ITTH E10 - The Power of Purpose in Business with Kirk Driskell

In this episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner welcomes Kirk Driskell, an entrepreneur, community leader, and founder of Vision Warriors, a faith-based recovery community. 

Kirk shares his entrepreneurial journey, personal struggles, and passion for helping others find purpose beyond addiction. 

His story is one of resilience, accountability, and unwavering faith, inspiring listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

1. Childhood Adventures & the Spirit of Building

Kirk reminisces about building forts and hunting with his grandfather in Alpharetta, Georgia. 

These experiences fostered his love for creating, problem-solving, and the outdoors—traits that later shaped his entrepreneurial and leadership mindset.

2. Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Family

Raised by parents who embraced business ownership, Kirk learned early on that success comes from taking risks and thinking differently. 

From his father starting a bank to selling utility trailers out of a Thunderbird, his upbringing was filled with examples of resourcefulness and resilience.

3. The Pain of Failure & The Power of Growth

Kirk emphasizes that failure is part of the journey. He shares how his father encouraged him to take risks by saying, "If you're not losing money, you're not making as much as you can be.

" His own experiences, both business and personal, reinforced the idea that growth happens outside of the comfort zone.

4. Overcoming Addiction & Leading Others to Freedom

Kirk marks 30 years of sobriety, crediting God, accountability, and strong relationships for his transformation. 

He founded Vision Warriors, a Christ-centered community that provides support, accountability, and a second chance to men battling addiction. 

He reminds listeners that there is always hope for the hopeless.

5. Serving Alpharetta & The Call to Leadership

Driven by gratitude for his community, Kirk recently announced his candidacy for Alpharetta City Council. 

While he hesitates to call himself a "politician," he sees public service as an extension of his calling—to uplift and strengthen those around him.

Kirk leaves us with two powerful lessons:

1. "You have two choices in life: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret."
2. "You don’t have problems—you have opportunities you're looking at the wrong way."

His journey is a testament to faith, resilience, and serving others with authenticity. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available—just reach out.