Decamillionaire Fireside Chat: How We Built our Steel Company to 8 Figures Over 20+ Years

David and Nathan McWhorter, founders of a multi-generational steel fabrication company originally launched as D&D Welding in 1992, share their journey of building a business from a garage startup to a 75-employee, eight-figure enterprise over 20+ years. David recounts starting the company on his 22nd birthday after turning down a job offer from Northrop Grumman, emphasizing discipline, work ethic, and relationship-building as foundational to early success. The company’s growth was fueled by reinvestment, strategic automation, in-house detailing operations in Thailand, and a return to the erection business—differentiating them from larger, less agile competitors. Nathan highlights the importance of working backwards from goals, hiring the right people at the right time, and leading with humility in a family business context. Both stress the value of mentorship, mindset shifts (including coaching from Dan Sullivan), and avoiding founder over-involvement. They reflect on the privilege of being in a family business and urge younger generations to embrace the opportunity with gratitude and hard work, rather than resentment. Key takeaways include: 1) Reinvest profits into the business and equipment early; 2) Hire for fit and capability, not just experience; 3) Lead with humility and deliver results to earn authority; 4) Use automation and in-house capabilities to outperform larger competitors; 5) Avoid founder over-involvement—trust your team; 6) Embrace the gift of a family business with gratitude; 7) Work backwards from goals to drive strategic execution; 8) Seek mentorship and continuous learning from top thinkers like Dan Sullivan and Brian Tracy. The episode underscores that sustainable scaling in a cyclical, capital-intensive industry requires culture, discipline, and long-term vision.