In 2023, the Dayton community said goodbye to a business legend and selfless leader. Clay Mathile is best known as the businessman who took over running The Iams Company and then sold the business to P&G in 1999 for $2.3B. In the years since that sale, Clay invested his time and money in other entrepreneurs, and Marty counts himself fortunate to have been the beneficiary of so much of Clay's advice and guidance. In this episode, Marty shares what he learned from Clay and the impact it had on Grunder Landscaping Co.'s trajectory.
Discussion Points:

GROW! 2024 and the city of Des Moines
Meeting Clay, the book Clay gave him, and a new trajectory
A friend in Clay’s son, memories through the years - baseball and more
16 things Marty learned from Clay
Listening, structure, strategy
Don’t let your business run you
Get the book free by sharing this episode
Staying focused, mission and vision statements
Dreams vs. strategic plans
Paying for ‘good help’
Get a board of advisors
Home life and business life
Dressing well, but not flashy
Being a good person and helping others
Next time you buy IAMs for your pet, think of Clay

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.
Resources:
Book: Focus  
Aileron School  
Book: Run Your Business  
Book: Dream No Little Dream