Beyond A Million

For nearly two decades, Pat Flynn has been creating content. What's interesting is how that work has fueled multiple 7-figure businesses. Over the years, he's launched and scaled companies across education, media, software, community, and physical products—from Smart Passive Income and SwitchPod to niche websites, podcasting tools, and more recently, a Pokémon YouTube channel that pulls in 10 million views a day. What ties all of these ventures together is the way Pat builds them. Through his Lean Learning philosophy, he's able to use content to test ideas, reduce risk, and explore a wide range of opportunities while still staying super focused. In this episode, you'll learn exactly how Pat's able to start so many ventures, his approach to mastering any skill, the merger that freed up his time and allowed SPI to scale, and the viral short-form content strategy that's driving millions in both views and revenue.= Key Takeaways 01:16 Finding the Fun That Fuels Momentum 03:41 Why Pat Abandoned Blogging 04:47 The Problem With Audio-Only Podcasts 05:30 10M Views/Day from Pokémon Short-Form 07:21 Letting Data Drive Your Content Strategy 11:46 The Mental Shift That Separates Creators Who Win 15:32 The 20% Rule Powering Pat's Side Ventures 22:14 The 12-Minute Workflow Generating $25K–$40K Videos 25:30 The Smart Acquihire That Became SPI Media 33:25 Designing Your Business Around the Life You Want 36:21 Just In Time Learning vs. Just In Case Learning 43:12 How Community 3.5x's Your Odds of Success 47:03 Micro-Mastery to 10X Results in ANYTHING 54:12 Using Voluntary Force Functions to Take Massive Action 1:03:02 Pat's Advice to New Entrepreneurs 1:03:53 What No Longer Works in Content Creation Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hFRAiXt4lAU Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Too many business owners are trying to use AI as a shortcut to fire people instead of using it to multiply the output of their best people. And that mindset is killing their growth. Matt Leitz has been building automation systems for 7- and 8-figure companies long before AI went mainstream. He's seen inside the machines powering 9-figure brands… and the truth is simple: automation isn't optional anymore. If you want to scale, you need a business that compounds output without requiring more of your time. Matt breaks down how to use AI as leverage — not as a crutch. He shares where founders get stuck, which systems create the highest ROI, how to turn funnels profitable even when ads lose money on day one, and how to build automations that drive revenue for years. If you've been trying to figure out how to integrate AI without breaking your business, this conversation will completely reset your framework. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:36 You're Thinking About AI All Wrong 02:54 AI Agents and Chatbots 05:24 Start With Strategy, Not Technology 08:09 Why You Shouldn't Automate Reporting 11:22 Prompt Engineering is Easier Than You Think 16:04 How To Build & Leverage Custom GPTs 20:41 Collaborating With AI For Better Results 27:10 AI Tool that Boosts Sales Rep Performance 30:06 Why Tool-Hopping Slows Your Growth 31:50 Why Automation Is Required To Scale Big 35:35 Are Traditional Marketing Funnels Dead? 41:03 When to Focus ON or IN the Business 45:42 The Real Path To Scaling Ad Spend 54:03 Lead Offers vs. Maximizer Offers 01:02:06 Protecting Your Time Above Everything Else Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F96ncjHK8jI Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

This is a clip from the Beyond A Million podcast where I talked to Steve Sims – entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and bestselling author, best known as the creator of the world's first luxury concierge service. Here Steve shares a killer strategy for getting the attention of high-level people (like billionaires or big-time investors). His approach is simple, but a bit unexpected… and it definitely doesn't involve pitching or pretending to be someone you're not. He also tells a wild story about how this exact move led to a long-term consulting deal with a serious player in Silicon Valley. If you want to start real conversations with people who seem out of reach but aren't sure how, this is the tip for you. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Steve: https://youtu.be/f6SMUx45gB8

Starting a business is hard. Starting a beverage company is almost impossible. With a 95% failure rate in year one and 99% by year five, most founders never make it out alive. That's what makes Aaron Hinde's story so compelling. As the Co-Founder of FITAID, a clean-ingredient beverage brand now valued north of $100M, he's navigated a landscape that destroys nearly everyone who steps into it. In our conversation, Aaron breaks down the truth behind building in one of the harshest categories in consumer goods, from the retail relationships that quietly drain millions to the dozens of moments his company nearly went bust. If you're building a brand, scaling a team, entering a competitive market, or simply trying to figure out how to keep going when the pressure of entrepreneurship hits, this episode will reframe what's possible. Key Takeaways with Aaron Hinde 00:00 Intro 01:40 The Hidden Retail Fees That Kill Beverage Brands 05:09 The Most Important Metric Beverage Founders Should Track 07:56 The Real Differentiator Behind FITAID Energy Drinks 10:34 "Clean" Energy Brands That Aren't Actually Clean 12:16 Deciding When to Launch (or Kill) a Product Line 17:13 Why Entrepreneurship Isn't for Most People 21:12 Dean Jackson's Framework for Defining Success 24:01 Resourcefulness, Persuasion, and Relationships at Work 31:29 How to Save Your Company When the Market Collapses 35:36 How Great Leaders Keep Their Teams Aligned 38:59 Facing Your Blind Spots As a Leader 45:24 The Non-Negotiable That Would Kill a $500M Offer 48:28 What He'd Do Differently If He Started Again 52:06 The Freedom That Comes From Dropping the Mask 53:39 Aaron's Advice for New Entrepreneurs Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wSrXlTixjCc Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

"If Apple CEO Tim Cook needs a board of directors to help him make decisions, what makes you think you can do it all by yourself?" That's the question Brian Will – serial entrepreneur with multiple exits under his belt – poses in this clip from Beyond A Million. Brian explains why letting go of ego makes it easier to grow your business. He talks about how financial stability helps you become less reactive, more collaborative, and why failing without learning is just wasting time. If you've been stuck in perfectionism, control, or thinking you need (or worse – have) all the answers, this one is to remind you that the best leaders listen more than they talk. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Brian: https://youtu.be/7e1gid6rMWI

Collin Ship built his YouTube channel for one purpose: drive qualified leads into his business. He wasn't trying to grow an audience or chase viral moments. He wanted a predictable system that pointed people toward his offer. And it proved how effective a small channel can be when it's built the right way. Collin took an "unsexy" niche (blogging) and paired it with a search-driven YouTube strategy built entirely around keywords, intent, and simple videos that matched what people were actually looking for. That combination led to a multi-7-figure business powered by steady, targeted traffic. In this episode, Collin breaks down the framework that fueled early traction, the surprising advantage YouTube gives new creators that Google doesn't, and why staying niche made sponsorships and affiliate deals far more lucrative. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:22 Blogging Isn't Dead - $1.2M in 18 Months 05:23 Why Personal Branding Holds You Accountable 09:56 Using YouTube Strictly for Lead Generation 12:35 YouTube Keyword Strategy That Drove Early Growth 15:17 Does Going Broad on YouTube Hurt Lead Quality? 17:47 YouTube Publishing Frequency – The Sweet Spot 18:18 Why Long YouTube Videos Build Massive Trust 19:11 Make Your Free Content Better Than Paid 19:46 The Four Pillars of YouTube Monetization 21:35 YouTube Channels That Land Affiliates & Sponsors 26:19 Intent vs. Interruption Content Marketing 27:12 Using Paid Ads AND Organic Content to Scale 28:16 How to Run YouTube Ads Without Being Punished 31:20 Getting 6,000+ Leads per Month From YouTube 32:45 The Pros/Cons of Becoming Internet Famous 34:12 Where AI Fits in Your Content System 39:54 The Biggest Mistake People Make with AI 40:49 How He Revived His Offer With an AI Rebrand Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/li6jI6YsT3A Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

In this clip, Brad Sumrok talks about why apartments have turned out to be one of the most dependable ways to invest in real estate. Some properties look good at first, but fall apart when the market shifts. Apartments tend to stick it out. Brad's not hyping anything. He's just explaining what's worked over 20 years of doing deals – and why more investors are starting to take notice. If you've ever wondered where real estate actually holds up long-term, this is a good place to start. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Brad: https://youtu.be/l1NP4NWlcLw

As an entrepreneur, once you hit 7-figures, the game changes. Scaling isn't just about more revenue, it's about smarter systems, better people, and the mindset required to lead at the next level. In this special compilation episode of Beyond a Million, I've pulled together powerful clips from past guests — 8- and 9-figure founders who share the unfiltered lessons behind building and scaling successful companies. Whether you're a founder, CEO, or investor scaling your business beyond 7-figures, these are proven tactics that actually move the needle. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:00 Jake Setterlun: If You're Not Getting Leads, Your Offer Sucks 01:38 Michael Erath: Mediocrity Is a Cancer in Business 02:52 Chandler Bolt: Scare Away the Wrong Hires 03:54 Stela Roznovan: The 3 Fundamentals of Sales 07:36 Allan Dib: The Best Marketers Leverage Tech, Not Tools 08:20 Corey Lilburn: How a Singing Telegram Closed a Deal 10:29 Patrick Dillon: Using AI to Conduct 300 Interviews 11:58 Andy Kolodgie: Why Sustainability Beats Growth 14:32 Patrick Riddle: Low-Ticket Offers That Actually Convert 16:22 Mike Koenigs: The $1,000 Cup of Coffee Offer Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QcMHaNedlb0 Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

In this clip, David Hassell, co-founder of 15Five, breaks down why hiring someone who's not aligned with your culture – even if they check every box on the skills side – is a ticking time bomb. He shares how culture shapes behavior more than we think, why execs especially need to embody company values, and how even small misalignments can kill trust inside a team. He also talks about the mistakes they made scaling from 70 to 200 people in a year and how those lessons led to a values-first hiring system every founder should be thinking about. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with David: https://youtu.be/pcZg3i1o3PI

Tons of entrepreneurs claim to be "scaling" their business, but when you look under the hood, they're actually just growing fast. And there's a big difference. Growth can be exciting, but without structure, systems, and the right leadership in place, it's not sustainable. That's where Allison Maslan comes in. She's built and scaled 10 companies across multiple industries, and as the CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, she's helped more than 150,000 founders and leadership teams do the same—earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list four years running. In this episode, we dig into why so many founders fail to scale, unpack Allison's 5 Pillars of Scale framework, and explore how to turn big vision into an operational reality your team can rally behind. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:35 Why Scaling is an Overused Word 03:10 Early-Stage vs. Late-Stage Scalability 04:40 Why So Many Founders Fail to Scale 07:13 The SCALEit Framework Explained 10:27 The 5 Pillars of Scale (S.C.A.L.E.) 11:04 Can SCALEit & EOS Work Together? 13:30 Creating a Strategic Vision That Drives Growth 19:49 Balancing Big Vision with Tactical Reality 23:36 Case Study: Vision Turned Into $100M+ Growth 25:40 Balancing Long-Term Vision with Rapid Change 31:39 Delegation vs. Abdication 40:51 Defining Hiring Metrics for Scalable Success 47:32 Mental Shifts That Enable Massive Growth 52:45 Advice for New Entrepreneurs Getting Started Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LFABrEvlf0Q Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook