
Loading summary
Paul
Did you know your credit card points and miles can lose value to inflation.
Alex
While they collect dust. Credit card companies often reduce the redemption value of your points and miles. Imagine a credit card with rewards that can grow in value.
Paul
With the Gemini credit card, you can earn Bitcoin or one of over 50.
Alex
Other cryptos instantly with no annual fee. Every swipe at the store or gas pump earns you instant rewards deposited straight to your account. Plus sign up now for a $200 Bitcoin bonus to kickstart your rewards, visit gemini.com card today. Again, if you're looking to invest in Bitcoin but don't know where to start, the Gemini credit card makes it easy.
Paul
Issued by web bank.
Alex
To Qualify for the $200 crypto intro bonus, you must spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Some exclusions to instant rewards apply.
Paul
This is not investment advice and trading crypto involves risk.
Alex
Check Gemini's website for more details on rates and fees.
Andrew
Sitting at my mom's garage, I'm like, what am I gonna do right now? Like, what can I do to really change my situation? What skill have to be able to do that? And that's when I started ADL search and staffing. I propped up a desk in my computer and I started working out of my mom's garage from the ground up. Just started grinding, building my own brand, getting the right CRM, having a really good presence on LinkedIn and just connecting with the right people.
Paul
Are you guys starting to leverage a lot of the AI tools out there right now?
Andrew
100%.
Paul
I mean, people would buy that all day.
Andrew
Yeah, there's no question about that.
Paul
Hey guys, and welcome back to Level Up Podcast. This is Paul, Alex. Guys, it is August 29, 2025. We have another phenomenal guest on our show and guys, we are currently top four in all categories because of you. Okay? So if you guys like the theme that we have here at the level of podcast, please share this with a friend, someone that you care about. You know, we're here to help everybody level up in life. Now for today's guest, Andrew. Welcome to the show, brother.
Andrew
Hey, thanks so much, Paul. Really appreciate you having me. Just thankful to God for this opportunity.
Paul
Dude, it's going to be fire. We had a really good conversation with you and your lovely wife in the hallway. I can't wait to tell people what you got cooking, dude, and really dive dive into your life story and what makes you tick. So Andrew, for people that do not know you, okay, what do you currently do and how did you get started.
Andrew
So I am the founder and managing director of ADL Search and Staffing. We specifically do accounting and finance placement. Right now we're in three markets. We're in the Los Angeles market, We are in the Vegas market as well as Kansas City. But we are a fully virtual staffing agency and trying to build out nationally right now.
Paul
I love that, man. And how did you get into that?
Andrew
You know, I started my career off right after college, kind of really not knowing what to do was, you know, collegiate athlete, played, played four years of college baseball, ended up coaching actually at the collegiate level and did that for another four years. And I was doing a lot of recruiting for. The university I was working for was actually Appleau University in Kansas City, Missouri. And, you know, at the time, I had someone suggest to me, you know, did you ever look at doing a profession in recruiting? And I was like, you know, I never really thought about that. And so I went to work for a company that was based in the Overland park area and kind of learned the ropes and, you know, just learn about the accounting and finance field and kind of fell in love with it. So.
Paul
So it was one person. What year was that when you talked to that person?
Andrew
That would have been 2017.
Paul
So 2017, how old were you?
Andrew
I want to say I was, like, 24, 25 years old.
Paul
So young guy.
Alex
Yeah, young guy.
Paul
24, 25. Trying to figure it out. During that time before 2017, what were you thinking of doing?
Andrew
I really had no idea, other than the fact that I was wanting to, you know, coach college baseball at the highest level. And, dude, I love what I could, you know, do that, because that was my real passion at the time. Yeah. And, you know, just really wanted to pursue that. I love the interaction with the guys. Right. And just knowing that, like, I was there at one point in time.
Paul
Yeah.
Andrew
And really going through the grind, as well as, like, understanding, like, where I'm at, like, just mentally with. With that grind, the physical side of it, and also kind of going through a faith journey as well.
