The WarPlan Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: From Broke to $10M+: Mindset, Faith & Building an Empire w/ Sam Gembel
Host: Joshua Latimer
Guest: Sam Gembel
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Podcast Description: A platform aimed at weaponizing your brain through advanced marketing, mindset, and money concepts, emphasizing that business success is a mental war and making money is a game that starts in your mind.
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The WarPlan Podcast, host Joshua Latimer sits down with Sam Gembel, an eight-figure business owner and coach, to delve deep into Sam's journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving empire. The conversation navigates through themes of mindset, faith, leadership, and financial strategies, offering invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Sam Gembel's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
Sam opens up about his challenging upbringing in Flint, Michigan, highlighting the stark contrasts between his early life and his eventual success. He recounts dropping out of high school at 17 to support his family, leading to his first job at the Flint Journal despite lacking formal education. His entrepreneurial spirit ignited when he ventured into lawn care, a passion that laid the foundation for what would become Atlas Outdoor.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [00:37]: "Pay yourself first. So many small business owners, they just take what's left at the end of the week. No, here I was not paying myself. So we ran our savings account dry."
Founding Atlas Outdoor: Overcoming Adversity
Sam details the inception of Atlas Outdoor in 2011, born out of necessity and a drive to provide for his family. Moving from Flint to Davison marked a significant turning point, allowing him to scale his lawn care services beyond just cutting grass. Despite initial struggles, including financial hardships and operational challenges, Sam and his wife Brandy persevered, eventually expanding to two locations with over 110 employees and surpassing $10 million in revenue.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [03:43]: "God had way, way bigger plans for this thing than I did. I literally just wanted to cut grass and make enough to provide for us."
The Power of Mindset in Business Success
A recurring theme in the conversation is the critical role of mindset in achieving business success. Joshua introduces the concept of the "orphan mindset," characterized by short-term thinking and reliance on external solutions like money or partnerships. Sam counters this by emphasizing internal growth and resilience as essential for long-term success.
Notable Quote:
Joshua Latimer [00:16]: "Core mindset in people are calling an orphan mindset... all the success is really internal, not external."
Navigating Partnerships: Lessons Learned
Sam shares a pivotal moment where a friend offered to invest $50,000 in his burgeoning business in exchange for a 50% stake. Opting to retain full ownership proved to be a fortuitous decision, allowing Atlas Outdoor to grow exponentially without compromising control. This anecdote serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities and potential pitfalls of business partnerships.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [00:00]: "Honestly, dude, I probably would have given him half my business if he would have gave me 50 grand... I'm an idiot. I could own half that business."
Faith and Its Influence on Business Practices
The discussion shifts to Sam's faith journey, illustrating how his spiritual beliefs intertwine with his business ethos. From transitioning to a Christian rock band to integrating prayer and ethical practices into Atlas Outdoor, Sam illustrates how faith has been a guiding force in his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [23:24]: "I love Jesus. Call it whatever you want to put, but that's what I do."
Financial Strategies: The Importance of Paying Yourself First
Sam underscores the significance of financial discipline, particularly the principle of "paying yourself first." By prioritizing personal remuneration, business owners can ensure sustainability and avoid the pitfalls of financial mismanagement that often plague growing enterprises.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [56:26]: "Pay yourself first. If you're the sales guy and you're doing 500 grand in revenue, good salesperson makes 8 to 12% of sales. That's 50 grand a year. You should at least pay yourself."
Leadership Insights: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Addressing leadership, Sam advises against promoting employees solely based on their technical skills. He stresses the importance of intentional leadership development, ensuring that those elevated to managerial roles possess the requisite skills and mindset to succeed.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [44:17]: "Don't put people into positions just because they're good at the work... They won't grow into it."
Rapid Fire: Key Advice for Small Business Owners
In the latter part of the episode, Joshua engages Sam in a rapid-fire segment, extracting succinct advice on various aspects of business ownership:
-
Being a Great Father While Owning a Business:
- Sam Gembel [50:24]: "Adopt a four-day workweek. It provides the necessary balance to be present as a father without compromising business growth."
-
Enhancing Sales Skills:
- Sam Gembel [51:57]: "Learn to connect with people. Sell with confidence and conviction, as insecurity can undermine your sales efforts."
-
Improving Mindset and Personal Development:
- Sam Gembel [56:26]: "Overcome the belief that nobody can do things better than you. Trust in your team and recognize that 80% of something done by somebody else is 100% awesome."
Conclusion
The episode culminates with Sam reflecting on the intertwined nature of faith, mindset, and strategic decision-making in building a successful business. His journey from struggling entrepreneur to a multi-million-dollar business owner serves as a testament to resilience, internal growth, and the power of a disciplined mindset.
Notable Quote:
Sam Gembel [62:05]: "It's truly a God-given honor of mine to be able to give back and help people hopefully skip a few steps in their journey."
For listeners eager to connect further, Sam directs them to his website samgembel.com, his podcast Culture Proof, and the accompanying Facebook group for ongoing leadership and business insights.
Key Takeaways:
- Mindset Matters: Internal resilience and a growth-oriented mindset are foundational to business success.
- Financial Discipline: Prioritizing personal remuneration ensures business sustainability.
- Thoughtful Leadership: Promote individuals based on leadership potential, not just technical prowess.
- Faith and Ethics: Integrating personal beliefs can guide ethical business practices and decision-making.
- Continuous Learning: Embrace personal development to overcome internal barriers and achieve greater heights.
Sam Gembel's journey is a beacon for entrepreneurs navigating the tumultuous waters of business ownership, offering both inspiration and practical strategies to build and sustain a thriving enterprise.