Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Brian Lofrumento
  • 4.9 (153)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Semiweekly

Brian Lofrumento reveals everything you need to go from wantrepreneur – or someone who WANTS to own their own business – to a money-making, action-taking entrepreneur. Discover exactly how to start a business and build a raving audience of fans and customers who want to buy your stuff, and learn exactly how to best serve your customers and clients by building a customer-centric line of products and services. Brian has built multiple six-figure businesses, including a six-figure SEO agency at the age of 24, and now helps thousands of entrepreneurs from around the world grow, automate, and scale their businesses by implementing high-converting marketing strategies and systems into their businesses. Visit the show online and get a free copy of the book, Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur, at TheWantrepreneurShow.com. Our show is made possible by the financial, time, and knowledge contributions of our amazing guests. Together with the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur host and team, our guests believe in the power of entrepreneurs lifting up other entrepreneurs, and their contributions make it possible for us to reach wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs all over the world ad-free.

  1. 17h ago

    1567: Think Like a Big Business, Win Like a Small One w/ Felix Vicknair

    Felix Vicknair, an executive business advisor with 25 years of experience in supply chain and operational excellence, joins the show to demystify how small businesses can leverage the strategies of global corporations. He explains why focusing solely on revenue growth is a mistake and reveals the hidden opportunities for profit and efficiency that most entrepreneurs overlook in their day-to-day operations. This episode is a masterclass for any founder who feels overwhelmed and is looking for a structured way to lower costs, improve results, and build a more resilient business. Felix breaks down complex concepts like Lean Six Sigma and process standardization into simple, actionable steps you can apply immediately, regardless of your company's size. 💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business How to adopt a "big business" mindset to find hidden profits and efficiencies in your small business.The secret to consistent, high-quality results by standardizing your core processes (and why "asking Joe" is a recipe for disaster).Why balancing revenue growth with expense control is crucial for long-term stability and profitability.How to use data and AI as a strategic tool without falling into the trap of blindly following numbers.The framework for identifying which tasks to automate or simplify so your team can focus on high-value activities.Why you don't need an in-house engineering team to achieve operational excellence.How to overcome personal limitations (like being an introvert) to become the leader your business needs.📝 About Felix Vicknair Felix Vicknair is an executive business advisor and the founder of United Business Works. With a background as an industrial engineer and over 25 years of experience in supply chain consulting for large global corporations, he has a unique talent for identifying operational inefficiencies. Felix is now on a mission to bring those same high-impact solutions—from cost reduction and process optimization to automation—to small businesses and nonprofits that are ready to scale. His hands-on approach helps entrepreneurs stop reinventing the wheel and start building more profitable, efficient, and sustainable companies. 🎯 Felix’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Nobody has all the answers." 📢 Memorable Quotes “If you're not actively thinking about ways to drive change, to take advantage of how things are moving in markets and in the world, you're falling behind.” – Felix Vicknair“Data tells a story that it's not emotionally bound to how an operation performed on any given day. It doesn't have biases towards feelings or just experiences in the way that sometimes people do.” – Felix Vicknair💡 Actionable Takeaways Document one core process this week. It could be how you onboard a new client or fulfill an order. The goal is to get it out of someone’s head and onto paper to create consistency.Conduct a "tech bloat" audit. Review all your software subscriptions and cancel any licenses or tools you are no longer using.Identify one person in your network you can ask for feedback on a current business challenge. Schedule a 15-minute call with them.Look at your daily tasks and identify one repetitive, low-value activity that could be simplified or automated.🔗 Links & Resources Website: https://unitedbusinessworks.com/Connect with Felix on LinkedInFollow United Business Works on LinkedIn

    1567: Think Like a Big Business, Win Like a Small One w/ Felix Vicknair

  2. 1d ago

    1566: It doesn’t need to be new (and maybe it shouldn't be!)

