In this episode of Zero to CEO, I chat with background-check pioneer Steven Ward, founder of GuardianBGI, about how he transformed a solo PI gig into a national investigative firm reshaping law enforcement hiring. Steven reveals what really goes on behind the scenes of police background checks, how outdated systems can put entire communities at risk, and why new technology is essential for modern screening. We also dive into how GuardianBGI scaled in a heavily regulated industry and the startup lessons Steven learned along the way.