Paul
Dude, that's awesome, because for a lot of people that are in their early 20s, they don't know what they want to do, bro. I mean, that's as real as it gets, guys. Okay. This is why we bring these special guests on here, because they keep it real and people buy real. So you're thinking, like, hey, dude, I just want to stay and I want to coach people. I want to help people. I still want to feel like I'm part of a team.
Andrew
Definitely.
Paul
What makes it for you, I guess, special for you to be part of a team. Is it because of your childhood? Is it the way that you were raised? Like the environment that you were in? Because there's certain people like, you guys met Planet Mike, Planet Mike guys is mutual friend that I met him. He's my fitness trainer and nutritionist. But Planet Mike, he always goes, dude, I thrive in team culture. And some people do, right? They love working around a team all the time. For you, why is it that you still want to be part of that culture?
Andrew
You know, there's just a certain energy with coming together and, you know, getting to an outcome at the end of the day. And it's not necessarily something that's just individual based, but something where it's like, like, dang, like we really did this together. And there's just something so special about that. And I don't know if that's something that's God given or. But just that you kind of have that drive to want to do it again and again and again. You know what I mean?
Paul
So, yeah, it's almost like an addiction, but in a good way.
Andrew
In a really good way.
Paul
And I tell people this, you know, there's a lot of people in this world that do have an addicting personality. Do you think you have an addictive personality?
Andrew
I think towards, you know, drive and working hard and just being relentless.
Paul
What makes you feel good?
Andrew
Definitely, yeah.
Paul
Same way, dude, same way. And I tell people this, you know, that's why I was a hard hitter in law enforcement. That's why I wanted to thrive, to go ahead and be the greater version of myself as a detective, right? But in the same thing as entrepreneurship. So in entrepreneurship, you know, you, you always see people, especially on social media nowadays, they're like, dude, he's doing that, he's doing that. How is he going ahead and progressing? And I always say this, that, you know, the people that I've interviewed on this show and the people that I've met in my life now, they all have one common theme, dude, and they have that addiction to just win, you have to be relentless, you know, and.
Andrew
That'S something that we, we, you know, kind of have that feeling, that addiction whenever we kind of help people out and get their, their new job, right? Or their next step in their career. So get that adrenaline rush, right? Be able to, you know, take someone through a process of like, hey, we're at step one right now. Let's get you in the door to someone who can really help you, you know, take that next Step in your career and then knowing that you helped them out at the end of the day is just huge.
Paul
So let's talk about the initial setup with your recruiting agency brother. What is it very difficult to launch one. So.
Andrew
So I would say the initial learning curve is. It takes a couple years at least, but, like, to get going virtually on something. No, I mean, you just need to have the right tools and be plugged into the right CRM system, have the right technology. Knowing what's out in the marketplace right now and how agencies are winning and just staying plugged in with people who are also successful at that. Those are the kind of things that you need to have to win, really.
Paul
And then, Andrew, what would you say if somebody want to start their own staffing agency? What would be the initial couple first steps as a beginner? Right. Because we do have a lot of beginners and aspiring entrepreneurs that watch this podcast. If you were to do like a mini masterclass, Right. What would be some word of advice that you would tell somebody? Like, hey, I would recommend, you know, go reading these books first or watching this YouTube video or possibly getting a coach that you've been coached by personally?
Andrew
Yeah. Have. I would definitely say have a coach that can teach you a specific niche within recruiting to say, hey, like, this is how we can help out a certain type of professional and really find what that need is. So, like, what we do is we help a lot of the big four and large regional CPA people go into private industry firms.
Alex
Wow.
Andrew
Yeah. So a lot of people, they may be on engagements, whether it's the big four, large regional, where they're, you know, doing manufacturing engagements, they have consumer goods clients, financial services. We. We kind of narrowed down, like, hey, what is it that really makes you tick? Like, what. What do you want to specialize in? And like, let's get you to that next jump from there.
Paul
Wow. And. And how many people have you been able to help thus far since you guys started?
Andrew
I mean, gosh, I want to say. I mean, we. We've been doing this now for three years, so I want to say, like 15, 20ish people, to be honest. But that process, it takes a long time. I mean, it's not. It's not like a huge number because it takes, you know, you know, a significant amount of time, really.
Alex
I've spoken to hundreds of entrepreneurs, and one thing I consistently see them struggle with is their sales process. It's a total mess. A bunch of scattered information spread across tools and systems with no clear view of what's Moving. That's where today's sponsor, pipedrive comes in. The number one CRM tool for small to medium businesses. Pipedrive brings your entire sales process in one simple centralized space, giving you guys a crystal clear, complete view of the sales process and customer information so you stay in control and close more deals faster. Teams are using pipedrive to close an average of three times more deals per month. Every team does things a little differently. And I love that you can fully customize pipedrive to fit my team's unique sales process and strategy. And we can all work from one platform. It all centers around the visual sales pipeline, where you can see every single deal, what stage they're in, and what needs to happen next. Since everything is in one platform, pipedrive makes it easy to unite your team, keep track of sales tasks and stay on top of your leads. It's so powerful. It's a simple CRM built by salespeople for salespeople. So join the over 100,000 companies already using Pipedrive right now. When you use my link, you'll get a 30 day free trial. No credit card or payment needed. Guys, just head over to pipedrive.com forward/levelup to get started. That's pipedrive.com forward slash levelup and you can be up and running within minutes.
Paul
Coca Cola for the big, for the.
Commercial Voice 1
Small, the short and the tall.
Paul
Peacemakers, risk takers for the optimists, pessimists for long distance love for introverts and extroverts. The thinkers and the doers for old friends and new Coca Cola for everyone. Pick up some Coca Cola at a store near you? Yeah, no, absolutely. So you were running this during COVID Definitely, yeah.
Andrew
So how was that?
Alex
How's that?
Andrew
I started Mike, interestingly enough. I started my career in Kansas City. Kind of had a major life thing happen. Moved back home. I'm originally from Agoura Hills, California, so LA area.
Alex
Yeah.
Andrew
I'm with my. Sitting at my mom's garage, I'm like, what am I gonna do right now? Like, what can I do to really change my situation? What skill set do I have to be able to do that? Right? And that's when I started ADL search and staffing. I, I propped up a desk in my computer and I started working out of my mom's garage. So from the ground up, just started grinding and building my own brand and, you know, getting the right CRM, having a really good presence on LinkedIn and just connecting with the right people, knowing who to target specifically.
Paul
So. So let's talk a little Bit. And let's pivot on LinkedIn real quick. So your main client acquisition system is LinkedIn.
Andrew
Yes. And other things.
Paul
And other things. Of course, of course. But, but LinkedIn is your primary. So let's talk about how you market on LinkedIn. What, what, what is a good strategy that people can use, especially when they're starting like their, let's say like their, their agency. Right. What would be a couple of tips that you would give beginners?
Andrew
I would definitely say be consistent posting. Okay. So having at least a minimum one to two posts that resonate with people and not just like, hey, like, I can provide the service for you.
Paul
Yeah.
Andrew
But like, hey, like this is what happened with somebody that I worked with.
Paul
Right.
Andrew
Type of thing. And this is the impact that can happen. Like maybe, you know, how does it affect the bottom line to a certain company or someone going through interview process and there was something specific that happened. Just sharing stories, I think is really huge.
Paul
Testimonials, testimonial client success stories, all that jazz.
Andrew
Yes. And getting on LinkedIn sales navigation navigator for sure. Or like a LinkedIn recruiter account. You can't be, you know, on something that's basic. Just invest a little bit of money into it and you'd be good to go.
Paul
Yeah, no, that, that, that's, that's some good advice, man. Yeah, I'm still trying to navigate LinkedIn myself, dude.
Andrew
You know, it's, it's a little bit of a learning curve and you know, it's, it's interesting now with some of the technology that's out there. I mean, there's a lot of AI that's being leveraged.
Alex
Absolutely.
Andrew
Searches and, you know, it's kind of interesting the direction that the recruiting industry is going in with kind of having that. Right. Mix of like, hey, here's these AI tools. But like, let's keep it personal as well.
Paul
I was about to ask you that, man. Are you guys starting to leverage a lot of the AI tools out there right now?
