1760: From Prison to Prosperity With Dave Dahl of Dave's Killer Bread

Feb 28, 2022

In a heartfelt conversation, Dave Dahl, the founder of Dave's Killer Bread, shares his remarkable journey from spending 15 years in prison to creating a $275 million bread empire. He discusses the unexpected epiphanies he had while incarcerated and how they shaped his path to success. Dahl emphasizes the power of mindset, the importance of grit, and the value of creating authentic products that resonate with consumers. He also highlights his commitment to hiring ex-felons, fostering community, and inspiring others to embrace their struggles.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

First Transformation

Dave Dahl's first transformative experience was using meth, which he initially saw as a positive epiphany.
This led to a life of crime, four prison sentences, and a struggle with addiction.

INSIGHT

Prison Epiphanies

Dave's initial prison experiences focused on becoming a better criminal, a common pattern.
His fourth prison term led to a turning point where he realized this approach wasn't working and sought help.

ANECDOTE

Seeking Help

In his final prison term, Dave experienced a moment of clarity and asked for help, leading to a transformative change.
This involved taking medication and discovering a talent for computer-aided drafting.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this episode Sal, Adam & Justin speak with Dave Dahl about the fascinating series of events that led him to serve 15 years in prison and then to subsequently transform his life as the creator of Dave's Killer Bread, a company which he sold in 2015 for $275 million.

What was the impetus behind Dave's Killer Bread? (2:45)
The first transformation in his life that you wouldn't expect. (5:52)
The epiphanies experienced while in prison. (7:58)
Why everything should be given to people when they are ready. (13:45)
Your mind is EVERYTHING! (15:20)
Learning to appreciate the process. (17:01)
Embracing the struggle. (19:04)
Finding his hidden talent and its impact on the family business. (20:50)
Creating something that people want. (29:58)
The story of pursuing the idea of Costco. (34:07)
You make your own luck. (36:36)
Being a four-time loser in the wrong game. (40:43)
Being part of others' transformations. (42:57)
How success is purpose. (48:14)
Avoiding the hindsight mentality. (50:17)
Why everything happens before it matters. (55:08)
The fallout from the company selling. (56:27)
His obsession/passion for art and the idea for his dream home. (59:11)
His call to action for kids in his position growing up. (1:05:07)
The importance of having a vision and common goal for a successful business. (1:07:17)