First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo

E75: Michael Girdley (@girdley) needs no introduction. He's a HoldCo legend. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with Michael to discuss how he has built a successful HoldCo. We talk about Michael's "Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission" framework, which he uses to build all of his businesses. Michael shares how to find the best people, set up your business the right way, and get everyone excited about the same goal.On today's episode, you'll learn:- PHC Organization Structure- How to Propel the Business into Gear - How to Build Your Own Holdco of Multiple Businesses - 'Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission' Framework***SPONSORS: Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:The Journey: "And what I really discovered was that there's this interesting inflection points in people's lives to when they should sign up to be CEOs of different types of businesses." — Michael Girdley (06:24)Joyful Career: "I think what people should be doing is thinking about the life they wanna live and the things they wanna be doing, and then build companies around that... joy comes from getting to do things that you really love. So build your business around things that give you joy that you get to do." — Michael Girdley (36:40)*** LINKS: How to Hire the Best Operators for Your Personal HoldCoHoldCo MasterclassJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E74: Have you ever wondered how a person can flip their life's script from constant struggles to having a multi-million dollar business? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a rich conversation with successful entrepreneur Tim Stoddart (@TimStodz), the proud owner of Copyblogger Media.  He discusses his incredible transition from a troubled youth in Philadelphia to a sober entrepreneur with a multi-million dollar Personal HoldCo portfolio.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Find Your Purpose- How to Effectively Write Online- Three Criteria for Choosing Businesses- How to Replicate Models to Build and Scale Businesses***SPONSORS: Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Foundation: "I write and I delegate. I write because I think being a good writer is the most valuable skill that you could ever really have. And I delegate because I've learned that as you grow a company, it's the most foundational thing you could ever do." — Tim Stoddart (04:03)Wealth Creation: "Here's where my head goes. I'm not bored at all. And there's a part of me that thinks you want to get out before you get bored. Right. Because then like you have leverage that you don't need to sell. Like I never want to get in a position where I need to sell something." — Tim Stoddart (21:45)*** LINKS: CopybloggerTimstodz.com stodzyinternetmarketing.comJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E73: Not many know it, but a lot of aspiring business owners run the risk of making expensive mistakes that could put their goals on hold before they ever take off. So, today, host Yong-Soo Chung  (@YongSooChung) shares eight important things he learned over eight years of building three businesses from the ground up. He shares how to have an exponential growth mindset, hire carefully, know when to switch between growth and preservation modes and build a strong environment for your company. On today's episode, you'll learn:- Growth vs. Preservation- 8 Truths About Entrepreneurship- The Impact of Hiring the Right PeopleThis episode distills down many years of entrepreneurial experience into one short episode. Don't miss it!***SPONSORS: Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Business Ecosystem: "Your business exists to serve three different stakeholders, vendors, employees, and customers. These there are the critical components of your business ecosystem. And the most ideal scenario is when all three of them win." — Yong-Soo Chung (13:15)Business Growth Mindsets: "You can think of business growth as either incremental or exponential." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:46)*** LINKS: How to Hire the Best Operators for Your Personal HoldCoI – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCoJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E72: When is the right time to exit a business? Sounds like a simple question, but the answer... isn't as simple.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with accomplished entrepreneur Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki), the Founder and CEO of Acquire.com.  Andrew discusses the strategies behind successful exits and how to position your company to be sold for the highest valuation. He also discussed how startups can be bought in as few as 30 days. On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Structure Your Deals- Strategic Buyer vs. Financial Buyer- How to Get Ready to Sell Your Business- How to Find the Right Buyer for Your BusinessLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Startup Valuations: "You can sell it for whatever you want. You can sell it whenever you want. You can sell for $10,000,000, all cash to a private equity firm with 90-day transition period, you're out, and then you just get to do whatever you want with your life. " — Andrew Gazdecki (05:51)Understanding Business Acquisitions: "So if you can structure, you know, an acquisition with favorable terms like that, that's the way to go. And that I'd say that's probably the most common is cash in close with some component of,  maybe a little bit of seller financing at the end, 80% cash in close, 20% seller financing with 3 to 6 month transition depending on the size of the business." — Andrew Gazdecki (19:14)*** LINKS: From Bankruptcy to Millionaire in 2 Years: How Tibo Louis-Lucas Built and Sold TweetHunter & Taplio for Multi-MillionsAcquire.comJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E71: How do you design a personal brand that truly reflects you, stands out, and captivates your audience?Do you find yourself lost in the sea of design choices? Not sure how to align your website elements with your personal brand values?Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by talented designer, Nate Kadlac (@kadlac). Nate will guide us through the crucial elements of your personal brand identity: Logo, Font, Color, Elements & Motifs, and Visual Layout. Nate will also tell us how to make key design decisions that align with our brand values for each of these elements.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Four Key Elements- The G.E.O.S. Framework- How to Make Key Design Decisions- How to Design a Great Personal Brand WebsiteLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Choosing Fonts for Personal Branding: "They don't have to be the same. I think it's it's really about what appeals to you, what speaks to you. It's just one thing to kind of know about these things that people will feel a certain way. Not that you need to make a choice based on what people feel." — Nate Kadlac (19:04)Design Tips from Experts: "A designer's secret is that most of us never use pure black or pure white. Our eyes read better like text that's just slightly off that black end is is a little bit more readable because it's not high contrast. High contrast tires our eyes out and we want to use it for design to kind of like grab attention." — Nate Kadlac (28:31)*** LINKS: Don't Make The Same Mistakes I Did — What I Wish I Knew About Content Creation and Personal BrandingApproachableDesign.JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E70: Who doesn't like free or cheap stuff? Imagine getting more customers without spending money. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by an expert in PR and earned media, Christina Nicholson (@ChristinaAllDay), an award-winning journalist.  Christina will discuss why small businesses should start with local media and why earned media's credibility is its most powerful asset. She also discusses how to obtain free (or affordable) PR and how to pitch the media to get coverage.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How To Do Effective PR for Free- The Power of PR for Businesses- How to Spot Scammy PR Pitches- How to Pitch the Media to Get CoverageDon't miss out on this game-changing episode that could redefine your approach to marketing!***SPONSORS: Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Strategic Business Approach: "You need to be patient, and you need to trust the process, and you need to be very focused on who your audience is and what you're putting out there, and then be ready to turn that publicity into profit because a lot of people think it just ends with the publicity." — Christina Nicholson (18:01)Monetizing Influence: "If you are somebody who is of influence and you wanna start charging to make money, there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to tell people why you're charging what you're charging when you do offer that to them." — Christina Nicholson (27:33)*** LINKS: The Art of Storytelling: How Parker Worth Went from Broke to a $22,000 Course LaunchBecome a Media Maven PodcastJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E69: Imagine creating a million dollar business in just 48 hours.  Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by a special guest Noah Kagan (@noahkagan), the CEO of AppSumo.com.  Noah will discuss his new book "Million Dollar Weekend" and explain how he used these strategies and tactics to build AppSumo, a near 9-figure business.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Validate Your Ideas- The One-Minute Business Model- The Million-Dollar Weekend Framework- How to Scale Your Business SuccessfullyDon't miss out on this one!***SPONSORS: Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Principles of Business Growth: "You find a problem people really want, And you'd be patient to continually keep delivering for those people." — Noah Kagan (22:19)Strategic Approach to Business Expansion: "Have a very limited amount of experiments that you think will be your future growth. And then having a list of experiments you think you can do to find those people, doing them over literally 30 days after you have business success, finding the one that works and then continuing that one." — Noah Kagan (24:06)*** LINKS: How to Find Your Next Million-Dollar Business IdeaMillion Dollar WeekendJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E68: Ever wonder how to grow your business profits just by leveraging relationships and strategic partnerships?Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is privileged to have a very special guest, Jay Abraham (@RealJayAbraham), the Owner of Abraham Group and America's Highest Paid Marketing Consultant.  Jay will discuss the concept of Relational Capital, one of the most powerful, yet misunderstood concepts in business. Abraham shares anecdotes and real world examples of creative partnerships where both parties benefited mutually without exchanging money.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The 8 Different Types of Deals- How to Pitch to Potential Partners- How to Leverage Relational Capital- Why Relational Capital is UnderratedDon't miss out on this one!***SPONSORS: Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:The Power of Endorsement: "When somebody has a hard-won credibility or trust with a target audience that you also want to reach, rather than going to the outside market and speculating money on advertising, if you can first find out who already has the relationship with that audience, who's already gone through all the credibility building. You can get the benefit of all of that accrued to you instantaneously for nothing and only pay for results." — Jay Abraham (06:58)Leveraging External Resources: "You're using everybody else's relationships with their audience, their distribution channels, their databases, their brand association, their salesforces, their retailers, their distributors, their assets, and you can get access to millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions of dollars for no investment or risk." — Jay Abraham (14:24)*** LINKS: From Bankruptcy to Millionaire in 2 Years: How Tibo Louis-Lucas Built and Sold TweetHunter & Taplio for Multi-MillionsJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E67: What if I told you hiring the right operator for your PHC could supercharge your business? But get it wrong, and it could all go up in flames. Even worse, it could get swiped right from under you. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But believe me, I've lived that story. I've spent the last four years taking notes, testing strategies, and refining my hiring process. On today's episode, I can finally say that I know how to hire the right operator. It's a delicate balance because you need someone who's fiercely independent, but at the same time, unwaveringly loyal to you. I will also share timeless lessons and tactical tips that will help you navigate the complex landscape of hiring an operator and building a successful business. On today's episode, you'll learn:- Irony of Hiring a Great Operator- How to Identify a Great Operator- The Two Paths of Hiring an Operator- The Pros and Cons of Both Hiring Paths This episode is a real game-changer!***SPONSORS: Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Entrepreneurial Spirit in Business Operations: "Because I want the operator to feel a degree of ownership of the business they're handling. Yeah. I chose my words carefully there. I want them to feel a degree of ownership, but at the same time, I also want them to be fiercely loyal to me." — Yong-Soo Chung (05:03)Employee Profit Sharing and Loyalty: "I found that implementing a profit sharing program enhances the sense of autonomy, ownership, and loyalty almost instantly. Because I am, in fact, directly giving them a part of my business's success. Because I am, in fact, directly aligning incentives to benefit everyone involved in the business." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:35)*** LINKS: I – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCoJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E66: How did Assembly Ventures, from nothing but dreams and passion, pull in a crazy $10 million in less than six months?  Call it nuts. Call it ambitious. Call it a crazy result. But it happened, my friend, it happened.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down and spills the beans with Hunter Hammonds (@_hunterhammonds), the CEO and Co-Founder of Assembly Ventures. Hunter shares his business flywheel—Strategy, Execution, and Amplification. Hunter also talks about focusing on quality over mere publicity, building long-term relationships with creators, and overall operation and HoldCo structuring strategies. On today's episode, you'll learn:- The 3 Pillars for Teams Operation- How to Scale Businesses Successfully- The 3 Flywheel Components of a Business- How to Partner Up with Large Content CreatorsDon't miss out on this one!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Effective Strategy Approach: "So I think there's a lot of trust in what we're doing right now because of the approach we've taken and the people that we chose to partner with first vs. doing something that's more of the celebrity-driven kind of vast-market creator approach." — Hunter Hammonds (15:58)Building a Strong Brand: "So instead of us launching a new brand and that detracting from the quality, every time we launch a new brand, we're pulling that playbook into that new space, that new service, using the learnings from this new service, or how we perform this particularly new niche creative thing and using that to inform the rest of the operations." — Hunter Hammonds (17:47)*** LINKS: Mastering the Art of Unsexy Entrepreneurship with Hold Co Owner Nick Huber, Founder of Bolt Storage & The Sweaty StartupJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours.I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I need to work on depending on the stage of my business. I wish that someone had taught me this framework 8 years ago when I first launched my first business. On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Delegate Properly- 3 Stages of Growth for Every Business- How to Promote a Culture of Ownership- What Systems You Need to Scale Your Business This episode distills down many years of my own entrepreneurial experience into one short episode. Don't miss it!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Business Growth Phases: "In the 1st phase, you were a newborn, an infant, a toddler, flailing and grasping at everything and trying to gain a basic understanding of your business. In the 2nd phase, you're a child, making friends and allies and building relationships with the people around you, which means now it is time for you to grow, both literally and figuratively." — Yong-Soo Chung (18:28)Building an Ownership Culture: "Each employee should believe that they own a certain part of your business, and they are a 100% responsible for that part of the business. Just make sure that you aren't causing any decision making bottlenecks at the company when you do this." — Yong-Soo Chung (25:52)*** LINKS: Episode 25 - How To Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Million-Dollar Business as a CreatorJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E64: In the world of startups, everyone wants that magic formula to get their business off the ground and scaling fast.But all too often, business plans end up as complicated, unwieldy documents that feel overwhelming to create and follow.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) goes behind the scenes with Brandon White (@BrandonCWhite). He generously shared his unique 11-slide business framework with us. Inspired by the simplicity of four baseline elements jotted down on a napkin, Brandon leads us through the ins and outs of his clever road map, unlocking the potential to simplify even the most complex of business concepts.On today's episode, you'll learn:- 4 Key Ingredients of a Business- Importance of a Good Elevator Pitch- The 11-Slide Business Plan Framework- How to Clearly Define a Problem and SolutionDon't miss out on this one!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Efficient Business Planning: "If you can build this framework 11 slides, you basically are ready to build a new company or launch a new product or service. And you could be an intrepreneur and easily use this too. And that's sorta how it came up. It's a mix and match of all of my experience in failures and and what worked." — Brandon White  (01:08)The Four Principles: "We sit down and he pulls out a pen, flips the napkin over and he's like, writes down four things, product, people, market and financing. He said, let's build your plan right here. That was really my first lesson on the quote, air quotes for those of you listening, the modern business plan or framework." — Brandon White (05:05)*** LINKS: Unlocking the Power of the MAPS Framework: Mindset ➜ Audience ➜ Product ➜ ScalingJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week!I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's (@BrandonCWhite) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hours! We dove deep into several topics including the inflection points of my own entrepreneurial journey. We also went into depth about Personal Holding Companies and how Brandon essentially has one himself!This episode brings actionable insights on audience building, creating irresistible product offers, and achieving success in the midst of uncertainty.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Importance of Networking in Business- The Importance of Building Trust Online- How to Build a Personal Holding Company- Social Media Strategies for Business GrowthThis episode is not to be missed!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Importance of Delegation in Entrepreneurship: "You're monitoring, but you and you're there in case they need to. They need you for something, but you're not in the day-to-day operations, and that's where you wanna be ultimately." — Yong-Soo Chung (38:14)Building Trust Online: "Building trust is probably the hardest thing to do online right now because there's a lot of crazy people out there, and, they're all saying crazy stuff. And if you can build trust, that will make it so much easier for you. It just open a lot of doors." — Yong-Soo Chung (01:51:20)*** LINKS: The Brandon White ShowJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban EDC. He shares his invaluable insights and practical advice on identifying micro and macro forces to help you succeed, validating business ideas, and creating your luck in entrepreneurship.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Finding Your Niche- How to Turn Passion into Profession- How to Identify Micro and Macro Forces- Importance of Leveraging Social PlatformsThis episode is a real game-changer!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Economic Forces and Personal Development: "Micro forces are internal motivations that add up over time and space to give you direction. Macro forces on the other hand are beyond your control and determine how much momentum your idea will have when you launch it." — Yong-Soo Chung (03:32)Identifying Personal Entrepreneurial Opportunities: "Because what you buy is often a pretty good indicator of what might make a good entrepreneurial venture for you... Money and time are the two resources that determine literally everything about our lives. So ask yourself, what do I spend my free time doing? Chances are the answer to this question will intersect a lot with your credit card statement."  — Yong-Soo Chung (06:07)*** LINKS: Episode 25 - How To Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Million-Dollar Business as a CreatorJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey.  Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with the amazing Parker Worth (@worth_parker), who went from being dead broke to launching a storytelling course that earned him an amazing $22,000! He shared invaluable tips and tricks that are guaranteed to skyrocket your approach to building your brand's story.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Art of Storytelling- Power of Personal Network- How to Use Storytelling for Business - How to Create Genuine Relationships OnlineTrust me, this episode is the real deal.***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Power of Storytelling: "So it's like this multicentral, multidimensional skill that not only applies to communication, but in business. It's in marketing. It's in education. It's literally everywhere and it's a skill that overlaps into everything." — Parker Worth (04:42)The Essence of Storytelling: "A story requires both a speaker and a listener, the storyteller and an audience."  — Yong-Soo Chung (23:02)*** LINKS: Episode 39 - $250 Million Dollars in Sales: Colin Chung's Copywriting Secrets RevealedParkerWorth.comJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth?It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some haters throwing shade. Here's the fun bit: I know exactly why that post resonated.Today, I'm diving deep into the topic of finding your niche and how it can skyrocket your audience growth. I'll be sharing my journey and the three-step process I used to discover my niche, gain a 25% jump in my audience in just nine days, and establish myself as an authority in my field.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Find Your Niche- How to Leverage Your Expertise- Understand Niche Demand and SupplyThis episode is a solo journey of discovery!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Finding Your Niche: "It's one thing to build up expertise in a subject and another thing entirely to be acknowledged as the expert." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:54)Building Trust: "The secret ingredient here, and really isn't a secret to be honest, is trust."  — Yong-Soo Chung (09:33)*** LINKS: Episode 53 - The Rise of Personal Holding Companies: Exploring the Future of EntrepreneurshipJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E59: What does it really take to go viral on social media?In our digital era, choosing the right platform for your business can be overwhelming. Founders face immense pressure to build a substantial online presence and audience.  Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a special guest, Michelle Thames (@michellelthames), a renowned Marketing and Monetization Strategist. She is known for her influential work with giants like Toyota, Subway, and Lenovo. On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Go Viral- Power of Quality Followers- Personal Brand vs. Business Brand- Master the Art of Emotional Marketing TechniquesThis episode is not to be missed!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.AppSumo - Search for "ContentBot.AI" and grab the Black Friday exclusive offer. Don't let this opportunity slip away!***EXCERPTS:Marketing Strategies: "I believe all marketing is the same across the board for all businesses. Right? Where it really comes into play is your specific niche and your specific target audience. Definitely, both ways of doing business, product based, service based, are successful, well, but it I think it really boils down to what platforms you're using." — Michelle Thames (06:22)Social Media and CEOs: "You should share things, maybe you smell a new fragrance that, you know, you're putting in your product or you went to a trade show and you're trying to get new materials, things like that a CEO would be doing that people would be interested in. You never know what will relate with people."  — Michelle Thames (30:30)*** LINKS: Michelle Thames - FacebookMichelle Thames - InstagramEpisode 55JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that! Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong.Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs!When I started my podcast journey, everyone around me had advice. Most said, "Save your money on production." But, call me crazy, I ignored them! I poured everything into 57 episodes, investing in the quality of the show.Today, I'm revealing 30 lessons I learned growing my podcast over the past year into 5 Pillars of Podcasting.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The 5 Pillars of Podcasting- Paid Advertising vs. Organic Marketing- How to Choose the Right Guests for Your Podcast- Why 'Packaging' an Episode is More Important Than You ThinkLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.AppSumo - Search for "SendNow" and grab the Black Friday exclusive offer. Don't let this opportunity slip away!***EXCERPTS:How I Create Content: "Writing my episodes helps me express my thoughts in a clear and concise manner.  Basically, write the script as if you're writing a screenplay, because you will essentially be using the script to perform it on the mic when you record it."  — Yong-Soo Chung (09:55)Power of Podcast Listeners: "In all this time I have been podcasting, I have noticed that podcast listeners are some of the most dedicated, loyal, and attentive listeners I've come across. They're incredibly tuned into everything you say." — Yong-Soo Chung (20:10)*** LINKS: How I Stacked 5 Growth Levers to Grow My Newsletter to 10,000 SubscribersJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E57: How did a man who declared bankruptcy turn into a multi-millionaire in just 2 years? Our guest today did just that. His incredible journey is one of resilience, innovation, and true entrepreneurial spirit.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a very special guest, Tibo Louis-Lucas (@tibo_maker), the genius behind TweetHunter and Taplio. Tibo reveals the secrets behind his meteoric rise. From understanding the market pulse, and relentless iteration of his products, to tapping into the right networks, he reveals the steps he took to sell his company for multi-million dollars after declaring bankruptcy just a few years prior.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Find Product-Market Fit- How to Grow By Acquiring Small Projects- How to Master the Art of Building in Public- The Power of MVP and User-Driven DevelopmentThis episode is not only an incredible story of resilience, it's a master class in product building!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:People Expect Reliability: "When you start having one foot on something like a Twitter or X scheduler, you need to provide awesome service. Like you need top quality products. You are not allowed to fail on posting content. Like people expect reliability." — Tibo Louis-Lucas (17:53)Pursuing Passion: "You need to build on something that you are deeply enjoying...So you need to be so passionate that you are truly enjoying what you are doing and you are willing to do it even if you have absolutely no guarantee that it's going to work out."  — Tibo Louis-Lucas (34:47)*** LINKS: Tweet HunterTaplioJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E56: Growing a newsletter is no cakewalk.There's the initial phase where growth is slow, and every subscriber feels like a hard-fought battle. Not to mention, the emotional and physical toll of relentless hours, strategizing, and moments of utter despair and frustration. The market is crowded, and it's tough to stand out.How do you gain traction and grow your newsletter?In today's episode, there's no guest. It's just me (@YongSooChung)  and you. It's intimate, personal, and raw. A solo flight into the heart of what it takes to make a digital business succeed. I'll share with you the strategies I applied, the mistakes I made, and the key insights that you can take away. On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Power of a Referral Program- 5 Growth Levers of Digital Businesses- Mastering the Art of Cross-Promotions- How to Create Your Own Growth FlywheelLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Growth Lever Strategies for Digital Businesses: "The key is to know when to use which growth lever."  — Yong-Soo Chung (04:14)The Power of Incentives in a Referral Program: "Incentivizing your subscribers to bring in more subscribers is a great way to rapidly increase your subscriber numbers." — Yong-Soo Chung (20:34)*** LINKS: Episode 28Episode 44JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E55: Many content creators struggle with building a dedicated audience and effectively monetizing their content. Despite having quality content, they often lack the strategic framework to captivate and monetize an audience in a landscape saturated with creators.So, how do you sift through the noise?On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a very special guest, Joe Casabona (@jcasabona) , the host of the popular podcast 'How I Built It.' Joe talks about his S.M.A.S.H. framework for creators, which highlights all the monetization channels a creator has at their disposal. On today's episode, you'll learn:- Creator Monetization Strategies- Why Sponsorships Don't Always Work- S.M.A.S.H. Framework and its Components- How to Master the Art of Audience Building If you're a content creator looking for ways of monetizing your content, this episode is a must-listen!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Premium Content: "What I tell people for this is you don't need a big audience, but you need a loyal audience. People who are really love your content or conversely really hate ads, like, I know people who pay for my show just because they hate ads, the value proposition for them is that you're providing them with a little extra." — Joe Casabona (17:43)The Power of Podcasting: "A podcast can be a great way to get people to know, like, and trust you faster."  — Joe Casabona (28:23)*** LINKS: How I Built It PodcastPodcast LiftoffJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E54:Ever felt like a stranger at a party where everyone else knows each other? That's how Yong-Soo Chung felt when he first ventured onto X. Yong-Soo Chung stepped into X with 400 followers, hoping for connections and recognition. But instead, he found himself feeling isolated and alienated. Moreover, sharing personal tales became a venture fraught with vulnerability and fear of judgment.On today's bonus episode, host Joe Casabona (@jcasabona) unpacks Yong-Soo Chung's (@YongSooChung) journey, from feeling overwhelmed on X to successfully monetizing his hobbies. Not only does he share his story but offers golden nuggets on building relationships, the power of micro-communities, and a peek into X's future.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Importance of Audience Engagement- How to Build Your Audience From Scratch- Social Media Strategies for Business Growth- The Transformative Power of Micro-CommunitiesThis episode is not to be missed!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Building Relationships: "It's like building those individual relationships over time that compounds." — Yong-Soo Chung (16:20)The Importance of Audience Engagement: "The premise of the show is getting tighter because I know more about my audience. And so that's another important thing to do for people who are, I guess, podcasters is generally, like, you want to continuously hone in on your target avatar and evolve with your audience and evolve this show to serve that audience, but also serve yourself too."  — Yong-Soo Chung (40:09)*** LINKS: Spotted by HumphreyJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E53: Have you ever considered setting up a business structure that could save you taxes, protect your assets, and offer countless financial advantages?Picture this. One day, you wake up to see your bank account flooded with cash from your startup's exit. The question isn't about the money anymore; it's about what you do next. Do you jump into another startup, take a sabbatical, become an angel investor, or advise up-and-coming entrepreneurs? I've found a strategy that worked wonders for me even before I hit my jackpot - the Personal Holding Company.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) unveils the magic of the Personal Holding Company. It's not just for the rich and famous. It's a tool that allows you to pursue multiple interests while limiting your liability across your entire business. Find out why the future of entrepreneurship is Personal.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Introduction to PHC Philosophy- Why PHCs are Gaining Popularity- How To Get Started With Your PHCLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:The Importance of Entity Structure: "These are basically corporate structuring vehicles to put some distance between you, the person, and the business itself."  — Yong-Soo Chung (07:48)Converting Hobbies into Business: "If you manage to convert your hobbies into a business and establish it as an LLC within your Personal Holding Company, suddenly all your hobby-related expenses become business expenses, which means you get to write it all off while filing taxes, and with enough time and dedication, you can create a cash flow positive business out of it." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:20)*** LINKS: Episode 24JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E52:  In today's digital age, entrepreneurs need a strong personal brand. Hands down. But how do you actually go about building one? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a conversation with Clifton Sellers (@LegacyBuilder__) founder of Legacy Builder, a successful ghostwriting agency. He's the unseen hand behind some of the best content on the web. Clinton will share his insights on building a personal brand from scratch, his unique onboarding process for clients, and how he has harnessed the power of AI to grow his business.  On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Unlock the Power of AI- The Importance of Personal Branding- How to Master the Art of Audience Building - Content Creation Strategies for Business GrowthI promise you this episode is full of incredible insights that I just can't wait to share with you!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Gaining Traction on Social Media: "You're gonna wanna start finding large accounts that you respect in the area that you wanna be known for and you're gonna comment on their stuff." — Clifton Sellers (21:11)The Rising Importance of AI in Society: "It would be silly of us to ignore the existence of AI and try to bootstrap and not utilize it. It's a huge massive advantage for companies, agencies, and everybody to use."  — Clifton Sellers (28:55)*** LINKS: Legacy Builder GrowthJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E51: Why is it that the richest people in the world work the same hours as we do, yet they make way more money than we do? What are they doing differently? The answer lies in the concept of leverage.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) takes us on a journey to uncover the secret behind the immense wealth and success of these successful entrepreneurs and reveals how they have been using leverage differently.Get ready to discover how you might be wasting valuable leverage without even realizing it!On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Four Types of Leverage- The Importance of Utilizing Leverage - How to Master the Concept of Leverage- The Power of Leverage in EntrepreneurshipThis episode is not to be missed. Let's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Swell AI - Want a production assistant 24/7? If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:The Power of Code and Media: "The next generation of successful founders will emerge primarily from this permissionless average. The old ways of relying solely on capital and labor for leverage are no longer applicable. New ways to build products using code and media and distribute them to willing consumers." — Yong-Soo Chung (09:24)The Power of Leverage in Entrepreneurship: "My Personal Holding Company is actually the perfect combination of all 4 types of leverage. Capital, Labor, Code, and Media. I use code and media leverage to create my businesses, I use social media to build my brand and find customers for my businesses. Then once my businesses begin taking off, I switched from the solar promotion model and infused the traditional averages of capital and labor to grow them even further. Finally, once they become somewhat sustaining, I find an operator who I can trust to run the business and hand it over."  — Yong-Soo Chung (17:43)*** LINKS: Episode 48JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E50: Let's be honest, change can be a real challenge for us entrepreneurs. It's like trying to catch a fast-moving aircraft without a ticket - it's confusing and can make you feel like you're just reacting, not steering your ship. This can lead to burnout, frustration, and missed opportunities.On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) chats with none other than the Master of Change and Best-Selling Author Brad Stulberg (@BStulberg). He shares some mind-blowing insights and frameworks to handle change like a pro in your business.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Power of Rugged Flexibility- The Powerful Four-Piece Framework- How to Master the Art of Responsive Mindset- The Importance of Having Multiple IdentitiesLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Swell AI - Want a production assistant 24/7? If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Embracing Change: "It's about skillful action. It's about knowing our values and what we stand for and then flexibly applying them. To meet the moment as things constantly and inevitably change." — Brad Stulberg (08:24)The Importance of Balancing Focus and Identity: "If you wanna be great at something, spend a lot of time, attention, and energy focusing on that. You need to spend a lot of time in that room of your house. I'm not arguing you need to spend equal amounts of time in equal rooms. What I am arguing is you never wanna shut the doors to the other rooms. And you can emphasize different parts of your identity at different parts of your life. And to me, that is not only the key to being happy, maintaining mental health, it's also the key to elite performance."  — Brad Stulberg (23:05)*** LINKS: Episode 26Brad Stulberg's WebsiteJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E49: Have you ever wondered why your content isn't hitting the mark? You're putting in all the hard work, creating content day in and day out, yet it feels like you're just shouting into the wind. Frustrating, right?I get it. Because I've been there. I thought that just putting out great content would be enough to make me a success. But boy, was I wrong! I soon found myself posting into the void, while other creators seemingly effortlessly thrived. It was disheartening, to say the least.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) is taking a deep dive into his journey as a content creator. He will be sharing his six mistakes and explaining how you can avoid them.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Importance of Building a Personal Brand - How to Build Trust, Credibility, and Connection- Building a Targeted Audience and Refining ContentLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:The Power of Networks: "Every creator must build a strong connection with both their followers and their network of like-minded creators to boost their content." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:41)The Power of Mentors: "Over the course of my creator journey, I connected with several creators, many of whom became my mentors. I learned a lot from them and absorbed a lot of their knowledge and teachings. Even today, I constantly refer back to them and their words in my episodes and newsletters. Their words form the foundation of a lot of my ideas and beliefs, but that's the thing they're supposed to provide me with, just the foundation."  — Yong-Soo Chung (24:00)*** LINKS: Episode 36Episode 45JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E48: Ever wonder how an "unsexy" business could lead to mind-blowing success? What if I told you someone turned a student self-storage idea into a multi-million dollar empire? Today, Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Nick Huber (@sweatystartup), the mastermind behind the Sweaty Startup brand, the brilliant mind behind Bolt Storage, and a holding company operator. This isn't just any ordinary conversation – it's a masterclass in turning "unsexy" ideas into gold mines and transforming challenges into opportunities.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Run a Holding Company- How to Leverage a Large Audience- How to Find Operators for Your Businesses- The Importance of "Unsexy" EntrepreneurshipLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.*** LINKS: Nick on TwitterSweaty Startup: sweatystartup.comBusiness Brokerage: nickhuber.comSelf Storage: boltstorage.comBold SEO: boldseo.comInsurance: titanrisk.comRecruiting: recruitjet.comLanding Page / Web Development: webrun.comOverseas Staffing: supportshepherd.comDebt and Equity: bluekeycapital.comTax Credit: taxcredithunter.comCost Segregation: recostseg.comPerformance Marketing: adrhino.comPest control: spidexx.comJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E47: Have you ever wondered how some creators and entrepreneurs seem to achieve incredible results effortlessly while others struggle to gain traction? The answer lies in a concept that has revolutionized my approach to business – the Flywheel Effect.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) dives deep into the concept of a flywheel and why every creator needs 3 types of flywheels in their business.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Three Types of Flywheels for Creators- How to Build an Audience Growth Flywheel- How to Create Endless Amount of Content via Flywheel- How the Flywheel Effect Leads to Momentum and LeverageLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:Building Your Audience First: "I emphasize the need to build your audience before designing or building your product. Once you have built up your audience, you can begin to create a product for your audience's pain points. And how do you create your first product? You need to know your audience inside out. Your product needs to cater to the desires and pain points of your audience." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:51)The Flywheel Effect: "As we grow the social media, the access to guests increases. As we have larger and larger guests, the threads that we write on social media to promote the episode get more eyeballs because people want to learn lessons from those people that you had on the show. And so it becomes a flywheel of growing better guests. Those guests grow the podcast, and it just keeps feeding off itself. And that's the flywheel as a creator and a podcaster or a creator and a YouTube."  — Clint Murphy (10:47)*** LINKS: Episode 24Episode 36Episode 39Episode 41JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E46: Ever find yourself stuck in the hamster wheel of creativity, pouring your heart into your craft, but struggling to turn a profit? It's a challenge many of us face – the journey from creator to successful entrepreneur can feel like an uphill battle.Get ready as Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Daren Smith (@DarenTSmith), the founder of Craftsman Creative, a film producer and the author of "Five Figure Creators Build Six-Figure Businesses." Daren shares his incredible story of being broke to making it as a creative entrepreneur. On today's episode, you'll learn:- Mastering the Creative Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Secret to Success as a Creative Entrepreneur- Why Books Are "Business Cards on Steroids"- How to Build a Profitable Creative BusinessLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:The Importance of Owning Your Audience: "Get an email list, have a website, have a lead magnet. These are the four things you need to be building right now. In times of uncertainty like COVID, it's crucial to establish direct connections with your audience. Don't rely solely on social media platforms that can change their algorithms or shut down. By owning your audience, you have the power to grow your business and adapt to any circumstances." — Daren Smith  (8:51)Designing the Life that You Want: "Take the longer path to focus on your mindset, your outcomes, and build that business that's going to give you that long-term success and fulfillment that you want.' - a reminder to be intentional in creating a business that aligns with your desired lifestyle and values." — Daren Smith  (28:08)*** LINKS: Episode 36Craftsman CreativeScorecard by Craftsman CreativeJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E45: Have you ever wondered what sets successful founders and creators apart from the rest? The reality is, many budding entrepreneurs grapple with uncertainty, indecision, and the fear of failure. It's like navigating a maze blindfolded. Entrepreneurship isn't a walk in the park. It's a rollercoaster ride filled with challenges, doubts, and uncertainties. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares his hard-earned insights, drawn from his own experience and other creators he's studied over the past year.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Power of Deliberate Practice and Improvement- Closely Monitoring Distribution Strategies for Content- Clear Strategy for Attracting and Engaging Your Ideal AudienceLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:The Benefit of Deliberate Practice: "Simple practice does help you get better, but deliberate practice is where the true results reveal themselves." — Yong-Soo Chung (06:46)The Importance of Content Distribution: "Create momentum within one platform before expanding onto others. This will make it easier to snowball your audience onto other platforms later. Think about distributing your content through both depth and width. When you're ready to expand, you'll be prepared to boost your distribution even further." — Yong-Soo Chung (22:12)*** TOPICS:- The Power of Consistency- Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Art of Building an Audience in Public- How to Create Your Own Luck*** LINKS: Episode 26Episode 32Episode 36Episode 37Episode 42JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E44: Ever wonder what it takes to skyrocket your newsletter from ground zero to an audience that hangs onto your every word? Many creators struggle with picking the perfect niche, nailing the right frequency, and snagging those elusive subscribers. But don't worry. Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) spoke to Matt McGarry (@JMatthewMcgarry), a newsletter expert and the mastermind behind the growth of some of the most successful newsletters out there including The Hustle, Milk Road, 1440 Media, and The Daily Upside. He shared tons of amazing insights and strategies.On today's episode, you'll learn:Choosing Captivating Topics for Your NewsletterFinding the Sweet Spot for Newsletter FrequencyCrafting Formats that Resonate with Your AudienceDifferent Strategies for Growth at Various StagesLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:The Growing Potential of Newsletters:  "The behavior of reading newsletters every day or every week is still rapidly growing. There's really not a lot of big newsletter companies out there. So there's lots of room for growth, and everybody's still using email. It's not quite crowded yet" — Matt McGarry  (06:53)The Impact of Deep Expertise on Newsletter Success: "The newsletters that I see that grow the fastest and that have the most success are usually started by people who have deep, deep expertise." — Matt McGarry  (08:28)*** TOPICS:- Clear Strategy for Building and Growing a Newsletter- Discussion on Newsletter Topics, Frequency, and Format- How to Acquire New Subscribers Through Paid Ads- Best-performing Ads and Platforms for Different Growth Stages- Perceptions and Trends in the Newsletter Industry*** LINKS: The Five Types of Indie Newsletter Business ModelsLettergrowthJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E43: 'X' formerly known as Twitter, has a new rival in town.Led by Mark Zuckerberg, Threads has taken the world by storm, and while the initial rush has died down a bit, its impressive launch is worth a deeper dive.A platform where conversations feel more personal, intimate, and casual, like catching up with an old friend over coffee. That's exactly what Threads brings to the table. And believe me, it's a game-changer!On today's episode, you'll learn:Distinguishing Features of ThreadsSimilarities and Differences Between Other PlatformsHow to Leverage Threads to Build Deeper ConnectionsMy Own Predictions on the Future of Meta and ThreadsLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:Simplicity and Culture: "The simplicity of Threads help not only attract people from Twitter, but also ease them onto a new platform. The fact that it was incredibly similar in look and feel to Twitter was especially a genius move in my opinion." — Yong-Soo Chung  (13:45)The Next Big Social Media Platform: "So, if you're looking for a social media platform that offers simplicity and a chill vibe, Threads may just be the next big thing. Embrace this new space, rewrite your content with reduced bragging and increased authenticity, and watch your engagement soar. Let's leave behind the negativity and focus on the good bits as creators and founders. Threads is here to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate. Don't miss out on being a part of this exciting journey." — Yong-Soo Chung  (14:06)*** TOPICS:- Emphasizing the Importance of Building on Existing Successful Platforms- Culture and Authenticity on Threads- How to Focus on Authenticity and Openness on Threads- Growth Strategies and Building an Audience on Threads- Using Threads to Drive Traffic to Other Platforms- Leveraging Popular Creators' AudiencesJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E42: Tyler Denk is the Founder & CEO of Beehiiv, an email service provider that's taking the newsletter industry by storm. If you are a regular listener, you already know that I use Beehiiv for the First Class Founders newsletter and I am incredibly happy with it.Tyler and I spoke about:His thoughts on the future of newslettersHis role as the Growth Engineer at Morning BrewHis first venture during his college days - VentureStormWhat separates the great newsletters from the rest of the packThis is a captivating story you don't want to miss!