Dave Ramsey Weighs In: From $160K To $1.1M With Four Employees, A Contractor Is Struggling To Find Electricians Who Don't Drink Or Do Drugs On The Job

Tyer called into Dave Ramsey's "EntreLeadership" podcast recently to ask a question that many small business owners struggle with: How do I find qualified workers who don't drink or do drugs on the job?

Don't Miss:

• The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market — and you can too at just $2.90/share.

• Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora & MGM—Secure $0.63 Shares Before 8/14

Success Came Fast — But Staffing Became a Setback

In just one year, Tyer's business grew from $160,000 to $1.1 million in revenue. But behind the numbers, trouble was brewing. "I had to fire two of them," he said, referring to his original team of four. The issue wasn't skill — it was behavior. "The issue is they don't fit my culture," he explained. "Customer satisfaction is my number one priority."

Ramsey agreed that the challenge is real. "You're looking for the top 10 to 20% of human beings walking around out there with an electrician's license," he said. "There's more donkeys than thoroughbreds, man."

Hire Slow, Fire Fast — And Build a Solid Culture

Rather than settling for anyone with a license, Ramsey urged Tyer to stay the course. He said the kind of high-character people Tyler is looking for do exist, they're just harder to find.

Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.30/share.

Ramsey encouraged Tyer to focus on building a workplace that attracts the right kind of people — even if that means slowing down growth. "I would grow slower rather than grow fast and have to do it over and over again," Ramsey said.

Why Workplace Culture Matters More Than Perks

While Tyer mentioned he can't compete on benefits — he offers a 401(k) without a match and no health insurance — Ramsey believes culture is a stronger pull than compensation. "I have never overpaid intentionally to hire someone," he said. "You want people to join this team. They want to be treated like family. They want to be treated with dignity."