Scaling Doesn’t Have to Break You (or Your Team) – with Dustin Murphy

Oct 28

What happens when you leave corporate comfort for entrepreneurial chaos?

For Dustin Murphy, it meant trading name-brand stability like Walmart, PepsiCo, and Disney for a shot at ownership. A leap into the unknown. And eventually, the launch of Pitch Retail, a company that now helps Walmart suppliers get retail-ready without losing their shirts (or their margins).

On this episode of the TrustBuilt Podcast, we dig into the nitty-gritty of what it actually looks like to scale a team, earn trust, and let go of control without letting go of your standards.

From Corporate Giant to Startup Scrapper

Dustin didn’t just dabble in corporate. He climbed the ladder. Managed teams. Handled pressure. But deep down, he knew he wanted something different—something he could own.

When the opportunity came to buy into and eventually lead Pitch Retail, he didn’t just build a business. He built a team—a real one. The kind that could function without him micromanaging every detail.

That transition—from doer to leader—is something we talked a lot about.

Because here’s the truth:

Scaling isn’t just about hiring people. It’s about learning to trust them.

And trust, as Dustin shares, doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through:

Honest conversations
Shared goals
Clear boundaries
And a whole lot of letting go of your ego

The Real Work of Leadership (It’s Not What You Think)

One of my favorite moments from this episode was Dustin talking about communication maturity—learning how to show up for your team, even when you’re tired, frustrated, or unsure.

He said:

“We had to learn how to have hard conversations with care. That’s when the partnership really started to work.”

That one hit me.

Because I’ve seen too many businesses fall apart, not because the team wasn’t talented, but because the leaders weren’t willing to grow up in their communication.

Dustin’s story is a blueprint for business owners who want to scale with integrity. From hiring the right people, to empowering them, to staying focused on what actually moves the needle (hint: it’s not answering every email yourself)—this episode is full of real talk from someone who’s done the work.

For the Business Owner on the Edge

If you’re growing fast and starting to feel like the wheels might come off…
If your team needs you for everything and you’re wondering if that’s just how it has to be…
If you want to scale, but not at the cost of your sanity…

This episode is for you.

Watch on YouTube now:
The Secret to Scaling Without Losing Your Sanity – with Dustin Murphy