Imagine going from working warehouse shifts to keep your family afloat to owning a portfolio of over 140 rental units and multiple laundromats. That’s Brandon Turner's real-life story, and it’s one you have to hear. He found a secret most online gurus miss: while everyone’s chasing the same digital dreams, real wealth is hiding in 'boring businesses' with way less competition.In this chat with our host Ryan Atkinson, Brandon gets super specific on how he built his empire. He walks us through his playbook for buying a business, using creative finance, and setting up brilliant business scaling systems so he only works a few hours a week. If you're looking for a realistic path to passive income, finding business ideas, and achieving genuine financial freedom, this episode is a total game-changer. It’s your sign to stop scrolling and start building something real.Takeaways:- True wealth is often built in "boring businesses" like laundromats and car washes, which are overlooked because they seem like hard work. - The primary advantage of boring businesses is low competition; it's better to compete with five local owners than one billion people online. - A single, well-placed laundromat can generate significant income, potentially over $175,000 in net profit per year.- These businesses are not passive initially. They require significant front-loaded work to establish robust systems and processes before they can run with minimal effort.- To vet a laundromat location, look for a geographic area with around 7,500 people and a renter population of at least 35%, as customers rarely travel more than a mile.- Calculate the long-term value of your time. A task that seems menial is worth it if the business's 10-year opportunity averages out to $1,500+ per hour.- Many aging small business owners haven't updated their processes in decades, creating a massive opportunity for new buyers to modernize and drastically increase profits.- To learn an industry with no experience, offer to work for free at a local business. Most owners will gladly accept free, competent help in exchange for teaching you the ropes.- The single most important skill for scaling any business is learning how to effectively manage other people.- For a business, you can start this weekend for under $500, considering small engine repair. There is a huge demand, and many repairs are simple carburetor cleanings that you can charge $100+ for.Tags: Passive Income, Entrepreneurship, Business Buying, Investmentjoy, Car Wash, Vending Machine, Business Scaling, Boring BusinessesResources:Grow your business today: https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast Connect with Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/investmentjoy/
Eric Barstow graduated with an economics degree, seemingly destined for Wall Street. Instead, he stuck with the painting business he started in college—a side hustle that was already generating $110,000 a year while he worked only five to ten hours a week. Realizing the massive opportunity and low competition in the home service space, Eric leaned in. Today, he is the co-founder of National Painting Group, projecting $35 million this year, and runs Painting Business Pro. And guess what? He barely knows how to paint.Eric’s entire model proves entrepreneurs don't need trade skills to build a multi-million dollar service business; they need systems. His strategy relies entirely on leveraging subcontractors—a method that fixes profit margins, eliminates liability, and perfectly manages seasonal slowdowns. He reveals his exact tactics for finding reliable subs (including his specific Craigslist and paint store strategies) and shares the "Phase Zero" marketing hustle needed to land your first customers, including his scripts for door-to-door marketing.He details his proven sales process, including how to use price anchoring and specific incentives to close deals on the spot, and breaks down the financial model required to maintain a 20% net profit margin. If you want to build a highly profitable business without ever picking up the tools, this episode is essential listening.Takeaways:- You do not need to be skilled in the trade to build a successful trade business; Eric is an awful painter, but he excels at building marketing, sales, and management systems. - Leveraging subcontractors instead of employees is the most efficient way to scale a service business, as it fixes your margins (fixed price per job), reduces liability, and allows you to scale up or down instantly with seasonal demand.- Find reliable subcontractors by posting ads twice daily in both the "general labor" and "skilled trades" sections of Craigslist, or by approaching painters in unmarked vans at local paint stores.- In "Phase Zero" (getting from $0 to stability), focus only on marketing that generates leads quickly, such as door-to-door sales and lawn signs. Avoid long-term plays like SEO or vehicle wraps.- A highly effective lawn sign strategy is placing them near high-traffic retail areas (like Costco or Whole Foods) on a Friday afternoon, as city workers are unlikely to remove them over the weekend.- Use "price anchoring" in your sales process. Before showing the contract, verbally tell the customer the typical price range for a job their size (e.g., "A house like this is usually about $6,000") to reset their expectations.- Create urgency and close deals on the spot by offering incentives that also benefit your business, such as a small dollar amount discount (never a percentage) if they sign that day or agree to take an urgent open spot on your schedule.- You should aim for a 20% net profit margin. A healthy budget allocates 50% to labor/materials, under 10% to marketing, 6-7% to sales, 6-7% to project management, and 7-8% to overhead.- The market size is irrelevant; success depends on implementation. Eric has clients doing millions in revenue in towns with populations as small as 27,000. - Build the business around your desired lifestyle from day one. By setting firm constraints (like working only 30 hours a week or never on weekends), you force yourself to build efficient systems rather than just working more hours.Tags: Business Skills, Service & Consulting, Subcontracting, Marketing, Home ServiceResources:Grow your business today: https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcastConnect with Eric: https://paintingbusinesspro.com/
Alex Smereczniak's entrepreneurial journey began in college, where he scaled a simple laundry service into a $300,000 a year business with a single, brilliant marketing hack. That early success was so powerful that he walked away from a prestigious corporate job after just 18 months, convinced the 9-to-5 was a broken system. His next venture led him into the world of franchising, where he uncovered its dark side: an industry filled with biased brokers and misaligned incentives. To fix this, he built Franzy, a revolutionary AI-powered marketplace known as the "Zillow for franchises," designed to bring transparency and data-driven matching to aspiring entrepreneurs.In this episode, Alex demystifies the path to successful business ownership and breaks down who franchising is truly for—from the corporate warrior seeking an exit to the investor looking for a profitable side hustle. He provides a clear roadmap for starting a business, detailing how to secure financing through options like SBA loans and identify the business ideas that genuinely align with your lifestyle goals, and explains the myth of passive income. Tune in to learn how to avoid costly industry traps and leverage a proven playbook to find the franchise that will build your future.Takeaways:- A single clever marketing angle is more powerful than a large budget; Alex turned a $30k business into $300k with one strategic move at student orientation.- Don't wait for the "perfect time" to start your business, as it will never come; the best time to take the entrepreneurial leap is always today- Franchising can nearly double your chances of success, with 85% of franchises surviving past five years thanks to a proven playbook and support system.- Define your personal "why" before buying a business; true wealth is aligning your work with goals like lifestyle and happiness, not just chasing the highest profit.- Be skeptical of franchise brokers, as their large commissions from specific brands can create biased recommendations that benefit them more than you.- Business ownership is more accessible than you think with financing options like SBA loans and using your retirement funds tax-free via a ROBS rollover.- AI platforms are disrupting the old franchise model by providing unbiased, data-driven recommendations, removing the need for biased brokers.- The idea of passive income from a new franchise is a myth; success requires consistent, hands-on effort, especially in the beginning.- A corporate job can be the perfect catalyst for entrepreneurship by revealing the flawed systems you want to escape and build something better for yourself.- Accelerate your success by surrounding yourself with mentors and peers who are already further along on the entrepreneurial journey you wish to take.Tags: SaaS, Entrepreneurship, AI, Passive Income, FranchisingResources:Grow your business today: https://links.upflip.com/4oZ9D1w Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-%F0%9F%A6%81-40310329/
Joseph Lambert was just 17 when a single four-hour junk removal job netted him $1,600 in cash. While his friends were focused on college applications, Joseph saw a different path—a simpler, more scalable business model that others overlooked. That one job was the spark that ignited a multi-million dollar enterprise, growing into a $1 million-a-month operation before he was old enough to legally drink.In this episode, Joseph sits down with Ryan Atkinson to pull back the curtain on his rapid success. He reveals the exact marketing strategies and sales tactics he used to get his first customers and generate thousands of five-star reviews. You'll learn his non-negotiable hiring rules for building a trustworthy team, the secrets to creating an unforgettable customer experience that fuels repeat business, and the critical financial lesson he learned about the difference between revenue for vanity and profit for sanity.If you're looking to start a home service business or scale your current operation, this interview is a masterclass in smart business growth. Joseph provides a practical blueprint on P&L management, leadership, and turning a simple, "unsexy" idea into a highly profitable empire. Tune in to discover the actionable advice you need to build your own successful business from the ground up!Takeaways:- The most important part of any service job is creating an exceptional customer experience that turns one client into five referrals through word-of-mouth.- Make getting customer reviews a non-negotiable process by incentivizing your team with bonuses and monthly competitions; this is crucial for building social proof and trust.- When starting out, build your marketing funnel from the bottom up, focusing first on high-intent channels like Google Ads before scaling to broader branding efforts.- Your hiring standard should be simple: never hire someone you wouldn't feel comfortable sending to your mother's house. It's better to be understaffed than to compromise on quality.- Prioritize profitability over revenue. "Top line is for vanity, bottom line is for sanity." Master your P&L management to ensure smart, sustainable growth.- Track the KPIs you can control on a daily basis, such as labor and fuel costs. Give your team access to simplified financial reports to get their buy-in on hitting profit targets.- For early business growth, leverage free marketing tactics relentlessly. Use your personal network, knock on doors, and be creative to acquire your first customers without a large budget.- Find a mentor who is at least 20 years older than you. Their wisdom and experience are invaluable for avoiding common entrepreneurial mistakes.- In the first few years of your business, pay yourself as little as possible and reinvest heavily—as much as 20-30% of revenue—back into marketing to accelerate growth.- True fulfillment in entrepreneurship comes from a "bigger why" than just money, such as investing in your team and caring for customers. The dollars will follow if you do those things well.Tags: Business Growth, Service & Consulting, Business Scaling, Hiring, Google Ads Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/45JBr1e Connect with Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephcohenlambert/
Kason Knight was a successful mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry when a sharp downturn hit. His job vanished overnight, leaving him with a newborn daughter and a mortgage to pay. Instead of returning to the corporate world, Kason doubled down on a side hustle he'd started with a single 3D printer in the corner of his kid's playroom.That small bet turned into ISOLIDS, a massive 3D printing company that now operates 160 printers out of a nearly 9,000-square-foot facility. Serving high-stakes industries like aerospace, agriculture, and medical, Kason's business now generates over $500,000 a month. He transformed a self-funding hobby into a manufacturing powerhouse by focusing on strategic growth and building key relationships.In this interview, Kason sits down with Ryan Atkinson to break down his incredible journey from layoff to CEO. He shares the blueprint for scaling a manufacturing business, the best way to manage your product development, the strategies he used to land major B2B clients by punching above his weight class, and why constant, strategic evolution is the key to sustainable business growth. If you're looking to turn your side hustle into your main gig , Kason’s entrepreneurship journey is definitely worth looking into.Takeaways:- Preparation Creates Luck: Having a side hustle for two years before being laid off provided a foundation to go full-time, proving that consistent hard work puts you in a position to capitalize on opportunities.