Andrew
100. Yeah, I mean, there's, there's tools from, you know, tools that grade candidates for you that you can type in a certain criteria and say, hey, find this person for me. It'll auto generate and give you like a scale one to five stars. Yeah, it's like pretty intense. There's also bots out there that can call for you, which I think can be a good and a bad thing.
Paul
Right.
Andrew
I think for the initial part of the recruiting process, it can work, but kind of transitioning into something that's more personal from there, once you question someone in the door. Yes, but yes. There's, there's so much technology going on right now, it's crazy.
Paul
Dude, I love that. You know, it almost gives me an idea. I mean, I told you guys I'm more like a visionary guy, but now that you're talking about this dude, I mean, this is how fast ideas happen, guys, and this is how fast you're able to put a business concept together. I mean, just imagine if you were able to show people almost like a program where you were able to set up all the AI tools and the logistics and the processes to launch definitely an agency for somebody, right?
Andrew
Yeah.
Paul
I mean people would buy that all day.
Andrew
Yeah, there's no question about that. I mean there's, there are a bunch of, you know, LinkedIn and services like that that are being promoted just like the, I feel like the depth of what that goes to maybe only a certain level. So I don't know if too many people who are doing it in depth. Yeah, that could, it could be a huge opportunity.
Paul
It could, it could. I mean there's so many ways to skin a cat, dude. And I think you could do it from a beginner's level to advance and all that jazz, right? That's good, man. So what is your vision now for the next two years? In the next two years, what is your plan with not only your agency but with anything else that you guys are working on?
Andrew
Yeah, yeah. So I mean we want to be in every major city but, but virtually. And this job does not need to be done in like a, in office environment can thrive very well virtually. You know, our, our company has a bit of a faith based aspect to it and so that's kind of interesting as well. I think that that's what makes us different as well. You know, we're a Christian based company.
Paul
Love that.
Andrew
So you know, a lot of times we start our days out and prayer together and you know, share the gospel and go over scripture and then said the day. I actually, as a part of paying our employees, the first 15 to 20 minutes of the day is so dedicated so they can do scripture and, and, and reading and praying to God and all that good stuff.
Paul
It's awesome, man.
Andrew
But yeah, to answer your question, would love to be in every major city. I want to, you know, build out the LA team a little bit more as well as Vegas where crushing it out there. You know, three to four years from now, I'd like to build out our Kansas City department even more as well as get into Two or three other major cities, and I'm really looking to have, like, teams of three or four individuals. So.
Paul
And then when. When you're looking to recruit actual people to come work at those establishments or different parts of the cities, what are you looking for as far as, like, talent?
Andrew
Just obviously the experience. Right. But also some of the intangibles too. Like, can. Can you be personable with people? Can you have a conversation? Can you actually care about, you know, someone on the other end versus just like a dollar amount?
Paul
Yeah.
Andrew
You know what I mean?
Paul
Yeah.
Andrew
Really having an impact. And also someone I want to be able to work with people that have the same value system as I do, too.
Paul
Absolutely. Core values, man.
Andrew
Core values. And I mean, that doesn't necessarily have to be someone who's Christian, but. Or is least open to being in that environment. You know what I mean?
Paul
No, of course, man. And you know, people like to work with people that they like. Right. And they're able to relate to and they're able to have fun with, man. That's what makes it all worthwhile for people, right?
Andrew
Yeah.
Paul
So based on your experience, what would you say would make somebody a great fit. Fit to get into this industry?
Andrew
Someone who is relentless. You absolutely have to be relentless and grind. You have to be someone that, you know isn't being checked up on. Someone who can just take the initiative and have a vision in mind of, like, here's the end goal. Like, let's go get it. I think that that's kind of what it takes as well as you have to have a bit of people savvy, you know, just know how to connect there. Really? Truly.
Paul
No, absolutely. Soft skills is key in 2025, right?
Andrew
Yeah, definitely.
Paul
What have you say is the hardest part of your entrepreneurship journey now, up until today, like, since you started. Dude.
Alex
What.
Paul
What would be one scenario where you say, like, you almost quit? You were like, entrepreneurship is not for me.
Andrew
Yeah.
Paul
And I think people really like this, you know, because it shows that, like, it's never easy. Right.
Andrew
You know, I would really say plugging into people that are smarter than you, you know? Yeah. Plugging into people that have been there, whether that be in the industry that you're in or. Or someone who knows where you're going, that scaled companies before, just really being plugged into someone who's been there.
Paul
Yeah. So. So let's take a. Take a dive into that. Would you say it's just more of an investment portion of that, like investing more into self education, mentors or conferences? Or would you say it's just more of really finding out what you're not good at and then finding someone who is good at that one certain skill set.
Andrew
It's all of it. I mean, I find that it's plugging into people that have done what you've done or looking to go do. Right. It's also plugging into all the resources that are online. Like you have, you have so many great resources that you have on, you know, YouTube, etc. And, you know, other entrepreneurs that provide value. I mean, it's free. Like, go, go get it.
Paul
Absolutely.
Andrew
So I'd say those two things, really.
Paul
Okay. No, that's, that's, that, that's, that's a good way to say it, man. What would you tell somebody who is trying to go ahead and pick if they should go the traditional path in a career? Let's say if somebody wanted to go ahead and, and focus on becoming an accountant. Okay. Or they had the opportunity to pick entrepreneurship, what would be the advice you would give that person?
Commercial Voice 1
Give big. Save big with Racc Friday deals at Nordstrom Rack for a limited time. Take an extra 40% off red tac clearance for a total Savings up to 75% off. Save on gifts for everyone on your list from brands like Vince Cole Hahn, Sam Edelman and more. All sales final and restrictions apply. The best stuff goes fast. So bring your gift list and your wish list to your nearest Nordstrom Rack today.
Commercial Voice 2
So you're about to make a trade based on a friend's text. But which u do you listen to? Is it we could buy a house in Tulum, get optioning those options. We could lose everything. Or let's do a little research. Get your head in the trade and make the investment decision that's right for you. Learn more@finra.org TradeSmart.
Andrew
If you. Well, if you're okay with someone telling you what to do for a career and being okay with a fixed income, then be an employee. But if you're not okay with it and you know, you want to be able to have, you know, sky's the limit type of thing, go be an entrepreneur on an entrepreneur. But just know that like there's going to be a lot more risk involved.
Paul
And when you see risk, what, what do you mean by that?
Andrew
Monetarily?
Alex
Time.
Andrew
I would say those two things. And there's, I mean, there's other things wrapped up into that too, but, you know, time and money. Right.
Paul
Would you say it's easier, Andrew? Entrepreneurship?
Andrew
It. It can be.
Paul
It can.
Andrew
If you're the if you're in the. If you have the perspective of, like, yeah, this is what I want. But if you want to kind of settle and. And be an employee, that's always there. Right. It's just, you know, kind of. Do you want to take the leap of faith?
Paul
Yeah, no, absolutely, man. And then is there anything else that you guys are working on currently right now that you guys wanted to go ahead and share with the audience?
Andrew
Yeah. So, interestingly enough, my. My wife. Newly pregnant wife, She's.
Paul
Congratulations.
Andrew
Thank you so much. She's kind of a shorter lady. She's about, like, 4 10, 4 11. And we would go to restaurants, and she'd always be uncomfortable sitting. I don't know if your wife ever has issues sitting in a seat, just kind of, you know, moving around and things like that.
Paul
Absolutely.
Andrew
One, we would just always go to restaurants, and she'd be switching chairs and things of that nature. I was like, okay, well, what can we do to fix this? And she's like, oh, Drew, will you just, like, bring me our footstool, like, when we go out to eat next time? And sure enough, we did. And I'm carrying this thing around like it's a briefcase. Yeah, right?
Paul
Yeah.
Andrew
And we're sitting at a sushi restaurant and put it down for her. And the woman who's our waitress was like, wow, that's such a good idea. I'm. I could definitely use something like that. And I thought to myself, okay, how can we solve this problem? Right. There's the entrepreneurship brain that is like, how can we.
Paul
It just clicks on, dude. You're, like, solution driven, my friend.
