The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

• 110. From Broke to a Billion: Building a Sales Empire with Mara Dorne

  Mara Dorne, self-made millionaire and top leader at a Fortune 500 subsidiary, joins The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast this week to share her insights and wisdom in all things business. Mara has built a remarkable career in a male-dominated industry. She made history when she exceeded $1 billion in sales before turning 40, so she knows a thing or two about the formula for success.In Part One of their discussion, Mara opens up to Dwayne about her resilience, rebuilding from scratch, and how finding her WHY changed everything. They unpack everything from the changing sales landscape in a post-COVID world, to the non-negotiables of leadership, recruiting, and mindset.If you agree that business, and life, should be about pursuing purpose and passion, not paycheques, this episode is for you!Highlights:00:00 – Mara opens with her mantra: “A.B.C. – Always Be Closing.”02:10 – From broke to a billion: Mara’s journey to leading 1,500 agents.05:45 – Why remote work kills culture — and why energy drives sales.10:15 – Insights from Tony Robbins and Patrick Bet-David on adapting to change.12:10 – “Work-life balance is a theory — it doesn’t exist for go-getters.”16:30 – Always be recruiting: how to build growth through referrals and social media.21:15 – Bob Proctor’s influence and the role of personal development in leadership.33:00 – “Scared money don’t make money” — how to invest wisely during downturns.42:45 – The moment everything changed: from broke to $92K in six months.56:30 – “When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you do good.”Key TakeawaysRecruit Your Way Out of a Slump - Growth solves almost every sales problem. When in doubt, fill your pipeline with new energy and new people.Structure Equals Success - Freedom without accountability is failure. Even independent agents need rules, rhythm, and standards.Invest in Your Business—Smartly “Scared money don’t make money,” but blind spending isn’t strategy. Inspect every process before you invest.Confidence Is Built, Not Born Confidence grows through preparation, discipline, and mastering your craft—especially when no one’s watching.Culture Is the Competitive Edge In-office synergy, shared goals, and consistent communication drive long-term retention and results.Own Your Mistakes, Lead from the Front The fastest way to rebuild momentum is to get back in the trenches and show your team what leadership looks like.Mara is a self-made millionaire, best-selling author, public speaker, and award winning BILF ('Boss I'd Like to Follow') who built a remarkable career in a male-dominated industry. As a top leader at a Fortune 500 subsidiary, she made history by exceeding $1 billion in sales before turning 40. Beyond her corporate achievements, Mara is passionate about mentoring and has guided over 1,500 health insurance agents nationwide, with a particular focus on empowering female entrepreneurs.Links:Website: https://maradorne.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDorneRegionTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mara.dorneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maradorne/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maradorne/BILF Podcast:

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• 109. Building Beyond Survival: How John Karpov Turned Scarcity into Scalable Success

  In Part 2 of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast with John Karpov, founder and CEO of Action Home Services, Dwayne and John go even deeper into the mindset and systems behind Action Home Services(AHS), a leading landscaping and exterior construction company serving Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. From almost losing his residency to scaling an $8M business while facing deportation, John shares how he built structure, leadership, and culture around his immigrant grit. He opens up about redefining fulfillment, transitioning from survival mode to leadership, and how relentless personal growth became the cornerstone of his company’s 50% year-over-year growth.John reveals his leadership playbook — from reading 2 books a month to building over 1,000 SOPs and investing $1.5M in professional development for his team — and how staying humble, hungry, and human is what keeps him grounded through every phase of growth.If Part 1 was about survival, this episode is about scaling — with purpose, structure, and soul.Listen to Part 1 HEREWatch Part 1 HERETimestamps[00:00:00] — Dwayne opens with: “You can only run a business so long by running the fastest.”[00:01:00] — John’s incredible story of his wife’s visa approval and their shared “never give up” destiny.[00:05:00] — The immigration battle: how they nearly lost everything waiting for permanent residency.[00:07:30] — The miracle timing that let them stay in Canada and the lessons learned living on the edge.[00:10:00] — Reinvesting every dollar into the business while facing uncertainty.[00:13:00] — Scaling to $10M+ before age 25 — and not feeling like it’s an accomplishment.[00:17:00] — Dwayne and John explore scarcity versus hunger — and how the immigrant mindset fuels drive.[00:19:00] — John on never feeling “done” and why fulfillment comes from helping others succeed.[00:22:30] — The breakthrough realization: happiness is in the journey, not the destination.[00:26:00] — Daily fulfillment rituals: reading, training, and prioritizing sleep.[00:29:00] — Building structure and delegation into the company’s DNA — leadership by design.[00:31:00] — Creating organizational charts, head of departments, and scaling through people.[00:35:30] — Learning to lead through education: 100+ conferences and a book club culture.[00:38:00] — Investing $1.5M in personal and professional development and $40K in books.[00:41:00] — Company reading list and rewards program: from “Unreasonable Hospitality” to “Good to Great.”[00:45:00] — John’s transparent leadership: open-book finances, KPI education, and growth accountability.[00:49:00] — Over 1,000 SOPs: how structure scales culture.[00:53:00] — Turning every mistake into a process and every error into a lesson.[00:56:00] — The ROI of structure: new managers finally saying, “I love that it’s organized.”[00:58:00] — Why immigrants often make exceptional employees — grit meets gratitude.[01:00:30] — Dwayne’s reflection on the power of sacrifice and the immigrant spirit.[01:02:00] — John’s final advice: “If you need my help with your business, I’ll be there for you.”Key...

