We Live to Build

How can hiding under my mom's bed as a child teach you your biggest business flaw as a founder? In this deeply vulnerable interview, entrepreneur Jason Todd shares how his childhood tendency to retreat from conflict shaped his leadership style for years. This conversation is a masterclass in founder psychology. You'll learn why you must expect and embrace "heated disagreements" to find the best solutions , how the roles we play in our family show up in our work , and the #1 lesson Jason learned on his journey: to love the process and stop trying to settle things all the time. Check out the company: https://jasontodd.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - My Biggest Business Flaw Started Here

10:38 - The Mistake: Avoiding "Heated Disagreements" at All Costs

13:03 - The Root Cause: A Fear of Anger & Getting It Wrong

23:08 - The Childhood Story: Hiding Under My Mom's Bed

26:23 - My Family's #1 Rule for Conflict Resolution

29:00 - The #1 Lesson: Learn to Love the Journey

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"My business became more profitable after I fired myself as CEO". In this brutally honest interview, serial entrepreneur Eric Vardon shares the story of how he and his co-founder stepped away from day-to-day operations at their 8-figure agency, Arcane. He realized that what he loved was building the business, not the day-to-day management of HR, processes, and executive meetings. This conversation is a masterclass in founder self-awareness and preparing a business for a successful exit. You'll learn the process of hiring a new CEO to replace yourself, the emotional roller coaster of selling a business you built from scratch, and why getting out of the way was the best decision he ever made for the company's growth. Check out the company: https://hawke.ai

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Why I Fired Myself as CEO

06:13 - The 7-Year Plan to an 8-Figure Exit

10:17 - The Realization: We Weren't Good at Running the Business

15:08 - How We Hired Our Replacements (A New CEO & COO)

17:48 - The Result: The Business Became More Profitable Than Ever

29:45 - The Emotional Roller Coaster of Selling Your "Baby"

39:10 - Eric's #1 Lesson for Founders

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a simple 2-client-a-year plan to a $15 million business? According to 29-year business growth expert Ryll Burgin-Doyle, the answer is yes. In this interview, she shares a real case study of a construction company where she discovered that adding just two builders of a certain size each year would grow their business to $15 million. This conversation is a masterclass in creating a powerful business strategy that aligns with your personal goals. You'll learn the #1 mistake founders make by forgetting what they want from their business , why most entrepreneurs are wrong about their own data , and the powerful mindset that "your business will never outstrip you." Check out the company: https://ryllburgindoyle.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Simple Plan to a $15 Million Business

03:14 - The #1 Mistake: Forgetting What YOU Want From Your Business

10:56 - Why Your Friends Can't Help You Grow Your Business

13:47 - Case Study: The 2-Client-a-Year Plan to $15 Million

15:50 - Why Your "Gut Feeling" About Your Data is Wrong

20:10 - The Mindset Secret: "Your Business Will Never Outstrip You"

38:57 - Ryll's #1 Lesson for Long-Term Growth

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Cuban called me a "scam" on Shark Thank just 18 seconds into my pitch on Shark Tank. In this raw, behind-the-scenes interview, founder Ryan Naylor shares the full story of his Shark Tank experience, from the moment an executive producer gave him last-second advice that changed everything, to the brutal on-air rejection and the shocking online harassment that targeted his family afterward. This conversation is a must-watch for any founder who has dreamed of going on Shark Tank. You'll learn the reality behind the reality show, the story of the trademark lawsuit from Exxon Mobil that shut down his business, and how he used that public failure as the motivation to build VIVAHR, his new purpose-driven company that helps small businesses hire better.

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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

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▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

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📈 WORK WITH ME

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▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

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👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

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🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - Mark Cuban Called Me a "Scam" 18 Seconds Into My Pitch

13:09 - The "Secret" Phone Call From a Shark Tank Producer

16:27 - The On-Air Rejection & Behind-the-Scenes Betrayal

23:35 - The Dark Side: Online Attacks on My Wife & Newborn Daughter

31:40 - How I Turned the Failure Into a New, Purpose-Driven Company

33:42 - Building VIVAHR: A Mission to Help Small Businesses Hire

41:19 - Ryan's #1 Piece of Advice for Founders

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a masterclass on how to use psychology to build a million-dollar team. Business owner and psychology expert Jenny Gustafson explains why understanding what makes your team "tick" is the key to creating a sustainable, profitable, and happy company culture. This conversation is a practical guide for founders on how to apply psychological principles to their leadership style. You'll learn how to create an "anti-burnout" culture that retains top talent , why you should give your employees "no questions asked" mental health days , and how to use empathy and vulnerability to foster trust and better communication.

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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

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▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

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📈 WORK WITH ME

-----------------------------------

▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

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👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

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🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - How to Use Psychology to Build a Million-Dollar Team

03:33 - Why Psychology is a Founder's Secret Weapon

08:40 - A Brain Hack for Overcoming Burnout (ACT Therapy)

18:43 - The "Anti-Burnout" Culture That Retains Top Talent

25:23 - Creating a Culture of Vulnerability & Trust

30:38 - Why "No Questions Asked" Mental Health Days Work

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your profit margin a lie? This interview explains here's why: you might be making a 20% profit margin and think you're succeeding, but if your competitors' average is 40%, you're actually failing without even knowing it. Growth strategist Michelle Diamond reveals the critical mistake founders make by not looking outside their own business to assess their performance. This conversation is a masterclass in business strategy and building a strong foundation. You'll learn how to perform a holistic assessment of your company, why "culture trumps strategy", and the key performance indicators (KPIs) that actually matter for sustainable growth.

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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

-----------------------------------

📈 WORK WITH ME

-----------------------------------

▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

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👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

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🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - Your Profit Margin is a Lie. Here's Why.

05:23 - The Holistic Assessment: Where Are You Really?

11:30 - The #1 Mistake Founders Make When Looking at Data

17:21 - How to Know if You're Underperforming (Even if You're Profitable)

25:06 - The KPIs That Actually Matter for Growth

28:33 - Differentiating Beyond the Numbers

37:19 - Michelle's #1 Rule for Building a Resilient Business

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the unbelievable story of how we took down a Chinese mafia ring and saved hundreds of lives in the process. In this interview, Cypheme CEO Hugo Garcia-Cotte reveals how his anti-counterfeiting startup discovered that 45% of an anti-cancer medicine in China was fake, putting thousands of patients at risk of death with every dose. This is a real-life spy thriller. You'll learn how Hugo's team used their own technology to gather the criminals' IP addresses, WeChat accounts, and GPS positions to map out the entire organization. After handing the evidence to the Chinese police who then went completely silent, Hugo learned from a TV news report that the entire network of 18 criminals had been arrested.

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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

-----------------------------------

📈 WORK WITH ME

-----------------------------------

▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

---------------------------------------------

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

---------------------------

🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - How We Took Down a Chinese Mafia Ring

02:30 - My Unfair Advantage as a Founder in China

10:28 - Discovering a Fake Cancer Drug That Could Kill You

20:10 - Using Our App to Track the Criminals' Every Move

24:33 - The Chinese Police Went Silent (What Happened Next)

26:00 - The #1 Lesson From Fighting Organized Crime

35:20 - Why Persistence is the Only Thing That Matters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a masterclass on how to build a "recession-proof" portfolio of 7+ figure businesses. Serial entrepreneur Stephen Halasnik, who has built 6 successful companies, reveals his strategy for creating counter-cyclical businesses that thrive in any economy. He explains how his financing company, funeral funding business, and commercial real estate holdings balance each other out during economic downturns. This conversation is packed with actionable advice for any founder looking to build long-term, sustainable wealth. You'll learn the importance of testing a market before investing, why you must work "on" your business instead of "in" it, and the mindset required to run multiple companies successfully.

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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

-----------------------------------

📈 WORK WITH ME

-----------------------------------

▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

---------------------------------------------

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

---------------------------

🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - How to Build a "Recession-Proof" Business Portfolio

05:44 - The First Business: Testing a Market Without Investing

10:45 - Learning From Recessions (The 7-Year Downturn)

16:35 - The Counter-Cyclical Strategy: Financing vs. Funeral Funding

29:45 - The Importance of Working ON vs. IN Your Business

33:54 - Why a Building Was My Best Hedge Against a Recession

37:23 - Stephen's #1 Rule for Long-Term Success

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you use time zones to run your startup 24/7? In this interview, Shop Lit Live CEO Toby Zhang explains how he turned the challenge of managing global teams in the US and China into a massive competitive advantage. By leveraging the time difference, his engineering team in Shanghai can fix bugs and push features overnight while the US team sleeps, creating a non-stop development cycle. This conversation is a masterclass in modern startup operations. We discuss the massive cost advantages of hiring in China, the truth about the "9-9-6" work culture, and the communication systems required to make a globally distributed team successful.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

-----------------------------------

📈 WORK WITH ME

-----------------------------------

▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

---------------------------------------------

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

---------------------------

🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - How We Use Time Zones to Run Our Startup 24/7

01:46 - The 5x Cost Advantage of Hiring Engineers in China

03:14 - Our "Around the Clock" Development Cycle Explained

09:04 - Managing US vs. China Teams (Language & Culture)

13:53 - The Truth About China's "996" Work Culture

16:15 - Toby's #1 Rule for Global Team Success

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a "useless feature" that's quietly hurting your business? In this interview, startup consultant Pieter VanIperen explains how founders get attached to features that lose money and add no real value, just to "keep the customers happy". He shares a story of a client with 100,000 customers and a feature that only two of them used. This conversation is a masterclass in business minimalism. We break down how to identify and remove features that are draining your resources, the "weighted trade-off" strategy for removing a feature without enraging your customers, and the simple habit of "dogfooding" that can prevent these mistakes from happening in the first place.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network

-----------------------------------

📈 WORK WITH ME

-----------------------------------

▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call

▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship

---------------------------------------------

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

---------------------------------------------

▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

▶ Inquiries: [email protected]

---------------------------

🕒 CHAPTERS

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00:00 - The "Useless Feature" That's Hurting Your Business

01:09 - Case Study: 100,000 Customers, 2 Reviews

06:40 - How to Remove a Feature Without Enraging Customers

12:08 - The "Weighted Trade-Off" Strategy

14:44 - The #1 Minimalist Rule for Startups

18:58 - "Dogfooding": The Habit That Prevents Bad Features

21:29 - The Communication Breakdown That Guarantees Failure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.