Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That)
How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code
We Got Claude-Pilled

PLAYLIST:

#852 I Wasted $40K on an AI Agency. Here's What I Built Instead

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:15:00 -0400

Aaron Anderson runs a link building agency — 8 years in, fully remote, team of 10. A year ago, his business was in negative growth. He decided to go all-in on AI and hired an agency to rebuild his systems. He paid them nearly $40,000. They delivered nothing he could use.

While waiting on that agency, he started tinkering with Claude Code. Then he started building. Then he realized he was building better than they were.

Today Aaron walks us through what he's actually built, what it's made and saved him, and his answer to the biggest question in our inbox right now: what do I actually do with this thing?

Tactics include: automating the work you'd otherwise hire a VA for, rebuilding legacy tools without a developer, and the mindset shift from "what can I do with AI?" to "what can't I do?"

Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Aaron’s company
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) AI Feels Like a Superpower
(00:04:33) How Aaron Built a Lean Agency Business
(00:09:26) Why Revenue Started Falling
(00:10:04) “Maybe I Should Train an AI Instead”
(00:10:33) The Moment Aaron Got Claude-Pilled
(00:16:03) What an AI-Native Business Looks Like
(00:21:52) Why the Old SEO Agency Model Is Breaking
(00:23:28) Aaron’s Advice for Founders

CONNECT:

The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That)
How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code
We Got Claude-Pilled

PLAYLIST:

#851 $1,000,000+ Recurring Revenue — No Employees!

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Most founders assume scaling means hiring. Jesse Hanley built a 7-figure SaaS and refused to.
From Japan, Jesse runs Bento — a profitable email marketing platform — almost entirely on his own. In this episode, he explains why he turned down a ~$10M acquisition offer and the frameworks that make a one-person company possible today.
Topics include:
● The “Main Quest vs Side Quest” framework for staying focused in an AI-everything world
● Why Jesse refuses to hire full-time employees (and his “cockroach business” philosophy)
● Turning down a ~$10M acquisition offer to protect his lifestyle
● How AI agents now handle support, bugs, and development tasks
● Building a new product in 5 days with AI that now generates ~$10K MRR
● The Max MRR framework that explains why SaaS companies plateau
● The revenue milestone that finally made him feel financially secure

Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Solo Founder Lifestyle & Intro
(00:03:16) Meet Jesse & Bento + Why Build Email SaaS
(00:04:53) AI Models, Tooling & Product Direction
(00:07:32) Work Grind, Family & Financial Goals
(00:11:12) No Hiring, Contractors & AI Leverage
(00:17:48) Main Quest vs Side Quest (Core Strategy)
(00:22:13) Getting Customers, Self-Serve & Churn Limits
(00:26:44) MRR, Pricing & Positioning
(00:34:45) AI Workflows, Agentic Tools & Discipline
(00:40:24) Revenue Goals, Daily Routine & 4-Hour Vision

CONNECT:

The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That)
How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code
4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

PLAYLIST:

#850 We Got Claude-Pilled

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

After a week of going all-in with Claude and agentic AI, Dan and Ian share what happened when they plugged AI directly into their company workflows.
What followed felt less like using software — and more like jockeying a team of agents.

● The 4–5× productivity gap between AI teams and normal teams
● Building a working app in a weekend without being a developer
● Innovation cycles shrinking from 45 days to 45 minutes
● The rise of “vibe entrepreneurship”
● Why this moment feels like the early internet all over again

Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses.
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Nat Eliason case study
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) The 4–5× AI Gap
(00:03:20) AI as the New Electricity
(00:04:30) Are Founders Already Behind?
(00:06:54) Getting Claude-Pilled
(00:07:18) Is This an iPhone Moment?
(00:09:59) Vibe Entrepreneurship
(00:16:33) The AI Privacy Tradeoff
(00:17:25) 45 Days → 45 Minutes
(00:20:26) Talking and Jockeying
(00:22:45) The Hive Mind Company
(00:30:10) The AI Gold Rush
(00:33:50) Learning AI Together

CONNECT:

The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That)

PLAYLIST:

How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code

4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

#849 Advanced Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

We're often great at making money, terrible at managing it.

Multi-exit entrepreneur David McKeegan joins us to discuss personal finance built specifically for founders:

The "refrigerator number" — what it is and how to find yours
The 4% rule — is it still relevant, and what rate would you actually bet on?
Concentration vs. diversification: when to double down and when to spread out
Portfolio construction for 7-8 figure entrepreneurs (ETFs, TIPS, bonds — the real breakdown)

🎙️ Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Find Dave
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mckeegan-mba-ea-b7bb6613/

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black

Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders
https://bentonow.com/tmba

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) — How Much Money Is “Enough”?
(00:06:06) — The “Refrigerator Number” That Defines Freedom
(00:19:13) — The 4% Rule and Your Personal Pension
(00:28:27) — Why Founders Are Rich on Paper but Exposed
(00:30:15) — Concentrate to Build Wealth, Diversify to Protect It
(00:36:30) — The Simple Portfolio Behind an Eight-Figure Exit

CONNECT:

An 8-figure exit and revisiting the 1,000-day principle

PLAYLIST:

How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code

4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

#848 The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That)

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Dan talks with Taylor Pearson about a new wave of “agentic AI” tools like Claude Code — and how founders are using them to tackle projects that used to take days or weeks. From analyzing financials to running workflows and speeding up big internal projects, these tools can act more like a business collaborator than a chatbot. They also walk through how to take the first step if you want to start experimenting.

Find Taylor
Get started with Claude Code
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) AI “Superpowers” for Founders
(00:00:43) A New Wave of AI Tools
(00:00:57) Sponsor: Bento
(00:02:32) The First Time Taylor Tried Claude Code
(00:04:21) The $10K Projects Sitting on Your To-Do List
(00:05:13) Real Ways Founders Are Using AI Agents
(00:05:32) AI as the Operating System for Your Business
(00:13:07) The Breakthrough: AI That Reads and Writes Your Files
(00:20:44) The New AI Arbitrage
(00:25:16) What AI Is Weirdly Good (and Bad) At
(00:27:36) Why It’s an Exciting Time to Be a Founder Again

CONNECT:

Can Your Business Beat the S&P 500?
How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code
4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

PLAYLIST:

#847 From Semi-Retired to 1.3 Million Views on YouTube ft. Richard “RJ” Jalichandra

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

A semi-retired 6-time CEO accidentally went viral on YouTube, and turned it into a real business case study. Dynamite Circle member and DC BLACK facilitator, Richard “RJ” Jalichandra, joins us this week to talk about how a small channel can still transform your company. Plus, the hidden struggles of 7+ figure founders, defining your “enough number,” and why a little retirement planning today can actually improve your decisions right now.

LINKS

RJ’s YouTube Channel
Meet RJ and other lifestyle founders doing YouTube
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits

CHAPTERS

(00:04:18) How RJ Got Into YouTube
(00:07:04) The Algorithm vs What You Want to Create
(00:10:44) How to Build an Audience in 2026
(00:16:19) RJ’s Creative Process for YouTube
(00:19:16) Economic Opportunities for Mid-Cap Channels
(00:23:17) The #1 Struggle of 7-8 Fig Founders
(00:30:16) Scale for Wealth or Optimize For Lifestyle?
(00:33:10) The Importance of Retirement Planning

CONNECT:

Can Your Business Beat the S&P 500?
How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code
4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

PLAYLIST:

#846 Can Your Business Beat the S&P 500?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and Ian hop on the mic to talk about spending money to make more money in your business, getting financial assistance with AI, how to decide where you should live and work in 2026, and agentic AI use cases.

Meet lifestyle founders in Mexico this May
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits
Live Well on Less Than You Think by Fred Brock
“The End of the Office” by Andrew Yang
“How to replace your bookkeeper with AI” by Dan Norris

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) What Founders Are Talking About in Mexico This May
(00:03:45) How to Spend Money to Make Money in Your Business
(00:08:12) Using AI to Help You With Financials
(00:19:16) How to Decide Where to Live and Work Remotely in 2026
(00:30:42) What’s New With Agentic AI

CONNECT:

How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code
4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026
Financial Traps & Profit Truths

PLAYLIST:

#845 How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

How long would it take to revamp your entire business? For Elliott Zelinskas: three weeks.
Using Claude Code, he rebuilt his 4-year website, generated 100+ SEO pages, automated YouTube creation and publishing, and replaced parts of his tech stack. All without a dev team.
Is agentic AI the next evolution of entrepreneurship?

LINKS

Follow Elliott on X
Follow Elliott on Instagram
Meet Elliott and other lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits
Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
Live Well on Less Than You Think by Fred Brock

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:39) Meet Elliott & His Business
(00:07:05) How Elliott Started Using Claude Code
(00:11:16) Upsides and Downsides of Agentic AI
(00:15:13) Simple But Powerful Use Cases for Agentic AI
(00:22:07) Six Tips for Non-Tech Founders
(00:33:18) Security, Risk, and How to Decide What to Build
(00:46:42) Digital Nomading and Personal Finance

CONNECT:

Bad Hiring Advice That Can Actually Work: 9 Tactics for Lifestyle Founders
4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026
“Scaling on Steroids” with AI Automation ft. Juan Montero

PLAYLIST:

#844 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and Ian respond to a listener's email about strategies for going from a 9-5 to full-blown entrepreneurship, and why mindset is far more important long-term than ideas if you want to start a business.

LINKS

Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits

Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan

Dynamite Jobs

Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro and Listener Email
(00:05:58) Path 1: “Hold Your Nose and Jump”
(00:11:43) Path 2: The Coast Side Hustle
(00:14:16) Path 3: Intrapreneurship/Apprenticeship
(00:18:14) Path 4: Job Hopping
(00:30:05) Product-Market Fit, Passion, and More
(00:38:58) Overrated and Underrated Entrepreneurship Tips

CONNECT:

Bad Hiring Advice That Can Actually Work: 9 Tactics for Lifestyle Founders
What We Learned From Running a 7-Figure Remote Business in 2025
The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket

PLAYLIST:

#843 Bad Hiring Advice That Can Actually Work: 9 Tactics for Lifestyle Founders

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and Ian share 9 pieces of hiring advice that are typically considered “bad,” but can actually work pretty well for smaller bootstrapped teams - and especially lifestyle businesses.

LINKS

Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits

“Who” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street

Remote First Recruiting: Land your next hire in 21 days or less

Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

CHAPTERS

(00:03:42) Tip 1: Just Hire a Recruiter
(00:07:11) Tip 2: Work With Friends and Family
(00:10:34) Tip 3: Use AI For Onboarding
(00:12:02) Tip 4: Go Easy on the W2s
(00:14:52) Tip 5: You Don’t Need a Mission-Based Culture
(00:20:16) Tip 6: If You Hire the Wrong Person, Let Them Go
(00:22:54) Tip 7: It Doesn’t Have to Be More Than the Math
(00:25:45) Tip 8: Not Hiring Can Work Out Great
(00:30:30) Tip 9: Polarize Your Managing Style

CONNECT:

What We Learned From Running a 7-Figure Remote Business in 2025
The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket
“The World Is Ending.” These 5 Businesses Are Still Making Millions

PLAYLIST:

#842 What We Learned From Running a 7-Figure Remote Business in 2025

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and Ian take a candid look back at 2025, share highlights and lowlights from the year, and give a sneak peek into what’s next for Dynamite Circle.

LINKS

Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits

Ramit Sethi’s Money for Couples

Remote First Recruiting: Land your next hire in 21 days or less

Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

CHAPTERS

(00:01:56) Personal Finance: The First Step to Entrepreneurship
(00:09:02) Why You Need an Annual Theme
(00:13:03) Business Updates
(00:19:45) Professional Empowerment for Your Team Leaders
(00:25:53) Consistency in Delivering a Great Product
(00:30:31) What We’ve Learned from Hosting Executive Coaching
(00:34:36) Under the Hood at Dynamite Circle
(00:41:02) Highlights and Lowlights of 2025
(00:49:03) Our Themes for 2026

CONNECT:

How to Actually Build Systems in Your Small Business ft. Layla Pomper
The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]

PLAYLIST:

#841 The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Are we actively watching the rise of the degenerate economy? What does it mean for our entrepreneurial behaviors? What does it mean for our portfolios? Does gambling your way to wealth make sense? And what types of trends will emerge and strengthen in 2026?

Smart things look stupid for a while until they look smart. Dan and Jeff share their thoughts on the recent viral X article “The Prison of Financial Mediocrity” and their views on the “socially acceptable” risk of entrepreneurship as an escape from the 9-5.

LINKS

Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits
“The Prison of Financial Mediocrity” Full Article
The End of Jobs by Taylor Pearson (Dynamite Circle member!)
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Same As Ever by Morgan Housel
The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi et al
Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

CHAPTERS

(00:00:52) The Traditional Path is Closed
(00:06:00) The Era of Long Degeneracy & Success Via Risk
(00:10:49) Opportunity When the Game is Rigged Against You
(00:20:27) The Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket
(00:25:47) Financial Nihilism and Betting on Change

CONNECT:

How to Actually Build Systems in Your Small Business ft. Layla Pomper
“The World Is Ending.” These 5 Businesses Are Still Making Millions
Why $120K From Your Biz Beats $150K at a Job

PLAYLIST:

#840 How to Actually Build Systems in Your Small Business ft. Layla Pomper

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

What if your systems feel broken because you’re running big-company playbooks in a small, bootstrapped business? Layla Pomper, founder of ProcessDriven, joins us to share how small teams actually build systems that work.

We cover what to prioritize before even thinking about SOPs, how to systemize without hiring an integrator, plus the AI & automation tools her audience is quietly using to move faster.

LINKS

Dive into more of Layla’s systems content
EOS Business System
Meet other location-independent founders like Layla inside Dynamite Circle
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

CHAPTERS

(00:01:44) Today’s Guest: Layla Pomper
(00:06:18) Manage Your Mistakes
(00:13:47) Radical Simplicity in Your Systems
(00:17:53) People vs Roles
(00:22:26) Defaulting to Delegation
(00:26:59) Asking For Help & Meeting Cadences
(00:31:40) Why EOS Breaks Down For Small Teams
(00:39:31) Stop “Hiring” Software, Build the System First
(00:42:58) New Tools Worth Paying Attention To
(00:47:24) To YouTube, Or Not to YouTube?

CONNECT:

The Age of Disclosure
Daniel Salzner: Goldman-Sachs to $40K MRR AI Agency
Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson
Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

PLAYLIST:

[link to Doomsday Business Ideas episode]
Numbers Gone Wild: The Hidden Cost of Being Data-Driven
Financial Traps, Profit Truths, and What’s Next at TMBA

#839 “The World Is Ending.” These 5 Businesses Are Still Making Millions

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Apple launched the iPod in the wake of the dot-com bubble. Airbnb launched during the 2008 recession and housing crisis. In fact, half of all the Fortune 500 companies were created during a recession or economic crisis.

With the rise of AI, sociopolitical unrest, and the post-COVID landscape, what new ideas and businesses will emerge in 2026?

This week's sponsor is Bento!
Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits
https://bentonow.com/tmba

LINKS

CHAPTERS

(00:00:13) Change = Opportunity
(00:05:36) Idea #1: Solutions to AI Worry
(00:07:59) Idea #2: Address Digital Degeneracy
(00:12:42) Idea #3: Homesteading and Doomsday Prep
(00:20:34) Idea #4: Religious Revival
(00:23:58) Idea #5: Lifespan Optimization

CONNECT:

90 Day Business Clarity Worksheet
Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK

PLAYLIST:
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]
TMBA 539: Weathering the Storm
TMBA 546: Adjusting to the 'New Normal'

#838 Give Me 30 Minutes and I’ll Help You Plan Your Next 90 Days in Business

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What if 90 days from now, your business was sharper, more focused, and positioned for real growth? This simple but powerful 10-question framework is designed to help you identify your biggest challenge, clarify your team’s focus, and uncover new opportunities to stand out in your market.

LINKS

CHAPTERS

(00:03:29) Biggest challenge and next steps
(00:06:33) Focus
(00:08:24) Understand your customer
(00:12:45) Positioning
(00:15:55) Innovation and unique advantages
(00:21:15) Network
(00:22:57) Business model
(00:25:06) Team
(00:26:38) Cadence & leadership
(00:28:34) Bonus

CONNECT:

Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK
Leader’s Intent Framework
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
TMBA 528: The Brenwall Code

PLAYLIST:
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]
Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework [2026 Email Funnels Playbook]
These 7+ Figure Founders Refused the “Normal” Path to Wealth

#837 These 7+ Figure Founders Refused the “Normal” Path to Wealth

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500

We’re back from a week of hanging out with rockstars in NYC. Not just figurative rockstars in the form of 25 DC BLACK members and Scott Heiferman of Meetup.com, but also literal rockstar Keith Murray of We Are Scientists.

From “friendly” acquisitions to hiring frameworks and thoughts on leadership, this is what’s top of mind for 7 and 8-figure location independent founders going into 2026.

