Dan welcomes back Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science, for his third appearance on the podcast. Jay has grown Creator Science into a thriving media company, including a YouTube channel with over 100,000 subscribers. In this episode, they discuss recurring vs. one-time products, effective marketing funnels, channel viability, and the difference between discovery and nurture content. Jay’s transparent approach to building his business is truly inspiring. Catch the second part of this conversation on the Creator Science podcast.

Links:

Part 2 of our convo on the Creator Science podcast

Connect with other entrepreneurs

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Brian Balfour, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/million-from-linkedin

https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/easier-10x-than-2x

https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/brick-by-brick

Dan talks to Matthew Newton, CEO of Leatherback Travel, about his radically unconventional approach to scaling an 8-figure business. They dive into why it’s crucial to ruthlessly select your opportunities, along with key lessons learned—including when to pivot, balancing flexibility with structure, and ensuring that running a business is always engaging and fun. Lean into some of these insights as you work on your goals for 2025.

Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Links:
Leatherback Travel

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or [email protected]
Ian: @AnythingIan or [email protected]

Chapters

(00:00:30) Introduction to Leatherback Travel
(00:04:05) Building a House of Brands
(00:05:44) Operational Philosophy and Team Dynamics
(00:07:27) Scaling Challenges and Growth Management
(00:10:39) The Importance of Operating Principles
(00:13:23) Special Feeling: The Core Operating Principle
(00:16:55) Vision and Decision-Making Frameworks
(00:19:05) Navigating Political Opinions in the Workplace
(00:20:39) Industry Standards and Guest Expectations
(00:22:31) The K Principle: Balancing Flexibility and Policy
(00:23:58) Operational Rhythm and Continuous Improvement
(00:26:42) The CEO's Role: Captain of the Ship
(00:31:31) Top of Funnel Strategies for Customer Acquisition
(00:32:18) Finding Your Unique Selling Proposition
(00:34:07) Lessons from Struggles: The Importance of Quitting
(00:35:35) The Animal Zoo Principle: Making Business Fun

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue”

“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp

Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence

If you’re sleeping on LinkedIn, let this episode be your wake up call. Dan sits down with Dr. Alex Barker, a pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur who 10X’d his business using LinkedIn. A real LinkedIn success story, proving how this often-overlooked platform can be a game-changer for B2B businesses. If you’ve ever doubted LinkedIn’s potential, this conversation might just change your mind.

Become a TMBA Insider and join thousands of entrepreneurs who’ve started, grown, and exited their businesses for life-changing sums. It all starts here. tropicalmba.com/subscribe

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or [email protected]
Ian: @AnythingIan or [email protected]

Chapters
(00:02:48) Introduction to Alex Barker's Journey
(00:04:37) The Turning Point: Facing Business Challenges
(00:11:59) The Power of Focus: Simplifying for Success
(00:18:32) Leveraging LinkedIn: A New Opportunity
(00:31:41) Vision for the Future: Healing the Pharmacy Profession
(00:36:50) Lead Generation Strategies on LinkedIn

Useful links:

Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures?

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

Dan and Ian traveled to Barcelona with 12 other CEOs and founders to spend the week with Scaling Up author Verne Harnish. These are the 8 biggest takeaways from the week that you can apply to your own business.

Chapters:

(00:00:21) Introduction
(00:00:34) Insights from the Barcelona CEO Boot Camp
(00:07:52) The Job to Be Done Framework
(00:12:04) Using the Q4 Method for Customer Insights
(00:14:08) Finding a 10X Cost Advantage
(00:16:51) The Importance of Understanding Your Solution
(00:17:27) Thinking Big: The 10x Mindset
(00:23:27) Wealth Through Transactions
(00:24:54) The CEO's Role in Increasing Valuation
(00:27:29) Defining the Soul of the Company
(00:30:55) Triage for Overwhelmed Companies
(00:34:51) The Power of Scoreboards

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures?

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

Does your business feel stuck in 'idea mode,' constantly jumping from project to project? If you’re ready to get on track and build a more focused, scalable strategy for 2025, this episode is for you.
Dan breaks down his proven 4-step framework for driving your next $1 million in revenue. These actionable steps can be implemented in just a few days, with results you’ll notice almost immediately.
Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or [email protected]
Ian: @AnythingIan or [email protected]

Chapters
● (00:00:25) Introduction
● (00:03:35) Financially grounded goals
● (00:06:46) Measured plans
● (00:12:52) Intentional cadence
● (00:14:46) Team alignment

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures?

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

Dan revives his Re-Readables series with a discussion inspired by Frank Slootman's business book Amp It Up. He delves into the book's core arguments, such as the idea that execution trumps strategy, faster execution can drive better decision-making and growth, and the importance of building for investability.

Plus, how exactly to improve your execution and boost your business’s performance.

Amp It Up by Frank Slootman

Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Connect with us:
Dan: @TropicalMBA or [email protected]
Ian: @AnythingIan or [email protected]

Chapters
(00:00:33) Introduction to 'Amp It Up'
(00:04:07) Building a High-Performance Team
(00:11:02) The Case for Fast Growth
(00:15:14) Building for Investability

Useful links:
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job
Listen on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures?

The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

Dan & Ian talk to Lucas Peters, founder of Journey Beyond Travel, about his plans to get to $10M in 5 years.

They break down the business and shift thinking from a project-oriented mindset to an approach rooted in financial analysis: What are your gross margins? What does it take to aquire a customer? What is your rebuy rate and LTV?

They consider the highest leverage paths to growth.

Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/

Chapters
(00:03:08) Business Growth and COVID Impact
(00:04:08) Unique Business Model and Market Positioning
(00:04:47) Sales Process and Customer Engagement
(00:09:04) Revenue Model and Pricing Strategy
(00:13:02) Customer Retention and Repeat Business
(00:13:55) Expansion Plans and Market Opportunities
(00:14:43) Product Development and Cost Analysis
(00:14:56) Maximizing Customer Lifetime Value
(00:23:08) Strategizing Location Development
(00:25:32) Market Potential and Capacity Constraints
(00:31:23) Building a Supportive Team
(00:32:38) Testing New Product Offerings
(00:35:31) Driving Down Product Development Costs
(00:37:53) Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients”

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

Dan and Ian discuss the importance of three key executive roles—CEO, COO, and CFO—within bootstrapped businesses, emphasizing the need for founders to embrace responsibilities beyond visionary tasks.
They share insights from this year’s DCBKK and a sneak peek into the upcoming DC Black event in New York.

(00:00:22) Welcome and Introduction
(00:01:03) The Three Hats of Bootstrapping
(00:09:51) Trends from DCBKK Event
(00:12:34) The Importance of Financial Planning
(00:19:30) LinkedIn as a Top Funnel Tool
(00:22:50) Reflections and Future Events

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

$30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

$100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

This week’s episode is for the business finance and idea nerds.

We’re joined this week in a business breakdown session with Alexej Pikovsky of Alphawellbrands.com. Alexej raised 4MIL to build a CBD marketplace. They were forced to pivot and have currently acquired an Amazon FBA brand and started up a success agency in the process, the combined revenue of both is on track to be over 4MIL this year.

We’ll dig into the Peter Paul problem– how to choose where to focus your energy when you have multiple businesses?

We’ll also cover his perspective on what happened in the Amazon aggregator space. How did so much capital implode so quickly? (Thrasio raised 3 Billion dollars and provided exits to many TMBA listeners). Is there room for smaller roll-ups that work in 2024?

Takeaways
●
● Transition from a CBD marketplace to an SEO agency and FBA brand.
● The aggregator model faced significant challenges post-COVID.
● Many D2C brands are struggling with profitability and valuation.
● Acquiring the scented candles brand was a strategic move in a declining market.
● The agency provides valuable insights but distracts from brand focus.
● Investor relations are crucial for long-term success and exit strategies.
● The e-commerce landscape is evolving, requiring new strategies for success.
● The agency's role in the overall business strategy is under review.
● Future growth may depend on focusing solely on the brand.

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients”

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

$100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

Selling your product or service requires using words to convey what you offer. But words alone don’t convert on-the-fence prospects into paying customers. Great conversion copy is a mix of persuasion, UX, and decision-making psychology. Sound hard? We promise it isn’t.

Chris, the founder of Conversion Alchemy, takes us for a deep dive into all things copywriting and how the power of your messaging can impact your business growth, for better or worse.

Plus, he shares a simple five-step copy audit process that transforms agency websites into lead generation machines, with principles you can apply to improve your own marketing collateral.

Tune in for writing tips, principles, and examples you can copy. Newsletter subscribers will get the 5-step worksheet to help you create your own offer in 30 minutes.

Takeaways

• Empathizing with the client's problem, understanding your audience's language, and identifying audience awareness levels is crucial for effective messaging.
• A clear value proposition resonates with prospects’' goals and increases engagement.
• Clarifying what you do and how, backed with empathy, builds trust with potential clients.
• Contextual proof enhances credibility and addresses objections, creating a smoother client experience.
• Shielding clients from risk reassures them during the decision-making process.
• The “coffee table test” helps tailor messaging to the audience.
• AI can assist in drafting copy but should not replace personal insights.
• Tripwire products can effectively lower barriers to entry for clients.
• Analyzing successful agency websites can provide valuable insights.
• Dynamic frameworks for copywriting are more effective than rigid formulas.
• Leveraging testimonials can significantly boost credibility.

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

“The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients”

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

$100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

Dan and Ian talk to 100s of listeners a year via 1:1 coaching. In this episode they distill those calls into 4 breakthrough ideas that can change your quarter for the better.

Newsletter subscribers will get our GPS (Goals/Plans/Systems) worksheet. Sign up for the newsletter.

Takeaways
● Be sure you pack enough underwear for your next trip abroad.
● Getting aligned on goals is easy, but aligning on plans is hard.
● Hiring should be based on unique business needs, not generic roles.
● Confidence is essential for entrepreneurs, especially in challenging times.
● Discipline in financial management is crucial for sustainable growth.
● Regularly reviewing financials helps maintain business health.
● Accountability in coaching can drive significant progress.
● Sacrifices are often necessary to achieve business goals.
● Effective hiring requires a clear understanding of ROI.
● Facing reality and challenges can build confidence.
● Entrepreneurship allows for a lifestyle designed by personal choice.

In honor of traveling to DCBKK this week, here’s Dan’s original packing list from 2010. And an updated list in 2015. Is it time for a new list?

Chapters

• (00:00:59) Dan’s Packing List Ahead of DCBKK
• (00:02:28) 4 Breakthroughs From Our Coaching Calls
• (00:05:20) The Importance of Goal Alignment
• (00:09:54) Hiring for Unique Situations
• (00:16:36) Good Confidence vs Bad Confidence
• (00:21:03) Discipline in Entrepreneurship

Useful links:
Access our free business resources
Connect with other entrepreneurs
Coaching for $250K+ founders
Community for 1M+ founders
Hire remote talent
Find a remote job

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

$30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years

“You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

“When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

$100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?