Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Amanda Orson, an AI expert reshaping how startups approach technology, discusses the revolutionary ways AI is changing business practices. She introduces seed strapping as a new funding method for maintaining control over growth. Listeners learn about using AI tools like Operator, ChatGPT, and Claude for increased efficiency and as thought partners in decision-making. Amanda also dives into the nuances of data management and how these AI applications can enhance sales forecasting and productivity for future-ready businesses.

Dive into an exciting new series highlighting how real entrepreneurs are leveraging AI in their businesses. Discover practical applications that make a real difference, as guests share insightful use cases in a simple, relatable way. This initiative promises no fluff—just actionable insights and visuals that illuminate the integration of AI into everyday operations. Tune in for valuable lessons and real-world strategies from those on the front lines!

In this conversation, Jon Matzner, an expert in branding and social media strategy, dives into how entrepreneurs can craft unique brands that resonate. He debates the effectiveness of SBA loans for new ventures, shedding light on the complexities of government-backed funding. Matzner emphasizes the importance of engaging with niche audiences over mass followings and discusses how authentic storytelling can create compelling content. Their lively banter explores the evolving dynamics of influence and community in entrepreneurship.

Chris Koerner, a business partner of Nikolas Hulewsky, joins the conversation to discuss advanced AI tools and their impact on small businesses. They evaluate which research tool, Perplexity or ChatGPT, leads for certain tasks. The duo also dives into innovative concepts like custom GPTs and the surprising rise of banana ketchup in the U.S. market. From discussing potential business ideas to exploring interactive entertainment ventures, they offer insights into how AI can unlock new opportunities and market trends.

In this engaging discussion, Derek Kolstad, a newsletter expert with over 600,000 subscribers, shares his secrets for organic growth without paid ads. He breaks down effective strategies for crafting compelling content and building user engagement. Derek discusses diverse monetization methods, including ads and affiliate marketing, and addresses challenges unique to personal newsletters. With actionable tips and insights, he inspires ambition in growing subscriber bases, including the goal of hitting 10,000 in just 60 days. Perfect for aspiring newsletter creators!

In this engaging discussion, Amanda Orson, founder of Galleon, shares her vision for disrupting the outmoded real estate industry with a commission-free marketplace. She explains the frustration with outdated practices and high commission rates, revealing a staggering $100 billion spent on commissions in 2022. Amanda emphasizes the importance of identity verification in transactions and introduces innovative strategies to connect sellers with vendors directly. Her lean approach to business, termed 'seed strapping,' hints at a revolutionary path for real estate.

Chris Koerner, a partner in entrepreneurial brainstorming, joins for a lively discussion on quirky business ideas. The duo explores a unique marketplace for products free from microplastics, connecting sourdough baking with environmental concerns. They dive into leveraging USPS for marketing and unlocking government subsidies for entrepreneurs. The conversation takes a turn to innovative uses of AI in data collection and potential health business trends, merging creativity with practicality in today’s economy.

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Ethan Kohan (https://x.com/ethan_kohan). Get ready for a wild ride as Ethan shares the incredible story of his entrepreneurial journey, starting with a simple idea for a vending machine in his fraternity house selling Juul pods.We dive into the highs and lows, from making serious money quickly to losing it all in sports betting, and how that unexpected experience led him to become "Vegas" himself by starting a sports book!We then explore the evolution of his business, Podplug, as it scaled from college campuses to bars, the challenges he faced with COVID-19, and his current focus on building a strong foundation for franchising his smart nightlife vending machine business, now offering a diverse range of convenience items.Questions This Episode Answers:Tell me about your business?Did you have to pay rent for this machine?Have you always been a hustler?What was patentable?Why did you go away from individuals selling the dual pods and go all in on, let's just place vending machines at these locations?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 From Loss to Opportunity: The Betting Journey14:48 The Birth of Podplug: Vending Machines and Hustling25:21 Transitioning to Vending Machines30:32 Scaling Operations and Revenue Growth35:18 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1939:07 Current Operations and Future Plans42:23 Franchising the Business Model49:07 Revisiting College Markets and Future Success

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Brian O'Connor (https://x.com/BrianFOConnor), a serial entrepreneur who transitioned from the corporate strategy world at Deloitte to building multiple successful businesses, including a fractional CMO company and a staffing company.We dive into his journey, exploring the motivations behind his entrepreneurial leap from a lucrative corporate career and the pivotal moment involving a PPP project and a memorable gift card. Brian shares insights on growth strategy, his experience with product market fit, and the key frameworks he uses, like the choice cascade from the book Playing to Win, to help businesses define their competitive advantage in both blue ocean and red ocean markets.Hear about the practical application of strategic thinking and the evolution of his ventures.Questions This Episode Answers:Why did Brian O'Connor leave a high-paying corporate job to become an entrepreneur?What is the choice cascade and how can it be used in business strategy?What's the difference between a red ocean and a blue ocean in business?How does Brian O'Connor define product market fit?What key elements should businesses consider when building their management systems?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Introduction to Brian's Entrepreneurial Journey01:23 Leaving the Corporate World02:10 Managing a Massive COVID-19 Project03:40 The Decision to Become a Fractional CMO05:48 Understanding Growth Strategy and Competitive Advantage07:42 The Choice Cascade Framework10:42 Strategic Choices for Business Success16:41 Balancing Strategy and Execution in Early-Stage Businesses20:47 The Evolution of Business Questions21:46 Balancing Confidence and Speed in Business Decisions22:07 Launching Business Units in Mexico: A Case Study24:51 The Role of Strategy and Execution in Small Businesses27:26 The Journey to Product-Market Fit30:44 The Importance of Positioning and Iteration34:56 Innovative Pricing Models in Talent Agencies38:58 Advisory Consulting as a Competitive Advantage

Join Chris Koerner, a growth marketing strategist and business partner to Nikolas Hulewsky, as they unravel the intriguing theory that Jack Dorsey might be Satoshi Nakamoto. They discuss the balance entrepreneurs must find between hands-on involvement and effective delegation. Discover inventive marketing tactics using Airdrop at conferences and the nuances of customer lifetime value. With humor and insight, they explore the implications of anonymity in crypto and the exciting transition phases for business founders.