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

Mar 31, 2022 • 34min

Creating Steve Aoki's Netflix Documentary, A0k1verse NFTs, and more with Matt Colon

In today’s episode, we continue our NFT compilation series where we take a nuanced look at NFTs, the implementation of Web3, and how it will affect business and marketing in the future. For today’s installment, we get together with Matt Colon, Global President of Music at YMU, to talk about his work with Steve Aoki, the documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, and the launch of A0k1verse NFTs. In our conversation, Matt gives an overview of how NFTs feature in the music industry, why it’s so much more complex than NFTs that are made to trade visual art, and how the concept of ownership has transformed in the digital era. Tuning in you’ll hear Matt break down how they built a tokenized membership community, their long-term vision for the project, and how NFTs are connecting audiences and musicians in a novel and unprecedented way. Matt describes the future ecosystem he envisions, how digital passports would work, and some of the artists who are already involved. He also delves into his thoughts on Web3, the importance of storytelling, and why he is preparing for a massive paradigm shift. To learn more about NFTs, Web3, and the music industry, be sure to tune in today! 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: Creating Steve Aoki's Netflix Documentary, A0k1verse NFTs, and more with Matt Colon. [00:15] Introducing today’s guest Matt Colon, Global President of Music at YMU. [01:02] Matt’s background and some of the figures he’s worked with like Steve Aoki. [02:12] An overview of how the world of NFTs relates to the music industry in general. [04:48] What NFTs can accomplish for musicians. [06:58] Matt’s perspective on the value of NFTs and the concept of ownership in the digital age. [10:23] How Steve Aoki is tackling NFTs and mobilizing his fanbase. [12:10] Steve’s broad reach and his incredible touring record. [12:43] A breakdown of the tokenized community they have built for Steve Aoki. [14:25] A0k1verse and the long-term goals of their NFT project. [18:20] The documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, which Matt produced, about Steve Aoki, and how it has affected Steve’s brand. [19:59] How its Netflix release changed the documentary’s impact. [21:14] Steve’s relationship with the director and how the documentary became a father-son story. [24:06] Matt shares his ten-year outlook on NFTs, Web3, and the accompanying paradigm shift. [28:45] Matt shares his favorite book of the moment. [29:06] Why you shouldn’t have to micromanage your employees. [31:44] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe! Resources From The Interview: A0k1verse Matt Colon on Instagram Matt Colon on Twitter Doodles Doodles NFT I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead Must-read book: No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention 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 Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Mar 24, 2022 • 20min

Selling An NFT for $11.7M, Raising $71M from a16z for his Music NFT Startup, Royal, with Justin 3lau

For decades the music industry has been wildly imbalanced, with only a fraction of the 40-billion-dollar industry going towards musicians. Today’s guest is on a mission to disrupt the status quo and give fans the power to directly participate in the careers of their favorite artists. Many of our listeners will be familiar with Justin Blau, also known as 3lau, a famous DJ, electronic dance music producer, and the CEO and co-founder of Royal, a music investment platform that allows fans to easily invest in artists and earn royalties alongside them. As part of our NFT compilation series, we sat down with Justin to discuss his new company, the Web3 space, and why he is so excited about it. In our conversation, Justin breaks down his journey, from studying finance to dropping out to pursue his fast-growing DJ career, to founding Royal. He unpacks some of the lessons he's learned, why he never expected to sell his NFT for 11.7 million dollars, and some of the challenges Royal is expected to face as it grows. He also talks about the siloed nature of the Web3 space, why he believes in Web2.5, and the importance of adjusting your perspective and staying in touch with the needs and wants of the mainstream. Be sure to tune in to this fascinating conversation on the possibilities of Web3, the music industry, 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 topic: Selling An NFT for $11.7M, Raising $71M from a16z for his Music NFT Startup, Royal, with Justin 3lau. [00:15] Introducing today’s guest: CEO and Co-Founder of Royal, and well-known DJ, and electronic dance music (EDM) producer, Justin Blau, also known as 3lau. [00:59] How Justin co-founded Royal and how it allows fans to invest in musicians they love. [01:36] Justin’s unique journey from studying finance and being a DJ to co-founding Royal. [03:48] How the music industry makes money, the disproportionately small amount that currently goes to artists, and how Royal disrupts that model. [04:46] An overview of Justin’s past and upcoming NFT projects. [06:16] Some of the biggest challenges that Royal will be facing as they grow. [06:30] Why Justin refers to Royal as a Web2.5 platform. [07:41] How Justin balances being a musician and a startup co-founder. [08:52] Justin’s insights into Web3 and how the insularity of the industry sometimes results in people losing perspective of what the mainstream world wants. [10:26] How Justin put together an exceptional team for his startup. [11:17] An overview of how Justin went about selling his NFT for 11.7 million dollars. [12:56] How Royal is currently being marketed and why most of its growth has been organic. [14:09] Resources to better understand Web3 and NFTs, and why Justin refers to them as limited digital assets. [15:07] The time it took Justin to grow his reach at the start of his music career. [17:03] Justin answers our rapid-fire questions! Learn about his favorite business book, favorite business tool, and more. [17:58] That’s it for today; Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe! Resources From The Interview: Justin Blau on LinkedIn 3lau on Twitter 3lau on Instagram 3lau on Facebook 3lau Royal Oura Ring Oculus Must-read book: The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed.: The Definitive Book on Value Investing 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 Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Mar 21, 2022 • 9min

My $1M NFT Investing Strategy (As an Entrepreneur)

In this video, I am going to talk about my NFT investing strategy and why utility is more important than art for me! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] - Intro to my NFT investing strategy! [00:27] - Some of my NFTs (Cryptopunk, BAYC, Doodles, Etc) [01:00] - Steve Aoki’s NFT (Design, Brand, Utility) [02:44] - The Community (A0K1VERSE) [03:17] - Leveling Up Heroes [04:30] - Long-term mindset in investing [05:55] - Let us know your strategy! [06:20] - Outro Leveling Up Heroes NFT: 👾Join Our Discord To Get On The Hero List (Pre-sale Feb 27): https://discord.gg/vbXEDP5gdM 📲 Follow Our Twitter For Updates: https://twitter.com/levelingupnft 🔥 Learn More About The NFT Project: https://heroes.levelingup.com/heroes/ Connect: 📚 Get My Book, Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life: https://levelingup.com/freebook 🐦 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericosiu 📸 Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ericosiu/ 🍄 Follow Leveling Up on IG: https://www.instagram.com/levelingupofficial/ 😎 Listen to Leveling Up Podcast: http://www.levelingup.com/ 👨‍🏫 to Marketing School Podcast (5 million downloads per month): https://marketingschool.io 📈 Get a Free Consultation from my Digital Marketing Agency, Single Grain: http://www.singlegrain.com/ More: 🖼 NFT ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/nftvideos 🤑 Wealth Building ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/wealthvideos 📈 Marketing Trends ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/marketingtrends 🧑🏻‍🏫 Marketing Case Studies https://levelingup.com/marketingstudies 🚀 Start a Marketing Agency ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/startagency 💰 Marketing Career Tips ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/careervideos ———— Enjoyed this episode? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe: http://youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gogrowtheverywhere

Mar 17, 2022 • 41min

Selling Twitch for $1B, Creating a Gaming NFT Startup, Leveling Up in Life with Justin Kan of Fractal

Whether you’ve already invested in NFTs, are skeptical of the crypto movement, or getting ready to market in the burgeoning Web3 space, it’s undeniable that a lot of change is happening. This week on the show Eric gets together with Justin Kan (Cofounder of the mega streaming platform, Twitch, and Cofounder of the new gaming NFT marketplace, Fractal) to talk about his career in Silicon Valley, the most important lessons he’s learned, and how focusing on internal goals have transformed his life. TTune in as we chat with Justin about everything from gaming NFTs, to how he chooses to angel invest, to why he continues to love building startups, and so much more!TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Today’s topic: Selling Twitch for $1B, Creating a Gaming NFT Startup, Leveling Up in Life with Justin Kan of Fractal. [00:21] Introducing today's guest, Justin Kan. [01:10] Justin’s career in Silicon Valley and how he founded Fractal, a gaming NFT marketplace. [02:06] Why Justin predicts that gaming NFTs will be even bigger than streaming gaming. [04:55] An overview of Fractal and how it works. [05:47] Justin’s thoughts on the Web3 revolution and why crypto is the most interesting place to be building. [08:19] How Justin built and launched the Fractal brand. [09:13] Why Justin continues to build start-ups: it’s creative and fun. [09:53] The long hours that a lot of employees in the crypto space are working and why it’s unsustainable. [11:37] Justin’s dedication to living holistically and consciously and how that informs his decision-making. [13:26] Some of the executive coaches that Justin has worked with over the years. [15:35] Insights into Justin’s experiences at an Ayahuasca retreat and how it changed his life. [19:23] How to take action and break the everyday patterns of your life. [20:17] The concept of Imposter Syndrome and Justin’s experiences with it for much of his life. [21:50] The trappings of the hedonic treadmill and focusing on external goals. [22:57] The level of internal work and dedication that has helped Justin achieve calm in his life. [24:13] Justin’s current goals behind his content output. [27:06] How Justin is keeping track of the Web3 space and what he’s most interested in. [27:57] The games that Justin is most excited about. [29:13] The potential use cases for land in the metaverse. [30:26] Justin’s investments in NFTs and why it’s centered on learning rather than financial gain. [32:52] Justin’s angel investing and what he’s interested in right now. [34:16] An overview of Justin’s current investments in crypto and why he does it through investment funds. [36:23] Some of the daily practices that help Justin get a good start to the day. [37:34] Hear about Justin’s favorite current business tool. [38:25] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe! Resources From The Interview: Justin Kan Justin Kan on Twitter Fractal on Twitter Twitch Fractal Fractal Radio Solana The Sandbox NFT Worlds Decentraland Notion Signal Justin Kan’s Notion Hacks Video on YouTube: My Secret Productivity Hacks ft My Real Notion Setup Must-read book: Shogun by James Clavell

Mar 15, 2022 • 11min

How Dr. Ali Abdaal Quit His Job, Grew His YouTube to 2.6M Subs & Is Now Doing $4M+ a Year

Today on the show Eric talks with Dr. Ali Abdaal about how he quit his job, grew his YouTube to 2.6m subs, and is now doing $4m+ a year. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ali had been a practicing doctor for only two years. For Ali, it seemed logical to use YouTube to reach a broader audience and introduce them to the educational content he was already producing for aspiring doctors and YouTubers. Today’s episode is jam-packed with insightful anecdotes and useful advice on how to excel at life and business, so make sure you tune in to hear it all!TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Today’s topic: how Dr. Ali Abdaal quit his job, grew his YouTube to 2.6m subs and is now doing $4m+ a year. [01:15] Get to know today’s guest Dr. Ali Abdaal and how he went from being a doctor to a creator. [03:10] How Ali’s YouTube channel started as a medium for helping kids learn how to get into medical school and marketing his courses. [05:46] How Ali’s side hustle earns him $3 million a year and why YouTube forms the foundation for it. [06:53] Ali’s plans for the future and why teaching is his true passion. [09:00] Why Ali has an aversion to traditional goal setting, and how he prefers to structure his aspirations. [11:03] Why Ali’s current top priority is writing a book that he is proud of. [12:02] How Ali’s business has grown and it’s main sources of revenue. [13:43] Some of the core lessons Ali has learned in his transition from creator to entrepreneur. [17:26] The book that Ali is currently working on and why it’s important to him. [20:25] The two podcasts that Ali is a part of and why he enjoys it. [22:03] Some of the ways to grow your podcast audience. [24:10] How Ali learns and retains information based on the medium he’s using. [27:21] Ali’s favorite book of 2020! [28:33] Ali’s most important business tool at the moment. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ali Abdaal: https://aliabdaal.com/ Ali Abdaal on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoOae5nYA7VqaXzerajD0lg Ali Abdaal on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliAbdaal The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/ The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/ Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business: https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837 The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Obsessions-Extraordinary-Executive-Leadership/dp/0787954039 Not Overthinking Podcast: https://notoverthinking.com/ Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal Podcast: https://aliabdaal.com/podcast/ The Great CEO Within: The Tactical Guide to Company Building: https://www.amazon.com/Great-CEO-Within-Tactical-Building/ The Ideal Team Player: https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Team-Player-Recognize-Leadership/ Must Read Book: Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling Must Read Book: Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life Apple Notes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/notes/

Mar 1, 2022 • 12min

The Secret Way to Connecting with NFT Influencers, the Right Mindset, and More!

In this episode, we are going to talk about the continuation of my NFT journey! Discover the most effective ways of securing a collaboration with the biggest influencers. I also share some of my experiences that might help you launch your own NFT project! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] - Intro to how I secure collaborations with NFT influencers [00:11] - My NFT Journey [00:57] - Dinner with Doodles NFT Founder and Milo [02:34] - Capitalizing the opportunities [04:00] - Doodle NFTs and their Art [06:52] - Be at the right place, at the right time [07:50] - Us focusing on Web3 [09:37] - Outro Leveling Up Heroes NFT: 👾Join Our Discord To Get On The Hero List (Pre-sale Feb 27): https://discord.gg/vbXEDP5gdM 📲 Follow Our Twitter For Updates: https://twitter.com/levelingupnft 🔥 Learn More About The NFT Project: https://heroes.levelingup.com/heroes/ Connect: 📚 Get My Book, Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life: https://levelingup.com/freebook 🐦 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericosiu 📸 Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ericosiu/ 🍄 Follow Leveling Up on IG: https://www.instagram.com/levelingupofficial/ 😎 Listen to Leveling Up Podcast: http://www.levelingup.com/ 👨‍🏫 to Marketing School Podcast (5 million downloads per month): https://marketingschool.io 📈 Get a Free Consultation from my Digital Marketing Agency, Single Grain: http://www.singlegrain.com/ More: 🖼 NFT ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/nftvideos 🤑 Wealth Building ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/wealthvideos 📈 Marketing Trends ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/marketingtrends 🧑🏻‍🏫 Marketing Case Studies https://levelingup.com/marketingstudies 🚀 Start a Marketing Agency ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/startagency 💰 Marketing Career Tips ONLY Videos https://levelingup.com/careervideos ———— Enjoyed this episode? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe: http://youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gogrowtheverywhere

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