Ep 74 - What 80 Years in Business Teaches You About Success -with Jeff Skuse
I sat down with my buddy Jeff Skuse, third-generation owner of Marshall Boxes, a Rochester company that's been around since the 1940s. And honestly, I love conversations like this because Jeff's business is one of those businesses most people never think about—but it's the backbone of manufacturing. We talked about what it takes to keep a family business alive for nearly 80 years, how they've survived recessions, the decline of Kodak and Xerox, supply chain chaos, COVID, and all the ups and downs that come with being a business owner. One thing that really stood out to me was Jeff's mindset around leadership. He's built systems that allow the company to operate without him being involved in every little detail, which is something every entrepreneur can learn from. We also got into: The reality of taking over a family business Why most businesses don't make it to the third generation Building trust with customers The power of cold calling and walking into businesses Sales, leadership, and accountability Why integrity still wins in business How to create a company that lasts longer than you do At the end of the day, this conversation is really about legacy. How do you build something that can survive economic cycles, industry changes, and generations of leadership? Jeff has been doing exactly that. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, salesperson, or just someone trying to build something meaningful, I think you'll get a lot out of this one.
