Hustle & Flowchart: Mastering Business & Enjoying the Journey

Sure, we get our guests to open up about the struggles they faced while building their businesses all the time. But it’s not so often you get to hear about our own struggles as we’ve brought you The Hustle & Flowchart week after week. We’ve been getting a lot of feedback we should share more about what goes on when the mic is off and we’re feeling ready to deliver. On this episode, we dive deep into the things we’ve kind of been scared to get vulnerable about with all of you this past couple of years. We not only go into the struggles we have “behind the scenes,” we also expose the anxieties and thoughts we may not be proud of, but hey, it’s us. Plus we’ve learned a lot this year about what we really want out of life and our business and we’re excited to share our methods for personal growth with you too. We hope this episode gets you considering what business goals actually get you the life you want, the value of your health, family, and wellbeing, and where you really want to be aiming your mental energy. When you’re done listening, go check out that time Joe shared about his ayahuasca ceremony and our talk with Dan Kuschell that pushed our insight to the next level. “We’re not a freakin’ push button podcast.” -Joe Fier “Shut off the idea others are judging you and your happiness quotient skyrockets.” -Matt Wolfe Some Topics We Discussed Include: Getting to that real talk and being vulnerable, not me-me-me ego stuff When Matt passed out at a conference and his resulting health scare Joe and his wife having the baby they were fostering for 15 months go back The struggles at every level of success (they get grander too!) How to be grateful even in the hard times Keeping your life and your business simple and fun Using a journal to “wash your brain” and get in the flow Answering the 3 big questions: What you want, who you are, and what you stand for Matt and Joe’s results and insights from the Kolbe Test Getting your perspective to shift when you’ve been hustling too much 8 big lessons from Matt’s journal, plus a few more Learning a lot about a lot, because the most successful entrepreneurs are polymaths How to use empathy to get the right mindset in life and business Why it’s crucial to a have a personal reason to make more money References and Links Mentioned: The Perpetual Audience Growth Course – Learn how to drive consistent, high-quality traffic day in and day out GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo Day One Journal FlashNotes Kolbe Test Refuse to Choose! by Barbara Sher Mind Altering Substances – Matt Wolfe & Joe Fier 3 Questions To Base All Your Decisions Around – Dan Kuschell A Masterclass On Finding And Hiring The Right People – Tim Francis How Any Business Can Implement The RBMTO Framework – Amish Shah

After years in broadcasting, Sunny Lenarduzzi was starting to feel like her head and her heart were getting mismatched. Tired of working for other people’s agendas, she decided to say, “Screw it! I’m going to start my own business.” Now Sunny is an expert at creating thriving brand strategies using video marketing. She helps both corporation and thousands of entrepreneurs create impact and scale their business using online video. Forbes Magazine named her one of the 20 must watch YouTube channels that will change your business. Pretend like the camera is rolling as Matt and Joe learn Sunny Lenarduzzi’s methods for creating a month worth of content in just two hours, getting comfortable in front of the camera, and discovering your personal brand style. When you’re done, go check out our talks with Tom Breeze and Marshall Wayne to get more YouTube and brand building strategies. “We live in such a weird time right now... there’s such value on being a real human being and being yourself and transparent.” - Sunny Lenarduzzi Some Topics We Discussed Include: How to methodically design your brand What you already need to be doing before you get brand focused A simple way to make your brand recognizable across platforms Why high-production doesn’t connect with viewers (plus what does!) How to cope with Redlight Syndrome and get comfortable on camera 2 lists that will reveal the perfect content for your channel The latest changes in how YouTube ranks videos Leveraging your audience to get long-term revenue growth The HOT Script Formula that makes a month of content in just 2 hours How to get viewers off YouTube and onto your site A simple system to make $100,000 from one video Discovering your personal style to build an ideal audience Contact Sunny Lenarduzzi: SunnyLenarduzzi.com Sunny Lenarduzzi on Youtube The Sunny Show Podcast Connect on Facebook Or on Twitter References and Links Mentioned: The Perpetual Audience Growth Course – (Limited Discount!) Learn how to drive consistent, high-quality traffic day in and day out GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo ScreenFlow The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte A Step-By-Step Guide To Profitable YouTube Advertising – Tom Breeze How To Build A Movie Star Brand For Yourself – Marshall Wayne

In 2012, when Brian Dean founded Backlinko, SEO was a vague science. There was very little real advice out there, which is why he decided to share the strategies he had developed learning the hard way. Just a few months in business and Brian knew he was onto something. Now marketers from Apple, Disney, IBM, and more are loyal readers of his weekly newsletter. And his blog is one of the first places people turn to when they need practical, actionable advice for their online business. Get ready as Matt and Joe get the latest advice from Brian Dean about how to optimize your videos on YouTube, make super shareable blog posts, and what is going to change for SEO in 2019. When you’re done listening, go check out our talks with David Sinick for more SEO strategies and Brian G. Johnson to jumpstart your YouTube channel. “There probably are a couple things that are unique to you… so double down on what works and cut out what doesn’t.”- Brian Dean Some Topics We Discussed Include: What sites that struggle with SEO are forgetting to do The 2 factors you must optimize, even if you mess everything else up! 80% of YouTube views come from this (and it isn’t search) A trick to nudge your viewers into the rabbit hole The ideal video length for a top ranking video What to do in the first 15 seconds of any video The PPP formula to improve view time and rank your channel Pattern Interrupts: what every successful channel is an expert at Why “telling stories” isn’t working and what to focus on instead How to use text to improve screen attention Why YouTube is going to be even more competitive next year The new ranking factor that is going to be foundational to any SEO strategy The Skyscraper Technique: how to blog once a month and outperform daily bloggers Contact Brian Dean: Backlinko The Skyscraper Technique Link Building Strategies: The Complete List Content Marketing for SEO Tutorial Connect on Twitter And on YouTube References and Links Mentioned: The Perpetual Audience Growth Course – (Limited Discount!) Learn how to drive consistent, high-quality traffic day in and day out GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo SEMrush Ahrefs Yoast Under the Black Flag by David Cordingly New Rules for the New Economy by Kevin Kelly The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Passive Income Hacks & The Legalities Of Running An Online Business – Dana Robinson The Ultimate SEO and Content Marketing Playbook – David Sinick How To Start A Profitable YouTube Channel From Scratch – Brian G. Johnson

When mental healthcare for veterans started being gutted, Andrew O'Brien was one of the first to lose his paycheck. He had loved speaking at army bases all over the world, but he also knew he didn’t want to work for anyone else ever again. Andrew used what he had learned when his personal story made international headlines to create his own PR firm to help businesses and entrepreneurs get in the limelight. He has gotten his clients into every kind of media outlet from local television to Forbes Magazine. And now he’s sharing his methods and training thousands in how to stand out in the crowded media stream. Listen up as Andrew O'Brien tells the guys what you need to do to get noticed, the five steps to effectively cold call media outlets, and what you should practice before going on camera. If you’re still in the zone, go check out our talks with David Schloss and Steve Gordon to get more advice about building your network and getting noticed. “A big thing I tell everybody is if you want to stand out be honest, so I’m going to be honest…” - Andrew O'Brien Some Topics We Discussed Include: Newsjacking: the best opportunity for your story to get noticed Why you should be terrified of what you want to say on air Think your life’s not interesting? Well, that’s BS! The stories that always stand out in this false-truth era What the biggest influencers aren’t talking about Why you don’t need to feel like you’re exploiting the news HARO: The mindset you need to connect with reporters Doing the “sniper approach” for your PR campaign A tool to build your email list from the media outlets you appear on The 5-step template to be the one email out 100,000 that gets a callback What to practice before going on camera The 3 types of media staff and what they want to hear from you Contact Andrew O'Brien: Perfect Media Pitch Training Vetpreneur Tribe on Facebook Leveraged Influence References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo New Media Summit Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson How To Promote Affiliate Offers Using Facebook Ads (And Not Get Banned) – David Schloss How To Automate Networking And Referral Generation – Steve Gordon

At 37 years old, Carl Allen was holding his firstborn son in his hands when he told his wife, “That’s it, I’m retiring!” He quit his job in corporate acquisitions, but retirement only lasted a few weeks. That dealmakers itch needed to get scratched, but was there way to buy companies all by himself? Now Carl is an entrepreneur, investor, and corporate dealmaker who has worked on transactions worth over $50 billion. He is one of the world’s premier experts on buying and financing small business acquisitions and coaches entrepreneurs all over the world to buy small businesses rather than starting new ones. Put your personal assets aside as Matt and Joe get their financial mindset torn down and reimagined by Carl Allen, who lets them in on how to buy businesses with other people’s money, find sellers with the right mindset, and 3 ways to make a leveraged buyout and grow your new business. If you want to know more about buying, growing, and selling businesses check out our talks with Brad Costanzo and Paul Lemberg. “All the reasons why startups fail: you got no employees, no cash flow, no reputation… Go and buy an existing business, it’s got all that stuff!”- Carl Allen Some Topics We Discussed Include: The lateral thinking you need to buy businesses with other people’s money What to do the one day a year you actually visit your business Which sectors are ideal for leveraged buyouts 2 things every business you buy must have How to find sellers with the ideal mindset and what to offer them The 21% of businesses you want to avoid buying 3 ways you can make a buyout and grow your new business Why buying a company is the best way be innovative A 10 step system to pick, buy and sell a business for profit How to find the GM or CO to run your business day to day Optimizing your businesses to weather any geopolitical storm 3 steps to grow revenue and cut costs in just 7 days Contact Carl Allen: Ninja Acquisitions Business Buying Webinar Connect on Facebook And on YouTube References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo BizBuySell Get A Grip by Gino Wickman Traction by Gino Wickman Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough How To Build A Huge Network And Buy Businesses For No Money Down – Brad Costanzo How To 10x Your Company’s Growth – Paul Lemberg

Back in 2010, Mike Rhodes was at a conference in Maui. For the past six years, he had been experimenting, testing, and studying to find out what made Google Ads tick. When he stood up and presented his strategies, everyone knew this was the guy to follow. And his little agency in Melbourne was about to explode. Perry Marshall tapped Mike to co-author the Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords, now in its 5th edition, which placed him as the leading expert on Google advertising. Now his agency is what he always wanted it to be: the only place to go when you need to most up to date training possible about the world’s largest ad platform. Keep your notebook handy as Matt and Joe get barraged with the seemingly infinite strategies Mike Rhodes has developed, like how to get your remarketing on the competition’s sites, what to do in your brand’s first 3 months on Google Ads, and what Google has in store next year. When you’re done, listen to our talks with Tom Breeze and Ralph Burns to get more ad strategies for your business. “Know your #@%$ numbers. Know why you’re trying to hit the number you’re trying to hit.” - Mike Rhodes Some Topics We Discussed Include: The best Google Ad courses to take (they aren’t Google’s) How to know if maximizing your profits is actually the wrong move A new, amazing kind of targeting that Google is rolling out next year One trick to get your remarketing on your competitors’ sites What to expect your first 3 months with Google Ads The questions to ask yourself before you look at the data How to see outliers in your data, because that’s where there’s an opportunity What AI is an expert at and what it isn’t How to use scripts to prevent hackers from stealing your traffic The 2 kinds of data you ever need to look at Where you need to be digging in to get more data How to automate notices about changes in your traffic Contact Mike Rhodes: AgencySavvy.com/hustle Connect on Facebook Or Twitter References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo The Display Grid Occam’s Razor Blog Leads Hook Free AdWords Scripts Singularity University Abundance Insider Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords by Perry Marshall & Mike Rhodes Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L. Friedman The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee Prediction Machines by Ajay Agrawal Principles by Ray Dalio Bold by Peter H. Diamandis The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil How to Create a Mind by Ray Kurzweil A Step-By-Step Guide To Profitable YouTube Advertising – Tom Breeze This Is The Future Of Facebook Advertising – Ralph Burns

Twelve years ago Dan Kuschell was in the hospital, suffering a sudden health crisis. That’s when he encountered the 3 questions that made him restructure both his business and his life. Sure, hundreds of employees sound great, but is it what you really want? Dan realized there is a simpler way to maintain success and now, after founding eleven companies of his own, that’s what he does for his clients. He helps businesses connect the dots, see their blind-spots, and get unstuck by implementing unique sales & marketing systems. Learn some of Dan Kuschell’s many strategies to both simplify and grow your business as he lets Matt and Joe in on the 3 questions he always asks himself, the 8 values that he and his business live by, and how to choose which opportunities to follow. When you’re done listening, get some more marketing strategies from Billy Gene Shaw and Curt Maly. “When you get clear on your values then what’s most important is not what you do… it’s what you say no to.”- Dan Kuschell Some Topics We Discussed Include: Why trying to be “better” puts your business at risk How small businesses can generate buying climates (just like Apple or Starbucks!) A tip to make your elevator pitch simple and insanely effective The 3 critical questions that define your business and your humanity Why “people pleasing” prevents you from scaling A new tactic to get breakthrough traffic The 2 elements you need to magnify your results A rule to follow when choosing different opportunities “Avail-Ability” is what it all comes down to CHAMPION: The values for a successful life (and for your business) A far-reaching ad strategy that costs just pennies The kind of offers that are nothing but trouble for your business Contact Dan Kuschell: Growth to Freedom Podcast Champion Business BluePrint Connect on Facebook Or Twitter References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo Beyond 8 Figures Podcast Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Tested Advertising Methods by Caples & Hahn Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Unique Facebook Ad Strategies That Are Making People Rich – Curt Maly How To Use Video And Strategic Advertising To Be Everywhere – Billy Gene Shaw

He used to be a creative kid, even headlined the local heavy-metal club when he was older, but somehow Steve Glaveski ended up in corporate banking, staring at the vacant office spaces in the corner. That’s when the business idea that would get him work and lifestyle freedom finally hit. Steve founded Hotdesk, one of the first office sharing companies in Australia, which brought in the revenue he needed to transition from corporate life to spending his time pursuing what he loves. Now he’s teaching people how to make entrepreneurship part of their lives too, not only adults but also kids young as 8. Kids who are already raking in thousands a month from websites started in his classes. Listen in as Steve Glaveski tells the guys how to get your mind and business in shape to jump out of your day job, the right tests to find out if you have a viable business, and how a cold shower maximizes your productivity. When you’re done, get more advice about how to free yourself from the rat race with Corona Brady and David Allen. “A lot of the time we hold ourselves back... because we’re scared of how it might make us feel if we fail, but if you’re cool with that it just opens you up to so much more.”- Steve Glaveski Some Topics We Discussed Include: How to get the funds to quit your job The biological predispositions that most entrepreneurs have 3 things your mindset needs to make the jump A method to test your product for free (before you double down on the wrong idea!) Why “vision” is necessary to shoot down the competition The habits from your day job that are holding you back How to know you’re making too much work for yourself PCOATS: A framework for max productivity (H&F Exclusive) Why you should take a cold shower every morning What tasks you need to outsource to get your business off the ground Crafting ads that will also refine your product How to use a podcast to get you access and scale your business Contact Steve Glaveski: Employee to Entrepreneur by Steve Glaveski (Out Jan 9th!) Employeetoentrepreneur.io Collective Campus Lemonade Stand Future Squared Podcast Steve’s personal site Or connect on Twitter References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo The Joe Rogan Experience Atomic Habits by James Clear The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Mindset by Carol S. Dweck Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday Daily Habits To Manage Overwhelm And Stress In Your Life – Corona Brady How A Simple New Habit Will Change Your Life And Reduce Your Stress – David Allen

When his real estate business tanked in 2007, Travis Houston had to move back to his mom’s house in dreary Oregon. Then he spent six months readying to launch his first online product, which ended up a total failure. But he also learned exactly what content he needed to make his next launch a success. Travis has refined his methods over the years and distilled them into simple, actionable steps to make content that sends products soaring. He has helped launch many profitable health and nutrition businesses and put three of his clients’ books on the New York Times Bestseller List. Listen in as Travis Houston lets Matt and Joe in on his foolproof formulas to make your launch A.W.E.S.O.M.E., the best metrics to analyze your data, and the new tools he uses to get ahead of the competition. When you’re done, check out our interviews with Curt Maly and Chris Mercer to learn about more tools and strategies that will simplify your business. “It’s not only about math… We are entrepreneurs because we have really good business intuition. If I combine the math with my business intuition, that’s when the magic happens.”- Travis Houston Some Topics We Discussed Include: The 1:3:15 system that makes successful launches simple A quick funnel to jumpstart your launch How to make the right “lures” for your audience The essential personality types to keep in mind when copywriting What to do with your best, unique content A system to craft 45 perfect ads for your product The YouTube ranking tool that will outstrip your competition What metrics you need to keep your eye on 7 steps to launch your product into the stratosphere How to use The Telepathy Triangle to make great content 5 columns you need to find the right keywords The amazing secret that gets your content seen on Medium (We had to pry this one out of Travis!) A quarterly planning method that gets more done in 90 days than most companies will do all year Contact Travis Houston: Make Marketing A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Podcast Quarterly Scorecard Connect on Facebook Or Twitter References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo Click Bank Airtable Adskills Measurement Marketing Google’s Data Studio vidIQ TubeBuddy Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Grow Rich With Peace of Mind by Napoleon Hill Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene M. Schwartz The Advertising Solution by Craig Simpson Scaling Up by Verne Harnish Done For You Marketing Help For $50 Per Month – Moe Abbas Unique Facebook Ad Strategies That Are Making People Rich – Curt Maly You’re Using Google Analytics Wrong And Here’s A Better Way – Chris Mercer

After building one of the biggest renovation businesses in Canada, Moe Abbas was still in his twenties and wondering what to do next. He had always thought traditional education was, at best, a dubious deal. Plus, his favorite part about his job had been training interns into full-time employees. Two years ago Moe co-founded GenM, which is already changing both the way students find jobs and businesses get the talent they need. Not only offering a new, affordable path to gaining expertise but a business that is reviving the old concept of apprenticeship for the digital age. Listen in as Moe Abbas shares with the guys how invaluable apprentices can be for small businesses, why you always speak directly to every client, and the fast-approaching future of education. When you’re done, check out our talks with Mike Matuz and Roland Frasier to find more opportunities for your business. "We started on this mission to build a free education system that’s accessible to anyone and leads to jobs, that was the birth of GenM.” - Moe Abbas Some Topics We Discussed Include: The well-kept secret that small businesses are finally catching onto How to become an expert about anything for free The best way to hire and train students What a student needs to actually get a job How to build a “beachhead” in one niche that leads to limitless growth Why scalable solutions are killing young businesses The #1 skill you need for a successful apprenticeship How to streamline your onboard process to eliminate churn What makes for a great date (it’s also what you want in a hire!) Tips on how to grow your business with referrals The 3 categories that reveal your business’s true challenges Contact Moe Abbas: GenM Connect with Moe on Twitter And on Instagram References and Links Mentioned: GenM (Sponsor) – Find marketing apprentices for $50/mo Sharetribe The Joe Rogan Experience The Tim Ferriss Show Who Gets What ― and Why by Alvin Roth Platform Revolution by Geoffrey G. Parker A Guide To Marketplaces by Boris Wertz Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore Shoe Dog by Phil Knight Measure What Matters by John Doerr Work Rules! by Laszlo Bock Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller Contagious by Jonah Berger Made In America by Sam Walton The Everything Store by Brad Stone A Step-By-Step System to Decide Which Opportunities To Pursue – Roland Frasier How To Find Antiquated Industries And Disrupt Them – Mike Matuz