Episode 340

From Bankruptcy to a Nine-Figure Company

January 19, 2026 · 38 min · Guest: Anthony Amunategui
Anthony Amunategui

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About this Episode

He started in a basement with nothing but grit , and nearly lost everything.

In this episode of The Root of All Success, Jason Duncan sits down with Anthony Amunategui, founder and president of CDO Group, a national commercial construction firm that now builds over one million square feet of retail space every year for some of the biggest brands in the world.

Anthony opens up about the moments most entrepreneurs never talk about , bankruptcy, shame, ego, burnout, and rebuilding from the ground up. From letting go of his entire team two weeks before Christmas to transforming his company into a debt-free, people-first organization, this conversation goes far beyond business tactics.

We talk about: • Why relentless behavior matters more than talent • The moment Anthony realized he was the bottleneck • How bankruptcy reshaped his leadership forever • Why process beats chaos in scaling a business • How AI is changing construction , and leadership • What real success looks like beyond money

If you’re building a company, questioning your leadership, or trying to scale without losing yourself , this episode will hit home.

🎧 Watch or listen now 👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about business, leadership, and long-term success.

Who is Anthony Amunategui? Anthony Amunategui is the founder of CDO Group, a national commercial construction firm he launched nearly 25 years ago from his basement. Today, CDO Group builds over a million square feet of retail space each year for some of the world’s largest brands.

As host of The Future Factory Podcast, Anthony explores the technologies and ideas shaping the world’s future,from artificial intelligence to leadership, innovation, and human potential. His interviews blend curiosity with experience, revealing what drives success in business and in life.

Raised in a humble household, Anthony turned early challenges into fuel for growth,transforming a modest dream into a $100 million construction enterprise and a platform for big conversations about the future. Whether building companies or connecting with thought leaders, his mission remains the same: to uncover how vision, resilience, and creativity build a better tomorrow.

Anthony Amunategui’s Website Link:  https://www.futurefactorypodcast.com/

Anthony Amunategui’s  Social Media Link:

www.youtube.com/@FutureFactoryPodcast

Instagram: @futurefactorypodcast

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Timestamps

Show Notes

He started in a basement with nothing but ambition ? and built a company that now constructs over a million square feet of retail space every year for some of the biggest brands in the world. Today, we're going inside the mind of a builder who turned grit into a nine-figure empire.

Anthony Amunategui is the founder of CDO Group, a national commercial construction firm he launched nearly 25 years ago from his basement. Today, CDO Group builds over a million square feet of retail space each year for some of the world?s largest brands. As host of The Future Factory Podcast, Anthony explores the technologies and ideas shaping the world?s future?from artificial intelligence to leadership, innovation, and human potential. His interviews blend curiosity with experience, revealing what drives success in business and in life. Raised in a humble household, Anthony turned early challenges into fuel for growth?transforming a modest dream into a $100 million construction enterprise and a platform for big conversations about the future. Whether building companies or connecting with thought leaders, his mission remains the same: to uncover how vision, resilience, and creativity build a better tomorrow.

About the Guest

Anthony Amunategui

Guest

Anthony Amunategui is the founder of CDO Group, a national commercial construction firm he launched nearly 25 years ago from his basement. Today, CDO Group builds over a million square feet of retail space each year for some of the world?s largest brands. As host of The Future Factory Podcast, Anthony explores the technologies and ideas shaping the world?s future?from artificial intelligence to leadership, innovation, and human potential. His interviews blend curiosity with experience, revealing what drives success in business and in life. Raised in a humble household, Anthony turned early challenges into fuel for growth?transforming a modest dream into a $100 million construction enterprise and a platform for big conversations about the future. Whether building companies or connecting with thought leaders, his mission remains the same: to uncover how vision, resilience, and creativity build a better tomorrow.

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