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

Latest Episodes:

4 Business Ideas You Can Start for $0 in 2024. (HoldCo Bros) Ep. #80 Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I are talking about business ideas and what's happening in our companies. In this episode, we discuss the business potential of Instagram's Close Friends feature, how influencers can use it to boost engagement, and how you could help.

We also cover the concept of Negative COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) - acquiring products for free or how you can get paid to acquire products and then sell them- with examples like EcoScraps. We talk about a lake weed removal business started by two college students, and how they scaled up with smart social media marketing. Finally, we share ideas for home service businesses that could benefit from time-lapse video marketing to go viral.

Learn more about Nik here:http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik
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 Introduction
01:18 Close Friends Feature on Instagram
02:07 Leveraging Close Friends for Increased Engagement
03:23 Monetizing the Close Friends Feature
06:34 Scraping Instagram Followers for Business Opportunities
11:10 Exploring Negative COGS Business Ideas
15:15 The Lake Weed Removal Business
17:14 Chemical-Free Pond and Lake Cleaning
17:37 Going Viral on Social Media
18:23 A Generous Offer
18:38 Business Boom and Social Media Success
20:00 Franchising and Licensing Opportunities
20:21 Top 10 Media-Accelerated Home Services Businesses
21:28 Pressure Washing and Pool Cleaning
23:11 Home Cleaning and Tree Trimming
25:24 Painting and Landscaping
28:46 Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning
29:10 Carpet Cleaning and Business Strategy
29:49 Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth
31:56 Partnering with Nationwide Franchisors

I Started These 14 Businesses. Here’s How You Can Copy Them. Ep. #79 Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

This is part three of 'Every Business I've Ever Started'
Today, I’m doing something a little different. In this episode, I'm taking each business I've ever started and giving you actionable ideas on how you could start a similar business today. I believe that almost any business idea can be executed at any time, with a bias for action being key. Some ideas work in certain contexts, sure, but most of them are timeless if you put your spin on it. If you want even more business ideas, check out the previous episodes 14 and 21.

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 Introduction and Series Overview
01:19 Tree Biz Bootcamp: Launching and Lessons
04:20 Fast Tree Care: The Journey Begins
05:09 Binary Outcome Framework in Home Services
06:59 Blue Metric: RV Parks and Campgrounds
08:31 Busy: Aggregating Businesses for Sale
12:18 No Greasy: High-Quality Restaurant Degreaser
15:26 Lead Texters: Generating Leads via SMS
17:50 Easy MLS: Flat Fee Listing Service
18:54 Leveraging AI to Reduce Business Friction
19:37 Exploring Business Ideas on BizBuySell
24:22 Monetizing Content: Podcast and Newsletter
26:47 Consulting and Advising Business Owners
27:46 Speed to Ship: Innovative Shipping Software
29:43 Mexican Baseball Merchandise Opportunity
31:08 Better Parks: RV Park Investment
32:35 Busy Juice: Creating a Unique Beverage
34:16 Sunbeam ABA and Sunbeam Paws Ventures
37:11 Conclusion and Next Steps

How to Make Money by Cloning Others Using AI. Ep. #78 Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

I sat down with my good friend Sam Thompson (https://x.com/ImSamThompson) and in this episode we talk about using AI to clone yourself, clone others, and make money by offering access to those clones. We also cover some cool new digital product opportunities and new tech business ideas. Sam lives in the digital startup world, and he's the perfect balance to our usual guests who focus on physical products or service businesses.

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 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction
00:28 Diving into Digital Cloning and AI
01:08 Exploring Digital Product Opportunities
01:32 Challenges and Strategies in Digital Entrepreneurship
03:42 Monetizing Digital Products at Scale
13:45 The Potential of AI in Content Creation
21:29 Building an SMS-Based Cohort System
21:48 Challenges and Solutions in Retention
23:02 Pricing Strategies for Subscription Services
24:19 Importance of Activation in Consumer Products
25:44 Leveraging Data for Business Growth
33:01 Exploring Niche Data Products
33:24 Unbundling Craigslist: New Business Opportunities
38:30 Cyber Leads for Home Service Businesses
42:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Viral Treasure Hunts, E-Recycling and 2 More Business ideas! Ep. #77 Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I talk about electronics recycling and how it's possible to enjoy 100% gross margins in this industry. We also break down the fascinating treasure hunt business, featuring Project Skydrop - a real-world treasure hunt with $27,000 in gold at stake. Plus, we discuss some hacky, kitschy ideas involving guerrilla marketing and Chrome extensions-type ideas that anyone can try.

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

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 Highlights & Introduction
01:10 Introducing Project SkyDrop
01:18 How Project SkyDrop Works
02:02 Discussion on Entry Fees and Rules
04:33 Comparing Similar Treasure Hunts
06:08 Business Ideas and Fundraising
16:32 Perfumatic Update
20:36 Hacky Ideas: Let's Grade Them!
21:38 Amazon Late Deliveries: A Hidden Opportunity
23:35 Automating Consumer Advocacy
30:03 Commercial Real Estate: A Deep Dive
31:10 Pros and Cons of Self Storage Investments
35:30 Sourcing Off-Market Deals
39:25 Getting Started in Real Estate

4 Ways to Make Money by Spying on People. Ep #076 Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

I sat down with my good friend and office mate, Stephen Olmon (https://x.com/stephenolmon). Stephen owns a holding company (https://www.severalventures.com) and, like me, is addicted to startups. We talked through a bunch of business ideas, but kept circling back to one in particular: a meeting listening software that detects inappropriate behavior. Imagine a note-taking tool, but one that also identifies issues in real time - turning them into profit opportunities. We also discussed ideas like white-labeling software or plugins that are affordable to outsource, using call tracking software to help home service businesses, and even how reporting tax fraud could lead to a 30% payout from the government.
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 Highlights
00:13 Welcome to the Corner Office
00:58 Meet Steven Olmon: Entrepreneur and Mentor
01:41 Career Journey: From Consulting to Startups
05:51 The Birth of Quicker Marketing Agency
11:32 Business Ideas and Innovations
20:58 The Power of Quick Email Responses
22:48 Exploring Agency Ideas and Opportunities
23:12 The Tattletale Industry and New Regulations
26:18 Tax Fraud Whistleblowing: A Lucrative Opportunity
30:33 Call Listening for Customer Service Improvement
37:01 Niche Mentor Networks: A New Marketplace
42:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

I Found an Untapped Home Service Business with 75% Net Profit Margins. Ep #075 Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

I sat down to discuss an incredible niche business, J&D Lake Services - a pond cleaning company started by college students Declan & Joe. They literally went to Home Depot, bought a garden rake, and began scraping the bottoms of ponds for wealthy homeowners, "raking" in an incredible 75% net margin. Before their entry, pond cleaning companies relied on dumping chemicals, which would harm fish and plants. J&D Lake Services took a different approach: manually removing weeds. It’s hard, sweaty work, but they’ve found a space with no competitors and made it a cash cow.
Follow J&D Lake Services for more:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
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 Introduction
01:08 Meet the Founders: Joe and Declan
01:39 The Origin Story: From Dock Installation to Pond Cleaning
03:58 First Big Break: The Seaweed Removal Request
05:45 Pricing Strategies and Business Growth
12:00 Expanding Services: From Lakes to Ponds
18:01 Challenges and Customer Insights
28:25 Understanding Client Needs
28:48 Pricing Strategies and Challenges
29:52 High Close Rates and Competitor Insights
32:14 Revenue and Profit Margins
33:24 Unexpected Job Opportunities
38:18 Social Media Success
43:36 The WeDo Boat Story
50:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Two Overlooked Industries No One Is Thinking of Disrupting. Ep #074 Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I break down why print shops, despite being capex heavy and often ignored, are actually goldmines. We also talk about starting a GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) for niche industries and how to make money selling pricey widgets to airline manufacturers because you have to be FAA registered.
Learn more about Nik here:
http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

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 Highlights
01:02 Introduction to the Boomer Businessman
01:42 Challenges of Running a Print Shop
02:11 Innovating the Print Shop Business
03:06 The Interactive Website Solution
04:47 Exploring New Business Ideas
09:24 Lead Generation and Ethical Bait Switching
15:22 Validating Business Demand
22:22 Recap of Business Ideas
23:08 Challenges in Healthcare Negotiations
27:27 Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs)
34:04 Innovative Product in the RV Industry
35:46 Framework for Idea Validation and Distribution
39:15 Leveraging Insider Knowledge for Business Ideas
43:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Porch Pumpkin Profits: Behind the Scenes with the Industry’s Founder. Ep #073 Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

I sat down with Heather Torres, the founder of Porch Pumpkins, who has literally invented an industry. In this episode, we talk about how she turned decorating porches with pumpkins into a thriving business. We cover everything from her profit margins and gross revenue to her customer base and logistics strategy. Heather shares how she finds customers, what an average customer looks like, and how she would navigate if a recession came.

Learn more about Heather Torres here:
https://linktr.ee/porchpumpkins

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 Highlights_Introduction to Porch Pumpkins
00:36 Meeting Heather Torres
02:03 The Birth of Porch Pumpkins
03:31 From Instagram to Business
07:34 Scaling the Business
13:26 The Power of Moms in Business
15:26 Challenges and Growth
18:16 The Future of Porch Pumpkins
24:19 Target Market and Customer Segments
25:14 Popular Packages and Profitability
26:57 Business Margins and Efficiency
31:54 Handling Growth and Economic Concerns
38:56 Dealing with Imitation and Intellectual Property
42:24 Future Plans and Seasonal Operations
46:16 Conclusion and Contact Information

How to Make $864K/Year Profit with ATMs. ATM Biz Deep Dive. Ep #072 Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

I sat down with Mitchell Sorkin, the ATM guy from Twitter. He owns 900 ATMs across Los Angeles, bringing in $864,000 a year in net profit. We talk about how he bought these locations rather than using cold calling to get them, and why this is an approachable business for anyone. The multiples are much lower than you'd think, making it a great opportunity in a well-established industry.

At the end, we talk about few different business ideas beyond the ATM industry, including a unique AI business idea that you probably haven’t heard of.
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 Highlights
00:14 Introduction to Business Ideas and ATMs
01:12 Meet Mitchell: The ATM Guy
01:48 Starting Small: The First ATM Deal
02:35 Scaling Up: From 3 to 900 ATMs
04:45 Challenges and Strategies in the ATM Business
06:18 The Importance of Location and Contracts
16:25 Revenue and Margins in the ATM Industry
17:44 Acquisition Strategies and Market Insights
20:12 The Best ATM Locations: A Case Study
24:09 Managing High-Volume ATMs
25:06 Cash Loading Strategies
26:40 Surprising ATM Locations
28:19 Dealing with Theft and Insurance
29:25 Challenges in the ATM Business
31:00 Advice for Aspiring ATM Owners
32:51 Future Plans and Market Insights
36:22 Exploring New Business Ideas
38:54 Diving into Comfy UI
44:14 Resources and Tools for Comfy UI
46:57 Conclusion and Contact Information

How to Sell Car Negotiation as a Service + 3 More Ideas. Ep #071 Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

HoldCo Bros are back! This week, Nik and I continue our conversation from last Friday's episode, where we talked about Skool communities, lead generation ideas, and transparency in home building. If you missed it, make sure to check out episode #068!
In this episode, we discuss creating products for business owners and explore how to find and capitalize on distressed business opportunities. We also talk about car negotiation as a service and the custom home building industry. I share some insights, drawing from my own experience with a startup in that space.
Learn more about Nik here:
http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

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 Introduction and Recap
00:26 The Cost Transparency Idea
03:32 Implementing the Idea with VAs
05:31 Expanding the Concept to Other Industries
08:13 The Car Buying Experience
14:03 Scamming the Scammers
14:53 AI in Business
26:04 The Art of Prompt Engineering
27:04 Prompt Hacks and Real-Life Examples
28:04 Contextualizing AI Prompts
29:10 Funny Anecdotes and AI Evolution
30:31 Silicon Valley Business Ideas
33:58 E-commerce Success Story
35:44 Buying Distressed Businesses
40:46 Creative Marketing Strategies
46:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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