Make Your Business Idea a Million-Dollar Success! - Andrew Ackerman And Harry Sardinas

❌ Stop chasing “the next big idea.”

✅ Start solving problems people face every single day.That was one of the most powerful takeaways from my recent conversation with Andrew Ackerman—early-stage investor, author, innovation consultant, and professor of entrepreneurship—on the Unstoppable Podcast.Andrew shared a five-step strategy for making your first million dollars, and the first step isn’t what most founders expect. It’s not about dreaming big or pitching flashy visions. It’s about finding real, frequent problems and building solutions people actually need.From there, he stressed the importance of building the right team and executing relentlessly—because in the end, execution beats inspiration.What I loved most was his honesty about where tech founders go wrong:

• Not doing enough research

• Falling in love with rigid solutions

• Ignoring feedback

His advice? Reflect often, stay adaptable, and remember—investors don’t just fund ideas, they fund people who can grow.We closed by discussing his book The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, which offers a roadmap for anyone navigating the startup journey.💡 If you’re working toward your first million—or simply want to avoid the pitfalls that derail so many founders—this episode is a must-listen.

About The Guest

Andrew Ackerman

Head of REACH Labs, Second Century Ventures

Andrew is a serial entrepreneur turned early stage investor and innovation expert. He has invested in over 70 startups over the past 2 decades. Andrew is currently the Strategic Advisor & Head of REACH Labs for Second Century Ventures, consults on corporate innovation strategies (CVC, accelerators, venture studios, etc.), and is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship. He was previously Managing Director at Dreamit Ventures where he launched and built both their Edtech and Urbantech (Proptech and Construction) verticals.

Andrew has written over 60 published articles for Fortune, Forbes, Propmodo, CREtech, Builders Online, Architect Magazine, Multifamily Executive, AlleyWatch, Edsurge, The 74 Million, et. al. Andrew is also the author of The Entrepreneurs Odyssey (Routledge Press). Described as Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, this textbook-disguised-as-a-novel is what it takes and what it feels like! - to take an idea to funded startup.

Get The Entrepreneurs Odyssey:

LinkedIn:

X: @AndrewAckerman

Website: Timestamp

00:00 – Introduction & Meet Andrew

00:00:15 – Andrew's Background & Achievements

00:00:46 – Five Steps to Making Your First Million

00:01:09 – Step 1: The Gut Check

00:02:51 – Step 2: Solve a Real Problem

00:04:00 – Step 3: Answer "Why Now?"

00:05:12 – Step 4: Building the Right Team

00:06:20 – Step 5: Execution is Key

00:06:46 – Discussion on Tech Entrepreneurship

00:12:28 – Challenges of Product-Market Fit

00:32:30 – Entrepreneurial Lessons & Strategies

00:35:22 – Realistic Expectations for Tech Entrepreneurs

00:38:16 – Valuation Insights & Cap Table Discussion

00:40:22 – Understanding Early-Stage Investments

00:43:13 – Significance of Traction & Market Fit

00:49:19 – Team Evaluation & Decision-Making

00:54:03 – Importance of Diverse Founders

00:55:03 – Feedback & Adaptability

00:57:27 – Final Thoughts on Startup Success

00:58:47 – Andrew's Book Information

01:02:40 – Closing RemarksAbout The Host

Harry Sardinas is a Business Growth Strategist, Empowerment Coach, and Public Speaking & Leadership Coach based in London. He is also an Influencer with 288000+ followers and an Events Organizer, connecting investors and entrepreneurs with opportunities.

Harry helps companies transform their products into global brands through his signature workshop, Speakers Are Leaders, which has reached over 10,000 attendees on stages worldwide and more than 1 million people online.

👉 Explore events, speaking, branding, and marketing solutions for entrepreneurs and influencers here:

📩 Whatsapp Harry at ‪+44 7775 596554‬ to collaborate.

🎙 If you’d like to be featured on this podcast and you’re a successful entrepreneur ready to share how you grew your company, book your spot here: -

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IMPORTANT: Earnings and Legal Disclaimers

We don’t believe in get-rich-quick programs or guarantees of specific outcomes. We believe in hard work, adding value, and serving others, and our programs are designed to help you achieve those goals. As stated by law, we cannot and do not make any guarantees regarding your ability to achieve financial results, earn money, or improve your health using our ideas, information, programs, or strategies. Your success depends on your own efforts, skills, and circumstances, which are beyond our control.

We are here to support you by sharing our strategies to help you progress, but nothing on this page, any of our websites, videos, marketing materials, or in our emails constitutes a promise or guarantee of future earnings, financial outcomes, or health improvements. Any financial or health-related examples, estimates, projections, or past results referenced are for illustrative purposes only and reflect the views of the hosts and guests. They should not be considered as exact, actual, or assured results. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]

"Unstoppable Podcast - Harry Sardinas," podcast brings you inspiring conversations with influential millionaires, angel investors, property investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who are making a massive difference in the world with their innovative products and services.