How Aaron Gaynor Built a $75M Service Empire After Losing Everything

Zero To 5000

In this inspiring episode of the 0 to 5000 podcast, Drew McClure dives deep into the incredible journey of Aaron Gaynor, founder, and CEO of Eager Plumb, Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians, a $75 million home service business. Aaron shares his raw and honest story, recounting the rise and fall of his first business during the 2007 housing market crash, leading him to bankruptcy. At 28, Aaron found himself on his mother’s couch with a three-year-old son and a mountain of debt. However, his unwavering determination led him to rebuild his life and business from the ground up. Aaron discusses the mindset shifts, personal development practices, and actionable steps that helped him turn his hardships into success, ultimately scaling his second venture to new heights. From personal challenges to the strategies that worked, this episode is a treasure trove of lessons for anyone looking to overcome adversity and achieve business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience in the Face of Failure – Aaron shares how he rebuilt his life after losing everything, emphasizing the importance of taking action and learning from mistakes.
• The Power of Personal Development – Personal growth through books like Think and Grow Rich played a key role in shaping Aaron’s business mindset.
• Mindset Over Matter – Aaron discusses the importance of developing a clear vision and purpose, which helped him stay focused and driven even in tough times.
• Scaling with Systems – His transition from a small business to a $75 million company involved implementing scalable systems and processes.
• Community and Support – Aaron highlights the pivotal role his support network—friends, family, and colleagues—played in his journey to success.

Notable Quotes:

• "I promised my son: this won’t be our life. I’m going to figure it out."
• "You can’t feel sorry for yourself for too long—take action, solve your problems, and get to work."
• "The biggest shift for me was taking responsibility. I didn’t know business—I knew plumbing."
• "My goals became bigger than my fears. I didn’t care anymore—I just wanted to get things solved."