Episode Summary
In this episode, Rob sits down with Dan Donnelly, seasoned energy, real estate, and startup investor, and founder of Donnelly Mechanical. Dan shares how he built one of NYC’s top commercial HVAC firms by putting people first—offering sweat equity to key team members, building a culture of accountability, and hiring strategically to scale. He also reveals what really made the company attractive to buyers, and why aligning your team, systems, and personal goals is essential for long-term success.
Key Takeaway
You can’t grow—or sell—a great company without a strong team. Building a business that runs without you means investing in people, staying ahead of the market, and having a five-year plan that aligns your business strategy with your personal goals.
Questions I ask Dan:
01:33 What were the top drivers that led to the success of Donnelly Mechanical?
12:26 When you made your partners responsible for key parts of the business, did you have to train them up, or were they already prepared for those roles?
17:59 What did you learn from selling Donnelly Mechanical that business owners should know?
27:03 With all the communication tools we have today, what should business owners be doing about it?
29:14 You were already successful when you joined Vistage, why was it still important to seek feedback and keep learning?
More About Dan Donnelly:
-
Connect with Dan on LinkedIn.
More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:
Like this show? Subscribe to our channel!
Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.
Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.
📥 Download the free worksheet for this episode HERE and subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.