🎙️ How Mitch Waks Built a 39-Year Healthcare Empire Through Chaos-Driven Growth

In this inspiring episode, Mitch Waks, CEO and Founder of Cooperative Home Care, shares his remarkable journey from childhood entrepreneur to healthcare industry pioneer. Starting with candy sales in elementary school and high school keg parties featuring brilliant marketing strategies (including calling police on himself for viral buzz), Mitch reveals how early entrepreneurial instincts led him to revolutionize Missouri's home healthcare system. Through personal stories of devastating cash flow crises, strategic acquisitions during industry chaos, and transformational peer group guidance, Mitch demonstrates how authentic relationship-building and contrarian thinking during turbulent times create sustainable competitive advantages. He explains how a simple tutoring favor for his mother-in-law accidentally birthed one of Missouri's first home healthcare companies, now serving thousands of patients across multiple states for nearly four decades.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Early entrepreneurial pattern recognition: Understanding your audience and charging markup from elementary school

• "System was broken" opportunity identification during mother-in-law's tutoring arrangement

• Lobbying state government to create new industry regulations and being first contract signee

• $1.1 million loan secured through $50,000 bank investment during payroll crisis

• Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO/EO) as transformational business growth catalyst

• Chaos-driven acquisition strategy: Targeting competitors during union threats and regulatory changes

• Annual letter campaigns during industry turbulence yielding acquisition opportunities

• Balance sheet focus over income statement for long-term business health assessment

• Exit strategy thinking from day one: Every dollar saved worth $5 at EBITDA multiple

• 30-for-30 community service projects replacing ego-driven anniversary celebrations

🌟 Mitch's Key Mentors:

• Fran (Mother-in-Law): Special education teacher whose Appalachian Trail hike sparked business opportunity 

• Vern Harnish: Entrepreneurial author of "Rockefeller Habits" providing crisis management guidance 

• Kirk (Banker): Startup bank founder enabling creative financing during cash flow emergency 

• Young Entrepreneurs Organization (EO): Peer board providing monthly problem-solving and professional development 

• Wife (Attorney): Federal government attorney providing financial stability and conservative balance 

• Robin Gladwell (Current President): Trusted leader enabling Mitch's transition from day-to-day operations

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about turning childhood entrepreneurship into healthcare innovation, strategic crisis management, and how helping competitors creates long-term acquisition opportunities.

🔗 Connect with Mitch Waks:

Email: Mitch@cooperativehomecare.com 

Cooperative Home Care Website: cooperativehomecare.com 

LinkedIn: Mitch Waks, CEO at Cooperative Home Care 

Upcoming Book: Entrepreneurship guide for young business builders (Holiday 2025 release)

📄 Transcript Available: Mitch Waks' 39-Year Journey: From Elementary School Entrepreneur to Healthcare Industry Pioneer

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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

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