Podcast Summary: "Health Crisis To Billion-Dollar Growth"

Podcast Information:

• Title: I am Charles Schwartz Show
• Host/Author: Charles Schwartz
• Episode Title: Health Crisis To Billion-Dollar Growth
• Release Date: April 23, 2025
• Description: An uncommon guide to achieving personal and professional goals by delving into the minds of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts who have unlocked the secrets to success. This episode features Bobby Mesmer, Founder and CEO of RMG Erectors and Constructors, who shares his journey from overcoming significant health challenges to building a $4.5 billion company.

Introduction

In this episode of the I Am Charles Schwartz Show, host Charles Schwartz welcomes Bobby Mesmer, the Founder and CEO of RMG Erectors and Constructors. The conversation centers around Bobby's remarkable journey of transforming personal health crises into substantial business growth, highlighting his "dummy tax" philosophy and entrepreneurial resilience.

Bobby Mesmer's Journey and the Dummy Tax Philosophy

[02:57] Charles Schwartz: "We've got to define what the dummy tax is and how it has shaped Bobby's approach to business and personal growth."

[03:05] Bobby Mesmer: "The dummy tax is learning from your mistakes and having the energy to introduce what I've learned to others so they can avoid making the same errors."

Bobby opens up about his numerous failures, including a multi-million dollar business hit that tested his integrity and resilience. He emphasizes that experiencing failure is essential for growth, stating, "If you're not failing, you should be, because that's the only way you're learning."

Overcoming Major Health Crises

Bobby shares his battle with severe health issues, including a heart attack and multiple strokes that resulted in significant physical impairments. These experiences forced him to reevaluate his lifestyle and business practices.

[04:30] Bobby Mesmer: "I wasn't taking good care of my health. I was overstressed, which pushed me into a position to have a heart attack and strokes."

He discusses the profound impact these health crises had on his perspective, driving him to adopt a healthier lifestyle and instilling a deeper sense of purpose in his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Building RMG Erectors and Constructors

Bobby provides an overview of his business achievements, highlighting RMG Erectors and Constructors as the largest pre-engineered steel erection company in the Northern Hemisphere, valued at $4.5 billion.

[06:05] Bobby Mesmer: "We've built RMG into the largest purchaser of fabricated steel in North America by manufacturing, engineering, detailing, and erecting our own steel."

He attributes his success to strategic growth, bootstrapping, and maintaining operational excellence without relying on external capital.

Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital

A significant portion of the discussion delves into Bobby's preference for bootstrapping over seeking venture capital (VC).

[08:51] Bobby Mesmer: "Bootstrapping is better because taking on capital creates a crutch and prevents you from learning how to run a business effectively."

Bobby argues that bootstrapping forces entrepreneurs to engage deeply with every aspect of their business, fostering a robust understanding and resilience that VC-backed businesses often lack due to the infusion of external resources and influence.

Leadership and Building a Strong Company Culture

Bobby emphasizes the critical role of leadership in shaping company culture. He believes that culture is driven by the CEO's actions and participation.

[26:16] Bobby Mesmer: "The culture is driven by the leader. A true leader creates a culture where people are happy to be part of the team."

He advocates for leading by example, being actively involved with employees, and fostering a "we" mentality to ensure that the entire team feels valued and engaged.

Operational Excellence and Business Strategies

Bobby discusses his approach to achieving operational excellence, which he considers the backbone of any successful business. He identifies key areas such as financial health, streamlined operations, clear processes, and accurate project costing.

[19:40] Bobby Mesmer: "Operations are everything. You can fix anything through operations because operations drive the costs."

He advises business owners to thoroughly understand their financial standing and refine their operational workflows to enhance efficiency and profitability.

Personal Resilience and Self-Worth

A pivotal part of the conversation revolves around personal resilience and the struggle with self-worth, especially in the face of adversity.

[14:34] Bobby Mesmer: "Nobody believes in me more than I believe in myself. It's about proving to myself how much further I can go."

Bobby shares his internal battles with feelings of unworthiness following his health crises and how shifting his focus to serving others and mentoring has helped him regain confidence and purpose.

Mentoring and Empowering Entrepreneurs

Bobby highlights the importance of mentorship and believing in others as a catalyst for their success.

[51:40] Bobby Mesmer: "If I believe in you, I need you to believe in yourself too. I can't be the only one that's believing in you."

He shares an example of mentoring a struggling businesswoman, emphasizing that sometimes all it takes is someone believing in you to ignite your drive to overcome challenges.

Humility, Vulnerability, and Strength

The conversation touches on the misconceptions about vulnerability and strength in entrepreneurship. Bobby asserts that true strength lies in embracing vulnerability and understanding one's limitations.

[39:18] Charles Schwartz: "Complete vulnerability is utter strength because that's how you show up."

This perspective underscores the importance of humility and self-awareness in personal and professional growth.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Towards the end of the episode, Bobby offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses while maintaining personal resilience.

[25:20] Bobby Mesmer: "Be the head of the company, but know that you can be there when they need you. That is the ultimate culture icon."

He encourages entrepreneurs to establish clear operational systems, lead by example, and cultivate a supportive and accountable team environment.

Conclusion

Charles wraps up the episode by reiterating the invaluable insights shared by Bobby Mesmer. He highlights the intertwined relationship between personal health and business success, emphasizing perseverance and self-belief as key drivers of entrepreneurial achievement.

[55:17] Charles Schwartz: "Bobby's approach to overcoming health challenges while scaling his company to unprecedented heights demonstrates the true power of perseverance and self-belief."

Listeners are encouraged to access a companion guide for deeper insights into the strategies discussed, reinforcing the message that entrepreneurial success is as much about personal resilience as it is about business acumen.

Notable Quotes

• Bobby Mesmer [03:05]: "The dummy tax is learning from your mistakes and having the energy to introduce what I've learned to others so they can avoid making the same errors."

• Bobby Mesmer [08:51]: "Bootstrapping is better because taking on capital creates a crutch and prevents you from learning how to run a business effectively."

• Bobby Mesmer [19:40]: "Operations are everything. You can fix anything through operations because operations drive the costs."

• Bobby Mesmer [26:16]: "The culture is driven by the leader. A true leader creates a culture where people are happy to be part of the team."

• Bobby Mesmer [39:18]: "Nobody believes in me more than I believe in myself. It's about proving to myself how much further I can go."

• Bobby Mesmer [51:40]: "If I believe in you, I need you to believe in yourself too. I can't be the only one that's believing in you."

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Failure: Mistakes are invaluable learning opportunities that pave the way for growth and success.
2. Personal Health is Crucial: Maintaining physical and mental well-being is foundational to sustaining business success.
3. Bootstrapping Over VC: Building a business without external capital fosters deeper engagement and operational mastery.
4. Leadership Shapes Culture: CEOs must lead by example to cultivate a positive and productive company culture.
5. Operational Excellence: Streamlined operations and clear processes are critical for financial health and scalability.
6. Resilience and Self-Belief: Overcoming personal adversities strengthens entrepreneurial resolve and capability.
7. Mentorship Matters: Believing in others can significantly impact their personal and professional growth.
8. Vulnerability as Strength: Authenticity and humility enhance leadership effectiveness and team cohesion.

Accessing Further Resources

For listeners eager to delve deeper into the strategies and philosophies discussed, a companion guide is available. This resource encapsulates Bobby Mesmer’s dummy tax philosophy, approaches to operational excellence, and practical advice for maintaining resilience through life's challenges.

Access the Companion Guide: podcast.imCharlesSchwartz.com

Connect with Bobby Mesmer:

• LinkedIn: Bobby Mesmer
• Instagram: @bobbymesmer
• TikTok: @bobbymesmer

Final Thoughts: Bobby Mesmer's story is a testament to the transformative power of resilience and the profound connection between personal well-being and business success. His insights offer a roadmap for entrepreneurs aiming to build sustainable and impactful enterprises while navigating the inevitable challenges that arise along the way.