How a $60K employee bought a $4M company

This episode was sponsored by Cardiff as well as Duggins Welding & Weswy Beard Co

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/

This Dropping Bombs episode delivers bootstrapped fire with Zach Burick, the CEO who went from food stamps and moving 25+ times as a kid to buying his boss's $4M steel company on a $60K salary.

Zach breaks down the SBA loan playbook, leveraging everything to triple revenue to $12M+, and why getting uncomfortable in rooms you don't belong in changes everything. From $20/day at golf courses to building generational wealth through steel, beard products, and golf apparel—he proves ignorance is bliss when you're willing to go all in.

This conversation is the blueprint for anyone willing to bet on themselves. Stop doubting, start doing. Your empire starts here.

🔗 Connect with Zach

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachburick/

Echelon Apparel: https://echelon-apparel.com/

WesWy Beard Co: https://www.weswybeardco.com/

✅ Company Socials:

D. S. Duggins Welding Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dugginswelding/

Echelon Apparel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echelon_apparel_/

Wes Wy Beard Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weswybeardco/

Lost Shaker of Salt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostshakerofsalt_oib/

Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.

Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he's mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.

LightSpeed VT is Brad's brainchild—the world's leading interactive training platform. It's built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you're a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:

https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Brad's also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/

This isn't just a video. It's a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.

Closer School: https://www.closerschool.com/cs