Building a 600+ Employee Company Without a Playbook with Mitch Gyger

Most founders don’t start with a clear plan. They start by figuring things out as they go.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mitch Gyger, President and Co-Founder of OPS Security Group, with Vera Hempel as guest co-host. Mitch shares how graduating into the 2009 recession led him to take a security guard role, an opportunity that ultimately shaped his entire career. What started as a stopgap turned into a long-term path as he built experience, earned credibility, and eventually co-founded a company from the ground up.

Mitch opens up about the early days of entrepreneurship, doing every role, making mistakes, and learning without a playbook. He also breaks down how OPS scaled into a 600+ employee organization by focusing on one key principle, putting employees first. From hiring to pricing, that philosophy drives how they operate, even when it means losing short-term deals.

We also explore how Mitch thinks about growth today, from building structured sales systems to staying patient in government contracting, and how he defines success across business, faith, and family.

Key Takeaways:

• Start where you are and build from experience
• Expect chaos early, clarity comes later
• Pay people well to build stronger teams
• Short-term losses can create long-term wins
• Stay patient when timing isn’t in your control
• Plan intentionally across business and life

About Mitch Gyger:

Mitch has over 20 years of experience in the security industry and currently serves as the President of OPS Security Group. Since co-founding the company, he has played a central role in shaping its growth and evolution. In his role as President, Mitch is responsible for setting the company’s strategy, overseeing finance, sales, human resources, and service delivery. His leadership ensures OPS continues to deliver high-quality service while building a culture rooted in integrity and high performance.

Connect:

Website opssecuritygroup.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/mitchgyger/

This episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more.

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