On this episode of Grow Think Tank, Gene Hammett talks with Matthew Rooda, Founder/CEO of SwineTech (ranked No. 247 on the 2025 Inc. 5000), about the real challenges of scaling a business while keeping culture and customers front and center. Matthew shares lessons on why it’s critical to address cultural issues early, build a strong foundation for sustainable growth, and truly understand what your customers want, especially in the meat industry. He also dives into the importance of honest customer discovery, hiring the right people, and creating a team environment where collaboration, ownership, and accountability thrive.
Matthew also shares practical tips on listening to your team, even in the small things, and why these simple wins can have a big impact on morale and engagement. He closes with advice for leaders on maintaining reasonable expectations, staying adaptable, and continually reinventing themselves and their businesses to navigate growth successfully. If you’re a founder or CEO looking to scale without losing your culture or your sanity, this episode is full of actionable insights.
Episode Highlights & Time Stamps
4:12 The Journey of Swine Tech
9:31 Defining Scaling Smart
11:30 Building a Strong Foundation
15:56 Hiring the Right Talent
21:24 The Cost of Tolerating Culture
24:14 Key Takeaways for CEOs
Leadership and Culture: The Foundation of Scaling
Matthew Rooda opens up about one of the hardest lessons he’s learned as a founder: tolerating cultural issues because the work product was good. He explains how avoiding tough conversations can make problems worse for your team and the business. True leadership means thinking beyond yourself and actively creating a positive environment for everyone.
Matthew opens up about one of the toughest lessons he’s learned as a founder: tolerating cultural issues because the work seemed strong. At the time, it felt easier to “deal with it,” but he soon realized the negativity had ripple effects on the team and the business.
“As a leader, you’re not just thinking about yourself. You have to think about everyone else and create an environment where people can thrive.” – Matthew Rooda
Building Swine Tech: From Innovation to Product-Market Fit
Matthew shares the origin story of Swine Tech, from using voice recognition to monitor piglets to pivoting toward a point-of-care software platform. The pivot was driven by deep customer discovery during COVID, proving how essential it is to understand the real problems your customers face, not just what they say they want.
Key takeaway: Early and deep customer insights are vital. Product-market fit is everything, especially in low-margin industries.
Scaling Smart: People, Process, and Balance
According to Matthew, scaling smart means balancing three things: the business, the people, and the customers. He discusses hiring the right talent, not just the most talented, and empowering them while staying connected to the company’s roots. Strong foundations, clear processes, and intentional leadership help prevent chaos as the company grows.
Key takeaway: Growth without balance is unsustainable. You need the right people, the right processes, and a constant connection to your mission.
Simple Wins and Continuous Reinvention
Matthew closes with practical insights for leaders: sometimes small changes, like switching from monthly to bi-weekly paychecks, can have a big impact on culture. He also stresses “strong opinions loosely held,” continuous reinvention, and aligning your team, customers, and investors with evolving expectations. Flexibility, mentorship, and clear communication make scaling manageable.
- Simple adjustments can boost culture and engagement. Listen to your team.
- Encourage debate, but be willing to pivot when proven wrong.
- Continuous reinvention is necessary for both the business and the people in it.
- Clear communication and mentoring help teams navigate growth without losing alignment.
Key Takeaways
- Culture is foundational—small issues left unchecked can derail growth.
- True product-market fit comes from deeply understanding your customers’ real problems.
- Growth requires balance: business goals, customer satisfaction, and your team’s well-being.
- Hiring isn’t just about talent; it’s about mindset and alignment with your mission.
- Small gestures, like payroll frequency or listening to feedback, can significantly improve morale.
- Leaders must embrace flexibility, continuous learning, and reinvention to sustain growth.
If you’re looking to scale your business without losing your culture or your mind, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lessons learned the hard way.
This episode is a must-listen for CEOs and executives looking to lead innovation with purpose, scale responsibly with AI, and build cultures where people feel empowered to think boldly and grow.
About Matthew Rooda
Matthew Rooda is the Founder & CEO of SwineTech, an ag-tech company developing automation and data solutions to improve pig care and farm efficiency. He is also the host of the Popular Pig Podcast, where he interviews global leaders in the swine industry. Rooda has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and is an MBA graduate from Johns Hopkins University.
How to Connect with Matthew Rooda:
LinkedIn: Matthew Rooda (LinkedIn)
Company Website: SwineTech
Get In Touch with Matt: https://swinetechnologies.com/contact/
Resources & Next Steps
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