Episode 8: From Beer to Bugs: Building Businesses That Actually Matter with Stephen Dixon

Built to Last

In this episode of the Build to Last podcast, Levi and Colby sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “solutionist” Stephen Dixon, founder of GrimRoss Brewing. The conversation ranges widely—from the messy, nonlinear path of growing a business to the philosophical underpinnings of meaningful work. Stephen shares how brewing beer led him to create a side venture tackling industrial waste with black soldier fly larvae, all in the pursuit of sustainable, circular solutions.
But this isn’t just a story about business success. Stephen opens up about burnout, rediscovering health after years of neglect, and why legacy now means solving real, human-scale problems. Whether you’re scaling a company or just trying to reclaim your time and purpose, this episode offers wisdom wrapped in laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection.

Links and Resources

Stephen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonstephen/
GrimRoss Brewing Co. – https://www.grimross.com/
The Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend – https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/the-solutionists-9781398609327
Peter Attia – Physician known for work on longevity and the “Centenarian Decathlon.” https://peterattiamd.com/
BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits – Framework that helped Stephen overhaul his health through small changes. - https://tinyhabits.com/
Naval Ravikant – Entrepreneur and thinker mentioned in the context of big questions and meaning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ravikant
Chris Williamson Podcast – Referenced in the discussion around self-kindness. - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/
Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Central to Stephen’s waste management startup concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens
Quotes Worth Sharing
“I don’t want to be dependent—I want the freedom to choose how I spend my day.” – Stephen Dixon
“Entrepreneurship is just solving problems people care about. That’s it.” – Stephen Dixon
“You can’t outsource understanding. I needed to know how everything worked so I could build it and let it go.” – Stephen Dixon
“Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about tiny habits, compounding over time.” – Stephen Dixon
“We’re trying to build systems so we don’t have to do it—so we can, not so we must.” – Levi Lawrence
Episode Breakdown
5:00 – 12:30 | Starting GrimRoss & Leaving the Safety Net
Brewing beer as a side hobby and early-stage entrepreneurship.
The moment Stephen decided to build something he could fully understand and operate solo.
12:30 – 21:00 | Delegation, Growth, and Letting Go
How GrimRoss scaled through organic need—staffing, systems, and trust.
Why meaningful delegation is a constant cycle, not a one-time event.
21:00 – 30:00 | The Shift Toward Impact
Stephen’s personal health crisis and COVID wake-up call.
Redefining success: from ROI to long-term human impact and sustainability.
30:00 – 43:00 | The Black Soldier Fly Affair
The hilarious and humble beginnings of an insect-based waste solution—starting in a basement.
Exploring circular economy thinking and the protein revolution.
43:00 – 54:00 | Systems Thinking & Iron House Pro’s Role
Why most founders want independence—not retirement.
Discussing Iron House Pro’s work helping businesses reduce founder dependence and scale sustainably.
54:00 – 1:10:00 | Fitness, Identity & The Long Game
Strength, mobility, and the Centenarian Workout.
How physical health mirrors organizational health—and how to shift from guilt to purpose-driven habits.
1:10:00 – 1:25:00 | Big Questions, Small Changes
Meditation, moderation, and meaning: lessons from Buddhist thought and quantum theory.

챕터

1. Episode 8: From Beer to Bugs: Building Businesses That Actually Matter with Stephen Dixon (00:00:00)

2. Starting Grimross (00:05:30)

3. Growth, Delegation and letting go (00:13:00)

4. Shift towards impact and sustainability (00:21:30)

5. Black Soda Fly Affair (00:30:30)

6. Fitness, Identity and the Long Game (00:54:30)

7. Big Questions, Small Changes (01:10:30)