#51 How to Do It All with Zack Pennington

Path to Progress with Paul Heintzman and John Ackerman

Zack Pennington might be the coolest guy we know. In addition to being a co-founder or co-owner of Herelancer, U.S. Chia, and Flying Axes, he is also the lead guitarist for Light Treasons and is a Sales Manger at EdjAnalytics. How to Do It All:

• Zack is one of the owners of Flying Axes in Louisville.
  • Although his initial reaction was that it wasn't a great idea, after going to an axe-throwing venue in Canada, Zack realized it was a great industry that appealed to everyone (similar to darts and bowling).
  • The team also received great publicity thanks to Jennifer Lawrence on Jimmy Fallon.
• After graduating from college, Zack was in a band and toured across the country. He credits this band for helping him with business, sales, and marketing.
• When Zack was getting his MBA, he started U.S. Chia, a domestic chia seed production company.
  • He started the company with a plant scientist, who had a patented variety of chia seeds that would grow in the United States.
  • Zack's biggest strength was giving the pitch in business plan competitions.
  • The secrets to a great pitch:
    • Make it simple enough for the average person to understand it.
    • Be confident and credible enough to make it seem like you know all the jargon and technical aspects of the company/industry.
• Once U.S. Chia was established and could operate as a stable business, Zack and his partner decided to sell the company in November 2017.
• Recently, Zack decided to start a new band, Light Treasons.
  • Listen in for a quick taste of "The Romantic".
• Zack also started Herelancer, which connects people in the community with local freelancers.
  • With Herelancer, Zack was able to focus on aspects of the business other than strictly sales by teaming up with a partner who also has similar strengths.
• Within the last few months, Zack pulled a 180 and went to work for Edj Analytics as a Sales Manager.
  • Since he is the first person in his position, Zack still gets to play the role of entrepreneur even though he works for somebody else.
  • He explains his reasoning for taking a comfortable job with a salary while still investing in other ventures.
• How does Zack manage all his projects?
  • It's amazing how much can be accomplished when you condense your time and focus on the most important tasks.
  • He turns off all notifications and distractions on his phone and batches his time to get the maximum amount done.
• What's the most important thing somebody should focus on when starting a business?
  • All that matters is how many people you can convince to purchase your product/service and how expensive is it to produce?

Last call questions and answers:

• What's the best career advice you've received?
  • Invite people out to lunch who can teach you something or you can help.
  • Reach out to people you think are unavailable.
• What advice would you give to your 22-year-old self?
  • If you make enough money early, you can do what you love forever.
• What advice would your 60-year-old self give you today?
  • Your optimism was the only asset that was perpetual.
  • Invest in the inevitable.
• The best thing you have spent money on in the past 6 months:
  • Buying food for other people.
• What media do you recommend:
  • The Hard Thing About Hard Things
  • Seth Godin
  • Rework
• Favorite thing to drink:
  • Bourbon and Tecate
  • Angel's Envy

Special shoutouts and show notes:

• Woodford Reserve - according to Zack it's scientifically the best bourbon.
• Jameson Irish Whiskey
• Old Forester
• The 4-Hour Workweek
• Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey

You can learn more about Zack by connecting with him on LinkedIn.

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