Released weekly on Mondays, the Treps Journey Podcast is hosted by Jared Paul (JP) and Ben Cooper. They share week-to-week updates on the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur, and provide meaningful insight into the knowledge, skills, tools and mentality needed to achieve success!
Description“May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the RingLet’s face it, entrepreneurship is TOUGH!Even when things are going well, there are bound to be difficult days.The most optimistic and positive people sometimes require some motivation and support.In today’s episode, the guys decided to go through some of their favorite quotes that provide them inspiration and guidance, even in the darkest of times. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki· Gary Vaynerchuk· Jim Carrey on how his late father inspired him to follow his dreams - Youtube· Denzel Washington Commencement Speech - Youtube· Treps Journey Podcast Ep #33: What Is The Real Risk? Show Notes· Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [4:35]· The guys get into the main part of today’s show. [8:08]· Why you should do what you love. [14:00]· The benefits of possessing the power to endure. [17:42]· What works in entrepreneurship. [21:27]· The importance of personal accountability in success. [24:06]· Why you shouldn’t mistake movement for progress. [28:14]· How entrepreneurs can avoid making bad decisions as they are trying to grow. [34:30]· Why you shouldn’t listen to critics. [39:47]Why it is almost never too late to begin your entrepreneurial journey. [44:31]
DescriptionOne of the most important factors in the success of an entrepreneur is staying power.Unfortunately, it’s one that is not often discussed.There is no one single way to cultivate staying power, but every entrepreneur requires it in order to stay in the game long enough to succeed.In today’s episode, the guys discuss the importance of staying power, and how their different experiences have shaped the way they think about it. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Joe Gebbia – Founder of Air BnB· The Rejection Equation by Joe Gebbia on the Tim Ferriss Show· Treps Journey Podcast Ep #37: Taking Advice· CapitalOne Café – Co-work space Show Notes· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week – The “Rejection Equation.” [6:38]· The guys get into today’s main topic – Staying Power [11:45]· The reasons why great ideas and products fail. [13:00]· The balance between being hyper-focused on one project, and spreading out your risk. [16:00]· When to “stick to your guns” on an idea, or pivoting and adjusting your course. [26:00]· Why one person’s advice might work for some, and not for others. [27:50]· Ben discusses how he is focused on increasing his staying power. [36:27]
DescriptionIf you were to travel the world, where would you go?The underlying fact in this question is that you can’t choose to travel to a place if you have never heard of it – you simply don’t know it exists, yet.Only after learning about a particular place’s existence, can you make the decision to go there.The same concept applies to all facets of life. If you aren’t aware of the possibilities, how can you ever dream to do or be something.In this episode, the guys get into the topic of life-long learning, and how it can play an important role in the success of not just entrepreneurs, but people from all walks of life. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· DocuSign – Electronic Signature Tool· Kahn Academy – Free online learning· Coursera – Online courses and learning· Tai Lopez Show Notes· Ben gives us an update on his video series “30 in 30.” [4:22]· JP gives us this week’s Treps Hack. [6:00]· The importance of life-long learning. [9:45]· The concept of your personal map and how to fill it in. [11:35]· Why top CEOs read one book per week. [14:10]· The biggest thing Ben learned in Graduate School. [16:30]· What Jared has learned about English by learning Spanish. [27:00]· Ben tells a story about a field trip to a carpet factory. [29:00]· The debate between staying hyper focused and looking outside for inspiration. [32:00]· Why older financial advisors are retiring from the industry instead of adapting to new times. [37:40]
DescriptionIn the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, you need to keep up to speed with the latest tools to help you operate at a high level.Over the last year, the guys have been working hard to continuously update their tool-kit. In today’s episode, they are going to dive into the newest software that is helping them work toward success. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· The Gary Vaynerchuk Content Model: How To Grow and Distribute Your Brand’s Social Media Content· Treps Journey Podcast Ep #35: Tech Stack Update· Software & Applications:o Evernote – Note-Taking Appo Slack –Team Communication Toolo DropBox – Cloud storage Appo Dashlane or LassPass – Password Protection Toolo Canva – Simple design tool for marketing, etc.o GoPro Appo Scanner Appo Google Drive – Cloud Storage Appo WeTransfer.com – File Transfer Toolo PayPal – Money Transfer Applicationo TripIt – Travel itinerary plannero Zoom – Teleconference serviceo Social media apps – FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, etco Spotify – Music and Media App Show Notes· JP discusses the difference of taking over an existing business, as opposed to starting your own. [3:00]· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [8:48]· The guys get into the main topic of the show – software update! [12:40]· Ben discusses his hate for email. [17:00]
DescriptionIn the world of entrepreneurship, as in investing, there are countless opportunities you’ll come across.Knowing how to sift through the landmines and find your pot of gold is a skill that cannot be understated.In today’s episode, the guys discuss the many opportunities that have presented themselves over the years. They dive into the specific tactics, as well as the thought-processes they use in order to evaluate potential value, and the potential risk in each opportunity. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· “Do The Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way” by Steven Pressfield· Amazon Prime· “Ep #18: How To Create Passive Income And Stop Working” – The Capable Wealth Podcast· “Ep #10: Real Estate Investing Is Awesome – 5 Reasons Why” – The Capable Wealth Podcast· “Ep #37: Taking Advice” – Treps Journey Podcast· Biggerpockets.com – Online community of real estate investors· “Ep #2: Do You Know Your ‘Why’?” – Treps Journey Podcast Show Notes· Ben opens up with a story about a recent win with productivity. [1:00]· JP opens an entrepreneurial “Pandora’s Box” with a new business venture. [10:22]· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [13:00]· The guys get into the main topic of the day – Finding and assessing opportunity. [21:20]· How do you decide between short-term vs long-term investments? [29:33]· How do you calculate risk? [36:55]· Evaluating past decisions and being open to change. [39:50]· How do you educate yourself on a new topic and do your homework before getting involved? [42:50]· JP summarizes his thoughts on today’s show. [48:11]· How to think outside of the box in order to help you seize opportunities. [51:30]
