Latest Episode • August 20, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 17: Using Fear as Fuel with Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora, Co-Founders of Back to the Roots

Today’s episode is proof that fear isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can be a powerful motivator. And more importantly, fear serves as a signal that you’re pushing yourself far beyond your comfort zone and blossoming as an entrepreneur. Overcoming doubt is one of several topics we discuss with Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora, co-founders of a startup that produces a growing line of home gardening and food products. You’ll love the story of how they met and hatched their idea in a college classroom, why they strive to practice “conscious capitalism,” and how they got PAID to collect the raw material they used to grow their first products (mushrooms grown out of used coffee grounds!). Alejandro and Nikhil also share their tips for raising capital and the story of how Back to the Roots struck deals with giant organizations like Whole Foods and the New York City Public School System. This is a motivational show featuring two entrepreneurs who are wise beyond their years, and it’s packed with practical tips for scaling any kind of business. Download this one today, and share it with two people you know would get something out of it! Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts so you won’t miss a beat. ... show more

A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

What does it take to start, scale, and sell your own business? Every Tuesday, J and Carol Scott ask this question to entrepreneurs of all stripes and delve into stories that go beyond the launch. From hiring and firing to marketing and raising capital, this podcast takes an honest look at the triumphs and stumbles of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re looking to sustain a startup or bring an idea to life, you’ll come away inspired. Tune in—and learn how to treat your business like a business.

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Previous Episodes

August 13, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 16: Mastering Cash Flow and Finding Riches in “Headache” Jobs with 3Point Cleaning CEO Jesse McCue

Jesse McCue’s property management company had a problem: Try as they might, they just couldn’t find a thorough, reliable cleaning crew. So, what did Jesse do? He threw up his hands and went back to“Dancing with the Stars.” Duh. Kidding! Jesse took matters into his own hands, and what started as a singles-and-doubles operation has grown to a thriving, 100-employee enterprise based in Bangor, Maine. In this episode, Jesse maps out a battle plan YOU can use to start a service business. From starting a website to getting insured, he guides us through exactly how to get started making profit by solving someone else’s #1 problem. Jesse breaks down how he multiplied his client base while barely spending anything on marketing, how he uses high-tech systems to monitor the performance of his night-shift employees, and how he uses checklists to systemize his hiring process so he’s not just relying on his gut. Plus, he shares how he navigated a tough transition around the 30-employee mark. AND he warns us about a danger facing every small business owner -- a cash flow-management trap that’s always lurking... even if business is booming! Listen to this episode today… Be sure to check out our back catalogue, and subscribe using your favorite podcast app so you won’t miss any future shows! ... show more

August 6, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 15: How to Build a $100K/Month Real Estate Wholesaling Business with Max Maxwell

What are you doing that you're not good at and/or don't like doing? Fire yourself—seriously! This episode is about delegating and systemizing, and who better to learn from than a serial entrepreneur who’s been tearing it up in real estate in recent years? Max Maxwell is a wholesaler, meaning he finds deeply discounted deals, ties them up under contract, then assigns them to an end buyer for a fee. Today Max tells us about his journey, from discovering he was dyslexic to joining the Air Force (“getting shot at for $20K/year”) to going broke (twice!). After all that, Max shares how he ultimately enrolled in “YouTube University” to learn the art of wholesaling. You’ll love the story of how Max’s business really took off when he delegated a weakness (data collection) and instead doubled down on his strengths (marketing and sales). Max also walks us through how to hire an overseas virtual assistant and how his first “V.A.” came to hire other team members once he began to scale up. He goes on to break down the structure of his business and reveal which marketing techniques brought in his juiciest deals. Max runs through his dos and don’ts for building a personal brand, as well as describes how he’s been able to build four businesses based on his wholesaling! Plus, if you know anything about Max, you know he’s a smooth negotiator. So, we asked him which skills are most crucial when developing rapport or closing a deal. Whether you’re in the real estate business or not, this episode is full of actionable advice for getting out of your own way and designing a well-oiled machine that works for you. So, don’t miss this one, AND don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite app! ... show more

July 30, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 14: Entering a Crowded Service Market and Crushing the Competition with Nick Huber

Want a blueprint for breaking into a competitive industry and taking down your bigger, more established competitors? Well, that’s the focus of today’s episode with Nick Huber! As a college student, Nick founded a storage business aimed at helping his classmates. But the story doesn’t stop there. Nick and his partner passed up corporate job offers and have since expanded Storage Squad into 11 states and runs a team of 350 part-time workers. So how did Nick go from transporting items in his Cadillac DeVille and cramming them into his apartment... to signing on as the preferred storage provider for huge state universities? The answer involves “lean startup” principles, oldschool marketing tactics like sidewalk chalk, and a relentless focus on developing a competitive edge over bigger companies with less of a personal touch. You’ll be blown away by Nick’s resourcefulness, his tip about letting customers “see the whites of your eyes,” and how he was able to get executive help without giving away a huge chunk of the business. This show is for anyone who’s ever wanted to start a service business, but been hesitant to take on the big boys. Nick gives a ton of actionable advice to entrepreneurs of all stripes, so tune into this episode and subscribe on your favorite app so you won’t miss the next! ... show more

July 23, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 13: 3 Rules for Crushing It in Business with ‘Shark Tank’ Star Barbara Corcoran

What does “The Queen of New York Real Estate” look for in an entrepreneur? As a “shark” on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Barbara Corcoran hears a lot of pitches. She’s invested in entrepreneurs who have goneon to thrive... AND those who’ve failed or faded away. So what separates them? In this episode, Barbara shares what she’s learned both from the show AND her own remarkable, roller-coaster career. You’ll hear how she began her business career as an 11-year-old (even making the local paper), how she was inspired by her father’s unhappiness working for someone else, and how a failed relationship sparked her ambition to become New York City’s biggest real estate broker (which she accomplished!). You won’t want to miss the story of how she almost lost the Shark Tank job before it started, and how she fought tooth-and-nail to get the gig. You’ll hear her thoughts on investing in “the person,” rather than “the business,” when it makes sense to bootstrap vs. raising capital, why she distrusts entrepreneurs who use fancy jargon, and the surprising quality she values above all else. If you are interested in what makes some people succeed and others fail, you will love Barbara’s insights. Check out this show, and subscribe using your favorite podcast app so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

July 16, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 12: Step-by-Step Case Study: Manufacturing, Marketing and Selling a Physical Product with Cody Berman of Arsenal Discs

How do you go about creating a product line out of thin air? In this episode, Cody Berman breaks down the process from start to finish—and opens up about his exact costs and profit margins. Codygrew up playing disc golf. (Think of it as golf with frisbees.) By the time he was 19 years old, the game was growing FAST. He spotted a big opportunity in the equipment market and decided to do something about it. You’ll learn how Cody and his partner went about their market research (cost per unit, engineering, official regulations, margins, markup, MSRP), how they launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise seed money, and how they called 200(!) prototyping and molding companies to get the best deal possible. He also talks about the moments that almost made them quit—from being told they would need $100,000 to start (they wouldn’t) to surviving a disastrous early production run that led to an all-nighter and a lot of wasted capital. Cody goes on to reveal the way he markets Arsenal Discs in online groups, how he handles packaging and shipping, and his tips for entrepreneurs thinking about selling via Amazon. Don’t miss this action-packed episode, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

July 9, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 11: How to Build a World-Class Craft Brewing Company with Dave Thibodeau

Ever dreamt about getting paid to sit back and drink delicious beer all day? Well, keep dreaming. Yes, the beer industry is a lot of fun. But as you may have guessed, it’s hyper-competitive and demands a LOT of hard work! In today’s episode, Dave Thibodeau traces Ska Brewing’s evolution from scrappy underdog to top-100 brewery, competing against international conglomerates (all while keeping its edgy sense of humor). You’ll learn how Dave stumbled upon his passion in a book, how he and his partners bootstrapped the business by buying used equipment and sleeping in a Volkswagen bus, and how they marketed their brand’s “David vs. Goliath” attitude in a comic book. You’ll also hear how Dave and his partners expanded internationally, built a distribution arm to help other brewers (“coopetition,” he calls it), eventually scaled to 70 employees, and embraced the pain of a bad hops contract by releasing a limited-run, very hoppy brew called Bad Hop Contract. Don’t miss Dave’s advice for how to split up responsibilities among partners, and be sure to listen through to the end to hear him explain the big advantage smaller, more locally-minded businesses have when competing with international giants. Dave is a laid-back guy, who has managed to build a massive business while still remaining true to himself—so check him out in this episode, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

July 2, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 10: Building a 7-Figure Meat Snacks Company and Forming a Perfect Partnership with Peter Awad

How do you launch a profitable business without taking on a ton of employees or dealing with brick-and-mortar retailers? Peter Awad, co-founder of Mission Meats, breaks it all down in this episode. You’ll love hearing about Peter’s upbringing in a family of first-generation immigrant entrepreneurs. He also discusses how he got his start hustling in the early days of e-commerce (remember Mail Boxes Etc.?). You’ll also learn how Peter wound up miserable when he realized his job didn’t match his natural strengths and how interviewing other entrepreneurs shifted his perspective and inspired him to change careers. Peter offers useful insight into what makes a great (and terrible) partnership, how he and his partner came up with the same company name and logo independently(!), how he overcame his inability to focus, and why the person is more important than the idea. He goes on to explain the concept of a “slow hustle”—and how it may just help you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Plus, Peter describes how Mission Meats is able to test products without a big upfront investment, how he gets instant customer feedback, why ego is the enemy of a profitable business, and how philanthropy motivates him to succeed. And be sure to listen until the end to hear a conversation about passing down business knowledge to the next generation. Download this episode today, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next! ... show more

June 25, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 09: The Secret to Starting a Risk-Free, Debt-Free Business QUICKLY with Alan Donegan

You’ve got your idea, and you’re ready to take over the world. Now, where should you start? Should you... write a detailed business plan? Buy the equipment? Take out a loan? Wrong, wrong, and WRONG, according to our guest today. Alan Donegan founded the PopUp Business School to teach a different approach—one that encourages entrepreneurs to measure feedback well before they go into debt or get themselves stuck in a rat race of their own making. In this episode, Alan shows us how to experiment to see if customers will actually pay for your offering (“people will always be nice to you up until the point when you ask them to take money out of their pocket”) and how to organize a trial run to determine whether you even enjoy running the business. You’ll love Alan’s advice to “fail fast and fail cheap,” and to create a “high-trust environment” so you can get paid up front. Plus, you’ll learn how some of the most valuable companies in the world got started using this lean model. Alan shares his thoughts on exactly when to quit your 9 to 5 and go all-in on your business. He also reveals how to keep your energy up when burning the candle at both ends and why understanding the “trinity of management” is vital to the success of your enterprise. This is one of our most actionable, knowledge-packed shows so far. Be sure to download it and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast using your favorite app for more! ... show more

June 18, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 08: How to Use Words That SELL With Copywriting Ace Christina Gillick

What if we told you that mastering this one skill could allow you to replace your W-2 income, boost sales immediately, AND help launch your own thriving online business? Christina Gillick used copywriting to do all three of those things! In this episode, she shares her story and guides us through a crash course on persuasive writing. You’re going to love Christina’s tips for writing like you talk and using stories to grab your audience’s attention. And you’ll learn how to overcome objections without coming across as too salesy. Also, you know that old infomercial trick, “But wait… there’s more!”? Well, it works. And from Christina, you’ll learn how to close deals by making irresistible offers and attractive money-back guarantees. Worried you’re not a great writer? Listen for Christina’s advice on hiring a copywriter. Also, whether it’s a landing page, direct mail piece, or Facebook ad, Christina reveals how split-testing different versions will get you an optimal result. In fact, she used this strategy to drive sales in her own business, comfyearrings.com. Warning: this episode could change the way you think about marketing. Check it out, and subscribe to the show so you won’t miss an episode! ... show more

June 11, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 07: Crafting a 5-Star Experience that Keeps Guests Coming Back with Surf Resort Owner Ru Hill

A data-driven approach. Cutting-edge technology. A rethinking of the traditional corporate reporting structure. We’re willing to bet you wouldn’t associate these concepts with surfing. But Ru Hill is not an ordinary surfer. He’s a scientifically-minded entrepreneur who has used these ingredients to build an extraordinary business called Surf Simply in Nosara, Costa Rica. In this episode, Ru reflects on why more than 30% of his guests are repeat visitors (that’s 10X the industry average!) and reveals how he’s been able to improve the customer experience by focusing less on the customer… and more on his 35 team members. You’ll be blown away by Ru’s explanation of the Peter Principle and how he’s avoided this trap by doing away with a hierarchical reporting structure. He also explains why paying someone more doesn’t necessarily improve their performance. And listen up for the one thing entrepreneurs often get wrong about social media marketing. So, with guests on a 12-month waiting list, Ru plans to massively scale—right? Listen all the way through to hear what he plans to do next. And subscribe so you won’t miss a show! ... show more

June 4, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 06: How to Manage Your Time Like a Millionaire With Jay Papasan

We all share the same 24 hours… so how do peak performers seem to squeeze in so much more? Today, you’ll learn the tools author Jay Papasan uses to lead the publishing arm of Keller Williams Realty, all while growing a thriving family business (and raising two kids and a dog named Taco). For Jay, it’s not just about saying yes or no to opportunities. It’s about setting up systems (a virtual FAQ has saved him countless hours) and putting conditions around his commitments (use the words, “Yes, IF…“). Jay also goes in-depth on hiring and tells us why it’s a scary but worthwhile exercise to do the math on how much a single bad hire would cost a company. Looking for that one person who will take your business to the next level? You’ll want to hear about the “missing persons report” Jay uses to stay on the lookout for his next team member and the counterintuitive question he asks himself before each and every hire he makes. This episode is packed with proven wisdom from one of the sharpest business minds in the game. So make sure you listen through to the end, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

May 28, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 05: Disrupting an Ancient Industry by Thinking Differently with Daniel Santana and Chris Bossio

Today’s guests are harnessing technology to change the face of a blue-collar, brick and mortar business that’s been around for 7,000+ years : barbering. Daniel and Chris break down exactly how they opened their first barbershop in the Tampa Bay area, and how reinvesting the profits allowed them to open 6 more in a few short years. They explain why every entrepreneur should set aside some funds for “oopsies.” And they offer tips on projecting expenses, choosing a location, hiring a team, and conjuring up creative ways to get customers in the door — guidance that applies to each and every business. So, can a barbering business really scale? Theirs does… because they launched a line of barbering products including razors, shears, air compressors, and wireless charging mats. So if you’ve ever considered direct-to-consumer sales, you’ll want to listen for their advice on doing business overseas (hint: hire a consultant!) and growing sales online. Also, Chris reflects on building a massive Youtube following — and how providing free education to his 250,000 subscribers helped build his company’s brand and attract high-caliber talent. If you want to change your industry by taking a fresh approach, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action today. Download this one now, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

May 21, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 04: Building a 6-Figure Business Buying and Selling Items Online with Bill and Maida Webster

What does it take to jumpstart your own ecommerce operation right from your home? That’s the topic of today’s show with Bill and Maida Webster, a “retired” Connecticut couple who launched second careers as eBay sellers in the early 2000s. They came to love the wheeling and dealing—and soon realized the earnings would allow them to avoid dipping into their retirement savings. As Maida says, “eBay (literally) floats our boat!” You’ll learn Bill and Maida’s tips for researching comparable sales online and hear how they routinely sell items for as much as 6x the purchase price. They reveal how they source their niche products locally, then market them internationally to create bidding wars (Chinese buyers bidding on a sunglasses case?!). You won’t want to miss Bill and Maida’s story about how they helped an heir to a famous Hollywood couple by selling their belongings on consignment… OR their story about trying to figure out what to do with a U-Haul truck filled with antique dolls. Bill and Maida also reflect on working together as a married couple, and how they divide up their responsibilities (and physical workspaces) to avoid driving each other crazy. J and Carol can relate! This is an entertaining and insightful show that will inspire you to start looking around the house for items to sell. Whether it’s Amazon, Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, or another platform, if you’re looking to create a new income stream by buying and selling online, this episode is a perfect starting point. If you enjoy the episode, make sure you’re subscribed so you won’t miss an episode! ... show more

May 14, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 03: How to Attract Media Attention and Turn Publicity Into Profit with Brent Underwood

Do you want to know how to get your business noticed by reporters and generate positive press? Today’s guest has made a career out of doing just that. In this episode, he teaches you exactly how to make a splash through innovative (some would say crazy), outside-the-box techniques.Brent Underwood is a creative marketer who’s done publicity for musical artists, best-selling authors, and his own projects—including a ghost town he bought and plans to turn into a high-end resort.Today, Brent tells us how his career began with a cold email and how that led to him working with some of the most talented writers and marketers in the country. Brent also reveals how he gets into the heads of reporters and editors—and how you can do the same. He explains what a “handle” is, and why you need one to get your message to spread. And you won’t want to miss the most important lessons Brent learned after opening his own hostel in Austin, Texas, and how a goat helped boost business. This show is jam-packed with information that will help you generate buzz and get yourself in front of more clients and customers. Download it today, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss an episode! ... show more

May 7, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 02: Your Business Shouldn’t Make You Miserable. How to Ensure It Doesn’t with Trevor Mauch, Founder of Carrot.com

Think about your typical work day. Which activities drain you? Which energize you? And which do you wish you were doing more of? Asking these questions changed Trevor Mauch's life for the better. In this episode, he guides us through an exercise that can help you do the same! For Trevor, it all began after a scary wake-up call. It wasn't that his software company wasn't doing well. In fact, Carrot—which builds high-converting websites for real estate investors and agents—recently landed on Inc.'s list of fastest-growing companies. Trevor even had enough cash to buy the domain name Carrot.com for a jaw-dropping sum (you'll learn just how much). Instead, the wake-up call was a near-tragedy brought on by his hardcore "hustle and grind" mentality. At that moment, Trevor realized that working nights and weekends wasn't sustainable. It also wasn't helping the company, because that routine wasn't allowing him to grow as a leader. Today, Trevor reveals the system you can use to delegate tasks that drain your energy (even if you're great at them!). He also drops some great tips for ranking higher in Google and how creating local "content with context" can help you beat out bigger, better-funded competitors. And he reflects on how building a strong, clearly-defined brand has helped attract some of his most valuable team members. The result is an episode that's part motivational speech, part marketing masterclass. So download, subscribe, and leave us a rating and review if you enjoy it! ... show more

May 1, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 01: How to Turn a Hobby Into a Booming Business (Then Get Your Life Back)—The BiggerPockets Story With Joshua Dorkin

If you think you know Joshua Dorkin’s whole story... think again. In the debut episode of the BiggerPockets Business Podcast, the BiggerPockets founder reveals exactly how he bootstrapped a hobby siteinto the world’s biggest online community of real estate investors. He also discusses how he worked 100-hour weeks in his basement (and in his boxers), and how somewhere along the way, it dawned on him that he’d built a “lifestyle business” that left him with no real life. Joshua traces the business back to the days when MySpace was hot. He offers tips for building an online community that will resonate today and into the future. He describes a few moments when he almost quit ($15,000 for a website that didn’t work?!) and reflects on why he waited eight years to make that game-changing first hire (Brandon Turner!). But for as many lives as BiggerPockets has touched, this episode is about something more profound than one company’s growth. You’ll learn what that is when Joshua reveals why he’s been out of the public eye lately and the reason he stepped back from day-to-day operations just as BiggerPockets began to reach new heights. This show will give you a lot to think about—whether you run your own business or you’re just thinking about taking that leap. It’s a perfect jumping-off point as we launch the BiggerPockets Business Podcast with the intention of helping one another make a real, positive impact on the lives of our customers, our teams, and our families. Listen now, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss an episode! ... show more

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BiggerPockets Business Podcast 17: Using Fear as Fuel with Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora, Co-Founders of Back to the Roots

A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

Previous Episodes

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 16: Mastering Cash Flow and Finding Riches in “Headache” Jobs with 3Point Cleaning CEO Jesse McCue

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 15: How to Build a $100K/Month Real Estate Wholesaling Business with Max Maxwell

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 14: Entering a Crowded Service Market and Crushing the Competition with Nick Huber

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 13: 3 Rules for Crushing It in Business with ‘Shark Tank’ Star Barbara Corcoran

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 12: Step-by-Step Case Study: Manufacturing, Marketing and Selling a Physical Product with Cody Berman of Arsenal Discs

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 11: How to Build a World-Class Craft Brewing Company with Dave Thibodeau

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 10: Building a 7-Figure Meat Snacks Company and Forming a Perfect Partnership with Peter Awad

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 09: The Secret to Starting a Risk-Free, Debt-Free Business QUICKLY with Alan Donegan

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 08: How to Use Words That SELL With Copywriting Ace Christina Gillick

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 07: Crafting a 5-Star Experience that Keeps Guests Coming Back with Surf Resort Owner Ru Hill

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 06: How to Manage Your Time Like a Millionaire With Jay Papasan

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 05: Disrupting an Ancient Industry by Thinking Differently with Daniel Santana and Chris Bossio

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 04: Building a 6-Figure Business Buying and Selling Items Online with Bill and Maida Webster

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 03: How to Attract Media Attention and Turn Publicity Into Profit with Brent Underwood

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 02: Your Business Shouldn’t Make You Miserable. How to Ensure It Doesn’t with Trevor Mauch, Founder of Carrot.com

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 01: How to Turn a Hobby Into a Booming Business (Then Get Your Life Back)—The BiggerPockets Story With Joshua Dorkin

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A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

BiggerPockets Business Podcast

Previous Episodes

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