Today we're talking about problems vs. opportunities. It's easy for entrepreneurs to spend their time putting out fires - they're often the only ones who will. But it's far more important to block off time to identify and pursue opportunities that'll create asymmetric value.We discuss a framework for identifying, prioritizing, and pursuing opportunities. Also, Steph Curry and how to say "razorblades" with a flawless Australian accent. Tacklebox - Cohort 27 applications are openTacklebox self-serve accelerator programThe Ivy Lee Method

Three numbers and a story show the path for startups during a uniquely difficult but opportunity filled time. The goal of today's podcast is grounding and motivation. And pizza dough.We talk through opportunities for compound interest, knowledge growth, and the $32 trillion dollars that will change the startup market. Tacklebox Application (Cohort starts March 31)Tacklebox Self-ServeAmazzoni.us- use code "Tacklebox" at checkout for the best craft gin in the world (according to 2018) 

What do you do when you stumble upon, or get smacked in the face by, a competitor? How do you react?  What do you focus on? What do you stop doing?Can you still... exist?We talk through exactly what to do with competitors and discuss the "Gift of Which."The goods: Tacklebox Application (March 31)Tacklebox Self Serve (whenever you'd like)Jojo Rabbit

What if you've got a product and no customer? We go through an email from a listener who makes the world's best protein bars but has absolutely no idea who to sell them to. We use storytelling archetypes to find the best possible customer to catalyze the business. The goods: Tacklebox Application (March 31)Tacklebox Self Serve (whenever you'd like)MindsetWhopper Commercial 

The third in our mini-series where we're starting a startup live on the pod. Today, we take what we learned from customer interviews and synthesize it into tests in real life. Step by step on customer, channel, landing page, and call-to-action.Plus, why atheists don't sell their soul and York Peppermint Patties.  The goods: Idea ResumeTacklebox Application (March 31)The Art of Doing Science & EngineeringCarrd (Landing Page Builder)The Sasquatch Problem (Are You Passionate Enough) York Peppermint Patty 

Episode Two of our miniseries "We're Starting a Startup" details our first seven days after we decided to pursue an idea live. We talk customer interview strategy and stack, get a bunch of lukewarm feedback, and play clips from some of the interviews we ran. We also talk about Baked By Melissa cupcakes an uncomfortable amount. Big thank you to the customers we interviewed, including:Happy MediumSoWell HealthAnd a few other things we mention: The Mom TestTacklebox (Cohort starts March 31)Tacklebox self serve (Get on waitlist)

It was bound to happen. We're starting a startup idea on... Idea to Startup. Someone reached out basically daring us to, and we couldn't say no.Today, we'll run three startup ideas through our Idea Resume framework that evaluates an idea at the earliest stages. Then, we'll pick the one we'll start over the next set of episodes.Idea Resume FrameworkFollow along on Instagram + Twitter - we'll post the ads, landing pages, etc.Start a Wine Company in 17 MinutesCohort 26 + Self Serve Business Guy Meme

Getting your first 1,000 customers is hard, particularly when you're thinking about it wrong.We talk through how Push for Pizza and Slice took different approaches to growth in the pizza space. * Tacklebox + Self-Serve ProductSlice First 1000 SubstackTacklebox + Self-Serve Product

We're told we need to be head over heels passionate about our startup for it to succeed. Is that... true?What if we haven't found something we're that passionate about - does that mean we shouldn't start it?How do you find something you're passionate enough about to build a company around?Is Sasquatch Real?  The answers to these and more on this week's Idea to Startup Pod. Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive)

We'll look back on 2021 as the best year to start a startup in the past 50. The world we're returning to will be a lot different from the one we left, and people will start meaningful companies to bridge that gap. Hopefully, one of those people is you.Here are three stories that'll help you position yourself and your startup to succeed in 2021. Show NotesTacklebox Self ServeTacklebox CohortPixar 22 Rules of Storytelling Madlib “I’m building X to capitalize on the confluence of these three trends - A, B, and C. I’m uniquely positioned to build X because of the perspective I gained from D, E, and F - (where D, E, and F are networks, experience, and skillsets that create a venn diagram very few other people sit in the middle of). The biggest assumption I’m making is G, and I’ve run K tests to start proving to myself that the risk is worth taking. I’m confident this is a problem that needs solving because of Z (where Z is an observed behavior of a specific customer you’ll start with and also the beachhead of a larger market).”