BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio

Tyler Jorgenson
  • 5.0 (24)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

For over 15 years, BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio has been the place where real entrepreneurs share the truth about building and scaling businesses. Host Tyler Jorgenson, entrepreneur, strategist, and Rich Dad® Expert on Business, dives into conversations with founders, authors, CEOs, marketers, and innovators who have turned ideas into empires. In under 30 minutes you will get unfiltered insights, proven strategies, and behind-the-scenes stories from some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, including Tim Ferriss, Neil Patel, and Peter Shankman. Whether you want to escape the rat race, grow your revenue, or uncover your next big idea, BizNinja is your shortcut to clarity, courage, and entrepreneurial freedom. Broadcast weekly on ABC News Radio KMET-1490 and available everywhere you listen to podcasts. 👉 Learn more at BizNinjaRadio.com

  1. From Pandemic Pivot to Franchise Firestorm: The Real Story of Cookie Co.

    4D AGO

    From Pandemic Pivot to Franchise Firestorm: The Real Story of Cookie Co.

    What happens when you launch a dessert brand in the middle of a global shutdown… scale it to 31 locations… and then face economic whiplash, legal chaos, and a near-hostile takeover? In this episode, I sit down with Matt Thomas, co-founder of Cookie Co., to unpack one of the most honest entrepreneurial journeys we’ve ever had on BizNinja. This isn’t just about cookies. It’s about resilience, leadership under pressure, and what it really takes to rebuild when everything feels like it’s unraveling. Matt didn’t plan to build a national cookie brand during a pandemic. But when his branding agency collapsed in March 2020, he and his wife Elise went all-in on Cookie Co.—a passion project born from her lifelong love of baking. From selling cookies out of their garage (while neighbors suspected something sketchy) to hitting $1.3M in year one, the growth was explosive. Franchise interest poured in. Within a few years, they reached 31 locations across multiple states. Then the economy shifted. Eggs and butter doubled. Inflation soared. Franchisees struggled. A strategic partnership turned into a legal nightmare involving system lockouts and reputational damage. Through it all, Matt shares what he’s learned about resilience, leadership, ego, and the brutal honesty entrepreneurship demands. This episode is about grit. And it’s about evolving before the market forces you to.   What You'll Learn Why door-to-door sales is one of the best entrepreneurial training groundsHow Cookie Co. scaled to 31 locations during economic uncertaintyThe hidden complexities of franchisingWhat happens when inflation crushes your margins overnightHow to navigate lawsuits, PR damage, and operational chaosWhy listening to customers is your most underrated growth strategyThe mindset shift required to survive and rebuildChapters 00:00 Welcome to BizNinja 02:40 Matt’s Early Entrepreneurial Roots 06:30 Launching Cookie Co During COVID 10:00 The Leap Into Franchising 15:50 Inflation Hits and the Real Struggles Begin 19:05 Strategic Partnership Turns Hostile 23:10 The Power of Pivoting and Listening to Customers 27:20 Business as a Vehicle for Life

    30 min
  2. Analog is the New Advantage: Building Deeper Customer Experiences with Mark Stern

    FEB 2

    Analog is the New Advantage: Building Deeper Customer Experiences with Mark Stern

    What if the thing that helps you stand out in a digital world… isn’t more digital? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Mark Stern, founder of Custom Box Agency, to unpack how physical products are making a serious comeback in business. From flipping Furbies as a teenager to building immersive onboarding experiences for lawyers, authors, and SaaS companies, Mark shares how analog experiences are becoming the secret weapon in a world flooded with AI and digital noise. We talk about the lessons he learned in corporate America at Deloitte, why being a generalist can hold entrepreneurs back, and how stepping into your zone of genius unlocks true growth. Mark also walks through how physical products like card decks, game boards, and custom boxes can increase acquisition, retention, and lifetime value. If you’re building a brand and want to create deeper connection, stronger engagement, and real-world impact, this conversation will stretch how you think. What You'll Learn How corporate structure can actually prepare you for entrepreneurshipWhy physical products are gaining power in the age of AIThe mistake most entrepreneurs make when scaling their businessHow to use physical experiences for customer acquisition and retentionWhy gamifying onboarding increases results and engagementThe power of dynamic QR codes and hyper-personalizationHow a simple card deck can become a powerful front-end offerWhy analog experiences create emotional connection and memorability

    30 min
  3. The Long Game of Entrepreneurship: Relationships Over Transactions

    JAN 13

    The Long Game of Entrepreneurship: Relationships Over Transactions

    Entrepreneurship is a game of extremes, the highest highs, the lowest lows, and everything in between. But what if the biggest unlock to success isn’t another strategy, funnel, or funding round… but the way you connect with people? In this Season 16 episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Tyler Jorgenson sits down with serial entrepreneur, investor, and master connector Garrett Dunham to unpack why proximity, generosity, and intentional networking can create exponential opportunities, often when you least expect them. Garrett Dunham has built startups, hosted hackathons, worked in venture capital, advised founders, and now leads Hey, Lois, a platform designed to help people make meaningful, human-centered connections at scale. In this conversation, Garrett shares his unconventional entrepreneurial journe, from a childhood dream of inventing a remote-controlled vacuum to hanging out with Richard Branson on Necker Island, all powered by one core philosophy: radical abundance. Tyler and Garrett explore why most people misunderstand networking, why chasing quantity without depth leads nowhere, and how focusing on helping others can unlock massive, compounding returns. They also dive into how AI can support—not replace—human relationships, and why generosity isn’t just good ethics, it’s good business. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy entrepreneurship mirrors the emotional extremes of life itselfHow proximity and environment shape opportunityThe difference between shallow networking and meaningful connectionWhy helping 100 people—even if only one helps back—still winsThe “power law of people” and how exponential returns really workHow to nurture relationships without burning time or energyWhy AI should amplify human connection, not replace itWhat “radical abundance” means—and how to live itHow Garrett is building a career path around generosity and connection

    39 min
  4. The Power of Clarity in Business and Life

    JAN 6

    The Power of Clarity in Business and Life

    What if success isn’t about chasing the next exit, but about finally knowing what’s enough? In this Season 16 episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Tyler Jorgenson sits down with entrepreneur Jermaine Ee, founder of HeirLight, for a powerful conversation about clarity, legacy, and building businesses that truly matter. Jermaine Ee’s entrepreneurial instincts showed up early — from selling custom mixtapes in school to pioneering YouTube product placement years before influencer marketing became mainstream. Since then, he’s built and worked across industries including toys, media, politics, and technology. But his most meaningful work came from a personal realization: his parents didn’t lack money — they lacked clarity. That insight led Jermaine to create HeirLight, an AI-powered estate planning platform designed to remove fear, shame, and confusion from conversations about assets, legacy, and life planning. Together, Tyler and Jermaine unpack what it means to design your life intentionally, why not every business should raise venture capital, and how self-awareness is often the missing ingredient in entrepreneurship.   Key TakeawaysHow early entrepreneurial instincts often show up before “real” businessesWhy most people delay estate planning — and how AI can change thatThe difference between chasing hype and building with purposeWhen to bootstrap vs. when to raise capitalWhy building the right team matters more than doing everything yourselfThe realities of building a business with familyHow to use AI as a tool without losing your humanityWhy clarity may be the most underrated entrepreneurial advantageChapters00:00 Welcome to BizNinja & meeting Jermaine Ee 01:00 Selling mixtapes and early signs of entrepreneurship 02:30 Discovering YouTube marketing before it was mainstream 04:00 Being “forced” into entrepreneurship 05:00 Why HeirLight was built 07:00 Estate planning, shame, and the messy middle 09:00 Legal, design, and scaling challenges 10:30 Applying B2B lessons to a consumer startup 12:30 Bootstrapping vs. raising capital 14:30 Choosing which ideas deserve your focus 16:30 Family, failure, and resilience 18:30 Building a business with his mother 20:30 Working with family without damaging relationships 22:00 AI as a productivity tool, not a replacement for humanity 25:00 Self-awareness and whose opinions matter 26:30 “Clarity is love in practical form” 27:30 Redefining success and legacy

    29 min
  5. Finding Your Voice: How Elite Communication Turns Ideas Into Impact

    12/22/2025

    Finding Your Voice: How Elite Communication Turns Ideas Into Impact

    What if your biggest growth bottleneck isn’t your strategy, your funnel, or your offer—but how you communicate your ideas? In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Tyler Jorgenson welcomes longtime friend and world-class communicator Hannah Kim—a classically trained opera singer turned TEDx speaker, event curator, and founder of Purpose Speaking. Hannah shares her unconventional journey from music school to entrepreneurship, challenging the “starving artist” narrative and building a profitable, purpose-driven career around communication. Together, they explore why experience alone doesn’t make someone a great speaker, how rejection builds confidence, and why preparation—not talent—is the real antidote to stage fear. They also dive deep into the TEDx world: what organizers actually look for, why most applications fail, and how to structure an idea that solves a real problem. Hannah reveals practical tools—including pacing, presence, and reframing rejection—that anyone can use to instantly elevate their communication, whether on stage, on camera, or in business conversations. This episode is a masterclass in visibility, confidence, and turning your message into real-world impact.   Key Takeaways Why comfort on stage doesn’t equal excellence—and how training closes the gapHow artists and entrepreneurs can break free from inherited “scarcity” narrativesThe real purpose of a TEDx talk (and why motivation alone isn’t enough)How rejection can be reframed into confidence and momentumWhy pacing, presence, and preparation matter more than charismaHow elite communicators structure ideas that actually landWhat it really takes to move from “good” to top 1% communicationChapters 00:00 Welcome to BizNinja + Hannah Kim’s Journey 02:50 From Opera Singer to Entrepreneur & Speaker 05:45 Breaking the Starving Artist Narrative 08:00 Mentorship, Training, and the Cost of Growth 10:40 Inside the TEDx World: Speaker vs Organizer 14:00 What Makes Top 1% Communicators Different 17:30 Rejection, Confidence, and Stage Presence 20:15 Music, Meaning, and Human Transformation 23:30 Creativity, Culture, and Personal Balance 25:00 Building the Future: AI, Accessibility & Purpose 27:10 Where to Learn More + Final Takeaways

    30 min
  6. The Mastermind Advantage: How Glen Ledwell Built Success Through Connection

    12/15/2025

    The Mastermind Advantage: How Glen Ledwell Built Success Through Connection

    In this episode, Glen Ledwell the entrepreneur behind Mind Movies, Flight Club, and Speakeasy reveals how connection, timing, and lifestyle design shaped a multi-decade career. From scrappy beginnings to eight-figure wins, Glen breaks down the real secrets behind momentum, resilience, and building businesses you actually enjoy running. In this conversation, Tyler sits down with entrepreneur and mastermind creator Glen Ledwell to unpack the lessons behind a 40-year entrepreneurial journey. Glen shares how he went from hustling football cards as a kid to launching the massive personal development brand Mind Movies, and eventually creating two of the industry’s most respected masterminds: Flight Club and Speakeasy. Glen opens up about early failures, PayPal shutdowns, breakthrough timing, and why masterminds are the single most important growth tool for entrepreneurs today. He also dives into lifestyle design, law of attraction, business evolution, and why success means nothing if you aren’t enjoying your life along the way. This is a masterclass in building businesses and a life that actually fit you. Key Takeaways Entrepreneurship starts early even if you don’t realize it.Masterminds are essential for connection, accountability, and momentum.Curated communities beat big rooms quality > quantity.Timing matters Mind Movies exploded by riding the wave of The Secret.Online business was simpler, but success is still deeply accessible today.Lead costs rising + conversions falling = new solutions required.Lifestyle design is not a luxury it’s a non-negotiable for long-term success.Success isn’t worth it if you’re working nonstop and missing your life.

    30 min
  7. How Dugout Mugs Hit It Out of the Park with Lifestyle-First Entrepreneurship

    12/08/2025

    How Dugout Mugs Hit It Out of the Park with Lifestyle-First Entrepreneurship

    Some entrepreneurs chase the money. Others chase the hype. But the best ones? They build something awesome and build a life they actually want to live. In this episode, I sit down with Kris Dehnert, the powerhouse behind Dugout Mugs, a wildly creative brand turning baseball bats into drinkware and generating $56M+ in sales along the way. Kris shares how a brush with death became the wake-up call that led him to bet big on a product fans LOVE, and a lifestyle he’s proud to model for his kids. We go deep on: Building an empire from a ridiculously cool idea ⚾➡️☕Why freedom is the most valuable entrepreneurial currencyHow to scale without crumbling your systems (or sanity)Partnerships, pivots, and the power of “If this → then that” decision-makingSelling fun products that actually mean something to the buyerWhy chasing happiness often leads to more money — not less  And yes… we geek out on supply chains, Teespring glory days, Inc. 5000 wins, and what happens when baseball legends start repping your product without being paid a dime. This episode is for founders who want BOTH: A business they’re proud of. And a life they’re excited to wake up to. ----- Key Takeaways Lifestyle by design > Hustle by defaultBreak systems once — then rebuild RELENTLESSLY for scaleKnow your customer better than they know themselvesMomentum loves courage — but systems keep you aliveHappiness is a strategy, not a side effect

    31 min
  8. Fix Your Hardware: Why Brain Health Is the Ultimate Entrepreneur Superpower

    12/01/2025

    Fix Your Hardware: Why Brain Health Is the Ultimate Entrepreneur Superpower

    In this week’s episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, we’re celebrating a birthday — and having our minds blown at the same time. I sat down with Eric Collett, founder of A Mind for All Seasons, to talk about one of the most overlooked assets in entrepreneurship: your brain. Not your mindset. Not productivity hacks. We’re talking about the hardware — the biology, energy production, inflammation, and metabolic function behind every thought, decision, and action. Eric spent 16 years running assisted living and memory care communities, became obsessed with neurodegenerative diseases, and eventually built a science-backed system that helps people improve cognitive performance, stabilize mental health, and in some cases even reverse symptoms of dementia. This conversation goes deep. We’re unpacking everything from why your “brain fog” isn’t random… to how concussions, hormones, inflammation, and even cold sores can sabotage your mental clarity… to why Alzheimer’s may actually be optional for this generation. Yes — optional. Let that sit for a minute. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unfocused, emotionally drained, or like your hardware just isn’t keeping up with your software… this episode might be a turning point. Key Takeaways Why protecting your brain is the #1 success lever for entrepreneursThe real difference between “software” (skills) and “hardware” (your biology)Why brain fog has 15–30 measurable causes — and no one-size-fits-all supplement How Eric went from executive director to quitting his job in three days to start his companyWhy Alzheimer’s is now considered preventable — and what that means for youThe surprising link between inflammation, concussions, mental health, and cognitive decline How personalized brain evaluations uncover hidden “holes in the ship”Why many people self-sabotage by withholding information from doctorsHow Eric helped transform the mental health of a young suicidal student by uncovering a clue she didn’t think matteredWhat it means to “save a million brains” — and how you can take charge of your ownChapters 00:00 Introduction and Birthday Celebration 01:41 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit 02:55 The Importance of Brain Health 05:01 Transitioning to Brain Health Advocacy 09:40 Understanding Brain Function and Misconceptions 12:30 Personalized Approaches to Brain Health 18:24 Success Stories in Brain Health 22:32 Addressing Mental Health Across Ages 26:49 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

    29 min
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

For over 15 years, BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio has been the place where real entrepreneurs share the truth about building and scaling businesses. Host Tyler Jorgenson, entrepreneur, strategist, and Rich Dad® Expert on Business, dives into conversations with founders, authors, CEOs, marketers, and innovators who have turned ideas into empires. In under 30 minutes you will get unfiltered insights, proven strategies, and behind-the-scenes stories from some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, including Tim Ferriss, Neil Patel, and Peter Shankman. Whether you want to escape the rat race, grow your revenue, or uncover your next big idea, BizNinja is your shortcut to clarity, courage, and entrepreneurial freedom. Broadcast weekly on ABC News Radio KMET-1490 and available everywhere you listen to podcasts. 👉 Learn more at BizNinjaRadio.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tyler Jorgenson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    269
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017 - 2025 BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio
  • Show Website
    BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio