By: Alexandra Perez
Building a multimillion-dollar business isn’t just about implementing efficient systems or securing strong sales. It’s also about becoming the type of person capable of managing the demands and responsibilities that come with it. For Dave Carroll, founder and CEO of DOPE Marketing, success is not driven by shortcuts or hacks, but by discipline.
“You don’t grow a $30 million company by accident,” Carroll says. “And it’s unlikely you’ll do it without personal growth along the way.”
From giving up alcohol to creating a personal routine that might seem daunting to most, Carroll has built habits that match the scale of his ambition. For him, the growth of DOPE didn’t truly begin until he made significant changes to his personal life.
“One of the best decisions I made was quitting drinking,” he shares. “It helped me gain the clarity I needed to perform at a higher level. Once I removed that from my life, I started to see what I was truly capable of.”
This decision led to other positive changes. He began waking up earlier, running more frequently, lifting weights consistently, eating healthier, and practicing meditation. These actions were not for external validation; they were about showing up for himself with genuine intention.
“I don’t use an alarm. I just get up. Usually around 4 or 4:30. I need to take care of myself before the world has its demands.”
As DOPE scaled from under 20 employees to more than 120, the pressure increased. Such growth challenges everything: the systems, the personal well-being, and the leadership. For Carroll, fitness became the stabilizing factor.
“I run three to four times a week and lift at least three times a week. If I’m not doing both, I feel off,” he says. “Some people follow strict science. I follow what works. I look to people who’ve built significant things and maintained their peace. They all share a common thread: they move their bodies, eat well, and nurture their minds.”
Even with this structured routine, he’s the first to admit that it’s not always perfect. “There are times when I fall off, eating junk, skipping workouts, slipping into old habits. But I always come back. Because I know what it feels like to be dialed in. And I know how it feels when I’m not.”
That self-awareness helps him stay grounded when challenges arise in the business. Whether it’s financial stress, team conflicts, or unmet targets, Carroll leans into the same mindset that pushes him through tough runs or difficult hikes.
“When I’m frustrated, I remind myself that I’ve been through tough times before. You want to quit, but you don’t. You make the decision to keep going. That’s how you build stamina in business.”
What sets Carroll apart is his honesty about the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship. “Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. Even when you’re surrounded by a driven team, there’s still a gap. That’s why your mindset matters. You have to be able to talk to yourself in a constructive way.”
For him, self-talk isn’t about hyping himself up or being overly critical; it’s about staying centered. “I don’t put myself down. I’m not focused on over-encouraging myself either. I simply remind myself of what’s possible. Then I get back to work.”
This balanced approach shows in how he sets goals. Not every goal has to be public, flashy, or grand. Sometimes, it’s simply about feeling good in your body. “Looking good in a T-shirt is not the same as being healthy. You can lift heavy and ignore recovery, but eventually, your body will catch up. I want to feel good while I work, not just look good in a photo.”
He admits that the internal work isn’t always easy. Tracking metrics, journaling, and meditating are all challenges for him. “I struggle with it. I miss food logs, snooze the reminders, and resist the structure. But the things I resist most are usually the ones that benefit me the most. So I try to push through.”
And when the long days hit—and they always do—Carroll comes back to what truly matters: his family, his team, and the collective vision they are working towards. “We built this roller coaster. No one’s coming to fix it if it breaks. It’s ours. So, it’s our responsibility to keep it moving.”
What makes Carroll’s story impactful isn’t just the success of DOPE Marketing. It’s the fact that his personal growth was the foundation for everything. The company couldn’t rise until he did.
“Without the internal changes I’ve made, there’s no way DOPE would be where it is today,” David Carroll says. “If you want your company to grow, start with yourself.”
