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In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, shares how he transformed from charging $50 per hour as a consultant into building a $2M digital marketing consulting business serving home service companies. He explains how niching down, productizing services, and focusing on solving real customer problems helped drive consistent 20% annual growth. Phil also discusses the mindset shift from hustler to leader, hiring and building an 18-person remote team, and buying back his time to scale the business. The conversation dives into why content and AI-driven search are becoming critical for modern marketing. Phil also shares practical lessons on leadership, systems, and thinking bigger when building a successful business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Phil Risher, the hardest thing in growing a small business is balancing growth with building the right team. As more clients come in, business owners must hire and train employees quickly enough to maintain service quality, but hiring too early can create cash-flow pressure while hiring too late can overwhelm the team. This constant challenge of managing new client demand, onboarding capable team members, and keeping finances stable at the same time is one of the most difficult parts of scaling a small business. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Phil Risher, the business book that helped him the most is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. He says the book had a major impact on how he manages finances in his company because it teaches business owners to prioritize profit first instead of treating profit as what is left after expenses. The system helps entrepreneurs control spending, improve cash flow, and build a financially healthy business by allocating money into specific categories like profit, taxes, and operating expenses. He also highly recommends Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, which focuses on delegating tasks and buying back the founder's time so they can focus on leadership and scaling the business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Phil Risher, some of the best resources for learning how to grow a small business are podcasts, YouTube, and books, especially content that teaches practical strategies. He specifically recommends learning from Alex Hormozi on YouTube because his videos break down business growth, marketing, and sales in a clear and practical way. Phil also emphasizes not relying on just one learning format—he suggests combining podcasts, books, and videos because different formats help you understand ideas better and apply them faster in your business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? According to Phil Risher, two tools he strongly recommends for growing a small business are Asana and Slack. He explains that Asana helps business owners organize tasks, projects, and workflows so everything is tracked in one place instead of scattered across emails or spreadsheets, while Slack creates a centralized communication hub for teams to collaborate efficiently, especially as the company grows beyond a few employees. Together, these tools help improve productivity, transparency, and coordination within a growing team. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Phil Risher, the advice he would give himself on day one of starting a business is to think much bigger from the start. He explains that when he first began, he was focused on small goals like making $100,000, but over time he realized the opportunities were far larger than he imagined. His lesson is that entrepreneurs often limit themselves by thinking too small, while the real potential of a business can grow far beyond what they initially believe is possible. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success comes from taking information breaking it down and executing on it quickly - Phil Risher The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is thinking too small about what their business can become - Phil Risher Stop chasing money and start solving real problems and the money will follow - Phil Risher
What if you could earn $250-$300 an hour solving a problem most people would rather avoid? Jim Lashbaugh did exactly that, and last year, it added about $40,000 in extra income. Jim is a retired firefighter who spent nearly three decades on the job. On the side, he flipped houses. And as part of that, he had to wrestle with one of the most annoying parts of real estate development: building permits. He got good at it, but he never planned to do it for anyone else. Then a friend asked for help. Then a stranger called. And SynergyPermits.com was born. Jim joined the show to share how he turned a very specific, very unglamorous skill into a flexible side hustle without cold calling, without ads, and without any formal credentials. Tune in to Episode 727 of the Side Hustle Show to learn: how to find the niche skill hiding in your own experience a simple pricing shift that can double or triple your effective hourly rate the one-question close that converts almost every prospect into a paying client Full Show Notes: $250/hr by Productizing Your Expertise New to the Show? Get your personalized money-making playlist here! Sponsors: Indeed – Start hiring NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post! Quo (formerly OpenPhone) — Get 20% off of your first 6 months! Shopify — Sign up for a $1 per month trial! About The Side Hustle Show This is the entrepreneurship podcast you can actually apply! The award-winning small business show covers the best side hustles and side hustle ideas. We share how to start a business and make money online and offline, including online business, side gigs, freelancing, marketing, sales funnels, investing, and much more. Join 100,000+ listeners and get legit business ideas and passive income strategies straight to your earbuds. No BS, just actionable tips on how to start and grow your side hustle. Hosted by Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation.
This episode is sponsored by tastytrade. Trade stocks, options, futures, and crypto in one platform with low commissions and zero commission on stocks and crypto. Built for traders who think in probabilities, tastytrade offers advanced analytics, risk tools, and an AI-powered Search feature. Learn more at https://tastytrade.com/ In this episode of the Eye on AI, Craig Smith speaks with Zuzanna Stamirowska about how Pathway is enabling AI systems to work with live, continuously updating data. Most AI applications rely on static datasets that quickly become outdated. Pathway takes a different approach, allowing developers to build AI systems that process real-time data streams, keeping models, knowledge bases, and AI agents constantly up to date. Craig and Zuzanna explore why real-time data may be critical for the next generation of LLM applications, RAG systems, and enterprise AI infrastructure, and what it takes to build AI that can operate in a constantly changing world. Subscribe for more conversations with the researchers and builders shaping the future of AI. Stay Updated: Craig Smith on X: https://x.com/craigss Eye on A.I. on X: https://x.com/EyeOn_AI (00:00) The Core Problem: Why Today's AI Lacks Memory (03:16) Pathway's Mission to Bring Memory Into AI (04:53) Zuzanna's Background in Complexity Science (10:30) Why Transformers Reset Like "Groundhog Day" (14:34) The Brain-Inspired Dragon Hatchling Architecture (23:59) How the Network Learns and Builds Connections (37:38) Performance vs Transformers on Language Tasks (49:37) Productizing the Technology With NVIDIA and AWS (54:23) Can Memory Solve AI Hallucinations?
Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros welcomes Olly Feldman, the Head of Global Sales at Hosting.com. Together, they discuss the intricacies of agency sales and the importance of building relationships to understand client needs. Olly shares insights on how agencies can level up by focusing on their core competencies and productizing their services for scalability. He emphasizes the significance of consultative selling, where understanding the client's pain points leads to better solutions and stronger partnerships. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in sales processes, highlighting both its benefits and limitations in fostering genuine human connections. Takeaways:Focus on building relationships, not just closing deals.Productizing services allows for scalability and efficiency.Understanding client pain points is key to consultative selling.AI can enhance sales processes but can't replace human connection.Niche down to understand your clients better and serve your target market.Important Links:Hosting.comConnect with Olly: LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★
If your business is growing but your calendar is bursting at the seams, this episode is your wake-up call. Tara breaks down the shift from being an expert operator (where everything runs through you) to building true expert authority - by packaging your expertise into signature IP that scales revenue without scaling your time.If you're tired of being the bottleneck, constantly reinventing the wheel for every client, and running on capacity… this is the path forward.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the “expert operator” model eventually hits a ceilingHow to scale your business without maxing out your calendarWhat it really means to “productize” your expertiseHow a signature path helps you deliver consistent results (without custom-building every time)The foundation of becoming the expert authority in your spaceChapters / Timestamps (YouTube)00:00 – Intro00:03 – The tagline: “Scale Your Business, Not Your Calendar”00:58 – When everything runs through you (and it becomes exhausting)01:36 – From expert operator to scalable expert: owning signature IP02:06 – Productizing your expertise to scale without more time02:46 – The game-changer: building a signature path from Point A to Point B03:57 – Creating capacity by stopping the “take every client/project” cycle05:09 – The Infinite Scale Method + becoming the authority in your space07:01 – Delivering a supported client journey without recreating the wheel07:27 – Awareness pulse: there is a better way to package your expertise07:51 – Action prompt: define your ideal customer and their path08:06 – OutroKey takeawayYour next level isn't more hustle - it's becoming the expert authority by turning what you know into a repeatable, signature solution that creates consistent results and frees you from the calendar trap.Want help building your signature solution?Check out these free products and resources to find out where you are on your scalable expert journey and how we can help you find (and realize) your infinite scale.#ExpertAuthority #ScaleYourBusiness #BusinessGrowth #SignatureSolution #ServiceProvider #Consultant #Coach #ThoughtLeadership #IntellectualProperty #ScalableBusinessAbout Me:Hey, it's your host, Tara Bryan. And I am on a mission to help more business owners learn to infinitely scale their businesses by leveraging the power of online without sacrificing the customer experience or results. I like to geek out on all things business strategy, marketing, interactive digital and user experience. This podcast is all about what is working, lessons learned and actionable tips to create and grow a thriving online business. Join us each week as we dive into different strategies, tactics and tips you can apply immediately to your business.To learn more:Find us at https://www.taralbryan.comHere are two ways we can help you create, grow and scale your business:1. Want to package your expertise or become a Scalable Expert? Take our free quick assessment to see how close you are to creating a scalable business.The Scalable Expert Assessment2. ALREADY HAVE AN ONLINE BUSINESS & READY TO INFINITELY SCALE?Schedule a 30 minute call with Tara to talk about our offers that will help you master the game.Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:https://taralbryan.com/step/15-learn-to-scale-call
Best-selling author, speaker, and management adviser Joe Pine joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss his new book, The Transformation Economy, why it applies especially well to consultants, coaches, and advisors, and gives some tips on how to price transformations.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome and Introduction (00:26) - Discussing the Experience Economy (00:43) - Introducing the Transformation Economy (01:26) - Understanding Transformations and Aspirations (04:15) - Frameworks for Identity Change (07:09) - Real-Life Examples of Transformations (13:27) - Pricing Transformations and Value (18:01) - Guaranteeing Transformations (22:52) - Navigating Client Relationships (23:08) - The Power of Commitment (23:58) - Value-Based Pricing (25:01) - The Turnaround King (26:15) - Maintaining Progress and Overcoming Setbacks (28:13) - Commitment to the Process (29:41) - Measuring Success and Transformation (36:51) - Creating a Sustainable Business Model (37:20) - Book Launch and Writing Process (42:05) - Conclusion and Resources Joe's BioB. Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management adviser to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial startups alike, and he is the cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP. He is the coauthor of the bestselling book The Experience Economy with James H. Gilmore, as well as Infinite Possibility with Kim C. Korn. His other books include Authenticity and Mass Customization. Pine consults with numerous companies around the world. He is a lecturer in the Strategic Technology Leadership program at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business and a senior fellow with the European Centre for the Experience Economy, which he cofounded.Related LinksJoe's website » strategichorizons.comJoe's previous appearance on Ditching Hourly » podcast.ditchinghourly.com/episodes/joe-pine-on-pricing-experiencesJoe's previous appearance on TBOA » thebusinessofauthority.com/episodes/the-experience-economy-with-guest-joe-pine ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Jason Staats joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about his progression from being an employee in an accounting firm to running the top accounting community on the planet.LinksJason's websiteJason's YouTubeChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:19) - Jason's Background and Career Journey (01:42) - Transition to Online Content Creation (02:42) - Early Challenges and Successes in Video Content (08:10) - The Importance of Writing and Speaking (10:09) - Building Authority and Professional Visibility (18:50) - Starting and Growing a Community (22:27) - The Attraction Offer Strategy (23:09) - Lessons from the Akimbo Workshop (25:08) - Building Community Retention (27:43) - Managing Community Dynamics (34:08) - Onboarding and Engagement Tactics (35:58) - Revenue Streams and Sponsorships (39:04) - Challenges and Advice for Content Creators (42:58) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Rural planning advisor Ben Kettle joined me on Ditching Hourly to share his transition from hourly billing “nonsense” to risk-based project pricing. LinksBen's website » https://areteruralplanning.co.uk/Chapters(00:00) - Ben Kettle (00:20) - Meet the Guest: Ben Kettle (00:36) - Ben's Background and Career Journey (02:57) - Challenges with Hourly Billing (09:01) - Transition to Fixed Fee and Value-Based Pricing (13:23) - Implementing the New Pricing Model (25:48) - Client Reactions and Success Stories (34:08) - Conclusion and Future Plans ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Co-founder of Conversion Factory, Zach Stevens, rejoined me on Ditching Hourly to give us an update on how he's growing his subscription SaaS marketing agency in year 3. Links We MentionedConversion Factory WebsiteZach's partner Corey, on XThe Superstruct Manifesto by David GuttmanThe "If You're Such An Expert" Ditcherville ComicChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:10) - Zach's Business Journey (01:19) - Conversion Factory's Growth (02:26) - Subscription Model Insights (04:04) - Hiring and Team Expansion (08:32) - Training and Onboarding (20:48) - Client Management Strategies (30:00) - Client Frustrations and Communication Strategies (31:04) - The Inefficiency of Phone Calls (33:19) - Setting Client Expectations (37:05) - AI in Copywriting and Design (45:53) - Subscription Model Benefits (54:49) - Final Thoughts and Future Plans ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Charles Miller of Platoon joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss “good” taste, how you get it, why you might want it, and what to do when your clients don't have it. LinksCharles' personal site » https://www.charlesmiller.com/Charles' portfolio site » https://www.platoon.studio/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:11) - Defining Taste (00:19) - Charles Miller's Background (00:59) - The Concept of Informed Opinion (02:20) - Developing Taste Over Time (05:50) - Taste in Different Domains (08:44) - Taste and Business Decisions (16:42) - Client Relationships and Taste (21:30) - Understanding Client Needs (24:00) - The Role of Taste in Design (25:28) - The Importance of Practice (27:09) - Releasing Your Work to the World (27:52) - The Role of Taste Makers (30:11) - Balancing Client Expectations and Creative Vision (34:36) - The Genius of Simplifying Complex Ideas (40:07) - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
#745 What if scaling your business didn't require a marketing degree — just the right systems and mindset? In this episode, host Brien Gearin chats with Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, about how he built a multi-million dollar consulting company from the ground up — without a traditional marketing background. Phil shares his unconventional journey from working at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to living in a school bus, to eventually helping home service businesses scale fast with a unique blend of consulting, content marketing, and strategic partnerships. You'll hear how he transitioned from solopreneur to building a high-performance team, productized his services, and structured his business to run without him in the day-to-day. If you're a service-based entrepreneur looking to grow and systematize your business, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration! (Original Air Date - 5/24/25) What we discuss with Phil: + From school bus living to CEO + Scaling home service businesses + Productizing a service business + Hiring without agency experience + Building referral partnerships + Managing consultants with performance pay + Leveraging CRMs like Jobber + Tracking return on ad spend + Growing through content marketing + Structuring a business for time freedom Thank you, Phil! Check out Phlash Consulting at PhlashConsulting.com. Follow Phil on LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sign up for Practi, a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:1. From Chemist to IP Attorney to Legal Tech Founder. Zac's journey: scientist → Georgetown Law → top 10 global firm → in-house general counsel at a consumer brand → law firm partner → founded Sigil (legal tech) while maintaining Copernicus Law. His diverse experience across big law, in-house, and entrepreneurship gives him unique insight into legal service delivery problems.2. Sigil Solves E-Commerce Fraud at 1/10th the Cost. Zac built Sigil after manually helping brands remove fraudulent sellers on Amazon/Walmart through cease and desist letters. By working directly with Amazon and Walmart's in-house teams as a beta tester, he developed a tech solution that costs less than a tenth of traditional legal services while delivering faster results through automation.3. In-House Experience Revealed Billable Hour Pain Points. As general counsel, Zac experienced every permutation of billable hours from the client side—managing budgets that routinely went 20-50% over, tracking invoices closely, and dealing with misaligned incentives. This firsthand frustration informed both his tech company's pricing model and his law firm's upcoming shift to subscriptions.4. Law Firms Can't Scale Tech Solutions. Zac learned that traditional law firm structures (ethical rules preventing non-attorney equity, inability to take investors, compensation restrictions) make it impossible to build scalable technology solutions. Separating Sigil from Copernicus Law allows proper funding, hiring engineers, and achieving the speed/scale needed to solve problems beyond manual legal work.5. Transitioning Copernicus Law to Subscriptions. After this conversation, Zac committed to offering subscription-based services at his law firm. His partner handles day-to-day operations while he focuses on Sigil, but both recognize that subscriptions align better with client needs and reduce the anxiety of tracking every 0.1 hour increment.__________________________Want your question to be answered on a future show? Fill out this short survey.Check out Copernicus Law and Sigil.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis' law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe
Amanda Watts helps service professionals stop doing the work and start advising around it. Through her company, The Business Advisor Academy, she helps advisors, consultants, accountants, and CFOs escape the time-for-money trap and build lean, profitable, and scalable businesses. Her approach turns expertise into structured, high-value offers that attract premium clients, command premium prices, and create the freedom to focus on strategy and growth. With her Scalable Six™ framework, Amanda teaches clients to design businesses built for freedom, not just revenue. Her 500:200:10 model — £500K in revenue, £200K take-home, and 10 hours per week of client delivery — proves that success comes from systems, not stress. Every element — from positioning and pricing to promotion — works together like a finely tuned engine to maximize profit and independence. Amanda is also the host of The Business Advisor Podcast and author of the forthcoming book Built for Freedom, sharing stories and strategies from entrepreneurs who've designed businesses that serve their lives — not the other way around. During the show we discuss: The inspiration behind helping service professionals shift from doing the work to advising on it. The philosophy behind building a business that's truly Built for Freedom. Turning expertise into structured, high-value, scalable offers. How the Scalable Six™ framework creates freedom-first businesses. Defining ideal positioning that connects emotionally and commands premium pricing. Why positioning and pricing are critical in crowded markets—and where most get it wrong. Productizing and packaging expertise for repeatable, scalable success. Leveraging intellectual property to create long-term impact and authority. Designing a business that serves your life—not the other way around. Resources: https://amandacwatts.com/ businessadvisoracademy.com
In this episode of the Inorganic Podcast, co-host Ayelet Shipley interviews Carrie Kerpen, a pioneer in social media and co-founder of Likeable Media. They discuss Carrie's journey from starting a social media agency to successfully exiting the business. Carrie shares insights on the importance of profitability, setting exit goals, choosing the right M&A advisor, and negotiating earn-outs. She reflects on her experiences and the lessons learned, particularly for women entrepreneurs, and emphasizes the need for community and support in the business world.TakeawaysCarrie started Likeable Media in 2007, one of the first social media agencies.The initial focus was not on exiting but on building a profitable business.Setting a target exit value can help guide business decisions.Timing and personal readiness are crucial when deciding to sell a business.Choosing the right M&A advisor can significantly impact the sale process.Negotiating earn-outs requires careful consideration of control and reporting.Reflecting on the exit process can reveal areas for improvement.Building a community for women founders can provide essential support.Women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges in the exit process.M&A can be a powerful tool for business growth and problem-solving.Chapters0:00 Introducing Carrie Kerpen1:05 Founding Likeable Media 3:33 Early Growth & Cash Flow Challenges5:22 Becoming CEO and Focusing on Profitability6:37 Market Shifts & Productizing the Agency7:21 Building a Brand through All the Social Ladies9:07 Financial Stability & the $20M Exit Goal 10:43 Knowing When It's Time to Sell12:55 Choosing an M&A Advisor vs. a Banker15:36 Price vs. Timing After the Exit18:22 Negotiating & Protecting an Earnout22:02 Life After the Sale23:12 What Carrie Would Do Differently24:51 Acting Like a Platform and Rethinking Capital25:58 The Exit Gap and The Whisper Group27:45 Closing ThoughtsConnect with Christian and AyeletAyelet's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/Web: https://www.inorganicpodcast.coIn/organic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InorganicPodcast/featuredConnect with guest, Carrie Kerpenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carriekerpen/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Author of No BS Strategy, Alex M H Smith, rejoined me on Ditching Hourly to help define a very important word that few business people understand correctly.Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:11) - Guest Introduction: Alex Smith (01:30) - Understanding Business Strategy (02:02) - The Misunderstood Concept of Value (04:15) - Creating Value in Business (07:55) - Innovating Beyond Traditional Value (13:01) - Practical Examples and Market Research (18:14) - Unique Value Proposition (29:23) - Understanding Differentiation in Business (29:56) - The Importance of Unique Positioning (30:36) - Consulting Strategies and Unique Differences (31:32) - Examples of Effective Differentiation (33:23) - The Role of Specialization in Strategy (38:30) - Embracing Weaknesses for Strategic Advantage (40:53) - Balancing Specialization and Market Reach (41:51) - The Pitfalls of Over-Niching (48:28) - Rooting in Recognizable Categories (53:20) - Conclusion and Resources Guest LinksAlex's free resources » https://basicarts.org/welcome/Alex's book » https://basicarts.org/book/Alex's mailing list » https://basicarts.org/articles/Alex's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-m-h-smith/ ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Engineered Music for Fat Loss & Muscle Gain Dan Clark Travel mode. (2:15) Engineered sounds that induce brain wave states. (3:47) Increased blood flow in the brain. (9:48) Effect level. (11:53) Productizing leading-edge science. (15:47) Interesting fields using their product. (19:15) Finding the strategy that works for you. (20:48) Workout mode. (22:50) Plugging in and plugging out. (28:53) The soundtrack of your day. (33:25) It's a spectrum. (36:17) How he found out he was dyslexic. (39:19) Why entrepreneurs love us. (41:54) Highest conversion rate. (43:42) Is the Pomodoro Method effective? (47:01) The myth of working on your hardest task first. (48:27) Word of mouth. (51:18) Wearables are the future. (52:47) Attention war. (54:39) Related Links/Products Mentioned Visit Brain.fm for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners. ** Get 30 days of free access to science-backed music. ** Visit MASSZYMES by biOptimizers for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! **MASSIVE Black Friday sales are on now! ** Through Dec. 6th, 50% off a Reverse Dieting Strategy call with a Mind Pump coach. Visit: http://www.reversedietcall.com/ ** Code DECEMBER50 at checkout ** Mind Pump Store Rapid modulation in music supports attention in listeners with attentional difficulties Our science - BrainFM Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources Featured Guest Dan Clark (@dclark._) Instagram
In this episode, I sit down with Rob Jentsch, an education leader and consultant, to discuss his mission of providing remarkable education to more students globally. We dive deep into his journey from volunteer work in El Salvador to becoming a high school teacher, and then into management consulting, all driven by a desire to improve educational outcomes.Rob shares his current business model, which balances high-ticket consulting with a passion for serving smaller, impactful organizations. We explore strategies for him to scale his impact, build an online presence, productize his services, and optimize his time through a powerful "flywheel" approach, all while maintaining his commitment to his family and personal well-being. Viewers will learn about user-centered design in curriculum, effective strategies for growing an online audience, and how to balance purpose-driven work with business growth.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:10 Rob's transformational experience04:09 Obsession with high-quality education access12:40 Rob's business journey and desire for change14:40 Shifting from workaholism to more time with family16:01 Current business revenue and growth26:40 Productizing services to scale impact29:27 Standardizing offers and cohort-based learning32:45 The challenge of onboarding superintendents36:58 Setting boundaries for optimal impact41:40 The power of high standards and belief44:10 Fueling content from client insights46:12 Choosing LinkedIn as the primary platform54:15 Creating a feedback loop for content56:29 The art of reposting successful content58:30 Promotion strategies: comments, partners, email lists1:01:05 The virtuous cycle of the flywheel1:03:00 Iterating and measuring the flywheel1:05:00 Key takeaways and future plans1:07:05 The power of sequential skill-buildingIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Rob:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jentschWebsite: https://adgneducation.orgFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://kit.comGrowthTools: http://growthtools.comADGN Education: https://adgneducation.org
Professor-in-residence at StoryBrand and host of the new podcast Badass Softie, Dr. J.J. Peterson, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss how to strike a balance between authority and empathy. And be sure to stick around to the end to hear J.J.'s take on AI's impact on professional services and how to avoid creating ‘louder garbage' :-)Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:17) - JJ Peterson's Current Ventures (01:11) - The Concept of 'Badass Softie' (03:26) - StoryBrand Framework Explained (06:20) - Empathy and Authority in Leadership (08:42) - Balancing Empathy and Authority in Coaching (12:38) - Personal Experiences and Coaching Styles (16:05) - Communicating Empathy and Authority Effectively (24:44) - Engaging Your Audience with Empathy and Authority (28:06) - Controlling the Narrative in Marketing (29:07) - Embracing Your Authentic Self as a Guide (31:41) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (40:52) - The Importance of Niching Down (47:35) - Leveraging AI in Professional Services (51:39) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts LinksJ.J.'s website » https://www.drjjpeterson.com/J.J.'s podcast » https://www.badasssoftie.com/ ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Solo data advisor Shachar Meir (ex-Meta, ex-PayPal) joined me on Ditching hourly to share the details of his transition from being a manager in massive corporate environments to becoming a successful solo consultant.Chapters (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (01:05) - Shachar's Professional Background (03:47) - Transition to Solo Entrepreneurship (13:51) - First Steps as a Solopreneur (15:59) - Landing the First Project (20:25) - Facing the Challenges of Solopreneurship (25:11) - Navigating the Steep Learning Curve (26:17) - The Importance of Networking and Mentorship (29:52) - Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth (33:25) - The Art of Content Creation (43:18) - Financial Stability and Client Acquisition (51:47) - Final Thoughts and Advice Shachar's LinksLinkedIn Profile » https://www.linkedin.com/in/shacharmeir/YouTube Channel » https://www.youtube.com/@shacharmeir ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Why do some recruitment founders build seven-figure businesses while others plateau despite working just as hard? My guest, Ollie Scott, discovered growth doesn't come from hustle alone. It comes from strategic bets. Ollie is the founder of Unknown, a talent growth consultancy that's worked with over 500 brands including Nike, Apple, and Disney. Six years ago, he started with £13,000 on a credit card and one mission: build the opposite of every recruitment company he'd ever seen. In this episode, Ollie shares his journey from rebellion to revenue. You'll hear why differentiation always beats trying to be the best, how scaling from 8 to 18 people nearly destroyed his business, and the three strategic bets he used to rebuild. You'll Learn: • Why trying to be the “best” agency is a losing strategy • How Unknown defined a point of view clients cared about • What went wrong scaling from 8 to 18 people • Why profit is the safety net that enables innovation • How to build a productized recruitment offering • Why freelance talent pools are the future of recurring revenue • How recruiters can monetise M&A intelligence • How to price buy-side advisory at six-figure fees Episode Timestamps: [4:05] Selling suits to James Caan's recruitment firm [10:23] Launching Unknown with £13,000 on a credit card [15:36] Naming strategy and brand distinctiveness [18:26] Writing a breakup letter to recruitment companies [21:44] Why rebellion works early but can't scale [36:36] Productizing around three ICPs [44:03] Scaling to 18 people destroyed profit margins [48:34] Profit as psychological safety [53:20] Building recurring revenue through freelance talent pools [58:25] Why recruiters have more M&A intelligence than M&A firms Guest Bio: Ollie Scott is the founder of Unknown, a £3 million talent growth consultancy specialising in the global creative industry. Before launching Unknown, Ollie spent six years at Gemini People, joining the board in his early twenties. Unknown now operates across executive search, freelance talent pools, and M&A advisory for creative agencies. Connect with Ollie: LinkedIn: Ollie Scott Website: unknown.media Connect with Mark: recruitmentcoach.com/strategy-session linkedin.com/in/markwhitby Instagram: @RecruitmentCoach
(NOTE: this ep was recorded in October 2025, but I didn't get around to publishing it until March 2026. It was WILD listening to the AI portions of the conversation five months later - post OpenClaw.)Old friend and self-described “workaholic” developer Tim Dietrich joined me on Ditching Hourly to share his journey from FileMaker freelancer to the undisputed SuiteQL expert in the NetSuite ecosystem — a niche so specific that the platform itself became his marketing engine.We also dig into what happens when AI comes for your platform and how to think about the next wave.Chapters(00:00) - Introduction (00:53) - Tim's Background (03:02) - Early Career and FileMaker Days (06:08) - Transition to NetSuite (16:02) - SuiteQL and SQL Integration (21:00) - Positioning as SuiteQL Expert (30:03) - Managing Demand and Consulting Opportunities (34:39) - Current Client Work and Scaling Back (36:01) - The Rise of AI in NetSuite (50:27) - Comparing to Other Waves and Platforms (01:05:37) - Exploring Monetization Strategies (01:22:31) - Future Trends and Opportunities ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from my conversation with Nancy Fox:* Strategic Networking is Essential: Nancy emphasizes that building relationships with the right people is the foundation of business development, especially for professionals like lawyers and accountants. Networking should be targeted and strategic, not just about meeting as many people as possible.* AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement: Both Nancy and Mathew agree that AI is a powerful tool for enhancing professional work, not replacing expertise. AI can save time, provide strategic insights, and help with tasks like business planning and niche analysis, but it cannot substitute for real-world experience and judgment.* The Importance of Specialization and Niche: Specialization is evolving. While AI enables professionals to be more generalist, true differentiation comes from having a clear niche—whether that's a specific industry, demographic, or service. Being specific in your value proposition and target market is key.* Productizing and Recurring Revenue Models: Nancy discusses the value of productizing services and adopting recurring revenue models (like subscriptions or memberships) for professionals who want to scale without building large teams. This approach allows for more predictable income and leverages expertise in a repeatable way.* Embracing Failure and Adaptability: Nancy shares that a willingness to experiment, take risks, and even fail is crucial for growth. She stresses the importance of being willing to try new things, learn from failures, and pivot when something isn't working—qualities that are especially important for entrepreneurs and innovators.__________________________Learn more about Nancy Fox's networking group Wyze Rainmakers.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here's a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle's AI Teach-In if you couldn't make it live.I've partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Check out my other show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at subscriptionseminar.com.Check out Mathew Kerbis' law firm Subscription Attorney LLC. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe
Big Idea archaeologist Pranav Kale joined me on Ditching Hourly for a reverse interview about my journey to the center of the solar system.Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:39) - Pranav's Evolution and Current Focus (03:01) - Jonathan's Epiphany on Hourly Billing (06:26) - The Trust Fracture in Hourly Billing (07:45) - Jonathan's Problem-Solving Journey (16:59) - The Move to Rhode Island and Finding the Solution (22:38) - Implementing Value-Based Pricing (26:30) - Content Creation and Teaching Others (30:35) - Understanding Business Personality Types (31:08) - The Journey to Writing a Book (31:56) - Transitioning to Advisory Roles (32:37) - The Impact of the iPhone Announcement (33:37) - Responsive Web Design and Consulting (35:46) - Facing Criticism and Adjusting Messaging (39:50) - Finding the Central Theme (53:06) - The Importance of Differentiation (59:53) - Concluding Thoughts and Advice ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Laravel expert Joel Clermont joined me on Ditching Hourly to share how he and his co-founder run their successful dev subscription business. Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction (00:16) - Joel's Background and Business Model Transition (01:54) - Launching the Dev Subscription Model (04:47) - Marketing and Initial Success (07:44) - Client Profiles and Demand (11:19) - Managing Client Expectations and Scope (18:58) - Onboarding and Project Management (21:21) - Handling Messy Projects and Infrastructure (25:06) - Client Capacity and Longevity (26:47) - Exploring Client Sizes and Ideal Fits (28:39) - Balancing Workload and Client Expectations (32:06) - Ensuring Client Satisfaction (34:47) - Managing Work and Time Effectively (43:11) - Challenges and Downsides of Subscription Model (47:54) - Marketing Strategies for Developers (52:52) - Conclusion and Resources Joel's LinksJoel's website » https://nocompromises.io/Joel's books » https://masteringlaravel.io/booksJoel's courses » https://masteringlaravel.io/coursesJoel's community » https://masteringlaravel.io/community ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Ep. 185 features Adam Rosenberg, co-founder of HandiGraphs, a betting analytics platform built by and for baseball fans. Hear him discuss: His journey from political fundraising and brand strategy to PR and marketing in the sports betting industry How a friendship in the Outlier Discord led to co-founding HandiGraphs with CJ Buskey Why baseball's intimidating data landscape inspired the creation of a simpler, more visual analytics tool How HandiGraphs identifies edges using proprietary plate appearance metrics (30/60/90 PA splits) Lessons learned from building a sticky, subscription-based product with near-zero churn Why education and “over-teaching” users became central to their go-to-market strategy Balancing side project and startup life — and what comes next for HandiGraphs in 2025 The role his podcast Dads Bet Baseball plays as both creative outlet and marketing engine Common mistakes early-stage founders make in PR and how to tell a clear, differentiated story Why Adam lives by the philosophy “Be helpful” — and how generosity and curiosity drive success in this industry Catch the video version of this episode here. Learn more
Digital marketing strategist Eleanor Mayrhofer joined me on Ditching Hourly to describe exactly how she productized her web design services. Links:Eleanor's website » https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/ditchingEleanor's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanormayrhofer/Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:14) - Eleanor's Background and Business Model (00:52) - Straight to Non-Hourly (02:01) - Starting a Solo Business During COVID (02:44) - Initial Market Approach and Challenges (03:48) - Developing a Productized Service (04:25) - Current Business Model: Website in a Week (05:31) - Client Interaction and Project Scope (09:40) - Copywriting and Strategy Sessions (16:31) - Handling Project Scope and Client Expectations (21:24) - Marketing and Client Acquisition (23:20) - Client Commissions and Referrals (23:40) - Subscription Maintenance Services (24:53) - Positioning and Target Audience (25:53) - Overcoming Launch Procrastination (27:11) - Client Collaboration and Revisions (28:55) - Technical Setup and DNS Challenges (31:25) - Post-Launch Support and Testimonials (33:13) - Pros and Cons of Productized Services (36:55) - Sales Process and Lead Time (38:55) - Long-Term Plans and Project Juggling (41:01) - Avoiding Boredom with Productized Services (42:20) - Conclusion and Contact Information ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
Founder of The Upside, Erin Halper, joined me on Ditching Hourly to share her pro tips on creating and sustaining a premium online community. Erin's Links:Erin's community » https://betheupside.com/Erin's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:19) - Erin Halper's Background and The Upside Community (03:19) - Challenges and Evolution of The Upside (07:24) - Starting and Running a Community (09:18) - Best Practices for Community Management (24:08) - Pricing Strategies for Independent Consultants (30:19) - Navigating Agency Subcontracting (30:52) - Building and Scaling Your Business (31:42) - Lifestyle and Impact in Consulting (33:00) - Celebrating Wins and Community Support (34:26) - Visibility and Positioning (36:03) - Pricing Strategies and Market Shifts (37:47) - Maintaining Boundaries in Community (40:30) - Application Process and Membership Cap (43:40) - Quarterly Open House Strategy (47:18) - Onboarding and Member Matching (55:26) - Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
In this special episode, I sit down with my friend Frannie Wilson to interview her for my new book "The Ladders of Wealth. We explore her journey of running Ampersand Studios for over 16 years and how she's reinventing her business after buying out her longtime partner.Instead of having the conversation over a cup of coffee, we decided to record one in the studio instead. We dive into what it takes to scale an agency without burning out, why delegating fulfillment is critical, and how Frannie is using systems, subcontractors, and culture-building to position her team for growth. She shares lessons from managing people, creating replicable offers, and handling the challenges of sales, client retention, and leadership.If you're navigating the leap from founder-doer to CEO—or building a creative agency that lasts—this episode is packed with insights.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:15 Frannie's 16-year journey with Ampersand04:00 Buying out her business partner and reinventing07:05 Balancing recurring revenue and one-off projects10:30 Delegating fulfillment and avoiding bottlenecks13:55 Building systems and hiring contractors17:30 The role of values and culture in small teams22:10 Lessons from managing people and avoiding drama27:30 Productizing services vs. custom work33:00 Smarter hiring with test projects39:30 Landing and qualifying clients the right way52:30 Retaining clients and handling tough situations59:45 Final reflections and adviceIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comFollow Frannie:Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/frannie_packLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frannie-wilsonAmpersand Studios (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/ampersand_studiosAmpersand Studios (Website): https://ampersand-studios.comFeatured in this episode:Ampersand Studios (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/ampersand_studiosAmpersand Studios: https://ampersand-studios.com/
Are you struggling to scale your business beyond random acts of marketing? Wondering how to create a more systematic approach that drives consistent, profitable results? To learn how to productize your services to generate more profitable leads and sales while building a sustainable revenue engine, I interview Michael Buzinski.Guest: Michael Buzinski | Show Notes: socialmediaexaminer.com/684Review our show on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When businesses talk about “productizing,” they often picture cookie-cutter scopes and rigid templates. But according to Brian Kessman, that's missing the point.Brian is the founder of Lodestar Consulting, and he's spent 25 years helping agencies and consultancies scale without burning out teams or eroding margins. His approach isn't about productizing services – it's about productizing value.In this episode of The Handbook: The Operations Podcast, Brian and Harv dig into what that really means, and how it can transform both your client relationships and your bottom line.Here's what we cover:The difference between productizing services (deliverables) vs. productizing value (outcomes)Why improving operations alone won't fix a business model that's not designed to scaleHow to spot patterns in your expertise and codify them into structured solutionsWhy productization doesn't kill creativity – it actually creates more space for itSmarter ways to think about pricing, from fixed fees to value-based modelsBrian also shares case studies from consultancies and agencies that have reframed their offers around outcomes – unlocking higher margins, more predictable delivery, and stronger authority with clients.If you've ever felt stuck between reinventing the wheel on every project or being forced into commoditized work, this episode is for you.Additional Resources:
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What happens when you stop chasing $30K projects and start solving real problems for smaller clients in a way that actually works? Today's featured guest had been building $32,000 websites for mid-market companies. On paper, it looked like success. But in reality, he felt stuck—unfulfilled and back in a corporate-style grind that didn't align with the kind of work or life he truly wanted. When he took a step back, he realized something important: the clients he really wanted to serve were already reaching out. These were smaller, $300K businesses with many of the same challenges agencies see across the board—but without the bloated complexity. So he made a bold pivot. He simplified his offer, created a productized service, and returned to his roots—helping people in a way that felt meaningful, scalable, and sustainable. The result? Less stress, more impact, and a business model built around freedom, not friction. Nate Freedman is the founder of TechPro Marketing and creator of MSP Sites, a productized service built specifically for Managed IT Service Providers. After years of working in high-ticket agency engagements, Nate made a bold pivot—focusing on volume, automation, and scalable coaching for small IT firms. That shift helped him grow from a $20K/month agency to a $2.5M+ business serving over 100 clients with a tight, dialed-in model. We'll explore his early missteps, the aha moment that changed everything, and the system he built to serve a niche audience at scale—without losing his soul. In this episode, we'll discuss: Pivoting to MPSs as the perfect fit. Creating a low-ticket offer. Productizing with a purpose. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Impostor Syndrome and the Accidental CEO Nate's background wasn't in marketing strategy or enterprise consulting. He was a self-taught internet nerd who cut his teeth writing affiliate articles and selling photo recovery software online. He studied accounting, not realizing when he picked that career that being an online marketer was an option. Right out of college, his first job was at an accounting firm, an experience he promptly hated. He felt exposed and like a fish out of water. This is a feeling he recognized years later when, the more his agency took on large, complex clients like Salesforce, the more he felt like a fraud. He was working with large corporations and felt like an impostor. It just wasn't the right fit for him. “I was putting on a kind of a facade. Like, I was pretending to be someone I wasn't… and it just wasn't me.” That realization drove Nate back to his roots: helping people who reminded him of himself. From Big Clients to Bigger Misalignment Nate didn't start small. Like many digital agency owners, his early focus was on winning big projects—$10K, $20K, even $32K website and marketing packages. And sure, those checks looked great at first… until a very good client sent him the dreaded email: “Nate, when are we going to generate leads from this?” That one question—posed by a well-meaning client already $32K in—flipped the switch. Nate realized that delivering work isn't the same as delivering results. The more he moved upmarket, the more he felt like he was back in the corporate world he hated. High-maintenance clients. Long sales cycles. No real alignment. He wasn't building relationships. He was building a façade. Finding His People: MSPs as the Perfect Fit Nate's breakthrough came when he niched down into the MSP (Managed Service Provider) space. These were former tech guys turned business owners—scrappy, smart, and stuck in the same ways agency owners often are. They didn't need $30K marketing retainers. They needed help generating leads, converting visitors, and staying in business. Nate made a gutsy move. He ditched his high-ticket proposals and started sending BombBomb videos to leads who had previously ghosted him: “You turned down my $20,352 proposal. Here's my new one: $2,000 a month, and I'll help you generate leads. I don't even know exactly what I'll do yet. I just want to help you grow.” That transparency worked. Five early adopters signed on, and Nate never looked back. Scaling a Low-Ticket, High-Impact Model What started as a simplified offer became a flywheel. Over seven years, Nate scaled his agency to over 100 monthly clients, all paying around $4,200/month. But growth at that level brings churn. With just 3% monthly churn, he'd have to invest more on sales and onboarding and close three new clients a month just to break even. However, focusing on growing this way meant turning away 75% of leads who were not at least $1 million in revenue that could afford the expense. And most of the businesses reaching out to his agency were at 200K-300K. Nate felt he could service those clients without a big investment in human resources. This sparked the next evolution: MSP Sites. The new offer targeted those MSPs doing $200K–$300K/year. These folks couldn't pay $4K/month… but they desperately needed help. So Nate reverse-engineered a low-cost, high-value offer that started at $200/month and eventually grew to include: Custom-designed websites Human chat agents CRM and booking automations On-demand courses and live office hours Weekly coaching and a client-only community He went from being “just another agency” to becoming an all-in-one marketing partner for small MSPs—at a price they could actually say “hell yes” to. Productizing with Purpose: Lessons from the Pivot This shift to a productized offer came with unexpected lessons, as Nate was confronted with a question from his past work making $32K websites or a $200 website: “Where are the leads?” He realized that whether he was going after the high end or low end of the market, he still had to provide an end result for clients. Low ticket doesn't mean low impact. He has to answer that question while still providing an affordable service, so he started layering in automation, coaching, and a structured experience This slightly raised the price to $300/month, but clients not felt like they were part of a premium program. Nate wanted to help clients not just have a website, but also generate leads, drive traffic, and close the deal. By adding live calls, email support, and a live event, Nate turned MSP Sites into more than a tool—it became a tribe. Once the service was upgraded and clients could get their website set up even faster, the problem was that now they all looked the same. Nate knew his clients deserved better, so he removed the one-click deploy and now ensures each website is custom-designed to look amazing. Of course, this also led to a rise of the set up fee, but clients were more than happy to pay for a better design. Finally, on-demand courses and live office hours were the finishing touch for his new offer and he was finally helping clients much more and building the business he really enjoys. Market Share > Margins (When You're Playing the Long Game) At some point, most agency owners fantasize about selling. Nate's no different—but he's thinking a few moves ahead. Instead of relying on private equity, his bet is on strategic acquisition by a larger company in his own niche. “The best multiple I'm going to get is from someone who wants more market share.” That's why he's focused on volume at the low end. Every small client is a slice of market share. And if you can build community, coaching, and brand loyalty into your offer, you're not just a service provider—you're infrastructure. The Next Frontier: Launching a Mastermind With 300+ paying clients, Nate's building something many agency owners should be thinking about but don't: a mastermind for your niche. Why? Because clients already trust you. They're already getting value. And when you get them in a room together—virtually or physically—magic happens. Better yet, Nate doesn't need to be the guru. The best masterminds don't revolve around one person—they're facilitated, not taught. When the room is full of practitioners, the value is in the conversations. Do Right By People (and You'll Win) Scaling isn't just about tech, pricing models, or marketing hacks. It's about people. Nate credits a huge part of his growth to partnering with E2M Solutions, which removed the HR complexity of managing a dev team in-house. More importantly, it aligned with his core value: “Do right by people. If you do that, no one's going to say anything bad about you. Even when you make mistakes.” It's simple, but in a crowded industry full of overpromising and under-delivering, that integrity stands out—and scales. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Discover how World Tree combines regenerative forestry, carbon sequestration, and impact investing to scale climate solutions across North America and Latin America.
Ep. 172 features Richard Acosta from Vor Interactive, a UK-based sports data provider creating proprietary first-party data and predictive models. Hear him discuss: How a soccer algorithm built by his co-founder sparked Vor's launch and first predictive model Why their proprietary data now generates 2,000+ prediction points per soccer match across 50+ global leagues How they've expanded from soccer into NFL, college sports, cricket, and tennis while focusing on first-party data Why they chose a B2B model delivering data products to affiliates and operators instead of professional betting How their predictive data powers both marketing widgets and pricing models for iGaming companies How Vor designed a simple integration process that lets partners go live in under 48 hours The early traction they've seen with Odds Shark in the US and Hub Affiliations in Italy, including strong early conversion rates Why Richard believes staying lean and agile is key as they scale globally and expand their APIs and productized solutions His long-term vision to grow Vor Interactive into a major global sports data supplier over the next five years Applications now open for SBC Summit First Pitch competition returning to Lisbon this September 16-18. Eligible startups can submit their applications until July 25 for a shot at over $100,000 worth of prizes. Catch the video version of this episode here. Learn more
Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Impact Highlight, where we bring you the people and perspectives pushing the boundaries of purpose-driven venture. This week, August Solliv sits down with Dougie Sloan, Managing Director, Impact Venture at Better Society Capital, and Jacqueline van den Ende, Co-founder & CEO of Carbon Equity, to explore how we unlock billions for climate action by rethinking the very architecture of venture capital.Together, they dive into how Carbon Equity is turning everyday citizens into climate LPs, why “retail” doesn't mean amateur, and how tech, transparency, and trust can finally bring impact investing to scale.This episode's themes:Why climate finance is stuck—and how we build new pipesReimagining access: giving more people a seat at the capital tableThe rise of the prosumer LP: conviction, education, and agencyBridging alpha and impact without trade-offsRedesigning private markets for participation at scaleHere's what's covered:00:30 Jacqueline's journey: from traditional VC to climate capital rebel02:15 The climate capital gap: why only 2% of VC goes to climate tech03:45 Institutional capital vs. bold innovation: the trust mismatch05:30 Rethinking “retail”: building for a sophisticated next-gen LP07:00 Tech as an enabler: onboarding, transparency, and scale08:45 What private market investors need (and don't get today)10:00 Productizing the LP experience: clarity, ownership, conviction11:45 How Carbon Equity builds education into capital deployment13:00 The vision: mobilizing the masses without dumbing things down14:30 Impact with returns: challenging the trade-off fallacy16:00 What's next: tokenisation, retail regulation, and unlocking access
Here's the replay from the most recent live Q&A that was held on my YouTube channel!Special offer extended to you as a podcast listener
What if your biggest failures were the stepping stones to your greatest impact? In this raw and revealing episode, Jerome Myers sits down with Kasim Aslam, serial entrepreneur and founder of the world's top-ranked Google Ads agency, to unpack his journey from troubled teen to 8-figure exit. With unmatched candor, Kasim shares the highs, the hard truths, and why his life's mission today is centered on global employment, not just profit. If you've ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure of what's next, listen closely. [00:00 – 12:10] Two Exits, One Framework Building the #1 Google Ads agency Productizing services for scale The behind-the-scenes of an 8-figure exit [12:11 – 22:45] Integrity Over Everything Why most agencies fail their clients Saying no to the wrong deals How honesty fuels demand and client trust [22:46 – 34:00] The Rocky Road to Reinvention Growing up in poverty and crime Losing everything in the '08 crash Finding purpose through failure [34:01 – 45:00] Safe, But Not Satisfied What it felt like when the wire hit The paradox of post-exit emptiness Learning to delegate and let go [45:01 – End] Meaningful Work as Legacy Why hiring is the new impact model Creating global opportunity through EAs The case for failing forward Key Quotes: “You want to change lives? Hire someone.” — Kasim Aslam “Failure is the tuition that we pay. Chase good failure, quality failure, healthy failure.” — Kasim Aslam Connect with Kasim! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasimaslam YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kasimaslam Ready for your next chapter? Start Your Assessment Now
#421 What if scaling your business didn't require a marketing degree — just the right systems and mindset? In this episode, host Brien Gearin chats with Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, about how he built a multi-million dollar consulting company from the ground up — without a traditional marketing background. Phil shares his unconventional journey from working at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to living in a school bus, to eventually helping home service businesses scale fast with a unique blend of consulting, content marketing, and strategic partnerships. You'll hear how he transitioned from solopreneur to building a high-performance team, productized his services, and structured his business to run without him in the day-to-day. If you're a service-based entrepreneur looking to grow and systematize your business, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration! What we discuss with Phil: + From school bus living to CEO + Scaling home service businesses + Productizing a service business + Hiring without agency experience + Building referral partnerships + Managing consultants with performance pay + Leveraging CRMs like Jobber + Tracking return on ad spend + Growing through content marketing + Structuring a business for time freedom Thank you, Phil! Check out Phlash Consulting at PhlashConsulting.com. Follow Phil on LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch the video podcast of this episode! And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/millionaire. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
I've been paying an agency to run our Meta ads and for some time Meta itself has been reaching out to take over the account. Let that sink in. The same platform your agency relies on is actively trying to cut you out of the picture. The worst part? This is just one example of a much bigger shift. Big tech is building tools that create entire campaigns—copy, design, video, testing—without a human in sight. Your strategist? Replaced. Designer? Replaced. Copywriter? Gone. I get it. It's a hard pill to swallow, but it isn't necessarily the end of agencies. It's just the end of the ones that built their model on tasks. So what's the future for agencies? Agencies Built on Tasks Are Already Obsolete Let's get real: if you're still selling deliverables, your agency's already falling behind. What AI can't replicate is leadership. At the end of the day clients want results and direction. Smart agencies are not selling tasks anymore. They're selling thinking. Here's how they're staying ahead: 1. Productize the Thinking, Not the Task Most agencies sell what they do – SEO, ad management – Clients don't care that you “run Facebook ads.” They want results. Instead of saying “We run ads for local businesses,” say “We help local gyms get 100 leads in 30 days with a proven 3-step system.” You just went from vendor to strategic partner that sell a system that scales. Productizing your thinking means turning your knowledge into a framework. When you package your thinking and your strategy as something like “The 30-Day Lead Domination System” or “The 5-Step Authority Engine” your expertise becomes a product. That's what scales. 2. Sell Speed and Certainty Speed is an agency superpower. Most clients aren't losing to competitors—they're drowning in indecision. They don't need more options—they need momentum. So skip the six-week strategy plan. Instead of saying “We'll optimize your funnel,” offer quick wins: “We'll launch your highest-converting offer by Friday.” Certainty is what closes deals. Clarity is what makes them stick. 3. Own Your Niche Generic is dead. The riches are still in the niches. Solve a very specific problem for a very specific group of people. The more specific your promise, the more profitable your agency will become. 4. Use AI—But Don't Compete With It Don't just talk about AI—implement it. Show your clients how to use AI to streamline workflows, automate leads, and improve reporting. Become the AI Sherpa, not the tool. If you're not guiding your clients through AI, someone else will. 5. Build Client Community Want to be irreplaceable? Connect your clients to each other. Host virtual meetups. Build a mastermind. Facilitate introductions. Create spaces for idea-sharing. AI will never replace real human connection—and your clients are craving it. We've seen this firsthand with the agency mastermind: community is the real secret weapon. 6. Be the Guide, Not the Gun Execution is cheap. Clarity is priceless. AI will never replace someone who can build leads. Be the one who filters the noise. Be the coach. Once you step into that role, I can promise you your value will skyrocket. So, Did Zuck Kill the Agency Model? Not Even Close. He didn't kill it—he evolved it. The agencies that lead, think, and adapt will be the ones that thrive. Those that keep selling tasks will get replaced. Agency Mastermind Still feel like you're winging it? You're not alone. Most agency owners hit a plateau because they're stuck in the business, buried in decisions, and disconnected from people who get it. The agencies killing it and scaling faster found out they needed to be in the right room. Go to https://www.agencymastery360.com/agency-mastery and get access to a community of agency owners sharing their data, deals, strategies, and mindset shifts.
Author/creator of Sales for Nice People, Martin Stellar, joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about sticking to your guns in a sales meeting and how to build the confidence to do so. Martin's Links:https://martinstellar.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinstellar/https://salesfornicepeople.com/academy ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
What if you could run a corporate retreat... for a company of one? That's exactly what independent consultant and brand strategist Claire Elvers did. In this episode, Claire joins Melisa to share why she carved out the time and space to take her business offline — and what she learned from zooming out.This conversation is packed with real talk about the real work of running a consulting business:Facilitating a productive, impactful retreat for your solo consulting business,Why consultants often neglect mid-funnel strategy (and the impact of doing so), How to create more leverage without hiring a team, and How to stay focused on building a business — not just delivering client work.Claire also opens up about her non-linear path into independent consulting, how she made her first project happen, and why productizing her expertise has become a game-changer for her growth and freedom.Whether you've been thinking about taking yourself “offsite,” or you're stuck in the weeds and need to see your business with fresh eyes, this episode will challenge you to think like a business owner — not just a service provider.Tune in to Episode 215 for practical insights and peer-level perspective on building an independent consulting business that reflects your goals and plays to your strengths.Timestamps for Key Moments[08:12] Why Claire created a solo business retreat — and what it revealed about her next stage of growth[15:47] The strategic questions she asked herself to get clarity and create focus[21:30] How she's productizing her expertise and making it easier for clients to say yes[29:22] Mid-funnel blind spots most consultants overlook (and how to fix them)[36:50] The most important mindset shift Claire made to start and grow her consulting business[43:03] Advice from one consultant to another on making the leap and finding your footingRelated ResourcesFull Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-215/Retreat Checklist PDF: Download The Independent Consultant's Corporate Retreat Checklist https://www.melisaliberman.com/retreat-checklistRelated Podcast Episode: Episode 090 – Corporate Retreat for the Independent Consultant, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-90/Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.comConnect with Claire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-elvers-4a09271/Want More?Get Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/bookVisit with Melisa's Website: melisaliberman.com/ Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.
Yuval Yeret, founder of Yeret Agility and OG Agile expert, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the current state of Agile as a platform, how it has evolved over the years, and what practitioners should consider when pivoting their careers as the platform matures.About YuvalYuval Yeret is a Product/Scaling/Agility Coach focused on helping product/tech leaders scale their organizations without slowing down, improving outcomes by leveraging flow, agility, and product orientation. (while avoiding the dogma and process BS of Agile Theater). Yuval is a globally recognized expert on scaling w/ agility, a SAFe Fellow, a Professional Scrum Trainer, and a co-author of the Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams. These days Yuval is focused on helping organizations evolve from Feature Factories to Empowered Product Organizations, as well as helping deeper tech organizations develop a pragmatic agility strategy. Yuval shares his insights on scaling w/ agility at https://yuvalyeret.com/scaling-with-agility-newsletter/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:17) - Yuval's Background and Journey into Agile (01:35) - Early Days of Agile (03:56) - Transition to Consulting and Coaching (07:21) - Agile's Evolution and Current State (09:46) - Challenges and Criticisms of Agile (17:30) - Future of Agile and Role Adaptation (22:18) - Advice for Agile Practitioners (30:22) - Reflecting on Agile Leadership (31:24) - Anecdote: Transition from FileMaker to Web Development (34:57) - The Future of Agile and Product Operating Models (39:20) - Adapting Skills for New Opportunities (41:48) - Navigating Organizational Change (44:47) - Strategies for Career Pivoting (48:01) - The Role of Scrum Masters in Modern Organizations (52:00) - Consulting and Value Proposition (57:55) - Closing Thoughts and Resources Notable Quotes"What happened over the years is... agile has become mainstream for most of corporate America, technology organizations and product companies. And this created the reality where the people that are, the organizations that are currently adopting agile are the late adopters.""[Late adopters] are slapping names like Scrum Master and Sprint and User Story and Daily Scrum... on the way that they've been doing things already. And it's like lipstick on a pig. It's not really creating any impact other than a bad name for Agile and a bad name for people in these roles.""The biggest issue with Agile... is the over-reliance on specific roles in organizations.""We will have a significantly smaller number of people that dedicate their career to something like agile, whatever it's called. You will need to specialize. You will need to start to think like consultants need to start to think and build your content solar system."Yuval's Links and Other ResourcesYuval's article on "The Future of Agile Roles and Agility"Yuval's private podcast on navigating the landscape of Agile theater, feature factories, and product operating models"Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey Moore (book on technology adoption)Netflix culture book (featuring the "Netflix question")The career mini-course that Jonathan mentioned: Unblock Your Career by Shachar Meir ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Oleg Bibergan, co-founder of S16VC, a venture capital fund built on the foundation of a tight-knit founder community. Oleg shares the story of how S16 began in a Moscow apartment he shared with fellow founders, where casual poker nights evolved into startup discussions, business clubs, and an informal incubator.Here's what's covered:01:18 Alex's Entrepreneurial Journey05:17 Oleg's Background and Investment Experience06:50 The Birth of S16: From Poker Nights to a Tech Incubator10:37 Building a Global Community and Fund11:48 The Fund's Unique Approach and Strategy19:37 Productizing the Fund: Technology and Community29:36 Investment Success and Future Goals
Good excuses are hard to come by these days!As the owner of a service business, there are no viable excuses for not productizing, so I wanted to be a good sport and share some evergreen excuses you can use to prevent your service business from scaling.If you want to join the Beta™, go towww.thesimplecompany.com/betathen book a call, or email me at hello[a]thesimplecompany.com For free resources and to check out our offerings, go to thesimplecompany.com
Tech leaders from RingCentral, Zoom and AWS discuss how generative AI is transforming business communications while balancing challenges & regulatory concerns in this rapidly evolving landscape.Topics Include:Introduction of panel on generative AI's impact on businesses.How to transition AI from prototypes to production.Understanding value creation for customers through AI.Introduction of Khurram Tajji from RingCentral.Introduction of Brendan Ittleson from Zoom.How generative AI fits into Zoom's product offerings.Zoom's AI companion available to all paid customers.Zoom's federated approach to AI model selection.RingCentral's new AI Receptionist (AIR) launch.How AIR routes calls using generative AI capabilities.AI improving customer experience through sentiment analysis.The disproportionate value of real-time AI assistance.Economics of delivering real-time AI capabilities.Real-time AI compliance monitoring in banking.Value of preventing regulatory fines through AI.Voice cloning detection through AI security.Democratizing AI access across Zoom's platform.Monetizing specialized AI solutions for business value.Challenges in taking AI prototypes to production.Importance of selecting the right AI models.Privacy considerations when training AI models.Maintaining quality without using customer data for training.Co-innovation with customers during product development.Scaling challenges for AI businesses.Case study of AI in legal case assessment.Ensuring unit economics work before scaling AI applications.Zoom's approach to scaling AI across products.Importance of centralizing but federating AI capabilities.Breaking down data silos for effective AI context.Navigating evolving regulations around AI.EU AI Act restrictions on emotion inference.Balancing regulations with customer experience needs.Future of AI agents interacting with other agents.How AI enhances human connection by handling routine tasks.Impact of AI on company valuations and M&A activity.Participants:Khurram Tajji – Group CMO & Partnerships, RingCentralBrendan Ittleson – Chief Ecosystem Officer, ZoomSirish Chandrasekaran – VP of Analytics, AWSSee how Amazon Web Services gives you the freedom to migrate, innovate, and scale your software company at https://aws.amazon/isv/
Predictable revenue may not be flashy, but it's the foundation of a business that lasts. While others chase trends and burnout, you'll have steady income, reliable clients, and peace of mind. Because a business that pays you consistently isn't boring—it's profitable, sustainable, and stress-free. In this episode, we're discussing how to trade chaos for consistency, stop chasing quick wins, and start building income you can count on. Topics discussed in this episode include: Why chasing trends won't save you. Why predictable income is the holy grail of a boring business. Steps to make a predictable income including: Retainers and recurring revenue. Making longer commitments. Productizing your services. Setting clear payment terms Building long-lasting client relationships. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here
Most professional service firms stop growing at a couple of million (or a few million) in annual revenue. There is a logical reason for it, and to solve the problem, you need to think about your business model, and what kind of business you want. There are two main models to choose between: 1. A customized business. 2. A standardized business. There are benefits (and cons) to both, however I'll choose the standardized business all day long. And, you can keep a bit of customization...as you'll learn. If you want help building and growing your agency or consultancy, go to thesimplecompany.com and follow the links, check out resources, training, or book a call with me. Read the full article and post here: https://thesimplecompany.com/why-your-service-firm-is-no-longer-growing/ For free resources and to check out our offerings, go to thesimplecompany.com
Ex-java developer and CoffeeSprout founder Barry van Someren joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about the surprising alignment between “Ditcherville ethos” and the government of the Netherlands.LINKS MENTIONEDBarry's websiteBarry's LinkedInCalifornia Law AB 5AI SUMMARYIn this episode of Ditching Hourly, Jonathan Stark speaks with Barry Van Someren about his transition from hourly work to value-based services, the implications of new tax laws in the Netherlands for independent contractors, and the importance of having multiple clients. They discuss how these changes affect client relationships and the necessity of shifting to results-based contracts. Barry shares insights on navigating the complexities of government regulations and the benefits of diversifying client portfolios to ensure business resilience.SOUND BITES“I wanted to transition into something that was more predictable.”“It's just refreshing to see that kind of advice from the IRS.”“I kind of wanted to make myself less vulnerable to this law.”“The IRS and various countries are giving you that encouragement.”“If you stay at one place too long, you become stagnant.”“Hourly billing is bad.”TAKEAWAYSTransitioning from hourly work to value-based services can lead to more predictable income.New tax laws classify independent contractors more strictly, impacting their work.It's essential to define clear results in contracts rather than relying on hourly billing.Having multiple clients reduces vulnerability to market changes and legal issues.Government regulations can align with good business practices, encouraging consultants to diversify their client base.Freelancers should be aware of the risks associated with being classified as employees under new laws.Building a strong network is crucial for finding clients and maintaining a steady workflow.Consultants should focus on delivering results rather than just completing tasks.The importance of compliance with tax laws cannot be overstated for independent contractors.Hourly billing is often seen as a less favorable model for sustainable business growth. ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
This episode explores the groundbreaking advancements in AGI from recent releases of two Chinese reasoning models: DeepSeek's R1 and Moonshot AI's Kimmy. The discussion delves into the methods, comparative analysis, and implications of these models, particularly focusing on the diverse reinforcement learning techniques employed. Despite computation constraints, these models have achieved significant performance, suggesting a paradigm shift in AI development strategies. The episode also covers the broader strategic dynamics, economic, and policy implications surrounding these developments in China and the West. The conversation highlights the importance of hands-on interaction with these models for a deeper understanding and comprehensive learning experience. SPONSORS: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive NetSuite: Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/cognitive Shopify: Dreaming of starting your own business? Shopify makes it easier than ever. With customizable templates, shoppable social media posts, and their new AI sidekick, Shopify Magic, you can focus on creating great products while delegating the rest. Manage everything from shipping to payments in one place. Start your journey with a $1/month trial at https://shopify.com/cognitive and turn your 2025 dreams into reality. Vanta: Vanta simplifies security and compliance for businesses of all sizes. Automate compliance across 35+ frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001, streamline security workflows, and complete questionnaires up to 5x faster. Trusted by over 9,000 companies, Vanta helps you manage risk and prove security in real time. Get $1,000 off at https://vanta.com/revolution CHAPTERS: (00:00) Introduction (05:44) The R1 Model: A Deep Dive (10:05) Reinforcement Learning and Emergent Behaviors (Part 1) (16:56) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | NetSuite (19:36) Reinforcement Learning and Emergent Behaviors (Part 2) (29:14) Challenges and Future Directions (Part 1) (31:55) Sponsors: Shopify | Vanta (35:11) Challenges and Future Directions (Part 2) (43:00) Productizing the R1 Model (01:00:20) The Remarkable Output of Language Models (01:00:34) Exploring R1's Creative Writing Capabilities (01:03:55) Tiny Stories and Learning Order in Small Models (01:08:34) Censorship and Strategic Questions (01:11:36) Key Takeaways and Future Implications (01:14:17) Comparing Approaches: R1 and Kimmy (01:27:19) The Path to Superhuman Performance (01:33:42) Strategic Dynamics and Policy Responses (01:46:50) Final Thoughts and Call to Action (01:48:04) Outro SOCIAL LINKS: Website: https://www.cognitiverevolution.ai Twitter (Podcast): https://x.com/cogrev_podcast Twitter (Nathan): https://x.com/labenz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlabenz/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CognitiveRevolutionPodcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and/id1669813431 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yHyok3M3BjqzR0VB5MSyk PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing
The handsome and talented Louis Grenier joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about the strategy behind writing, publishing, and launching his new book, Stand The F*ck Out. Links:Stand The F*ck OutBonuses for Ditching Hourly ListenersAI Summary:In this conversation, Jonathan Stark interviews Louis Grenier about his journey in marketing, the insights from his new book, and the strategies behind its launch. Louis discusses the importance of standing out in a crowded market, the principles of effective marketing, and the challenges he faced while writing and publishing his book. He shares his unique approach to launching the book, including innovative marketing strategies and the significance of personal branding. In this conversation, Louis Grenier discusses his unique approach to branding and product design, particularly in the context of his book launch. He shares insights on working with Lulu, the importance of prioritizing tasks during the launch, and the lessons learned from mistakes made along the way. The value of beta readers and the iterative feedback process in writing are emphasized, along with strategies for promoting and selling his book effectively. ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
At some point, most web designers dream of moving from lengthy, time-intensive, custom web design projects to a more “productized” or “templatized” web design service. Something that clients can purchase, that has clear boundaries, constraints and limitations.There are a lot of ways to go about productizing your offers - and one way - is to frame it as a program or course. Especially if you're empowering your clients with any sort of marketing or growth help.A shining example of how to do this is Web Designer Pro member Whitney Bateson who, after years of developing custom websites, refined her process into a web design + education solution for her wellness clients in her signature program “The Wellness Pro Website System”In this convo, we get into:What was the “breaking point” for her to move from custom buildsHow her maintenance plan recurring revenue growth rate was factored into this pivotWhat she did to refine her systems and processes to prepare to productizeHow she's balancing ongoing support for clientsWhy she feels it's GOOD to start custom before moving to productizedWhether you're interested in productizing your web design services as a course, service, product, program, etc…Whitney is a shining example of how to do it right so I really hope this convo helps you get more time and sanity back when you're ready to productize your results!Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/356 Get my entire suite of courses in the Courses Tier = $49/moGet courses + all community features in the Community Tier = $99/moGet everything + direct coaching with me in the Coaching Tier = $199/moJoin today (in the tier that works for you) at: webdesignerpro.com*** upgrade & downgrade available ***