Beyond A Million

DESCRIPTION: In this episode of "Beyond a Million", join host Brad Weimert as he sits down with Brian Moran, the CEO and founder of SamCart. Brian takes us through his incredible journey of bootstrapping his business and later securing $83M in series B funding in 2019. Brian underlines the pivotal role of assembling the right talent in a software development crew and highlights the number 1 thing you should not do when starting a SaaS company. We also dive into his expertise as a digital marketer and funnel builder to bring you tactics that you can implement today. Tune in to gain insights from Brian's experience in entrepreneurship and business development. Brian Moran is a former college baseball player turned successful online entrepreneur. After studying marketing at Grove City College, he launched thetrainedbaseball.com, offering digital baseball courses. Brian excelled at creating efficient sales funnels and pioneered the "one-page funnel" strategy, boosting conversions with less effort. This approach not only covered his costs but also built a loyal audience through valuable content. He later founded SamCart, an e-commerce software company, quickly becoming an internet millionaire. HIGHLIGHTS: Brian Moran's bootstrap journey to $83M in series B funding Precious mentorship advice for entrepreneurs Samcart and Creator U's tailored solutions for all business stages Brian's emphasis on assembling a proficient software development team The importance of media buying and paid advertising SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://www.brianmoran.com/ Social Media URL: Brian Moran's FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/followbrianmoran Brian Moran's IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/brianmoran13/ Brian Moran's LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-moran-13836115/ TIME STAMPS: 00:00: Prelude 01:03: Introduction to Brian Moran 01:49: What is SamCart? 05:12: How did SamCart start? 12:15: Transitioning from course community to software 17:26: Choosing the Right Business Model 21:18: How did Brian think about building a software company? 23:50: How did he get his start at Samcart? 27:56: If you started a software company today, would you seek investor funds or fund it yourself? 31:36: Best advice from Tom Kulzer and Clate Mask 34:47: What was the business model of SamCart? 38:27: Would Brian have done the bootstrapping version differently? 45:30: Brian's biggest mistakes in building a software company 48:40: What are the components that Brian thinks are mission-critical? 52:47: How SamCart became a course platform 56:50: Learning from mistakes and moving on 59:39: How to find more information about SamCart 1:00:47: Support Beyond A Million 1:01:21 - END Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

DESCRIPTION: In this episode of "Beyond A Million," Brad interviews Nathan Hirsch, the founder of FreeeUp.com. Nathan discusses his journey of growing his Amazon business to $5 million in revenue and creating FreeeUp, a platform for freelancers and virtual assistants. He highlights the significance of partnerships, SEO, marketing, and client relationships. Nathan shares insights about finding the right business partner or buyer, effective communication, and the agency model behind FreeeUp. Ultimately, he delves into the pros and cons of using virtual assistants, the transformative impact of podcasts on networking and exposure, and his business portfolio. Nathan Hirsch is a serial entrepreneur and eCommerce expert. He launched his first online business from college and has achieved over $30 million in sales. Currently, he's the CEO of FreeeUp.com, linking businesses with skilled freelancers. Nathan appears on popular podcasts like Entrepreneur on Fire, sharing online hiring insights. He also founded Ecombalance.com for e-commerce bookkeeping and OutsourceSchool.com to teach his hiring strategies. HIGHLIGHTS: Nathan Hirsch's journey: Building a $5 million Amazon business and launching FreeeUp Virtual Assistants: Pros, Cons, and Building a VA Army Partnering for Success: The Importance of Partnerships and Finding Buyers Business Strategies: SEO, marketing, and client relationship insights Agency Model: Exploring FreeeUp's Unique Approach Podcast Benefits: Networking, audience reach, and SEO improvement Key Sale Moment: The life-changing offer that sold Nathan's business SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: https://www.outsourceschool.com/nathan/ & https://ecombalance.com/ Social Media URL: Nathan Hirsch FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/FreeeUpNathanHirsch/ Nathan Hirsch IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/realnatehirsch/ Nathan Hirsch LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhirsch/ Nathan Hirsch Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/realNateHirsch TIME STAMPS: [00:00:01] Six Figures Beyond: Entrepreneurial Success [00:05:41] Amazon to Free Up: Six Years, 25M Sold, Best Decision Ever [00:13:05] Grow quickly with a referral program [00:19:29] Screening for skill, attitude, communication [00:25:57] Creating family, community, listening, treating well: Sold Free Up successfully [00:33:52] Sell business, maximize value, no regrets [00:38:48] Outsource for nomadic entrepreneur success [00:43:03] Hire VA's for structured roles [00:48:30] Six words: Transitioned from VA to bookkeeping [00:53:35] Hire, train, network, SEO, pitch, stories Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

On this episode of 'Beyond a Million', Brad Weimert interviews Amy Porterfield about the challenges of scaling a business. They discuss topics such as sales, marketing, operations, technology, and taxation. They also talk about the importance of self-awareness, finding trustworthy business coaches, and transitioning from a transactional sales mindset to a CEO mindset. Lastly, they discuss launches, marketing tools, and the power of freebies in marketing. Amy Porterfield is an ex-corporate girl turned online marketing expert and CEO of her own multimillion-dollar business. Through her best-selling courses and top-ranked marketing podcast Online Marketing Made Easy, Amy has helped hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs to trade burnout for freedom, income, and impact and find professional autonomy, independence, and success far beyond what a corporate glass ceiling would traditionally allow. She has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, CNBC, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and her company has twice been awarded the Inc. 5000 Award as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. She runs her growing business from Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Hobie, and their Labradoodle, Scout. Learn more at AmyPorterfield.com. SOCIAL MEDIA: Website URL: https://www.amyporterfield.com/ Social Media URL: IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/amyporterfield/?hl=en Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/AmyPorterfield/ Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/AmyPorterfield TIME STAMPS: [00:00:00] Scaling past the million dollar mark. [00:03:20] Internet marketing guru success story. [00:11:27] Mindset shift key to success: 6 words [00:21:33] Shift from transactional to CEO. [00:25:49] Figuring out who's trustworthy: Power in the pause. [00:33:28] Grow business with information, podcasts. [00:41:36] Creating a business you love: Six words or less. [00:46:57] Find variety, monetize hobbies, no tattoos. [00:51:24] Storytelling, reframing, launching, AI: Six words. [00:58:35] Learning framework, finding shortcuts, course info, powerful women.

In this episode, we meet Kristi Herold, a passionate entrepreneur who built a successful business around the concept of fun. She started with the Toronto Sport and Social Club and later expanded through acquisitions. Even during the pandemic, she adapted and offered virtual events to connect people through play. Kristi emphasizes the importance of integrating play into the workplace for improved employee engagement and well-being. Her inspiring journey and practical tips show that having fun in business can lead to growth and a positive work culture. Join us as we deep dive into Kristi Herold journey and discover the incredible impact of play on personal and professional growth. You'll be inspired to create a more positive and engaging workplace while having a blast doing it! Kristi Herold is a dynamic entrepreneur who built her business around the concept of having fun. Starting with the Toronto Sport and Social Club, she maintained a balanced lifestyle while growing her venture. Later, she expanded aggressively through acquisitions, with a vision of leaving a lasting legacy. During the pandemic, she adapted to the virtual world, offering events that opened new opportunities in the corporate sector. Kristi is passionate about integrating play, fun, and laughter into the workplace for improved employee engagement and well-being. Her focus on connecting people through play has led to heartwarming success stories, making her journey truly inspiring. HIGHLIGHTS Kristi Herold shares her inspiring journey of building a business around the concept of having fun. Achieved success through aggressive expansion and strategic acquisitions. Adapted during the pandemic with virtual events and corporate engagements. Creating career opportunities for her team and fostering a positive workplace culture. Sports and social clubs foster connections, leading to heartwarming success stories Kristi emphasizes the importance of integrating play, fun, and laughter into the workplace for improved employee engagement, mental health, and retention. She encourages businesses to create a positive and enjoyable work environment. SOCIAL MEDIA Website URL: http://kristiherold.com/book/ & https://jamgroup.com/press/ Social Media URL: Kristi Herold FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/kristi.herold.5 Kristi Herold IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kristiherold_/ Kristi Herold LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-herold-8a7180?originalSubdomain=ca Kristi Herold Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/KristiHerold TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Prelude 00:46 - Introduction to Kristi Harold 02:58 - Christie Harold's background 04:36 - From 2006 to 2016, she took a step back from his business pursuits 06:03 - Being depressed and realizing to survive by connecting with people through play 09:09 - The pivotal moment that led her to change her mind 11:35 - How much of the business was revenue when she first started 13:10 - The challenge of scaling the business in 2016 16:21 - The economics of the sport and social clubs business 19:27 - Taking sports leagues to the Metaverse 22:15 - How significant is the concern for sports-related injuries in social clubs? 25:21 - The economics and growth of the company and how they approached acquisitions 26:24 - The goal of acquisitions is to keep key teammates on board 28:19 - Looking for synergies from the head office 31:23 - The benefits of scale for players 33:00 - The difference between a better experience and facilities for players 34:29 - Working with strategic people 37:07 - The culture in the Sports League 40:27 - The importance of having fun in the workplace 42:30 - Invest a little bit of money and have some fun and put the play on your P&L 44:32 - The importance of having a company sports team 45:56 - Having a company choir, a rock band or a company rock band is a great recruiting tool. 47:09 - Shout out channels and banter channels 49:42 - The product offering and target market for play 53:59 - Where to get more information about JAM? 55:17 - How to support Beyond A Million? 55:52 - END

Brad and Max Finn on this podcast episode elaborating on Max' viral TikTok journey to his personal and entrepreneurial stories. Throughout the podcast, Brad and Max offer valuable advice on entrepreneurship, cash flow management, and scaling businesses effectively. Max also highlights the importance of TikTok as a marketing platform, sharing tips on creating attention-grabbing content. They touch on the launch of Threads and Max's personal experience of being banned from Facebook, stressing the need for transparency and backup plans. Maxwell Finn is one of the most sought after digital marketing experts in the world. Over the last decade he has helped countless businesses from the Fortune 500 to innovative startups achieve explosive growth with paid advertising. More specifically, he has helped businesses generate over $250M in traceable revenue with Facebook and TikTok ads. Max has taken everything he's learned doing this and has now taught over 10,000 other marketers how to run more profitable ads through his Facebook and TikTok ad educational programs. HIGHLIGHTS: Max highlights the importance of TikTok and creating attention-grabbing content. They discuss performance marketing and scaling through strategic partnerships. They share insights on adapting to TikTok's unique style and engaging audiences effectively. The launch of the platform Threads and the benefits of being an early user are explored. Max emphasizes the need for transparency and backup plans in business based on his Facebook ban experience. Full Show Notes: https://beyondamillion.com/83 Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

Join Brad and Rich for an episode where they dive into their perspectives on weekends, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Rich, known for his laid-back approach, reveals his love for relaxed weekends, free from rigid schedules. He shares valuable insights on how entrepreneurs can design businesses that align with their strengths and flaws, fostering authenticity and paving the way for success. In their no-nonsense discussion, Rich introduces the concept of the sprint versus marathon mindset, emphasizing the importance of finding fulfillment in the journey rather than solely focusing on achieving goals. He encourages listeners to embrace personal growth and authenticity as they navigate their own paths. Rich highlights the significance of task initiation and the transformative power of seeking mentors with diverse perspectives. Tune in for practical insights and relatable stories that will inspire you on your own journey towards success and self-improvement. Full Show Notes: https://beyondamillion.com/82 Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

In this episode, Brad and Shaun Clark discuss entrepreneurial challenges, emphasizing the importance of helping others and generating revenue. They cover various topics like sales, marketing, operations, technology, and taxation. Shaun emphasizes the significance of the internet and online advertising for business success and why everyone should be using it. Tune in to learn more from these successful entrepreneurs, and avoid the challenges they faced in business. Key Takeaways with Shaun Clark Brad and Shaun discuss challenges faced by entrepreneurs and the importance of helping others and generating revenue. Topics covered include sales, marketing, operations, technology, and taxation. Shaun shares his background and passion for software, mentioning previous ventures like an answering service and Invoice Sherpa. The significance of the internet and online advertising in business success is highlighted. Shaun emphasizes caution with raising money too soon to avoid diluting value and dependence on external investors. The importance of helping others to generate revenue is emphasized The significance of marketing and getting people excited about the product or service. The company found a niche by targeting marketing agencies and allowing them to white-label and resell the product, creating a revenue source for both parties. Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

Erik Van Horn is an entrepreneur, advisor and the co-founder of Front Street Equity Partners, a strategic advisory and private equity investment firm focused on the franchise industry. After purchasing his first Liberty Tax Service franchise, Erik went full throttle, eventually growing to 42 locations. After that, Erik built out the blueprint to successful franchising, buying seven more brands as a franchisee, exploring the franchisor space and making a successful 8-figure exit to private equity. For entrepreneurs looking to build an owner-absentee business, franchising can feel like a logical journey. So today, I'm sitting down with Erik to get the scoop on the franchising world. What are the steps to success? What are the pitfalls? And how can interested investors make their first move into franchising? Key Takeaways with Erik Van Horn How Erik went from mowing lawns to owning 42 franchise locations despite having no prior franchising experience. A breakdown of what investors eager to get into franchising should do — and what they shouldn't do. A look at the potential exit paths for franchisees and franchisors. What variables will hurt the exit value of a brand? How franchisors could see a 15-20x EBITDA valuation from private equity on a $5M+ business. The metrics that make a brand a prime candidate for franchising. What are the closest options to an owner-absentee model in the franchise space? Can it be beneficial to work in a business niche you know nothing about? What is the difference between a franchisee and a master franchisor? The pros and cons of being an entrepreneur vs. being a franchisor. Why second franchise locations often struggle more than first franchise locations — and the point at which it becomes easier to scale multiple locations. Why are tax offices so prevalent in low-income areas? Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

Jian Tam is a marketer, NFT and crypto investor, and the CEO and co-founder of Samurai Saga, a Web 3.0 gaming project centered on NFT artwork, utility-based tokens, and a play-to-earn gaming experience. Before crypto, Jian made his first $1M selling camera lenses on eBay. Soon after, he started a DTC clothing business and found an untouched niche after selling $50,000 of customized sweatpants in a single day. After buying Bitcoin in 2009 and selling it early for $400, Jian made another venture into the crypto space, turning $20K into $2M with Dogecoin. Finally, he transitioned into NFTs, using a creative marketing approach to earn $3.9M in the first 8 minutes of an NFT drop. While NFTs and crypto have fallen out of favor in 2023, Jian believes they're poised to make a comeback. In today's episode, you'll hear about the specific type of NFTs Jian is focusing on moving forward, how potential investors should look at the space, and successful NFT launching strategies. You'll also hear about how AI could be leveraged in the NFT and crypto space, how to raise funds for NFT projects, and marketing techniques that work across various industries. Key Takeaways with Jian Tam The unorthodox marketing strategy that brought in $3.9M in the first 8 minutes of Jian's first NFT drop. The new vehicle for raising capital that can keep founders from diluting their ownership. The part people are skipping when it comes to laying the groundwork for successful online sales. What is the next trendy industry that could take off like NFTs and crypto? The future of NFTs, how they may change as they stage a comeback, and how investors can take advantage. The strategy for success when launching a product in the NFT community. The core principles of sales success that are just as applicable to selling clothing as they are to selling NFTs. How can you market in the crypto space when ads are banned? Taking a close look at the structure and benefits of blockchain-based video game platforms. Who are the ideal influencers to engage with in the crypto and NFT universes? Why Jian transitioned from eBay and Amazon to DTC sales through his own website. How Jian went from making $7.50/hour to making $1M flipping camera lenses on eBay. Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥

Tucker Max is a 4X New York Times bestselling author, investor and the former co-founder of Scribe Media, a multi-8-figure publishing company that helps aspiring authors tell and sell their stories. Tucker's books have sold more than 4.5 million copies, while Scribe Media has helped publish memoirs for people like David Goggins, Tiffany Haddish and Dan Sullivan. After helping Scribe grow to $24M, Tucker exited the company in 2021. For many entrepreneurs, however, chasing sales and bestseller lists may not be the best way to crack 7 and 8-figures with writing. In today's episode, you'll hear Tucker talk about the nontraditional avenues entrepreneurs and aspiring writers can use to monetize their written ideas in a big way. You'll also hear Tucker share the key questions nonfiction writers must be able to answer before putting pen to paper, how Scribe adjusted its organizational structure to grow from $2M to $24M, and the role AI will play in book writing in the years to come. Key Takeaways with Tucker Max The internal changes with roles and responsibilities that helped Scribe Media grow from $2M to $24M. Should your book deliver content that your readers want to hear or content that your readers need to hear? What are the steps to writing a nonfiction book – and why writing for niche audiences can be so lucrative. The idea of "dirty authenticity" as the future of effective marketing. How will AI impact authoring books? Why some books can be marketed successfully for cheap and others fail to gain traction regardless of marketing spend. What are the character traits that make a great CEO? The nuances behind the decision-making processes for what lands on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Why are high-end service businesses so difficult to scale? The employee growth number Scribe hit when things started to break. How avoiding the traditional route to professional writing helped Tucker monetize his work early in his career. How Tucker went from writing blogs to landing on the New York Times bestseller list with his first book. Subscribe to the Podcast We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find some golden nuggets within this interview. Trust us, it's there! If you want episodes delivered straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to the show and we'll email you each time a new episode is released! Thanks for tuning it & keep being awesome. BAM! 💥