My framework for making tough decisions.
Muse: Starting another niched-down website/marketing platform business.
Riding the wave is easier than catching the wave.
The balance between delayed gratification and living in the moment.
Building another similar business vs. building something different vs. not building anything at all.
The organization (or messiness) of your surroundings is a reflection of your mind. Focus. Simplify. Organize.
Speaking, partnerships, and getting our first big breaks at Forge3.
Hiring for attitude and teaching the skills. Giving the underdogs a chance and creating lifelong loyalty.
What I would have done differently at Forge3 if I could go back in time.
Many smaller sales vs. a few big ones, and which path I prefer.
The magic of opportunistic hiring. The story of Monika, Devon, and others.
Running a business is like doing a maze. Try routes that look good, backtrack when they don't work, and keep moving.
Slow productivity. The 93 year old guy consistently walking into the gym over the long haul is better than the guy who comes in hard for a month and stops.
When do you give up on something (work venture, friendship, marriage, etc.)?
My experience with a business partner.
Run it like Starbucks. Have a process for everything, but leave room for humanity. Strive to make as many days the same as possible.
We are identified by our work. But who are we with no work?
Selling a business is like jumping off the ship.
“Success complacency” and the pitfalls of being comfortable.
Stop being stuck. There is no right “next step” in business or life. What do we want to do with the limited time we have left?
What being a pilot has taught me about business. Plan ahead, but the plan will not happen. Be prepared for emergencies. It looks cool from the outside, but is far less glamorous than it seems. It takes way more work than most people realize. The journey is the fun part, not the destination. People remember the landing most.
Niching down and growing up. Fast.
I am mostly a failure. ispott, SafeStacks, anyMoment, The Inner Circle, SpottCast, LoopServe, and others failed.
Hiring, building a team culture, setting milestone mansion trips, and growing a company.
I (mostly) remember the good stuff.
Selling a business = instant credibility. It’s assumed that I have all of the answers.
Keep it simple! New businesses tend to complicate the messaging, sales process, and pricing.
Partnerships didn’t do much to sell our product. It was up to us to leverage them.
The little things make the biggest difference.
Much of today’s marketing is total crap. Boring social posts, ill-prepared webinars, lazy marketing, and other blah.
Stop with the big words, fast talk, and past accolades. Be authentic, optimistic, but also relatable and realistic.
I hate fake or blurry web meeting backgrounds. It feels like they're hiding something. Stop it.
My controversial view of a good elevator pitch. Don’t be cute. Just tell me what you do. Please.
Don’t read what you do. Tell me, in your own words, imperfections and all. I'll like you more for it.
Find ways to use candid personal photos to show personality.
I remember compliments more than criticisms. “You have nice legs.” and “Who are we going to get to replace you?”
Going from “who’s who” to “who’s he?”
If you haven’t done it, don’t tell other people how to do it.
The beauty of recurring revenue.
Inject little delights into the customer experience. The smiling kid after a form submission, an email from me after sign up, and more.
Be "all in" on your email, calendar, and task management strategy and related tools. It’s all or nothing. Otherwise, it won't work.
The first sales are the easiest. Then the curve hits.