LINKS

CHAPTERS

(00:05:22) 7-Figures and Location Flexibility
(00:09:25) The Rise of “Friendly” Business Acquisitions
(00:14:12) What the Hell is Leadership?
(00:18:45) Buying Back Your Time with AI & Hiring
(00:22:40) Insights from Meetup.com’s Scott Heiferman
(00:28:10) Annual Planning: Working Backwards From the Goal
(00:31:25) The Crossover Between Artist and Entrepreneur
(00:39:46) Overcoming Challenges Through Innovation
(00:42:47) Rebranding “Asking for Help”

CONNECT:

Rolodex Marketing Resource

PLAYLIST:
Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework [2026 Email Funnels Playbook]
6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out [Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026]
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]

#836 Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework [2026 Email Funnels Playbook] #836

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500

With so many ways to make money online, many founders and creators have lost sight of the most powerful one: email marketing. John Ainsworth, founder of Data Driven Marketing, says you’re leaving tons of money on the table if you’re not doing it well.

John is back on the pod to share his best tips and tactics on landing pages, upsells, lead magnets, and more. You might want to take some notes for this one!

LINKS

Free Email Marketing Resources

John’s Podcast: The Art of Selling Online Courses

Meet John and other location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders

Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA

Share your thoughts about the podcast [takes 2 minutes]

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:02:11) Email Marketing: A Must-Have Money Maker
(00:11:50) 15 Steps to a High-Converting Landing Page
(00:19:18) Do Webinars Still Work in 2026?
(00:24:09) What Makes a Great Lead Magnet
(00:29:09) The Power of Order Bumps and Upsells
(00:36:58) How to Use AI to Improve Your Funnels
(00:40:45) How to Make Extra Money with Trip Wires
(00:44:37) Rapid-Fire Email Tips for 2026
(00:50:49) How John is Running His 7-Figure Agency

CONNECT:

Marketing to High-Dollar Clients

PLAYLIST:

6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out (Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026)

8 Simple Steps for Improving Your Sales Funnel

#835 6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out [Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026]

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Sticking rigidly to your sales scripts, hiring and firing sales reps, and positioning yourself as a freelancer instead of the expert: these mistakes will cost you in 2026 if you don’t address them now.

6-figure fractional sales manager, Jeff Pecaro, joins us once again to reveal his best sales insights and call us out on the mistakes we need to leave behind in 2025.

Plus, we get into how he and other 6-7 figure businesses inside Dynamite Circle are scaling with just one human and multiple bots.

LINKS

How to work with Jeff

Jeff’s favorite microphone for sales calls

Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA

Share your thoughts about the podcast [takes 2 minutes]

Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in Dynamite Circle

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:13) Today’s Guest: Jeff Pecaro
(00:01:44) The Biggest Challenge Holding Back Your Sales
(00:05:00) Start Positioning Yourself as the Expert
(00:14:31) Conversion Rate Benchmarks to Aim For
(00:18:59) How to Go From “Good Call” to $ in the Bank
(00:26:33) Sales Best Practices in 2026
(00:32:24) 2026 Bootstrapper Trends and Predictions

CONNECT:

$400K in Points & 100% Vibe Coded Shopify Forecasting App with “SpyGuy” Allen Walton

PLAYLIST:

Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]

The Lifestyle Business Playbook (2025 Edition)

#834 Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Whether you're a solopreneur or you've got a large team and millions of dollars in revenue, this simple process can help you plan for 2026 in just a few hours. Get ready for your best year in business yet, with clarity and intention.

LINKS

FREE Resource: Plan Your 2026 With Clarity and Intention

Ryan Deiss on Scoreboards

Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA

Share your thoughts about the podcast [takes 2 minutes]

Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:14) A Reliable Framework for Annual Planning
(00:02:13) How to Set the Right Kind of Goal and Plan for the Year
(00:08:15) System #1 to Reach Your Goal: Budget
(00:13:03) System #2 to Reach Your Goal: Scoreboard
(00:18:19) System #3 to Reach Your Goal: Scorecards
(00:21:13) System #4 to Reach Your Goal: Cadence
(00:24:18) What to Stop Doing & What to Do More Of In 2026
(00:27:59) The Importance of Personal Reflections Before a New Year

CONNECT:

Growth vs. Optimization — 90% of Growth Comes from 10% of Activities?
“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree
Health Advice That Goes Against Everything You Know ft. Jay Feldman

PLAYLIST:

#833 55 People Gave Our Last Event a 10/10. Here’s How We Did It [Free Checklist]

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:45:00 -0500

One of the stickiest things you can do for marketing and retention in your business… host events. We’ve been doing this for our community over the last 12-ish years, and we feel like we’ve finally (sorta) cracked the code.

Our Senior Community Manager at Dynamite Circle, Alex Harling, walks us through the guiding principles for hosting a 10/10 event. Apply these to your next sales call, group onboarding session, webinar, or in-person event.

LINKS

Share your thoughts about the podcast (takes 2 mins)

Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA

FREE Checklist: How to Host a Killer Event in 20 Steps

Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in Mexico City

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:01:48) The Man Behind Our Last 10/10 Event: Alex Harling
(00:03:00) Why Event Principles Are Important For All Businesses
(00:05:14) The Art of Gathering
(00:10:40) 10 Ways to Make Money With Events
(00:13:00) A New Spin on Sponsorship
(00:16:50) Case Study: Breakfast Club Austin
(00:18:48) The Costco Method
(00:21:23) Bonus Ways to Monetize Events
(00:25:08) The Biggest Challenge With Hosting Events
(00:29:24) External Event Planner vs Your Ops Manager?
(00:32:45) Five Principles for Killer Events

CONNECT:

“How Can I Get Customers For My New Online Sailboat Mechanic Business?” (Case Study in Location Independence)
How 1 New Feature Can 10x Your Pricing + 4 More Insights From DCBKK
How to Instantly Improve Your Lead Pipeline by 20-50%

PLAYLIST:

#832 “How Can I Get Customers For My New Online Sailboat Mechanic Business?” [Case Study in Location Independence]

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Considering a pivot to an online business but not sure where to start? A listener wrote in with the same dilemma, and we’re giving our best tips in this week’s episode of the pod.

We also discuss a listener who exited for multi-7 figures, a new offer we’re working on for business owners, key learnings from Vercel’s journey to a $9B valuation, and some community news from Dynamite Circle.

LINKS

We’ve learned a lot from our listeners, and you can learn a lot from your customers. Try Perspective AI.

This week’s sponsor: SPP.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”

Tweet about $9B Vercel

Amp It Up by Frank Slootman

Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in Mexico City

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:01:03) A Listener Who Exited for Multi 7 Figures
(00:02:52) How Dan Had a Business Breakthrough in a Tuk-Tuk
(00:07:24) DC Accelerator 2.0 [Beta]
(00:11:45) Moving an In-Person Business Online: Listener Case Study
(00:23:32) Sponsor Shout-Out: SPP.co
(00:24:31) Simple Keys to a $9B Valuation in 5 Years

CONNECT:

Our Lifestyle Business Non-Negotiables
How 1 New Feature Can 10x Your Pricing + 4 More Insights From DCBKK
Lucy Bella Simkins Built a YouTube Channel with 10,000,000 Subscribers

PLAYLIST:

#831 How 1 New Feature Can 10x Your Pricing + 4 More Insights From DCBKK

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

There’s something magical about being at a 5-star hotel in Bangkok to talk business nerdery with 300+ location- and time-flexible founders. Actually, scratch magical and replace that with “not normal.”

We’re back from DCBKK, our annual founder pilgrimage to Thailand. Here are 5 insights that made us go “hmmm” all week long.

LINKS

Share your thoughts about the podcast (takes 2 mins)

This week’s sponsor: SPP.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”

This week’s sponsor: Smash Digital “Scale your organic traffic with future-proof strategies”

DCBKK 2025 official photos

Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in Bangkok and Mexico

Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:44) Back from Bangkok with 5 Insights
(00:03:27) Why It’s So Hard to Describe the DC
(00:07:18) DCBKK: High-Level Overview
(00:09:02) Insight #1: Choose Your Hard
(00:12:57) Insight #2: Fractional Hiring
(00:17:23) Sponsor Break: Smash Digital & SPP.Co
(00:18:57) Insight #3: 10x Pricing with 1 Feature
(00:22:31) Insight #4: Simple Event ROI System
(00:25:25) Insight #5: Our Messaging Kinda Sucks
(00:27:00) Rapid Fire Bonus Insights and Upcoming DC Events

CONNECT:

Dan’s keynote from DCBKK 2024 “The Four Bricks”
The 3 hats of bootstrapping + Insights from DCBKK 2024
From Ex-Special Ops to 6-Figure Performance Coach ft. Itamar Marani

PLAYLIST:

#830 From Ex-Special Ops to 6-Figure Performance Coach ft. Itamar Marani

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Could your biggest strength also be sabotaging your success? This week Itamar Marani, ex-Special Ops turned mindset coach, reveals how he turned resilience into revenue, scaled from $2K clients to 6-figure programs, and used battlefield lessons to transform founder performance.

LINKS

Itamar’s Book: Elite Performance: The Israeli Special Ops Mindset System to Win the War Within and Achieve Audacious Goals
Share your thoughts about the podcast (takes 2 mins)
This week’s sponsor: SPP.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
This week’s sponsor: Smash Digital “Scale your organic traffic with future-proof strategies”
Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in person and online
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:43) This Week’s Guest: Itamar Marani
(00:01:09) Turning Your Niche Expertise into a Business Engine
(00:04:43) How a Failed Agency Sparked a Coaching Business
(00:09:30) Learning the Coaching Game from the Ground Up
(00:11:41) The Truth About Feeling Out of Your Depth
(00:13:54) The Evolution from $2K Clients to Six-Figure Engagements
(00:19:03) From One-on-One to Scalable Group Coaching
(00:27:19) Positioning Yourself When You Feel Unqualified
(00:33:27) Building Long-Term Value Beyond the First Program
(00:43:03) The ‘Drunk Founder’ Question That Reveals Hidden Truths
(00:49:12) How to Sell Coaching Without the Sleaze
(00:53:44) The Three Success Killers Holding You Back
(00:57:55) Understanding the Performance Traps That Limit Growth

CONNECT:

TMBA 524: Who Do You Think You Are? ft. Itamar Marani
“Scaling on Steroids” with AI Automation ft. Juan Montero
Numbers Gone Wild: The Hidden Cost of Being Data-Driven

PLAYLIST:

#829 “Scaling on Steroids” with AI Automation ft. Juan Montero

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Most founders are saving time with AI, but few are actually making money with it. In this episode, Juan Montero of Flowgrama reveals how bootstrappers can build practical AI agents and automations that actually drive revenue.

LINKS
Juan’s AI Automation Business: Flowgrama
Contact Juan
Share your thoughts about the podcast (takes 2 mins)
This week’s sponsor: SPP.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
This week’s sponsor: Smash Digital “Scale your organic traffic with future-proof strategies”
Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in person and online
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:51) This Week’s Guest: Juan Montero of Flowgrama
(00:03:07) Discovering the Power of Automation
(00:06:32) How LLMs Changed the Game
(00:09:35) The Truth About AI and Job Security
(00:14:31) Understanding AI Agents vs. LLMs
(00:17:42) APIs: The Backbone of Automation

(00:19:29) The Founder’s AI Toolkit
(00:24:33) Making Money with Social Automation
(00:27:00) How to Avoid Getting Banned on LinkedIn
(00:35:38) Using AI Agents for Business Intelligence
(00:38:28) Building an HR Agent for Your Team
(00:45:44) The Future of CRM Is Custom-Built
(00:49:42) Founders Who Are Actually Making Money with AI

CONNECT:

$400K in Points & 100% Vibe Coded Shopify Forecasting App with “SpyGuy” Allen Walton
Why Founders Shouldn’t Delegate AI (Barcelona Recap)
How to Get Rich on X With a Fake Persona

PLAYLIST:

#828 Numbers Gone Wild: The Hidden Cost of Being Data-Driven

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Chasing numbers can actually destroy what made your business great. In this episode, Dan and Ian unpack Goodhart’s Law — the idea that once a measure becomes a target, it stops being useful — and how founders accidentally turn smart goals into bad incentives. Plus, you’ll hear six ways to build healthier systems, lead better, and stop metrics from running your company off the rails.

LINKS
Share your thoughts about the podcast (takes 2 mins)
This week’s sponsor: SPP.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
This week’s sponsor: Smash Digital “Scale your organic traffic with future-proof strategies”
Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in person and online
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:01:16) The Hair-Dye Economy & Durable Businesses
(00:03:38) The Problem with Metrics
(00:07:44) Fix #1: Revisit Your Brand Promise
(00:09:12) Fix #2: Determine a Countervailing Metric
(00:12:17) Fix #3: Combine Input and Output Metrics
(00:13:12) Fix #4: Refresh Metrics Every 90 Days
(00:14:39) Fix #5: Pulse Discipline
(00:16:05) Fix #6: The Leadership Lens
(00:20:00) The Alt Business School
(00:25:42) When a Job Post Becomes a Marketing Hack

CONNECT:

Wealth Without a 7-Figure Exit: 5 Steps
How to Instantly Improve Your Lead Pipeline by 20-50%
Growth vs. Optimization — 90% of Growth Comes from 10% of Activities?

PLAYLIST:

#827 Wealth Without a 7-Figure Exit: 5 Steps

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian share 5 money tips for bootstrappers—from prioritizing personal finance and investing to getting in the company of other entrepreneurs. Follow this playbook and you could build wealth without a 7-figure exit (spoiler: only about 5% of businesses achieve this.) Free resource below!

LINKS
Share your thoughts on the podcast (takes 2 mins)
This week’s sponsor: SPP.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
This week’s sponsor: Smash Digital “Scale your organic traffic with future-proof strategies”
FREE RESOURCE: Personal Financial Dashboard for Bootstrappers
Olly Meaking’s musings on entrepreneurship and crossing 7 figures ARR:
Hang out with us at DCBKK this month
Connect with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

Audio:

(00:00:50) How Dan Got Fired For Having Too Many Ideas
(00:02:07) 5 Money Tips for Bootstrappers
(00:03:00) Tip #1: Focus on Your Knowledge, Skillset, and Business Model
(00:04:14) Case Study: Olly Meakings, Founder of Senja.io
(00:07:13) Tip #2: Be Realistic About Your Liquidity Potential
(00:11:42) Tip #3: Keep Your Second Bottom Line Sacred
(00:16:47) Sponsor Shout-out: Smash Digital
(00:17:43) Sponsor Shout-out: SPP.co
(00:18:44) Tip #4: Be a Bull About 1 Non-Business Thing
(00:23:47) Tip #5: Surround Yourself With Other Entrepreneurs

CONNECT:

How to Get Rich on X With a Fake Persona
How to Instantly Improve Your Lead Pipeline by 20-50%
Why $120K From Your Biz Beats $150K at a Job

PLAYLIST:

#826 How to Get Rich on X With a Fake Persona

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

This week, Dan and Ian continue the “Get Rich on X” saga with fresh updates, and a reality check. From hiring $4K ghostwriters to creating a new online persona, is X really worth the hype for growing fast—and getting rich—in 2025?

LINKS

Hang out with us at DCBKK this October
Connect with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
This week’s sponsor: https://spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
Remote First Recruiting: Hire Your Next Remote Team Member in 21 Days or Less
X’s Head of Product’s projections for the algorithm
LindyMan: an example of using a character or persona online
Moving From A Solopreneur Mindset To An Operator Mindset with Leila Hormozi
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

Audio:

(00:00:34) Business Lessons from the Lemonade Stand
(00:02:41) How to Get Rich on X: New Thoughts 
(00:10:16) Be Yourself… Or Create an Online Character?
(00:13:49) The Realistic Cost of Hiring a Ghostwriter for X
(00:16:46) Sponsor Shout-out: SPP.co 
(00:17:47) Leila Hormozi’s Simple System for Delegation
(00:26:12) Location as Leverage: What if the USA Were More Affordable?

CONNECT:

X’s Head of Product: How to Get Rich in 6 Months

PLAYLIST:

How to Instantly Improve Your Lead Pipeline by 20-50%

Location Is Leverage: How Advanced Digital Nomads Build Faster

#825 How to Instantly Improve Your Lead Pipeline by 20-50%.mp3

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Most founders are leaving money on the table without realizing it. Are you one of them?

This week, Dan and Ian break down how a tiny shift in how you handle leads can completely change your pipeline. Plus, a counterintuitive approach to networking and why big brands are paying founders to create content.

LINKS

Hang out with us at DCBKK this October
Connect with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
This week’s sponsor: https://spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
“Amp It Up” by Frank Slootman
Harvard Business Review: “The Short Life of Online Sales Leads”
MIT Lead Response Management Study
“The 4-Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferriss
Remote First Recruiting: Hire Your Next Remote Team Member in 21 Days or Less
My First Million Podcast
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:01) Business Idea: “Lifestyle” Services for 7-Figure Businesses 
(00:08:30) How to Improve Your Lead Pipeline 20-50% Overnight
(00:11:50) How Responding Faster to Leads Impacts Your Business
(00:16:46) Sponsor Shout-out: SPP.co
(00:17:47) Conference A or Conference B?
(00:19:38) Business Idea: Partner Podcast with Big Bucks Brand

CONNECT:

The Outsourcing Shake-Up: LATAM vs. Philippines

PLAYLIST:

Financial Traps, Profit Truths, and What’s Next at TMBA

“Build It Like You’re Gonna Sell It” (Dan’s “Amp It Up” Review)

#824 The Outsourcing Shake-Up: LATAM vs. Philippines

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

It’s another mixed bag of business topics on this week’s episode of the pod: X’s Head of Product shares the suspiciously simple playbook to getting rich on the platform, Google’s “Photoshop Killer” is officially on the loose, emerging thoughts on pivoting away from the Philippines for outsourcing remote talent, luxury lifestyle for a fraction of the cost in Thailand, and more.

Quick reminder that we’ll be in Bangkok next month with Dynamite Circle for a week of sheer business nerdery. Details in the links below!

LINKS

Hang out with us at DCBKK in Bangkok this October
Connect with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
X’s Head of Product shares how to get rich on X in 6 months
Google’s “Photoshop killer” Nano Banana
Nick Huber’s thoughts on outsourcing to the Philippines in 2025
Dan’s next read
This week’s sponsor: https://spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

Audio:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:29) How to Get Rich on X in 6 Months

(00:04:51) How to Stay Consistent with Content

(00:10:14) Google’s “Photoshop Killer”: Nano Banana

(00:13:58) PH No Longer a Hotspot for Remote Recruiting? 

(00:18:29) Sponsor Shout-out: SPP.co 

(00:19:47) Luxury Location-Independent Lifestyle in Thailand 

(00:27:22) Hits of the Week: Hormozi, Feldman, DCBKK

CONNECT:

Why $120K From Your Biz Beats $150K at a Job

PLAYLIST:

The Content Flywheel Behind a 7-Figure Education Business ft. Timothy Moser

Health Advice That Goes Against Everything You Know ft. Jay Feldman

The Freedom Line, 7+ Figure Founders, and Extended DCBKK Recap

#823 Why $120K From Your Biz Beats $150K at a Job

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Why are so many chasing $10M exits when $3-4M plus a paid-off house might be the real freedom number? Should you be betting big on Bitcoin in 2025, and did we miss out on a massive opportunity 9 years ago? And if you’re “unemployable,” is that a badge of honor... or a red flag?

This week, Dan and Ian crack open the reality behind location-independent entrepreneurship: from sipping wine in Europe (and still gaining weight) to navigating whether your side hustle cash flow can really replace that W-2 paycheck.

LINKS

Join Dynamite Circle and hang out with us in Bangkok in October
Connect with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December
The episode that could have made us $1.6 million
@levels.io’s investment portfolio (outperforming the S&P 500)
BowTied Bull’s article “Think Twice After You Make It”
This week’s sponsor: spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:44) What percentage of W-2 Income is Small Biz income worth?
(00:13:48) This Week’s Sponsor: SPP.co
(00:15:12) Are Entrepreneurs Truly Unemployable?
(00:18:34) “Financially Cozy” Level of Wealth
(00:26:18) Europe for the summer: overrated, underrated, or properly rated?
(00:27:26) Company news

CONNECT:

The Changing Landscape of SEO and the Influence Equation
What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models?
“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

PLAYLIST:

#822 5 Bootstrapper Takeaways from Hormozi’s $100M Launch

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

If you’ve been living under a rock, you might have missed Alex Hormozi’s record-breaking launch of his latest book $100M Money Models (yep, reps from Guinness World Records were there to verify.)

One of the most prominent internet business gurus of our time, Alex’s marketing and launch strategies paint a vivid picture of the power of “the influence equation.” Love him or hate him, his journey is inspiring for all entrepreneurs. Here are 5 takeaways from the launch, specifically for bootstrappers in the trenches.

LINKS

This week’s sponsor: spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
Alex Hormozi’s $100M book series
Dan’s book “Before the Exit”
“The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life” by Nick Maggiulli
Nick Maggiulli’s interview on the Afford Anything Podcast
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders like Allen inside DC BLACK

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:07) $87M in 8 Hours: Hormozi’s Record-Breaking Launch
(00:06:05) Takeaway #1: The Power of the Influence Equation
(00:11:53) Takeaway #2: Three Types of Media Strategy
(00:14:35) This Week’s Sponsor: SPP.co
(00:15:53) Takeaway #3: Choose Your Extreme
(00:18:40) Takeaway #4: Aggressively Do the Hardest Thing
(00:20:06) Takeaway #5: Risk - The Secret to Stratospheric Wealth
(00:25:08) Final Thoughts: The Corner Office Test

CONNECT:

The Changing Landscape of SEO and the Influence Equation
What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models?
“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

PLAYLIST:

#821 $400K in Points & 100% Vibe Coded Shopify Forecasting App with “SpyGuy” Allen Walton

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this week’s episode, Allen Walton (SpyGuy) shares how he’s using AI to build custom tools with almost zero coding experience, and how founders can turn everyday business spending into first-class flights.

From AI-powered inventory forecasting to unlocking elite travel perks, this episode is packed with practical tips for bootstrapped entrepreneurs ready to work smarter and travel better.

LINKS

This week’s sponsor: spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal”
Connect with Allen on X
Allen’s ecomm company
“The 4-Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferriss
“StoryBrand” by Donald Miller
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders like Allen inside DC BLACK

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) Today’s Guest: Allen Walton
(00:07:35) How Allen is Using AI for Business & Personal Life
(00:09:45) LLM Deep Research for Competitor Analysis & ICP Creation
(00:12:58) Vibe Coding Apps with Zero Technical Experience
(00:22:32) This Week’s Sponsor: SPP.co
(00:23:50) How Airlines Actually Make Their Money
(00:26:34) The Competition of Points and Rewards in 2025
(00:30:40) The Worst Way to Redeem Points
(00:33:13) How to Maximize Points Accumulation
(00:35:48) Why Business Owners Should Pay More Attention to Points
(00:38:44) ‘Mozi Madness: Alex Hormozi’s Record-Breaking Launch

CONNECT:

Top 5 SEO Tactics That Still Work in 2025 with Sean Markey

PLAYLIST:

TMBA 256: Making Sense of Awards Points and Business Class Upgrades w/ Erik Paquet

TMBA 540: Are You Generating Income or Wealth? w/ Nat Eliason

#820 Top 5 SEO Tactics That Still Work in 2025 with Sean Markey

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Organic traffic is getting weird… and kinda looks like an alligator’s mouth (you’ll have to listen to the episode to see what we mean).

SEO expert Sean Markey joins Dan to break down 5 strategies still working in 2025: from parasite SEO to aged domains and Reddit "hacks." If you’re trying to cut through the LLM noise, this episode is the ultimate SEO rabbit hole.

LINKS

Sean’s SEO newsletter for CEOs and founders that hate SEO newsletters
Sean’s SEO community
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Today’s Guest: Sean Markey

(00:02:53) The State of SEO in 2025

(00:03:49) What SEO Leaders Are Doing (Instead of Panicking)

(00:04:44) How to Own Page 1 Without Ranking

(00:07:25) Buy Your Way Into the SERPs

(00:09:23) The Reddit Mod Hack No One Talks About

(00:12:58) How Small Channels Are Printing 60K MRR

(00:14:46) Ranking in LLMs Without a Prompt Engineer

(00:17:26) The Aged Domain Shortcut That Still Works

(00:20:54) What Is Parasite SEO (And Why It Works)

(00:22:50) The AI Prompt Stack SEO Founders Are Gatekeeping

(00:25:25) Why Local SEO Still Wins in 2025

(00:26:45) Is SEO Even SEO Anymore?

(00:29:36) Why Community > Courses in 2025

(00:33:03) The 1-1-1 Model: Simple, Scalable, Profitable

CONNECT:

TMBA 588: Embracing Growth Through Setbacks w/ Sean Markey

PLAYLIST:

From Struggling Plumber to $57K MRR w/ Tom Richards

Why Founders Shouldn’t Delegate AI (Barcelona Recap)

#819 Why Founders Shouldn’t Delegate AI (Barcelona Recap)

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

How are legit 7- and 8-figure founders leveraging AI in their businesses? Spoiler alert: they’re not just handing it off to their teams.

From cutting high level consultants to redefining metrics and leadership, Dan shares 7 takeaways from our recent DC BLACK event in Barcelona for million-dollar founders.

LINKS:
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Growth Levers and How to Find Them by Matt Lerner
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days

CHAPTERS:

Audio:

(00:00:46) AI Is a Founder-Level Problem

(00:01:16) Real AI Use Cases From 7-Figure Founders

(00:05:15) Financial Freedom Starts Earlier Than You Think

(00:07:45) Million-Dollar Nomads Are Rare (And That’s Powerful)

(00:10:38) How to Hire For Less in Latin America (Quick Plug)

(00:11:38) The Rise of the Lifestyle Business CEO

(00:14:39) Why Fringe Curiosity Is a Superpower

(00:16:21) What’s Your North Star Metric?

(00:22:22) The Meta Takeaway: Define Your Constraint

CONNECT:

The Brutal Truth About Business Exits with Rob Walling

PLAYLIST:

The Content Flywheel Behind a 7-Figure Education Business ft. Timothy Moser

Health Advice That Goes Against Everything You Know ft. Jay Feldman

#818 The Content Flywheel Behind a 7-Figure Education Business ft. Timothy Moser

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Timothy Moser, founder of LearnCraft Spanish, shares how he scaled a 7-figure education business in today’s fast-changing online landscape. From why SEO is collapsing to the surprising rise of YouTube as a high-converting channel, Timothy breaks down the strategies behind his content flywheel, email list growth, and powerful giveaway launches that turn listeners into paying customers.

Dan and Timothy also discuss what founders really get from in-person Dynamite Circle events, how a 30-person remote team stays aligned, and the realities of carrying entrepreneurial responsibility—even when you “unplug.”

LINKS:

LearnCraft Spanish
Contact Timothy to talk business
“Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS:

(0:00:13) Welcome & Today’s Big Question
(00:01:48) Meet Timothy Moser & LearnCraft Spanish
(00:07:38) How DC Events Unlock Growth
(00:12:16) The SEO Collapse in 2025
(00:14:01) YouTube vs Podcasting in 2025: What Actually Works?
(00:17:04) The Flywheel Effect of Great Long-Form Content
(00:21:24) Timothy’s Counter-Culture Giveaway Strategy
(00:29:50) Scaling and Delegating: Challenges for Bootstrapped Founders
(00:36:24) Can Founders Ever Unplug?

CONNECT:

Health Expert EXPOSES the "Eat Less, Exercise More" Movement

PLAYLIST:

Going Deep With Your Customers

Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap

#817 Health Advice That Goes Against Everything You Know ft. Jay Feldman

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

When Dan started training for an intense cycling season, he needed more energy... without wrecking his health. That led him to Jay Feldman, a health researcher who believes most mainstream advice is dead wrong.
In this episode, Jay explains why “eat less, exercise more” backfires, and what to do instead. You’ll learn how metabolism really works, which foods help or hurt, and how to eat in a way that actually fuels your life.

LINKS:
FREE Energy Balance Food Guide
The Energy Balance Podcast
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days

CHAPTERS:
(00:00:28) Why This Episode Matters
(00:04:17) What Is the Bioenergetic View of Health?
(00:08:02) Why ‘Eat Less, Exercise More’ Doesn’t Work
(00:13:39) The Food Industry’s Role in the Diet Lie
(00:20:15) What Should You Actually Eat?
(00:22:30) Why Gut Health Affects Energy
(00:27:24) Are Seed Oils Destroying Your Cells?
(00:31:01) Why PUFAs May Accelerate Aging
(00:35:52) What a Metabolism-Friendly Day of Eating Looks Like
(00:38:49) How to Eat Like a Baby (and Why That’s Good)
(00:42:59) Where the Research Is Heading

CONNECT:

PLAYLIST:
What is the World's Best Diet?
The True Cost of Burnout, Anxiety, and Entrepreneurial Depression
Talking Smart Drugs

#816 Reddit Hot Takes on Entrepreneurship: Founders React

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian respond to a series of spicy "unpopular opinions" about entrepreneurship, employment, digital nomadism, and lifestyle design, sourced straight from Reddit.

They weigh in on whether boring businesses really win, if you can get rich working a 9-to-5, and whether meeting locals is overrated when traveling as a nomad.

LINKS:

22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:08) Unpopular Opinion #1: Boring Businesses Actually Win

(00:05:26) Unpopular Opinion #2: A Job Can Make You Rich

(00:11:22) Unpopular Opinion #3: Strategic Planning Is a Waste

(00:13:49) Unpopular Opinion #4: Meeting Locals is Overrated

(00:17:49) Unpopular Opinion #5: Entrepreneurship Isn’t All Sacrifice

CONNECT:

PLAYLIST:

Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap

A Game of Would You Rather ft. Noah Kagan

#815 Zero-Profit Events, CFO Swaps, and LATAM Talent: 2025 Halftime Report

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

We’re halfway through 2025! This episode is a raw look at what’s working, what’s not, and the experiments we’re doubling down on.

From running premium events at zero profit to building lean teams with talent from Latin America, we share the trade-offs and results behind every decision. Dan and Ian open the books on DC BLACK and DC Accelerator, plus they uncover how Remote First Recruiting quietly had one of its best quarters yet.

LINKS:
Dan’s Four Bricks presentation
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:42) Can You Break a Plateau Without Spending $200K?
(00:01:45) Why Your Next Growth Phase Starts With You
(00:06:45) What Happened When Our CFO Left
(00:11:27) Why We Finally Launched a Premium Tier
(00:16:01) The Real Results of Our $5K Coaching Program
(00:22:03) Is Our Recruiting Arm About To Have Its Best Quarter Yet?
(00:28:01) We’re Going to Bangkok This October

CONNECT:

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

PLAYLIST:

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

90-Day Growth Plan in 10 Questions

The Wheel of Despair and the Paradox of Growth

#814 Growth vs. Optimization — 90% of Growth Comes from 10% of Activities?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What happens when you’ve optimized everything… and growth still stalls? In this episode, Dan and Ian break down a powerful distinction most founders miss: the difference between optimization (making your business run smoother) and growth (finding and testing new paths to scale). They unpack insights from Growth Levers by Matt Lerner, a framework that helped PayPal and other startups unlock massive growth and why it still applies to bootstrappers today.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Dan and Ian run operations in under 5 hours per week using the “Four Bricks”: financials, a measured plan, individual scorecards, and pulse meetings (aka the Daily Huddle). Plus: why growth experiments often fail, how to avoid optimization creep, and how interviewing your customers using the “Jobs to Be Done” framework can reveal the 10% that leads to 90% of your growth.

LINKS:
“Growth Levers and How to Find Them” by Matt Lerner
“Scaling Up” By Verne Harnish
Daily Huddle Template
Company Scoreboard Template
Individual Scorecard Template
“Jobs to Be Done” Interview Framework
Dan’s Four Bricks presentation
Connect with generous global entrepreneurs

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:13) Intro: Founders, Channels, and What’s Working in 2025
(00:01:40) Growth vs Optimization: The Lens That Changes Everything
(00:09:34) The Four Bricks: How to Run Ops in Under 5 Hours/Week
(00:18:38) Why Most Teams Avoid Growth
(00:20:32) Growth Levers: The 10% That Drives 90% of Growth
(00:28:00) Jobs to Be Done: Why Customers Really Buy
(00:33:26) Growth Sprints: How to Experiment Without Burning Out
(00:36:22) Common Mistakes That Kill Growth Early

CONNECT:

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

PLAYLIST:

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

90-Day Growth Plan in 10 Questions

The Wheel of Despair and the Paradox of Growth

#813 7-Figure Marketing with Zero Ad Spend ft. Karla Singson

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What marketing strategies are actually working in 2025? Karla Singson shares standout tactics from a DC Mexico meetup she hosted, where 6- and 7-figure founders revealed how they’re landing clients organically through Facebook groups, trade show podcast hacks, and thoughtful LinkedIn comments (no ad spend required).

We also dive into Karla’s own playbook: how she’s built multiple businesses around authenticity, reputation, and smart delegation. She shares tips for handling sales calls, choosing offers that sell themselves, and why relationships (not reach) are her #1 growth lever.

LINKS:

Karla’s Facebook
Karla’s Instagram
Karla’s Business
Dennis Yu’s “Dollar a Day” Strategy
Connect with generous global entrepreneurs
Founders getting together in Bangkok this October for DCBKK 2025
Read Dan’s book “Before the Exit”
Share your story/sponsor the pod

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:13) Intro: Affordable Marketing for Scrappy Founders

(00:01:29) Karla’s Business Portfolio: From Flowers to Facebook Funnels

(00:05:00) Why Founders Struggle to Delegate

(00:10:17) 3 Low-Cost, High-Impact Client Acquisition Channels

(00:12:59) Organic Facebook Marketing Still Works (Here’s Why)

(00:15:34) The 400% Revenue Trade Show Hack

(00:18:29) How to Capture Leads by Commenting on LinkedIn

(00:21:17) Why Most Founders Are Hesitant to Run Ads

(00:22:50) The Rise of Hyper-Authenticity

(00:26:30) Why In-Person Still Matters (But Not for the Reason You Think)

(00:27:25) The '10 Industry Friends' Strategy for Rapid Growth

(00:34:41) Why Karla Keeps a Business Portfolio (Not Just One Focus)

(00:36:30) The “Duh” Test for Business Ideas

(00:38:46) Sales Calls: What Actually Works in 2025

(00:38:54) Building Rapport That Converts (No Cringe Small Talk)

(00:41:23) Refunds, Guarantees, and the Power of Reputation

(00:42:11) Lessons from a Business Partnership Gone Wrong

(00:45:31) Why Golf Is the Best Business School

(00:48:05) Playa del Carmen as a Business Base: Pros and Cons

(00:52:37) Karla’s Love Letter to DCBKK

CONNECT:

Marketing to High-Dollar Clients

PLAYLIST:

$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue

Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube

50/50 Partnerships: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud

#812 From Struggling Plumber to $57K MRR w/ Tom Richards

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

From hating life on a Sydney construction site to building a $57K/month agency from Bali, Tom Richards—founder of PlumbElec Marketing—has lived the remote founder arc. In this episode, he shares how niching into plumbing and electrical businesses helped him scale fast, why Google Maps still dominates local SEO, and how he balances agency life with lifestyle design.

