Doug Leech, founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services
When Doug Leech, founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services and West Virginia Sober Living, formerly known as Morgantown Sober Living, needed treatment, it was evident that quality options were limited. After traveling across the country to participate in treatment, Leech recognized multiple gaps that exist for those dealing with the disease of addiction and combating substance use disorder in West Virginia.
Compounding the concern of already limited access to support and resources, addiction-related complications have been on the rise in recent years. The opioid epidemic in the U.S. is a serious public health issue. Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the U.S.
Initially, Leech opened a sober living home, which has since been regularly recognized for transforming lives in north central West Virginia. As the sober living home expanded and ultimately added a second location, the growing team prepared to offer the additional services required to support those challenged by addiction and their families.
To fulfill the expanded mission, a new company was formed to provide interventions and concierge recovery services. Ascension Recovery Services provides a full-service suite of recovery assistance.
Ascension is proud of a strong track record of successful interventions and a growing list of recovering families.
Show Notes: 00:31-2:30: Jim introduces today’s guest, Doug Leech, and his company, Ascension Recovery Services. Jim asks Leech to give the audience some insight into his background and personal life.
2:31-3:01: Leech talks about his recovery from addiction and how that drives him in this business and he also mentions his family and his West Virginia roots.
3:02-3:38: How did you get started in this business?
3:29-6:13: Leech talked about his addiction problem that came about while he was in college and how that threw his life off the rails. Leech said that once he was introduced to treatment in West Virginia, he saw the need for it in our state and with his entrepreneurial mindset, the rest is history.
6:14-6:31: What’s your 30 second elevator pitch for your company?
6:32-7:38: Leech gives the ins and outs of his company and discusses their very high success rate.
7:39-7:48: What are you most excited for for your company right now?
7:49-8:31: “I’m excited that we’re able to take our model and help other people get their programs off the ground.”
8:32-9:45: When did you start the company?
9:46-12:40: “2013 is when I opened up Morgantown Sober Living and that was my first sober house.”
12:41-13:15: Take us to that worst business moment you’ve had so far…
13:16-16:25: Leech discusses the struggle of dealing with the backlash from community members while he was trying to open up his first sober house in Morgantown, WV and how difficult that was for him.
16:26-16:32: What’s your one takeaway from that experience?
16:33-16:59: “If you believe in your business, don’t let any anybody stop you.”
17:00-17:31: What would you say is the best thing about being in business in West Virginia right now?
17:32-18:09: Leech talks about the innovation in community support and the tight-knit feel of the people of West Virginia.
18:10-18:39: What’s the long-term vision of your company?
18:40-19:40: Leech talks about having the ability to expand across the country and helping the development of new programs.
19:41-20:36: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young people or aspiring entrepreneurs?
20:37-21:38: “If you want to be successful and you want to be an entrepreneur… you have to outwork everybody else. There is no such thing as a 9-5 when you own your own business.” Leech advices that if you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, you have to go into with the mindset of I’m going to outwork everybody.
21:39-21:45: What’s one thing you do everyday that you think contributes to your success?
21:46-22:31: “I start my morning, every morning praying… It’s the most important thing I do everyday.”
22:32-22:45: What’s one resource you use in your business that you cannot live without?
22:46-23:14: Leech says simply, “Microsoft Excel.”
23:15-23:30: What’s a book you’d recommend to aspiring business people and entrepreneurs.
23:31-25:05: “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by: Robert Kiyosaki
28:12-28:29: If you could meet anyone in West Virginia that could possibly help grow your company, who would it be?
28:30-29:14: “I would say Woody Thrasher… I’d like to pick his brain and see what he’s done to grow his company.”
29:15-29:37: In closing, how can our listeners learn more about you and your company?
29:38-30:25: Ascension Recovery Services
30:36- Close: Jim thanks Doug Leech for joining him today and discussing his awesome company on another great episode of Positively West Virginia. Jim recognizes the sponsors for allowing these stories to be told.
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