A Good Catholic Entrepreneur? (Meet David Dewolf)

January 14, 2020

David is the father of 6—four girls and two boys like myself (I passed him up with baby Ava born in April 2014)—and is a technologist, entrepreneur and father that is living his faith as he grows a 650+ person company.

David graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville. His mission is to be “in the world but not of the world.”

He got his start in consulting, particularly around software and building websites for his first client. He had a great mentor at his first company that mentored him in both business and his Christian faith.

“If you love what you’re doing it’s a lot easier to be successful at it.” He loved software but then he realized he really loved software that makes a big impact.

In 2006 he shifted from consulting and struck out on his own. He started 3 Pillar Global as an independent consultant. He wanted to choose his teams and the projects he took on. By being convicted in what he believed the growth just happened. One day, about 6 months into this he realized “Oh my goodness, I have six employees working for me.”

In stepping back and pursuing his passion and respecting individuals his business took off.

Leading people when in college and learning how to integrate his faith into his business was instrumental in helping him build his business and achieve such great success in the secular world.

David had three kids with #4 on the way when he launched out on his own. He was fortunate in that his company was acquired by a venture-backed firm that made his transition into his own enterprise somewhat easy. The investors, with their profit-focus, ripped apart his company and he was “convicted” that he couldn’t remain an employee there. It “pushed him out the door.”

So his choice was to “take control of his career” or find another job. About six months after the acquisition he was on vacation with his wife and his wife’s family and his brother-in-law told a story of his regret in not investing in an opportunity years ago and David knew he did not want to live with regret.

David also had a great history and great contacts. He had also been very open in the open source community with speaking and development so he had a bit of a name in the field. When he put some feelers out he landed a 6-month contract to ease his transition onto his own. He also secured a $40,000 line of credit while still employed to serve as cushion with a goal of paying it back within 12 months and he did it.

“If I had to think about it more” he might not have done it.

He had to make a deliberate decision to either be a coder or run and build a business. Then he realized he loved “making something out of nothing” more than just coding.

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Then he asked “why have we grown without even trying?” It was his culture and the void in the market that he recognized and was able to fill. “Software is your brand.” It’s how your clients interact with you. It’s more important than ever. Look at how Nike is interacting with their Fuel and other tools.

David wants his company to be synonymous with growth and quality. He wants to be the most respected software company in the world.

To have the job you want you must know what you’re passionate about and what you want to do and the culture you want to be in. There is a difference between small, large and mid-market companies.

Be stubborn in your vision but humble in your quest for knowledge. Entrepreneurs must be confident in ignoring the naysayers but listen to those that have your interest at heart and have the skills to help you.

Sign up for David’s newsletter and be eligible to win his monthly digital drawing. David runs his own WordPress blog with Michael Hyatt’s Get Noticed Theme and uses iStock for his images.

Learn more about David DeWolf at his blog, David Dewolf.com and his company, 3 Pillar Global.

If you liked this episode, be sure to let David and me know on Twitter. 

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