Dave Carroll REVEALS How He Built a $100M SaaS, Going To Prison, and What It Really Takes To Win

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Dave Carroll, founder and CEO of Dope Marketing, a software company offering laser-focused direct mail with no minimum order for small businesses and agencies. Dope just landed on the Inc. 5000 for the second year in a row, and Dave's team of over 100 runs a full-scale print and fulfillment operation that integrates with CRMs like GoHighLevel and Zapier.Dan and Dave explore Dave's incredible journey from prison to building multiple successful businesses including Lion Share Maintenance and Dope Marketing. Dave shares how he started a window cleaning company, got into data brokering for agencies, and eventually launched Dope Marketing five years ago after seeing inefficiencies in the direct mail industry. He explains how Dope grew from 0 to around 30 million in revenue by solving the problem of automated, hyper-targeted direct mail for home service businesses.The conversation covers the importance of personal growth and leveling up as your business scales. Dave discusses giving up drinking four years ago, developing a disciplined morning routine, and staying laser-focused on one opportunity rather than chasing every partnership. He shares insights on balancing family life with five kids while running a rapidly growing company, emphasizing being intentional with time and delegating tasks you're not good at.Dave explains the marathon mentality of business and how founders are often several laps ahead of their team. He stresses setting clear expectations, building systems, and slowing down to avoid reverting to old reactive patterns. Dave shares inspiration from Tommy Melo, Jesse Itzler, and Gino Wickman, emphasizing that if you're not inspired by something, you're not inspired by anything.Dave Carroll, Founder of DOPE Marketing:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.l.carroll.7Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davedopemarketing/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopemarketing/Website: https://www.dopemarketing.com/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.com Local Marketing Secrets Platforms:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LocalMarketingSecrets Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=224075c9fbda42f5 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-marketing-secrets/id1741176782 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/local-marketing-secrets Podcast Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Dave Carroll01:54 Reflections on Rapid Growth03:37 The Importance of Personal Growth07:17 Focusing on Core Business Opportunities11:54 Dave's Journey from Troubled Youth to Entrepreneur22:31 Defining Success and Parenting27:53 Balancing Family Life and Business Responsibilities34:54 Prioritizing Health and Wellness40:04 The Secret to Rapid Business Growth49:12 The Marathon of Business55:17 Learning from Influential Figures01:00:29 The Importance of Slowing Down#directmail #homeservicemarketing #localmarketing #homeservicebusiness #directmailmarketing