Episode 353 - This CEO Built a $1B Company In 5 Years Without Compromising His Faith | Bill Yeargin

Dec 2, 2025

In this conversation, Bill Yeargin, CEO of Correct Craft, shares his incredible journey of transforming a troubled boat manufacturing company from $39M to over $1B in just five years. He recounts the WWII story of building boats while honoring Sundays and reflects on tough ethical decisions like refusing bribes and repaying debts. The pivotal Mexico service trip revitalized the company culture, highlighting how faith and service drive success. Bill also discusses global expansion and the importance of long-term stewardship, balancing performance with spiritual values.

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ANECDOTE

Service Trip Rewired Company Culture

Bill Yeargin led a service trip to Tecate, Mexico to build a house for a homeless family despite widespread opposition.
The challenging trip became a cultural turning point that employees called "the best few days of my life."

ANECDOTE

Refusing To Work Sundays During WWII

During WWII Correct Craft refused the Pentagon's demand to work Sundays and still produced more boats than required.
They completed 400+ boats in the deadline and built 100 extra while upholding their Sabbath practice.

ANECDOTE

Repaying Debts After A Bribe Refusal

In the late 1950s an auditor asked for a bribe and failed the company, causing bankruptcy.
The company then spent 20 years using profits to repay creditors even though debts were legally discharged.

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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