In this insightful segment, join Amit Garg, Co-Founder, and Managing Partner at TAU Ventures, an AI-first, seed-first VC fund, as he delves into the entrepreneur's dilemma, weighing the options between Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) and startups. Gain strategic insights, investor selection tips, and a nuanced understanding of purpose in business. Navigate the crossroads with Amit Garg, drawing from his wealth of experience in the business landscape. Listen to the full episode here - https://beyond8figures.com/podcast-episodes/ Watch the Episodes On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Beyond8Figures/videos Connect with Amit: LinkedInTwitter

Biz Bites 1: Entrepreneur's Dilemma: SMB vs Startup with Amit Garg

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.

Join A.J. Lawrence, the journeyman entrepreneur with several 7 figure exits, as he shares honest conversations with successful entrepreneurs about their experiences starting and scaling businesses to $10M and beyond, the realities of being a modern-day entrepreneur, advice for practicing deliberate entrepreneurship, and more!

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If starting a lifestyle brand has always been a dream of yours, this episode with Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand, is a real treat. He shares how maintaining full control through bootstrapping allowed him to prioritize ethical sourcing and customer relationships over rapid growth. His story is a real inspiration for anyone who wants to create a business that not only succeeds financially but also supports their quality of life while staying true to their personal values. 
About Eric Bandholz Eric Bandholz started Beardbrand in 2012 with a simple goal: to make men feel awesome. From its beginnings as an online community, Beardbrand has grown into a major brand in the $3.2 billion beard care market, now offering a broad range of grooming products and even a brick-and-mortar barbershop in Austin. Eric attributes his success to staying true to his core values, especially freedom, which is grounded in stoic principles of focusing on what you can control.  
 A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Eric left the corporate world behind to create a community-centric brand. Operating as a bootstrap venture, Eric has steered Beardbrand, focusing on sustainable growth and independence, avoiding external investments. He advocates for the lifestyle business model, encouraging a balance between personal well-being and professional success.  Key Insights:Incorporate your core values into your business strategy. Core values are much more than psychology mumbo-jumbo; they shape every decision you make in your business. They help to reflect what your company stands for and attract customers who share these beliefs.Enjoy your entrepreneurial journey. Even though everyday tasks might often feel like a drag, finding meaning in them can help to maintain motivation and prevent burnout. And remember that there’s always something to celebrate, no matter how small.  Leverage bootstrapping for greater control. Using your own money to fund your business can keep you in control and help you make quick decisions that are right for your business without external pressure. Focus on sustainable business growth. Choose growth strategies that fit your goals and business vision. Opting for steady, predictable growth is better than chasing overnight success, as it helps to maintain product quality, protects your reputation, and ensures your business grows in a manageable way.Build and engage your community. Hosting events, starting discussions on social media, creating loyalty programs, featuring spotlight customers, offering behind-the-scenes content… These are just a few ways you can turn your buyers into brand advocates and build a community that supports your growth. 
Eric’s best advice for entrepreneurs:"What matters is that you're enjoying the journey [...] When you can focus on building today and what I'm doing at this moment, then it doesn't really matter where you end up."
Get Eric’s “Book of Reminders”

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Growing Your Niche: Unlocking Explosive Business with Eric Bandholz, Beardbrand

As your business grows, what worked before won't always work anymore. This is where business adaptability becomes crucial. Entrepreneurs need to be ready to change and update their strategies and processes, ensuring they can keep pace with their business's growth. Having been through growing and selling his own company, Feras Alhlou knows firsthand the importance of adapting and evolving to meet the changing business environment. Today, he joins us to talk about the power of resilience, the art of delegation, and the strategic use of technology to streamline operations. 
About Feras Alhlou Feras Alhlou is a seasoned entrepreneur with a golden touch for growing businesses from the ground up. He's taken companies from zero revenue to impressive 7 and 8 figures, showcasing his skills in Silicon Valley and beyond. In 2019 he sold his previous company, e-Nor, his digital marketing consultancy, to dentsu, a leading global media company.  
 Now he uses his passion for sharing his knowledge in his current project, Start Up With Feras, guiding new entrepreneurs to make good, informed decisions about business. Besides his business acumen, Feras has a lifelong commitment to nonprofit organizations. Fun fact, he also holds a 3rd-degree black belt in Aikido! Key Insights:Embrace change. As your business grows, what used to work might not cut it anymore. Learn to stay flexible and change your game plan as you go, which ensures that you're always moving forward, not just treading water. (04:41)Delegate to elevate. Trying to do everything yourself can hold your business back. By handing off tasks to others, you free up your time to focus on big-picture strategies and growth and your business can grow more smoothly and faster. (09:23)Implement goal-oriented frameworks. Frameworks like OKRs help everyone on your team pull in the same direction toward shared goals. This organized approach makes your team more efficient and effective, leading to faster progress and better results. (11:38)Cultivate an open and honest work environment. Building a business where everyone feels free to share their thoughts and ideas creates a strong, united team. This leads to better decision-making, happier employees, and a more adaptable company. (15:47)Stay ahead with technology and trends. Staying updated on what’s happening in your (and other industries) allows you to spot and seize opportunities that others might miss. (22:52)
 Feras’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Success is also when you're making it big and you're profitable, and you share it with your team, those who have helped you grow the business.” (31:29)
Get a free 30-minute session with Feras 

 Connect with Feras Alhlou:LinkedinYouTubeInstagramXStart Up With Feras 
Resources Mentioned:Good to Great by Jim CollinsMeasure What Matters by John Doerr and Larry Page
Follow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinXWebsiteAffiliate 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. 

Grow Your Business Against All Odds with Feras Alhlou, Start Up With Feras

When it comes to continuous improvement methods, there’s no one better than Justin Breen, founder of BrEpic Network, to talk about the best tools for slow but steady personal and professional growth. In this conversation, he shares his best pracices, from strength assessments to pattern recognition, that have shaped his entrepreneurial journey and also helped numerous businesses thrive in competitive landscapes. About Justin Breen Justin Breen is the dynamic force behind BrEpic Network, a cutting-edge public relations firm that connects and elevates visionary entrepreneurs and brands. Justin's unique approach to business and life has been shaped by his experiences as a top-tier journalist, acclaimed author, and relentless innovator. His books, "Epic Business" and "Epic Life," have inspired countless individuals to pursue greatness through simplicity, focus, and a relentless commitment to improvement. Beyond his professional accolades, Justin is a sought-after international speaker known for his compelling insights into the power of networking, storytelling, and mindset. He has a knack for distilling complex concepts into actionable steps that anyone can follow to achieve their fullest potential. Key Insights:Play to your strengths. Operating in your zone of genius results in higher productivity and a greater quality of work. Once you pinpoint your innate strengths, prioritize tasks that align with them and strategically delegate the rest. This boosts overall team efficiency and allows everyone to work in their areas of expertise. (06:45)Transform weaknesses into opportunities. What you’ve considered your weaknesses can be used as learning moments and give you new ideas for growth, like a new market niche, a unique product feature, or an innovative service model that sets you apart from the competition. (12:02)Win the right game. Take time to reflect on what success truly means to you. Then, create your own success metrics based on your values and goals. For instance, if community impact is vital to you, measure success by the difference you make in other people's lives rather than just your profits. (18:05)Be your own leader first. Before leading others, ensure you are effectively leading your own life. This includes maintaining a healthy work-life balance, nurturing personal relationships, and committing to personal growth and self-improvement. (22:29)Work on your mindset. The right mindset attracts the right network and invites new opportunities. Develop and nurture a growth mindset to set the stage for positive outcomes and the right opportunities that resonate deeply with your aspirations. (41:44)Justin’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“If you have the right mindset, it attracts the right network, and then that network creates the right opportunities for you.” (42:01)
Get Justin’s Map of EQ and IQ

 Connect with Justin:XInstagramLinkedIn
 Resources Mentioned:Join BrEpic NetworkRead Epic Life by Justin BreenKolbeGallup Clifton StrengthfindersThe EnneagramWorking GeniusGood to Great by Jim CollinsBuilt to Last by Jim CollinsThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
 Follow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinXWebsiteAffiliate 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.  


Visionary Mindset: Unlock Epic Success with Justin Breen of BrEpic Network

Most entrepreneurs aim to increase productivity. Yet, we often fall for unsustainable practices that promise quick results but falter in the long run. To help you overcome it, the biohacking expert Tanessa Shears, introduces a game-changing approach. As a productivity coach and health consultant, she’s mastered the art of sustainable self-improvement. In this episode, she and A.J. dive deep into the secrets to making small, impactful changes that will help you boost your daily output and significantly enhance your quality of life for the long haul. About Tanessa Shears Tanessa Shears is a visionary in the field of health optimization for increased productivity. With a background in biohacking and health science, she has dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurs and busy professionals fine-tune their health so they can unlock their true potential.  Through her “Becoming Limitless” podcast and comprehensive coaching programs, Tanessa demystifies the biohacking process and provides practical, actionable guidance for those looking to elevate their productivity without sacrificing their well-being. 
 Key Insights:Prioritize your health for optimal performance. Your physical and mental health are the foundations of your productivity. Make time for regular exercise, adequate sleep, and nutritional foods to ensure your performance is peak. When you're in good health, you're more focused, energized, and ready to tackle any challenge your business may face. Healthy entrepreneurs foster healthy businesses. (03:51)Create sustainable practices that work for you. Avoid the allure of quick fixes because they’re not sustainable; instead, focus on practices you can maintain over the long term. As an entrepreneur, maintaining sustainable practices means you will be better equipped to manage the constant change and challenges that come with running a business, leading to improved personal resilience and long-term business success. (10:49)Find the root cause of your productivity blocks. Identify underlying issues—whether they’re emotional, environmental, or related to your health—and tackle them head-on. For instance, this might mean decluttering your workspace or addressing time management problems. This is how you can significantly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness, creating a smoother path toward achieving your goals and supporting sustainable growth. (18:35)Be consistent. Consistency breeds habit. Choose your productivity strategies and stick with them. It’s consistency, not intensity, that leads to enduring changes and improvements in your work output and quality. (20:26)Take care of your brain. Invest in activities that sharpen your cognitive abilities because, as an entrepreneur, you rely heavily on your mental acuity for decision-making, problem-solving, and vision-setting. You can do this by taking breaks to avoid burnout or learning new skills to stimulate the brain. (26:54)Learn to recognize your limits. Pushing beyond your limits can lead to burnout because it exhausts your mental and physical stamina, which are critical for maintaining the consistent and high-level performance required in entrepreneurship. Learn to set boundaries for your work and respect your need for rest and recreation. It's crucial to understand that taking a break or saying no can actually increase productivity in the long run. (30:38)Tanessa’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“I want to know that when I look back on this entrepreneurial journey, that I felt great the whole time, and I wasn't putting off my life, my energy, and my health for some arbitrary goal that I kept pushing into the future.” (04:28)
Connect with Tanessa:LinkedInInstagramFacebookPersonal Website
 Resources Mentioned:Entrepreneur's Playbook: 12 Ways to Biohack Your Energy
Follow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinXWebsite

Elevate Your Health for Game-Changing Business Growth with Biohacking Expert Tanessa Shears

Discover the fascinating journey of Kanessa Muluneh as she navigates the complexities of entering and thriving in African markets with her brand Mulu. Gain insights into her innovative strategies, challenges faced, and the unique opportunities presented by this vibrant market. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on expanding business horizons! Listen to the full episode here - https://beyond8figures.com/podcast-episodes/ Watch the Episodes On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Beyond8Figures

Biz Bites 1: Entrepreneur's Dilemma: SMB vs Startup with Amit Garg

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