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Leading with Purpose: Culture, Customers, and Chemical Supply with Dave Fitzgerald
Episode 419
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore reconnects with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald, President of North Metal & Chemical Company. Known for his forward-thinking predictions, Dave returns to share valuable insights into supply chain forecasting, emotional intelligence in leadership, and how a strong culture can shape business longevity.
Purpose-Driven Predictions
Dave doesn't just react—he predicts. Learn how he turns economic signals, freight trends, and material pricing into reliable forecasting tools to protect inventory and serve loyal customers.
Culture Starts with Emotional Frequency
From hiring and onboarding to daily operations, Dave shares how his team cultivates a culture of emotional intelligence, gratitude, and accountability—without micromanagement or ego.
Profit Sharing That Works
Hear how North Metal's equal-share profit system creates ownership thinking, motivates employees, and naturally builds peer accountability in a no-drama, high-performance workplace.
Mind Over Matter: Meditation & Mental Reframing
Dave's approach to meditation isn't about quieting the mind—it's about training emotional resilience. Learn how "emotional workouts" like cold showers and intentional emotion cycles sharpen leadership from within.
103 Years of Legacy with Eyes on the Future
As North Metal expands nationwide, Dave discusses how to honor legacy while preparing future generations and small businesses for long-term success in a consolidated industry.
Conclusion
From the warehouse to the boardroom, Dave Fitzgerald leads with a rare combination of foresight, humility, and heart. This episode will challenge you to rethink strategy, culture, and how you show up for your customers—and your team.
Don't just manage—lead with purpose. Apply Dave's insights to build a resilient culture, forecast smarter, and turn your business into a place people are proud to be part of. Share the episode, subscribe, and join the Scaling UP! Nation in moving the industry forward.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:39 – Trace Blackmore shares about his grandfather
05:50 – Water You Know with James McDonald
07:05 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:41 – Interview with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald of North Metal and Chemical Company
15:31 – Anticipating tariff cycles and preparing supply chains accordingly
21:37 – Building a culture of emotional labor, ego-awareness, and care
33:26 – The true story behind the "North" in North Metal
Quotes
"I like to turn my to-do list into a prediction list." - Dave Fitzgerald
"You're not an island—this industry is full of people who want to connect."
"Meditation isn't about clearing your mind. It's about intentionally shaping your emotions."
Connect with Dave Fitzgerald
Phone: 17175777941
Email: dfitzgerald@northchem.com
Website: https://northquestchem.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dave-fitzgerald-b9809475
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Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago