The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Deep Dives with Chris Koerner

Latest Episodes:

Start Here: How to Build a Business from Nothing with Shannon | Ep. #180 Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

This is part 2 of a two-part episode, if you missed it, go check out part 1 in episode #177.

In this episode, I sat down with Shannon Jean again and we talked about how to train your bias for action and build real momentum. We dug into the idea of using curiosity and dopamine feedback to stay motivated, why “delusions of grandeur” might actually be a good thing, and how to turn failed ideas into real wins. Shannon shared his take on building revenue streams instead of chasing side hustles, and why “buy with math, sell with emotion” is his favorite rule.

You can find Shannon on X: @ShannonJean (https://x.com/ShannonJean)
And learn more at: https://shannonjean.com/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

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Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---

00:00 The Journey to Self-Discovery
02:55 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Action
06:10 The Power of Delusions of Grandeur
08:55 Curiosity as a Catalyst for Success
11:45 Building a Bias for Action
15:05 The Role of Dopamine in Motivation
17:52 Turning Ideas into Reality
21:09 The Value of Community and Connection

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Sell These $3.5K AI Pitch Decks Built in 12 Min (+4 More Ideas)⏐Holdco Bros. Ep. #179 Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com

HoldCo Bros are back! In this episode, Nik and I talked about some of the most practical AI use cases we’ve seen in a while. I shared a new idea I spun up just 10 minutes before we hit record, literally bought the domain and had Replit building it mid-episode. We talked about how to turn AI-generated pitch decks into real income, how to use Manus and Perplexity Labs to shortcut market research and make money with it, and how quizzes powered by LLMs can reshape hiring and lead gen. This one's packed with ideas for anyone trying to actually use AI to build and grow something fast.

Learn more about Nik here: http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

Share your ideas with us:

Nik@cofounders.com
Chris@cofounders.com

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

---

Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---

00:00 The Underrated Potential of AI
02:58 Innovative AI Applications and Ideas
05:48 Leveraging AI for Personalization and Hiring
09:14 Pitch Decks and AI: A New Frontier
12:08 Using AI for Market Research and Lead Generation
15:00 Prompt Engineering: Enhancing AI Outputs
17:52 Perplexity Labs: Revolutionizing Research
21:07 B2B Applications of AI-Driven Reports

You Can Replace This $10,000/Day Job With AI - Chat with Michael Girdley | Ep. #178 Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

This is part 1 of a two-part episode, come back next week for part 2.

I sat down with Michael Girdley (https://x.com/girdley) and we went back and forth pitching business ideas like it was a game show. Michael came loaded with a list of 15 ideas, and we talked through each one, from a browser plugin that detects AI-generated content to an AI that replaces $10K/day EOS consultants. We also got into fun and low-cost offline businesses like old-timey photo booths and gold-panning kiosks for malls, plus more strategic plays like a marketplace for forgotten businesses and a fund that offers minority buyouts to small business owners. We even explored how to reimagine EOS from the ground up to be fully AI-first. Lots of laughs, lots of frameworks, and tons of real opportunity in this one.

You can find Michael on X at https://x.com/girdley or at https://girdley.com

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 AI's Impact on Business and EOS Implementation
02:56 Exploring Innovative Business Ideas
05:50 The Role of AI in Content Authenticity
09:10 Nostalgia and Experiential Businesses
12:05 Minority Investments in Small Businesses
14:54 Creating a Marketplace for Distressed Businesses
18:12 Reimagining EOS with AI
21:06 The Future of Business Automation

This One Belief Will Kill Your Business Before It Starts with Shannon | Ep. #177 Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

This is part 1 of a two-part episode, come back next week for part 2.

I sat down with Shannon Jean to talk about the mindset shifts that actually matter when you’re getting into entrepreneurship. We talked about why problem-solving is the real job, how fear can be fuel, and why small experiments lead to big wins. We also got into building confidence, staying scrappy, and the underrated power of just changing something when you feel stuck. If you’re thinking about taking the leap, this one will give you the push you need.

You can find Shannon on X: @ShannonJean (https://x.com/ShannonJean)
And learn more at: https://shannonjean.com/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change
02:57 The Mindset of Problem Solving
05:50 The Power of Self-Discipline and Storytelling
08:45 Navigating Success and Failure
12:07 The Importance of Action and Adaptability
14:58 Building Confidence Through Experience
17:52 Embracing Change in Daily Life
21:07 The Role of Fear in Motivation

Google Veo 3 Just Changed the Game: Here’s Your Money-Making Tutorial | Ep. #176 May 30, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

Everyone's freaking out about Google’s new Veo 3 video model, but nobody’s telling you how to actually make money with it. So in this episode, I break down exactly how people are already landing $10K video gigs, pitching Veo content to agencies, and replacing full editing teams with a single AI tool. I tell you who’s buying this stuff, how to build a quick portfolio, and what to say to close your first deal. We also talk about turning this into recurring income with productized video offers, and even how to monetize it without clients.
https://deepmind.google/models/veo/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction to Veo 3 and Monetization Strategies
02:47 Understanding Veo 3: The Game Changer in Video Production
06:08 Identifying Potential Clients and Monetization Opportunities
09:02 Pitching to Agencies: Strategies for Success
12:13 Building a Portfolio and Landing Clients
15:09 Creating Recurring Income with Veo 3
18:02 Expanding Revenue Streams Beyond Video Production
20:59 Leveraging Veo 3 for Upselling and Client Retention
23:49 Getting Ahead of the Competition
27:13 Voice Licensing for Passive Income

“It’s Not That Easy”? Sam Launched Overnight to Prove It Is | Ep. #175 May 28, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

I sat down with Sam Thompson for part 2 of our two-part episode, if you haven’t listened to the first one yet, go check out Ep. #172.

In this one, Sam breaks down how a Twitter reply turned into a real hummingbird nectar business doing over $5K in its first 21 days. We talked through his process from idea to Shopify store, how he branded literal sugar, used AI tools to create ads, and scaled it with Meta campaigns. He built everything using tools like ChatGPT, a $20 heat sealer, and SoloDrop, which let him launch the store overnight. We also riffed on smart seasonal products, digital upsells, and brainstormed low-lift business ideas anyone could start using Supliful, Canva, and other very simple tools. If you’re still waiting to “start,” this one proves you really don’t need much.

You can find Sam on X/Twitter (https://x.com/ImSamThompson) and check out what he’s building at https://www.unlimitedcontent.com/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 The Launch of Hummingbird Food
03:03 E-commerce Insights and Strategies
06:02 Advertising Tactics and Cost Management
08:57 Product Development and Scaling Challenges
11:55 Digital Products and Market Testing
14:48 Exploring New Business Ideas
18:03 Understanding Offers and Vehicles in Business

If People Pay for This, Your Idea Will Work Too | Ep. #174 May 26, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

I sat down with Brandon Doyle (x.com/_BrandonDoyle_) for part 2 of our two-part episode, if you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, go check out Ep. #171.

In this one, we talked about how the weirdest business ideas can actually make the most money. We started with Excel esports, horse hair competitions, and a $7M business turning YouTube tutorials into magazines. Then we riffed on viral marketing stunts like the ghost-free home guarantee, crazy no-code competitions with live commentary, and even a “Most Dangerous Game” style footrace. Toward the end, we dove into how physical products like magazines or plaques could become the next big thing in a world obsessed with digital.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 The Power of Unique Business Ideas
03:03 Creative Event Marketing Strategies
05:53 Innovative Competition Concepts
09:13 Survival Challenges and Unique Experiences
12:04 Viral Marketing and Content Creation
14:55 Physical Products from Digital Content
18:11 Quirky Marketing Ideas for Real Estate
21:02 Embracing Creativity in Business

You Don’t Need a Big Idea. Copy These Winners Instead ft. Connor | Ep. #173 May 23, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

I sat down with Connor Gross (https://x.com/c_gro), a regular on the podcast, and we went deep on some wild business ideas. We talked about plastic-free products, AI voice agents, and even how a company selling stuffed animals in a box did a million orders. We also got into the idea of turning everyday kids products into $100M brands and how AI is reshaping who wins and who gets left behind. This one’s packed, don’t miss it.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 The Rise of E-commerce and Gifting Ideas
02:54 Innovative Business Concepts in AI and Gifting
05:45 The Future of AI Wrappers and Personal Assistants
09:09 Navigating the Impact of AI on Labor Markets
12:00 Microplastics and Sustainable Alternatives
14:53 Creative Solutions for Everyday Problems
17:49 The Evolution of Consumer Products for Kids
21:11 The Future of AI in Business and Society

AI Is Replacing Content Creators (Here’s How to Profit) w/ Sam | Ep. #172 May 21, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

I sat down with Sam Thompson again and we talked about some crazy ways people are making money with AI voice cloning, plus how he's building a full AI ad pipeline that actually converts. We also got into the weird world of viral AI videos showing up online and whether billboards are better than Facebook ads for growing a podcast. If you're into automation, ads, or just want smarter ways to scale, this one's for you.

You can find Sam on X/Twitter (https://x.com/ImSamThompson) and check out what he’s building at https://www.unlimitedcontent.com/

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 Monetizing AI Voice Cloning
03:04 The Future of Content Creation
05:52 AI in Advertising: The New Frontier
09:11 Testing AI-Generated Ads
12:06 Billboard Marketing vs. Facebook Ads
15:02 Understanding Metrics in Marketing
17:56 The Role of AI in E-commerce
20:44 The Impact of AI on Content Consumption
23:55 Exploring New Marketing Strategies
26:50 The Future of AI in Business

Quit Waiting. Start This Simple Business with $0 | Ep. #171 May 19, 2025

Show notes

Check out my newsletter at TKOPOD.com and join my new community at TKOwners.com.

I sat down with Brandon Doyle (x.com/_BrandonDoyle_) again, he was on back in episode #060, and we brainstormed creative ways to grow small service businesses. We bounced around a bunch of low-cost, scrappy business ideas. Some of them sound kinda out there at first, but they’ve got real-world results behind them and they’re super easy to test. If you’re trying to get more customers without spending a ton, this one’s worth a listen.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction to Growth Hacks for Small Businesses
01:00 Innovative Marketing Strategies: QR Codes and Yard Signs
02:57 Leveraging Local Networks: Neighbor Blitz and Referral Incentives
06:50 Creative Partnerships: Collaborating for Mutual Growth
11:02 Utilizing AI for Business Growth: ChatGPT Insights
13:54 AOL's Viral Marketing Strategy: Lessons for Today
26:55 Conclusion and Future Insights

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