Andrew
Right. And so Becca and I have a. Two patents pending for a concept called the Pocket Step. And basically what it is is it's a step stool that is about the size of a phone that you can fold out and put onto the ground to prop your feet up on.
Paul
Amazing.
Andrew
Yeah. So it fits into a pocket or a small purse. And right now we're utility patent pending on it, and just trying to see where it goes. I think God kind of put this on our heart to, like, help some people on. And so, yeah, that's. That's kind of a fun side project that we're working on right now.
Alex
That's.
Paul
That's. That's pretty cool, especially because you guys doing it as, like, a married couple.
Andrew
Definitely.
Paul
You know, it's.
Commercial Voice 2
It's.
Paul
It's a nice project to work on. I mean, you guys should consider jumping on Shark Tank and pitching it.
Andrew
You know, I think it'll be Funny. So funny you say that because we, like, we love Shark Tank.
Paul
Yeah.
Andrew
We're not watching entrepreneurship related things. We're watching Shark Tank. Yeah. And we're like, oh, my gosh, that could be really good on Shark Tank.
Paul
No, absolutely.
Andrew
And I think that cost could be pretty low. It'd be durable for what the purposes are. But, yeah, I mean, there's just. We've never seen anything like that.
Paul
Right.
Andrew
And we're like, man, like, let's see where this goes.
Paul
Yeah. It's unique. And then you guys have a personal story behind it. And I always say, I always tell people it's. It's always the story that's attached to, like, the service or the product.
Andrew
Definitely.
Paul
It definitely is, man. Especially in 2025. That's awesome. So some words of encouragement, brother. I mean, you went from, you know, being in college and pivoting from an idea that a friend gave you, which is pretty cool. I think that happens to a lot of people. It happened to me definitely back when I was in law enforcement, man, when, you know, I was trying to figure out things. Things out, and I was just going through it. And it's that one friend that was just like, dude, just go. Just go make it happen.
Andrew
Right.
Paul
So for all the listeners right now that are looking for your idea, looking to go ahead and venture off to doing something brand new. Okay. And you never thought of actually opening up an agency, Right. Or possibly even creating a product.
Andrew
Yeah.
Paul
That's badass, dude. I love that. I love that. What would you tell them? Give us some words of encouragement to level up in 2025, brother.
Andrew
Just don't be afraid. You're only given today. Always try and know that God will always lead you to where you need to go.
Paul
So, yeah, and that's the level up, guys. Andrew, where can they find you?
Andrew
So you can find us on Instagram @ADL search. That's our recruiting agency, Instagram. And then you can also go on to LinkedIn and find us at ADL Search. Search LLC. Search and Staffing, LLC. And yeah, that's where we're at.
Paul
I love it, guys. There you guys have it. The level up with Andrew. Guys, make sure to share this on Spotify, Apple podcast and YouTube. Leave a five star review. Thank you guys for the 4 million downloads a month. We're currently category four or, sorry, not category four, but number four in all categories. And we're number one in business because of you. So make sure to share this with somebody that needs help because you have to get your mind right before you get into business. And that's the level up with Paul Alex. We'll catch you on the next one. Peace, Peace.
Commercial Voice 3
Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 247 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments and shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.
Episode: From His Mom’s Garage to a National Agency — How Drew Lutzke Built ADL Search from Nothing
Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Paul Alex Espinoza
Guest: Andrew "Drew" Lutzke
In this episode, Paul Alex sits down with Andrew (Drew) Lutzke, founder and managing director of ADL Search and Staffing. Drew shares his journey from sitting in his mom’s garage to building a national, virtual recruiting agency specializing in accounting and finance. The conversation delivers hard-earned lessons, practical startup advice, the power of team culture, and the pivotal role of faith and relentless drive. The duo also touches on the entrepreneurial mindset, leveraging LinkedIn and AI, and building products that solve everyday problems.
For aspiring entrepreneurs or current business owners, this episode offers a unique blend of tactical advice, mindset shifts, and genuine real-life inspiration—showing that the leap from a garage to national agency is rooted in relentless action, faith, and learning from mentors.