Kickoff Sessions #316 Dan Martell - How to Build a $10M Business from $0
Dec 14, 2025
Dan Martell, a Canadian entrepreneur and investor, shares insights from his journey of building multiple software companies. He discusses the importance of starting with a scrappy MVP and validates demand through pre-sales. He highlights the impact of hyper-focus over diversification, and how storytelling and emotion drive engaging content. Martell also emphasizes the power of personal branding, simplifying communication, and embracing public iteration of work for growth. Plus, he dives into health protocols supporting high performance in business.
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Most Startups Die From Indigestion
- Most startups die from doing too many things, not from lack of customers.
- Focus: Follow One Course Until Successful, because diversification kills early momentum.
Validate With A Scrappy MVP
- Start with a scrappy MVP and sell the minimum economic viable offer before building.
- Pre-sell or consult to validate demand and avoid wasting development budget.
Freemium Is A Distribution Move
- Freemium is a distribution decision, not a business model decision, and works only with product-market fit.
- Building and distribution costs have collapsed, so pre-selling then building is viable today.