DescriptionIn the world of entrepreneurship, as in investing, there are countless opportunities you’ll come across.Knowing how to sift through the landmines and find your pot of gold is a skill that cannot be understated.In today’s episode, the guys discuss the many opportunities that have presented themselves over the years. They dive into the specific tactics, as well as the thought-processes they use in order to evaluate potential value, and the potential risk in each opportunity.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· “Do The Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way” by Steven Pressfield· Amazon Prime· “Ep #18: How To Create Passive Income And Stop Working” – The Capable Wealth Podcast· “Ep #10: Real Estate Investing Is Awesome – 5 Reasons Why” – The Capable Wealth Podcast· “Ep #37: Taking Advice” – Treps Journey Podcast· Biggerpockets.com – Online community of real estate investors· “Ep #2: Do You Know Your ‘Why’?” – Treps Journey PodcastShow Notes· Ben opens up with a story about a recent win with productivity. [1:00]· JP opens an entrepreneurial “Pandora’s Box” with a new business venture. [10:22]· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [13:00]· The guys get into the main topic of the day – Finding and assessing opportunity. [21:20]· How do you decide between short-term vs long-term investments? [29:33]· How do you calculate risk? [36:55]· Evaluating past decisions and being open to change. [39:50]· How do you educate yourself on a new topic and do your homework before getting involved? [42:50]· JP summarizes his thoughts on today’s show. [48:11]· How to think outside of the box in order to help you seize opportunities. [51:30
DescriptionIn the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship and start-ups, there is a constant fear of missing out on the next big opportunity.This fear drives many Treps into a routine where they never take mental breaks, and they never take time to hit reset and reassess the path they are currently on.In order to reach the success you are striving for, regular resets are crucial and can end up helping you achieve more than you might think.In today’s episode, the guys talk about recent experiences they’ve had with “hitting reset,” and talk about how it has helped them push their productivity into overdrive!Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Zencast.fm – Podcast hosting platform· Spotify· “The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide To Getting The Right Things Done” by Peter DruckerShow Notes· Ben makes an announcement to the show. [4:53]· Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [7:35]· Dealing with the fear of missing an opportunity. [14:10]· Ben gives us a SECOND Treps Hack of the episode. [28:20]
Description“Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do. Play the long game.”In the mad dash to grow their business, entrepreneurs can sometimes forget about the basics.Studies have shown that it is much more expensive to acquire a new customer, than to keep an existing customer.If that is the case, why do you hear stories about extremely poor customer service?In today’s episode, the guys discuss recent experiences they’ve had with customer service; both from a positive and negative perspective.They also talk about the importance of providing a high level of customer service, and why this should be one of the fundamental building blocks of any new business. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· “How To Stop Worrying About Small Purchases By Focusing On The Right Things.” – Capable Wealth Blog· Extreme Commuting - Wikipedia· Italki.com – Online language learning community· Dropbox.com – Cloud storage service· Google Drive – Cloud storage service· Capital Region Classic – Charitable Non-profit founded by JP and others. Show Notes· JP gives us this week’s Treps Hack. [19:00]· The guys dive into the main topic of the show – Customer Service is king! [22:46]· JP tells a story about horrible customer service, and why he is no longer using a specific business for his business needs. [23:00]· Ben tells us about a positive experience with customer service that has created loyalty with a business service he uses. [30:15]· Why people are more likely to spread the word about a bad experience than a good one. [34:35]· Why it’s more cost-effective to focus on your existing clients than to find new ones. [36:40]
DescriptionMarketing is one of the cornerstones of a strong business. In order to grow, you have to get the word out about your product or service.But how can you know if you’re choosing the right “words?”A/B testing is a marketing concept that has grown in popularity with the rise of the internet, and online platforms like Facebook.In today’s episode, the guys discuss some of the experiences they’ve had with A/B testing, and some upcoming campaigns they are planning.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Tai Lopez· A/B Testing - Wikipedia· What is A/B Testing - OptimizelyShow Notes· What is A/B testing? [5:50]· How a “Sales Funnel” works. [8:05]· How much effort should you dedicate toward A/B testing? [10:35]· Pay-per-click advertising. [11:45]· Why you need to create a game-plan for your marketing, so you don’t waste time and money. [19:13]· Why Tai Lopez has spent millions on Youtube Ads. [31:30]
DescriptionOne of the best things you can do as a new entrepreneur is get yourself a mentor, and solicit as much feedback and advice from others as possible.But how do you know which pieces of advice are worth following, and which you should kindly disregard.In today’s episode, the guys talk about how they think about advice-taking. The discuss tactics they use to absorb any advice they receive, and how they filter through the masses of opinions in order to find those worth listening to. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Principles by Ray Dalio· Bridgewater Associates – Ray Dalio’s Hedge Fund· Ep #11 of the Capable Wealth Podcast – Real Estate Investing Is Awesome – 5 Reasons Why Show Notes· Ben talks about the difference between professional life and being a dad. [4:15]· Ben gives us this week’s Treps Hack. [7:00]· The guys get into the main topic of the show. [10:15]· How Ray Dalio uses relevance-weighted voting to make decisions at Bridgewater Capital. [14:45]· Tai Lopez vs Elon Musk. [19:25]· JP discusses his experience with taking advice around real estate investing. [21:50]· The necessity of decisiveness even when evaluating advice. [25:30]· Ben tells us about his experience working with the Army and their decision-making process. [26:30]
DescriptionWhen you begin to “put yourself out there” and show the world what you have to offer, you might get back more than you bargained for.As an entrepreneur, we are creatives by nature. Whether you are creating a product, a service, content, or just ideas, you are showing the world what you have to offer.Almost without fail, you are bound to receive criticism in one form or another. How you handle that criticism will define the outcome of each situation, and ultimately, can have a profound impact on your success or failure.In today’s episode, JP and Ben discuss some recent experiences with criticism, and how they decided to handle it. Show Notes· The power or leveraging outside resources and platforms to promote your content. [8:30]· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [14:25]· The guys get into today’s main topic – Handling Criticism. [20:20]
DescriptionWhen traveling as a digital nomad, your “Tech Stack” needs to be functioning at a high level. Not just so you have the newest gadgets, but so you can be as efficient and productive as possible.In today’s episode, the guys discuss their experiences with technology on the road. They cover what they have changed over the past year, and what has been absolutely crucial in keeping operations going, no matter where they are. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Audio Technica microphone – Addition, get a new XLR cable with material cover and colored.· BUBM Electronic Organizer· LaCie Rugged 2TB External HD· Canva.com – DIY Designs For Marketing And More· iMuto Portable Charger Show Notes· JP gives us today’s Treps Hack. [7:17]· The guys get into the main topic of the day – Tech Stack Update. [9:33]
