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TitreDateDurée
196 - His Cold DMs Got Him GaryVee, Rick Ross & Larry King with Casey Adams30 juin 202500:59:38

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Casey Adams (https://x.com/CaseyAdams). This episode dives into Casey's incredible journey, starting his podcast at just 17 years old after a football injury led to an unexpected identity shift.

Discover how he transitioned from running a Facebook ad agency at 16 to becoming a serial entrepreneur, landing guests like Larry King and Rick Ross, and leveraging his show to raise $1.5 million for his company, MediaKits. We explore his unique strategies for cold outreach and securing high-profile guests, the power of founder-led content as a new form of SEO for businesses, and the vision behind his latest venture, Listener.com – an AI Listener Analytics platform set to revolutionize how podcasts measure their impact and value in a changing media landscape.

listener.com


Questions This Episode Answers:
How can an early life setback like a sports injury become a pivotal moment for an entrepreneurial journey?
What tactical approaches can you use for cold outreach to book high-profile guests or connect with influential people?
How can a podcast act as a "flywheel" for business growth, attracting investors and creating new opportunities?
Why is founder-led content becoming increasingly crucial for customer acquisition and brand differentiation in today's market?
How can new AI-powered analytics tools help podcasters and businesses truly understand and monetize their audience beyond simple download numbers?


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.
__________________________
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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
__________________________
This week we covered:

00:00 The Journey of a Young Podcaster
02:54 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose
05:49 The Evolution of Podcasting and Networking
09:08 Building a Business from Passion
11:57 The Impact of Early Success
14:49 Lessons from Reaching Out to Influencers
18:06 The Role of Media in Modern Business
29:25 From Podcasting to Live Events
32:22 Building Relationships Through Events
35:15 The Art of Outreach and Connection
38:38 The Importance of Listening
40:06 Launching Listener.com
44:21 The Vision Behind Listener.com
50:56 The Future of Podcasting and Analytics

195 - How to Overcome Money Trauma with Clifton Sellers27 juin 202500:41:07

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Clifton Sellers (https://x.com/LegacyBuilder__)

In this episode, I chat with Clifton Sellers, a social media favorite who's built a business projected to hit $2-3 million this year. He shares his incredible journey from being deep in debt while working as a VP of development making $95K a year to a thriving entrepreneur.

Clifton reveals how obsession and sheer endurance were his secret weapons, starting from a $29 Gumroad course. We dive into his pivot from "money Twitter" to establishing Legacy Builder.co as a legitimate, reputable content agency.

He opens up about overcoming past money trauma that initially capped his business at under $1 million in revenue, and how investing in coaches was the key to unlocking rapid growth.

We also discuss the power of professionalizing a business and the critical role of strong core values like "unreasonable hospitality" and "say the thing" in building a successful team and culture.

Questions This Episode Answers:

How did Clifton Sellers transition from significant personal debt to running a multi-million dollar business?

What role did obsession and endurance play in his journey to entrepreneurial success?

How did he overcome money trauma to break past the $1 million revenue ceiling?

Why does Clifton believe investing in coaches and mentors is essential for accelerated business growth?

What does professionalizing a business entail, and why are core values critical for scaling?

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.

__________________________

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YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 From Debt to Success: The Journey Begins

09:52 The Power of Obsession in Business

20:02 Navigating the Online Business Landscape

30:04 Building a Team: The Key to Scaling

39:38 Professionalizing Your Business for Growth

194 - AI SERIES: 17 - Directories Are Back: AI Makes Niche Goldmines Easier Than Ever with Kirill Zubovsky26 juin 202500:45:33

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Kirill Zubovsky (https://x.com/kirillzubovsky) on an episode that will totally change how you think about building a business online.

We dive deep into why directories are making a huge comeback as "the hottest thing" and how AI is making them easier than ever to build and monetize. Kirill walks us through his incredibly fast, AI-augmented development process at QED.AM, demonstrating how he built a live local services directory for plumbers using tools like Grok for brainstorming, Appify for data scraping, and Cursor for website creation.

We also explore groundbreaking concepts like AI SEO (AISCO)—the future of getting your website recommended by AI models—and agentic workflows where multiple AIs collaborate on projects. Kirill shares his insights on automating everything from writing to video content, revealing how you can ship projects weekly with minimal human intervention.

Questions This Episode Answers:
How has AI made directories "the hottest thing" again?
What is AI SEO (AISCO) and why is it the "next layer" of search optimization?
How can you brainstorm business ideas using Grok's voice mode?
What AI tools can non-technical users leverage to scrape data and build websites quickly?
How are AI bots collaborating in "agentic workflows" to ship projects weekly?
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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Harnessing AI for Automation

02:45 The Power of Directories

06:03 Building a Directory Live

08:57 AI Tools and Automation

11:49 Creating a Local Services Directory

14:43 Optimizing for AI SEO

18:01 Developing with AI Assistance

20:58 Launching the Directory

23:54 Visual Content Creation with AI

26:42 The Future of Directory Services

193 - AI Psychology and the Quirks of Digital Minds with Elizabeth Knopf25 juin 202500:33:38

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Elizabeth Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside), where we dive deep into the latest AI trends and their impact on businesses.

This week, we explore the optimistic side of AI, including Andre Karpathy's fascinating vision for LLMs "eating software" and how his concept of "vibe coding" is empowering everyone to become a programmer using natural language. We also unpack surprising statistics on how small businesses are rapidly adopting AI, their top use cases from content creation to data analysis, and why so many still feel stressed by this transformative technology.

I discuss why the market is pushing for AI tool consolidation and what becomes the most crucial factor when products become commoditized: the trusted distribution channel. Plus, Liz shows me how AI is tackling the "Turing test" of white-collar jobs by automating complex tasks like creating PowerPoint presentations with tools like Claude and Gamma, making it incredibly easy for anyone.


Enjoy the conversation!


Questions This Episode Answers:
How are LLMs shifting the landscape of software development and making everyone a "vibe coder"?
What are the top three AI applications that small businesses are prioritizing today?
__________________________

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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Rise of Vibe Coding and AI Control

05:52 AI's Impact on Small Businesses

12:10 The Evolution of AI Tools and User Experience

17:44 AI in Presentation Creation

31:47 The Future of AI and Business Integration

192 - AI SERIES: 16 - Decoding the Tech Stack: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know with Ellie Daw24 juin 202500:41:47

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Ellie Daw (https://x.com/ellieintech), a multiple-time founder who's built over 40 zero to one product builds!

In this episode, we tackle the tech questions that keep business owners up at night. We demystify AI integration, clarify the roles of IT, CIO, and CTO, and discuss how to navigate dev shops without being taken advantage of. Ellie also introduces her new company, Yalla, designed to make your technical infrastructure visible and manage technical debt.

If you're a founder or business owner with limited tech experience, this conversation is for you.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's the difference between IT, a CIO, and a CTO?
How can business owners avoid being taken advantage of by dev shops?
What does it mean for a business to be "tech-enabled"?
What is a "tech stack" and how can I track it?
What is "technical debt" and why is it a problem for my business?
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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 – Intro & Ellie’s Background
 02:30 – IT vs CIO vs CTO Explained Simply
 09:30 – What Is a Tech Stack?
 11:45 – How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by Developers
 22:50 – What Is Technical Debt?
 28:30 – What Is Yalla & How It Helps
 33:00 – Why You Must Own Your GitHub
 40:00 – Where to Find Yalla

191 - $1 Million Revenue, $250K Cash Flow: The Smash My Trash Franchise Model with Kevin Moyer23 juin 202500:38:09

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Kevin Moyer (https://x.com/kevinjm). Kevin left the tech world, including a job at Salesforce where he was making up to $250K, seeking a tighter connection between his hard work and the reward.

He swung to the other end of the spectrum and became a franchise owner of Smash My Trash. Starting with three territories and one truck, he now operates five territories and has built the business to about $1 million in top-line revenue annually.

Despite the seasonal nature of his California location driven by agriculture, the business is now mostly passive, taking up only about an hour of his day. We discuss why he chose a franchise over starting a tech company or buying an existing business, the risks he didn't fully appreciate like minimum royalties and personal guarantees in the franchise agreement, and how he built a passive asset generating significant cash flow.


Questions This Episode Answers:

How did a tech founder transition from Silicon Valley to operating a trash franchise?

What specific unexpected risks should potential franchise owners be aware of, like minimum royalties?

How can a $1 million revenue business like Smash My Trash be structured to be mostly passive?

How do you evaluate the viability and potential pitfalls of a franchise territory? 

What is the typical annual cash flow or SDE for a successful Smash My Trash franchise operating at $1M in revenue?


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.
__________________________
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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
__________________________
This week we covered:
00:00 From Tech to Trash: The Entrepreneurial Leap

10:07 Navigating the Franchise Landscape

20:14 The Financials of Smash My Trash

30:06 Lessons Learned and Future Plans

190- Inside the Wild West of Influencer Deals and Agency Life with Tom Stefaniuk20 juin 202500:48:40

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Tom Stefanik (https://x.com/tomstefaniuk) about the wild world of influencer marketing. We dive deep into why over 50% of young people aspire to be influencers, the incredible growth of this multi-billion dollar industry, and how creators like Tom built massive businesses from their passion.

Discover the different ways creators earn money, from early AdSense checks to selling their own products, and learn why some small, niche audiences can be far more valuable than millions of followers. Tom shares insights from his agency, Small Stream, explaining how they help creators and brands navigate this fast-changing landscape, negotiate deals, and measure success beyond just follower counts. It's a fascinating look at the future of marketing and how real businesses are being built on social media.


Questions This Episode Answers: 

How big is the influencer marketing industry and how fast is it growing?

What are the typical stages of monetization for a content creator?

How do brands and businesses measure the return on investment from influencer campaigns?

Is it possible for a creator to make a living with a relatively small but dedicated audience?

How should creators determine their pricing for sponsorships and ad deals based on audience value?


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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Journey of a Social Media Influencer

02:56 The Evolution of Influencer Marketing

05:48 Building a Business Around Influence

09:09 Understanding the Influencer Economy

12:02 The Shift in Marketing Budgets

14:47 Measuring Success in Influencer Campaigns

18:01 Navigating the Influencer Landscape

20:44 The Value of Audience Engagement

24:31 The Value of Podcasting and Audience Engagement

27:25 The Importance of Passion in Content Creation

30:37 Pricing Strategies for Sponsorships

33:21 The Growth of Influencer Marketing Agencies

36:34 Navigating Brand Collaborations

37:28 Revenue Distribution Between Brands and Creators

38:28 The Role of Relationships in Influencer Marketing

39:25 Challenges in the Influencer Marketing Space

40:20 The Future of Influencer Marketing

41:43 Best and Worst Influencers to Work With

42:42 Equity Deals and Long-Term Partnerships

43:38 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

189 - How Meta's Major Moves are Shaping the AI Landscape with Elizabeth Knopf18 juin 202500:36:35

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Elizabeth Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside) to break down the massive shifts happening in AI!

This week, we dive deep into Meta's aggressive strategy, including their surprising Scale AI acquisition and a colossal energy deal that could shape the future of AI data centers. We also explore the game-changing Model Context Protocol (MCP), explaining how it's poised to transform how you leverage AI in your business, making it feel like you have an executive assistant at your fingertips.

Get ready to understand why Mark Zuckerberg is making these bold moves and what it means for the rapidly evolving AI landscape.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What major moves did Meta make this week to boost its AI capabilities?
Why was the Scale AI acquisition, and its leader Alexander Wang, so crucial for Meta?
How is AI's rapidly increasing energy consumption impacting the industry?
What is Model Context Protocol (MCP) and how does it simplify AI integration?
How can AI tools like Claude act as your ultimate executive assistant for daily business tasks?
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 The Rise of Tech Valuations

03:07 Meta's Strategic Moves in AI

05:54 Acquisition of Scale AI and Its Implications

08:47 Energy Contracts and Future Planning

12:08 The Importance of Data in AI Development

15:01 MCP: The Future of AI Integration

17:52 Practical Applications of MCP

21:05 The Future of AI and Business Efficiency

188 - How to Become a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator with Tim Sweetman16 juin 202500:48:58

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Tim Sweetman (https://x.com/timsweetman), a Chick-fil-A franchisee. I was fascinated to learn how Chick-fil-A consistently achieves such incredible business success, with average annual sales volumes double that of competitors like McDonald's.

Tim reveals that it's less about the physical restaurant and more about their massive investment in people and culture. We dive into their unique franchise model, the rigorous process to become an owner-operator, the power of their shared language and hospitality, and what it's like to run a high-volume business that serves around 40,000 customers a month.

We even talk about potential secret menu hacks and the heartwarming story behind the community tables!

__________________________

Join Connor Groce here for a live webinar answering your franchise questions!

__________________________

Questions This Episode Answers:

How does Chick-fil-A achieve significantly higher average sales volumes compared to other major chains?

What makes the Chick-fil-A franchise model unique compared to traditional franchises?

How difficult is the process to become a Chick-fil-A owner-operator?

Can someone in a leadership role at Chick-fil-A earn enough to support a family?

 What kind of investments can a Chick-fil-A operator have outside of their restaurant?


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 Chick-fil-A's Impact and Revenue

03:04 Hiring Practices and Employee Culture

05:53 The Importance of Language in Service

09:13 Shared Language and Company Culture

11:54 Leadership Structure and Career Opportunities

14:46 Understanding the Franchise Model

24:24 Understanding Chick-fil-A's Franchise Model

30:06 Profit Sharing and Financial Insights

34:25 The Rigorous Selection Process for Franchisees

36:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Ownership

40:57 Exploring Chick-fil-A's Secret Menu

187 - Building a Pickleball Club for Only $200 with Chris Koerner13 juin 202500:33:11

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and Chris Koerner (https://x.com/mhp_guy) for another HoldCo Bros episode!

We talk about some incredibly practical and high-potential business ideas. I share how I built my new pickleball club with just $200 in Facebook ads, using Meta Ads Manager and a detailed Typeform to validate demand and gather crucial customer data. We dive deep into the world of "sweaty" businesses, like the surprising success of bathtub refinishing, which is a non-sexy, AI-proof opportunity making hundreds of thousands annually with minimal competition and strong Google SEO.

Check out PortaCourts https://nikonomics.info/PortaCourts

We also explore the exciting future of consistency with an AI accountability app, designed to feel like a personal text conversation rather than a traditional app, tapping into the $8 billion wellness and productivity app market.

Plus, we discuss how AI can significantly streamline operations for personal trainers and ponder the "Airbnb for courts" concept!


Enjoy the conversation!
__________________________

Questions This Episode Answers:
How can you effectively validate a business idea with only $200 in ads?
What makes "non-sexy" businesses like bathtub refinishing a highly profitable and AI-resistant opportunity?
How can AI be uniquely leveraged to create an $8 billion accountability app that truly helps people?
In what specific ways can personal trainers utilize AI to save an hour or more per client each week?
What is the business model behind an "Airbnb for pickleball courts" and how could it be built?
__________________________

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 Building a Pickleball Club: A New Venture

03:00 The Role of AI in Accountability

05:55 Exploring the Wellness and Productivity Market

08:49 Marketing Strategies for a Pickleball Club

11:45 Analyzing Lead Generation and Customer Interest

17:58 The Potential of Bathtub Refinishing Business

30:59 Innovative Ideas for Community Engagement

186 - How to Build a Business That Can Run Without You with John Seiffer11 juin 202500:50:41

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview John Seiffer (https://x.com/BetterCeo), author of Output Thinking. John is an experienced entrepreneur who knows what it takes to build a business that doesn't require you to be in the day-to-day grind.

We dive into how to move past being a solopreneur and actually build a scalable business. We talk about different phases of SMBs, why relying just on revenue isn't the best way to think about growth, and how the owner's role shifts dramatically when you start building systems instead of just doing everything yourself.

John shares his unique perspective using his Eight Buckets framework and explains how to start identifying outputs in your business to figure out what to delegate.

Find out more below!

Email: John@CEOBootCamp.com

Website: https://ceobootcamp.com/

The Operator Accelerator: https://theoperatoraccelerator.com/

Free Coaching Session: https://john-3.youcanbook.me/


Questions This Episode Answers:

How do you identify the first thing you should delegate in your business?

What are John Seiffer's Eight Buckets of a business?

How do you get tribal knowledge out of your employees' heads without making them feel threatened?

What are the three different kinds of SOPs you should document?

What's the best way for an overwhelmed entrepreneur to start systematizing?


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 The Evolution of a Business Model

03:00 Understanding Entrepreneurial Phases

05:48 The Importance of Systematization

09:08 Output Thinking Explained

12:03 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

14:52 Identifying Business Outputs

17:48 The Seven Buckets of Business

21:08 The Owner's Perspective

25:30 The Role of a CEO: Beyond 40 Hours

27:55 Systematizing Business Operations

30:22 Effective Delegation and Communication

34:47 Types of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

39:05 Leveraging AI for Documentation

43:52 Extracting Knowledge from Employees

44:49 Creating Accountability for Entrepreneurs

185 - How to Build and Sell Apps with No Code with Billy Howell10 juin 202500:40:20

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Billy Howell (https://x.com/billyjhowell)! I'm so stoked to have Billy Howell back on the show!

Billy is a prolific entrepreneur who has built over 60 apps with AI despite having no traditional tech background. His agency, Stupid Simple Apps, helps other entrepreneurs build their own custom AI apps.

This episode, I challenged Billy to teach me how to build a chatbot specifically for my podcast, so I can easily query my extensive archive of 200 transcripts. We also dive into practical small business use cases for chatbots, from HR and onboarding to sales processes and internal SOPs.

You'll hear us discuss the challenges of managing large data sets and context windows, exploring solutions like OpenAI's embeddings (also known as RAG) and document summarization. I even share a Google Apps Script I built to summarize my transcripts into a spreadsheet database, which we then use as the foundation for our chatbot.

Billy walks me through using Replit and its powerful AI agent, leveraging ChatGPT to create a PRD (Product Requirements Document) and build a functional web app in minutes. We troubleshoot real-time issues, from CSV upload failures to database storage (shifting from in-memory to Postgres), and even touch on managing OpenAI API costs.

Enjoy the conversation!


Questions This Episode Answers:
How can a small business use AI chatbots for internal processes?
What's a cost-effective way to build a custom AI chatbot?
How do you handle large data sets, like 200 podcast transcripts, for an AI chatbot's context?
What's a PRD and how does AI use it to build an app in minutes?
How can you manage AI API costs and avoid unexpected token spikes?

__________________________

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 Building Apps with AI: A New Era

03:01 Chatbots: Revolutionizing Business Communication

05:50 Optimizing Context for AI Chatbots

09:11 Creating a Podcast Database for AI Interaction

12:09 Developing a Web App: Step by Step

15:03 Debugging and Enhancing the App Experience

17:52 Exploring AI's Role in Everyday Tasks

20:50 Managing Costs in AI Development

24:10 Finalizing the Podcast Q&A App

26:54 The Future of AI in Gaming and Learning

184 - How to Decide If Franchising is the Right Business Path for You with Connor Groce09 juin 202500:45:04

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Find out more at https://connorgroce.com/

Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Connor Groce (https://x.com/ConnorGroce), an expert in the franchising world.

Connor shares his fascinating journey from operating a boutique fitness franchise and launching a Smash My Trash business to becoming a franchise consultant. We dive into how franchising fits into the entrepreneurship spectrum, sitting comfortably between starting a business from scratch and buying an existing one. 

We tackle common misconceptions, like the idea of franchising having "training wheels," and break down essential concepts like the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and why it's crucial to validate information directly with existing franchisees.

Connor offers valuable insights on how to navigate the vast franchise landscape and find an opportunity that's the right fit for you, touching on capital, goals, and even personality traits.
Enjoy the conversation!

__________________________

Find out more at https://connorgroce.com/

Join Connor Groce here for a live webinar answering your franchise questions!

__________________________


Questions This Episode Answers:
How does franchising compare to starting or buying a business?
What is the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and why does it matter?
How do you figure out which type of franchise is right for you (e.g., food, B2B, B2C)?
Why is talking to existing franchisees essential due diligence?
What are the different capital requirements for franchises?

__________________________

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.

__________________________

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YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Understanding Franchising: The Basics

02:50 Nikolas Hulewsky's Journey in Franchising

06:07 The Value of Franchising vs. Starting a Business

09:01 Franchise Structure and Economics

11:50 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Explained

15:08 Operational Standards in Franchising

17:55 Choosing the Right Franchise: Key Considerations

22:48 Understanding Franchise Financials

25:32 Navigating Franchise Acquisition Strategies

29:14 Evaluating Food vs. Non-Food Franchises

33:37 Identifying Key Success Factors in Franchising

37:44 The Franchise Discovery Process

40:11 The Value of Franchise Consultants

183 - Turning AI Ideas Into Real Income with Chris Koerner06 juin 202500:37:19

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and my business partner Chris Koerner (https://x.com/mhp_guy) for HoldCo Bros!

We dive deep into the practical and often "underrated" ways people are using AI to build and grow businesses. We discuss my new website, How do you use AI.com, and its unique "give-to-get" model for sharing AI use cases.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing hiring by creating personality quizzes that match cultural fit, potentially saving massive recruiter fees. Learn about Perplexity Labs for generating incredible market research reports that can serve as valuable lead magnets. Plus, we share a "genius" prompt engineering trick to get LLMs to generate and improve your prompts for you.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What is the "give-to-get" model for sharing AI use cases?
How can AI revolutionize hiring through personality-based assessments?
What is the "most underrated" AI opportunity for automating pitch decks?
How can AI-generated reports from tools like Perplexity Labs become powerful lead magnets?
What advanced prompt engineering technique involves LLMs generating and evaluating their own prompts?
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.
__________________________

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YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
__________________________
This week we covered:

00:00 - Underrated AI business idea

00:35 - “HowAreYouUsingAI.com” explained

05:22 - AI quiz to match tools with your business

10:16 - Personality-based hiring with AI

17:00 - Manus AI creates pitch decks automatically

24:35 -Genius AI prompt engineering method

29:25 - What Perplexity Labs can actually do

34:15 - $2K AI reports used as lead magnets

182 - How to Build Your Own AI Personal Assistant with Elizabeth Knopf04 juin 202500:34:55

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and Elizabeth Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside) for this week's AI updates! This week, the AI world is buzzing, even in what some consider a "slow" period!

We dive into the incredible pace of AI development, where giants like Anthropic, Google, Proplexity Labs, and Manus are in a relentless race for feature parity. We discuss the controversial predictions from Anthropic's founder about AI eliminating entry-level white-collar jobs and how that contrasts with Sundar's views on management positions.

Elizabeth and I explore whether calls for government intervention in AI might actually be a strategic move for regulatory capture. Plus, I share my personal journey setting up Claude as my AI personal assistant, integrating my email and calendar, and leveraging contextual documents for productivity.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How quickly are AI features developing, and what does feature parity mean for the market?
What are the differing perspectives from Anthropic's founder and Sundar on AI's impact on white-collar jobs?
Could calls for government intervention in AI be a strategic move by AI companies?
What are practical first steps to leveraging AI as a personal assistant using tools like Claude?
How do Claude and ChatGPT compare when building a comprehensive personal operating manual?
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.
__________________________
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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
__________________________
This week we covered:

00:00 Highlights

00:20 The Current State of AI and Job Displacement

09:48 Integrating AI into Daily Life

19:49 Building a Personal Operating System with AI

181 - The Reality of Year One: Sales, Cash Flow, and Life as a Franchisee with Clayton Edrington02 juin 202500:36:34

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Clayton Edrington. Clayton was making over $300,000 a year at Amazon but had an entrepreneurial itch. He explored everything from SaaS startups to buying existing businesses before landing on franchising.

We dive into why he left a high-paying tech job, how he evaluated different home services and sweaty businesses, and ultimately chose to buy multiple territories in a relatively new roofing franchise, Bumble Roofing. Clayton shares the startup costs, his approach to financing, navigating the early months, and the crucial role of community and support.


Questions This Episode Answers:

Why choose a franchise over other paths?

What is the business model of a roofing franchise?

How do you pick the right franchise for you?

What are the real startup costs for a franchise?

What personal sacrifices come with starting a business?


Enjoy the conversation!

__________________________

Join Connor Groce here for a live webinar answering your franchise questions!

__________________________
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.
__________________________
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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT
__________________________
This week we covered:

00:00 The Journey Begins: From Tech to Roofing

03:10 Understanding the Roofing Business Model

05:56 Navigating the Franchise Landscape

09:13 Preparing for the Leap: Financial and Personal Considerations

12:04 The Launch: Early Days and Initial Challenges

14:53 Sales Success and Market Dynamics

18:10 Cash Flow Management and Financial Insights

20:52 Advice for Aspiring Franchisees

180 - Can Laundromats Really Make You a Millionaire with Tyler Purcell30 mai 202500:25:00

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Tyler Purcell (https://x.com/TylerPurcell24). In this episode, I'm talking to Tyler who runs, what I think, is the quintessential small business: laundromats.

You've likely heard about this kind of sweaty business from people like Cody Sanchez, but Tyler gives us the inside scoop on why it's an essential service that's considered recession proof.

We dive into how his family got started in the laundry business, how they scaled their operation to multiple locations, and why they chose to build new stores from scratch rather than buying existing ones. Tyler reveals the surprising profit margins possible in the industry and explains their strategy of targeting areas with old, run-down "zombie mats". We also cover the specific demographics they look for when scouting a new location and their unique approach to marketing.

Enjoy the conversation!


Questions This Episode Answers:
How profitable can laundromats really be?
Why do you look for areas with "zombie mats" when finding a location?
What demographics are key when choosing a site for a new laundromat?
What's the secret sauce for attracting customers with grand openings?
How much does it cost to get a new laundromat up and running?
___________________________

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.

__________________________

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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

02:28 Getting into the Laundromat Business

06:56 Choosing Locations and Metrics

11:56 Industry Profit Margins

16:39 Buying a Laundromat: A Step-by-Step Guide

21:07 Financial Insights and Future Plans

22:06 Rapid Fire Questions

24:15 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

179 - $6.5B for a Designer? OpenAI’s Wildest Move Yet, with Liz Knopf28 mai 202500:39:32

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In this week’s convo with Liz, we unpacked the AI news that should’ve broken the internet:

🔹 $6.5B for Johnny Ive?!
OpenAI “acquires” the legendary Apple designer’s agency in a full stock deal. No one knows what they’re building, but it’s probably wearable, creepy, and context-aware—and it’s a flex timed perfectly to steal headlines from Google I/O.

🔹 Google’s comeback attempt
They’re finally rolling out AI-native search with ads—and it’s a big deal. $60B+ of ad revenue is on the line. We dig into what’s launching, how to use tools like Gemini, Flow, and VO, and why Google still feels like 27 startups duct-taped together.

🔹 VO3 is insane
AI-generated video so good, you can’t tell it’s fake. We demo what it can do (photo-realistic balloon animals discussing AI??) and debate if it’s ready for real ad production.

🔹 Energy is the real bottleneck
You want AGI? You better build power plants. Liz drops a chart that shows how far ahead China is in electricity generation—and why AI’s future might be limited by kilowatts, not compute.

🔹 Trades are about to boom
If you can build a data center, wire a panel, or install cooling systems, the AI wave might make you rich. We riff on counterculture investments, labor shortages, and why electricians may beat coders in the next economy.

🔹 The privacy backlash is coming
We debate whether AI wearables will be a privacy nightmare—or the best documentation tool ever (think body cams for healthcare). Liz shares surprising data that body cams reduced lawsuits. Mind blown.

🔹 Bonus: Anthropic teaser
We didn’t even get to it—but next week we’re diving into Claude, Model Context Protocol, and tools normal people can use without needing a CS degree.

__________________________

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.

__________________________

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YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Acquisition of Johnny Ive by OpenAI

05:10 The Future of AI and Wearable Technology

09:45 Privacy Concerns in AI and Wearable Devices

14:58 Google's Response to AI Competition

20:05 The Evolution of AI and Its Impact on Society

24:48 The Future of Energy and AI Infrastructure

29:55 The Role of Trades in the Future of AI

178 - How Facebook Ads Nearly Killed This $12.5M Brand with Hans Dose26 mai 202500:45:07

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Hans Dose (https://x.com/HansDose_Does) about his wild journey from a Shark Tank deal to building a $12.5 million business and now, launching a US manufacturing facility in California.

Hans is a real-deal entrepreneur who saw the challenges coming for e-commerce brands relying on overseas production, especially with tariffs and geopolitical risks changing the landscape. He shares how his product, Tenikle, went from struggling at $10k/month pre-filming to a massive sales spike after the Shark Tank airing.

We dive into the surprising reality of razor-thin margins in the e-commerce world, largely due to massive advertising costs. Hans explains the crucial difference between silicon and silicone, detailing why this flexible, non-toxic material is vital for countless consumer products. And he lays out his bold plan to "steal China's strategy" for efficient, small-scale production to make US manufacturing competitive again.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How did a Shark Tank deal lead to building a $12.5M business and a US factory?

Why are e-commerce margins razor-thin despite high sales?

What is silicone, and why do so many products use it?

Can US manufacturing really compete on cost with China?

Why build a factory in California instead of nearshoring?


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.

__________________________

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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 From Shark Tank to Manufacturing Success

02:59 The Importance of Silicone in E-commerce

05:56 Navigating the Challenges of Low Margins

08:50 The Shark Tank Experience: Risks and Rewards

12:11 The Rollercoaster of Business Growth

14:59 Unit Economics and Advertising Costs

17:47 Shifting Manufacturing Strategies in a Changing World

22:32 The Shift in Manufacturing Expertise

27:21 Learning from China's Manufacturing Model

30:43 Challenges of Domestic Manufacturing

36:28 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape

42:48 The Future of American Manufacturing

177 - From Layoff to $250K: The 1-Person Agency Playbook with Zach Ashburn23 mai 202500:41:11

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Zach Ashburn (https://x.com/zachary_ashburn) about what I think is the most predictable way to get into entrepreneurship: building an agency business or becoming an independent consultant based on a specialized skill you already have from your corporate job.

Zach works with people making this transition, often what we call accidental entrepreneurs, helping them make the leap. We dive into the crucial first steps, like mapping out your cash flow and personal finances, which Zach emphasizes is king.

We also talk about the shift from an employee mindset to a business owner mindset, the power of realizing no one's giving you permission to start, and the importance of smart delegation and outsourcing when you're "bad at most things" except your core skill.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How can you turn your specialized skill from a corporate job into an agency business or consulting?

What are the first financial steps to plan when making the leap to entrepreneurship?

How do you shift from an employee mindset to a business owner mindset?

What should you delegate or outsource when starting your consulting practice?

How should consultants think about pricing their services and knowing their worth?


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.

__________________________

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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Entrepreneurial Switch: Finding Your Niche

03:00 The Accidental Entrepreneur: Navigating Unexpected Opportunities

05:52 Financial Planning for New Entrepreneurs

08:46 Building a Business Operating System

12:11 The Mindset Shift: From Employee to Entrepreneur

18:08 Principles of the Accidental Entrepreneur

20:33 The Light Bulb Moment in Entrepreneurship

23:24 Embracing the Role of Business Owner

25:45 The Importance of Delegation

28:41 Understanding Cash Flow and Pricing Strategies

32:57 Navigating Pricing Challenges

37:18 Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

176 - AI SERIES: 16 - The Non-Coder's Guide to AI App Building with Billy Howell22 mai 202500:30:55

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Billy Howell (https://x.com/billyjhowell). I was excited to have Billy on because he's prolific at building apps and tools using AI, despite not having a technical background. We dive into his journey from government consulting and TPS reports to starting agencies like OX Labs and Stupid Simple Apps, now focused on building AI-powered internal tools for startups.

Billy shares his go-to AI models like OpenAI 4.0 (ChatGPT) and how he uses tools like Replit, Cursor, Claude, Make.com, N8n, and V0.dev to build apps quickly. We discuss how small business owners can leverage AI to automate processes, build useful internal tools, and even potentially replace expensive SaaS solutions by creating simple wrappers around a prompt.

We also tackle the challenge of finishing AI-built apps, managing technical debt, and the importance of being disciplined with rollback using tools like Git. Billy gives practical advice on keeping things stupid simple and even advocates for running towards things that don't scale initially.

Questions This Episode Answers:

How can someone with no technical background build useful apps using AI tools?

 What are the best AI models and platforms like Replit or Lovable for non-technical users to start building apps?

How can small businesses use AI to automate processes and build custom internal tools?

What does it mean to build an app by creating a "wrapper" around an AI prompt?

 How do you handle the debugging and finishing steps when AI builds most of the code for your app?

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.

__________________________

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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Introduction to Automation and AI Tools

03:00 The Journey from Non-Technical to Coding

05:48 Building Apps for Business Needs

09:03 Leveraging AI for Small Business Solutions

11:54 Creating Processes through Automation

14:47 The Future of CRM and AI Integration

18:08 Overcoming Challenges in App Development

20:59 Final Thoughts on Building Simple Apps

175 - How Big Tech Layoffs Signal the Future of AI Integration with Elizabeth Knopf21 mai 202500:29:38

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Join me, Nik ( https://x.com/CoFoundersNik ), as I interview Liz Knopf ( https://x.com/leveragedupside ) about the latest developments in AI and what they mean for boring businesses.

This week was massive, and we're finally seeing real-world applications of AI that move beyond the hype. We dive into the recent layoffs at major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, Workday, Intuit, and CrowdStrike, discussing how they signal a shift towards prioritizing AI infrastructure and boosting efficiency.

Liz shares insights on how companies like Duolingo and Shopify are going AI-first and seeing incredible results. We also explore why, despite automation and companies like Klarna automating roles, human skills and interaction are becoming even more critical.

Plus, we get hands-on with Custom GPTs, discuss their "actions" feature for integrating with tools like Zapier via APIs, navigate the challenges of AI hallucinations, and look at tools like Notebook LM and Claude projects for extracting value from data using RAG12.

Enjoy the conversation!

Questions This Episode Answers:

How are major tech companies using AI to become more efficient?

Why are big tech companies having layoffs and shifting focus to AI infrastructure?

Are managers obsolete in the age of AI?

Why are human skills becoming more valuable as AI automates tasks?

How can AI tools help you find specific information in large documents or transcripts?

__________________________

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.

__________________________

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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 AI's Impact on Coding and Business Efficiency

03:05 The Role of AI in Workforce Changes

05:52 The Future of Management in an AI-Driven World

09:04 AI's Influence on Learning and Development

12:00 The Broader Implications of Tech Layoffs

14:53 Navigating AI Hallucinations and Custom GPTs

174 - AI SERIES: 15 - How AI is Revolutionizing Home Services Lead Conversion with Bryan Shankman20 mai 202500:26:15

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Join me, Nik ( https://x.com/CoFoundersNik ), as I interview Bryan Shankman ( https://x.com/BryanShankman) . Ever wonder how tech veterans end up in home services? I sit down with Bryan, co-founder of Lead Truffle, to explore his fascinating journey from venture-backed software companies like Frame.io and TikTok to the world of service businesses.

We dive into how Lead Truffle uses AI customer service via text message and chat widgets to boost lead conversion and get jobs booked. Plus, Bryan shares some clever ways they've leveraged things like ringless voicemail for tackling accounts receivable. We also get into the weeds on how tools like Clay and AI are revolutionizing outbound sales, prospecting, and freeing up time for high-leverage activities.

Find out more below!

http://www.leadtruffle.co


Questions This Episode Answers:

How does AI specifically help home service businesses convert leads?

What unique ways can something like ringless voicemail be used beyond traditional sales?

How does leveraging AI free up time for business owners?

What is Clay, and how can AI be used with it for better outbound sales?

Why is the human touch becoming even more important as AI adoption grows?


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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Home Services

03:07 Innovative Solutions for Lead Management

06:02 Transitioning from Tech to Home Services

08:51 The Evolution of Customer Engagement Tools

12:09 Leveraging AI for Targeted Outreach

15:14 AI in Data Management and Lead Qualification

18:01 The Importance of Human Touch in AI Solutions

20:54 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

173 - $1M ≠ Freedom; It’s a Mirage with Jacob Turner19 mai 202500:48:45

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Join me, Nik ( https://x.com/CoFoundersNik ), as I interview Jacob Turner ( https://x.com/TheJacobTurner ), a former professional baseball player who transitioned from the mound to managing wealth.

Jacob shares his incredible journey, from being a top draft pick to facing the humbling reality of getting sent down and ultimately pivoting to entrepreneurship with Moment Private Wealth.

We dive into the powerful analogies between sports and business, discussing the vital role of humility, handling setbacks (getting "fired"), and the unexpected importance of craving feedback for growth.

We also explore key financial considerations for entrepreneurs, including managing money, understanding risk, and navigating cashflow when your business starts generating excess capital.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's the analogy between professional sports and entrepreneurship?
How can getting 'fired' (or setbacks) be a valuable experience for an entrepreneur?
Why is it important for entrepreneurs to accept and seek feedback?
As an entrepreneur, how should you think about managing excess cashflow?
When should an entrepreneur consider getting professional financial or wealth management help?

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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Journey of a Young Athlete

02:49 Transitioning from Sports to Business

06:11 The Reality of Professional Sports

09:05 Mindset: The Key to Resilience

12:00 The Importance of Self-Awareness

14:50 Navigating Financial Success

17:47 Risk Management in Entrepreneurship

24:25 Taking a Break After Success

25:54 Exploring New Opportunities

26:54 Investing in Healthcare and AI

27:53 Allocating Wealth Wisely

29:19 Starting with the End in Mind

30:47 Understanding Wealth Management

32:11 The Reality of Wealth

34:38 The Psychological Aspect of Wealth Management

39:28 Advice for Entrepreneurs

40:54 The Importance of Cash Reserves

43:41 When to Seek Professional Help

172 - How to Build a $700k Business with 50% Margins with Bryant Suellentrop16 mai 202500:37:52

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Join me, Nik ( https://x.com/CoFoundersNik ), as I interview Bryant Suellentrop ( https://x.com/SullyBusiness ) about his incredible journey from running a difficult, low-margin janitorial business to building Elevate and Delegate, an offshore recruiting company doing around $700k in revenue with 50% margins.

We dive into why he closed his first business despite the effort he put in, how organic Twitter fueled his early growth with almost zero customer acquisition cost, and the lessons learned from burning cash on early paid acquisition attempts. Bryant shares his insights on the evolution of the offshore talent industry, how AI is changing the game, and why the real opportunity now lies in selling outcomes rather than just people.

This conversation is packed with lessons on picking the right "game" for your business and navigating the shifts in the market.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How did Bryant pivot from a challenging, low-margin business to a high-profit one?
What are the key differences between one-time placement fees and recurring revenue models in offshore recruiting?
How has AI impacted the demand for certain roles in the offshore talent market?
Why did Bryant choose to shut down his cleaning business instead of selling it?
If starting over today, how would Bryant leverage AI and offshore talent to sell outcomes in a specific niche?


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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Revenue Insights and Business Models

02:54 The Journey of Elevate and Delegate

06:12 Challenges in the Cleaning Industry

09:03 Transitioning from Cleaning to Consulting

11:56 Customer Acquisition and Marketing Strategies

14:51 The Impact of AI on Business Models

18:08 Navigating Risks in Entrepreneurship

21:03 Future Trends in Offshore Recruiting

23:57 Building Outcome-Driven Solutions

26:50 Final Thoughts and Advice

171 - AI SERIES: 14 - How to Avoid Massive AI API Costs with Michael Greenberg15 mai 202500:25:51

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/@gentoftech), serial entrepreneur and AI guru. Michael shares how he's using AI in his multiple businesses, from ghostwriting to podcast booking.

We dive into the world of AI models, discussing which ones Michael uses daily, like Gemini 2.5 Pro and O3 mini high, and why he's moved away from others like GPT 4.0 for most tasks. Learn the critical difference between standard models and powerful reasoning models, and why the latter are essential for business logic, complex problems, and even math.

We also unpack the importance of the context window and how models like Gemini excel here. Plus hear a cautionary tale about a $4,000 AI API bill and how they fixed it.

Enjoy the conversation!


Questions This Episode Answers:
What AI models should I use for business tasks?
What's the difference between standard and reasoning AI models?
Why is the context window important for AI?
How can Anthropic's Workbench help me write better prompts?
How do I avoid huge AI API costs?
__________________________

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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Cost of AI in Business

02:58 Choosing the Right AI Models

05:55 Understanding Reasoning Models

08:50 The Importance of Context in AI

12:12 Future of AI Models

15:05 Prompt Engineering and AI Tools

18:03 Real-World Applications of AI

21:12 Managing AI Costs and Usage

170 - How AI is Redefining Search and Shifting Ad Dollars with Elizabeth Knopf14 mai 202500:41:54

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Liz Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside), about the seismic shifts happening in the tech world thanks to AI.

We dive into why, for the first time in over 20 years, Google's seemingly invincible search business is showing chinks in the armor as ad dollars start flowing elsewhere. We explore the classic Innovator's Dilemma and how big players like Google and Meta are navigating these turbulent waters, often contrasting their approaches. But it's not just about the giants; we discuss how AI is becoming the great equalizer, allowing nimble, smaller companies to achieve incredible growth.

Plus, Liz shows off some mind-blowing practical applications of AI tools like Meta AI, Grok, and Claude for everyday business tasks – think generating formatted documents like PDFs and visualizing complex processes with just a few clicks.

Tune in to see how the business landscape is rapidly changing!

Questions This Episode Answers:

Why is Google's traditional search revenue declining after 20 years?

Where are ad dollars likely to shift as AI changes how people find information?

How does the Innovator's Dilemma explain the challenges facing large tech companies today?

Can small businesses realistically compete with tech giants using AI?

What practical AI features are available right now to help with tasks like documentation and visualization?

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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Evolution of Search and Its Impact

06:54 The Innovator's Dilemma: Google's Challenge

14:05 AI's Role in Business Transformation

20:08 Addressing Tech Debt and Organizational Challenges

30:05 The Future of AI Tools and Their Applications

169 - AI SERIES: 13 - No Code, No Problem: Building a Startup with Lovable AI with Corey Pierson13 mai 202500:19:51

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Corey Pierson about his journey building a SaaS application, PetDocument, entirely with AI without any prior coding experience.

We dive into how he leveraged AI tools like Lovable AI to turn a "fairy tale business idea" into a live, functional platform at petdocument.com, solving a real-world problem for pet owners.

Learn about his experience using natural language prompting instead of traditional coding and how he navigated the process from idea to launch in a matter of months.

Questions This Episode Answers:
What's your business and how are you using AI?
What is your professional background?
Did you have any prior coding experience?
How did you actually build this SaaS platform?
How long did the entire building process take?
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 Harnessing AI for SaaS Development

02:57 Identifying Real-World Problems

06:13 Building a Pet Documentation Platform

09:07 The Development Process and Tools Used

12:02 Leveraging AI for Coding Assistance

15:11 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

168 - How a Panic Attack Led to Entrepreneurial Success with Raleigh Williams12 mai 202500:51:45

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Raleigh Williams (https://x.com/theraleighwill). Raleigh's path wasn't typical; it started with a panic attack just 30 days into his career as an attorney, a path he'd chosen largely to please his dad. This pivotal moment pushed him to leave the security of law and explore entrepreneurship.

After trying several ventures that didn't work out, he found his footing with escape rooms, eventually building a business empire that included trampoline parks and axe throwing, leading to a $26 million exit. But the journey wasn't just about business success; he shares how he navigated immense personal challenges, including his wife's battle with stage three breast cancer.

We dive into his philosophy of finding direction through the negative path – knowing what you don't want – the importance of creating space in your life, telling the truth, and learning to say no to find your true purpose.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How can a crisis like a panic attack be a catalyst for career change?
How do you find courage to leave the "safe" path when others disapprove?
What is the "negative path" and how can it guide your entrepreneurial journey?
How did navigating intense personal challenges shape the guest's life and work philosophy?
What practical daily steps can help you find space and connect with your inner self while working?
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 From Law to Entrepreneurship: A Life-Altering Decision

04:49 Building the Escape Room Empire

09:53 Navigating Personal Challenges: Cancer and Courage

15:11 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Business Growth

19:56 Finding Purpose Beyond Panic: The Negative Path

25:45 Finding Space for Curiosity

30:02 Navigating Chaos and Truth

34:53 Coping with Life's Challenges

39:59 The Journey to Authenticity

45:13 Creating Time for Reflection

49:50 Practical Steps to Discover Your Call

167 - AI SERIES: 12 - The Evolution of AI: Rebrands, Capabilities, and Future Trends with Peter Correia08 mai 202500:29:51

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Peter Correia (https://x.com/BizScoutGuy). Get ready for a fascinating dive into the world of AI! Peter, who was into AI way before it was the hot topic, shares his wealth of experience from deep learning to the latest large language models.

We unpack the differences between models like Claude, ChatGPT, and even the surprisingly useful Grok, exploring what each is best for, from brainstorming and coding to technical problem-solving. We also tackle the mystery of context windows and how they impact AI performance, plus Peter gives us a sneak peek into using MCPs to automate tasks and integrate AI with everyday business tools like Notion.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's the difference between popular AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok?
When should you use a more technical model like O1 versus a general one?
How can AI be used for quantitative tasks like analyzing spreadsheets without hallucinating data?
What are MCPs and how can they help automate business workflows?
What's the deal with context windows and how does the size affect AI responses?
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 and Personal Journey

02:52 Exploring AI Models and Their Applications

06:07 Understanding Context Windows in AI

09:00 The Role of AI in Business and Data Analysis

11:51 Leveraging AI for Project Management and Development

15:09 Future of AI and Its Integration in Workflows

17:57 Conclusion and Call to Action

166 - How AI Can Hack Your Interview and Get You Fired (Or Rich) with Elizabeth Knopf07 mai 202500:31:09

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and Elizabeth Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside) as we talk about the incredible speed of AI and how it's changing everything from culture to your daily work.

We dive into wild stories like how one college student used AI to hack big tech interviews and the surprising ways AI is showing up in hiring. We look at cool new hardware like AI glasses and pendants that could transform jobs in sales and trades.

Plus, I get blown away by new capabilities in tools like Google AI Studio's ability to analyze your screen and especially Claude's new integrations! We talk about the revolutionary Model Context Protocol (MCP), what it means for connecting AI to your apps, and I show you how you can easily link Claude to your Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Gmail to save you a ton of time.

We also touch on generating structured files like JSON for automation. If you're running a business, you NEED to hear this.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How is AI changing culture and business right now?
Can people use AI to cheat in job interviews?
How might AI hardware like glasses or pendants be used in business?
Can an AI tool analyze what's currently on my computer screen?
Which popular AI tools can connect directly to my Google Drive, Calendar, or Gmail?
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 AI in Tech Interviews: A Controversial Breakthrough

03:03 Cultural Shifts Driven by Technology

05:58 AI's Role in Hiring and Job Performance

09:05 Augmented Reality and AI: Future Applications

11:51 Integrating AI with Everyday Tools

14:45 The Model Context Protocol: Revolutionizing Workflows

18:08 Claude vs. ChatGPT: A Comparative Analysis

20:53 Gmail Integration: A New Era of Personal Assistance

23:51 The Future of AI in Business Operations

165 - AI SERIES: 11 - No Code, No Problem: Building Apps and Websites with AI with Minh Nguyen06 mai 202500:26:56

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Minh Nguyen (https://x.com/minhnxn). In this episode, we dive deep into the exciting world of AI and how it's revolutionizing the way we build businesses and gather information online.

Minh, coming straight from the heart of tech in the Bay Area, shares his practical experiences using various Large Language Models like Claude, ChatGPT, and the often-overlooked Gemini for tasks ranging from coding to deep research. We explore his journey building Cash On, a powerful Chrome extension for real estate investors, and uncover the surprising potential of simple browser tools.

Get ready to learn about AI-powered web scraping, the rise of directory websites and programmatic SEO, and how no-code platforms like Lovable and Bolt.new are empowering non-technical founders to bring their app ideas to life.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What AI tools (like LLMs) do you use and for what specific purposes?
Why do you think people are "sleeping on" Gemini?
How can AI be utilized for web scraping and data acquisition?
What are some good types of app ideas to start with when using no-code or low-code tools?
How can I leverage my existing content (like podcast episodes) using AI?
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 Automating Data Collection for Real Estate

02:59 Exploring AI Tools and Their Applications

05:48 Building AI-Powered Web Scrapers

09:10 The Future of Programmatic SEO

12:07 Leveraging AI for Business Ideas

14:54 Creating Chatbots for Business Analysis

17:45 Building Without Coding: New Possibilities

21:08 Frameworks for Identifying Business Opportunities

164 - Building Beehiiv into a $300 Million Dollar Business with Tyler Denk05 mai 202500:49:17

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Tyler Denk (https://x.com/denk_tweets, the co-founder and CEO of the booming newsletter platform Beehiiv.

We dive into his incredible journey from Morning Brew to building Beehiiv, which now processes billions of newsletter impressions and pays millions to creators. We explore how Beehiiv helps individuals and businesses with audience building, monetization through ads and paid subscriptions, and the surprising dynamics of running a business where your users make almost as much as you do!

Learn about the evolution of newsletter monetization, the power of owning your audience, and Tyler's unique perspective on leadership and growth while staying deeply involved in the product. We also touch on the decision to raise venture capital and his thoughts on future opportunities in the content space.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How much is Beehive currently paying out to creators per month?
What are the typical margins for a SaaS and ads business like Beehive?
How did the advertising model for newsletters evolve?
How important is it for businesses to build their own email lists to mitigate platform risk?
How did Tyler and his co-founders decide to raise venture capital early on?
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 Building a Successful Platform

03:09 The Journey of Beehiiv

05:56 Revenue Streams and Business Model

08:51 The Evolution of Newsletter Monetization

12:01 Empowering Creators and Small Businesses

14:55 The Importance of Email Ownership

17:49 Nurturing Customer Relationships through Content

24:59 The Power of Consistency in Business Writing

28:13 The CEO's Role: Inspire, Retain, and Recruit

30:37 Balancing Doing and Delegating as a CEO

36:45 Navigating Growth and Venture Capital Decisions

46:49 Identifying Underserved Niches in the Newsletter Space

163 - Supply Chain Meltdown: Tariffs, Shortages, and the New Trade War with Craig Fuller02 mai 202501:16:53

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Craig Fuller (https://x.com/freightAlley), the Bloomberg of freight and logistics. Craig is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Sonar (like the Bloomberg terminal for logistics data) and FreightWaves, keeping people up to date on the world of trade. Like many entrepreneurs, I initially thought the trade war talk wouldn't really impact me, but a tweet from Craig about back to school orders sparked my awareness about the long lag in supply chains.


In this episode, we dive deep into why the US-China tariffs, particularly the unexpected 145% increase, are causing a slow-moving car wreck in the supply chain. We break down the complex journey a product takes from a factory in China to a US shelf, explaining the roles of manufacturers, forwarders, customs brokers, ports, bonded warehouses, and domestic logistics. We discuss the significant lag between placing orders and receiving product, why Chinese manufacturers now see US importers as credit risks, and how companies are pausing all orders leading to freight piling up and a potential wave of shortages and layoffs in industries like trucking and retail.


Craig shares his insights on the data he tracks, like container outbound shipments and domestic trucking data, showing the dramatic drop in trade volume. This conversation is crucial for any entrepreneur navigating this new, unpredictable era.


Questions This Episode Answers:

- What is the typical lag time for products moving from a factory in China to a US shelf?

- Why are the high tariffs causing potential supply chain shortages and not just higher prices?

- What happens when US importers can't afford to pay the tariffs on goods arriving from China?

- What was the de minimis exemption and why did Craig call it "the most ridiculous part of our whole trade policy"?

- What can entrepreneurs do defensively and offensively right now to navigate this trade war?


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 The New Reality of Global Trade

03:03 Supply Chain Dynamics and Challenges

05:53 Understanding the Supply Chain Process

09:11 Tariffs and Their Impact on Business

12:02 The Role of Customs Brokers and Forwarders

14:52 The Importance of Bonded Warehouses

18:08 Current Trends and Future Predictions

20:57 The Impact on Employment and Economy

23:50 Navigating the New Trade Landscape

38:46 The Impact of Tariffs on Trade

41:04 Navigating the New Trade Landscape

43:49 Understanding the De Minimis Exemption

49:15 The Challenges of Rapid Tariff Changes

54:59 Preparing for a New Era of Trade

01:01:10 Exploring Alternative Sourcing Strategies

01:06:25 The Future of Domestic Manufacturing

01:11:34 Opportunities Amidst Chaos

162 - AI SERIES: 10 - Understanding the Nuances of Advanced Language Models with Richard Marmorstein01 mai 202500:25:11

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Richard Marmorstein (https://x.com/twitchard). In this episode, Richard shares some fascinating ways he's leveraging AI in both his personal life, like creating a custom storybook using Google AI Studio for his son, and professionally, showcasing the expressive text-to-speech capabilities of Hume AI.

We also dive into practical business applications of AI voice technology and explore the crucial differences between general language models and reasoning models like those from OpenAI.

Plus, Richard gives us a peek into how he uses AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to enhance his workflow as a software developer.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What is an MCP and how does it enable tool use with language models?
What makes Hume AI's text-to-speech model different and what are its key use cases beyond creative content?
What's the difference between using a general model like ChatGPT 4.0 and a reasoning model?
How can AI assist with coding tasks and serve as a pair programmer?
What are some unconventional ways to repurpose existing content, like turning a blog into a podcast using AI?
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 Revolutionizing Conversational AI and TTS

04:20 Exploring Google's AI Studio and Image Generation

11:32 Innovations in Text-to-Speech Technology

15:47 Practical Applications of AI in Content Creation

20:59 Understanding AI Models and Their Use Cases

161 - How Lindy Simplifies AI-Powered Business Automation with Elizabeth Knopf30 avr. 202500:48:23

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Liz (https://x.com/leveragedupside) about the blistering pace of AI development and what it means for business owners right now.

We dive into the difference between traditional LLMs and the new reasoning models from OpenAI and Google, exploring how they go beyond just predicting the next word to actually thinking through problems using methods like chain of thought. Liz shares exciting updates like OpenAI's beefed-up API with a massive 1 million token context window and how this enables tackling complex business tasks, like analyzing thousands of contracts, which used to cost a fortune.

Plus, Liz gives us a look at Lindy, an automation tool designed for small businesses that makes building these powerful workflows much simpler than older tools like Zapier or Make.com, even demonstrating how it can automate lead enrichment.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's the difference between traditional LLMs and the new AI reasoning models?
How are expanded context windows and AI memory changing what businesses can do with AI?
What does 'agentic AI' mean and how is it impacting automation?
How can businesses manage or QA outputs to deal with AI hallucinations?
What is Lindy and how can it help small businesses automate tasks more easily?
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 Transforming Contract Review with AI
03:02 Understanding AI Models: Traditional vs. Reasoning
05:48 The Evolution of AI: From Analysis to Action
09:08 Agentic Behavior in AI: The Future of Decision Making
12:02 Memory and Context in AI: Enhancing User Experience
15:07 Practical Applications: Cost Savings and Efficiency
17:55 Ensuring Data Accuracy: Quality Assurance in AI Outputs
24:23 Exploring QA Systems with AI Models
27:41 Innovations in Automation: Introducing Lindy
30:35 Lead Enrichment: Automating Research for Business
35:59 Agentic Behavior vs. Automation: Understanding the Difference
40:33 Cost Considerations: Balancing Automation and Human Labor

160 - AI SERIES: 9 - How Zapier Integrations Unlock the Magic of AI in Business with Olivia Look29 avr. 202500:37:43

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Olivia (https://x.com/0h_look) from The Automated Agency. We dive into the exciting world of AI and automation and how they're supercharging businesses, especially those dealing directly with clients.

Olivia shares her expertise on using tools like Zapier and ChatGPT to streamline workflows and even build entirely new systems. Get ready to explore the practical applications of AI in making your business run smoother!


Questions This Episode Answers:
How is AI currently being used in business?
What is Zapier and how does it help connect different business apps?
Why is it important to understand your business systems before implementing AI?
Do you always need existing systems in place before you can automate?
Where should overwhelmed entrepreneurs start with automation?
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 Unlocking AI Potential in Automation

02:53 The Role of APIs in AI Integration

06:00 Exploring Automation Tools: Zapier and Make

08:52 Building Effective Workflows with Automation

12:03 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Business Processes

15:00 Creating Custom Automations: A Step-by-Step Guide

17:53 Integrating AI into Existing Systems

21:11 Utilizing AI for Data Management and Analysis

24:03 Overcoming Challenges in Automation

27:08 Advice for Entrepreneurs: Starting Small with Automation

159 - From Storage Units to $52 Million: An Entrepreneur's Playbook with Nick Huber28 avr. 202500:48:33

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Nick Huber (https://x.com/sweatystartup). We dive deep into Nick's incredible entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in the moving and storage business to building a self-storage empire and his latest venture: the acquisition of the global talent company, Somewhere.

We explore his unique approach to business, his no-nonsense "sweaty startup" philosophy, and how he built a massive online audience. We also chat about his brand new book, "The Sweaty Startup, how to get rich doing boring things". Get ready for an insightful conversation packed with real-world business wisdom!


Questions This Episode Answers:
How did you get started in entrepreneurship?
What was the "massive win" early in your career?
Why did you decide to buy Somewhere?
What's your philosophy on building an audience online?
What's one key thing you look for when hiring?
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 Building a Self-Storage Empire
02:53 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
05:46 Leveraging Social Media for Growth
09:11 Acquisition and Business Expansion
12:03 Navigating Financial Decisions
14:55 The Future of Outsourcing Talent
24:01 The Weight of Responsibility in Entrepreneurship
25:28 Navigating the AI Landscape
30:49 The Challenge of Hiring Executives
34:13 The Art of Leadership and Team Building
38:05 Competition and Market Dynamics
43:54 The Journey of Writing a Book
__________________________

www.sweatystartup.com

www.nickhuber.com

www.sweatystartupbook.com

www.somewhere.com/nick 

www.boltstorage.com

www.recostseg.com

www.adrhino.com

www.spidexx.com

www.boldseo.com

www.webrun.com

www.titanrisk.com

www.recruitjet.com

www.hubermethod.com

www.x.com/sweatystartup

www.instagram.com/sweatystartup

www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup

www.youtube.com/sweatystartup
www.tiktok.com/sweatystartup

www.threads.net/@sweatystartup.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nick-huber-show/id1576120606

SPECIAL EPISODE - WTF is Going On with Nikonomics???25 avr. 202500:05:53

A quick update from Nik: exciting guests are on the way, and the show is evolving. Nikonomics is going all-in on AI for boring businesses—plus a sneak peek at a new community (maybe?) and a potential AI incubator.

Subscribe to my newsletter to get other, custom insights:

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158 - AI SERIES: 8 - How Different AI Models Excel in Specific Use Cases with Jake Colling24 avr. 202500:20:03

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Jake Colling (https://x.com/JacobColling). We dive into the exciting world of AI and automation and how it's reshaping the way businesses operate.

Jake, a software developer and founder of the startup Carrot, shares his insights on building and deploying easy-to-use AI workflows. We discuss the rise of different AI models like Gemini from Google, Claude, and OpenAI's ChatGPT, and explore which models excel in different use cases, from document processing to coding and even content creation. Jake also gives us a sneak peek into how Carrot simplifies AI integration for non-technical users, drawing parallels with tools like Zapier and N8n, but with an AI-native approach.

We even touch on the productivity gains AI tools like Cursor are bringing to software development.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's the easiest way to build and use AI-powered workflows?
Which AI models are surprisingly effective for specific business tasks like document processing?
How can businesses leverage AI to automate everyday tasks like lead follow-up?
What makes AI-native platforms different from traditional automation tools?
How is the increasing use of AI impacting the speed of software development?
Enjoy the conversation!

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Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.

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This week we covered:

00:00 The Unexpected Connection with Sam Parr

02:57 Building Sam's List: The Business Model

05:49 Navigating the Relationship with Sam Parr

09:09 The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

11:56 The Growth of Sam's List and Its Impact

14:55 The Journey of an Entrepreneur: Lessons Learned

24:00 The Decision to Leave Corporate Life

30:11 Building Sam's List: The Early Days

35:59 Navigating Challenges and Growth

42:01 SEO and Content Strategy for Success

157 - She Was Catfished by Sam Parr Then Launched Sam's List with Kimi Green23 avr. 202500:48:30

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Kimi Green (https://x.com/NotGoKGreen). We dive into the unexpected journey of building Sam's List, a platform connecting individuals with financial professionals. Hear the quirky story of how a random text from Sam Parr of My First Million fame turned into a promising business venture.

We explore the importance of authenticity in business and the evolution of Kimi's entrepreneurial role.

Find out more about Sam's List below!

https://samslist.co/


Questions This Episode Answers:
How did Kimi Green initially think she was being catfished by Sam Parr?
How did a side project selling newsletter ads and a run club marketplace lead to co-founding Sam's List?
How did Sam's List transition from a side hustle to a full-time commitment?
How was the decision made for Kimi Green to become the CEO of Sam's List?
How has the focus on content and SEO become crucial for the growth of Sam's List?
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.

__________________________

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Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Unexpected Connection with Sam Parr

02:57 Building Sam's List: The Business Model

05:49 Navigating the Relationship with Sam Parr

09:09 The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

11:56 The Growth of Sam's List and Its Impact

14:55 The Journey of an Entrepreneur: Lessons Learned

24:00 The Decision to Leave Corporate Life

30:11 Building Sam's List: The Early Days

35:59 Navigating Challenges and Growth

42:01 SEO and Content Strategy for Success

156 - AI SERIES: 7 - She Shut Down a $1M Biz—Then Built an AI Brain to Replace It, with Abbi Perets22 avr. 202500:36:28

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Abbi Perets (https://x.com/abbiperets in this insightful episode. We dive into Abbi's fascinating journey from the early days of freelance writing before Google, navigating the tech boom in Silicon Valley, and her experiences with the evolution of content. 

We also explore her current perspective on how AI is reshaping the writing landscape and how she leverages tools like Claude in her daily work helping experts uncover their hidden value. Hear her practical tips and unique insights on building a successful writing career and adapting to technological changes.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How did you figure out how to get paid as a freelance writer in the late 90s?
What seemingly simple business practice significantly set you apart in the freelance world?
How did you decide what to write about when you were first starting your freelance career?
What was your initial reaction to AI being seen as a replacement for writers?
How do you set up project instructions in Claude to make it a valuable assistant?
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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:53 Freelance Writing Journey

05:38 Balancing Family and Career

08:40 Impact of AI on Writing

14:00 Exploring AI Tools

20:40 Using Claude for Writing

21:43 Integrating Personal and Professional Life with AI

21:33 Choosing Claude Over ChatGPT for Content Creation

22:43 Setting Up Projects in Claude

23:19 Detailed Project Instructions and Guidelines

24:50 Writing Style and Preferences

27:20 Using AI for Decision Making and Feedback

33:00 Leveraging AI for Personal and Professional Organization

35:26 Project Knowledge and Capacity in Claude

36:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

155 - Can AI Replace Your Sales Team? I Tested It with John Long21 avr. 202500:37:39

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview John Long of Thynk.AI. We dive into the fascinating world of AI agents and how they're being used to automate crucial business processes like communication with customers.

John shares the story behind Thynk.AI, revealing how they use AI to help other businesses leverage this powerful technology. We even get a live demonstration of their AI agent, Eric, in action! It's a look at the present and future of AI in business that you won't want to miss.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What is your business?
What models do you use and for what purposes?
Has the AI agent technology progressed and gotten better?
Is there kind of like an ideal customer that this works for?
How is the podcast done?


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.

__________________________

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YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Think.ai

01:53 AI Models and Use Cases

02:45 AI in Podcasting

05:55 The Origin Story of Think.ai

07:47 Capabilities Beyond Sales

08:49 AI Integration and Customer Interaction

17:30 The 10-80-10 Principle

18:40 Live Demo of Think.ai

19:58 CRM System Overview

20:19 AI Interaction Demonstration

22:05 Training AI Agents

23:20 Live AI Call Test

29:35 AI's Future in Business

29:59 Integration with High Level

32:13 Adoption and Growth of AI

37:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

154 - Which AI Tools Are Worth Your Time? Use Cases and Future Potential with Chris Koener18 avr. 202500:37:10

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and my business partner Chris Koerner (https://x.com/mhp_guy) in a fascinating conversation diving into the practical applications of AI for businesses. We explore the landscape of Large Language Models (LLMs), uncovering which ones entrepreneurs are actually using and for what.

We also touch upon surprising insights into tools that work alongside these AI models and even debate the potential biases within ChatGPT. Plus, stick around as we brainstorm innovative marketing strategies, including the bold move of using billboards for podcast promotion and the challenges of tracking their impact.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's the most popular LLM right now?
What are people mainly using ChatGPT for?
Which LLM is actually used by more people in aggregate?
What's a surprising AI tool many developers are raving about?
How do you even begin to track the success of a billboard ad for a podcast?
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 Exploring AI Use Cases in Business

03:01 Comparing Popular LLMs: ChatGPT, Claude, and More

05:57 The Role of AI in Coding and Project Management

08:52 Sales and Revenue Generation with AI

11:48 AI's Unbiased Nature and Its Implications

15:09 Using AI for Personal and Relationship Insights

18:01 Innovative Marketing Strategies with AI

21:03 The Future of AI in Business and Mediation

153 - AI SERIES: 6 - How to Automate Content Creation with Pranav Ghatraju17 avr. 202500:34:27

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Pranav Ghatraju (https://x.com/PranavGhatraju). In this episode, I had a fascinating conversation with Pranav, a chemical engineer turned AI automation expert.

We dove deep into the world of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, exploring how he uses them in his daily work and for his AI automation agency. We discussed practical applications of AI for content creation, streamlining business operations, and boosting efficiency.

Pranav even gave me a sneak peek into an interview bot he's building to automate content generation. It was eye-opening to see how AI is being used to augment capabilities and create new possibilities for businesses.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What LLMs do you use and what do you currently use them for?
What are you using Perplexity for exactly?
What do you use Claude for?
When did you start your AI automation agency?
How are you using AI in your business today?
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 AI Tools and Their Applications

07:09 Transitioning from Engineering to AI Automation

10:01 Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency

20:09 Innovative Content Generation with AI

152 - Claude vs. ChatGPT: A Real-World AI Showdown with Elizabeth Knopf16 avr. 202500:39:40

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Liz Knopf (https://x.com/leveragedupside) about the wild week in AI, from Grok releasing image editing software to OpenAI's phenomenal advancements in the same space.

We dive into how these tools are becoming incredibly easy to use and their potential impact on various aspects of business. Liz shares her initial thoughts on ChatGPT's new features and how they might overshadow even giants like Google. We also explore practical applications, such as transforming social media content for different platforms and generating compelling ads.

Later in the episode, we shift gears to discuss the power of automation using tools like Make.com, offering a glimpse into how businesses can streamline their workflows by connecting different software. We even touch upon leveraging AI to process meeting transcripts from platforms like Google Meets to gain valuable insights.


Questions This Episode Answers:
How can AI simplify the creation of professional-looking marketing materials?
What are some practical applications of AI in sales and marketing?
How can automation tools like Make.com save time and improve efficiency in business operations?
What is a basic example of how Make.com can automate a series of tasks?
How can AI be used to extract valuable information from recorded meetings?
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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Impact of AI Tools

03:04 Image Editing Revolution

05:50 AI in Marketing and Content Creation

09:08 Claude vs. ChatGPT: A Comparative Analysis

11:56 Visualizing AI News

15:07 The Future of AI in Daily Life

17:51 Automation with Make.com

151 - AI SERIES: 5 - How Non-Technical Entrepreneurs Can Get Started with AI with Matthew Mellinger15 avr. 202500:25:28

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Matt (https://x.com/MattMelli) a digital entrepreneur with his hands in local SEO through Local SEO Partners, SEO Analytics with SEO Gits, and a local newsletter, the Cookville Buzz.

We dive deep into Matt's practical applications of Artificial Intelligence in his daily business operations. He shares his experiences with different AI models like Claude, ChatGPT, and Midjourney, revealing why he prefers specific tools for tasks like copywriting, analytics, and even generating unique images for client websites.

Discover how Matt is leveraging AI to streamline website development using platforms like WordPress and experimenting with no-code tools like Lovable to prototype and iterate faster, ultimately impacting his agency's efficiency and client offerings.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What do you do?
What models do you use currently and what do you use them for?
Why are you not a fan of Grok?
How did you build these websites?
How much is Lovable a month?
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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 The Power of AI in App Development

03:02 Exploring AI Models for Marketing and SEO

05:55 Leveraging AI for Content Creation

08:51 Building Websites with AI Tools

11:45 Enhancing Client Interactions with AI

15:06 The Future of AI in Business

17:58 Maximizing Efficiency with AI

20:51 Advice for Non-Technical Entrepreneurs

150 - Silicon Valley to Silicone Manufacturing: An AI-Powered Evolution with Dan Thompson14 avr. 202500:56:12

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Dan Thompson (https://x.com/DanThompsonIV) from a family-owned silicone manufacturing company in Texas.

We dive into his fascinating journey from a 20-year career as an executive at Microsoft to leading a traditional manufacturing business and how he's leveraging the power of AI in unexpected ways. Discover how this seemingly old-school industry is being revolutionized with cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency, empower employees, and gain a competitive edge.

We explore real-world applications of AI, from internal chatbots that democratize knowledge to sophisticated systems that analyze crucial business processes like quoting and sales pipelines. Get ready to be inspired by this unique blend of manufacturing expertise and tech innovation!


Questions This Episode Answers:
How can a small manufacturing business utilize AI to improve efficiency?
What are some practical applications of custom AI chatbots within a company?
How can AI be used to analyze and understand business process data?
What's a cost-effective way for small businesses to start experimenting with AI?
How can AI help bridge the technology gap for family-owned businesses?
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.

__________________________

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Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98y

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT

__________________________

This week we covered:

00:00 Introduction to Silicone Manufacturing and AI Opportunities

02:50 The Role of Silicone in Various Industries

06:12 Challenges and Opportunities in Manufacturing

09:07 Navigating Tariffs and AI Solutions

12:00 Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency

15:09 Creating Custom AI Solutions for Internal Use

18:03 Enhancing Sales and Customer Interaction with AI

20:51 The Future of AI in Manufacturing and Education

28:06 Exploring API Integration with Flowwise

30:03 Utilizing AI Models for Enhanced Analysis

32:56 Democratizing AI for Small Businesses

35:48 Automating Sales Processes with AI

39:32 Real-Time Reporting and Process Analysis

43:47 Custom Software Development with AI

49:34 Building Efficient Workflows with AI

54:20 The Future of AI in Small Businesses

149 - How to Build a Business with AI Image Technology with Chris Koerner11 avr. 202500:38:54

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), and my business partner Chris Koerner (https://x.com/mhp_guy). In this episode, we dive into the mind-blowing world of AI image generation and how it's completely changing the game, with Chris sharing some truly wild examples using Chat GPT 4.0.

We then brainstorm some seriously cool business ideas you could launch right now leveraging this tech. But it's not all about the future; we also get into a fascinating discussion about the best path to entrepreneurship: should you jump in headfirst like Chris, or take a more measured approach?

We also explore the crucial concept of having a competitive advantage and spot some surprising business opportunities in unexpected places, like the growing trend of rucking.


Questions This Episode Answers:
What's so different about the new AI image generation capabilities?
Could you really build a business just based on this new AI feature?
Is it better to learn a trade through experience or by working for someone else?
What's more important for a successful business: a great idea or great execution?
What are some potential business opportunities in the surprisingly popular activity of rucking?
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 The Rise of Image Generation Technology

02:59 Ashton Hall: The Viral Sensation

05:52 Innovative Business Ideas in the AI Space

08:46 Monetizing Podcasts and Visual Resumes

12:03 The Future of Photography and AI

14:59 The Barbell Strategy in Entrepreneurship

17:54 Competitive Advantage in Business

20:52 Navigating Entrepreneurship: Experience vs. Action

23:51 Rucking: A New Trend in Fitness

27:13 The Business of Rucking and Influencer Marketing

148 - AI SERIES: 4 - How Fear and Regulation Impact AI in Finance with David Kaylor10 avr. 202500:18:51

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview David Kaylor (https://x.com/David__Kaylor) from Alchemy Technology. We dive into the current state of AI adoption within the traditional banking sector, exploring the gap between the hype and actual implementation

David, who works on implementing digital banking services for credit unions and banks shares his firsthand perspective on how these legacy businesses are approaching new technologies like AI.

He also walks us through some fascinating personal and professional use cases for AI, from building a fun monster-slaying game on Replit to automating team time tracking with Google Apps Script. We also discuss the specific AI models he finds useful, such as Gemini for Google Apps Script and Grok for basic scripting.

Questions This Episode Answers:

What's it like working at a tech company servicing older, legacy businesses regarding AI adoption?

Why is the banking industry a "slow follower" when it comes to utilizing AI?

What AI models does David currently use and for what specific purposes?

How can someone with limited coding knowledge automate tasks using AI and tools like Google Apps Script?

What is Google Apps Script and how can it be used for business automation?

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 AI in Everyday Work Life

02:52 The Role of AI in Banking

06:13 Personal AI Applications and Tools

09:06 Creating with AI: Game Development

12:04 Automating Tasks with Google Apps Script

14:58 Exploring Automation Opportunities

© My Podcast Data · Projet indépendant · Données issues d'Apple & Spotify