TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Ian Cohen
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Ian Cohen doesn’t lead from a distance. He leads from the middle of the field.

 

After more than two decades guiding companies through transformation, growth, and reinvention across industries ranging from SaaS and technology to healthcare, financial services, and real estate, Ian has developed a leadership philosophy rooted in accountability, humility, and momentum. His mantra is simple but demanding: “Beat Yesterday.”

 

“It’s about getting a little better each and every day,” he says. “Execution, learning from mistakes, refining how we operate. That mindset keeps you from getting comfortable.”

 

Today, as CEO of Inspected, that philosophy has helped guide a once-fragile startup into a profitable, fast-growing business generating multi-million dollar growth in just three years. But Ian is quick to redirect credit. When he talks about growth, success, and milestones, he talks about “we.”

 

Inspected launched in 2021 as a disruptive idea with enormous potential—and significant challenges. When Ian joined the company in late summer 2022, the business had limited cash, no clear operational strategy, and was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars each month. The first year wasn’t about scaling; it was about survival.

 

Together with the team, Ian focused on stabilizing operations, aligning vision with execution, and building a foundation that could support long-term growth. Exactly one year later, Inspected reached profitability. Since then, the company has grown 100 percent year over year for three consecutive years.

 

“What I’m most proud of is our people,” Ian says. “We invested in those who believed in what we were building. Many started in junior roles and now hold leadership positions, equity, and are presenting at the highest levels. That doesn’t happen by accident.”

 

Inspected operates as a tech-enabled services company, providing a holistic platform for permitting and virtual inspections that allows contractors and homebuilders to complete jobs faster while ensuring permits are closed efficiently and safely. The company currently operates in Florida, Georgia, and Texas, serving approximately 30 homebuilders and 300+ contractors, and averaging around 450 inspections per day.

 

But beyond efficiency and scale, Inspected has become known for something else: trust. The team has built strong relationships with contractors, builders, and municipalities—relationships that have proven especially critical in moments of crisis, such as after hurricanes, when traditional inspection processes grind to a halt.

 

That trust has also opened doors at the legislative levels. Ian now works closely with lawmakers to influence positive, practical changes that remove ambiguity, add rigor, and improve consistency in the inspection process—without compromising safety.

 

“At the end of the day,” he says, “economic opportunity shouldn’t be harder for someone just because they have fewer resources. If we can create systems that are fair, transparent, and efficient, everyone benefits.”

 

That belief traces back to Ian’s upbringing in Danbury, Connecticut, where education, ethics, and hard work were foundational values. Sports reinforced accountability and resilience. Family instilled integrity. Today, as a husband and father of two, Ian measures success not just in business outcomes, but in the example he sets.

 

“If my kids grow up to be good people,” he says, “then I’ve done my job. Everything else is gravy.”

 

Q&A with Ian

 

Your leadership style is often described as hands-on. How do you think about operational excellence and growth?

For me, operational excellence isn’t theoretical. It’s aligning vision with execution and being willing to work alongside your team. I’ve helped lead businesses from a few million to over $20 million, and others from roughly $90 million to $450 million, including helping take one public. That didn’t happen by barking orders. It happened by building and executing together. I’d rather pull people forward than push them from behind.

 

What initially drew you to Inspected at this stage of your career?

Before Inspected, I was the COO of a successful financial services research company. It was stable, profitable, and comfortable. But the challenge was gone. When I was introduced to Inspected, it was disruptive but leaderless, and that excited me. When I joined, the reality was tough—limited cash, unclear strategy, real losses. That first year was about survival. But we believed in what this could become.

 

Growing from zero to multi-million dollar growth in three years is rare. What are you most proud of in that journey?

First, our people. We focused on developing those who believed in the vision and gave them a future they could be proud of. Second, we scaled profitably, which is incredibly hard. And third, we built deep relationships with contractors and builders who trusted us early. That trust is everything.

 

What makes Inspected truly disruptive in the inspection space?

Most people know the pain we solve. Contractors finish work and then wait—sometimes days—for an inspector. We eliminate that delay. Inspections happen virtually, in real time, and permits are closed within a day. Our inspectors are full-time employees working remotely, completing more inspections per hour with full digital documentation. It’s safe, faster, more efficient, and better for everyone involved.

 

Why has influencing positive regulatory change been important to you?

Early on, a lot of people told us this wouldn’t work. Now, some of those same officials are directing contractors to us. I’m working with legislators to remove ambiguity and make the process more uniform while maintaining safety. And there is growing interest in other states to utilize the services we deliver to provide a more efficient process in this industry.

 

How did your upbringing shape your leadership philosophy?

I grew up in a household where education, integrity, and hard work mattered. Sports taught me accountability. My parents set an ethical standard I wanted to live up to. My wife reinforces my desire to help others, and my kids keep me grounded. If I’m doing right by them and by our team, then I know we’re on the right path.

 

 

Ian Cohen
CEO
Inspected
Website: https://Inspected.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ijcohen

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ian.cohen.7127