The Koerner Office - Business Ideas, Advice & Deep Dives

I sat down with Shannon Houchin, the founder of Roadside Republic. In this episode, we discuss the incredible business model of roadside produce stands, which Shannon scaled to over 100 locations in her first summer, generating impressive revenue with minimal overhead.

We highlight why this business works so well, including its low startup costs (around $200), high margins (up to 70%), and lack of lease requirements or heavy regulation. Shannon shares the tactics she used, from finding the perfect locations to negotiating with wholesalers over the phone, making this a step-by-step guide for anyone looking to enter this profitable venture.

Learn more about Shannon's business here:
https://roadsiderepublic.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@roadside_republic
https://www.facebook.com/RoadsideRepublic

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
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00:00 The Roadside Stand Revolution
02:52 From Reporter to Peach Entrepreneur
05:47 Scaling the Peach Business
09:09 The Art of Location and Visibility
12:05 Understanding Peach Quality and Sourcing
14:59 Transitioning to Online Sales and Delivery
17:46 Consumer Behavior and Pricing Strategies
24:58 Transforming Pricing Models in Produce Sales
29:12 Innovative Locations for Roadside Stands
32:32 Expanding Business Segments and Mobile Markets
34:59 Profitability and Sales Strategies for Roadside Stands
39:12 The Power of Storytelling in Sales
46:47 Comparing Business Models: Roadside Republic vs. Peach Truck

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I talk about three topics today. First, an update on our perfume vending machine business, now called Side Vending, as we expand to new vending machine concepts. It’s been a wild journey, and we’ve got some crazy stories to share.

Then, we break down the recent shutdown of a company called The Pro’s Closet and discuss how you can monetize other companies’ email lists - 300,000 email addresses that are going to waste! Finally, we talk about Negotiations as a Service, or as I like to put it, “Only eat when you eat.”

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we’ll talk about GPT for Google Sheet and all the many ways you can use AI inside Excel or Google Sheets, a creative dating idea, and a business called Water Finds that we think you’ll find interesting. Be sure to share, like, and subscribe!

Learn more about Nik here: http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
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Watch this on YouTube instead here: http://tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
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---
00:00 Introduction and Today's Agenda
00:34 Perfume Vending Machine Business Update
04:08 The Pro's Closet Shutdown
09:38 Opportunities in Email Monetization
12:25 Buying a Business Out of Bankruptcy
13:00 Owning Commercial Real Estate and Restaurants
14:12 Introduction to Pharmacy Benefit Managers
14:53 Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs
18:35 Business Opportunity in Pharmacy Negotiations
22:24 How to Get Your First Customer
25:03 Marry, Date, or Kill: Evaluating Business Ideas
27:06 Upcoming Topics and Conclusion

I sat down with Henry O'Brien, founder of SUSO Skate Co., who launched a mobile roller skating business during the COVID pandemic and saw it explode in popularity. In his first three months, Henry made $120k at 30-40% margins, which eventually grew to 70% net margins. Henry sets up mobile roller rinks in malls, parking lots, or any available space, making roller skating accessible to communities everywhere.

We talked about his launch strategy, the numbers, user-generated content, PR and marketing tactics, and how he managed to sell into malls. If you're curious about starting a unique business model or achieving high-profit margins, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Henry's business here:
https://www.susoskateco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/susoskateco/
https://www.tiktok.com/@susoskateco

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: http://tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
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---
00:00 The Birth of Suso Skate Co.
03:05 Navigating the Pandemic and Finding Opportunity
05:49 Marketing Strategies and Media Engagement
09:08 The Unique Venue: Bentway
11:57 Understanding Product-Market Fit
14:50 Financial Insights and Unit Economics
18:06 User-Generated Content and Social Media Impact
20:55 Operational Challenges and Growth Plans
24:12 Quality Control and Insurance Considerations
32:05 Navigating Insurance and Liability in Recreational Business
35:26 The Evolution of Roller Skating: Fad or Trend?
38:22 Staffing Strategies for Busy Days
39:45 Expanding into Malls: A Strategic Move
44:55 Understanding Mall Dynamics and Revenue Models
48:45 Challenges of Outdoor Locations and Weather Impact
50:40 The Transition to Indoor Locations
54:27 Mobile Roller Skating: A New Business Model
01:00:04 Future Plans: Licensing vs. Franchising

I sat down with Sam Unkart, an entrepreneur who’s done it all. From building fences to installing stock tank pools and even launching a sauna and cold plunge facility. In this episode we do three deep dives into each of Sam’s business ventures and learn how he’s tackled different markets and industries.

We talked about the fencing and pergola business Sam launched after quitting his corporate job, the booming industry of stock tank pools perfect for millennial backyard parties, and his unique concept of setting up a sauna and cold plunge inside of someone else's gym in Cleburne, Texas, that's grossing over 10k/month.

Learn more about Sam here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelunkart/
Sam's Sauna Business: https://www.dripsauna.co/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: http://tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
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Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Highlights & Introduction 
01:31 From Corporate to Construction: The Entrepreneurial Leap
02:06 Starting a Fencing and Pergola Business
11:09 Pivot to Stock Tank Pools
29:09 Sauna and Cold Plunge Venture

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I sat down to share some fun and actionable business ideas. We talk about job board ideas, one funny business idea, AI-generated family photos, and launching an automation agency using Zapier vs Make.com. We also discuss how we’d approach launching a seasonal home service business.

Learn more about Nik here: http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Highlights
00:47 Viral Tweet Sparks Discussion on Remote Jobs for Introverts
01:12 The Challenges and Opportunities of Job Boards
01:51 Innovative Job Board Ideas Based on Personality Types
02:05 Exploring Niche Job Boards and Their Potential
04:17 Technology and Implementation of Job Boards
07:48 Seasonal Business Opportunities: Halloween and Beyond
20:18 The Emotional Impact of Fame
21:02 Business Ethics and Unethical Ventures
21:36 Family Picture Day Struggles
22:30 AI in Photography: A Game Changer
24:02 The Future of AI-Generated Family Photos
29:43 Zapier vs. Make: Automation Tools Showdown
38:16 AI's Role in Blue-Collar Jobs
39:29 The Efficiency Revolution: AI in Diagnostics

I sat down with Jason Feller, who went from managing private clubs for 20 years to running his own trash bin cleaning business. Tired of missing his kids' activities, Jason decided to make a change. He invested $48,000 into a trash bin cleaning trailer and now serves 300 recurring customers. We talked about customer acquisition tactics, from leveraging Facebook groups to direct marketing, and the challenges Jason faced transitioning from a career in club management to running his own business. 

Learn more about Jason's business:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrystalCleanCanz/
• Website: https://crystalcleancanz.com/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Highlights
00:27 Welcome to the Kerner Office
00:45 Jason Feller's Career Journey
00:54 Transition to Trash Bin Cleaning Business
03:25 Challenges and Realizations
04:26 Starting the Business
05:14 The Dumpster Theory
08:28 Business Model and Growth
15:35 Marketing Strategies
23:37 Seasonal Challenges and Customer Acquisition
24:12 Running a One-Person Business
24:53 Route Planning and Neighborhood Targeting
26:32 Understanding Customer Demographics
28:15 Marketing Strategies and Conversion Rates
29:12 Balancing Business Growth and Personal Life
35:21 Competitors and Market Dynamics
40:52 Reflections on Entrepreneurship
42:28 Exploring New Business Ideas
45:18 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

I sat down with Edward Sturm, a viral growth marketing expert who's known for his Fake Celebrity prank in New York City that went viral with hundreds of millions of views. In this episode, Edward shares a brilliant idea to take over abandoned meetup groups for just $50-$100, giving you access to thousands of free leads and potential customers. We also discuss curious learner bias, unbundling large SaaS tools using AI, and creative ways to grow your business.

Learn more about Edward here:
https://www.instagram.com/edward.builds
https://www.youtube.com/@buildinpublic

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Introduction to Edward Sturm and Viral Marketing
14:33 Innovative Business Ideas: Taking Over Meetup Groups
24:12 Networking and Meetups for Growth
26:36 The Curious Learner Bias
30:54 Content Creation and Engagement Strategies
34:39 Leveraging AI Tools for Development
39:26 Unbundling Features for Market Success
42:45 Bottom of Funnel SEO Strategies
45:07 YouTube Shorts and User-Generated Content

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I are talking about business ideas and what's happening in our companies. In this episode, we discuss the business potential of Instagram's Close Friends feature, how influencers can use it to boost engagement, and how you could help.

We also cover the concept of Negative COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) - acquiring products for free or how you can get paid to acquire products and then sell them- with examples like EcoScraps. We talk about a lake weed removal business started by two college students, and how they scaled up with smart social media marketing. Finally, we share ideas for home service businesses that could benefit from time-lapse video marketing to go viral.

Learn more about Nik here:http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
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Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Close Friends Feature on Instagram
02:07 Leveraging Close Friends for Increased Engagement
03:23 Monetizing the Close Friends Feature
06:34 Scraping Instagram Followers for Business Opportunities
11:10 Exploring Negative COGS Business Ideas
15:15 The Lake Weed Removal Business
17:14 Chemical-Free Pond and Lake Cleaning
17:37 Going Viral on Social Media
18:23 A Generous Offer
18:38 Business Boom and Social Media Success
20:00 Franchising and Licensing Opportunities
20:21 Top 10 Media-Accelerated Home Services Businesses
21:28 Pressure Washing and Pool Cleaning
23:11 Home Cleaning and Tree Trimming
25:24 Painting and Landscaping
28:46 Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning
29:10 Carpet Cleaning and Business Strategy
29:49 Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth
31:56 Partnering with Nationwide Franchisors

This is part three of 'Every Business I've Ever Started'

Today, I’m doing something a little different. In this episode, I'm taking each business I've ever started and giving you actionable ideas on how you could start a similar business today. I believe that almost any business idea can be executed at any time, with a bias for action being key. Some ideas work in certain contexts, sure, but most of them are timeless if you put your spin on it. If you want even more business ideas, check out the previous episodes 14 and 21.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
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Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
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---
00:00 Introduction and Series Overview
01:19 Tree Biz Bootcamp: Launching and Lessons
04:20 Fast Tree Care: The Journey Begins
05:09 Binary Outcome Framework in Home Services
06:59 Blue Metric: RV Parks and Campgrounds
08:31 Busy: Aggregating Businesses for Sale
12:18 No Greasy: High-Quality Restaurant Degreaser
15:26 Lead Texters: Generating Leads via SMS
17:50 Easy MLS: Flat Fee Listing Service
18:54 Leveraging AI to Reduce Business Friction
19:37 Exploring Business Ideas on BizBuySell
22:48 The Tree Trimming Business Success Story
24:22 Monetizing Content: Podcast and Newsletter
26:47 Consulting and Advising Business Owners
27:46 Speed to Ship: Innovative Shipping Software
29:43 Mexican Baseball Merchandise Opportunity
31:08 Better Parks: RV Park Investment
32:35 Busy Juice: Creating a Unique Beverage
34:16 Sunbeam ABA and Sunbeam Paws Ventures
37:11 Conclusion and Next Steps

I sat down with my good friend Sam Thompson (https://x.com/ImSamThompson) and in this episode we talk about using AI to clone yourself, clone others, and make money by offering access to those clones. We also cover some cool new digital product opportunities and new tech business ideas. Sam lives in the digital startup world, and he's the perfect balance to our usual guests who focus on physical products or service businesses.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
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---
00:00 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction
00:28 Diving into Digital Cloning and AI
01:08 Exploring Digital Product Opportunities
01:32 Challenges and Strategies in Digital Entrepreneurship
03:42 Monetizing Digital Products at Scale
13:45 The Potential of AI in Content Creation
21:29 Building an SMS-Based Cohort System
21:48 Challenges and Solutions in Retention
23:02 Pricing Strategies for Subscription Services
24:19 Importance of Activation in Consumer Products
25:44 Leveraging Data for Business Growth
33:01 Exploring Niche Data Products
33:24 Unbundling Craigslist: New Business Opportunities
38:30 Cyber Leads for Home Service Businesses
42:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts