21st Century Entrepreneurship

Martin Piskoric
  • 5.0 (73)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Daily

The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Podcast is a 4 x Gold-Award weekly show that features interviews with cutting-edge leaders and successful entrepreneurs. We talk about the fundamentals of starting and growing a business, achieving and maintaining success, as well as the difficulties of entrepreneurship and its future. Subscribe to the 21st Century Entrepreneurship Podcast and never miss an episode, so you can stay on top of the curve and gain the knowledge you need to succeed in today's competitive landscape.

  1. 6h ago

    #534 Chris Majer: Why does coordination fail as companies grow?

    Chris Majer is a former University of Washington rugby captain, performance psychologist, and organizational consultant, and we spoke about how practice, mood, and coordination determine whether growing companies can actually transform. An airport-bookstore encounter with George Leonard’s The Ultimate Athlete led him from rugby into Aikido, sports psychology, and work with elite athletes, Olympic teams, and Special Forces. That path eventually took his methods into business, where a 48-month engagement helped an AT&T division generate $3 billion in profit. Majer’s governing lesson is blunt: “Understanding is the booby prize.” Transformation fails when companies install new practices and processes on top of resignation, resentment, or distrust. Because “mood is everything,” leaders must first change the organization’s predisposition for action, then develop new leadership and coordination practices, and finally align compensation, recognition, promotion, and workflows with them. He recommends judging learning by what people can do, dedicating 3–10% of working time to development, and allowing months—not a weekend—for competence to become embodied: “It’s simple, but it’s not easy.” Listeners will leave with a concrete sequence for turning stalled coordination into sustainable performance: shift mood, practice new actions, and make systems coherent with them. Key takeaways Dedicate 3–10% of working time to deliberate learning and practice.Change organizational mood before introducing new practices or systems.Align rewards, compensation, promotion, and workflows with teamwork.Treat coordination as the core capability required for scaling.Build competence through repeated action, not information alone.Sustain transformation through months of follow-up, not one intensive event.

  2. 1d ago

    #533 Simon Mach: How do you build a crypto firm for every cycle?

    Simon Mach is a crypto trader and founder of MyCryptoParadise, and we spoke about how a lean operation that began with four traders survived repeated market cycles after launching in 2016. When meme-coin bets that worked during bull markets vanished in a downturn, Simon stopped chasing potential 1,000% gains and developed a professional approach guided by one hierarchy: “Capital protection first, consistency second, and growth third.” He explains why professionals calculate potential losses before profits, determine exit rules before entering a trade, and use checklists to prevent volatility from hijacking their decisions. The business grew through word of mouth with almost no initial expenses, while Simon treated focus as an economic resource because “your main product is your time and you yourself.” His team publishes both profits and losses, limits participation when added trading volume could expose its positions, and even uses a 12-song album to reinforce the daily discipline behind “risk first, profit second.” Listeners will gain a practical framework for protecting capital, managing emotions, and building consistency that can outlast a bull market. Key takeaways Calculate the possible loss before considering a trade’s potential profit.Define profit targets and loss limits before entering every trade.Use daily routines to protect focus and decision quality.Publish wins and losses to earn trust through transparency.Cap participation when added volume could expose your strategy.Reinforce disciplined behavior with checklists and repeated daily cues.

  3. 5d ago

    #532 Xavier Rivera: How Did a $300K Trade Erase $60K Debt?

    Xavier Rivera is a former U.S. Marine, trader, and financial education mentor, and we spoke about turning a $200 teenage investment into $20,000—then borrowing $60,000, losing most of it, and spending four years trapped in debt. At 17, he entered the military believing his basic needs would be covered while he learned the markets, but the failed pharmaceutical trade pushed him so far into pressure that, as he says, “I was so deep in survival mode.” During a nine-month deployment aboard the USS America without internet access, Xavier printed financial materials, studied constantly, and began translating market concepts into the language of engines, transmissions, and mechanical systems. Teaching other Marines helped him understand the infrastructure himself; after returning, a researched electric-vehicle options trade earned him about $300,000 while three people at the table became millionaires. He stresses that this was a unique event, not a repeatable promise: traders must “calm your nervous system down and learn first,” prove a strategy, manage risk, and “become an operator, not a trader.” Listeners will leave with a practical framework for studying markets, testing systems, protecting savings, and recognizing opportunities without blindly following someone else. Key takeaways Learn the market’s language before risking meaningful capital.Build a repeatable system instead of copying another trader’s positions.Calm your nervous system before expecting consistent decisions.Prove your strategy before accessing larger proprietary-firm capital.Protect savings by separating education, testing, and funded trading.Teach complex concepts simply to deepen your own understanding.

  4. Jul 22

    #531 Timothy Dougherty: How do meals become measurable wins?

    Timothy Dougherty is a fitness entrepreneur and franchisor, founder and CEO of Project LeanNation, and we spoke about rebuilding identity after poverty, financial success, federal prison, and the collapse of everything he had tied his value to. The gym was the first place “where pain had purpose,” and keeping a small promise—to arrive at 6:00 each morning—gave him evidence that he could become disciplined. Years later, despite the house, Porsche, boat, and growing family, he says, “I never felt more empty.” After serving 1,000 nights in federal prison, Timothy returned home with anxiety, guilt, and no clear direction. He relied on a repeatable daily routine, Rational Self-Analysis—thinking about his own thinking—and the confidence that adversity had revealed his ability to persevere. Training one person became meal preparation for many; soon he was producing 1,000 meals each weekend while learning that “it wasn’t the food.” The real value was consistent support, accountability, empathy, and honest conversations that helped people change their behavior. That relationship-based approach eventually became a scalable operating model. Timothy describes spending a decade reaching roughly 30 units, then awarding more than 100 territories within 12 months after building stronger development and support teams. His practical method includes continuously auditing processes, educating himself before hiring specialists, protecting culture through accountability, and accepting that leadership sometimes requires delivering unpopular news. His mission is grounded in service—“we rise by serving others”—and in making healthier choices more accessible to adults and children. Listeners will learn how small promises, structured reflection, consistent service, and transferable skills can turn adversity into disciplined leadership. Key takeaways Keep one small daily promise until discipline becomes evidence.Use routine to reduce uncertainty during high-pressure seasons.Examine your thinking before challenging someone else’s beliefs.Build support, accountability, and education into the operating model.Learn enough to identify and hire genuinely competent specialists.Protect the shared mission, even when accountability makes you unpopular.

  5. Jul 20

    #530 Mike Stone: Can 10 People Scale $5M to $10M?

    Mike Stone is President & CEO of CertaPro Painters®, and we spoke about building scalable businesses through trust, proven systems, technology, and values. After more than 26 years with the organization, Mike believes sustainable growth comes from moving beyond individual projects toward long-term relationships because “projects end,” while strong customer relationships endure. Mike explained how franchising lets entrepreneurs be “in business for yourself, not by yourself,” combining independence with coaching, technology, national sales support, and established processes. He described an unusually fragmented $60–70 billion North American market where even the largest operator holds roughly 1% market share. Franchise owners receive different support as they grow—from accurate estimating and financial discipline to hiring, leadership development, succession planning, tax considerations, and maximizing enterprise value. Technology will reshape how that work is managed rather than eliminate it. Mike expects AI to improve marketing, proposals, estimating, and organizational knowledge, potentially allowing ten employees supporting a $5 million operation today to support a $10 million business in the future. Remote estimates, property data, Google Earth, FaceTime, reviews, and strong customer metrics will also reduce friction as younger customers increasingly expect digital buying experiences. Underneath these changes is a values-based culture built around keeping promises, respecting individuals, pursuing excellence, continuously improving, and being willing to “embrace the possibilities.” Key takeaways  Build lasting customer relationships instead of optimizing only for individual projects.  Use proven systems while preserving the franchise owner’s entrepreneurial independence.  Develop financial discipline early, then add talent and leadership capacity.  Apply AI to proposals, estimating, marketing, and shared organizational knowledge.  Design remote buying experiences around data, reviews, and customer convenience.  Protect long-term growth with clear values, succession planning, and continuous improvement.Listeners will gain a practical framework for scaling a service business without sacrificing trust, profitability, or customer experience.

  6. Jul 17

    #529 Andy Harris: How Did One Exit Sell for Twice Its Value?

    Andy Harris is a former three-time CEO and current President of North American Strategies and Managing Director with STS Capital, and we spoke about how founders can prepare their companies for an exit that delivers more than standard market value. After completing more than 20 acquisitions and six exits, Andy learned M&A by “being in the shoes” of business owners—building companies, managing daily operations, and preparing them for strategic buyers. His central advice is to remove “founder risk” by creating a capable leadership team, establishing succession, and proving the company can operate without its founder. Owners should also define why they want to sell, what outcomes they require, and what life should look like afterward. Because circumstances can change unexpectedly, Andy argues that “it’s never too early to start” building a business that is ready for an exit. Andy explains how advisors identify strategic buyers, run a competitive process, and move negotiations beyond ordinary industry multiples. In one case, buyer competition helped a company close at 100% above its base financial value—twice what the owner originally expected. He also emphasizes the emotional side of selling, particularly in family businesses, where stakeholders must remain aligned around their original purpose and preferred outcomes. Listeners will learn how to reduce buyer risk, strengthen value drivers, create strategic competition, and prepare emotionally for a successful exit. Key takeaways Build leadership that allows the company to operate without its founder.Define required outcomes and post-exit plans before starting negotiations.Prepare for an exit years before you expect to sell.Identify buyers who gain unique strategic value from your company.Use competitive tension to move offers above standard industry multiples.Align shareholders early to prevent emotional reversals near closing.

  7. Jul 15

    #528 Sam Rosenberg: How Do You Spot Danger Before It Strikes?

    Sam Rosenberg is a former Marine officer and close-protection specialist, and we spoke about how ordinary people can recognize danger, avoid freezing under pressure, and protect those they love. After safeguarding prominent public figures, he concluded that “it’s good to have a lifeguard, but ultimately you should know how to swim”—meaning people should learn the same foundational thinking skills used by professional protectors. His turning point came before the Marines, when a man pointed a gun at his face during his second shift as a college-bar bouncer. Although Sam was physically prepared, his mind temporarily stopped processing. That experience led him to study stress paralysis and teach that “we don’t rise to the occasion. We fall to the level of our training.” His approach focuses less on fighting techniques and more on realistic preparation, decision-making under pressure, and spotting warning signs before violence becomes physical. Sam explains how to scan environments for anomalies, “watch the watchers,” and identify escape options—including locating the kitchen exit when entering a restaurant. Because “we see with our minds, not with our eyes,” awareness requires knowing what to observe, recognizing when someone may be targeting you, and resisting the instinct to dismiss uncomfortable signals. Listeners will leave with practical habits for recognizing danger sooner, making better decisions under stress, and avoiding trouble before self-defense becomes necessary. Key takeaways Scan environments for people not using them for their intended purpose.Watch the watchers; visible awareness can make you a harder target.Identify a second exit whenever entering a restaurant or public space.Train realistic decisions under stress, not only sport-based fighting skills.Replace “random violence” thinking with observable warning signs and behavioral patterns.Protect your thinking first; physical strength alone will not prevent freezing.

  8. Jul 13

    #527 Yana Carstens: Is Overwork Really Causing Burnout?

    Yana Carstens is the founder and executive coach of Realign and Thrive, and we spoke about why she believes burnout is not caused simply by working too much. After experiencing severe stress herself—including a visit to the emergency room—she began examining the deeper patterns that keep founders and leaders operating under constant internal pressure. She defines burnout as a “lack of vibrancy”: losing the ability to feel present, grounded, and engaged in work that once mattered. Yana’s framework focuses on recalibrating the body, realigning the mind, and reviving the heart. Leaders first learn to recognize personal warning signals such as headaches, disrupted sleep, anxiety, and physical tension. They then identify the underlying drivers—perfectionism, people-pleasing, hyper-achievement, and excessive responsibility—and replace beliefs that make rest feel undeserved. As Yana explains, “rest is not a reward for success”; it is the foundation that makes sustainable success possible. We also spoke about why vacations and delegation often fail when cognitive overload continues. Yana encourages founders to rest intentionally, disengage from work without guilt, delegate without constantly rechecking others, and reconnect decisions with their core values. Her goal is to help leaders move into “the driver’s seat,” where fears and automatic habits no longer control their attention. Listeners will gain a practical way to recognize burnout earlier, reduce internal pressure, and build success without losing their energy or purpose. Key takeaways Treat rest as a foundation for success, not a reward.Identify physical warning signals before they become a full collapse.Examine perfectionism, people-pleasing, hyper-achievement, and excessive responsibility.Replace beliefs that create guilt whenever you pause or delegate.Set a clear intention before vacations, breaks, or recovery periods.Align goals and leadership decisions with your core values.

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5
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About

The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Podcast is a 4 x Gold-Award weekly show that features interviews with cutting-edge leaders and successful entrepreneurs. We talk about the fundamentals of starting and growing a business, achieving and maintaining success, as well as the difficulties of entrepreneurship and its future. Subscribe to the 21st Century Entrepreneurship Podcast and never miss an episode, so you can stay on top of the curve and gain the knowledge you need to succeed in today's competitive landscape.

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Piskoric
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    533
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 21st Century Entrepreneurship
  • Show Website
    21st Century Entrepreneurship