Empire Builders with Nick James – Details, episodes & analysis

In this conversation with Matt Harmsworth, Nick James explores the AI revolution that's already transforming businesses - and why most business owners are getting it completely wrong. Matt, a former Hollywood film drone pilot turned AI consultant, recently blew away Nick's Top Level Mastermind with his presentation. In this episode, he reveals the uncomfortable truth: most business owners are throwing money at fancy AI tools but getting zero results because they're focusing on tactics instead of strategy. From ChatGPT becoming the new Google to creating AI avatars and automating low-level tasks, Matt breaks down exactly how to approach AI strategically. Nick shares the three specific ways he's using AI in Expert Empires right now - including creating copy, building video avatars, and automating calls - and Matt explains why you need to stop dipping your toes in and take this seriously before your competition leaves you behind. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or you're already using it in some areas, this episode will help you identify where the real opportunities are in your business. Matt's mantra says it all: "Don't dip your toes in this. Take it seriously." VALUABLE RESOURCES Take Matt's Free AI Assessment (30 questions): https://ai-or-die.co.uk https://ai-or-die.scoreapp.com/ Expert Empires Event (Matt will be speaking): https://www.expertempires2026.com/jan-2026-ee ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

Online business strategist Matt Hall reveals why AI has made personal brand absolutely essential, the truth about why most memberships fail, and how to build recurring revenue that doesn't feel like a hamster wheel. Plus: The "Spotlight Strategy" for getting visible in the right places and why health is your ultimate business leverage. VALUABLE RESOURCES ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.expertempires2026.com/jan-2026-ee https://www.instagram.com/matthallofficial/ ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode, Nick James sits down with Tyler Garns, former VP of Marketing at Infusionsoft (now Keap) and successful agency founder. Tyler breaks down the four fundamental levers any business can pull to double their revenue, shares his journey from employee to multi-million dollar agency owner, and explains why business growth is simpler than most people think. Plus, learn why automation is crucial for scaling your business without burning out, and get actionable insights on where to start with systematising your operations. Don't miss their upcoming one-day workshop in Birmingham on December 7th, where Tyler will work directly with attendees to implement these strategies. This exclusive event is available to Empire Builders community members for just a £1 booking fee, but seats are limited to 40 attendees. Book your spot at expertempires.com/automation. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires.com/automation https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

Nick discusses how to use email as a successful marketing tool and explains how even if you don’t think you have a database you probably do. It’s about finding a sweet spot with your audience and building a relationship through the content you share. When you offer the right content you can keep your subscribers and grow your engagement list. KEY TAKEAWAYS Even if you don’t think you have a database you probably do If you look through your personal emails you probably have hundreds of people who you could send to. I personally send to my email list on average three or four times a week An important question is who you are sending to and what are you sending to them Understanding your database and who is engaged is key It’s an engagement game to see how many people you can get on to your engagement list My email content is more often story, anecdote and philosophy based with a possible call to action It’s better to build a relationship with your audience If you want to keep your subscribers engaged you need to offer good content   BEST MOMENTS ‘You’ve probably already got an email list even if you don’t see it that way’ ‘Emailing three to four times a week seems to be the sweet spot for me’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast  https://keapnow.com/empirebuilders   ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.                                              

As a part of the ‘Meet the Experts’ series, Nick’s right-hand man Adam Ashburn talks about how everyone has an existing audience and the way it can be effectively monetised through serving and selling. Ultimately it’s about connecting and building long term relationships where you serve first with great value and earn the right to ask the questions that may bring sales. Adam shares great insight into how to get the balance right and find the sweet spot – always asking ‘who do I know’ and leading with value.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Everyone has an existing audience and can reach out to these people The question you always need to ask is ‘who do I know?’ Your phone, Facebook and email and other social media are your list now The question is who do you know? Who should be working with you? When you are connecting with other people ask them ‘who do you know who might benefit from being a client? People can be held back by a fear of being seen as hard sell How do you strike a balance between serving and selling? It’s about building long term relationships because it’s this that will bring sales in the future People want to play the short game in marketing and selling and it burns everything in its wake Lead with value so they get something genuine It’s giving value first and building relationships You need to connect with people who are your ideal client, serve them first and then you earn the right to ask the questions that may lead them to working with you With any offer, it’s less about the offer, its more about the structure of it  and how it’s offered to the prospect Transitioning from a conversation to selling is about seeding it well and being able to talk around it through case studies and testimonials   BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s about taking your community of people and creating within that a list of those who might be interested in your stuff’ ‘You have to earn the right to have a sales conversation with someone’ ‘Often there is business to be had right under our noses but we ignore it’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast  https://keapnow.com/empirebuilders   ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.                                          

How, when and why you might want to switch up your business model from one-to-one model, to a one-to-many model needs to be carefully considered It’s a great way to increase your income, reach more people and extend your impact and Nick has great advice on when you should make the transition and explains how to go about it because it’s all about thinking big but starting small with clear intention about sharing your message and reaching more people. KEY TAKEAWAYS Working one to one can restrict your ability to scale, you can only work with one client at any given time When you are giving time for money moving to a one-to-many model can help you to scale There is a place for one to one and it continuing to be a part of your business as you scale up Think big but start small You should from the very start have the intention of going to one to many in the future You can reach more people and have more impact When you reach the point of being near to capacity You need to  have at least 8-10 mentoring clients before you make a move into one to many The timing is crucial and often the bit people find challenging How is based upon where you are in your business BEST MOMENTS ‘One to many - It’s a great way to share your message’ ‘The timing is everything with the transition from a one-to-one model, to a one-to-many model’ ‘She was able to triple her income’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast  https://keapnow.com/empirebuilders ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.                                      

Clate Mask CEO and Co-founder of Keap software talks to Nick about building Keap (previously Infusionsoft) and the creation of culture Clate’s unique ability is being able to co-create a vision and inspire others to achieve it whilst having genuine care for those involved. He discusses the underpinning and absolute need for a vision, purpose and values if you want to bring people together in a  common cause and explains why If you hire, train and fire to your vision, purpose and values it’s not possible to have a poor culture only an amazing one. https://keapnow.com/empirebuilders  KEY TAKEAWAYS Entrepreneurs can think it has to be perfect from the start and that’s why they never get started The vision at the start was nowhere near as big as it has now become, it’s about taking it step by step A lot of people have a grand vision to change the world  but it can be too big, think big but start small When you work with family trust is high and the connection is natural but you’ve got to be prepared, to be honest with each other and say what needs to be said As you grow It becomes a people game and many entrepreneurs have a leadership lock and fail to take on the leadership challenge As you get to 30 million your leadership team have to become united and effective as a team As a leader, you have to become the leader of a team that has synergy and cohesion The CEO has to be growing in a way that supports and effectively leads the team I love working with and building a team to accomplish a big vision My unique ability is I co-create a vision and inspire others to achieve it whilst having genuine care for those involved You can’t control others but you can control how you show up and being yourself Culture is a group of people who have come together with a common cause. It’s the vision, purpose and values of the company There has to be a deep ‘why’ and a big vision They are bound to what they are doing, why they are doing it and how they are doing it You have to hold your culture sacred and it has to be bound by people who share the vision, purpose and values   BEST MOMENTS ‘Things move a lot faster when there is a high level of trust’ ‘l love inspiring others and having genuine care for everyone involved in the vision’ ‘You have to be disciplined enough to create the vision, purpose and mission if you want to have culture’ ‘If you hire, train and fire to your vision, purpose and values it’s not possible to have a poor culture it will be an amazing culture’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast  Keap Software https://keapnow.com/empirebuilders   ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.                                      

Nick explains why joint venturing is the number one way to build your database audience without spending much on advertising. It’s an approach that can bring a better quality of lead and raises your profile through association. Good joint ventures are about your mindset and the intention of adding value and Nick shares great advice on having a mindset focused on collaboration and a flexible approach if you want to get into successful joint ventures that are long term relationships KEY TAKEAWAYS With joint ventures, there isn’t a big advertising  spend The endorsement of the other person means you get better quality leads The conversion rate from a website visitor as a result of a joint venture is higher The conversion rate from op-in to a buyer is higher from a joint venture than a cold advertiser The lifetime value of a joint venture customer is greater Your profile is raised through association with a joint venture You need to understand who will make a good joint venture partner for you You need a mindset of collaboration not competition Your philosophy needs to be Certain people will resonant with my message and not that of my competitor You have to have  a mindset focused on how you can add value to the other person Have the intention of it being a long-term relationship You have to have a mindset of ‘how can I find value for the other person’ BEST MOMENTS ‘I spent hardly anything on advertising in the first seven years it was all through joint ventures and it worked really well ‘It’s a great way to position yourself as an expert’ ‘We both come from a place of abundance with a mindset of collaboration’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast  ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.                                          

Nick takes a look at the balance between sales and marketing and developing systems and processes He shares his own experiences and explains why it’s about the timing because any system needs to have clients going through it and so sales must be the initial focus but having a system of some sort is something that will benefit any business With great content that will help anyone in business get a balance that works this is a must-listen episode.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Any business will benefit from systems and processes What is going to be most beneficial to your business? Sales and marketing are the primary focus at the start and systems can come later You won’t know how effective a system is until it has had clients go through it Any system will need refining as the business develops You need to achieve a balance between systems and sales and marketing Start with sales and marketing and as soon as you get some results and clients set up the systems and processes you need Developing your systems and processes is ongoing as your business grows You need to work out what sells and have a proven concept before you set up systems and processes   BEST MOMENTS ‘Some people start to build systems and processes before they have any clients’ ‘We are continually working to optimise our systems and processes’     VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast     ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.                  

Nick shares great content about building and growing your audience in response to questions about this from his community. Those who are successful are those who have invested time, energy and resources in building their audience and Nick has some great advice on how and where to get started so listen in and get focused on audience building and getting connected.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Those who have the best chance of success are those who have invested in time, energy and resources in building their audience over a sustained amount of time Those that are finding it challenging are those The size and quality of your audience is crucial You can effectively build an email list through partnerships with people to who you can add value. Make sure you get peoples phone numbers because this provides a great way to get in touch and let people know about things you are doing You can build your audience on Facebook by hanging out in other people’s groups making comments Build your Facebook profile with as many people as possible LinkedIn can help with targeting people in your business space. There are lots of different places you can build an audience but focusing on one or two platforms at any time is effective Building your audience by collaborating with people who have the same sort of audience as you can benefit everyone    BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s the size and quality of your audience that establishes your level of success’ ‘Sharing your life really helps to make connections’ ‘How can you best invest your time to build and grow your audience?’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Empire Builders Podcast     ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job.  Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal.  He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.