By: Alexandra Perez

Dave Carroll knows a thing or two about growing a business, but more importantly, he understands what it takes to grow people. As the founder and CEO of DOPE Marketing, Carroll has built more than a company. He has cultivated a culture that thrives on self-awareness, personal development, and leadership that evolves over time.

Reflecting on the pressures of being “the boss,” Carroll quickly rejects the notion behind sayings like “heavy is the crown.” He respects the sentiment, but he doesn’t see himself as royalty. He sees himself as responsible. “How can I be the best version of myself for the people that depend on me?” he asks. That question drives him more than titles or recognition ever could.

Rewriting the Narrative of Leadership

Carroll is no stranger to change, especially when it comes to his own evolution. As DOPE Marketing scales, so does his awareness of how his past leadership style has impacted people. Some former employees hold onto versions of him that were not always positive. Rather than shy away from that reality, he leans into it.

“I appreciate the fact that the people didn’t have the most positive experience working for me… because it allows me to reflect on the changes that I’ve made,” he says. “Those individuals’ versions of reality are just a little bit different than mine right now.”

For Carroll, those differences are not a source of shame. They are a source of growth. The past holds lessons, but it does not have to define the future. His focus is on who he is becoming, not who he once was.

Building Confidence Through Preparation

Confidence, for Carroll, isn’t rooted in ego. It is built in preparation. This belief is why he dedicates his mornings to reflection and routine. In the early hours, he finds space for stillness, exercise, and setting intentions. “We have ourselves in the morning… you’re the closest in the morning to your subconscious that you’ll ever be throughout the day,” he explains.

That practice has helped him show up not for external validation but for the people who matter most: his family, his team, and the community he is building. “I’m so dedicated to being the best version of myself that I don’t get affected by the negativity others may have about it because I’m content. I know the work I put in.”

Creating a Culture of Self-Investment

At DOPE Marketing, Carroll is clear about his philosophy. He is not in the business of changing people. He is in the business of investing in them. “As an employer, as a leader, I’m in the business of investing in people. I’m not in the business of changing people. I can’t make you change… but I can help you grow.”

That distinction is the difference between a control culture and a growth culture. Carroll supports those who are ready to support themselves. Whether it’s a twenty-something new hire or a rising leader battling imposter syndrome, he takes pride in developing people others may have overlooked.

He points to one of his younger team members who is experiencing rapid growth and the growing pains that come with it. “They trust themselves less than we trust them,” Carroll observes. It is a reminder that sometimes others have to see your potential before you believe it yourself. His approach is simple: let people feel the stretch just enough to grow, and always remind them they are not alone.

Real Growth Under Real Pressure

Running a company that expands year after year is not easy, and Carroll does not pretend otherwise. “My life is harder and more stressful right now than it’s ever been,” he admits. “You know what? I just handle it better.”

Even his wife couldn’t tell how much stress he was under during one of DOPE’s most intense quarters. That kind of emotional discipline doesn’t come from denial. It comes from years of working on himself, from the inside out.

Now, with trade shows on the calendar, a new keynote in development, and big goals in sight like pushing DOPE’s recurring revenue toward a million a month, Carroll remains grounded. “My job in this world is just showing people that anything is possible,” he says.

The Blank Check of Belief

Carroll is generous with one resource above all: belief. “If you communicate that you’re trying to invest in yourself to make some changes… yeah, I’ve got a blank check for that,” he says. It is that kind of support, rooted in trust rather than control, that makes DOPE Marketing stand out as more than just a successful business. It is a place where people are seen, challenged, and empowered.

The leadership lessons Carroll is living out today did not come from a textbook. They came from lived experience, self-awareness, and a relentless drive to improve. He is not waiting for permission to lead differently. And as DOPE Marketing continues to scale, that mindset may just be the company’s most valuable asset.

Dave Carroll isn’t just growing a business. He is growing people. And that is what makes the journey truly extraordinary.