Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business
Nikolas Hulewsky
Welcome to Nikonomics—the show for entrepreneurs and Wantrapreneurs, ready to tackle the toughest roadblocks to their first million.Nik brings firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue.Each week, he blends humor with real insights from successful entrepreneurs, sharing growth strategies, deal insights, and unique business ideas you won’t find elsewhere.Ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality? Hit play and let’s get to work.Follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/CoFoundersNik or @CoFoundersNik
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 8, 2025 • 35min
215 - The 3-Step Framework Consultants Use to Fix Million-Dollar Problems with Maurizio Cuna
Maurizio Cuna, a seasoned consultant with over 20 years of experience and author of 'Beyond Slides', shares invaluable insights into solving complex business challenges. He details techniques like the Problem Tree and the "five whys" that help uncover root causes rather than just addressing symptoms. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing urgency with thorough analysis and the growing necessity of soft skills in an increasingly AI-driven world. Entrepreneurs can glean practical strategies for tackling their own business issues effectively.
Aug 6, 2025 • 38min
214 - $150K in 3 Weeks Selling Christmas Lights—In August! with Anne McGinty
Anne McGinty, host of the How I Built My Small Business Podcast, shares her incredible journey from a challenging sales job to founding a seasonal Christmas lighting business with her husband, Mark. They turned a simple idea into a six-month enterprise, generating $100K in just three weeks! Anne reveals their scrappy marketing tactics, like using a spray-painted truck as a billboard, and discusses the strategic decisions that led them to sell the business despite its profitability. Join this inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship and innovative success!
Aug 4, 2025 • 40min
213 - From Amazon PM to $1M Newsletter Business in 9 Months with Nic Conley
Nick Conley, a former Amazon Product Manager turned newsletter entrepreneur, shares his journey of generating $1M in newsletter ad sponsorships within just nine months. He discusses the importance of powerful lead magnets for building trust with subscribers. Discover how he grew his B2B newsletter, The Follow-Up, to over 22,000 subscribers and the benefits of targeting B2B over local newsletters. Nick also reveals tools and strategies for optimizing email marketing and discusses how AI is transforming content creation for newsletters.
25 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 47min
212 - Roll-Ups vs. Holdcos: Understanding the Key Differences and Benefits with Dzmitry Miranovich
Dzmitry Miranovich, an investment professional building a roll-up in the veterinary clinic sector with over 20 locations, shares valuable insights. He clarifies the distinctions between roll-ups and holding companies, emphasizing market fragmentation's role in successful roll-up strategies. Dzmitry discusses evaluating cash flow in veterinary clinics and the significance of cultural alignment during acquisitions. He also examines investment tailwinds in healthcare and pet industries, offering practical advice for navigating market complexities while driving operational value.
20 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 29min
211 - AI SERIES: 19 - You're Using AI Wrong, Here's How to Fix It with Amanda Orson
In this engaging discussion, Amanda Orson, a serial entrepreneur who scaled her real estate marketplace Galleon to $60,000 per month using AI, shares her innovative insights. She introduces the concept of 'agentic AI,' which promotes dynamic interactions over simple task automation. Amanda highlights the importance of using AI as a Socratic mirror to challenge business decisions, rather than just affirming them. With practical strategies, she explains how to implement effective AI prompts and utilize historical data for deeper insights in decision-making.
Jul 28, 2025 • 59min
210 - Outrageous Membership Platform Success! 99% Margins and Zero Ads with Tarek Arafat
Tarek Arafat, co-founder of Table One, shares his journey in creating a successful membership platform that secures sought-after restaurant reservations in NYC. Discover how he tackled the scalping epidemic, turning a personal need into a booming business with nearly 99% margins and zero paid ads. Tarek reveals the pivotal moment when being featured in The New Yorker skyrocketed their growth and discusses the challenges of overcoming early setbacks. He also explores innovative investment strategies and the powerful impact of community involvement in their success.
Jul 25, 2025 • 31min
209 - How to Optimize Your SEO for the AI-First Search Era with Ryan Doser
Ryan Doser, a solopreneur with over a decade in marketing, discusses his journey from corporate life to digital entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the power of YouTube SEO as a vital tool for organic growth and trust-building. Ryan shares insights on leveraging AI to enhance content creation, showcasing his playbook for repurposing videos across platforms. He encourages even camera-shy entrepreneurs to embrace YouTube for marketing benefits, highlighting the essential role of long-form content in establishing credibility and connection.
Jul 23, 2025 • 36min
208 - How Embracing a Grudge Can Fuel Your Success with Liana Fricker
In this engaging discussion, Liana Fricker, an entrepreneur and accelerator leader, shares her journey at the crossroads of small businesses and venture capitalism in Europe. She discusses how a simple doll idea evolved into a venture-backed company focused on material circularity. Liana reveals her unique approach to spotting trends using thematic intelligence and PESTLE analysis, emphasizing the rise of 'going analog' in a digital world. She highlights essential traits of successful founders, including humility and curiosity, and the surprising role of a 'grudge' in motivating success.
4 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 48min
207 - No Agencies Allowed: Creating Massive Home Service Growth without an Agency with Steve Hunsaker
In this chat with Steve Hunsaker, a seasoned entrepreneur and home service expert, listeners explore innovative marketing strategies that empower small businesses to thrive. Steve emphasizes the need for DIY Meta Ads and shares why avoiding ad agencies can save costs. He dives into the importance of creating relatable content and managing leads swiftly to attract more customers. With a focus on organic growth and specific on-site strategies, he reveals opportunities within blue-collar trades, offering practical advice for aspiring business owners.
Jul 18, 2025 • 51min
206 - 87k MRR & 30% Net Margins? Her Doggy Daycares Print Cash with Shaina Denny
Shaina Denny, CEO of Dogdrop, discusses her innovative venture-backed franchise that's transforming dog daycare with a tech-savvy approach. She highlights the flexible membership model allowing pet parents to pay in 30-minute increments. Their unique operational strategies leverage technology for efficiency and safety. Shaina also shares insights on the strategic decision to embrace franchising for growth, emphasizing the importance of franchisee involvement and the qualities they seek, ensuring it’s not merely a passive investment.
