The next generation of successful entrepreneurs will be both founders & creators, leveraging their own audience to launch, build, and scale multiple companies into millions based on their own personal hobbies & passions. This is the 'Personal Holding Company' philosophy. It's a lifestyle business on steroids: no venture capital investors, work whenever & wherever you want, turning your hobbies into businesses. First Class Founders explores this PHC philosophy with tactical tips & strategies ...
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On this show, I'm going to be speaking to and interviewing some amazing guests on tech, entrepreneurship and productivity. We're going to be delving into what it takes to build a successful startup, the people who are solving problems through software and so much more! Please subscribe to this podcast to stay up to date with our latest episodes!
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Are you an Entrepreneur, Wantrepreneur, or Small Business Owner? Would you like new ideas, insight inspiration that you can apply from successful entrepreneurs? Be our guest and listen to our podcast to discover how other entrepreneurs are getting all of this as they commute, and as they workout in the gym, and as they jog etc. 7 days a week we interview successful entrepreneurs and talk about their journey to discover their struggle before finding success, the big ideas that made their busi ...
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E23 - Building a marketing agency with Ashley Mason
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49:04This episode is sponsored by Riverside, the leading all-in-one podcast and video recording platform. Visit Riverside.fm and use the code TSS15 for 15% off a membership plan. In this episode, I speak to Ashley Mason, founder of Dash of Social, an integrated marketing solution partner. We talk about the challenges of building a business while at univ…
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E22 - Airchat and dropping out of high school with Arjun Khemani
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28:43This episode is sponsored by Riverside, the leading all-in-one podcast and video recording platform. Visit Riverside.fm and use the code TSS15 for 15% off a membership plan.In this episode, I speak to Arjun Khemani, a high school dropout building Airchat, a new social media platform centered on asynchronous conversations. We speak about deciding to…
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How to Build Your HoldCo with Michael Girdley
40:03
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40:03E75: Michael Girdley (@girdley) needs no introduction. He's a HoldCo legend. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with Michael to discuss how he has built a successful HoldCo. We talk about Michael's "Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission" framework, which he uses to build all of his businesses. Michael shares how to find the best …
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Breaking Down the Personal HoldCo of Tim Stoddart of Copyblogger
31:15
31:15
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31:15E74: Have you ever wondered how a person can flip their life's script from constant struggles to having a multi-million dollar business? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a rich conversation with successful entrepreneur Tim Stoddart (@TimStodz), the proud owner of Copyblogger Media. He discusses his incredible transition from a troubled yout…
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E21 - Productivity Tools with Francesco from Keep Productive
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32:20This episode is sponsored by Riverside, the leading all-in-one podcast and video recording platform. Visit Riverside.fm and use the code TSS15 for 15% off a membership plan.I speak to Francesco D’Alessio who has a YouTube channel called Keep Productive with over 400k subscribers, where he reviews tons of new productivity tools and shares some tips …
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8 Unconventional Truths I Learned in 8 Years of Entrepreneurship
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25:18
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25:18E73: Not many know it, but a lot of aspiring business owners run the risk of making expensive mistakes that could put their goals on hold before they ever take off. So, today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares eight important things he learned over eight years of building three businesses from the ground up. He shares how to have an expone…
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How to Build and Sell a Startup with Andrew Gazdecki, Founder and CEO of Acquire.com
36:59
36:59
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36:59E72: When is the right time to exit a business? Sounds like a simple question, but the answer... isn't as simple. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with accomplished entrepreneur Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki), the Founder and CEO of Acquire.com. Andrew discusses the strategies behind successful exits and how to position your company to …
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Don't Make These Design Mistakes: How to Build Your Brand Identity with Nate Kadlac
41:42
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41:42E71: How do you design a personal brand that truly reflects you, stands out, and captivates your audience? Do you find yourself lost in the sea of design choices? Not sure how to align your website elements with your personal brand values? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by talented designer, Nate Kadlac (@kadlac). Nate will guide us…
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How to Get A Free PR for Your Business with Christina Nicholson
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33:15
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33:15E70: Who doesn't like free or cheap stuff? Imagine getting more customers without spending money. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by an expert in PR and earned media, Christina Nicholson (@ChristinaAllDay), an award-winning journalist. Christina will discuss why small businesses should start with local media and why earned media's cr…
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E20 - Million Dollar Weekend with Noah Kagan
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24:06This episode is sponsored by Riverside, the leading all in one podcast and video recording platform. Visit Riverside.fm and use the code TSS15 for 15% off a membership plan.I speak to Noah Kagan, CEO of AppSumo, an incredible directory of software products. He’s also an awesome YouTuber and author of the book Million Dollar Weekend - by the time yo…
