Disrupting an Industry: Leroy Hite’s Cutting Edge Firewood Story

Seek Go Create - The Leadership Journey for Christian Entrepreneurs and Faith-Driven Leaders

Ever wondered how premium firewood and innovative leadership could redefine an entire industry? Join us in this captivating episode of **Seek Go Create - The Leadership Journey** as Tim Winders sits down with Leroy Hite, the visionary behind Cutting Edge Firewood. Discover how Leroy's unique delivery system, high-standard products, and faith-driven entrepreneurship are transforming the firewood market into an unparalleled premium experience. Listen in to explore leadership, innovation, and the power of passion in shaping a groundbreaking business.

"We reinvented the firewood industry by raising the bar on quality and delivery." - Leroy Hite

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Leroy Hite is the CEO and founder of Cutting Edge Firewood, a company that has redefined the firewood industry with its premium products and innovative delivery solutions. From financing his business with personal loans and maxing out multiple credit cards, to creating a patented delivery rack that streamlined operations, Leroy's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to quality have driven substantial growth and success. His leadership style emphasizes passion and perseverance, and his faith-based foundation guides both his personal and professional life. Leroy has also diversified his offerings to include premium cooking woods and innovative products like thermoelectric fire pits, establishing Cutting Edge Firewood as a leader in the market.

Reasons to Listen:

1. **Innovative Business Practices**: Discover how Cutting Edge Firewood revolutionized the firewood industry with a patented delivery system and premium product standards, leading to significant growth and a nationwide customer base.

2. **Passionate Leadership**: Learn from Leroy Hite’s leadership style that balances passion with perseverance, emphasizing the importance of taking time off for creativity and well-being, and hear his journey from unconventional financing to industry success.

3. **Faith-Driven Success**: Be inspired by how Leroy Hite's strong faith and entrepreneurial spirit guided him from working at Enterprise and Georgia Pacific to founding a thriving, disruptive business that values both quality and meaningful, analog experiences.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

### Resources Mentioned:

1. **Cutting Edge Firewood Website**

- Listeners are encouraged to visit the company’s website to explore their premium firewood products, cooking wood, and new fire pit products. [Cutting Edge Firewood](https://www.cuttingedgefirewood.com)

2. **LinkedIn**

- Tim Winders invites listeners to connect with Leroy Hite on LinkedIn for more insights into his entrepreneurial journey and business innovations. [Leroy Hite on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leroyhite)

3. **Books & Masterclass**

- "Fire Nights" book by Burke Atkerson

- A MasterClass on fire by Aaron Franklin

### Action Steps:

1. **Implement Quality Standards in Your Business**

- Just as Leroy Hite emphasizes the importance of high-quality products and services, identify areas in your business where you can elevate the quality standards to differentiate from competitors.

2. **Take Time for Rest and Reflection**

- Inspired by Hite’s commitment to taking a Sabbath or sabbatical, set aside regular time each week to disconnect from work, reflect and recharge. This can increase creativity and productivity in your personal and professional life.

3. **Innovate Your Business Processes**

- Consider innovating operational aspects of your business, similar to how Cutting Edge Firewood patented a delivery rack to streamline their process. Look for ways to make your operations safer, more efficient, and ultimately more profitable.

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

🔹 Unlock Your Potential Today!

• 🎙 Coaching with Tim: Elevate your leadership and align your work with your faith. Learn More
• 📚 "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined": A transformative read that will challenge your views on success. Grab Your Copy
• 📝 Faith Driven Leader Quiz: Discover how well you're aligning faith and work with our quick quiz. Take the Quiz

Key Lessons:

1. **Innovation Drives Opportunity:**

- Leroy Hite emphasized how innovative approaches, such as the patented firewood delivery rack and concentrating on premium cooking and pizza wood, significantly streamlined operations and met customer demands, resulting in substantial business growth.

2. **Importance of Leadership Style:**

- Leroy discussed his hands-off leadership style paired with high standards, illustrating the balance between giving employees autonomy and maintaining quality. This approach helped him develop a robust leadership team and navigate the growth of his organization.

3. **Faith as a Foundation:**

- The episode highlighted Leroy's strong Christian faith, which played a crucial role in his decision-making, risk-taking, and overall business strategy. He reflected on how faith guided him through challenges and spurred the entrepreneurial spirit within him.

4. **Value of Physical and Analog Experiences:**

- Despite living in a digital age, Leroy advocates for the importance of physical connections and experiences, such as spending time around a fire. He suggests taking time off or observing a Sabbath to recharge, maintain creativity, and avoid burnout.

5. **Embracing Risk and Perseverance:**

- Leroy's journey illustrates the importance of perseverance and taking calculated risks. From maxing out credit cards and personal loans to selling his house to fund the business, Leroy's story is a testament to the courage and determination required to succeed in entrepreneurship.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Early Financial Struggles

00:41 Meet Leroy Hite: CEO of Cutting Edge Firewood

01:26 Leroy's Journey and the Birth of Cutting Edge Firewood

02:36 A Fireside Chat with Leroy Hite

05:01 The Universal Appeal of Fire

06:14 The Disruption of the Firewood Industry

10:22 Balancing Work, Faith, and Family

20:23 Leroy's Early Years and Entrepreneurial Spirit

32:18 Personal Faith Journey

32:47 Faith in Business

33:28 Starting Cutting Edge Firewood

35:51 Challenges and Growth

41:39 Innovations in Firewood Delivery

43:19 Expanding Product Line

55:12 Leadership and Company Culture

58:59 The Future of Firewood and Fire Pits

01:04:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for listening to Seek Go Create!

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