Building from the Ground Up with Wade Swikle: The True Path to Entrepreneurial Success
In conversation with Wade Swikle, we explore how resilience, discipline, and long-term vision define real Entrepreneurial Success. From starting with $600 and a borrowed truck to leading a multimillion-dollar franchise, Wade shares lessons on focus, leadership, and sustainable growth.
In this insightful episode, Mark talks with Wade Swikle, CEO and founder of 2 College Brothers, about his journey from a simple side hustle to building one of America’s fastest-growing moving franchises. His story exemplifies what true Entrepreneurial Success looks like persistence, mindset, and service.
Wade recounts his early beginnings launching a business in college with $600 and a pickup truck. What started as a small idea quickly became a full-time pursuit driven by curiosity and a deep desire to create value for others.
He shares how setbacks became opportunities for growth. From managing finances to hiring challenges, every obstacle taught him how to adapt, simplify, and scale effectively. His disciplined approach to problem-solving built the foundation for sustainable expansion.
As Wade explains, Entrepreneurial Success isn’t about speed; it’s about staying power. Growth requires consistency, mentorship, and a clear vision of where you want to go, even when the road gets tough.
Mark and Wade dive deep into the role of leadership empowering teams, building trust, and maintaining culture as you scale. For Wade, success is measured not by numbers but by the impact he creates for customers and franchise partners.
Through transparency and self-awareness, Wade learned that emotional intelligence is as important as business intelligence. When you lead from purpose, profits follow naturally.
Ultimately, this episode highlights that the journey to Entrepreneurial Success begins with small steps showing up daily, learning through failure, and staying humble enough to keep growing.
Key Takeaways
1. Resilience
Wade explains that entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path — setbacks and struggles are part of the process. Resilience allows you to bounce back stronger, stay calm under pressure, and view failures as stepping stones instead of obstacles.
Learn to pivot when plans fail.
Use setbacks as feedback, not defeat.
Stay calm in unpredictable situations.
Develop patience as a long-term skill.
Growth happens through resilience, not perfection.
2. Vision
Wade highlights that success begins with clarity. Knowing where you want to go allows you to prioritize effectively and make decisions that align with long-term goals. Vision helps filter distractions and sustain motivation through difficult seasons.
Define what success truly means to you.
Create goals that align with your purpose.
Visualize outcomes to stay focused.
Review your progress regularly.
Vision gives direction to discipline.
3. Leadership
Wade believes great leaders create leaders, not followers. Leadership is about trust, empathy, and alignment ensuring that everyone on your team understands the mission and feels valued in the process.
Communicate goals clearly and consistently.
Lead by example, not by control.
Foster a culture of accountability.
Celebrate wins big or small.
Leadership is service, not status.
4. Discipline
Wade emphasizes that consistency is what separates those who start from those who succeed. Discipline builds momentum by turning daily actions into long-term achievements. It’s about doing the right thing, even when motivation fades.
Set structured routines that support productivity.
Focus on execution over perfection.
Manage time intentionally, not reactively.
Keep promises you make to yourself.
Discipline compounds into excellence.
5. Relationships
Wade stresses that relationships are the backbone of business. From customers to franchise partners, success comes from nurturing genuine connections built on honesty and mutual respect.
Prioritize communication and transparency.
Give before you expect to receive.
Build partnerships that align with your values.
Listen actively to understand, not to respond.
Relationships are the currency of success.
WATCH ON YOUTUBE:
Listen and Subscribe to the Podcast here:
SPOTIFY : https://h1.nu/1d-Ws
APPLE MUSIC : https://shorturl.at/0eIDj
AMAZON MUSIC : https://shorturl.at/sCFat
ABOUT WADE PATH :
Wade Swikle, a serial entrepreneur, podcast host, and emerging author. Wade is the founder and CEO of 2 College Brothers Moving, Storage and Franchising, host of the Grow Your Moving Company Podcast, and co-founder of Moving Titan Retreats. Wade started his moving company with just $600 and a pickup truck at the age of 21 while a student at the University of Florida over 11 years ago. He grew it into a multi-million dollar business with multiple locations and is now franchising the concept. Wade hosts the longest actively running moving industry podcast and is a co-founder of Moving Titan Retreats, a mastermind retreat that brings together ambitious moving company owners from around the world to uplift the moving industry. Wade has a Master's Degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida and currently owns 5 businesses.