Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen
  • 4.9 (467)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

With 10M+ downloads and thousands of listener meetups worldwide, the TMBA Podcast is the hub for 7 & 8-figure founders who’ve built life-changing businesses while attaining personal freedom. New episodes every Thursday morning.

  1. 4D AGO

    #840 How to Actually Build Systems in Your Small Business ft. Layla Pomper

    What if your systems feel broken because you’re running big-company playbooks in a small, bootstrapped business? Layla Pomper, founder of ProcessDriven, joins us to share how small teams actually build systems that work. We cover what to prioritize before even thinking about SOPs, how to systemize without hiring an integrator, plus the AI & automation tools her audience is quietly using to move faster. LINKS Dive into more of Layla’s systems content (https://www.youtube.com/@LaylaPomper) EOS Business System (https://www.eosworldwide.com/) Meet other location-independent founders like Layla inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) CHAPTERS (00:01:44) Today’s Guest: Layla Pomper (00:06:18) Manage Your Mistakes (00:13:47) Radical Simplicity in Your Systems (00:17:53) People vs Roles (00:22:26) Defaulting to Delegation (00:26:59) Asking For Help & Meeting Cadences (00:31:40) Why EOS Breaks Down For Small Teams (00:39:31) Stop “Hiring” Software, Build the System First (00:42:58) New Tools Worth Paying Attention To (00:47:24) To YouTube, Or Not to YouTube? CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: [link to Doomsday Business Ideas episode] Numbers Gone Wild: The Hidden Cost of Being Data-Driven (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/numbers-gone-wild-hidden-cost) Financial Traps, Profit Truths, and What’s Next at TMBA (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/financial-traps-profit-truths)

    33 min

  2. JAN 1

    #839 “The World Is Ending.” These 5 Businesses Are Still Making Millions

    Apple launched the iPod in the wake of the dot-com bubble. Airbnb launched during the 2008 recession and housing crisis. In fact, half of all the Fortune 500 companies were created during a recession or economic crisis. With the rise of AI, sociopolitical unrest, and the post-COVID landscape, what new ideas and businesses will emerge in 2026? This week's sponsor is Bento! Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits https://bentonow.com/tmba LINKS The Age of Disclosure (https://www.amazon.com/Age-Disclosure-Dan-Farah/dp/B0FMF29BBJ) Daniel Salzner: Goldman-Sachs to $40K MRR AI Agency (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/danielsalzner_i-quit-my-job-10-weeks-ago-today-i-bootstrapped-activity-7402723101932670976-rcGS/) Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson (https://www.amazon.com/Never-Enough-Billionaire-Andrew-Wilkinson/dp/1637744765) Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) CHAPTERS (00:00:13) Change = Opportunity (00:05:36) Idea #1: Solutions to AI Worry (00:07:59) Idea #2: Address Digital Degeneracy (00:12:42) Idea #3: Homesteading and Doomsday Prep (00:20:34) Idea #4: Religious Revival (00:23:58) Idea #5: Lifespan Optimization CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource] TMBA 539: Weathering the Storm (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/entrepreneurs-survive-economic-downturn) TMBA 546: Adjusting to the 'New Normal' (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/jim-huffman-new-normal)

    33 min

  3. 12/25/2025

    #838 Give Me 30 Minutes and I’ll Help You Plan Your Next 90 Days in Business

    What if 90 days from now, your business was sharper, more focused, and positioned for real growth? This simple but powerful 10-question framework is designed to help you identify your biggest challenge, clarify your team’s focus, and uncover new opportunities to stand out in your market. LINKS 90 Day Business Clarity Worksheet (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a_rGQy83JhYfmcbWhGWZredl43Ds-EAd-1gh1ulAYlg/edit?tab=t.0) Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) CHAPTERS (00:03:29) Biggest challenge and next steps (00:06:33) Focus (00:08:24) Understand your customer (00:12:45) Positioning (00:15:55) Innovation and unique advantages (00:21:15) Network (00:22:57) Business model (00:25:06) Team (00:26:38) Cadence & leadership (00:28:34) Bonus CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource] Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-email-funnels-playbook) [2026 Email Funnels Playbook] These 7+ Figure Founders Refused the “Normal” Path to Wealth (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/7-figure-founders-refused-normal-path)

    31 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    #837 These 7+ Figure Founders Refused the “Normal” Path to Wealth

    We’re back from a week of hanging out with rockstars in NYC. Not just figurative rockstars in the form of 25 DC BLACK members and Scott Heiferman of Meetup.com, but also literal rockstar Keith Murray of We Are Scientists. From “friendly” acquisitions to hiring frameworks and thoughts on leadership, this is what’s top of mind for 7 and 8-figure location independent founders going into 2026. LINKS Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) Leader’s Intent Framework (https://verticalperformance.us/develop-a-leaders-intent-to-transform-your-team/) Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell (https://www.buybackyourtime.com/) TMBA 528: The Brenwall Code (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/markbrenwall2) CHAPTERS (00:05:22) 7-Figures and Location Flexibility (00:09:25) The Rise of “Friendly” Business Acquisitions (00:14:12) What the Hell is Leadership? (00:18:45) Buying Back Your Time with AI & Hiring (00:22:40) Insights from Meetup.com’s Scott Heiferman (00:28:10) Annual Planning: Working Backwards From the Goal (00:31:25) The Crossover Between Artist and Entrepreneur (00:39:46) Overcoming Challenges Through Innovation (00:42:47) Rebranding “Asking for Help” CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-email-funnels-playbook) [2026 Email Funnels Playbook] 6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/dont-keep-doing-this-2026) [Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026] Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource]

    46 min

  5. 12/11/2025

    #836 Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework [2026 Email Funnels Playbook] #836

    With so many ways to make money online, many founders and creators have lost sight of the most powerful one: email marketing. John Ainsworth, founder of Data Driven Marketing, says you’re leaving tons of money on the table if you’re not doing it well. John is back on the pod to share his best tips and tactics on landing pages, upsells, lead magnets, and more. You might want to take some notes for this one! LINKS Rolodex Marketing Resource (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jRV_ncgCWAMRB7tZZtnO7x0Tn5sE46-tYkwN6paVG3A/edit?tab=t.0) Free Email Marketing Resources (https://datadrivenmarketing.co/resources/) John’s Podcast: The Art of Selling Online Courses (https://www.youtube.com/@john_ainsworth/videos) Meet John and other location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA (https://getperspective.ai/tmba) Share your thoughts about the podcast (https://getperspective.ai/interview/tmba-feedback) [takes 2 minutes] 22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources) CHAPTERS (00:02:11) Email Marketing: A Must-Have Money Maker (00:11:50) 15 Steps to a High-Converting Landing Page (00:19:18) Do Webinars Still Work in 2026? (00:24:09) What Makes a Great Lead Magnet (00:29:09) The Power of Order Bumps and Upsells (00:36:58) How to Use AI to Improve Your Funnels (00:40:45) How to Make Extra Money with Trip Wires (00:44:37) Rapid-Fire Email Tips for 2026 (00:50:49) How John is Running His 7-Figure Agency CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Marketing to High-Dollar Clients (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/marketing-to-high-dollar-clients) 6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out (Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026) (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/dont-keep-doing-this-2026) 8 Simple Steps for Improving Your Sales Funnel (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/john-ainsworth-sales-funnel)

    1h 2m

  6. 12/04/2025

    #835 6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out [Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026]

    Sticking rigidly to your sales scripts, hiring and firing sales reps, and positioning yourself as a freelancer instead of the expert: these mistakes will cost you in 2026 if you don’t address them now. 6-figure fractional sales manager, Jeff Pecaro, joins us once again to reveal his best sales insights and call us out on the mistakes we need to leave behind in 2025. Plus, we get into how he and other 6-7 figure businesses inside Dynamite Circle are scaling with just one human and multiple bots. LINKS How to work with Jeff (https://meetwingman.com/) Jeff’s favorite microphone for sales calls (https://www.amazon.com/Shure-MV7X-Podcast-Microphone-Voice-Isolating/dp/B09BZZCGC8/) Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA (https://getperspective.ai/tmba) Share your thoughts about the podcast (https://getperspective.ai/interview/tmba-feedback) [takes 2 minutes] Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/dcbkk) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) 22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources) CHAPTERS (00:00:13) Today’s Guest: Jeff Pecaro (00:01:44) The Biggest Challenge Holding Back Your Sales (00:05:00) Start Positioning Yourself as the Expert (00:14:31) Conversion Rate Benchmarks to Aim For (00:18:59) How to Go From “Good Call” to $ in the Bank (00:26:33) Sales Best Practices in 2026 (00:32:24) 2026 Bootstrapper Trends and Predictions CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource] $400K in Points & 100% Vibe Coded Shopify Forecasting App with “SpyGuy” Allen Walton (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/400k-in-points-vibe-coded-app) The Lifestyle Business Playbook (2025 Edition) (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/lifestyle-business-playbook-2025)

    47 min

  7. 11/27/2025

    #834 Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]

    Whether you're a solopreneur or you've got a large team and millions of dollars in revenue, this simple process can help you plan for 2026 in just a few hours. Get ready for your best year in business yet, with clarity and intention. LINKS FREE Resource: Plan Your 2026 With Clarity and Intention (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gfFSgVgexN8bq1gekgc9oHdRnJsWGA6RMp0876NotcQ/edit?tab=t.0) Ryan Deiss on Scoreboards (https://x.com/ryandeiss/status/1991923587347825150?s=20) Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA (https://getperspective.ai/tmba) Share your thoughts about the podcast (https://getperspective.ai/interview/tmba-feedback) [takes 2 minutes] Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders (https://dynamitecircle.com/dcbkk) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) 22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources) CHAPTERS (00:00:14) A Reliable Framework for Annual Planning (00:02:13) How to Set the Right Kind of Goal and Plan for the Year (00:08:15) System #1 to Reach Your Goal: Budget (00:13:03) System #2 to Reach Your Goal: Scoreboard (00:18:19) System #3 to Reach Your Goal: Scorecards (00:21:13) System #4 to Reach Your Goal: Cadence (00:24:18) What to Stop Doing & What to Do More Of In 2026 (00:27:59) The Importance of Personal Reflections Before a New Year CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Growth vs. Optimization — 90% of Growth Comes from 10% of Activities? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/growth-vs-optimization) “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/3-million-death-zone) Health Advice That Goes Against Everything You Know ft. Jay Feldman (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/health-advice-against-everything-you-know)

    36 min

  8. 11/20/2025

    #833 55 People Gave Our Last Event a 10/10. Here’s How We Did It [Free Checklist]

    One of the stickiest things you can do for marketing and retention in your business… host events. We’ve been doing this for our community over the last 12-ish years, and we feel like we’ve finally (sorta) cracked the code. Our Senior Community Manager at Dynamite Circle, Alex Harling, walks us through the guiding principles for hosting a 10/10 event. Apply these to your next sales call, group onboarding session, webinar, or in-person event. LINKS Share your thoughts about the podcast (takes 2 mins) (https://getperspective.ai/interview/tmba-feedback) Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA (https://getperspective.ai/tmba) FREE Checklist: How to Host a Killer Event in 20 Steps (https://docs.google.com/document/d/14e0cea4WGDEPKZEB2Skg7b41KTPZxA9Jy-nwzgRN3q0/edit?usp=sharing) Connect with 6-, 7- & 8-figure founders in Mexico City (https://dynamitecircle.com/) The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker (https://www.priyaparker.com/book-art-of-gathering) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) 22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources) CHAPTERS (00:01:48) The Man Behind Our Last 10/10 Event: Alex Harling (00:03:00) Why Event Principles Are Important For All Businesses (00:05:14) The Art of Gathering (00:10:40) 10 Ways to Make Money With Events (00:13:00) A New Spin on Sponsorship (00:16:50) Case Study: Breakfast Club Austin (00:18:48) The Costco Method (00:21:23) Bonus Ways to Monetize Events (00:25:08) The Biggest Challenge With Hosting Events (00:29:24) External Event Planner vs Your Ops Manager? (00:32:45) Five Principles for Killer Events CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: “How Can I Get Customers For My New Online Sailboat Mechanic Business?” (Case Study in Location Independence) (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/get-customers-for-online-business) How 1 New Feature Can 10x Your Pricing + 4 More Insights From DCBKK (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/1-new-feature-10x-pricing) How to Instantly Improve Your Lead Pipeline by 20-50% (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/improve-your-lead-pipeline)

    51 min
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4.9
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467 Ratings

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With 10M+ downloads and thousands of listener meetups worldwide, the TMBA Podcast is the hub for 7 & 8-figure founders who’ve built life-changing businesses while attaining personal freedom. New episodes every Thursday morning.

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