Meet David Mullins

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Mullins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have David with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my dad, who ran a small fleet repair business. Growing up, I watched him fix large trucks and trailers for companies like Sysco, FedEx, and Roadway Express. I started working in the family business at just eight years old – painting the underbodies of trucks, painting two-wheel hand trucks, washing floors, and helping with paperwork.

He worked tirelessly, through weekends, in rain, snow, the blistering heat of summer, and the freezing northeastern winters to provide for our family. At 64, he still works alongside his employees, whether on the road or the side of a highway, setting the pace for everyone around him.

Seeing his dedication firsthand taught me the value of hard work and perseverance from an early age. His relentless drive shaped how much I’m willing to push myself and the effort I’m ready to put in to achieve my goals.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an engineer at heart, driven by a passion for solving ambiguous problems. Over a decade ago, I started LiftGateMe with a simple goal – to bring the liftgate industry online. At the time, the industry was rooted in traditional, offline practices, and I saw an opportunity to create a streamlined, accessible platform for parts and services.

What began as a side hustle during college has since grown into a thriving business with a handful of incredible employees and contractors. Our team is made up of all-stars who enrich not just LiftGateMe, but the lives of those they serve – the mechanics, fleet managers, and businesses who rely on liftgates every day to keep their operations running smoothly.

Leading LiftGateMe has been a long and exciting journey, filled with lessons in business growth, navigating unexpected challenges, and scaling in ways I couldn’t have foreseen when I first started. I’ve found that building a business with a solid, scalable foundation is an art form in itself – and I truly love this art. There’s something rewarding about creating systems and structures that not only function well but also have the potential to expand and thrive over time.

As LiftGateMe continues to evolve, I’m focused on refining our offerings, improving the experience for our customers, and finding new ways to innovate in a space that often flies under the radar. Whether it’s through expanding our product lines, enhancing our online presence, or exploring new technologies, the goal remains the same – to make liftgate parts and solutions more accessible and easier to find for those who need them most.

I’m proud of what LiftGateMe has become, but even more excited for what lies ahead.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three key qualities have been most impactful in my journey with LiftGateMe and beyond:

1. Persistence and Grit:
Building LiftGateMe while balancing college, learning software engineering, and working in the family business required a strong sense of perseverance. The ability to keep pushing forward, even when faced with obstacles or moments of uncertainty, was crucial. There were many times when things didn’t go as planned, but staying focused on long-term goals helped me overcome setbacks. For those starting their journey, I’d recommend embracing challenges as learning opportunities and not being afraid to fail forward. Persistence is often what separates success from stagnation.

2. Problem-Solving and Adaptability:
As an engineer, I thrive on solving ambiguous problems. The liftgate industry wasn’t heavily digitized when I started LiftGateMe, so I had to figure things out as I went – from learning how to build a functioning website to handling logistics and marketing. Developing problem-solving skills and staying adaptable allowed me to pivot and adjust as the business grew. For anyone looking to strengthen these skills, I’d suggest actively seeking out complex projects or side hustles that push you out of your comfort zone. The more you expose yourself to unfamiliar problems, the better you’ll get at tackling them.

3. Building Systems and Processes:
I’ve come to appreciate the art of building scalable systems and processes. Creating a business that functions smoothly and can grow without constant intervention takes planning and organization. LiftGateMe’s ability to scale over the years is a direct result of refining processes and building a solid foundation. For those early in their journey, focus on learning basic project management skills, system design, and the importance of documentation. Treat your work like a machine – fine-tune it, optimize it, and make sure it runs efficiently.

Advice:
Surround yourself with people who are far ahead of you in their journey. I’m largely self-taught in software engineering, but I owe my success and whole software career to friends and mentors who guided me along the way. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or seek advice from those who’ve been through similar experiences. The more you invest in learning and networking, the faster you’ll grow. People want to help people to succeed – don’t be afraid to admit what you lack or don’t know and always ask for opinions when you’re not sure of the right next step.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe it’s a balance, but leaning into your strengths while being aware of your weaknesses creates the best path forward. Your strengths are often where you can make the most impact, but ignoring weaknesses entirely can hold you back from growth. In my experience, focusing on strengths drives momentum and confidence, while improving key weaknesses ensures you don’t hit unnecessary roadblocks.

When I first transitioned from accounting and finance to software engineering, I wasn’t naturally gifted at coding. I had to put in a lot of effort to teach myself – often relying on friends and mentors to guide me. It wasn’t something that came easily, but I knew learning to code was a weakness I couldn’t ignore if I wanted to build something like LiftGateMe. At the same time, I recognized that my strength lay in problem-solving and building systems, so I leaned into that while learning just enough about software to complement those strengths.

Running LiftGateMe has reinforced this belief. I’m great at identifying opportunities and structuring the business, but I’m not an expert in every aspect – like marketing or supply chain logistics. Rather than becoming average at everything, I’ve brought on talented people who excel in those areas. This lets me focus on what I do best while ensuring other areas are handled by experts.

A good example of this is the growth of our team. Our employees and contractors are incredibly skilled in their respective fields, and their contributions often surpass what I could achieve by trying to do it all myself. Building a strong team around my strengths and outsourcing weaknesses has allowed the business to scale more efficiently.

For those just starting out, I’d suggest mastering what you naturally excel at and slowly chipping away at weaknesses that directly impact your goals. Don’t spread yourself too thin – but don’t let a critical skill gap stop you from moving forward either. Knowing when to ask for help or collaborate is just as important as personal development.

In the end, success is often a combination of maximizing strengths and minimizing the weaknesses that stand in the way of progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://LiftGateMe.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mullins-jr/