Nick Hacker: Navigating Growth & Culture in the Title Industry

Interview with Nick Hacker

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, growth often comes with its own set of complexities, particularly when it involves expanding and integrating multiple entities. Nick Hacker, the head of Title Team, has navigated these challenges with remarkable poise and insight. The Growth and Scale Report recently sat down with Nick for a quick interview to learn more about the philosophy behind the process. We hope the results provide insights into your business and the growth you are trying to achieve.

GSR: Nick Hacker, you’ve recently been on a whirlwind tour, traveling over 700 miles by car and taking two flights in just five days. What drives these extensive trips?

Nick Hacker: It's all about connection. Traveling to 10 offices allows me to touch base with team members and reinforce the foundation we've built together. It's not just about expanding our footprint but about ensuring that the culture we’ve established remains strong and unified as we grow.

GSR: You’ve overseen more than 20 acquisitions and mergers. That’s a lot of growth. What challenges does this kind of expansion bring?

Nick Hacker: Growth is a double-edged sword. It opens up new opportunities but also introduces new challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is maintaining our team culture that made us successful in the first place. As we integrate new offices and teams, we must reflect on our values and ensure that everyone aligns with our core principles, even as we adapt and evolve.

GSR: It sounds like a balancing act. How do you manage to keep different offices aligned while still allowing them to maintain their unique cultures?

Nick Hacker: It’s definitely a balancing act. My approach is to celebrate each office's unique culture while keeping our overarching goals in mind. We are focused on building upon the foundation we’ve established, while letting that foundation evolve and using our experiences to guide future decisions. This means being open to new ideas while staying grounded in our core values. It’s about creating a unified direction without stifling individual office identities.

GSR: What role does reflection play in your leadership style, especially when you’re moving at such a fast pace?

Nick Hacker: Reflection is crucial, but it’s challenging when you’re constantly working to improve and grow. It’s easy to get caught up in the drive for growth and innovation and lose sight of the importance of looking back. I try to make it a point to periodically step back and assess our progress, learn from our successes and failures, and realign our strategies with our team’s long-term goals.

GSR: You’ve mentioned that building a strong company culture is a key focus for you. How do you ensure that relationships and open communication remain at the heart of your organization?

Nick Hacker: It starts with getting to know every team member, regardless of their role. Everyone has value, and it’s essential to foster an environment where relationships, and open communication are prioritized. By building strong connections and maintaining transparency, we hope to create a team-like work environment where people can thrive and feel invested in our collective success.

GSR: Reflecting on your journey, what excites you the most about the direction the company is heading?

Nick Hacker: What excites me is the unique and special things we’re doing. We’re not just expanding; we’re innovating within the industry. It’s thrilling to be part of something that’s making a significant impact. I’m grateful for the opportunity to shape the future of our company and the industry as a whole.

GSR: Any final thoughts on how you envision the future of your company?

Nick Hacker: I believe the future is about building on what we’ve already achieved while remaining open to new ideas and opportunities. We’re creating something distinct and meaningful, and I’m confident that by staying connected and focused on our core values, we’ll continue to grow and succeed in exciting ways.

  -----