Building Bigfoot

Jonathan Whiting
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If raising tons of money and taking a business public is called a Unicorn, what’s it called when you’re growing a successful business that’s bootstrapped? It’s a Bigfoot. Join Jonathan Whiting, entrepreneur and co-CEO of StreetText as he interviews like-minded entrepreneurs about building their business profitably, their journey, and their strategies. This is the show for anyone who took the leap of faith to pursue their passion in business and chase their dreams. It’s story time.

  1. 37: The Passive Income Myth Debunked by John Doherty

    2024-02-26

    37: The Passive Income Myth Debunked by John Doherty

    Welcome back to "Building Bigfoot," where bootstrapped business beasts roam. Today, Jonathan is tracking John Doherty, the mastermind behind EditorNinja. This guy has meticulously edited over 6 million words during his entrepreneurial trek from layoff to leadership. During this episode, we dive into debunking passive income myths and profiling the grind behind the glamor. We dissect hiring tactics, the power of delegation, and the value of building a business that grants true freedom. Whether you're scaling a start-up or nurturing a side hustle, this is your blueprint to surviving the business wilderness. John Doherty is an entrepreneur with a passion for the great outdoors, a quality that seamlessly integrates into his professional ethos. At the foothills of the majestic Rockies, in Denver, Colorado, John has fostered a lifestyle deeply connected to nature. This connection is not just personal; it is the heart of his business philosophy.  After moving from the technology-centric culture of the Bay Area about seven years ago, John and his wife sought not just a change of scenery but a new way of life. One that would blend their love for outdoor pursuits with a sustainable business model. Through his leadership, innovation, strong work-life balance, and a focus on well-being, John Doherty has skillfully leveraged his knowledge gained in the progressive circles of San Francisco to be infused into his Denver-based business. Where success is measured not only by commercial achievements but also by the positive impact on the community and the environment. Topics Discussed: A streamlined editing processes that enhance business scalabilityImpact of social media engagement on professional growthBenefits of delegation in business operationsMyth of passive income in entrepreneurshipBuilding a profitable businesses for freedom and optionality Timestamps: 11:34 Delegate to grow business rapidly and successfully. 26:13 Cheat code for audience growth and distribution. 28:48 Delegate effectively for business growth by trusting experts and hiring qualified people. 35:40 Entrepreneurship for freedom and value versus profit. 41:07 Building a valuable business is possible, but mindset matters.  52:32 Bravery leads to fulfilling changes. Episode Resources: EditorNinja | Website EditorNinja | Facebook EditorNinja | X (Formally Twitter) EditorNinja | Instagram John Doherty | LinkedIn

    54 min
  2. 36: Discover the $5/Day Ad Strategy that Wins Big with Logan Prest

    2024-02-19

    36: Discover the $5/Day Ad Strategy that Wins Big with Logan Prest

    Today on Building Bigfoot, we're on the trail with host Jonathan and ad wizard Logan Prest. We dive into the world of cost-effective lead generation, savvy advertising strategies, and the secrets behind AI targeting. Learn how to craft compelling ad copy, scale your campaigns for maximum ROI (Return On Investment) and manage ad budgets like a pro. Logan shares his unique insights on Meta's platform and offers tips straight from his success stories. It's a gripping talk on making your mark in the digital wilderness, so don't miss this footprint-sized dose of advertising acumen. In the dynamic world of real estate, Logan Prest stands out as an astute agent with a crafty conversational strategy. Having honed the art of steering dialogue to his advantage, Logan thrives on guiding interactions, to the point his enthusiasm is palpable. It is in these moments that he shines, revealing not just a home, but a vision tailored to your desires. His tactic is to use creativity to anticipate and meet clients' demands before they've even voiced them—starting with what they want before they know they want it.  Logan’s philosophy revolves around the core principle that great salesmanship is as much about listening as it is about talking. His expertise isn't just in selling properties, it's in understanding the psychology behind every exchange. By inviting the right questions, he positions himself to 'drop the hammer' with a response that resonates deeply with his clients’ aspirations. Behind this lies his belief in being proactive with his narrative, ensuring he's not just sharing information but crafting a story that sells a dream. Topics Discussed: Understanding the cost of advertising opportunitiesBusiness goals and returns on investmentPlatform-specific advertising insightsAd creatives and copywritingLaunching and scaling ad campaignsRefining ads for optimized lead generationAudience targeting and split testingTracking and assessment of ad effectivenessBudget management and lead valueNiche marketing and audience concentrationTimestamps: 04:07 Trust your gut, test, and track metrics for success. 13:06 Emphasize platform relevance and alignment with ad copy. 18:51 Trust and consistency are key to a marketing campaign’s success. 22:53 Anticipating and addressing audience questions, and then adapting advertising strategy. 25:43 Monitoring split tests to then adjust to allocate more budget to the more successful ads. 30:01 Understanding your business metrics.  36:43 Create new ads, focus on community engagement. 43:33 Facebook targets ads based on individual user’s information. 48:54 Consider your ROI and advertising goals for effective campaign management. Episode Resources: Logan Prest | Facebook StreetText | Facebook StreetText | Website StreetText | YouTube

    59 min
  3. 35: Top Entrepreneur Questions: Set Yourself Up For Success with Jonathan Whiting

    2024-02-06

    35: Top Entrepreneur Questions: Set Yourself Up For Success with Jonathan Whiting

    In this 2 part episode of Building Bigfoot, Jonathan, host and co-CEO of StreetText dives into top questions Entrepreneurs have asked. Then in part two we include a talk he gave from the Virtual Summit on Leadership Success. Let's go! "Leaders focus on the things they have huge impact on," Jonathan Whiting How do I set realistic and achievable goals for my business? How do I handle failures and setbacks in my business? How do I build a strong team for my business? How can I stay motivated and avoid burnout as an entrepreneur? What marketing strategies work best for startups? What is the importance of networking in entrepreneurship? What are the key traits of a successful entrepreneur?

    49 min

  4. 2024-01-01

    34: Inside Tech Company Leadership: The Real Secrets to Success with Daniel Usenko

    In this episode of Building Bigfoot, Daniel, CEO of Pixellu, recounts his path from an immigrant to a thriving entrepreneur in the US. He discusses the initial failure of their first app and the successful pivot to Smart Albums, highlighting the significance of customer validation and word-of-mouth in business growth. Daniel and Jonathan explore the transition from one-time software fees to a subscription model, the costs of running a tech company and the importance of solving real customer problems. They also touch on personal growth, with Daniel recommending continuous learning and sharing how stoicism and certain books have influenced his mindset. Daniel Usenko is a film photographer based in Seattle. He is a co-founder and CEO of Pixellu, a software company that helps other photographers run successful businesses. What We Discuss: (00:04:20) The initial failure of Pixellu's first app, Touch Albums, and the subsequent pivot to develop Smart Albums. (00:14:58) The challenges faced in the early stages of Pixellu, emphasizing the need to solve real problems and the difficulty of bootstrapping a business. (00:16:58) Daniel explains how Pixellu was funded and the pivotal moment when the app succeeded in generating substantial revenue. (00:19:26) The importance of customer validation. (00:21:28) Daniel reflects on Pixellu's growth journey over ten years, highlighting the role of word-of-mouth and investing in branding, email marketing and other strategies. (00:22:15) Daniel discusses the various strategies used to grow the business, including trade shows, advertisements and product pricing. (00:23:24) The challenges of transitioning from a one-time fee model to a subscription-based model and the impact on revenue. (00:24:33) The high costs of starting a tech company, including development, product, design, customer support and marketing. (00:26:35) Daniel reflects on the unexpected blessings of working with a global team and the experiences gained from meeting people worldwide. (00:28:08) The high cost of starting a business, particularly related to team expenses and the need for investment. (00:29:52) Strategies to mitigate business risks, including hiring international talent and seeking investors. (00:31:57) It's important to focus on solving customer problems rather than just pursuing a business idea. (00:35:13) The difference between innovation and continual improvement. (00:43:17) Daniel shares his vision of personal growth and leadership, aiming to be a better version of himself and a capable leader in the future. (00:50:09) Challenges faced in releasing new features and troubleshooting for continuous feature shipping. (00:51:36) The importance of passion for improvement and the mission in software development. Book Recommendations: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig The Jobs to Be Done Playbook by James Kalbach Episode Resources: Pixellu | Instagram Pixellu | Website Daniel Usenko | Instagram Daniel Usenko | LinkedIn Daniel Usenko | Website

    54 min

  5. 2023-12-25

    33: Aligning Your Business With Your Soul's Purpose with Calvin Correli, CEO and Founder of Simplero

    In this episode of Building Bigfoot, host Jonathan interviews Calvin Correli, the CEO and founder of Simplero, a platform to make your business more simple! Calvin shares his journey of self-discovery and the realization of his purpose, which led to the creation of Simplero. They discuss the importance of authenticity, self-worth and simplicity in both life and business. Calvin also shares his insights on the soul of a company, the process of healing and finding self-love, and the significance of humility in leadership. The conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to align their business with their soul's purpose. Calvin Correli is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, author, investor and the founder and CEO of Simplero. Using Simplero, businesses have generated more than $500 million in revenue. What We Discuss: (00:01:29) Calvin shares the moment of his spiritual awakening and how it led him to the idea of integrating spirituality and entrepreneurship. (00:03:13) Calvin explains that we each have a reason for coming to Earth and that our job is to figure out our purpose and live it, especially in the context of business. (00:09:39) Calvin shares his story about how he stumbled upon the course creation space in 2008 and how it led him to explore online courses as a way to teach others. (00:11:03) Calvin's journey of trying different things and feeling wrong until he found his purpose. (00:11:54) How Calvin realized that his purpose is to integrate spirituality and entrepreneurship, and how everything he did after that fit into that lens. (00:13:04) The value of simplicity in work and life and how it is Calvin's medicine to counteract the tendency to complicate things. (00:21:49) How early childhood experiences shape our sense of self-worth and the pursuit of love and achievement to compensate for it. (00:24:22) Why many entrepreneurs are driven by the need for achievement and external validation, and how it can lead to a lack of fulfillment. (00:28:59) The fear of losing drive when seeking fulfillment from within, and the importance of replacing external validation with a stronger internal drive for long-term success. (00:33:56) The negative impact of self-judgment on personal growth and opportunities for others. (00:35:52) The importance of being able to repair relationships and mistakes, both in personal and business environments. (00:40:11) How products and companies have a soul, and the importance of understanding and nurturing that essence. (00:46:01) The challenges Calvin faced early on in building his business and how he overcame them. (00:47:33) Calvin reflects on what advice he would give himself 20 years ago, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and feeling worthy of success. (00:48:48) The importance of visualization in uncovering negative beliefs and how to deal with them by being aware and allowing the feelings to move through. Episode Resources: Simplero | Website Calvin Correli | X (formerly Twitter) Calvin Correli | LinkedIn

    52 min

  6. 2023-12-18

    32: Windy Goss ON: Building A Thriving Real Estate Business

    In this episode of Building Bigfoot, host Jonathan interviews real estate professional Windy Goss. Windy shares her journey in real estate, her transition to EXP and her approach to client satisfaction. She emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset, being coachable and utilizing social media for business growth. Windy also discusses her experience with property management, the role of her assistant and the significance of having a supportive team. The conversation highlights Windy's passion for helping other agents improve their skills, her belief in prioritizing clients over commission and her philosophy of detaching from outcomes for long-term success. Windy is a real estate tech influencer, speaker and community leader. Not only is she a top-producing agent selling more than 60 homes a year, but she is also a broker running a successful team of agents in the Las Vegas area. She's constantly giving back to the community and sharing her strategies. What We Discuss: (00:01:25) Windy explains her transition into EXP and what the benefits are, as well as her motivation to grow without increasing her workload. (00:11:38) The natural tendency of empathetic individuals to allow pain to exist before moving forward. (00:12:21) The choice individuals have in moments of pain and the impact their mindset has on themselves and others. (00:13:33) Windy shares her background growing up in a small town, her experiences in different careers and her decision to pursue a career in real estate. (00:23:31) The power social media has for staying connected with friends and clients. (00:24:18) Windy's eight-year journey of building confidence and eventually opening her own brokerage. (00:33:54) Why it's important to have a team in real estate for improving productivity and efficiency. (00:36:21) The need for agents to focus on high-value activities and delegate tasks to assistants or team members. (00:40:27) Windy shares her experience of implementing a morning routine and how it has positively impacted her productivity and mindset. (00:44:34) In order to be coachable, you need to have a mindset of learning and accountability. (00:46:31) Conversation about the challenges of navigating changes in the industry and the need for a strong "why" to stay motivated. (00:51:38) It's important to surround yourself with people who set inspiring goals and have a positive mindset. (00:56:39) The danger of being emotionally attached to outcomes and how detaching from them can lead to better results as well as client satisfaction. (00:59:33) The power of selfless service, giving to others without expecting anything in return, and how it can lead to loyalty, referrals and business growth. (01:04:32) Windy reflects on her past experiences and shares advice she would give to her younger self, including staying positive, pouring oneself into work and embracing a mindset of growth and positivity. Episode Resources: Windy Goss | Website Windy Goss | Instagram

    1h 9m

  7. 2023-12-11

    31: Brett Watts ON: Increasing Efficiency and Profits in Business

    In this podcast episode, Brett, a successful entrepreneur, shares his journey from a corporate job to building and selling his own business. He discusses the importance of designing a business that enhances life rather than controlling it, the role of discipline in achieving freedom and the significance of outsourcing tasks and trusting others. The two discuss the importance of not only setting clear goals but also understanding the 'why' behind them and staying disciplined in their execution. Brett helps agency owners build businesses that amplify their life versus controlling it by leveraging the right people, systems and processes, removing the owner from day-to-day decision making without the constant fear of fires or a drop in service quality. Brett and his partner grew their business to more than 16 employees and sold it for more than 7 figures. Now he helps other business owners design their own sellable business. What We Discuss: (00:07:15) Accepting that it's okay to delegate tasks and trust others to make decisions because this can lead to increased autonomy and growth in the business. (00:11:08) Even if you're not a great salesperson, if you focus on activities and outreach it will lead to results. (00:12:30) Brett shares his background and how he naturally gravitated towards entrepreneurship. (00:18:16) How building systems, processes and documentation makes a business scalable and attractive for potential buyers. (00:20:42) Discipline is an important virtue in maximizing outcomes and achieving business growth. (00:21:19) Creating a to-do list and learning how to prioritize tasks will lead to an increase in productivity and efficiency. (00:28:06) Finding purpose in the day-to-day journey of building a business, making an impact and achieving personal and professional growth. (00:31:11) Brett shares his initial emotions and experiences after selling his business. (00:34:03) Brett discusses why it was important to him to create a business that aligns with his desired lifestyle, including the ability to travel, spend time with family and have personal freedom. (00:39:07) Brett's current mission and purpose of helping businesses or agencies build a business that can amplify their lives through systems, processes and empowering the team. (00:41:41) Shifting from a top-down approach to a more autonomous and initiative-driven team dynamic. (00:42:39) Why it's important to be consistent with goal setting and weekly one-on-one meetings to identify goals and provide the necessary resources for team members to achieve them. (00:47:58) Tools and methods for documenting processes, including the use of project management tools like Monday.com and the importance of concise and easily accessible written and video instructions. (00:50:35) The challenges of organizing files and documents in Google Drive and the benefits of using project management tools for easier access and searchability. (01:00:27) Failure only happens when we allow ourselves to quit. Episode Resources: The Sellable Agency | Website Brett Watts | Instagram Brett Watts | Facebook

    1h 9m
  8. 30: Lynea Carver ON: How to Build a Successful Real Estate Business

    2023-12-04

    30: Lynea Carver ON: How to Build a Successful Real Estate Business

    In this podcast episode, Jonathan sits down with Lynea Carver, a successful real estate agent and social media expert. Lynea shares her journey from corporate America to real estate, and how she leveraged video marketing and social media to differentiate herself in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of having the right team, being consistent, and having a solid business plan. Lynea also discusses her approach to content recycling and the importance of tracking marketing efforts. She shares her experience with chatGPT for her fitness routine and her quest to read 100 books in a year. Lynea Carver is a trusted and experienced real estate agent with eXp Realty in Tacoma, WA. As a team leader, marketing guru, and teacher, she has dedicated her career to helping busy professionals upgrade their homes and assisting sellers in maximizing their property's value. With a passion for systems and innovation, she is the Founder of the Dream Method, an innovative solution designed to simplify the process of achieving your dream lifestyle. Dream Method is a personalized approach that tailors services to your specific needs. Understanding that every client has unique goals, the team is committed to delivering exceptional service with exceptional results. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing in real estate, her team is here to guide you on the path to achieving your dream home. What We Discuss: (00:00:00) The significance of surrounding oneself with the right people who can understand and support one's vision. (00:03:17) The importance of business acumen, structure, systems, and organization in running a successful business. (00:09:46) Lynea discusses the significance of consistency in running a successful business and the need for a solid plan and system. (00:12:19) The importance of strategizing and focusing on the main objectives before diving into the details of marketing and planning. (00:14:09) Recycling content and optimizing it based on its performance on different platforms. (00:19:10) The importance of tracking and measuring marketing efforts, including the need to try marketing efforts for a minimum of 90 days. (00:28:52) Lynea discusses her goal of making $1 million in 12 months and her commitment to learning and implementing various financial strategies. (00:32:23) How reading fiction has expanded Lynea creativity and allowed her to think of different ways to help others and grow personally. (00:37:12) The importance of having a strong team and recognizing her own strengths and weaknesses as a visionary in her real estate business. (00:39:18) Lynea talks about outsourcing tasks such as finances and focusing on aspects of her business that are within her control, despite external challenges in the real estate market. (00:41:29) Lynea shares her journey of hiring her first assistant and gradually expanding her team to include salespeople, a marketing VA, buyer's agents, and an admin, with plans to bring on an ops director and an office manager. (00:47:49) The importance of curiosity and asking more questions to foster growth and avoid stagnation. (00:49:11) The conversation explores how curiosity can lead to discovering the essence of a problem or opportunity, using examples of Kodak and Amazon. Episode Resources: Lynea Carver | Website Lynea Carver | Instagram Lynea Carver | Youtube Lynea Carver | Facebook

    56 min
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About

If raising tons of money and taking a business public is called a Unicorn, what’s it called when you’re growing a successful business that’s bootstrapped? It’s a Bigfoot. Join Jonathan Whiting, entrepreneur and co-CEO of StreetText as he interviews like-minded entrepreneurs about building their business profitably, their journey, and their strategies. This is the show for anyone who took the leap of faith to pursue their passion in business and chase their dreams. It’s story time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Whiting
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Building Bigfoot
  • Show Website
    Building Bigfoot