Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

Dan and Ian challenge listeners to answer five questions about your business that will help you evaluate how healthy your operations are. They cover everything from doubling down on what’s working best to effective resource allocation and working “on” your business instead of “in” your business. You’ll also be challenged to ask yourself: “What would a skilled entrepreneur do with my business?” Take out your pens and notepad (very important), and consider this episode a free coaching session and a little taste of DC Accelerator. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Accelerator DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:33) Working on Your Business vs. in Your Business ● (00:02:32) Evaluating Your Team's Value Creation ● (00:17:17) Doubling Down on What's Working Best ● (00:19:35) Maximizing Return on Investment ● (00:21:53) Effective Resource Allocation ● (00:27:22) Unprecedented Growth: What Would a Skilled Entrepreneur Do? ● (00:36:24) Evaluating and Refining Your Business with Diagnostic Questions Links: 30 Business Diagnostic Questions Kaco Gel Pens Artist Sketchbook Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: The Million Dollar Service Business Playbook Run Any Business with Just Two Simple Things Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert

In this week's episode Dan and Ian discuss the importance of the concept of Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER), to scale your business to a million dollars in revenue. They highlight the challenge of transitioning from being a craftsperson to a CEO and the importance of building a profitable business model that can operate without the founder's constant involvement. They continue this concept by focusing on the importance of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) in growing a business. Having someone to provide structure and make data-driven decisions can lead to some shocking discoveries and help you identify areas for improvement and optimize your business performance. The conversation concludes with a recap of the DC Mexico event and a call for referrals for future events! Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Accelerator DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:42) Introduction and Catching Up ● (00:01:40) DC Accelerator and Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) ● (00:07:28) Using Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER) to Scale ● (00:14:49) The Challenge of Transitioning from Craftsperson to CEO ● (00:21:50) The Importance of Profitability and Compensation ● (00:25:06) Building a Profitable Business Model ● (00:28:19) The Role of Hiring and Financial Planning and Analysis ● (00:29:20) Differentiating Financial Planning and Analysis from Bookkeeping and CPA ● (00:40:05) Recap of the DC Mexico Event Links: Books by Greg Crabtree Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: Run Any Business with Just Two Simple Things Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day

Dan reflects on his trip to Mexico last week where he hung out with 200 founders and listeners of the pod. Vulnerability, lessons from exiting a business, and a secretive membership called “being parents” were common themes. Another major topic was the launch of our new coaching program, DC Accelerator. Dan talks about how getting to $1M and beyond takes not just willpower or desire, but most importantly, it takes discipline. He shares the two tools required to run a business of any size. Whether you’re a 1-person operation of have 1000’s of employees, these two tools remain the same. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Accelerator DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:48) Introduction and Simplifying Operations ● (00:04:54) The Transformative Journey of Parenthood ● (00:07:09) Vulnerability and Exiting a Business ● (00:15:37) The Nuts and Bolts of Our Coaching Program ● (00:22:35) Every Business Needs a Cashflow Forecast and a Plan Links: DC Accelerator Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day The 1 Million Dollar Question

Health and wellness is the ultimate productivity hack, impacting every aspect of life. Adam Gilbert, founder of My Body Tutor, discovered that consistency is key, and accountability, mindset, and personalized plans help clients stay on track. It’s also what sets his business apart. My Body Tutor has been generating demand for their service for 17 years, having a flawless reputation, and obsessively focusing on getting clients results. In this episode Adam shares his strategies for pricing demand, how to handle client churn, and balancing family life with his passion. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Accelerator DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:06:29) The Impact of Health and Wellness ● (00:12:10) The Importance of Consistency ● (00:16:57) Evolving Pricing Based on Value ● (00:28:39) Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Coaches ● (00:33:10) The Importance of Regular Meetings ● (00:44:17) Caring and Mission-Driven Approach ● (00:45:30) Starting Small in Entrepreneurship Links: https://www.mybodytutor.com/ Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day The 1 Million Dollar Question “The Death of the follower” + Make 250k in 3 Days a Week

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Barry O'Brien, a global traveler, as he shares his 18-month journey to 15 countries on just $100 a day or less. Barry tells us stories about his experience in Vietnam, the most surprisingly underwhelming destination he visited, the most expensive and inexpensive destinations, how he saved, prepared, and what he learned in the end. He discusses his journey from following Dave Ramsey's steps to discovering the FIRE movement and combining the principles of both to pay off $51,000 of debt, and give him the financial freedom to pursue his dream trip. He talks about the importance of passive income, his philosophy of focusing on one thing that you can do well, the process of obtaining US citizenship, and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Accelerator DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters: (00:03:21) Your Ticket to One Million - DC Accelerator (00:14:59) Exploring Western Europe on a Budget (00:26:13) Indulging in Peru's Food and Culture (00:30:15) Managing Travel Costs to Extend the Trip (00:34:41) Finding Peace and Financial Independence (00:39:10) The Competitive Landscape of US Citizenship Links: DC Accelerator DC Black Dave Ramsey Solutions Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: The 1 Million Dollar Question “The Death of the follower” + Make 250k in 3 Days a Week What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M?

Crafting your value proposition into an irresistible offer is not an easy task. Andrew Jacoby, entrepreneur and visionary behind Growth Era, a thriving outbound sales company, knows this all too well. Andrew shares his journey, highlighting the pivotal role of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) in driving business success. Discover the power of focusing on what you know best and building a business around recurring services as Andrew unveils the concept of risk reversal and its impact on skyrocketing conversion rates. From navigating the challenges of educating a market to the transition from CEO to operator, Andrew offers practical strategies for building a robust team and fostering deep community connections amidst a nomadic lifestyle. Tune in as Andrew delves into the core values of moral fiber and virtue in business, underscoring the true essence of freedom and happiness. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned business leader, this episode promises a wealth of wisdom to elevate your sales game. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:47) Introduction and Background ● (00:04:19) Growth Era: Company Overview ● (00:04:47) Andrew's Sales Background ● (00:07:29) Challenges and Successes in Outbound Sales ● (00:10:29) Understanding SDRs and Their Role ● (00:12:14) Types of Businesses that Benefit from SDRs ● (00:16:59) Developing an Attractive Offer ● (00:18:15) Growth Era's Business Model ● (00:19:37) Finding Success in Familiar Territory ● (00:23:55) The Importance of Serving People ● (00:25:04) Pricing and Confidence ● (00:25:44) Choosing Between Being an Operator and a CEO ● (00:26:43) Knowing When a Company is Ready for Adults ● (00:29:45) Deep Work and Problem Solving ● (00:32:49) The Nomad Lifestyle ● (00:35:34) The Importance of Community ● (00:38:18) The Pursuit of Virtue and Love ● (00:39:42) The True Meaning of Freedom and Happiness Links: Andrew Jacoby - Linkedin Nick Huber Twitter firstfishermenmedia.com/ Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: “The Death of the follower” + Make 250k in 3 Days a Week What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M? Do Things That Don’t Scale

