
Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business
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
Latest episodes

Aug 2, 2024 • 51min
39 - How Productized Services Built an 8 Figure VC Studio with Michael Greenberg
Michael Greenberg, founder of a venture studio specializing in managed staffing and digital operations, shares his insights on productized services. He defines this concept as a means to package offerings for efficiency and growth. The discussion covers challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the importance of clarity and consistency in operations, and the five C's of digital management. Greenberg also emphasizes the role of automation and digital systems in scaling businesses effectively, along with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to optimize their services.

Jul 31, 2024 • 54min
38 - From Idea to IPO in 12 Months with Callum Laing
Callum Laing, founder of the Veblen Director Program, shares his expertise on effective board governance tailored for small businesses. He discusses how tailored boards can enhance growth and networking. The conversation explores his innovative agglomeration model for mergers and acquisitions, focusing on maintaining brand identity. Callum also highlights the challenges small businesses face in public markets and the power of informal advisory boards. His insights into member acquisition strategies underscore the importance of building connections for aspiring board members.

Jul 29, 2024 • 43min
37 - How a Side Hustle Became a $50K/Month Business with James Lincoln
James Lincoln, the 27-year-old founder of Goodly Growth, opens up about his journey from software management to running a $50K a month digital marketing agency. He shares invaluable insights on overcoming entrepreneurial fears, mastering local SEO, and effective customer acquisition strategies. James emphasizes the importance of understanding customer metrics for sustainable growth and reflects on balancing work with personal life goals, including his aspirations in online education and fitness. A true inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs!

Jul 24, 2024 • 49min
35 - How to Use 𝕏 Spaces & DMs to Grow Any Biz with Gav Blaxberg
🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨I sat down with Gav Blaxberg, the dynamic founder of Wolf Financial, as he shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to leading a media and marketing agency that generates half a billion impressions a month. He reveals the strategies behind his success, including his pioneering use of Twitter Spaces and the impactful hiring of his COO.Listeners will gain insights into Gav's innovative approach to social media marketing, the challenges he overcame, and his future vision for Wolf Financial. This episode answers key questions about building a successful business, leveraging social media platforms, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team.Potential Questions the Episode AnswersHow did Gav Blaxberg build a media empire using Twitter Spaces?What strategies does Gav use for effective cold outreach on social media?How can businesses leverage Twitter Spaces for increased visibility and engagement?What are the benefits of hiring a COO, and how can they impact a company's growth?How did Gav manage to generate half a billion impressions a month for his clients?02:24 Understanding Wolf Financial03:54 The Role of Social Media in Business09:15 The Journey to Entrepreneurship11:49 The Impact of COVID-1912:41 Building a Social Media Brand19:42 Expanding Wolf Financial21:30 The Importance of a Strong Team25:13 Hiring the Right People: A Leap of Faith26:25 Financial Decisions and Company Growth28:12 Innovative Hiring Models29:16 Personal Passion: Finance and Sports30:26 Building Wolf Sports33:03 The Scale of Wolf Financial35:04 Future Vision and Inspirations37:26 The Power of Twitter Spaces40:27 Balancing Risk and Focus42:49 Rapid Fire Questions___________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.___________________________

Jul 22, 2024 • 30min
34 - From the Army to Building a $70M Dental Empire with David Ensley
David Ensley, a former Army member turned orthodontist, discusses his remarkable journey to building a $70 million dental empire. He shares insights on how military experiences shaped his business mindset and the benefits of the Dental Services Organization model. David dives into strategic marketing tactics for dental practices and emphasizes the importance of maintaining profit margins. He also highlights the emotional rewards of improving patients' smiles while balancing entrepreneurship with family life, offering valuable lessons for aspiring business owners.

Jul 19, 2024 • 38min
33 - The Scoop! Growing From 18 to 111 Locations in 5 Years with Cliff Kennedy
🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨In this episode, Cliff Kennedy (https://x.com/CliffKennedy_3) shares his journey of transforming Frios Gourmet Pops into a thriving franchise that delivers happiness through popsicles. You will learn how he expanded the business from 18 to 111 territories in just five years, highlighting the strategic decisions and community engagement that fueled this growth.Additionally, Cliff's personal stories, including how he was inspired to buy the business and the impact of bringing joy to his customers, add a heartfelt dimension to the conversation. This episode is packed with practical tips and inspirational anecdotes, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in franchising, business growth, and the power of a simple, joyful product.Here are some questions this episode answers:- How can a unique idea and a strong sense of purpose transform a small business into a 111-territory franchise in five years?- What are the key steps to expanding a small business from 18 to 111 territories in five years?- How can an unexpected inspiration lead to generating $200k+ in annual revenue from a single franchise territory?- What are the benefits and challenges of transitioning from 20 brick-and-mortar locations to a mobile, event-based business model with over 70 franchisees?- How does maintaining a strong company culture contribute to selling 20 new franchises year-to-date?https://friospops.com/00:54 Introduction to Nikonomics and Cliff Kennedy01:39 The Birth and Growth of Frios Gourmet Pops02:35 The Franchise Model and Business Operations04:47 Cliff's Personal Journey and Family Business08:11 The Emotional Impact of Frios Pops11:55 Franchisee Profiles and Business Potential19:20 Fixed Royalty Model19:47 Franchisee Income Insights20:41 Expanding Franchise Opportunities21:58 Franchise Ownership and Support25:19 Customer Acquisition Strategies26:53 Marketing and Lead Generation28:38 Shipping Challenges29:39 Future Growth Plans30:41 Rapid Fire Questions36:05 Final Thoughts and Advice___________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.___________________________Please LEAVE A REVIEW on any of these platforms:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

Jul 17, 2024 • 38min
32 - Building a 7 Figure Hospitality Biz Working 10 Hours a Week with Rashmi Bhat
Rashmi, a 7-figure hospitality business owner working 10 hrs/week, shares her journey from a sandwich shop to a thriving empire. She discusses systematizing operations, immigrant entrepreneurship challenges, community support, and efficient scaling strategies. Her story highlights resilience, calculated risks, and the power of leveraging community for success.

Jul 15, 2024 • 46min
31 - How a Few Viral Tweets About Excel Built a $3M Business with Kurtis Hanni
CPA Kurtis Hanni shares how he built a $3M business using social media, turning followers into clients. He discusses the strategic role of a CFO, the impact of COVID on financial services, and the monetization of newsletters. The episode also touches on creativity in business, taking risks in entrepreneurship, and embracing individuality.

Jul 12, 2024 • 36min
30 - From $350k to $1.7M Using This Little Known Google Tool with Buddy Rathmell
In this engaging discussion with Buddy Rathmell, a specialist in optimizing Google Business Profiles, listeners learn about the essential role these profiles play in boosting local businesses. Buddy shares his remarkable journey, turning a client's revenue from $350,000 to $1.7 million through strategic online engagement. He emphasizes the need for regular updates and offers tips on writing effective, keyword-rich posts. Additionally, Buddy reflects on his inspiring past working against human trafficking and the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship.

Jul 10, 2024 • 49min
29 - How to Cut Your Offering, Triple Your Prices & Thrive with Dave Kline
🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨In this episode, we dive into the world of management training with Dave Kline, the founder of a company dedicated to developing effective leaders and managers. Dave shares his journey from being an engineer to working at top-tier companies like PwC, Moody's, and Bridgewater Associates, where he honed his skills in leadership and talent management.Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I explore Dave's entrepreneurial leap into buying and transforming a digital asset into a thriving management training business. Dave discusses how he successfully doubled the revenue of this business within a year and the pivotal moment when he decided to triple the course price while removing content, which led to even higher customer satisfaction.This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills or grow a successful business. Don't miss Dave's actionable advice and unique approach to management training.If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe. You can follow Dave on LinkedIn (Dave Kline) and Twitter (https://x.com/dklineii).00:31 Meet Dave Kline: From Viral Post to Management Accelerator02:29 Dave's Professional Journey: From Engineer to Leadership Roles06:23 Transition to Entrepreneurship: Buying and Starting a Business08:40 Launching the Management Accelerator14:54 Iterating and Improving the Program18:13 Building Trust and Handling Conflict in Leadership22:09 Experimenting with New Formats and Feedback Loops24:26 The Importance of Diversifying Platforms26:15 Insights on Management Training28:31 Creating Effective Training Modules31:44 Course Structure and Post-Course Engagement35:49 Exploring New Ideas and Future Plans40:23 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts___________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.___________________________