SE01 E04 “The Saturday Text That Changed Everything” | Dan Swiniarski

Описание: When Dan Swiniarski got a Saturday morning text from the owner of the 63-year-old Wright Creative Branding and Labels, the company was stalled out of growth mode. The offer was simple: become president and COO. Dan's response was equally direct: what do we do about your brother, and tell me what you really want.

In this raw and honest conversation, Dan breaks down the tough decisions and teamwork that transformed Wright in just 14 months. As a US Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur who previously built a business from zero to 100 million in sales, Dan didn't shy away from the hard calls: consolidating facilities, letting go of embedded employees, and investing in sales talent while cutting costs. But the real story isn't just about the numbers. It's about building trust before the crisis hits, creating a culture where people know exactly where they stand, and understanding that in manufacturing, sales and operations aren't enemies - they're one team fighting the same battle.

Dan shares the moment the former CEO called him back 20 minutes after being asked to step aside, the counterintuitive decision to hire aggressively during a cash crunch, and why he brought his manufacturing team into sales training. He also opens up about his work with Fairways for Warriors, a top-rated charity using golf to help combat veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war. This is leadership without the theory - just the real decisions that kept Dan up at night and the principles that got Wright back on track.

What hiring someone from within a family business really means for their ability to make bold decisions

Why Dan shuts down facilities that have been underperforming and doesn't look back

The two non-negotiables Dan gave the owner before accepting the president role

How bringing operations leaders into sales training eliminated the toxic us-versus-them culture
Why Dan tells new sales hires exactly how much they'll cost him in six months and what he expects in return

The difference between sales training that fixes today and sales development that builds tomorrow
What it means to have empathy as a closer and why rejection is just part of the job

How a 63-year-old family legacy can be your greatest asset and your biggest Achilles heel

Why Dan would rather hire someone he trusts than someone who's individually great at their discipline

What 22 veterans a day deciding to end their lives has to do with getting people off the couch and onto the golf course

Dan Swiniarski is President & COO of Wright Creative Branding & Labels, where he drives transformational growth, strategic innovation, and AI-enabled sales and operations across the brand’s labeling and packaging solutions. With a career built on expanding market footprint, optimizing performance, and elevating customer experience, Dan blends deep industry expertise with a forward-thinking approach that helps brands stand out in competitive markets. A Marine Corps veteran and avid golfer based in Arizona, he champions leadership, disciplined execution, and the smart use of technology to unlock business value and long-term results.

Fairways for warriors:https://www.fairwaysforwarriors.org/
Dan's linked in:  / danswiniarski  . website: https://www.wrightlabels.com/



Learn more about Fairways for Warriors and how you can support combat veterans at https://www.fairwaysforwarriors.org/

Connect with Dan Swiniarski on LinkedIn:   / danswiniarski  


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#TheRefitPodcast #KyleKillian #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #VeteranLeadership #HardThingAboutHardThings #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #CEOInsights #FounderStories #OperationalLeadership The Refit Podcast is where real leadership happens—no platitudes, no polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the hard decisions that keep leaders up at night. Hosted by Kyle Killian, former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer with nearly 30 years of military, corporate, and entrepreneurial leadership experience, this podcast dives into the moments when the playbook stopped working and leaders had to figure it out anyway.