Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Latest Episodes:

74 - From Self-Made Billionaire at 35 to Bankruptcy Just 12 Months Later with Zac Prince Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Zac Prince (https://x.com/CostSegZac), the founder of BlockFi, who grew the company from zero to $15 billion in client assets in just four years, made $1 billion for himself, lost $1 billion, and ultimately sold the company to Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX. In this episode, Zac shares his story of living through the crypto collapse firsthand, the hard lessons he's learned about equity, and how he deals with extreme volatility.

We also dive into Zac's decision to leave the crypto space entirely, joining Nick Huber as the CEO of RE Cost Seg, a company focused on saving real estate investors money on taxes. If you want to hear how a crypto billionaire faced both triumph and disaster, and his insights into starting over, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Questions this Episode Answers:

How did Zac Prince grow BlockFi to manage $15 billion in assets?
What were the biggest lessons Zac learned about equity during his career?
Why did Zac decide to leave the crypto space and join RE Cost Seg?
How does Zac think about volatility and handling high-risk environments?
What are Zac's frameworks for moving forward after losing billions?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
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___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit
03:01 Career Beginnings and First Tech Job
06:04 Lessons in Equity and Financial Growth
13:57 Transition to FinTech and Discovering Crypto
17:09 Founding BlockFi and Rapid Growth
18:56 Challenges and Downfall of BlockFi
24:04 BlockFi's Interest Account Strategy
24:27 Alameda's Exceptional Performance
25:11 The Rise and Fall of FTX
27:52 BlockFi's Bankruptcy and Aftermath
29:17 Life After BlockFi
31:29 Joining RECostSEG
37:24 The Value of Cost Segregation Studies
41:31 Marketing and Growth Strategies
45:00 Reflections and Future Plans
47:22 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

73 - TOP PICK! Why I Still Keep My Job While Making $300k/Yr from My Side Hustle with Alex Lathery Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Alex Lathery (https://x.com/AlexLathery), who’s built a $300,000/year digital agency, while still holding down his full-time job at Procter & Gamble! In this episode, we explore Alex's journey from a side hustle to a thriving business, why he decided to keep his 9-5 job, and how he manages to scale his agency while balancing work and family life.

We also discuss the challenges of working with family, the power of Twitter for client acquisition, and Alex’s experiments with rank and rent SEO. If you've ever wondered whether you should quit your job for your side hustle, this episode is a must-listen.

Questions this Episode Answers:

How did Alex build a $300k/year agency while still employed full-time?
Why hasn’t Alex quit his job at Procter & Gamble?
How does rank and rent SEO work, and is it worth it?
What’s it like working with family in a business?
How can Twitter and referrals be powerful tools for growing a digital agency?

72 - How to Start a Negative COGS Business with Chris Koerner Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and my business partner, Chris Koerner (http://tkopod.co/p-x), as we talk about some exciting business ideas and what's happening in our companies. In this episode, we explore how to start a YouTube channel for your home services business by creating time-lapse videos to use as a marketing funnel. We also discuss how to leverage Instagram's Close Friends feature as a marketing channel for influencers to boost engagement.

We talk about the concept of Negative COGS (Cost of Goods Sold), which is all about getting products for free or even being paid to acquire them and then turning around to sell those products. We share examples like EcoScraps, turning surplus food waste into a profitable business. We also discuss the story of a lake weed removal business started by two college students, who scaled up from manual labor to using machinery with smart social media marketing.
Chris's YouTube: http://tkopod.co/p-yt

Questions this Episode Answers:

How can you use time-lapse videos to promote your home services business?
What is the Instagram Close Friends feature and how can it be used for marketing?
How does the concept of Negative COGS work, and how can you apply it?
What are the steps to starting a lake weed removal business and scaling it?
How can you leverage follower data to create unique collaboration opportunities and boost engagement?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights and Introduction
01:05 Introduction to the Close Friends Feature on Instagram
01:54 Leveraging Close Friends for Increased Engagement
03:10 Monetizing the Close Friends Feature
06:21 Scraping Instagram Followers for Business Opportunities
11:32 Exploring Negative COGS Business Ideas
15:37 The Lake Weed Removal Business
17:36 Chemical-Free Pond and Lake Cleaning
17:59 Going Viral on Social Media
18:45 A Generous Offer
19:00 Business Boom and Social Media Success
20:22 Franchising and Licensing Opportunities
20:43 Top 10 Media-Accelerated Home Services Businesses
21:50 Pressure Washing and Pool Cleaning
23:33 Home Cleaning and Tree Trimming
25:46 Painting and Landscaping
31:13 Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning
31:37 Carpet Cleaning and Business Strategy
32:16 Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth
34:23 Partnering with Nationwide Franchisors

