Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Nikolas Hulewsky
  • 4.9 (96)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Nikonomics—the show for entrepreneurs and Wantrapreneurs, looking to make their first million. I bring firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue. Each week, I blend humor with real insights from successful entrepreneurs, sharing growth strategies, deal insights, and unique business ideas you won’t find elsewhere. Ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality? Hit play and let’s get to work. Follow me on Twitter @CoFoundersNik or YouTube @NikonomicsPodcast.

  1. 22H AGO

    282 - Best of 2025! How Fear and Regulation Impact AI in Finance with David Kaylor

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview David Kaylor (https://x.com/@David__Kaylor). In this episode, we dive into the reality of AI adoption in the highly regulated banking sector and why the industry has been a slow follower. David, who works on digital banking services at Alchemy Technology, gives us an insider's look at how he leverages AI to eliminate repetitive tasks from his daily workflow. We discuss the specific strengths of different AI models like Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT, and Claude, and how to choose the right one for the job. Even if you have no technical coding background, David explains how you can use these AI assistants alongside tools like Replit and Google Apps Script to build powerful business automations, streamline team time tracking in Jira, and even create a fun clicker game in under 30 minutes. Questions This Episode Answers: 1. Why is there so much fear around implementing AI tools in the banking and finance industry? 2. How can you use AI to write simple scripts and automate repetitive business tasks without being a software developer? 3. What are the unique advantages of using Gemini, Grok, and Claude over just relying on ChatGPT? 4. How can you leverage Google Apps Script and Google Sheets to automatically send email alerts to your sales team? 5. How can an AI-generated script seamlessly audit your team's Jira tickets and solve everyday time-tracking headaches? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered: 00:00 AI in Everyday Work Life 02:52 The Role of AI in Banking 06:13 Personal AI Applications and Tools 09:06 Creating with AI: Game Development 12:04 Automating Tasks with Google Apps Script 14:58 Exploring Automation Opportunities

    19 min

  2. 2D AGO

    281 - Best of 2025! 99% Margins, Zero Ads: Inside Table One's Unconventional Success with Tarek Arafat

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Tarek Arafat (https://x.com/@tarekarafat_), the co-founder of Table One! In this episode, we dive into the incredible story of how Tarek and his co-founder, Frank, built a membership platform that's generating over $200,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) with nearly 99% margins and zero paid ads. We explore how Table One is solving the epidemic of restaurant reservation scalping in New York City and empowering diners to access high-demand spots. Tarek shares how a personal problem led to a wildly successful, bootstrapped business, including the challenges of initially shutting down due to SMS message costs and the unexpected boost from being featured in The New Yorker. We also discuss their unconventional approach to community funding and Tarek's valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Questions This Episode Answers: • What major pain point does Table One solve for diners in New York City's high-demand restaurant scene? • How did Table One achieve 99% margins and $200K ARR with no paid ads and just two founders? • What pivotal moment, including an unexpected feature in The New Yorker, accelerated Table One's organic growth? • How did Tarek Arafat overcome challenges, like the initial shutdown of Table One's service, to achieve product-market fit? • What unconventional method did Table One use to raise over $600,000 in investment interest directly from its community? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered: 00:00 Introduction to Table One: A New Dining Experience 03:05 The Problem with Current Reservation Systems 05:54 Building a Solution: How Table One Works 09:08 The Business Model and Pricing Strategy 12:00 The Journey of Building Table One 14:51 From Idea to Execution: The Founder's Story 18:10 Navigating Challenges and Growth 21:05 The Future of Table One and Dining Reservations 29:09 Balancing Work and Startup Life 30:34 The Crazy Growth Journey 32:58 Navigating Press and Publicity 34:56 The Importance of Distribution 38:50 Managing Rapid Growth 43:13 Lessons from the Journey 46:00 Building Community and Investment 51:16 Innovating Through Events 55:59 Strategic Fundraising and Valuation

    59 min

  3. FEB 19

    280 - Best of 2025! Understanding the Nuances of Advanced Language Models with Richard Marmorstein

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Richard Marmorstein (https://x.com/@twitchard). In this episode, Richard shares some fascinating ways he's leveraging AI in both his personal life, like creating a custom storybook using Google AI Studio for his son, and professionally, showcasing the expressive text-to-speech capabilities of Hume AI. We also dive into practical business applications of AI voice technology and explore the crucial differences between general language models and reasoning models like those from OpenAI. Plus, Richard gives us a peek into how he uses AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to enhance his workflow as a software developer. Questions This Episode Answers: • What is an MCP and how does it enable tool use with language models? • What makes Hume AI's text-to-speech model different and what are its key use cases beyond creative content? • What's the difference between using a general model like ChatGPT 4.0 and a reasoning model? • How can AI assist with coding tasks and serve as a pair programmer? • What are some unconventional ways to repurpose existing content, like turning a blog into a podcast using AI? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered:00:00 Revolutionizing Conversational AI and TTS 04:20 Exploring Google's AI Studio and Image Generation 11:32 Innovations in Text-to-Speech Technology 15:47 Practical Applications of AI in Content Creation 20:59 Understanding AI Models and Their Use Cases

