Beyond A Million

Justin Donald is a low-risk cash flow investor whose strategies and principles for investing to earn passive income have helped thousands of people create wealth without creating a job. Before turning 40, he multiplied his net worth to over 8-figures in under two years, then doubled it again 2 years later. He quit his job, retired his wife, and started The Lifestyle Investor to help others achieve the life of their dreams. Justin has 20+ years of experience negotiating deals with hundreds of companies. He has invested in a wide variety of asset classes, including mobile home parks, self-storage, single-family, multi-family, land, private equity, startups, and more. His knowledge as an investor allows him to vet "invisible deals," get preferred terms and create unique opportunities—not only for himself but for his exclusive mastermind community.  Today, I'm sitting down with Justin to learn more about his investing philosophies and how he built a life by design, not by default. We talk about scaling his first company, his approach to hiring good people, return on relationships (ROR), and how he invests for wealth, freedom, and lifestyle. Key Takeaways with Justin Donald The recruitment and training processes Justin used to take his former company, IFM Restoration, from 0 to $10M in 16 months. Investing in mobile home parks and making 20-105% cash-on-cash returns in year 1. Justin's early success as a division manager for Vector Marketing and lessons learned from managing a team that generated $5-$10 million per year in sales. Ideas for recruiting top talent and how to use personality assessment profiles to hire the right people for the right roles. What Justin credits as being the top factors to becoming a better investor. How to allocate your time so you're not wasting it in the wrong places. Investing in real estate: limited partnership vs. full ownership. Why Justin is willing to take less profit and control in return for more time. The Lifestyle Investor Mastermind—an exclusive community of investors that get access to "invisible deals" that aren't available to the public. Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

In this episode, we sit down with the digital titan, Jonathan "JCron" Cronstedt. With over 20 years at the helm of executive leadership, JCron has been instrumental in the meteoric rise of ventures like Kajabi.com, helping to bootstrap the brand all the way to a $2 Billion Dollar Valuation. Dive deep as we discuss: • Embracing change in the tumultuous digital age. • The influence of industry stalwarts like Joe Polish on JCron's career. • Key strategies that have been game-changers in the SaaS world. • The significance of personal growth, mentorship, and taking calculated business risks. Beyond his illustrious career, JCron is a beacon for future entrepreneurs as the CEO of The Jonathan and Nicole Cronstedt Foundation. From business insights to life lessons, this conversation promises a treasure trove of wisdom. Follow Jonathan: Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cronstedt/ 

Join us in an exciting conversation with Brad Pedersen, an expert in the entrepreneurial world, who faced the insane experience of being ousted from the $60 million company he passionately built from the ground up. But that's not where Brad's story ends; it's where it truly begins. As the visionary co-founder of groundbreaking brands like Pela — which not only clinched the #9 spot on Canada's list of fastest-growing companies but also boasted an impressive valuation of $100M in 2020 — and Lomi, an innovative electric kitchen composter transforming food waste into fertile dirt, Brad's genius is unmistakable. Brad's journey isn't confined to the entrepreneurial realm. A formidable endurance athlete, his tenacity extends beyond boardrooms and into the most grueling physical terrains.  In this episode, we dive into the mechanics and mindset behind Brad's success. From the inception of a toy company that soared to dizzying heights of over $60 million, to the strategies crucial for budding entrepreneurs — this conversation is a deep dive into scaling past the 8-figure mark, mastering employee management, and embracing a growth mentality. So, if you're eager to glean insights from a man who's not only faced monumental challenges but also founded multiple 8-figure brands, this episode is a must-listen.

In today's episode, we dive into marketing, real estate investing, selling real estate education information, and what you should not do when it comes to the IRS.  Brad interviews Joe McCall, a successful real estate entrepreneur who has sold over $15 Million online through educational products and runs a successful real estate acquisition company.  You'll learn where and how to start investing in real estate, plus tactics for people already in the game who want to level up. Plus, the marketing strategies and sales tactics that Joe uses every day that can be applied to any business.  Joe had a close call with the IRS that almost landed him in jail, and he's got some advice for all of us.  Buckle up and get ready for another exciting episode of Beyond A Million. Joe's Links: 👉 https://joemccall.com/  👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8sDNJNfVFO9t7yTlTXnMFA 👉 https://www.realestateinvestingmastery.com/podcasts/   Time Stamps: 02:56: Background on Joe McCall 04:35: Marketing in the real estate education space 08:15: Best advice from real estate education gurus 13:00: Give more to get more, the law of reciprocity  17:55: Delivering value and borrowing influence for offers 19:04: OG marketers and their strategies 22:28: Solving problems with Psychology on through webinars 26:40: How Joe got into education products 27:46: Selling $15M online 32:33: How distraction is the enemy of Entrepreneurs  33:41: Real estate investment strategies 40:25: Why real estate is the strongest way to build wealth  44:20: How to make money with vacant land deals 56:13: Real estate fraud and 3 letter agencies  1:02:35: BIG trouble - IRS and jail time 1:13:11: How Joe worked it out with the IRS 1:22:38: Where to find Joe and his trainings  

On this episode of Beyond a Million, Brad Weimert interviews Lauren Tickner about the power of social media. They discuss how to use it to reach a larger audience, how to create content that resonates with followers, and how to measure success. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your social media presence. About Lauren: Founder & CEO of Impact School, Lauren Tickner was named by Forbes as a top 10 entrepreneur to watch and a "marketing genius" by the London Stock Exchange. Lauren's mission with Impact School is to empower Founders to turn their vision into a reality through Systematized Scaling, so they can get back into their zone of genius and change more lives around the world.   Social Media Lauren's Website URL https://impact-school.com/  Lauren's IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/laurentickner/?hl=en    Time Stamps: [00:03:47] Six words: Lost weight, created Instagram, quit job, found digital marketing. [00:07:14] Unemployable entrepreneur builds own business. [00:10:17] Transitioned from fitness business to current business. [00:13:38] Making money without tracking metrics. [00:17:51] Transition from fitness to social media consulting. [00:22:28] Monetize influencers' gold: done. [00:25:18] Influencers hard to work with. [00:28:38] Marketing evolves, business adapts: 6 words [00:32:09] Pivoted to multiple businesses, retained customers. [00:44:35] Reach more people, convert customers. [00:48:31] Testing pros/cons of conversion methods. [00:54:24] Living life through business: Six words [00:57:49] Living optimally, making money, giving energy. [01:03:07] Live interesting life to create content. [01:06:01] Spend money to save time, balance needed. [01:08:51] Hire to free up team's genius. [01:11:36] Leadership, sales, reward, success, marketing, fulfillment. [01:15:15] Empowering entrepreneurs to succeed.   Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

In this episode, join Brad as he interviews Ross Hamilton. They discuss Ross's journey from BMX biking to real estate, setting goals, and starting a tech business. Ross talks about creative real estate deals and growing Connected Investors. They share insights on entrepreneurship, selling a business, and adapting to change. Ross highlights the importance of planning an exit and shifting to software. He also talks about life after selling, AI in real estate, and his charity work. Plus, he mentions how Easy Pay Direct saved their business in a payment crisis, emphasizing reliable payments. Tune in for valuable insights into real estate and business. Ross Hamilton is a seasoned real estate investor who started young. He's done various real estate deals and is also into tech investments. As the CEO of Connected Investors, he's grown the platform to help real estate investors and disrupt the industry. Ross likes to share what he knows about real estate and tech, making a positive impact in both fields. HIGHLIGHTS: Ross's shift from BMX biking to real estate investing The importance of long-term goal setting How networking and mentorship shaped Ross's success Challenges faced when starting a tech business without prior experience Ross's creative real estate deal strategies Strategy for platform growth and partnerships The importance of planning an exit strategy Shifting from marketing to software and selling the company Ross's journey and philanthropy after the sale How Easy Pay Direct saved the day during a payment crisis SOCIAL MEDIA Ross Hamilton LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/cirosshamilton/ Ross Hamilton Email 👉 ross@successcap.com   TIME STAMPS: 00:00: Prelude 00:50: Introduction to Ross Hamilton 01:40: How Brad and Ross met 03:41: How you do anything is how you do everything 06:01: The importance of aligning yourself constantly 08:09: When did Ross start revisiting your goals? 10:06: The importance of reading your goals with emotion 13:57: How he started Connected Investors 16:46: How did he get started in real estate? 19:03: The importance of having a network of people 21:46: How Ross launched his company 26:37: How did you decide to white label software? 29:32: The importance of influencers and affiliates 31:01: The creation of a marketplace similar to lending tree 32:44: Buying traffic at scale through a platform 33:37: Check out easypaydirect.com. 36:23: You have to outsource the anxiety 39:03: Selling the company and finding investors 44:07: How Ross positions their company for sale 47:05: Why did they want to sell? 49:12: Whatever you're going to get up front could be all that you get 52:14: What would Ross have done differently in the negotiation of terms on sale? 54:24: The impact of AI in real estate software 58:23: Shifting into the next phase of his career 1:03:12: The story of how Ross started using Easy Pay Direct 1:05:34: Where to find more information about Ross Hamilton 1:07:01: How to support Beyond A Million 1:07:44: END   Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

In today's episode of "Beyond A Million", join Brad and Brian on an exciting entrepreneurial journey! Learn how to succeed in business by using your strengths, balancing work and life, and improving continuously. Brian shares smart tips for selling high-ticket products, focusing on happy customers, and shifting from coaching individuals to helping companies with purpose-driven leadership. Discover why matching your company's values with your employees' goals is vital and why being tough and learning from mistakes matter. Stay focused, don't get sidetracked by new opportunities, and make your entrepreneurial dreams come true with these valuable insights!   Brian Bosché is the CEO of The Millennial Solution and a former national journalist. He started his first successful company at the age of 26 with a laptop, a phone, and 50 dollars. Brian is an expert on purpose at work and a consultant who helps business leaders and companies (big and small) keep their top talent. He has personally consulted Fortune 500 companies and A-list celebrities and designed strategies for leaders looking to remain on top in this competitive talent market. Brian's clients include some of America's top companies, and he has helped them cut massive losses related to employee churn.   HIGHLIGHTS: Nurturing Passion and Strengths Throughout Business Growth Effective Task Delegation for CEOs The Importance of Visionary Leadership Teams Balancing Work and Life While Embracing Continuous Learning Prioritizing Strengths and Making Sacrifices for Success Aligning Company Values with Employee Goals Building Resilience through Learning from Mistakes Personal Growth as an Entrepreneurial Imperative   SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://www.brianbosche.com Social Media URL: Brian Bosché's FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/brian.bosche/ Brian Bosché's IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/BrianAndGab/ Brian Bosché's LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbosche/   TIME STAMPS: 00:00: Prelude 00:24: Introduction to Brian Bosché 02:51: Background of Brian's existing companies 05:09: How he found himself in a business talking about purpose 07:15: The four parts to purpose 09:01: Selling high-ticket products while depressed 12:45: When he met his mentor and started selling 14:58: Mentorship disorientation 18:03: Being ok with being ignorant or not knowing something 20:55: The purpose is to gather the best of what you have 22:43: Fulfillment is the result of helping others 25:35: Passion is the third element of your purpose 27:21: Respect your brilliance and never delegate. 30:37: The flow state is not normal. It's not a thing! 33:32: The four categories of a business 36:03: How Brian and Gabriella got into the business 39:51: Targeting corporate professionals and executives 42:26: Having a unique selling proposition and selling position 44:04: Leadership is influence 46:56: How did Brian think about redesigning the product? 52:00: The culture and performance 53:55: Creating psychologically safe environments 55:33: Creating a culture where it is okay to make mistakes 58:37: The current business model of the company 1:02:35: Brian's biggest mistake in growing a high-ticket B2C company 1:05:06: Winter seasons in life 1:07:39: How to find out more about your purpose 1:07:52: Like and subscribe to "Beyond A Million." 1:08:35: END   Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

2x Inc 500 founder, multiple 8-figure company owner, and YouTube expert Aleric Heck spills the secret sauce in this episode of Beyond A Million. At 14 years old, Aleric started his first YouTube channel and, within a year, was generating over $60k per year from tech videos he was filming at home.  But that was just the beginning… Tune in for Alerics YouTube advertising hacks and organic tactics that he used to grow his most recent channel to over 500k subscribers quickly. We'll dive into the inner workings of his company, "AdOutreach," an 8-figure brand helping entrepreneurs succeed on YouTube, where he's helping his clients generate over 9 figures in revenue.  If you will ever listen to anyone about YouTube advice, this is your guy! Aleric is committed to empowering entrepreneurs and has a track record of success in business, mentoring, acquisitions, and investments, all aimed at helping others positively impact the digital world.   HIGHLIGHTS: YouTube sensation with 550,000 subscribers Mastering AI for YouTube success From college to YouTube ads expert Scaling success with personalized guidance Game-changing keyword tool, "keywordsearch.com." Diverse business ventures and opportunities Balancing speaking gigs and business focus   SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://aleric.com/ Social Media URL: Aleric Heck's FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/AlericHeck Aleric Heck's IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/alericheck/ Aleric Heck's LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alericheck/ Aleric Heck's YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@AlericHeckYT   TIME STAMPS: 00:00: Prelude 01:09: Introduction to Aleric Heck 03:01: How did Aleric get into YouTube? 09:35: How did he look at the business at an early age? 12:49: The trajectory of his channel 15:31: How he got into affiliate marketing 18:11: How would Aleric adapt his approach to YouTube growth considering recent changes? 21:39: The complete beginners guides and AI contents 24:09: Leveraging AI to make content for YouTube 29:19: Running YouTube ads for mobile apps 31:10: Learning how to run ads through a funnel 34:14: Joining the Mastermind 36:20: The importance of understanding fundamentals 38:38: How to find mentors 43:10: Pivoting to a done-with-you model 47:10: The difference between courses and agencies 51:32: Scaling up his business 57:05: What is the maximum upside? 1:00:37: The fundamental steps of creating a YouTube ad 1:03:34: Is YouTube not the right choice for other industries? 1:05:55: The importance of having a product with strong margins 1:09:42: The three components of a good YouTube ad 1:11:21: Different types of hooks 1:14:58: The two main strategies in terms of the body 1:18:48: The difference between an infeed ad and an affiliate ad 1:22:36: Podcast webinar and retargeting 1:25:05: How did he get into the software space? 1:30:18: The evolution of keyword search software 1:35:39: Why did Aleric create the new tool? 1:40:21: The importance of having a speaking circuit 1:41:13: The challenge of saying yes to so many things and traveling so much 1:42:13: How to learn more about Aleric's company 1:42:51: How to Support Beyond a Million 1:43:35: END   Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

In today's episode, step into the world of RV business growth with Jason Haugen. Hear how he turned a $12 million store into a thriving company. Learn about the challenges of managing RV operations, from inventory to financing. Discover Jason's journey from Network marketing to RV industry CEO, and how he expanded even during COVID-19. Find out how teamwork and lessons from Network marketing contributed to his success. Get insights into RV sales and effective growth tactics. Jason also shares tough moments when economic factors hit the industry and entrepreneurs' lessons on business understanding.  Tune in for valuable insights on culture, leadership, and strategic hiring. Jason's innovative L1 to L5 employee rating system and fusion of personal development with business triumphs are not to be missed! Jason Haugen is the CEO of Haugen RV Group, initially entering entrepreneurship at 18 through Network Marketing. He achieved success leading a large team for six years before transitioning to the RV industry in 2019. He's been running the RV dealerships since 2018 and officially became CEO in 2020. Jason is dedicated to building exceptional teams and shares his passion as a speaker and host of the Culture Camp podcast, focusing on the importance of culture in various fields.   HIGHLIGHTS: Growth Story: Jason Haugen's journey from a $12 million RV store to a thriving business empire Transition Success: From network marketing to RV industry CEO, navigating challenges and triumphs Strategic Expansion: Acquiring stores and overcoming COVID-19 challenges Cultural Emphasis: Building strong team cultures from network marketing lessons Learning from Setbacks: Adapting to RV market downturns, focusing on stability Effective Leadership: Focusing on culture, using L1 to L5 rating for the team Personal Growth for Business: Translating self-development into tangible results RV Industry Insights: Unveiling unique RV sales world and growth tactics   SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://www.iamjasonhaugen.com/ Social Media URL: Jason Haugen's FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/culturecamppod Jason Haugen's IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/jasonhaugen/ Jason Haugen's LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-haugen-794689239/   TIME STAMPS: 00:00: Prelude 00:35: Introduction to Jason Haugen 03:29: The beginning of business for the RV Group 06:10: How did Jason get into Network Marketing? 11:10: Transitioning into the RV industry 17:10: What role did he play in the business? 20:14: The hardest business to run in the industry 23:04: The acquisition process 26:07: The profitability of finance 29:36: Valuing a business and lines of credit 33:55: The company shifted in the middle of 2022 37:45: What caused the significant shift in margins? 40:50: The demand side of the market relative to interest 43:15: Selling the business for its value 47:25: The gap between working in the business vs working on the business 51:50: What systems helped Jason run a $100 million RV company, and which ones are still working well? 58:35: Hiring the right people to build the culture 1:02:16: Criteria for an L5 accounting office 1:06:04: Character values are at the core of a good person 1:09:31: Lessons learned from Network Marketing 1:13:28: You gotta take action and get out there and do it 1:14:43: Where to find more information about Jason 1:15:05: How to support Beyond A Million 1:15:48: END   Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

DESCRIPTION: In this episode of "Beyond a Million", join host Brad Weimert as he sits down with Brian Moran, the CEO and founder of SamCart. Brian takes us through his incredible journey of bootstrapping his business and later securing $83M in series B funding in 2019.  Brian underlines the pivotal role of assembling the right talent in a software development crew and highlights the number 1 thing you should not do when starting a SaaS company. We also dive into his expertise as a digital marketer and funnel builder to bring you tactics that you can implement today.  Tune in to gain insights from Brian's experience in entrepreneurship and business development.   Brian Moran is a former college baseball player turned successful online entrepreneur. After studying marketing at Grove City College, he launched thetrainedbaseball.com, offering digital baseball courses. Brian excelled at creating efficient sales funnels and pioneered the "one-page funnel" strategy, boosting conversions with less effort. This approach not only covered his costs but also built a loyal audience through valuable content. He later founded SamCart, an e-commerce software company, quickly becoming an internet millionaire.    HIGHLIGHTS: Brian Moran's bootstrap journey to $83M in series B funding Precious mentorship advice for entrepreneurs Samcart and Creator U's tailored solutions for all business stages Brian's emphasis on assembling a proficient software development team The importance of media buying and paid advertising    SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://www.brianmoran.com/ Social Media URL: Brian Moran's FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/followbrianmoran Brian Moran's IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/brianmoran13/ Brian Moran's LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-moran-13836115/ TIME STAMPS: 00:00: Prelude 01:03: Introduction to Brian Moran 01:49: What is SamCart? 05:12: How did SamCart start? 12:15: Transitioning from course community to software 17:26: Choosing the Right Business Model 21:18: How did Brian think about building a software company? 23:50: How did he get his start at Samcart? 27:56: If you started a software company today, would you seek investor funds or fund it yourself? 31:36: Best advice from Tom Kulzer and Clate Mask 34:47: What was the business model of SamCart? 38:27: Would Brian have done the bootstrapping version differently? 45:30: Brian's biggest mistakes in building a software company 48:40: What are the components that Brian thinks are mission-critical? 52:47: How SamCart became a course platform 56:50: Learning from mistakes and moving on 59:39: How to find more information about SamCart 1:00:47: Support Beyond A Million 1:01:21 - END   Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

DESCRIPTION: In this episode of "Beyond A Million," Brad interviews Nathan Hirsch, the founder of FreeeUp.com. Nathan discusses his journey of growing his Amazon business to $5 million in revenue and creating FreeeUp, a platform for freelancers and virtual assistants. He highlights the significance of partnerships, SEO, marketing, and client relationships. Nathan shares insights about finding the right business partner or buyer, effective communication, and the agency model behind FreeeUp. Ultimately, he delves into the pros and cons of using virtual assistants, the transformative impact of podcasts on networking and exposure, and his business portfolio. Nathan Hirsch is a serial entrepreneur and eCommerce expert. He launched his first online business from college and has achieved over $30 million in sales. Currently, he's the CEO of FreeeUp.com, linking businesses with skilled freelancers. Nathan appears on popular podcasts like Entrepreneur on Fire, sharing online hiring insights. He also founded Ecombalance.com for e-commerce bookkeeping and OutsourceSchool.com to teach his hiring strategies.   HIGHLIGHTS: Nathan Hirsch's journey: Building a $5 million Amazon business and launching FreeeUp Virtual Assistants: Pros, Cons, and Building a VA Army Partnering for Success: The Importance of Partnerships and Finding Buyers Business Strategies: SEO, marketing, and client relationship insights Agency Model: Exploring FreeeUp's Unique Approach Podcast Benefits: Networking, audience reach, and SEO improvement Key Sale Moment: The life-changing offer that sold Nathan's business   SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://www.outsourceschool.com/nathan/ & https://ecombalance.com/ Social Media URL: Nathan Hirsch FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/FreeeUpNathanHirsch/ Nathan Hirsch IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/realnatehirsch/ Nathan Hirsch LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhirsch/ Nathan Hirsch Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/realNateHirsch TIME STAMPS: [00:00:01] Six Figures Beyond: Entrepreneurial Success  [00:05:41] Amazon to Free Up: Six Years, 25M Sold, Best Decision Ever  [00:13:05] Grow quickly with a referral program [00:19:29] Screening for skill, attitude, communication [00:25:57] Creating family, community, listening, treating well: Sold Free Up successfully [00:33:52] Sell business, maximize value, no regrets [00:38:48] Outsource for nomadic entrepreneur success [00:43:03] Hire VA's for structured roles [00:48:30] Six words: Transitioned from VA to bookkeeping [00:53:35] Hire, train, network, SEO, pitch, stories   Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥  

In this episode, we meet Kristi Herold, a passionate entrepreneur who built a successful business around the concept of fun. She started with the Toronto Sport and Social Club and later expanded through acquisitions. Even during the pandemic, she adapted and offered virtual events to connect people through play. Kristi emphasizes the importance of integrating play into the workplace for improved employee engagement and well-being. Her inspiring journey and practical tips show that having fun in business can lead to growth and a positive work culture. Join us as we deep dive into Kristi Herold journey and discover the incredible impact of play on personal and professional growth. You'll be inspired to create a more positive and engaging workplace while having a blast doing it! Kristi Herold is a dynamic entrepreneur who built her business around the concept of having fun. Starting with the Toronto Sport and Social Club, she maintained a balanced lifestyle while growing her venture. Later, she expanded aggressively through acquisitions, with a vision of leaving a lasting legacy. During the pandemic, she adapted to the virtual world, offering events that opened new opportunities in the corporate sector.  Kristi is passionate about integrating play, fun, and laughter into the workplace for improved employee engagement and well-being. Her focus on connecting people through play has led to heartwarming success stories, making her journey truly inspiring. HIGHLIGHTS Kristi Herold shares her inspiring journey of building a business around the concept of having fun. Achieved success through aggressive expansion and strategic acquisitions. Adapted during the pandemic with virtual events and corporate engagements. Creating career opportunities for her team and fostering a positive workplace culture. Sports and social clubs foster connections, leading to heartwarming success stories Kristi emphasizes the importance of integrating play, fun, and laughter into the workplace for improved employee engagement, mental health, and retention. She encourages businesses to create a positive and enjoyable work environment.   SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: http://kristiherold.com/book/ & https://jamgroup.com/press/ Social Media URL: Kristi Herold FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/kristi.herold.5 Kristi Herold IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kristiherold_/ Kristi Herold LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-herold-8a7180?originalSubdomain=ca Kristi Herold Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/KristiHerold TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Prelude 00:46 - Introduction to Kristi Harold 02:58 - Christie Harold's background 04:36 - From 2006 to 2016, she took a step back from his business pursuits  06:03 - Being depressed and realizing to survive by connecting with people through play 09:09 - The pivotal moment that led her to change her mind 11:35 - How much of the business was revenue when she first started 13:10 - The challenge of scaling the business in 2016 16:21 - The economics of the sport and social clubs business 19:27 - Taking sports leagues to the Metaverse 22:15 - How significant is the concern for sports-related injuries in social clubs? 25:21 - The economics and growth of the company and how they approached acquisitions 26:24 - The goal of acquisitions is to keep key teammates on board  28:19 - Looking for synergies from the head office 31:23 - The benefits of scale for players 33:00 - The difference between a better experience and facilities for players 34:29 - Working with strategic people  37:07 - The culture in the Sports League 40:27 - The importance of having fun in the workplace 42:30 - Invest a little bit of money and have some fun and put the play on your P&L 44:32 - The importance of having a company sports team 45:56 - Having a company choir, a rock band or a company rock band is a great recruiting tool. 47:09 - Shout out channels and banter channels 49:42 - The product offering and target market for play 53:59 - Where to get more information about JAM? 55:17 - How to support Beyond A Million? 55:52 - END  

Today, I'm talking with Jeff Walker—the creator of Product Launch Formula® and the pioneer behind the modern launch model that's driven over $1B+ in documented sales—to break down why product launches fail… According to Jeff, it almost always comes down to one thing: the offer. Not only does Jeff break down where failed launches miss the mark, but we pull on that thread to explore how launches have evolved over the years. What no longer works? What role does AI play? And how can entrepreneurs adapt as buyers get smarter and attention gets harder to earn? Jeff's been doing online business for nearly 30 years, and he's watched tools, platforms, and tactics come and go—and still, he continues to produce results while others chase what's new. This episode is not only about launches, it's about what actually holds up when you're building a business over the long game. Check it out!   Key Takeaways 00:00 Why Most Launches Fail 01:23 The Offer Is The #1 Lever 02:59 What Takes a Launch from Good to Great? 04:16 Delivering Value Before Reveal 05:28 The Origin of Product Launch Formula 14:43 The Core Elements of Product Launch Formula 20:10 What Launch Tactics No Longer Work? 25:54 The Challenge Model vs. Product Launch Formula 27:19 Why People Still Swear by the Product Launch Formula 31:20 Making a Difference in Peoples Lives 34:22 The Role AI Now Plays with PLF 37:33 Adventures as a Relationship Amplifier 47:21 Why Jeff's Leaving His Business to His Kids 48:21 Designing Wealth Around Freedom 56:45 Advice for New Entrepreneurs       Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T0f_WQkqEOY      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

For a long time, being in rooms (masterminds, events, paid groups) were incredibly valuable for me. That's where relationships were built, perspective expanded, and a lot of growth came from. But lately, I've been wrestling with whether that value still outweighs the cost—time, energy, relationships, broken routines, stepping away from the business, and more. And I know I'm not the only entrepreneur who struggles with this. That's why I'm sharing this unreleased, behind-the-scenes footage from my interview with Stu McLaren. In it, Stu explains the exact rules he's put in place to keep himself from being pulled in a hundred different directions when everything looks like a good opportunity. For him, this was critical, because without those rules, he knew he'd end up making WAY more money as an entrepreneur, but only at the cost of his family.  This conversation completely reframed how I decide what to say yes to. And I think it'll resonate if you're wrestling with the same thing. Enjoy!   Key Takeaways (00:00) Intro (01:00) Is Being In the Room Still Worth It? (01:47) The Cost of Being Away from Family (04:45) Why Travel Breaks Productivity (06:01) Calling BS On Nomad Efficiency (09:03) Stu's Framework for Deciding What to Say YES to (14:26) Why Rules Create Freedom   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mCwcdH_Kpus      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

If your revenue resets every month, growth is harder to predict, and harder to scale. That's why so many companies are moving toward a membership model. A lot of businesses assume recurring revenue doesn't apply to them. Today's guest has spent nearly two decades proving that assumption wrong. Stu McLaren has helped more than 20,000 entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and scale membership-based businesses across nearly every industry imaginable—and in this conversation, he breaks down how to identify where recurring revenue already exists in your business and how to structure it into a membership that actually works. Stu also shares the single biggest factor that determines whether members stay or leave in the first 30 days. Don't miss it!   Key Takeaways (00:00) Intro (00:45) Why Predictable Revenue Lowers Founder Stress (02:40) Why "Passive Income" Is A Misleading Idea (03:16) How To Tell If A Membership Will Actually Work (06:26) You Only Need One Signal To Move Forward (07:31) Why Subscriptions And Memberships Are The Same (14:43) Turning One-Time Buyers Into Monthly Revenue (17:34) The Real Reason Members Quit In 3–6 Months (23:03) What Actually Matters In The First 30 Days (24:12) Why Retention Is A Customer Experience Problem (48:44) How To Lock In Retention By Highlighting Wins (59:03) The Mindset That Keeps Entrepreneurs Moving     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J-qQWrV4AIg      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Physical security is a brutally competitive, commoditized industry. Most companies look the same, act the same, and sell for the same. Will Duke did things differently. And when it came time to sell, buyers lined up. He didn't just exit the core business. Along the way, Will built an internal software platform to manage and track thousands of security devices for customers. That platform eventually became its own SaaS company, and both businesses were sold as part of the same exit, at roughly double market value. In this episode, we break down how he differentiated in a crowded market, what actually mattered during the sale, and his repeatable process for investing smartly after an exit. If you want to understand what actually drives valuation, and why buyers were willing to pay a premium for Will's business, this episode is definitely worth your time.   Key Takeaways (00:00) Intro (00:45) Building a Business Over 20 Years (03:00) Selling Outcomes, Not Security Hardware (08:19) Using Data to Differentiate (14:00) The SaaS Tool that Became a Competitive Advantage (21:45) Video Surveillance for Small Business Owners (26:20) Advice for Entrepreneurs Exiting a Business (31:02) Exiting Two Companies at the Same Time (33:46) How to Use AI Before Talking to Attorneys (35:39) Maximizing Exit Value Through Culture & Core Values (43:07) Learning How to Invest Post-Exit (46:12) A Repeatable System for Vetting Investments     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XhpaE31zOg0     Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Today, I'm sitting down with Larry Walshe, founder of Larry Walshe Studios, a global event design firm producing large-scale, luxury weddings and private events for ultra-high-net-worth families, celebrities, and royal households. While Larry's roots are in floristry, his work goes far beyond flowers. His studio designs fully customized experiences—shaping the creative vision, transforming spaces, and defining how guests experience an event—while bringing together specialized artisans from around the world to execute complex, high-stakes productions. In this episode, Larry breaks down what it actually takes to build and protect a premium brand at the top end of the market, how he orchestrates massive productions with a small team, and why learning to say no early was essential to attracting the right clients and scaling without lowering the bar. If you're building a service business or premium brand and want a clearer sense of what it takes to operate at the highest level, this conversation offers a grounded look at how that kind of work actually gets done.   Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 00:55 Why Saying No Builds a Luxury Brand 03:28 Don't Chase Revenue That Dilutes Your Brand 07:08 Consistency Is the Real Competitive Edge 08:20 Why High-End Clients Pay 10X More 13:07 Defining the Client You Actually Want 17:24 How to Shift Into a Higher-Paying Client Category 19:37 Inside Multimillion-Dollar Events 22:10 Running Global Operations With a Small Team 26:23 Becoming the Creative Director, Not the Doer 33:01 Managing Clients Who Want the Wrong Thing 35:03 The Sales Approach That Works at the Top End 40:02 When to Walk Away From Work 45:04 Handling Last-Second Client Demands 52:00 The Non-Negotiable's of Elite Client Work 57:15 Larry's Advice for Founders Moving Upmarket     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kmYqmgFjDIM     Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Amy Simmons is the founder of Amy's Ice Creams—a beloved Austin institution with 19 locations built over 41 years—not through franchising or rapid expansion, but through deep community roots, creative culture, and an unshakeable commitment to people first.  In this conversation, Amy shares how she grew the company without franchising, avoided national rollout, and even allowed each store to operate with its own personality. We get into the role theatrical customer service plays in the brand, how open-book management teaches financial literacy and strengthens decision-making, and why staying regional became a strategic advantage. We also talk about real estate, vertical integration, and how hyper-local partnerships helped turn Amy's into a fixture of Austin rather than just another ice cream shop.  