Latest Episode • February 25, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 44: The Most Effective Marketing Technique You’re Probably Ignoring in Your Business with John Ruhlin

Have you considered that there may be a marketing channel for your business that you’ve never taken advantage of? One that could literally provide dozens—or hundreds—of times return on the cost of it? You may not have put much thought into it before, but after this episode, you will! John Ruhlin—author of the bestselling book Giftology—knows firsthand the value of giving gifts as a way to build both your network and your bottom line. And on this episode, John gives us all the ins and outs of giving gifts in a way that will not only surprise and delight the recipients of those gifts but also catapult the success of your business in the process. John tells us his story of how—by strategically spending $10,000—he was able to create and foster a relationship that has made him and his business well into the seven-figures. And how with much lower amounts than that, you can generate the same value for your business, as well. John tells us why giving gifts in the business world is important; who we should be giving gifts to (hint: it’s not who you think!); which types of gifts we should—and SHOULDN’T—be giving to achieve maximum impact; and how often we should be giving gifts to achieve the best results. Most importantly, John explains why most of the gifts we often give to our clients, vendors, colleagues, and potential partners are not just failing to help us foster those relationships but are actually HURTING our relationships! And make sure you listen for John’s tip on how to give the most impactful gifts for the lowest cost: It’s all about picking the right categories. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... 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

February 18, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 43: Financial Freedom Through Multiple Streams of Income with Yaro Starak

Do you value freedom and time above all else? Are you craving a lifestyle doing what’s truly most important to you, while financially supporting yourself, your family, your hobbies, and your adventures? Today’s guest has done just that, paving his own way and achieving freedom on many levels: financial, time, and mental. He’s taught thousands of people how to do the same. Today, he shares how you can do it, too! Yaro Starak—an online entrepreneur earning a full-time income from the internet since 2004—walks us through his evolution of multiple businesses, identifying potential opportunities, and taking steps with minimal risk to start additional ventures. He debunks myths about passive income and digs deeply into the “how” of making a “laptop lifestyle” work. Yaro gives actionable tips to identify areas in which you’re an expert, then use that expertise to earn income by sharing that information with others. He tells us the lessons he’s learned along the way: from early goals of simply making money to intentional, conscious decisions to do something you love to working with people you really enjoy. And make sure you listen for Yaro’s recommendation on how to fast-track learning the ins and outs of a business you’re passionate about, closing your gaps in knowledge, and increasing awareness of how everything works before wasting time and energy charging full-speed ahead. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

February 11, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 42: Building a Business You Can Sell for Top Dollar with David Barnett

Have you ever wondered how businesses are bought and sold? Or have you considered buying a business but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you've considered selling a business—or are starting a business that you’re hoping to sell at some point in the future. Buying and selling a business seems complicated... but it doesn’t have to be that way! David Barnett, business broker and author of six books including How to Sell My Own Business, knows firsthand how important it is that you build, structure, and manage a business in a way that will allow you to eventually sell it—even if that’s not your plan A. In this episode, he tells us why sometimes we have to sell even if we don’t expect to and how we can be certain to get top dollar if and when that time comes. In addition, David helps us understand how businesses are valued, the most common reasons why business owners sell, the types of terms that can be negotiated when buying or selling a business, and why most businesses sell for less than you’d think. And make sure you listen for David’s advice on how to handle situations where a seller is telling you one thing, but his financial statements are telling you another. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

February 4, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 41: Outsourcing Your Way to Millions with Nathan Hirsch of Outsource School

Intrigued by the concept of virtual assistants? Understandably so—the time commitment and expense of office space and in-house employees can be intimidating. Luckily, there are alternatives… NathanHirsch—serial entrepreneur and outsourcing expert—knows firsthand how difficult it can be to manage an office with lots of employees. And not only did he figure out a way to avoid it, he’s built several companies to help others do it, as well. As founder of his previous company FreeeUp.com, Nathan created a marketplace of remote workers and virtual assistants to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses without the need for local employees. And as a follow-up, Nathan has created OutsourceSchool.com, an educational platform where business owners can learn how to manage their businesses efficiently and effectively by using remote employees. In this episode, Nathan brings his expertise in outsourcing to our listeners, providing tons of actionable tips and ideas for how we can build our businesses without the overhead of office space and local employees. Nathan tells us how he built his Amazon store to over $25M in gross revenue and how he built and sold FreeeUp without a staff of local employees—only hiring remote help. He shares how we can do the same. Make sure you listen for Nathan’s four-step process for harnessing the power of remote employees. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

January 28, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 40: Buying and Growing a Small Business With Little to No Risk With Brit Foshee

Have you ever considered buying a business but were terrified of paying more than the business is worth? Have you ever wondered what you can do to help ensure that a business you buy today will generate the numbers promised by the previous owner? Well, today’s guest answers both those questions, helping us to minimize our financial risk when buying a small business! Brit Foshee—real estate investor and small business owner—walks us through the process he used to buy his first five landscaping companies, how he consolidated them into one big company to increase their value, and how he did it all with minimal financial risk. And he tells us how we can do the same thing if we decide we want to go the route of buying a small business. Brit tells us how he finds the businesses he buys, how he evaluates them, how he recruits partners to run them, and most importantly, how he gets the owners to all but guarantee their financial success. And for you real estate investors out there, you’ll be amazed at how similar buying a business is to buying real estate! And make sure you listen for Brit’s recommendations on using “claw backs”—a way to literally guarantee that a business owner doesn’t misrepresent the numbers when selling you a business. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

January 21, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 39: Creating Your Vision and Achieving Massive Success with Cameron Herold

Does the book, “Vivid Vision” sound familiar? Brandon Turner (host of the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast) raved about it when he we interviewed him on the show last year. Brandon credited the book with helping him overcome his vague thinking, providing him the insight to hone his goals and putting him on the path to massive success with real estate syndications. In fact, Brandon raved so much about the book that we knew we had to have the book’s author on the show to provide our listeners a first-hand education on why creating a vision is important and how we should be doing it. And that’s what we’re doing today... Cameron Herold -- best-selling author, founder of The COO Alliance and the operational brain behind several behemoth companies, including 1-800-GOT-JUNK -- is here to help you learn how to clearly define your business and life vision in a way that will put both you and your team on the path to success. Cameron breaks down the steps for defining your vision, documenting your vision (hint: it’s a lot more fun than you think), and then sharing that vision with your partners, employees and prospective employees to ensure that the entire team is aligned with YOUR vision for success. And, for those of you who like to think about things from an analytical perspective, make sure to listen for Cameron’s mathematical formula for success… Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

January 14, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 38: Converting Customers Into Fans Who Grow Your Business for You with David Meerman Scott

Do you hate marketing? Do you hate sales? Do you wish there was an easy way to grow your customer base and your profits without relying on all the old bread-and-butter sales and marketing techniques that everyone else is using? Today’s guest provides us a path to business growth that doesn’t hinge on being a professional marketer or salesperson. David Meerman Scott—bestselling author of 11 books, including the just released Fanocracy—explains to us why the most powerful marketing force on the planet isn’t social media, television commercials, or any other traditional marketing technique. Instead, it is the ability to convert our customers into loyal fans. And he tells us how we can convert customers in our businesses into super-fans, helping us to scale and grow our business in ways that we’ve never considered. David uses everything from neuroscience research to the band Grateful Dead to show us how we can convert our customers into brand ambassadors for our businesses. Whether your business is a product or a service, whether you have a recurring relationship with your customers or you only engage with them once in a lifetime, David’s techniques will provide you the tools you need to get your customers to grow your business for you. And make sure to listen for David’s suggestion on using selfies to grow your business! It's brilliant. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

January 7, 2020

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 37: Choosing the Right Niche—Follow a Business Startup Journey From Day 1 with J Scott

J Scott isn’t just the host of this podcast—he’s also a serial entrepreneur, who has a passion for starting businesses. And with 2020 now underway, J is finally ready to announce the launch of his latest endeavor, which he does right here on this episode of the BiggerPockets Business Podcast. In this episode, J talks about his criteria for choosing an industry and a specific business, he details the new business that he’s launching this week, and he dives into the nitty-gritty details of his financial projections and growth strategy. J tells us why “sexy” isn’t always the best choice for picking a business niche and how focusing on your existing strengths and expertise can help you create a “barrier to entry”—something that gives you a tremendous advantage over your competition and over others who might try to compete with you in the future. Best yet, J has promised to come back every few months and update us on this new business journey, so that our listeners can learn from both his successes and his mistakes! ... show more

December 31, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 36: ALL NEW Tips, Inspiration, and Words of Advice From Some of Our Favorite 2019 Guests

In 2019, the BiggerPockets Business Podcast was launched. In the past eight months, we’ve gotten nearly ONE MILLION downloads, as well as some tremendously positive feedback. Our guests have included entrepreneurs who are just starting out, entrepreneurs who have built eight-figure businesses, and everything in-between. We’ve talked to business owners who have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars on Shark Tank and have even talked the the Sharks themselves. We’ve also talked to bestselling authors of some of our favorite business books and to coaches who help entrepreneurs reach their full potential. Now that we’re entering 2020, we wanted to revisit with some of our favorite and most popular guests from last year, and get their words of wisdom, encouragement, and advice for the new year. In this episode, we’re bringing back a number of our 2019 guests to give us their best actionable tips and suggestions for entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether you’re planning to launch a business in 2020, are looking to scale your business, or are trying to overcome some business obstacles, today’s show is for you. ... show more

December 24, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 35: Starting a Brand New Business While Putting Family First with Carol Scott of Scott Silver Concierge Realty

Have you dreamed of starting a new business but can’t imagine how in the world you’d fit that into your already-packed family schedule? Love the idea of getting your significant other involved in yourventure, so you can tackle the world together—power-couple style? It CAN be done… and today’s guest is passionate about sharing how, with the right approach, you can even get the kids on board, too! In this engaging episode, BiggerPockets Business Podcast host J Scott interviews his wife and co-host Carol Scott, as she launches a brand new business. Carol shares her expertise in leveraging the successes you’ve had in your personal and work life to create a company that generates income while prioritizing—and not compromising—your responsibilities at home. Carol also provides actionable tips on creative hiring from the get-go to put together an impactful team that can help drive your vision. She also discusses the power in telling everyone you know, loud and clear, about what you’re doing. Together, Carol and J teach how to instill values of collaborative entrepreneurship in the family and the crucial importance of a dedicated workspace to help shift mindsets, support one another, and make progress toward your goals. And if you’re hung up on the expectation of perfectionism and doing it all, make sure you listen to Carol’s often-controversial take on how to overcome that unattainable, society-driven notion! Enjoy, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast to continue learning throughout 2020 and beyond. Happy Holidays! ... show more

December 17, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 34: From NO Business Experience to $40M in Sales and Shark Tank Success with Jamie and Brian Ratner of CertifiKID

Are you concerned that your lack of business experience is going to hinder your ability to start and grow a company? Do you think that being a marketing expert is a prerequisite to getting your first customers? Well, that’s not the case... and our guests today are here to prove it! Jamie and Brian Ratner—co-founders of CertifiKID, a multi-million dollar family-focused deal site—are here to tell you about how they started their company without business degrees, without a big team, and without a big marketing budget. And on this episode, they teach us how you can bootstrap your business and how building a team that buys into your vision can propel you to success. Jamie tells us how she stood on the street corner handing out flyers, trying to find that first customer. And Brian tells us how—10 years later—they were able to put themselves in front of some of the most influential investors on the planet. Brian also tells his story about how he went toe-to-toe with Kevin O’Leary (from Shark Tank), negotiating a deal that would bring them a big six-figure investment and a realization of one of their big business goals. And if you’ve ever dreamed of being on Shark Tank, make sure you listen for Jamie’s tip on how to bypass the cattle-call auditions and get straight to the decision makers! Check them out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

December 10, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 33: How to Generate Business No Matter the Product or Service with Pat Fenton

Having trouble generating business in your business? Having difficulty converting sales? CEO, mentor, coach, and marketing expert Pat Fenton is here to talk about the principles of attracting—and converting—customers to your business. No matter what you offer, whether it’s a product or a service, the principles for getting business are the same. Pat shares actionable steps on how to generate business, how to influence people to contact you, how to grow by expanding your network, how to create reciprocity, and how to add value above and beyond the competition to get continuous referrals and repeat business. Make sure you listen for Pat’s words of wisdom about how to turn failure into success and how even those who fail the most can ultimately end up being the best. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

December 3, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 32: Building an App That Partners With Billion-Dollar Brands—But Only Because They "Just Got Started" With Wes Schroll and Tyler Kennedy

"If you wait until you have a perfect plan," says Fetch Rewards co-founder Tyler Kennedy, "you're never going to get started." That line sums up Tyler's journey alongside his partner Wes Schroll. Today, they take us behind the scenes at their fast-growing startup, which employs 100-plus people and helps two million-plus app users earn discounts on everyday consumer products. You'll learn how Fetch started "pivoting" right off the bat, how Tyler and Wes approached giant brands like Kraft and Dove (hint: start small), and how two magic words turn regular old customers into evangelists. No matter what business you're in, you're in the business of looking for "win-win" arrangements. And in this interview, you'll learn how to do that from two creative, tenacious entrepreneurs who credit their success to getting started BEFORE they had it all figured out. Download this episode, and make sure you're subscribed to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won't miss the next one! ... show more

November 26, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 31: Leveraging Your Network to Launch and Grow Your Business with Gavin Steinberg

Do you have a business idea but are afraid that you don’t know enough about the industry to achieve success? Do you worry that you’ll hit a roadblock that will keep you from growing your business to its full potential? These are scary thoughts that plague many entrepreneurs, but there is a simple solution to overcoming these risks! Gavin Steinberg—real estate developer turned founder of the novel furniture subscription company The Everset—is here to tell you how he overcame these risks to his business. His solution is all about leveraging your network and finding other people who can help you navigate those areas of your business where you may not be the expert. When Gavin decided to enter the world of furniture, he was like a fish out of water. It wasn’t an industry that he knew, but it was an industry that he wanted to be part of. Leveraging his relationships and relying on the help of others who did know the industry, Gavin was able to gain the expertise that he needed and lean on others to help his company grow and thrive. In this episode, he tells us how we should be constantly expanding our network and recruiting others to help us grow in areas where we don’t have the knowledge or experience to do it ourselves. Make sure you listen for Gavin’s words of wisdom about how unlikely it is that your first idea will drive your ultimate success and how you should embrace the changes your business will inevitably go through. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

November 19, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 30: How to Guarantee Profit From Day 1 with Mike Michalowicz

Do you worry that after everyone and everything else in your business is paid, there will be nothing left for you? Have you been taught to believe that the first several years of your business must involve constant financial struggle? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way! Mike Michalowicz—author of five amazing business books, including The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur and Profit First—knows firsthand how important it is to ensure that you get paid each and every day. And in this episode, he teaches how to make sure that you’re profitable in your businesses from day one. Mike tells us his story of entrepreneurship highs and lows. After two early successes, he found himself in dire straights, not bringing in enough money to pay his bills and falling into depression. But it was these struggles that made him realize that there was a better way of running his businesses—a way that would ensure that he could take care of his family while his businesses would continue to grow. The formula is simple, even if it’s not obvious. Mike breaks it down step by step, so that even the most skeptical among us will realize that immediate business profits are just a simple mindset shift away. He helps us realize that profitability in our business is already “baked in” and that by changing our habits, we can start extracting it TODAY! And make sure you listen for Mike’s business-changing idea: start slow, let it grow. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show! ... show more

November 12, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 29: Scaling Multiple Businesses and Making a BIG Social Impact with Andy Seth

Want to "do well" AND "do good"? Andy Seth's done just that—building several businesses and doing big things in his community. In this episode, he shares how he did it. You'll love hearing about Andy's journey from humble beginnings, like how he hustled at every turn and how he fought with what he calls "a terrible business partner"—his own ego! (Can anyone relate?) Andy shares great tips for finding what you're really passionate about and maintaining your energy while juggling multiple pursuits. You'll learn why it's OK to bounce around as you look to make a real impact beyond success and money. And our conversation on hiring might totally change the way you look at job applicants. Oh—and don't miss Andy's story about writing his book, Bling, in a shockingly short period of time. Andy is a super-thoughtful entrepreneur who's looking at the big picture and making a real difference in people's lives every day. Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won't miss our next show! ... show more

November 5, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 28: Marketing Funnels, Automation, and an Actual 4-Hour Work Week with Call Porter Founder Ryan Dossey

Whoa! Today's episode is a masterclass in building a business that runs without your day-to-day involvement. You might have heard of Ryan Dossey the real estate investor, but today he takes us behind the scenes of Call Porter, his live call answering business, employing 27 people in St. Louis, Mo. You won't find Ryan in the office, though. He lives 1,800 miles away. And because he's put an executive team in place, he can focus on his "superpowers": content marketing and big-picture strategy. You'll love hearing Ryan's tips on how to keep remote employees accountable, why "core values" aren't B.S., and how to screen potential mentors/coaches to make sure they know what they're doing. This is a seriously inspiring episode, and you'll walk away ready to automate and delegate those tasks you've been meaning to get off your plate. Download this one, and subscribe so you won't miss the next BiggerPockets Business Podcast episode! ... show more

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BiggerPockets Business Podcast 44: The Most Effective Marketing Technique You’re Probably Ignoring in Your Business with John Ruhlin

A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

Previous Episodes

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 43: Financial Freedom Through Multiple Streams of Income with Yaro Starak

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 42: Building a Business You Can Sell for Top Dollar with David Barnett

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 41: Outsourcing Your Way to Millions with Nathan Hirsch of Outsource School

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 40: Buying and Growing a Small Business With Little to No Risk With Brit Foshee

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 39: Creating Your Vision and Achieving Massive Success with Cameron Herold

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 38: Converting Customers Into Fans Who Grow Your Business for You with David Meerman Scott

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 37: Choosing the Right Niche—Follow a Business Startup Journey From Day 1 with J Scott

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 36: ALL NEW Tips, Inspiration, and Words of Advice From Some of Our Favorite 2019 Guests

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 35: Starting a Brand New Business While Putting Family First with Carol Scott of Scott Silver Concierge Realty

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 34: From NO Business Experience to $40M in Sales and Shark Tank Success with Jamie and Brian Ratner of CertifiKID

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 33: How to Generate Business No Matter the Product or Service with Pat Fenton

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 32: Building an App That Partners With Billion-Dollar Brands—But Only Because They "Just Got Started" With Wes Schroll and Tyler Kennedy

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 31: Leveraging Your Network to Launch and Grow Your Business with Gavin Steinberg

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 30: How to Guarantee Profit From Day 1 with Mike Michalowicz

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 29: Scaling Multiple Businesses and Making a BIG Social Impact with Andy Seth

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 28: Marketing Funnels, Automation, and an Actual 4-Hour Work Week with Call Porter Founder Ryan Dossey

A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

BiggerPockets Business Podcast

Previous Episodes

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