Overcoming Fear and Unlocking Value: A Founder's Journey from Zero to $14 Million

In this episode, Matt shares his journey from a struggling first-time entrepreneur to selling his company, Up Launch, for over $14 million. He discusses the psychological barriers to raising prices, the importance of simplifying business processes, and the vital lessons he learned about market testing and valuation during the acquisition process. Matt also reflects on how his experience as a firefighter helped him make critical decisions quickly in business. As he embarks on his second venture, he emphasizes the importance of having the right backers and staying focused on core business competencies. Tune in to learn how Matt navigated the complexities of scaling a business, negotiated a successful exit, and his strategies for future ventures. 00:00 Overcoming Pricing Fears as a First-Time Founder 00:58 The Journey to an Eight-Figure Exit 01:10 Navigating the Acquisition Process 02:09 The Reality of Earnouts and Valuation 05:58 Lessons Learned from Selling a Business 07:56 The Importance of Accurate Financials 10:47 From Fireman to Entrepreneur 13:20 The Correlation Between Pricing and Self-Worth 16:28 Investing in Business Coaching 23:01 Building a Sellable Business 28:29 The $2 Million Facebook Ad Story 29:37 Execution is Key to Success 31:23 Optimizing Business Processes 34:19 The Importance of Focus and Specialization 43:40 Lessons from a Second Venture 46:58 The Value of Strategic Partnerships 52:34 Advice for Stuck Entrepreneurs 54:26 Preparing for an Exit  

In this episode, we dive into the remarkable transformations of our clients who participated in a 90-day sprint inside 'The 1%'. We focused on growing audiences using viral content, converting followers into eager buyers, and using their feedback to boost sales. I usually keep these discussions within our private mentoring community, but the recent call was so fulfilling that I had to share it with you. Listen in to hear about inspiring success stories, strategic business shifts, and mental transformations. These discussions highlight individuals like Dr. Megan, who retired her husband thanks to her business success, and Ty Mayfield, who dreams of hitting a million-dollar business by 2026. Also, discover insights from Katie, who saw impressive sales growth, and Andy, who transformed his mindset and business within just a few months. For those interested in our 2026 mentoring program, visit capitalism.com/one. Tune in for strategies, mental shifts, and proven results from our thriving community! 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the 90-Day Sprint 00:58 Key Takeaways from the 90-Day Sprint 01:27 The Importance of Mental Transformations 02:18 Invitation to Join the Mentoring Community 02:54 Details on the Mentoring Community and Masterminds 07:11 Highlighting Success Stories: Dr. Megan 13:51 Highlighting Success Stories: Ty Mayfield 27:38 Highlighting Success Stories: Katie 31:18 Testing Theories on Prime Day 31:29 Mindset for 2026 32:07 Hiring Help and Streamlining 33:29 Reflecting on Progress 34:04 Reorder Rates and Success Stories 35:05 Choosing Your Target Audience 38:30 Community Wins and Personal Stories 38:51 Peter's 90-Day Journey 46:28 Andy's Rapid Growth 54:40 Final Thoughts and Future Plans  

In this episode, Shakil Prasla details his riveting journey from scraping together personal loans to make his first big bet, to seeing multi-million-dollar failures and ultimate success. Shakil Prasla candidly discusses his transition from e-commerce to acquiring over 30 businesses, managing a diverse portfolio of gas stations, convenience stores, and real estate. Learn how he built a system around optimizing efficiency, minimizing risk, and the importance of finding the right people for the right roles. This insightful conversation also touches on overcoming massive financial setbacks, the emotional toll of failure, and the importance of family and mental health. Discover the strategies that led to Shakil Prasla's recovery and ultimate success, as well as how he finds meaning and excitement in his entrepreneurial pursuits.   00:00 The Big Bet: From $200 to $10 Million 00:13 The Rise and Fall of a Glove Empire 00:54 Luxury Cars and Lifestyle 01:15 From Poverty to Prosperity: Shakil Prasla's Journey 02:33 Building a Business Empire 03:56 Secrets to Managing Multiple Businesses 05:57 The Real Estate Strategy 07:36 E-commerce Success Stories 10:56 The Challenge Coin Success 30:22 The Gloves Gamble: A Cautionary Tale 45:30 Cashflow Issues and Acquisitions 46:44 Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Positive 49:27 The Drive for Relevance and Success 51:32 Evaluating Goals and Motivations 53:50 Lessons from Failures and Successes 56:08 The Importance of Time and Freedom 57:32 Strategies for Buying Businesses 01:03:34 The Role of People in Business Success 01:09:00 Maintaining and Growing Businesses 01:14:56 Finding Meaning Beyond Financial Success 01:19:38 Reflections and Future Plans    

In this episode, Ryan Deiss shares his insights on the impact of AI on business and marketing. He discusses the uncertainty surrounding the future, the shift in consumer behavior towards AI-driven results, and the steps his companies are taking to adapt. Ryan elaborates on the strategic pivot at Digital Marketer, transitioning from traditional training to leveraging AI tools trained on proprietary IP. He also provides practical advice on how businesses can audit and implement AI to improve efficiency and drive growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner, this episode is a must-watch to understand the transformative potential of AI in today's market. 00:00 Uncertainty in the Age of AI 00:38 Exploring Ryan Deiss' Marketing Empire 01:25 Navigating Market Conditions and Deal Strategies 05:19 Reviving Businesses: The Process 12:08 The Role of AI in Business Optimization 19:32 AI's Impact on the Information and Coaching Industry 25:59 AI Integration in Business Operations 32:35 Future of Work: AI and Human Roles 36:40 AI's Influence on Business Valuations 39:21 Implementing AI in Portfolio Companies 41:36 AI Integration in the Workplace 42:26 Challenges and Fears of AI Adoption 43:23 AI as a Competitive Advantage 43:59 AI in Marketing and Acquisitions 44:45 The Future of AI in Business 48:26 Implementing AI for Efficiency 55:55 The Rise of AI Agents 01:03:50 AI's Impact on Employment and Economy 01:08:05 Digital Marketer's AI Pivot 01:17:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Yep, it's true. I lost $1.5m investing with Tai Lopez and his partners at REV, which is now under investigation by the SEC. This is the story of how I lost my biggest investment. *Note* Do not use this comment section to trash Tai. If you want to talk about your personal experience that's fine, but the purpose of this podcast is to explain what happened, not dogpile. If you're interested in what I do outside of investing in *potential* ponzi schemes, you can start your road to $1m and download my free playbook at https://capitalism.com/playbook-yt  

In this insightful episode, Carl Allen shares his expertise in business acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of targeting a core customer and the value of equity in motivating teams. He discusses his journey from Wall Street to private equity and highlights examples like Amazon's roll-up strategy. Carl provides a detailed explanation of building shareholder value, executing buyouts, and understanding buyer psychology. He also shares practical tips for entrepreneurs looking to scale through acquisitions and reflects on his personal experiences in the e-commerce space. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on leveraging strategic acquisitions to build a successful business empire.   CHAPTER 00:00 Starting with a Core Customer 00:28 Equity and Employee Motivation 01:05 Private Equity and Business Acquisitions 02:12 The Power of Roll-Ups 03:22 Amazon's Acquisition Strategy 05:22 Building Shareholder Value 09:06 Medical Transportation Roll-Up 10:36 E-Commerce Roll-Up Strategy 15:21 The Importance of Superpowers in Business 21:45 The Role of Psychology in M&A 36:07 The Secret to Successful Business Acquisitions 40:53 The Role of Visionaries in Business 43:26 Raising Capital for Deals 43:46 Structuring and Financing Deals 48:07 Key Questions for Equity Investors 57:39 Lessons from Wall Street to Main Street 01:00:13 The Importance of Safe Hands in Business Acquisitions 01:05:07 E-commerce and Market Trends 01:12:14 Personal Advice and Career Direction 01:19:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Mike shares his incredible journey from running a $2 million business to scaling it to a $40 million enterprise. Alongside Ryan, they delve into the mindset shifts, challenges, and strategies that were pivotal to Mike's growth.    Mike reveals his deep internal changes, the importance of belief, and how pivotal new product innovations and marketing tactics played a role in their breakout success. From leveraging Amazon to navigating thought processes, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses.   CHAPTERS 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Humble Beginnings to Big Dreams 00:30 Reflecting on Early Challenges and Growth 01:57 The Mindset Shift: Aiming for Nine Figures 03:13 The Power of Belief and Mindset 07:15 Leveraging Amazon and Exploring New Channels 10:52 Innovative Products and Market Domination 20:42 Personal Growth and Leadership Evolution 27:53 The Power of Belief in Entrepreneurship 29:51 Navigating Roadblocks with Self-Awareness 30:37 Bootstrapping to Success 33:31 Seeking and Evaluating Advice 44:23 The Importance of Simplicity and Focus 49:34 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs   If you're interested in working together, you can apply for The One Percent at https://capitalism.com/one   Doing $1M+? Apply for the incubator at https://capitalism.com/inc

