A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

What does it take to start, scale, and sell your own business? Every Tuesday, J and Carol Scott ask this question to entrepreneurs of all stripes and delve into stories that go beyond the launch. From hiring and firing to marketing and raising capital, this podcast takes an honest look at the triumphs and stumbles of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re looking to sustain a startup or bring an idea to life, you’ll come away inspired. Tune in—and learn how to treat your business like a business.

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Previous Episodes

June 25, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 09: The Secret to Starting a Risk-Free, Debt-Free Business QUICKLY with Alan Donegan

You’ve got your idea, and you’re ready to take over the world. Now, where should you start? Should you... write a detailed business plan? Buy the equipment? Take out a loan? Wrong, wrong, and WR ONG, according to our guest today. Alan Donegan founded the PopUp Business School to teach a different approach—one that encourages entrepreneurs to measure feedback well before they go into debt or get themselves stuck in a rat race of their own making. In this episode, Alan shows us how to experiment to see if customers will actually pay for your offering (“people will always be nice to you up until the point when you ask them to take money out of their pocket”) and how to organize a trial run to determine whether you even enjoy running the business. You’ll love Alan’s advice to “fail fast and fail cheap,” and to create a “high-trust environment” so you can get paid up front. Plus, you’ll learn how some of the most valuable companies in the world got started using this lean model. Alan shares his thoughts on exactly when to quit your 9 to 5 and go all-in on your business. He also reveals how to keep your energy up when burning the candle at both ends and why understanding the “trinity of management” is vital to the success of your enterprise. This is one of our most actionable, knowledge-packed shows so far. Be sure to download it and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast using your favorite app for more! ... show more

June 18, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 08: How to Use Words That SELL With Copywriting Ace Christina Gillick

What if we told you that mastering this one skill could allow you to replace your W-2 income, boost sales immediately, AND help launch your own thriving online business? Christina Gillick used copywri ting to do all three of those things! In this episode, she shares her story and guides us through a crash course on persuasive writing. You’re going to love Christina’s tips for writing like you talk and using stories to grab your audience’s attention. And you’ll learn how to overcome objections without coming across as too salesy. Also, you know that old infomercial trick, “But wait… there’s more!”? Well, it works. And from Christina, you’ll learn how to close deals by making irresistible offers and attractive money-back guarantees. Worried you’re not a great writer? Listen for Christina’s advice on hiring a copywriter. Also, whether it’s a landing page, direct mail piece, or Facebook ad, Christina reveals how split-testing different versions will get you an optimal result. In fact, she used this strategy to drive sales in her own business, comfyearrings.com. Warning: this episode could change the way you think about marketing. Check it out, and subscribe to the show so you won’t miss an episode! ... show more

June 11, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 07: Crafting a 5-Star Experience that Keeps Guests Coming Back with Surf Resort Owner Ru Hill

A data-driven approach. Cutting-edge technology. A rethinking of the traditional corporate reporting structure. We’re willing to bet you wouldn’t associate these concepts with surfing. But Ru Hill is not an ordinary surfer. He’s a scientifically-minded entrepreneur who has used these ingredients to build an extraordinary business called Surf Simply in Nosara, Costa Rica. In this episode, Ru reflects on why more than 30% of his guests are repeat visitors (that’s 10X the industry average!) and reveals how he’s been able to improve the customer experience by focusing less on the customer… and more on his 35 team members. You’ll be blown away by Ru’s explanation of the Peter Principle and how he’s avoided this trap by doing away with a hierarchical reporting structure. He also explains why paying someone more doesn’t necessarily improve their performance. And listen up for the one thing entrepreneurs often get wrong about social media marketing. So, with guests on a 12-month waiting list, Ru plans to massively scale—right? Listen all the way through to hear what he plans to do next. And subscribe so you won’t miss a show! ... show more

June 4, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 06: How to Manage Your Time Like a Millionaire With Jay Papasan

We all share the same 24 hours… so how do peak performers seem to squeeze in so much more? Today, you’ll learn the tools author Jay Papasan uses to lead the publishing arm of Keller Williams Realty , all while growing a thriving family business (and raising two kids and a dog named Taco). For Jay, it’s not just about saying yes or no to opportunities. It’s about setting up systems (a virtual FAQ has saved him countless hours) and putting conditions around his commitments (use the words, “Yes, IF…“). Jay also goes in-depth on hiring and tells us why it’s a scary but worthwhile exercise to do the math on how much a single bad hire would cost a company. Looking for that one person who will take your business to the next level? You’ll want to hear about the “missing persons report” Jay uses to stay on the lookout for his next team member and the counterintuitive question he asks himself before each and every hire he makes. This episode is packed with proven wisdom from one of the sharpest business minds in the game. So make sure you listen through to the end, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

May 28, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 05: Disrupting an Ancient Industry by Thinking Differently with Daniel Santana and Chris Bossio

Today’s guests are harnessing technology to change the face of a blue-collar, brick and mortar business that’s been around for 7,000+ years : barbering. Daniel and Chris break down exactly how th ey opened their first barbershop in the Tampa Bay area, and how reinvesting the profits allowed them to open 6 more in a few short years. They explain why every entrepreneur should set aside some funds for “oopsies.” And they offer tips on projecting expenses, choosing a location, hiring a team, and conjuring up creative ways to get customers in the door — guidance that applies to each and every business. So, can a barbering business really scale? Theirs does… because they launched a line of barbering products including razors, shears, air compressors, and wireless charging mats. So if you’ve ever considered direct-to-consumer sales, you’ll want to listen for their advice on doing business overseas (hint: hire a consultant!) and growing sales online. Also, Chris reflects on building a massive Youtube following — and how providing free education to his 250,000 subscribers helped build his company’s brand and attract high-caliber talent. If you want to change your industry by taking a fresh approach, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action today. Download this one now, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next one! ... show more

May 21, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 04: Building a 6-Figure Business Buying and Selling Items Online with Bill and Maida Webster

What does it take to jumpstart your own ecommerce operation right from your home? That’s the topic of today’s show with Bill and Maida Webster, a “retired” Connecticut couple who launched second ca reers as eBay sellers in the early 2000s. They came to love the wheeling and dealing—and soon realized the earnings would allow them to avoid dipping into their retirement savings. As Maida says, “eBay (literally) floats our boat!” You’ll learn Bill and Maida’s tips for researching comparable sales online and hear how they routinely sell items for as much as 6x the purchase price. They reveal how they source their niche products locally, then market them internationally to create bidding wars (Chinese buyers bidding on a sunglasses case?!). You won’t want to miss Bill and Maida’s story about how they helped an heir to a famous Hollywood couple by selling their belongings on consignment… OR their story about trying to figure out what to do with a U-Haul truck filled with antique dolls. Bill and Maida also reflect on working together as a married couple, and how they divide up their responsibilities (and physical workspaces) to avoid driving each other crazy. J and Carol can relate! This is an entertaining and insightful show that will inspire you to start looking around the house for items to sell. Whether it’s Amazon, Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, or another platform, if you’re looking to create a new income stream by buying and selling online, this episode is a perfect starting point. If you enjoy the episode, make sure you’re subscribed so you won’t miss an episode! ... show more

May 14, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 03: How to Attract Media Attention and Turn Publicity Into Profit with Brent Underwood

Do you want to know how to get your business noticed by reporters and generate positive press? Today’s guest has made a career out of doing just that. In this episode, he teaches you exactly how to ma ke a splash through innovative (some would say crazy), outside-the-box techniques.Brent Underwood is a creative marketer who’s done publicity for musical artists, best-selling authors, and his own projects—including a ghost town he bought and plans to turn into a high-end resort.Today, Brent tells us how his career began with a cold email and how that led to him working with some of the most talented writers and marketers in the country. Brent also reveals how he gets into the heads of reporters and editors—and how you can do the same. He explains what a “handle” is, and why you need one to get your message to spread. And you won’t want to miss the most important lessons Brent learned after opening his own hostel in Austin, Texas, and how a goat helped boost business. This show is jam-packed with information that will help you generate buzz and get yourself in front of more clients and customers. Download it today, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss an episode! ... show more

May 7, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 02: Your Business Shouldn’t Make You Miserable. How to Ensure It Doesn’t with Trevor Mauch, Founder of Carrot.com

Think about your typical work day. Which activities drain you? Which energize you? And which do you wish you were doing more of? Asking these questions changed Trevor Mauch's life for the better. In t his episode, he guides us through an exercise that can help you do the same! For Trevor, it all began after a scary wake-up call. It wasn't that his software company wasn't doing well. In fact, Carrot—which builds high-converting websites for real estate investors and agents—recently landed on Inc.'s list of fastest-growing companies. Trevor even had enough cash to buy the domain name Carrot.com for a jaw-dropping sum (you'll learn just how much). Instead, the wake-up call was a near-tragedy brought on by his hardcore "hustle and grind" mentality. At that moment, Trevor realized that working nights and weekends wasn't sustainable. It also wasn't helping the company, because that routine wasn't allowing him to grow as a leader. Today, Trevor reveals the system you can use to delegate tasks that drain your energy (even if you're great at them!). He also drops some great tips for ranking higher in Google and how creating local "content with context" can help you beat out bigger, better-funded competitors. And he reflects on how building a strong, clearly-defined brand has helped attract some of his most valuable team members. The result is an episode that's part motivational speech, part marketing masterclass. So download, subscribe, and leave us a rating and review if you enjoy it! ... show more

May 1, 2019

BiggerPockets Business Podcast 01: How to Turn a Hobby Into a Booming Business (Then Get Your Life Back)—The BiggerPockets Story With Joshua Dorkin

If you think you know Joshua Dorkin’s whole story... think again. In the debut episode of the BiggerPockets Business Podcast, the BiggerPockets founder reveals exactly how he bootstrapped a hobby site into the world’s biggest online community of real estate investors. He also discusses how he worked 100-hour weeks in his basement (and in his boxers), and how somewhere along the way, it dawned on him that he’d built a “lifestyle business” that left him with no real life. Joshua traces the business back to the days when MySpace was hot. He offers tips for building an online community that will resonate today and into the future. He describes a few moments when he almost quit ($15,000 for a website that didn’t work?!) and reflects on why he waited eight years to make that game-changing first hire (Brandon Turner!). But for as many lives as BiggerPockets has touched, this episode is about something more profound than one company’s growth. You’ll learn what that is when Joshua reveals why he’s been out of the public eye lately and the reason he stepped back from day-to-day operations just as BiggerPockets began to reach new heights. This show will give you a lot to think about—whether you run your own business or you’re just thinking about taking that leap. It’s a perfect jumping-off point as we launch the BiggerPockets Business Podcast with the intention of helping one another make a real, positive impact on the lives of our customers, our teams, and our families. Listen now, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss an episode! ... show more

A real-world MBA for entrepreneurs

Previous Episodes

BiggerPockets Business Podcast

Create Lasting Wealth Through Real Estate