Beyond 8 Figures

Beyond 8 Figures

By A.J. LawrenceBusinessEntrepreneurshipManagement
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Beyond 8 Figures episodes

  • $80M+ Exit – Michael Coles, Great American Cookie Company

    About Michael Coles:

    Michael Coles is a business expert, serial entrepreneur, and education advocate. He co-founded Great American Cookie Company and served as the former CEO of Caribou Coffee. From starting three businesses to setting transcontinental world cycling records and running for public office, Coles' journey is defined by true grit and perseverance.

    In his captivating memoir, “Time to Get Tough: How Cookies, Coffee, and a Crash Led to Success in Business and Life,” Michael reflects on his life, recounting both failures and successes, and showcasing his personal and professional journey of resilience and growth.

    Browse our curated collection of Business Books for more enriching reads.

    In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Michael discuss:

    • The growth to exit of The Great American Cookie Company.
    • Being disruptive in your industry to be standout.
    • Hiring based on where you want to go, not where you are.
    • Finding ways to change the game and get a brand following.


      • Key Takeaways:

      • Success in business is about taking risk. Take as many risks as you can while you’re young. As you get older, life gets more complicated and your ability to take risk gets complicated.
      • You will make mistakes, just learn from them and grow.
      • Make sure you’re happy with what you get on the exit, you never know what the future will bring.
      • Finding the answer doesn’t necessary change the dynamic that you need changed.


        • Best Advice I Ever Received:

        Success in business is about taking risk. Take as many risks as you can while you’re young. As you get older, life gets more complicated and your ability to take risk gets complicated.

        Best Advice I’d Give To Someone Who Wants To Build A $10m+ Business:

        If you want to build a great business, surround yourself with really smart people who are experts in their area of expertise and learn from each other.

        “Once I took those efficiencies from the store that had not done well and I put them back into the other store, we started making even more money. The whole model of the business changed because we opened the store that didn’t do as well.” — Michael Coles


        Connect with Michael Coles:

        • Facebook: Michael Coles
        • Website: MichaelColes.com


          • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

          • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
          • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
          • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
          • Instagram:@b8fpodcast

            • Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey. 

            37 min
          • $10M+ in Annual Revenue – Nathan Hirsch, Freee Up


            In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Nathan discuss:

            • How and why he started Freee Up and how it compares to competitors.
            • Levels of hires to help scale their business to $10M and proactive hiring.
            • The future of Freee Up and freelancer marketplaces.
            • Always trying to improve as a manager and a leader.


              • Key Takeaways:

              • Work hard, play hard.
              • Build a solid referral system that will help do your marketing for you.
              • Turnover crushes business – do everything you can as a business owner to crush that turnover.
              • Hire people before you need them – you don’t want to miss out on big opportunities!


                • “The number one way to really protect yourself is to just build relationships with the people that you work with. There’s no substitute for that.”                 — Nathan Hirsch

                About Nathan

                Nathan Hirsch is a 29-year-old long-time entrepreneur and expert in remote hiring and eCommerce. He started his first eCommerce business out of his college dorm room and has sold over $30 million online. He is now the co-founder and CEO of FreeeUp.com, a marketplace that connects businesses with pre-vetted virtual assistants, freelancers and agencies in eCommerce, digital marketing, and much more. He regularly appears on leading podcasts, such as Entrepreneur on Fire, and speaks at live events about online hiring tactics.


                Connect with Nathan Hirsch:

                • Twitter: @Nathan Hirsch & FreeeUp
                • Facebook: Nathan Hirsch & Nathan Hirsch & Freee Up & Outsourcing Masters
                • Website: FreeeUp.com
                • Youtube: FreeeUp
                • LinkedIn: Nathan Hirsch & Freee Up
                • Instagram: @realnatehirsch & @freeeup_


                  • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

                  • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
                  • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                  • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                  • Instagram:@b8fpodcast
                    • 40 min
                  • $10M+ Exit – Mark Timm Exited 7 Businesses

                    In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Mark discuss:

                    • Having an elegant exit where it’s a win-win on both sides.
                    • Practical selling strategies.
                    • Mark’s relationship with the Zigler family and the lessons he has learned and is still learning.
                    • Dos and don’ts of exiting a company.Key Takeaways:
                    • “You can have everything in life you want if you just help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Ziglar
                    • Being an entrepreneur is about failure, the question is, are you going to get back up.
                    • No is the 2nd best word you can hear when selling because you are talking to a decision maker. If they can say no, they can say yes just as easily.
                    • Nothing meaningful happens without a sale.“Every successful entrepreneur that you see, they didn’t get there by themselves, they had somebody along the way that was inspiring them and encouraging them.” — Mark Timm

                      • About Mark Timm: Mark Timm has been a serial entrepreneur and exponential thinking practitioner for over two decades. He has started more than a dozen companies, several of which have multiplied and been sold, and has consequently participated in several equity events. His businesses have been built with international footprints in more than a dozen countries and powered by global supply chain connections and across diverse industries from retail to wholesale and from product manufacturing to digital marketing and real estate.

                      Mark has spoken professionally for over twenty-five years, giving thousands of speeches to over a million people in forty-eight states. In addition to his entrepreneurial efforts, he has worked with a wide range of organizations including at The White House, Kellogg’s, and USA Today.

                      Mark’s considerable success in business and the digital marketplace led to his partnering with Kevin Harrington to 100X Kevin’s own digital brand. Mark is now CEO of Xponential, Inc., a partnership with Kevin Harrington and his son Brian Harrington.

                      Mark’s greatest value comes from being a master collaborator who brings people together to accomplish far more than anyone imagined. His strategic vision enables him to see future possibilities and strategically position assets and systems to take full advantage of what’s next.


                      Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

                      • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
                      • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                      • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                      • Instagram:@b8fpodcast
                        • 50 min
                      • $10M+ in annual revenue – Chalene Johnson

                        In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Chalene discuss:

                        • Being thankful for setback years and the joy that comes from getting through those.
                        • Developing Chalene, the brand.
                        • The first step to monetize your expertise in the new media world.
                        • Co-creating with your audience, not in a test tube.


                          • Key Takeaways:

                          • Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up.
                          • You have to embrace new media, the old ways aren’t coming back.
                          • It’s not about a huge following, you have to have your foundation in place first.
                          • People want to be successful – they don’t value a lot of content as much as they value their time.

                            •  

                            “Today, if you have 10 people who will engage with you online when you go live, you have the most valuable focus group ever.” — Chalene Johnson


                            About Chalene Johnson:                            New York Times Best Selling Author of Push, Chalene Johnson is a lifestyle and business expert, motivational speaker, and podcast host. She and Bret, her husband of over twenty years, are the founders of the SmartLife movement. Today, with her husband, Chalene runs a fun loving, collaborative team focused on helping others live a healthier, more simplified life through their online academies, membership sites, and live, sold-out seminars.

                            Chalene, with the help of top dietitians, doctors, researchers and experts, she founded the 131 Method and new Book – a nutritional program that’s turning the diet industry upside down. She hosts two top-ranked podcasts, The Chalene Show and Build Your Tribe.


                            Connect with Chalene Johnson:

                            • Twitter: @ChaleneJohnson
                            • Facebook: Chalene Johnson
                            • Website: ChaleneJohnson.com
                            • Book: Push: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin’ Body, and the Life You Deserve! & 131 Method: Your Personalized Nutrition Solution to Boost Metabolism, Restore Gut Health, and Lose Weight
                            • Show: Build Your Tribe & The Chalene Show
                            • Youtube: Chalene Johnson
                            • Instagram: @chalenejohnson


                              • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

                              • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
                              • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                              • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                              • Instagram:@b8fpodcast
                                • 51 min
                              • Being resourceful with Michael Houlihan, Barefoot Wines


                                In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Michael discuss:

                                • How Barefoot Wines started on accident and grew to the internationally known brand it is today.
                                • Being resourceful to become innovative.
                                • Worthy cause marketing and how it can help grow your business.
                                • Timing can make or break a business – make it work for you.
                                • Strategic value of a business.

                                  •  

                                  Key Takeaways:

                                  • Do what needs to be done – even when it’s not what you signed up for!
                                  • Do not underestimate the cost of sales.
                                  • Ask before you do.
                                  • Don’t scale fast to fail fast, scale slow and don’t fail at all.
                                  • Have all of your documents together before you look to sell.

                                    •  

                                    “Follow your opportunity passionately.” — Michael Houlihan

                                     

                                    About Michael Houlihan:

                                    Michael Houlihan is the Co-Founder of the world’s largest wine brand, international Keynote Speaker, and New York Times Bestselling authors of The Barefoot Spirit, How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand and The Entrepreneurial Culture, 23 Ways to Engage and Empower Your People.

                                    From humble beginnings in a laundry room of a rented farmhouse to the boardroom of the world’s largest wine company, E&J Gallo, he learned valuable lessons crucial to any business. He consults and trains startups and Fortune 500’s on brand building and company culture.

                                    He is highly recommended by companies seeking to increase their sales, and engage, empower, and inspire their people. He is a regular contributor to The Business Journals in 43 cities nationwide, Entrepreneur, and contribute articles & interviews to INC, CEO Forum, Forbes, and other major business publications.

                                    He is a regular media guest on radio, television, and podcasts. 


                                    Connect with Michael Houlihan:

                                    • Twitter: @barefoot_spirit
                                    • Facebook: Michael Houlihan
                                    • Website: TheBarefootSpirit.com & ConsumerBrandBuilders.com
                                    • Instagram: @thebarefootspirit 
                                    • Book: The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand
                                    • Youtube: SpiritOfBarefoot


                                      • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:
                                      Website: Beyond8Figures.com

                                      • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                                      • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                                      • Instagram:@b8fpodcast
                                        • 55 min
                                      • $10M+ in annual revenue – Ryan Levesque, ASK Method

                                        Get ready to uncover the story behind the renowned ASK Method as we sit down with Ryan Levesque. Learn how he stumbled upon this groundbreaking approach and how it has since transformed the way entrepreneurs around the world connect with their audience and skyrocket their businesses.

                                        About Ryan Levesque:

                                        Ryan Levesque is the Inc. 500 CEO of The ASK Method ® Company, and the #1 national best-selling author of “Ask”, recognized by Inc. as the #1 Marketing Book of the Year. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes, and Entrepreneur and over 250,000 entrepreneurs subscribe to his email newsletter offering business advice. He is also a co-founder and investor in bucket.io®, a leading marketing funnel software for entrepreneurs.

                                        In his latest book, “Choose“, Ryan helps readers avoid making the single biggest mistake when starting a business and guides people through answering the all important question: What type of business should you start?

                                        Expand your entrepreneurial toolkit with our curated collection of Business Books.

                                        Best Advice I Ever Received:

                                        Name of the game, is to stay in the game, until you win the game.

                                        Best Advice I’d Give To Someone Who Wants To Build A $10m+ Business:

                                        Become your mentor’s #1 student

                                        In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Ryan discuss:

                                        • How his childhood and parents influenced the entrepreneur he has become.
                                        • Selecting evergreen markets versus fad markets.
                                        • How Ryan discovered the ASK Method and has since taught it to the world.
                                        • The catalyst point in his life that saved his life and changed how he decided to do business.


                                          • Key Takeaways:

                                          • Name of the game, is to stay in the game, until you win the game.
                                          • Google Trends can help you identify if your industry is trending up, trending down, is cyclical, or just a fad.
                                          • Over $450M per day is spent on information online.
                                          • Look at your ratio of what you invest in salary to your revenue, not just a price per employee.
                                            • “The type of market you want to be going into is a metronome market – a market that’s going to stand the test of time. A market that’s here today and it’s going to be here 10 years from now and it’s going to be here 100 years from now. You can build your future and your foundation on a market or business like that.”— Ryan Levesque


                                            Connect with Ryan Levesque:

                                            • Facebook: Ryan Levesque & The ASK Method Company
                                            • Website: ASKMethod.com & bucket.io
                                            • Instagram: @askryanlevesque


                                              • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

                                              • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
                                              • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                                              • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                                              • Instagram:@b8fpodcast

                                                • Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey. 

                                                55 min
                                              • $40M+ in annual revenue – Tony Falkenstein, Just Water Intl.


                                                In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Tony discuss:

                                                • The start of Tony’s entrepreneurial journey.
                                                • Keep your eyes open – that’s when things happen.
                                                • The start of Just Water and the life cycle of Tony’s side companies.
                                                • The power of people.

                                                  •  

                                                  Key Takeaways:

                                                  • “Slay the dragon”, meaning face up immediately to any challenge; don’t dwell on it. Better to make a mistake than doing nothing at all.
                                                  • Always look ahead. The numbers of history are behind you. Look at what’s happening in the next month, the next quarter, the next year, and beyond.
                                                  • Creating a brand has power.
                                                  • Post-acquisition is so important. 


                                                    • “Focus – there are opportunities every day, but stay on track with the one that is going to be the core of the business                                                    .“ — Tony Falkenstein


                                                    About Tony Falkenstein:

                                                    Tony Falkenstein ONZM is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Just Water International Ltd. He was instrumental in launching New Zealand’s first Business High School, at Onehunga High, resulting in ‘business’ being added into the New Zealand curriculum.

                                                    Tony was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2008, and in 2010 was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). In 2012 Tony received the Award for New Thinking in the World Class New Zealand Awards, in 2013 he was appointed a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Auckland, and in 2014 he received the Alpha, Beta, Gamma distinction.


                                                    Connect with Tony Falkenstein:

                                                    • Website: JustLifeGroup.co.nz & JWI.co.nz & HomeTech.co.nz


                                                      • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

                                                      • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
                                                      • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                                                      • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                                                      • Instagram:@b8fpodcast
                                                        • 55 min
                                                      • $25M in annual revenue – Kisha Mays, Just Fearless


                                                        In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Kisha discuss:

                                                        • Being the change you want to see.
                                                        • How she created the structure of her business and continues to plan on growing it.
                                                        • Being fearless and getting out of your own way.
                                                        • Finding the model that fits you and your business.
                                                        • The power of diversification.

                                                          •  

                                                          Key Takeaways:

                                                          • Just do it!
                                                          • Have multiple streams of income so you aren’t dependent on just one income if something goes wrong.
                                                          • Focus on the content, not on the celebrity, of your events.
                                                          • Take your time and stay focused – don’t go too big too fast.

                                                            •  

                                                            “You can still do this. You’ve got a bigger goal. The end result is way bigger than where you’re at right now.” — Kisha Mays

                                                             


                                                            About Kisha Mays

                                                            Kisha Mays is a Successful Serial Entrepreneur, Visionary Global Business Development Strategist, Best Selling Author, Angel Investor, and Philanthropist. Her primary focus is on helping to develop 1,000,000 Fearless Female Entrepreneurs generating a minimum of $1,000,000+ in annual revenue. Turning them into unicorn global businesses through the Just Fearless Angel Fund which is a fund exclusively for female-founded companies. She pays it forward by supporting non-profits worldwide that specifically support & empower women and girls.

                                                            Kisha and her team are developing strategic partnerships for 2019 and beyond to make this international business and brand to an explosive level bringing Just Fearless from behind the scenes to the forefront. In 2019 they are launching HERstory Connections for Women in Business, Women in Creatives, and Women in Literary to help them increase their revenue and help us reach our 1,000,000 goals mentioned above. She and her team are excited for the abundance of opportunities, expansion, and partnerships to be announced very soon. She has been featured in the Business Insider, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbes to name a few. The Just Fearless team has worked with Pepsi, GE, and Home Depot to name a few.

                                                            Kisha released her Best Selling book “From Failure to Fearless: Still Completely Flawed BUT Thriving Fearlessly” to rave reviews. Most successful people only talk about the good parts of their journey. In her book, “From Failure to Fearless,” Kisha details her many, some very public, failures and how she overcame them in a transparent and vulnerable way. Based on the many positive reviews readers can relate to this from both a personal & business perspective.

                                                            Her major influences are Madam C. J. Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, and Richard Branson, for their fearlessness, exceptional courage, drive, and ambition, willingness to go after what they desire & believe in all while setting the standard and breaking through any and all ceilings. Even with all the success, she has achieved, Kisha still feels like she is only getting started. Based on her early success at a young age and her drive and ambition, her future and continued success are undoubtedly going to leave a major mark in history.

                                                            She is Just Fearless and Building Her Global Just Fearless Empire!
                                                             


                                                            Connect with Kisha Mays:

                                                            • Twitter: @IAmJustFearless & @KishaMays
                                                            • Facebook: Just Fearless Inc & Kisha Mays
                                                            • Company Website: www.justfearless.com
                                                            • Event Website: www.justfearlesswomen.com
                                                            • Press page: www.justfearless.com/press.html
                                                            • Instagram: @iamjustfearless & @kishamays
                                                            • Book: From Failure to Fearless: Still Completely Flawed BUT Thriving Fearlessly


                                                              • Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

                                                              • Website: Beyond8Figures.com
                                                              • Twitter: @beyond8figures 
                                                              • Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
                                                              • Instagram:@b8fpodcast
                                                                • 55 min

                                                              About Beyond 8 Figures

                                                              From the publisher's feed

                                                              At Beyond 8 Figures, we believe in DELIBERATE entrepreneurship. It means creating a solid foundational framework for your entrepreneurial journey, building from a place of passion, and intentionally aligning your actions with your goals so that you can create success on your terms.