If you're interested in the kind of business that grows deeper instead of wider, Amy's story offers a very different—and very successful—approach to scale.   Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:10 What Makes Amy's Ice Cream Different 02:54 Small Community Gifts That Drive Big Returns 04:01 Why 350 Rotating Flavors Actually Work 08:39 Prioritizing Customer Feedback Over Sales Data 11:32 The Secret Behind Amy's #1 Top-Selling Flavor 13:52 Managing Supply Chain Shortages Without Losing Quality 15:14 The One Flavor Austin Refused to Let Her Remove 16:05 Hiring With Creativity: The Paper Bag Application 19:14 How Amy Identifies the Right People for Her Culture 21:15 The Experience Matters More Than the Ice Cream 21:47 How Showmanship Became an Amy's Trademark 24:44 The System Behind Amy's Creative Culture 27:55 The Power of Open Financials in a Small Business 33:53 The ROI of Teaching Money Skills to Employees 36:27 Why Amy Refused to Franchise or Expand Globally 46:35 Growing Deeper, Not Wider: Amy's Approach to Expansion 52:59 How Your Business Can Increase Real Estate Value 57:22 The Moat That Protects Amy's From National Chains 58:43 Advice for Entrepreneurs Facing Imposter Syndrome 1:00:00 Amy's Take on Austin's Growing Pains     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gU5eigqFtns      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Most founders dream of selling their company once. John Arrow sold the same company twice. He bootstrapped a mobile product development firm (Mutual Mobile) in college, scaled it to 300 people, and pushed nearly $50M a year in revenue. But the real unlock came from one bold decision: moving upstream into enterprise clients. Prior to that, his model was unsustainable. He and his co-founders made the decision to fire all of their customers and only work with companies with a spend of at least $1M/year. That's when their company took off.  In this episode, John breaks down the decisions that unlocked explosive growth, the typical traps most founders never see coming, and why selling a services company is far more about timing and terms than topline revenue.  You'll hear why he and his co-founders turned down a $100M offer, the minority deal that allowed him to take chips off the table, and how John was able to come back as CEO years later to orchestrate an 8-figure exit.   Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:05 How He Started & Scaled Mutual Mobile 02:55 Why Shifting to Enterprise Clients Changed Everything 07:48 What Uber Taught Him About Testing Ideas Fast 09:34 The Pros & Cons of Using AI and No-Code to Prototype 11:04 The Life-or-Death App That Validated Their Model 14:20 How Mutual Mobile Found Its Identity Along the Way 16:47 The 2nd Dumbest iPhone App of All Time 20:22 An Unusual That Attracted Enterprise Deals 24:56 Why Austin's Tech Scene is a Recruiting Goldmine 29:22 The Real Economics of Owning a Private Plane 44:47 How He Ended Up Selling the Same Company Twice 53:06 The Earnout Terms That Actually Matter 55:43 Creating AI Software with Zero Censorship 57:42 Why Operators Make Better Investors 58:57 When (And When Not To) Invest in Side Ventures 01:01:50 John's Advice for Entrepreneurs in the AI Era     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zHnqoPxen0k      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Robin Alex is the co-founder of HighLevel, a marketing automation and CRM platform that has grown to more than two million users since launching in 2018. The company scaled rapidly—doubling and tripling year after year—largely through a white-label model that allows agencies and implementation partners to resell the platform under their own brand. HighLevel now operates with roughly 2,000 employees worldwide and continues to ship new features, including AI-driven tools, at an unusually fast pace. In this conversation, Robin talks through the real reason HighLevel gained traction, how they've structured support to handle growth without a sales team, and why simplicity always wins.  He also shares how they prioritize product development and decide what to build, what to ignore, and how to test ideas quickly.  The episode offers a clear look into the operational principles behind HighLevel's rapid growth, its product philosophy, and how the team continues evolving the platform for agencies, implementers, and small businesses.   Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 00:58 What Really Drove HighLevel's Early Growth 03:20 The Breakdown of HighLevel's User Base 05:47 Handling Customer Support at Scale 07:45 Leveraging AI to Improve Customer Support 09:12 Growing to 2,000 Global Employees 10:33 The Biggest Downside of White Labeling 12:24 Why the Best Product Doesn't Always Win 14:04 The Real Key to Faster Customer Outcomes 15:02 The Fastest Path to Early Agency Revenue 17:11 How HighLevel Decides What to Build Next 21:48 How HighLevel Users Are Leveraging AI Today 25:49 The STL Framework for Implementing Quickly 30:40 Why They Only Plan One Quarter at a Time 32:17 How the Three Founders Divide Responsibilities 38:10 Why They Raised Money Despite Not Needing Capital 43:19 The One Thing Agency Owners Need to Stop Doing     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u1_hXrRTbho      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook