Justin Hanover, a veteran entrepreneur in the fitness industry, shares his journey from opening a gym at 19 to leading a top coaching agency, Fitness Revolution. Our conversation unveils his approach to transforming fitness businesses through strategic guidance and innovative solutions.Justin's experience spans across pivotal areas such as gym management, business coaching, and marketing strategy. He emphasizes the role of effective systems in achieving business growth, explaining, “We’ve nailed it down to 26 different core systems that fit within the core foundations of business.” This structured approach has guided over 4000 fitness business owners towards sustained success.A significant part of our discussion focused on the power of outbound marketing. Justin has perfected using LinkedIn and email platforms to not only attract clients but also engage them meaningfully, driving substantial revenue growth. His insights into these strategies are particularly invaluable for any fitness business looking to leverage modern digital channels effectively.Moreover, Justin's commitment to client success is evident through his leadership at Fitness Revolution. He shares success stories, like transforming a client's business from $10,000 to over $100,000 monthly, showcasing the direct impact of tailored coaching and precise problem identification.Listeners will gain from Justin's holistic view of business development, emphasizing not just the what, but the how and why behind successful fitness enterprises. As he puts it, “It’s about understanding where you’re at, what needs to happen to move you forward, and then keeping your identity intact.”This episode is essential for anyone in the fitness industry aiming to refine their business model, enhance client engagement, or scale operations effectively. Justin's blend of practical advice and motivational anecdotes serves as a beacon for aspiring and established fitness entrepreneurs alike.

Priscilla McKinney is an entrepreneur with a keen interest in the dynamics of collaboration. In our discussion, we explored the misconceptions and the transformative potential of true collaboration in the workplace. McKinney, the author of Collaboration is the New Competition, shares insights from her journey and the lessons learned about fostering genuine collaborative environments.The conversation kicks off with McKinney reflecting on the pivotal experiences in early education that shape our attitudes toward collaboration. She notes, “It happened to most of us around the fifth grade,” pointing out the flawed approach of forced group work that continues into our professional lives. This backdrop sets the stage for her to introduce a practical framework for effective collaboration, which she details in her book.McKinney outlines three essential elements for successful collaboration: mutual stakes, openness, and a collective drive to win. She argues, “Collaboration requires everyone involved has something to lose and something to gain,” challenging the traditional mix of unevenly matched team members that often leads to unequal work distribution and dissatisfaction.Beyond theoretical concepts, McKinney brings real-world applicability to the discussion. Drawing from her experiences in market research and as a speaker, she illustrates how industries often fail at self-marketing despite their expertise in advising others. Her transition into market research highlighted these inconsistencies and fueled her advocacy for collaboration over competition.One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation was McKinney's critique of the American entrepreneurial spirit. She suggests that the lone ranger mentality often hinders more than it helps, saying, “It can be lonely at the top... that’s a choice, and it’s a choice you don’t have to make.” This leads into her broader thesis that collaboration, when executed with intention and understanding, can lead to more significant accomplishments than going it alone.The episode is rich with takeaways, particularly McKinney's call to shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, which she believes is crucial for true collaboration. As she puts it, “Behaviors don’t change until attitudes change,” emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in how we approach challenges and opportunities for cooperation.Listeners will leave with a nuanced understanding of collaboration, equipped with strategies to reimplement it within their teams and organizations effectively. McKinney's insights are not just theoretical; they are a call to action for anyone looking to elevate their collaborative efforts and, by extension, their entire organizational culture.

Nader Sabry is a strategist, innovator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in exponential organizational growth. In our conversation, we explored the nuanced world of growth sciences—a field that moves beyond traditional growth hacking to embrace a more structured approach that Fortune 500s, unicorns, and startups at various levels are now adopting. Sabry explains, "It's called the growth sciences... it originates from something even more popularly known as growth hacking, which has shifted from essentially hacking to an actual science."We explored Sabry's journey from launching one of the world's first Internet service providers to advising some of the most innovative governments and corporations on their growth strategies. His insights reveal how understanding and applying the principles of growth sciences can transform organizations. Sabry's experiences offer a vivid illustration of how the right mindset and strategic approach can lead to monumental successes—and sometimes notable failures—from Silicon Valley to Dubai.A significant portion of our discussion focused on the practical applications of growth sciences. Sabry highlighted the importance of creating customized growth strategies that are not just copied from successful examples but are instead tailored to the unique conditions and capabilities of each organization. He passionately advocates for this personalized approach: "The number one thing that clients come to me with is we're benchmarking our competitors and we want to beat them on this metric... What if there was a metric that nobody else is measuring or a metric that nobody else is utilizing in a much different way?"Listeners will find valuable takeaways in Sabry's emphasis on the importance of not just following but understanding and innovating beyond standard practices. He challenges the conventional wisdom with his approach to solving growth dilemmas and navigating corporate egos. His statement, "There's this thing called the boardroom ego... The only thing in front of you is experimentation," encapsulates his philosophy of questioning and redefining the norms to discover new paths to growth.From this episode, you'll gain insight into how to identify and apply growth principles effectively, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to think about growth in ways that are both scientifically sound and creatively freeing. Sabry's call to action, "create your own formula," serves as a powerful reminder of the potential each person has to influence and reshape their environment through innovative thinking and strategic action.Join us to uncover how you can leverage the growth sciences to not just participate in but actively shape the future of business and innovation.

Britt Gottschalk is the CEO and a dynamic creator of change, thriving in the challenging world of health data management. We explored her extensive career, which spans from waste management to management consulting, highlighting her 'figure-it-out' mentality and her role as a jack of all trades. Britt's current focus is on empowering individuals to control and benefit from their health data, a mission that bridges her passion for problem-solving with her entrepreneurial spirit.Britt began her career in corporate America, leveraging her dual master's degrees in business administration and industrial organizational psychology. Her initial roles involved navigating the complexities of process improvement and project management, where she quickly learned the harsh realities of corporate structures. "You think that coming fresh out of grad school, everybody's going to listen to my ideas. I know what's going on, and you don't know anything. You really don't know anything," Britt reflects on her early career experiences, underscoring the steep learning curve and resistance to change she faced.The transition from consulting to entrepreneurship was driven by Britt's frustration with the status quo and her desire to solve significant problems. She shares, "I really did start a business out of being disgruntled. I was very upset with the way that things were going, and I didn't feel like things were going to get any easier." This pivotal moment led her to launch her first business during the COVID-19 pandemic, which focused on aiding teams with remote work transitions.Britt's second venture, Genome, emerged from her realization of the dire need for integrated and accessible health data. She explains the genesis of Genome, "The healthcare industry is worth trillions of dollars here in the US, and they're not broke. It's a matter of figuring out how to get the money from the outcomes they're developing from data that's already being collected on us and looping in the consumer into that process." This model not only addresses data accessibility challenges but also compensates individuals for their data contributions, thus democratizing the economic benefits of medical research.Throughout the interview, Britt highlights the crucial balance of sustainability and innovation required to scale a tech startup successfully. Her insights into securing investments and managing cash flow are invaluable for any aspiring entrepreneur. "You have to make sure that you are sustainable, getting revenue as much as possible, as quickly and as much as possible based on what you know," she advises, sharing the lessons learned from both her businesses.The episode is packed with enlightening discussions about the intersections of biotechnology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. It provides a deep dive into how visionary leadership can harness the power of health data to revolutionize medical research and patient care while also offering a pathway for individuals to participate in and benefit from their own data.Listeners will come away with a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of health data, inspired by Britt Gottschalk's relentless pursuit of innovation and equity in healthcare.

Blake Reichenbach is a Product Manager at HubSpot, focusing on the Content AI Platform, and the founder of Howdy, Curiosity, an innovative online nonfiction bookstore and learning community. With a rich background in higher education, marketing, and the SaaS industry, Blake brings a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective to his roles. His professional journey at HubSpot has been marked by leading pivotal initiatives such as the modernization of Trust and Safety infrastructure through advanced machine learning integrations while managing multiple high-priority corporate objectives.In our conversation, we explored the nuanced challenges and triumphs of nurturing entrepreneurial endeavors alongside a career. Blake shared insights from his journey, emphasizing the lack of support for non-traditional, part-time entrepreneurs. "There weren't ways for people like me to connect with mentors and to connect with other people who had been down the path I was going down," he explained, highlighting the initial isolation he felt.The discussion also touched on the transformative potential of combining professional stability with entrepreneurial passion. Blake detailed his evolution from a discontented academic advisor to a fulfilled product manager and side-project entrepreneur. His transition was not just a career change but a complete lifestyle overhaul, facilitated by strategic learning and creative exploration. "I knew nothing about building my own business...and really, the only skill set that I had relevant to my entrepreneurial journey at that time was the skill set I was using as a writer," Blake recounted, illustrating the humble beginnings of his entrepreneurial path.Blake is particularly passionate about fostering a community that supports "the curious professional." He has created Howdy, Curiosity, a platform designed to cater to those balancing full-time jobs with creative and entrepreneurial projects. This initiative aims to build "support and accountability systems for folks who are working on creative and entrepreneurial projects in their free time."His journey underscores that entrepreneurship doesn't always require risking everything. It can be a stable, incremental pursuit that complements an existing career. "It's the projects we pursue on the side that are the most rewarding and can lead to the most significant long-term growth for ourselves, both personally and professionally," he shared, providing a fresh perspective on what it means to be an entrepreneur today.Key Takeaways:Entrepreneurship as a Part-Time Pursuit: The conversation sheds light on the often overlooked path of part-time entrepreneurship, proving that one can pursue entrepreneurial ventures without giving up the stability of full-time employment.The Value of Community: Blake emphasizes the critical role of supportive communities for part-time entrepreneurs, illustrating how such networks can provide the necessary resources and mentorship to thrive.Leveraging Corporate Skills for Personal Projects: Blake's journey demonstrates how skills acquired in a corporate setting can be effectively translated into managing and growing personal projects, enriching both professional and personal aspects of life.Listeners will leave this episode inspired by Blake’s resilience and innovative approach to entrepreneurship, equipped with practical insights into balancing passion projects with professional responsibilities.

Elizabeth Eiss is a seasoned entrepreneur and an advocate for small businesses and solopreneurs. In our conversation, we explored the crucial role small enterprises play in the economy and the unique challenges they face. Elizabeth shared her insights on how small businesses can leverage the gig economy to scale effectively, optimize operations, and maximize their impact. "Small businesses are the backbone of... economies," Elizabeth points out, emphasizing the profound influence they hold over national productivity.A significant portion of our discussion revolved around the potential of freelance talent to transform small business operations. Elizabeth's approach is not just about filling gaps but strategically enhancing business capabilities. "We're really looking for small businesses that understand the value of their time," she explains, advocating for a shift from do-it-yourself to expert-driven processes that ensure reliability and quality.Elizabeth also provided a personal perspective, linking her experiences as a breast cancer survivor to her professional ethos. This profound personal journey underscored her belief in the importance of valuing time, both personally and professionally. "Free time is an important objective, too, not just doing more for your business," she reflects, highlighting the balance between work and life that many entrepreneurs strive to achieve.Key takeaways from this episode include:The strategic use of freelancers can enable small businesses to focus on core competencies and growth.Building reliable relationships with pre-vetted talent can streamline operations and reduce overhead.Personal challenges, like health crises, can profoundly influence professional perspectives and operational strategies.Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how small businesses can navigate the complexities of modern work environments, leveraging freelance talent for scalability and efficiency. Elizabeth's insights are a beacon for solopreneurs and small business owners looking to transform their operations and achieve sustainable growth.

Joe Blackburn is a seasoned entrepreneur with a history of successful businesses built through word of mouth, and we spoke about the profound impact this traditional yet underutilized technique has on sales and business growth. Joe shares, "I teach people how to become deadly at sales by mastering word of mouth," emphasizing the necessity of trust and authentic connections in the sales process.During our conversation, Joe underscored the limited effectiveness of relying solely on systems and processes without the foundational human element. He explains, "We're all in the people business," and introduces his unique approach, the PILLAR system, which is designed to leverage personal relationships to advance business goals. His straightforward philosophy cuts through the noise: "There's no way in there because I don't deal with assholes, and you shouldn't either."Joe's insights extend beyond sales strategies. He reflects on personal growth and risk-taking, sharing poignant moments from his own leap into entrepreneurship, which was driven by a desire for a more fulfilling life despite significant personal challenges. "Once you actually take that leap, all kinds of opportunities present themselves," Joe remarks, illustrating the potential rewards of stepping out of comfort zones.Furthermore, Joe discusses the critical role of mindset in achieving long-term success. He believes that "80% of your success is going to be psychological," stressing the importance of mental strength and resilience over mere technical skills or business acumen.Listeners can expect to walk away with a deeper understanding of:The power of word of mouth in building trust and credibility.The necessity of aligning personal values with professional interactions.How personal transformation and risk-taking are integral to business success.Joe's approach to sales and business is a blend of traditional wisdom and innovative strategies, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their influence and success in today's competitive market.

Ayat Shukairy is a seasoned expert in conversion rate optimization (CRO) and the co-founder of a renowned CRO company and tool. In our conversation, we delved into the intricate world of CRO, exploring its fundamental importance in transforming site visitors into loyal customers. Ayat illuminates the often-overlooked aspects of customer engagement and conversion, asserting, "It is about trying to create a better, more user-friendly, and persuasive experience on your site."From her initial career shift from teaching to marketing, Ayat's journey underscores the transformative power of understanding and influencing consumer behavior. She explains, "I was completely blown away by the whole entire concept" of persuading site visitors to engage more deeply, highlighting the evolution of her career into a CRO specialist.Key topics discussed include the nuances of optimizing the visitor experience, the importance of aligning landing pages with customer expectations, and the strategic use of analytics and user research. Ayat stresses the critical role of A/B testing in validating changes on websites to ensure they enhance conversion rates. "Making changes without testing means that you don't know the actual impact that change had on your bottom line," she notes, emphasizing the scientific rigor required in CRO.Listeners will glean insights into the broader implications of CRO beyond mere technical tweaks, understanding its role as a bridge between traffic acquisition and customer retention. Ayat also shared her passion for educating and empowering others, drawing from her teaching background to enhance her approach to customer engagement and business strategy.Takeaways from this episode include the importance of:Understanding the visitor's journey to improve site interaction.Employing A/B testing to confirm the effectiveness of site modifications.Crafting a user experience that aligns seamlessly with marketing messages.By integrating these elements, businesses can significantly boost their online engagement and conversion rates, turning casual browsers into committed customers. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice for anyone looking to enhance their website's effectiveness and convert traffic into tangible success.

Justin Cooke is a founder with an extensive background in creating and scaling online businesses, and we spoke about his journey from starting a small outsourcing company in the Philippines to running Empire Flippers, a prominent online business brokerage. His entrepreneurial path is marked by bold decisions and strategic shifts, reflecting a dynamic approach to business challenges and opportunities.Justin candidly shared the trials and triumphs of his entrepreneurial journey, noting, "We went from just the two of us with a small Philippines team to selling nearly $500 million worth of websites and online businesses." This transformation showcases not only growth but also the resilience required to pivot from initial setbacks. He explained the early days of their venture, where an outsourcing failure led to an unexpected yet prosperous pivot: "So when they started cutting back on us, we said, what the hell are we going to do? How are we going to make money? How are we going to survive out here?" This moment of crisis spurred the creation of niche websites, a move that catalyzed their success.The evolution of Empire Flippers from a provider of niche websites to a thriving marketplace for buying and selling online businesses illustrates a key entrepreneurial lesson: the power of listening to your market. Justin emphasized the importance of adapting to customer needs, stating, "We realized there's a market for these people were interested in buying these small websites." This insight led them to expand their services, fundamentally shifting their business model to include brokering for external clients, thereby magnifying their market impact.Another significant discussion point was the cultural shift towards remote work, which became a cornerstone of their company culture. Justin reflected on this transformation with personal insight: "Even after this, this is 2010, 2011... and I stayed in the Philippines and kind of worked from home." His embrace of remote work predated the global trend, highlighting a forward-thinking approach that benefits both the company and its employees.For aspiring entrepreneurs, Justin’s experiences offer valuable lessons. His advice underscores the importance of bold action and the willingness to embrace responsibility for growth: "It took us a long time to hire that first foreign hire... You're taking on someone else's responsibility. You're putting extra expense on the business. Why don't we just keep that money for ourselves? But you limit your growth when you're not adding people."Listeners will leave this episode with a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the strategic value of adaptability, and the transformative potential of listening deeply to customer needs. These insights are not just strategies but are foundational principles that can guide new business ventures towards success.

Danny Nathan, founder and CEO of Apollo 21, is a seasoned innovator with deep roots in the venture building and technology space, and our conversation explored the complex landscape of corporate innovation. We discussed why fostering true innovation within established companies is notoriously challenging and what can be done to overcome these hurdles.Danny opened up about the rigid operational frameworks that often stifle innovation, explaining, "Innovation is hard today because organizations as they grow up get stuck in the mindset of focusing on what's working today at the expense of what might work tomorrow." He underscored the necessity of embracing risk and exploration, which are vital for long-term success but are often sidelined in favor of short-term efficiency and risk aversion.One of the most poignant themes of our discussion was the concept of 'customer development'—a core process at Apollo 21. Danny stressed the importance of this approach by saying, "The more we talk to our customers, the more we find opportunities to understand what their pain points are." This customer-centric strategy not only identifies existing gaps but also aligns innovations with genuine user needs and anticipates future demands.Our talk also covered striking examples of missed opportunities by major companies, which highlighted the dangers of complacency in business. Danny posed reflective questions like, "Why didn't Blockbuster create Netflix?" and "Why wasn't Airbnb created by Hilton, or Hyatt, or the Marriott?" These examples illustrate how traditional companies often overlook transformative opportunities due to their entrenched ways of thinking.From the episode, listeners can draw several key takeaways:Innovative Mindset: Shifting from a purely efficiency-driven approach to one that values exploration and learning can unlock new possibilities.Customer Integration: Deeply engaging with customers to understand their current and future needs is crucial for relevant and successful innovations.Process-Driven Innovation: Implementing structured processes that allow for iterative learning and gradual scaling can facilitate more sustainable and impactful innovation.In conclusion, Danny Nathan's insights remind us that innovation is not just about new ideas but about transforming these ideas into reality through strategic foresight and customer engagement. As Danny put it, "We are focused heavily on finding the smallest thing that we can create alongside our partners that will drive the most value for you and your customers in the shortest period of time." This approach not only fosters immediate impact but also builds lasting customer loyalty and positions companies for future success.