1201: IS EVERY COMPANY SAVABLE? Maybe... with the power of the 6 P's w/ Tra Pippin
Tra Pippin is an entrepreneur, attorney, and turnaround specialist who has saved more than 50 companies across 20 industries. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he assesses whether a business is fixable—and what makes one worth saving. From his early days hustling for candy money at age five to leading companies with over $100M in revenue, Tra brings a lifetime of real business wisdom.
This episode is packed with timeless fundamentals, powerful turnaround insights, and a philosophy any entrepreneur can apply to build a resilient business. Whether you're struggling in your business or scaling one, Tra's perspective is essential listening.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🔧 The 6 Ps framework Tra uses to evaluate and fix any company
- 📉 How to identify whether your business actually needs a turnaround—or just a few tweaks
- 💼 Why people (and passion) matter more than financials in most business failures
- 📊 How a 13-week cash flow forecast can predict your business's survival
- 🧠 Why most businesses fail due to management, not market forces
- 👀 How to spot your “P² people” (passionate + powerful) and turn them into the backbone of your business
- 💣 What to do when a business isn’t fixable—and how to know when to shut it down
📝 About the Guest
Tra Pippin is a veteran entrepreneur and business turnaround specialist with over 35 years of experience. He's fixed more than 50 companies across industries ranging from healthcare to heavy equipment to home services. Tra has been CEO of four companies each generating over $100M in revenue. With both a law degree and MBA, he's known for his strategic, people-first approach to business revival—and a “no industry is too different” mindset. Tra also taught marketing and entrepreneurship at the university level, giving him a rare mix of hands-on experience and academic rigor.
🎯 Tra’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“If I can do it, you can too. It’s not about being a genius—it’s about sticking to the fundamentals.” – Tra Pippin
💥 Key Takeaways from His Advice:
- ✔ Stick to proven frameworks like the 6 Ps—don’t reinvent the wheel
- ✔ Success doesn’t require genius, it requires persistence and focus
- ✔ Passionate people inside your company often hold the key to its survival
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “Most of the time, I’m making radical change within 72 hours of walking into a company.” – Tra Pippin
- “If you’ve got a great person with passion, I call that someone who’s P-squared. That’s your hidden gem.” – Tra Pippin
- “I can fix any fixable company out there. But not every company is fixable.” – Tra Pippin
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Use a 13-week rolling forecast to assess your cash flow and survival window
✅ Interview every team member with responsibility to uncover your true talent
✅ Apply the 6 Ps: Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, and Passion
✅ Watch for management failure more than market conditions—it’s the #1 root cause
✅ Evaluate whether your product or service is still needed before trying to save the business
🔗 Links & Resources
