21st Century Entrepreneurship

Nimrod Vromen is a former corporate lawyer turned AI entrepreneur, and our conversation delved into the transformative effects of artificial intelligence on professional services and personal development. As Vromen shared, his journey from legal expert to AI pioneer was driven by a midlife crisis intersecting with the dawn of AI: “For the last three years, I've been grappling with the idea that the age of AI is coming and I need to deal with it.”Vromen discussed his book, "Prompting Happiness," which explores the pursuit of happiness in the age of AI. He illustrates the potential of AI not just as a tool for productivity but as a partner in philosophical inquiry, describing his first encounter with AI technology: “When I saw GPT for the first time, I knew that it was almost like the earthquake had already happened in the middle of the ocean and that tsunami was on its way.” This metaphor captures his anticipation of AI's profound impact on both professional fields and personal lives.He also reflects on how AI has helped him reformulate theories of happiness from his youth, stating, “It continues to explore our purpose as individuals and as a collective on this planet.” Vromen emphasizes AI’s role in enhancing human creativity and introspection, notably through collaborative writing: “A set of essays reflecting ideas of friends who read the first three parts of the book.”Further, Vromen challenges listeners to consider the similarities between human and AI cognition, particularly in how we make decisions: “After having prompted GPT for over 20,000 times, we don't really know how conscious we are.” This statement encourages a deeper reflection on consciousness and the potential for AI to broaden our understanding of self and agency.Listeners will find Vromen’s narrative of transformation a compelling discussion on the interplay between technology and foundational human pursuits, suggesting that AI and human ingenuity are converging paths toward redefining personal and professional landscapes.

DJ the Money Coach is a financial expert who has navigated the treacherous waters of debt himself, once grappling with $60,000 in consumable and credit card debt. In our discussion, DJ revealed the practical steps and disciplines that led him from a low credit score of 525 to a robust 800, achieving financial freedom and a $1 million net worth within six years.DJ the Money Coach's journey began with a transformative chapter from Susie Orman's book, "The Road to Wealth." He emphasized, "I read one chapter in Susie Orman's book... and it taught you about how credit works on personal finance." Implementing these lessons, he not only escaped debt but also built a substantial financial planning practice managing over $60 million in assets.Key takeaways from DJ include his "four by four" strategy: discipline, accountability, a proven system of success, and hard work over two to five years. He illustrates simple but effective financial evaluations anyone can perform, such as choosing more affordable alternatives without sacrificing needs, "If you just change from the Fiji to the store bottle, you would actually get the same type of water, but you would save $4 per bottle of water."DJ also demystified buying insurance and shared insider tips on how to optimize insurance and retirement investments by understanding the true costs per unit, not just the upfront fees. "When you buy insurance and everything's equal... The qualifier to actually get you the best deal is cost per thousand."Beyond personal finance, DJ the Money Coach's commitment to giving back is palpable. He described his international philanthropy efforts, including building healthcare centers and schools in Africa, "And you know what we do? We give back to the community."Listeners will find DJ's advice grounded in realism and bolstered by his own experiences, making this episode not just an instructional guide to managing finances, but a motivational call to action for personal responsibility and proactive financial planning. Whether it’s boosting your credit score, buying insurance, or setting up an emergency fund, DJ offers a blueprint for anyone looking to take control of their financial future.Tune in for a session packed with actionable advice and the encouragement to start making smarter financial decisions today.

Amanda Baron Frank, Managing Partner of The Frank Law Firm P.C., which she operates with her husband, brought her extensive experience in both law and entrepreneurship to our discussion. We spoke about the critical role of legal counsel in establishing and nurturing a business, the pitfalls of rapid expansion, and the importance of adopting a gradual development approach in entrepreneurship. Amanda shared valuable insights and personal stories from her journey, detailing how their firm evolved from its modest beginnings.A focal point of our conversation was the indispensable role of legal protection for startups: "Litigation problems in business are unavoidable... They are far less if you are advised of the law and you have that legal protection from the outset." Amanda emphasized that beginning a business with robust legal backing not only mitigates potential disputes but also fortifies the business’s foundation, making it an essential investment for enduring success.She also advocated for a sustainable growth model, reflecting on her business strategy that favors slow and consistent growth: "We did it incrementally until we saw that it works." According to Amanda, this approach helps avert the common pitfalls associated with too rapid an expansion, which can lead to business failures.Moreover, Amanda discussed the personal aspects of entrepreneurship, particularly the dynamics and challenges of collaborating closely with a spouse in a professional setting. She revealed that working with her husband "has strengthened our marriage, our love, our friendship, everything," highlighting the deep interconnection between personal and professional life in entrepreneurial endeavors.Alongside business and legal guidance, Amanda touched upon the significance of maintaining a work-life balance, sharing her routines like acupuncture and dedicated family time to stay balanced and grounded.This episode is packed with actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing that having a lawyer is not just about navigating legal challenges but also about strategic business planning and securing one’s venture from the start. It’s an essential listen for anyone looking to understand the legal and personal foundations crucial for successful entrepreneurship.

Henry Woodman is a seasoned entrepreneur whose career spans from a fascination with video games to becoming an influential tech business owner, and now, circling back to his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. In our conversation, we discussed his eclectic journey, marked by both strategic decisions and serendipitous opportunities.Henry starts with an engaging anecdote about his early experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. "When I was in college, I was doing video game machines and laundromats because I was addicted to Pac-Man," he recounts, illustrating his knack for recognizing and seizing opportunities. This early venture led to significant advancements in virtual tour technologies and a dominant presence in the travel industry's online landscape, showcasing his ability to leverage personal interests into viable business solutions.Highlighting the theme of personal challenges morphing into professional opportunities, Henry advises, "Don't just sit there and say, wow, somebody really needs to do something. Maybe that somebody is you." This advice encapsulates his journey and serves as a guiding principle for aspiring entrepreneurs.Throughout our discussion, Henry addresses the learning curves and adaptations required in his career, including tackling imposter syndrome and embracing lifelong learning. "I went back to school in my fifties to get my MBA in entrepreneurship," he shares, underscoring the importance of adaptability and continuous education in today’s fast-paced business environment.The conversation also explores Henry’s return to his first love—filmmaking. After years of technological entrepreneurship, he is now focusing on producing a series based on a novel, a project he describes as the closing chapter of his professional life. "I'm going full circle," he reveals, as he plans to adapt the book into a series that delves into themes of reincarnation and soulmates, blending historical and contemporary narratives.Key takeaways from our talk include:The importance of aligning personal passions with business endeavors.The need to recognize and capitalize on emerging trends and technological shifts.Building resilience and learning from failures as critical components of long-term success.Henry's journey is a compelling narrative of transformation, resilience, and the full-circle return to creative roots, offering profound insights for anyone navigating their own path in entrepreneurship or creative endeavors. As he aptly puts it, "Mindset is hugely important. Your thoughts create your life," a mantra that resonates through all stages of his career and life ambitions.

Jason Greenwood, founder of Greenwood Consulting, is an established voice in the ecommerce and digital nomad sectors, and we spoke about the profound impacts of starting early with personal branding and the unforeseen benefits it can bring to professional and personal life. He passionately shares, "your vibe attracts your tribe," highlighting the importance of authenticity in attracting like-minded individuals and opportunities.Jason credits much of his philosophy to early influences, including Gary Vee, who famously challenged, "if you think you're a thought leader, put your thoughts out into the world and let the market decide." This advice propelled him from being an employee to an entrepreneur, fostering a belief that sharing knowledge helps elevate an entire industry. He reflects on his career trajectory, saying, "if you do good work and you meet a genuine need and you treat people right, money is the byproduct of doing all those things, you will be successful."The podcast wasn't just a tool for brand building but a gateway to meaningful dialogues with industry experts, emphasizing the value of genuine conversations over transactional interactions. Jason illustrates this by sharing his approach to inviting guests: "I say, hey, look, you're obviously interested in similar things. To me, it seems like you've got some really deep expertise on this topic. I would love to host you on my podcast."Jason also discusses the broadening of his consulting business to serve not just merchants but also agencies and investors, revealing the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. "You may not need to pivot to be successful, but what you may need to do is you may need to expand your services to immediate adjacencies," he advises, highlighting his strategic adjustments to remain relevant and thriving.His insights extend beyond business, delving into the philosophy of personal wellbeing and social responsibility. He shares a powerful personal mantra: "You have to put your own mask on first," advocating for self-care as essential to offering help and empathy to others.From leveraging a podcast for networking to expanding business services, and emphasizing personal growth and empathy, this episode with Jason Greenwood offers a wealth of strategies for entrepreneurs and digital nomads looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields and lives.

Dan Thomson, founder and CEO of Sensay, is the imaginative mind behind technologies that challenge our perceptions of identity and immortality, and we spoke about the profound implications of creating digital replicas of ourselves. Dan opens up about his journey from philosophy student to tech innovator, discussing how ancient questions about the meaning of life and identity have merged with modern technology to offer new possibilities for human legacy."Our identity is very subjective... We also present ourselves in a different way on social media, which may be very different to how we present ourselves over email," Dan explains, delving into the complexities of personal identity in the digital age. This conversation explores the philosophical underpinnings and the technical execution of digital replicas that can act, think, and interact as we do, potentially continuing our legacy long after we're gone.Dan shares insights into the development of a technology that not only promises to immortalize personal histories but also serves practical contemporary needs. "We all have data, we all have photos... everything about us is captured in a way that's never been possible before," he notes, illustrating the unprecedented scale of personal data collection today. This data, combined with artificial intelligence, could lead to forms of digital immortality, where "your great, great, great grandkids... can get to know me, they can talk to me."The discussion also covers the multifaceted applications of this technology, from aiding dementia patients to creating more interactive and personalized digital experiences in gaming and marketing. Dan's passion for his work is evident as he describes how digital replicas could transform various industries by preserving and utilizing personal knowledge.Moreover, Dan reflects on remote work and the management of global teams, highlighting how the right culture and management approaches can significantly enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. "We find people work just as hard, if not harder... because it's exciting what we're doing," he asserts, championing the merits of a motivated, remote workforce.Listeners will leave this episode with a deeper understanding of how our digital footprints might shape the future of human interaction, legacy, and identity, making it a compelling exploration of technology's role in extending the human experience.

Chris Papin is a multifaceted professional—attorney, CPA, licensed insurance agent, and part-time therapist by virtue of his mother's influence. In our conversation, we unpacked the often-overlooked emotional drivers behind small business decision-making. Chris emphasized, “We don't talk about emotion...all of that is driven by your people, which is driven by emotion.”Chris argued that understanding the emotional context of financial statements and business decisions can vastly improve how small business owners manage and lead. By interweaving personal and business goals, he believes owners can more effectively drive their company's success. He highlighted the importance of aligning personal ambitions with business strategies, stating, "Their personal goals need to drive your revenue."Throughout the episode, Chris shared insights into the fears and uncertainties that plague new and established business owners alike. He delved into the necessity of resilience, pointing out, “Yesterday matters very much, but sometimes it's just a trophy on the wall. You've got to repeat the process.” This resilience, according to Chris, is crucial for navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.Key takeaways from our discussion include the importance of defining the 'why' behind your business pursuits, the impact of emotions on financial decisions, and the role of trusted advisors in navigating business challenges. Chris's approach to business consultancy—considering the emotional and psychological aspects alongside the financial—provides a holistic strategy for business success.Chris’s perspective extends beyond business, touching on community engagement and personal growth. He shared, “There’s lots of ways we do that. And we recognize most of our clients have something beyond themselves in their community, too.” This reflects his broader philosophy that successful business practices should enrich not only the business owner but also the community at large.Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to harness their emotions for better decision-making, the significance of community involvement, and practical strategies for enduring the rigors of business ownership. Chris’s narratives and advice underscore the necessity of emotional intelligence in the entrepreneurial journey, making this episode a vital listen for current and aspiring small business owners.

Adam Rosen is the Email Outreach Company co-founder, Founder of Acquired Startup, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in cold email strategies. We spoke about the evolving landscape of cold emailing, its challenges, and techniques for success. Adam brings a wealth of knowledge from founding and running businesses that leverage cold email to secure high-profile clients and significant business deals.During the conversation, Adam debunked the myth that cold email is a relic of the past. He provided insights into how cold email has transformed, stating, "Cold email is a whole new ballgame than it was in the old days." His approach shifts away from mass emailing to a more refined, targeted strategy to navigate the tightened regulations and filters of modern email platforms.A significant portion of our discussion centered on best practices for crafting effective cold emails. Adam emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, like setting up multiple domains and managing email volume to avoid spam filters. He shared a compelling tip about email personalization: "The best subject line that we've seen is just 'Hi' and then the first name of the recipient."Adam also touched on the broader implications of cold emailing for business development, revealing that about "50% of them have come from cold email," referring to his current customer base. This statistic underlines the effectiveness of cold emailing when executed correctly.Furthermore, Adam shared his personal journey and philosophy as an entrepreneur. He highlighted the importance of perseverance and a positive mindset, recalling a quote that drives him: "Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages." His narrative extended beyond business strategies to include his experiences as a traveling entrepreneur, underscoring his belief in living an inspiring life while running a successful business.Listeners will come away with a deep understanding of:The nuanced strategies required for successful cold emailing today.Practical tips for setting up an email outreach infrastructure.The importance of personalization and how to craft emails that get responses.Adam's holistic view on entrepreneurship and lifestyle.This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to refine their outreach strategies or seeking inspiration on integrating life and work into a coherent and fulfilling vision.

Elizabeth Corbett is a passionate sales leader focused on creating singular, sustainable packaging & supply chain solutions for the health & beauty, food/beverage, hospitality, nutraceuticals, wellness, CPG, petcare & cannabis markets, and our conversation explored her experiences and insights into navigating predominantly male-driven sectors. Elizabeth discusses the unique challenges she faced and the strategies she developed for fostering a more inclusive workplace culture.She opens up about her early career, noting, "When I was starting out, the mentors that I had that were women felt like they had to act like men... In fact, I think a lot of times, you almost got pushed down." Her journey from encountering limited female leadership to becoming a president of a business group underscores the evolution of her mentoring philosophy.Elizabeth passionately advocates for mentorship and networking among women across various industries. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership, insisting, "You don't have to act like a dude. You can be yourself, you can still be professional." Her commitment to this principle is evident as she leads her own team, predominantly composed of women, toward crafting innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.One of the key themes Elizabeth touches upon is the significance of recognizing and valuing oneself in the workplace. She candidly shares personal anecdotes about past mistakes, such as staying too long in a role or underestimating her worth, to illuminate common pitfalls for female professionals. "Secondly is not knowing your value, not really understanding your worth," she recalls, providing a mirror for many in similar positions.Furthermore, Elizabeth's participation in the Center for Creative Leadership offered transformative insights, reshaping her approach to management and interpersonal relationships. She describes the feedback process as a pivotal moment, revealing, "It was a big slap in the face when you realize that how you thought you were impacting people around you is completely different than the way that they look at you."Through our discussion, listeners will gather invaluable lessons on leadership, the empowerment of women in business, and the art of nurturing a supportive and respectful company culture. Elizabeth's story is a powerful testament to the positive change that committed and insightful leadership can bring to any industry.

Geoff Thatcher is the founder and chief creative officer of an experience design firm Creative Principals, and our conversation explored the high-velocity world of creating memorable experiences. Geoff detailed his philosophy on why working quickly doesn’t just meet deadlines—it sparks creativity. "I think you get better creativity in so many ways," Geoff argues, pointing out that rapid execution helps sidestep the paralysis that often accompanies prolonged deliberation.A significant part of our discussion revolved around the concept of "creative speed," which Geoff champions both as an operational principle and a strategic advantage. He shares an intriguing insight, "First impressions are sometimes, a lot of the times, most of the time, right." This belief in swift, decisive action is rooted in his professional practice and vividly illustrated with the transformation of an eight-week project into a five-day sprint, enhancing both cost-effectiveness and engagement.Geoff also touched on the familial aspect of his business, emphasizing the unique contributions each member brings to the table, which enriches their projects. He describes this dynamic, highlighting the involvement of his wife and children, "Our designer and illustrator, she's been with us five years, is our oldest daughter Zoe. And then our creative writer is my son, Joel."The discussion extended beyond the mechanics of his business to the broader implications of speed in entrepreneurship. Geoff passionately conveyed the necessity of moving past naysayers to innovate and execute swiftly. He explained, "Speed allows you to move so quickly that you just move right past those naysayers."Listeners will find value in Geoff’s candid share about the pitfalls of partnerships in entrepreneurship. He advises, "It's just a bad idea to partner. Go out on your own. Do it yourself." This episode is packed with practical insights and is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of creativity, leadership, and business efficiency. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, Geoff’s experiences and strategies provide a compelling blueprint for success in fast-paced environments.