and PHP Agency

Matt Sapaula begins by contextualizing his extensive tenure with PHP Agency, a prominent company in the insurance sector, where he has played a pivotal role for nearly nine years. He highlights the company's meritocratic culture, emphasizing that "it doesn't matter when you start with the company, if you're not performing, if you're not doing the fundamentals, you get passed up very quickly" [02:03]. This environment fosters a high-performance mindset, ensuring that only those who consistently deliver results ascend the ranks.

2. Building a $40 Million Revenue Company

Over nine years, Matt has successfully scaled his operations to achieve a $40 million top-line revenue. His rapid progression within PHP Agency is a testament to his dedication and strategic acumen:

• Six months: $50,000 in earnings
• Nine months: $100,000
• Fourteen months: $250,000
• Seventeen months: $500,000
• Thirty-seven months: $1 million

By the two-year mark, Matt had already made a significant impact, showcasing exponential growth that culminated in his current status as a leading figure within the company [03:07].

3. Emphasizing Company Culture and Performance

A recurring theme in Matt's philosophy is the paramount importance of company culture. He echoes the well-known adage, “culture attracts people and culture eats talent for lunch” [04:05]. Matt explains that PHP Agency's culture promotes continuous improvement and healthy competition, ensuring that even the most talented individuals remain motivated and aligned with the company's values.

4. Diverse Recruitment Strategies

Matt discusses his innovative approach to recruitment, which prioritizes cultural fit and entrepreneurial mindset over traditional industry experience. Surprisingly, 95% of his recruits do not come from a financial services background [05:35]. Instead, he seeks individuals from varied professions—engineers, breakdancers, and former executives—to bring diverse perspectives and skills into the organization. This strategy aligns with his belief that “any business is about recruiting your talent” and fostering an environment where diverse backgrounds can thrive.

5. Values, Faith, and Family-Centric Leadership

Matt is a staunch advocate for integrating personal values and faith into business practices. He emphasizes the significance of capitalism, love for America, family values, and individuality as cornerstones of PHP Agency's ethos. Sharing personal anecdotes, Matt speaks passionately about his role as a single father, raising five children without relying on a college degree himself. He challenges societal norms by encouraging his children to explore entrepreneurial paths, reinforcing that "college is not the only way to make money" [16:03].

6. Entrepreneurship and Education Reform

Believing in the transformative power of entrepreneurship, Matt advocates for the inclusion of entrepreneurial education in schools. He imagines a curriculum where entrepreneurs share their real-world experiences instead of traditional textbook learning. “If a nine-figure entrepreneur came in and talked for an hour, that'd be amazing value” [18:29]. This approach aims to inspire the next generation to think creatively and pursue diverse avenues for success.

7. Health and Business Success

Matt underscores the critical link between physical health and business performance. Recounting his personal transformation, he highlights how investing in his health was essential for sustaining the energy required to run a successful business. He introduces the concept of the “#EntreAthlete”, paralleling athletic discipline with entrepreneurial tenacity: “Study the game, tape, know my competition, know the X and O's of my industry” [21:16]. This mindset fosters resilience and continuous improvement, essential traits for any entrepreneur.

8. Financial Stability and Retirement Planning

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around financial security and retirement planning. Matt introduces the 4% rule, advising that individuals should not withdraw more than 4% of their retirement savings annually to preserve their principal. For Sean, who inquires about retiring at 65, Matt calculates that he would need approximately $10 million to live comfortably without tapping into his principal [25:48]. This conservative approach ensures long-term financial stability, especially in volatile economic climates.

9. Critique of Government and Economic Policies

Matt shares a critical perspective on the role of the federal government as the largest employer in America, questioning its efficiency and impact on personal freedom. He illustrates this with personal anecdotes about overpriced supplies during his military service: “Toilet paper is costing $50 through our federal-approved contractor” [37:01]. Matt advocates for entrepreneurial oversight to curb government inefficiency, emphasizing that dependence on government programs can erode personal autonomy and financial independence.

10. Mentorship and Servant Leadership

Highlighting the influence of mentorship, Matt credits Patrick—the founder of PHP Agency—as a pivotal figure in his development. He extols Patrick's servant leadership qualities, recounting instances where Patrick demonstrated care and humility, such as promptly assisting during a spill at a conference [39:23]. This leadership style fosters loyalty and a strong sense of community within the company.

11. Future Plans and Upcoming Projects

Looking ahead, Matt reveals ambitious plans to scale PHP Agency to a $1 billion company through strategic partnerships, such as the recent collaboration with Integrity Marketing Group. Additionally, he teases an upcoming interview with NFL legend Bill Belichick, delving into topics like handling loss and maintaining resilience: “His answer to that question shocked me” [43:20]. This interview is anticipated to provide deep insights into leadership and perseverance.

12. Conclusion and Where to Connect with Matt

In wrapping up, Matt shares his online presence for those interested in his work and philosophies:

• X (formerly Twitter): @MoneySmartGuy
• Instagram: @MoneySmartGuy
• Website: MoneySmartGuy.com
• YouTube Channel: Seven Figure Squad

Matt emphasizes the importance of generational wealth and instills a mindset of financial prudence and entrepreneurial spirit as foundations for lasting success.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Sapaula [02:03]: "If you're not performing, if you're not doing the fundamentals of the business, growing organization, you don't understand what your KPIs are and focus on the fundamentals. You get passed up very quickly."

• Matt Sapaula [02:52]: "If you're not improving, you're dying."

• Matt Sapaula [04:05]: "Culture attracts people and culture eats talent for lunch."

• Matt Sapaula [16:03]: "I challenged the three older ones not to think that going to college was the only way for you to make money."

• Matt Sapaula [21:16]: "I'm an entrepreneurial athlete. The same disposition, intensity that people approach your sport, athletes approach a sport. The same disposition. I'll approach business."

• Matt Sapaula [25:48]: "So, do the 4% math. You actually need... $10 million."

Final Thoughts

Matt Sapaula's narrative is a powerful testament to the impact of resilience, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to personal values. By eschewing traditional educational paths and embracing a culture of continuous improvement, Matt exemplifies what it means to build substantial wealth and a thriving business from the ground up. His insights offer a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals aiming to navigate the complexities of the modern digital and business landscape.

For those seeking inspiration and actionable strategies to achieve their personal and professional goals, Matt's story serves as a beacon of what is possible through dedication, smart decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to one's principles.