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• 108. From Rock Bottom to a $20 Million Business: The Relentless Journey of John Karpov

  At just 17 years old, John Karpov immigrated alone from Kazakhstan to Canada, barely speaking English and with no safety net. When a scam wiped out his savings and left him contemplating suicide, one phone call saved his life, and set off a chain of events that would redefine what grit and perseverance look like.In this powerful conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with John to unpack how he went from a desperate student to the founder of Action Home Services, a multimillion-dollar landscape construction company. John shares how he learned English, mastered sales by necessity, and built a thriving business one door knock at a time.This is a masterclass in resilience, risk, and the immigrant mindset that fuels unstoppable entrepreneurs. Timestamps00:00 - John reflects on fear, scarcity, and the pain that still drives him 11 years later.01:00 - Dwayne introduces John Karpov, founder of Action Home Services.03:00 - John’s early life in Kazakhstan and decision to immigrate to Canada at 17.05:00 - Struggling to understand North American English and adapting to culture shock.06:00 - Losing his financial support — and falling victim to a fraud that wiped out his savings.08:00 - A near-suicidal moment and the phone call that changed everything.10:00 - Finding a commission-only job selling driveway sealing — and having no clue what it was.15:00 - Knocking doors for 8 hours with no sales — until a breakthrough changes everything.17:30 - A confrontation, courage, and earning $400 in a day — more than a month’s pay back home.19:00 - What kept him from giving up — the mindset shift from failure to relentless drive.23:00 - Outworking everyone and learning the power of necessity.25:00 - Starting his first business with no money, no truck, no driver’s license — and no experience.31:00 - Working 60 hours a week while in college — the early years of survival.34:00 - Transition from driveway sealing to landscaping and scaling beyond himself.38:00 - Dwayne and John break down the principles of sales: activity, energy, and hunger.41:30 - The scarcity mindset that still lingers — and how fear drives discipline.47:00 - Risk, safety, and how to protect a growing business through systems and liquidity.53:00 - Building systems, crews, and leadership while finishing college.1:03:00 - Growing past chaos: when your living-room floor becomes your job-scheduling system.1:07:00 - Bringing his wife into the business — and the promise to be home by 5 p.m.1:13:00 - Her immigration story — and how persistence beat three rejections.1:14:00 - Dwayne’s closing reflections: from scarcity to abundance — and what’s coming in Part 2.Key TakeawaysNecessity builds resilience. When failure isn’t an option, resourcefulness becomes instinct.Work ethic beats experience. John outworked everyone — before he even knew what he was selling.Systems are survival. Growth without process leads to chaos (and lost contracts under the carpet).Scarcity can ignite hunger — but abundance sustains growth. Learning when to move from survival mode to strategy is essential.Leadership evolves. From door-to-door hustler to CEO, John learned that empowering others fuels exponential scale.Quotes:“The moment I start knocking those doors, the flame inside of me started, and I just knew I cannot give up. I need to actually get back on track. I cannot fail my parents because they gave me this opportunity to come in.” John Karpov“For me, grow, it's in my DNA, like it's in my blood. I would never stop growing.” John Karpov“I think it is still

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• 107. Innovation at Any Age: Jim Ritter on 3D Printing, Risk, and Reinvention

  In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan sits down again with Jim Ritter, founder of Printed Farms and builder of the world’s largest 3D-printed building. Jim shares not only the technical and economic realities of 3D-printed housing but also the mindset shifts, calculated risks, and reinventions that have defined his remarkable journey.From navigating lawsuits and seizing unique niches, to pivoting from horses to housing in his sixties, Jim embodies the belief that innovation has no age limit. Along the way, he draws lessons from history, technology, and personal trial-and-error—reminding us that small, consistent actions and adaptability are the true engines of progress.Whether you’re in construction, entrepreneurship, or simply seeking inspiration for your own reinvention, this episode offers both practical takeaways and timeless wisdom.Timestamps00:00 – “If you say you can or you say you can’t, you’ll be true in both.”01:00 – Why this conversation is about more than building—it’s about innovation and mindset02:00 – Economics of 3D printing: materials, labor, and early success stories06:00 – Finding niches through setbacks: lawsuits, loopholes, and launching into 3D printing at 6408:00 – Innovation vs. practicality: why things must work before they can scale10:00 – Stories of invention: dishwashers, electric cars, and how adoption really happens13:00 – Global housing crisis and opportunities for 3D printing17:00 – Pivoting when plans fail: keeping ventures “plastic” and adaptable21:00 – The value of small, consistent changes that compound over time25:00 – Looking back at unexpected career pivots across decades29:00 – Why career reinvention is vital—and more possible now than ever33:00 – Risk, mitigation, and the realities of jumping into new ventures36:00 – Construction + tech: opportunities for the next generation40:00 – Financing, risk tolerance, and who’s ready for entrepreneurship41:00 – Mindset: “If you say you can or you say you can’t, you’ll be true in both.”46:00 – Printing on Mars? Future frontiers in construction and robotics49:00 – Translation tech, AI, and accelerating innovation52:00 – Why this is the greatest time in history to be alive54:00 – Closing: entrepreneurship, courage, and embracing innovation at any stageNotable Quotes“If you say you can or you say you can’t, it will be true.” – Jim Ritter“Ride the wave you’re on, not the one you want.” – Jim Ritter“Small changes consistently done over time bring the biggest results.” – DK\“Practicality is the key to life. It has to work.” – Jim Ritter“Innovation has no age limit—you can reinvent yourself at 60 or 70 and still make a difference.” – Dwayne Kerrigan Key TakeawaysInnovation Isn’t Age-Bound – Jim jumped into 3D printing at 64, proving reinvention is always possible.Calculated Risk Matters – Pair bold ideas with strategies to mitigate downside.Practicality Over Hype – True innovation must work in the field before it can scale.Small Changes Compound – Success often comes from consistent, minor adjustments over time.Adoption Takes Time – Like dishwashers or electric cars, groundbreaking ideas need

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• 106. 3D Printing the Future: Innovation & Housing with Jim Ritter

  In this episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, Dwayne sits down with Jim Ritter, founder of Printed Farms and the man behind the world’s largest 3D-printed building. Jim’s story is one of relentless innovation—pivoting industries later in life, solving real-world housing problems, and challenging outdated construction methods with cutting-edge robotics and 3D printing technology.From the challenges of curing concrete in extreme heat to the economics of large-scale printing, Jim reveals what it really takes to make 3D-printed housing viable. He explains the logistical nightmares of early machines, why cement isn’t the perfect print material, and how his team has built a new system to solve industry problems.This is more than a conversation about construction—it’s about innovation, adaptability, and the future of housing.Timestamps00:00 – The cost of bright ideas: what you don’t know can hurt you01:00 – Meet Jim Ritter, founder of Printed Farms, and his late-career pivot into 3D printing02:00 – Why curing time makes or breaks a 3D-printed wall05:00 – The myths of “printing a house in a day” and the real economics07:30 – Shell costs, square footage, and learning from first projects10:00 – Logistical nightmares of early machines and moving heavy equipment13:00 – Why robotics and 3D printing matter in solving global housing shortages16:00 – A simple breakdown: how 3D printing a house actually works20:00 – Pouring beams, columns, and integrating trades in one process24:00 – Why stronger, smarter structures are critical for climate resilience27:00 – Innovation always starts small—3D printing’s parallels to early tech adoption32:00 – Safety, silos, and the hidden dangers of construction work36:00 – Old machines vs. new mobility: why hoses and pumps kill efficiency42:00 – Cutting material waste and rethinking the economics of building47:00 – Reinventing mixers and achieving consistent quality52:00 – Training the future workforce: print operators, not laborers58:00 – Economics, labor shortages, and why machines are the future of building01:02:00 – Permitting, insurance, and how 3D printing fits into existing systems01:05:00 – Closing thoughts: innovation is not optional—it’s survivalJim Ritter is a lifelong horseman, entrepreneur, and innovator. After decades competing internationally in show jumping and developing equestrian properties in the U.S. and Sweden, he turned his focus to real estate and advanced construction. In 2019, he founded Printed Farms, the company behind Florida’s first permitted 3D-printed home and the world’s largest 3D concrete printed building. Today, Jim continues to pioneer new patented printing systems through his latest venture, CASPER, shaping the future of construction technology.Notable Quotes“It’s what you don’t know that hurts you the most. If you know something and you don’t mitigate for it, well then you’re just stupid.” – Jim Ritter“Innovation always starts small, and then it catches on. That’s how every industry evolves.” – Dwayne Kerrigan“We need structures that can withstand climate events. We can’t stop them, but we can build smarter.” – Jim RitterKey Takeaways3D Printing is Not a Gimmick – It’s about solving real housing

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