Working Dads

I’ve know of Ryan for years now. I’ve quietly followed his journey alongside a man that I now have the ability to call a friend and that’s Scott Gerber. I interviewed Scott a few months ago. Make sure you go check that episode out. It will be in the show notes.

But Scott and Ryan wrote a book together called SuperConnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter

The book is phenominal.

Early in my career I was everything that this book says not to do. I was a card collector. I was transactional in the way I speak. I didn’t care about meaningful relationships, I just begged for money.

Throughout my career, that slowed down, and became more strategic, but it was nice to see context and examples throughout the book.

Ryan is a world class expert in community building and what better way than to get Ryan’s perspective. He’s an introvert at heart and having the ability to talk from one side of the coin, Scott being the extrovert. And the other side of the coin being Ryan. It’s cool to hear both sides.

I wish I could pin point one part of the podcast for you, but it’s all gold.

Let’s get to it.

Podcast Website:http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji is an effective on-demand design service that provides unlimited selections of custom designs at a flat monthly cost. Clients are given [unlimited graphic design][1] hours and revisions that undergo each project.

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

First and foremost, the minute that you’re able to commit yourself to living in the future, it’s absolutely liberating. It’s this weight being lifted off of your shoulder. You are no longer living life by your to do list and instead in control of it. So here are some of the things that I did in order to live more into the future:

Website:

Podcast Website: http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji helps businesses by making graphic design simple, fast, and affordable for all. By delivering unlimited graphic design, Penji’s customers are able to shift their focus back to their customers and business..

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Mac and I met when Penji literally first started. He was one of our first customers believe it or not. He’s a great dude, love his entrepreneurial spirit.

Some of the highlights of this episode are:

Anyways, let’s get to it.

Podcast Website:http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji is an effective on-demand design service that provides unlimited selections of custom designs at a flat monthly cost. Clients are given [unlimited graphic design][1] hours and revisions that undergo each project.

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

This episode is an accountability episode where I will share what I want to accomplish in my 30th year and as I accomplish each one, I will add onto this episode and add all of the bonus episodes affiliated with each goal, within this master list.

I thought in great detail about what I wanted my 30th year to be. I ended on the theme and key phrase of Seeking Discomfort.

If you’ve ever heard of a group of guys called Yes Theory, they are an incredible YouTube channel where they challenge the way life should be spent. Within reason of course, the idea is to say yes to life’s most challenging adventures.

I’ll drop a comment in the show notes to get an idea of their videos, but let’s continue to expand on this two words.

Seeking Discomfort allows you to get out of mediocrity and to pursue a life of love. Most people I know are winding down. They have either hit their peak or have been declining for the past few years. But what I like to think my life is always trending upward. It’s always moving up even if at times things plateau.

This year is going to be all about pushing my spirit, my mind, and my body to the absolute limit. Here are a few things that I’d like to accomplish in my 30th year on Earth.

Goals

Podcast Website: http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji helps businesses by making graphic design simple, fast, and affordable for all. By delivering unlimited graphic design, Penji’s customers are able to shift their focus back to their customers and business..

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Quick disclaimer: In the beginning of the episode the audio is slightly pitchy. The team fixed it as much as they possibly could, but it does get fixed about 10% into the conversation.

I’ve personally known Alex for a few years now, we even went to the same high school together. We didn’t talk at all because he was older than me. However, I’ve come to respect Alex an F ton. The guy is smart and ahead of the game so to speak. His company is forward thinking and I’m really excited to watch his success. I feel like Alex’ company is one of those dark horses that because not a lot of people know the industry and it’s not popular, he might fly under the radar so to speak, but is huge within the community he’s invested his time into.

Some of the highlights of this episode are:

Let’s get to it.

https://redqueen.us/

Podcast Website:http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji is an effective on-demand design service that provides unlimited selections of custom designs at a flat monthly cost. Clients are given [unlimited graphic design][1] hours and revisions that undergo each project.

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Some of the highlights of this episode are:

Let’s get right to it.

Podcast Website:http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji is an effective on-demand design service that provides unlimited selections of custom designs at a flat monthly cost. Clients are given [unlimited graphic design][1] hours and revisions that undergo each project.

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Example 1:

One of the newest mantras we are working with in 2019 is that Penji is simple, fast, and affordable. That didn’t just come over night. That came from time and money well spent. So why is this important. Well? We now know words that resonate with our customer base and when we place ads or talk to prospects to sell Penji to, we know the terminology to use that will allow them to understand.

The risk here is that when we invest $10,000 in advertisements, we need to make sure that we are right. Which leads me to example number 2.

Example 2: We have had a ton of conversations about advertisements. We’ve asked questions like:

This is important stuff here. So here is the calculated risk that we’ve taken to make sure that we benefit from a larger investment in ads.

The appropriate teams meet to discuss ads. They talk about the ad copy, the messaging, the targeting, and the creative that’s needed for the ads.

We then take the ideas that pass through and create close to 15 different versions for each ad set. If need to know these terms, drop a comment and I can expand on this strategy in more detail.

Those 15 different versions turn into close to 100 different ads. We then incrementally spend our money to find that one ad. We then take the winners and turn them into a full blown campaign.

This process takes time and you must be patience with the results, but if you prepare enough. That calculate risk, also guarantees you a victory.

Podcast Website: http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji helps businesses by making graphic design simple, fast, and affordable for all. By delivering unlimited graphic design, Penji’s customers are able to shift their focus back to their customers and business..

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Some of the highlights of this episode are:

Enjoy the episode.

https://greggclunis.com

Podcast Website:http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji is an effective on-demand design service that provides unlimited selections of custom designs at a flat monthly cost. Clients are given [unlimited graphic design][1] hours and revisions that undergo each project.

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

I later stormed out the house I used to call home and found myself driving back to my home without music, without sound, just me in my own thoughts.

Thoughts were going through my head, anger ensued, and it came to a boiling point where I just began to break down. I couldn’t take this pressure anymore and I had to let it out.

That moment for me, was probably the single greatest moment I’ve had with myself in a long time. Now you’re probably thinking, this guy is a sick bastard, and you’re probably right. I am. But what I realized was that there is beauty in pain. We all go through pain and suffering, but when it happens, we always come out better because of it.

What I realized is that throughout this disagreement:

Even though entrepreneurship is lonely. It’s a life I love. I’ve always called entrepreneurship a beautiful disaster, and that’s because to some degree, it is. The highs are high and the lows are low. But when you go through these highs and lows, the universe gives you as much as you can handle before it spits you back out of its vortex.

When we first started this journey, I didn’t have many people that I could go to. In fact, there isn’t many people you can go to. Luckily for me, I have an incredible co-founder that I can bounce ideas of it. I have a great support system of friends that I’ve become close with from the podcast, and I’ve even made friends from their friends.

Entrepreneurship can be lonely, but only if you allow it to be.

We live in this massive world where connectivity is within the palms of our hands. You just have to know how to use it. Some of the best relationships I have in my life right now have stemmed from a random cold email or tweet. Seriously, there’s proof of it on multiple occasions. All in which I’ve talked about.

In closing, if you’re in a place right now, where you may not have that support system. You have a friend in me. Email me directly at [email protected]. Let’s hold each other accountable. Let’s be friends. I’m here for you.

As always please reach out anytime connect with me directly on any social media platform under @grzybowskij or head over to tbeshow.com and drop a comment on this week’s episode. You won’t want to miss next week’s episode where we talk about “taking calculated risks” Catch you next Thursday, until then. Go out there and execute your vision, have a great rest of your day!

Podcast Website: http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji helps businesses by making graphic design simple, fast, and affordable for all. By delivering unlimited graphic design, Penji’s customers are able to shift their focus back to their customers and business..

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Rachel’s company is very unique. It’s solving a real problem and is on the forefront in technology in the commuter cycling industry. It’s a great company that has great values. As we progress as a society we need to explore the safety of cycling, motor and electric scooters, and various other forms of travel. These sustainable means of travel are the future of our society and we all need to invest in these at one point primitive ways of technology.

Another reason I wanted to interview Rachel is that her products are all made in the US. You can hear why this is important to her in the middle of the podcast. 

Some of the highlights of this episode are:

https://www.anneelondon.com

Podcast Website:http://www.tbeshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lkipQ_wV2vmzspwtdA7hQ

Penji is an effective on-demand design service that provides unlimited selections of custom designs at a flat monthly cost. Clients are given [unlimited graphic design][1] hours and revisions that undergo each project.

Website: https://penji.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotpenji

For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.

Nobody prepares you for this.

Not the guilt of leaving for work when your kid is still asleep. Not the pressure of providing for a family while trying to build something that actually matters. Not the identity crisis that hits when you realize you're not just the guy who grinds anymore — you're somebody's dad. And that changes everything.

I started Working Dads because I lived that. I'm co-founder of Penji, husband to Emily, and dad to a two-year-old who already has more energy than I do. I've been bootstrapping a company for over a decade and I still don't have it all figured out. But I've learned that the most dangerous thing a working dad can do is try to figure it out alone.

So every week I sit down with founders, executives, investors, and everyday dads who are in the thick of it. We talk about the real stuff. The marriage conversations you keep avoiding. The financial pressure nobody admits to. The moment your kid looks up at you and you realize you've been somewhere else even though you've been standing right there.

We've also got Built During Bedtime — my weekly newsletter for working dads. The one thing I write after my daughter goes to sleep. Straight to your inbox. No fluff.

And we've got a community. Slack channel and Facebook group full of dads who get it. The kind of guys you can be honest with. The kind of friendships that actually go somewhere.

Come find your people.

Working Dads. For dads figuring out work, family, and everything in between.