    Are you stuck in the "idea phase," convinced that your success hinges on creating something brand new that the world has never seen? In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian Lofrumento breaks down a critical pattern he’s observed that separates wantrepreneurs from successful entrepreneurs: the obsession with novelty. He reveals why experienced founders don't look for new ideas, but instead focus on what's already proven to work. Drawing on powerful stories—including the man who invented AstroTurf too early and Russell Brunson’s warning about pioneers—Brian explains why your energy is better spent on execution, not invention. This episode is a must-listen if you're ready to get out of the brainstorming phase and into building a real, profitable business. ✨ Why This Matters for You This mindset shift can save you years of frustration and wasted effort: It frees you from the immense pressure of having to invent the "next big thing."It gives you a clear roadmap to follow by modeling what's already successful in the marketplace.It helps you avoid the costly trap of trying to educate a market on a brand-new concept.It shifts your focus from the "idea" to the three things that actually drive success: marketing, sales, and delivery.📝 Key Takeaways Proven > New. Wantrepreneurs believe their success is tied to a revolutionary idea. Entrepreneurs know success comes from leveraging proven models.Execution is Everything. A simple idea with brilliant marketing, sales, and delivery will always beat a brilliant idea with poor execution.Pioneers Get the Arrows. As Brian shares, the first to market is often the one who fails, paving the way for others to learn from their mistakes and succeed.Don't Reinvent the Wheel. There's a reason established business models work—the market is already spending money there. Your job is to step in and serve that market, maybe just a little bit better.Innovation Happens Within Lanes. True, sustainable innovation isn't about creating a whole new industry; it's about improving on what already exists within a proven market.🚀 Put It Into Action This week, stop brainstorming and start analyzing: Pick an industry you're passionate about.Instead of trying to come up with a "new" idea, find 3-5 businesses that are already crushing it in that space.Study them. What are they selling? How are they marketing? Who are their customers?Ask yourself one simple question: "What is the one thing I could do just a little bit better than them?" That’s your starting point.🔗 Stay Connected Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who is stuck trying to find the "perfect" new idea

  3. 3d ago

    1565: What does "HARD WORK" actually mean as an entrepreneur? (COLLAB EPISODE!)

    In this special collab episode of Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur, 16 founders come together to answer one deceptively powerful question: What does "hard work" mean to you, and how is it different from when you started your business? It's a wide-ranging episode about what hard work really means once volume stops being the measure — from swapping busyness for stillness, to learning to make the ask, to discovering that AI has moved the hard part from typing to thinking. Across all seventeen answers, one thread holds: hard work stopped being about how much these founders could carry, and started being about what they have the discipline to put down. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur who still measures their effort in hours logged, meetings taken, or how exhausted they feel at the end of the day, this episode is a reset. Seventeen founders, across wildly different industries, arrived at strikingly similar conclusions: hard work isn't disappearing as they grow — it's relocating, from the doing to the deciding, from the hours to the judgment behind them. 🎙️ Meet the Collab Week Contributors Lisa Larson — Mindful Corporate Mastery After 25+ years in corporate tech, Lisa founded Mindful Corporate Mastery to help high-performing professionals manage stress and decisions differently than she once did. Website: https://www.mindfulcorporatemastery.com/ Nate Hebbert — SelfWare Consulting A former software engineer at 3M, KPMG, and Domo, Nate now runs SelfWare Consulting, helping tech companies and small business owners beat burnout without pausing growth. Website: https://selfwareconsulting.com/ Shawn Sundsvold — GoldBear Media Shawn co-founded GoldBear Media with his wife Kelly in 2020, helping small and medium businesses get more out of social media and email marketing. Website: https://goldbear.media/ Erik Berglund — Loominary Erik founded The Language of Leadership and Loominary, building skill simulation systems that let people practice their business's hardest conversations. Website: https://www.loominary.io/ Sheri Roder — Get UnStuck HQ After 40+ years in corporate life, Sheri launched Get UnStuck HQ, a coaching practice that helps clients turn a messy, complicated choice into a decision they can act on. Website: https://www.getunstuckhq.com/ Brandon Pankey — Blue Pine Works Brandon is co-owner and Operations Lead at Blue Pine Works, an arboriculture and land stewardship company, building the systems behind the business he runs with his partner. Website: https://bluepineworks.com/ Kevin Kertes — advanceMEN Coaching A former 30-year music industry executive, Kevin now runs advanceMEN Coaching, helping capable men confront postponed decisions and move forward with confidence. Website: https://www.advancemencoaching.com/ Brandon Katz — DreamLever Brandon is founder and CEO of DreamLever, an AI system that learns a business from its own meetings and drives the right work forward, after 4 years as Chief of Staff at Fine Fettle. Website: https://www.dreamlever.ai/ Raamon Newman — New Mavericks Raamon co-founded New Mavericks 25 years ago as a full-time meditating monk, and now leads CEO development work with founders scaling companies into the billions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raamonnewman/ Patricia Ballivian — Altura Strategies Originally from Bolivia, Patricia founded Altura Strategies to help growing businesses align their operations, systems, and people. Website: https://www.alturastrategies.net/ Sara Reece — Workmind Sara is CEO and co-founder of Workmind, helping organizations use operations-first automation to eliminate friction and grow without adding headcount. Website: https://workmind.cloud/partners/ Mike Gross — Michael J. Gross, LLC With 35+ years of experience, Mike runs Michael J. Gross, LLC, providing practical ISO training and consulting built on what already works. Website: https://mj-gross.com/ Stephen Custer — Dry Humor Marketing Stephen built Dry Humor Marketing as a one-man show helping businesses tell their story through video, photography, and web design, before hiring his first contractor last November. Website: https://www.dryhumormarketing.com/ Drew Mehta — ThinkFraction After 20+ years in corporate, Drew founded ThinkFraction to help owner-operators fix the leaks in their back-end workflows and put AI to work the right way. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhroovmehta/ Rami Akeela — Nera Systems With 20+ years in hardware, software, and cryptography, Rami founded Nera Systems, a confidential AI company helping enterprises use AI on their most sensitive data. Website: https://nera.systems/ David Beltran — Accord Intelligence After 14 years at IBM in cybersecurity and identity, David founded Accord Intelligence, building the decision layer that helps organizations govern and trust their AI. Website: https://www.accordintelligence.ai/

  4. 4d ago

    1564: This question will reveal (almost) everything...

    What if the biggest obstacle to your business's growth isn't your strategy, your marketing, or your team… but you? In the powerful finale to this week’s special solo series, Brian reveals the fifth and final question he uses to spark his biggest inflection points of growth: "Who and what do I need to become?" This isn't just about goal-setting; it's about identity-shifting. Brian unpacks why the skills, habits, and mindset that brought you to this point are rarely the ones that will get you to the next, and why true, sustainable growth in your business starts with your own personal evolution. Get ready for the most challenging—and most rewarding—question of the entire series. ✨ Why This Matters for You Embracing this question is the key to breaking through your current ceiling: It forces you to move beyond tactics and focus on the fundamental driver of your success: you.It’s the antidote to stagnation. If your business feels stuck, this question reveals the personal changes needed to get it moving again.It transforms how you show up in sales, leadership, and even during setbacks, building resilience and confidence.It helps you intentionally design your future self instead of letting circumstances dictate who you become.📝 Key Takeaways What Got You Here Won't Get You There. The central theme of entrepreneurship is change. To level up your business, you must be willing to evolve and become a new version of yourself.Your Business Is a Reflection of You. Your company’s growth is directly tied to your personal development. As you grow, so will your business.The Five Core Growth Questions. This episode culminates a series built on powerful inquiry. The full set includes: Where is my universe expanding? (Episode 1560) What can I do now that my future self will thank me for? (Episode 1561)What if I could only work 4 hours per week? (Episode 1562)What would I be doing if I was less patient? (Episode 1563)Who and what do I need to become? (This episode)Action Over Consumption. These questions aren't just for listening. The real value comes from disconnecting, sitting with a pen and paper, and doing the deep work to find your own answers.🚀 Put It Into Action This week, schedule your own "Executive Time" to answer the final question: Find a quiet space, like a coffee shop. Leave your laptop behind and put your phone on "Do Not Disturb."Take out a notebook and write this question at the top of the page: "To achieve my biggest goals for next year, who and what do I need to become?"Brainstorm freely. Think about the skills you need to learn, the habits you need to break, the mindset you need to adopt, and the leader you need to be.Circle one thing you can start working on today to begin that transformation.🔗 Stay Connected Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode.Loved the solo series? Drop Brian a personal email at hello@imetbrian.com and let him know what you thought.Connect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrian.Share this episode with a founder who is ready for their next level of growth.📣 Special Thanks and Shout Out to Our Team and Guests! A huge shout-out to Laura from the podcast team for all her incredible work behind the scenes! She has been coordinating with past guests to create some very special collaborative episodes. Get excited and make sure you’re subscribed, because the first one drops tomorrow, and you won’t want to miss it

  5. 5d ago

    1563: Is patience HURTING your growth?

    We’re often told that patience is a virtue in entrepreneurship. But what if it’s actually holding you back? What if the key to your next breakthrough lies in being… less patient? In this solo episode, Brian flips the script on conventional wisdom. After spending the week discussing long-term thinking, he introduces a powerful contrarian question that forces you to create urgency and take immediate action. He explores how a healthy dose of impatience can be the antidote to tinkering, perfectionism, and waiting for the “right time.” This isn't about being reckless; it's about manufacturing the urgency needed to turn your ambitious goals into today's reality. ✨ Why This Matters for You Injecting a little impatience into your strategy can radically change your results: It stops you from endlessly tweaking websites and logos and forces you to focus on what matters: getting clients and generating revenue.It creates the self-imposed deadlines and urgency that are often missing when you’re your own boss.It’s the fastest way to cut through the noise and identify the most direct path to your goals.It helps you break out of the "someday" mindset and shifts you into an action-oriented state now.It reveals hidden opportunities for quick wins that build the momentum needed for the long game.📝 Key Takeaways Urgency is Self-Imposed. As an entrepreneur, no one is going to force deadlines upon you. If you’re serious about growth, you must learn to create your own sense of urgency.Action Over Academia. Being less patient moves you from theoretical planning (designing funnels, perfecting copy) to practical action (making sales calls, shipping the product).Contrast Creates Clarity. True growth comes from balancing the long-term vision with short-term, aggressive action. You need both patience and impatience in your toolkit.Patience Can Be a Trap. Too much patience, with no sense of urgency, quickly becomes stagnation. It’s an excuse to avoid taking the bold actions required for success.Manipulate Your Time Horizon. Just like world-class athletes seem to slow down time, you can manipulate your time horizon. Asking "What if I was less patient?" shrinks the timeline and forces you to focus on the essential moves.🚀 Put It Into Action This week, pick one area of your business where you’ve been “patiently” waiting for progress. Then ask yourself Brian’s question: What would this look like if I was LESS patient?What’s the most direct, immediate action I could take to get a result this week instead of next month or next quarter?Stop tinkering and start doing. Whether it’s reaching out to 10 potential clients or launching the imperfect version of your offer, take one “impatient” step today.🔗 Stay Connected Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs a dose of urgency to get unstuck

  6. 6d ago

    1562: This CONSTRAINT leads to better answers...

    Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of tasks, busy all day but not making real progress? In this special Solo Sunday episode, Brian shares a powerful, game-changing question he's been asking himself for nearly 20 years: "What if I could only work 4 hours per week?" Inspired by Tim Ferriss's classic book, The 4-Hour Workweek, Brian reveals how his biggest takeaway wasn't about passive income, but about the incredible power of constraints. He breaks down why limiting your time forces you to ruthlessly prioritize, spark creativity, and focus only on the activities that create the biggest impact. This isn’t about working less; it’s about thinking more strategically to achieve more. ✨ Why This Matters for You Embracing constraints is a superpower for entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed: It’s the ultimate antidote to "busywork," forcing you to distinguish between motion and progress.It sharpens your focus on high-leverage activities that truly move the needle.It unlocks creative problem-solving and innovation by forcing you to find better, faster ways to get things done.It eliminates the procrastination of "dilly-dallying" on things like logos and websites when you should be focused on revenue-generating actions.📝 Key Takeaways Constraints Breed Creativity. Just like artists who limit their medium to create masterpieces, entrepreneurs can use time constraints to produce their most innovative work and solutions.Prioritize Ruthlessly. When you only have 4 hours, only the most essential, impactful tasks make the cut. It forces you to find your 80/20.Clarity Through Limitation. This question isn't about actually working 4 hours; it's a thought experiment to gain clarity on what truly matters for growth.Action Over Perfection. With limited time, you don't have the luxury of overthinking. You're forced to act on the most important things, even if imperfectly.Constraints Drive Growth. By stripping away the non-essential, you create space and focus for the actions that lead to real, tangible expansion in your business.🚀 Put It Into Action This week, take this question seriously. Don’t just listen to it—sit with it. Block out 30 minutes, grab a pen and paper, and answer: If I could only work 4 hours on my business next week, how would I spend those 4 hours? What tasks absolutely must be done?What would you immediately stop doing?Be honest with yourself. The answer will reveal your true priorities and what you should be focusing on right now.🔗 Stay Connected Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode in this special solo seriesConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to stop being busy and start being effective.

  7. Sep 7

    1561: Answer this question and you'll find COMPOUNDING GAINS for your future self!

    Are you constantly caught up in the daily grind—the immediate tasks, the urgent emails, the next sale—and losing sight of the bigger picture? In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian Lofrumento pulls back the curtain on one of the most powerful reflective questions he uses to drive massive, long-term growth in both his life and businesses. He shares the simple yet profound question that forces you to think like a legacy-builder, not just a day-to-day operator. Using the 10-year journey of this very podcast as a prime example, Brian illustrates how the biggest wins are a result of small, consistent actions that compound over time, even when the rewards aren't immediate. This episode is your catalyst to stop just working in your business and start building the one your future self will thank you for. ✨ Why This Matters for You Adopting a long-term mindset is the difference between building a short-term cash machine and a long-term empire: It frees you from the tyranny of immediate results, allowing you to invest in assets like an audience, a brand, or a powerful new skill.It provides the motivation to stick with big projects (like a podcast or YouTube channel) through the early days when it feels like no one is listening.It helps you make smarter, more strategic decisions that pay dividends for years, not just for the day.It reframes your perspective on time, turning it from an enemy into your greatest ally for compounding growth.📝 Key Takeaways The Two-Business Mindset. You are always building two businesses at once: the business that pays the bills today, and the business that will create your legacy in five years. You must intentionally build both.The Time Will Pass Anyway. This powerful lesson from Brian's mom is a game-changer. A year from now, you’ll either have a year of progress on your long-term goal, or you won’t. The time will pass regardless of your actions.Embrace Delayed Gratification. The most transformative assets in business—a loyal audience, a trusted brand, a #1 podcast—are never built overnight. True success requires the discipline to play the long game.Short-Term Needs vs. Long-Term Vision. While it’s crucial to win today, it's the long-term actions you take that create disproportionate results down the line. It's not about choosing one over the other; it's about balancing both.Assets Compound, Tasks Don't. Building an email list, a content library, or a strong network are assets that grow in value over time. Answering emails is just a task. Prioritize building assets.🚀 Put It Into Action This week, shift your time horizon. Ask yourself Brian's question: "What is one thing I can start doing today that my self in 5 or 10 years will be incredibly grateful for?" Is it finally starting that YouTube channel or podcast you've been thinking about?Is it dedicating 30 minutes a day to learning a high-value skill like sales, copywriting, or AI?Is it committing to a health and fitness routine that will give you more energy and longevity?Pick ONE thing and take the very first, smallest step possible to begin building it this week. 🔗 Stay Connected Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to zoom out and focus on their long-term vision

  8. Sep 7

    1560: This question ALWAYS leads me to growth...

    Ever feel like you’re running in place, surrounded by the same ideas, people, and routines? In this special Solo Sunday episode, Brian kicks off a brand new daily series by sharing one of the most powerful questions he asks himself to spark a new chapter of growth: "Where is my universe expanding?" He breaks down why your business can only grow to the limits of your personal world and how intentionally expanding your universe—through new connections, skills, and perspectives—is the key to unlocking your next level. This isn't just a motivational talk; it's a practical framework for breaking out of your current borders and creating new opportunities in your business and life. ✨ Why This Matters for You Constantly expanding your universe is a non-negotiable for ambitious entrepreneurs: It’s the antidote to stagnation and echo chambers that kill creativity and opportunity.It’s a direct strategy for finding new markets, clients, and partners you would otherwise never encounter.It connects your personal growth directly to your business growth; as you expand, so does your company.It forces you out of your comfort zone and into a state of active learning, which is where all breakthroughs happen.📝 Key Takeaways Your business can't outgrow you. Your company’s growth is a direct reflection of your own personal development.Expansion is a prerequisite for growth. You can't achieve new results by staying within your current borders—the same people, ideas, and skills won't lead to a different outcome.Your calendar is the source of truth. How you actually spend your time reveals whether you’re truly expanding your universe or just thinking about it.New perspectives are business assets. Inspired by a Mark Twain quote, Brian explains how exposure to new ideas and people is "fatal" to the narrow-mindedness that holds entrepreneurs back.Apply this question everywhere. Ask "How is my universe expanding?" in the context of your marketing (new audiences), sales (new outreach methods), and networking (new connections).Connections are currency. Every new person you meet is an opportunity to learn, grow, and see the world differently. Even the "bad" connections offer valuable lessons.🚀 Put It Into Action This week, sit with this powerful question. Don't just listen—reflect and act: Look at your calendar for the past month. Where have you intentionally spent time expanding your universe? Where are the gaps?Identify one new person outside your industry you can connect with for a virtual coffee this week.What’s one new skill, hobby, or perspective you can start exploring? (e.g., read a book on a totally new topic, take an introductory online class).Ask yourself: In what area of my business (marketing, sales, product) am I "vegetating in one little corner of the earth"? What's one small step I can take to expand it?🔗 Stay Connected Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, especially during this special daily series!Connect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who is ready for their next chapter of growth.

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About

Brian Lofrumento reveals everything you need to go from wantrepreneur – or someone who WANTS to own their own business – to a money-making, action-taking entrepreneur. Discover exactly how to start a business and build a raving audience of fans and customers who want to buy your stuff, and learn exactly how to best serve your customers and clients by building a customer-centric line of products and services. Brian has built multiple six-figure businesses, including a six-figure SEO agency at the age of 24, and now helps thousands of entrepreneurs from around the world grow, automate, and scale their businesses by implementing high-converting marketing strategies and systems into their businesses. Visit the show online and get a free copy of the book, Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur, at TheWantrepreneurShow.com. Our show is made possible by the financial, time, and knowledge contributions of our amazing guests. Together with the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur host and team, our guests believe in the power of entrepreneurs lifting up other entrepreneurs, and their contributions make it possible for us to reach wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs all over the world ad-free.

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