Leveling Up with Eric Siu

If you want to start an NFT project this episode is for you! Today, Eric provides a breakdown of four different ways to find NFT artists. Based on his own experience of creating his NFT project Leveling Up Heroes, Eric explains the whole process from finding the artist to negotiating the price, getting them excited about the project, communicating your vision, and working with them to completion. To find out how you too can create a successful NFT, tune in today!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:28] A few of the different reasons people decide to create an NFT project. 
• [00:53] How to use Dribbble and Behance to find artists.
• [01:43] How to connect with an artist when you find one that you like. 
• [02:20] How to look for artists of different communities that have already done NFTs.
• [03:07] A guide to sourcing NFT Artists on Twitter.
• [03:43] What to consider when negotiating the price.
• [03:58] A sneak peek at Eric’s NFT project Leveling Up Heroes. 
• [04:13] Eric sheds light on the development of his NFTs and how the process works. 
• [05:23] How to motivate contractors and get them excited about the project.
• [06:11] A recap of the different parts of the NFT project process.

Resources From The Interview:

• Bored Ape Yacht Club 
• VeeFriends 
• Dribbble 
• Behance 
• The Sevens 
• Twitter

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram

It can be easy to dismiss NFTs as a fad or as unsophisticated cartoons, but doing so would mean missing out on some very exciting developments happening in online investment and the broader digital landscape. In today’s episode, Eric unpacks the key features you should be looking out for when you decide to invest in long-term NFTs. Some of the most rewarding NFTs to purchase are ones that have a built-in sense of community, where you have the opportunity to meet up with other participants and gain access to exclusive events and content. Another key indicator of an NFT that has long-term potential is one that has a clear roadmap for how it plans to develop in the future, whether it’s expanding the brand or hiring increasingly skilled artists to elevate the product. Tune in to hear all about the NFTs that Eric has chosen to invest in and why a long-term mindset is crucial!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:15] Introducing today’s topic: How to invest in long-term NFTs.
• [00:46] The exciting time we find ourselves in and the decentralized web. 
• [01:05] Eric breaks down his NFT investments and why he chose them.
• [03:03] Why NFTs are like the intersection between gaming and business.
• [03:28] NFTs that have a sense of community and why that’s an important quality for investing.
• [05:17] How to identify long-term NFT’s through their projected roadmap. 
• [06:14] VeeFriends and Gary Vaynerchucks’ projected roadmap for the project.
• [07:57] The story of CryptoPunks, the first-ever NFTs.
• [09:15] Eric’s take on investing in long-term NFTs.
• [09:37] Why you should have a long-term mindset when you invest. 

Resources From The Interview:

• Gary Vaynerchuck
• Gary Vaynerchuck on Youtube
• Vee Friends
• Bored Ape Yacht Club
• CryptoPunks
• Ethereum
• Bitcoin
• Solana

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.
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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere
• Single Grain
• Leveling Up
• Eric Siu on Twitter
• Eric Siu on Instagram

The Pandora Papers are leaked files from 14 offshore service providers that tie more than 330 public officials, including 35 world leaders, to an offshore fortune. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism shows how world leaders and public officials use offshore tax havens to hide assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, resulting in the filing of a massive investigation. While there is a dominant narrative to side with the poor, today on Leveling Up, Eric suggests that hating on the rich is misguided, and suggests that we should filter this information ourselves and think critically about the incentive behind the actions of those involved. To find out more about the Pandora papers, what this means for you as a human being, and how you should think about this, tune in today!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:29] What the Pandora Papers are and some of the people implicated.
• [01:14] Who’s behind the leaked files.
• [01:33] Why Eric believes the media is incentivized to do this.
• [03:07] How setting up offshore companies is not illegal.
• [03:42] The importance of filtering information for yourself.
• [04:02] Why you should consider how these people got rich in the first place.
• [05:11] Thoughts on the ethics of King Abdullah II of Jordan’s property empire.
• [05:39] Thoughts on Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta owning offshore companies.
• [06:10] How we should reframe the narrative and critically think through what is legal and illegal.
• [07:00] Thoughts on the ethics of Vladimir Putin’s mistress buying assets in Monaco.
• [07:23] The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. 
• [08:08] Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis’s failure to declare an offshore investment company.
• [08:27] Thoughts on the Pakistani prime minister’s dealings.
• [08:59] Why you should think critically about the incentive behind the actions of those involved and how it fits into your worldview. 
• [09:17] Why Eric focuses on what he can control.
• [09:41] Why you should focus on what is actually legal and illegal and why it matters to you.

Resources From The Interview:

• The Pandora Papers 

• The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram

TikTok has just hit one billion monthly active users, and while it’s great to see a social media company that isn’t owned by Google or Facebook thrive, it’s worth asking what the long-term potential of the company could be realistic. In this episode, Eric looks at the young creators that are succeeding on the platform and unpacks TikTok’s algorithm and its capacity to facilitate videos going viral. Tuning in you’ll hear Eric break down how these creators are achieving success by diversifying into other channels, and how the earning potential of YouTube creators stacks up against those of TikTok. We break down why TikTok lags behind in discoverability and why Eric believes that YouTube has superior long-term potential. Tune in today to get the lowdown on all the social media platforms and more!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:15] Introducing today’s topic: How TikTok hit 1 billion monthly active users and what that means from a business perspective.
• [00:58] What the earnings look like for TikTok creators in general, especially young people. 
• [01:58] TikTok’s algorithm and the higher likelihood of going viral.
• [02:10] Why its capacity for discoverability is where TikTok lags behind other platforms.
• [02:15] YouTube’s efficacy when it comes to discoverability and high earning potential.
• [02:38] How TikTok creators are finding success by migrating to other channels.
• [02:52] Why top content creators choose to stick it out on YouTube. 
• [03:31] Why YouTube has more potential for longevity and earning power.
• [03:49] How different platforms can best serve you depending on your business and content goals.
• [05:12] Why Eric sees more long-term potential in YouTube than TikTok.

Resources From The Interview:

• Leveling Up
• TikTok
• Charli D'Amelio on TikTok
• Charli D’Amelio on Instagram
• Dixie D’Amelio on TikTok
• Dixie D’Amelio on Instagram
• Nate O’Brien on Youtube
• Logan Paul on YouTube
• Mister Beast on YouTube

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.
• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here
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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere
• Single Grain
• Leveling Up
• Eric Siu on Twitter
• Eric Siu on Instagram

Thanks for tuning in to Leveling Up! On today’s show, Eric shares how he is building a path to $100 million in annual revenue through his various businesses, which are all built around the philosophy and mission to level up the world and empower others to do so too. You’ll hear why he buys other agencies and prioritizes upskilling and educating his employees. Eric also lets us in on why he has chosen to invest in MicroAquire, what the pre-built terms are that have created trust in his business, and why he believes that long term growth is created by looking at mission, vision, and values. Tune in today to hear more! 

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:37] The different businesses Eric has: Single Grain, Clickflow, the Leveling Up education products, and the marketing school he runs with Neil Patel, 
• [02:35] How everything is built around the philosophy and mission to level up the world. 
• [03:00] How Eric’s businesses work to further the message of leveling up the world, and empowering others to do so too. 
• [03:12] The gamification of life and how the world’s most successful people have businesses.
• [03:56] Why they buy other agencies: to use their capabilities and to learn and train leaders.
• [04:43] Their view to upskill their own employees and make education available to others.
• [05:18] How life and business are about resource management. 
• [05:57] The pre-built terms that have created trust 
• [06:37] Why he has chosen to invest in MicroAquire, the Zillo of mergers and acquisitions. 
• [06:57] His current focus on deal flow and allocating a GM to all of his businesses.
• [08:24] Why you should think about the offers you are putting together and read $100M Offers by Alex Hermozi.
• [09:45] How long term growth is created by looking at mission, vision, and values.
• [10:18] An invitation to reach out and share your $100 million business ideas with us. 

Resources From The Interview:

• Leveling Up

• The Regret Minimization Framework

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Clickflow

• $100M Offers

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram

The wealthy aren’t wealthy because they’re good at saving. They're wealthy because they know how to make their money work for them. In today’s episode, Eric provides six great tips on how the wealthy build wealth. From reinvesting profits to using money optimally, there are many ways to grow your nest egg. Tune in to hear it all!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast!
• [00:20] Sometimes, wealthy people keep secrets, but today, we are telling you some of them.
• [00:37] Businesses are there to help stakeholders, so it’s important to reinvest back into the business.
• [02:05] Decide what kind of business you want; taking profits out slows growth.
• [05:26] Think about how to put your money to optimal use. 
• [05:37] Mindset matters, so work on it!
• [07:14] Mentorship and masterminds are great spaces for you to grow.
• [07:44] Think about the tax advantages you can try to get. 
• [08:46] Saving isn’t going to get you anywhere; reframe it as investing.
• [09:58] There’s a difference between wealth accumulation and wealth preservation.
• [10:28] Your offer matters a lot, so make sure you stand out. 
• [11:26] That’s it for today!

Resources From The Interview:

• Noah Kagan

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here

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• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Eric Siu on Twitter

How I went From Minimum Wage to Millionaire - and How You Can Too

On today’s show, Eric shares his experiences with us and tells us more about how he went from minimum wage and getting fired multiple times to placing bets and finding the growth opportunities within the struggles to become a millionaire. He’s breaking it down so you too can level up, take that bet and change your life. He encourages side hustles which help you build up more experiences, changing your perspective and looking at work as a game, feeling more engaged, and having a sense of flow which will make you unstoppable. If you’re feeling stuck looking at your pay scale and wanting more, then this show is for you!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:15] Eric introduces the topic by talking about the timeline of his career and shares his experiences.
• [01:07] Hear more details about the different jobs Eric had and how his pay scale changed.
• [03:20] How digital marketing made Eric level up. 
• [05:00] What Eric learned about diversifying himself in the digital marketing space.  
• [06:05] How leveling up isn’t all about the pay but the growth opportunity it brings. 
• [06:40] Identifying the trend: if you’re not growing anymore, should you still be there.
• [08:00] The experience you can build up by having side hustles.
• [10:42] If there’s an opportunity for you to place an asymmetric bet - take that bet.
• 12:20] How continuing to grow enterprise value led to SingleGrain becoming more successful.
• [13:40] Having a sense of short-term urgency but understanding great results take decades.

Resources From The Interview:

• Leveling Up

• The Regret Minimization Framework

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram

The story of Mailchimp's recent acquisition by Intuit for $12 billion is such a fascinating example of the power of bootstrapping a business with a long-term plan. In today's episode we take a closer look at this deal and the lessons it presents for us, for whatever size of the company you are running! To introduce the topic, we go over some quick definitions and important concepts, looking at how bootstrapping plays out under different models, and what has made Mailchimp's journey unique. Far from perfect, the path that Mailchimp and their leadership have taken exemplifies the winding road that entrepreneurs, SaaS companies, and many startups have to take towards a big payout like this. So for all this inspiring and thought-provoking information on one of the biggest current stories in online business, be sure to join us on Leveling up!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:07] Before we jump into today’s episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast!
• [00:48] A quick definition of bootstrapping; no venture capital and outside investment.
• [01:12] Equity and profit-sharing; the kinds of incentives that bootstrapped businesses typically employ. 
• [02:01] The largest acquisition of a bootstrapped company in history; the particulars of the deal.
• [03:15] The long-term vision that has served Mailchimp since its founding in 2001.
• [04:20] Mailchimp's evolution into a SaaS company and the important pivots it made.
• [05:17] Why Mailchimp chose to turn down venture capital offers. 
• [06:11] Mistakes and learning; how Ben Chestnut stayed committed through difficulties.
• [06:24] The value of peer groups and support networks.
• [07:49] Prioritizing company culture for sustained growth and success.
• [08:31] Why hiring the right people can determine the outcomes of your business. 
• [09:00] Balancing the bootstrapped approach with the argument for outside funding.

Resources From The Interview:

• Mailchimp
• Intuit 
• Axios 
• Ben Chestnut
• YPO 
• EO 
• How I First Built This  

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram

Today’s guest is Chris Herd, the CEO and founder of Firstbase which is an all-in-one SaaS platform for the supply and management of assets and equipment to remote workers. After founding a remote financial technology company, Chris discovered the challenges of having a remote team which led him to found Firstbase. Since late 2019, the company has now raised over $15 million, a lot of which can be attributed to Chris’s presence on Twitter. Today he explains how he managed to generate 80 million Twitter impressions in the space of a year and how he has used the platform as his primary acquisition channel, as well as a great tool for building relationships with key decision-makers at some of the biggest investment companies and venture capital firms in the world. Tuning in you’ll hear Chris’s advice on what type of content to share, the importance of consistency, the role of spontaneity, and how to inspire conversation through the platform. Chris also shares some profound insight into the future of remote work or ‘remote living’. Hear some practical advice on remote work that most people wouldn’t know about and find out which companies are doing it really well.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:14] An introduction to today’s guest Chris Herd, CEO and founder of Firstbase.
• [01:09] Some of Firstbase’s marquee clients.
• [02:04] Chris’s background and what makes him different from other founders.
• [02:59] How the challenges he faced having a remote team led him to found Firstbase.
• [03:59] How Firstbase is making money.
• [04:34] How quickly the company has grown and how much money it has raised.
• [05:20] Some of the core challenges they faced scaling the company.
• [06:13] The role of Twitter in building distribution.
• [07:54] How Chris achieved 80 million impressions through his tweets in the last year. 
• [08:54] Chris’s advice on how to market your business through Twitter.
• [09:51] How Twitter has benefited Firstbase.
• [11:21] What Chris’s cadence is like on Twitter and the role of spontaneity. 
• [12:28] The two most important data points to Chris and what they say about the future of work. 
• [14:25] The role of in-person connection in the remote work playbook post-pandemic.
• [15:51] How Chris is recruiting the best people right now through Twitter and Flocknet.
• [18:09] Practical remote work advice that most people wouldn’t know about.
• [19:08] Companies that are doing remote work really well.
• [20:12] Remote work playbooks available online.
• [20:56] A business tool Chris’s recommends: Figma.
• [21:38] Insight into the size of Chris’s sales team and thoughts on whether or not they should be co-located.
• [22:47] Chris’s must-read book: No Rules Rules.
• [23:35] The most compelling thing that he’s watched, read or listened to: Loki.
• [23:55] How to get in contact with Chris.

Resources From The Interview:

• Firstbase 
• Remotive
• AngelList 
• Flocknet 
• Zapier 
• GitLab 

• Darren Murph 

• Figma 

• Miro 

• Mural

• Must read book: No Rules Rules 

• Project Hail Mary 

• Loki

• Chris Herd on Twitter  
• Chris Herd on LinkedIn

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram

The Dentist that Built a 32,000 Member Community Which he Leveraged into Scalable Revenue

Today’s guest is Dr. Glenn Vo. Not only is he a practicing dentist who used his dentistry and entrepreneurial skills to build a multimillion-dollar practice, but he is also the founder and CEO of Nifty Thrifty Dentists, a dental company that connects dental professionals with other dental companies through discounts and deals. In this episode, he explains how he built a 32,000 member community on Facebook and leveraged it into scalable revenue. Find out how Glenn only works two days a week, why all of his other revenue streams have much more potential than his practice, and the importance of having the right ‘why’. As the author of the book Industry Influencer, Glenn is passionate about helping people to become industry influencers in their fields and build their own empires. Tune in to find out discover the importance of creating a platform, how to go about building a community, and what mistakes to avoid. Find out how to go about pursuing other revenue streams that may be available to you, and level up from being a practitioner to becoming an entrepreneur in your field!

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:15] An introduction to Glenn Vo as founder of Nifty Thrifty Dentists.
• [01:08] Glenn explains how he enjoyed Leveling Up and how his life mirrors Eric’s.
• [01:45] Why Glenn wanted to do more than just be a dentist.
• [02:28] What Glenn has in terms of assets and what his empire looks like.
• [03:05] Glenn’s passion project of helping people level up in their fields and why he wrote his book Industry Influencer.
• [03:55] How to level up from being a just practitioner to being an entrepreneur. 
• [05:26] The importance of having the right ‘why’.
• [06:05] Why all of Glenn’s other revenue streams have much more potential than his practice. 
• [07:26] How Nifty Thrifty Dentists makes money, and the importance of having a platform.
• [09:18] How he created the Facebook group and the importance of community and networking.  
• [11:06] How long it took him to grow the Facebook group membership. 
• [12:22] The number one flaw that people make when they’re trying to create a side gig: doing everything themselves. 
• [13:32] Glenn’s long-term plan for his practice and his other businesses. 
• [15:22] Why Glenn hires community managers or moderators based on their personalities and not their experience.
• [16:56] Glenn’s favorite business book: Atomic Habits.
• [17:27] What habit-stacking is and how it has changed Glenn’s life.
• [20:50] Glenn’s favorite business tool: Voxer
• [21:49] How to connect with Dr. Glenn Vo. 

Resources From The Interview:

• Dr. Glenn Vo
• Nifty Thrifty Dentists 
• Denton Smiles Dentistry
• Facebook Group: Nifty Thrifty Dentists

• Leveling Up 

• Industry Influencer

• Must read book: Atomic Habits 

• Voxer
• Dr. Glenn Vo on Facebook 

Leave Some Feedback:

• What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here

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Connect with Eric Siu: 

• Growth Everywhere

• Single Grain

• Leveling Up

• Eric Siu on Twitter

• Eric Siu on Instagram