Rob Knight is the owner and CEO of the Independent Buyers’ Company, a full-service buying organization with over 6,500 members and 7,400 stores across 25 states in the country. Rob became part of the Independent Buyers’ Company in 2010 and served as its Vice President and co-owner before becoming its full owner in 2016. Prior to this, Rob worked with The Coca-Cola Company as Vice President - Brand Manager, a role in which he oversaw the company’s Fuze and NOS beverages, and with Rockstar Energy Drink as Senior Vice President. He is also the former Vice President for National Accounts - Small Format at Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, a company where Rob began as a route salesman and worked his way through the ranks for over 20 years.
Rob joins me today to share his career journey, from starting out as a route driver and salesman to serving as the Chairperson & CEO of the Independent Buyers’ Company. He explains how mom-and-pop stores get left behind and how the Independent Buyers’ Company strives to help them grow. He highlights the importance of having the right mindset to achieve success. He also describes his childhood and how the values instilled in him by his grandmother continue to influence his work ethic as an entrepreneur today.
“I don’t want to take away the pains that teach you in life; sometimes, the struggle is what gets you to where you want to go.” - Rob Knight
This week on Priorities Lifestyle:
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A brief history of the Independent Buyers’ Company
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How the Independent Buyers’ Company has grown from 800 to 7,400 stores in 25 states
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How IBC teams and departments are set up and organized
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How IBC shifted its strategy during the pandemic
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Rob’s career journey from being a route driver for Pepsi to serving as the CEO of IBC
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What keeps Rob motivated to seek more in life
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IBC’s East Store brand
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Rob’s family and how they inspire him
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Transitioning from working in a big corporation to running your own business
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The importance of having other people’s perspectives and the courage to accept that your business needs to change
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Instilling the value of work ethic in the next generation
Our Favorite Quotes:
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“Business is personal; it’s something we spend time, effort, and thought on. Objectively recognizing that something needs to change in their business is something only a few people can do.” - Rob Schulz
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“It’s important to get in touch with and understand your own values and to help your children understand them.” - Rob Schulz
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“If you’re halfway through climbing a mountain and don’t feel tired, and you feel like you can still make it, why would you stop?” - Rob Knight
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About Rob Schulz and P&L Priorities & Lifestyle Podcast
The P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle Podcast is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Rob Schulz sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about business building, life, money — and the all-important transition out of the business, which inevitably happens to everyone who has ever founded a company.
Email Rob at rob.schulz@schulzwealth.com with questions and comments, or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.
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*You’re listening to P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle with your host Rob Schulz. Rob is the Founder and President of Schulz Wealth. All opinions expressed by Rob and his guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Schulz Wealth. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Please refer to our website for more information: schulzwealth.com.