Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business
Nikolas Hulewsky
Welcome to Nikonomics—the show for entrepreneurs and Wantrapreneurs, looking to make their first million.
I bring firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue.
Each week, I blend 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 @CoFoundersNik or YouTube @NikonomicsPodcast.
I bring firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue.
Each week, I blend 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 @CoFoundersNik or YouTube @NikonomicsPodcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 42min
192 - AI SERIES: 16 - Decoding the Tech Stack: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know with Ellie Daw
Ellie Daw, a seasoned founder with over 40 zero to one product builds under her belt, shares invaluable insights on technology integration for business owners. She breaks down key tech roles like IT, CIO, and CTO, making them less intimidating. Dive into the nuances of creating a tech stack and managing technical debt, emphasizing the importance of clear business goals. Ellie also introduces her new venture, Yalla, which aims to simplify understanding tech infrastructure, making it accessible for non-tech-savvy entrepreneurs.
8 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 38min
191 - $1 Million Revenue, $250K Cash Flow: The Smash My Trash Franchise Model with Kevin Moyer
Kevin Moyer transitioned from a lucrative tech career at Salesforce to become a franchise owner of Smash My Trash, combining work with tangible rewards. He shares the surprising challenges of franchise ownership, such as minimum royalties and personal guarantees. Operating mainly passively, Moyer reveals how he structured his business to generate significant cash flow while managing seasonal variations in California. He also discusses evaluating franchise opportunities and the complexities of hiring talent from the tech sector.
Jun 20, 2025 • 49min
190- Inside the Wild West of Influencer Deals and Agency Life with Tom Stefaniuk
Tom Stefaniuk, owner of an agency that empowers social media influencers, shares the fascinating dynamics of influencer marketing. He discusses why over 50% of youth dream of becoming influencers and the industry’s explosive growth, now valued at $38 billion. Tom reveals diverse earning strategies, from AdSense to launching personal brands, emphasizing the power of niche audiences. He also highlights the importance of effective agency management, brand partnerships, and how authenticity can set influencers apart in a crowded space.
10 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 37min
189 - How Meta's Major Moves are Shaping the AI Landscape with Elizabeth Knopf
Elizabeth Knopf, known as Leveraged Upside on X, is an AI expert with a keen focus on its business applications. In their discussion, she breaks down Meta's groundbreaking Scale AI acquisition, emphasizing its significance for the tech giant. They also delve into Meta's strategic energy deal and its implications for AI data centers. The conversation explores the transformative Model Context Protocol, simplifying AI integration like having an executive assistant at your fingertips. Knopf shares insights into the evolving AI landscape and the future of business tools.
Jun 16, 2025 • 49min
188 - How to Become a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator with Tim Sweetman
In this conversation with Tim Sweetman, a proud Chick-fil-A franchisee, listeners gain insights into the secret sauce behind Chick-fil-A’s impressive sales figures, which remarkably outpace competitors. Tim discusses the unique franchise model emphasizing people and culture over the physical restaurant. He shares the rigorous journey to becoming an owner-operator, the power of their service language, and the rewarding community initiatives, including heartfelt stories about community tables. Plus, they delve into fun secret menu hacks!
Jun 13, 2025 • 33min
187 - Building a Pickleball Club for Only $200 with Chris Koerner
In this engaging discussion, Chris Koerner, an entrepreneur and investor, shares his savvy business strategies, including launching a pickleball club for just $200 using targeted Facebook ads. He dives into the profitable world of 'non-sexy' businesses like bathtub refinishing, showcasing its resilience against AI disruption. The conversation further explores innovative AI applications for personal trainers and a unique accountability app tapping into the wellness market. Chris emphasizes community-building through sports and data-driven insights to enhance business potential.
20 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 51min
186 - How to Build a Business That Can Run Without You with John Seiffer
Join experienced entrepreneur and author John Seiffer as he shares insights on building a business that operates without constant owner involvement. He reveals his Eight Buckets framework for effective delegation and explains how to identify critical tasks to streamline operations. The conversation also dives into the evolution from solopreneur to scalable business, emphasizing the importance of systems over just revenue. Discover how AI can enhance your Standard Operating Procedures and the essential role of coaching in achieving personal and professional growth.
13 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 40min
185 - How to Build and Sell Apps with No Code with Billy Howell
Billy Howell, an entrepreneur who has created over 60 apps with AI through his agency Stupid Simple Apps, shares his insights on building chatbots without coding expertise. He breaks down practical use cases for small businesses, troubleshooting real-time issues, and efficient data management. The discussion includes leveraging tools like Replit and OpenAI for seamless app development and exploring the importance of simple, functional design. Listeners will discover how to navigate coding challenges while embracing no-code solutions for their entrepreneurial ventures.
11 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 45min
184 - How to Decide If Franchising is the Right Business Path for You with Connor Groce
Connor Groce, a franchise consultant with experience in fitness franchises and launching Smash My Trash, discusses the ins and outs of franchising. He clarifies common myths, emphasizing that franchising is a serious business pathway, not just for novices. Connor dives deep into the importance of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and encourages potential franchisees to speak with existing owners for unaffiliated insights. He also outlines different franchise models and the varying investment costs, helping listeners align opportunities with their personal strengths and goals.
Jun 6, 2025 • 37min
183 - Turning AI Ideas Into Real Income with Chris Koerner
Chris Koerner, a business partner of Nik and an AI expert, dives into practical AI applications for building businesses. They discuss the innovative 'give-to-get' model for sharing AI ideas. Koerner highlights AI's role in revolutionizing hiring with personality-based quizzes and the cost savings they offer. The conversation also touches on using AI-generated market research reports as powerful lead magnets and a clever prompt engineering technique that can enhance AI outputs. Tune in for fresh insights on making AI work for you!
