In this episode, Charles delves into the innovative world of apprenticeship and entrepreneurial growth with Dave Kerpen, a serial entrepreneur who's built seven companies and successfully exited two. Dave shares his remarkable journey from hiring college students to developing the groundbreaking Apprentice program that's reshaping how businesses access and nurture top-tier talent. Dave challenges traditional notions of education and work experience, highlighting the immense value of practical, hands-on learning in the business world. Charles and Dave explore the delicate balance between formal education and real-world experience, the power of building genuine connections in the digital age, and creating sustainable businesses that prioritize both profit and personal growth. Dave's entrepreneurial spirit shines as he breaks down his strategies for scaling businesses, leveraging young talent, and building strong, lasting relationships in the business world. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in networking, the strategic use of social media, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance even as the business grows. Whether you're a startup founder looking to tap into fresh talent, an established business owner seeking innovative growth strategies, or a young entrepreneur navigating the complex business landscape, this episode is brimming with valuable insights. Get ready to transform your approach to talent acquisition, business scaling, and personal brand building. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Uncover how Dave turned hiring college students into a million-dollar business model Learn why practical experience can often outweigh traditional education in entrepreneurship Gain insights into building genuine connections and leveraging social media for business growth Understand the power of mentorship and apprenticeship in nurturing future business leaders Explore strategies for scaling a business while maintaining work-life balance Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:01 Hiring College Students: Reveals how Dave leveraged student talent to build his businesses. 4:35 Learning Beyond College: Discusses the value of practical experience over traditional education. 6:11 College vs. Business: Explores the debate between pursuing higher education and starting a business. 9:12 Starting a Business: Outlines Dave's approach to launching a new venture with limited funds. 11:05 Viable Problem Assessment: Explains the importance of identifying and solving real market problems. 13:52 Unit Economics Importance: Highlights the crucial role of understanding business unit economics for scaling. 16:55 Hospice Experiences: Shares insights gained from working in hospice care and their impact on business perspective. 22:00 Learning and Teaching: Emphasizes the bidirectional nature of mentorship in business. 23:31 Building Rapport: Offers strategies for creating genuine connections in professional settings. 27:11 Listening Skills: Stresses the importance of active listening in building relationships.

In this episode, Charles dives deep into the world of strategic hiring and company culture with Eric Bandholz, the founder of Beardbrand who transformed a passion for men's grooming into a thriving e-commerce empire. Eric shares his incredible journey from experiencing hiring nightmares to developing a revolutionary 9-step hiring process that boasts a remarkable 95% success rate. Eric challenges conventional hiring wisdom, emphasizing the critical role of company culture and core values in building a sustainable business. Eric and Charles explore the importance of cultural fit, thorough vetting processes, and creating a work environment where both founders and employees can thrive. Eric's bootstrap mentality shines through as he breaks down his strategies for growing a business organically and reinvesting profits. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey, strategic hiring, and maintaining a strong company culture even as the business scales. Whether you're a startup founder struggling with hiring decisions, an established business owner looking to improve team cohesion, or an HR professional seeking innovative recruitment strategies, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Prepare to revolutionize your approach to hiring, team building, and company culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Discover how Eric turned hiring challenges into a 95% success rate Learn why cultural fit is as crucial as skills in the hiring process Gain insights into creating a compelling job listing that attracts the right candidates Understand the power of core values in shaping company culture Explore strategies for conducting effective reference checks Learn how to implement a thorough skills assessment process Discover the benefits of a bootstrap mentality in business growth Understand the importance of balancing performance with cultural alignment Learn strategies for maintaining company culture as your business scales Explore the long-term benefits of investing in a strong company culture Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:01 Business Journey: Eric shares his experience building Beard Brand from a startup to an e-commerce empire. 4:15 Hiring Process: He outlines his revolutionary 9-step hiring process that achieved a 95% success rate. 6:02 Hiring Mindset: The entrepreneur emphasizes the importance of having the right mindset when hiring. 8:30 Job Listings: Bandholz explains how to create compelling job listings that attract the right candidates. 10:12 Reference Checks: He stresses the crucial role of thorough reference checks in the hiring process. 12:14 Resume Screening: The founder details his approach to the resume screening process. 15:12 E-commerce Focus: Eric discusses the specifics of running an e-commerce business. 17:14 Core Values: He delves into the importance of aligning core values in hiring decisions. 20:10 Employee vs Entrepreneur: Bandholz distinguishes between employee and entrepreneur mindsets. 22:30 Application Process: The businessman outlines his unique job application process. 25:01 Compensation Policy: Eric explains Beard Brand's compensation policy and philosophy. 27:11 Skills Testing: He provides an overview of their skills testing approach for candidates. 30:18 Candidate Investment: The entrepreneur discusses the importance of investing time in potential hires. 32:54 Accountability: Bandholz emphasizes the value of accountability in the workplace. 37:23 Honesty: He underscores the significance of honesty throughout the hiring process. 39:44 Reference Process: Eric details their thorough reference check process. 42:50 Power of Silence: The founder explains how silence can be a powerful tool during interviews. 45:52 Red Flags: Bandholtz identifies key red flags to watch out for when hiring. 49:58 Gut Instinct: He advises listeners to trust their gut when making hiring decisions. 52:05 E-commerce Resources: Eric shares valuable resources for running an e-commerce business. 54:50 Product Highlight: The entrepreneur spotlights their popular sea salt spray product. 57:28 Company Culture: He offers insights into building and maintaining a strong company culture.

In this episode, Charles delves into the world of e-commerce and entrepreneurship with Steve, a Stanford-educated electrical engineer who turned a simple wedding day solution into a thriving online business. Steve shares his remarkable journey from a traditional engineering career to building a six-figure e-commerce empire in just one year, all starting with handkerchiefs. Steve reveals his unconventional approach to e-commerce, challenging popular notions about dropshipping, and emphasizing the power of selling your own products. Through engaging stories and practical advice, Steve and Charles explore the importance of emotional selling, product validation, and finding unique market opportunities that solve real customer problems. Steve's engineering background shines through as he breaks down his strategies for automating and scaling an e-commerce business. He emphasizes the importance of email marketing, outsourcing, and continuous adaptation in the ever-changing online retail landscape. Whether you're an aspiring e-commerce entrepreneur looking to launch your first product, a seasoned online seller aiming to scale your business, or a traditional business owner seeking to pivot into the digital space, this episode is filled with actionable insights. Prepare to be equipped with the knowledge to transform your approach to online selling and business growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Discover how Steve turned a personal need into a profitable e-commerce niche Learn why selling your own products can be more sustainable than dropshipping Gain insights into product validation strategies and the power of solving real customer problems Understand the importance of emotional selling in e-commerce Explore strategies for automating and scaling your online business Learn how to leverage email marketing for increased sales and customer retention Discover the benefits of outsourcing and how to do it effectively Understand the long-term commitment required for e-commerce success Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:00 Handkerchief Business: Explains how a wedding need led to launching a successful e-commerce business. 5:29 Dropshipping Decline: Discusses why dropshipping is becoming less viable in today's e-commerce landscape. 7:16 Emotional Purchasing: Reveals the importance of emotions in driving customer buying decisions. 9:53 Fulfillment Challenges: Highlights the risks of relying on third-party fulfillment in dropshipping. 12:07 Mental Hurdles: Addresses common mental blocks entrepreneurs face when starting an e-commerce business. 14:31 Engineering Mindset: Emphasizes the value of a problem-solving approach in entrepreneurship. 17:10 Business Purpose: Stresses the importance of having a clear purpose beyond just making money. 21:24 Problem-Solving Products: Advises on creating products that solve personal or observed problems. 24:02 Manufacturing Partners: Offers guidance on finding and vetting manufacturers for your products. 27:11 Marketing Budget: Discusses the financial considerations for marketing a new e-commerce product. 28:56 Wholesale Strategy: Explores the potential of selling to distributors to scale your business. 30:41 Customer Service: Shares insights on outsourcing customer service to the Philippines. 34:41 AI Content Creation: Introduces the use of AI for generating product images and content. 37:00 Time Management: Breaks down the time allocation needed for running an e-commerce business. 39:40 Product Validation: Provides strategies for validating product ideas before full launch. 43:20 Return Rates: Discusses typically low return rates in e-commerce for non-apparel items. 45:32 Marketing Tactics: Outlines effective marketing strategies for e-commerce businesses.

Finn McKenty, a YouTube sensation and business strategist, shares his journey from music content creator to personal branding expert. He discusses the importance of authenticity in brand pivots and offers strategic insights for optimizing LinkedIn for business growth. Finn emphasizes focusing on one platform at a time and using social proof to build credibility. With practical advice on engaging interactions and the power of voice notes, he inspires listeners to redefine their digital presence and embrace their unique traits for success.

In this episode, Charles dives deep into the world of content marketing and digital sales strategies with Ryan Hanley, the innovative entrepreneur who transformed from a struggling insurance agent to a digital marketing powerhouse. Ryan shares his extraordinary journey of building and selling a thriving digital agency in just two years, all while revolutionizing the way businesses approach content creation and sales. Ryan unveils his groundbreaking "100 Days, 100 Videos" strategy that catapulted his business to new heights. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, Ryan and Charles explore the untapped potential of answering real customer questions to create an endless stream of valuable content that builds trust and authority in any industry. Ryan's passion for authentic communication and innovative sales techniques shines through as he breaks down his "one call close" process, a game-changing approach that dramatically increased his team's close rates. He emphasizes the importance of listening, empathy, and transparency in sales, challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a great salesperson. Whether you're a content creator looking to never run out of ideas, a salesperson aiming to improve your close rates, or an entrepreneur seeking to build a scalable business model, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with the tools necessary to transform your digital presence and sales approach. Key Takeaways: Discover Ryan's "100 Days, 100 Videos" strategy for creating an endless stream of engaging content Learn how to implement the "one call close" process to dramatically improve your sales conversion rates Gain insights into building a scalable business model that leverages content marketing and innovative sales techniques Understand the power of video proposals in closing deals and building customer trust Explore strategies for pivoting your career and business in the face of challenges and industry changes Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 4:13 Digital Transformation: Ryan reveals how he pivoted from traditional insurance sales to digital marketing. 7:12 Explosive Growth: Detailing the rapid expansion of his business through innovative content strategies. 9:15 Overcoming Adversity: Exploring Ryan's journey through career challenges and his subsequent growth. 15:57 Client Engagement: Unveiling effective strategies for meaningful client communication. 19:32 Content Creation Arsenal: Ryan breaks down his toolkit for efficient content production. 23:24 One Call Close Mastery: Introducing the revolutionary "one call close" technique. 26:00 Open-Ended Questioning: Demonstrating the power of starting sales conversations with open-ended questions. 31:23 The Winning Moment: Ryan reveals the "kill shot" in his sales process. 33:35 Process Transparency: Emphasizing the importance of clearly explaining the sales process to clients. 35:58 Video Proposal Innovation: Exploring the game-changing impact of video proposals in sales. 38:51 Proposal Delivery Mastery: Breaking down the nuanced process of delivering effective video proposals. 41:26 Video Proposal Advantages: Highlighting the multifaceted benefits of using video proposals in sales.

In this episode, Charles delves into the world of exclusive fashion and entrepreneurship with Kola Tytler, the visionary founder of Dropout Milano. Kola shares his remarkable journey of building a thriving streetwear and sneaker store in Milan, Italy, while still pursuing his medical degree. Get ready to be inspired as Kola unveils his unique approach to creating an aspirational brand that resonates with its target audience. Uncover the power of exclusivity and experience-driven marketing as Kola reveals how he transformed Dropout Milano into a community-focused brand that goes beyond just selling products. Through engaging stories and practical insights, Kola and Charles explore the importance of understanding your market, identifying customer motivations, and leveraging data to optimize your marketing efforts. Kola's passion for continuous learning and self-improvement shines through as he discusses his pursuit of multiple degrees from prestigious UK universities, including an upcoming Masters at Cambridge. He emphasizes the significance of investing in your own education and network to build confidence and make better business decisions. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this episode will provide you with valuable lessons and frameworks to help you create a brand that stands out in today's competitive landscape. Get ready to be motivated and equipped with the tools necessary to build a loyal community around your brand and achieve remarkable success. Key Takeaways: Discover Kola's unique approach to building an exclusive, community-focused brand that resonates with its target audience Learn how to leverage experiential marketing and collaborations to create an aspirational brand that goes beyond just selling products Gain insights into the power of understanding your market, identifying customer motivations, and leveraging data to optimize your marketing efforts Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 1:00 - Kola's journey to success 5:55 - Breaking limits and pursuing passions 7:26 - Building a sneaker empire 10:27 - Creating a sustainable business 13:53 - Building exclusive communities 15:36 - Creating physical store experiences 18:09 - Balancing exclusivity in e-commerce 20:22 - Product challenges in e-commerce 22:07 - Leveraging brand partnerships 24:02 - Creating unique brand experiences 25:55 - Shifting focus to brand identity 28:00 - Creating experiential content 30:00 - Engaging with online communities 32:24 - Crafting viral content 33:55 - Brand building strategies 36:24 - Focus on conversion ads 40:14 - Thirst for knowledge 42:30 - Pursuing entrepreneurship studies 44:58 - Celebrating academic achievements 46:42 - Leveraging online learning

In this episode, Charles dives into the world of niche influence with Jon Davids, the marketing mastermind behind Influicity. Jon shares his hard-earned wisdom on building thriving communities and skyrocketing brands to unimaginable heights. Get ready to take notes as Jon unveils his secret formula for creating a movement around your brand that captivates your target audience. Uncover the power of niche influence and learn how to harness it to amplify your brand's reach and impact. Jon reveals the "rent-to-own" marketing strategy that empowers businesses to scale without sacrificing their current revenue streams. Through real-life examples and practical advice, Jon and Charles explore the intricacies of building unshakable faith among your customers and creating a loyal community that advocates for your brand. Jon's no-nonsense approach cuts through the noise and delivers actionable insights that you can immediately implement in your own marketing strategy. He shares his journey from the early days of online magazines to working with industry giants like Disney and Toyota, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of digital marketing. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting your business, this episode will arm you with the tools and frameworks necessary to thrive in today's competitive digital landscape. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and motivated to take your brand to new heights by leveraging the untapped potential of niche influence. Key Takeaways: Discover Jon's secret formula for creating a movement around your brand that captivates your target audience Learn how to harness the power of niche influence to amplify your brand's reach and impact Uncover the game-changing "rent-to-own" marketing strategy that allows businesses to scale without sacrificing current revenue Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 2:08 Building an Online Magazine 5:10 Growing Website Traffic 7:32 Making money with Google AdWords 10:07 Launching influencer marketing agency 13:00 Collaborating with YouTube influencer 15:15 Unfair advantage discussion 17:23 Building community vs. Identity 20:00 Importance of brand for small businesses 22:49 Building communities effectively 28:01 Importance of niche influence 30:53 Building KLT 33:21 Examples of successful movements 36:59 Twitter success story 39:08 Faith building checklist 42:38 Interview testimonial questions 45:04 Acquiring more customers 46:57 Rent to own marketing framework 50:03 Accessing marketing resources

In this episode, Charles sits down with Andy Crestodina of Orbit Media Studios, a renowned content strategist who shares his groundbreaking approach to using AI for content creation and optimization. Andy reveals how to train AI to understand your target audience, identify content gaps, and generate compelling ideas that drive engagement and conversions. Discover the power of having a conversation with AI, rather than simply commanding it to perform tasks. Andy emphasizes the importance of training AI on your audience’s pain points, desires, and information needs, enabling it to provide highly targeted and valuable insights. Throughout the episode, Charles and Andy explore the various applications of AI in content marketing, from analyzing transcripts and identifying the most compelling soundbites to auditing e-commerce product pages and creating persona-driven content strategies. Andy shares his proven prompts and techniques, demonstrating how to leverage AI’s capabilities to supercharge your content creation process. Gain valuable insights into the future of AI in marketing and learn how to stay ahead of the curve by experimenting, collaborating, and continuously refining your prompts. Andy stresses the importance of setting realistic expectations and understanding that AI is a powerful tool that still requires human input and guidance to achieve optimal results. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to scale your content marketing efforts or a seasoned marketer seeking to harness the power of AI, this episode is packed with actionable tips and real-world examples that will help you take your content strategy to the next level. Key Takeaways: Discover a technique in AI that can help you create content that resonates deeply with your ideal customers, as if you could read their minds Uncover an approach to content creation that will make you feel like you have a genius ghostwriter at your fingertips Get a glimpse into the future of AI marketing and learn how to position yourself at the forefront of innovation by embracing new technologies and strategies Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 0:38 Secrets of Content Creation 2:49 The Magic of Gap Analysis 5:00 Teaching AI for Targeting 6:50 Emotional triggers in AI 8:45 Improving AI accuracy 13:51 Marketing emotions matter 15:22 Thought leadership creates tension 18:03 Triggering conversation for visibility 21:00 Ask questions, fill blanks 25:00 Learning from others 28:20 AI data insights 30:07 AI for marketing 32:05 Conversion optimization prompts 35:30 Training AI on audience 37:09 Collaborative experimentation

In this episode, Charles sits down with Morgan Gist MacDonald of Paper Raven Books, a seasoned publishing expert who has turned her passion for helping authors into a thriving seven-figure business. Morgan shares her proven 8-step process for writing, publishing, and marketing a book that not only establishes your authority but also serves as a powerful lead generation tool for your business. Discover how to identify your target reader and curate the stories and information that will resonate with them most. Morgan emphasizes the importance of writing fast and revising later, ensuring that you maintain momentum throughout the book creation process. Throughout the episode, Charles and Morgan dive deep into the art of crafting compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) within your book. Morgan reveals her favorite CTA strategies, all designed to convert readers into loyal email subscribers. Gain valuable insights into optimizing your book’s presence on Amazon, the world’s largest online bookstore. Morgan breaks down the key elements of a high-converting Amazon book page, from crafting attention-grabbing titles and subtitles to leveraging keywords and categories to boost your book’s discoverability. Whether you’re a first-time author or looking to level up your publishing game, this episode is packed with actionable advice and insider tips for creating a book that not only showcases your expertise but also serves as a powerful tool for growing your business. Tune in to discover how Morgan’s 8-step process can help you unlock the full potential of your book and achieve the success you deserve. Key Takeaways: Uncover a surprising lead generation tool that can take your business to new heights Learn the the most effective calls-to-action (CTAs) that turn casual readers into devoted fans and loyal customers Discover the essential components that make your book stand out in a crowded marketplace and attract a flood of interested buyers Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 1:46 Leveraging Social Proof 5:21 Implementing Calls to Action 6:58 Book Launch Strategies 13:27 Targeting Specific Audience 15:33 Narrowing Down Audience 20:02 Brainstorming Content 27:16 Giving away physical copies 30:19 Different types of CTAs 33:38 Recommended lead capture methods 35:37 Essential business tools 39:27 Effective call to actions 41:28 Quick start guide importance 44:03 Importance of optimizing Amazon 47:03 Key elements for Amazon optimization 48:49 Update categories for optimization

In this episode, Charles sits down with Dush Ramachandran of The Net Momentum, a seasoned business strategist who has helped companies scale from $100 million to over $500 million in revenue. Dush shares his invaluable insights on the common pitfalls of starting a business and reveals the secrets to successfully buying, systematizing, and selling companies for maximum profit. Discover the surprising truth about why buying an existing business is often a better strategy than starting one from scratch. Dush breaks down the key factors to consider when acquiring a company, from defensibility and culture to the company’s secret sauce and the loyalty of its employees. Throughout the episode, Charles and Dush explore the crucial role of the founder in the scaling process and discuss strategies for empowering staff and fostering a culture of growth. Dush shares his approach to identifying the hidden talents within an organization and placing people in roles where they can truly shine. Gain valuable insights into the art of selling a business for a premium price. Dush reveals the five reasons why companies buy other companies and explains how understanding the buyer’s motivation can help you craft a compelling value proposition that goes beyond mere numbers. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to scale your business, an investor interested in acquiring companies, or a founder preparing to exit, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples from someone who has successfully navigated the complex world of business growth and acquisition. Key Takeaways: Uncover a little-known approach to entrepreneurship that can fast-track your success and minimize risk Learn the critical elements that can make or break your investment, and discover how to identify a golden opportunity when you see one Discover the secret to maximizing your business’s value and attracting top-dollar offers from eager buyers Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 5:02 Shattering preconceived notions 10:30 Unpredictable art business 14:18 Begin with the end 21:19 Steady Revenue stream 31:36 Scaling challenges 39:50 Elevating the founder 41:29 Decentralize and empower 49:00 Understanding company culture 51:57 Key differentiators 57:52 Understanding buyer motivations