In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, we explore the grind of building businesses with some practical insights and unfiltered takes. From why front-loading energy and pain is essential for success, to the controversial (if not disastrous) Jaguar rebrand, we cover the highs, lows, and lessons learned. We also dive into the game-changing potential of AI-powered video localization and how it could reshape content distribution. Plus, we share thoughts on the startup grind, ads vs. organic growth, and more.

00:00 Ian’s boxing mishap and the Jaguar rebranding controversy

14:00 YouTube’s AI localization: What it means for creators and brands

29:00 Front-loaded energy: Building momentum in daily life and business

49:00 Balancing ads and organic growth in scaling businesses

01:02:00 Podcasting as a learning tool and refining ideas through conversations

In this episode of the WORK IN PROGRESS podcast, we dive into the grit and grind of building businesses, with topics ranging from startup lessons and iterative growth to the inefficiencies of corporate bureaucracy. We also tackle the stark contrasts between the US and EU entrepreneurial climates, highlight Pieter Levels’ critiques of European policies, and debate Elon Musk’s push for governmental efficiency. Plus, some lighthearted takes on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and nostalgic TV shows to keep things fresh.

Timestamps:
Intro & Catch-Up
00:00 - Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Ian’s take on the fight, Netflix streaming issues, and Tyson nostalgia.
05:00 - Nostalgic TV Shows: Discussing Lost, Breaking Bad, and other iconic series.

Key Topics
10:30 - Y Combinator Pocket Guide: Startup lessons like “Launch Now” and “Do Things That Don’t Scale” with reflections on the “Decel Mindset.”
19:00 - Iteration vs. Inefficiency: Piloting new services and learning through non-scalable processes.
24:00 - Broken Startups: Embracing chaos as a natural part of growth.

Corporate Challenges
27:30 - Avoid Long Corporate Deals: How bureaucracy kills energy compared to working with leaner, smaller clients.
32:00 - Skip Unnecessary Conferences: Inefficiencies of traditional networking versus better alternatives.
34:00 - One Problem at a Time: Lessons in focus and managing multiple challenges effectively.

Europe vs. US Entrepreneurship
38:00 - EU’s Bureaucratic Struggles: Comparing innovation climates in Europe vs. the US, focusing on regulation and taxes.
49:00 - DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency): Elon Musk’s push to address government waste, with parallels to EU inefficiencies.
55:00 - Pieter Levels’ Critiques: Examining EU policies on taxes, labor laws, and potential solutions like streamlined EU business frameworks.

If you’re a founder, creator, or just someone obsessed with learning, this is for you. Hit subscribe for raw, unfiltered conversations about the real journey of entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the second episode of WIP The Podcast – straight out of Amsterdam, where we dive deep into the realities of scaling, struggling, and sometimes stumbling as founders. We’re not here to sell you the polished “guru” story; we’re in the trenches ourselves, sharing the raw, unvarnished truth of building something real.

In this episode, we tackle:

If you’re grinding, building, and constantly learning, this is for you. Hit subscribe and join us for the unfiltered journey. We’re just getting started.

WIP The Podcast is hosted by Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman, two founders who are scaling and refining their businesses every day.

Follow us on X for more raw insights, thoughts, and a good dose of founder reality:

Welcome to the first episode of WIP The Podcast – straight out of Amsterdam, where we get real about the grit and grind of building a business. We’re not your average gurus with a success story wrapped in a bow. We’re founders in the trenches, sharing what it actually takes to scale, learn, fail, and iterate.

Plus, a bit of esoteric wellness (Epsom salt and baking soda baths) for good measure

This is for anyone who’s building, grinding, and constantly learning. Hit subscribe if you’re here for the unfiltered, raw journey. We’re just getting started.