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Episodes from The Sweaty Startup
Why Taking Action Beats Networking and Overthinking in Business
Ryan and I talked about what actually separates people who build successful businesses from those who stay stuck thinking about it. We got into the mindset that drives real entrepreneurs, why urgency and action matter more than perfect planning, and how most people misunderstand networking. I shared the lesson a mentor taught me early in my career about sales being at the center of everything in business and in life. We also discussed how real opportunities come from doing the work first, building real skills, and creating value that makes people want to work with you. The...
Why Sales and Simple Service Businesses Still Win in Entrepreneurship
Austin and I talked about what entrepreneurship actually looks like when you start from nothing. I shared how my first business began by simply trading my time for money and why learning sales is the foundation of building any company. We discussed the early hustle behind Storage Squad, including chalk marketing on college campuses and hiring great people in unexpected places, along with the moment founders need to start delegating so they can focus on growth. We also got into leadership, decision making, and why removing low performers is critical to building strong teams, along...
Building Through Chaos: Raising Capital, Buying Somewhere, and Betting on Global Talent
In this episode with Peter, I break down what really happened behind the scenes after buying Somewhere and scaling Bolt Storage through one of the most chaotic real estate markets in years. We talk about the pressure that comes with raising outside capital, why discipline in underwriting saved us when rates doubled, and how slowing down in storage led me to double down on building a global talent machine. I share the hard lessons from rebranding, losing SEO overnight, restructuring an entire leadership team, and rebuilding the company around South African executives and performance driven systems. We...
The Cash Flow Game: Playing the Odds in Business and Life
In this conversation with Roohi, I break down why most entrepreneurs are chasing the wrong game. We talk about starting with the end in mind, setting a personal cash flow number, and building boring businesses that actually stack the odds in your favor. I explain why speed is your only real advantage as a founder, how momentum compounds over time, and why making 30K a month in a proven business beats swinging for a billion dollar moonshot most people will never hit. We also dive into confidence, communication, college, and how practicing discomfort early in life builds the muscle...
Irrational Confidence, Extreme Ownership and Building Real Leverage
In this episode with Chris and Chris, I talk about overcoming doubt, building irrational confidence, and using fear setting to make hard decisions less scary. We unpack lessons from chaotic early business seasons, anxiety filled moments, and the mindset shift toward extreme ownership that changed everything for me. We also cover leverage through hiring, auditing your time, focusing on sales and marketing, raising resilient kids, and why success means watering every garden in your life not just business. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: h...
Why Struggle Is the Point
Jamie and I talked about why struggle is not something to avoid but something to embrace. We got into parenting, confidence, health, balance, and why giving yourself permission matters more than waiting for approval. We discussed what a good life actually looks like, how pressure shapes better people, and why playing the long game across generations is more meaningful than chasing status or shortcuts. This episode is about values, responsibility, and becoming someone your kids can be proud of. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https...
Why Most Entrepreneurs Burn Out and How to Actually Build a Life You Want
Nick Aufenkamp and I dug into the real reasons most entrepreneurs end up overwhelmed, broke, or miserable. We talked about delegation, generational wealth, and why the "boring" businesses often lead to the most freedom. I shared how I built leverage through international hiring, what I look for when choosing a game worth playing, and why long-term stress and sacrifice only make sense if you're chasing the right outcome. This is one of the most honest conversations I've had about work, family, and building a business that actually improves your life. Grow your business: ht...
How I Built Businesses By Choosing Better Odds And Doing Hard Things
Trevor and I talked through how I build real businesses by choosing better odds instead of chasing hype. I shared how I started from zero, tested demand with simple tactics, and why boring proven ideas beat trying to be the one in a thousand startup. We also covered pricing, firing bad customers, using data over ego, and why business never gets easier, you just get stronger. From building companies to raising kids who can handle discomfort, this episode is about doing hard things and winning because of it. Grow your business: ht...
How I Built a Life Around Freedom and Used Boring Businesses to Fund It
Mikk and I sat down to talk about what it really means to build a business that supports the life you want instead of trapping you in a cycle of stress and burnout. I walked him through the lessons I've learned from operating service companies, investing in real estate, and hiring globally to lower overhead. We got into how I've used boring, simple businesses to build leverage, why momentum is the most dangerous drug in entrepreneurship, and how I protect my time so I can focus on what matters. We also talked about content, writing the book, and the...
How I Built Wealth by Doing the Boring Work That Actually Pays
Matt and I talked about the kind of businesses that actually build wealth and why most people overlook them chasing trends that never pay off. I shared my story from Storage Squad to Somewhere and broke down how trading time for money is still the best place to start. We talked about the real odds of success, what Silicon Valley gets wrong, how to think about leverage, and when to finally hire so you can get back to doing high-value work. This one's about clarity, execution, and doing what actually works in the real world ...
How I Built Wealth Doing Boring Work Most People Ignore
Cody and I dug into the real side of entrepreneurship, what it actually takes to build wealth without chasing shiny ideas. I shared why I walked away from the tech startup fantasy and leaned into simple businesses that solve real problems. We talked through the ten minute drill, how I evaluate opportunity in any town, and why people waste years building businesses with zero demand. I broke down why your first business is about reps and skill acquisition, not money, and how boring work like tree removal or survey work can set you up for financial freedom faster than...
How James Laidlaw Built InHomeGolf into a Multi Million Dollar Business
This is the full conversation I had with James Laidlaw about how he walked away from a high-paying commission job and built InHome Golf from scratch. We broke down how he scaled a golf simulator business during COVID, reinvested everything back into growth, and navigated the chaos that comes with explosive customer demand. Here's a photo of my simulator setup that James's company installed for me. https://x.com/sweatystartup/status/2011208892353851779 & Here's 22 other things that have that materially improved my quality of life: https://x.com/sweatystartup/status/2012556557674791016?s=20 If you want to reach out to James, email him...