Successful Dropout

Latest Episodes:

66: How to invest in startups TODAY and change the world with Travis Brodeen - EXCLUSIVELY for millennials Sep 25, 2017

Show notes

Travis is the co-founder and CTO of Newchip. An if you guys remember we've had Ryan Rafols on the show who is the other co-founder of Newchip. He believes crowdfunding is the future of investing and that millennials will lead the impending economic revolution. Travis has been involved in startups for over 20 years and has consulted over 2,000 startups and more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. More recently he helped build the fastest growth private company in Austin, winning Inc 500 #21, where they boot strapped a company from $1k per month revenue to over $1.2 million per month in less than 14 months, generating over $40 million in 4 years. Starting his Junior year in High School Travis took evening classes and joined the school's work experience program in order to qualify for half days. By his senior year he was only attending 2 High school classes. At 19 he was already making $150k/year and at 21 he raised his first 10 million.

Resources

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

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Vintage SD: How to skip college and build a 7-figure business using the power of focus with Michael Fisk Sep 22, 2017

Show notes

Some vintage Successful Dropout here! Michael's episode used to be one of the most shared episodes on the show! Here it is again in all it's glory: After deciding to skip college, Michael Fisk founded Photoboxx, an event based photo activation company that released one of the first Instagram printers in the world. Photboxx built it's foundation in the hashtag printing industry and has quickly become a product used internationally by some of the world largest brands including Harley Davidson, Coca-Cola, TGI Fridays, Teen Vogue and Acura. This new startup has inspired thousands of fans to engage with their favorite brands on social media. This guy is a rockstar of a Successful Dropout, a serial entrepreneur with a passion for business and for his wife and three daughters.

Time Stamped Notes

00:55 Kylon's intro
01:30 Michael tells us a little bit more about himself
02:33 What is Photoboxx
06:10 Michael shares his dropout story and why he decided to skip college
14:48 Advice for how to communicate with parents about dropping out
16:36 Michael talks about what he did for the first year after skipping college
20:19 No focus, chasing every opportunity
21:00 No money, so panhandled on the street!
23:00 Started to zero in on a career - something to focus on long term
26:20 Committed to photography business for two years and said no everything else
28:00 Transition from photography business to founding Photoboxx
30:00 How Michael generates revenue
33:00 Michael's worst entrepreneurial moment
34:10 AH HA moment
36:24 What current Michael would tell past Michael
40:17 Personal habit that contributes to Michael's success
44:11 Recommended book
44:41 Quality that Michael consider's essential to being an entrepreneur
45:00 Recommended internet resource
46:00 Michael's next big goal
47:00 Advice for those who are considering dropping out
52:00 Advice for those who have already dropped out
54:07 Best way to connect to Michael

4 Key Points

No matter what position or job you have, do it to the best of your abilities!
Focus is key. Learn to say no to opportunity. Stop committing to multiple things at once and moving on if they aren't showing promise after six months. Define your Be, Do and Have, then commit to one direction for at least two years, saying no to everything else even if it's an enticing opportunity.
If you want to build a scalable business, learn how to work with people and build and lead a team.
Embrace the low points, because there is a lot to learn during those seasons, and ultimately it's just another step towards success. Also, often times, the best opportunities will come when you are experiencing your greatest challenges.

Resources Mentioned

Photoboxx - Michael's company
Michael Fisk Photography
Start With Why by Simon Sinek - New to Audible.com? Start your trial and get your first book FREE here!
Slack - Internal communications app for your team

THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.

65: Crypto, startups, and how to get the most out of next year with Braun Shedd Sep 18, 2017

Show notes

This is episode is part 2 with the incredible Braun Shedd! See his first episode here.

I love chatting with Braun. Sometimes I feel like I'm sitting at the feet of a young Socrates in the making. The dude is an incredible philosopher - full of wisdom, alway searching, always questioning...the epitome of a Successful Dropout. I hope you enjoy listening to Braun in this episode as much as I did when we were recording!

Some of the things we talk about:

Forest fires and how the world is coming to an end
Cryptocurrency and investing
Braun Shedd was almost a Bitcoin millionaire. Almost. Got into BTC at $0.10!
Stealing his parent's electricity to make money
What Braun has been up to since Actiview
Chatting about startups
How do you know if you are building something people want?
The realities of building a startup
3 things you definitely want to know before you jump into a startup

Crypto, startups, and how to get the most out of next year with Braun Shedd

Resources

8760 Hours PDF - Amazing worksheet. How to get the most out of next year!
The Unbeaten Path - Great stories from dropouts!

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

64: How to earn $60,000 per year doing digital marketing with Seth Hymes Sep 11, 2017

Show notes

Seth Hymes is the Founder and CEO of In Demand Career Training. In Demand Career Training teaches future entrepreneurs how to get a job in the rapidly growing field of digital marketing. A graduate of NYU's film school, Seth found digital marketing in 2014 after successfully doing marketing for another company….not long after that he quit his job and began working for clients independently. Since then, he has created the Digital Marketing Career Blueprint, which teaches students the in-demand skills in digital marketing from the ground-up, as well as how to put together resumes, talk to hiring managers, and get the job you want. Seth has not only found great success with In Demand Career Training, but has also helped literally hundreds of students get interviews and jobs or become entrepreneurs themselves.

This entire interview was gold...but my favorite part is the wisdom Seth shares towards the end of the episode. Seth is extremely passionate about helping his students learn the ins and outs of digital marketing, and he's producing incredible results with most of his students getting great entry jobs without a college degree in under a year! There are a lot of scammers and posers out there...Seth isn't one of them. He is as authentic as they come.

Resources

In Demand Career - check out Seth's website to start learning about digital marketing!

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

FAF: If you want to be an entrepreneur, listen to this! Sep 08, 2017

Show notes

There are two types of entrepreneurs...which one are you? One is better than the other.

This is another episode released a long time ago before Successful Dropout blew up. It has too few downloads...so here it is again!

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

63: Entrepreneurship can be learned - the importance of experimenting with Sean Kim Sep 04, 2017

Show notes

Sean Kim is the CEO of Rype, one of the world's leading language learning platforms, and the founder of The Growth List, a media company focused on helping you become your best self. He is also a Columnist on Inc. and a contributor to Fast Company, Observer, TIME, and a few other publications.

Sean shared a ton of value in this episode - no doubt a result of his wide array of entrepreneurial ups and downs. He has an incredible perspective on entrepreneurship and living unconventionally that I think you will enjoy. Here are some of the things Sean and I talked about

Sean's story - from first business to broke, stranded and homeless
Journeyed to Argentina and doubled his money!
The importance of experimenting - figuring out who you are and what you are good at
Transferable skills and career capital
What are your unique strengths? What are your competitive advantages?
How to win 30 consulting gigs in 30 days
Looking for that one thing that works out of twenty or thirty things you try and fail at.
Using pressure as a tool
Entrepreneurship can be learned! Handling pressure can be learned!
Hiking the Inca Trail (both Sean and I did it!)
About Rype - learning languages!
Advice for future dropouts and current dropouts

Resources

Rype - Sean's company
The Growth List - Sean's company
How to Win 30 Consulting Offers in 30 Days

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

FAF: How to combat the inefficiencies of formal education with Christian Bell Sep 01, 2017

Show notes

This week I brought a special guest on - my second cousin Christian Bell. It was an absolute pleasure to chat with him. He has uniquely varied experiences in formal education, Ivy League schools, government, and small business that provide well-rounded perspectives on the pros and cons of each.

We chat about:

Ineffectiveness of government and lack of incentive
Checking the appropriate boxes to get into Ivy League schools
Christian's experience at various Ivy League schools (Oxford, Yale etc.)
Education doesn't foster curiosity, most of the time it even beats it out of you.
How important are the "regular" school subjects, for example history? Should you take the time to learn it even though you may never use it again? Or should you only invest your time into your natural curiosities? Or both?
Many shirts are too short for my torso
Is a degree in business necessary to start your own business?
If you are going to college - be intentional!
Free college only serves to lower the overall value of a college degree.

Resources

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
The College Entrepreneur by Kyle Gray

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

62: Finding meaning, purpose, and direction in the face of adversity with Zachary Babcock Aug 28, 2017

Show notes

Zachary Babcock is the author of Prison To Promised Land, a book he wrote on his 5 year experience in prison about how anyone can find happiness and fulfillment in life, even after the loss of loved ones, drug addiction, and spending years in prison. Zachary is now an inspiring transformational speaker and life coach. He inspires lasting change in countless lives through his unique story of overcoming adversity and the lessons that he learned through his experience. Zachary also owns and runs his Facebook advertising agency to help entrepreneurs, online business owners, and small business owners market their message to sell their products and services.

Zachary has an incredible story of achievement and success in the face of extreme adversity and struggle. It was an honor to have him on the show. Here are some of the things Zachary and I talked about:

No matter how good of a person you are you can't be liked by everybody.
Sent to prison at 19 years old and thought his life was screwed
Sister passed away due to overdose
Fired from job and sent back to prison days before twin sons are born - life changing moment
Got into network marketing - created $2000/month income
Decided to write a book
Happiness isn't something that is passively bestowed. It's and action. Happiness comes from of solving meaningful problems. Happiness requires struggle. (from The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck)
What do you want people to say at your funeral? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
Forget about asking yourself what kind of pleasure you want out of life, instead, ask yourself what kind of struggle do you want out of life.
Get clear on what you want to do with your life before you start racking up student loans
Some practical ways to find your meaning, purpose, and direction
Fear setting

Resources

Zachary's website - winwithzach.com
Zachary's youtube channel
Prison To Promised Land - Zach's book
Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
Tim Ferriss on fear setting

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

FAF: How to use pressure as a tool Aug 25, 2017

Show notes

Kylon talks about pressure and shares a personal story illustrating how pressure can be used as a tool to take things to the next level.

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

61: Building a social media marketing empire with Cathal Berragan Aug 21, 2017

Show notes

At 19 years old Cathal dropped out of University in the UK to join a small team of four in Manchester to start building a social media marketing agency called Social Chain.

In the first year, the team grew to around 30 staff, and he worked as the Head of Campaigns, overseeing the execution of all client work. Since then, Social Chain has worked with brands such as Puma, Malibu, Comedy Central, BBC and Universal. 2016 saw Social Chain's expansion to Berlin and even New York and their staff has grown to around 60.

Cathal has also recognized by Tech Insider as one of their "50 most influential people on Social Media"

Resources

Social Chain

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Join the Successful Dropout Nation!

Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast.
Enter your email on the top right of this page for regular emails from Kylon Gienger on how to drop out, grind, and succeed.
Follow @kylongienger on Instagram!

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