    25 min

  4. FEB 17

    279 - Best of 2025! Inside the Wild West of Influencer Deals and Agency Life with Tom Stefaniuk

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Tom Stefanik (https://x.com@tomstefaniuk) about the wild world of influencer marketing. We dive deep into why over 50% of young people aspire to be influencers, the incredible growth of this multi-billion dollar industry, and how creators like Tom built massive businesses from their passion. Discover the different ways creators earn money, from early AdSense checks to selling their own products, and learn why some small, niche audiences can be far more valuable than millions of followers. Tom shares insights from his agency, Small Stream, explaining how they help creators and brands navigate this fast-changing landscape, negotiate deals, and measure success beyond just follower counts. It's a fascinating look at the future of marketing and how real businesses are being built on social media. Questions This Episode Answers: How big is the influencer marketing industry and how fast is it growing? What are the typical stages of monetization for a content creator? How do brands and businesses measure the return on investment from influencer campaigns? Is it possible for a creator to make a living with a relatively small but dedicated audience? How should creators determine their pricing for sponsorships and ad deals based on audience value? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered:00:00 The Journey of a Social Media Influencer 02:56 The Evolution of Influencer Marketing 05:48 Building a Business Around Influence 09:09 Understanding the Influencer Economy 12:02 The Shift in Marketing Budgets 14:47 Measuring Success in Influencer Campaigns 18:01 Navigating the Influencer Landscape 20:44 The Value of Audience Engagement 24:31 The Value of Podcasting and Audience Engagement 27:25 The Importance of Passion in Content Creation 30:37 Pricing Strategies for Sponsorships 33:21 The Growth of Influencer Marketing Agencies 36:34 Navigating Brand Collaborations 37:28 Revenue Distribution Between Brands and Creators 38:28 The Role of Relationships in Influencer Marketing 39:25 Challenges in the Influencer Marketing Space 40:20 The Future of Influencer Marketing 41:43 Best and Worst Influencers to Work With 42:42 Equity Deals and Long-Term Partnerships 43:38 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

    49 min

  5. FEB 12

    278 - Best of 2025! Decoding the Tech Stack: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know with Ellie Daw

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Ellie Daw (https://x.com/Ellieintech), a multiple-time founder who's built over 40 zero to one product builds! In this episode, we tackle the tech questions that keep business owners up at night. We demystify AI integration, clarify the roles of IT, CIO, and CTO, and discuss how to navigate dev shops without being taken advantage of. Ellie also introduces her new company, Yalla, designed to make your technical infrastructure visible and manage technical debt. If you're a founder or business owner with limited tech experience, this conversation is for you. Questions This Episode Answers: • What's the difference between IT, a CIO, and a CTO? • How can business owners avoid being taken advantage of by dev shops? • What does it mean for a business to be "tech-enabled"? • What is a "tech stack" and how can I track it? • What is "technical debt" and why is it a problem for my business? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered:

    42 min

  6. FEB 10

    277 - Best of 2025! Turning AI Ideas Into Real Income with Chris Koerner

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Chris Koerner for another episode of Holdco Bros! In this episode, we brainstorm a fresh batch of business ideas, starting with a brand-new concept Chris launched minutes before recording: a "give-to-get" platform for discovering AI use cases. We debate the power of personality quizzes to revolutionize hiring and culture fit, and I share a game-changing prompt engineering hack that involves asking LLMs to reverse-engineer their own prompts.We also explore Manus, a tool that can generate full pitch decks in minutes, and discuss how to use Perplexity Labs to create high-value lead magnets from market data. Chris breaks down his real-time experiment validating a secret Pickleball Club using Facebook Ads and Typeform to measure high intent, and we wrap up with a look at the unsexy but profitable world of bathtub refinishing. Questions This Episode Answers: 1. How can AI help you create professional pitch decks in under 15 minutes? 2. What is the "reverse engineering" trick for writing better AI prompts? 3. How can you use personality quizzes to improve hiring and employee retention? 4. What is the most effective way to validate a local business idea using Facebook Ads? 5. How can industry reports generated by AI serve as powerful lead magnets for B2B sales? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered: 00:00 - Underrated AI business idea 00:35 - “HowAreYouUsingAI.com” explained 05:22 - AI quiz to match tools with your business 10:16 - Personality-based hiring with AI 17:00 - Manus AI creates pitch decks automatically 24:35 -Genius AI prompt engineering method 29:25 - What Perplexity Labs can actually do 34:15 - $2K AI reports used as lead magnets

    37 min

  7. FEB 5

    276 - Best of 2025! How Government Backstopping Impacts the Entrepreneurial Landscape with Jon Matzner

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Jon Matzner (https://x.com/MatznerJon). In this episode, we dive into the "Matzner Mind" and Jon’s unique approach to satirizing business influencers and gurus without being malicious. We discuss why building a massive following is often a trap, and why niche communities defined by influence and affluence are far more valuable than broad attention. The conversation heats up when we get into a serious debate about the SBA (Small Business Administration). Jon challenges me on whether SBA loans are just a "subsidy for boomers" and an inappropriate use of government force, while I argue they are a vital tool for economic mobility for entrepreneurs like myself. We wrap up by discussing why you should document your journey as a "fellow traveler" rather than trying to be an expert while building your business. Questions This Episode Answers: Why is having influence and affluence in a niche audience more valuable than millions of views?Is the SBA a necessary tool for entrepreneurs or an unethical use of taxpayer dollars?How can you critique business gurus and influencers effectively without being a "hater"?Why is distribution considered the only defensible moat in the age of AI?Why should founders create content about their struggles instead of just sharing "how-to" advice?Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered: 00:00 The Importance of Pointy Opinions 03:04 Influencers and Satire in Business 06:02 Building a Brand Through Authenticity 09:00 The Value of Distribution and Attention 11:49 Influence and Affluence in Community Building 14:46 The Role of Authority in Marketing 18:11 The Podcast as an Intimate Medium 21:03 Debating the SBA Loan Program 24:29 Understanding the SBA: A Boomer Subsidy or Entrepreneurial Support? 26:21 The Role of the SBA in Economic Mobility 28:47 National Defense and Economic Supremacy: A Dual Perspective 30:45 The Impact of Government on Monopolies and Economic Mobility 32:34 Causation vs. Correlation in Economic Growth 34:56 Healthcare Costs and Government Intervention 36:49 The SBA's Structure and Its Implications 39:14 The Debate on Government Involvement in Business Loans 42:35 Prioritizing Government Reforms: Where Should Focus Lie? 46:30 The Importance of Personal Journey in Entrepreneurship

    49 min

  8. FEB 3

    275 - Best of 2025! Beyond ChatGPT: Exploring Perplexity and the Deep Dive Revolution with Chris Koerner

    MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), for another episode of HCB with Chris Koerner! In this episode, we dive deep into the latest AI tools, debating whether the $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan is actually worth it compared to Perplexity's Deep Research features. We discuss why Chris prefers Perplexity over Operator for research tasks and share our specific prompting frameworks for getting the best results. We also brainstorm unique business ideas, including a breakdown of the banana ketchup market in the Philippines and how to validate niche trends using Google Trends data. Later, we get real about the state of AI agents versus Robotic Process Automation (RPA), pitch a mobile side hustle inspired by Activate Games, and share the wild story of Ethan Cohen pivoting from a sports book to retrofitting vending machines with credit card readers. Questions This Episode Answers: 1. Is the $200 ChatGPT Pro plan better for deep research than Perplexity? 2. How can you use AI and Google Trends to identify international product opportunities like banana ketchup? 3. What is the difference between true AI agents and Robotic Process Automation (RPA)? 4. How can you turn a high-cost retail concept like Activate Games into a low-cost mobile side hustle? 5. Can you build a profitable business by retrofitting old vending machines with modern technology? Enjoy the conversation! __________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. __________________________ MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT __________________________ This week we covered:00:00 The Rise of AI and Deep Research 05:51 Custom GPTs and Their Applications 12:05 Exploring Business Ideas Through AI 18:06 The Future of Agents and Automation 23:54 Innovative Business Models and Side Hustles

    36 min
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4.9
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

Welcome to Nikonomics—the show for entrepreneurs and Wantrapreneurs, looking to make their first million. I bring firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue. Each week, I blend humor with real insights from successful entrepreneurs, sharing growth strategies, deal insights, and unique business ideas you won’t find elsewhere. Ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality? Hit play and let’s get to work. Follow me on Twitter @CoFoundersNik or YouTube @NikonomicsPodcast.

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