Start It or Scrap It

Michael Terkanian and Mr. Gummi
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Start It or Scrap It is the ultimate brainstorming session you didn’t know you needed! Join Mike Terkanian, a seasoned business attorney with a knack for spotting potential pitfalls, and Mr. Gummi, a dynamic marketing expert with a flair for turning dreams into reality, as they dive into the wild world of Reddit. Each week, they uncover unique ideas, dissect ambitious plans, and give honest, actionable advice. Whether you're looking to fine-tune your business pitch, pivot a passion project, or find the courage to scrap what’s not working, this duo has you covered.Laugh, learn, and get inspired—because every great idea deserves a moment in the spotlight (or a reality check). Ready to Start It or Scrap It? Tune in now!

  1. How to Get Your First 10 Customers, Beat Burnout & Build a Business Worth Selling | ft. Alex Booth

    4d ago

    How to Get Your First 10 Customers, Beat Burnout & Build a Business Worth Selling | ft. Alex Booth

    Send us Fan Mail How do you get your first 10 paying customers? What does it actually take  to recover from burnout without quitting? And when you're ready to sell —  what do buyers really look for? In Episode 74 of Start It or Scrap It, we sit down with Alex Booth —  owner of Get CSM, a customer success manager staffing firm, and  Huckleberry Consulting — to break down the real answers to the questions  founders face at every stage of business. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – Intro & cold open highlights 2:00 – Meet Alex Booth: Get CSM, Huckleberry Consulting & the Rich and Remote podcast 5:37 – Golf as a networking tool: closing deals on the course (and walking away from bad ones) 13:53 – How to get your first 10 paying customers 20:37 – Marketing & sales tools we're actually using: Go High Level, Claude, Zoho & more 21:36 – AI in business: how to use it lean without losing the human element 26:14 – How Claude manages his LinkedIn 100% — and reach went UP 28:24 – The #1 marketing mistake brick-and-mortar businesses make 30:39 – Brand marketing vs. performance marketing (40–60% should be brand) 36:37 – Burnout: how to recognize it, fight it, and plan through it 43:41 – Delegating and stepping away: why your team gets stronger when you get out of the way 47:21 – Personal branding in 2026: quality vs. quantity, and what's actually working 55:22 – Why copywriters are making MORE money in the AI era, not less 56:45 – The AI power user gap: only 2% of users actually know what they're doing 59:47 – Building a business with an exit in mind: what acquirers look for in 2026 1:01:24 – The 3-year growth rule: why buyers look back three years (and why one good year doesn't count) 1:02:10 – Recurring revenue, churn rate, and long-term contracts as exit multipliers 1:03:19 – The pest control business model: build to sell, repeat 1:05:43 – When should YOU sell? Why founders hold on too long In this episode: - How to land your first 10 customers (the exact approach Alex used    to build from zero) - Why networking remains the single most important factor in business    growth — no matter how big you get - How to fight burnout as a solo operator or small team founder - How AI is being used to run lean operations — from LinkedIn management    to voice agents to quality control audits - The AI power user gap: why only 2% of AI users actually know what    they're doing (and how to be one of them) - The #1 marketing mistake brick-and-mortar businesses make - Why brand marketing should be 40–60% of your marketing budget - What acquirers actually look for when buying a business: EBITDA,    3-year growth, churn rate, recurring revenue, and long-term contracts - When to sell vs. keep growing — and why founders almost always    hold on too long - Why customer retention directly increases your business valuation    and exit multiplier 🎙️ Alex Booth Links: Websites: GetCSM - https://getcsm.com/ Huckleberry Consulting - https://consulthuckleberry.com/ Rich and Remote - https://richandremote.com/ Social Media: LinkedIn - https://mx.linkedin.com/in/alexander-booth-huckleberry Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alex.booth.965 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@huckleberryconsulting?_r=1&_t=ZS-93yPOvQXVhs 🎙️ Hosted by Mike Terkanian (business attorney) and Gummi Sigurdarson  (marketing expert) 🔔 Subscribe for weekly live business breakdowns — every Thursday  ~11:30 AM EST. Follow Start It or Scrap It: Instagram → https://instagram.com/startitorscrapit TikTok → https://tiktok.com/@start.it.or.scrap.it X → https://x.com/StartItScrapIt LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/startitorscrapit/ #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #businesspodcast #customersuccess  #startitorscrapit #networking #burnout #exitstrategy #ai #founders  #businessgrowth #customeracquisition #recurringrevenue #businessstrategy

    1h 10m
  2. The Business Opportunity Everyone Is Missing

    Jun 4

    The Business Opportunity Everyone Is Missing

    Send us Fan Mail AI isn’t coming… It’s already here. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down real-world ways AI is changing how businesses operate, including how it can replace hours (or even hires) when used correctly. We get into: - How AI saved hundreds (if not thousands) of hours - Why businesses are using AI instead of hiring - The risks of using AI incorrectly (and how it can cost you money) - How to actually use AI tools effectively We also cover: - Simple reselling opportunities most people overlook - How to source products at low cost - Why “there’s money everywhere” if you know where to look - How to start with little to no money If you’re building a business or thinking about it this one is packed with practical insights. 📲 Follow Us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StartItorScrapIt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startitorscrapit TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startitorscrapit X: https://x.com/startitscrapit #ai #entrepreneur #business #startup #automation #sidehustle #reselling #ecommerce #founders #growth

    1h 3m
  3. This Lease Will Cost You WAY More Than You Think

    May 28

    This Lease Will Cost You WAY More Than You Think

    Send us Fan Mail Signing a commercial lease seems simple… Until the hidden costs start showing up. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down what most business owners don’t realize until it’s too late: 👉 Rent is just the beginning. We get into: - Hidden costs inside commercial leases - What “triple net” actually means - Why repairs and maintenance can fall on you - The financial traps that catch first-time business owners - Real-world mistakes that cost way more than expected We also expand into: - Why underpricing can quietly kill your business - The difference between running a business vs being stuck in it - Practical lessons founders learn the hard way If you’re thinking about signing a lease — or already have — this is one you need to watch. 🎧 Watch now: https://youtu.be/8biHEIOC1lw

    1h 5m
  4. How Mr. Beast Actually Succeeded (It’s Not What You Think)

    May 21

    How Mr. Beast Actually Succeeded (It’s Not What You Think)

    Send us Fan Mail If your business requires you 100% of the time… 👉 Do you actually own a business… or did you just create a job for yourself? In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down one of the most controversial truths in entrepreneurship. We get into: The difference between a business and a self-created job Why most solopreneurs get stuck How to build systems that run without you When (and how) to hire the right people Why your goal should be making yourself replaceable One key takeaway: If you can’t step away, the business owns YOU. We also dive into: A viral “ghost kitchen” business idea Why audience-product fit matters (MrBeast example) Real-world business debates and unconventional takes This one challenges how most people think about “owning” a business. 📲 Follow Us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StartItorScrapIt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startitorscrapit TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startitorscrapit X: https://x.com/startitscrapit #entrepreneur #businessowner #startup #founders #businessstrategy #smallbusiness #growth #mindset #scaling #leadership

    1h 3m
  5. How To Start a Side Hustle With No Money (Real Ideas That Work)

    May 14

    How To Start a Side Hustle With No Money (Real Ideas That Work)

    Send us Fan Mail What’s the best side hustle you can start with no money? In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down real, practical side hustle ideas that don’t require capital — just execution. We get into: Service-based businesses you can start immediately How to use AI to find the right business for YOU Why niche markets are more powerful than you think Real examples of simple ideas turning into serious income The truth about scaling from “side hustle” to real business One of the biggest takeaways: 👉 You don’t need money to start — you need willingness to do the work. 📲 Follow Us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StartItOrScrapIt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startitorscrapit TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startitorscrapit X: https://x.com/startitscrapit

    1h 3m
  6. How To Protect Your Business When Employees Leave | Ep. 69 | Start It or Scrap It Podcast

    May 7

    How To Protect Your Business When Employees Leave | Ep. 69 | Start It or Scrap It Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when employees leave… and start competing with you? In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down a real-world scenario where a company gets split apart—and what it means for founders, employees, and growth. We get into: - Non-competes vs non-solicitation (and what they actually protect) - Why employees leave and take others with them - How private equity deals can trigger unexpected business shifts - The difference between experienced operators and people guessing - A marketing channel with extremely high close rates that most businesses misunderstand This is one of those conversations that shows how business actually works; not how people think it works. If you're building or managing a team, this one matters. #entrepreneurship #business #startups #founders #smallbusiness #businessgrowth #leadership #management #scaling #businessstrategy #noncompete #businesslaw #entrepreneurlife #foundermindset #teambuilding #companyculture #riskmanagement #operator #growthstrategy #startupadvice

    1h 8m
  7. The Business Ideas People Are Still Missing

    Apr 30

    The Business Ideas People Are Still Missing

    Send us Fan Mail Some of the best business opportunities don’t look obvious at first. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down ideas, assumptions, and patterns that most people either overlook or misunderstand. We get into: - Where people are thinking about business the wrong way - Opportunities hiding in plain sight - The gap between ideas and execution - Real-world insights from actually building If you’re a founder (or thinking about becoming one) this will challenge how you see opportunity. Follow Start It or Scrap It: Instagram → https://instagram.com/startitorscrapit TikTok → https://tiktok.com/@start.it.or.scrap.it X → https://x.com/StartItScrapIt LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/startitorscrapit/ #entrepreneurship #businessideas #startups #founders #smallbusiness

    1h 3m
  8. The Future of Virtual Reality + Business Ideas You’re Not Seeing Yet

    Apr 23

    The Future of Virtual Reality + Business Ideas You’re Not Seeing Yet

    Send us Fan Mail What does the future of virtual reality actually look like? In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down real business ideas, including a VR concept that might be more viable than you think, and where this technology is actually heading over the next few years. We also get into: - How VR and AR could reshape everyday life - A niche VR business idea and how to monetize it - Why most people misunderstand market size - The real financial struggles behind starting a business - How scams are getting more sophisticated and how to protect yourself This episode blends future tech, real business insight, and hard-earned lessons from experience. If you’re building something or thinking about it, this is one you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now and drop your questions in the comments. Follow Start It or Scrap It for weekly insights: Instagram → https://instagram.com/startitorscrapit TikTok → https://tiktok.com/@start.it.or.scrap.it X → https://x.com/StartItScrapIt LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/startitorscrapit/ Start It or Scrap It is a podcast where we break down startup ideas, business problems, and real-world entrepreneurial challenges. Sometimes the answer is to start it. Sometimes the answer is to scrap it. #virtualreality #augmentedreality #vr #ar #business #entrepreneurship #founders #smallbusiness

    1h 3m
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About

Start It or Scrap It is the ultimate brainstorming session you didn’t know you needed! Join Mike Terkanian, a seasoned business attorney with a knack for spotting potential pitfalls, and Mr. Gummi, a dynamic marketing expert with a flair for turning dreams into reality, as they dive into the wild world of Reddit. Each week, they uncover unique ideas, dissect ambitious plans, and give honest, actionable advice. Whether you're looking to fine-tune your business pitch, pivot a passion project, or find the courage to scrap what’s not working, this duo has you covered.Laugh, learn, and get inspired—because every great idea deserves a moment in the spotlight (or a reality check). Ready to Start It or Scrap It? Tune in now!

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Terkanian and Mr. Gummi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Start It or Scrap It
  • Show Website
    Start It or Scrap It