The next generation of successful entrepreneurs will be both founders & creators, leveraging their own audience to launch, build, and scale multiple companies into millions based on their own personal hobbies & passions.
This is the 'Personal Holding Company' philosophy. It's a lifestyle business on steroids: no venture capital investors, work whenever & wherever you want, turning your hobbies into businesses.
First Class Founders explores this PHC philosophy with tactical tips & strategies from today's top content creators and world-class company operators who are pioneers in this new wave of entrepreneurship.
The future of entrepreneurship is here. Listen & Follow!
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E75: Michael Girdley (@girdley) needs no introduction. He's a HoldCo legend.
Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with Michael to discuss how he has built a successful HoldCo. We talk about Michael's "Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission" framework, which he uses to build all of his businesses. Michael shares how to find the best people, set up your business the right way, and get everyone excited about the same goal.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- PHC Organization Structure - How to Propel the Business into Gear - How to Build Your Own Holdco of Multiple Businesses - 'Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission' Framework
*** SPONSORS:
Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.
Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order.
*** EXCERPTS:
The Journey: "And what I really discovered was that there's this interesting inflection points in people's lives to when they should sign up to be CEOs of different types of businesses." — Michael Girdley (06:24)
Joyful Career: "I think what people should be doing is thinking about the life they wanna live and the things they wanna be doing, and then build companies around that... joy comes from getting to do things that you really love. So build your business around things that give you joy that you get to do." — Michael Girdley (36:40)
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
Breaking Down the Personal HoldCo of Tim Stoddart of Copyblogger
Episode 74
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 • Duration 31:15
E74: Have you ever wondered how a person can flip their life's script from constant struggles to having a multi-million dollar business?
Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a rich conversation with successful entrepreneur Tim Stoddart (@TimStodz), the proud owner of Copyblogger Media. He discusses his incredible transition from a troubled youth in Philadelphia to a sober entrepreneur with a multi-million dollar Personal HoldCo portfolio.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How to Find Your Purpose - How to Effectively Write Online - Three Criteria for Choosing Businesses - How to Replicate Models to Build and Scale Businesses
*** SPONSORS:
Riverside - If you have a podcast, do yourself a favor and check out Riverside. It's 100% free to start. Get 20% off using code FIRSTCLASS.
Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order.
*** EXCERPTS:
Foundation: "I write and I delegate. I write because I think being a good writer is the most valuable skill that you could ever really have. And I delegate because I've learned that as you grow a company, it's the most foundational thing you could ever do." — Tim Stoddart (04:03)
Wealth Creation: "Here's where my head goes. I'm not bored at all. And there's a part of me that thinks you want to get out before you get bored. Right. Because then like you have leverage that you don't need to sell. Like I never want to get in a position where I need to sell something." — Tim Stoddart (21:45)
*** LINKS:
I – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCo
Episode 65
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 • Duration 28:49
E65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours.
I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I need to work on depending on the stage of my business. I wish that someone had taught me this framework 8 years ago when I first launched my first business.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How to Delegate Properly - 3 Stages of Growth for Every Business - How to Promote a Culture of Ownership - What Systems You Need to Scale Your Business
This episode distills down many years of my own entrepreneurial experience into one short episode. Don't miss it!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.
*** EXCERPTS:
Business Growth Phases: "In the 1st phase, you were a newborn, an infant, a toddler, flailing and grasping at everything and trying to gain a basic understanding of your business. In the 2nd phase, you're a child, making friends and allies and building relationships with the people around you, which means now it is time for you to grow, both literally and figuratively." — Yong-Soo Chung (18:28)
Building an Ownership Culture: "Each employee should believe that they own a certain part of your business, and they are a 100% responsible for that part of the business. Just make sure that you aren't causing any decision making bottlenecks at the company when you do this." — Yong-Soo Chung (25:52)
*** LINKS:
How to Build and Scale Your Business: 11-Slide Business Plan with Brandon White
Episode 64
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 • Duration 30:11
E64: In the world of startups, everyone wants that magic formula to get their business off the ground and scaling fast.
But all too often, business plans end up as complicated, unwieldy documents that feel overwhelming to create and follow.
Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) goes behind the scenes with Brandon White (@BrandonCWhite). He generously shared his unique 11-slide business framework with us. Inspired by the simplicity of four baseline elements jotted down on a napkin, Brandon leads us through the ins and outs of his clever road map, unlocking the potential to simplify even the most complex of business concepts.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- 4 Key Ingredients of a Business - Importance of a Good Elevator Pitch - The 11-Slide Business Plan Framework - How to Clearly Define a Problem and Solution
Don't miss out on this one!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.
*** EXCERPTS:
Efficient Business Planning: "If you can build this framework 11 slides, you basically are ready to build a new company or launch a new product or service. And you could be an intrepreneur and easily use this too. And that's sorta how it came up. It's a mix and match of all of my experience in failures and and what worked." — Brandon White (01:08)
The Four Principles: "We sit down and he pulls out a pen, flips the napkin over and he's like, writes down four things, product, people, market and financing. He said, let's build your plan right here. That was really my first lesson on the quote, air quotes for those of you listening, the modern business plan or framework." — Brandon White (05:05)*** LINKS:
From Hobby to Personal HoldCo: How I Built My Personal Holding Company (BONUS)
Episode 63
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 • Duration 02:14:44
E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week!
I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's (@BrandonCWhite) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hours! We dove deep into several topics including the inflection points of my own entrepreneurial journey. We also went into depth about Personal Holding Companies and how Brandon essentially has one himself!
This episode brings actionable insights on audience building, creating irresistible product offers, and achieving success in the midst of uncertainty.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- Importance of Networking in Business - The Importance of Building Trust Online - How to Build a Personal Holding Company - Social Media Strategies for Business Growth
This episode is not to be missed!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order.
*** EXCERPTS:
Importance of Delegation in Entrepreneurship: "You're monitoring, but you and you're there in case they need to. They need you for something, but you're not in the day-to-day operations, and that's where you wanna be ultimately." — Yong-Soo Chung (38:14)
Building Trust Online: "Building trust is probably the hardest thing to do online right now because there's a lot of crazy people out there, and, they're all saying crazy stuff. And if you can build trust, that will make it so much easier for you. It just open a lot of doors." — Yong-Soo Chung (01:51:20)*** LINKS:
How to Find Your Next Million Dollar Business Idea
Episode 62
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 • Duration 24:22
E62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there.
Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban EDC. He shares his invaluable insights and practical advice on identifying micro and macro forces to help you succeed, validating business ideas, and creating your luck in entrepreneurship.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- Finding Your Niche - How to Turn Passion into Profession - How to Identify Micro and Macro Forces - Importance of Leveraging Social Platforms
This episode is a real game-changer!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
Spotted by Humphrey - If you have a dog, sniff out the DEAL$ and wag-worthy finds at Spotted by Humphrey. Use code FIRSTCLASS15 to get 15% off your next order.
*** EXCERPTS:
Economic Forces and Personal Development: "Micro forces are internal motivations that add up over time and space to give you direction. Macro forces on the other hand are beyond your control and determine how much momentum your idea will have when you launch it." — Yong-Soo Chung (03:32)
Identifying Personal Entrepreneurial Opportunities: "Because what you buy is often a pretty good indicator of what might make a good entrepreneurial venture for you... Money and time are the two resources that determine literally everything about our lives. So ask yourself, what do I spend my free time doing? Chances are the answer to this question will intersect a lot with your credit card statement." — Yong-Soo Chung (06:07)*** LINKS:
The Art of Storytelling: How Parker Worth Went from Broke to a $22,000 Course Launch
Episode 61
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 • Duration 29:24
E61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey. Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck.
Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with the amazing Parker Worth (@worth_parker), who went from being dead broke to launching a storytelling course that earned him an amazing $22,000! He shared invaluable tips and tricks that are guaranteed to skyrocket your approach to building your brand's story.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- Art of Storytelling - Power of Personal Network - How to Use Storytelling for Business - How to Create Genuine Relationships Online
Trust me, this episode is the real deal.
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.
*** EXCERPTS:
Power of Storytelling: "So it's like this multicentral, multidimensional skill that not only applies to communication, but in business. It's in marketing. It's in education. It's literally everywhere and it's a skill that overlaps into everything." — Parker Worth (04:42)
The Essence of Storytelling: "A story requires both a speaker and a listener, the storyteller and an audience." — Yong-Soo Chung (23:02)
*** LINKS:
Secret to Unlocking Your High-Value Niche
Episode 60
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • Duration 22:50
E60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth?
It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some haters throwing shade.
Here’s the fun bit: I know exactly why that post resonated.
Today, I'm diving deep into the topic of finding your niche and how it can skyrocket your audience growth. I'll be sharing my journey and the three-step process I used to discover my niche, gain a 25% jump in my audience in just nine days, and establish myself as an authority in my field.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How to Find Your Niche - How to Leverage Your Expertise - Understand Niche Demand and Supply
This episode is a solo journey of discovery!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
GrowthJet - Work with a boutique third-party logistics provider (3PL) for your e-commerce brand that'll pick, pack, and ship your orders hassle-free.
*** EXCERPTS:
Finding Your Niche: "It's one thing to build up expertise in a subject and another thing entirely to be acknowledged as the expert." — Yong-Soo Chung (08:54)
Building Trust: "The secret ingredient here, and really isn't a secret to be honest, is trust." — Yong-Soo Chung (09:33)
How to Go Viral on Social Media with Michelle Thames
Episode 59
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 • Duration 36:27
E59: What does it really take to go viral on social media?
In our digital era, choosing the right platform for your business can be overwhelming. Founders face immense pressure to build a substantial online presence and audience. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a special guest, Michelle Thames (@michellelthames), a renowned Marketing and Monetization Strategist. She is known for her influential work with giants like Toyota, Subway, and Lenovo.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How to Go Viral - Power of Quality Followers - Personal Brand vs. Business Brand - Master the Art of Emotional Marketing Techniques
This episode is not to be missed!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
AppSumo - Search for "ContentBot.AI" and grab the Black Friday exclusive offer. Don't let this opportunity slip away!
*** EXCERPTS:
Marketing Strategies: "I believe all marketing is the same across the board for all businesses. Right? Where it really comes into play is your specific niche and your specific target audience. Definitely, both ways of doing business, product based, service based, are successful, well, but it I think it really boils down to what platforms you're using." — Michelle Thames (06:22)
Social Media and CEOs: "You should share things, maybe you smell a new fragrance that, you know, you're putting in your product or you went to a trade show and you're trying to get new materials, things like that a CEO would be doing that people would be interested in. You never know what will relate with people." — Michelle Thames (30:30)*** LINKS:
30 Lessons I Learned Growing My Podcast to 36,000 Downloads During My First Year
Episode 58
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 • Duration 34:19
E58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that!
Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong.
Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs!
When I started my podcast journey, everyone around me had advice. Most said, "Save your money on production." But, call me crazy, I ignored them! I poured everything into 57 episodes, investing in the quality of the show.
Today, I'm revealing 30 lessons I learned growing my podcast over the past year into 5 Pillars of Podcasting.
On today’s episode, you’ll learn:
- The 5 Pillars of Podcasting - Paid Advertising vs. Organic Marketing - How to Choose the Right Guests for Your Podcast - Why 'Packaging' an Episode is More Important Than You Think
Let's get down to business!
*** SPONSORS: Castmagic - Enjoy an exclusive 30% discount for your first 3 months with the code FOUNDERS30.
AppSumo - Search for "SendNow" and grab the Black Friday exclusive offer. Don't let this opportunity slip away!
*** EXCERPTS:
How I Create Content: "Writing my episodes helps me express my thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Basically, write the script as if you're writing a screenplay, because you will essentially be using the script to perform it on the mic when you record it." — Yong-Soo Chung (09:55)
Power of Podcast Listeners: "In all this time I have been podcasting, I have noticed that podcast listeners are some of the most dedicated, loyal, and attentive listeners I've come across. They're incredibly tuned into everything you say." — Yong-Soo Chung (20:10)*** LINKS:
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
*** First Class Founders is a show for indie hackers, bootstrapped founders, CEOs, solopreneurs, content creators, startup entrepreneurs, and SaaS startups covering topics like build in public, audience growth, product marketing, scaling up, side hustles, holding company, etc.
Past guests include Arvid Kahl, Tyler Denk, Noah Kagan, Clint Murphy, Jay Abraham, Andrew Gazdecki, Matt McGarry, Nick Huber, Khe Hy, and more.
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