Never Been Promoted Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Collin Graves shares his unorthodox journey from Special Operations support in NATO to building a thriving data analytics empire. As the founder of North Labs, Collin helps companies harness the power of their data to drive operational excellence and maximize profitability.
About Collin Graves:
Collin Graves is a former Special Ops support professional turned entrepreneur. With over 17 years in cloud computing, he founded North Labs, a company specializing in data analytics and cloud solutions for mid-market manufacturing and industrial clients. His background in military aviation and problem-solving has given him a unique perspective on leadership, business growth, and leveraging data to drive impact.
In this episode, Thomas and Collin discuss:
- From the Military to Entrepreneurship
Collin reflects on his military service, including his experiences supporting NATO Special Operations, and how that discipline, leadership, and problem-solving mindset translated into the business world.
- Building a Data-Driven Business
Collin breaks down how North Labs helps companies make sense of their existing data, improving decision-making, efficiency, and profitability.
- The Power of Niching Down in Business
After years of trying to be a generalist, Collin explains how focusing on manufacturing and industrial clients helped North Labs scale and establish a clear value proposition.
Key Takeaways:
- Your Past Experience Shapes Your Entrepreneurial Mindset
Collin’s time in the military provided the grit, discipline, and leadership skills that helped him transition into business ownership and growth.
- Data is a Goldmine—If You Know How to Use It
Companies are sitting on mountains of untapped data. Collin shares how unlocking this data can lead to massive efficiency improvements and financial gains.
- Niching Down is the Key to Growth
Early in his entrepreneurial journey, Collin tried to serve too many industries. He now emphasizes the power of specializing and targeting a specific audience for long-term success.
“We help companies use the data they already have to drive better decisions, higher profits, and real operational change.” — Collin Graves
CONNECT WITH COLLIN GRAVES:
Website: https://www.northlabs.io/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collingraves/
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com
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