Episode Details

Grit is defined as courage, resolve, or the strength of our character. We develop grit through the difficult times in our lives. The times we got knocked down, passed over or left behind. 

Host Fran Racioppi visited Travis Hollman, President & CEO of Hollman Lockers; the world's largest manufacturer of locker rooms, including those of the Dallas Cowboys, Equinox, The New York Times,  J.P. Morgan and Alabama Football.

Hollman is a family business that Travis has grown 8x since he took it over in 2011. Growing up, Travis suffered from severe dyslexia and a rare bone disease that bound him to a wheelchair. He was bullied, rejected and called the dumbest kid his teachers ever taught. Today, he is one of the most successful and influential CEOs in business.

In an on-location episode inside the Hollman manufacturing plant, Travis and Fran discuss locker rooms, scaling businesses, entrepreneurship, the importance of family, his dedication to giving back, and how Grit has been the key to overcoming adversity and finding success. 

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website.

Highlights:

-Travis discusses the history of Hollman, his relationship with his father and how he immediately implemented a turnaround culture of growth based on doing the right thing; something that proved itself during the COVID-19 downturn.

-Travis discusses the various roles at Hollman and how he evaluates talent based on what people want to do vs what he thinks they should be doing. 

-Travis credits a childhood physical disability that left him in a wheelchair, combating severe dyslexia and being shunned by others as pivotal in developing toughness and grit.

-Travis talks about the details of manufacturing, the fundamentals of volume, the importance of technology and how Hollman wins on quality. 

-Travis provides his advice to young entrepreneurs who struggle to choose a clear direction.