DescriptionIf you’re going full-steam ahead with your business and not taking time to pick your head up and adjust course, you could find yourself on the wrong path.Having goals and objectives are always a good way to conduct business, but not being flexible to adapt to information can cost you in the long run.In today’s episode, JP and Ben discuss how pivoting is more than just changing, it’s about improving. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Paper.li – Content aggregator Show Notes· Ben celebrates his 1-year anniversary of IoClothes. [1:00]· Ben gives us this week’s Treps Hack. [6:10]· The guys get into today’s main topic – Pivoting Is Improving. [10:30]· Why it can be difficult to pivot away from a goal even though you know it is no longer applicable. [12:40]· When Grittiness can hurt you. [15:20]· The power and importance of speaking to customers for feedback. [25:50]· Why your vision of a good service offering might not meet the markets demand. [29:28]· Why having a strong understanding of psychology can help entrepreneurs. [33:43]
DescriptionWhen you finally leave your job, and venture out into the world of entrepreneurship, there are bound to be many difficulties you’ll encounter.As would-be entrepreneurs contemplate their leap, they think heavily about all of the risks that they face.But what about the risks you face by staying put in your corporate job?In today’s episode, JP and Ben discuss some recent events at their former employer, and dive into the type of risks you must deal with in corporate America. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode· Ben’s Vlog on 5G implications in Smart Textiles· Ep #18 of Capable Wealth Podcast – How To Create Passive Income And Stop Working Show Notes· Ben shares a story on rejection, not closing on a deal, and how to bounce back. [18:45]· Ben gives us this week’s Treps hack. [30:00]· How to source ideas for content creation. [33:15]· The guys dive into today’s main topic – What is risk? [35:10]· Why starting a business doesn’t have to be just for passion - it can be the safer choice. [41:25]
Description:For many would-be entrepreneurs, there is a constant struggle with fear.What will people think of me if I leave my current job? What will happen if the business fails? What will my family and friends think if I don’t succeed?Thoughts like these can leave you with doubt, and cause you to delay taking action.In today’s episode, the guys discuss how they’ve battled through fear. You’ll hear about ways they’ve been able to overcome fear, and how fear continues to slow certain areas of focus.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· The IoClothes Podcast· Capital Region Classic WebsiteShow Notes:· How small steps build upon each other into big progress. [7:00]· How content marking efforts have been paying off for Ben and his company, IoClothes. [13:50]· Ben updates us on recent change to his sales division. [15:20]· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [20:50]· Ben discusses how his vlogging has been slow-moving because of letting fear get in the way. [29:40]· How accountability can help push you through the early phases of awkwardness and unsureness in a new endeavor. [31:50]· How to become comfortable with uncomfortable situations, like public speaking. [34:30]· Reasons why people don’t launch the business they want to. [35:25]· The importance of tribes on the decisions you make and the actions you take. [39:02]· How some of your friends might be why you’re procrastinating the launch of your business. [42:10]· The importance of Fear-Setting and. [45:00
Description:As a small business begins to grow, it will run into many obstacles - this is natural. But one of the biggest speedbumps most entrepreneurs fail to account for is themselves.By failing to get out of your own way (i.e. – Failing to properly delegate), entrepreneurs will slow the progress of their business, and minimize the overall potential.In this episode, the guys discuss their own struggle to delegate. You’ll hear about recent hiring decisions they’ve made, and ways they’ve failed to offload work they should.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Treps Journey Episode #30 – You Must “Fail”· Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff· Treps Journey Episode #20 – The Importance Of Taking ActionShow Notes:· JP talks about his recently hiring a bookkeeper. [2:00]· JP talks about some great videos he recently saw about following your dreams. [8:35]· The guys talk about a recent story about how quickly life can end, and how important it is to not delay your dreams. [13:35]· Your Treps Hack for the week. [18:50]· Why comparing yourself to Jeff Bezos can help you be a better delegator. [28:00]· How Warren Buffett accomplishes so much while protecting his time. [37:50
Description:“Fail fast” and “Fail forward” are some of the common sayings you’ll hear in the start-up world. But what do those even mean? And are they actually good advice?The main point is that people with an overpowering fear of failure are going to have a hard time taking a chance at something worthwhile.You need to reframe the way you look at failure, and understand that it’s just a part of life.Your failures are just a series of learning opportunities that will make you better equipped to deal with each subsequent endeavor.In a commencement speech, Jim Carey once spoke about lessons learned from his father. Below is a portion of that speech:“So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it……My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him. So, he made a conservative choice. Instead he got a safe job as an accountant. And when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job, and our family had to do whatever we could to survive.I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” – Jim CareySelected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Episode #16 – “What is Success” - Treps Journey Podcast· “When To Quit” – The Tim Ferris Show· Gary Vaynerchuk· Do The Work by Steven Pressfield· Video Of What His Father Taught Him About Failure - Jim Carrey commencement speech.· The Inspirational Power Of Action – Treps Journey BlogShow Notes:· Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [7:50]· The guys get into the main topic of the week – Failure [12:10]· Where most startups get stuck in the launch phase of a new business. [19:53]· How do you face obstacles and opportunities? [25:40]· What playing Lacrosse taught JP about success early on in life. [30:40]· Ben talks about the importance of preparation. [32:20]· The additional benefit to starting a business. [37:05]· Why you need to reframe the way you look at failure. [42:35]· The most important lesson Jim Carey learned from his father. [47:00]
Description:The famous quote from Field Of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come” does NOT apply to the business world. Just simply “building it” won’t make client’s come knocking at your door.No matter how great your product is, if no one knows about it, your business won’t be around for too long.Building brand awareness is a key factor in the success of any company.Understanding how to use content creation, social media, and proper branding techniques will help you grow the awareness needed to draw in your dream clients.In this episode, the guys discuss how they’ve evolved from the early days of their own branding efforts, and how their hard work is beginning to pay off.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Mark Cuban’s episode on “How I built This” by NPRShow Notes:· Mark Cuban’s thoughts on success. [4:45]· Ben’s early experiences with his new Vlog for IoClothes. [7:40]· Ben discusses his goals for building brand awareness. [29:26]· JP talks about optimizing content creation and how things have evolved. [33:40]· The importance of content creation in earning the trust of your potential clients. [36:30]
Description:“Hire slow, fire fast.”Hiring your first employees can be an exciting time. On one hand, it’s a sign that things are looking good for your business and moving in the right direction. On another hand, it can mean added stress of having to go through the hiring process, and manage those employees once they are officially a part of your organization.The key in all of this is to find the right people. And, at times, get rid of the wrong people.In this episode, we hear from Ben on his recent experiences working with V.A.’s, and even hear about his difficult decision to let go of a V.A. that didn’t work out.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Virtual Staff Finder – Resource to find Virtual Assistants· Good To Great by Jim CollinsShow Notes:· Ben updates us on some changes he’s made in the world of virtual assistants and his experiences. [11:30]· The importance of having the “right people on the bus.” [28:00]
Description:“If you try to flash forward through the tough times and go through things too quickly, you’re closing your eyes to the story as it’s unfolding. I’m trying to live every day in the present as I go through my journey.” –Jared PaulFreshly back from their 3+ month trips to different parts of the world, JP and Ben reunite on US soil to catch up on what’s happening with their businesses.They dive into their recent ups and downs, and discuss why it’s important to be present, both physically and mentally, throughout your entrepreneurial journey.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Treps Journey Show #15 – “The Importance Of Sales”· The Pareto Principle, A.K.A. - The 80/20 Rule· “The Man In The Arena” quote· “Do The Work” by Steven PressfieldShow Notes:· JP discusses the pros and cons of working on multiple businesses. [3:28]· Ben discusses how sports helped prepare him for his current entrepreneurial struggles. [7:30]· JP gives us our Treps Hack of the week. [12:21]· Being present in the moment helps write a clearer chapter in the story of your life. [22:42]· Ben discusses the downside of success. [25:25]· Why entrepreneurs are like Gods and Mothers. [32:10]
Description:Update Episode!The guys catch up on the last 6 months of their Treps Journeys. They discuss how things have evolved, the changes they’ve made along the way, and new mindsets they’ve acquired.They also discuss how they evaluate new business ventures, and how doing so forces you to reassess your current ventures and how to optimally use your time.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Slack.com – Team management can communication tool· Asana.com – Task management tool for teamwork and collaboration· Treps Journey Ep #22: Planning Your Businesses Financial Path Show Notes:· The guys update us on their global repositioning. [0:40]· How much is your health worth to you? [9:55]· Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week – Using Slack and Asana for team communication and task management. [17:35]· The guys get into the topic of the day – recap show! [23:35]· Jared discusses how he assesses new business ventures and if he should take them on or not. [40:15]
Description:Self-awareness is a powerful trait that can help you reach levels of success you might not think possible.Unfortunately, most people (entrepreneurs included!) don’t take time to reflect on who they truly are, and what their strengths are. Only by doing this will you know the right path to travel down.In this episode, the guys discuss their journey through increasing their own self-awareness. They talk about what they’ve learned about themselves, and how they are continuing to improve on this important topic.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· The Capable Wealth Podcast· The IoClothes Podcast· IoClothes PlatformShow Notes:· The Treps Hack of the week. [14:05]· The guys get into the main topic – self-awareness. [24:50]· Ben discusses a reoccurring dream he had during his first start up. [37:20]· What are the most critical things for Ben to be successful. [39:00]· The importance of taking time to think without distraction. [43:15]
Description:How can you be sure of what your business can afford and what it can’t?As a new start-up, you’ll be faced with a plethora of choices for tools, technologies, growth strategies, and much more to choose between. The key is to not over-extend yourself by letting your expenses get out of hand.Modeling your businesses finances and projecting revenue and expenses is an integral way to provide you clarity for what options you have. Without this clarity, you’ll be hard-pressed to make educated decisions about where you should invest.In this episode, the guys discuss how they have evaluated business investments in their first year.You’ll hear about the processes they use, and even hear about some tough decisions they have made when faced with these choices; even some desired technologies they’ve been forced to say no to.Show Notes:· Ben talks about border crossing experiences in South-East Asia. [3:30]· The Treps Hack of the week – Have redundancies for necessary items. [10:30]· The guys get into the main topic of the episode – Planning Your Businesses’ finances. [21:50]· What steps can you take to begin planning for your businesses financial future. [28:00]· Planning your family finances. [30:06]· Ben talks about a tough decision he made to pass on a recent opportunity for his business. [43:50]
Description:“If as am entrepreneur you aren’t careful, you’ll start a business and you think you own a business, but in a pretty short period of time, the business owns you. And that is an incredibly challenging thing to happen. That’s when resentment sets in, that’s when you start to feel the weight of the world and you get burnt out.” – Ben CooperAs you set out to build your business you will be filled with excitement for what lies ahead. But as things progress, more and more tasks will build up. Soon enough, you’ll start to feel a lot like Atlas, with the weight of the world on your shoulders.An important topic is how to properly outsource tasks in order to help you grow, and keep you sane.Hiring a virtual assistant is a great way to accomplish this.In this episode, the guys discuss the process of hiring a VA, and ways to help you increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· The Capable Wealth Podcast – Subscribe on iTunes or any major podcast app· The IoClothes Podcast – Subscribe on iTunes or any major podcast app· Virtual Freedom – by Chris Ducker· Help A Reporter Out (HARO)Show Notes:· The guys talk about perspective, and what it truly means to be working hard. [1:30]· JP discusses how to shift focus from one task to the next by freeing up mental space. [9:50]· The guys give us the Treps Hack of the week: The two-minute rule. [18:45]· Hiring a virtual assistant. [21:33]· What expectations to have when hiring a virtual assistant. [28:30]· Ben discusses the things to consider when hiring a virtual assistant. [33:30]· What does a clear job description for a virtual assistant look like? [40:00]
Description:“You could have all the knowledge in the world, but if you just sit on your couch and watch Netflix and do nothing with it, that knowledge is worthless, because you didn’t act on it. It’s not power. Knowledge is only powerful if it is put to use.” – Jared PaulIn entrepreneurship, and in life, one of the hardest things to do is to actually take action. This could be in regards to opening your own business or any other change you want to see in your life.In this week’s episode, the guys roll up their sleeves and get into what it really takes to be successful in the business world, and in life. They discuss the importance of taking action, and go over some specific strategies you can use to help take action.Tactics To Help You Take Action:1 – If there is something you’ve been meaning to do, schedule it on your calendar and stick too it!2 – Set a task and reward yourself for getting it done.3 – Set penalties for not getting something done. (www.stickk.com)4 – Create public accountability. Tell everyone what you are planning to do.5 – Break things down into more manageable tasks. Bite-sized goals to help you move forward.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· www.appsumo.com· “The Inspirational Power Of Action” – Treps Journey Blog· Peter Thiel· Steve Jobs· Gary Vaynerchuk· www.stickk.com Show Notes:· The guys catch up on what’s going on in their parts of the world. [0:40]· What it takes to grow emotionally and psychologically. [7:28]· JP gives us the Treps Hack of the week – AppSumo. [13:40]· The importance of taking action. [18:10]· Why the saying “knowledge is power” is false. [22:14]· Additional benefits of taking action. [36:45]
Description:As the Treps Journey team continues their path through the world of being a digital nomad, Jared updates us on life in Medellín, Colombia.You’ll also hear about how a mounting list of to-dos can cause serious stress.And lastly, we begin to hear stories of how the digital nomad lifestyle can suck you in and keep you forever. Beware! ;)Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Bear Tunnel - VPN Service· Shopify.com· Hubspot· Canva.comShow Notes:· Ben discusses a personal freak-out he had recently. [2:55]· This week’s Treps Hack of the week – Canva.com. [19:45]· JP discusses his transition to Medellín, Colombia. [27:35]· What it’s like to have prospects reach out to you from other countries? [33:30]· Why moving abroad during the early stages of a business could be a great way to hack your expenses and give you a long runway. [42:00]· Jared discusses his routine in Medellín. [47:30]
Description:In today’s technology-fueled world, the ability to work from anywhere around the globe has become increasingly easier.Enter: The rise of the Digital Nomad!In this episode, the guys dive into the first couple weeks of Ben’s transition to living in South-East Asia. They discuss the benefits of moving abroad, the tools and tactics being used to help, and the difficulties that have surfaced.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Skype.com for phone service while abroadShow Notes:· The guys catch up on the past week. [0:35]· Jared discusses his recent thoughts on target marketing. [8:25]· The guys discuss Bulletproof Coffee. [12:10]· Ben gives us this week’s Treps Hack – How to keep your phone functioning while abroad. [13:20]· Ben gets into the last couple weeks as the family has transitioned to living a digital nomad lifestyle. [32:20]· Ben discusses the professional challenges of being a digital nomad. [36:49]· The biggest piece of advice for anyone transitioning to another location for work. [39:50]· How to organize your calendar when in a different part of the world than your clients. [47:50]· How to set up your mail when you’re out of the country. [49:10]· Ben discusses the cost of living in South-East Asia. [51:00]· How to maximize your output while living abroad. [60:20]
Description:"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing." – Muhammad AliSetting goals is an activity most businesses do; but for new entrepreneurs, it can be a difficult task to embark upon. The typical result is that the goals most people set are what they feel are “achievable” in our minds in order to allow us a high probability of success. But what if this is the wrong mentality to have?Setting big goals can be a daunting exercise, but it can be one of the best ways to drive the necessary action in order to be successful.In this episode, JP and Ben talk about the value in setting big goals, and how it’s played a substantial role in their success.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Graceland – The home of Elvis Presley· Do The Work by Steven Pressfield· The 10X Rule by Grant CardoneShow Notes:· The guys catch up on the past week. [0:35]· Ben tells us about his trip to Graceland. [1:30]· Jared updates us about some interesting events with his real estate and other businesses. [7:00]· JP puts a capstone on a thought from the last episode. [10:25]· JP Gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [16:00]· The guys get into the main topic of the week – Setting big goals! [20:25]· JP talks about a story that inspired this week’s topic. [21:25]· Ben talks about his thoughts on scaling and the evolution of his business planning. [24:45]· Why your goals need to be relevant to your industry and be rooted in legitimate statistics and info. [45:00]
Description:In the world of entrepreneurship, it can be a slippery slope comparing yourself to every other business around. One of the most difficult things is balancing between financial success, and what you may view as the right lifestyle.As a new entrepreneur, taking time to define both success and failure can be one of the most helpful exercises you can go through.In this week’s episode, JP and Ben discuss how they define success and failure, and talk about some of the ways it has evolved for them throughout their entrepreneurial journeys.Selected Resources and Links from the Episode:· Treps Journey Episode #2: Do You Know Your “Why?”· Treps Journey Episode #3: Creating Your Personal VisionShow Notes:· Jared and Ben catch up on the past week’s events. [0:35]· Ben and JP discuss their new Podcasts launching in the coming weeks. [6:45]· The guys update us on the podcast launch. [9:05]· Ben give us the Treps Hack of the day. [12:30]· The guys get into the main topic of the show – What is success? [16:35]· Ben discusses his recent conversation with his accountant and why he’s not seeking outside funding for his company. [20:30]· The balance between the type of company you want to build and the lifestyle you want. [24:10]· The five levels of financial success in a business. [25:22]· What amount of credibility does a business owner deserve based on valuations. [32:00]· The guys discuss failure. [36:30
Description: “Sales is not a bad thing to focus on. Sales shouldn’t be a way to get people to do something that they shouldn’t be doing. You should have a product that you’re proud of, that you have a lot of passion for, and be providing value to people; and sales is just your way to get them over the mental roadblock to taking action.” – Jared Paul Sales can sometimes be viewed with a negative connotation. Not many people want to be called a “salesperson.” But sales is one of the most important parts of any business, and a skill that can help accelerate your success. In this episode, the guys talk about some sales ideas Ben is considering with his new platform. They talk about some tactics, and strategy around pre-selling a product. Tune in for a lively discussion on one of the most important skills for any businessperson. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode: • Evernote • IoClothes Platform Show Notes: • The guys catch up on the last week of events. [0:36] • Jared give us the Treps Hack of the week. [5:21] • The guys get into the main topic of the show: Sales. [9:34] • JP gives his background in sales and gives Ben advice on his platform. Why you need to put yourself in the clients shoes. [14:15] • JP and Ben discuss if you should go after the big fish first or start with the low-hanging fruit for your first sales. [17:45] • Ben gives the background of his platform and what it is. [19:35]
Description: It’s the official launch day for the Treps Journey Podcast. Jared and Ben are excited about the launch, and dive into the things they have been doing to prepare, as well as the tactics they will be using over the coming weeks to promote the show. The guys also discuss how they define “success” for the show. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode: • Squarespace.com • 123rf.com • fiverr.com Show Notes: • Ben and Jared reveal big news to everyone and update on what’s going on. [0:35] • Jared gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [5:30] • Ben updates on his activities over the last week. [8:30] • Ben and Jared discuss what they define as success for the podcast. [17:00] • Jared updates on what he has been doing over the past week. [28:35] • Ben talks about the importance of authenticity. [35:37] • Jared digs further into the launch plan. [37:20]
Description “In the beginning stages of any entrepreneurial venture you need to outsource and delegate so you can do more. As you become successful and grow, you need to outsource and delegate so you can do less.” – Jared Paul As JP and Ben’s different ventures begin to pick up steam they start to encounter the inevitable challenge of trying to create a work-life balance. In this episode, the guys discuss how they view the concept of a work-life balance, the strategies they are using to cope with this task, and if the idea of having a work-life balance is even possible. Show Notes · JP and Ben catch up on the last week. [0:32]· Jared tells an interesting story that recently happened and how taking action will beget opportunity. [3:33]· Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the day. [17:43]· The guys get into the conversation on work-life balance. [21:30]· JP drops and original thought on how outsourcing and delegate can help with your work-life balance as you progress as an “Trep.” [29:30]· Is creating a work-life balance a myth? [30:55] Selected Resources and Links from the Episode · Tripit· Treps Journey Episode #5: Your Most Precious Asset· Treps Journey Episode #3: Creating Your Personal Vision· Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown· The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
Description:“A goal without a plan is just a dream.”As 2017 is coming to a close, JP and Ben discuss the tactics they use to set effective goals. They talk about what defines a strong goal, tactics they use to help them achieve as much as possible, and they also dive into some specific experiences they’ve had over the years.So, do you have a goal you’ve been meaning to tackle? Maybe there is something important that you’ve been pushing off?Or maybe this is the year you decide to launch that business you’ve been dreaming about!If you are considering setting some new goals for yourself, you’ll definitely want to tune in! Resources:· EvernoteShow Notes:· JP sets the stage for this bonus episode. [0:35]· Jared tells us why he isn’t a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. [3:00]· How to give your goal/resolution meaning to make sure you achieve it. [10:38]· Ben talks about how goals are more than goals, they are lifestyle changes. [12:40]· Ben talks about big changes he’s made in his life by setting goals. [29:45]· JP discusses why he uses calendars for goal-setting. [45:40]
Description “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford In this episode, JP and Ben get away from the typical show format and go “off-the-cuff.” They dive into some important topics such as:· What is life on the road like as a digital nomad?· How being a “Trep” gives you a sense of freedom, but also increased responsibility.· The psychological battle most people have when asking themselves if they can be an entrepreneur.· How to properly evaluate if something should be put on your “to-do” list. Show Notes · JP and Ben catch up on the last week. [0:38]· Ben discusses life on the road with a family, and the struggles of keeping productive with so many distractions. [5:41]· Ben tells us why Fridays don’t mean anything to an entrepreneur. [10:35]· The perks of being an entrepreneur. [17:56]· The guys talk about the personality traits of an entrepreneur, and if there is an ideal personality. [20:44]· JP tells a great anecdote about having the right mentality of success. [28:17]· Ben discusses his new criteria for deciding if an idea or task is worth pursuing. [30:45] Selected Resources and Links from the Episode · Treps Journey Episode #2: Do You Know Your “Why”?· Treps Journey Episdoe #3: Creating Your Personal Vision· Treps Journey Episode #6: How To Prioritize Like A Champion· NC State University – College of Textiles· Georgia Aquarium· Gary Vaynerchuk· The One Thing by Gary Keller· Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Description “Don’t hold onto a bad idea just because it was your original idea.” – Ben S. Cooper As entrepreneurs work through the early phases of their business, it can be a confusing time. You have a lot of new information constantly coming in that can sometimes point you in a different direction. Unfortunately, the idea of changing course, or “pivoting” can often be looked down upon by the world of venture capital and the likes. So, what is the right decision? Do you stay the course, or do you pivot? In this week’s episode, the guys talk about their experiences with pivoting. You’ll hear about when it’s a good decision to pivot, when it’s a bad one, and why it’s seen as a four-letter word. Show Notes • JP and Ben catch up on the past week’s events. [0:35] • JP talks about getting his first inbound prospect from social media efforts. [2:44] • This episode’s Treps Hack. [4:58] • The guys get into the main topic of the show – Pivoting. [10:55] • JP discusses the evolution of the vision for his business over the past couple years. [11:39] • Ben discusses his experience with how people react to the word pivot. [12:57] • Why pivoting is seen as a negative action. [18:15] • Why customer feedback is so important. [26:20] • The importance of digesting advice before you act on it. [29:59] Selected Resources and Links from the Episode • ioClothes.com • Dropbox • CapitalOne Café • Tim Ferriss episode on “when to quit” • 1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly • How pivoting is an advantage for a small start-up. [20:29] • The importance of having patience in a startup. [23:23] • When to give up on your business. [23:56]
Description New entrepreneurs launching a business will often be faced with a big question: Should you partner, or should you go it alone? On this week’s episode, the guys discuss and evaluate the benefits of partnering with others for your business venture. They go over the pros and cons, discuss their experiences so far, and hit upon some reasons why you definitely don’t want to partner. They also go over the important things that are an absolute must if you do decide to partner. Show Notes • JP and Ben catch up on the past week’s events. [0:35] • Ben updates on ioClothes and how the company is pivoting. [2:50] • JP gives us the Treps Hack of the day. [7:06] • The guys get into this week’s main topic – Partnerships. [10:30] • Should you be considering getting “funded” by venture capital? [15:10] • The advantage of being a small startup versus a big corporation. [21:50] • One example of a bad reason to partner with someone. [25:04] • Ben discusses his experience partnering with people through start-up weekend and going through MassChallenge. [25:32] • The importance of referring back to your “why” and the reason you are creating the business. [27:24] • JP wraps up the show with some closing thoughts on what you should consider before entering into a partnership. [30:33] Selected Resources and Links from the Episode • Ben’s former venture: Sensible Baby • Startup weekend • Masschallenge • 12 Reasons to Stop Multitasking Now!
