This week Dan & Ian share a few thought experiments you can do to improve your business and reach your next breakthrough.

They cover the value of a writing-first culture, the Queen Bee Role & how transparent should you be with your team?

Plus, a ticket giveaway to one qualified founder.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition

A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

Going deeper on shiny object syndrome, Dan & Ian open the mailbag to read responses to last week’s episode. A listener shares his success story with shiny object syndrome, revealing how he pursues his entrepreneurial impulses without growing crazy. The listener emphasizes the value of muscle memory when it comes to going from zero to one successfully.

Dan & Ian will also discuss how to use societal and scene shifts to gain traction on an idea and even build a successful business out of an idea that might seem a little stupid (to everyone else) at the time.

Plus, we’re looking for our next TMBA team member! If you love reading and writing about business topics and think working alongside Dan & Ian might seem like fun (or a little stupid!), let's talk.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all)

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Dan & Ian delve into the complexities of combating shiny object syndrome, a challenge that plagues all entrepreneurs at one time or another (or all the time).

They’ll talk about six strategies for tackling “the syndrome” and how to harness your skill of going zero-to-one to grow your business to the next level.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes:

Links:

Podcast producer job post

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

In this episode Dan uncovers The Ultimate TMBA Business: a productized service business built on a skill set.

Tom Kent started his business based on a very specific skill set of his: he was good at getting jobs. Now Tom is the founder and CEO of Career Nerds, a 7-figure productized service that he’s doubling every year because of his precise lead generation strategies and very clear goals.

In this episode, Tom gives us a roadmap for turning a skill into a powerful productized service business. Plus, how he avoids the distraction of other target markets and opportunities and stays focused on his goal.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Vince Nguyen joins Dan to share how he resurrected his agency from semi-retirement and in the first month resumed making 5+ figures per client. He runs his agency solo and shares some of his biggest hacks for success. Vince essentially delivers a masterclass in running a successful solo-agency as well as how to improve Facebook Ads for your business (hint: it’s pretty simple!).

But first, Dan & Ian have some fun catching up about some big company news and how to operate on a profit-first system from day one and why that’s actually critical for scale.

They also talk about two trending ways for finding and connecting with customers that are leading to more sales, that you can implement as early as today.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan, Mike Michalowicz, Vince Nguyen

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Dan interviews business author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz, delving into the transformative concepts from Mike's books — "Profit First," "The Pumpkin Plan," Clockwork", and more.

They explore the power of prioritizing profit and why most small businesses are often “crushed” by the owner. Mike discusses his concept of the Queen Bee Role and advocates for specialization to scale effectively.

Stick around as Mike reveals the three horsemen that keep businesses right on the brink of success, often never finding breakthrough.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan, Mike Michalowicz

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

“Noah’s new book Million Dollar Weekend has so many nuggets for aspiring and mature entrepreneurs alike. Specifically, if you’re launching a new product, starting a new business, or you want to keep things simple for your team, you’ll find tangible guidance in this book.” - Dan

In this episode, TMBA host Dan Andrews sits down with Noah Kagan to talk about operating an 8-figure company at scale, something Noah does every day as the CEO of AppSumo.

Noah dives into specific processes around leadership, managing team members, setting achievable goals, making room for creativity, personal growth habits, and a whole lot more.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Million Dollar Weekend

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Today Dan & Ian challenge you to consider: How durable is your revenue?

They’ll explore the concepts of profit now vs profit later, investing profits to build durability, network effects, marginal profitability calculation, and more.

But first, in some lighter conversation, Dan argues that setting smaller goals and reconfiguring your team meetings can lead to higher productivity and higher yield in your business.

Plus, the 6 principles to a high-leverage meeting learned from running millionaire masterminds.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan.

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

How to Have Your Best Year $$$Wise Ever

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

This week, Dan reveals a strategic approach to decision-making intervals for achieving top-line revenue and personal income goals. Join him as he explores how this decision-making cadence serves as a compass in navigating the challenging 'messy middle' of entrepreneurship.

What’s the messy middle? You’ve found some type of product-market fit, customers are buying, and you've set revenue and profit goals. Yet, you lack an exit strategy, millions in your bank account, and an executive team running your company.

In this episode, Dan invites you into his end-of-year meeting with co-founder Ian Schoen, unveiling the inner workings of their quarterly reviews. Discover the three key questions they always address and learn how this framework can guide you out of the messy middle, ensuring this is your best year money-wise ever.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan.

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

An 8-figure exit and revisiting the 1,000-day principle

Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023

End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

Can you make a life-changing decision based on assumptions you pulled off the internet?

This question and many others are answered in today’s fascinating interview with two of Dan’s mentors and longtime friends.

They recently exited one of their businesses (they’re still running the other!) for 8-figures, and they share the details of their process from deciding to sell, preparing for the sale, vetting acquirers, and what happens after. Hear how they spun up another business on the side and are maintaining the cash flow from that as they sit on the cash pile from the sale.

But perhaps their biggest accomplishment is raising three thoughtful, curious kids while running their two incredible businesses and living all over the world in places like Bali, Costa Rica, Spain, and more.

Dan & Ian’s Stuff:

The Newsletter

Show Notes

Links:

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Dana Lindahl, Anthony Fasano, Adam Palmeter, Carrie & Dave McKeegan.

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

#733 End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

#618 Exploring Alternative Education Options for Nomadic Families

#565 The Origins of the 1,000 Day Principle