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:Building in Public: "I think fundamentally people align more with an individual person than a brand and kind of like self nominating myself as the face of the brand, being able to talk about the ups and downs of the business, what we're prioritizing, what's working, what's not working, sharing revenue numbers, sharing growth numbers, but also sharing things that we had tried that didn't work out." — Tyler Denk (24:41)Future of Beehiiv: "We're looking to be acquirers. I believe we are the innovators in the space. We have a tremendous nucleus of talent. We have a very, very ambitious roadmap. And if Mailchimp could sell for $12 billion for what they accomplished, I think what we're building is far more ambitious and powerful than what they have built. And so we're looking to be innovators in the space. We're looking to make acquisitions. We're not looking to be acquired." — Tyler Denk (35:49)***TOPICS:[00:05:13] Tyler's Impressive Work Ethic[00:07:24] VentureStorm: Tyler's First Startup[00:09:08] How Tyler Grew Morning Brew to 3.5 Million Subscribers[00:14:46] Beehiiv's Early Days[00:22:36] How Beehiiv Grew So Fast Organically[00:24:41] Why Tyler Builds Beehiiv in Public[00:25:37] What All Successful Newsletters Have in Common[00:31:00] Tyler's Advice For Founders***LINKS:Try Beehiiv For FrJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E41: Today, I reveal how I built my business, which generated $20 million in sales with my proprietary MAPS Framework – Mindset, Audience, Product, and Scaling. It's everything I know about entrepreneurship distilled down to one simple framework which you can use to build your own business.Today, I'll cover:My MAPS Framework and its ComponentsWhy Developing a Winning Mindset is ImportantHow to Build the Right Audience For Your BusinessWhy Creating a Clear Mission at the Beginning is CrucialThis is my life's work distilled down into one powerful episode.***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:Building Your Mindset: "Money and fame should never be the underlying motivation for starting your business." Learn Along The Way: "Be stubborn in your vision of where you want to be in the future but flexible in how you get there."Growth Channels: "The gist of it is this - there are exactly five growth channels for every online business: partnership or collaboration, virality or earned media, organic traffic or SEO, paid ads or performance marketing, and direct sales."***TOPICS:[00:01:57] Inside the MAPS Framework and Its Components[00:10:19] How to Leverage Social Media to Grow Your Business[00:14:29] Why Developing a Winning Mindset is Important[00:15:04] How to Locate the Right Audience For Your Venture[00:25:04] Creating a Clear Mission at the Beginning is Crucial[00:31:15] How to Scale Your Business SustainablyLINKS:Urban EDC's WebsiteSpotted By Humphrey's WebsiteMAPS FrameworkJeremy Enns's EAR$ AuditEpisode 13Episode 25JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E40: What would you learn if you had the chance to speak to over 2,000 startup entrepreneurs including the founders of Airbnb, Reddit, and Zapier?We are talking to Andrew Warner, the serial entrepreneur, storyteller, podcast host, and author extraordinaire. After conducting over 2,000 interviews from startup founders, Andrew recently published a book called "Stop Asking Questions!" which I read from cover to cover. I invited him on the podcast so I could… ask him a LOT of questions.During our conversation, Andrew and I spoke about his life as an entrepreneur and went into some amazing details about:All his past ventures - including the one that failedWhy he thinks the current startup ecosystem has matured too muchHis current partial-hiatus and what he plans to do nextHis secret to conducting great interviewsThis is an inspiring conversation that you won't want to miss!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI. ***EXCERPTS:Affiliate Marketing Growth: "What if we pay people 10¢ every time someone sends out their website?" — Andrew Warner (14:12)How to Succeed as a Founder: "If you could live your contradiction fully and still be aware of the world around you, you win." — Andrew Warner (27:28)***TOPICS:[00:06:31] How Andrew Hacked J. Crew's Return Policy to Launch His Startup[00:07:35] Spending $2-3k on Envelopes for Software-on-a-Disc Business[00:11:04] Building a 'Jokes and Trivia' Newsletter to $30M[00:14:12] How Andrew Boosted Growth via Affiliates[00:20:40] How Andrew Lost $300,000 From His Business[00:22:30] How Andrew Pivoted Mixergy[00:26:54] Lessons Learned From Interviewing Founders[00:29:14] Embrace Your Weirdness to Stand Out***LINKS:Andrew's Mixergy PodcastAndrew's Book: Stop Asking Questions Andrew on Twitter JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E39: Imagine your work has contributed to a quarter billion dollars in sales. You read that right. Quarter of a billion dollars. That's $250 million.Today, we're joined by Colin Chung, a copywriter who not only knows how to write amazing direct response copy, but he knows how to get the largest clients in the business.Over the last 15 years, Colin's clients include: Agora, Jim Kwik, John Carlton, Brian Tracy, and Ava Jane's Kitchen. He's the unsung hero behind many of YOUR favorite brands. So, what are the key ingredients for amazing copywriting? And perhaps more importantly, HOW did he exactly land these big time clients?I speak to Colin about:Getting Into the Right RoomsWhy Funnels Aren't Great for FreelancersWhy Harnessing a Growth Mindset Is So CriticalHis 3-Step Framework to Write Copy That ConvertsThis episode is a gold mine for not learning to become a better writer, but how to grow your business.***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Growth Tribe for sponsoring this episode! I highly recommend this free weekly newsletter for anyone looking to start, grow, and monetize a one-person business.***EXCERPTS:Funnels for Freelancers: "If you're a direct response copywriter and you're looking to land those 8, 9, 10-figure clients in the direct response world, they're not reading your blog. They're not reading your Twitter. They're not reading your email newsletter. Like, there's no reason for you to be building a funnel." — Colin Chung (18:42)Getting Into the Right Rooms: "It's not who you know. It's who knows you." — Colin Chung (22:37)***TOPICS:[00:05:37] How Colin Got Laid Off and Chose Copywriting[00:12:16] How to Find the 'Right Room' to Grow Your Business[00:18:42] Funnels Aren't Necessary For All Freelancers[00:26:19] 3-Step Framework for Great Copywriting[00:32:23] Why Harnessing a Growth Mindset Is Key***LINKS:Colin Chung's WebsiteFollow Colin on TwitterEpisode 28 - EAR$ Framework and MonetJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E38: Want to know how the top 0.1% of creators grow their newsletter? Today, we're joined by Chenell Basilio, the creator behind Growth in Reverse.Growth in Reverse is a newsletter that deep dives into newsletter creators with over 50,000 subscribers. Chenell spends over 40 hours per week researching one creator each week.During my conversation with Chenell, she didn't hold anything back.On today's episode, you'll learn:What Chenell's Research Process Looks LikeHow to Build Your Tribe of Like-Minded CreatorsHow Chenell Has Built Her Audience Growth Flywheel5 Types of Newsletter Formats That Chenell Recommends Let's get down to business!***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.fm to record all guest interviews like this one with Chenell Basilio. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:Building Connections: "But from the outside looking in, it looks like you had them before or you got lucky or something like that. But it's really just like a consistency of showing up week after week and creating consistently that people will start to notice you and, you know, you create those relationships."— Chenell Basilio (22:22)Growing your Social Channels with Twitter: "The power of spending 2 to 3 hours a day on Twitter, like, constant find these people, engage with them, share their stuff, and then they're gonna return the favor eventually once they see you there enough."— Chenell Basilio (31:51)Maximizing Audience Reach: "Getting in front of those other audiences is really, really important."— Chenell Basilio (34:59)*** TOPICS:[00:05:36] How Chenell Found Her Unique Niche[00:13:04] How Chenell Leverages Popular Creators for Exposure on Twitter[00:18:05] Explanation of Chenell's Deep Dive Research Process[00:22:22] How Newsletter Creators Create Distribution[00:27:11] 5 Categories of Newsletter Formats for Creators[00:29:37] Creators Need: Consistency, Quality, and Niche[00:33:00] Expand Audience with New Verticals*** LINKS:Chenell Basilio on TwitterJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E37: Khe Hy and I have A LOT in common. Khe is also the son of immigrant parents.  And like me, Khe also decided to quit his Wall Street finance job to venture off into entrepreneurship. My conversation with Khe proved to be incredibly illuminating and I found his life to be a rich treasure trove of stories and life-lessons.I spoke to Khe about his journey of becoming an entrepreneur: from being one of the youngest Managing Directors at the prestigious private equity firm BlackRock managing a fund of hedge-funds to starting his own newsletter, to quietly offering his services as a business coach, to becoming the founder and CEO of his own company, RadReads.Today, Khe shares many life-lessons he learned while going down his unconventional entrepreneurial path.***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.fm to record all guest interviews like this one with Khe Hy. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:Why Material Success Doesn't Always Equal Happiness: "But my happiness...baseline level of happiness, didn't really change much."— Khe Hy (5:09)The Benefits of Not Niching Down: "I'm gonna share things that I'm interested in, and they're gonna change because I'm gonna change."— Khe Hy (12:39)Establishing Authority: "When you write about a certain topic over and over and over and over again, you become an authority, or people deem you an authority."— Khe Hy (25:25)Challenge of Converting Your Audience to Customers: "People could love your stuff, but getting them to open their wallets and, like, buy something from you is a completely different ballgame."— Khe Hy (41:58)*** TOPICS:[00:03:12] Khe's Journey from Employee to Entrepreneur[00:08:01] Accidental Newsletter Becomes Huge Success[00:11:27] Long-Term Success Means Sticking with It[00:25:25] Repetition Establishes Authority[00:28:24] CEO Struggles as Creator Economy Declines[00:46:15] How to Find your True Work, Passion and Focus*** LINKS:How to "CEO" During an Economic MeltdownKhe Hy on TwitterJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E36: What's it like to go from 0 to 300k+ followers in 2 years? Clint Murphy, the host and creator of The Growth Guide podcast and newsletter, did exactly that. Clint is the Chief Financial Officer at Mosaic Homes, a Real Estate Development company. But, what I'm most impressed by is Clint's audience growth, which has skyrocketed over the past 2-3 years. Clint is a master at audience growth and lucky for you, I invited him on to this podcast to tell us all about it.  This is a masterclass in personal brand growth. This is one episode you don't want to miss.Let's get down to business!***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.fm to record all guest interviews like this one with Clint Murphy. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:Audience Building Flywheel: "And so the flywheel is, as we grow the social media, the access to guests increases. As we have larger and larger guests, the threads that we write on social media to promote the episode get more eyeballs because people wanna learn lessons from those people that you had on the show...Until they're both growing bigger and bigger."— Clint Murphy (8:32)Viral Networking: "And so what you do is you create a network of friends. I'm gonna share your stuff. You're gonna share my stuff. We share each other's stuff. We lift each other up. We get it in front of more eyeballs."— Clint Murphy (12:00)*** TOPICS:[00:05:27] Reverse Engineering Goals for Success[00:08:32] Creating a Flywheel to Grow Your Audience[00:10:52] Mindset: Be Willing to Suck For a While[00:20:11] Differences Between LinkedIn vs. Twitter[00:21:55] How to Choose the Right Platform For Your Content[00:25:33] Focus on the Long Game for Growth[00:26:15] Focus on Process, Not Results - Your Inner Scorecard[00:34:56] 7 Lessons for Successful Content Creation*** LINKS:Jeremy Enns - Episode 28Sam Browne - Episode 32JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E35: Today, I am sharing my learnings growing my newsletter. I'll tell you five key lessons from my journey to getting 3,000 subscribers in just 5 months for the First Class Founders newsletter so that you don't have make costly mistakes.I'll lay out specific and actionable tips about what to look for while promoting your newsletter, how to spend your money wisely, where to spend your money wisely, and the one thing you need to have in your branding and messaging.Let's get down to business!***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.fm to record all guest interviews. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:Cross Promotions: "Trying to cross promote your newsletter before reaching 3, 000 subscribers doesn't result in a big uptick in your subscriber numbers."— Yong-Soo Chung (13:09)Swapping Recommendations: "Swapping recommendations helps your newsletter grow rapidly because you're no longer constrained by the same constraints that applied when you were doing cross promos."— Yong-Soo Chung (15:28)*** TOPICS:[00:05:48] Growing via Twitter ads.[00:07:19] How to auto-DM your followers.[00:13:09] Cross-promotions not effective before 3k subscribers.[00:14:50] Swapping recommendations is magical.[00:19:24] Beehiiv Boosts: New channel for growth?[00:24:02] Consistency in voice, branding, and messaging.[00:29:34] Bonus lesson: Build in public.*** LINKS: Episode 22 - Newsletter Success Launch Plan: 4 Effective Strategies to Kickstart Your NewsletterEpisode 23 - Grow Your Newsletter Fast: Secrets to Skyrocketing Your SubscribersEpisode 27 - 10 Powerful Tools to Boost Your Newsletter GrowthJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E34: Today's episode is a masterclass in audience building by none other than podcast legend David Hooper. He's worked with big clients including AT&T, RunDMC, Victoria's Secret, and Fedex.David and I spoke at length about how his career shaped up over the years and discussed several things, such as how living and growing up in the Music City influenced his career, the long journey from a college radio host to podcast marketing consultant, ideas and strategies to grow a big audience, which he picked up from his years in the radio and podcasting business, as well as several anecdotes from his interactions with celebrities in the music business.Let's get down to business!***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.fm to record all guest interviews like this one with David Hooper. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan. ***EXCERPTS:Building a Smaller But More Engaged Audience: "You can be more successful having a smaller operation. So that's kind of the counterintuitive thing for podcasting that I think people miss."— David Hooper (27:55)The Power of Niche Podcasting: "But I will tell you that I've gone with the production that I've done as niched down as a per neighborhood podcast only for this neighborhood. And we have made more money CPM cost per thousand out of any other thing I've ever been involved with."— David Hooper (28:38)*** TOPICS:[00:07:03] David Hooper: From American Bandstand Fan to Radio Jock[00:08:35] People Don't Care About Your Stuff As Much As You Do[00:11:12] From Radio to Music Conference to Podcasting[00:15:49] Lessons for Founders: Pivoting for Audience Engagement[00:17:40] Be Open and Flexible in Your Creative Journey[00:21:40] Winning by Twinning: Be Relatable, yet Aspirational[00:27:12] How to Increase Your Sponsorship CPM by Niching Down*** LINKS: BigPodcast.comJustin Gordon's EpisodeJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E33: Today's guest is Jennifer Phan, Founder & CEO of Passionfroot, a platform which is aiming to become the operating system for creators.Jennifer has worked with some of the biggest creators including Arvid Kahl, Michael Houck, and Ali Abdaal.Being at the epicenter of the creator economy, she knows a thing or two about becoming a successful creator.So, what are the secrets to becoming a successful creator?Let's find out.***SPONSOR:I love using Riverside.fm to record all interviews. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:How Being a Creator is like Being an Investor: "As a creator, you can actually apply exactly that kind of investor and portfolio mindset and place a lot of smaller bets, try a lot of different platforms where you create content."— Jennifer Phan (7:56)The Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship: "I think we're on a very good track. I think it's this roller coaster, right? Like one day it's like amazing, everything looks great. The other day is when a user churn is like, oh my God, how are we ever going to make it?"— Jennifer Phan (28:44)Building Resilience: "You're supposed to feel one third of your time great, one third of your time and one third of your time future. And that shows that you're out of your comfort zone."— Jennifer Phan (29:34)***TOPICS:How Jen went from VC to creator to founder (4:07)Similarities between VC investments and creators' small bets (7:56)How to attract sponsors (12:28)When to start looking for sponsors (17:39)Advice for younger entrepreneurs (25:40)***LINKS:E24: Life-Changing Wisdom with Arvid Kahl: From Selling a SaaS Business to Becoming a Creator E25: How To Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Million Dollar BusinessE26: From Training NFL Pros to Joining a Venture Capital Firm: Justin Gordon's Incredible JourneyJennifer on TwitterPassionfroot's WebsiteJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E32: Sam Browne is a musician at heart and an entrepreneur by trade. Sam is also the founder of Haro SEO, which is a search engine optimization firm that involves getting backlinks from high quality domains by helping a reporter out.Sam is also a well known LinkedIn creator who grew from 500 to 50,000 followers in just one year. He's now planning a course for entrepreneurs on LinkedIn.So how does someone who started off as a musician become an entrepreneur skilled in such diverse industries? What was the journey that took Sam from playing in bands as a high schooler to a serial entrepreneur with multiple successes under his belt?Let's dig in...***SPONSOR:I love using Riverside.fm to record all interviews. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan. ***EXCERPTS:The Reality of Starting a Business: "I'm 15 years into this now. I had absolutely no clue what the hell I was doing for at least the first five years. No clue."— Sam Browne (27:38)Choosing the Right Business: "...think really hard. As much as you want to think about where the money is, and that's an important consideration, too. Think about what you want your day to look like, because whether you're selling vacuum cleaners or you're selling laser jets, ultimately you're probably going to be dealing with you're going to have emails, you're going to have clients coming in, you're going to have complaints, you're going to have fires to put out. So think about the types of fires you want to be putting out."— Sam Browne (28:06)***TOPICS:Introduction and Background (3:45)About "Find A Band" (7:41)Find A Band's 3-Phase Sales Process (8:26)Starting HARO SEO during lockdown (12:20)How Sam grew his LinkedIn influence (19:26)Art of hooks for LinkedIn (21:12)Leveraging Generative AI tools (PREMIUM)What content is Sam creating now? (PREMIUM)Advice for entrepreneurs and founders (27:25)***LINKS:JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E31: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work FOREVER in the same industry where you got your first-ever job? Well, Matt Giovanisci doesn't need to imagine it. Because that is exactly what he has been doing since he was 13 years old.Over the years, Matt grew steadily within this industry and eventually ended up launching Swim University in 2006. Swim University caters to a very specific niche - homeowners with pools and hot tubs. According to their 'About' page, "Swim University has made pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners." Matt has mentioned on his website that Swim University makes over $250,000 a year!You must be very curious about how exactly Matt went from pool store boy to the owner of a niche business that has served more than 10 million homeowners and made several millions of dollars in revenue!Let's find out!