Early Lessons in Discipline
Brandon Erickson grew up in Wautoma, Wisconsin, where baseball and guitar filled his days. By high school, he had already written hundreds of songs. Some later made their way into Nashville. “Music taught me discipline,” he says. “You can’t fake practice. If you want to improve, you show up every day.”
That early lesson planted the seed for a philosophy that would define his career: small, steady steps forward.
Taking a Risk and Building a Startup
After attending the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and the University of Phoenix, Erickson made a bold choice. In 2008, he dropped out to build his first company. “I couldn’t stop thinking about building something of my own,” he recalls. That decision led to 7 Innovations LLC, which produced nearly $50 million in online revenues within a decade.
By 25, he had become a millionaire, but the money was never the goal. “The real win was proving that a big idea can work if you put everything into it,” he says. That mindset of testing, learning, and refining became the backbone of his approach.
Adopting Kaizen at 30
At age 30, Erickson discovered the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, meaning “continuous improvement.” He began to practice it deliberately, not just in business but in life.
“Kaizen clicked with me,” he explains. “It’s not about huge leaps. It’s about tiny steps, taken consistently, that add up to major results.”
He used Kaizen to improve everything from business systems to personal habits. Each day he asked himself, what’s one small thing I can do better tomorrow? That question shaped his leadership style and decision-making.
Applying Kaizen Across Industries
Brandon Erickson wisconsin expanded into biotech and real estate after his startup success. Each venture taught him different lessons, but Kaizen tied them together.
“In biotech, the science moves fast, but breakthroughs come from small, disciplined experiments,” he says. “In real estate, patience pays off when you make steady, smart improvements over time.”
These experiences reinforced his belief that long-term success comes from daily effort, not sudden wins.
Leading North Valley Precision with Kaizen
Today, Erickson is CEO of North Valley Precision (NVP), a quality assurance company growing toward 100 employees. He sees Kaizen alive in the way NVP operates.
“I started Kaizen for myself, but now it drives the whole company,” he says. “We promote leaders from within because improvement is about growth over time. If someone shows initiative, we give them space to lead.”
In January 2025, NVP launched a new metal finishing division, an idea that came straight from employees. “That’s Kaizen in action,” Erickson explains. “The team saw a way to improve. We listened, acted, and built something lasting.”
NVP also practices profit sharing. Employees share in the company’s wins, reinforcing the idea that small contributions fuel larger outcomes.
Practicing Kaizen at Home
Kaizen doesn’t stop at work for Erickson. He brings it home to his family, often teaching lessons on the golf course with his sons. “Golf is perfect for Kaizen,” he says. “It’s all about small adjustments—your stance, your grip, your focus. Those little tweaks decide the outcome.”
He recalls walking alongside his oldest son during a tournament. “Every hole, I told him to focus on one small thing. By the end, he realized improvement isn’t about a single shot. It’s about how you respond, step by step.”
These moments reflect the same philosophy he uses at NVP: steady progress, consistent presence, and trust in the process.
Giving Back Through Continuous Improvement
Erickson applies Kaizen to his community as well. He donates to local schools and coaches three youth sports teams. “Coaching is continuous improvement in real time,” he says. “You see kids grow week by week. They don’t need perfection—they just need to see progress.”
For him, giving back isn’t a side project. It’s part of building a cycle of improvement that strengthens both people and businesses.
Lessons for Leaders and Teams
Start Small
Don’t wait for the perfect plan. Ask: what’s one thing we can do better today?
Make Growth Visible
Show employees clear career paths. Celebrate small promotions as proof that progress is real.
Listen and Act
Encourage ideas from all levels. When a good one comes up, take action. It shows people their voice matters.
Apply Kaizen Everywhere
Use it in business, family, and community. Improvement compounds when practiced daily.
Final Takeaway
Looking back, Erickson sees Kaizen as the thread that connects his journey. From startups to biotech, from leading a quality assurance company to coaching youth sports, continuous improvement has shaped his approach.
“Every success in my life has come from Kaizen,” he reflects. “Big ideas matter, but they only work when you break them into small steps and improve every single day.”
Founder Dinis Guarda
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