MBA2118 Extended Interview: Matt Giovanisci – Building a Crazy Successful Business On Your Own Terms
Aug 22, 2022
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In this engaging discussion, entrepreneur Matt Giovanisci shares his journey of building a thriving business independently. He emphasizes the power of self-education and inventive strategies over traditional paths. Giovanisci highlights the importance of adaptability and leveraging personal experiences, such as turning a summer job into a successful online venture. He also discusses overcoming financial challenges by diversifying income streams and maintaining a focus on personal values, ultimately redefining what success means on one's own terms.
Matt Giovanisci emphasizes the importance of self-created strategies over traditional methods, demonstrating that personal innovation is key to entrepreneurial success.
Self-awareness plays a vital role in Matt's journey, allowing him to make decisions that align with his values and personal happiness.
Adaptability is crucial in entrepreneurship, as seen in Matt's ability to pivot and create digital products in response to market changes.
Deep dives
Matt Javanese's Entrepreneurial Journey
Matt Javanese, an accomplished entrepreneur, embodies the idea of building a successful business on his own terms. His journey began with a blog named Swim University, which became a financial success generating over a quarter million dollars annually. Unlike traditional entrepreneurs, Matt carved his path based on his personal preferences, steering clear of the conventional business growth models. His willingness to explore various creative outlets, such as podcasting and video production, illustrates his innovative approach to entrepreneurship.
The Importance of Self-Awareness in Business
Self-awareness plays a crucial role in Matt's entrepreneurial decisions, allowing him to prioritize his preferences over societal expectations. He acknowledges that many entrepreneurs get caught in the trap of operating businesses that don't align with their aspirations or happiness. Matt's consistent evaluation of his own comfort zone enables him to make bold decisions, such as selling businesses or exiting partnerships that feel misaligned with his values. This dedication to self-awareness proves vital in maintaining satisfaction and minimizing burnout.
Navigating Business Challenges with Adaptability
Matt's adaptability has been a key factor in successfully navigating the often unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship. When faced with changes in affiliate marketing commissions that threatened his revenue stream, he proactively shifted his focus toward creating his own digital products. This pivot not only maintained his income but eventually led to a more stable financial footing. By viewing challenges as opportunities to innovate, Matt exemplifies the importance of remaining flexible and responsive to market changes.
The Value of Creative Freedom and Lifestyle Choices
A significant aspect of Matt's journey is the emphasis on creative freedom and the ability to design his ideal lifestyle. He believes in keeping a lean team and a simple business model to avoid the complexities that come with larger organizations. This streamlined approach allows him to spend more time engaging in work that excites him, such as content creation and product experimentation instead of managerial duties. For Matt, the goal of entrepreneurship is not just profitability but also the freedom to enjoy life on his own terms.
Consolidating Business Focus for Greater Impact
Over the years, Matt has learned the importance of consolidating his business focus to maximize effectiveness and creativity. He recognizes that diversifying too broadly can dilute his efforts and lead to unnecessary stress. Through gaining clarity about what aligns with his skills and passions, he has successfully narrowed his focus to businesses that genuinely resonate with him. This emphasis on thoughtful prioritization showcases how a more focused approach can lead to greater satisfaction and sustainable growth in entrepreneurship.
Matt Giovanisci built a successful brand and business without anyone else’s money, anyone else’s formulas, or even a post-secondary education (unless you count everything he taught himself, which you should).
So how did he do it?
By fearlessly experimenting, adapting what works, and ditching the rest. In this long-form interview, you’ll get an in-depth lesson in how adaptability, ingenuity, and some extra chutzpah really are the only things an entrepreneur needs.
From leveraging random (but valuable) knowledge from a summer job into effective content, to teaching himself how to build websites pre-WordPress, to affiliate marketing before most people knew the term, Matt is proof that with flexibility and persistence, you can just…figure it out.
Learn from an example of pure entrepreneurship: self-made, completely independent, and brave enough to disregard anything that doesn’t directly support the lifestyle he wants.
If you’re not sure what you want to do, or how you want to do it, give yourself the benefit of hearing this interview. Where there’s a will, there’s a way — even if you have to invent it. Click play at the top of this page!