Meet Bennett Maxwell | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bennett Maxwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bennett, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The most important decision was mastering sales and professional communication. Learning how to connect with people, understand their needs, and clearly communicate value has been the foundation of my success. It’s a skill that impacts every area of business, from closing deals to building relationships.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business journey began when I dropped out of high school and, at 23 years old, ran a pest control team on 100% commission. From there, I continued leading door-to-door sales teams, focusing on recruiting, training, and building high-performing teams. That experience prepared me to launch Switch to Solar in 2020, a residential solar brokerage that I scaled and sold just 18 months later.

In 2021, I bought Dirty Dough when it was just a single location. Over the next two years, we sold 450 franchises and opened our first franchise in June 2022. Two years later, we had opened 100 stores. Our rapid growth was made possible through a centralized production model, which simplified operations for franchisees, and by building a strong, talented team that shared the same vision.

The journey hasn’t been easy—balancing rapid growth, financial risks, and industry challenges required adaptability and persistence. The biggest lessons I’ve learned are to prioritize systems, empower the right people, and embrace the process. Dirty Dough’s story is proof that success comes from focusing on simplicity, scalability, and building something that benefits everyone involved.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit, we’d keep it simple and fun. We’d grab Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian BBQ, go hiking, snowboarding, and hit the lake for some surfing. I’d also take them to explore a few national parks like Zion or Arches for epic views and unforgettable adventures.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
John Richards from Startup Ignition deserves a huge shoutout—he taught me more about business than anyone else. For books, The E-Myth Revisited has been my all-time favorite, completely shifting how I view and build businesses. I also owe a lot to the incredible sales training I received from the various sales companies I’ve worked for in the past—they laid the foundation for my communication and negotiation skills.

Website: https://Bennettmaxwell.com