Is it possible to bootstrap a high-level business if you’re broke? Listen to Dan & Ian’s take on what kinds of businesses are best to start when you’re starting with basically nothing. Also, what the hell does a visionary do? Dan suggests that the best visionaries have integrator tendencies. They’ll consider how Kevin Kelly’s “100 True Fans” can lead to sustainable revenue through a concept called “The Death of the Follower”. Lastly, Dan pitches a business idea that requires zero startup cost, 3 days a week of effort, and could easily net you $250K. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:39) Introduction and companies over title’ing ● (00:04:00) Starting a Bootstrap Business When You're Broke ● (00:08:29) The Role of Visionaries in Company Success ● (00:14:55) The Death of the Follower & Engaging with Social Media Algorithms ● (00:19:54) The Future of Search: AI and Personalization Links: Nick Huber Twitter Kevin Kelley - Article - A Thousand True Fans The Death of the Follower Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M? Do Things That Don’t Scale Three Phases to 1 Million in Revenue

The hard part shouldn’t be how to implement an OS in your organization. The hard part is answering the question: Are the right people in the right roles at your company? In this episode, Dan and Ian share their own OS that’s extremely simple. It’s called GPS. They’ll explain how GPS helps you put a plan in place to meet your goals, and deliver on that plan. That’s it. Also, hiring for specific tasks, the impact of remote work on hiring, and more. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:41) Introduction and 'Meaty Shorts' Format ● (00:06:48) Hiring for Specific Tasks in a Business ● (00:15:55) Minimum Viable EOS (GPS) Implementation ● (00:16:27) Implementing the EOS System: The GPS Framework ● (00:18:54) Using Scorecards for Clarity and Accountability ● (00:25:06) The Importance of Regular Check-ins and Standing Meetings Links: Dan Martell - Who to Hire Next The EOS Business Model Scorecard template (G doc) Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: Do Things That Don’t Scale Three Phases to 1 Million in Revenue Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

In this episode, Ian and Dan discuss the concept of doing things that don't scale, inspired by Paul Graham's influential article 'Do Things That Don't Scale.' They explore the idea of taking risks and gambling in entrepreneurship, and how it relates to increasing one's locus of control. The conversation covers various strategies for founders, including recruiting users manually, building something fragile, delighting users, focusing on experience, and niche marketing. In this conversation, Ian and Dan discuss Paul Graham's article 'Do Things That Don't Scale' and explore the principal themes and takeaways. They cover topics such as the idea of scaling, fabricating products yourself, consulting and acting as an anchor client, going manual and doing unscalable laborious tasks, the illusion of big launches and partnerships, vectors vs. scalars (ideas and execution), and the temptation to gamble and the importance of locus of control. Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:47) Introduction and Waking Up Early ● (00:01:58) The Concept of Taking Risks and Gambling ● (00:03:52) Introduction to Paul Graham and Y Combinator ● (00:05:37) The Importance of Doing Things That Don't Scale ● (00:10:00) Recruiting Users Manually ● (00:12:48) Building Something Fragile ● (00:20:48) Niche Marketing ● (00:23:02) The Facebook and the Idea of Scaling ● (00:24:53) Consulting and Acting as an Anchor Client ● (00:27:17) Going Manual and Doing Unscalable Laborious Tasks ● (00:30:08) The Illusion of Big Launches and Partnerships ● (00:34:54) Vectors vs. Scalars: Ideas and Execution ● (00:38:36) The Temptation to Gamble and the Importance of Locus of Control Links: Paul Graham’s Article “Do Things That Don’t Scale” Lao Tzu - Philosophy Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: Three Phases to 1 Million in Revenue Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

Dan and Ian discuss the different phases of bootstrapping a business and the common challenges that arise at each stage. They walk through three phases: Zero to $250k “Mindset”; $250k to 1 million "We're seeking a reliable/repeatable source of new customers"; and $1 million + "We need to hire, fire, improve/change team members more effectively”. They explore everything from adjusting the offer to the marketplace and developing a strong customer base to making a rule that the founder should be responsible for growth up to $5M. They also explore the crucial role that team composition plays in the professionalization of the company. Finally, they discuss the decision between maximizing profitability and scaling the business. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: Our book: Before the Exit The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters ● (00:00:43) Introduction and Era Change ● (00:04:28) Mindset for Early Stage Bootstrapping ● (00:08:35) Running a Shit Ton of Experiments ● (00:19:34) Customer Development and Adjusting the Offer ● (00:23:37) Founder's Responsibility for Growth ● (00:24:28) Founder's Role in Growth Until $5 Million ● (00:25:29) Following Strategies That Work for the Majority ● (00:26:41) Celebrating the Achievement of $1 Million in Revenue ● (00:29:18) Transitioning from $1 Million to $5 Million ● (00:34:07) The Importance of Team Composition ● (00:34:22) Shifting Focus to Managing a Team ● (00:39:19) Maximizing Profitability vs. Scaling Links: Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree Exploitative Play in Live Poker Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

Dan talks to Jordan Gal, founder of Rally and co-host of the Bootsrapped Web podcast about challenges in the ecommerce space, product-market fit and demand, partnerships and veto power, the quietness of crypto, risking other people’s money, and more… There’s one thing that founders tend to really struggle with when it comes to growing their business and that’s getting the right team in place. Listen as Jordan shows Dan how and why he fires unfit team members. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters (00:04:22) News Update (00:05:58) From Player to Coach (00:06:50) Jack Welch (00:12:10) Bootstrapping vs Raising Money (00:15:52) Product-Market Fit and Adjustments (00:18:57) Partnerships and Veto Power (00:20:42) Deciding When to Pivot (00:36:27) Firing and Personnel Decisions (00:43:30) The Quietness of Crypto (00:48:05) Challenges in E-commerce (00:57:30) Impact of Having a Family Links: Bootsrapped Web podcast Jordan on Twitter Rally Winning Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: A Shopify Software Business Success Story (Jordan Gal) How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

Dan & Ian talk to John Doherty, the founder of Editor Ninja, former owner of Credo, and cohost of the Working Sessions podcast about three major trends he’s seeing in the agency space that could impact your strategy and profitability for the year and beyond. John talks about the challenges of running a full-service agency, a shift towards specialization in productized services, the need for outsourced strategic layers, focusing on profitability, and more. Stick around for the guys to reveal six productized-service business ideas. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters (00:02:04) News with Dan & Ian (00:05:20) Introducing John Doherty (00:06:46) Starting Credo and EditorNinja (00:09:30) Trends in the Agency Space (00:11:27) Building a Strategic Program (00:28:10) Focus on Profitability (00:30:40) Importance of Work Quality (00:31:55) Categories for Business Opportunities (00:32:42) Software Quality Assurance as a Service (00:35:57) TikTok Titan: Leveraging TikTok for Business (00:38:54) SAAAS: Systems Automation as a Service (00:40:28) Managed VA Service for Social Media (00:43:57) Fractional Business Strategist (00:45:23) Financial Dashboard as a Service (00:50:44) Workbooks for Business Metrics Links: Find John on Twitter EditorNinja Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree Additional episodes you might enjoy: “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

Transitioning through the death zone requires careful execution and a focus on profitability. The $3 million dollar mark is a critical milestone for businesses, and many struggle to push through it. In this episode, Dan talks to Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! about how founders can push through the death zone (otherwise known as the messy middle) and grow their profit far beyond that $3M mark. Some of the common mistakes made by founders include not understanding profit truth, not investing in finance and accounting, and not effectively managing labor efficiency. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Chapters (00:00:39) Introduction and the Death Zone (00:05:26) The Impact of Paying a Market-Based Wage (00:06:53) Behavioral Economics and Profit Truth (00:10:34) The Definition of a Fully Capitalized Business (00:12:39) Transitioning through the Death Zone (00:13:16) The Three Steps to Business Success (00:15:04) Remaining Profitable in the Death Zone (00:15:50) Different Capital Profiles and Cashflow (00:16:53) The Emotional Challenge of Spending in the Death Zone (00:19:52) The Executional Problem of Growth (00:20:27) Getting Through the Black Hole (00:21:51) The $3 Million Mark (00:23:15) The Worth of Going Through the Zone (00:26:22) Managing a Marketing Agency Past $5 Million (00:31:16) Common Mistakes Made by Founders (00:33:25) Understanding Profit Truth (00:40:23) Investing in Finance and Accounting Links: - Apply to win a free ticket to DC Mexico! Simple Numbers, Straight Talk. Big Profits! Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz Additional episodes you might enjoy: How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

This week Dan & Ian share a few thought experiments you can do to improve your business and reach your next breakthrough. They cover the value of a writing-first culture, the Queen Bee Role & how transparent should you be with your team? Plus, a ticket giveaway to one qualified founder. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:41) Intro (00:01:33) Business-changing events for founders (00:10:54) Writing is more important than you think (00:14:57) Writing culture vs meeting culture (00:20:49) The Queen Bee Role exercise (00:32:37) Thoughts about sharing revenue with team members Links: Apply to win a free ticket to DC Mexico! Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz Additional episodes you might enjoy: The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

Going deeper on shiny object syndrome, Dan & Ian open the mailbag to read responses to last week’s episode. A listener shares his success story with shiny object syndrome, revealing how he pursues his entrepreneurial impulses without growing crazy. The listener emphasizes the value of muscle memory when it comes to going from zero to one successfully. Dan & Ian will also discuss how to use societal and scene shifts to gain traction on an idea and even build a successful business out of an idea that might seem a little stupid (to everyone else) at the time. Plus, we’re looking for our next TMBA team member! If you love reading and writing about business topics and think working alongside Dan & Ian might seem like fun (or a little stupid!), let's talk. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:54) Intro (00:01:13) If you love reading and writing about business, come work with us at the TMBA. (00:09:17) The two most popular roles that bootstrapped companies are hiring for right now and how much they're paying. (00:14:55) How founders get derailed by the Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect (00:19:50) Why even your heroes’ businesses are shit shows (00:20:33) How one listener channels his shiny object syndrome to grow his million-dollar business (00:26:27) What founders often regret about selling their business (00:30:30) Identifying societal disruptions can be a way for bootstrappers to be disruptive and successful (00:30:42) What Mark Manson, Patt Flynn, and Muhammad Ali have in common (00:39:54) Having a strong perspective could be what you’re missing Links: Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all) Join us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this May The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon The score takes care of itself (Bill Walsh) You can have two Big Things, but not three Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Dan & Ian delve into the complexities of combating shiny object syndrome, a challenge that plagues all entrepreneurs at one time or another (or all the time). They’ll talk about six strategies for tackling “the syndrome” and how to harness your skill of going zero-to-one to grow your business to the next level. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:33) Intro (00:03:05) How to connect with other founders by the beach (come to DC Mexico in May) (00:11:08) DC Black is now accepting new members year-round (00:17:54) Can shiny object syndrome be cured? Or am I doomed? (00:20:31) Why entrepreneurs are great at the 0 to 1, and how to apply that skill set towards the next phase of your goals (00:26:27) Six approaches to solving and harnessing your shiny object syndrome Links: Podcast producer job post Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all) Join us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this May The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon The score takes care of itself (Bill Walsh) You can have two Big Things, but not three Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

In this episode Dan uncovers The Ultimate TMBA Business: a productized service business built on a skill set. Tom Kent started his business based on a very specific skill set of his: he was good at getting jobs. Now Tom is the founder and CEO of Career Nerds, a 7-figure productized service that he’s doubling every year because of his precise lead generation strategies and very clear goals. In this episode, Tom gives us a roadmap for turning a skill into a powerful productized service business. Plus, how he avoids the distraction of other target markets and opportunities and stays focused on his goal. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:55) Intro (04:39:02) How to turn a skill into a business (06:16:09) Personal branding and networking strategies on LinkedIn (15:24:08) Scaling LinkedIn lead generation with a focus on targeting and outsourcing (19:12:00) Sales process and lead generation for high-dollar products (24:19:04) Sales strategies and conversion rates (30:27:09) Building a sales team and identifying a niche market (44:09:05) Influential books, networking, and travel Links: Career Nerds Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Vince Nguyen joins Dan to share how he resurrected his agency from semi-retirement and in the first month resumed making 5+ figures per client. He runs his agency solo and shares some of his biggest hacks for success. Vince essentially delivers a masterclass in running a successful solo-agency as well as how to improve Facebook Ads for your business (hint: it’s pretty simple!). But first, Dan & Ian have some fun catching up about some big company news and how to operate on a profit-first system from day one and why that’s actually critical for scale. They also talk about two trending ways for finding and connecting with customers that are leading to more sales, that you can implement as early as today. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:45) Intro (00:03:16) Profit first and financial modeling for businesses (00:07:53) Scaling your business with financial rigor (00:14:05) Hiring a full-time producer for the Tropical MBA podcast (00:15:33) The new DC Black coaches (00:19:10) Masterminds, business growth, and clarity of goals (00:25:46) Sold out an event in under an hour using WhatsApp (00:27:04) Why aren’t more businesses talking to their clients on WhatsApp? (00:32:32) Outsourcing SDRs in LatAm is what SEO was 10 years ago (00:49:04) Why more isn’t better when it comes to your agency’s skillset (01:02:58) How to get premium clients for your agency (01:20:55) Advice for running profitable Facebook Ads from an expert Links: Profit First Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! Hire an SDR in LatAm Growth Ninja Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan, Mike Michalowicz, Vince Nguyen Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Dan interviews business author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz, delving into the transformative concepts from Mike's books — "Profit First," "The Pumpkin Plan," Clockwork", and more. They explore the power of prioritizing profit and why most small businesses are often “crushed” by the owner. Mike discusses his concept of the Queen Bee Role and advocates for specialization to scale effectively. Stick around as Mike reveals the three horsemen that keep businesses right on the brink of success, often never finding breakthrough. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:49) Intro (00:07:10) Take profit first and hide it from the business to force it to run within expenses (00:13:35) Profit First case study: What happened to the Savannah Bananas (00:17:44) The most important function in a business is the one that supports the brand promise (00:23:53) Owners try to be the “superhero” instead of stepping back and building structure (00:29:33) A minority of customers represent the majority of profitability (00:30:20) Focus on becoming a specialist in your market (00:35:50) Each stage of growth requres different levels of management and leadership (00:38:03) Over-selling can lead to organizational death (00:41:50) Three common causes of businesses not achieving success Links: More about Mike Profit First The Pumpkin Plan Clockwork Fix This Next Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan, Mike Michalowicz Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

“Noah’s new book Million Dollar Weekend has so many nuggets for aspiring and mature entrepreneurs alike. Specifically, if you’re launching a new product, starting a new business, or you want to keep things simple for your team, you’ll find tangible guidance in this book.” - Dan In this episode, TMBA host Dan Andrews sits down with Noah Kagan to talk about operating an 8-figure company at scale, something Noah does every day as the CEO of AppSumo. Noah dives into specific processes around leadership, managing team members, setting achievable goals, making room for creativity, personal growth habits, and a whole lot more. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:33) Intro (00:02:47) Setting goals and managing expectations for a successful business. (00:07:43) Setting and achieving business goals with room for experimentation. (00:08:51) Tracking progress on goals and regularly reviewing progress to avoid anxiety and stay motivated (00:13:46) The importance of personal inputs relative to the company's top priorities, with each leader in the company having their own top three priorities to focus on. (00:15:02) Everybody can see everybody’s scorecards (00:17:34) Leadership means setting clear priorities and empowering others to choose their own destinations. (00:20:09) Motivating employees through optimism, rather than demotivating them with criticism. (00:22:03) The importance of consistency in personal and professional settings (00:25:15) Monthly leadership survey to gather feedback and improve as a leader, with a focus on providing solutions rather than complaining. (00:28:31) Core operational documents and processes needed to run a business (00:30:11) Find your own “AppSumo” way Links: Million Dollar Weekend Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Today Dan & Ian challenge you to consider: How durable is your revenue? They’ll explore the concepts of profit now vs profit later, investing profits to build durability, network effects, marginal profitability calculation, and more. But first, in some lighter conversation, Dan argues that setting smaller goals and reconfiguring your team meetings can lead to higher productivity and higher yield in your business. Plus, the 6 principles to a high-leverage meeting learned from running millionaire masterminds. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:43) Intro (00:02:15) A strategy for higher productivity and higher yield in 2024 (00:03:29) Focus on three things: Who, what, and when. (00:04:15) Make your meetings so good you could sell them (00:10:08) 6 principles we learned from running millionaire masterminds (00:11:34) Common blind spots for founders (00:13:34) “I don’t know how to set goals” (00:15:26) Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely (00:24:59) Are boring businesses as durable as they seem? (00:25:54) Investing profits to build durability & adapt fast (00:29:45) Profit now vs profit later Links: Jean-Baptiste Say The Bezos 6-page meeting Bill Gurly’s article 7 Powers Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan. Additional episodes you might enjoy: How to Have Your Best Year $$$Wise Ever Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

This week, Dan reveals a strategic approach to decision-making intervals for achieving top-line revenue and personal income goals. Join him as he explores how this decision-making cadence serves as a compass in navigating the challenging 'messy middle' of entrepreneurship. What’s the messy middle? You’ve found some type of product-market fit, customers are buying, and you've set revenue and profit goals. Yet, you lack an exit strategy, millions in your bank account, and an executive team running your company. In this episode, Dan invites you into his end-of-year meeting with co-founder Ian Schoen, unveiling the inner workings of their quarterly reviews. Discover the three key questions they always address and learn how this framework can guide you out of the messy middle, ensuring this is your best year money-wise ever. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:01:16) 14 years of the Tropical MBA (00:01:38) Setting and achieving business goals in the messy middle (00:05:01) The framework for 90-day quarterly reviews (00:07:30) Does your business make financial sense? (00:11:36) Do you have the right people in the right chairs? (00:21:55) Are you performing well in the business? (00:24:08) How to focus on the one thing you’re best at Links: Public Quarterly Review Framework Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan. Additional episodes you might enjoy: An 8-figure exit and revisiting the 1,000-day principle Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Can you make a life-changing decision based on assumptions you pulled off the internet? This question and many others are answered in today’s fascinating interview with two of Dan’s mentors and longtime friends. They recently exited one of their businesses (they’re still running the other!) for 8-figures, and they share the details of their process from deciding to sell, preparing for the sale, vetting acquirers, and what happens after. Hear how they spun up another business on the side and are maintaining the cash flow from that as they sit on the cash pile from the sale. But perhaps their biggest accomplishment is raising three thoughtful, curious kids while running their two incredible businesses and living all over the world in places like Bali, Costa Rica, Spain, and more. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:42) Intro (00:03:03) Revisiting the 1,000 day principle and questioning the 3,000 day principle (00:03:52) Career milestones in entrepreneurship (00:09:18) Maintaining pricing power in a productized service (00:10:24) Setting financial goals and getting real with personal expenses (00:16:36) Retirement planning with financial planners (00:19:05) Selling a business: approach to sales process (00:21:48) Selling a business: acquisition process and unexpected offer (00:28:59) Selling a business: legal and financial aspects (00:34:46) Selling a business: emotions and negotiation process (00:37:10) Scaling a new business and selling a golden egg (00:44:05) Parenting, wealth, and financial priorities (00:46:06) Raising entrepreneurial children Links: DC Mexico tickets Greenback Tax Service Cleer.tax Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan. Additional episodes you might enjoy: #733 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown #618 Exploring Alternative Education Options for Nomadic Families #565 The Origins of the 1,000 Day Principle

As 2023 comes to a close, Dan & Ian reflect on how their business did in 2023 and share some of their favorite moments from the year. They’ll also talk about what makes a compelling offer, the “non-obvious ways” to grow your business in 2024, and why you should dream bigger than the numbers when goal setting. But first, Dan shares the top business books and podcast episodes that inspired him this year just in time for your holiday travels. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:50) Intro (00:01:57) Dan’s favorite business books in 2023 (00:08:37) The podcast episodes that inspired business decisions this year (00:13:15) Gift list for entrepreneurs (00:19:36) An undervalued business-improving idea that anyone can do (00:31:09) Why did our tweet go viral? Our search for speakers and facilitators is turning into quite the contest (00:40:22) Our new product and how you can copy it (00:44:31) 2023 business updates (00:47:41) Favorite moments from the year Links: - DC Mexico tickets - DC Black Facilitator position - DC conversation cards Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models? Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More

Dan & Ian offer up some end-of-year thought experiments for founders, including how to re-visualize your business, capitalize on strategy, and ensure that you are in the right role in your business. Most founders assume they are the “executive” in the business, but more often than not, their daily behaviors are that of a director or manager. Understanding where you sit in your organization can make a huge difference in your ability to scale. Plus, explore the business diagnostic: what would a PE firm do with your business? A helpful exercise to get you thinking objectively about the decisions that need to be made in your business. Lastly, the guys relive the Mexico Meltdown, otherwise known as the DC Mexico launch. Tune in to hear what went down. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes (00:00:52) Intro (00:01:22) We’re hiring mastermind facilitators (00:02:20) DC Mexico meltdown (00:08:10) What would a PE firm do with your business? (00:15:32) Using org charts to change your business (00:26:47) New trends and a business idea (00:30:13) 3-year goal setting for year-end Links: DC Mexico tickets DC Black Facilitator position Personal budget spreadsheet Lighted par 3 golf courses are the future Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter Additional episodes you might enjoy: Can Org Charts Be Sexy? + NYC Drinking Stories What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models? Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio

Dan & Ian unravel the complexities of job titles and organizational frustrations post-DC Black event, offering solutions through org chart brainstorming, a new business idea, and how much you should be investing into networking strategies based on your income. Plus, see what UI and API score they give NYC after spending the weekend there. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:59) Intro (00:08:05) UI & API score for NYC (00:11:01) The danger of inaccurate titles for employees (00:18:55) How to use org charts as a brainstorming tool (00:25:47) New business idea: Be the money person (00:28:46) How much $$ to invest in your network (00:37:21) Meet us in Mexico in May Links: Get your tickets to DC MEXICO 2024 Jeremy Giffon on Invest Like the Best Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter Additional episodes you might enjoy: Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More The Freedom Line, 7+ Figure Founders, and Extended DCBKK Recap What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models?

In this special Tuesday edition of the pod, Dan & Ian make the hard sell for listeners to meet them in Mexico. If you’re into five-star resorts, good food, frosty drinks, and nerding out about your business, consider this your official invite. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:57) Meet us in Mexico Links: Get your tickets to DC MEXICO 2024 Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More The Freedom Line, 7+ Figure Founders, and Extended DCBKK Recap What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models?

This week, Dan continues delving into the world of coaching with a story about one company that provides highly paid professionals with a low-stress way to earn a living in the sunset phase of their careers. Dan also interviews Sarah Weaver, a real estate investor and entrepreneur, who has achieved an impressive monthly cash flow of over $10,000 from her real estate portfolio in under five years. Join us to glean insights from Sarah's journey, as she shares strategies for cash-flowing retirement through smart real estate investments. Sarah talks about how she bought 19 properties, the six metrics she evaluates before investing in a specific city, building a brand around her experience, and more. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes: (00:00:56) Intro (00:01:14) The DC Black event is happening now (00:01:44) A new Mexico event (00:02:30) Loom use cases for async companies (00:07:13) Ways to generate cash flow (00:10:15) The steps to 10K+ cash flow per month from rental properties (00:11:59) Cash flow investing vs appreciation investing (00:14:17) What metrics to look at before you invest in property (00:25:30) Don’t meet your heroes, get paid by them (00:28:43) House hacking from abroad (00:29:38) Building a brand around your personal experience (00:37:49) How to skip right past imposter syndrome (00:39:44) Mistakes people often make in real estate investing (00:41:53) The no-brainer bucket list experience you should go on Links: - Dcbkk recap - The Upwork Hustle w/ Sam Hill - CEO Coaching International - www.sarahdweaver.com - 30 Day Stay. Use SARAH for 10% off. Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models? Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio Mailbag: Hang-ups, Power-ups, and Cheat Codes for Entrepreneurs

All we can say is that it’s extremely powerful and extremely profitable. Dan and Ian nerd out on what might be the GOAT business model of all time. They analyze some of the best examples of said business model, and talk about ways that you can rip, pivot, and jam these ideas for your own business. Plus, two books you should pick up that Dan simply couldn’t put down. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes (00:00:45) Intro (00:03:11) What do you think of our vacation policy? (00:05:01) The GOAT business model with extremely high margins (00:09:08) The businesses doing this amazingly well (00:32:11) Why now is the best time to implement this strategy (00:42:00) Two books you should read over the holiday Links: Our PTO policy Traction Scaling Up Rachel Rogers IFS Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom The Ride of a Lifetime - Robert Iger Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter Additional episodes you might enjoy: Mailbag: Hang-ups, Power-ups, and Cheat Codes for Entrepreneurs The Freedom Line, 7+ Figure Founders, and Extended DCBKK Recap How to Build an AI Startup with Jodie Cook

Dan & Ian open up the metaphorical mailbag to answer some listener questions. They reveal cheat codes for bootstrappers and how to activate them, the top reasons people can’t scale to 7+ figures, and the difference between F U money and Freedom Line money. All that and more, including a big announcement regarding Ian’s car collection. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes: (00:01:08) Intro (00:02:42) The major ways people fail to scale their business beyond 6 figures (00:18:44) The Cheat code for entrepreneurs (00:30:22) What do you do with the F U money (00:39:09) How to get the most out of a business community (00:43:02) The community space has changed… sort of (00:46:48) What’s next for our community (00:48:27) Power ups for entrepreneurs (00:52:31) Dan’s definition of an entrepreneur (00:55:51) It always comes back to the entrepreneur-mobile Links: [Before the Exit](- Before the Exit) Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter Additional episodes you might enjoy: [4 types of business coaches for 7+ figure founders and reflecting on our 15-year partnership](4 types of business coaches for 7+ figure founders and reflecting on our 15-year partnership) [Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio](Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio) [Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits](Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural)

This week Dan & Ian talk about a topic that came up countless times at this year’s DCBKK: Whether to exit or stay in your business. They’ll revisit frameworks from their book Before The Exit and discuss how to figure out what's best for your business. After that, Dan chats with DCBKK Master of Ceremonies Adam Palmeter about his experience at this year’s event compared to years past. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Links: Apply for DC Black DCBKK Recap Video Sam Corcos on Tim Ferriss Adam Palmeter Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter Additional episodes you might enjoy: Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More 5 Things Founders Often Misunderstand about Exiting Their Business Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio

Dan & Ian are back in Austin and have fully recovered from what was the biggest event in DC history: DCBKK 2023. Over 400 entrepreneurs gathered in the world-class city of Bangkok to swap stories, participate in masterminds, and fuel each other to reach new business heights in 2024. In the episode, they covered many topics, including a framework for analyzing locations by their UI versus API, why Thailand's UI beats America, and what’s next for DC Black, a community for 7 & 8-figure founders. Dan & Ian also share their biggest conference takeaways, some of their business strategy for 2024, and three trends happening in the community and the industry at large. Stick around for some of their favorite stories from DCBKK 2023. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes: (00:01:42) Intro (00:02:32) The UI vs API of a location (00:15:06) DC Black re-opens (00:19:09) Conference woes and funny stories (00:24:14) Pulling the CEO card backfires (00:32:39) We have a branding problem (00:35:27) We had the horsepower to run an epic event (00:36:40) The space is more competitive than ever (00:39:35) Increased financialization in the bootstrapping space (00:43:58) It’s time for the 3,000 day principle (00:48:15) Favorite DCBKK stories Links: Apply for DC Black Does the American Dream Still Make Sense? What’s Up With Austin? Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: 4 types of business coaches for 7+ figure founders and reflecting on our 15-year partnership Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits

This week, Dan is joined by a listener who wrote in with some compelling insights on community, camaraderie, and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Anthony Fosano, founder of Engineering Management Institute, built a 7-figure brand with a coaching business and a YouTube and podcast network that has garnered over 3 million downloads. They cover many topics like how to leverage skills and resources from your full-time job to start your own business, how to build a business around a very niche audience, and why many entrepreneurs might find themselves coming “full circle” in search of community. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes (00:01:07) Intro (00:03:43) Start a business using your existing skills (00:08:18) Start the hustle before you quit your day job (00:11:51) Build for scale from the get-go (00:14:41) Playing the podcast long game (00:16:52) Make sure your brand represents the right audience (00:23:00) What playing sports says about us as entrepreneurs (00:33:02) What it takes to be successful Links: Engineering Management Institute Engineer your own success The Good Life The Score Takes Care of Itself Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Anthony Fasano Additional episodes you might enjoy: Hyper Niche Business Ideas with Big End Game Potential Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits

This week Dan invites Dana Lindahl, founder of Legendary Podcasts, as a special guest on the pod. They’ll discuss how you can generate cash flow and demand for your product immediately using cold email and identify high-earning potential business ideas by seeking out hyper niches. They’ll also talk about the difficulties of running service businesses, plus the opportunities and the end games, including a strategy called the “Split and Sale.” Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes (00:01:09) Intro (00:03:22) How to get on a podcast (00:07:18) Stumbling into a business idea (00:11:05) What is the arbitrage window (00:21:55) Cold email as a profitable skillset (00:22:20) The new wave of cold email pitches (00:23:56) The best marketing channel for service businesses (00:26:27) How not to suck at email personalization (00:35:04) New business idea (00:44:59) The split and sell method (00:47:35) TMBA is on the blacklist Links: Legendary Podcasts Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl Additional episodes you might enjoy: When Your Lifestyle Business Can No Longer Support You The Problems Of Being Both An Arsonist And A Firefighter As A Business Owner 4 types of business coaches for 7+ figure founders and reflecting on our 15-year partnership

Ian and Dan agree that partnerships can create polarized outcomes, either leading to a successful collaboration or a complete failure, depending on a few essential factors they’ve learned over the years. Find out whether they think business partnerships are a net positive or negative amongst the most successful businesses we've seen, and why every partnership would benefit from a business coach. Stick around for a free business idea ripe for the taking. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show notes: (00:00:43) Intro (00:02:09) Who speaks at DCBKK? (00:02:31) Why getting in the right room can be the best thing you ever do (00:06:36) The highs and lows of business partnerships and if it’s right for you (00:07:29) Pros and cons of 50/50 partnerships (00:07:41) Questions to ask yourself before you get a business partner (00:21:19) Dan’s experience with business coaches takes a positive turn (00:25:46) How business coaches can help your business partnership (00:26:08) Types of business coaches and their roles (00:30:56) Here’s a free business idea (00:31:47) Tell us how you did it on the TMBA podcast (00:32:17) Shout out to DCBKK sponsors Links: Mark Zhang Einar Vollset Lucy Simkins Patt Flynn Internet Business Mastery DCBKK is happening next week DC Black reopens in November Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: Business Partnerships and 6-Figure Launches: A Conversation with Mark Webster TMBA 693: 5 Things We’ve Learnt From Speaking With 50 Business Owners Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits

This week, Dan & Ian talk about the early days of digital nomadism, what it says about the future, and how to spot new opportunities in life and business. They'll also explore new topics like compound startup theory, why focus can steer you in the wrong direction, and whether TikTok is the blue ocean Amazon was in 2014. Stay tuned to learn about the new AI feature, enabling founders to make connections more swiftly than ever. All this and more in today's fully booked episode, so buckle up and charge your earbuds. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:53) Intro (00:02:58) Childhood lessons that helped us succeed in business (00:08:35) The biggest DCBKK in history (00:10:55) Dan & Ian’s travel tips & never agains (00:13:22) The new AI feature that helps you connect with relevant founders instantly (00:16:04) Is TikTok what Amazon was in 2014? (00:20:39) The problem with limiting definitions and the theory of the compound startup (00:28:20) Reacting to Steph Smith’s take on the history of digital nomadism (00:30:20) A brief history of digital nomadism from our perspective (00:45:54) What does the future look like for digital nomadism? (00:48:40) Why understanding key trends ahead of their time can make for a highly successful business Links: The Secret Dave’s Vice segment about dumpster diving Dave’s business - Herb Kelleher on Founders The Elon Musk biography Steph’s episode TMBA History of Digital Nomadism James Clarke’s Full History Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber Additional episodes you might enjoy: The History of Digital Nomadism Digital Nomad Cities for 2023 and Choosing Between ‘Scaling Up’ And ‘Traction’ Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits

Dan & Ian react to a viral article that asks the question: Does the American Dream still make sense in 2023? They point to the internationality of the concept, and muse about how the American Dream is changing and how it’s particularly relevant to digital nomads and founders. Dan also gives a rundown of the Elon Musk bio and extracts the business lessons he gleaned from the book. Lastly, with DCBKK less than a month away, Dan & Ian reminisce about why they started this event in Bangkok over 10 years ago, and why it’s still worth the trip. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:03:12) You can find community in different places - hobbies, church, work, or the DC (00:08:04) The reason we went to Asia and not Silicon Valley back in the day (00:10:20) Is Asia the land of opportunity? (00:14:47) Choosing the prestigious career track or the DIY track (00:16:22) What’s going on with DC Black? Our community for 7 & 8-figure founders. (00:21:20) Breakdown of the Elon Musk bio and The Algorithm (00:33:32) Does the American Dream still make sense? Links: Does the American Dream still make sense? The Elon Musk biography Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour Additional episodes you might enjoy: Moving Back to America… Was it Worth It? Brian Balfour’s $33M Growth Insights: Product-Market Fit, Durability, & Knowing Your Natural Limits Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships

Join Dan for a wide-ranging conversation with Brian, the Founder and CEO of Reforge, as they dive into critical points in his remarkable journey and gained insights from his experience as the former VP of Growth at Hubspot. Brian has started multiple VC-backed companies and shares his wisdom through detailed essays on growth and user acquisition and in a new podcast, Unsolicited Feedback. In this episode, they discuss the factors contributing to growth, what it feels like to have product-market fit, and the keys to building a durable business. They also address the unique challenges bootstrapers face when scaling their revenue to the next phase. Brian's valuable insights are essential for any business founder seeking business growth. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:04:38) Do podcast appearances drive business value? (00:07:38) People follow people, not companies. (00:09:39) What is distribution, and why is it important? (00:10:15) The new distribution playbook (00:17:46) Explaining how the loop concept leads to compounding growth (00:19:36) Know when the buying moments happen and ensure you’re engaging until they do. (00:23:13) How important is founder talent in terms of business success? (00:24:31) Founders need to focus on the 0-1 phase. (00:27:23) “Data can mislead you from customer energy” (00:28:34) Mistakes when trying to unlock the next level of growth0:26:25 Critical customer feedback vs. nice-to-have ideas (00:30:25) That feeling when you find product-market fit (00:38:47) Do you stay or do you grow? (00:39:11) How to build a durable business (00:41:05) Retooling after raising capital (00:42:48) Taking calculated bets on the quest for growth (00:49:46) How to get the most out of on-the-job experience (00:51:28) The best content Brian’s consumed lately Links: Reforge Unsolicited Feedback Business Hypothesis Canvas Brian’s essays Brian on 20Growth Brian on Noah Kagan Presents Brian on Scale or Die The Changing World Order by Ray Dalio Parker Conrad’s Theory of the Compound Startup Acquired Podcast Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour Additional episodes you might enjoy: What Got You Here Won't Get You There Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships 3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business

Dan and Ian host a dynamic summer roundup episode, sharing business highlights, dissecting the "nomad's dilemma," and offering their top picks for books and podcasts of the season. Stick around for the latest community news. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:01:54) How to have relationships back home and abroad (00:03:56) Co-locating makes everything better (00:09:51) The anti-Traction manifesto (00:12:12) How to work ON not IN your business (00:16:57) Having goals is crucial at any size (00:23:24) Why you should get serious about meetings (00:30:51) Having an audience is underpriced (00:34:12) Serendipity is underrated (00:35:21) Creating value for your customers in the long term (00:41:03) A true story about entrepreneurship (00:44:59) Our first DC Black exclusive event has launched (00:45:32) Other Community News Links: DC Events DC Black The Costco episode Jeremy Giffon episode Mutiny on the Bounty Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: Moving Back to America... Was it Worth It? Mailbag: What Can Scorecards Do For You? Equity Split Dilemmas The Money Theory of Location And Why Employee Scorecards Are So Helpful Deceptively simple ways to have a better business

YouTube creator, English teacher, and CEO Lucy Bella Simkins joins Dan on the pod to share some of the behind-the-scenes challenges, strategies, and reflections on turning a passion project into one of the world’s largest language learning YouTube channels and a thriving 7-figure+ business. She also shares the challenges and pitfalls of building an operation of 15 team members capable of turning viewers into customers. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:06:32) Nurturing your audience (00:08:02) Growing a course business (00:16:06) The turning point (00:22:44) Maker vs manager (00:43:07) The spreadsheet experiment Links: DC Events English with Lucy Data Driven Marketing Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins Additional episodes you might enjoy: What Got You Here Won't Get You There Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships 3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business

Summer in Barcelona comes to a close with a game of Would You Rather featuring the CEO of AppSumo, Noah Kagan. Dan challenges him to choose between distributing equity to employees or advisors, investing in “boring” businesses or tech, owning or renting a primary residence, and more. Dan also poses a question to listeners that’s been on his mind: how long should summer vacations be? Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:23) Sports over 40 (00:03:59) Vacation poll (00:08:26) Would You Rather (00:32:37) Community news Links: DC Events DC Black Darren’s essay AppSumo 37 Signals profit share Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: What Got You Here Won't Get You There Overrated and Underrated Business Concepts with Noah Kagan Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships The Europe Question

Dan flies solo this week in a 3-part episode where he circles back to a few hot topics that caught some listener’s attention over the last few months. Back in May, Dan shared insights from a book he read called the 5 Types of People Who Will Ruin Your Life. Today he’s sharing a recent story where this came into play. He also shares lessons from the best business book he’s read in the past 6 months (of which he reads about 3 each week). And last but not least, he reaches into the mailbag to share a story from a listener about their Mexican Fisherman Moment. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:44) Too old for basketball (00:04:33) Personality disorders (00:11:07) Leadership (00:24:30) Mexican Fisherman Links: DC Events DC Black Language Mentoring Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz The Checklist Manifesto Scorecards Traction Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: TMBA 688: Mailbag: What Can Scorecards Do For You? And Equity Split Dilemmas TMBA 695: The Money Theory of Location And Why Employee Scorecards Are So Helpful TMBA 707: Deceptively simple ways to have a better business TMBA 702: Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships TMBA 689: Re-visiting Our Conversation with Seth Godin

Dan raises the question: if you only had to implement one simple framework to improve your business, what would it be? In other words, what’s your minimum effective dose of operational practices? Sometimes–most of the time–one simple change can make a huge difference. Today’s guest represents this line of thinking to a T. Lydia Machova talks about the ROI of spending a month implementing one simple idea, developing an integrator/visionary relationship, and the minimum effective dose of operational practices that improved her business. Lastly, Dan & Lydia talk about how founders often confuse assistance with delegation and how Lydia built an operating system that empowers her team to take ownership, solve problems, and send fewer Slack messages. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:02) Systems are too complicated (00:04:23) Scorecards, scorecards, scorecards (00:07:20) Delegation vs assistance (00:08:32) DCBKK updates (00:13:42) Becoming an entrepreneur (00:21:48) Perfect integrator (00:27:07) ROI of process (00:37:25) Meeting tempos (00:39:09) Accountability chart (00:42:46) The issues list (00:48:05) Get out from under Links: DC Events DC Black Language Mentoring Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz The Checklist Manifesto Scorecards Traction Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: TMBA 688: Mailbag: What Can Scorecards Do For You? And Equity Split Dilemmas TMBA 695: The Money Theory of Location And Why Employee Scorecards Are So Helpful TMBA 707: Deceptively simple ways to have a better business TMBA 702: Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships TMBA 689: Re-visiting Our Conversation with Seth Godin

