Brandon Erickson is a self-made entrepreneur, investor, and CEO with a track record of building and scaling high-performing ventures across multiple industries. Raised in Wautoma, Wisconsin, Brandon’s early passions for music, baseball, and creative problem-solving laid the foundation for his bold decision to leave college in 2008 and launch 7 Innovations LLC — a move that led to nearly $50 million in online revenue and financial independence by the age of 25.
Today, Brandon leads North Valley Precision, a fast-growing quality assurance company redefining industry standards, while actively investing in biotech, startups, and real estate. His business acumen has contributed to multiple biotech buyouts and a significant commercial and multi-family real estate portfolio.
Beyond business, Brandon is a committed family man, prolific songwriter with work featured in Nashville, youth sports coach, and community philanthropist. Whether he’s scaling teams, mentoring young entrepreneurs, or building Legos with his sons, Brandon leads with authenticity, resilience, and a passion for impact.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually start before 6 a.m. I find that the first hour sets the tone for everything, so I avoid checking my phone and instead focus on planning, journaling, or a quick workout. Then it’s time with my boys — breakfast, a few Legos, and helping get them off to school. From there, my day is structured in blocks: strategic work in the morning, meetings and calls in the afternoon, and follow-ups or creative time late in the day. I use a priority matrix to make sure I’m not just busy, but moving the needle. Productivity to me is about clarity — knowing exactly what matters and staying locked in.
How do you bring ideas to life?
First, I let them breathe. I jot everything down in a notebook or a note app — no judgment, just free-flowing thought. Then I test them — I’ll run numbers, look at viability, and ask tough questions. I also move quickly to build MVPs or small-scale tests. I believe action creates clarity. If something has legs, I bring in people who can challenge it, refine it, and help execute. And I always ask myself: does this align with my long-term mission, or is it just noise?
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m deeply excited by the rise of precision-driven manufacturing powered by AI and machine learning. We’re applying this at North Valley Precision — using data to improve quality systems, not just monitor them. It’s shifting the entire QA landscape from reactive to predictive, and I think it’s going to change the game across multiple industries.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Time-blocking. Without it, the day owns you. I block out everything — thinking time, calls, team work, even time with family — and I guard those blocks like gold. It helps me give 100% to whatever’s in front of me and keeps context-switching to a minimum.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down, but don’t stop. I was in such a rush to prove something that I didn’t always enjoy the ride. I’d tell younger me: the pressure is a privilege, but pace yourself. The journey matters just as much as the destination.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That you don’t need to “follow your passion” to be fulfilled. Passion is a fuel, but it’s not the vehicle. I believe fulfillment comes from building something meaningful, solving real problems, and growing through service — not just doing what you love.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Audit your time. Every quarter I look at how I’ve been spending my hours and ask: is this aligned with my values, goals, and mission? If it’s not, it goes. Time is your most non-renewable asset. Treat it accordingly.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away. Literally. I go outside, shoot hoops with my kids, play guitar, or even cook. I’ve learned that forced focus rarely works for me. Clarity comes when I change my environment, reset my energy, and return with a fresh lens.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Build trust, fast. Whether it’s with partners, clients, or your team — trust is your most valuable currency. I establish it by being ultra-transparent, doing what I say, and owning mistakes when they happen. People follow people they trust, not just those who perform.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I scaled a product too fast without testing the backend logistics. The customer experience tanked, and we lost thousands overnight. I took full responsibility, refunded many, and rebuilt the system properly. The lesson: never outpace your infrastructure. Growth is great — but sustainable growth is better.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A platform that connects skilled tradespeople who are nearing retirement with young apprentices or small business buyers. We’re facing a wave of generational business exits in blue-collar industries — and there’s a huge opportunity to match legacy with fresh ambition.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Notion. I use it as my second brain — project tracking, team collaboration, even content outlines and personal journaling. It keeps my thoughts organized, and its flexibility lets me mold it around how I think, rather than the other way around.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. It reframed how I look at setbacks. Instead of viewing obstacles as problems, I see them as the path. That mindset shift has been game-changing — in business and in life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Bear. It’s raw, intense, and beautifully human. It reminds me of the entrepreneurial grind — the chaos, the pressure, the obsession with excellence. But also the importance of family, legacy, and doing something that matters.
Key learnings
- Clarity and discipline drive success
- Build before you scale
- Legacy over ego