

We Live to Build
Sean Weisbrot
We Live to Build is the raw, no-fluff interview series for high-performance founders and CEOs who are scaling 5+ figure businesses and want to grow faster without burning out.Hosted by serial founder and angel investor Sean Weisbrot, each episode delivers tactical conversations with battle-tested operators, unpacking the mental models, systems, and automation strategies that drive sustainable success.If you're obsessed with scaling smart, optimizing for mental resilience, and building teams and products that don’t rely on your constant presence, these interviews were recorded for you.Expect honest talk about leadership, delegation, AI tools, cost reduction, psychology, and how to stop being the bottleneck in your business.We’re not here to inspire, we’re here to equip.Subscribe and upgrade how you build. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 27, 2021 • 32min
Growth Hacking: How to Get Your First 10 Customers
What is Growth Hacking? It's about finding what works and doubling down. Here's How to Get Your First 10 Customers by being "functionally lazy." In this interview, growth hacking expert Chris Out shares his #1 strategy: reverse-engineer the journey of your most recent customers. Learn how to find your most profitable channels and build a marketing machine based on what people already pay for. Check out the company: https://chrisout.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Marketing Mistake That Cost Me 200K03:50 - What is Growth Hacking?04:26 - How to Get Your First 10 Customers07:00 - Steal Your Competitors' Best Ideas09:30 - How to Find What Your Competitor's Customers HATE11:38 - The Ultimate Validation: Pre-Selling Your Product17:20 - When to Start Building a Marketing Department21:25 - How to Measure Marketing ROI27:07 - Why Sales Solves All Problems📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 20, 2021 • 29min
How to Find a Great Mentor (By Thinking Like One)
How to Find a Great Mentor (By Thinking Like One). To attract a high-quality mentor, you first need to understand what they're looking for: a mentee who is hungry, teachable, and will actually implement the advice they're given. In this special episode, fellow founder and mentor Eropa Stein and I discuss both sides of the mentorship relationship. Learn the life-changing lessons from our first mentors, the insightful question you should always ask a potential mentor, and the test we use to see if a founder is truly teachable. Check out the company: https://hyrestaff.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Life-Changing Power of a Great Mentor02:31 - A "Real" Mentor Doesn't Charge You Money07:53 - The #1 Lesson: Stop Selling Your Time, Sell Your VALUE12:26 - What Mentors Look For in a Mentee (Are You Hungry?)14:07 - The Awkward Truth for Female Founders17:04 - The Test to See if a Founder is "Teachable"18:18 - The Best Question to Ask a Potential Mentor19:27 - The Mentor's Process: Setting a Schedule for Success📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 2021 • 33min
Selling a Business: How a "Personal Goodwill Audit" Saved Me Hundreds of Thousands in Taxes
When you are Selling a Business, there's one thing you must do. Here's How a "Personal Goodwill Audit" Saved Me Hundreds of Thousands in Taxes. In this interview, Jay Myers, who sold his $25 million/year company, reveals the power of a "Personal Goodwill Audit." Learn how this process quantifies the value you personally bring to the business, allowing that portion of the sale to be taxed at a significantly lower rate. In this interview, Jay Myers, who sold his $25 million/year company, reveals the power of a "Personal Goodwill Audit." Learn how this process quantifies the value you personally bring to the business, allowing that portion of the sale to be taxed at a significantly lower rate. This is a must-watch for any founder planning an exit. Check out the company: https://jaymyersceo.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Call I Ignored For Years06:14 - What No One Tells You About Selling Your Business (The Grieving Process)07:31 - A Founder's Checklist for Making Your Company "Sellable"11:38 - How to Get on the Inc. 5000 List13:52 - Important advice before selling your company20:10 - How I Kept the $25M Sale a Secret From My Team25:30 - The #1 Thing They Ask for in Due Diligence27:00 - The Audit That Saved Me Hundreds of Thousands in Taxes29:56 - You Don't Sell Your Past. You Sell Your FUTURE.📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 12, 2021 • 34min
How to Divorce-Proof Your Startup
Do you know How to Divorce-Proof Your Startup? A co-founder's divorce can destroy your company, and a lawsuit between founders after a business fails can be "worse than any divorce you've ever seen". In this interview, Silicon Valley lawyer Cassady Toles reveals his best-case scenario for protecting your company: write the founders' spouses into the operating agreement and have them sign for a specific percentage from day one. Learn why this is crucial in community property states like California , and get other critical legal advice on co-founder agreements, NDAs, and why you shouldn't incorporate in Delaware yet. Check out the company: https://flatratelaw.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Legal Mistake That Can Haunt You for 10 Years02:11 - A Lawyer's Warning: Don't Incorporate in Delaware (Yet) 05:58 - The #1 Thing Your Co-Founder Agreement is Missing 09:04 - How to Divorce-Proof Your Startup10:14 - Shareholder Agreements: Limiting Investor Control 16:48 - The Real Reason VCs Won't Sign Your NDA 20:19 - Employment agreements22:22 - Employee Share Option Plan26:08 - How to Hire a Startup Lawyer (And Avoid Getting Ripped Off) 📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 5, 2021 • 44min
Why Success Makes Founders Lonelier
Most people think success solves everything, but do you know Why Success Makes Founders Lonelier? As her business grew, today's guest felt like she was on an "island, floating away out at sea". In this candid conversation, CEO Janet Semenova discusses the unique isolation entrepreneurs face, a feeling that can get worse with success. We explore the difference between personal and professional loneliness, the impact of remote work, and a simple daily practice that serves as an "antidote to loneliness". Our guest is Janet Semenova, the co-founder and CEO of Boutique Travel Agents and Centered CEOs. Check out the company: https://centeredceos.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Unspoken Truth About Founder Loneliness05:41 - What is Isolation? (The Lack of Human Connection)10:16 - Personal vs. Professional Loneliness15:01 - The Paradox: "The Bigger Our Business Got... The Further Out at Sea I Felt" 18:55 - How Remote Work Changes Everything21:28 - The Benefit of Remote Work: Finding Your "Flow State"26:18 - Are We Facing a Mental Health Pandemic?39:05 - The Antidote to Loneliness: A Daily Gratitude Practice42:00 - How to Build Your "Gratitude Sanctuary"📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2021 • 39min
Stop Selling Your Solution. Sell The PAIN.
Most founders make one critical mistake in their pitch: they sell their product. The secret is to Stop Selling Your Solution. Sell The PAIN. In this interview, executive coach Hope Timberlake, reveals the best storytelling formula for winning over investors: focus on the pain, fear, and potential loss of not having your solution. Learn how to distill your entire vision into a 90-second story , tailor your brand message for any audience , and train your team to communicate your vision flawlessly. Our guest is Hope Timberlake, the founder of Forte Consulting, which helps executives hone their branding and leadership skills. Check out the company: https://hopetimberlake.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - Your Brand is Just a Beautiful Piece of Paper, Unless...03:26 - The First Step to Building a Brand Identity07:41 - One Message, Three Audiences (Investors, Customers, Team)10:33 - How to Test Your Messaging for Clarity14:50 - How to Train Your Team to "Parrot" Your Message26:07 - The 90-Second Pitch Deck Story29:30 - The #1 Storytelling Mistake Founders Make31:00 - The Formula: Focus on Fear & Pain, Not Your Solution38:00 - Final Advice for Founders📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 29, 2021 • 25min
When to Hire Your First HR Manager (And Who to Hire First)
Do you know When to Hire Your First HR Manager (And Who to Hire First)? Hiring an HR manager is a critical step, but doing it too early is a common mistake. In this interview, Michael Podolsky, founder and CEO of Wiser Brand, who grew his bootstrapped company to over 120 employees, reveals that he hired his first HR manager at 20 employees. More importantly, he explains why your first hire should never be HR, but rather a technical person whose heart is with your project. Learn his intense 3-week process for finding perfect foundational hires and his unique strategies for employee retention. Check out the company: https://wiserbrand.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Founder's Hiring Roadmap04:38 - The 3-Week Gauntlet for Perfect First Hires06:00 - The #1 Trait Your First Employee MUST Have08:12 - Why You Shouldn't Hire an HR Manager First13:34 - The Right Time to Hire an HR Manager (At 20 Employees)17:41 - How an HR Manager Changes Your Company19:10 - Delegating Hiring to Department Heads21:41 - The Secret to Employee Retention23:06 - The Power of a Pause in Negotiations📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 26, 2021 • 30min
Why Your Teams App Store Launch Fails Without This Simple TRICK
Do you know Why Your Teams App Store Launch Fails Without This Simple TRICK? Many developers face a month-long verification process, confusing bureaucracy, and unexpected rejections from Microsoft. In this interview, veteran Teams developer Hilton Giesenow reveals the simple "trick" to bypass these issues: using Microsoft's sideloading option to test your MVP with beta customers before you ever submit to the store. You'll learn the pros (like 0% commission) and cons of the Teams ecosystem, and find out why your biggest competitor might actually be Microsoft itself. Our guest is Hilton Giesenow, the founder and CEO of ChitChattr, which develops a family of products on Microsoft Teams. Check out the company: https://chitchattr.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The High Stakes of the Teams App Store07:14 - The Good: 0% Commission on Sales11:09 - The Bad: A Month-Long Submission Process15:24 - Why Microsoft Might Reject Your Perfect App23:22 - The Simple TRICK to Bypass the App Store26:13 - Warning: Your Biggest Competitor is Microsoft29:14 - Final Verdict: Is Building on Teams Worth It?📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 22, 2021 • 41min
The Secret to Launching a Startup Without a CTO
What is The Secret to Launching a Startup Without a CTO? For a non-technical founder, the answer is No-Code, a powerful software trend that allows anyone from a business background to build software without writing any code. This conversation is a masterclass for the non-technical founder. You'll learn the pros and cons of No-Code, which platforms to start with (like Bubble or Glide) , and how No-Code agencies can build your app 10 times faster and for a fraction of the cost of traditional development. Discover how one fintech company processed over $1 billion in loans using an application built on a No-Code platform. Darian Parrish is the co-founder of Red Seattle, which focuses on advancing underappreciated technologies by identifying new markets, applications, and customers. Check out the company: https://pwron.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Founder's Dilemma: No Code, No CTO03:01 - What is No-Code? (You're Already Using It)05:55 - Pro: Build Your App Without a CS Degree10:24 - Con: What No-Code CAN'T Build (Yet)15:00 - Case Study: The Billion-Dollar No-Code App20:40 - Getting Started: 2-Week vs. 2-Hour Platforms29:11 - Don't Want to Build? Hire an Agency for 1/10th the Cost38:36 - Is No-Code the Future of All Startups?40:02 - Final Advice for Non-Technical Founders📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2021 • 25min
The French Government Will Pay You to Start a Business
How can the French government pay you to start your business? France offers massive startup subsidies, including giving back 50% of your R&D costs and providing up to €1 million or more in funding before you ever speak to a VC. In this interview, expat entrepreneur Gabriel Cian reveals why France may be the best country in the world to launch a tech startup, from its deep pool of cost-efficient engineering talent to the legal "tricks" the elite use to navigate its complex tax system. This is a founder's guide to the traps and hidden treasures of building a company in France. Gabriel Cian is the founder and CEO of GetEmail.io, a technology based on AI and Big Data that helps sales & marketing professionals find the professional email address of anyone on Earth. Check out the company: https://vc.2060.lifeBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - How France Pays You to Start Your Company03:08 - The "Don't Do It Yourself" Warning for Founders06:50 - Benefit #1: Get 50% of Your R&D Costs Back07:56 - Benefit #2: Access to Elite, Affordable Engineers12:47 - The Truth About France's "Impossible" Firing Laws15:39 - France's 100% Tax (And How to Navigate It)22:00 - Cost of Living: Paris vs. The South of France24:05 - The Final Verdict for Expat Entrepreneurs📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.