In this episode of the Build to Last podcast, Levi and Colby sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “solutionist” Stephen Dixon, founder of GrimRoss Brewing. The conversation ranges widely—from the messy, nonlinear path of growing a business to the philosophical underpinnings of meaningful work. Stephen shares how brewing beer led him to create a side venture tackling industrial waste with black soldier fly larvae, all in the pursuit of sustainable, circular solutions.

But this isn’t just a story about business success. Stephen opens up about burnout, rediscovering health after years of neglect, and why legacy now means solving real, human-scale problems. Whether you’re scaling a company or just trying to reclaim your time and purpose, this episode offers wisdom wrapped in laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection.

Links and Resources

Stephen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonstephen/

GrimRoss Brewing Co. – https://www.grimross.com/

The Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend – https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/the-solutionists-9781398609327

Peter Attia – Physician known for work on longevity and the “Centenarian Decathlon.” https://peterattiamd.com/

BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits – Framework that helped Stephen overhaul his health through small changes. - https://tinyhabits.com/

Naval Ravikant – Entrepreneur and thinker mentioned in the context of big questions and meaning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ravikant

Chris Williamson Podcast – Referenced in the discussion around self-kindness. - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/

Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Central to Stephen’s waste management startup concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens

Quotes Worth Sharing

“I don’t want to be dependent—I want the freedom to choose how I spend my day.” – Stephen Dixon
“Entrepreneurship is just solving problems people care about. That’s it.” – Stephen Dixon
“You can’t outsource understanding. I needed to know how everything worked so I could build it and let it go.” – Stephen Dixon
“Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about tiny habits, compounding over time.” – Stephen Dixon
“We’re trying to build systems so we don’t have to do it—so we can, not so we must.” – Levi Lawrence

Episode Breakdown

5:00 – 12:30 | Starting GrimRoss & Leaving the Safety Net
Brewing beer as a side hobby and early-stage entrepreneurship.
The moment Stephen decided to build something he could fully understand and operate solo.

12:30 – 21:00 | Delegation, Growth, and Letting Go
How GrimRoss scaled through organic need—staffing, systems, and trust.
Why meaningful delegation is a constant cycle, not a one-time event.

21:00 – 30:00 | The Shift Toward Impact
Stephen’s personal health crisis and COVID wake-up call.
Redefining success: from ROI to long-term human impact and sustainability.

30:00 – 43:00 | The Black Soldier Fly Affair
The hilarious and humble beginnings of an insect-based waste solution—starting in a basement.
Exploring circular economy thinking and the protein revolution.

43:00 – 54:00 | Systems Thinking & Iron House Pro’s Role
Why most founders want independence—not retirement.
Discussing Iron House Pro’s work helping businesses reduce founder dependence and scale sustainably.

54:00 – 1:10:00 | Fitness, Identity & The Long Game
Strength, mobility, and the Centenarian Workout.
How physical health mirrors organizational health—and how to shift from guilt to purpose-driven habits.

1:10:00 – 1:25:00 | Big Questions, Small Changes
Meditation, moderation, and meaning: lessons from Buddhist thought and quantum theory.

In this deeply human and insightful episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with therapist and business owner Rankyn Campbell for a conversation that blurs the lines between entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal growth. Rankyn opens up about his journey from competitive hockey to running a thriving mental health clinic, and shares the real, often messy work of self-awareness, boundary-setting, and leadership.

Together, they explore the inner challenges faced by entrepreneurs—compassion fatigue, resentment, identity, burnout, and the myth of work-life balance. Rankyn offers a refreshingly grounded perspective on how values, self-care, and even frameworks like Buddhism and Stoicism can shape a more sustainable and meaningful business (and life). If you’ve ever felt like the renovation never ends—this one’s for you.

Links and Resources Mentioned

Rankyn on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rankyn-campbell-831b2814a/
Campbell Health (Rankyn’s clinic) - https://www.campbellhealth.net/
Self-Determination Theory by Ryan & Deci - https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory/
Secular Buddhism Podcast by Noah Rasheta - https://secularbuddhism.com/

Quotes Worth Sharing

“You can drown in 10 feet of water just as easily as you can in 100.”

“Acceptance is not resignation. You can have acceptance and ambition.”

“Resentment is often your first signal that a boundary has been crossed.”

“Self-care has been weaponized—it shouldn’t be another thing that makes you feel like you’re not enough.”

“We are meaning-making machines. Most things aren’t good or bad, we just love to assign meaning.”

Segment Breakdown with Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction and Rankyn’s Story
From hockey to therapy: how sport shaped his mindset
Lessons on confidence, regret, and internal belief systems

10:00 – The Business of Helping People
Starting a mental health clinic with little business training
Learning to lead, hire, and grow a team through therapy and coaching
Reconciling purpose-driven work with financial responsibility

17:00 – Compassion Fatigue & Boundaries
Recognizing early signs of burnout and cynicism
Why resentment is a boundary indicator
Holding two truths: caring deeply while maintaining limits

28:00 – Community, Culture, and Connection
Western therapy vs. traditional communal healing
Isolation, loneliness, and how culture shapes mental health
The role of belonging and interdependence in well-being

40:00 – Identity, Resentment, and the Entrepreneurial Trap
The slippery slope from passion to resentment
Making intentional choices and the illusion of freedom
Why some things are never “fully learned”

50:00 – Rethinking Self-Care and Rediscovering Values
How self-care became a checklist item—and how to reclaim it
Finding your true values through behavior, not just beliefs
Aligning calendar with what matters most

1:06:00 – Sprinting vs. Marathon Work Styles
Knowing how you thrive: short bursts vs. steady pace
Creating recovery rituals and protecting energy
Why being isn’t the opposite of doing—but just as essential

1:10:00 – Mental Health at Work: For Employers
The employer’s role in creating a psychologically safe environment
Trust, autonomy, and relatedness as foundations of workplace culture
Self-determination theory in building resilient teams

1:22:00 – Buddhism, Belonging, and Acceptance
Rankyn’s journey into Buddhism and misconceptions he let go
The danger of constant longing and how to break the cycle
How suffering often stems from resisting what

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Build to Last, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Jean-François Rousseau (JF) for a wide-ranging conversation about building enduring businesses, navigating acquisitions, and the lessons only failure can teach.

JF shares his remarkable journey—from being “forced” into entrepreneurship at 16 to building a portfolio of companies with over 100 employees. With a sharp eye for opportunity and a people-first approach to leadership, JF reveals the real challenges of scaling, exiting operations, and balancing multiple ventures. The conversation flows through hard-earned wisdom about letting go, building trust, and staying relentlessly focused on learning. If you’ve ever thought about buying a business, leading through change, or building a team that runs without you—this episode is a goldmine.

🔗 Links and Resources Mentioned

Connect with Jean Francois on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanfrancoisrousseau/

Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) – A global peer network for entrepreneurs - https://eonetwork.org

Wallace McCain Institute – An Atlantic Canadian Entrepreneurship peer group - www.wallacemccaininstitute.com

Henry Mintzberg – Canadian academic and author known for work on business strategy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Mintzberg

Warren Rustand – Renowned leadership speaker and mentor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_S._Rustand

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) – A business management framework - https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos

EMP Program (Entrepreneurial Masters Program) – A program for growth-minded business leaders - https://www.eoapac.com/upcoming-events/entrepreneurial-masters-program-emp

The Hummingbird Project – Feature film JF worked on as a technical advisor - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6866224/

Crucial Conversations – Book on effective communication in high-stakes situations - https://cruciallearning.com/books/

Jim Collins' Great by Choice – Business book on building enduring companies mentioning the concept of Return on Luck https://www.jimcollins.com/books/great-by-choice.html

Quotes Worth Sharing

“The worst thing I can do is believe I’m right. Always assume you’re wrong and try to prove otherwise.”

“If I do one thing in a day—and it’s the right thing—that’s enough.”

“You don’t need to be everywhere all the time. You just need to show up when it counts.”

“Integration is more important than the price in any acquisition. If you lose the team, you’ve lost everything.”

“Being vulnerable earns trust faster than being impressive ever will.”

Breakdown with Timestamps

• 10:00 – School vs. Real-World Learning -Degrees vs. the school of hard knocks
• 14:00 – From One to Many: Building Multiple Companies
• 24:00 – Letting Go to Scale Up Why hiring for leadership—not skills—made all the difference
• 31:00 – Buying vs. Building Businesses The importance of understanding a seller’s true motivation
• 40:00 – Due Diligence & Integration Lessons - What JF looks for (and avoids) in acquisitions
• 45:00 – Leadership, Learning & Legacy - Prioritizing family, personal growth, and volunteering
• 54:00 – Language, Culture, and Entrepreneurship in Quebec
• 1:03:00 – Peer Groups & Entrepreneurial Loneliness - Why peer groups changed JF’s life
• 1:24:00 – Partnership Wisdom - Lessons from good (and bad) business partners