

Idea to Startup
Brian Scordato | Tacklebox
A podcast for people working on startup ideas. We have 15-minute tactical episodes and occasional interviews with people who did the early things exceptionally well. We've helped launch hundreds of startups worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and these are the building blocks.
"This is, without a doubt, the best podcast for people trying to build startups out there."
"If you aren't listening to this podcast and you're considering building a business (or you're already building one), what are you doing?"
"Must listen for first-time entrepreneurs - excellent storyteller."
"This is, without a doubt, the best podcast for people trying to build startups out there."
"If you aren't listening to this podcast and you're considering building a business (or you're already building one), what are you doing?"
"Must listen for first-time entrepreneurs - excellent storyteller."
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2024 • 20min
How to Spot Promising Startup Ideas (feat. the Hard Startup Myth and the Hassle Premium)
Discover how to uncover promising startup ideas by challenging common myths about what's viable. Explore the concept of the 'Hassle Premium', where people are willing to pay more for solutions to tough problems. Learn the valuable lessons from culinary expert Frank Prisinzano, emphasizing the importance of tackling hard challenges that others shy away from. Dive into innovative concepts like 'Tinder for Jobs' and see how execution and customer risk play crucial roles in the success of your startup ventures.

Aug 15, 2024 • 26min
How to Choose The Right Quest
Today, we'll talk through how to identify and pursue the big, consequential ideas - what we'll call Quests. We go through how to identify them, how to wrap our arms around them, and what to do when you (inevitably) feel intimidated. We'll do it with a little help from the 90 Yard Mistake, a ghost kitchen idea, and some chronic pain interviews. Quest (drink). TackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup BotChoose Good QuestsTimestamps:00:24 Intro - Becoming a Parent05:21 The Hard Stuff Is Easier07:50 Smooth Jazz08:16 How to Identify a Worthy Quest12:44 The 90 Yard Mistake19:06 How to Get Started - People & Success21:40 How to Not Be Intimidated24:16 Choose Worthy Quests

Aug 8, 2024 • 20min
How to Find Juicy Problems (ITS Classic)
Hard problems are the only problems worth your time, but they're not always easy to find. Today, we'll talk about how to root them out. We'll dig in on decisions customers avoid and how to use those decisions to anchor early traction. We'll also talk through one of Brian's favorite current businesses - a guy who buys used cars for you. BylddTackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup Bot0:27 Intro - Noticing What People Hate05:00 The Car Problem07:52 BYLDD09:15 Solving Hard Problems13:42 Decision Hunting15:30 Chronic Pain18:30 The End - Problem Hunting

7 snips
Aug 1, 2024 • 19min
The Daniel Tiger SOP - How to Regularly Do Hard Stuff
Dive into the fascinating world of entrepreneurship and discover the Daniel Tiger SOP, a game-changing approach to tackling daunting tasks. Learn how going beyond your comfort zone can spark innovation and personal growth. Hear humorous childhood stories that emphasize resilience, and explore how structured methods can help founders differentiate their startups. The conversation reveals how managing discomfort is key to making meaningful connections with customers and achieving unique results.

Jul 25, 2024 • 22min
A System to Help You Become Wildly Creative
Today, we'll help you build a system for creativity. We'll start by defining creativity as an equation to make it more accessible. Then, we'll develop a system that focuses on the inputs of the creativity equation. We talk through the Commonplace Book, Commencement Speeches, a sports writer and the movie Sahara. Then, we get into the weeds on how to set up and implement your own personal creativity system. TackleboxWeekly Podcast NewsletterThe Great Talks, Lectures, and Speeches of HistoryNotion + Notion Web ClipperReadwiseZapierOgilvy on Advertising0:30 Intro - Creativity2:00 What if you’re not creative?2:53 Creativity is Mushing3:39 Creativity Equation5:15 Summer Internship6:28 Bill Simmons7:48 In on the joke9:20 College Commencement Speeches10:07 Kenyon Commencement Speech - Two Fish11:20 Smooth Jazz11:52 The System14:00 The Logistics15:22 Intake17:29 Reflection18:30 Output19:30 Ogilvy on Advertising

Jul 18, 2024 • 26min
How to Use One-Person Landing Page Tests to Find Your Differentiator (ITS Classic)
Discover how one-person landing pages can serve as a powerful tool for startups looking to pinpoint their unique value proposition. The discussion highlights a framework to identify and attract the right customers, featuring concepts like the Emotion/Logistics/Urgency flow. Personal anecdotes illustrate real-world applications, demonstrating the importance of tailoring products to consumer feedback. Uncover tips for creating impactful landing pages that not only anchor your business but also drive meaningful engagement.

6 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 25min
How to Not Screw Up Pricing For Your Startup
This podcast discusses pricing strategies for startups, including finding margin, the Taco Bell pricing strategy, and using price to attract customers. They explore pricing an AI assistant, basketball lessons, honey, and pilates. The importance of pricing correctly is emphasized to ensure business success and customer engagement.

Jul 3, 2024 • 22min
A Podcast Figuring Out Your Value (ITS Classic)
Today, we'll help you figure out how to find and position your startup idea's value. We'll talk through the Need/Gap/Swap framework, go through a few startups doing the value thing well and poorly, and we'll talk about a Magician on the Upper West Side.TackleboxHow to Make $1,000 TodayIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup Bot 01:25 Intro02:32 Make as Much Money As You Can In One Week10:13 Smooth Jazz10:45 The Magician14:22 Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Jun 20, 2024 • 24min
How to Prioritize as an Idea-Stage Founder (ITS Classic)
Discover how to prioritize high-value work as an entrepreneur, with insights on differentiating between crucial and less critical tasks. Learn strategies for effective prioritization and workflow for idea-stage founders, including creating an operating system to manage distractions and track progress.

Jun 13, 2024 • 21min
Things That Always Work and Things That Never Work
Today, we dig into the Always Work and Never Work Lists - a method that'll help entrepreneurs make good decisions through the constant second guessing and self-doubt that a startup brings. We talk through examples from the lists and apply them to a moment Brian had to deal with recently. We get a little help from Goodfellas and Taylor Swift. TackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup BotAnti-Hero - I stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror - (quietly a better version)Goodfellas00:30 Intro02:54 Is My Idea Actually Good?04:13 Goodfellas05:44 Smooth Jazz06:11 Should I Stop Doing This Podcast?08:24 The Process08:55 The Three Prompts12:20 The Things That Always + Never Work Lists17:27 The Plan18:58 You19:57 People Over 30 Don’t Sprint