CEO Global Network Podcast
🎙 Hosted by John Wilson, founder of CEO Global Network and author of GREAT CEOs and How They Are Made, this podcast delivers powerful insights for CEOs and executives looking to grow as leaders and drive lasting success.
Each episode features candid conversations with high-performing business leaders, expert speakers, and industry trailblazers—all focused on sharpening your leadership edge, building resilient companies, and improving your life, your team, and your impact.
Join a community of CEOs helping CEOs succeed.
CEO Global Network Podcast
Daniel Guest - President & Visionary, Guest Plumbing & HVAC
Daniel Guest built one of Hamilton’s fastest-growing plumbing and HVAC companies before the age of 30 - and embedded philanthropy into the core of his business along the way.
In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, host John Wilson sits down with Daniel Guest, Visionary at Guest Plumbing & HVAC and President of Maplewood Capital, to unpack what it really takes to scale a traditional trades business, attract young talent, and lead with energy, purpose, and emotional intelligence.
Daniel shares why a little “ignorance” can be a superpower for entrepreneurs, how community impact strengthens company culture, and why skill - not passion - is the real starting point for meaningful careers. They also explore leadership lessons from Daniel’s own podcast, the importance of protecting your energy, and how self-awareness separates great leaders from the rest.
This is a practical, honest conversation for CEOs, founders, and leaders who want to grow fast - without losing themselves or their values.
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
John Wilson welcomes Daniel Guest to the CEO Global Network Podcast and introduces his background, companies, awards, and commitment to community philanthropy.
01:31 – Early Growth & Entrepreneurial Mindset
Q: You built a fast-growing plumbing and HVAC company in your mid-20s. What mindset or habit do you credit most for scaling so quickly?
Daniel explains why “a little ignorance” can be a strength, the danger of listening to the wrong advice, and how fear from others can slow entrepreneurs down.
02:55 – Philanthropy as a Core Business Strategy
Q: What sparked your commitment to philanthropy, and how has it shaped your culture and brand?
Daniel shares how giving back through effort — not just money — became foundational to his business, and why community-level impact matters most.
04:52 – Attracting Young Talent to the Trades
Q: What’s one misconception about the trades you wish more parents and students understood?
Daniel delivers a powerful insight: “No one has a passion for something they suck at,” and explains how skill-building creates purpose and confidence.
07:04 – Running Multiple Businesses
Q: How do your service business and real estate company influence your long-term vision?
Daniel discusses focus, passive investing, and why successful entrepreneurs protect their core business.
07:56 – Leadership Lessons from Podcasting
Q: What’s one lesson from your Guest Life Podcast that’s changed how you lead?
A candid story about emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and redefining what leadership strength really looks like.
09:19 – Staying Grounded & Avoiding Burnout
Q: How do you stay grounded while juggling business, philanthropy, and leadership?
Daniel explains how he protects his energy, challenges negativity, surrounds himself with positive people, and lives by the Ted Lasso principle: “Be curious, not judgmental.”
10:30 – Closing Thoughts
John and Daniel wrap up the conversation with mutual gratitude and reflections on leadership, effort, and purpose.
