Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen
  • 4.9 (465)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

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. 6 DAYS AGO

    #781 “Build It Like You’re Gonna Sell It”

    Dan revives his Re-Readables series with a discussion inspired by Frank Slootman's business book Amp It Up. He delves into the book's core arguments, such as the idea that execution trumps strategy, faster execution can drive better decision-making and growth, and the importance of building for investability. Plus, how exactly to improve your execution and boost your business’s performance. Amp It Up by Frank Slootman Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/ Connect with us: Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com Chapters (00:00:33) Introduction to 'Amp It Up' (00:04:07) Building a High-Performance Team (00:11:02) The Case for Fast Growth (00:15:14) Building for Investability Useful links: Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow us on Instagram 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures? The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

    20 min

  2. NOV 7

    #780 How do you grow from 7 to 8 figures?

    Dan & Ian talk to Lucas Peters, founder of Journey Beyond Travel, about his plans to get to $10M in 5 years. They break down the business and shift thinking from a project-oriented mindset to an approach rooted in financial analysis: What are your gross margins? What does it take to aquire a customer? What is your rebuy rate and LTV? They consider the highest leverage paths to growth. Want to get in the company of other entrepreneurs to help you kickstart your 2025 goals? Submit your application to join Dynamite Circle at https://dynamitecircle.com/ Chapters (00:03:08) Business Growth and COVID Impact (00:04:08) Unique Business Model and Market Positioning (00:04:47) Sales Process and Customer Engagement (00:09:04) Revenue Model and Pricing Strategy (00:13:02) Customer Retention and Repeat Business (00:13:55) Expansion Plans and Market Opportunities (00:14:43) Product Development and Cost Analysis (00:14:56) Maximizing Customer Lifetime Value (00:23:08) Strategizing Location Development (00:25:32) Market Potential and Capacity Constraints (00:31:23) Building a Supportive Team (00:32:38) Testing New Product Offerings (00:35:31) Driving Down Product Development Costs (00:37:53) Final Thoughts and Future Directions Useful links: Access our free business resources Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: “The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients” “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up” “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers

    41 min

  3. OCT 31

    #779 The 3 hats of bootstrapping + Insights from DCBKK 2024

    Dan and Ian discuss the importance of three key executive roles—CEO, COO, and CFO—within bootstrapped businesses, emphasizing the need for founders to embrace responsibilities beyond visionary tasks. They share insights from this year’s DCBKK and a sneak peek into the upcoming DC Black event in New York. (00:00:22) Welcome and Introduction (00:01:03) The Three Hats of Bootstrapping (00:09:51) Trends from DCBKK Event (00:12:34) The Importance of Financial Planning (00:19:30) LinkedIn as a Top Funnel Tool (00:22:50) Reflections and Future Events Useful links: Access our free business resources Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: $30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up” “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers $100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

    29 min

  4. OCT 24

    #778 - Agencies vs. Products + What Happened in the Amazon Aggregator Space?

    This week’s episode is for the business finance and idea nerds. We’re joined this week in a business breakdown session with Alexej Pikovsky of Alphawellbrands.com. Alexej raised 4MIL to build a CBD marketplace. They were forced to pivot and have currently acquired an Amazon FBA brand and started up a success agency in the process, the combined revenue of both is on track to be over 4MIL this year. We’ll dig into the Peter Paul problem– how to choose where to focus your energy when you have multiple businesses? We’ll also cover his perspective on what happened in the Amazon aggregator space. How did so much capital implode so quickly? (Thrasio raised 3 Billion dollars and provided exits to many TMBA listeners). Is there room for smaller roll-ups that work in 2024? Takeaways ● ● Transition from a CBD marketplace to an SEO agency and FBA brand. ● The aggregator model faced significant challenges post-COVID. ● Many D2C brands are struggling with profitability and valuation. ● Acquiring the scented candles brand was a strategic move in a declining market. ● The agency provides valuable insights but distracts from brand focus. ● Investor relations are crucial for long-term success and exit strategies. ● The e-commerce landscape is evolving, requiring new strategies for success. ● The agency's role in the overall business strategy is under review. ● Future growth may depend on focusing solely on the brand. Useful links: Access our free business resources Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: “The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients” “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up” “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers $100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

    53 min

  5. OCT 17

    #777 Create and Communicate an Offer (That Doesn’t Suck) in 30 Minutes

    Selling your product or service requires using words to convey what you offer. But words alone don’t convert on-the-fence prospects into paying customers. Great conversion copy is a mix of persuasion, UX, and decision-making psychology. Sound hard? We promise it isn’t. Chris, the founder of Conversion Alchemy, takes us for a deep dive into all things copywriting and how the power of your messaging can impact your business growth, for better or worse. Plus, he shares a simple five-step copy audit process that transforms agency websites into lead generation machines, with principles you can apply to improve your own marketing collateral. Tune in for writing tips, principles, and examples you can copy. Newsletter subscribers will get the 5-step worksheet to help you create your own offer in 30 minutes. Takeaways Empathizing with the client's problem, understanding your audience's language, and identifying audience awareness levels is crucial for effective messaging. A clear value proposition resonates with prospects’' goals and increases engagement. Clarifying what you do and how, backed with empathy, builds trust with potential clients. Contextual proof enhances credibility and addresses objections, creating a smoother client experience. Shielding clients from risk reassures them during the decision-making process. The “coffee table test” helps tailor messaging to the audience. AI can assist in drafting copy but should not replace personal insights. Tripwire products can effectively lower barriers to entry for clients. Analyzing successful agency websites can provide valuable insights. Dynamic frameworks for copywriting are more effective than rigid formulas. Leveraging testimonials can significantly boost credibility. Useful links: Access our free business resources Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: “The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients” “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up” “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers $100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

    36 min

  6. OCT 10

    #776 The 4 Most Eye-Opening Lessons I’ve Learned From My Coaching Clients

    Dan and Ian talk to 100s of listeners a year via 1:1 coaching. In this episode they distill those calls into 4 breakthrough ideas that can change your quarter for the better. Newsletter subscribers will get our GPS (Goals/Plans/Systems) worksheet. Sign up for the newsletter. Takeaways ● Be sure you pack enough underwear for your next trip abroad. ● Getting aligned on goals is easy, but aligning on plans is hard. ● Hiring should be based on unique business needs, not generic roles. ● Confidence is essential for entrepreneurs, especially in challenging times. ● Discipline in financial management is crucial for sustainable growth. ● Regularly reviewing financials helps maintain business health. ● Accountability in coaching can drive significant progress. ● Sacrifices are often necessary to achieve business goals. ● Effective hiring requires a clear understanding of ROI. ● Facing reality and challenges can build confidence. ● Entrepreneurship allows for a lifestyle designed by personal choice. In honor of traveling to DCBKK this week, here’s Dan’s original packing list from 2010. And an updated list in 2015. Is it time for a new list? Chapters (00:00:59) Dan’s Packing List Ahead of DCBKK (00:02:28) 4 Breakthroughs From Our Coaching Calls (00:05:20) The Importance of Goal Alignment (00:09:54) Hiring for Unique Situations (00:16:36) Good Confidence vs Bad Confidence (00:21:03) Discipline in Entrepreneurship Useful links: Access our free business resources Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: $30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up” “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers $100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

    30 min

  7. OCT 3

    #775 A Business Idea That Might Actually Work

    Dan considers why many of us are resistant to a certain type of business idea even when it’s been proved time and time again. He’ll also explore that often what stands between your business and positive change is some structured thinking. Lastly, we’ll hear from a listener who’s working to take his lifestyle brand to $1M and what his plans are to get there. Featured in this episode: Founder Robby McClung of the McClumsy lifestyle brand. This week’s episode brought to you by Smash Digital. They’ll build you a scalable SEO growth strategy to earn the juiciest high-authority backlinks on earth. No, really. Useful links: Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow us on Instagram 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: $30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up” “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers $100K MRR in 12 Months… Can They Do It?

    52 min

  8. SEP 26

    #774 “You’re Gonna Mess It Up The Way Everybody Messes It Up”

    Dan paid big money for a business coach who only gave him one piece of advice. Listen to the episode to find out what it was and if it worked. Connect with us: Dan: @TropicalMBA or dan@tropicalmba.com Ian: @AnythingIan or ian@tropicalmba.com Chapters (00:00:22) The Perfect Storm for Entrepreneurs (00:03:41) Introducing the System (00:05:37) Implementing the System in Your Business (00:06:50) Defining Roles and Outcomes (00:09:51) The Hiring Process Revolutionized (00:11:01) Performance Conversations and Team Dynamics (00:12:53) Leveraging the System for Business Growth (00:16:37) Recap and Final Thoughts Useful links: Connect with other entrepreneurs Coaching for $250K+ founders Community for 1M+ founders Hire remote talent Find a remote job Listen on YouTube Follow us on Instagram 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, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal Additional episodes you might enjoy: $30K a Month on Upwork in Less Than 2 Years “Lifestyle Business” vs “Real Business” Only 3 Ways to Grow…What Would Plato Do

    19 min
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4.9
out of 5
465 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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