Dan and Ian give the inside scoop about their upcoming events strategy and the realization that prompted them to relaunch their hiring search not for an events planner but a business-minded community organizer. In light of resetting the event strategy for 2024, Dan also chats with the DCx London hosts Seonaid Beckwith, Noel Andrews, and John Ainsworth about how they pulled off one of the best all-time DC events in London last month. They also give their thoughts in response to a listener's email: should you optimize for revenue growth, profit growth, or both? Dan and Ian share frameworks for thinking about this and how they think about revenue and profit in their business. Plus, stick around til the end for a first-timer's guide on how to max out your DCBKK experience if you're going (or thinking about going) for the first time. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:40) Profit vs revenue (00:06:05) Revenue growth to exit (00:06:35) Conflating profit with personal income (00:07:21) The Bezos strategy (00:08:19) Profit first (00:12:35) Classic systems (00:14:00) Superhero profitable (00:15:50) ROI framework (00:21:44) Our 2024 event strategy (00:24:18) Join our team (00:30:05) How to throw a great event (01:05:53) First-timer’s guide to DCBKK Links: Join our team DC Events DC Black 7 Powers by Hamilton Helmer Profit First by Mike Michalowicz The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: TMBA 688: Mailbag: What Can Scorecards Do For You? And Equity Split Dilemmas TMBA 702: Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships TMBA 689: Re-visiting Our Conversation with Seth Godin TMBA 711: “Money is Your Responsibility” + News Updates TMBA 707: Deceptively simple ways to have a better business

Dan Andrews (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA) talks to Coachvox.ai founder Jodie Cook (https://twitter.com/jodie_cook) about her methods for building an AI startup from scratch, how to have the most productive and enjoyable month of your life and more. Jodie is full of experience and wisdom, and this was a fun one. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:09:42) The Lifestyle Design Game (00:18:29) Being a Change CEO (00:23:47) Building an AI coach (00:28:19) Client Alignment (00:35:16) Team User Manuals (00:40:25) Work & Wellness Holiday (00:45:36) Polarized Travel Links: Coachvox AI AI business coach How to think like a founder How Elon Musk solves problems How to use AI to revolutionise your business The biggest business challenges for ENTJ / INTJ entrepreneurs Living on a beach resort Ten Year Career Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: TMBA 627: Building an Agency You Can Exit From TMBA 702: Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships TMBA 678: Evolving An Agency, With SaaS Mistakes Along The Way TMBA 712: Business Partnerships and 6-Figure Launches: A Conversation with Mark Webster TMBA 707: Deceptively simple ways to have a better business

Dan Andrews (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA) talks to Authority Hacker co-founder Mark Webster (https://twitter.com/markwebster1) about successfully transitioning from an agency model to a multimillion-dollar course business. They talk about navigating 50/50 partnerships, why starting a course business isn’t for everyone, and what you can build with a laptop, a dream, and cheap accommodation. Dan & Ian’s Stuff: The Newsletter “The DC” DC Black Global events Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow on Instagram @TropicalMBA @AnythingIan Show Notes: (00:00:00) Intro (00:11:01) The audience is the hard part (00:18:47) The start of authority sites (00:28:52) Becoming business partners (00:35:38) Outgrowing your agency (00:44:59) Getting to 7-figures quickly (00:50:40) 50/50 partnership pros & cons (00:56:48) You made it, now what? Links: ● Authority Hacker: https://www.authorityhacker.com/ ● The Ultimate Product Launch Plan: https://videofruit.com/blog/product-launch/ ● American Icon: https://www.amazon.com/American-Icon-Mulally-Fight-Company/dp/0307886069 Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan Additional episodes you might enjoy: TMBA 706: 5 Things Founders Often Misunderstand about Exiting Their Business TMBA 702: Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships TMBA 695: The Money Theory of Location And Why Employee Scorecards Are So Helpful TMBA 678: Evolving An Agency, With SaaS Mistakes Along The Way

Two months ago, Dan & Ian were limited by their lack of visibility into their business finances. They fired their bookkeepers, hired a financial professional, and with their financial house in order, they’re able to agree on top-level strategies and move with speed. Plus, friend of the pod and financial expert Sam Hill (ecomcfo.co), shares what 7-figure agency owners should be paying for financial services and expertise. “It's your responsibility as the owner, period. It's the management's responsibility for the numbers. And if you're not getting what you want from the person that you've hired, whether it's in-house or outsourced, it's your responsibility to fix it.”

Dan and Ian have had hundreds of conversations with founders in 2023 so far. In today’s episode, they share two major challenges that are coming up for 6 and 7+ figure founders. They’re calling these challenges the Wheel of Despair and the Paradox of Growth. Contrary to what the popular business literature says about overcoming these challenges, Dan and Ian offer some alternative frameworks for how you as the founder can address them. “The secret is: that is not the question you need to answer. It is: where's the next million in revenue coming from? That is the question that needs to be answered. And I think that's where the bravery, the excitement, and the fear come in. You don't always know, and you’ve got to figure it out. That's your job as a founder.”

This week’s guest is a TMBA all-timer. Taylor Pearson is an entrepreneur, writer, and co-founder of Mutify Funds. He joins Dan to catch up on what he’s been up to lately, and shares five frameworks he’s adapting in his business after “messing up” over the last two years. “...like many people, I've sat down and read the business book and thought about the principles of the business and what are important and written them down and had this very nice, you know, Google Doc, with examples of these principles being followed and these principles not being followed. And I have put that Google doc into my nicely organized standard operating folder, and then that Google doc has sat there for months or years without seeing the light of day.”

Today’s guest is one of Dan’s favorite people to talk business with. Justin Tan grew his productized video-editing agency to 7 figures in 2 years and “retired” in 4. Now he helps burnt-out mid-6-figure agency owners become 7-figure passive owners without the 60-hour workweek grind. Join Dan and Justin as they geek out on the pumpkin plan, the trouble with blindspots, and some common mistakes business owners make. Justin just so happened to give Dan and Ian some pro bono consulting last summer in Barcelona, so they’ll chat about how that advice is panning out… Plus, we’re hiring an Events Manager to help us take our global community events to the next level. Head to dynamitejobs.com to apply or refer a friend. “You keep on promoting people you are familiar with because you like that dynamic. You are familiar with that dynamic. I am their boss, I tell you what to do. But at some point, you need to make that mentality switch. And this goes back to the operator owner where I tell them what to do. Instead, it needs to be they tell me what to do or what is needed, and I am the one who enables them to do that.”