***SPONSOR:I love using Riverside.fm to record all interviews. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:Carving Out Your Lane: "It's one of those businesses still to this day where I am trial and erroring my way through a profitable lane that's carved out kind of just for me...this is our lane, and we stick to it."— Matt Giovanisci (8:44)Growing Moneylab: "This year is the year where I grow Moneylab and maybe take another 10 to 20% of the revenue share between those two businesses."— Matt Giovanisci (16:25)***TOPICS:Matt's introduction and history (0:14)How Swim University began (0:41)Matt's current workload, revenue streams, and future projections  (6:32)Using the Swim University model to launch RoastyCoffee and Brew Cabin (12:54)What is Moneylab and Moneylab Pro? (14:42)Matt's plans for revenue diversification (16:00)Advice for young entrepreneurs (22:34)***LINKS:JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E30: Ever since ChatGPT was released to the public, people have used it for a wide variety of interesting experiments. Today, I'm speaking to Jackson Fall, the man behind the recent success of HustleGPT.At the time of recording, Jackson's Twitter thread about HustleGPT, his unique entrepreneurial experiment with ChatGPT had nearly 16,000 retweets, 103,000 likes, and well over 22.5 million impressions. It created a sensation among founders and entrepreneurs and got noticed by CNN as well.I ended up discussing a ton of stuff with Jackson, including:- Tips and tricks to effective prompt engineering- The secret sauce to his explosive growth on Twitter- How he conceived of HustleGPT and how he plans to grow it- How he built a community around the viral phenomenon of HustleGPT***EXCERPTS:The Fascinating Social Experience of Prompt Engineering: "What is so cool about this whole idea of prompt engineering is it's an incredibly social experience... It feels like I'm finally in Harry Potter or something and I'm like casting spells."— Jackson Fall (13:26)ChatGPT as a Life Coach: "I want you to ask me three questions from each of these ten categories that I can fit my life into...And then I want you to take those responses and ask me a bunch of questions about comparing where I am now in my life versus where I want to be in my life."— Jackson Fall (17:02)Going Viral on Twitter: "For the first three or four days, every single time I refresh my notifications, it was like 100 new people followed."— Jackson Fall (26:39)***TOPICS:Introduction to ChatGPT and example use cases (3:38)Who is Jackson Fall and what does he do? (4:47)What is HustleGPT? (5:13)How did HustleGPT reshape the use case of ChatGPT? (5:59)Some of Jackson's other experiments with ChatGPT (7:50)Prompt engineering involved with HustleGPT (11:22)The 3 elements that caused Jackson's tweet to go instantly viral (20:55)Could THIS be the secret to gaining followers on Twitter? (23:12)The 4 elements necessary to build a thriving online community (27:42)***LINKS:Build in Public EpisodeJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E29: Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon, is worth $125 Billion.And, the one thing he is famously known for is his "customer obsession." In fact, Amazon strives to be 'Earth's most customer-centric company.' And yet, my own experience revealed a different side of Amazon.Today, I want to take a slight detour and talk about an incident that happened to me, which had me re-evaluating my understanding of good customer service. Particularly, since it has to do with my interactions with Amazon, which prides itself as the Earth's most customer-centric company.My run-in with Amazon taught me five valuable business lessons. I will share with you both the journey that led me to this understanding and the lessons we can all learn from. By the end of this episode, you'll have a firm grasp of a few key principles to help you treat your customers right.***TOPICS:Amazon's Customer Obsession (2:19)Communicate Issues Properly with Customers (6:15)Design a User Journey That Makes Sense (8:03)Who Owns the Customer Journey? (11:51)Don't Lie To Your Customers (15:58)Treat Your Loyal Customers Like Royalty, Not Crap (21:44)JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E28: Jeremy is the Founder of Podcast Marketing Academy, which is a podcast growth and marketing company helping scrappy podcast centric brands, networks and creators punch above their weight.Today, I speak to him about the four key aspects of his excellent EAR$ framework: Exposure, Attraction, Retention, and Monetization. We also dig into how Jeremy implements them for his own content, and how you can implement them for your content.***EXCERPTS:The Power of Newsletters: "I think that's a way easier ask just because of how we treat newsletters like we don't expect an immediate thing. It's almost like I'm going to subscribe now, and I know that I'm going to get the next newsletter."— Jeremy Enns (9:44)Optimizing Lead Magnets for Higher Conversion Rates: "I realized, like, I have kind of like a messaging problem and maybe a design problem where it doesn't feel legitimate or hooky or compelling enough. And that needed to change if I wanted to get more people onto the list."— Jeremy Enns (13:09)***TOPICS:How Jeremy Got Into Podcasting (3:10)Introduction to the EAR$ Framework (6:11)How to Get Your Content Exposure (7:04)Using Newsletter For 'Exposure' to Podcast (8:31)How to Attract Your Ideal Audience (11:41) How to Retain Your Audience (15:22)How to Analyze Retention For a Podcast (18:06)Why a Big Audience Doesn't Translate to Sales & Monetization (23:34)How To Apply the EAR$ Framework (26:59)***LINKS:Podcast Marketing AcademyFollow Jeremy on TwitterJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E27: Three months ago, I decided to launch the First Class Founders newsletter.Problem is, I had no subscribers, no list, and, essentially, no idea what to do or, even, where to begin!Today, my newsletter has over two thousand subscribers. It has an open rate of 40% and a 10% click-through rate. In case you are wondering, yes, that IS indeed a high number. How did I achieve this? What did I do that was so effective? What's my secret sauce?Get ready to take notes because I plan to reveal all my secrets to you today!DISCLAIMER: Twitter just updated their API pricing plans impacting many of the tools mentioned in this episode. This is a fast-changing development so please check the individual websites for updates on how each tool is handling this situation.***TOPICS:Great Content is Not Enough (3:41)Using Beehiiv to Swap Recommendations (5:42)When Swapping Recs: Growth Rate > List Size (7:00)In-Network Recommendation Engines: ConvertKit, SparkLoop, Substack (7:10)How to Cross Promote Your Newsletter Using Lettergrowth (7:27)How to Create Beautiful Snapshots Using Xnapper (8:25)How to Design Your Newsletter Using Canva (9:12)How to Use Twitter to Repurpose Newsletter Content Using Typefully (11:27)Track Your Most Important Metrics Using ilo.so  (13:11)How to Convert Followers on Twitter Using Birdy.so (14:54)How to Engage with Your Twitter Followers Using Engagement Builder (16:05)Using Auto-DMs on Twitter to Grow Your Newsletter (18:22)How to Manage Your Twitter DM Inbox Using Inboxs (19:42)Summary of Newsletter Tools (21:16)***LINKS:BeehiivLettergrowthXnapperCanvaTypefullyilo.soBirdy.soEngagement BuilderHivoeInboxsEpisode 22EpisJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E26: Justin Gordon went from training alongside elite athletes such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees to working with an amazing community of entrepreneurs and founders as the Director of Marketing and Communication at a VC firm called Vitalize VC.He's also the creator of a popular podcast and newsletter called Just Go Grind. I spoke to Justin about his journey from the world of personal fitness to venture capital and came away with a ton of amazing insights such as the similarities between athletics and entrepreneurship, how he applies his learnings as a fitness trainer in the VC world, how he built a network of founders through his content creation, how his podcast got him hired at his current role, and finally what he considers to be the most important quality for an entrepreneur to have.Also, I'll share some of Justin's thoughts on the Silicon Valley bank fiasco that has been unraveling for the past few weeks and his thoughts on how founders can survive in the current uncertain fundraising climate.***TOPICS:Training Elite NFL Athletes Like Drew Brees & LaDainian Tomlinson (3:51)Launching a Personal Fitness Business (5:25)Joining an E-Commerce Company (6:24)Why Justin Got His MBA in California (7:02)How Justin Started His Podcast (7:42)How Justin Got His VC Job Through His Podcast (8:16)Two Types of Personal Trainers (9:18)Similarities Between Elite Athletes & Top Entrepreneurs (13:05)Mailchimp Founder, Ben Chestnut (14:47)Small Businesses vs. VC-Backed Companies (15:14)When Fundraising, Narrative Is Just As Important As Traction  (16:28)How to Navigate Silicon Valley Bank Fiasco (22:05)Fundraising During Market Turmoil (23:11)Gobble Founder, Ooshma Garg (24:04)Knowing What Levers to Pull as an Entrepreneur (26:10)Making Game Time Adjustments on the Field (27:57)Calendly Founder, Tope Awotona (30:25)Paul Graham, Founder at Y Combinator: Relentlessly Resourceful (31:10)***LINKS:Follow Justin Gordon on TwitterJustGoGrind NewsletterJustGoGrind PodcastJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...

E25: Do you currently have a side-hustle that you enjoy building? Or, do you WISH you had a side hustle? How do you make your first million dollars from it? I'm going to tell you exactly that - how to make your first million dollars from your side-hustle.On this episode, we'll cover how to CHOOSE a suitable side-hustle, how to BUILD your side-hustle, and finally, how to MONETIZE your side-hustle.***TOPICS:What is a Side Hustle? (2:11)Your Unique Life Experiences Are a Goldmine For Information (3:42)What Can You Teach Others? (4:28)James Clear, Ryan Holiday, Nick Huber, Justin Welsh, Justin Moore (5:22)Figure Out a Niche You Can Own (6:11)Build in Public (9:36)Build a Tribe that Trusts You (13:32)How to Collaborate with Other Creators to Grow Your Audience (15:49)Make it Your Mission to Serve Your Tribe (17:25)Gathering Feedback  & Earning Referrals (19:49)Ask Me Anything (22:55)***LINKS:Episode 23 - Grow Your Newsletter Fast: Secrets to Skyrocketing Your SubscribersJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...