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Summary In this conversation, Yong-Soo Chung shares his journey into entrepreneurship, discussing her early aspirations, the importance of building a strong team, and the evolution of his businesses. He emphasizes the significance of curiosity and adaptability in his career. He talks about the creation of a personal holding company. While there are challenges with managing remote teams, Yong-Soo shares his creative hiring process. More, he touches on his experience as a content creator and how he encourages people to start today. Takeaways I always knew that I was going to start a business. Finding good people is how you're going to scale. Clarity is kindness when it comes to working with our colleagues. Emotional intelligence is crucial in hiring decisions. Building an online brand requires patience and consistency. Perceived authority differs from actual authority in content creation. Resilience is key when building a network from scratch. Focus on personal values when navigating online spaces. Life's too short to stress over external validation. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 07:47 Building a Business Framework 14:04 The Importance of Good People 20:12 Managing Remote Teams Effectively 25:55 Hiring and Assessing Talent 29:59 Innovative Interview Techniques 38:06 Building an Online Brand 49:00 Strategies for Content Creation 56:44 Resilience in Building Networks Connect with Yong-Soo Chung here https://x.com/YongSooChung https://www.linkedin.com/in/yongsoo/ About Sabrina Wang Hi! I'm Sabrina. I was born and raised in Chengdu, China. I moved to LA at 16 years old to attend USC with a scholarship. My mom ran a business called "Sabrina's Country Store" selling American groceries to expats in China. I've been involved in our business since elementary school - from mopping doors to training employees - which taught me invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship and people, two pillars of my current coaching career. Now, I run Evergrowth Coaching where I specialize in coaching CEOs of 8-9 figure revenue. My clients include CEOs and founders from top tech companies like Wayflyer, Synchron, Opswerks, Code States, Ownwell, Tribe, and RevenueCat. I also worked with investors from YC Continuity, General Catalyst, Left Lane Capital, and Innovation Endeavors. Before Evergrowth, I was the Head of Coaching at Mochary Method, created by CEO coach Matt Mochary who coached Sam Altman, Naval, and other leading CEOs. I have a strong background in GTM, product, and design, having worked at Headspace for Work on B2B SaaS products that reached over a million users. Today, I work with solopreneurs to unicorn founders - whoever is inspired by a big mission to make the world a better place with their gifts. We work together to cut through blocks and procrastination, so they can learn to lead and create from an effortlessly authentic place. Follow me on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-ziqin-wang/
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E73: Not many know it, but a lot of aspiring business owners run the risk of making expensive mistakes that could put their goals on hold before they ever take off. So, today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares eight important things he learned over eight years of building three businesses from the ground up. He shares how to have an exponential growth mindset, hire carefully, know when to switch between growth and preservation modes and build a strong environment for your company. On today's episode, you'll learn:- Growth vs. Preservation- 8 Truths About Entrepreneurship- The Impact of Hiring the Right PeopleThis episode distills down many years of entrepreneurial experience into one short episode. Don't miss it!***SPONSORS: Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Business Ecosystem: "Your business exists to serve three different stakeholders, vendors, employees, and customers. These there are the critical components of your business ecosystem. And the most ideal scenario is when all three of them win." — Yong-Soo Chung (13:15)Business Growth Mindsets: "You can think of business growth as either incremental or exponential." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:46)*** LINKS: How to Hire the Best Operators for Your Personal HoldCoI – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCoJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Yong-Soo Chung (@yongsoochung) is a champion of the Personal Holding Company: he owns several businesses, a media company, eCommerce, and a service provider among them. How does one stay sane with that much work in such diverse fields? He shares his survival framework and much more on the show today.I talk to Yong-Soo about hiring the right people to operate your business once it's outgrown you, if he would ever sell his money-making assets, and just how important it is to have your own distinct voice in a world full of best practices.Looking to hire an operator for your business? Start a few more companies? Become better at juggling multiple hats? This one is for you!Yong-Soo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yongsoochung00:00:00 Juggling Multiple Passion-Based Businesses00:14:26 Building and Nurturing Exceptional Talent00:20:55 Lessons Learned From Starting Projects00:30:23 Exploring Audio-First and Video Formats00:35:16 Podcast and Newsletter Strategy Optimization00:45:47 Navigating Social Media Self-IdentityThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.comThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/yong-soo-chung-surviving-serial-entrepreneurship/ The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/296-yong-soo-chung-surviving-serial-entrepreneurshipThe video: https://youtu.be/Q9oQdvSxZXsYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw (00:00) - Juggling Multiple Passion-Based Businesses (14:26) - Building and Nurturing Exceptional Talent (20:55) - Lessons Learned From Starting Projects (30:23) - Exploring Audio-First and Video Formats (35:16) - Podcast and Newsletter Strategy Optimization (45:47) - Navigating Social Media Self-Identity
In this episode, we discuss Personal Holding Companies (PHCs) that center on your personal interests, passions, and lifestyle. Yong-Soo shares his experiences and provides practical advice on how anyone can take a similar path. We also cover trends like AI and the development of healthy habits. The main takeaway from this discussion is that aligning your personal and business interests is very possible. GUEST Yong-Soo is a serial entrepreneur bootstrapping his business from $0 to $20m in over 8 years. LINKS First Class Founders Twitter CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - PHC Philosophy 03:13 - New Playbook 05:43 - Audience Building 13:53 - Trends 18:19 - Habits PODCAST The Karnjanaprakorn Show is a journey into living a fulfilling life across all areas. I'm known to many as the founder of Skillshare or Otis. As I approached my 40th birthday, I experienced a mid-life transition and took a year-long sabbatical. This period led me to reassess my priorities. I realized that aspects I once valued — success, status, wealth — weren't as fulfilling and were detracting from other areas of my life, such as health and relationships. This insight prompted me to explore my passions and interests beyond work, including running, philosophy, and exploring the unknown, whether in the form of new ideas, people, or experiences. I look for novel ideas and share them through this podcast so join me on this journey! HOST Michael's newsletter Twitter
Welcome back to another episode of the Send & Grow podcast. This week, SparkLoop's Dylan Redekop chats with Yong-Soo Chung, the visionary behind First Class Founders – a cutting-edge platform designed to intertwine the creative and entrepreneurial spirits.Yong-Soo, a serial entrepreneur, has embarked on a journey from owning several businesses to launching First Class Founders. His innovative approach bridges the gap between content creation and business operation, aiming to equip the next generation of creators-turned-company founders.In this episode, Dylan & Yong-Soo discuss…The Evolution of Creators into Entrepreneurs: Why the future belongs to those who can blend creativity with business.Building in Public: Why Yong-Soo is building First Class Founders in public—and if you should do it too.The Synergy between Newsletters and Podcasts: How leveraging one boosts the other, and how to execute it.Growth Levers for Newsletters: Learn Yong-Soo's Five Growth Levers on scaling your audience & newseltter.Predictions for the Newsletter Space: What's next for newsletters? Yong-Soo shares his bold predictions for the industry....and much more!Other Links MentionedFirst Class Founders newsletterFirst Class Founders podcast Yong-Soo on Twitter/XYong-Soo on LinkedInDylan on Twitter/XSparkLoop.appSparkLoop's Paid RecommendationsSparkLoop Partner Programs
E3: What would your life look like if you could build multi-million dollar businesses around the things you love and hobbies you can't get enough of?How much more joy would you have if you could tie your financial freedom to your personal passions.Is it even possible? And if so, how should you get started?Join host Jake Richards (@JakeMRichards) as he sits down with personal holding company expert Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung).From a humble start sleeping on an air mattress in his friend's San Francisco apartment, to building what he calls a “lifestyle business on steroids”, Yong-Soo has transformed his hobbies into a staggering $6.5 million annual revenue business portfolio.Discover his innovative strategies for turning everyday passions into a thriving Personal Holding Company, and learn how you can do the same.Topics discussed:The Personal Holding Company philosophyWhy solopreneurship is a bad idea and what to do insteadHow to turn your business cost centres into profit centresMastering Yong-Soo's proprietary MAPS framework for scaling business successHow to spot and ride emerging macro trends to launch profit maximising companiesDesigning your own unconventional path to turn your hobbies into multi-million dollar businessesA little known credit card cash back strategy Yong-Soo is using to generate $120,000 in yearly tax-free incomeThis episode is a must listen for any Personal HoldCo. curious entrepreneur, as well as any individual who wants to build a successful business around their life and not the other way around.Follow along on my SMB journey:Twitter @JakeMRichardsSign up to the Salary to CEO Newsletter to catch exclusive behind the scenes content, small business tips and reminders when each episode releases:https://salarytoceo.beehiiv.com/subscribe
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E67: What if I told you hiring the right operator for your PHC could supercharge your business? But get it wrong, and it could all go up in flames. Even worse, it could get swiped right from under you. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But believe me, I've lived that story. I've spent the last four years taking notes, testing strategies, and refining my hiring process. On today's episode, I can finally say that I know how to hire the right operator. It's a delicate balance because you need someone who's fiercely independent, but at the same time, unwaveringly loyal to you. I will also share timeless lessons and tactical tips that will help you navigate the complex landscape of hiring an operator and building a successful business. On today's episode, you'll learn:- Irony of Hiring a Great Operator- How to Identify a Great Operator- The Two Paths of Hiring an Operator- The Pros and Cons of Both Hiring Paths This episode is a real game-changer!***SPONSORS: Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Entrepreneurial Spirit in Business Operations: "Because I want the operator to feel a degree of ownership of the business they're handling. Yeah. I chose my words carefully there. I want them to feel a degree of ownership, but at the same time, I also want them to be fiercely loyal to me." — Yong-Soo Chung (05:03)Employee Profit Sharing and Loyalty: "I found that implementing a profit sharing program enhances the sense of autonomy, ownership, and loyalty almost instantly. Because I am, in fact, directly giving them a part of my business's success. Because I am, in fact, directly aligning incentives to benefit everyone involved in the business." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:35)*** LINKS: I – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCoJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
In today's episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin speaks with Yong-Soo Chung, Founder and CEO of First Class Founders and GrowthJet, and more. The episode provides insights into Yong-Soo's entrepreneurial journey, shedding light on his successful e-commerce ventures and innovative approach in the third-party logistics (3PL) sector. Be sure to tune into this informative and inspirational episode. Utilize our 3PL fulfillment services for all of your logistical needs. Email Kevin directly at kevin@thenewwarehouse.com Free floor tape and floor sign samples from Mighty Line! Get yours here.Follow us on LinkedIn here for more content.Support the show
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours.I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I need to work on depending on the stage of my business. I wish that someone had taught me this framework 8 years ago when I first launched my first business. On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Delegate Properly- 3 Stages of Growth for Every Business- How to Promote a Culture of Ownership- What Systems You Need to Scale Your Business This episode distills down many years of my own entrepreneurial experience into one short episode. Don't miss it!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Business Growth Phases: "In the 1st phase, you were a newborn, an infant, a toddler, flailing and grasping at everything and trying to gain a basic understanding of your business. In the 2nd phase, you're a child, making friends and allies and building relationships with the people around you, which means now it is time for you to grow, both literally and figuratively." — Yong-Soo Chung (18:28)Building an Ownership Culture: "Each employee should believe that they own a certain part of your business, and they are a 100% responsible for that part of the business. Just make sure that you aren't causing any decision making bottlenecks at the company when you do this." — Yong-Soo Chung (25:52)*** LINKS: Episode 25 - How To Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Million-Dollar Business as a CreatorJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week!I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's (@BrandonCWhite) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hours! We dove deep into several topics including the inflection points of my own entrepreneurial journey. We also went into depth about Personal Holding Companies and how Brandon essentially has one himself!This episode brings actionable insights on audience building, creating irresistible product offers, and achieving success in the midst of uncertainty.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Importance of Networking in Business- The Importance of Building Trust Online- How to Build a Personal Holding Company- Social Media Strategies for Business GrowthThis episode is not to be missed!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Importance of Delegation in Entrepreneurship: "You're monitoring, but you and you're there in case they need to. They need you for something, but you're not in the day-to-day operations, and that's where you wanna be ultimately." — Yong-Soo Chung (38:14)Building Trust Online: "Building trust is probably the hardest thing to do online right now because there's a lot of crazy people out there, and, they're all saying crazy stuff. And if you can build trust, that will make it so much easier for you. It just open a lot of doors." — Yong-Soo Chung (01:51:20)*** LINKS: The Brandon White ShowJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Yong-Soo Chung always knew he wanted to own a business. While working on Wall Street, he dreamed of running a hedge fund. When he left finance and bought a one-way ticket to California, his dream of owning a business remained unchanged, but the product he offered shifted. Since 2015, Yong-Soo has founded three companies: Urban EDC, a carry gear brand; Growth Jet, a third-party logistics provider; and Spotted By Humphrey, a curated dog boutique.
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban EDC. He shares his invaluable insights and practical advice on identifying micro and macro forces to help you succeed, validating business ideas, and creating your luck in entrepreneurship.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Finding Your Niche- How to Turn Passion into Profession- How to Identify Micro and Macro Forces- Importance of Leveraging Social PlatformsThis episode is a real game-changer!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order. ***EXCERPTS:Economic Forces and Personal Development: "Micro forces are internal motivations that add up over time and space to give you direction. Macro forces on the other hand are beyond your control and determine how much momentum your idea will have when you launch it." — Yong-Soo Chung (03:32)Identifying Personal Entrepreneurial Opportunities: "Because what you buy is often a pretty good indicator of what might make a good entrepreneurial venture for you... Money and time are the two resources that determine literally everything about our lives. So ask yourself, what do I spend my free time doing? Chances are the answer to this question will intersect a lot with your credit card statement." — Yong-Soo Chung (06:07)*** LINKS: Episode 25 - How To Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Million-Dollar Business as a CreatorJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey. Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with the amazing Parker Worth (@worth_parker), who went from being dead broke to launching a storytelling course that earned him an amazing $22,000! He shared invaluable tips and tricks that are guaranteed to skyrocket your approach to building your brand's story.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Art of Storytelling- Power of Personal Network- How to Use Storytelling for Business - How to Create Genuine Relationships OnlineTrust me, this episode is the real deal.***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Power of Storytelling: "So it's like this multicentral, multidimensional skill that not only applies to communication, but in business. It's in marketing. It's in education. It's literally everywhere and it's a skill that overlaps into everything." — Parker Worth (04:42)The Essence of Storytelling: "A story requires both a speaker and a listener, the storyteller and an audience." — Yong-Soo Chung (23:02)*** LINKS: Episode 39 - $250 Million Dollars in Sales: Colin Chung's Copywriting Secrets RevealedParkerWorth.comJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
What does it take to become an entrepreneur? Host Michelle Thames speaks with serial entrepreneur Yong-Soo Chung about how he left the corporate world to pursue his passion of entrepreneurship. Yong-Soo shares the secrets to his business success, how he scaled, and how he balances being hands-on with delegating to his team. Yong-Soo is a Serial Entrepreneur and Creator of First Class Founders, a weekly business podcast for creative entrepreneurs. Yong-Soo left his cushy 9-5 job as a Software Engineer in 2015 to launch Urban EDC, an e-commerce shop selling everyday carry gear. Then, he started an online dog boutique Spotted By Humphrey with his wife and French bulldog Humphrey, Chief Barketing Officer with over 150,000 followers across all social channels. In 2019, Yong-Soo launched a Climate-Neutral Certified 3PL for emerging e-commerce brands with a 39,000 sq ft warehouse. His businesses have done over $20 million in 8 years.--Catch up on other podcast episodes on Apple and SpotifyWatch the Social Media Decoded Podcast on YouTubeFollow Michelle on InstagramJoin Michelle's Cashflow Queens Facebook groupLeave a review for Social Media Decoded Support the show
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth?It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some haters throwing shade. Here's the fun bit: I know exactly why that post resonated.Today, I'm diving deep into the topic of finding your niche and how it can skyrocket your audience growth. I'll be sharing my journey and the three-step process I used to discover my niche, gain a 25% jump in my audience in just nine days, and establish myself as an authority in my field.On today's episode, you'll learn:- How to Find Your Niche- How to Leverage Your Expertise- Understand Niche Demand and SupplyThis episode is a solo journey of discovery!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Finding Your Niche: "It's one thing to build up expertise in a subject and another thing entirely to be acknowledged as the expert." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:54)Building Trust: "The secret ingredient here, and really isn't a secret to be honest, is trust." — Yong-Soo Chung (09:33)*** LINKS: Episode 53 - The Rise of Personal Holding Companies: Exploring the Future of EntrepreneurshipJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Yong-Soo is a Serial Entrepreneur and Creator of First Class Founders, a weekly business podcast for founders & creators. Yong-Soo launched Urban EDC in 2015, an e-commerce shop selling everyday carry gear. Then, he started an online dog boutique Spotted By Humphrey with his wife and French bulldog Humphrey, Chief Barketing Officer with over 150,000 followers across all social channels. In 2019, Yong-Soo launched a Climate-Neutral Certified 3PL for emerging e-commerce brands with a 39,000 sq ft warehouse. His businesses have done over $20 million in 8 years. Now, he's on a mission to impact one million entrepreneurs through his new venture, First Class Founders, a weekly podcast sharing his lessons on building a sustainable, bootstrapped company to 8-figures in annual revenue. Key Moments [03:44] Starting at the bottom, struggled with finances. [09:14] Got a lease for unique warehouse workspace. [11:13] Embracing change and seeking new opportunities always. [13:43] Unwavering belief in a positive future ahead. Find Yongo-Soo Online https://X.com/YongSooChung https://FirstClassFounders.com https://UrbanEDC.com https://SpottedByHumphrey.com https://GrowthJet.com If you're enjoying Entrepreneur's Enigma, please give us a review on the podcast directory of your choice. We're on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. GoodPods: https://gmwd.us/goodpods iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser Also, if you're getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://gmwd.us/buy-me-a-coffee Follow Seth Online: Seth | Digital Marketer (@s3th.me) • Instagram: Instagram.com/s3th.me Seth Goldstein | LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/sethmgoldstein Seth On Mastodon: https://s3th.me/pch Seth's Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Building a personal holding company is as old as Warren Buffet and as new as AI these days. Yong-Soo shares how he grew his personal holding company to $20 million in revenue in 8 years and how you can do it too.LINKS First Class Foundershttps://firstclassfounder.com ABOUT YONG-SOO CHUNGYong-Soo is a serial entrepreneur bootstrapping his business from $0 to $20m in over 8 years. Now, he's on a mission to help founders and creators build an audience, create irresistible product offers, and grow their business sustainably. CONNECT WITH US Claim Your Weekly EDGE Newsletter. It's FREE.Written by Brandon with insights giving you an edge to win in your business and your life. Over 24,200 listeners and counting!-> https://edge.ck.page/bea5b3fda6 OTHER GREAT PODCASTS ON THE THE BEST PODCASTS NETWORK Danielle & Brandon Show All about owning a businesshttps://OnBusinessPodcast.com MARKETING PodcastMarketing science revealing successful marketing. https://PodcastOnMarketing.com 401k Plans PodcastSet up and run your company's 401k retirement savings plans correctly.https://401kplanspodcast.com Car Accident Lawyer PodcastBest lawyer advice.https://caraccidentlawyerpodcast.com PRODUCTIVITYTips.https://productivitypodcast.buzzsprout.com podcast for entrepreneurs...
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that! Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong.Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs!When I started my podcast journey, everyone around me had advice. Most said, "Save your money on production." But, call me crazy, I ignored them! I poured everything into 57 episodes, investing in the quality of the show.Today, I'm revealing 30 lessons I learned growing my podcast over the past year into 5 Pillars of Podcasting.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The 5 Pillars of Podcasting- Paid Advertising vs. Organic Marketing- How to Choose the Right Guests for Your Podcast- Why 'Packaging' an Episode is More Important Than You ThinkLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.AppSumo - Search for "SendNow" and grab the Black Friday exclusive offer. Don't let this opportunity slip away!***EXCERPTS:How I Create Content: "Writing my episodes helps me express my thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Basically, write the script as if you're writing a screenplay, because you will essentially be using the script to perform it on the mic when you record it." — Yong-Soo Chung (09:55)Power of Podcast Listeners: "In all this time I have been podcasting, I have noticed that podcast listeners are some of the most dedicated, loyal, and attentive listeners I've come across. They're incredibly tuned into everything you say." — Yong-Soo Chung (20:10)*** LINKS: How I Stacked 5 Growth Levers to Grow My Newsletter to 10,000 SubscribersJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing
In this podcast episode, Tim interviews Yong-Soo Chung about the concept of building a personal holding company. They discuss how a personal holding companies involve turning hobbies into projects and eventually businesses. The concept is similar to a lifestyle business, where individuals can have multiple businesses based on their interests. They talk about the differences between different forms of leverage and how anyone can now build a company using digital leverage. Follow Tim on Twitter Follow Yong-Soo Chung on Twitter First Class Founders Your personal assistant to grow & monetize your
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E56: Growing a newsletter is no cakewalk.There's the initial phase where growth is slow, and every subscriber feels like a hard-fought battle. Not to mention, the emotional and physical toll of relentless hours, strategizing, and moments of utter despair and frustration. The market is crowded, and it's tough to stand out.How do you gain traction and grow your newsletter?In today's episode, there's no guest. It's just me (@YongSooChung) and you. It's intimate, personal, and raw. A solo flight into the heart of what it takes to make a digital business succeed. I'll share with you the strategies I applied, the mistakes I made, and the key insights that you can take away. On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Power of a Referral Program- 5 Growth Levers of Digital Businesses- Mastering the Art of Cross-Promotions- How to Create Your Own Growth FlywheelLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Growth Lever Strategies for Digital Businesses: "The key is to know when to use which growth lever." — Yong-Soo Chung (04:14)The Power of Incentives in a Referral Program: "Incentivizing your subscribers to bring in more subscribers is a great way to rapidly increase your subscriber numbers." — Yong-Soo Chung (20:34)*** LINKS: Episode 28Episode 44JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Welcome to another episode of the Build In Public Podcast.Today's episode features serial entrepreneur Yong-Soo Chung, who has bootstrapped his Personal Holding Company to near 8-figures in annual revenue over the past 8 years.In this interview, KP and Yong-Soo covered a spectrum of topics, exploring Yong-Soo's journey and providing their insights on:● Intro (00:00)● Identifying your content niche on X/Linkedin (04:31)● Pit stops along the journey (09:48)● Conviction from experience (14:12)● Yong-Soo's founder journey (18:02)● Balancing the operations of various diverse portfolio (36:17)● The I, We, They Framework of company building (37:49)● Letting go of control to be in control (38:52)● Rapid Fire Round with Yong-Soo Chung (43:21)● Highlight of Yong-Soo's career (49:38)Build In Public Podcast is an interview show where KP chats with ambitious startup founders, CEOs, and top Internet creators to unpack their stories, insights, and lessons.Share your thoughts about this episode.Thanks for listening!Links:Yong-Soo Chung on X: https://twitter.com/YongSooChungPHC Philosophy on X: https://twitter.com/PersonalHoldCoFirst Class Founders Podcast: https://www.firstclassfounders.com/KP on X: https://twitter.com/thisiskp_KP's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarthikPuvvadaKP
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E54:Ever felt like a stranger at a party where everyone else knows each other? That's how Yong-Soo Chung felt when he first ventured onto X. Yong-Soo Chung stepped into X with 400 followers, hoping for connections and recognition. But instead, he found himself feeling isolated and alienated. Moreover, sharing personal tales became a venture fraught with vulnerability and fear of judgment.On today's bonus episode, host Joe Casabona (@jcasabona) unpacks Yong-Soo Chung's (@YongSooChung) journey, from feeling overwhelmed on X to successfully monetizing his hobbies. Not only does he share his story but offers golden nuggets on building relationships, the power of micro-communities, and a peek into X's future.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Importance of Audience Engagement- How to Build Your Audience From Scratch- Social Media Strategies for Business Growth- The Transformative Power of Micro-CommunitiesThis episode is not to be missed!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:Building Relationships: "It's like building those individual relationships over time that compounds." — Yong-Soo Chung (16:20)The Importance of Audience Engagement: "The premise of the show is getting tighter because I know more about my audience. And so that's another important thing to do for people who are, I guess, podcasters is generally, like, you want to continuously hone in on your target avatar and evolve with your audience and evolve this show to serve that audience, but also serve yourself too." — Yong-Soo Chung (40:09)*** LINKS: Spotted by HumphreyJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E53: Have you ever considered setting up a business structure that could save you taxes, protect your assets, and offer countless financial advantages?Picture this. One day, you wake up to see your bank account flooded with cash from your startup's exit. The question isn't about the money anymore; it's about what you do next. Do you jump into another startup, take a sabbatical, become an angel investor, or advise up-and-coming entrepreneurs? I've found a strategy that worked wonders for me even before I hit my jackpot - the Personal Holding Company.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) unveils the magic of the Personal Holding Company. It's not just for the rich and famous. It's a tool that allows you to pursue multiple interests while limiting your liability across your entire business. Find out why the future of entrepreneurship is Personal.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Introduction to PHC Philosophy- Why PHCs are Gaining Popularity- How To Get Started With Your PHCLet's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:The Importance of Entity Structure: "These are basically corporate structuring vehicles to put some distance between you, the person, and the business itself." — Yong-Soo Chung (07:48)Converting Hobbies into Business: "If you manage to convert your hobbies into a business and establish it as an LLC within your Personal Holding Company, suddenly all your hobby-related expenses become business expenses, which means you get to write it all off while filing taxes, and with enough time and dedication, you can create a cash flow positive business out of it." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:20)*** LINKS: Episode 24JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Yong-Soo Chung from FirstClassFounders.com and the host of the First Class Founders podcast.Yong-Soo is a serial entrepreneur bootstrapping his business from nothing to $20m over eight years. Now, he's on a mission to help founders and creators build an audience, create irresistible product offers, and grow their businesses.In this episode, he shares the five growth levers and uses the example of building a newsletter to get specific on each topic.Follow @yongsoochung on X to learn more about Yong-Soo Chung.Join Christina's newsletter for insider tips on growing your business without ads here.Become a contributor to a top website to build your brand with free resources here.Click here to join Christina's 3-hour bootcamp Pitch Publicity Profit. Follow Christina on social media at: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube TikTok If you liked this episode, please subscribe to this podcast to hear more like it. Tell your colleagues, friends, and family… and don't forget to tap that subscribe button. For more podcast episodes, tap here.
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E51: Why is it that the richest people in the world work the same hours as we do, yet they make way more money than we do? What are they doing differently? The answer lies in the concept of leverage.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) takes us on a journey to uncover the secret behind the immense wealth and success of these successful entrepreneurs and reveals how they have been using leverage differently.Get ready to discover how you might be wasting valuable leverage without even realizing it!On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Four Types of Leverage- The Importance of Utilizing Leverage - How to Master the Concept of Leverage- The Power of Leverage in EntrepreneurshipThis episode is not to be missed. Let's get down to business!***SPONSORS: Swell AI - Want a production assistant 24/7? If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.***EXCERPTS:The Power of Code and Media: "The next generation of successful founders will emerge primarily from this permissionless average. The old ways of relying solely on capital and labor for leverage are no longer applicable. New ways to build products using code and media and distribute them to willing consumers." — Yong-Soo Chung (09:24)The Power of Leverage in Entrepreneurship: "My Personal Holding Company is actually the perfect combination of all 4 types of leverage. Capital, Labor, Code, and Media. I use code and media leverage to create my businesses, I use social media to build my brand and find customers for my businesses. Then once my businesses begin taking off, I switched from the solar promotion model and infused the traditional averages of capital and labor to grow them even further. Finally, once they become somewhat sustaining, I find an operator who I can trust to run the business and hand it over." — Yong-Soo Chung (17:43)*** LINKS: Episode 48JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Imagine running a high 7-figure business with over 300,000 followers on social media, then launching a podcast. How many downloads would you expect? 100,000? 150,000? What about…10? We've all been there: we spend a TON of time pouring blood, sweat, and tears into a project just to have it launch to crickets. That's exactly what happened to Yong-Soo Chung with his podcast. Despite the social following, no one cared about his show. But instead of wallowing in self-pity or shutting the show down, Yong-Soo took action. He reactivated his 12-year dormant Twitter account, and started basically from scratch, growing to 20,000 followers in less than a year. Now he has a great process for getting people from Twitter to his newsletter, to his podcast.We'll cover his entire journey and more. Plus, in the PRO show, we exchange notes on our production processes!Life Lessons Have a clearly defined niche, and know how to reach people in that niche. Yong-Soo's initial problem was a mismatch between his businesses and his show. Once he started to find people in the right niche, he started to find listeners. Share personal stories – these are the things that resonate with people, no matter what platform or niche. By being a little vulnerable, people will want to learn more about you and your story. Continuously hone your target avatar and make sure to grow your show to serve your audience and yourself. You need to be interested in the show – after all, that's how you tell a good story. Show Notes Yong-Soo Chung Yong-Soo in Twitter Yong-Soo in Instagram Yong-Soo in Linkedin Using AI to Craft a Listener Avatar Want People to Find Your Podcast? Do More Than Just Tweet with Deirdre Tshien Sponsored by: Hostinger | Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by: Hostinger: Get 10% off + 2 months free with code BUILD Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book. Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONA ★ Support this podcast ★
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E49: Have you ever wondered why your content isn't hitting the mark? You're putting in all the hard work, creating content day in and day out, yet it feels like you're just shouting into the wind. Frustrating, right?I get it. Because I've been there. I thought that just putting out great content would be enough to make me a success. But boy, was I wrong! I soon found myself posting into the void, while other creators seemingly effortlessly thrived. It was disheartening, to say the least.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) is taking a deep dive into his journey as a content creator. He will be sharing his six mistakes and explaining how you can avoid them.On today's episode, you'll learn:- The Importance of Building a Personal Brand - How to Build Trust, Credibility, and Connection- Building a Targeted Audience and Refining ContentLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:The Power of Networks: "Every creator must build a strong connection with both their followers and their network of like-minded creators to boost their content." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:41)The Power of Mentors: "Over the course of my creator journey, I connected with several creators, many of whom became my mentors. I learned a lot from them and absorbed a lot of their knowledge and teachings. Even today, I constantly refer back to them and their words in my episodes and newsletters. Their words form the foundation of a lot of my ideas and beliefs, but that's the thing they're supposed to provide me with, just the foundation." — Yong-Soo Chung (24:00)*** LINKS: Episode 36Episode 45JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Yong-Soo Chung is a multi hyphenate eCommerce professional to the core. He is a serial entrepreneur, podcaster, and the founder of multiple online retail stores and a third party logistics company called Growth Jet. His online retail stores include Spotted by Humphrey, which sells accessories and items for dogs, and Urban EDC, which sells boutique everyday carry items like wallets, knives, lighters, etc. On this episode, Yong-Soo and I talk about his online retail stores, the value of catering to a niche market, some of the regulations required in third party logistics, and much more.
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E47: Have you ever wondered how some creators and entrepreneurs seem to achieve incredible results effortlessly while others struggle to gain traction? The answer lies in a concept that has revolutionized my approach to business – the Flywheel Effect.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) dives deep into the concept of a flywheel and why every creator needs 3 types of flywheels in their business.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Three Types of Flywheels for Creators- How to Build an Audience Growth Flywheel- How to Create Endless Amount of Content via Flywheel- How the Flywheel Effect Leads to Momentum and LeverageLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:Building Your Audience First: "I emphasize the need to build your audience before designing or building your product. Once you have built up your audience, you can begin to create a product for your audience's pain points. And how do you create your first product? You need to know your audience inside out. Your product needs to cater to the desires and pain points of your audience." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:51)The Flywheel Effect: "As we grow the social media, the access to guests increases. As we have larger and larger guests, the threads that we write on social media to promote the episode get more eyeballs because people want to learn lessons from those people that you had on the show. And so it becomes a flywheel of growing better guests. Those guests grow the podcast, and it just keeps feeding off itself. And that's the flywheel as a creator and a podcaster or a creator and a YouTube." — Clint Murphy (10:47)*** LINKS: Episode 24Episode 36Episode 39Episode 41JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E45: Have you ever wondered what sets successful founders and creators apart from the rest? The reality is, many budding entrepreneurs grapple with uncertainty, indecision, and the fear of failure. It's like navigating a maze blindfolded. Entrepreneurship isn't a walk in the park. It's a rollercoaster ride filled with challenges, doubts, and uncertainties. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares his hard-earned insights, drawn from his own experience and other creators he's studied over the past year.On today's episode, you'll learn:- Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Power of Deliberate Practice and Improvement- Closely Monitoring Distribution Strategies for Content- Clear Strategy for Attracting and Engaging Your Ideal AudienceLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:The Benefit of Deliberate Practice: "Simple practice does help you get better, but deliberate practice is where the true results reveal themselves." — Yong-Soo Chung (06:46)The Importance of Content Distribution: "Create momentum within one platform before expanding onto others. This will make it easier to snowball your audience onto other platforms later. Think about distributing your content through both depth and width. When you're ready to expand, you'll be prepared to boost your distribution even further." — Yong-Soo Chung (22:12)*** TOPICS:- The Power of Consistency- Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Art of Building an Audience in Public- How to Create Your Own Luck*** LINKS: Episode 26Episode 32Episode 36Episode 37Episode 42JOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E43: 'X' formerly known as Twitter, has a new rival in town.Led by Mark Zuckerberg, Threads has taken the world by storm, and while the initial rush has died down a bit, its impressive launch is worth a deeper dive.A platform where conversations feel more personal, intimate, and casual, like catching up with an old friend over coffee. That's exactly what Threads brings to the table. And believe me, it's a game-changer!On today's episode, you'll learn:Distinguishing Features of ThreadsSimilarities and Differences Between Other PlatformsHow to Leverage Threads to Build Deeper ConnectionsMy Own Predictions on the Future of Meta and ThreadsLet's get down to business!***SPONSOR: Big thanks to Swell AI for sponsoring this episode. Swell AI is like having a production assistant 24/7. If you're a content creator, do yourself a favor and try Swell AI.***EXCERPTS:Simplicity and Culture: "The simplicity of Threads help not only attract people from Twitter, but also ease them onto a new platform. The fact that it was incredibly similar in look and feel to Twitter was especially a genius move in my opinion." — Yong-Soo Chung (13:45)The Next Big Social Media Platform: "So, if you're looking for a social media platform that offers simplicity and a chill vibe, Threads may just be the next big thing. Embrace this new space, rewrite your content with reduced bragging and increased authenticity, and watch your engagement soar. Let's leave behind the negativity and focus on the good bits as creators and founders. Threads is here to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate. Don't miss out on being a part of this exciting journey." — Yong-Soo Chung (14:06)*** TOPICS:- Emphasizing the Importance of Building on Existing Successful Platforms- Culture and Authenticity on Threads- How to Focus on Authenticity and Openness on Threads- Growth Strategies and Building an Audience on Threads- Using Threads to Drive Traffic to Other Platforms- Leveraging Popular Creators' AudiencesJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Yong Soo Chung is an eCommerce and sustainable business expert. Yong Soo left a successful career in cryptocurrency software engineering to found his first 8-figure e-commerce business Urban EDC, a venture with an impressive social media following. He then went on to launch GrowthJet, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company. Yong Soo is passionate about sharing his experiences with other entrepreneurs so they can start companies that are both profitable and sustainable. Powerful Moments From The Episode 00:00:00 - M.A.P.S. (Mindset, Audience, Product, Scale) 00:00:41 - Introducing Yong Soo Chung 00:01:30 - Living with Coolio 00:04:16 - How & Why Yong Founded His First Startup, “Urban EDC” 00:16:26 - Raising Capital For Your First Startup 00:19:11 - How Yong Makes $300k/Month Working 1 Hour A Day 00:22:32 - Join the Tribe of Millionaires today! 00:25:03 - Delegating Your Tasks (When & Who) 00:29:43 - Banned from Facebook Ads For Selling Knives 00:33:57 - Yong's Celebirity Dog & E-Commerce Store (Spotted By Humphrey) 00:39:06 - Building a Company Brand vs. Personal Brand 00:41:43 - How to Grow an Audience on Social Media 00:49:16 - The M.A.P.S. Framework 00:52:49 - Talking GrowthJet (Climate Neutral Certified Logistics Company) 00:55:31 - Climate Neutral Certifications 01:00:35 - Are entrepreneurs born or bred? 01:04:35 - The First Class Founders Podcast Connect with Yong Twitter @YongSooChung Podcast https://www.firstclassfounders.com/ Learn More About Our Tribe! https://www.gobundance.com Want to watch the Tribe of Millionaires? YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbczkBHANH9ULLQiSt56bQA/ Watch How To Profit From Your Personal Brand | Mark Lack Ep 241 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLYFjltV69s Want to connect with our community? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobundance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gobundance Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoBundance Tribe of Millionaires Podcast by GoBundance is the podcast for healthy wealthy generous people who choose to live epic lives. Each week we connect with featured guests and GoBundance members to bring you the best in our community.
Yong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur who founded an e-commerce brand called Urban EDC in 2015 from his one bedroom apartment in San Francisco after leaving his job as a Software Engineer at Ripple, a cryptocurrency startup in Silicon Valley. He then launched GrowthJet in 2019, a Climate Neutral Certified third party logistics company, from a second floor dance studio in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco. Now, he's on a mission to impact one million entrepreneurs through his new venture, First Class Founders, a weekly podcast sharing his lessons on building a sustainable, bootstrapped company to 8-figures in annual revenue. He and his wife Sandy are also proud dog parents to two French bulldogs named Humphrey & Pota, who have over 150,000 followers across all social channels. Sandy, his business and life partner, also own a dog boutique called Spotted By Humphrey.
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo
E35: Today, I am sharing my learnings growing my newsletter. I'll tell you five key lessons from my journey to getting 3,000 subscribers in just 5 months for the First Class Founders newsletter so that you don't have make costly mistakes.I'll lay out specific and actionable tips about what to look for while promoting your newsletter, how to spend your money wisely, where to spend your money wisely, and the one thing you need to have in your branding and messaging.Let's get down to business!***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.fm to record all guest interviews. Try it out 100% free here and when you're ready, use the code FIRSTCLASS to get 20% off any paid plan.***EXCERPTS:Cross Promotions: "Trying to cross promote your newsletter before reaching 3, 000 subscribers doesn't result in a big uptick in your subscriber numbers."— Yong-Soo Chung (13:09)Swapping Recommendations: "Swapping recommendations helps your newsletter grow rapidly because you're no longer constrained by the same constraints that applied when you were doing cross promos."— Yong-Soo Chung (15:28)*** TOPICS:[00:05:48] Growing via Twitter ads.[00:07:19] How to auto-DM your followers.[00:13:09] Cross-promotions not effective before 3k subscribers.[00:14:50] Swapping recommendations is magical.[00:19:24] Beehiiv Boosts: New channel for growth?[00:24:02] Consistency in voice, branding, and messaging.[00:29:34] Bonus lesson: Build in public.*** LINKS: Episode 22 - Newsletter Success Launch Plan: 4 Effective Strategies to Kickstart Your NewsletterEpisode 23 - Grow Your Newsletter Fast: Secrets to Skyrocketing Your SubscribersEpisode 27 - 10 Powerful Tools to Boost Your Newsletter GrowthJOIN: First Class Founders Premium MembershipDOWNLOAD: Hyper-Visuals For Our Episodes (Free)***FOLLOW / REVIEW:- Follow - Leave 5-star review***CONNECT W/ YONG-SOO:- X- Threads- LinkedIn- Newsletter***First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc. Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more. Episode you might like:Future of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry...
Do you have a business idea but you're scared to make the jump? Yong-Soo Chung started as a software engineer with a crypto company, but eventually decided to make the entrepreneurial leap. He has since started several businesses and has TONS of tips for anyone that is longing to make the transition from the 9 to 5 to entrepreneurship. As Wojo states in the episode, this interview is saturated with golden nuggets. Here's just SOME of what Yong-Soo covers: How to commit to your business and let go of your old identity that you had in your 9 to 5 How discovering what's missing in the industry you love can help you spawn an in-demand business How sharing your values openly can attract the perfect customers and repel problematic ones And then some. So if you're a new or aspiring entrepreneur or you're looking to branch out into a second, third, or fourth business, get ready to learn from a business starting master!
This week on EDC Unlocked we are talking to Yong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban EDC Supply. Yong-Soo started Urban EDC Supply back in 2015 and it's grown into the largest everyday carry eCommerce brand of its kind. It's an EDC gear brand that Ian and I really look up to, and so we are very excited to have him on EDC Unlocked. He's created something very unique with Urban EDC Supply, and has collaborated with some of the most impressive individuals and companies in the space, to curate a collection of some of the very best EDC gear. In this episode we discuss:- How Urban EDC Supply was born and Yong-Soo Chung's journey from software engineer in the blockchain industry to starting his own EDC gear eCommerce brand- His experience of the EDC community and how it's changed and evolved over the last 8 years- How Urban EDC supply has adapted as the EDC market has evolved- His vision for Urban EDC supply, from when it was first created, and the core pillars of the brand when it comes to EDC gear- PLUS, he answers YOUR questions, exclusively revealing how to get your hands on early drops of the EDC gear you're after, the story behind their signature motif, the process behind their collabs, plus the EDC gear that he himself carries and what he finds in his pockets….Plus, much more… If you enjoy this episode featuring Yong-Soo Chung and Urban EDC Supply, please follow, rate and review the podcast and share it on your socials - at the moment this is a limited mini-series but if you love it and want to see more, we would love to bring you a series 2! And if you want to engage with our brand on a deeper level, we have our own Holme & Hadfield Facebook community of EDC gear enthusiasts, where we give members up to 35% off new product launches and do regular free product giveaways. We also always ask this community for feedback throughout our product development phase, so they get a sneak peak of new ideas and the opportunity to have a massive say in the direction of our business and our product design choices. In fact, the only reason we are doing this podcast is because they told us it was a good idea! If you want to join, please request here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/431190052165494/ And to view our product catalogue and what we have to offer, please go to www.holmeandhadfield.com - we promise to debunk the myth that men are hard to buy for! Amazon store - https://links.holmeandhadfield.com/store Instagram - www.instagram.com/holmeandhadfield TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@holmeandhadfield If you want to connect with Yong-Soo Chung himself, you can find him at instagram.com/yongsoochung or you can follow Urban EDC Supply at instagram.com/urbanedcsupply and browse their EDC gear at urbanedcsupply.com
Yong-Soo Chung always knew he wanted to own a business. While working on Wall Street, he dreamed of running a hedge fund. When he left finance and bought a one-way ticket to California, his dream of owning a business remained unchanged, but the product he offered shifted. Since 2015, Yong-Soo has founded three companies: Urban EDC, a carry gear brand; Growth Jet, a third-party logistics provider; and Spotted By Humphrey, a curated dog boutique.
Brian chats with Yong-Soo Chung, a serial entrepreneur who founded three e-commerce companies in the span of seven years. With his latest venture, the podcast First Class Founders, Yong-Soo is on a mission to impact entrepreneurs by sharing his lessons on building sustainable businesses from bootstrap to earning more than $1 million in annual revenue. On the episode, Yong-Soo shares his three pillars for a successful business and fulfilling life. He also discusses the importance of listening to your intuition and taking advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses do more than make money. Yong-Soo defines a mission-driven business as one that has an intention or purpose beyond making money. Whether it's helping a community or donating a percentage of profits to a cause, mission-driven businesses do activities for a bigger purpose. "The way I like to put it is when you're living, money is like oxygen, so you need money to survive,” Yong-Soo explained. “But it's not like you're living your life to breathe, right? That's the kind of way that I like to look at it." Root yourself in a city that supports your growth. Before becoming a serial entrepreneur, Yong-Soo worked in finance in New York City. Following his intuition, Yong-Soo decided to take his life in a new direction by moving to San Francisco and pursuing his own business. “What I was doing didn't feel like something that would fulfill me 5 or 10 years down the line,” Yong-Soo said. “I knew that it was like a bandage that just needed to be ripped off, and I just needed to essentially start over in a new area.” The move was difficult but allowed him to meet people with similar goals and discover opportunities he would have never known existed. His personal values and vision for the future were key in deciding which city to live in and which opportunities to pursue. “New York City is obviously a fantastic city for opportunities, but it didn't serve what I wanted to do 5 to 10 years down the line,” Yong-Soo said “Being rooted in an area that you want to compound yourself in all areas of your life is really the key.” Three steps to live your best life. Yong-Soo lists three simple but impactful actions to live your best life: Focus on what you can control. Focus on what you do have. Do not dwell on the past. “The chances of an app succeeding in a big way was very small, but it's more about the learning process and the lessons you're going to learn along the way,” Song-Yoon said. “That's where the gems and the valuable lessons come from.” Resources + Links First Class Founders: Website, Podcast Spotted by Humphrey: Website, Instagram Urban EDC: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok Growth Jet: Website, Instagram Yong-Soo's Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok Brian's Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and certified financial planner who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Yong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur bootstrapping his business from $0 to $20m in just over 8 years. Now, he's on a mission to help founders & creators build an audience, create irresistible product offers, and grow their businesses sustainably. In this episode, you will hear: A successful mindset behind a career shift Clear steps to mapping your success Yong-Soo's journey to becoming an entrepreneur “Every single experience you've had in the past shapes who you are in this present moment,” said Yong-Soo, touching on the fear of changing careers. After establishing a career in finance, Yong-Soo bought a one-way ticket to San Francisco to try his hand at a start-up and see if the life of an entrepreneur was the right path for him. He found success in not just one but two businesses. Now, he is the host of a newly launched podcast on a mission to share his strategy and see other entrepreneurs succeed. Learn more about Yong-Soo and the First Class Founders podcast. Follow us for more Inspiration at: Facebook: Vela Creative Co. Instagram: @velacreativeco Website: www.velacreativeco.com Host: Kelsey Stine Produced by: Vela Creative Co. Credits: Production & Editing by Sarah Miller, Kelsey Stine, and Trevor Stine
Yong-Soo is the Founder & CEO of Urban EDC and GrowthJet, a climate-neutral certified 3PL for fast-growing e-commerce brands. He also has a French bulldog named Spotted Humphrey who has over 150k followers across all social platforms. He and his wife launched a dog boutique called Spotted By Humphrey with Humphrey as Chief Barking Officer. Yong-Soo also recently launched a new podcast called First Class Founders where he shares his entrepreneurial experiences as a 3X Founder. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[00:51] Talking about Spotted Humphrey[02:20] What Yong-Soo is up to these days[05:28] The idea and genesis of Urban EDC[07:28] Validating an idea if it's viable as a business[08:34] Realizing that the business is scalable[10:33] Traditional vs the “drop” model[12:47] How getting banned on FB ads became an asset[14:12] Sponsor: Electric Eye electriceye.io/connect[15:09] Sponsor: JSON-LD For SEO jsonld.app[16:26] Sponsor: Retention.com retention.com/honest[17:18] The greatest asset for Urban EDC: Email list[18:18] Urban EDC's series of email flows[20:18] Yamato Club: Urban EC's paid membership[24:29] First Class Founders: Yong-Soo's podcast[25:33] Don't waste resources on something tractionless[26:00] Consistency is really important[26:40] Where to find Yong-Soo and Urban EDCResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeA purveyor of artisan crafted everyday carry gear urbanedcsupply.comGrow your Ecommerce business without sacrificing the planet growthjet.comLearn proven strategies to start & grow your online business each week firstclassfounders.comConnect with Yong-Soo @YongSooChungSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectGet your free structured data audit for your store jsonld.appBook your demo today and get 20% off the annual commitment fee retention.com/honestIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!
Today on Hustling Sideways, Allen Halas and Jim Love talk to former software engineer turned serial entrepreneur, Yong-Soo Chung. Since working in finance and at a crypto startup, Yong-Soo transitioned to form Urban EDC Supply, an online boutique, as well as shipping company GrowthJet, and hosts his own podcast, First Class Founders. We learn about the San Francisco-based startup culture that he entered after college, and how that ultimately pushed him to pursue his own endeavors that he was passionate about. You can follow Yong-Soo Chung on Twitter @YongSooChung and Urban EDC Supply at UrbanEDCSupply.com Follow us: Allen Halas AllenHalas.com BreakingAndEntering.net Twitter: @AllenHalas Instagram: @AllenHalas Jim Love GoAuthenticYou.com Twitter: @jim_m_love Instagram: @jimmlove23
This is probably the most concentrated and well-produced podcast I've been on in a long while. And I want to share it with you here today as a bonus episode.Kudos to @YongSooChung for putting his money where his mic is. He spent a lot of time, money, and energy to make this episode happen. This is a great ep, and if want to learn about my whole founder journey, I recommend a listen.Here's the original show: https://www.firstclassfounders.com/life-changing-wisdom-with-arvid-kahl-from-selling-a-saas-business-to-becoming-a-creator/Yong-Soo Chung on Twitter: https://twitter.com/YongSooChung
In part 2 of the discussion with founder and CEO Yong-Soo Chung, he shares the wisdom he's gained from years of taking risks, making mistakes and learning from every experience. For Yong-Soo, he thrives under pressure as many successful entrepreneurs do. So instead of building his businesses as side projects, he went all in. His return on such high-risk investments continues to pay off as he pushes himself and his team each day to be better than the day before. Part of succeeding in business is being willing to make mistakes. Yong-Soo admits he's made many along the way and has also been able to turn those lessons into opportunities for growth. With all this experience, his latest passion project is a podcast in which he teaches and encourages other entrepreneurs how to avoid pitfalls and scale their businesses for maximum growth. Main Topics Discomfort allows us to realize our full potential (02:35) Using data as feedback for improvement (06:03) How to know when it's time to expand (07:08) Utilizing the “I, You, We” system for scaling a business (09:35) Hiring the right people for the job (10:55) How Yong-Soo builds his life around change (16:13) First Class Founders podcast (20:00) Episode Links https://urbanedcsupply.com https://www.firstclassfounders.com Go to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover don't forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it's Friday.Listen, rate, and subscribe!Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts
In this episode of Beyond the Inbox, Yong-Soo Chung, the founder of Urban Everyday Carry (Urban EDC), talks about his journey from being a software engineer in the blockchain industry to starting his own ecommerce brand. He discusses the importance of building a community around your brand and explains how he uses email marketing to drive sales. He also shares his thoughts on personal branding and provides advice for anyone looking to start posting on social media. In addition, he talks about his Climate Neutral Certified 3PL, GrowthJet, and his podcast, First Class Founders. Overall, he emphasizes the importance of experimentation, daily practice, and not taking things personally when it comes to building a successful business. For show notes, transcriptions, and past guests on Beyond the Inbox, please visit https://www.drip.com/podcast. And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts.
Serial entrepreneur and startup coach Yong-Soo Chung isn't afraid to take risks. Through a series of different startup experiences, failed job interviews, and the decision to move across the country despite his family's misgivings, Yong-Soo is proud of the ecommerce and logistics companies he's founded. He is a man with a mission, and now he enjoys helping other entrepreneurs scale their businesses for optimum growth. Yong-Soo is constantly looking for new ways to challenge himself and grow as a person of influence in his social and professional spheres. He operates from a place of no regrets, choosing to seize each opportunity that comes his way. After gaining experience at a well-known cryptocurrency company, Yong-Soo set out on his own and founded a company selling products that appeal to his personal niche interests. He encourages founders to evaluate their interests based on where they spend their time and money. By discovering the intersection of a specific skill set and a market need or interest, business owners can easily make a profit. One of the best ways to test a great idea is by building an audience through a test market. That way entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls that lead small businesses to fail within the first few years. Main Topics Yong-Soo's formative years that planted the seeds for his dreams (03:55) Pivoting in the face of challenges (07:16) Yong-Soo's experiences with startups (09:17) Regret minimization exercise (12:20) Yong-Soo takes a leap of faith and moves to Bay Area (15:10) Starting his own business (18:40) How Yong-Soo came up with his idea of Urban EDC (20:35) Building an audience before launching (24:15) Episode Linkshttps://urbanedcsupply.com Go to TheFridayHabit.com to find show notes for this episode. There you can also find links to our websites and ways to get in touch. At the bottom of the page you can download our guide to the Friday Habit system that will show you how to set aside one full day each week dedicated to working on your business instead of in your business.If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a review in the Apple podcasts app.If you have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover don't forget to record us a quick voice memo and send it to hello@thefridayhabit.comThanks for listening to The Friday Habit.Until next time. Live every day like it's Friday.Listen, rate, and subscribe!Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts
On today's episode, Kunle is joined by Yong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban Every Day Carry, a business and community supporting creative makers and designers of knives from all over the world. Inspired by the families of his high school classmates whose parents were C-level executives working in big companies and being a South Korean immigrant in a white-dominated private school, Yong-Soo was driven to start a company one day. A few years later, he built not just one but four ventures or businesses. He did not just build a money-making business but also built a community that brings people with a certain passion. Yong-Soo's first company is Urban Everyday Carry, a company that helps small-time knife makers and designers all over the world which brought together a community of people with a passion of collecting knives, and sharing stories with each other. GrowthJet is a climate-neutral 3PL that was primarily just a solution to a troublesome order fulfillment for Urban EDC. The third one, Spotted by Humphrey, an online dog products boutique, was an unexpected venture after Yong-Soo and his wife's French Bulldog suddenly became an Instagram sensation. Lastly, First Class Founders, Yong-Soo's podcast where he shares his experiences on a podcast in hopes to inspire and prevent business owners to commit mistakes that he had made while he was still starting his own. It's an awe-inspiring episode as you'd hear Kunle and Yong-Soo talk more about Urban EDC's core values, operations, and growth, GrowthJet's First and Class Founders' advocacies, and Spotted by Humphrey's story. ----------- SPONSORS: This episode is brought to you by: Klaviyo This episode is brought to you by Klaviyo – a growth marketing platform that powers over 25,000 online businesses. Direct-to-Consumer brands like ColourPop, Huckberry, and Custom Ink rely on Klaviyo. Klaviyo helps you own customer experience and grow high-value customer relationships right from a shopper's first impression through to each subsequent purchase, Klaviyo understands every single customer interaction and empowers brands to create more personalized marketing moments. Find out more on klaviyo.com/2x. Recharge This episode is brought to you by Recharge, the leading subscriptions payment solution for Shopify merchants. Recharge helps eCommerce merchants of all sizes launch and scale subscription offerings. Recharge powers the growth of over 15,000 subscription merchants and their communities—turning one-time transactions into long-term customer relationships. Turn transactions into relationships and experience seamless subscription commerce with Recharge. Find out more on rechargepayments.com/2x.
Yong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur who founded an e-commerce brand called Urban EDC in 2015 from his one bedroom apartment in San Francisco after leaving his job as a Software Engineer at Ripple, a cryptocurrency company in Silicon Valley. He then launched GrowthJet in 2019, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company, from a second floor dance studio in Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco. Now, he's sharing all of his lessons learned through First Class Founders, a weekly podcast for creative entrepreneurs, where he shares strategies and tactics for growing your business. He and his wife Sandy are also proud dog parents to two French bulldogs named Humphrey & Pota, who have over 150,000 followers across social channels. Sandy, his business and life partner, also owns a dog boutique called Spotted By Humphrey.
Our special guest on Rising Tide Startups is Yong-Soo Chung. Yong-Soo left a successful career in cryptocurrency software engineering to found his first 8-figure e-commerce business Urban EDC, a venture with an impressive social media following. He then went on to launch GrowthJet, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company. Yong-Soo is passionate about sharing […]
Yong-Soo Chung left a successful career in cryptocurrency software engineering to found his first 8-figure e-commerce business Urban EDC, a venture with an impressive social media following. He then went on to launch GrowthJet, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company. Yong-Soo is passionate about sharing the lessons he's learned with other entrepreneurs so they too can start a bootstrapped company that is both profitable and sustainable. “Start first of all. Starting can be very difficult for a lot of people. So, start and then whatever you decide on just be consistent. I think consistency is really, really important… The most important factor for survival is consistency… Really focus on something that you can control… Just having something that you can control and doing that consistently, that compounds over time. So, consistency is a really important aspect of all of this”…[Listen for More] Click Here for Show Notes To Listen or to Get the Show Notes go to https://wp.me/p6Tf4b-nvk
This week on the show, Yong-Soo Chung, founder of Urban EDC, joins me to talk about how leveraging community can help you grow your online store sales. Yong-Soo and I talk about leveraging existing communities, building your own community, and ultimately just some tips to help guide you. Community is a really powerful way to build a loyal customer base which I know a lot of e-commerce brands struggle with, so don't miss out on this episode.
When putting up a business, friends and families are usually your first supporters, and sometimes, customers. However, this eight-figure earning entrepreneur, Yong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban EDC, explains why you shouldn't - and why their suggestions and feedback should be less prioritised. He also shares how he became from zero to hero as an entrepreneur through collaborating with people who has their own audience and then providing value to them and their audience, and some tips on how you could grow your Instagram to 10k followers.Get Otter with 1-month FREE Pro LiteGenerate rich notes for meetings, interviews, lectures, and other important voice conversations.Graphic design toolbox - VismeCreate visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a pro designer or a total novice.Build responsive quizzesGenerate higher quality, higher converting leadsVidyard - Use Video In Your EmailsVidyard is the easiest way to record and send videos that build personalPost-production, transcript and show notes by XCD Virtual Assistants Support the showAm I adding value to you?If so - I'd like to ask you to support the show.In return, I will continue to bring massive value with two weekly shows, up to 3 hours per month of brilliant conversations and insights.Monthly subscriptions start at $3 per month. At $1 per hour, that's much less than the minimum wage, but we'll take what we can at this stage of the business.Of course, this is still free, but as an entrepreneur, the actual test of anything is if people are willing to pay for it.If I'm adding value to you, please support me by clicking the link now. Go ahead, make my day :)Support the show here.
When putting up a business, friends and families are usually your first supporters, and sometimes, customers. However, this eight-figure earning entrepreneur, Yong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban EDC, explains why you shouldn't - and why their suggestions and feedback should be less prioritised. He also shares how he became from zero to hero as an entrepreneur through collaborating with people who has their own audience and then providing value to them and their audience, and some tips on how you could grow your Instagram to 10k followers.Get Otter with 1-month FREE Pro LiteGenerate rich notes for meetings, interviews, lectures, and other important voice conversations.Graphic design toolbox - VismeCreate visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a pro designer or a total novice.Build responsive quizzesGenerate higher quality, higher converting leadsVidyard - Use Video In Your EmailsVidyard is the easiest way to record and send videos that build personalPost-production, transcript and show notes by XCD Virtual Assistants Support the showAm I adding value to you?If so - I'd like to ask you to support the show.In return, I will continue to bring massive value with two weekly shows, up to 3 hours per month of brilliant conversations and insights.Monthly subscriptions start at $3 per month. At $1 per hour, that's much less than the minimum wage, but we'll take what we can at this stage of the business.Of course, this is still free, but as an entrepreneur, the actual test of anything is if people are willing to pay for it.If I'm adding value to you, please support me by clicking the link now. Go ahead, make my day :)Support the show here.
Yong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur who founded an e-commerce brand called Urban EDC in 2015 from his one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco after leaving his job as a Software Engineer at Ripple, a cryptocurrency startup in Silicon Valley. He then launched GrowthJet in 2019, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company, from a second-floor dance studio in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco. Now, he's on a mission to impact one million entrepreneurs through his new venture, the First Class Founders, a weekly podcast sharing his lessons on building a sustainable, bootstrapped company to 8 figures in annual revenue. He and his wife Sandy are also proud dog parents to two French bulldogs named Humphrey & Pota, who have over 150,000 followers across all social channels. Sandy, his business and life partner, owns a dog boutique Spotted By Humphrey. Guest Links Website: growthjet.com https://urbanedcsupply.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/yongsoo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yongsoo Twitter: https://twitter.com/yongsoochung SJS Website: https://thesuccessjourneyshow.com Facebook: @successjourneyshow Instagram: @successjourneyshow Twitter: @success_show TikTok: @thesuccessjourneyshow
With all the drama surrounding Twitter you may have heard of Mastodon which is a decentralised social media platform much like Twitter and it's been putting on millions of users over the last few months. But what exactly is it?If you're wondering what words like decentralised and Fediverse mean and want to know if Mastodon is worth your time then listen up.This week I'm joined by Yong-Soo Chung who's the host of the First Class Founders podcast, founder of the e-commerce brand Urban EDC & the founder of GrowthJet a Climate Neutral Certified third party logistics company.We talk all things Mastodon.Can I quickly mention that Not Another Marketing Podcast is totally ad free and I'd love it if you could give the pod a quick shout on social media and subscribe via your podcast app.Check out more episodes at https://www.jtid.co.uk/podcasts
Welcome to Not Another Marketing Podcast where I'm talking to Yong-Soo Chung, host of the First Class Founders podcast, serial entrepreneur and growth marketer. This week we're talking Mastadon for marketers. Should we bother with it.
Yong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur who founded an e-commerce brand called Urban EDC in 2015 from his one bedroom apartment in San Francisco after leaving his job as a Software Engineer at Ripple, a cryptocurrency startup in Silicon Valley.He then launched GrowthJet in 2019, a Climate Neutral Certified third party logistics company, from a second floor dance studio in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco. Now, he's on a mission to impact one million entrepreneurs through his new venture, First Class Founders, a weekly podcast sharing his lessons on building a sustainable, bootstrapped company to 8-figures in annual revenue. He and his wife Sandy are also proud dog parents to two French bulldogs named Humphrey & Pota, who have over 150,000 followers across all social channels. Sandy, his business and life partner, also own a dog boutique called Spotted By Humphrey.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showSubscribe to Side Hustle City and join our Community on Facebook
Episode 214 - Yong-Soo ChungStrap in everyone, today we go deep into the trenches of what it looks like to bootstrap an ecommerce company with Yong-Soo Chung. Yong-Soo is the founder of Urban EDC, a premium everyday carry online retailer. He also started Growthjet.com, which is a climate neutral 3PL (third party logistics) company. Today he breaks down the method he used to scale up to 8 figures and how you can get started on a shoestring budget. Check out Yong-Soo's links below:Podcast: https://www.firstclassfounders.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/yongsoochun...Twitter: https://twitter.com/yongsoochungWebsites: https://www.growthjet.com/https://urbanedcsupply.com/Want to try Zeroats?Go here to get a free sample, just pay shippinghttps://www.go.zeroats.com/samplerPodcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/992203/epi...Store: https://www.zeroats.comContact Me: hunter@zeroats.com
We get out of the way and hand the mic to our guests - it's the Objects B Side! Today we're handing the mic to Yong-Soo Chung from Urban EDC so he can his story, from Wall Street to coding school to test-selling headphones on Amazon. This is a great pep talk for any listener who is active on Instagram but doesn't know how to turn that activity into a business.