

Leveling Up with Eric Siu
Eric Siu
Leveling Up is a weekly interview series with entrepreneurs and marketers on the latest in business and marketing. Learn actionable strategies & tactics on how you can make your business grow and mistakes to avoid during your journey. Learn from individuals who have founded billion dollar companies to best-selling authors. Entrepreneur and host Eric Siu also shares insights and learnings along the way.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 11, 2022 • 22min
How This Business Game Can 40x Your Company's Valuation
If someone were to ask you about the state of your cash flow, would you be able to give an accurate response? According to today’s guest, Alan Miltz, most companies misunderstand their cash flow, and as a result, they don’t grow at the pace that they should. After seeing so many businesses unknowingly grappling with the same problem, Alan decided to found Cash Flow Story, a company that helps you optimize cash flow to help you improve your profits and reach new heights in your valuations. In our conversation, Alan breaks down the concept behind his method called The Power of One and how it has helped companies 40x their valuation. We discuss how daily 1% percent changes can transform your company and the typical amount of time it takes to see results after implementing The Power of One. Alan also unpacks the reasoning behind his motto “revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, cash is king” and why The Power of One will put your valuation on steroids. To learn more about this essential topic, make sure you tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:04] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:15] Introducing today’s guest, Alan Miltz, founder of Cash Flow Story. [01:18] A high-level overview of Cash Flow Story and why Alan founded it. [03:09] Alan breaks down the concept of The Power of One. [04:06] Why a company’s cash flow is often misunderstood, why cash flow is so important, and how to optimize it. [06:18] How The Power of One empowers employees to contribute to optimizing cash flow. [09:26] The immense impact that a 1% change can have within a company. [10:55] How daily changes accumulate to have a much larger impact. [12:42] The levers you need to pull to implement The Power of One and how to identify the ones you have control over. [13:39] The growing number of companies that have implemented Cash Flow Story. [15:08] The typical amount of time it takes to see results after implementing The Power of One. [16:21] Alan shares a case study of how one company transformed after implementing The Power of One. [18:03] How their software will change the way people understand their company’s numbers and how they react to them. [18:52] Find out how you can contact Alan Miltz and take advantage of his unique product. Resources From The Interview: Alan Miltz Alan Miltz on LinkedIn Cash Flow Story Cashflow Story webinar with Alan Miltz Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't (Rockefeller Habits 2.0) Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Aug 4, 2022 • 11min
Top 10 Powerful SEO Tips To Rank #1 in 2022 (The Right Way)
In this episode, Eric talks about the ultimate SEO tips to rank #1 in 2022. Find out how to make your content stand out for increased traffic, search rankings in Google, and even conversions! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] - How to Rank #1 on Google: SEO Tips 2022 [00:33] - How to make your content stand out (Content Ideas For Beginners) [02:14] - Top Reasons Why Content TITLE matters [03:07] - How to get more clicks on Google? Improve your Information Gain! [03:44] - The Ultimate Guide on Pillar Content [04:27] - Help your business stand out with Google My Business [04:56] - Google Search Console: The Most Powerful SEO Tool [06:03] - How to make people STAY longer on your website [06:33] - SEO tips on guest posting/ Parasite SEO [07:20] - Mergers and Acquisitions: SEO Perspective Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Aug 2, 2022 • 9min
How to Build the BEST Marketing Team to Grow Your Business Faster
In this episode, Eric talks about the best strategy for building the perfect team for your company! Find out what are the main things you need to consider and how you can use Dr. Adam Grant and Ray Dalio’s PrinciplesYou - a proven tool that aims for personal and organizational success! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] - How to build the BEST marketing team for your Business [00:45] - Key points you should look for as an employer! (Job Hiring Tips 2022) [02:34] - Why Linked In is the best platform for HIRING people! (CEO Tips for Recruitment) [04:15] - TOP questions you should ask during the hiring interview! [04:27] - Our HIRING strategy in finding Rock Star Marketers! [05:30] - PrinciplesYou, This personality test will help you find the right people! Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Jul 28, 2022 • 13min
The Most Important Leadership Skills According to The Hustle Founder, Sam Parr
One of the biggest challenges of conducting effective marketing is that it can be virtually impossible to be certain which of your methods are getting you positive results. Today on the show, we get together with Sam Parr, Founder of The Hustle and host of the podcast My First Million, to discuss what he’s learned about impactful marketing and why growing a podcast following is so challenging. We discuss the challenges of marketing across different mediums, as well as effective strategies for increasing your reach and creating exceptional content. Tune in for a special episode brought to you by Leveling Up Live on how to grow your podcast, and much more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:15] Today’s episode is brought to you by Leveling Up Live, learn more at https://live.levelingup.com/. [00:30] Get to know Sam Parr and his podcast called My First Million. [00:50] Learn about The Hustle, a daily business email that is read by over a million people every day. [01:27] Why building a podcast following has been one of the hardest things Sam has ever had to grow. [04:46] Learn about the HubSpot Podcast Network and what it’s like being a part of it. [06:05] An overview of what it takes to become famous on Twitter. [06:13] How Sam helped retired NHL player, Chris Pronger, grow his Twitter following exponentially. [10:28] Visit https://www.singlegrain.com/leveling-up to learn more and gain access to our individual and team training programs! Resources From The Interview: Sam Parr on LinkedIn The Hustle HubSpot HubSpot Podcast Network Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Jul 25, 2022 • 12min
$100M Founder Reveals SECRET to Selling NFTs with AppSumo's Founder Noah Kagan
Join us as we broadcast Noah Kagan's recent talk about insights into NFTs and passive income! Noah makes a clear point about his philosophy towards sustained success, how we can think about this concept when starting out on a new venture, and he also underlines the values of clarifying your target customers as much as possible. Tuning in, listeners will hear Noah share his experiences with buying NFTs, and why all his investments are built on the idea of holding forever, and aligning with companies that he personally uses. Towards the end of the episode, Noah even comments about his experiences with ayahuasca, and why confronting difficult challenges is so important for entrepreneurs in today's world. So, to tune in to this great presentation from Noah Kagan! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [01:01] Noah's opening remarks about his experiences with passive income. [01:28] Looking at the growth of AppSumo and the current size of the team. [02:13] Getting clear on who your customers are! [02:51] The time investment that is needed to realistically start seeing real results. [04:20] Noah's approach to measuring other people's success. [04:50] Why Noah gets excited about the element of play in new tech. [05:19] Getting active and then leaving things on autopilot. [06:20] How much money do you actually need to live the life of your dreams? [07:21] Why Noah does almost no rebalancing and selling. [07:42] What you can get if you just ask, and why to listen to your calling! [08:24] Noah reflects on his ayahuasca experience and how it helped him. Resources From The Interview: AppSumo Noah Kagan
Leveling Up Live HubSpot Shopify Marketo Solana CryptoPunk Coinbase Tony Robbins Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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[If this episode is about NFT then add this below - just change to black font:] "The NFT World is getting more competitive everyday, and you don't want to get left behind! Learn how to grow your NFT project: www.youtube.com/c/LevelingUpOfficial" Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Jul 14, 2022 • 40min
Entrepreneur First – The $10B Founder Bootcamp That Invests In Early Stage Founders
There are a host of cultural, environmental, geographical, and personal factors that determine how likely individuals are to become founders and entrepreneurs. And yet, one of the most persistent myths about entrepreneurship continues to be that founders are born rather than made. In today’s episode, we get together with Matt Clifford, CEO and Founder of Entrepreneur First (EF) to discuss the misconceptions around entrepreneurship, and unpack the groundbreaking methods that EF is using to connect aspiring founders with one another in six countries and counting. Tuning in you’ll learn how EF was founded, the methods they’ve used to build their talent networks, and the traits they look for when identifying potential founders. We discuss how entrepreneurship differs depending on the country you’re in and why predetermined paths can often be so unfulfilling. Matt also shares how EF was affected by the COVID 19 pandemic, the rise of remote work, and what this natural experiment taught him about the importance of in-person bonding between potential founders and co-workers in general. EF’s mission is built on the righteous belief that what the most talented people choose to do with their lives matters deeply and plays an integral role in shaping the society and economy of any country. Tune in for this inspiring conversation as we discuss the power of entrepreneurship and why the world needs more founders! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:15] Today’s topic: Entrepreneur First – The $10B Founder Bootcamp That Invests In Early Stage Founders. [01:01] An overview of Entrepreneur First (EF) and how they help people connect with other aspiring founders. [03:22] Examples of companies where EF played a crucial role in bringing their founders together. [05:10] Why EF is well-positioned to help you during the earliest stage of the founding process and how Y Combinator helps companies that are ready to accelerate. [06:36] A brief look at the early days of EF. [08:18] A breakdown of the process EF uses to foster, connect, and support co-founders. [11:21] The support within the EF community and how they help alumni. [13:57] An overview of EF’s acceptance criteria. [15:21] Why the paths to success look different depending on the country you’re in. [18:44] An outline of how EF’s internal teams are structured around the world. [20:54] The methods that EF uses to map talent networks. [22:44] How global economic trends have affected venture capitalists in the past two years. [25:19] The returns that EF investors have seen over the past seven years. [28:45] How the pandemic affected EF and the role of remote work in their company. [32:54] Matt’s reading habits and how they were disrupted by the pandemic and having children. [34:36] The advice that helped Matt finally finish Ulysses. [36:03] Matt’s impressive dedication to note keeping and why he uses Obsidian. Resources From The Interview: Matt Clifford on LinkedIn Matt Clifford on Twitter Entrepreneur First Y Combinator Obsidian Roam Research Notion Must read book: Ulysses Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Jul 6, 2022 • 50min
Cryptoys CEO joins us, raising $23.6M from a16z, building an NFT brand, Doodles and Pharrell
In many ways, the NFT world is still in such an early stage of development that there’s no real playbook that entrepreneurs or creators can follow for building their businesses, especially if they want to scale. Today on the show we get together with Will Weinraub, CEO and Co-Founder at OnChain Studios, to talk about how he originally created Cryptoys as a gift for his daughter, the strategies they’re using to scale their product, and some of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in the Web3 space today. Tuning in you’ll learn about Cryptoys’ partnership with Mattel, how the world-famous toy company is leaning into innovation by embracing digital toys for kids, and why it’s so important to find the right partner to help you build your vision in the Web3 space. We also unpack why storytelling is an essential skill for entrepreneurs to master and reflect on recent developments in the crypto space, including the news that Solana will launch a new smartphone in 2023 and Doodles’ decision to appoint Pharrell Williams as their Chief Brand Officer. Tune in for key insights from one of the most passionate leaders in the Web3 space, and much more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [01:44] Get to know today’s guest, Will Weinraub, CEO and Co-Founder at OnChain Studios. [05:16] How Will’s daughter inspired the creation of Cryptoys. [08:47] The three pillars that form the foundation of Will’s business strategy: toys, gaming, and entertainment. [09:31] Insights into how Cryptoys plan to scale. [11:39] How Cryptoys became connected with Mattel and why they are ideal partners. [14:23] The challenges of communicating an entirely new vision during a pitch meeting. [20:45] Why storytelling is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can invest in. [23:08] Why good storytelling is the equivalent of good communication. [24:28] Will shares his approach to recruiting. [27:03] How to recruit and retain top talent in the Web3 space. [31:18] Our thoughts on some of the liquidations that have been happening in the crypto space. [33:43] Some of the exciting developments happening at Doodles, including their partnership with Pharrell Williams! [37:27] Our thoughts on Solana’s plans to release a smartphone in 2023. [41:20] An overview of Shopify’s decision to add NFT gated features and what it means for the broader NFT culture. Resources From The Interview: Cryptoys Cryptoys on Twitter Will Weinraub on LinkedIn Will Weinraub on Twitter JPEG Morgan Mattel The Littles Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling Doodles World of Women StarCraft Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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"The NFT World is getting more competitive everyday, and you don't want to get left behind! Learn how to grow your NFT project: www.youtube.com/c/LevelingUpOfficial" Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Jul 5, 2022 • 34min
Dark Social, a B2B Marketing Stack That Works, and Agency Secrets With Chris Walker
Welcome back to another episode of Marketing School! Today on the show we get together with Chris Walker, CEO of Refine Labs, a company that helps B2B businesses create demand by leveraging top methods that buyers are using, especially through social communities and word of mouth. While many people are under the impression that Refine Labs functions as an agency, their work over the past two years has primarily been focused on researching key questions on how one can use any service business, like an agency, to collect major customer insights. They’ve done detailed research into the type of technology customers are using, the top problems they’re struggling with, as well as how to solve these problems. Tuning in you’ll hear Chris break down their new product, The Vault, which Refine Lab will be launching during Q2 of 2022, the distinction between capturing demand versus creating it, and how to create demand during an economic slowdown. We also discuss the concept of dark social, how to create a B2B marketing stack that works, and how Refine Labs are making marketing more scientific. Make sure you tune in for this eye-opening episode from an expert who is at the bleeding edge of market research! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:15] Today’s topic: Dark Social, a B2B Marketing Stack That Works, and Agency Secrets With Chris Walker. [00:16] Introducing Chris Walker, CEO of Refine Labs. [00:57] An overview of Refine Labs and the new product they’re launching called The Vault. [02:44] The concept of Dark Social and what it means for businesses. [04:35] Multi-touch attribution and why it’s not as innovative and robust as some businesses think. [05:28] Understanding the distinction between creating demand and capturing demand. [07:30] How to create demand during an economic slowdown. [09:45] Chris’s approach to creating content. [13:08] How to use virtual live events in a simplified marketing stack. [15:32] The value of consistency when creating content and writing your own copy. [17:53] Why filming live content has been so effective for Chris. [18:31] Why Chris recommends narrowing your focus as a marketer. [20:14] How Chris’s content team is structured. [22:26] Why Chris describes Refine Labs as an experimentation lab, rather than an agency. [25:57] Why agencies are so effective as a launchpad business. [27:38] Examples of the excellent companies that have financed Refine Labs. [29:33] Chris answers our rapid-fire questions. [31:29] Learn where you can find Chris online. Resources From The Interview: Chris Walker on LinkedIn Refine Labs The Vault Waitlist CapChase Pipe Timia Capital State of Demand Gen Podcast Must-read book: Mastery by Robert Greene Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Jun 21, 2022 • 23min
How Avalanche Creatively Approached Marketing To Grow To A $5.2B Valuation
Avalanche is one of the fastest smart contract platforms in the blockchain industry and recently received a staggering $5.2B valuation. Today on the show we sit down With Phillip Liu Jr., Head of Strategy at Ava Labs, the company behind Avalanche, to discuss the company’s recent fundraising efforts and how their unique marketing strategy was able to build brand awareness and raise capital. Tuning in you’ll hear Phillip break down the Avalanche Rush Incentive Program, as well as some key highlights from their most recent summit in Barcelona. Later, Phillip explains the function of sub-networks, how they function in Avalanche, why they are attracting Triple-A games, and what this means for Avalanche. He also shares Avalanche’s plans to scale and what to expect from the company in the coming months. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on blockchain technology, investment, marketing, and much more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:15] Introducing today’s Topic: How Avalanche Creatively Approached Marketing To Grow To A $5.2B Valuation. [00:48] Introducing today’s guest Phillip Liu, how he got involved with blockchain technology and his role at Avalanche. [02:40] How Phillip went from being an investor to a high-level employee at Avalanche. [04:59] An overview of Avalanche, how it works, and what they do. [06:39] Why Avalanche is a layer one blockchain. [06:56] The Avalanche Bridge and how it allows for interoperability with Ethereum. [07:36] An overview of Avalanche’s unique marketing strategy. [09:58] The Avalanche Rush Incentive Program and how it broadened brand awareness. [11:10] An overview of Avalanche’s recent summit. [12:41] The role of subnetworks, how they function in Avalanche, and why they are attracting Triple-A games. [15:00] Insights into Avalanches’ plans to scale. [15:43] A breakdown of Phillip’s current crypto investments. [16:41] Phillip’s favorite book and how it applies to business. [19:15] Phillip’s fondness for productivity management tools and his top picks. [19:55] Find out how to learn more about Phillip and Avalanche online. Resources From The Interview: Avalanche Phillip Liu Junior on Twitter Ava Labs on Twitter Ava Labs Must read book: Thinking, Fast and Slow Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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"The NFT World is getting more competitive every day, and you don't want to get left behind! Learn how to grow your NFT project: www.youtube.com/c/LevelingUpOfficial" Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Jun 14, 2022 • 32min
Growth & Leadership Lessons from Leading $1B Athletic Greens and $5B Focus Brands with Kat Cole
Today on the show we get together with Kat Cole, President, COO, & Board of Directors at Athletic Greens, to talk about her career, including why she chose to become a key player in the company, and her ten years at Focus Brands. In our conversation, we discuss the mission and values that define Athletic Greens, why their rapid growth rate can be attributed to the merits and quality of their flagship product AG1, and how being bootstrapped has influenced their marketing strategy. Kat unpacks the marketing success they’ve achieved through their long-term partnerships with top thought leaders and creators and explains why their performance marketing strategy has been more conservative than some might think. She also shares her advice for anyone who wants to pursue a similar career in business and champions the values of being a curious, hard-working student who is willing to go out there and gain experience. Kat has had an incredible career and it was wonderful having her on the show. Tune in to learn more about Athletic Greens, how to customize your marketing, and much more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [01:24] Why Kat chose Athletic Greens for her next chapter. [02:42] An overview of Athletic Greens and their incredible growth. [06:17] The high quality of Athletic Greens’ comprehensive flagship product AG1. [06:49] Why AG1 is more than just a green drink and the marketing challenge this poses. [07:47] How Chris, the founder of Athletic Greens, helped establish foundational nutrition as a category. [09:59] Learn what AG1 tastes like and different ways to drink it. [12:36] A breakdown of Athletic Greens’ marketing strategy. [13:16] The success they’ve found partnering with creators and influencers. [14:06] How being largely referral-based made the iOS 14 update less difficult for them. [14:28] How being a bootstrapped company has affected their marketing strategy. [15:24] The rapid rate of growth based on the merits of the product. [18:00] Insights into how marketing is changing. [19:13] Kat’s advice to anyone who wants to pursue a similar career path. [24:24] Kat’s monthly process for checking in with her loved ones. [27:06] How Kat does a similar check-in with her work relationships. [28:48] Learn where you can find Kat online. Resources From The Interview: Athletic Greens Athletic Greens Special Offer Kat Cole on LinkedIn Kat Cole on Instagram Checking In With Kat Cole Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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