You’ll hear Tom’s take on ChatGPT use cases, the best tools for founder efficiency, and whether he’s ready to scale or keep things lean and profitable. Plus, Dan breaks down what might be the most reliable location-independent income roadmap in 2025.

LINKS:

Connect with Tom
Daily Huddle template
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Share your story/sponsor the pod
22 free resources for founders
Connect with 1,000+ generous global entrepreneurs
Read Dan’s book “Before the Exit”

CHAPTERS:
(00:02:18) From Plumber to Agency Founder
(00:04:07) How Tom Built His First Client Base
(00:04:58) $57K MRR and the Current Team
(00:07:23) Why Tradespeople Are the Best Clients
(00:09:51) Transitioning from Daily Huddles to Weekly Calls
(00:12:14) The Real Numbers Behind Tom’s Retainer Model
(00:13:38) Hormozi’s 1-1-1 Model in Real Life
(00:18:50) Surviving the SEO Upheaval in 2025
(00:19:25) Why Google Maps is Still Gold for Local SEO
(00:23:34) How to Use Case Studies to Supercharge Cold Outreach
(00:25:59) Should You Scale Your Agency or Stay Lean?
(00:31:31) The Most Reliable Remote Income Roadmap
(00:35:31) What Agency Life is Really Like
(00:39:28) Tom’s Favorite ChatGPT and AI Tools
(00:41:04) Bali vs Thailand: Which Is Better in 2025?

CONNECT:

The Changing Landscape of SEO and the Influence Equation

PLAYLIST:

The Brutal Truth About Business Exits with Rob Walling

1,000 Customers from One Channel

The First 1,000 Days of Running an Agency

#811 The Brutal Truth About Business Exits with Rob Walling

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:30:00 -0400

Thinking of selling your business one day? Or never planning to? Either way, this conversation could change how you build.

Rob Walling has seen it all. He’s exited his own SaaS company and helped thousands of founders grow and sell through TinySeed, MicroConf, and his podcast “Startups for the Rest of Us.”

In this episode, he sits down with Dan to talk about what founders get wrong about selling, why most exits are emotionally brutal, and how to actually create a business that gives you freedom: whether or not you ever sell it.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Why Exits Matter (Even If You Never Sell)
(00:03:48) The Emotional Reality of Selling Your Business
(00:08:35) What Your Business is Actually Worth (Valuation Benchmarks)
(00:11:45) The $10M Dream: Who Gets There, Who Doesn’t
(00:18:59) The SaaS Plateau: How to Know When You're Stuck
(00:27:20) The 5 Marketing Channels Still Working in 2025
(00:30:23) Can Non-Technical Founders Still Win?
(00:40:33) Two Traps Founders Fall Into When Selling a Business
(00:46:50) Rob’s Book: “Exit Strategy”

LINKS

Rob’s book “Exit Strategy”
Share your story/sponsor the pod
22 free resources for founders
Connect with 1,000+ generous global entrepreneurs
Read Dan’s book “Before the Exit”

Dan Andrews is the co-founder of Dynamite Circle, author of Before the Exit, host of the Tropical MBA podcast, and an entrepreneur who has successfully launched and scaled multiple 7-figure businesses.

CONNECT WITH DAN

Email Dan@tropicalmba.com
Follow on X
Follow on Instagram

MORE EPISODES

Our Lifestyle Business Non-Negotiables

‘I’m Fiscally Bitcoin and Socially Ethereum’

Is Dropshipping Still a Valid Business Model?

The Consultant’s Handbook - How to Make Location Independent Income Quickly

The Amazon Gold Rush

Form: Share your story / sponsor the pod
Connect with 7-figure founders

#810 The Lifestyle Business Playbook (2025 Edition)

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Is the “lifestyle business” still alive in 2025?

Dan chats with longtime friend Jeff Pecaro about the evolution of internet business, what today’s solopreneurs get right (and wrong), and how constraints can lead to clarity.

They dive into pricing mistakes, the pressure to grow beyond your goals, and how to use tools like AI to think—not just automate. It’s a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look at the business models most of us are actually running.

Plus: how to join upcoming DC BLACK masterminds for 7+ figure founders.

Links from the episode:

CHAPTERS

(00:00:24) What Lifestyle Business Means in 2025
(00:01:37) Early Days of Internet Money
(00:03:03) Growth Isn’t Always the Goal
(00:12:49) Why Some Founders Recreate Jobs by Accident
(00:15:34) Pricing Problems = Perception Problems
(00:22:13) Using AI as a Thought Partner
(00:28:01) Optimizing for Audience vs. Revenue
(00:37:21) Quiet Wins and Redefining Success

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram
Free resources for business owners

MORE EPISODES

Our Lifestyle Business Non-Negotiables

‘I’m Fiscally Bitcoin and Socially Ethereum’

Is Dropshipping Still a Valid Business Model?

The Consultant’s Handbook - How to Make Location Independent Income Quickly

The Amazon Gold Rush

Form: Share your story / sponsor the pod
Labor Efficiency Ratio Summary

#809 Financial Traps, Profit Truths, and What’s Next at TMBA

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 29 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Many founders hit $3M in revenue and stall out. In this episode, Dan and Greg Crabtree break down why—and how to fix it. They discuss “profit truth”, how to spot financial red flags, and what metrics to track to scale beyond the messy middle.
Plus: we’re looking for listener stories. Have you implemented a system or framework that changed your business? Tell us about it. Your story could help 1,000s of entrepreneurs.
Links from the episode:

CHAPTERS
(00:00:14) Introduction and the Death Zone
00:09:37) The Impact of Paying a Market-Based Wage
(00:11:03) Behavioral Economics and Profit Truth
(00:14:38) The Definition of a Fully Capitalized Business
(00:16:49) Transitioning through the Death Zone
(00:17:26) The Three Steps to Business Success
(00:18:51) Remaining Profitable in the Death Zone
(00:19:48) Different Capital Profiles and Cashflow
(00:21:04) The Emotional Challenge of Spending in the Death Zone
(00:24:03) The Executional Problem of Growth
(00:24:24) Getting Through the Black Hole
(00:27:02) The $3 Million Mark
(00:28:25) The Worth of Going Through the Zone
(00:31:32) Managing a Marketing Agency Past $5 Million
(00:36:26) Common Mistakes Made by Founders
(00:38:36) Understanding Profit Truth
(00:45:33) Investing in Finance and Accounting

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram
Free resources for business owners

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies

#808 Going Deep With Your Customers

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 22 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What 160 founders taught us at DC Mexico—why deep customer engagement beats ads, how group workshops are replacing sales calls, what lifestyle entrepreneurs can learn from the FIRE movement, and how financial clarity and community still drive the biggest results.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:34) DC Mexico Recap

(00:02:42) Why We Do This (Essay by Jeff Pecaro)

(00:06:23) Deep Giveaways That Convert

(00:12:31) High Ticket Offers

(00:15:30) Lifestyle Business vs. FIRE Movement

(00:19:07) Masterminds as Money Makers

(00:21:08) The Real Challenge of Parenting?

(00:24:49) Pivots and Resetting the Vision

(00:25:58) Real AI Workflows Founders Are Using

(00:26:31) Clarity, Courage, and Deal-Making

(00:27:45) Nailing Your Best Marketing Channel

(00:29:00) Know Your P&L

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram
Free resources for business owners

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies

#807 Location is Leverage

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 15 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan shares how advanced digital nomads use geography as a lever for business growth—and why most people get it wrong. If you’re going to travel, do it with intention. This episode breaks down how.

CHAPTERS
(00:02:00) The Embargo on “Digital Nomad”
(00:02:35) Why Most Nomads Miss the Point
(00:05:38) 4 Ways to Travel Smart and Build Faster
(00:06:13) Leverage Financial Arbitrage
(00:09:16) Curate Better Relationships
(00:16:20) Pick Places That Serve Your Goals
(00:21:49) Reduce Lifestyle Overhead
(00:22:30) Advanced vs. Beginner Nomading
(00:25:09) Pitfalls to Avoid: Currency Traps, Isolation, Network Ceilings
(00:29:44) The Challenge of Finding a Life Partner
(00:31:46) Nomading as a Lever, Not a Lifestyle

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram
Free resources for business owners

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies

#806 50/50 Partnerships: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 08 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan shares why most bootstrapped business partnerships go sideways—and what to do if yours already has.
Resources Mentioned:
● When Partners Fall Out (HBR article)
● Tropical MBA financial dashboards

CHAPTERS

(00:00:13) Why This Episode Exists

(00:01:27) The Bootstrapper’s Dilemma

(00:03:07) The Gridlock Problem

(00:04:56) When Life Goals Shift

(00:06:32) The Ownership Trap

(00:08:04) Why Money Makes It Worse

(00:09:14) Identity, Resentment, and Role Confusion

(00:15:24) The Minority Partner Illusion

(00:17:26) Rock Band Rules

(00:26:53) How to Reset a Broken Partnership

(00:27:46) The Ultimate Test

(00:30:15) The Goal: One Plus One Equals More Than Two

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram
Free resources for business owners

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies

#805 What Every Profitable Business Gets Right

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 01 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

This week, Dan goes back to the basics—because that’s where the breakthroughs often live. This might be the single most important episode you listen to, especially if you feel like you’ve hit a plateau.

He lays out the fundamentals of crafting a compelling offer, why most founders avoid doing it, and how your aversion to rejection might be holding you back from growth.
Resources Mentioned:

Download Dan's Offer Worksheet
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) – The Biggest Lever Under $300K
(00:00:29) – Back to Basics: Offers
(00:02:07) – Offer vs Product
(00:03:57) – Why Founders Avoid Offers
(00:07:34) – Testing in the Market
(00:08:57) – The Offer Framework
(00:13:14) – Iterate and De-Risk
(00:16:08) – Final Thoughts & Resources

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/7-figure-productized-business)

The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/exit-founders-disappointed)

Success Without Sacrifice? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/success-without-sacrifice)

Shiny Object Syndrome (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/shiny-object-syndrome)

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/anti-agency-high-roi)

#804 Marketing to High-Dollar Clients

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan shares a relationship-first strategy for landing bigger deals—no funnels, no ads, just a focused system that’s often more affordable and effective than a social media strategy. He’s joined by agency owner James Feng, who’s using this approach to grow from $300K to $1M.

(Dan's template) The Rolodex Method + Marketing Tracker

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:01) The Old School Way to Get Your Dream Clients
(00:04:00) How high-level decision makers make decisions
(00:06:03) Agency Owner $300K to $1M
(00:07:38) Who is James Feng?
(00:11:22) Adjusting Pricing for Better Client Acquisition
(00:13:49) Understanding the Landscape of High-Level Accounts
(00:15:34) Building Relationships with Key Decision Makers
(00:22:36) The Rolodex Hustle: Creating a System for Networking
(00:27:22) Leveraging Cultural Insights for Business Success

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/7-figure-productized-business)

The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/exit-founders-disappointed)

Success Without Sacrifice? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/success-without-sacrifice)

Shiny Object Syndrome (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/shiny-object-syndrome)

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/anti-agency-high-roi)

#803 I Can’t Stick With It. Should I?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What if your struggle to follow through isn’t a discipline problem — but a signal? This week, Dan unpacks why many entrepreneurs bounce between ideas early on, and how that phase might be necessary, not broken. He shares a simple framework for telling the difference between just another project… and a business worth going all-in on.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:13) Intro + Listener Question
(00:02:03) Why $150/Month Is a Great Start
(00:02:58) The 100 Ideas Phase
(00:03:48) Recognizing Early Market Signals
(00:04:51) Execution Only Matters After Momentum
(00:07:18) The Classic Founder Venn Diagram
(00:07:59) Pitfalls of Passion Projects
(00:11:54) High Ticket vs. Consumer Products
(00:13:54) Designing Your First Offer
(00:15:04) Why Market Feedback Solves the Focus Problem
(00:16:17) Final Advice: Stay Playful and Keep Experimenting

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies

#802 The 10 Behaviors Killing Your Business — Masked as Productivity

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Some of the “smart moves” founders make might be signs of hidden resistance. This week, Dan and Ian break down 10 behaviors that can quietly kill momentum, from expanding marketing channels too early to pausing sales during busy stretches. They also dive into why scaling too soon backfires, the hidden risks of declining assets, and what happens when you delay building management layers.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:13) Introduction
(00:01:09) Understanding Resistance in Business and In Life
(00:04:51) A Balanced Marketing Diet (Finally!)
(00:09:15) Pause Selling Because We’re So Busy!
(00:12:03) Keeping Team Members Maximally Busy
(00:16:08) Cutting a Clever Deal With a Declining Asset
(00:20:47) I Simply Won’t Do ideas That Don’t Scale!
(00:25:01) I’m Going to Quit My Job!
(00:28:04) The Myth of the Great Idea
(00:32:11) I’m Re-Investing In My Product!
(00:35:38) Building an Audience: Start With The Basics
(00:38:33) Should I Build Out a Management Layer? Tempting!

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

LINKS
Join the DC
Subscribe to the newsletter
Follow us on Instagram

MORE EPISODES

The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a $1M Business

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Service Strategies

#801 Why Founders Stall at $300K + The Blank Sheet

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan shares strategies for creating value as an entrepreneur - from maximizing personal productivity to defending your creative space so you can build something meaningful. He breaks down the common roadblocks entrepreneurs face at the $300K revenue mark and shares practical wisdom for navigating difficult personalities in business and in life.

Book recos form the episode:
“Getting Things Done”
“5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life”
“The Courage to Be Disliked”

CHAPTERS
(00:00:13) Intro
(00:00:45) “Entrepreneurs create more value than they consume”
(00:02:12) Create & define space for creativity
(00:03:52) Consistency in daily activities
(00:04:55) “Getting Things Done”
(00:05:59) What’s your “one thing”?
(00:06:22) Setting up for reactive success
(00:08:30) Being your own leader (Manage productive time)
(00:11:40) Change meeting structure to protect creative time
(00:15:17) The $300K sticking point
(00:15:55) Key blockers: marketing systems & hiring decisions
(00:17:46) Taking a pay cut in order to grow
(00:18:53) Scale beyond one-to-one service delivery
(00:19:56) Organizational design is critical
(00:21:18) “The Five Types of People Who Will Ruin Your Life”
(00:23:07) “The Courage to Be Disliked”
(00:24:11) Improving business and personal relationships
(00:25:39) Wrap Up

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
"The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Success Without Sacrifice?

#800 Our Lifestyle Business Non-Negotiables

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian break down what makes a great lifestyle business in 2025—one that delivers both strong cash flow and location freedom. They dive into the nuanced tension between building a lifestyle-friendly business and “going big,” and share five essential design principles for creating a business that supports the life you want.

CHAPTERS
(00:00:14) Intro
(00:04:25) Lifestyle Business vs “Going Big”
(00:10:25) Cash Flow Logic that Solves Financial Needs of Founders
(00:19:04) Solid Perspective on Acquiring Customers (Strong Channel Logic)
(00:24:05) You’re Actively Turning Away Customers
(00:28:26) You Can Leave the Business for 4 Weeks Minimum (Cash Flow Does Not Suffer)
(00:34:07) Cash Flow Does Not Suffer Based on Your Location

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
"The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Success Without Sacrifice?

#799 90-Day Growth Plan in 10 Questions

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What if 90 days from now, your business was sharper, more focused, and positioned for real
growth? In this episode, Dan walks you through a simple but powerful 10-question framework
designed to help you identify your biggest challenge, clarify your team’s focus, and uncover new
opportunities to stand out in your market.
This is the same exercise that 7- and 8-figure founders in DC BLACK worked through on their
recent trip to Phuket—a way to step back, reset strategy, and get clear on what matters. Grab a
pen and follow along. You might walk away with a concrete plan for the next 90 days.
Want the worksheet? Newsletter subscribers get it for free.
Sign up at (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe) to grab your copy.

CHAPTERS

(00:02:16) Biggest challenge and next steps
(00:05:20) Focus
(00:07:11) Understand your customer
(00:11:32) Positioning
(00:14:42) Innovation and unique advantages
(00:20:02) Network
(00:21:44) Business model
(00:23:53) Team
(00:25:25) Cadence & leadership
(00:27:21) Bonus

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
"The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Success Without Sacrifice?

#798 Observations From our Trip to Thailand

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian share key insights from their Thailand mastermind event, exploring how successful entrepreneurs balance curiosity, diverse business models, and personal life.

