This week, I sit down with Mark Bowles, aka "Mr. Mustache", to unpack the scrappy journey of building a hyperlocal newsletter business from the ground up. From corporate mindset to community media, Mark shares how he’s growing an audience in Greensboro, NC—without a polished camera crew or massive bankroll. He opens up about breaking free from the W-2 mindset, the unexpected confidence built through daily vlogs, and why showing up messy beats waiting for perfection.

Whether you're thinking about launching a newsletter, trying to start something while raising kids, or struggling to hit publish—this episode is a masterclass in getting started, staying human, and building something meaningful close to home.

Episode Highlights:

- Why Mark chose to start a business instead of buying one- How he’s growing a local newsletter from 0 to 2,600+ subscribers

- What daily video vlogging taught him about confidence and cold outreach- The underrated power of being the host, not just the participant

- How local media can unlock business ownership, community, and trust- Why perfect is the enemy of posted when building in public

- The tension (and beauty) of balancing entrepreneurship with fatherhood

💡 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

- I’ve still got the employee mindset—I think I have to do it all myself. But I can’t scale that way. – Mark Bowles

- It’s nice to be the TV host, not the audience. The credibility rubs off when you’re the one curating the stage. – Austin

- I used to sweat just posting a video. Now I shoot outreach videos from my car. People respond to real. – Mark Bowles

👤 ABOUT THE GUEST:

Mark Bowles is the creator of a fast-growing local newsletter based in Greensboro, NC. With a background in corporate America, Mark is now focused on building community-driven media and using video to connect, inspire, and build trust with a local audience. He’s also a husband, father, and daily content creator on X, sharing honest reflections on fitness, mindset, and fatherhood.

📣 CALL TO ACTION:If this episode inspired you to finally hit publish, start your thing, or just show up a little more human—share it with a friend, or tag us on social. Let us know what you're building and how you’re balancing it all.

👉 Stop playing small, book a call! Link in bio 👉 For more information visit https://www.austinlinney.com/ 👉 The @constructyourlifepodcast is available on ALL platforms More Resources: Discover Proactive Operators at https://www.proactiveoperators.com/. We’re not just coaches—we’re operators and investors with real skin in the game. Our battle-tested strategies come straight from our own businesses. No theory, just execution.No theory, just real execution. Book a call and let’s make things happen! #MINDSETPODCAST #BUSINESSPODCAST #REALESTATEPODCAST Powered by https://www.podcastproducer.com/