- Start as a "Self-Funding Hobby": Beginning with the simple goal of making a hobby pay for itself removes the initial pressure of profitability and allows a business to develop organically.- Set a Hard Deadline: When going full-time, give yourself a clear timeline to become profitable. Kason gave himself two years, creating a benchmark for success or failure.- Scaling Requires Strategic Pivots: The tactics that get you to your first major milestone won't get you to the next. You must be willing to pivot your strategy and invest in better tools—like upgrading from "shovels to an excavator"—to reach new levels of growth.- Win Big Clients by Focusing Small: To land large B2B clients, focus on building a strong relationship with a single engineer or decision-maker within the company. Solve their specific problem, and they will become your internal champion.- Embrace Constant Evolution: Entrepreneurship is a never-ending cycle of improvement. Be prepared for your processes to constantly change, as what works at one stage of business will not work at the next.- Practice Mindful and Sustainable Growth: Rapid, uncontrolled growth can be dangerous. Aim for consistent, strategic growth where you can implement changes, evaluate the data, and confirm they had the desired impact before moving on.- Your Definition of Success Will Change: The "dream" you have on day one will evolve. Acknowledge when you achieve your original goals, even as you set new, more ambitious ones.- Know and Leverage Your Niche: Combine your unique background with your business idea. Kason's expertise as a mechanical engineer gave him a competitive edge in the technical 3D printing space.- Support Your Gut with Data: Confidence to take risks comes from understanding your business metrics. Kason's decision to scale was backed by the predictable data that every new printer added a specific amount of revenue capacity.Tags: Side Hustle, Entrepreneurship, 3D Printing, Product Development, Business Growth Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4mR2COI Connect with Kason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kason-knight
Dan Nikas went from chasing criminals as a police detective to building a multi-million dollar e-commerce brand. After a sudden medical retirement at 36 upended his life, he was left with a family to support and no backup plan. With zero experience, he pivoted to e-commerce and scaled his clothing brand to over $4 million in revenue in just one year, proving that a relentless work ethic can overcome any lack of experience.In this episode, Dan gives host Ryan Atkinson a masterclass in his digital marketing playbook. He breaks down his exact three-stage Facebook ads funnel for lead generation, his method for creating organic content that works, and the key metrics every founder should track. If you want a no-fluff guide to building and scaling an online business, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies you can use today. Takeaways:- Skills from seemingly unrelated careers are highly transferable; a detective's ability to find people who don't want to be found is directly applicable to finding customers in digital marketing.- Successful advertising requires a three-stage funnel approach (Top, Middle, Bottom). Don't immediately ask for the sale; nurture the customer first by building awareness and trust.- At the top of the funnel, the goal is to create broad awareness cheaply and allow potential customers to "self-filter" by engaging with your content, rather than trying to sell to everyone.- Use the middle of your funnel to proactively answer common customer questions and overcome objections. Create content around your warranties, manufacturing process, brand story, and social proof.- Your organic social media posts are the perfect testing ground for paid ads. If a post performs well organically, the algorithm has already validated it, indicating it will likely perform well with ad spend behind it.- Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) is a more crucial metric than platform-specific return on ad spend (ROAS). Track your total marketing spend across all channels against your total gross revenue for a true measure of performance.- Before you run ads, you must calculate your breakeven Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Knowing the maximum you can spend to acquire a customer without losing money is essential for profitability.- The key to a successful organic content strategy is consistency over virality. The algorithm rewards a consistent posting schedule, which builds reach and engagement over time.- You don't need to create brand new content every single day. Repurpose your best-performing posts from a few months ago by changing the thumbnail, copy, or format.- When starting out, a great product is more important than great marketing. A bad product will eventually be found out, no matter how clever the marketing is.-The core of marketing is persuasion. If you can convince someone to do something when there is no benefit for them, it's far easier to convince them when they get a great product or service in return.- Don't get emotionally attached to your ad creatives. Let the data and results tell you what's working and be ready to turn off a campaign that is failing, even if you love the creative.Tags: Digital Marketing, Tech Ventures, Facebook Advertising, Lead Generation, Ecommerce Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/3H40FiI Connect with Dan: https://www.instagram.com/elite_brands_with_dan_nikas/
This isn't a story about shortcuts. Brian’s big break didn’t come from an investor pitch; it was earned through years of hard work in a coffee shop. When his boss and future partner faced a crisis, Brian’s loyalty and commitment proved more valuable than any business plan. He was offered a co-founder position not because of what he had or because of his entrepreneurship experience, but because of who he is - someone with high integrity and capable of bringing out the best in others when it matters most.That same principle is now the backbone of his restaurant, Bird Bird Biscuits, and its incredible company culture. In this episode, Ryan Atkinson and Brian dive deep into what it takes to build a team that genuinely cares. Brian shares his business leadership philosophy of "tending the garden"—nurturing his people while actively pruning bad habits—and gives a masterclass on creating a positive work environment that reduces turnover and drives success. Tune in for an honest conversation about servant leadership and how to build a business where your team is proud to show up.Takeaways:- Enter markets that are not saturated. Finding an underserved niche, like biscuit sandwiches in a taco-dominated city, provides a significant competitive advantage.- Live or die by focus and simplicity." Instead of offering a wide range of products, concentrate on perfecting one thing to build a strong reputation.- The most powerful marketing is a product and experience so good that customers become your biggest advocates through word-of-mouth.- Company culture starts at the top. Leaders must personally live the values they preach, as their actions set the true standard for the entire team.- View your culture as a garden that needs constant attention. You must actively nurture the good elements and "prune" the negative influences to keep it healthy.- Establish core values that are action-oriented (e.g., "Blow people's minds") rather than passive, single words, as this makes them more practical to implement daily.- The first and most important step in becoming a better leader is to work on yourself. Tend to your own "garden" of personal faults and opportunities for growth.- Trust is forged in adversity. Proving your loyalty and reliability during a crisis can build the foundation for a strong and lasting business partnership.- Don't rely on your own opinions. Create a system to test everything—from products to processes—and let customer feedback and data guide your decisions.- Be prepared to pivot. The forced change to a service-window model during COVID unexpectedly maximized their kitchen's potential and boosted revenue.- Integrity can be more valuable than capital. You can earn opportunities, like a business partnership with no buy-in, through demonstrated hard work and character.- Approach leadership with the philosophy that "we're all just walking each other home." Seeing your team and customers as fellow travelers on a shared journey fosters empathy and unity.Tags: Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Business Leadership, Company Culture, Data Driven Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/46F5nxJ Connect with Brian: https://www.instagram.com/birdbirdbiscuit/?hl=en
Frank built a viral food business by brilliantly combining two existing ideas: classic macaroni and cheese and the hyper-efficient, customizable Chipotle ordering model. This single strategy became the cornerstone of his success in the crowded restaurant industry.In this episode, Frank joins host Ryan Atkinson to share his complete playbook for modern entrepreneurship. He breaks down why speed is your greatest asset and reveals his simple formula for turning viral ideas into massive business growth using smart social media and a unique digital marketing strategy.This conversation is packed with actionable strategies for anyone looking to launch a unique business idea, scale their current venture, and build a brand in this hyper-competitive market.Takeaways:- Prioritize speed and rapid execution once you have a solid business idea.- Create a unique market position by combining two existing, successful concepts.- For viral marketing, initially focus on content quantity over production quality.- Design your marketing efforts around a repeatable content formula for brand consistency.- Pay close attention to your metrics to understand what content resonates with your audience.- Adopt a proven, scalable business model to support efficiency and growth.- Find success by dominating a specific niche before attempting to broaden your scope.- Tap into an existing market by putting a modern spin on a classic, beloved product.- Build your business systems around customer choice and customization.- Leverage social media not just for marketing, but for building a community around your brand.Tags: Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Viral Ideas, Instagram Marketing, Social Media Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/45o4Sqz Connect with Frank: https://www.instagram.com/ronismacbar/?hl=en
Myron Golden once earned just $6.25/hour as a garbage collector. Today, he’s an eight-figure business owner who has built a media empire with over 1.1 million YouTube subscribers and has taught thousands of entrepreneurs his secrets to business growth. Making him highly regarded as one of the best business coach in the world. In this deep-dive interview with Ryan Atkinson, Myron unpacks how applying biblical principles to his business propelled him to the top. He also explains how to build unshakable trust with your customers, how to structure irresistible offers, the business mindset required to confidently command high fees, and the sales psychology that makes clients eager to invest in your services. This is a blueprint for becoming the go-to expert in your field and scaling your business far beyond just dollars and cents. His journey is a masterclass in leadership and building massive influence, proving that you don't need a perfect start to achieve incredible success.Takeaways:- Reframe "high-ticket sales" to "premium value offers." This shifts your focus from the price you get to the transformational outcome the client receives.- To confidently charge a premium price, ensure your offer delivers at least 10 times its cost in value to the client, either by making them or saving them that amount.- The most profitable clients are those with big problems and deep pockets. Many highly skilled professionals (like lawyers or doctors) were never taught how to get clients and are a prime market.- Your internal conversation creates your future. Since you are telling yourself a story about what will happen, you might as well make it an empowering one that leads to success.- Build trust and authority by creating "community service content." By giving away immense value on platforms like YouTube, you overcome sales objections before a prospect even knows you have something to sell.- High-paying clients are the most committed clients. When people invest a significant amount of money, they are far more likely to do the work required to get results.- Price creates its own perception of value. It is often easier to sell a high-priced solution than a mid-market one because premium buyers are seeking the best possible result, not the cheapest option.- The "Be, Do, Have" principle dictates that success is a sequence. You must first be the person capable of success, then do the necessary work, before you can have the desired results.- Use genuine scarcity to motivate action. A real, permanent price increase is one of the most honest and effective ways to create urgency for your offer.- Massively increase the appeal of your offers with unique bonuses that are difficult to put a price on, such as exclusive access or one-of-a-kind experiences.- Success is not defined by age. Myron Golden didn't make his first million until he was 45, proving that it's never too late to build significant wealth.- The quality of your life is directly proportional to the quality of your communication—with yourself, with others, and with your higher power.Tags: Business Growth, Service & Consulting, Myron Golden, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Business Mindset Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/3ICf71E Connect with Myron: https://www.instagram.com/myrongolden/?hl=en
What does a CEO from the hundred-million-dollar corporate world know about running a small screen printing shop? As it turns out, everything.Dan Frank left a career in global logistics to acquire a local print shop, convinced that elite business principles in efficiency and productivity could transform small businesses into multi-million dollar companies. His theory was put to the ultimate test when the pandemic hit six months later, forcing him to innovate or fail. The result: he doubled the business and scaled to nearly 100 employees.In this interview with Ryan Atkinson, Dan unpacks the exact operational playbook he used to engineer this explosive business growth. He reveals the secrets to applying lean manufacturing on a small scale, building a merit-based company culture , and the best way to maintain high employee retention. For any owner looking to break through a growth plateau, this episode is a masterclass in turning a traditional business into a high-performance machine!Takeaways:- Apply core principles of manufacturing, efficiency, and budgeting to any business, regardless of its size. High-level strategies are not just for large corporations.- Use a major crisis as a catalyst for innovation. Instead of just cutting back, pivot your business model, invest in technology, and re-engineer processes to fuel future growth.- To improve efficiency, you must first measure it. Implement systems that track daily productivity and set clear, obtainable performance standards for employees to strive toward.- Create a system where compensation and promotions are directly tied to measurable performance. This "meritocracy" directly rewards and motivates your highest-achieving employees.- Foster a high-performance environment by investing directly in your team. This can include significantly increasing pay, adding full benefits, and implementing a profit-sharing program tied to performance.- Implement a strict probationary period and be prepared to let go of new hires who are not a cultural fit. This "fire fast" approach protects your company culture and leads to higher long-term retention.- Scaling your business successfully requires building a reliable management team through years of mentoring, daily production huddles, and fostering a collaborative problem-solving environment. - Build a "winning culture" by setting realistic and achievable goals. Avoid demoralizing "stretch goals"; instead, set targets that allow your team to win consistently, which builds motivation.- Identify and intensely focus on your single most controllable expense. For Dan, managing labor costs as a specific percentage of revenue was the key to ensuring overall profitability.- Place your leadership directly where the core work is done. Moving supervisors from offices to the production floor eliminates a potential "us vs. them" culture and keeps them engaged in daily operations.Tags: Retail Goods, Print Shop, Lean Manufacturing, Entrepreneurship, Business Growth Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/451nU5V Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-frank-60766aa/
Jason Creel launched his lawn care business with nothing but a beat-up mower and the relentless drive to outwork everyone. He forged that grit and determination into one of Alabama's most trusted weed control companies, proving you don’t need a pile of cash to build a six-figure enterprise. His journey provides the ultimate blueprint for anyone ready to stop dreaming and start building.In this can't-miss interview, Jason joins host Ryan Atkinson to unleash the game changing entrepreneurship strategies that fueled his growth. He reveals why lightning-fast sales are critical for survival, how to strategically design your schedule for maximum freedom, why investing in SEO is a key business growth strategy, and the branding secrets that will make you a local powerhouse. If you're ready to turn a simple side hustle into a dominant home service business, this episode is your playbook!Takeaways- Start your business with the tools you already have; you don't need fancy equipment to be successful, as proven by Jason's beginning with just a beat-up mower.- Use a powerful work ethic as your primary competitive advantage to get ahead, especially when you are just starting out.- Set a high standard from day one by consistently over-delivering on value and service for every single customer.- Create lasting customer loyalty through small, personal gestures, such as writing a handwritten thank you note after a job.- Make building trust the primary goal of your service business, which will eventually make you the go-to provider in your area.- Differentiate your business from all competitors by simply being exceptionally reliable and consistent with your service.- Implement effective business systems from the beginning if you want to successfully scale your side hustle into a larger company.- Respond to new customer inquiries immediately, as waiting even a day in the service industry can result in a lost sale.- Intentionally design your work schedule not just for the business you have, but to support the lifestyle you ultimately want to achieve.- Treat professional branding as a crucial investment to make your business stand out in a crowded market, not just as an expense.- Establish credibility and present your business as a serious company by building and maintaining a polished, professional website.- Invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as a key growth strategy to ensure new customers can easily find you online.Tags: Side Hustle, Entrepreneurship, Lawn Care, SEO, Business Growth Resources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4nBqHKq Connect with Jason : https://www.instagram.com/thelawncarelife/?hl=en
Zech Osburn decided the traditional college path wasn't for him and instead, chose the path of entrepreneurship to build something of his own. At just 18 years old, he turned a simple lawn care and power washing side hustle into a thriving six-figure business in only eight months. It’s a story that proves with a clear vision and a strong business mindset, you don’t need a huge budget to achieve incredible business growth.So, how did he accomplish this so quickly? This amazing journey wasn't just luck; it was fueled by a smart strategy for business scaling. In this conversation with Ryan Atkinson and Zech shares the playbook behind his success, from his clever, low-cost marketing techniques to his simple philosophy of consistently reinvesting profits. If you're looking for an inspiring and practical guide to starting and scaling your own home service business, you'll love hearing Zech's story!- Fund Equipment with Customer Deposits: Use deposits from new jobs to buy the necessary tools without upfront capital. - Start with Friends & Family: Provide free services to your inner circle first to build a portfolio and gain experience.- Leverage Local, Free Marketing: Attract your first customers without a budget by using platforms like Facebook with a compelling personal story.- Use Door Hangers for Guaranteed Leads: A door hanger campaign with a QR code and a discount can generate a consistent 2-3% lead conversion rate.- Aggressively Reinvest in Growth: Fuel rapid scaling by putting profits back into advertising and better equipment rather than taking it as income.- Meticulously Track Your Finances: Keep profit margins high by tracking every expense, allowing you to identify and fix financial leaks quickly.- Don't Fear Spending on Marketing: Your advertising budget is a crucial investment and a direct driver of revenue growth.- Discipline is a Competitive Advantage: Apply the mental toughness learned from other pursuits, like sports, to overcome entrepreneurial challenges.- "Buy Once, Cry Once": Invest in quality equipment from the start to save money and time on future repairs and replacements.- Hire Strangers Over Friends: To maintain a professional dynamic and avoid complications, it's often better to hire strangers.Tags: Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Business Mindset, Lawn Care, Side Hustle, Business ScalingResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/45NZT3e Connect with Zech : https://www.instagram.com/zechshustle/?hl=en
Dan Uyemura, founder of the top-rated gym software company PushPress, joins Ryan Atkinson on The UpFlip Podcast to share his journey of building a successful SaaS business. As a former internet engineer and gym owner, Dan intimately understood the need for better software development in the fitness industry, leading him to create PushPress. This episode dives into the core challenges and triumphs of building a software company from the ground up.Learn about the surprising inspiration behind the company name, the long game strategy that drove business growth, and the valuable lessons he learned about identifying market needs and building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).Tune in to hear Dan's candid insights on scaling a software platform, the importance of listening to customer feedback, and his unwavering commitment to providing genuine value. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to refine your business strategy, this episode offers a practical look into the SaaS market.Takeaways:- Entrepreneurship often involves turning frustrations into opportunities, as Dan built PushPress to solve his own problems with gym software.- Customer service can be a significant differentiator, especially in the early stages of building a SaaS company.- Authenticity and a genuine love for your customer base are crucial for long-term success in niche markets.- Scaling a vertical SaaS business can be a slow and steady process, requiring patience and perseverance.- Your initial product might be more of a learning tool, and you need to be prepared to rebuild or significantly iterate as you understand customer needs better.- Listening to customer feedback and allowing it to guide product development (like PushPress Grow) can lead to significant revenue streams.- Having a strong conviction about your product and target audience can help you make strategic decisions, including when to say "no" to potential clients.- A holistic marketing approach, including SEO and paid advertising, becomes important for sustained growth.- Building a successful SaaS company requires a long-term perspective and the ability to weather numerous challenges.- Providing value to your customers should be the primary driver, with financial success being a result of that value creation.Tags: SaaS, Tech Ventures, Software Development, Business Growth, Business FundingResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/3ZJxGqn Connect with Dan : https://www.instagram.com/danielsan/?hl=en
Joseph Woodbury had his future planned out. With a prestigious job lined up at Bain & Company after college, he was on the fast track to a secure, high-paying career. That all changed when his co-founder came to him with a simple yet groundbreaking idea born from a personal frustration: Why pay a fortune for a commercial storage unit miles away when there are empty garages, sheds, and driveways in every neighborhood? Joseph decided to turn down his corporate job and risk it all on this new venture, a choice that would lead to the creation of a revolutionary platform in the sharing economy.That simple idea evolved into Neighbor.com, the "Airbnb of self-storage," a tech startup that has now expanded to all 50 states. The platform connects people who need storage with those who have extra space, creating a powerful stream of passive income for hosts. From the average homeowner earning thousands a year by renting out an empty garage to a middle school teacher making an extra $30,000 annually from her loft, Neighbor.com is turning underutilized property into a cash-flowing asset. Some hosts are even scaling their operations into seven-figure earnings, proving that your unused space holds incredible financial potential.In this episode, Joseph Woodbury joins Ryan Atkinson to break down the business growth model that’s disrupting the $40 billion storage industry. Listen in to discover how to audit your own home for profitable spaces, the secrets to building a successful marketplace from scratch, and the strategies to generate thousands in truly passive income. If you're looking for your next entrepreneurship idea or a new way to build wealth, this interview will show you how to find opportunities right in your own backyard.Takeaways:- The company was founded after a co-founder's poor experience with traditional storage, inspiring Joseph Woodberry to turn down a prestigious corporate job at Bain & Company to launch the startup from college.- As the "Airbnb of self-storage," the platform enables hosts to earn truly passive income by renting out their unused space, requiring only about 30 minutes of management per month on average.- Hosts can generate substantial revenue, with earnings ranging from thousands of dollars annually for a simple driveway to over $120,000 a year for those who optimize larger properties.- The platform allows for the monetization of almost any space imaginable, from residential garages and lots to larger commercial properties and even the parking lots of churches.- Neighbor.com builds trust by being a safer alternative to traditional facilities—with much lower break-in rates in residential areas—and by backing it up with a $1M host guarantee and up to $50k in renter protection.- A constant focus for the business is solving the "chicken-and-egg problem" of acquiring enough local hosts (supply) to satisfy the demand from renters in every new market. - Joseph's key advice is to build a business around a problem you are passionate about, viewing the startup journey itself as an invaluable experience that makes you more hirable, not less.- A key feature is the "Smart Pricing" tool, which uses machine learning to automatically adjust listing prices to help hosts maximize their income with minimal effort.- The company's growth was accelerated by the cultural shift created by pioneers like Airbnb and Uber, which made consumers comfortable with peer-to-peer business models.- Despite being active in all 50 states, the company's biggest remaining obstacle to future growth is widespread brand awareness, which takes years of word-of-mouth to build.Tags: Tech Startup, Tech Ventures, Entrepreneurship, Passive Income, Business Growth, Neighbor.comResources:Start Your Business Today: links.upflip.com/43YNzum Connect with Joseph : https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephwoodbury
William Milliken traded a successful digital marketing career to work on a poop scooping business. Sounds crazy, right? Think again. He turned a $1,000 bet on a Pooper Scooper business into a seven-figure empire, landing an unbelievable 350 recurring clients in his first three months. In this interview with Ryan Atkinson, William holds nothing back. He gives you the exact blueprint for a low-cost, high-margin business that generates predictable cash flow—the kind of recurring revenue that builds real wealth. You'll learn his strategy for getting your first customers without spending a dime on ads, the pricing model that makes this business so lucrative, and why this simple idea is one of the best opportunities in Entrepreneurship today. If you want to learn how to get rich quietly, this episode is the ultimate guide to finding gold in "unsexy" Business Ideas and building a wildly profitable Pet Service right under everyone's noses.Takeaways- Transitioning from a marketing agency to owning businesses can be lucrative.- Identifying market gaps can lead to successful business opportunities.- Building a premium service model can differentiate your business.- Recurring revenue provides stability and predictability in cash flow.- Startup costs for a pet waste removal business can be minimal.- Understanding customer demographics is crucial for targeted marketing.- Effective marketing strategies can significantly boost customer acquisition.- Learning from initial experiences can shape future business decisions.- Seasonality affects customer retention and marketing strategies.- Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurial successTags: Business Ideas, Entrepreneurship, Side Hustle, Pooper Scooper, Pet ServiceResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4dUfW1q Connect with William : https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-milliken/
Heath Andre is no stranger to the grind, but he's turned his hustle into a masterclass in building a thriving junk removal powerhouse. From the ground up, Heath built a business that not only delivers a valuable service but also prioritizes long-term success through exceptional customers retention. This isn't just about hauling away unwanted items; it's about smart business strategy and a relentless business mindset that can be applied to any industry.In this exclusive interview, host Ryan Atkinson dives deep with Heath to uncover his secrets to dominating a niche market, even in a small town. They discuss actionable tactics for fostering unwavering customer loyalty, the crucial elements of effective business leadership, and how to cultivate the mental fortitude needed to overcome entrepreneurial challenges. If you're looking to scale your operations, refine your customer approach, or simply want to absorb the wisdom of a true hands-on entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else.Takeaways- Grit Over Capital: Started junk removal powerhouse with negative net worth.- Recurring Revenue First: Built on stable residential trash before expanding.- Efficiency & Delegation: Achieved high revenue with small, efficient team.- Local Marketing Power: Leveraged word-of-mouth in a small town.- Customer Retention Focus: Prioritized exceptional customers retention.- Discipline Fuels Business: Personal fitness built business mindset for success.- Strategic Pivots: Shifted to profitable commercial services.- Realistic Risk Assessment: Entrepreneurship demands significant personal sacrifice.Tags: Junk removal, Retail Goods, Customers Retention, Business Leadership, Business Mindset, Small Town BusinessResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4kFqy73 Connect with Heath: https://www.youtube.com/@lakechamplainsanitation/videos
Damien Lupo's journey into real estate began in his early twenties. He used a $10,000 credit card advance as his starting capital to begin acquiring properties. Through relentless effort, strategic planning, and leveraging his initial successes over several years, this initial foray into the market rapidly snowballed, eventually allowing him to build an impressive $25 million property portfolio.But when the 2008 crash hit, Damien lost everything—his properties, investors, and even experienced homelessness. This devastating fall, however, became the catalyst for rebuilding his life from the ground up, focusing not just on financial recovery but on a profound mental and philosophical transformation. Today, Damien runs multiple successful businesses, helps high-income earners secure their retirement with EQRP, and teaches the principles of building true, sustainable wealth from the inside out. In this interview, Damien Lupo sits down with Ryan Atkinson to share his incredible journey, how to cultivate an unstoppable mindset, the truth about passive income, investing strategies and actionable steps for anyone looking to build a strong financial foundation and achieve lasting financial freedom.Takeaways- Damien's childhood was marked by a scarcity mindset.- He learned resilience and self-determination from a young age.- Trusting the process is crucial for personal growth.- Entrepreneurs see problems as opportunities.- Wealth creation requires time and effort, not just luck.- The 2008 crash taught Damien about the importance of stress testing investments.- Ego can lead to financial downfall if not managed.- True wealth encompasses health and time, not just money.- Investing in personal development yields the highest returns.- Taking action, even small steps, is essential for financial growth. Take action to get in the game.- Know your financial reality through the three Cs: cash, credit cards, and calendar.- True passive income doesn't exist; active engagement is necessary.- Wealth requires nurturing and care to thrive.- You must play to win, not just to avoid losing.- Surround yourself with positive influences to foster growth.- Investing is about respecting and nurturing your capital.- The 10-Year Millionaire Action Plan provides a roadmap to financial freedom.- Thinking bigger leads to greater potential and fulfillment.- The biggest regret is not living up to your potential.Tags: Strategic Planning, Service & Consulting, Financial Freedom, Wealth Building, InvestingResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4mvixT9 Connect with Damion: https://www.instagram.com/damion.lupo/