They talk about navigating market uncertainties, implementing AI workflows to enhance business operations, and the irreplaceable value of in-person networking events. And unlike magic mushrooms, the benefits of attending an event like this will ideally last a lifetime.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:25) Introduction and Reflections on Thailand
(00:02:01) Key Lessons from 7 & 8-Figure Mastermind
(00:03:43) The Power of Curiosity in Entrepreneurship
(00:08:54) Diverse Business Models and Common Traits
(00:11:46) Work-Life Balance and Business Durability
(00:14:06) Living in Thailand: Value and Lifestyle
(00:16:44) Tax Strategies and Wealth Creation in Thailand
(00:17:12) The Power of Bootstrapping and Financial Independence
(00:19:21) Navigating Market Uncertainty and Business Durability
(00:22:32) AI Workflows: Revolutionizing Business Operations
(00:27:07) The Value of In-Person Networking and Community Building

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
"The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Success Without Sacrifice?

#797 DOGE, Team Resets & The 1,000-Day Playbook

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Dan unpacks what business owners can adapt from DOGE’s new strategy, delivers a practical cure for practitioner syndrome (that paralyzing fear of putting yourself out there), and shares fresh insights on the legendary 1,000-day principle. Plus, strategies for accountability and effectiveness and answering questions about profitability from hosting events.

CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:19) Zero-based budgeting for efficiency
(00:03:43) Accountability for effectiveness
(00:08:40) Surviving your first 1,000 days in business
(00:16:59) Why you need to put yourself out there
(00:19:47) How to make money from events

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
"The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Success Without Sacrifice?

#796 Bigger Business = More Freedom?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Dan sits down with Neel Parekh (CEO of MaidThis Franchise) to talk about the shifts that drive real business growth—why decision-making matters more than productivity, how time compression accelerates success, and why bigger businesses can create more freedom.
They dive into the power of accountability, hiring smarter, and using personal branding to attract the right opportunities. Plus, Neel shares how he scaled through franchising—an unconventional path for a lifestyle business—balancing hustle, risk, and long-term rewards.
What’s missing in your business that’s keeping you stuck? Connect with 1000+ global founders running profitable online businesses without sacrificing their unique lifestyles @ dynamitecircle.com.

CHAPTERS

(00:02:02) Compressing Time for Success
(00:04:17) The Law of a Thousand Hours
(00:07:43) Staying Motivated Through Accountability
(00:11:28) Building Confidence in Your Business Model
(00:17:25) The Paradox of Growth and Lifestyle
(00:24:35) Understanding the Franchise Model and Its Costs
(00:26:16) The Challenges of Running a Franchise
(00:26:31) The Decision to Franchise vs. Self-Expansion
(00:30:44) Vetting Franchisees: Finding the Right Fit
(00:31:22) Success Rates and Expectations in Franchising
(00:37:01) The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Risk and Reward
(00:39:51) The Durability of the Cleaning Business Model
(00:43:51) Finding Excitement in Business and Life
(00:44:09) Expanding Business Opportunities
(00:44:50) The Hustle-Life Balance
(00:46:49) The Power of Decision Making

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
"The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Success Without Sacrifice?

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Bonus Pod: Inside the DC in 2025

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

The team takes you inside the DC. Who we are, what to expect, and how you can grow your business with the support of other founders on the same journey.

Connect with 1000+ global founders running profitable online businesses without sacrificing their unique lifestyles.
Join Dynamite Circle. (https://dynamitecircle.com/)

CHAPTERS

(00:03:36) Introduction to DC
(00:05:11) Genesis of DC
(00:06:55) Culture & Composition
(00:09:59) Application Process and Vetting
(00:19:06) Events and Networking Opportunities
(00:25:20) Support for High-Level Founders
(00:29:14) Joining the Dynamite Circle

CONNECT

Email Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Follow on X
Follow on Instagram

LINKS

Join Dynamite Circle
[Subscribe to the newsletter](tropicalmba.com/subscribe)

Get our book: Before the Exit

PLAYLIST

Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Is Your Biggest Expense Helping or Hurting?

#795 "The Tailwind Index" & Dodging Business Blindspots

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

The stories we tell ourselves shape our businesses—but how much of it is true? External validation, from market response to honest feedback, is key.
Dan & Jeff break down common entrepreneurial mistakes, business strategy, product-market fit, sales, opportunity assessment, and why knowing your numbers (even without a finance background) matters.
P.S.
Still taking all the sales calls for your business? You need a wingman.

CHAPTERS
(00:02:43) Building entrepreneurial endurance
(00:03:35) It's easy to be dishonest with yourself
(00:06:49) Tailwind index helps assess market needs
(00:15:43) Focus on solving immediate pain points
(00:18:38) Communicate effectively with your target market
(00:23:39) Monthly business reviews (MBR)
(00:25:18) Basic financial hygiene is crucial
(00:27:08) Having the courage to be disliked
(00:31:52) Contribution vs validation
(00:34:22) Tasks vs responsibilities

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Is Your Biggest Expense Helping or Hurting?

#794 Success Without Sacrifice?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Dan breaks down five key mindset shifts for business owners in the thick of the growth grind. Inspired by Alex Hormozi’s tweet on sacrifice, he explores what it really takes to succeed—reflecting on courage, relationships, and balance—with actionable takeaways to stay productive and happy.

Book referenced in the episode is The Power to be Disliked.

Connect with 1000+ global founders running profitable online businesses without sacrificing their unique lifestyles @ dynamitecircle.com.

CHAPTERS
(00:00:35) Hormozi’s 10-year formula for success
(00:04:29) “The Courage to Be Disliked”
(00:11:01) Change your relationships
(00:15:12) Accept your responsibility
(00:16:33) Take on a six-week sprint
(00:18:26) Baseline & Brenwall
(00:20:50) Do it for the right reasons

CONNECT
Dan “at” tropicalmba dot com
Ian “at” tropicalmba dot com

PLAYLIST
Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube
The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business
Is Your Biggest Expense Helping or Hurting?

#793 The Unexpected Downsides of Selling Your Business

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Why do so many founders feel sad, lost, and even depressed when they come into life-changing money from exiting their business?
Dan contemplates why this happens and how to avoid it.

Learn more at [dynamitecircle.com](dynamitecircle.com)

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#792 Is SEO Dead?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Dan discusses the shift in SEO and the decline of content sites, emphasizing the need for B2B niche content. He introduces the concept of the 'influence equation' and stresses the importance of creating engaging, long-form content to capture the audience's attention.

Learn more at [dynamitecircle.com](dynamitecircle.com)

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#791 Is Your Biggest Expense Helping or Hurting?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

One of the first questions Dan asks in his coaching sessions with 6 & 7-figure entrepreneurs is: would you re-hire your team today? Your team is likely your largest expense, so it’s critical that you know exactly how they’re driving revenue every step of the way. Dan goes through 10 questions that will help you make hard decisions with confidence and clarity.

Learn more at [dynamitecircle.com](dynamitecircle.com)

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#790 The 2024 Recap: Business Updates, Financial Insights & Family Matters

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and Ian reflect on their personal and business highlights from 2024, discussing parenting, travel, finance, making hard decisions in business and gaining clarity. They also dive into the systems and frameworks that have driven meaningful progress for them and their coaching clients over the past year.

Learn more at [dynamitecircle.com](dynamitecircle.com)

Chapters

(00:00:27) New Year Reflections and Personal Updates
(00:02:54) Exploring Relationships and Parenting Dynamics
(00:08:00) Travel Goals: Family and Wifi
(00:10:16) Year of Changing Views on Finance
(00:15:01) What people who are making progress have in common
(00:22:10) What those who are stagnating have in common
(00:23:50) Are you the best person for this job?
(00:25:14) Understanding your Ideal Customer Profile
(00:29:23) Scoreboard discipline (clarity)
(00:37:30) Crazy event schedule

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#789 You Already Have a Personal Brand—Here’s How to Make It Work for You

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

A personal brand is all about perception—everyone has one, whether you like it or not. So why not take control and shape it to your advantage?
In this episode, Yota Trom shares actionable strategies for founders to overcome imposter syndrome, craft an authentic personal brand, and confidently integrate more of their true selves into their business.
Start growing your 7-figure business alongside other ambitious and interesting founders from around the globe. Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Links: https://www.yotatrom.com/

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#788 Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Shane Hummus reveals his proven strategy for turning YouTube into a reliable source of new clients and millions in revenue, showing how entrepreneurs can succeed even with modest view counts.

Links:
https://www.youtube.com/ShaneHummus

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#787 10 Questions to Gain Clarity and Refocus

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and lan break down 10 essential questions to help you reflect on the year, align your priorities, and set your business up for success-no new books or business coaches required (yet).

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#786 Jay Clouse - Mastering Top-of-Funnel Growth in 2025

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan welcomes back Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science, for his third appearance on the podcast. Jay has grown Creator Science into a thriving media company, including a YouTube channel with over 100,000 subscribers. In this episode, they discuss recurring vs. one-time products, effective marketing funnels, channel viability, and the difference between discovery and nurture content. Jay’s transparent approach to building his business is truly inspiring. Catch the second part of this conversation on the Creator Science podcast.

Links:

Part 2 of our convo on the Creator Science podcast

Connect with other entrepreneurs

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Brian Balfour, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/million-from-linkedin

https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/easier-10x-than-2x

https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/brick-by-brick

#785 Scaling to 8-Figures with Ruthless Focus and Unconventional Principles

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan talks to Matthew Newton, CEO of Leatherback Travel, about his radically unconventional approach to scaling an 8-figure business. They dive into why it’s crucial to ruthlessly select your opportunities, along with key lessons learned—including when to pivot, balancing flexibility with structure, and ensuring that running a business is always engaging and fun. Lean into some of these insights as you work on your goals for 2025.

Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Links:
Leatherback Travel

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters

(00:00:30) Introduction to Leatherback Travel
(00:04:05) Building a House of Brands
(00:05:44) Operational Philosophy and Team Dynamics
(00:07:27) Scaling Challenges and Growth Management
(00:10:39) The Importance of Operating Principles
(00:13:23) Special Feeling: The Core Operating Principle
(00:16:55) Vision and Decision-Making Frameworks
(00:19:05) Navigating Political Opinions in the Workplace
(00:20:39) Industry Standards and Guest Expectations
(00:22:31) The K Principle: Balancing Flexibility and Policy
(00:23:58) Operational Rhythm and Continuous Improvement
(00:26:42) The CEO's Role: Captain of the Ship
(00:31:31) Top of Funnel Strategies for Customer Acquisition
(00:32:18) Finding Your Unique Selling Proposition
(00:34:07) Lessons from Struggles: The Importance of Quitting
(00:35:35) The Animal Zoo Principle: Making Business Fun

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

#784 “$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

If you’re sleeping on LinkedIn, let this episode be your wake up call. Dan sits down with Dr. Alex Barker, a pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur who 10X’d his business using LinkedIn. A real LinkedIn success story, proving how this often-overlooked platform can be a game-changer for B2B businesses. If you’ve ever doubted LinkedIn’s potential, this conversation might just change your mind.

Become a TMBA Insider and join thousands of entrepreneurs who’ve started, grown, and exited their businesses for life-changing sums. It all starts here. tropicalmba.com/subscribe

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters
(00:02:48) Introduction to Alex Barker's Journey
(00:04:37) The Turning Point: Facing Business Challenges
(00:11:59) The Power of Focus: Simplifying for Success
(00:18:32) Leveraging LinkedIn: A New Opportunity
(00:31:41) Vision for the Future: Healing the Pharmacy Profession
(00:36:50) Lead Generation Strategies on LinkedIn

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

#783 “It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan and Ian traveled to Barcelona with 12 other CEOs and founders to spend the week with Scaling Up author Verne Harnish. These are the 8 biggest takeaways from the week that you can apply to your own business.

Chapters:

(00:00:21) Introduction
(00:00:34) Insights from the Barcelona CEO Boot Camp
(00:07:52) The Job to Be Done Framework
(00:12:04) Using the Q4 Method for Customer Insights
(00:14:08) Finding a 10X Cost Advantage
(00:16:51) The Importance of Understanding Your Solution
(00:17:27) Thinking Big: The 10x Mindset
(00:23:27) Wealth Through Transactions
(00:24:54) The CEO's Role in Increasing Valuation
(00:27:29) Defining the Soul of the Company
(00:30:55) Triage for Overwhelmed Companies
(00:34:51) The Power of Scoreboards

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

#782 Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Does your business feel stuck in 'idea mode,' constantly jumping from project to project? If you’re ready to get on track and build a more focused, scalable strategy for 2025, this episode is for you.
Dan breaks down his proven 4-step framework for driving your next $1 million in revenue. These actionable steps can be implemented in just a few days, with results you’ll notice almost immediately.
Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters
● (00:00:25) Introduction
● (00:03:35) Financially grounded goals
● (00:06:46) Measured plans
● (00:12:52) Intentional cadence
● (00:14:46) Team alignment

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

#781 “Build It Like You’re Gonna Sell It”

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan revives his Re-Readables series with a discussion inspired by Frank Slootman's business book Amp It Up. He delves into the book's core arguments, such as the idea that execution trumps strategy, faster execution can drive better decision-making and growth, and the importance of building for investability.

Plus, how exactly to improve your execution and boost your business’s performance.

Amp It Up by Frank Slootman

Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters
(00:00:33) Introduction to 'Amp It Up'
(00:04:07) Building a High-Performance Team
(00:11:02) The Case for Fast Growth
(00:15:14) Building for Investability

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

“The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients”

#780 How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan & Ian talk to Lucas Peters, founder of Journey Beyond Travel, about his plans to get to $10M in 5 years.

They break down the business and shift thinking from a project-oriented mindset to an approach rooted in financial analysis: What are your gross margins? What does it take to aquire a customer? What is your rebuy rate and LTV?

They consider the highest leverage paths to growth.

Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Chapters
(00:03:08) Business Growth and COVID Impact
(00:04:08) Unique Business Model and Market Positioning
(00:04:47) Sales Process and Customer Engagement
(00:09:04) Revenue Model and Pricing Strategy
(00:13:02) Customer Retention and Repeat Business
(00:13:55) Expansion Plans and Market Opportunities
(00:14:43) Product Development and Cost Analysis
(00:14:56) Maximizing Customer Lifetime Value
(00:23:08) Strategizing Location Development
(00:25:32) Market Potential and Capacity Constraints
(00:31:23) Building a Supportive Team
(00:32:38) Testing New Product Offerings
(00:35:31) Driving Down Product Development Costs
(00:37:53) Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

#779 The 3 hats of bootstrapping + Insights from DCBKK 2024

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian discuss the importance of three key executive roles—CEO, COO, and CFO—within bootstrapped businesses, emphasizing the need for founders to embrace responsibilities beyond visionary tasks.
They share insights from this year’s DCBKK and a sneak peek into the upcoming DC Black event in New York.

(00:00:22) Welcome and Introduction
(00:01:03) The Three Hats of Bootstrapping
(00:09:51) Trends from DCBKK Event
(00:12:34) The Importance of Financial Planning
(00:19:30) LinkedIn as a Top Funnel Tool
(00:22:50) Reflections and Future Events

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

“The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients”

#778 - Agencies vs. Products + What Happened in the Amazon Aggregator Space?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

This week’s episode is for the business finance and idea nerds.

We’re joined this week in a business breakdown session with Alexej Pikovsky of Alphawellbrands.com. Alexej raised 4MIL to build a CBD marketplace. They were forced to pivot and have currently acquired an Amazon FBA brand and started up a success agency in the process, the combined revenue of both is on track to be over 4MIL this year.

We’ll dig into the Peter Paul problem– how to choose where to focus your energy when you have multiple businesses?

We’ll also cover his perspective on what happened in the Amazon aggregator space. How did so much capital implode so quickly? (Thrasio raised 3 Billion dollars and provided exits to many TMBA listeners). Is there room for smaller roll-ups that work in 2024?

Takeaways
●
● Transition from a CBD marketplace to an SEO agency and FBA brand.
● The aggregator model faced significant challenges post-COVID.
● Many D2C brands are struggling with profitability and valuation.
● Acquiring the scented candles brand was a strategic move in a declining market.
● The agency provides valuable insights but distracts from brand focus.
● Investor relations are crucial for long-term success and exit strategies.
● The e-commerce landscape is evolving, requiring new strategies for success.
● The agency's role in the overall business strategy is under review.
● Future growth may depend on focusing solely on the brand.

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

“The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients”

#777 Create and Communicate an Offer (That Doesn’t Suck) in 30 Minutes

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Selling your product or service requires using words to convey what you offer. But words alone don’t convert on-the-fence prospects into paying customers. Great conversion copy is a mix of persuasion, UX, and decision-making psychology. Sound hard? We promise it isn’t.

Chris, the founder of Conversion Alchemy, takes us for a deep dive into all things copywriting and how the power of your messaging can impact your business growth, for better or worse.

Plus, he shares a simple five-step copy audit process that transforms agency websites into lead generation machines, with principles you can apply to improve your own marketing collateral.

Tune in for writing tips, principles, and examples you can copy. Newsletter subscribers will get the 5-step worksheet to help you create your own offer in 30 minutes.

Takeaways

Empathizing with the client's problem, understanding your audience's language, and identifying audience awareness levels is crucial for effective messaging.
A clear value proposition resonates with prospects’' goals and increases engagement.
Clarifying what you do and how, backed with empathy, builds trust with potential clients.
Contextual proof enhances credibility and addresses objections, creating a smoother client experience.
Shielding clients from risk reassures them during the decision-making process.
The “coffee table test” helps tailor messaging to the audience.
AI can assist in drafting copy but should not replace personal insights.
Tripwire products can effectively lower barriers to entry for clients.
Analyzing successful agency websites can provide valuable insights.
Dynamic frameworks for copywriting are more effective than rigid formulas.
Leveraging testimonials can significantly boost credibility.

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

#776 The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian talk to 100s of listeners a year via 1:1 coaching. In this episode they distill those calls into 4 breakthrough ideas that can change your quarter for the better.

Newsletter subscribers will get our GPS (Goals/Plans/Systems) worksheet. Sign up for the newsletter.

Takeaways
● Be sure you pack enough underwear for your next trip abroad.
● Getting aligned on goals is easy, but aligning on plans is hard.
● Hiring should be based on unique business needs, not generic roles.
● Confidence is essential for entrepreneurs, especially in challenging times.
● Discipline in financial management is crucial for sustainable growth.
● Regularly reviewing financials helps maintain business health.
● Accountability in coaching can drive significant progress.
● Sacrifices are often necessary to achieve business goals.
● Effective hiring requires a clear understanding of ROI.
● Facing reality and challenges can build confidence.
● Entrepreneurship allows for a lifestyle designed by personal choice.

In honor of traveling to DCBKK this week, here’s Dan’s original packing list from 2010. And an updated list in 2015. Is it time for a new list?

Chapters

(00:00:59) Dan’s Packing List Ahead of DCBKK
(00:02:28) 4 Breakthroughs From Our Coaching Calls
(00:05:20) The Importance of Goal Alignment
(00:09:54) Hiring for Unique Situations
(00:16:36) Good Confidence vs Bad Confidence
(00:21:03) Discipline in Entrepreneurship

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

#775 A Business Idea That Might Actually Work

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Dan considers why many of us are resistant to a certain type of business idea even when it’s been proved time and time again.

He’ll also explore that often what stands between your business and positive change is some structured thinking.

Lastly, we’ll hear from a listener who’s working to take his lifestyle brand to $1M and what his plans are to get there.

Featured in this episode:
Founder Robby McClung of the McClumsy lifestyle brand.

This week’s episode brought to you by Smash Digital. They’ll build you a scalable SEO growth strategy to earn the juiciest high-authority backlinks on earth. No, really.

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

#774 “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan paid big money for a business coach who only gave him one piece of advice. Listen to the episode to find out what it was and if it worked.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters

(00:00:22) The Perfect Storm for Entrepreneurs
(00:03:41) Introducing the System
(00:05:37) Implementing the System in Your Business
(00:06:50) Defining Roles and Outcomes
(00:09:51) The Hiring Process Revolutionized
(00:11:01) Performance Conversations and Team Dynamics
(00:12:53) Leveraging the System for Business Growth
(00:16:37) Recap and Final Thoughts

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#773 6 Keys to a Successful Bootstrapped Business

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan & Ian get real about what it takes to create and maintain a successful business. They’ll walk you through their Goals/Plans/Systems (GPS) worksheet that’s specifically designed to help you plan for business growth. They use it with their coaching clients on a weekly basis.

Newsletter subscribers can download and complete their very own GPS worksheet.

Through completing this worksheet, you will:

Discover key insights about the state of your business that you probably didn’t realize before
Define clear goals for your business moving forward
Develop a plan based on your historical data and a cadence for tracking your progress regularly Plus:
Ian talks about his cool and expensive hobby.
We talk about a founder who doesn’t take meetings and still has a profitable business.
We share some insight on how we managed our business during a crucial operational tipping point.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#772 “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

“Manager mode is so tempting…” Dan & Ian discuss Paul Graham’s most recent essay titled “Founder Mode”, and how lifestyle bootsrappers can harness the power of founder mode to grow their businesses.

They’ll also address a question they get asked all the time: “But when is my LTV good enough?” How to figure out your LTV to CAC ratio and more in this week’s episode.

Subscribe to the newsletter to access Dan & Ian’s business resources used with their coaching clients. Subscribe to the TMBA newsletter.

This week’s episode brought to you by Remote First Recruiting. Hire your next team member in 30 days or less.

From the episode:
Paul Graham’s Founder Mode.
‘Old Man River’ reference from The 5 Approaches for Getting Rich + Budgeting for Wealth

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#770 You Don’t Have an Operations Problem. You Have a Sales & Marketing Problem.

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Many founders think they have an operations problem - delivery, trust, staffing, leadership. But Dan thinks you might actually have a sales & marketing problem.

Dan & Ian also talk about becoming better leaders and how to fight against the erge to control your team.

Last but not least, Dan shares the invaluable relationship advice he learned from President Barack Obama and reflects on the benefits of owning a lifestyle business when it comes to parenting.

Want to work through your current challenges with Dan & Ian? TMBA listeners can apply to get business coaching from Dan & Ian live on the pod (it’s free). Apply here.

Get access to Dan & Ian’s business resources that they use with their coaching clients when you sign up for the newsletter. Subscribe to the TMBA newsletter.

This week’s episode brought to you by Remote First Recruiting. Hire your next team member in 30 days or less.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#770 $30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

This founder started an Upwork agency less than 2 years ago and is making $30K a month… JUST on Upwork alone. We talk about how to take it to $80K a month and beyond in the next year.

In this week’s newsletter, we include our ICP exercise. Your next breakthrough in under 30 minutes.

TMBA email subscribers can also apply to get business coaching from Dan & Ian live on the pod (it’s free).

“1,000 Customers from One Channel”

Today’s guest is Phil Kuehnen, founder of Rev Gravy.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters

(00:00:00) Introduction and Overview
(00:00:35) Current Revenue and Pricing
(00:05:11) Financial Goals and Challenges
(00:05:32) Strategies for Revenue Growth
(00:05:40) Acquiring and Retaining Customers
(00:07:11) Key Value Proposition and Benefits
(00:07:33) Identifying Obvious Growth Opportunities
(00:10:50) Creating a High-Ticket Front-End Offer
(00:12:37) Focusing on the Business Model
(00:19:33) The Importance of Sales Calls
(00:21:12) Building a Machine for Growth

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#769 - $100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

These co-founders want to more than triple their revenue in the next 12 months. Despite stagnation the past few years, they believe they can get there.

Dan & Ian dissect their plans to achieve this goal and offer some counterintuitive advice.

They cover repackaging a product for a higher cost, focusing on your premium customers, and how to lead a sales call.

In this week’s newsletter, we include our favorite resources for getting started with sales calls.

TMBA email subscribers can also apply to get business coaching from Dan & Ian live on the pod (it’s free).

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

Today’s guests are Elburz Sorkhabi and Colin Gibson, founders of The Interactive & Immersive HQ.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters

(00:00:00) Introduction and Overview
(00:04:40) Financial Goals and Challenges
(00:06:07) Current Revenue and Pricing
(00:07:51) Strategies for Revenue Growth
(00:10:13) Acquiring and Retaining Customers
(00:12:45) Key Value Proposition and Benefits
(00:14:36) Identifying Obvious Growth Opportunities
(00:16:06) Repositioning the Product for Customer Goals
(00:18:32) Repositioning and Repackaging for Revenue Generation
(00:24:17) Creating a High-Ticket Front-End Offer
(00:34:02) Focusing on the Business Model
(00:39:40) The Importance of Sales Calls
(00:44:00) Building a Machine for Growth

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#768 “Lifestyle Business” vs “Real Business”

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Go from being trapped in the job you’ve built for yourself to building a wealth-generating machine.

Dan & Ian challenge service businesses to determine their LTV to CAC ratio so they can improve their cashflow and run a “real” business that gives them the lifestyle they want.

Calculating the LTV to CAC ratio may sound hard (and boring), but it’s no harder than solving all those other things you’re struggling with in your business.

Also, Dan’s hot take on the digital nomad ratio and being “relatively” wealthy.

Plus, one lucky listener (and email subscriber) will win a free ticket to this year’s DCBKK (over $1,000 value) in October. Details on how to enter in this week’s newsletter.

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters:

(00:01:00) Free Ticket to Our Next Event
(00:04:49) Business Breakdown Series
(00:06:50) Understanding the LTV to CAC Ratio
(00:08:08) Scaling a Service Business
(00:18:33) Lifestyle Business vs Real Business
(00:20:40) Easier to Run a Real Business
(00:26:00) Understanding Key Metrics
(00:29:47) High Fidelity Problem-Solving
(00:35:03) The Digital Nomad Ratio
(00:36:10) Living Like the Wealthy

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition

#767 “1,000 Customers from One Channel”

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan & Ian talk to a listener who’s running a SaaS business that within one year got to $8K MRR. The business is full of potential and opportunities, but the risks involved with having all of your customers come from one channel looms heavily in the background.

They discuss topics like how to build relationships with customers, increase average cart value, how to grow your business when you’re not a sales and marketing expert, and more.

Dan & Ian brainstorm ideas about how this founder can future-proof his business while still maintaining his ideal lifestyle.

TMBA email subscribers can submit their business to be reviewed with Dan & Ian on the pod.

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

Today’s guest is Pavel Schoffer, founder of Beaver Codes.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters:

(00:00:13) Introduction and Background
(00:08:23) Building a Successful Lifestyle Business with Beaver Codes
(00:09:50) Navigating Platform Risk and Diversification
(00:11:04) Expanding the Business: Leveraging the Passionate Customer Base
(00:13:34) Reaching Out to Customers and Gathering Insights
(00:23:49) Managing Online Reviews and Filtering Options
(00:25:50) Automating Review Responses and AI Integration
(00:33:59) Balancing Platform Risk and Diversification
(00:35:41) Upselling Premium Features to Existing Customers
(00:37:39) Identifying Personal Passion and Building Relationships
(00:42:02) Recognizing Expertise and Hiring for Growth
(00:42:52) Bringing in Talent and Sharing Wisdom
(00:44:28) Maximizing Personal and Business Potential

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition

#766 “I’m Scared to Raise the Price”

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan & Ian talk to a listener who’s running a $1M D2C e-commerce business about the challenges and opportunities he faces as he plans for future growth and a potential exit down the road.

They discuss topics like decreasing customer acquisition costs, increasing profit margins, the absolutely essential role of a CFO, and not letting your passion for the product get in the way of your growth.

At the end of the call, Dan & Ian will recommend key next steps this founder should take in order to scale their business effectively and aggressively.

TMBA email subscribers can submit their business to be reviewed with Dan & Ian on the pod.

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

Check out the fluora plant we discuss on today’s show.

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters:

(00:00:27) Introduction and Business Overview
(00:02:18) Transitioning to D2C E-commerce
(00:05:59) Scaling and Future Plans
(00:13:11) Becoming a Software Company
(00:14:17) Challenges and Future Growth
(00:18:06) The Role of a CFO in Financial Management
(00:28:28) Developing an Expensive Product for Customers
(00:32:48) Improving Profit Margins and Considering Tax Implications

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition

#765 Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Tackling one of the biggest problems entrepreneurs struggle with: separating their business from their own narrative and looking at it with fresh eyes.

This episode will uncover the simple but hard truths to every business and reveal the three (and only three) ways to grow any business.

We talk about customer acquisition, order value, retention, risk-free offers, and more.

TMBA email subscribers will get access to the platonic business calculator discussed on today’s show.

Winning and losing Millions with Nathaniel Eliason

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com

Chapters:

(00:00:45) Introduction
(00:02:24) The Platonic Ideal of a Business
(00:04:18) Simplify, Focus, Execute
(00:10:27) The 3 Essential Ways to Grow a Business
(00:12:47) Understanding the Numbers
(00:29:07) Better-Than-Risk-Free Offers
(00:32:53) Conclusion

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Less Than 5% of Businesses Get to 1MIL+ - A Process to Reach the Goal

Winning and losing Millions with Nathaniel Eliason

#764 The 5 Approaches for Getting Rich + Budgeting for Wealth

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

We speak to hundreds of entrepreneurs every year through one-on-one coaching and live events.

Many of those entrepreneurs have gone on to become very wealthy, and throughout our conversations with those people, we have found some common threads to the ways that wealthy people behave.

This was one of our most popular episodes of 2019 so we’re bringing it back with updated thoughts.

This week, newsletter subscribers will get Dan’s personal monthly budget template.

Chapters
● (00:02:20) Every Dollar Has a Job
● (00:09:30) Deals. People. Energy. Luck.
● (00:14:42) Strategic Identity Creation
● (00:21:22) Comprehensive Arbitrage
● (00:29:03) Old Man River
● (00:33:15) Shovel Stamper

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian: @AnythingIan or [ian@tropicalmba.com](ian@tropicalmba.com)

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Less Than 5% of Businesses Get to 1MIL+ - A Process to Reach the Goal

The 7 Most Common Money Mistakes for Bootstrappers

#763 10 ideas for businesses seeking $1 Mil in Revenue

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In this week's conversation, Dan and Ian discuss 10 ideas that provide valuable insights and strategies for entrepreneurs looking to grow their revenue to $1 Million and beyond.

From years of experience and countless coaching calls, Dan and Ian cover topics such as finding a product with a tailwind, getting out of delivery, hiring a key badass, understanding your business model, optimizing your marketing funnel, and much more…

These strategies can provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs to focus on the most impactful areas of their business and make informed decisions to drive growth.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Accelerator
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters:

(00:00:49) Introduction and Setting
(00:02:02) 10 Ideas for Reaching $1 Million in Revenue
(00:03:46) Finding a Product with a Tailwind
(00:11:11) Getting Out of Delivery
(00:17:57) Hiring a Key Badass
(00:23:48) Knowing Your Numbers
(00:25:05) Understanding Your Numbers
(00:29:27) Creating a Resident Offer
(00:32:46) Optimizing Your Marketing Funnel
(00:38:50) Identifying Key Metrics
(00:40:51) Patching the Leaky Boat

Links:

Diagnostic & Goals | Plans | Systems Work sheet

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Winning and losing Millions with Nathaniel Eliason
Less Than 5% of Businesses Get to 1MIL+ - A Process to Reach the Goal
The 7 Most Common Money Mistakes for Bootstrappers

#762 Winning and Losing Millions with Nathaniel Eliason

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

This week’s conversation revolves around the book 'Crypto Confidential' and explores author Nathaniel Eliason’s experience during the crypto mania.

From the moment he decided to go all-in on crypto and the impact it had on their personal life, Nathaniel delves into the mechanics of farming and the process of launching decentralized exchanges.

Enjoy insights deep insights from the crypto world including off-ramping, the risks and challenges of early wallets, the mindset of crypto whales, the experience of losing and making millions, the rise and fall of the Titan project, and the author's biggest win in developing a crypto game.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Accelerator
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters:

(00:16:41) Going All-In on Crypto
(00:20:53) Exploring the Mechanics of Farming and Decentralized Exchanges
(00:26:35) The Role of Social Media in Spreading Information and Attracting Investors
(00:34:37) The Influx of Money into Crypto: Motivations of Investors
(00:35:22) Challenges of Off-Ramping Crypto and Early Wallets
(00:36:01) The Mindset of Crypto Whales
(00:41:13) Lessons from Losing Money in the Crypto World
(00:42:59) The Rise and Fall of the Titan Project
(00:52:42) The Author's Biggest Win: Developing a Crypto Game
(00:59:50) Choosing Fulfillment over Financial Success: The Decision to Focus on Writing

Links:
Crypto Confidential: Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Less Than 5% of Businesses Get to 1MIL+ - A Process to Reach the Goal

The 7 Most Common Money Mistakes for Bootstrappers

Unlock Wealth Through Financial Fluency

#761 - Less Than 5% of Businesses Get to 1MIL+ - A Process to Reach the Goal

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian discuss the fundamental principles of change and how they apply to both weight loss and entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores the three key components of successful change: knowledge, accountability, and identity.

Listen in for how these principles are practical and applicable to your business growth, cause ass we know breakthroughs in our business don’t happen through epiphanies, they happen through small and consistent accumulations of change.

Chapters
● (00:00:54) Introduction and Catching Up
● (00:02:42) The Need for Change in Business
● (00:04:40) The Pyramid of Change
● (00:10:34) The Three Components of Successful Change
● (00:10:53) The Power of Accountability
● (00:12:31) Changing Practices and Relationships
● (00:14:23) The Importance of Accountability
● (00:17:27) The Role of Knowledge in Change
● (00:18:01) Different Types of Knowledge
● (00:22:16) The Power of Identity
● (00:28:57) The Priority of Change
● (00:29:45) The Promise of Change

Links:
Dr. Layne Norton’s YouTube Channel

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The 7 Most Common Money Mistakes for Bootstrappers

Unlock Wealth Through Financial Fluency

The Secret Weapon for Pricing Power

#760 - The 7 Most Common Money Mistakes for Bootstrappers

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian discuss the biggest money problems they’ve seen in their own business and hundreds of other bootstrapped businesses.

Learn how to craft a sustainable financial model, the importance of owner compensation, how to avoid being under-invested, and more.

Chapters
● (00:00:45) Introduction and Setting the Stage
● (00:01:13) The Importance of Money Attitudes and Metaphors
● (00:16:08) The Startup Spending Mindset in Bootstrapped Businesses
● (00:29:39) Focusing on the Wrong Problems
● (00:31:25) Strategies for Affording to Start a Business
● (00:34:28) Starting Early and Investing in Yourself
● (00:38:18) The Importance of Owner Compensation
● (00:41:15) Setting a Salary Cap
● (00:45:12) Avoiding Being Under-Invested

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Unlock Wealth Through Financial Fluency

The Secret Weapon for Pricing Power

How Healthy is Your Business?

#759 - Unlock Wealth Through Financial Fluency

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dan and Ian discuss the credible and reliable ways to build wealth through your business, based on the work of author Keith Cunningham.

The conversation emphasizes building a financially sound foundation for your business by understanding and applying financial principles, planning effectively, managing risks, and maintaining financial discipline.

As Cunningham says, "Building a business without mastering the financial statements is like building a house on the beach. It’s not if the tide will come in, it’s when. And the tide always comes in."

Enjoy this week's episode as you consider how to build a durable business for long-term success!

Chapters
● (00:00:44) Introduction: Credible and Reliable Ways to Build Wealth Through Your Business
● (00:04:09) Building a Durable Business for Long-Term Wealth
● (00:04:54) Mitigating Risks: Excess Capacity, Client Concentration, and Key People Dependency
● (00:11:49) Understanding the Language of Finance for Business Success
● (00:19:01) Sustaining a Business for the Long Term: Commitment and Adaptability
● (00:20:53) Understanding Finance and Starting a Business
● (00:33:50) The Role of Culture in a Company
● (00:35:29) The Responsibilities of a CEO
● (00:37:42) Growth Priorities for Business Success
● (00:39:09) Capital-Efficient Strategies for Wealth Generation

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Secret Weapon for Pricing Power

How Healthy is Your Business?

The Million Dollar Service Business Playbook

#758 - The Secret Weapon to Pricing Power

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian explore the concept of power in business and how businesses can transition from being a grind for the owner to having sustainable pricing power.

Derived from the book 'Seven Powers' by Hamilton Helmer, they delve into the idea of cornered resources as a source of power and discuss examples of cornered resources such as patents, unique brain trust, and exclusive partnerships.

You’ll be challenged to consider how you can identify and leverage counter positioning, networked effects, distribution, and brand to sustain margins and pricing power over time.

This is an essential conversation for building and maintaining a competitive advantage in any industry.

Chapters
● (00:01:07) Understanding Business Power and Transitioning Camps
● (00:09:44) The Importance of Cornered Resources in Business
● (00:19:59) Leveraging Distribution as a Source of Power
● (00:36:03) Unleashing the Power of Brand

Links:

The 7 Powers: The Foundation of Business Strategy

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How Healthy is Your Business?

The Million Dollar Service Business Playbook

Run Any Business with Just Two Simple Things

#757 - How Healthy is Your Business?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 30 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian challenge listeners to answer five questions about your business that will help you evaluate how healthy your operations are.

They cover everything from doubling down on what’s working best to effective resource allocation and working “on” your business instead of “in” your business.

You’ll also be challenged to ask yourself: “What would a skilled entrepreneur do with my business?”

Take out your pens and notepad (very important), and consider this episode a free coaching session and a little taste of DC Accelerator.

Chapters
● (00:00:33) Working on Your Business vs. in Your Business
● (00:02:32) Evaluating Your Team's Value Creation
● (00:17:17) Doubling Down on What's Working Best
● (00:19:35) Maximizing Return on Investment
● (00:21:53) Effective Resource Allocation
● (00:27:22) Unprecedented Growth: What Would a Skilled Entrepreneur Do?
● (00:36:24) Evaluating and Refining Your Business with Diagnostic Questions

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Million Dollar Service Business Playbook

Run Any Business with Just Two Simple Things

Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert

#756 - The Million Dollar Service Business Playbook

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 23 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In this week's episode Dan and Ian discuss the importance of the concept of Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER), to scale your business to a million dollars in revenue.

They highlight the challenge of transitioning from being a craftsperson to a CEO and the importance of building a profitable business model that can operate without the founder's constant involvement.

They continue this concept by focusing on the importance of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) in growing a business.
Having someone to provide structure and make data-driven decisions can lead to some shocking discoveries and help you identify areas for improvement and optimize your business performance.
The conversation concludes with a recap of the DC Mexico event and a call for referrals for future events!

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Accelerator
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters
● (00:00:42) Introduction and Catching Up
● (00:01:40) DC Accelerator and Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
● (00:07:28) Using Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER) to Scale
● (00:14:49) The Challenge of Transitioning from Craftsperson to CEO
● (00:21:50) The Importance of Profitability and Compensation
● (00:25:06) Building a Profitable Business Model
● (00:28:19) The Role of Hiring and Financial Planning and Analysis
● (00:29:20) Differentiating Financial Planning and Analysis from Bookkeeping and CPA
● (00:40:05) Recap of the DC Mexico Event

Links:

Books by Greg Crabtree

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Run Any Business with Just Two Simple Things

Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert

Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day

#755 - Run Any Business With Just Two Simple Things

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 16 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan reflects on his trip to Mexico last week where he hung out with 200 founders and listeners of the pod.
Vulnerability, lessons from exiting a business, and a secretive membership called “being parents” were common themes.
Another major topic was the launch of our new coaching program, DC Accelerator. Dan talks about how getting to $1M and beyond takes not just willpower or desire, but most importantly, it takes discipline.
He shares the two tools required to run a business of any size. Whether you’re a 1-person operation of have 1000’s of employees, these two tools remain the same.

Chapters
● (00:00:48) Introduction and Simplifying Operations
● (00:04:54) The Transformative Journey of Parenthood
● (00:07:09) Vulnerability and Exiting a Business
● (00:15:37) The Nuts and Bolts of Our Coaching Program
● (00:22:35) Every Business Needs a Cashflow Forecast and a Plan

Links:
DC Accelerator

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo
Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam,
James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin
Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian
Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert
Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day
The 1 Million Dollar Question

#754 - Mastering Consistency with Adam Gilbert

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 09 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Health and wellness is the ultimate productivity hack, impacting every aspect of life.

Adam Gilbert, founder of My Body Tutor, discovered that consistency is key, and accountability, mindset, and personalized plans help clients stay on track. It’s also what sets his business apart.

My Body Tutor has been generating demand for their service for 17 years, having a flawless reputation, and obsessively focusing on getting clients results.

In this episode Adam shares his strategies for pricing demand, how to handle client churn, and balancing family life with his passion.

Chapters
● (00:06:29) The Impact of Health and Wellness
● (00:12:10) The Importance of Consistency
● (00:16:57) Evolving Pricing Based on Value
● (00:28:39) Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Coaches
● (00:33:10) The Importance of Regular Meetings
● (00:44:17) Caring and Mission-Driven Approach
● (00:45:30) Starting Small in Entrepreneurship

Links:

https://www.mybodytutor.com/

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day

The 1 Million Dollar Question

“The Death of the follower” + Make 250k in 3 Days a Week

Lessons From an 18-Month Trip Around the World on $100 a Day

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 02 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Barry O'Brien, a global traveler, as he shares his 18-month journey to 15 countries on just $100 a day or less.

Barry tells us stories about his experience in Vietnam, the most surprisingly underwhelming destination he visited, the most expensive and inexpensive destinations, how he saved, prepared, and what he learned in the end.

He discusses his journey from following Dave Ramsey's steps to discovering the FIRE movement and combining the principles of both to pay off $51,000 of debt, and give him the financial freedom to pursue his dream trip.

He talks about the importance of passive income, his philosophy of focusing on one thing that you can do well, the process of obtaining US citizenship, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Accelerator
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters:

(00:03:21) Your Ticket to One Million - DC Accelerator
(00:14:59) Exploring Western Europe on a Budget
(00:26:13) Indulging in Peru's Food and Culture
(00:30:15) Managing Travel Costs to Extend the Trip
(00:34:41) Finding Peace and Financial Independence
(00:39:10) The Competitive Landscape of US Citizenship

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The 1 Million Dollar Question

“The Death of the follower” + Make 250k in 3 Days a Week

What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M?

#752 The 1 Million Dollar Question

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Crafting your value proposition into an irresistible offer is not an easy task. Andrew Jacoby, entrepreneur and visionary behind Growth Era, a thriving outbound sales company, knows this all too well.
Andrew shares his journey, highlighting the pivotal role of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) in driving business success.
Discover the power of focusing on what you know best and building a business around recurring services as Andrew unveils the concept of risk reversal and its impact on skyrocketing conversion rates.
From navigating the challenges of educating a market to the transition from CEO to operator, Andrew offers practical strategies for building a robust team and fostering deep community connections amidst a nomadic lifestyle.
Tune in as Andrew delves into the core values of moral fiber and virtue in business, underscoring the true essence of freedom and happiness.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned business leader, this episode promises a wealth of wisdom to elevate your sales game.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters
● (00:00:47) Introduction and Background
● (00:04:19) Growth Era: Company Overview
● (00:04:47) Andrew's Sales Background
● (00:07:29) Challenges and Successes in Outbound Sales
● (00:10:29) Understanding SDRs and Their Role
● (00:12:14) Types of Businesses that Benefit from SDRs
● (00:16:59) Developing an Attractive Offer
● (00:18:15) Growth Era's Business Model
● (00:19:37) Finding Success in Familiar Territory
● (00:23:55) The Importance of Serving People
● (00:25:04) Pricing and Confidence
● (00:25:44) Choosing Between Being an Operator and a CEO
● (00:26:43) Knowing When a Company is Ready for Adults
● (00:29:45) Deep Work and Problem Solving
● (00:32:49) The Nomad Lifestyle
● (00:35:34) The Importance of Community
● (00:38:18) The Pursuit of Virtue and Love
● (00:39:42) The True Meaning of Freedom and Happiness

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“The Death of the follower” + Make 250k in 3 Days a Week

What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M?

Do Things That Don’t Scale

#751 “The Death of the Follower” + How I’d Make $250K in 3 Days a Week

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Is it possible to bootstrap a high-level business if you’re broke? Listen to Dan & Ian’s take on what kinds of businesses are best to start when you’re starting with basically nothing.

Also, what the hell does a visionary do? Dan suggests that the best visionaries have integrator tendencies.

They’ll consider how Kevin Kelly’s “100 True Fans” can lead to sustainable revenue through a concept called “The Death of the Follower”.

Lastly, Dan pitches a business idea that requires zero startup cost, 3 days a week of effort, and could easily net you $250K.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters
● (00:00:39) Introduction and companies over title’ing
● (00:04:00) Starting a Bootstrap Business When You're Broke
● (00:08:29) The Role of Visionaries in Company Success
● (00:14:55) The Death of the Follower & Engaging with Social Media Algorithms
● (00:19:54) The Future of Search: AI and Personalization

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M?

Do Things That Don’t Scale

Three Phases to 1 Million in Revenue

#750 What is the Most Simple OS for <$5M?

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

The hard part shouldn’t be how to implement an OS in your organization. The hard part is answering the question: Are the right people in the right roles at your company?

In this episode, Dan and Ian share their own OS that’s extremely simple. It’s called GPS. They’ll explain how GPS helps you put a plan in place to meet your goals, and deliver on that plan. That’s it.

Also, hiring for specific tasks, the impact of remote work on hiring, and more.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters
● (00:00:41) Introduction and 'Meaty Shorts' Format
● (00:06:48) Hiring for Specific Tasks in a Business
● (00:15:55) Minimum Viable EOS (GPS) Implementation
● (00:16:27) Implementing the EOS System: The GPS Framework
● (00:18:54) Using Scorecards for Clarity and Accountability
● (00:25:06) The Importance of Regular Check-ins and Standing Meetings

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Do Things That Don’t Scale

Three Phases to 1 Million in Revenue

Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

#749 Do Things That Don’t Scale

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Ian and Dan discuss the concept of doing things that don't scale, inspired by Paul Graham's influential article 'Do Things That Don't Scale.' They explore the idea of taking risks and gambling in entrepreneurship, and how it relates to increasing one's locus of control. The conversation covers various strategies for founders, including recruiting users manually, building something fragile, delighting users, focusing on experience, and niche marketing. In this conversation, Ian and Dan discuss Paul Graham's article 'Do Things That Don't Scale' and explore the principal themes and takeaways. They cover topics such as the idea of scaling, fabricating products yourself, consulting and acting as an anchor client, going manual and doing unscalable laborious tasks, the illusion of big launches and partnerships, vectors vs. scalars (ideas and execution), and the temptation to gamble and the importance of locus of control.

Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters
● (00:00:47) Introduction and Waking Up Early
● (00:01:58) The Concept of Taking Risks and Gambling
● (00:03:52) Introduction to Paul Graham and Y Combinator
● (00:05:37) The Importance of Doing Things That Don't Scale
● (00:10:00) Recruiting Users Manually
● (00:12:48) Building Something Fragile
● (00:20:48) Niche Marketing
● (00:23:02) The Facebook and the Idea of Scaling
● (00:24:53) Consulting and Acting as an Anchor Client
● (00:27:17) Going Manual and Doing Unscalable Laborious Tasks
● (00:30:08) The Illusion of Big Launches and Partnerships
● (00:34:54) Vectors vs. Scalars: Ideas and Execution
● (00:38:36) The Temptation to Gamble and the Importance of Locus of Control

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Three Phases to 1 Million in Revenue

Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

#748 Three Phases to 1 Million

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan and Ian discuss the different phases of bootstrapping a business and the common challenges that arise at each stage. They walk through three phases: Zero to $250k “Mindset”; $250k to 1 million "We're seeking a reliable/repeatable source of new customers"; and $1 million + "We need to hire, fire, improve/change team members more effectively”. They explore everything from adjusting the offer to the marketplace and developing a strong customer base to making a rule that the founder should be responsible for growth up to $5M.

They also explore the crucial role that team composition plays in the professionalization of the company. Finally, they discuss the decision between maximizing profitability and scaling the business.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Our book: Before the Exit
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Chapters

● (00:00:43) Introduction and Era Change
● (00:04:28) Mindset for Early Stage Bootstrapping
● (00:08:35) Running a Shit Ton of Experiments
● (00:19:34) Customer Development and Adjusting the Offer
● (00:23:37) Founder's Responsibility for Growth
● (00:24:28) Founder's Role in Growth Until $5 Million
● (00:25:29) Following Strategies That Work for the Majority
● (00:26:41) Celebrating the Achievement of $1 Million in Revenue
● (00:29:18) Transitioning from $1 Million to $5 Million
● (00:34:07) The Importance of Team Composition
● (00:34:22) Shifting Focus to Managing a Team
● (00:39:19) Maximizing Profitability vs. Scaling

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

#747 Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan talks to Jordan Gal, founder of Rally and co-host of the Bootsrapped Web podcast about challenges in the ecommerce space, product-market fit and demand, partnerships and veto power, the quietness of crypto, risking other people’s money, and more…

There’s one thing that founders tend to really struggle with when it comes to growing their business and that’s getting the right team in place. Listen as Jordan shows Dan how and why he fires unfit team members.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Chapters

(00:04:22) News Update
(00:05:58) From Player to Coach
(00:06:50) Jack Welch
(00:12:10) Bootstrapping vs Raising Money
(00:15:52) Product-Market Fit and Adjustments
(00:18:57) Partnerships and Veto Power
(00:20:42) Deciding When to Pivot
(00:36:27) Firing and Personnel Decisions
(00:43:30) The Quietness of Crypto
(00:48:05) Challenges in E-commerce
(00:57:30) Impact of Having a Family

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

A Shopify Software Business Success Story (Jordan Gal)

How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

#746 “Full-Service Agencies Are Out” & Other Productized-Service Ideas

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Dan & Ian talk to John Doherty, the founder of Editor Ninja, former owner of Credo, and cohost of the Working Sessions podcast about three major trends he’s seeing in the agency space that could impact your strategy and profitability for the year and beyond.

John talks about the challenges of running a full-service agency, a shift towards specialization in productized services, the need for outsourced strategic layers, focusing on profitability, and more.

Stick around for the guys to reveal six productized-service business ideas.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Chapters

(00:02:04) News with Dan & Ian
(00:05:20) Introducing John Doherty
(00:06:46) Starting Credo and EditorNinja
(00:09:30) Trends in the Agency Space
(00:11:27) Building a Strategic Program
(00:28:10) Focus on Profitability
(00:30:40) Importance of Work Quality
(00:31:55) Categories for Business Opportunities
(00:32:42) Software Quality Assurance as a Service
(00:35:57) TikTok Titan: Leveraging TikTok for Business
(00:38:54) SAAAS: Systems Automation as a Service
(00:40:28) Managed VA Service for Social Media
(00:43:57) Fractional Business Strategist
(00:45:23) Financial Dashboard as a Service
(00:50:44) Workbooks for Business Metrics

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

#745 “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Transitioning through the death zone requires careful execution and a focus on profitability. The $3 million dollar mark is a critical milestone for businesses, and many struggle to push through it.

In this episode, Dan talks to Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! about how founders can push through the death zone (otherwise known as the messy middle) and grow their profit far beyond that $3M mark.

Some of the common mistakes made by founders include not understanding profit truth, not investing in finance and accounting, and not effectively managing labor efficiency.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Chapters

(00:00:39) Introduction and the Death Zone
(00:05:26) The Impact of Paying a Market-Based Wage
(00:06:53) Behavioral Economics and Profit Truth
(00:10:34) The Definition of a Fully Capitalized Business
(00:12:39) Transitioning through the Death Zone
(00:13:16) The Three Steps to Business Success
(00:15:04) Remaining Profitable in the Death Zone
(00:15:50) Different Capital Profiles and Cashflow
(00:16:53) The Emotional Challenge of Spending in the Death Zone
(00:19:52) The Executional Problem of Growth
(00:20:27) Getting Through the Black Hole
(00:21:51) The $3 Million Mark
(00:23:15) The Worth of Going Through the Zone
(00:26:22) Managing a Marketing Agency Past $5 Million
(00:31:16) Common Mistakes Made by Founders
(00:33:25) Understanding Profit Truth
(00:40:23) Investing in Finance and Accounting

Links:

- Apply to win a free ticket to DC Mexico!

Simple Numbers, Straight Talk. Big Profits!

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway

Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

#744 How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

This week Dan & Ian share a few thought experiments you can do to improve your business and reach your next breakthrough.

They cover the value of a writing-first culture, the Queen Bee Role & how transparent should you be with your team?

Plus, a ticket giveaway to one qualified founder.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:41) Intro
(00:01:33) Business-changing events for founders
(00:10:54) Writing is more important than you think
(00:14:57) Writing culture vs meeting culture
(00:20:49) The Queen Bee Role exercise
(00:32:37) Thoughts about sharing revenue with team members

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition

Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

#743 Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Going deeper on shiny object syndrome, Dan & Ian open the mailbag to read responses to last week’s episode. A listener shares his success story with shiny object syndrome, revealing how he pursues his entrepreneurial impulses without growing crazy. The listener emphasizes the value of muscle memory when it comes to going from zero to one successfully.

Dan & Ian will also discuss how to use societal and scene shifts to gain traction on an idea and even build a successful business out of an idea that might seem a little stupid (to everyone else) at the time.

Plus, we’re looking for our next TMBA team member! If you love reading and writing about business topics and think working alongside Dan & Ian might seem like fun (or a little stupid!), let's talk.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:54) Intro
(00:01:13) If you love reading and writing about business, come work with us at the TMBA.
(00:09:17) The two most popular roles that bootstrapped companies are hiring for right now and how much they're paying.
(00:14:55) How founders get derailed by the Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect
(00:19:50) Why even your heroes’ businesses are shit shows
(00:20:33) How one listener channels his shiny object syndrome to grow his million-dollar business
(00:26:27) What founders often regret about selling their business
(00:30:30) Identifying societal disruptions can be a way for bootstrappers to be disruptive and successful
(00:30:42) What Mark Manson, Patt Flynn, and Muhammad Ali have in common
(00:39:54) Having a strong perspective could be what you’re missing

Links:

Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all)
Join us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this May
The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition
Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon
The score takes care of itself (Bill Walsh)
You can have two Big Things, but not three

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#742 A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan & Ian delve into the complexities of combating shiny object syndrome, a challenge that plagues all entrepreneurs at one time or another (or all the time).

They’ll talk about six strategies for tackling “the syndrome” and how to harness your skill of going zero-to-one to grow your business to the next level.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes:

(00:00:33) Intro
(00:03:05) How to connect with other founders by the beach (come to DC Mexico in May)
(00:11:08) DC Black is now accepting new members year-round
(00:17:54) Can shiny object syndrome be cured? Or am I doomed?
(00:20:31) Why entrepreneurs are great at the 0 to 1, and how to apply that skill set towards the next phase of your goals
(00:26:27) Six approaches to solving and harnessing your shiny object syndrome

Links:

Podcast producer job post
Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all)
Join us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this May
The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition
Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon
The score takes care of itself (Bill Walsh)
You can have two Big Things, but not three

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#741 The Roadmap for Turning a Skill Into a 1M+ Productized Service

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode Dan uncovers The Ultimate TMBA Business: a productized service business built on a skill set.

Tom Kent started his business based on a very specific skill set of his: he was good at getting jobs. Now Tom is the founder and CEO of Career Nerds, a 7-figure productized service that he’s doubling every year because of his precise lead generation strategies and very clear goals.

In this episode, Tom gives us a roadmap for turning a skill into a powerful productized service business. Plus, how he avoids the distraction of other target markets and opportunities and stays focused on his goal.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:55) Intro
(04:39:02) How to turn a skill into a business
(06:16:09) Personal branding and networking strategies on LinkedIn
(15:24:08) Scaling LinkedIn lead generation with a focus on targeting and outsourcing
(19:12:00) Sales process and lead generation for high-dollar products
(24:19:04) Sales strategies and conversion rates
(30:27:09) Building a sales team and identifying a niche market
(44:09:05) Influential books, networking, and travel

Links:

Career Nerds

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#740 The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Vince Nguyen joins Dan to share how he resurrected his agency from semi-retirement and in the first month resumed making 5+ figures per client. He runs his agency solo and shares some of his biggest hacks for success. Vince essentially delivers a masterclass in running a successful solo-agency as well as how to improve Facebook Ads for your business (hint: it’s pretty simple!).

But first, Dan & Ian have some fun catching up about some big company news and how to operate on a profit-first system from day one and why that’s actually critical for scale.

They also talk about two trending ways for finding and connecting with customers that are leading to more sales, that you can implement as early as today.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:45) Intro
(00:03:16) Profit first and financial modeling for businesses
(00:07:53) Scaling your business with financial rigor
(00:14:05) Hiring a full-time producer for the Tropical MBA podcast
(00:15:33) The new DC Black coaches
(00:19:10) Masterminds, business growth, and clarity of goals
(00:25:46) Sold out an event in under an hour using WhatsApp
(00:27:04) Why aren’t more businesses talking to their clients on WhatsApp?
(00:32:32) Outsourcing SDRs in LatAm is what SEO was 10 years ago
(00:49:04) Why more isn’t better when it comes to your agency’s skillset
(01:02:58) How to get premium clients for your agency
(01:20:55) Advice for running profitable Facebook Ads from an expert

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan, Mike Michalowicz, Vince Nguyen

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#739 The Three Horsemen Holding Your Business Back from Breakthrough with Mike Michalowicz

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Dan interviews business author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz, delving into the transformative concepts from Mike's books — "Profit First," "The Pumpkin Plan," Clockwork", and more.

They explore the power of prioritizing profit and why most small businesses are often “crushed” by the owner. Mike discusses his concept of the Queen Bee Role and advocates for specialization to scale effectively.

Stick around as Mike reveals the three horsemen that keep businesses right on the brink of success, often never finding breakthrough.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:49) Intro
(00:07:10) Take profit first and hide it from the business to force it to run within expenses
(00:13:35) Profit First case study: What happened to the Savannah Bananas
(00:17:44) The most important function in a business is the one that supports the brand promise
(00:23:53) Owners try to be the “superhero” instead of stepping back and building structure
(00:29:33) A minority of customers represent the majority of profitability
(00:30:20) Focus on becoming a specialist in your market
(00:35:50) Each stage of growth requres different levels of management and leadership
(00:38:03) Over-selling can lead to organizational death
(00:41:50) Three common causes of businesses not achieving success

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#738 Under the Hood of an 8-Figure Business + Million Dollar Weekend with Noah Kagan

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

“Noah’s new book Million Dollar Weekend has so many nuggets for aspiring and mature entrepreneurs alike. Specifically, if you’re launching a new product, starting a new business, or you want to keep things simple for your team, you’ll find tangible guidance in this book.” - Dan

In this episode, TMBA host Dan Andrews sits down with Noah Kagan to talk about operating an 8-figure company at scale, something Noah does every day as the CEO of AppSumo.

Noah dives into specific processes around leadership, managing team members, setting achievable goals, making room for creativity, personal growth habits, and a whole lot more.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:33) Intro
(00:02:47) Setting goals and managing expectations for a successful business.
(00:07:43) Setting and achieving business goals with room for experimentation.
(00:08:51) Tracking progress on goals and regularly reviewing progress to avoid anxiety and stay motivated
(00:13:46) The importance of personal inputs relative to the company's top priorities, with each leader in the company having their own top three priorities to focus on.
(00:15:02) Everybody can see everybody’s scorecards
(00:17:34) Leadership means setting clear priorities and empowering others to choose their own destinations.
(00:20:09) Motivating employees through optimism, rather than demotivating them with criticism.
(00:22:03) The importance of consistency in personal and professional settings
(00:25:15) Monthly leadership survey to gather feedback and improve as a leader, with a focus on providing solutions rather than complaining.
(00:28:31) Core operational documents and processes needed to run a business
(00:30:11) Find your own “AppSumo” way

Links:

Million Dollar Weekend

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#737 Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Today Dan & Ian challenge you to consider: How durable is your revenue?

They’ll explore the concepts of profit now vs profit later, investing profits to build durability, network effects, marginal profitability calculation, and more.

But first, in some lighter conversation, Dan argues that setting smaller goals and reconfiguring your team meetings can lead to higher productivity and higher yield in your business.

Plus, the 6 principles to a high-leverage meeting learned from running millionaire masterminds.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:43) Intro
(00:02:15) A strategy for higher productivity and higher yield in 2024
(00:03:29) Focus on three things: Who, what, and when.
(00:04:15) Make your meetings so good you could sell them
(00:10:08) 6 principles we learned from running millionaire masterminds
(00:11:34) Common blind spots for founders
(00:13:34) “I don’t know how to set goals”
(00:15:26) Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely
(00:24:59) Are boring businesses as durable as they seem?
(00:25:54) Investing profits to build durability & adapt fast
(00:29:45) Profit now vs profit later

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan.

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How to Have Your Best Year $$$Wise Ever

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#736 How to Have Your Best Year $$$Wise Ever

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

This week, Dan reveals a strategic approach to decision-making intervals for achieving top-line revenue and personal income goals. Join him as he explores how this decision-making cadence serves as a compass in navigating the challenging 'messy middle' of entrepreneurship.

What’s the messy middle? You’ve found some type of product-market fit, customers are buying, and you've set revenue and profit goals. Yet, you lack an exit strategy, millions in your bank account, and an executive team running your company.

In this episode, Dan invites you into his end-of-year meeting with co-founder Ian Schoen, unveiling the inner workings of their quarterly reviews. Discover the three key questions they always address and learn how this framework can guide you out of the messy middle, ensuring this is your best year money-wise ever.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:01:16) 14 years of the Tropical MBA
(00:01:38) Setting and achieving business goals in the messy middle
(00:05:01) The framework for 90-day quarterly reviews
(00:07:30) Does your business make financial sense?
(00:11:36) Do you have the right people in the right chairs?
(00:21:55) Are you performing well in the business?
(00:24:08) How to focus on the one thing you’re best at

Links:

Public Quarterly Review Framework

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan.

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

An 8-figure exit and revisiting the 1,000-day principle

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#735 An 8-figure exit and revisiting the 1,000-day principle

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Can you make a life-changing decision based on assumptions you pulled off the internet?

This question and many others are answered in today’s fascinating interview with two of Dan’s mentors and longtime friends.

They recently exited one of their businesses (they’re still running the other!) for 8-figures, and they share the details of their process from deciding to sell, preparing for the sale, vetting acquirers, and what happens after. Hear how they spun up another business on the side and are maintaining the cash flow from that as they sit on the cash pile from the sale.

But perhaps their biggest accomplishment is raising three thoughtful, curious kids while running their two incredible businesses and living all over the world in places like Bali, Costa Rica, Spain, and more.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:42) Intro
(00:03:03) Revisiting the 1,000 day principle and questioning the 3,000 day principle
(00:03:52) Career milestones in entrepreneurship
(00:09:18) Maintaining pricing power in a productized service
(00:10:24) Setting financial goals and getting real with personal expenses
(00:16:36) Retirement planning with financial planners
(00:19:05) Selling a business: approach to sales process
(00:21:48) Selling a business: acquisition process and unexpected offer
(00:28:59) Selling a business: legal and financial aspects
(00:34:46) Selling a business: emotions and negotiation process
(00:37:10) Scaling a new business and selling a golden egg
(00:44:05) Parenting, wealth, and financial priorities
(00:46:06) Raising entrepreneurial children

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan.

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#733 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#618 Exploring Alternative Education Options for Nomadic Families

#565 The Origins of the 1,000 Day Principle

#734 Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0500

As 2023 comes to a close, Dan & Ian reflect on how their business did in 2023 and share some of their favorite moments from the year.

They’ll also talk about what makes a compelling offer, the “non-obvious ways” to grow your business in 2024, and why you should dream bigger than the numbers when goal setting.

But first, Dan shares the top business books and podcast episodes that inspired him this year just in time for your holiday travels.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes:

(00:00:50) Intro
(00:01:57) Dan’s favorite business books in 2023
(00:08:37) The podcast episodes that inspired business decisions this year
(00:13:15) Gift list for entrepreneurs
(00:19:36) An undervalued business-improving idea that anyone can do
(00:31:09) Why did our tweet go viral? Our search for speakers and facilitators is turning into quite the contest
(00:40:22) Our new product and how you can copy it
(00:44:31) 2023 business updates
(00:47:41) Favorite moments from the year

Links:

- DC Mexico tickets
- DC Black Facilitator position
- DC conversation cards

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More

#733 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Dan & Ian offer up some end-of-year thought experiments for founders, including how to re-visualize your business, capitalize on strategy, and ensure that you are in the right role in your business.

Most founders assume they are the “executive” in the business, but more often than not, their daily behaviors are that of a director or manager. Understanding where you sit in your organization can make a huge difference in your ability to scale.

Plus, explore the business diagnostic: what would a PE firm do with your business? A helpful exercise to get you thinking objectively about the decisions that need to be made in your business.

Lastly, the guys relive the Mexico Meltdown, otherwise known as the DC Mexico launch. Tune in to hear what went down.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes

(00:00:52) Intro
(00:01:22) We’re hiring mastermind facilitators
(00:02:20) DC Mexico meltdown
(00:08:10) What would a PE firm do with your business?
(00:15:32) Using org charts to change your business
(00:26:47) New trends and a business idea
(00:30:13) 3-year goal setting for year-end

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Can Org Charts Be Sexy? + NYC Drinking Stories

Dissecting the American Dream & Business Lessons from the Elon Musk Bio

#732 Can Org Charts Be Sexy? + NYC Drinking Stories

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Dan & Ian unravel the complexities of job titles and organizational frustrations post-DC Black event, offering solutions through org chart brainstorming, a new business idea, and how much you should be investing into networking strategies based on your income.

Plus, see what UI and API score they give NYC after spending the weekend there.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show Notes:

(00:00:59) Intro
(00:08:05) UI & API score for NYC
(00:11:01) The danger of inaccurate titles for employees
(00:18:55) How to use org charts as a brainstorming tool
(00:25:47) New business idea: Be the money person
(00:28:46) How much $$ to invest in your network
(00:37:21) Meet us in Mexico in May

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More

The Freedom Line, 7+ Figure Founders, and Extended DCBKK Recap

The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

#731 Special Edition Pod: Meet us in Mexico

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

In this special Tuesday edition of the pod, Dan & Ian make the hard sell for listeners to meet them in Mexico.

If you’re into five-star resorts, good food, frosty drinks, and nerding out about your business, consider this your official invite.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Show notes:

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:57) Meet us in Mexico

Links:

Get your tickets to DC MEXICO 2024

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Insights from DCBKK 2023: The UI vs API of a Location, How Bootstrappers Are Getting Wealthy, 2024 Business Strategy, and More

The Freedom Line, 7+ Figure Founders, and Extended DCBKK Recap

#730 Cash Flowing Your Early Retirement (10K/mo+)

Dan@TropicalMBA.com (Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen) — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

This week, Dan continues delving into the world of coaching with a story about one company that provides highly paid professionals with a low-stress way to earn a living in the sunset phase of their careers.

Dan also interviews Sarah Weaver, a real estate investor and entrepreneur, who has achieved an impressive monthly cash flow of over $10,000 from her real estate portfolio in under five years.

Join us to glean insights from Sarah's journey, as she shares strategies for cash-flowing retirement through smart real estate investments. Sarah talks about how she bought 19 properties, the six metrics she evaluates before investing in a specific city, building a brand around her experience, and more.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter
“The DC”
DC Black
Global events
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
@TropicalMBA
@AnythingIan

Show notes:
(00:00:56) Intro
(00:01:14) The DC Black event is happening now
(00:01:44) A new Mexico event
(00:02:30) Loom use cases for async companies
(00:07:13) Ways to generate cash flow
(00:10:15) The steps to 10K+ cash flow per month from rental properties
(00:11:59) Cash flow investing vs appreciation investing
(00:14:17) What metrics to look at before you invest in property
(00:25:30) Don’t meet your heroes, get paid by them
(00:28:43) House hacking from abroad
(00:29:38) Building a brand around your personal experience
(00:37:49) How to skip right past imposter syndrome
(00:39:44) Mistakes people often make in real estate investing
(00:41:53) The no-brainer bucket list experience you should go on

Links:

- Dcbkk recap
- The Upwork Hustle w/ Sam Hill
- CEO Coaching International
- www.sarahdweaver.com
- 30 Day Stay. Use SARAH for 10% off.

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber

Additional episodes you might enjoy: