Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Nikolas Hulewsky
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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. HÁ 12 H

    233 - Political Pressure on Entrepreneurs: Should You Take A Stand?

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I discuss with Chris Munn and Trenton about the tough realities facing small business owners and entrepreneurs today. We dive deep into how business leaders are navigating increasing political polarization in business and the pressure to take a public stand on social issues, discussing case studies like the backlash against Bud Light and MyPillow, and whether sticking to company core values and business values is the best path for small business survival. We also break down the latest economic shifts affecting small businesses, from Fed rate cuts and Federal Reserve policy, and their impact on small business asset prices, business valuations, and SBA loan delinquency rates, hitting a 20-year high. We explore the small business hiring crisis, challenges of employee retention, and talent acquisition amidst low unemployment rates and the rising cost of living for those not holding business assets or real estate assets. Plus, we dive deep into the massive business opportunities and strategic shifts driven by AI automation, artificial intelligence implementation, and AI tools for small businesses, from boosting productivity and business efficiency to the rise of the solopreneur movement and one-person businesses. We discuss AI implementation strategies, business automation tools, and how AI consultants and automation engineers are becoming essential business roles. Questions This Episode Answers: How should business leaders and entrepreneurs navigate the pressure to take a public stand on political issues and social issues while maintaining business growth? What do Fed rate cuts, interest rate changes, and high borrowing costs mean for small business valuations, business acquisitions, and SBA loan approval? How is the current economic climate and inflation impact affecting small business hiring, employee expectations, and wage demands for small businesses? What are the biggest AI opportunities and practical AI applications for small businesses, including AI automation tools and AI implementation strategies? Why is it becoming harder to buy and sell small businesses in the current business market, and what are the alternative business strategies and entrepreneurship opportunities? __________________________ 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 Navigating Leadership and Political Stances 17:53 Understanding the Impact of Fed Rate Cuts on Small Businesses 24:09 Economic Disparities and Asset Ownership 29:49 The Impact of AI on Employment and Business 35:59 Entrepreneurship and the American Dream 41:46 AI as a Business Multiplier 47:03 Conclusion and Call to Action

    48min

  2. HÁ 2 DIAS

    232 - How to Make Easy Money Using Government Grants with Hector Resendez

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Hector (https://x.com/ts_secrets). Hector reveals how he accidentally stumbled upon a little-known government grant and used it to build a multi-million dollar online trade school. He teaches trades like HVAC, plumbing, and medical billing completely online, sometimes using VR goggles. He shares how the government pays him directly, up to $10,000 per student, for courses that are only 80-100 hours long. We get into the nitty-gritty of how he finds students for free by partnering with nonprofits and sober living homes, achieving SAS-like margins without any traditional marketing. Questions This Episode Answers: How can you get the government to pay you $10,000 per student? How do you start an online school with almost no startup costs? What is the "secret" to getting unlimited students for free? How do you automate a business to the point you only work two hours a day? What is the WIOA grant and how does it work for entrepreneurs? 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 the Online Trade School Model 03:07 Understanding the Grant System and Its Impact 05:56 The Evolution of the Business Model 08:51 Customer Acquisition Strategies 11:48 Curriculum Development and Accreditation 15:02 Operational Insights and Business Growth 17:55 Challenges and Future Aspirations

    35min

  3. HÁ 4 DIAS

    231 - How Robots Are Saving America's Nursing Crisis with Matthew Chang

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Matthew Chang (https://x.com/MatthewAChang). This episode features Matthew Chang, a Georgia Tech engineer and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, who founded Chang Robotics and is a general partner of the $50 million Chang Robotics fund. We dive deep into how his company designs and installs robotic systems for manufacturing automation, hospital robots, and autonomous vehicles to make the workforce more efficient, safer, and happier through healthcare automation. Matthew shares the story behind America's first autonomous hospital initiative, where $200K hospital robots deliver supplies in 90 seconds with 18-month ROI. Discover why humanoid robots aren't ready for commercial robotics applications and how specialized robotics using collaborative robots (cobotics) are revolutionizing factory automation and healthcare robotics instead. From driverless paper factories producing toilet paper during COVID to FAA-compliant electric vehicles six times more powerful than Tesla, Chang Robotics tackles the hardest engineering challenges in industrial automation. Learn about their breakthrough PFAS-free food packaging using graphene oxide and how they beat 700+ competitors to win the federal DOT grant for America's first driverless bus system in Jacksonville. We explore Matthew's venture studio approach with the Chang Robotics Fund, requiring "Made in USA" manufacturing and proprietary engineering for robotics startups. Plus, hear about his upcoming book "Risk-Taking is Biblical" on faith-based entrepreneurship and Christian business principles. Questions This Episode Answers: How do you ensure robotic automation is adopted by the existing manufacturing workforce and healthcare workers? What technical challenges prevent humanoid robotics from working in real-world applications? How does engineering consulting deliver end-to-end automation solutions from design to robotic system installation? What investment thesis drives a robotics venture fund offering scaled engineering support with "Made in USA" requirements?What strategies won a competitive federal grant for autonomous transportation against major tech companies?__________________________ 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 Innovating Beyond the Norm 02:55 Transforming Healthcare with Robotics 05:45 The Journey to Autonomous Solutions 08:42 Navigating the Challenges of Robotics 12:01 From Engineering to Entrepreneurship 14:55 Winning Against the Odds 17:51 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles 20:42 Building a Sustainable Business Model 24:03 Investing in Innovation 26:56 The Role of AI in Engineering 29:42 Creating a Christian Business Framework

    38min

  4. 12 DE SET.

    230 - Google's New AI Tool Is Breaking the Internet (Nano Banana Review) with Elizabeth Knopf

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Elizabeth Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside) for an incredible dive into AI app building and no-code development tools transforming entrepreneurship. We explore Google's Nano Banana AI, their revolutionary Gemini Flash 2.5 image model with game-changing visual memory technology for precise editing and AI image generation. Elizabeth demonstrates Google AI Studio live, showcasing the powerful Stream feature for real-time debugging and AI automation. She reveals how she used Claude Code tutorial methods to build custom RSS feed automation, replacing paid subscriptions, plus her personal AI assistant dashboard with AI agents for project management and task automation. Questions This Episode Answers: What is Nano Banana AI, and why is visual memory revolutionary for AI image editing? How does Google AI Studio Stream enable real-time debugging during custom app development? How can entrepreneurs use Claude Code and AI automation tools to build apps without coding? What are the benefits of AI-powered project management with personal AI assistant agents? Where are the arbitrage opportunities in AI app building for non-technical entrepreneurs? Tools Covered: Google AI Studio complete walkthrough Claude Code tutorial for beginners Nano Banana (Gemini Flash 2.5) AI image generation Custom dashboard creation with AI agents RSS feed automation and app replacement strategies 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 AI Tools and Excitement for Innovation 03:09 Exploring NanoBanana: Google's New Image Model 05:50 Visual Memory and Image Generation Improvements 09:01 Google AI Studio: A New Interface for Building Apps 11:53 Real-Time App Development with Claude Code 15:04 Innovative Features: Maps and Video Analysis 17:53 Creating Engaging Content with AI Tools 21:47 Harnessing AI for Arbitrage Opportunities 23:13 Building Custom Tools with Google AI Studio 24:36 Creating a Personal RSS Feed Tool 26:27 Project Management and Organization Strategies 28:39 Developing a Personal Operating System 32:14 Automating Tasks with AI Agents 35:25 Curating Information and Building Newsletters

    44min

  5. 10 DE SET.

    229 - Michael Girdley's Guide: How to Start a Successful Business in 2025

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I speak with Michael Girdley (https://x.com/girdley), a serial entrepreneur and investor, about building a business, avoiding common mistakes, and identifying future opportunities. Michael shares insights from his diverse experiences, from Alamo Fireworks to Gertling Media, emphasizing the importance of experience and strategic business choices. We delve into overrated business opportunities and explore unconventional business models. Questions this Episode Answers: What two-step process would Michael Girdley follow to build a business in 2025, and how would he make his first million dollars?Why does Michael Girdley advise against buying a business as your first venture, especially for a young entrepreneur?What are some overrated business opportunities in today’s market, and what sectors hold promise for the future?What is Michael Girdley's contrarian belief about business, and how does it influence his perspective on career choices and entrepreneurial paths?What unconventional business model does Michael find fascinating? Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this  with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT___________________________ This week we covered: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:00 Business Ventures and Investments01:44 Current Business Scale and Operations03:09 Starting Over in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide05:13 The Value of Experience and Financial Safety07:11 Starting a Low-Capex Services Business10:01 The Reality of Online Courses14:19 The Hold Co Conference and Learning from Failure19:44 Sympathizing with the Struggles of Entrepreneurs19:15 The Fine Line Between Faking It and Failing21:22 Excitement for the Upcoming Conference22:09 The Concept of an Unconference23:21 Challenges and Risks in Event Planning24:28 Innovative Business Models in Event Management29:22 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs32:24 Contrarian Views on Business Opportunities35:16 The Importance of Personal Fit in Career Choices38:32 Different Paths to Entrepreneurship39:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    40min

  6. 8 DE SET.

    228 - How 2 Guys Turned Baby Wipes Into a Million-Dollar Empire with Samuel Marcus Ne’bel

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Sam Nebe (https://x.com/1_of_Sl), the founder of Good Wipes! This entrepreneur startup story shows how two college roommates bootstrapped a million dollar business from $42,000 to conquering 14,000 stores. Learn how they achieved their first million through retail distribution strategy, growing their consumer products startup in the flushable wipes industry to reach 2.2 million households and adding 430,000 new customers through Walmart alone. Sam shares how he and co-founder Charlie built this CPG startup using pure intuition and unwavering conviction in an "unsexy" category that's now worth $5 billion. This business growth story reveals their bootstrap business strategy of mastering the Four P's of Marketing, employing irreverent marketing with creative director Maria Gilbo, and strategic retail partnerships that made them a Walmart supplier. We dive deep into customer acquisition strategies including influencer marketing, PR box campaigns, and their viral Golden Porta Palace experiential marketing activation. Sam also discusses his work with the Responsible Flushing Alliance, promoting Flush Smart Month and consumer education initiatives. Enjoy the conversation! Key Topics Covered: Entrepreneur startup journey from fraternity bathroom idea to retail empire Bootstrap vs venture capital funding strategies Retail distribution strategy and partnership building Consumer goods startup scaling tactics Million dollar business development through focused growth CPG entrepreneur insights and industry knowledge Customer acquisition through creative marketing campaigns Building a startup podcast-worthy success story Questions This Episode Answers: How did Good Wipes transform a college business idea into a multi-million dollar business and category leader? What role did intuition and unwavering passion play in building a startup brand before having significant market data? How can bootstrap entrepreneurs use irreverent marketing and the Four P's to compete against larger companies? What customer acquisition strategies work for consumer products startups, including influencer marketing and experiential activations? How can young entrepreneurs strategically say "no" to growth opportunities for sustainable expansion? __________________________ 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 Good Wipes: From Concept to Success 10:08 Innovative Marketing Strategies and Influencer Engagement 19:55 Navigating Challenges and Growth in the CPG Space 29:54 Future Aspirations and Industry Insights

    39min

  7. 5 DE SET.

    227 - He Built a $200K Newsletter. Then launched a $100K Christmas Lights Biz with Jas Singh

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Jas from Winnipeg Digest (https://x.com/creatingjas). Jas is back for a third time, and his journey is incredible to watch. He first built a local newsletter, the Winnipeg Digest, into a massive distribution channel with over 100,000 people in his audience. Now, he's leveraging that audience to launch his own businesses, starting with a seasonal holiday lighting company. In this episode, we break down his new venture from the ground up. Jas shares the exact strategy he used to launch the lighting business using his newsletter, including a brilliant giveaway tactic he learned from Alex Hormozi.  He explains why he chose a seasonal business, his goal of hitting $100,000 in revenue in his first season, and how this entire project serves as a case study to attract future business partners. We get into the nitty-gritty of his first week—how he sold $5,000 in jobs with no website, just an ad in his newsletter.  This is a masterclass in using an existing audience to create new revenue streams and build a portfolio of companies. Questions This Episode Answers: • How can you leverage a newsletter audience to launch a completely new business? • What's a smart, low-cost marketing strategy to get your first customers for a service business? • Why would an entrepreneur choose a seasonal business model like holiday lighting? • What are the key startup costs and revenue goals for a new holiday lighting business? • How can a new business be used as a "case study" to attract future equity partners? 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 Launching a New Venture: Christmas Lights Business 02:41 Building on Audience: From Newsletter to Business 06:02 Marketing Strategies and Initial Success 08:54 Understanding the Business Model and Pricing 11:44 Execution Challenges and Future Plans 14:39 Exploring New Opportunities and Growth 18:02 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

    23min

  8. 3 DE SET.

    226 - 50,000 Subscribers, $10M in Revenue, 1 Insanely Creative Business Idea with Michael Clark

    🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨 Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Michael Clark. We dive into the incredible story behind The Flower Letters, a subscription business started with his wife, Hanny Clark, that mails immersive, physical story letters to subscribers. What started as a small idea in April 2020 with World War II love letters has exploded into a multi-million dollar venture, projecting $8-10 million this year! Michael shares how they bootstrapped this unique concept, scaling to over 50,000 subscribers by focusing on daily profitability and smart advertising strategies, leveraging a prepaid option for cash flow. You'll hear why he considers this direct mail business, despite his FinTech background, the most complicated he's ever built, managing over 900 inventory pieces in-house. We also discuss their "long game" vision, transforming The Flower Letters into a mission-driven company with potential for TV shows, audiobooks, and more, while carefully integrating AI only for artistic elements.  Questions This Episode Answers: How did The Flower Letters grow from 33 subscribers to over 50,000 with multi-million dollar revenue? What advertising strategy was key to their rapid customer acquisition and how did they manage a $30 CAC? How does a subscription business like The Flower Letters prioritize daily profitability and manage cash flow through prepaid options? Why is a seemingly simple direct mail business considered the "most complicated" venture by a FinTech entrepreneur, and how is its fulfillment handled? How do The Flower Letters leverage a "long game" strategy to build a mission-driven company with a growing catalog of stories and future content expansion? 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 Rapid Growth and Business Model Overview 03:02 The Origin Story: From Idea to Execution 05:53 Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition 08:46 Financial Insights and Business Economics 12:06 Creating a Unique Customer Experience 14:58 Operational Challenges and Fulfillment Process 25:07 In-House Fulfillment and Customer Service 27:58 The Importance of Storytelling in Business 30:21 Creative Storytelling and the Role of AI 36:38 Revenue Growth and Business Strategy 38:59 Building a Sustainable Business Model 42:47 Leveraging the Postal Service for Success 44:45 Community Engagement and Pen Pal Ideas 46:43 Launching a Podcast and Sharing Stories

    50min
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Sobre

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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