In this episode of "Zero to 5000," hosts Drew McClure chat with Scott Arias, a seasoned entrepreneur with a unique journey from Navy service to CEO of a multimillion-dollar company. Scott shares his story of dropping out of high school, joining the Navy, facing severe injuries, and eventually earning a Ph.D. before his high school diploma. His career spans building U.S. embassies, directing design build projects, and founding a company that grew from $7,000 in its first year to $25 million. Scott discusses the importance of core values, servant leadership, and giving back, emphasizing how his faith and experiences have shaped his business philosophy.

Key Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Scott’s innate desire to forge his own path led him from the Navy to becoming a successful business owner.
• Resilience: Overcoming severe injuries and setbacks, Scott’s journey exemplifies resilience and determination.
• Core Values: The importance of defining and living by core values such as doing the right thing, urgency, and striving for the gold standard.
• Servant Leadership: Scott’s leadership style focuses on serving others, inspired by his faith and military experience.
• Giving Back: The significance of giving back to the community and incorporating charitable activities into the business model.

Notable Quotes

• "I earned my Ph.D. before my high school diploma."
• "There’s no quit in me."
• "Finding the right people is probably the biggest thing, investing in the right people."
• "We are in the business of building the kingdom."
• "You need to be genuine. Be who you are and embrace it."