Aug 24, 2025
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy
Trewin interviews Joe
Zentmyer, Founder of Snaggletooth Goby,
shares his entrepreneurial journey from leaving corporate life at
Kraft Foods to co-founding First Ascent Rock Climbing, which grew
to seven gyms before being sold in 2021. He explains how his
passion for aquariums led him to purchase and expand a local store
into a growing business, adding recurring revenue streams and
online sales. Joe reflects on the challenges of scaling during
COVID, including managing hundreds of employees and navigating
shutdowns. He highlights the importance of numbers, people
management, and hiring the right team for growth. Finally, he
offers advice on resilience, balance, and building a strong culture
while scaling a small business.
Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you
signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and
business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most
of this year. Let’s get
into it by clicking here.
Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their
perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal
stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of
small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies
for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable
advice.
And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business
Questions:
What do you think is the
hardest thing in growing a small business?
Joe Zentmyer shares that the hardest part of growing a small
business is the pace of decision-making and filtering feedback. He
explains that entrepreneurs often hear only the extremes—overly
positive or overly negative voices—while the real insights usually
lie in the middle.
What's your favorite
business book that has helped you the most?
Joe Zentmyer told that one of the most impactful books for him is
“The Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon, which focuses on motivating people,
getting them aligned, and building positive momentum within a
team.
Are there any great
podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow
a small business?
Joe Zentmyer shares that he listens widely to many business
podcasts and online resources, cycling through different voices to
absorb as much knowledge as possible. He believes entrepreneurs
should avoid sticking to just one source and instead learn from a
wide range of perspectives.
What tool or resource
would you recommend to grow a small business?
Joe Zentmyer shares that small business owners should not hesitate
to invest in simple online apps and tools that save time on
repetitive tasks. Even spending $20–$50 a month on the right
software can free up valuable hours, making efficiency a key growth
resource.
What advice would you give
yourself on day one of starting out in business?
Joe Zentmyer shares that if he could go back, he would tell himself
to believe in the journey and enjoy the ride. Building a business
is full of challenges and surprises, but embracing the process with
confidence makes it worthwhile.
Book a 20-minute Growth
Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming
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business to new heights!
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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:
Success in small business happens when the sum of the team is
greater than the whole – Joe Zentmyer
The right people are easier to find than trying to fix the wrong
ones – Joe Zentmyer
If you think as a leader you can force people to do what they don’t
want, you’re sorely mistaken – Joe Zentmyer