Description “You’ve got to be able to take a couple steps back in your lifestyle, so you can take giants leaps forward in your life.” – Jared Paul When you are preparing to launch your own business, it is absolutely crucial to have your financial “house” in order. Whether you want to save up money to give you a long runway, cut down your expenses, or both; you’ll need to make sure you have a clear plan. In this episode, the guys discuss the steps they’ve taken in order to prepare for the launch of their businesses. They dive into some recent changes they have made, tactical decisions that have helped, and a few potentially controversial ideas that you may have not thought about. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode • The Digital Nomad’s Guide To Working From Anywhere On Earth – Fast Company • Vagabonding by Rolf Potts • The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss • Minimalist movement artciles • Minimalism by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus • Gary Vaynerchuk (Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, and Internet Personality) • Mint.com Show Notes • JP and Ben catch up on some of the past week’s events. [0:38] • JP drops a bombshell on Ben and makes a big announcement about a life change. [2:05] • The opportunities you have when you launch your own business. [11:20] • Ben shares the Treps Hack of the week. [12:20] • The guys get into the topic of the day and discuss their concept of “downsizing for growth.” [15:06] • Ben discusses the decisions he made that allowed him to be ready to launch his business. [21:22] • JP lays out what are usually the three biggest expenses people have and how you need to focus on cutting those down. [24:00] • JP lists some out-of-the-box decisions he made with his finances to give himself more runway with his launch. [31:28]
Description “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” Marketing can be an overwhelming endeavor. With the rise of social media platforms and strategies such as content marketing, a new entrepreneur can easily get lost in the sea of options that are available. The important thing to realize is you have to be measured and focused in your approach, but also willing to pivot. In this week’s episode, the guys discuss their early experiences with marketing, and get into topics ranging from what type of platforms to use, how often to post, and how to provide true value to your audience. Show Notes • JP and Ben catch up on the past week. [0:38] • Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [5:11] • The guys dive into the main topic of the week: Marketing. [8:00] • Why Content Marketing will be a big focus for the guys. [9:25] • Ben reflects on a past business and how he was denied funding from an investor because of a lackluster marketing plan. [9:57] • JP discusses his early experiences with social media marketing and signs of progress. [13:10] • The value of content marketing for your business. [15:10] • The importance of picking the right social media platforms to use in your marketing efforts, and why a “shotgun” approach might not be the best strategy. [18:28] • Why social media marketing isn’t as easy as it sounds. [19:44] • How the importance of consistency is underrated. [22:18] • JP has a revelation on the creation of content, the use of social media, and how it is a part of your larger marketing efforts. [23:47] • How to become an industry expert and build credibility and authority by taking proactive measures. [24:50]
Description: “If you try to please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one.” One of the biggest struggles for new entrepreneurs is the battle between the long-term vision for their company, and the ability to bring in short-term revenue. All businesses need money to stick around, but is your current opportunity the best thing for your business in the long-term? JP and Ben talk about their struggles with successfully implementing a target-marketing plan, and how specific mistakes have cost them time and money. Show Notes: • The guys catch up on the last week. [0:36] • Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week. [4:27] • How “Target Marketing” can help supercharge your success. [7:06] • Ben talks about his experience with a time-vampire, and how important it is to set parameters. [12:01] • How a philosophical misalignment can ruin your chances of success when working with a difficult client. [17:01] • How a great marketing plan can actually repel more clients than it attracts, and why this is a good thing! [19:28] • How sales can help clients do the right thing. [21:14] • How target marketing goes beyond the demographics and into the psychological factors. [23:49] • How the 80/20 Rule can help you increase the output of your business by eliminating the wrong clients and focusing on the right clients. [29:00] More Resources/Tools: • Target Marketing • The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss • The Pareto Principle (The 80/20 Rule)
Description: “Life is long if you know how to use it.” - Seneca If you’re struggling to find enough time to accomplish everything you want, it could be due to an inability to properly prioritize. In this episode, JP and Ben discuss their top 5 tips for how they effectively prioritize, and how you can begin accomplishing all that you wish you were. Show Notes: · The guys catch up on the last week. [0:36] · The guys get into this week’s topic, “how to prioritize,” and discuss how this has become a big issue for them with all of the things they are working on. [6:44] · JP goes into why it’s important to understand what your top priorities are on a daily basis. [10:22] · Ben discusses what time-blocking is and how can it help you maximize focus and output. [13:25] · JP talks about why you need to get comfortable with delaying things on your to-do lists. [17:52] · The guys discuss the art of outsourcing and delegating, how it can exponentially increase your productivity and output, and how you can do this on the cheap. [20:32] · Why setting deadlines for any projects can help you cut down on the time it takes to complete them. [26:35] · How you can guard your time by being selective with the people you surround yourself with. [28:10] More Resources/Tools: • The 12-Week Year by Brian P. Moran • Research On Why Multi-tasking Isn’t Good – Standford Study • The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss • “Turn Off Your Push Notifications. All Of Them.” – Wired • fiverr • Upwork • 99 Designs • “Want to Be Happy? Buy More Takeout and Hire a Maid.” – NY Times • Parkinson’s Law
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” – Sir Isaac Netwon In the hectic maze of entrepreneurship, it is easy to get lost amongst the mountains of meetings, phone calls, and never-ending to-do lists. Without a doubt, time is your most precious asset. If you don’t put a high value on your time, don’t expect others to do it for you. In this episode, JP and Ben dive into the importance of picking the right clients, the ramifications of working with the wrong clients, and some tools to help you maximize the use of your time. You’ll also hear how Ben “wasted” 11 hours, but learned a valuable lesson in the process.
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” – Mike Tyson As JP and Ben near the 3-month mark in their Treps Journey, they look back on what has happened and try to assess where they could have done better out of the gates. The guys break down where they made mistakes and offer ideas for Treps nearing the launch of their businesses for how they can make the first 3 months as successful as possible. Selected Resources and Links from the Episode Audible The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss ioClothes.com Twitter and their logo changes over the years Squarespace fiverr Upwork Wordpress How to create an executive summary Show Notes - The guys catch up on the past week. [0:38] - JP discusses his views on content marketing and the best way to build your initial email list. [1:42] - Ben lands his first clients/contracts of his new firm. [2:23] - JP shares the Treps Hack of the week. [3:52] - The guys discuss the value of utilizing “time within time.” [6:24] - JP and Ben recap the first few months of being out on their own as “Treps.” [7:50] - Ben describes what his initial vision was for the first few months in business, and what actually happened. [9:08] - How to make sure your back isn’t “against the wall” as you start your business, and why this is important. [12:49] - JP dives deeper in to the first few months of his start-up. [14:12] - What things did JP realize he could have done differently before he left his former employer to help quicken the ramp up, and some ideas for listeners. [15:30] - The value of having something created as opposed to waiting for perfection. [17:42] - JP struggles with logo design, and how he fought off the roadblock of striving for “perfection.” [18:22] - What will make or break your company at the end of the day. [21:21] - The different approaches JP and Ben took to logo design, website development, and why they made those decisions. [22:28] - What is the “storefront” of the digital age and why it’s important. [28:44] - JP and Ben give their recommendations on what new entrepreneurs should consider doing to make the first few months in business as productive and positive as it can be. [34:34]
Description: “Motivated people who are competitive and work hard are going to be successful in almost anything they put their minds to. People often refer to success as “reaching the mountaintop.” My advice is to make sure you are picking the right mountain to climb. You don’t want to get to the top of the mountain, look out to the horizon, and not like what you see.” – Jared Paul Creating a Personal Vision isn’t just some random exercise you go through because it was discussed in a business book, it’s one of the most important steps you need to take in order to ensure long-term success, both professionally and personally. In this episode the guys talk about how to create a personal vision and also go through their own Personal Visions to provide some inspiration. Show Notes: · JP and Ben catch up on the highlights of the past week. [0:40] · Ben Shares the Treps Hack of the week – How outsourcing can save you time and boost productivity. [2:19] · The guys get into the topic of the day – Creating a Personal Vision. [6:41] · What is a Personal Vision? [8:00] · Ben talks about his Personal Vision. [10:27] · JP discusses his Personal Vision. [15:00] · How JP keeps himself motivated to stay healthy and exercise – Change your mentality and thought process. [17:22] · Why relationships are so important to your overall happiness. [18:31] · How daily structure can help you stay on course and increase your chances of success and happiness. [21:04] · Why success without fulfillment is actually failure. [21:43] · JP gives an anecdote about why it’s important to make sure you’re “climbing the right mountain.” [23:38] More Resources/Tools: · fiverr · Upwork · 79 Websites To Get Freelance Jobs Fast – Forbes Article · The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington · TOMS Shoes · Blake Mycoskie (Founder of TOMS) on The Tim Ferriss Show · Tony Robbins – Author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and life coach
Description: Have you ever found yourself in a rut, trying to recapture the motivation to keep pushing through the difficult times? Inevitably, any small-business owner will have highs and lows on their journey through entrepreneurship. The important thing is to be able to stay focused when times are tough, and keep working toward your goals. In this episode, the guys discuss the importance of understanding your “why” for what you are doing by creating a Personal Vision. If properly done, this can single-handedly provide you with more motivation and guidance than any business book out there. Show Notes: · JP and Ben catch up on the highlights of the past week. [0:39] · Ben gives us the Treps Hack of the week - The importance of having a great team around you. [3:38] · Why you also need to have a strong personal “team” around you. [6:05] · Why you should never be the “Smartest person in the room.” 7:30] · JP makes a commitment/offer to the Treps Journey community. [9:07] · The guys get into the topic of the day: The importance of knowing your “why.” And how to create a “Personal Vision.” [10:13] · How you can help get yourself through the tough times of entrepreneurship. [11:45] · Ben asks a valuable question about future goals, and the guys debate the trade-offs between growing a massive company versus staying small. [13:08] · JP talks about Capable Wealth and his “why.” [16:16] · Ben talks about ioClothes and his “why.” [20:38] · The most important asset you have, and why it’s even more important for new entrepreneurs. [24:40] · How to figure out what activities are most likely to bring you success in your business. [25:35] · The power of saying “no” and how it can help increase your output and efficiency. [28:26] · Ben closes the episode with a quote from Alice In Wonderland. [31:09] More Resources/Tools: · The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington · The One Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan · The Founder's Dilemma by Noam Wasserman · Essentialism by Greg McKeown · Jim Rohn – Famous entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker · Peter Drucker– Famous management consultant, educator, and author · Peter Diamandis – Entrepreneur and founder of X Prize Foundation and Singularity University · Ben’s Business: IoClothes · Jared’s Business: Capable Wealth
Description: Opening your own business is a daunting idea for most people. You can feel like you’re alone on an island with no one around to help. On top of the terror from leaving your 9-5 job, you now have to figure out all of the ins and outs of starting and running your own business. Ultimately, this is what stops a lot of people from acting on their dreams. Enter “Treps Journey.” As the podcast kicks off the guys discuss their vision for Treps Journey and how it will help other would-be entrepreneurs gain the skills and confidence to take the leap into opening their own business. JP and Ben discuss how they originally met, their backgrounds, paths through the corporate world, and what ultimately led them to launching their own businesses. Show Notes: · JP and Ben catch up on the early struggles of entrepreneurship. [0:38] · The guys talk technology – New Computers? [2:20] · JP shares this week’s Treps Hack – Thoughts on pricing. [4:55] · Learning what value is from an anecdote about Picasso. [7:01] · The guys talk about their goal for Treps Journey and what they hope to accomplish. [8:55] · The story behind the duo. How JP and Ben met. [11:30] · Ben talks about a handful of things new entrepreneurs deal with and that you’ll need to think about. [14:25] · Ben gives some insight into his background and what led to the launch of his business. [15:55] · Ben’s experience winning Start-Up Weekend-Boston. [17:00] · What Ben learned working in the corporate world. [19:10] · Ben’s vision for IoClothes and the integration of wearables into the apparel and footwear industries. [20:42] · What it feels like after taking the plunge and quitting your job to opening your own business. [21:38] · JP discusses his background and traces his entrepreneurial roots back to his childhood. [24:46] More Resources/Tools: · Selling The Invisible by Harry Beckwith · Audible
Description: Have you or someone you know ever said, “I have an idea for (fill in business/product/service)! … But I’m not sure where to start.” Treps Journey was formed with the goal of empowering potential entrepreneurs to build their dreams. The goal of Treps Journey is to help would-be entrepreneurs get past the roadblocks, and to help get them to a point where they are prepared to take flight on their own journey. We are creating a platform and community that is designed to provide the information , knowledge, tools and skills needed to open and successfully run your own business. You may have dreams of starting the next Facebook or opening up a local flower shop, but both start with a first step. We hope to provide a path and share in the journey with fellow “treps”. Get ready for the amazing adventure that is a Treps Journey!