Sustaining Business and the Environment (wsg Jordan Darragh)

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jordan Darragh, an expert in sustainability who is the founder and CEO of PrintReleaf, Inc.  Jordan discusses his deep understanding of the print services industry's effect on the environment and how he used it to find his passion in founding a successful business. He also shares how sustainability of the environment can relate to sustainability of your business. Of course, Jordan talks about the importance of the mentorship stemming from his “Top Three,” ranging from a power lifting champion to a shoeless colleague. About Jordan Darragh Jordan is the founder and CEO of PrintReleaf, Inc. At PrintReleaf, Jordan and his founding team have worked closely with industry experts in print and forestry to develop standards for measuring, offsetting, and verifying the successful reforestation of paper consumption. They have developed a standard, methodology, and technology platform that makes it simple for customers to certifiably reforest their paper consumption. He is a successful multi-time entrepreneur.  Prior to PrintReleaf, Jordan founded EverWorx  which is one of the fastest growing ‘Managed Print Services’ companies in the industry. Prior to his entrepreneurial endevours, Jordan kicked off his professional career as a sales executive at LaserCycleUSA. Jordan lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two sons. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview 1:08        Disruption and brave leadership in the Connecting World = transformation. Environment and sustainability are different reasons for transformations. 3:20        Jordan Darragh: An expert in sustainability for businesses and the environment. PrintReleaf is at the epicenter of technology, print services industry, and environment. He bridges value chain of printing - from forestry to use and reforests the amount of paper being used. Segment 2: Mentors Pushing Potential & the “Top Three”   5:14        Jordan grew up in metro Detroit, moved to Boulder, and got involved in the print industry. 7:22        Jordan’s “Top Three”: Don’t pick a job. Pick a boss. Sales opportunity as first job (Scott Zwaanstra at LaserCycleUSA).  13:34      “Your quota is your potential.” There was more to give and to achieve. 16:54      Jordan’s “Top Three”: Dad (Kent Darragh) and Father-in-Law (David Carney) – different paths to success in business serve as mentors 20:58      Trying to find passion outside of school – eventually found it in building and leading in business 22:06      Building a company from scratch – importance of mentorship to an entrepreneur 24:34      Dream big 25:10      Jordan’s “Top Three”: Current right hand guy Casey O’Hara – fresh perspective on business and life for decision making 30:01      Give people a chance 30:38      Importance of foundation/support system/community for entrepreneur and company to be successful Segment 3:  Opportunities generated from print industry 32:24      Two companies born from the print industry – EverWorks (Xerox reseller) and PrintReleaf (software measuring paper consumption equates to forest impact and makes actionable via planting trees on equivalent basis) 33:58      Working at both ends of the print ecosystem 34:40      Measuring success in trees 35:27      What drives the business? Segment 4: Disruptions to print industry and phases of development 38:32      Digitization movement – blessing or a curse? 41:46      Starting PrintReleaf – spent time in energy industry along the way, leading to interest in carbon credits and saw a void to be filled 45:10      Socialization phase – Discussed APIs with Kimbal Musk 46:54      PrintReleaf is first reforestation API 48:15      Bravery and loneliness while creating reforestation industry standards Segment 5: Wrapping Up 51:23      Advice to leaders – be humble and confident 53:06      One thing people can do to be a brave leader – take the first step and talk about it 54:35      How to connect with Jordan and PrintReleaf Additional Information Contact Jordan Darrah: Jordan’s LinkedIn Contact PrintReleaf: Website LinkedIn Twitter Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter