How to Build a Business That Works Without You | The $100M Entrepreneur Mindset

In this transformative episode of the $100 Million Podcast, Brad Sugars issues a blunt reality check: if you're the business, you don't have a business, you have a demanding job working for a crazy person, namely yourself. He redefines a true business as a commercial, profitable enterprise that thrives without the owner’s constant presence, introducing his golden rule of leverage: do the work once, get paid forever. Drawing from his own life, Brad recounts how, after 10 years building Action Coach, he appointed a CEO to run the company so he could step away and be a present dad when his daughter was born. He also shares the clever story of a multi-award-winning hairdresser who faked a broken arm to force a handoff of clients, ultimately tripling his prices, working one day a week, and keeping the salon thriving. Brad lays out the three foundational pillars, robust systems (document, automate, delegate with training and measures), an empowered team (recruited, trained, and trusted), and strong cash flow (through predictable leads, sales, and repeat business) and maps the four levels of work that elevate you from employee (paid once) to manager (paid long-term), owner (paid forever), and finally investor (money works for you). This episode is your roadmap to escaping the owner’s trap, systemizing your way to freedom, and building a scalable enterprise that doesn’t collapse without you.Subscribe to the $100 Million Podcast now and never miss a strategy to scale your freedom and wealth.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

In this episode of The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast, Brad Sugars, founder and chairman of Action Coach, breaks down the mindset shifts required to scale from $1 million to $100 million and beyond. Discover why belief, systems, and leadership determine the true ceiling of your business, not just hustle. Brad reveals the three key thinking stages of growth: the million-dollar survival phase, the $10 million systems and leadership phase, and the $100 million vision and leverage phase. Learn how to evolve from doing the work to building people who build the business, set bold goals using the “Dream–Goal–Learn–Plan–Act” framework, and adopt an abundance mindset that attracts scale. Brad also shares hard-earned lessons on firing yourself as CEO, empowering your team, and creating a sellable, self-sustaining business. Whether you're stuck at $3M or aiming for nine figures, this episode is your blueprint for developing the $100 Million Mindset. Subscribe to The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast and start thinking at a higher level today!About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

Rugby icon Kevin Sinfield joins Brad to talk purpose, resilience, and leadership that holds up under pressure. He explains how supporting the MND community gave his life a new mission, why he chose seven marathons in seven days, and how he keeps competition healthy, competing with himself while protecting family time. You’ll hear practical frameworks: chunking big goals into the next three hours, the “make the start line tomorrow” mantra, and a daily 30-minute habit that compounds. Kevin also breaks down the three traits of leaders people love to follow: humility, high standards, and courage, and the best advice he ever received: to be a champion, be a champion at home first.Subscribe for more conversations on performance, purpose, and building a life that wins the right way.About Kevin Sinfield:Kevin Sinfield is a legendary rugby player and coach whose second act has inspired the world. Known for his record-setting charity challenges, like seven marathons in seven days, he’s raised millions for the motor neuron disease (MND) community in support of his friend Rob Burrow. On and off the field, Kevin is recognized for values-driven leadership, relentless consistency, and the belief that true victory starts at home.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

What does it really take to be oversubscribed—to have more demand than supply, on purpose? In this deep-dive with bestselling author and entrepreneur Daniel Priestley, we unpack the strategy behind creating demand-and-supply tension, building “with or without you” energy, and designing an official capacity that protects your customer experience (and your margins). We cover why great brands market before they launch, how to collect signals not sales (waitlists, applications, discussions) to manufacture demand ethically, and the four-phase cadence—planning, build-up, transparency, release—that turns interest into sold-out outcomes. Daniel breaks down niche vs luxury, pricing power (Rolex vs airlines), why “sold out” is a feature, not a bug, and how many businesses would earn more with fewer customers by focusing on the 10% who hold 60% of the spend.You’ll hear real examples (Glastonbury registrations, Ferrari applications, CrossFit communities, Esther Perel’s premium positioning), plus practical math for working backwards from your ideal year to the conversations you need to create. We also hit mindset: redefining success across life stages, leading with integrity, and running campaigns a few times a year instead of marketing 24/7. If you want to launch better, price smarter, and create demand that lasts—this one’s for you. About Daniel Priestley:Daniel Priestley is an entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author whose books—including Key Person of Influence, Oversubscribed, and 24 Assets—have shaped how founders position, price, and grow. As founder of Dent Global, he’s helped thousands of leaders build standout personal brands and oversubscribed products using clear, actionable frameworks for demand creation and sustainable scale.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

Join James Vincent on The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast as he interviews Brad Sugars, founder of Action Coach, on building a salable business, a profitable enterprise that runs independently. Brad breaks down his ABOS system, a 31-year-old framework with 6 levels: mastery, profitability, management, systems, team leadership, and exponential growth. Discover practical strategies, like the "5 Ways" formula, to boost profits, systemize for scale, and plan a successful exit. A must-listen for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to create lasting value. About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

In this episode of The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast, Brad Sugars sits down with Simon Squibb for a powerful conversation on building authentic brands that drive long-term success.Simon shares why branding is more than just marketing, how founders can create trust at scale, and why storytelling is the currency of modern business. The two also explore the lessons Simon learned from starting over after selling his company, the importance of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and how to turn setbacks into opportunities.If you’re ready to strengthen your brand, align your business with purpose, and learn from one of the most generous voices in entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen.About Simon Squibb.Simon Squibb is an entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder of The Purposeful Project, dedicated to helping a million people start and grow their own businesses. With decades of startup experience and over 70 investments, Simon is passionate about sharing practical wisdom and inspiring others to build lives of freedom through entrepreneurship.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

In this episode of The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast, Brad Sugars sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk for a candid conversation about brand, attention, and leadership in the age of AI.Gary explains why building a brand beats competing on price, why social media creative is still the most efficient growth lever, and how to scale to twenty to thirty pieces of content a day without turning your feed into a lifestyle show. Together, they dig into resilience as the default setting for real owners, caring more about your team to drive retention, and the shift in search and discovery that makes it essential to be the name people ask for directly. Gary also shares how he keeps family life private while publishing at scale, how to charge what you are worth and let the market set the ceiling, and where coaching, candor, and accountability fit for leaders.If you are ready to protect your margins, grow attention, and lead with clarity, this episode is a must-listen.Don't forget to subscribe so you can always know when a brand new episode is being released. About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

In the premiere episode of The $100M Entrepreneur Podcast, Brad Sugars sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee) for a powerful conversation on business, life, and what success really means.Gary shares why financial freedom is possible on $60,000 a year, how LinkedIn is today’s most underpriced B2B growth platform, and why live social shopping is the next big wave in eCommerce. The two also explore the importance of resilience in parenting, the dangers of over-coddling kids, and how true success comes down to freedom and leaving a positive mark on the world.If you’re ready to scale your business, rethink success, and learn from one of the sharpest minds in entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

Get ready for a brand new podcast, The $100M Entrepreneur, hosted by Brad Sugars, founder of ActionCOACH, the world’s #1 business coaching company! Join us for exclusive insights from global entrepreneurs like Gary V, Simon Squibb, Daniel Priestley, and more, as we break down the strategies, systems, and mindset to scale your business to $100 million and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this podcast is your guide to massive growth. Subscribe now and make sure not to miss our first episode with Gary V coming out on September 10th at 12 pm PT!About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

In this episode of the Big Success Podcast, John Tarnoff challenges conventional career wisdom and shares why usefulness, not passion, should drive your path forward. From Hollywood producer to career coach, John explores the power of self-knowledge, inner alignment, and the courage to change—even midlife. Learn why confidence comes last, why "casting" the right team matters more than ever, and how you can attract opportunities by being of service.Get out of the day-to-day grind. Learn how to build a business that works without you in 30X Business, designed for real results by one of the world’s top business coaches. Join 30x Business here. https://store.bradsugars.com/products/30x-businessAbout John Tarnoff:John Tarnoff is a career reinvention coach, author, and former Hollywood executive who helps mid-career professionals thrive in an ever-changing world of work. After pivoting from the film industry, John has become a trusted voice in helping others find purpose, resilience, and clarity in their second acts.Learn more about John: https://johntarnoff.com/About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That’s why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter