What’s the Hype About the Inc. 5000? From Cleaning Carts to Clinking Glasses
Zipdev was honored on the Inc. 5000 list last October at #860, and the list just came out (#1771 this year), it feels like the perfect time to share what that experience meant to me, not just professionally, but personally.
The event was held at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, which just happens to be my hometown. I grew up playing soccer, skateboarding, and golf, went to school there, and at 16, got my very first job working at that exact hotel. My mom was the HR Generalist at the Marriott and got me an interview. (My recruiting origin story started here because all my friends wanted jobs there, and I had to filter a few friends out before I sent them to my mom to clear a drug test. This is a much funnier story told over a beer.) I landed a spot in the golf department cleaning carts and clubs for guests coming off the course. If you’ve ever worked for Marriott, you know how seriously they take customer service. That’s where I learned to say “My pleasure” after an interaction with guests. A simple habit that’s stuck with me ever since.
When I wasn’t stashed away in the cart barn, I worked out front, watching businesspeople roll up after weekday rounds of golf. I remember thinking, “What do these people do that lets them golf on a Tuesday?” I’d ask, and the answers varied: “I’m retired,” “I’m in sales,” “I’m a VP at Frito Lay.” But the ones that stuck with me were, “I’m a business owner,” or “I’m an entrepreneur.” I didn’t know it at the time, but those answers planted a seed.
Twenty years later, being back at the hotel for the Inc. 5000, I felt like I’d come full circle. I'm standing on the other side of that question. Although I'm not hitting the course these days, it felt meaningful to be back there in the middle of the week, walking around the hallways of the property I must have walked a thousand times, and celebrating the journey that’s brought me to this point.
From Golf Carts to the Gala
Last year, Zipdev made the Inc. 5000 list for the second time, moving from #1162 to #860. Sharing that moment with my co-founder and best friend, Mike, was something I won’t forget. We drove out together from San Diego and even decided to room together, which brought back memories of the early days when shared hotel rooms weren’t a choice. They were the only option.
A lot has changed since then. But the foundation of our friendship is still what drives this business forward.
Insights That Hit Home
The conference itself was packed with business owners, operators, and leadership teams from all over the country. I’m talking decision-makers, fighters, creators, builders, etc. Inc. did an amazing job curating a speaker lineup that delivered real insight.
Guy Kawasaki reminded us to aim for 10x improvements, not just 10 percent gains. He spoke about how our personal scorecards evolve — from chasing wins to building a legacy. He also gifted his book Think Remarkable, which is now on my reading list.
Ryan Reynolds (aka Deadpool, aka Green Lantern) and his business partner at MNTN shared the stage in a way only they could. Relaxed, funny, but surprisingly deep. Ryan spoke about failure as a necessary part of the journey — a “no” on the way to “yes.” We’ve all heard that message before, but hearing it from someone operating at that level gave it new weight. It landed differently for me, especially in this stage of growing Zipdev.
Community, Conversations, and the Power of Showing Up
The breakout sessions were also packed with value. I joined panels on retention, evolving employee benefits, and mental health. In one session, when asked, “Who here speaks to a therapist?” more hands went up than I’ve ever seen in a business setting. And I think that’s a good thing. Leaders are finally opening up. We’re creating space for ourselves and our teams to be seen and supported.
And yeah, morning Pilates? Way harder than it looks. But a great way to start the day.
One of my favorite parts of the event was just meeting other entrepreneurs, hearing about their businesses, how many times they’ve made the list, and high-fiving for making it through another year. Huge shoutout to all the attendees from Atlanta. You all showed up strong. Might be time to check out that ecosystem.
And of course, I met EO members from chapters across the country. The EO community continues to impress me. Driven, grounded people who understand what it means to build something from the ground up. Always good to reconnect and get some solid perspective.
A Night to Celebrate
The closing gala brought it all together. I’m not usually a bow tie guy, but that night, it felt right. Everyone dressed up, music playing, champagne flowing. But most importantly, there was this shared energy in the room. We weren’t just celebrating our rankings. We were celebrating the grind, the resilience, the near-misses, and the little wins that no one else sees.
I must’ve handed out a thousand high-fives. And honestly, I’d do it all again.
My Takeaway: Go
This trip reminded me why we do this. To connect. To learn. To grow. And to celebrate the moments that matter.
If you’ve never been to an Inc. 5000 event, let me just say this: when the time comes, submit your app and go. If you make the list, go. If you’re on the fence about attending, go. It’s not just a conference, it’s a reset, a boost, and a celebration of how far you’ve come.
I left inspired and ready to keep going.
Looking forward to seeing everyone again in October, meeting new people, and being a part of the backbone of the American economy. If you’re making the trek out to Arizona, drop me an email at dra@zipdev.com and let’s grab a coffee and high-five.
Bests, Daniel