71- From Zero to $42 Million: Building a Franchise Empire and Leveraging Content Marketing with Brian Beers Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

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Check out Brian's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@brianbeers

Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Brian Beers (https://x.com/brianbeers), a successful entrepreneur who's built a $42 million franchise empire. Recently, Brian has made a head-turning move, diving hard into content creation on YouTube. In this episode, we explore why he's making this pivot, how much he's investing in building a content team, his approach to ROI, and what his master plan looks like.

Questions this Episode Answers:

Why did Brian Beers pivot into YouTube content creation?
How is he structuring his content team, and what is the monthly investment?
How does Brian evaluate the ROI on his content efforts?
What are the key challenges and opportunities in expanding through franchising?
How does audience-building play a role in scaling a franchise empire?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights
00:32 Meet Brian Beers: The Entrepreneur
01:12 The Journey of Franchising
02:50 The Power of Content Creation
05:56 The Strategy Behind YouTube
10:06 The Importance of Consistency
19:05 The Compound Growth of Content Creation
19:33 Building Trust at Scale
20:09 The Power of Distribution Channels
20:35 Transitioning to Full-Time Content Creation
21:53 The Role of a Chief Operating Officer
23:26 Leveraging Special Operations Talent
26:43 Investing in Content Creation
29:44 Measuring Success in Content Growth
32:26 Balancing Business and Personal Interests
35:06 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
37:42 Conclusion and Next Steps

70 - How I Overcame $250K Fraud to Build a Thriving $9M Company with Austin Linney Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I talk with Austin Linney (https://x.com/AustinLinney), an HVAC company owner and the ultimate example of a sweaty startup success story. Austin purchased a struggling $3.8 million HVAC company, moved across the country to rural Pennsylvania, and faced a $250,000 fraud challenge head-on. In just over a year, he scaled the business to an impressive $9 million in revenue. In this episode, we discuss the realities of hands-on business ownership, the importance of understanding every aspect of your company, and how Austin’s relentless approach helped him not just survive, but thrive. Plus, we touch on lessons in leadership, managing acquisitions, and how to transform a business from the ground up.

Questions this Episode Answers:

What key steps did Austin take to scale his HVAC business from $3.8M to $9M?
How did Austin uncover and deal with the $250,000 fraud in his company?
Why is hands-on experience crucial when running a business?
What are the biggest misconceptions about passive business ownership?
How does leadership style change when managing a team ranging in age from 17 to 70?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights
00:39 Introducing Austin Linney and His HVAC Journey
01:17 The Anti-Private Equity Group
01:49 The HVAC Business Acquisition
03:30 The Importance of Direct Involvement
04:27 The Role of Data in Business
04:55 The Unexpected Acquisition
07:16 The CEO Decision
08:16 The Reality of Business Operations
11:22 The Challenges of Scaling Up
12:34 The Importance of Understanding the Business
13:42 The Role of Leadership
22:30 Understanding Different Age Groups in the Workplace
23:00 The Importance of Perspective in Company Roles
24:00 Diverse Roles and Their Unique Challenges
26:07 Lessons from Business Struggles and Successes
36:48 The Value of Action Over Procrastination
38:12 Personal Reflections and Motivations
42:29 The Power of Positivity and Authenticity
44:36 Conclusion and Next Steps

69 - Guerrilla Marketing & Treasure Hunts: How to Use Creative Marketing with Chris Koerner Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨
Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and my business partner, Chris Koerner (http://tkopod.co/p-x), as we talk about Project Skydrop, a real-world treasure hunt with $27,000 worth of gold hidden and up for grabs. We also dive into how businesses can leverage this concept for creative local marketing. In addition, we discuss a clever AI chatbot designed to dispute late deliveries on Amazon and explore a unique fundraising idea that involves collecting and selling used electronics.
Chris's YouTube: http://tkopod.co/p-yt

Questions this Episode Answers:

How can treasure hunts be used for local business marketing?
What is Project Skydrop and how does it work?
How could AI chatbot help dispute late Amazon deliveries?
What are creative ways to raise funds using used electronics?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights & Introduction
01:13 Introducing Project SkyDrop
01:21 How Project SkyDrop Works
02:05 Discussion on Entry Fees and Rules
04:36 Comparing Similar Treasure Hunts
06:11 Business Ideas and Fundraising
17:09 Perfumatic Update
21:12 Hacky Ideas: Let's Grade Them!
22:15 Amazon Late Deliveries: A Hidden Opportunity
24:12 Automating Consumer Advocacy
30:40 Commercial Real Estate: A Deep Dive
31:47 Pros and Cons of Self Storage Investments
32:07 Sourcing Off-Market Deals
40:02 Getting Started in Real Estate

68 - How to Go From $260K in Debt to a Millionaire, in 5 years with Cori Arnold Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I talk with Cori Arnold (https://x.com/iamcoriarnold) about her inspiring journey from being $260K in debt to achieving millionaire status. Cori opens up about her financial challenges, the strategies she used to pay off her debt, and the mindset changes that helped her turn her life around. We discuss everything from debt management to building a personal brand that has amassed over 200,000 followers. Whether you're dealing with financial struggles or aiming for financial independence, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Questions this Episode Answers:

How did Cori Arnold overcome $260K of debt to become a millionaire?
What are the key financial strategies that worked for her, like the debt avalanche method?
How important is financial mindset in achieving financial independence?
How did Cori leverage social media to build a personal brand with over 200,000 followers?
What lessons can others learn from Cori's journey about managing finances and building wealth?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights
00:19 Welcome to Nikonomics: Financial Independence with Cori Arnold
01:14 Cori's Journey: From Debt to Millionaire
01:25 Building a Personal Brand: Corey's Social Media Success
02:13 Cori's Background: From Midwest to MBA
05:19 The Turning Point: Realizing the Cost of Debt
13:53 Strategies to Tackle Debt: Refinancing and Tracking
15:30 Refinancing Strategies and the Carry Trade
16:51 Sacrifices and Financial Discipline
18:02 Achieving Debt Freedom
18:38 Trauma-Informed Financial Decisions
20:07 Venturing into Social Media
21:56 Financial Independence and Retirement Planning
25:33 Mindset and Beliefs in Financial Success
28:38 Practical Steps to Financial Independence
30:36 Rapid Fire Financial Questions
32:17 Final Thoughts and Advice

67 - How to Use Side Hustles to Escape Corporate Life with Mike Hoffman Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Mike Hoffman (https://x.com/MrPassive_) to discuss his journey from being an assistant coach to building a diverse portfolio of passive income streams. Mike shares how he transitioned out of corporate life by investing in vending machines, Airbnbs, and even crypto mining.

We also talk about how his vending machine business scaled to 64 locations, his involvement in real estate, and his vision of creating a $100 million empire by 2028. Mike opens up about the challenges he faced, the mistakes he made, and what he learned along the way.
Follow Mike for more:
https://www.instagram.com/mikedhoffmann_/
https://x.com/MrPassive_
https://www.mrpassive.com/
https://vendingpreneurs.com/

Questions this Episode Answers:

How can vending machines generate passive income?
What steps are needed to transition from a job to earning income passively?
How do you scale from one vending machine to dozens?
What are the keys to building passive income through real estate?
How can you leverage systems to build income streams with minimal effort?

__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights
00:52 Welcome to Nikonomics
01:02 Meet Mike Hoffman: The Passive Income Expert
02:36 Mike's Journey from Coach to Entrepreneur
03:27 Diverse Income Streams: Real Estate, Vending, and More
04:22 Challenges and Strategies in Crypto Mining
07:03 Building a Passive Income Empire
09:35 The Vending Machine Business Model
12:40 Scaling and Systematizing Vending Operations
18:59 Community and Coaching for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
20:29 The Disruption in the Vending Machine Industry
21:18 Real Estate and Vending Machines: A Parallel
21:48 Expanding Vending Routes in Chicago
22:41 Building a Vending Community
23:24 The Business Model and Revenue Streams
24:25 Challenges and Opportunities in Vending
33:34 Innovative Vending Solutions
37:12 Future of Vending and Micro Markets
37:44 Rapid Fire Questions and Insights
42:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

66 - Two Unique Business Opportunities No One Is Talking About with Chris Koerner Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨
Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and my business partner Chris (http://tkopod.co/p-x) for another HoldCo Bros episode! This week, we're talking about some fun business ideas. We discuss starting a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) from scratch. We talk about print shops and keep gravitating back towards opportunities in this space. Lastly, we discuss selling high-ticket widgets to airline manufacturers, including the challenges of dealing with FAA regulations, which also make the surprisingly high margins possible due to the barriers to entry.
Chris's YouTube: http://tkopod.co/p-yt

Chris's Podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all

Questions this Episode Answers:

What are the key steps to scaling a print shop business, including acquisitions and efficiency improvements?
How can a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) benefit small businesses and increase their negotiating power?
What unique opportunities exist in creating niche solutions for traditional industries like print shops?
What are the challenges and opportunities in selling to heavily regulated industries like airline manufacturers?
What strategies can be used to develop and launch a new product in an industry with existing high barriers to entry?

Enjoy the show!
__________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
__________________________
MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights
01:11 Introduction to the Boomer Businessman
01:51 Challenges of Running a Print Shop
02:20 Innovating the Print Shop Business
03:15 The Interactive Website Solution
04:56 Exploring New Business Ideas
09:33 Lead Generation and Ethical Bait Switching
16:05 Validating Business Demand
23:05 Recap of Business Ideas
23:51 Challenges in Healthcare Negotiations
28:10 Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs)
34:47 Innovative Product in the RV Industry
36:29 Framework for Idea Validation and Distribution
39:58 Leveraging Insider Knowledge for Business Ideas
44:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

65 - Why Everyone SHOULDN'T Buy a Business with Chelsea Wood Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨
Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Chelsea Wood (https://x.com/SMBChelseaWood), co-founder of Acquisition Lab, the premier business buying accelerator. Chelsea partnered with Walker Deibel, author of "Buy Then Build." Since its inception, the Acquisition Lab has guided over 800 people, with nearly 200 successfully acquiring their first business.

In this episode, we discuss why seller financing isn’t always a safe strategy, the dangers of oversimplifying business advice on social media, and why not everyone should buy a business. Chelsea also highlights the importance of due diligence and how to assess the quality of earnings.

Questions this Episode Answers:

Why isn't seller financing always a safe strategy?
What should be considered before buying a business?
What are the pitfalls of oversimplified business advice on social media?
How does due diligence play a critical role in acquisitions?
Why is a deep understanding of risk essential when buying a business?

___________________________
Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.
Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.
___________________________
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
___________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 Highlights: Should You Buy a Business?
00:15 Meet Chelsea Wood: Co-Founder of Acquisition Lab
01:23 Chelsea's Career Journey: From Consultant to M&A
05:56 The Leap to Entrepreneurship: Starting Acquisition Lab
06:29 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Ventures
11:16 The Role of Spousal Support in Business Success
16:57 Inside the Acquisition Lab: Structure and Services
23:00 The Risks of Seller Financing in Business Acquisitions
26:32 The Importance of Cash Flow Management
27:07 Challenges of Doubling Revenue in Healthcare
28:09 The J Curve and Cash Reserves
28:44 The Reality of Buying a Business with No Money Down
29:01 Understanding Working Capital and Access to Credit
29:29 Personal Stories and Risks of Business Ownership
34:01 Assessing Your Risk Profile
40:09 Experience and Skills Needed for Business Ownership
41:53 The Importance of Due Diligence
53:02 Mental Health and Financial Stress in Business Ownership

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