What if your goals are too small—and your timelines too long?   In this deep-dive conversation, Dr. Benjamin Hardy (author of "The Science of Scaling" and "10x Is Easier Than 2x") challenges Ryan to rethink what it really means to scale. Together they unpack why the right goal is less about certainty and more about clarity, how collapsing time transforms strategy, and why raising the floor often means cutting what feels "good enough."   They explore: Why a billion-dollar goal can be more useful than a hundred-million-dollar one How to filter distractions and find the few "who's" that change everything The psychology behind hidden commitments and unconscious goals Lessons from Tom Brady, Elon Musk, and entrepreneurs who actually scale Why focus and courage matter more than confidence at the start   Whether you're building your first business or running a portfolio of brands, this episode will challenge you to strip away distractions, clarify your true north star, and use time as the most powerful tool for scaling.   CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro: Goals, human systems, and impossible targets 00:06:30 Pivot and focus: Ben's move to books, audio, and strategic psychology 00:13:00 Learning styles and focus: high/low rep learning and raising the floor 00:19:30 Collapse time: What changing deadlines reveals (100M by 2030 → 2027) 00:26:00 Team design and acquisitions: who to hire, what to cut, and thresholds 00:32:30 Pathways thinking: finding the high-leverage who vs doing more work 00:39:00 Power law in practice: distribution, capability, and leverage examples 00:45:30 Breakout case study: Alicia Alt's rapid scaling through partnership 00:52:00 Margin and leverage: collaborators who bring the path and distribution 00:58:30 Sports and focus: Tom Brady vs others as a model for singular goals 01:05:00 Company goals and accountability: choosing a north star and raising standards 01:11:30 Hidden commitments: immunity to change and psychological blind spots 01:18:00 Close: belief, courage, and practical next steps

In this episode of the Capitalism.com Podcast, Alex and I sit down to discuss the upcoming season, my trip to burning man, investing, and more. You're not going to want to miss these episodes over the next two months! If you're interested in working together, you can apply for The One Percent at https://capitalism.com/one Doing $1M+? Apply for the incubator at https://capitalism.com/inc

If you're an entrepreneur with a sale in your future, this video will literally add millions of dollars to your bank account.   Drawing from my experience of selling my business for $16 million, I discuss five key points: selling when things are good, setting terms upfront, acting experienced, treating the sale like dating, and removing yourself from the business.    I also highlight common mistakes and alternative options for financial security without selling. This comprehensive guide aims to help entrepreneurs achieve life-changing exits by implementing these practical tips.   00:00 Introduction: My $16 Million Business Sale 01:32 Why Timing Matters: Sell When Things Are Good 06:51 Setting Your Terms: Avoiding Costly Mistakes 10:55 Emotional Framing: Getting Buyers Excited 15:03 Choosing the Right Buyer: Treat the Sale Like Dating 21:36 Removing Yourself: Ensuring Business Independence 24:32 Conclusion: Maximizing Your Business Sale   If you own an ecom brand looking to get to $1M per year, check out my free playbook at https://capitalism.com/playbook-yt   RYAN: Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/ryandanielmoran/ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/ryandanielmoran/   CAPITALISM.COM Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/capitalismdotcom/ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/capitalismbethechange/   THE PODCAST On iTunes ► https://www.capitalism.com/itunespodcast On Spotify ► https://www.capitalism.com/spotifypodcast On Stitcher ► https://www.capitalism.com/stitcherpodcast   💻 OUR PRODUCTS & COURSES https://www.capitalism.com/products/   If you found this video valuable, give it a thumbs up (it really does help) and subscribe if you want help on your journey to $1M.   DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this YouTube Channel and the resources available for download/viewing through this YouTube Channel are for educational and informational purposes only.