Isaac French thought he had it all. A stable job, a good income, and a fulfilling relationship at such a young age. But somehow he still felt something was missing. He felt that his creativity was limited by his employer. He spent his time building their vision, not his. This is the reason why Isaac decided to take on a challenge to build his own business.Today, Isaac joins the UpFlip Podcast to share the incredible story of building Live Oak Lake, a unique hospitality business that went from an overlooked plot of land to over $1 million in revenue in its first year.Dive into how Isaac, at just 24, spearheaded the project, leveraging his background in construction for the initial remodelling and development. He reveals the innovative property management techniques and automation that allowed him to run this thriving short-term rental business with minimal staff. Discover the secrets behind his explosive growth, fueled by savvy digital marketing and social media techniques that generated a massive following and 80% direct bookings. Isaac also touches on creating premium guest experiences with thoughtful add-ons, akin to curated retail goods, that made his properties stand out. Tune in to learn how he built a brand, not just a business, in the competitive hospitality landscape.Takeaways- Live Oak Lake began from a desire to create unique, design-driven hospitality experiences with personal creative control.- The initial bold step was investing in an undervalued, "briar-infested" property before full funding was secured.- Automation of check-in, smart home features, and guest communication was key to lean operational costs.- An early setback (Airbnb suspension) became a catalyst for a highly successful direct booking strategy.- Prioritizing premium design and a "magical" guest experience justified higher price points and built strong demand.- Influencer marketing and authentic founder-led storytelling were pivotal in rapidly building a large, engaged audience.- Focusing on fewer, high-quality units created exclusivity and allowed for exceptional attention to detail.- Building a strong brand directly translated into significant enterprise value, leading to a profitable exit.- It's crucial to blend artistic vision with savvy operational and marketing execution.Success in unique hospitality requires spotting hidden potential, bold execution, and adapting to challenges.Tags: Property management, Retail Goods, Remodelling, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Short-term RentalResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4ktsvms Connect with Isaac: https://www.instagram.com/isaacfrench_/reels/?hl=en
David Silberman has always been passionate about ping pong. Until he realized something. No matter where he goes, ping pong players typically only have two options for a place to play: either at overpriced bars or run-down dojos.This made David realize there is a huge opportunity in this niche market. What if he can provide an alternative for the ping pong players? A place that offers more value for them at a fraction of the price.In this interview, David sits down with Ryan Atkinson to talk about his journey in growing PingPod, a self-serving ping pong establishment that runs without any onsite staff. How? by utilizing smart tech and innovative product development. David also shares how his business ideas came about, how he invested in software development to automate his business, and the systems that he uses to make sure his business runs on autopilot. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a business owner looking to innovate and scale, this episode is packed with actionable insights you don't want to missTakeaways- Ping Pod started as a response to a lack of accessible ping pong venues.- The initial MVP was a pop-up in Manhattan that validated the business idea.- Automation and self-service are key to reducing overhead costs.- Launching during the pandemic presented unique challenges but also opportunities.- Understanding supply and demand dynamics is crucial for niche businesses.- Building your own technology can enhance operational efficiency.- Community building is a rewarding aspect of running a business.- Franchising offers a way to scale while maintaining brand integrity.- It's important to balance passion with smart business decisions.- Success in entrepreneurship requires hard work and a bit of luck.Tags: Sporting Goods, Niche Markets, Business Ideas, Product Development, Passive Income, Software DevelopmentResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/43cKzdo Connect with David: https://www.instagram.com/dsilby/?hl=en
Josh York has always been passionate about fitness. One day, while working as a fitness trainer, he realized that there is one common pitfall that prevents most people from achieving their fitness goal - a lot of people are just too busy to find time to go to the gym. Then, it hits him. Why doesn’t he put gym equipment in a van and bring it to the customers instead? This way, people can get high-quality personal training from anywhere they want! A lot of successful people told him his business idea was stupid and full of holes. But that never stopped Josh from pursuing his passion. Now, GYMGUYZ is the fastest-growing personal fitness brand, with more than 250 locations generating over $100M in revenue each year.In this interview, Josh sits down with Ryan Atkinson to talk about the business mindset, leadership quality, and networking skills you need to grow your business. They also talk about how pain & discomfort are crucial to building your mental strength, how to deal with self-doubt, and how to find the courage to start. Just like Josh, a lot of us are sitting down with business ideas and never really find the guts to execute them. Maybe this is the last piece of motivation that we need.Takeaways- Josh started Gym Guys with a van and workout gear.- The concept was to bring fitness to clients' locations.- Initial marketing involved old-school methods like handing out flyers.- Building relationships was key to acquiring clients.- Fortune favors the bold; taking action is crucial.- Mistakes are valuable lessons in entrepreneurship.- Franchising began after seven years of operation.- Pain and resilience are essential for success.- Experiencing discomfort helps build mental strength.- Focus on the process, not just the end result.Tags: Business Mindset, Service & Consulting, Business Ideas, Business Leadership, Personal Fitness, NetworkingResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4d8Hxvy Connect with Josh: https://franchise.upflip.com/gym-guyz/
Justin Reis
I like the emphasis constantly on the horizontal video