The Friday Habit

In this episode of the Friday Habit, Nick McEvily shares his journey from design to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of customer interviews and the role of design in business success. He discusses his life in Mexico City, the challenges of the zero to one stage in startups, and the common pitfalls founders face in achieving product market fit. The discussion highlights the necessity of data-driven decision-making and the art of understanding customer needs through effective communication. In this conversation, Nick McEvily shares insights on the importance of effective listening, crafting open-ended questions for interviews, and the significance of gathering honest feedback from clients. He emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to validate their ideas quickly and the changing landscape of venture capital, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to business development. The discussion also touches on the value of data in decision-making and the importance of humility in leadership.Takeaways:Nick McEvily emphasizes the importance of customer interviews.Design plays a crucial role in building trust with users.The zero to one stage is a critical phase for startups.Delusion can be necessary for founders to succeed.Many founders do not spend enough time understanding their customers.Effective design must resonate with the target audience.Data should back the intuition of CEOs and founders.Customer feedback can be misleading if not approached correctly.Surveys are just one tool among many for gathering insights.Building a strong narrative is essential for fundraising. Good listening skills help decipher unspoken truths.Facing the truth can lead to stronger confidence.Crafting a script is essential for effective interviews.Open-ended questions yield higher quality responses.Limit the number of questions to maintain engagement.Finding unbiased participants is crucial for research.Statistical significance is important in decision-making.Don't wait too long to present ideas to customers.Exploration leads to new opportunities and ideas.The venture capital landscape is evolving towards more validation.Connect with Nick:https://www.nickmcevily.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmcevilyLearn More: Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Nicholas McEvily  01:04 Life in Mexico City and Family  04:00 Journey into Design and Entrepreneurship  07:00 The Importance of Design in Business  10:00 Navigating the Zero to One Stage  13:04 Common Pitfalls in Product Market Fit  16:00 Insights from Customer Interviews  19:11 The Art of Listening and Understanding  20:37 Crafting Effective Interview Questions  21:33 The Importance of Open-Ended Questions  23:14 Navigating Client Relationships  25:16 Finding Participants for Research  26:23 The Value of Data in Decision Making  28:23 The Balance of Confidence and Humility  30:33 Validating Ideas Quickly  33:05 Exploring New Ventures and Markets  35:42 Learning from Failure and Exploration  37:47 The Changing Landscape of Venture Capital  39:22 Final Thoughts and Action Items  

In this episode, Mark sits down with Russel Dubree, founder of Performance Faction and former agency owner who built and sold a multi-million dollar creative business. They talk turkey (literally), before diving into the hard-won lessons of entrepreneurship—what it means to grind, the challenges of hiring and leading a team, the highs and lows of partnerships, and what ultimately led to Russel’s decision to sell his agency and pursue business coaching.In this conversation, Russel shares the real story of growing a business from nothing—starting with a $500 credit card charge and a dream, all the way to a $5M agency with 16 employees. He opens up about poor hiring decisions, burnout, navigating family and business, and the wake-up call that helped him redefine success. Now, as a coach, he helps agency leaders find their purpose, build resilient teams, and grow with clarity and intention.Takeaways:Early business lessons often come through trial by fire.Good partnerships require alignment, clarity, and tough conversations.Hiring slow (and right) is one of the most important decisions in growing an agency.Don’t build to the price—price to the value.Growth without process can create chaos, not success.Purpose—not profit—will keep you going long term.Leadership means owning your shortcomings and creating a culture that retains top talent.Time with family can’t be an afterthought. Balance comes with communication.Saying "no" is often more important than saying "yes."Success doesn’t mean burnout—it means building something meaningful, on purpose.Connect with Russel:performancefaction.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/russeldubreeLearn More: Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:34 Welcome to The Friday Habit 01:14 Guest Introduction: Russel Dubree 01:48 Thanksgiving Turkey Talk 09:57 Balancing Business and Family 10:56 Entrepreneurial Beginnings 23:10 Starting a Web Development Company 29:34 Pricing and Early Challenges 33:15 Hiring and Growing the Business 36:58 Reflecting on Early Growth and Challenges 38:23 Learning from Industry Experts 41:20 Defining Moments and Major Projects 44:39 Improving Processes and Team Dynamics 49:18 Finding Passion and Purpose 54:40 Deciding to Sell the Business 58:53 Post-Sale Reflections and Future Plans 01:14:23 Final Advice and Closing Thoughts

In this episode, Mark and Data Coach Gravy discuss the significance of data in business, exploring Paul's journey from an accidental entry into the data world to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They delve into the lessons learned from the dot-com boom, the importance of data ownership, and the challenges businesses face in managing their data across various platforms. The conversation emphasizes the need for companies to recognize data as their most valuable asset and to take control of it for better decision-making and growth. In this conversation, Data Coach Gravy discusses the importance of data ownership and how leaders can simplify their approach to data management. He emphasizes that data is a company's most valuable asset and should be treated as such. The discussion also covers the evolution of data storage, the impact of AI on business, and the significance of being a data-driven leader. Gravy shares insights on leading remote teams effectively, the role of faith in leadership, and how personal relationships can enhance team dynamics. He concludes with practical advice for leaders to start integrating data into their decision-making processes.Takeaways:Data can drive growth and success for businesses.Paul's journey into data was accidental but transformative.The dot-com boom provided unique opportunities for young entrepreneurs.Learning from mistakes is crucial in business.Data ownership is essential for companies to thrive.Partnerships can complicate business dynamics.Bootstrapping allows for greater control and vision.AI is increasingly reliant on data for effectiveness.Companies must integrate their scattered data for better insights.Understanding data as an asset is vital for modern businesses. Who you are as a company is your data.Data is incredibly simple: strings, dates, and numbers.Leaders must take ownership of their data.SaaS systems are proliferating and are here to stay.AI is integral to the future of business.Love your team to foster better leadership.Success is defined by the love and respect of those who know you best.Having a moral compass simplifies decision-making.Challenges often indicate you're on the right path.Start replacing assumptions with data-driven questions.Connect with Paul: https://www.thedatagroup.cloud/https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgraeveLearn More: Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

Join hosts Ben and Mark on 'The Friday Habit' as they welcome Chris Ronzio, founder and CEO of Trainual, a leading SaaS platform for small business training and onboarding. They delve into discussions about organizational charts, systems, and processes essential for business scalability. Chris shares insights from his journey, including his consulting background, the development of Trainual, and his entrepreneurial roots. He also talks about his book 'The Business Playbook,' which serves as a comprehensive guide for creating effective business systems. Packed with valuable advice and humorous anecdotes, this episode provides a deep dive into the world of small business management and optimization.Key Takeaways:Chris Ronzio shares his entrepreneurial journey from childhood side hustles to founding a successful SaaS company.Trainual began as a simple internal tool within Chris’s consulting business before evolving into a platform used by 7,000+ companies worldwide.Chris bootstrapped his first real business—a youth sports video production company—at just 14 years old and ran it for over a decade.His transition into consulting exposed him to 150+ businesses, helping him identify scalable patterns in operations and onboarding.The decision to pivot fully from consulting to launching Trainual as a SaaS company was driven by a desire to solve deeper business problems with greater impact.Creating role clarity, documenting systems, and defining responsibilities are essential for building scalable businesses—even in teams as small as five people.Chris emphasizes the importance of productizing services and standardizing internal processes to reduce chaos and boost efficiency.His bestselling book, The Business Playbook, offers a practical guide for building a scalable operations manual and aligning your team.The culture at Trainual prioritizes clarity, thoughtful onboarding, and enabling every team member to thrive in their roles.Success often starts with giving generously—Chris built trust, reputation, and opportunity through offering free help before monetizing his expertise.Connect with Chris: Website: trainual.comLinkedIn: Chris RonzioLearn More: Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:06 Meet Chris Ronzio: Founder and CEO of Train01:17 Fun Icebreaker: Unlimited Service for a Year02:20 The Importance of Relaxation and Meditation04:07 Chris Ronzio's Background and Early Life07:08 Entrepreneurial Spirit: Early Ventures10:28 Transition to Consulting and New Challenges18:06 The Birth of Train: From Consulting to SaaS21:41 The Challenges of Starting a Podcast22:38 From Consulting to Equity Projects23:28 The Leap to SaaS26:34 Adapting Team Roles for SaaS30:22 The Importance of Clear Roles in a Company33:44 Writing and Marketing 'The Business Playbook'38:56 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Kayvon Kian, an entrepreneur and senior advisor at McKinsey & Company, dives into the fusion of philosophy and business. He explores the concept of 'skeptic capital,' underscoring the importance of surrounding oneself with challenging thinkers. Kayvon emphasizes using historical philosophers like Socrates and Nietzsche as advisory tools for modern decision-making, urging listeners to ask, 'What would a wise person do?' His insights on embracing healthy skepticism and focusing on personal values provide a refreshing perspective on navigating life's uncertainties.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Chris Tyrell, founder of Chris’s Garage Doors, to talk about the unexpected road from seminary student to successful entrepreneur. Chris shares how faith, community, and a deep sense of purpose have guided his business journey—and why giving generously has always been part of the plan.Chris opens up about how a part-time job in the garage door industry sparked a bigger calling. Today, his company serves not just customers, but the greater good—donating 3% of revenue to local nonprofits and using the business as a platform for ministry. Mark and Chris explore the power of mission-driven leadership, the importance of building a strong brand, and the lessons learned from hiring, coaching, and networking.Whether you’re running a small business or dreaming about launching one, this episode is full of practical advice and honest insight from someone who’s built a business rooted in values—and impact.Key Takeaways:Chris’s journey from seminary to entrepreneurship was guided by faith.His company donates 3% of top-line revenue to local nonprofits as part of a mission to give back.Business can be a platform for ministry and community transformation.Reinvesting in your company is crucial for long-term growth.Relationships and networking play a powerful role in business development.Hiring for attitude often leads to stronger team culture and retention.A clear brand and purpose-driven culture can shape every aspect of your business.Business coaching and peer support help provide clarity and accountability.Understanding your “why” fuels more intentional decision-making.Connect with Chris:Chris’s Garage Doors LinkedIn

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Steve Van Diest, President of Acumen’s Front Range region, to unpack the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey. From founding a thriving mattress business to launching a customizable pillow company, Steve’s path has been anything but linear.Steve candidly shares his experiences with burnout, making costly business decisions, and the challenges of building a healthy company culture. He opens up about the turning points that led him to give away a profitable business and the lessons he now imparts to other business owners through his work at Acumen.Key Takeaways:Burnout Isn’t Just a Buzzword: Steve reflects on how ignoring signs of burnout led to poor decisions and how he’s learned to identify and address it earlier.Trust, But Verify: The consequences of partnering without proper agreements and how a lack of structure nearly cost Steve his business.Building a Culture of Transparency: Why Steve prioritized hiring people with strong values over sales experience and how that shaped his company’s identity.The Power of Community: How being part of a peer advisory group transformed Steve’s approach to business – and why every entrepreneur should seek out similar connections.Connect with Steve:Website: Acumen ImpactLinkedIn: Steve Van DiestLearn More:Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it.Stay Connected:Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, Patti Johnson shares her path from growing up in a small town in Oklahoma to launching a successful consulting business and becoming an author. She talks about what it really takes to start and grow a business, including the importance of research, networking, and building strong relationships instead of relying on traditional sales tactics.Patti and Mark also discuss the value of developing an exit strategy early, diversifying your client base, and learning through leadership challenges. Throughout the conversation, Patti emphasizes the role of mindset, resilience, and personal growth in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. She also shares key takeaways from her book Make Waves, including how managing your thoughts can drive meaningful action and change.Key Takeaways:• Starting a business takes calculated risk, research, and strong networks.• Relationships are more effective than traditional sales tactics.• Rejection is part of the process—don’t take it personally.• A resilient, positive mindset is essential for long-term success.• Know your business model and focus on delivering real value.• Authenticity builds trust—be yourself.• Plan your exit strategy early and diversify your client base.• Growth comes from discomfort and consistent action.• Good leadership balances honesty with optimism.• Managing your thoughts can drive meaningful progress.Connect with Us:Enjoyed the episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or colleague who’d find it helpful.For more insights and resources, visit TheFridayHabit.com.Connect with Patti Johnson:Learn more about Patti and her work at https://pattibjohnson.com/.Check out her book Make Waves wherever you get your books.Thanks for listening—and keep making waves.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, decentralization is emerging as a powerful force for change. This episode of The Friday Habit brings you a fascinating conversation with David Young, a pioneer in cloud computing and open-source technology.David shares his journey from studying ancient Greek and Latin to becoming a trailblazer in the tech industry. He offers valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship, the importance of perseverance, and the potential of open-source solutions to reshape how we interact with technology.Key Takeaways:The evolution of cloud computing and its impact on modern businessesHow open-source technology is challenging the dominance of big tech companiesThe importance of finding your "single hill" in business and communicating it effectivelyWhy privacy and data ownership matter in today's digital landscapeThe potential of decentralized technologies to foster innovation and competitionDiscover the Power of Open SourceDavid introduces us to Federated Computer, his latest venture aimed at making open-source tools accessible to businesses of all sizes. Learn how these alternatives to popular software suites can offer enhanced privacy, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.Entrepreneurial WisdomGain valuable insights from David's experiences:The importance of persistence in the face of rejectionWhy understanding your customer's pain points is crucial for successHow to navigate the challenges of bringing new technologies to marketA Vision for the FutureDavid paints a picture of a more decentralized technological landscape, where individuals and businesses have greater control over their digital lives. He challenges listeners to consider alternatives to the status quo and embrace the potential of open-source solutions.Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a small business owner, or simply curious about the future of technology, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at the possibilities that lie ahead.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, hosts Mark Labriola and Benjamin Manley engage with guests Mark Ackler and Mert Esheri, exploring the intricacies of entrepreneurship, the importance of building relationships, and the lessons learned from their experiences in the startup world. They discuss the journey from idea to execution, the significance of legacy in business, and the insights shared in their book 'Exiting Right'. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of business acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of trust, strategic alignment, and the long-term relationships that can be built prior to a sale. They discuss the successful acquisition of Instagram by Facebook as a case study, highlighting the need for companies to understand their value proposition and the chemistry between buyers and sellers. The conversation also introduces the concept of annual exit talks to normalize discussions around potential sales, and the importance of cultivating relationships with potential acquirers over time. Key takeaways include the significance of fit, alignment, integration, and rationale in successful acquisitions, as well as actionable advice for entrepreneurs considering an exit strategy.