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Million Dollar Weekend: How To Launch A Successful Business In 48 Hours with Noah Kagan, CEO of AppSumo
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28:57E69: Imagine creating a million dollar business in just 48 hours. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by a special guest Noah Kagan (@noahkagan), the CEO of AppSumo.com. Noah will discuss his new book "Million Dollar Weekend" and explain how he used these strategies and tactics to build AppSumo, a near 9-figure business. On today’s episo…
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Master the Power of Relational Capital with Jay Abraham
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38:00E68: Ever wonder how to grow your business profits just by leveraging relationships and strategic partnerships? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is privileged to have a very special guest, Jay Abraham (@RealJayAbraham), the Owner of Abraham Group and America’s Highest Paid Marketing Consultant. Jay will discuss the concept of Relational Capital…
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How to Hire the Best Operators for Your Personal HoldCo
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24:01E67: What if I told you hiring the right operator for your PHC could supercharge your business? But get it wrong, and it could all go up in flames. Even worse, it could get swiped right from under you. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But believe me, I've lived that story. I've spent the last four years taking notes, testing strategies, and refining my hi…
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From $0 to $10M ARR in Six Months: The Growth Playbook of Hunter Hammonds, Co-Founder & CEO of Assembly Ventures
31:44
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31:44E66: How did Assembly Ventures, from nothing but dreams and passion, pull in a crazy $10 million in less than six months? Call it nuts. Call it ambitious. Call it a crazy result. But it happened, my friend, it happened. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down and spills the beans with Hunter Hammonds (@_hunterhammonds), the CEO and Co-Founde…
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I – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCo
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28:49E65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours. I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I ne…
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How to Build and Scale Your Business: 11-Slide Business Plan with Brandon White
30:11
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30:11E64: In the world of startups, everyone wants that magic formula to get their business off the ground and scaling fast. But all too often, business plans end up as complicated, unwieldy documents that feel overwhelming to create and follow. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) goes behind the scenes with Brandon White (@BrandonCWhite). He generousl…
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From Hobby to Personal HoldCo: How I Built My Personal Holding Company (BONUS)
2:14:44
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2:14:44E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week! I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's (@BrandonCWhite) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hour…
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How to Find Your Next Million Dollar Business Idea
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24:22E62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban …
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The Art of Storytelling: How Parker Worth Went from Broke to a $22,000 Course Launch
29:24
29:24
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29:24E61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey. Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with the amazin…
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Secret to Unlocking Your High-Value Niche
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22:50E60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth? It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some …
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How to Go Viral on Social Media with Michelle Thames
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36:27E59: What does it really take to go viral on social media? In our digital era, choosing the right platform for your business can be overwhelming. Founders face immense pressure to build a substantial online presence and audience. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a special guest, Michelle Thames (@michellelthames), a renowned Marketing and M…
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30 Lessons I Learned Growing My Podcast to 36,000 Downloads During My First Year
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34:19E58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that! Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong. Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs! When I started my po…
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From Bankruptcy to Millionaire in 2 Years: How Tibo Louis-Lucas Built and Sold TweetHunter & Taplio for Multi-Millions
36:27
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36:27E57: How did a man who declared bankruptcy turn into a multi-millionaire in just 2 years? Our guest today did just that. His incredible journey is one of resilience, innovation, and true entrepreneurial spirit. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a very special guest, Tibo Louis-Lucas (@tibo_maker), the genius behind TweetHunter and Taplio. Ti…
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How I Stacked 5 Growth Levers to Grow My Newsletter to 10,000 Subscribers
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33:27E56: Growing a newsletter is no cakewalk. There's the initial phase where growth is slow, and every subscriber feels like a hard-fought battle. Not to mention, the emotional and physical toll of relentless hours, strategizing, and moments of utter despair and frustration. The market is crowded, and it's tough to stand out. How do you gain traction …
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Five Monetization Strategies as a Content Creator with Joe Casabona of How I Built It
37:36
37:36
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37:36E55: Many content creators struggle with building a dedicated audience and effectively monetizing their content. Despite having quality content, they often lack the strategic framework to captivate and monetize an audience in a landscape saturated with creators. So, how do you sift through the noise? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung…
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Harnessing the Power of Twitter: How to Attract and Connect with Your Target Audience (BONUS)
45:03
45:03
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45:03E54: Ever felt like a stranger at a party where everyone else knows each other? That's how Yong-Soo Chung felt when he first ventured onto X. Yong-Soo Chung stepped into X with 400 followers, hoping for connections and recognition. But instead, he found himself feeling isolated and alienated. Moreover, sharing personal tales became a venture fraugh…
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The Rise of Personal Holding Companies: Exploring the Future of Entrepreneurship
30:58
30:58
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30:58E53: Have you ever considered setting up a business structure that could save you taxes, protect your assets, and offer countless financial advantages? Picture this. One day, you wake up to see your bank account flooded with cash from your startup's exit. The question isn't about the money anymore; it's about what you do next. Do you jump into anot…
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E19 - Finding sponsorships as creators with Jennifer Phan
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36:13
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36:13In this episode, I speak to Jennifer Phan, an investor turned founder. She is building Passionfroot, a product to help creators find and manage sponsors much easier. We speak about her journey as a CEO, building a team, the creator industry and more.Jennifer’s LinkedInJennifer’s Twitter/XPassionfroot…
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How to Build a Personal Brand from Scratch with Legacy Builder, Clifton Sellers
34:36
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34:36E52: In today's digital age, entrepreneurs need a strong personal brand. Hands down. But how do you actually go about building one? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a conversation with Clifton Sellers (@LegacyBuilder__) founder of Legacy Builder, a successful ghostwriting agency. He's the unseen hand behind some of the best con…
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The Power of Leverage: The Hidden Strategy Behind the Richest People In the World
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21:27E51: Why is it that the richest people in the world work the same hours as we do, yet they make way more money than we do? What are they doing differently? The answer lies in the concept of leverage. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) takes us on a journey to uncover the secret behind the immense wealth and success of these successful entre…
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Mastering the Art of Navigating Unexpected Change for Success with Brad Stulberg, Best-Selling Author
37:17
37:17
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37:17E50: Let's be honest, change can be a real challenge for us entrepreneurs. It's like trying to catch a fast-moving aircraft without a ticket - it's confusing and can make you feel like you're just reacting, not steering your ship. This can lead to burnout, frustration, and missed opportunities. On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) chat…
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Don't Make The Same Mistakes I Did — What I Wish I Knew About Content Creation and Personal Branding
32:47
32:47
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32:47E49: Have you ever wondered why your content isn't hitting the mark? You're putting in all the hard work, creating content day in and day out, yet it feels like you're just shouting into the wind. Frustrating, right? I get it. Because I've been there. I thought that just putting out great content would be enough to make me a success. But boy, was I…
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Mastering the Art of Unsexy Entrepreneurship with Hold Co Owner Nick Huber, Founder of Bolt Storage & The Sweaty Startup
34:07
34:07
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34:07E48: Ever wonder how an "unsexy" business could lead to mind-blowing success? What if I told you someone turned a student self-storage idea into a multi-million dollar empire? Today, Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Nick Huber (@sweatystartup), the mastermind behind the Sweaty Startup brand, the brilliant mind behind Bolt Storage, and a ho…
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Building Powerful Flywheels: Unlocking Growth Engines for Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age
26:30
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26:30E47: Have you ever wondered how some creators and entrepreneurs seem to achieve incredible results effortlessly while others struggle to gain traction? The answer lies in a concept that has revolutionized my approach to business – the Flywheel Effect. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) dives deep into the concept of a flywheel and why every…
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E18 - How founders are becoming creators with Yong-Soo Chung
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46:58In this episode, I’m joined by Yong-Soo Chung, who founded and runs 3 businesses, hosts an incredibly high-production podcast, and shares some of his learnings through content in his newsletter. We speak about how founders are becoming creators and creators becoming founders, Yong-Soo’s journey of starting 3 businesses, and his entire workflow for …
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How to Succeed as a Creative Entrepreneur with Daren Smith, Film Producer & Author, Founder of Craftsman Creative
32:47
32:47
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32:47E46: Ever find yourself stuck in the hamster wheel of creativity, pouring your heart into your craft, but struggling to turn a profit? It's a challenge many of us face – the journey from creator to successful entrepreneur can feel like an uphill battle. Get ready as Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Daren Smith (@DarenTSmith), the founder o…
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What the Best Creators Have in Common: Attracting Audiences, Making Your Own Luck, and Building a Strong Network
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33:43E45: Have you ever wondered what sets successful founders and creators apart from the rest? The reality is, many budding entrepreneurs grapple with uncertainty, indecision, and the fear of failure. It's like navigating a maze blindfolded. Entrepreneurship isn't a walk in the park. It's a rollercoaster ride filled with challenges, doubts, and uncert…
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From Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry
35:18
35:18
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35:18E44: Ever wonder what it takes to skyrocket your newsletter from ground zero to an audience that hangs onto your every word? Many creators struggle with picking the perfect niche, nailing the right frequency, and snagging those elusive subscribers. But don't worry. Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) spoke to Matt McGarry (@JMatthewMcgarry), a newslette…
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A few months ago I had a super interesting conversation with Mike Heap, who quit a major accounting job to start building products. At the time of speaking, he was building No Code AI Model Builder but has since pivoted to build My AskAI, a tool that allows you to super quickly build your own Q&A AI using your own content. In this episode, he share…
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Threads vs. Twitter: Why Meta's Latest Launch is Making Waves in the Social Media World
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33:28E43: 'X' formerly known as Twitter, has a new rival in town. Led by Mark Zuckerberg, Threads has taken the world by storm, and while the initial rush has died down a bit, its impressive launch is worth a deeper dive. A platform where conversations feel more personal, intimate, and casual, like catching up with an old friend over coffee. That's exac…
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Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at Beehiiv
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40:09E42: Tyler Denk is the Founder & CEO of Beehiiv, an email service provider that's taking the newsletter industry by storm. If you are a regular listener, you already know that I use Beehiiv for the First Class Founders newsletter and I am incredibly happy with it. Tyler and I spoke about: His thoughts on the future of newsletters His role as the Gr…
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Unlocking the Power of the MAPS Framework: Mindset ➜ Audience ➜ Product ➜ Scaling
39:21
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39:21E41: Today, I reveal how I built my business, which generated $20 million in sales with my proprietary MAPS Framework – Mindset, Audience, Product, and Scaling. It's everything I know about entrepreneurship distilled down to one simple framework which you can use to build your own business. Today, I'll cover: My MAPS Framework and its Components Wh…
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Lessons from 2,000+ Startup Founder Interviews with Entrepreneur Andrew Warner of Mixergy
36:19
36:19
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36:19E40: What would you learn if you had the chance to speak to over 2,000 startup entrepreneurs including the founders of Airbnb, Reddit, and Zapier? We are talking to Andrew Warner, the serial entrepreneur, storyteller, podcast host, and author extraordinaire. After conducting over 2,000 interviews from startup founders, Andrew recently published a b…
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$250 Million Dollars in Sales: Colin Chung's Copywriting Secrets Revealed
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38:37E39: Imagine your work has contributed to a quarter billion dollars in sales. You read that right. Quarter of a billion dollars. That’s $250 million. Today, we’re joined by Colin Chung, a copywriter who not only knows how to write amazing direct response copy, but he knows how to get the largest clients in the business. Over the last 15 years, Coli…
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How the Top 0.1% of Newsletter Creators Are Skyrocketing Their Growth with Chenell Basilio of Growth in Reverse
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41:07E38: Want to know how the top 0.1% of creators grow their newsletter? Today, we’re joined by Chenell Basilio, the creator behind Growth in Reverse. Growth in Reverse is a newsletter that deep dives into newsletter creators with over 50,000 subscribers. Chenell spends over 40 hours per week researching one creator each week. During my conversation w…
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E16 - Startup Accelerators with Will Sacks
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24:19We speak to Will Sacks, founder and CEO of Fulcrum Venture Accelerator, a seed round accelerator for mission-driven entrepreneurs. We talk about startup funding, the benefits of participating in a startup accelerator, and much more. https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamsacks/ https://fulcrumventureaccelerator.com/ Check out this episode's sponsor: In…
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From Investment Banker to Creator: The Story of How Khe Hy Carved Out His Unconventional Entrepreneurial Path
53:07
53:07
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53:07E37: Khe Hy and I have A LOT in common. Khe is also the son of immigrant parents. And like me, Khe also decided to quit his Wall Street finance job to venture off into entrepreneurship. My conversation with Khe proved to be incredibly illuminating and I found his life to be a rich treasure trove of stories and life-lessons. I spoke to Khe about his…
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Secret Recipe for a Successful Content Creator: 7 Key Lessons with Clint Murphy
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39:14E36: What's it like to go from 0 to 300k+ followers in 2 years? Clint Murphy, the host and creator of The Growth Guide podcast and newsletter, did exactly that. Clint is the Chief Financial Officer at Mosaic Homes, a Real Estate Development company. But, what I’m most impressed by is Clint’s audience growth, which has skyrocketed over the past 2-3 …
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Newsletter Growth Secrets: Don't Make These Costly Mistakes
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31:25E35: Today, I am sharing my learnings growing my newsletter. I'll tell you five key lessons from my journey to getting 3,000 subscribers in just 5 months for the First Class Founders newsletter so that you don't have make costly mistakes. I'll lay out specific and actionable tips about what to look for while promoting your newsletter, how to spend …
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I speak to Max Weisbrod, founder of Baton, a startup that becomes the operations team for fractional executives. We speak about customer success, automation, and much more. Max’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxweisbrod Baton: https://www.heybaton.com This episode's sponsor: Indie Worldwide, an awesome community of bootstrapped startup fou…
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