The Lion's Edge

Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

You mastered the current game... but know you're built for more. The Lion's Edge is where elite performers come to sharpen their teeth. Hosted by Joe Blackburn (who led 140+ advisors managing $17B at Merrill Lynch) and Jason Croft (who transforms "unknown experts" into market authorities). Each week, they reveal the raw, unfiltered strategies that help successful professionals: • Break free from the golden handcuffs • Build sustainable wealth without family sacrifice • Recapture their killer instinct • Access opportunities most leaders never see This isn't just content. This is your Edge.

  1. Ep26 Tyler Bloom: From Growing Grass to Breaking Seven Figures in Golf Recruiting

    Apr 28

    Ep26 Tyler Bloom: From Growing Grass to Breaking Seven Figures in Golf Recruiting

    In this conversation, Joe Blackburn, Jason Croft, and Tyler Bloom dig into what it actually takes to walk away from a six-figure salary in the middle of a pandemic and carve out a position in one of the most niche corners of the business world. Tyler is the founder of Bloom Golf Partners, a recruiting firm built specifically for golf course superintendents and private club leaders. He started in a basement in June 2020 with nothing but relationships and a clear picture of a problem nobody was solving well. Five years later, he’s breaking seven figures... earning a reputation as “the General” among his peers... and reshaping how the golf industry thinks about talent. You’ll learn how Tyler identified the compensation and alignment gaps that sink most recruiting engagements before they start... why he educates the employer first, before placing a single candidate... and how he’s built the discipline to walk away from engagements that aren’t the right fit, even when it costs him money. Joe unpacks what makes Tyler’s trajectory different from the typical founder story, and why coachability has been as important as strategy. Jason draws out the longer view: where the golf industry’s workforce challenges are heading, and how Bloom Golf Partners is positioning for what comes next. Find all the show notes and links here: Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.thelionsedge.show/26

    49 min
  2. Ep25 Samuel & Paige Thomas—From Pawn Shop to Empire: Building a Multi-Million Dollar Jewelry Business Through Sheer Will

    Apr 15

    Ep25 Samuel & Paige Thomas—From Pawn Shop to Empire: Building a Multi-Million Dollar Jewelry Business Through Sheer Will

    In this raw and unfiltered episode of The Lion's Edge, hosts Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft sit down with Sam and Paige Thomas to uncover how a self-taught goldsmith with zero business experience went from sleeping on floors to building a thriving multi-store jewelry empire. Joe Blackburn reveals why Sam is the secret weapon behind The Lion's success and breaks down the exact mindset shift that separates the "okay" entrepreneurs from the unstoppable ones. Jason Croft digs deep into the operational systems that allowed Sam and Paige to triple their revenue in just two years. Sam pulls back the curtain on his journey from working three jobs simultaneously to teaching himself jewelry repair in a pawn shop... to opening his first store with nothing but hustle and a refusal to quit. Paige shares how she walked into complete chaos and systematized their way to predictable growth. You'll learn how to: • Build a business through pure execution instead of waiting for "perfect" conditions• Recruit and retain high-performing sales teams who generate revenue outside store hours• Replicate success across multiple locations without losing the magic• Bounce back from catastrophic setbacks (like your store literally burning down)• Create magnetic customer experiences that turn buyers into raving fans• Scale past seven figures by combining relentless drive with the right structure Whether you're stuck overthinking your next move or ready to go from "doing okay" to dominating your market, this episode will kick your ass into gear. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/25

    45 min
  3. Ep24 Gary D Cook—The Accidental Landlord: How One Mechanic Built 100+ Units by Never Hearing "No"

    Apr 7

    Ep24 Gary D Cook—The Accidental Landlord: How One Mechanic Built 100+ Units by Never Hearing "No"

    Gary D Cook didn't set out to become a real estate investor. He just bought some houses to get a storage facility... and the bank kept saying yes. In this episode, Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft sit down with Gary to break down how he went from running a 4-bay mechanic shop in a town of 600 people... to owning 100+ apartment units and a flooring distribution business that's scaling fast. Here's what you'll learn: • How to scale WITHOUT losing the personal touch that makes clients obsessed with you • The "accidental investor" framework that helped Gary stack 100+ units in under a decade (even when he didn't WANT to be a landlord) • Why commoditized businesses can STILL dominate through relationships and speed... even when big box stores have better convenience • How to vertically integrate your real estate portfolio (so you OWN the stores that supply your properties... and crush your margins) • The mindset shift that took Gary from "plateauing" to aggressive growth with LOW overhead and massive capital reserves • Why saying YES before you know the answer is the fastest path to growth (and how to pull it off without looking like an idiot) Joe reveals how he helps entrepreneurs compress their timelines... turning 10-year goals into 5-year realities by removing self-imposed ceilings. Jason digs into the sales psychology behind Gary's success... and why empathy moves more money than any script ever will. And Gary? He just keeps it real. No fluff. No gurus. Just a blue-collar dude who built a portfolio by never letting the bank tell him no. If you're tired of overthinking... and ready to see how DOING beats KNOWING every damn time... This one's for you. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/24

    40 min
  4. Ep23 The Ratchet Effect: How to Move Upmarket Without Screwing Over Existing Clients

    Mar 23

    Ep23 The Ratchet Effect: How to Move Upmarket Without Screwing Over Existing Clients

    In the latest episode of The Lion's Edge, Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft tackle one of the most gut-wrenching dilemmas every growing entrepreneur faces: how to move upmarket without abandoning the clients who got you there. Joe breaks down the "ratcheting" process... using real examples from his Inner Circle members who are crushing it (and struggling) with this exact transition. He reveals why most business owners stay stuck at their current level out of fear... and the THREE decisions that separate those who ascend from those who stagnate. Jason pushes back on the psychology of "burning the boats"... exploring when it makes sense to maintain both levels... and when you're actually doing MORE harm by refusing to let go. You'll learn: • How to identify when you've hit your capacity ceiling (and why staying there is actually unethical) • The exact framework for moving upmarket without killing your existing relationships • Why "results focus" beats "service delivery" when structuring client expectations • The three skills you MUST master to grow: ascending, recruiting, and developing talent • How to handle the emotional weight of "outgrowing" clients who trusted you early on • When delegation becomes a moral obligation (not just a business strategy) If you're stuck between serving your current clients and pursuing bigger opportunities... this episode will give you the clarity to make the hard call. Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.thelionsedge.show/23

    24 min
  5. Ep22 Stop Solving Fake Problems: How to Identify What's Actually Killing Your Business Growth

    Mar 16

    Ep22 Stop Solving Fake Problems: How to Identify What's Actually Killing Your Business Growth

    In this raw conversation, Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft expose the hidden time-wasters that keep business owners spinning their wheels instead of growing. Joe reveals his "Rubber vs. Glass" framework for identifying which problems actually deserve your attention... and which ones are just distractions masquerading as priorities. You'll learn how a clogged pipeline creates phantom problems that eat up your calendar... why chasing unresponsive prospects is costing you way more than just time... and the counterintuitive reason most "urgent" issues aren't worth solving at all. Jason pushes back on Joe's approach... challenging when it's worth digging into the "why" behind prospect behavior versus just moving on. The two break down how to spot the difference between real bottlenecks and self-created drama. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly how to audit your own calendar... eliminate the rubber ball distractions bouncing around your business... and focus exclusively on the glass ball priorities that actually move the needle. If you're tired of working harder without getting closer to your goals... this episode will show you what to stop doing immediately. Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.thelionsedge.show/22

    24 min
  6. Ep21 Where AI Actually Matters In Your Business (And Where It Doesn't)

    Feb 11

    Ep21 Where AI Actually Matters In Your Business (And Where It Doesn't)

    Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft cut through the AI hype to reveal where business owners should actually focus their energy in 2026. Joe challenges the mainstream narrative by asking the question nobody else is asking: Where's the MUST in your business? Because people do what they must... not what they should. Jason brings real-world predictions about AI's integration into daily operations... while Joe keeps it grounded in practical implementation challenges. Learn how to identify your top three daily frustrations and use them as your AI testing ground. Discover why quarterly AI projects might be more effective than trying to overhaul everything at once. And find out whether your business needs an "AI quarterback" to stay ahead of the curve. This episode shows you how to stop treating AI like a distant problem you'll deal with "someday"... and start making strategic moves that actually move the needle. By the end, you'll know exactly which ONE thing to attack with AI in your business right now. Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.thelionsedge.show/21

    20 min
  7. Ep20 Moving Upmarket Changes Everything

    Jan 22

    Ep20 Moving Upmarket Changes Everything

    You're wasting your time grinding for clients who treat every dollar like their last. In this episode, Joe breaks down why moving upmarket isn't just some bougie strategy - it's survival. He'll walk you through the mechanics of why selling a $10K offer takes the same effort as closing $100K... so why the hell are you choosing the harder path? Jason Croft jumps in with the tactical side - showing you how to actually DEMONSTRATE your value to higher-end clients without getting caught in imposter syndrome b******t. Here's what you'll learn: • Why mechanically, all clients require the same work (but some pay 10X more) • How to find your "sweet spot" market where you deliver maximum value without needing a fortune 500 team • The 20% price increase hack that actually makes delivery EASIER • Why self-made rich people are more likely to give you a shot than you think • How to escape the "I need cheaper clients" trap that's killing your business Joe gets raw about his own mistakes staying in lower markets too long... And shares the specific moment he realized he was doing favors just by taking certain calls. This is Joe's blueprint for building a profitable gusher by refusing to compete on price. Fair warning: If you're attached to "helping everyone" and keeping prices low... this episode's gonna piss you off. But if you're ready to stop trading hours for dollars and start playing a bigger game? Hit play. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/20

    25 min
  8. Ep19 The Batteries Included Test: Why Most Entrepreneurs Are Too Comfortable to Win

    Jan 22

    Ep19 The Batteries Included Test: Why Most Entrepreneurs Are Too Comfortable to Win

    Most people think they're "hungry" for success. They're lying to themselves. And Joe Blackburn's about to call out exactly why that comfort zone is gonna bite you in the ass when you hit your 50s and 60s. In this episode of The Lion's Edge, Joe breaks down the brutal truth about what separates real business owners from people just playing pretend... While Jason digs into how you actually CULTIVATE these traits (without being delusional about where you're starting from). Here's what you'll learn: • The "B-VAM" framework Joe uses to evaluate every entrepreneur he works with (and why most people fail this test miserably) • How to know if you're dangerously "okay" right now... and why that's the WORST place to be • The difference between confidence and being humble enough to actually learn something • Why AI is about to make your IQ worthless... and what's gonna matter instead • How to stop being a victim of problems and start being a solver of them (this alone will make you stupid valuable) • The momentum secret that keeps winners winning (even when shit gets hard) Joe doesn't hold back on this one. He'll piss some people off. But if you're willing to look in the mirror and ask yourself the hard questions... This episode might be the wake-up call that changes everything. Watch it. Learn from it. Then go DO something with it. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/19

    27 min
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About

You mastered the current game... but know you're built for more. The Lion's Edge is where elite performers come to sharpen their teeth. Hosted by Joe Blackburn (who led 140+ advisors managing $17B at Merrill Lynch) and Jason Croft (who transforms "unknown experts" into market authorities). Each week, they reveal the raw, unfiltered strategies that help successful professionals: • Break free from the golden handcuffs • Build sustainable wealth without family sacrifice • Recapture their killer instinct • Access opportunities most leaders never see This isn't just content. This is your Edge.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft
  • Show Website
    The Lion's Edge