Join host Justin Forman for a milestone conversation with Bill Yeargin, CEO of Correct Craft, as they celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. From refusing bribes that led to bankruptcy, to refusing to work Sundays during WWII, to growing from a $39 million company facing the Great Recession to surpassing $1 billion—this is a masterclass in values-driven leadership that stands the test of time.
Bill shares the dramatic "God moments" that convinced him to become the fifth CEO in five years at a broken company, and how a controversial service trip to Mexico became the turning point that saved the culture. Discover why Correct Craft sends employees around the world on company-funded mission trips, how they navigate tough stewardship decisions while maintaining strong faith values, and what it takes to build for the next hundred years.
Key Topics:
- The WWII story: Building 420 boats in 23 days without working Sundays
- Spending 20 years of profits to repay legally discharged bankruptcy debts
- Two unmistakable "God signs" that led Bill to Orlando: a house sale and a tutor's call
- Why the Mexico service trip (that everyone opposed) saved the company
- Growing from $39M to over $1 billion through culture and strategic planning
- The Culture Pyramid: Building Boats to the Glory of God, Making Life Better
- Balancing stewardship excellence with faith values in difficult decisions
- Global expansion to 70 countries—including surprising markets like Namibia
- Vertical and horizontal acquisition strategy without outside capital
- Making decisions for the next 25 years, not just short-term wins
Notable Quotes:
"I believe we're alive today as a company because of that first trip." - Bill Yeargin
"We're not just trying to help the people that we're going to serve, we're trying to help our own team too. We've seen so many lives change on our own team over the years." - Bill Yeargin
"You don't make it a hundred years by being over on God's side. You gotta do the things we're supposed to do. Trust God, honor him. Let him bless us." - Bill Yeargin
