I listen to a lot of business podcasts.

One of the people I come back to most is Andy Frisella. He built 1st Phorm from nothing into a multi-billion dollar supplement company. He is direct, he is not for everyone, and he does not apologize for either of those things. But one thing he says that I keep thinking about is this: the most important thing he ever built was not a product. It was a culture.

He talks about how his company no longer needs him specifically to run. Not because he is not involved, But because the culture he built is so strong that the people inside it know exactly what is they are working towards, what they stand for, and the standard by which they operate. The mission does not stop when he walks out the door.

That stopped me.

Because I started thinking about my house. If I were not here tomorrow, what would my kids carry forward? What is the culture of our family? What do we stand for?

Name it out loud

My wife and I have talked about this a lot, maybe without always calling it culture. But when I sat down and actually asked the question, I knew the answer pretty quickly.

In our house, we talk to our kids about God. That is the foundation. Everything else flows from it.

We expect accountability. If you did it, you own it. No excuses and no passing the blame. Wade and Elaine are still young but they already know this one.

We take care of what we have. Our things represent work and sacrifice. You respect them.  You take care of your things and your things will take care of you.  

We do what we can for others. When someone needs something and we can help, we help. That is not negotiable.

When we commit to something, we go all in. Half measures are not something we talk about. If we are doing it, we are doing it.

And the four of us are the most important people in the world to each other. That is not something I take for granted and it is not something I want my kids to take for granted either. The people inside your front door come first. Every time.

Katelyn brings things to our family culture that I do not. That is not a weakness. That is how it is supposed to work. Different roles, different strengths, one team. The goal is not for both parents to be the same. The goal is for the culture you build together to be so strong that your kids know exactly who they are and what they stand for.

That is worth thinking about. What is the culture in your house? Not the values you wish you had. The ones you actually live.

One recommendation worth your time.

Andy Frisella -- Real AF Podcast

If you have not listened, start with any episode where he talks about culture or team building. He is not soft about it and that is the point. The standards he describes for his company are the same ones that apply at home. Worth your time.

Note: Andy Frisella’s ever popular MFCEO Project podcast has gone to a subscription model inside of a new app called Operator Standard. Operator Standard is an AI model that helps you define your goals and set daily tasks that move you closer to those goals. The MFCEO Project is a business focused podcast that in my opinion is well worth the monthly subscription amount. If you’re looking for value, this packs a big punch.

A lot of things are moving right now. Career, business, family. But the thing I keep coming back to is this: the work inside the house matters as much as the work outside of it. Maybe more.

Come find us on Instagram at @garage_ethos.

See you next Sunday.

Tommy Dad, Founder, still figuring it out