In this candid and powerful conversation, Michael Grandjean joins Dwayne Kerrigan to share the real story behind his rise, collapse, and rebuilding as an entrepreneur who led with heart—and paid a steep price for it.

From early service as a volunteer firefighter and Navy corpsman to building a $25M remediation company, Michael reflects on the leadership blind spots that quietly dismantled his business: avoiding confrontation, ignoring early warning signs, and letting emotion override structure and accountability.

He opens up about losing everything, the humility required to face hard truths, and the moment that changed his trajectory—the realization that even at checkmate, the king still has one more move. This episode is a raw masterclass in leadership self-awareness, responsibility, and what it truly takes to rebuild when everything falls apart.

Episode Highlights:
00:00 –Dwayne introduces Michael and some of his background
04:00 – Joining the volunteer fire department at 14 and learning accountability early.
08:30 – Serving as a Navy corpsman with Marine Recon and how it shaped his mindset.
13:00 – Transitioning from service into entrepreneurship and business ownership.
18:00 – Scaling a remediation company and early indicators of success.
23:30 – Leading with heart and why compassion without structure becomes dangerous.
29:00 – Avoiding confrontation and ignoring warning signs as problems compound.
34:30 – Emotional decision-making versus disciplined business leadership.
40:00 – Cash flow realities, accountability gaps, and hard financial truths.
46:00 – When the business begins to unravel and pressure accelerates.
52:00 – Losing the company and facing the personal and professional fallout.
58:30 – Radical honesty, humility, and accepting responsibility.
01:04:00 – “The king still has one more move” and the mindset shift that followed.
01:10:00 – Rebuilding differently: boundaries, systems, and leadership lessons.
01:16:00 – Redefining success, service, and identity beyond the business.
01:22:00 – What Michael would do differently if he were starting again today.
01:27:00 – Closing reflections, resilience, and setting the stage for Part 2.

Key Takeaways:
*Leading with heart is powerful, but without boundaries it becomes expensive.
*Relationships, not brands, carry small and mid-sized businesses.
*SOPs, structure, and accountability protect leaders from their blind spots.
*Complacency quietly erodes even successful companies.
*Leaders must be honest with themselves before they can fix anything else.
*Even at your lowest point, you still have one more move.

Resources Mentioned:
Checkmate: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1365025640684229
Tony Robbins – Date With Destiny
Awaken the Giant Within (Tony Robbins)

Notable Quotes:
“The king still has one more move” - Michael Grandjean

“When people show you who they are, believe it.” - Michael Grandjean

“The thing that you said that probably is the most important is, absolutely positively being honest with yourself.” - Michael Grandjean

“You don't have to be a $20 million business or a 50 or a hundred million dollars business to be successful. That's not the definition of success.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

“There's not a single rich dude, I don't know, that wouldn't give all his money for having health.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

Michael Grandjean is a serial entrepreneur whose journey from Navy corpsman to construction industry leader exemplifies the American spirit of perseverance and reinvention. His story isn't just about building businesses, it's about getting back up, learning from failure, and proving that resilience isn't just surviving the fall, but using it as a foundation for what comes next.

Links:
Website: itsmissioncritical.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.mikeg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrandjean

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/
Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com

Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.