We Live to Build

Everyone says "word of mouth" is the best marketing. But why "word of mouth" doesn't work for my niche business is a question elopement photographer Sam Starns had to answer. In this interview, she explains why referrals have a very low booking rate for her specialized business and how she built a 500% year-over-year growth engine using SEO and content instead. This conversation is a must-watch for any entrepreneur in a specialized field. You'll learn the importance of niching down even when you're scared, how to overcome the fear of not having enough clients, and the #1 lesson Sam learned about finding your "why" to serve your customers better. Check out the company: https://samstarns.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 - Why "Word of Mouth" Marketing is Failing You03:29 - The Personal Story That Inspired My Niche Business04:37 - The Fear of Niching Down in a Town of Generalists12:33 - The Counter-Intuitive Truth About Referrals in a Niche14:53 - The Growth Engine That Replaced Word of Mouth (SEO & Content)17:17 - The #1 Lesson for Building a Successful Niche Business📈 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.

This is an SEO expert's warning: don't build your website on their land. In this interview, 15-year web design veteran Kevin Geary explains why using proprietary platforms like Wix or Squarespace is one of the biggest mistakes a serious business can make. He reveals why you don't actually own your website on these platforms and how it can cripple your ability to scale in the future. This conversation is a masterclass in building a website that actually grows your business. You'll learn the single most important part of your website (hint: it's not the design) , the #1 way to build trust with Google, and the crucial concept of "Search Intent" that most people completely misunderstand. Check out the company: https://digitalgravy.co Book 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 #1 Mistake Founders Make With Their Website04:04 - Website as a Brochure vs. a Growth Tool08:28 - The Warning: Don't Build Your Website on Their Land (Wix, Squarespace) 11:21 - The Single Most Important Part of Your Website (It's Not Design) 15:41 - Footer and its role16:48 - SSL Certificates19:19 - SEO Explained: The #1 Way to Build Trust With Google27:32 - The SEO Secret 99% of People Don't Understand (Search Intent) 38:16 - DIY vs. Hiring an Agency: A Brutally Honest Take📈 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.

This is the story of why I'm scared to post this video. As a founder, I'm afraid of being judged for my past, but talking about mental health is too important to stay silent. In this episode, I share my story with addiction and speak with expert Karl Shallowhorn about why so many entrepreneurs are prone to substance abuse. This is a crucial conversation for any founder who uses alcohol or other substances to deal with stress. We provide a clear framework for identifying when a habit becomes an addiction, discuss how to overcome the stigma and ask for help, and offer a script for how to talk to someone you're worried about. Check out the company: https://shallowhornconsulting.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 - Why I'm Scared to Post This Video02:17 - Karl's Story: Bipolar Disorder & Addiction07:56 - Why Entrepreneurs Are Prone to Substance Abuse10:47 - My Story: How My "Harmless" Habit Took Over16:47 - 3 Signs Your Habit Has Become an Addiction22:40 - The #1 Reason People Don't Get Help (Stigma)31:57 - How to Build a Support Network That Works36:52 - How to Talk to Someone You're Worried About📈 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.

Dr. Graeser is the Founder/CEO of KISS Platform, which not only provides services as a patent agency, but also provides a suite of AI-based tools that assist in competitive intelligence. Are you making the one startup mistake that destroys your international patents? According to US Patent Agent Dr. D'vorah Graeser, many founders don't realize that publishing their idea before filing for a patent outside the US makes them permanently ineligible for protection in key markets like Europe and China. This conversation is a crucial guide for any innovator. You'll learn the difference between a provisional and full patent application, how a single patent can add $1,000,000 to your startup's valuation, and the #1 patent strategy every founder needs to consider before they launch their product. Check out the company: https://kisspatent.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 Mistake That Destroys Your International Patents04:53 - What is a Patent? (And Why It's a Business Tool)09:21 - The Critical Mistake: Publishing Before You File12:53 - The Process for Filing a Patent in the US15:59 - How long before your patent gets approved17:14 - How a Single Patent Can Add $1M to Your Valuation21:59 - What Are "Patent Trolls" and How to Beat Them23:44 - The #1 Patent Strategy for Every Startup33:05 - AI & patents36:28 - Patent licensing📈 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.

Is it really possible to send $1000000 for a $3 fee? With the power of Bitcoin, it is. In this interview, blockchain expert Justin Renken explains how cryptocurrencies can drastically lower transaction fees for businesses, especially for international payments like remittances. Because the network has no borders and the fees are not percentage-based, it's possible to send huge sums of money for a fraction of the cost of the traditional banking system. This conversation is a perfect introduction to blockchain for entrepreneurs. Justin breaks down what blockchain is in simple terms , the pros and cons for your business , the difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum , and other fascinating use cases like crypto debit cards and NFTs. Check out the company: https://ark.ioBook 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 to Send $1,000,000 For a $3 Fee02:26 - What is Blockchain? (Explained Like You're Five) 06:56 - Pro #1: The Power of Low Transaction Fees 08:41 - Pro #2: Reaching Millions of Unbanked Customers 17:39 - Con #1: "Your Coins Are Lost Forever" - The Biggest Risk 21:15 - Con #2: The Terrible User Experience 30:24 - Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: What's the Difference? 36:39 - Other Uses: Crypto Debit Cards, Lending & NFTs📈 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.

This is the story of a brutal business failure: the day I fired 33 employees in a single meeting. In this brutally honest interview, serial entrepreneur Adam Robinson shares the painful lesson he learned about the vanity metric of headcount and the dangers of scaling too quickly. This conversation is a must-watch for any founder who feels the pressure to grow fast. You'll learn Adam's new philosophy of "less people and more revenue," why he believes your intuition is a horrible way to validate a business, and his #1 rule for new founders: "put off everything as long as humanly possible" to conserve cash. Check out the company: https://retention.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 Day I Fired 33 Employees 04:22 - My First Startup: The "Smile and Dial" Growth Strategy 10:00 - The Mistake: Ramping Up Hiring on a Bad Bet 17:09 - The Firing: "If You're In This Room, You're Fired" 21:59 - The Lesson: "Less People and More Revenue is the Goal" 39:52 - My #1 Rule for New Founders: Put Off Everything 45:32 - Why Great People Are 10x Better Than Great Systems 📈 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.

How can hiding under my mom's bed as a child teach you your biggest business flaw as a founder? In this deeply vulnerable interview, entrepreneur Jason Todd shares how his childhood tendency to retreat from conflict shaped his leadership style for years. This conversation is a masterclass in founder psychology. You'll learn why you must expect and embrace "heated disagreements" to find the best solutions , how the roles we play in our family show up in our work , and the #1 lesson Jason learned on his journey: to love the process and stop trying to settle things all the time. Check out the company: https://jasontodd.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 - My Biggest Business Flaw Started Here10:38 - The Mistake: Avoiding "Heated Disagreements" at All Costs 13:03 - The Root Cause: A Fear of Anger & Getting It Wrong 23:08 - The Childhood Story: Hiding Under My Mom's Bed 26:23 - My Family's #1 Rule for Conflict Resolution 29:00 - The #1 Lesson: Learn to Love the Journey 📈 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.

"My business became more profitable after I fired myself as CEO". In this brutally honest interview, serial entrepreneur Eric Vardon shares the story of how he and his co-founder stepped away from day-to-day operations at their 8-figure agency, Arcane. He realized that what he loved was building the business, not the day-to-day management of HR, processes, and executive meetings. This conversation is a masterclass in founder self-awareness and preparing a business for a successful exit. You'll learn the process of hiring a new CEO to replace yourself, the emotional roller coaster of selling a business you built from scratch, and why getting out of the way was the best decision he ever made for the company's growth. Check out the company: https://hawke.aiBook 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 - Why I Fired Myself as CEO06:13 - The 7-Year Plan to an 8-Figure Exit 10:17 - The Realization: We Weren't Good at Running the Business 15:08 - How We Hired Our Replacements (A New CEO & COO) 17:48 - The Result: The Business Became More Profitable Than Ever 29:45 - The Emotional Roller Coaster of Selling Your "Baby" 39:10 - Eric's #1 Lesson 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.

Is there a simple 2-client-a-year plan to a $15 million business? According to 29-year business growth expert Ryll Burgin-Doyle, the answer is yes. In this interview, she shares a real case study of a construction company where she discovered that adding just two builders of a certain size each year would grow their business to $15 million. This conversation is a masterclass in creating a powerful business strategy that aligns with your personal goals. You'll learn the #1 mistake founders make by forgetting what they want from their business , why most entrepreneurs are wrong about their own data , and the powerful mindset that "your business will never outstrip you." Check out the company: https://ryllburgindoyle.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 Simple Plan to a $15 Million Business03:14 - The #1 Mistake: Forgetting What YOU Want From Your Business 10:56 - Why Your Friends Can't Help You Grow Your Business 13:47 - Case Study: The 2-Client-a-Year Plan to $15 Million 15:50 - Why Your "Gut Feeling" About Your Data is Wrong 20:10 - The Mindset Secret: "Your Business Will Never Outstrip You" 38:57 - Ryll's #1 Lesson for Long-Term Growth📈 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.

Mark Cuban called me a "scam" on Shark Thank just 18 seconds into my pitch on Shark Tank. In this raw, behind-the-scenes interview, founder Ryan Naylor shares the full story of his Shark Tank experience, from the moment an executive producer gave him last-second advice that changed everything, to the brutal on-air rejection and the shocking online harassment that targeted his family afterward. This conversation is a must-watch for any founder who has dreamed of going on Shark Tank. You'll learn the reality behind the reality show, the story of the trademark lawsuit from Exxon Mobil that shut down his business, and how he used that public failure as the motivation to build VIVAHR, his new purpose-driven company that helps small businesses hire better.Book 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 - Mark Cuban Called Me a "Scam" 18 Seconds Into My Pitch13:09 - The "Secret" Phone Call From a Shark Tank Producer16:27 - The On-Air Rejection & Behind-the-Scenes Betrayal23:35 - The Dark Side: Online Attacks on My Wife & Newborn Daughter31:40 - How I Turned the Failure Into a New, Purpose-Driven Company33:42 - Building VIVAHR: A Mission to Help Small Businesses Hire41:19 - Ryan's #1 Piece of 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.aiℹ️ ABOUT THIS CHANNELThis channel is dedicated to providing actionable insights and strategies for leaders and professionals. We interview top performers and break down complex topics to give you the tools you need to gain a competitive edge in your career and business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.