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Explore every episode of the podcast The Startup Ideas Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for The Startup Ideas Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Build profitable iOS Apps Using Just Cursor + Claude (Full Tutorial)28 Apr 2025
Join me as I chat with Chris Raroque, who demonstrates how to use AI tools to build sophisticated mobile apps as a solo developer. Chris walks through adding an AI chat feature to his budgeting app, showing his workflow with Cursor and Claude 3.7. He explains how to implement function calling to create an intelligent agent that can access transaction data and answer questions about spending patterns. Timestamps: • 00:00 - Introduction to Chris Raroque and his portfolio of apps • 02:32 - Overview of Cursor workflow for native iOS development • 09:54 - Demo of adding AI chat to a budgeting app • 17:50 - Connecting AI Chat Feature with Open Router • 25:55 - Improving prompts using Claude for better responses • 34:19 - Implementing tool/function calling for efficient data access • 45:13 - Adding token usage and cost tracking to the app • 48:34 - Techniques for AI-generated app assets and illustrations Key Points: • Chris Raroque demonstrates how to use Cursor with Claude 3.7 to build native iOS apps with AI features • Shows a workflow for adding an AI chat feature to an existing budgeting app using OpenRouter • Explains tool/function calling implementation to create an AI agent that can access transaction data • Shares techniques for generating high-quality app assets using ChatGPT 4.0 1) Chris has built FOUR successful productivity apps as a solo developer - including a daily planning app with 2,000+ paid users. His secret weapon? Using AI to supercharge his workflow. "The only reason I'm able to do this is because I have AI to supercharge my workflow." 2) SURPRISING TOOL #1: Using Cursor for native iOS development Most devs use Cursor for React/web apps, but Chris opens Xcode projects directly in Cursor! His workflow: • Set up project manually in Xcode • Open files in Cursor for edits • Switch to Xcode to build • Repeat 3) KEY INSIGHT: Don't try to use Cursor to set up iOS projects - it won't work! You need to: - Set up the project manually in Xcode - Configure frameworks and settings in Xcode - Handle network permissions in Xcode - THEN use Cursor for coding 4) Chris demonstrated building an AI chat feature for his budgeting app "Luna" in just 4 major prompts: - Create the UI first (hardcoded) - Hook it up to OpenRouter API - Improve the prompt quality - Add function calling Each step builds on the previous one! 5) POWER TIP: Feed documentation directly into Cursor! Type docs and paste in API documentation URLs to give Cursor context. This DRAMATICALLY reduces hallucinations, especially for: • iOS/Mac development • New/changing APIs • Complex integrations Game-changer for accuracy! 6) PROMPT ENGINEERING SECRET: Use Claude to generate better prompts for your AI apps! Chris uses Claude to create XML-formatted prompts that produce better results from LLMs. This simple technique improves response quality by 30-40%! 7) ADVANCED TECHNIQUE: Function calling to build true AI agents in your apps! Instead of sending ALL user data with each request (expensive!), Chris implemented tool calling: • LLM analyzes user question • Calls specific functions to get ONLY needed data • Answers based on retrieved info 8) For example, when a user asks "What did I eat last year?" the agent: - Recognizes it needs transaction data - Calls getTransactionsForDateRange() with the right dates - Processes only relevant data - Provides a concise answer Saves $$$ on token costs! 9) VISUAL POLISH SECRET: Using ChatGPT 4.0 for app asset generation! Chris creates mascots and illustrations that give his apps personality and polish. The workflow: 1. Generate base character 2. Create variations for different states 3. Refine with specific prompts 10) RESULTS: With just a few prompts, Chris added: • A fully functional AI chat • Tool-calling capabilities • Cost tracking • Model switching • Custom illustrations All in a few hours as a solo developer! 11)FINAL ADVICE from Chris: "A lot of developers are averse to using AI tools, but the ones who embrace them will thrive for the next decade." For non-devs: Start with more guided tools like Replit or Lovable that have guardrails. LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND CHRIS ON SOCIAL Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raroque X/Twitter: https://x.com/raroque Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris.raroque/
He shares his 5-Step Framework to build $1M/Month Mobile App23 Apr 202500:43:22

Join me as I chat with Hunter Isaacson, a successful mobile app builder who has created apps with hundreds of millions of downloads. Hunter shares his playbook for building million-dollar mobile apps, emphasizing the importance of simple experiences, strong branding, and creating effective growth loops. He discusses how to identify opportunities by adapting existing ideas to new channels and technologies.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:56 - Examples of Viral Consumer Apps
04:35 - Hallow Deep dive 
10:14 - Locket Deep dive
13:51 -  NGL’s Deep Dive
15:08 - Don’t reinvent the wheel
17:27 -  Hunter’s $1M/Month App Playbook
21:28 - Building a Brand People Love
24:44 - Creating a simple experience
25:26 - The importance of core action and North Star Metric
26:33 - How to create growth loops
31:28 - Additional Good Practices 
33:13 - Opportunities in AI-enhanced app experiences
36:38 - Future technology trends Hunter is excited about

Key Points:

• Hunter Isaacson shares his framework for building successful mobile apps, including NGL (250M downloads) and Bags
• The importance of creating simple experiences with strong branding that people can understand and resonate with
• How to identify core metrics and growth loops that drive user engagement and viral sharing
• Leveraging new platform features (like widgets, live activities) to create innovative app experiences

1) Hunter's framework for building viral, profitable apps is SURPRISINGLY simple:

• Build a brand people love
• Create a simple experience
• Get users on quickly (even just 100)
• Select ONE core action
• Maximize % of users completing that action

Let's dive deeper...

2) On building a BRAND PEOPLE LOVE:

"Keep it short and find a slang term" - Hunter's secret sauce for naming apps.

NGL = "not gonna lie" (obvious to Gen Z)
BAGS = crypto slang for holdings

The best names are OBVIOUS, resonate with your audience, and set the right vibe.

3) Creating a SIMPLE EXPERIENCE is crucial!

Hunter designs ALL his apps himself (started with PowerPoint, now Figma)

His approach: "What's the bare bones MVP that solves the problem?"

Don't overcomplicate. ONE user flow is better than branching journeys.

4) The NORTH STAR METRIC changes everything.

For each app, Hunter picks ONE metric that matters above all:

• Wink: % of users getting a match on day 1
• NGL: % sharing link + replies
• BAGS: % funding account + making first trade

Aim for 90%+ completion!

5) GROWTH HACK: Build sharing into your core experience!

"If you drop in 1000 people and 50% share, that's 500 people who've now shared your app"

Hunter spent less than $10K marketing NGL to get 250M downloads! 

The key? Seed it just enough to activate the viral loop.

6) You DON'T need to reinvent the wheel!

Hunter on NGL: "Anonymous messaging apps have been around forever"

The innovation? Using Instagram's new link feature as a growth channel.

Look for EXISTING IDEAS that could work in NEW CHANNELS.

7) On SEEDING your app:

• Test content formats before launch
• Work with creators in different niches
• Pay small amounts ($50-100) to influencers
• Look for that ONE viral video to ignite growth
• Build an authentic voice on social

8) TRENDS to watch according to Hunter:

• Live Activities on iPhone (underutilized)
• Lock screen widgets (not fully explored)
• AI + consumer apps (CalAI's approach)
• Crypto going mainstream
• AR glasses (future)

Massive opportunities in each!

9) For YOUNG FOUNDERS, Hunter recommends:

"Take a lot of swings. Have a lot of at-bats."

Consumer mobile apps over B2B/SaaS when starting out:
• More fun
• Reach global audience
• Better psychology understanding
• Tools getting better every day


Notable Quotes:

"I think that it's more about looking for frameworks than it is for looking for ideas. The framework, I feel like, is more important because now it's really easy to just framework X with audience Y." - Hunter Isaacson

"You don't really need to reinvent the wheel... it's a new channel, right? If anonymous messaging has worked on the internet, it's worked on apps, it's worked on different platforms, why wouldn't it work with Instagram as the growth lever?" - Hunter Isaacson

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND HUNTER ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/hunterjisaacson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterjisaacson/

If I wanted to build $1M+ AI startup in 2025, I'd do this24 Mar 202500:52:59

Join me as I chat with Andrew Wilkinson, Co-Founder of Tiny, as we discuss investment and startup ideas in the current AI landscape. We explore how AI is simultaneously lowering barriers to entry while increasing competition, making it easier to build "million-dollar businesses" but harder to create sustainable long-term ventures. We share specific startup ideas leveraging AI, including secure data integration platforms, automated web design services, and AI-powered lending.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Business building in AI
08:13 - Media Business Opportunities and AI 
18:18 - The future of GPT wrappers
21:20 - Automation and AI tools we use
29:14 - Startup Idea 1: MCP and Financial Analysis
34:49 - Startup Idea 2: AI Web Design Agency 
37:06 - Startup Idea 3: Message Maxing
43:43 - Startup Idea 4:  AI-Based Lending Solutions
49:43 - Andrew's Stealth Startup 

Key Points

• AI is making it easier to build businesses but harder to maintain competitive advantages as tools become widely accessible
• Distribution, data advantages, and network effects are becoming the primary moats in the AI era
• Media businesses with high-value niches present opportunities for entrepreneurs to build audiences before layering AI tools
• Secure AI applications (particularly around financial data and personal communications) represent potential sustainable business models

1) The AI Paradox: It's never been EASIER to build a $1M business, but never HARDER to build sustainable value.

Why? Because anyone can "vibe code" your product in a weekend.

Distribution and network effects are the new moats. Tools alone won't cut it anymore.

2) Where are the ACTUAL opportunities?

Andrew & Greg agree: Buy or build MEDIA businesses first, then layer AI on top.

• Focus on High-value niches not mass audiences
• Build community BEFORE tools
• Example: Buy TechCrunch or event series like South by Southwest

3) AI tools they're actually using RIGHT NOW:

• Gumloop - For sales lead intelligence
• Lindy - Email processing & calendar management
• Manus AI - For candidate screening (saved Andrew hours!)
• Vercel V0 - Rebuilt Andrew's pressure washing website in 30 SECONDS

4) Startup Idea 1: "Secure MCP"

Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets LLMs access your data securely.

Andrew built a custom system to analyze his company finances across multiple businesses.

Opportunity: Build the "1Password of MCP" - where security is the selling point.

5) Startup Idea 2: "Message Maxing"

An app that analyzes your text messages to identify:
• Which friends exhibit toxic traits
• How YOU come across in messages
• Who you're neglecting

Perfect for viral TikTok marketing. Could be the next CalAI!

6) Startup Idea 3: AI-powered web design agency

• Use V0 to auto-redesign ugly local business websites
• Reach out with "I already built you a better site"
• Charge $500 + $20/mo hosting
• Scale with automation

Low-hanging fruit for your first million!

7) Startup Idea 4: "Bank of Vibe Coding"

AI-powered lending platform for vibe coders:
• Quick approval for developers with traction
• Take % of profits instead of interest
• Criteria: X followers, Stripe integration, etc.

Sahil Lavingia's $100K offer proves demand!

8) The BIG question: Are these Cal AI businesses (make $1M then die) or sustainable?

Andrew's take: "Almost all these businesses will be zeros in 5 years."

Greg's counter: "It's so hard to predict even 5 months from now!"

What do YOU think? Are you building for the short or long term?

The MOST VALUABLE insight: The businesses that are easiest to start are often the worst businesses to be in long-term.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't start one! Making your first million with a "Cal AI business" is still a win.

Notable Quotes:

"It's never been easier to build a million dollar business and it's never been easier to lose all your equity value." - Andrew

"Distribution is the new moat, anyone could create anything." - Greg

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire — a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND ANDREW ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/awilkinson
Never Enough: https://www.neverenough.com
Tiny: https://www.tiny.com

5 game-changing startup ideas from a life hacking genius15 May 202401:04:15

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Chris Hutchins, an expert life hacker, financial optimizer, and host of the award-winning podcast, All the Hacks. On this episode, Chris shares his proven strategies on how to launch a million-dollar business in just 48 hours. We also explore the emerging trends of affluent consumers and unveil five transformative startup ideas to inspire your next venture.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:
https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

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FIND ME ON SOCIAL

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND CHRIS ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hutchins?lang=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishutchins/
All the Hacks: https://www.allthehacks.com/

To improve your rankings your business on Google and using AI for SEO, sign up to boringmarketing.com

Episode Timestamps

00:00 First business idea: Premium Tutoring App
14:36 Second business idea: AI-Powered Service Businesses
33:06 Chris’s framework for building a million dollar business
43:30 Chris’s framework for creating media/content
48:07 Third business idea: Content as a Service for Big Creators
54:35 Fourth business idea: Bringing enterprise products/services to consumers
1:01:51 Fifth business idea: Agency for onboarding calls

How this viral AI app is making $190,000/month12 May 202400:36:13

I’m joined by Jonathan Courtney, Co-Founder and CEO of AJ&Smart, a Digital Product Design agency, to give our insights into the strategies and tactics driving a viral AI-powered Dating Advice app to $190,000 in monthly revenue. We also explore the power of anti-trends and how to leverage them to build a startup. Don't miss out on this must-watch episode!

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jicecream
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/

To improve your rankings your business on Google and using AI for SEO, sign up to boringmarketing.com

Episode Timestamps

00:00 The $190K/month AI App
13:10 How to leverage Anti-Trends
21:02 Our takes on Chat-GPT wrappers
28:02 Our thoughts on the Eight Sleep Pod 4 Ultra

#businessideas #startupideas #podcast

A few $30k+/month startup ideas from the most manic/genius founder you've never heard of10 May 202401:07:40

I’m joined by Cody Schneider, Co-founder of Swell AI, to jam on several business ideas and opportunities: a Cricut subscription service, Chrome extensions that can generate $30k/month, Uber trivia games, and so much more.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND CODY ON SOCIAL

Cody’s startup: https://www.swellai.com/
X/Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/5fjdn8d7
LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/28e89f5r

Episode Timestamps

00:00 First business idea: Cricut Subscriptions & Materials
19:30 Second business idea: Paid Chrome extensions
24:40 Cody’s framework for building a profitable business
37:20 Third business idea: AI memo writing for startups
41:50 Fourth business idea: Niche Podcasts
59:25 Fifth business idea: Play Octopus for Uber

This $20M/year Founder shares his 3 top business ideas with me08 May 202400:46:04

I’m joined by Jason Yanowitz, Co-Founder of Blockworks, to discuss some of the most profitable business ideas on his mind: building an AI Chief Operating Office for companies, starting a business in the men's health industry, building a B2B niche media brand, and so much more.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND JASON ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonYanowitz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanowitzjason/

Episode Timestamps

00:00 First business idea: AI COO for companies
06:13 Second business idea: Men’s longevity business
21:00 Third business idea: B2B niche media brand
33:40 Opportunities and challenges in the crypto space


To scale your revenue faster with conversion-focused creative sign up to https://designscientist.com

Jonathan Courtney Gave Away 3 Crazy Cash-Flowing Business Ideas01 May 202401:03:04

I’m joined by Jonathan Courtney, Co-Founder and CEO of AJ&Smart, a Digital Product Design agency. We discuss various $1M-$10M business ideas, including an AI-powered brown noise device, a more sophisticated brand of male sex toys, an infoproduct to break phone addiction, and so much more.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jicecream
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/

Episode Timestamps

00:00 First business idea: AI-powered sleep device
24:19 Second business idea: Sophisticated sex toys for men
28:38 Third business idea: Non-spiritual retreats
33:55 Fourth business idea: An infoproduct around digital addiction
47:50 How entrepreneurs can benefit from masterminds

$100M+/year founder Jason Cohen reveals a brilliant startup idea built on top of Twitter24 Apr 202400:46:13

I’m joined by Jason Cohen, a four-time entrepreneur and current Chief Innovation Officer of WP Engine, to discuss his three best startup ideas: a tool for optimizing social media replies, a simpler, lower price segment, and helping people make practical, simple strategies.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150/about

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

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FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND JASON ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/asmartbear
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncohen/

Blog: https://longform.asmartbear.com/

3 Easy to Start Big Startup Ideas with Jordan Mix18 Apr 202400:32:53

I’m joined by Jordan Mix, Operating Partner at Late Checkout, to discuss some of the best business ideas on his mind: a productivity app that will kill Notion, the “upside down” desktop app, a brand-in-a-box service for internet-native companies, and so much more.

🚀 My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel: https://www.communityempire.co/


🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!


Spots are limited.


https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150/about


📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com


70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/


FIND JORDAN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrdnmix
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-mix1/

Brainstorming AI startup ideas with Kevin Rose12 Apr 202401:02:27

I’m joined by Kevin Rose, serial entrepreneur and technology investor. We discuss some of his best startup ideas: creating interactive podcasts with the help of AI, a nostalgic TV experience with old shows and commercials, using AI to talk to the dead, and so much more.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND KEVIN ROSE ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinrose
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrose/

Episode Timestamps

00:00 How to come up with million-dollar ideas
03:00 Products that were ahead of their time
12:20 First business idea: AI-powered podcast app
28:48 Second business idea: Normie TV
37:00 How Telly is reinventing TV
42:58 Third business idea: Using AI to talk to the dead

He has 1M+ followers and $1M startup ideas for you28 Mar 202400:53:06

I’m joined by Brian Feroldi, a world-class creator and author in the financial space. We discuss the success stories of Jimmy Buffett and The Motley Fool, how to build a profitable business in the creator economy, the untapped potential of platforms like LinkedIn, and so much more. 

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND BRIAN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianFeroldi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianferoldi/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrianFeroldiYT

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Jimmy Buffett's success story
08:07 What you can learn from The Motley Fool's marketing strategy
26:11 First business idea: Back office services for creators
34:28 Best categories to monetize as a creator
40:41 Second business ideas: Newsletter acquisition
46:40 Third business idea: LinkedIn ghostwriting

I asked a $2B investment genius for his best startup ideas25 Mar 202400:56:29

I’m joined by Ali Hamed, Founder of the investment firm CoVenture. We discuss some of the best (and worst) investment opportunities for entrepreneurs in 2024, how to navigate debt collection as a digital entrepreneur, and Ali’s top tips for funding a startup.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/free-course

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.communityempire.co/

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:

https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND ALI ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliBHamed

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Are prefab homes the future?
12:13 Best strategies for efficient pricing
19:37 How to leverage policy changes
23:59 Challenges with income share agreements
29:56 How entrepreneurs can navigate debt collection
40:34 Win-win funding strategies for startups
47:02 Building an investing firm
54:51 Where to find Ali

How he finds $1M+ CPG startup ideas before anyone else using Ahrefs and Manus AI19 Mar 202500:42:32

I’m joined by Ashwinn Krishnaswamy, an expert in launching and growing consumer brands, where we discuss how he evaluates market opportunities and creates unfair advantages. We discuss various tools for market research including Ahrefs for keyword analysis, Particl for competitor sales data, and AI tools for product design. Ashwinn emphasizes that entrepreneurs should work backward from distribution channels rather than focusing solely on product development.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
03:45 - Ahrefs tool for keyword research
15:08 -  Particl for analyzing competitor sales data
18:52 - Why start a CPG brand
21:05 - How to stand out in crowded categories
24:57- Opportunities in Branding for Older Adults
28:40 - Bootstrapping Your Product Idea
33:56 - Researching Your Market and Competitors
36:52 - Manus AI for automating market research
39:58 -  Distribution is everything.

Key Points:

• Ashwinn shares tools and strategies for evaluating market opportunities for physical products and brands
• Tools like Ahrefs and Particle provide valuable data on search volume, competition, and sales trends
• AI tools like Manis can now automate much of the market research process that previously cost thousands
• Distribution strategy should come before product development, not vice versa

1) First, understand that DISTRIBUTION is everything.

"First-time founders focus on product, second-time founders focus on distribution."

The hard truth? Many subpar products CRUSH IT because they nail distribution and operational excellence.

Always work BACKWARDS from how you'll acquire customers!

2) Use Ahrefs to evaluate category demand and competition 

Type any keyword to see:
• Monthly search volume (market size)
• Keyword difficulty (competition level)
• Seasonal trends
• Geographic distribution

This helps you VALIDATE demand before building anything!

3) Look for geographic OPPORTUNITIES in the data 

When Ashwinn checked "electrolytes" he found:
• 74% of searches from English-speaking Western countries
• Only 3% from India, Philippines

This reveals potential to build "Element for Germany" or other untapped markets where trends haven't diffused yet!

4) For physical products, use Particle to spy on competitors

This tool shows:
• E-commerce sales data for brands
• Best-selling SKUs
• Category trends

Crucial insight: Often 90% of revenue comes from just 4 SKUs!

5) The REAL opportunity in physical products?

They force you to become EXCEPTIONAL at marketing.

"The bleeding edge of marketing happens in consumer products because it's SO HARD to get attention and convince someone to part with their dollars."

It's a marketing masterclass in real-time.

6) How to stand out in crowded categories:

Study the competition obsessively! Ashwinn showed how most magnesium supplements look generic and medical.

But brands like Moon Juice and Lemme differentiate through:
• Distinctive packaging
• Custom bottles
• Clear positioning
• Targeting specific demographics

7) The BIGGEST opportunity right now?

Find UNDERSERVED demographics!

Most brands target coastal millennials or Gen Z because that's who creates them.

But what about products for older adults with:
• More disposable income
• Less saturated marketing channels
• Different aesthetic preferences

8) AI is your UNFAIR ADVANTAGE for research

• Competitor analysis
• Market sizing
• Customer needs
• Design trends

"It's putting together a report Nielsen would charge $20K for!"

99% of people aren't using AI this way yet.

9) Before building ANYTHING, become a "relentless researcher":

• Study every competitor's positioning
• Read all the 1-2 star reviews in your category
• Visit stores and talk to owners
• Contact potential customers directly

Notable Quotes:

"First time founders focus on product, second time founders focus on distribution." - Ashwinn

"Building a physical product business is very hard and by most people probably just shouldn't be done on a whim. But if you can do it in a somewhat low stakes way or low risk way... I think it is a phenomenal way to get really good at marketing." - Ashwinn

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire — a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
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FIND ASHWINN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/Shwinnabego
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shwinnabegobrand
Brand Brothers Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wgTQ7mXBngdiNzcJ2cUJZ

Brainstorming The Most Profitable AI Business Ideas08 Mar 202400:26:58

I’m joined by Eric Siu, Founder of the digital marketing agency Single Grain. We discuss million-dollar trends and opportunities entrepreneurs should have on their radar right now, including pay-per-performance agencies, AI customer service, AI transformation agencies, and so much more.

🚀 My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150/about

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericosiu/

Episode Timestamps

00:00 First business idea: Pay per performance agencies 
05:05 Second business idea: AI customer service agencies 
09:28 The potential of Smart Contracts 
11:35 How to gamify daily life 
15:50 Lifestyle trends to have on your radar 
20:12 Existing products you can rebrand 
23:39 Opportunities for agency owners 
25:40 Third business idea: AI transformation agencies

If you enjoy the podcast, consider leaving a review to help others discover the show :)

He earns $500k/month filming Rolex trading01 Mar 202400:15:46

A special solo episode recorded from Mexico City, where I go through 3 million-dollar startup ideas I can’t stop thinking about: creators going into software, new ways to monetize underserved niches, Coffeezilla for startups, and so much more.

If you enjoy the podcast, let me know by leaving a review so I know to keep making them :)

🚀 My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/


🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited.

https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150


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00:00 First business idea: Leveraging an audience to create software products

07:00 Second business idea: Tyler Mikorski (AKA vookum) makes $500k/ month from a paid community

14:15 Third business idea: Coffeezilla for tech

I Met The Most Obsessed Man On The Internet21 Feb 202400:55:18

I'm joined by Zach Pogrob, entrepreneur and content creator with over 1.5M followers. We discuss how to build a loyal audience in 2024, the importance of associating your brand with a word, three business ideas you can steal, and so much more.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel:

https://www.communityempire.co/

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited. https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150/about

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/


FIND ZACH ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/zachpogrob
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachpogrob

Episode Timestamps

00:00 How to build an unforgettable brand
01:47 First business idea: Suffering as a service
03:05 What is the Run Cult?
15:24 Second business idea: Building agencies on the back of creators
22:09 Third business idea: A platform that helps creators get sponsors
25:28 Golden advice for creators and entrepreneurs
27:30 The importance of being authentic
31:37 Long-form vs short-form video
36:00 The future of online writers
38:19 Be strict with your message, flexible with the medium
39:52 The importance of associating your brand with a word
49:10 Zach’s biggest fears
55:10 Where to find Zach

If you enjoy the podcast, consider leaving a review to help others discover the show :)

The Co-Founder Of A $75M+ Company Gave Me His BEST Business Ideas14 Feb 202400:53:03

I'm joined by Alex Lieberman, Co-founder & Executive Chairman of Morning Brew. We discuss some of the hottest trends and opportunities for entrepreneurs in 2024, how creators can successfully monetize their newsletter and the best ways to innovate an existing business.

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel: https://www.communityempire.co/

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited. https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150/about

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com/

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

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Instagram:

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LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND ALEX ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/businessbarista
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lieberman/

If you enjoy the podcast, consider leaving a review to help others discover the show :)

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Why content curation is a superpower
01:00 First business idea: The new Sports Illustrated
08:21 How to monetize a newsletter
13:21 How to rejuvenate an existing business
19:09 Second business idea: A modern-day Weight Watchers
28:30 Trend to watch out for: In-person peer groups
35:14 Third business idea: Software recommendations for entrepreneurs
40:17 Fourth business idea: Content curation as a service
52:19 Where to find Alex

The Science Behind VIRAL Products feat. Soren Iverson07 Feb 202400:55:35

I'm joined by Soren Iverson, Designer at Cash App and the indisputable idea machine of the internet. We talk about building products that spread like wildfire, how to test business ideas before launch, how to build a memorable brand, and more. 

🚀  My FREE 5 day email course to learn how to build a business of the future using the ACP funnel: https://www.communityempire.co/

🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.

You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!

Spots are limited. https://www.skool.com/community-empire-6150/about

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND SOREN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/soren_iverson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soreniverson/

If you enjoy the podcast, consider leaving a review to help others discover the show :)

Episode Timestamps

0:00 How to build better products
01:42 Best ideas for hardware/physical products in 2024
16:31 How to test your product ideas
23:11 How to build an appealing brand
31:20 Digitizing the real estate experience
42:22 Best startup opportunities in the design space
53:45 Where to find Soren

Brainstorming $1M Business Ideas with Tiago Forte31 Jan 202400:54:02

I'm joined by Tiago Forte, Founder at Forte Labs and bestselling author of ‘Building a Second Brain’ and The ‘PARA Method’. We talk about the necessity of building credibility online, the role of gatekeepers in information sharing, and why the B2B market could be a goldmine for online course creators.

We cover the benefits (and drawbacks) of being an independent creator, how to leverage the media platforms of the world to your advantage, and why you need lead magnets.

00:00 Why Creators NEED to diversify.
08:09 Cool non-Internet business ideas.
11:41 Using a dumb phone - the ultimate productivity hack.
22:30 The future of tech in 2024.
25:15 Is Tiago Forte really creating a TV show?
34:37 Multi-million dollar opportunities in B2B markets.
38:00 Free B2B business ideas.
44:02 Why you should stop building businesses in competitive spaces.
51:15 Book recommendation: "Signs: Secret Language of the Universe" by Laura Lynn Jackson.

How To Find MILLION DOLLAR Business Ideas That WORK | Noah Kagan25 Jan 202400:54:12

I'm joined by Noah Kagan, CEO of AppSumo. We talk about how to build products people love, how he lost $1M for not listening to customers, how to find the best business ideas in 2024, and more.

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com/

70,000+ people are already subscribed.

🪄 The CastMagic team reached out to me and wanted to give you a free month of Castmagic with the code Greg100. You can check out https://get.castmagic.io/l953mvcu8yiv to learn more about how to automate your content with AI using CastMagic.

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FIND NOAH KAGAN ON SOCIAL


X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/noahkagan


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahkagan/


Episode timestamps:


00:00 Why you should test your business ideas first 

00:43 The importance of differentiating your brand


02:07 Best opportunities for entrepreneurs in 2024


06:41 Using content creators to grow your business


08:28 The impact of AI in the workplace


10:15 Platforms to streamline the hiring process


12:40 Why you don’t need to innovate everything


18:43 Tips for hiring A-players


22:55 How Noah lost $1M


27:08 How Greg built the largest real-time stock market


29:43 How to build million-dollar businesses in 2024


33:50 Dealing with rejection in business


37:55 How to decide if a project is worth pursuing


45:58 How to find the best business ideas

How To Make $10 MILLION in 2024 | Dickie Bush & Nicolas Cole18 Jan 202400:57:26

I'm joined by Dickie Bush, Co-Founder of Premium Ghostwriting Academy and Nicolas Cole, Co-Founder of Ship 30 for 30. We talk about the best ways to make $10M in 2024 if you were starting from scratch: hyper-niche paid newsletters, AI-powered book publishing, and so much more.

$1M Startup Trends in 2024, With Michael Karnjanaprakorn11 Jan 202400:46:42

I'm joined by Michael Karnjanaprakorn, former CEO of Skillshare. We talk about the biggest startup trends that will shape 2024: IRL community spaces, AI educational agents, and more.

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com/

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FIND MICHAEL ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikekarnj
Website: https://www.mikekarnj.com/

Erik Torenberg's Playbook: How to Bootstrap a Multi-Million Dollar Media Empire05 Jan 202400:58:55

I'm joined by Erik Torenberg, Co-Founder of Turpentine, a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more. We talk about why B2B creators are the next big thing, how to spot profitable niches and opportunities to monetize media businesses.

📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com/


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The best way to build an audience in 2025 (My 4-Step System)17 Mar 202500:51:54

How to build an audience in 2025: https://www.startupempire.co/build-an-audience

I’m joined by Jonathan Courtney to jam on how to  build an audience in 2025. We explore various tactics including finding your unique format, implementing consistent systems, and measuring progress against clear goals.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:58 - The ACP Framework
04:06 - Step 1: Identify Who You're Creating For
10:05 -  Step 2: Find Your Format
19:43 -  Step 3: Build Systems That Stick
24:52 - Step 4: Pick ONE Primary Goal
28:08 - Where to Begin? The Reply Guy Strategy
31:08 - WHY Building an Audience Matters

Key Points:

• ACP framework for building an audience in 2025: Audience (people passionate about your niche), Community (hardcore followers), and Product (what you sell)
• The four-step playbook includes identifying your audience, finding your format, creating systems, and setting goals
• Starting as a "reply guy" on platforms like X (Twitter) is recommended as a low-pressure way to begin building an audience
• Building an audience serves as an "insurance policy" that provides options for future business opportunities

1) The ACP Framework: Your Foundation

A = Audience (people passionate about your topic)
C = Community (your hardcore followers)
P = Product (what you sell to them)

The KEY insight: Start with audience FIRST, then community, then product.

Why? Because audience-first gives you OPTIONS and CONFIDENCE when you launch.

2) Step 1: Identify Who You're Creating For

Don't just create random content. Be strategic!

• Focus on people interested in YOUR specific niche
• Understand what they're NOT getting from others
• Find your unique "sauce" (Greg gives away ALL his startup ideas)
• If not getting engagement, start one level broader than your niche

Example: Jonathan's company wanted to be known for design sprints, but started with broader UX content to build audience first.

3) Step 2: Find Your Format

Your format is HOW you deliver your content. This is CRUCIAL but often overlooked!

• Test one format each business day
• Look for formats OUTSIDE your niche (don't copy what's saturated)
• Consider what's working platform-wide (short-form video in 2025)
• Focus on what feels NATURAL (or you'll quit)
• Test for 90 days and let data guide you

Remember: Formats have lifecycles! What works today might not work in 6 months.

4) Step 3: Build Systems That Stick

The difference between creators who quit and those who succeed? SYSTEMS.

System breakdown:
• Build a "creative faucet" routine (what gets your ideas flowing?)
• Create an ideas capture system (Greg uses Apple Notes)
• Schedule weekly time to turn ideas into content
• Be strategic with timing (post when your audience is active)

5) Step 4: Pick ONE Primary Goal

Don't try to do everything at once!

• Choose ONE metric (100K followers? 25K email list? $1M in sales?)
• Measure your formats against this goal every 90 days
• Optimize for your goal, not vanity metrics
• Remember: attention is SCARCE - build it as an asset

The BEST advice: Just start! Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis.

6) Where to Begin? The Reply Guy Strategy

Feeling overwhelmed? Start as a "reply guy" on X:

• Less pressure than posting on your own profile
• Lets you experiment with formats
• Builds connections with established creators
• Gives you confidence before going solo

7) WHY Building an Audience Matters

An audience is your INSURANCE POLICY:

• Gives you clarity into your niche
• Creates a pool of potential customers/users
• Provides job opportunities during recessions
• Allows you to monetize when needed

Notable Quotes:

"The audience first approach gives you so many options, also gives you so much confidence when you release something and people actually use it." - JC

"I think the number one reason why anyone should create an audience is to have something to fall back on, period. It's like an insurance policy." - Greg

Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)

Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jicecream
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/
AJ&Smart: https://ajsmart.com/

My Year In Review: Lessons To Make 2024 Your Best Year Yet28 Dec 202300:36:00

In this special end-of-year episode, Greg looks back at his biggest wins, biggest losses, business epiphanies, productivity unlocks, and so much more. 


📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free: https://www.gregisenberg.com/


70,000+ people are already subscribed.


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Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

TIMESTAMPS


0:00 Intro

0:47 Big wins

07:11 Big losses

11:16 Business epiphanies

18:56 Productivity unlocks

22:11 Audience growth 

28:20 Game-changing products

36:22 Net worth & investment breakdown

39:26 Business updates

6 JUICY Startup Ideas For 2024, with legends Theo Tabah and Jordan Mix21 Dec 202301:05:56

Today I'm joined by Late Checkout’s Chief Operating Officer Theo Tabah and Operating Partner Jordan Mix.


We talk about the importance of trust in business, our main takeaways from 2023, and six juicy startup ideas you can steal for 2024. 


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE


Theo’s socials:

X: https://twitter.com/TheoTabah


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theotabah/

Jordan’s socials:

X: https://twitter.com/jrdnmix

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro

01:28 Why trust is the key to business success

08:44 Productized partnerships

11:40 How Greg and Jordan met on X

17:40 Finding out what fuels you

21:51 Scalable consulting

25:31 Greg’s biggest regret of 2023

30:16 First business idea: Locket for creators

37:42 Second business idea: Apple Vision Pro bars

45:10 Third business idea: A multi-industry fitness product 

49:47 Fourth business ideas: Neighborhood work clubs

58:02 Fifth business idea: Cup of sugar, an app to meet your neighbors

01:02:44 Sixth business idea: Right hand, assistance for solopreneurs

THE BIGGEST STARTUP OPPORTUNITIES IN 2024 BY LEAN STARTUP GUY ERIC RIES14 Dec 202300:46:41

Greg interviews Eric Ries, author of "The Lean Startup" and founder of The Long Term Stock Exchange.

They talk about how to test business ideas, why businesses with a social mission will outperform, and opportunities in AI.

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community, creators, and commerce. You'll also find out when new and exclusive episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckoutstudio.ck.page/


FIND GREG ON SOCIAL:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga


LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:

Production Team:

https://PodFlow.com

ERIC RIES:

Eric Ries's Newsletter: https://theleanstartup.com

Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE): https://ltse.com

Lean Startup Corporate Training and Events: https://leanstartup.co

X: https://twitter.com/ericries

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eries/


TIMESTAMPS:

00:34 Concept of AI companies being funded differently

02:06 Longevity of wrapper AI startups and platform wars

07:16 Benefits of creating viral startups

11:07 Idea of buying non-AI startups and adding AI capabilities

14:08 Approaches to quickly understand customer needs in a new space

21:41 Eric's point about companies doing the right thing and the importance of trust

36:23 First Business Idea: Religion startup - HQ trivia meets a church

37:08 Second Business Idea: Social network for gig workers

38:31 Third Business Idea: AI accountability bots

Faceless YouTubers, Millions of Views30 Nov 202300:36:20

Greg interviews Dru Riley, founder of Trends.vc, a newsletter and community for founders interested in new business ideas and markets.

They talk about growing newsletter subscribers, opportunities for "faceless" YouTube channels built using AI, systemizing companies, and more.


►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,  
creators and commerce. You'll also find out when new and exclusive  
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.  
  
https://latecheckoutstudio.ck.page/
  
FIND GREG ON SOCIAL:  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg  
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/  
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga  
  
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:  
Production Team:  
https://PodFlow.com

Dru Riley:
• Company site: https://trends.vc
• Personal site: https://druriley.com
• X: https://twitter.com/DruRly
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drurly/

  
TIMESTAMPS:  

00:45 - Dru introduces Trends.vc

02:00 - Newsletter co-registration


04:45 - Newsletter metrics


07:15 - Jumping on new media formats


9:08 - "Faceless" YouTube channels


16:15 - Examples of faceless channels


17:50 - Non-obvious ad sponsorship opportunities


23:00 - Custom GPTs


28:17 - Productizing execution


33:20 - Picking ideas to pursue

A Billion Views, but Where's the Profit?23 Nov 202300:39:33

Greg interviews Dylan Jardon and Henry Belcaster, founders of Clipt.co, an explainer video and animation studio.

They talk about starting a "hot girl agency," the challenges of monetizing YouTube content, and wanting fame versus staying anonymous, and more.

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community, creators and commerce. You'll also find out when new and exclusive episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckoutstudio.ck.page/

FIND GREG ON SOCIAL:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:

Production Team: https://PodFlow.com
Dylan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dylanjardon
Dylan's X: https://twitter.com/DylanJardon
Henry's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HenryBelcaster
Henry's X: https://twitter.com/HenryBelcaster
Their newsletter: http://smartnonsense.com


Timestamps:

1:15 - Hot girl idea


8:00 - Building audience


12:00 - Fame vs anonymity


16:45 - Getting recognized


19:50 - Long-term vision


24:00 - Greg's advice: focus

28:15 - Juggling ideas


31:00 - Clipt fees & costs


35:00 - Timeless inspiration

Do This to Be Interesting Online16 Nov 202300:37:30

Greg interviews Nathan Barry, founder of ConvertKit, which makes email, automation, and monetization tools for creators.  

They talk about how to be interesting online, and different ways to monetize online content.

  
►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,  
creators and commerce. You'll also find out when new and exclusive  
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.  
  
https://latecheckoutstudio.ck.page/
  
FIND ME ON SOCIAL:  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg  
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/  
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga  
  
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:  
Production Team:  
https://PodFlow.com
Nathan Bary
https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
https://ConvertKit.com
http://nathanbarry.com
  
SHOW NOTES:  
00:45 How to be interesting online

02:30 Combining education and entertainment

04:00 Storytelling for mundane stories

06:00 Improving comedy/storytelling skills

15:00 Video content spreads well

17:15 Studying comedy

19:30 Blending journeys and storytelling

21:45 Hiring out comedians

24:15 Learning monetization skills

27:00 Considering scalable business models

29:15 Running companies long-term

31:15 Building "skyscraper" products

34:00 Blending agencies and software

Pomp's Newsletter Business Building Strategies09 Nov 202300:36:47

I'm joined by investor and entrepreneur Anthony "Pomp" Pompliano. Pomp hosts The Pomp Podcast, with over 50 million downloads, and writes a daily letter read by 250,000+ investors.

We talk about Pomp's approach to building resilient media properties, thinking long-term, and his best book recommendations for internet business success.


►►Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for insights on community, creators and commerce. You'll also find out when new and exclusive episodes come out from Where It Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga


BOOKS POMP MENTIONED

Unreasonable hospitality by John O'Leary

The Successor by Lachlan Murdoch

The 50th Law by Robert Greene and 50 Cent

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Suleiman Ollian by Anonymous

How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis

Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson

The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon

Hidden Genius by Polina Marinova

The Outsiders by Will Thorndike

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

Urgency by John P. Kotter

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Good Profit by Charles Koch

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE

Production Team: https://podflow.com
Pomp on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APompliano
Pomp on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/anthonypompliano
Pomp's newsletter: https://pomp.substack.com


SHOW NOTES

  1. 0:15 - Anthony's provocative dinners for hidden beliefs
  2. 01:45 - Climate change evidence not as compelling
  3. 02:30 - Scarcity of unique perspectives in newsletters
  4. 03:00 - Click rates over open rates for engagement
  5. 03:45 - Media as repetitive software
  6. 04:15 - Bay Area Times' visual newsletters
  7. 05:15 - Unique Bitcoin perspective in Truth for the Commoner
  8. 06:00 - Bay Area Times' rapid growth
  9. 07:00 - Open rates for brand awareness, click rates for direct response
  10. 08:15 - Agora's focus on ecommerce conversions
  11. 10:15 - Monetization through hedge funds
  12. 11:15 - Joe Rogan's podcast profitability
  13. 14:00 - Bay Area Times' positive industry news
  14. 15:00 - Profitability before monetization for Bay Area Times
  15. 18:15 - Small teams and revenue for entrepreneurs
  16. 20:15 - Small teams for greater profitability
  17. 21:15 - Studying media greats like Rupert Murdoch
  18. 26:15 - Podcasts for expertise sharing
  19. 29:00 - Economic freedom and financial security
  20. 32:00 - Impactful employment business
  21. 33:00 - Small acts making the world better
  22. 34:45 - Pomp's book recommendation  
Yung Pueblo’s Self-Love Empire05 Oct 202300:42:04

Today Greg is joined by New York Times Best-Selling Author, and Instagram Celebrity Yung Pueblo, whose real name is Diego Perez. In this episode, Greg and Diego talk about building an audience through meaningful writing, turning it into books, and using that influence to build companies that expand the vision expressed in writing that got it all started. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce. You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where It Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE
Production Team:
https://podflow.com
Diego Perez / Yung Pueblo:
https://yungpueblo.com
http://instagram.com/yung_pueblo


SHOW NOTES
02:45 - What compassionate venture means.
06:01 - How he thinks of each of his businesses - books, social media and venture capital
09:19 - How he thinks about building on other social platforms versus email?
12:45 - Comparing his business's structure to other writers' structures.
16:00 - Social media entrepreneurs he looks up to.
18:47 - Should I write a book?
21:54 - A comparison of getting published and self-publishing.
25:04 - The importance of the pen name Young Pueblo.
40:00 - How to learn meditation.

How Jay Clouse Built a $500,000 ARR Community (in Less than 2 Years)21 Sep 202300:47:41

Today Greg is joined by Jay Clouse of Creator Science. In this episode, Greg and Jay talk about the upsides of cohort-based courses and what strategies Jay uses to achieve his 95% retention rate. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Jay Clouse
https://twitter.com/jayclouse
https://creatorscience.com/

SHOW NOTES
0:00 - Intro
5:40 - How Jay studies top creators 
12:10 - Courses vs. Membership Community
19:30 - How Jay attracts audiences
24:20 - The secret dividends of viral posts
30:40 - Being a distributor vs. being an artist
43:30 - Why retention is the golden metric

Info Diets, OG Content Creators, and 7-year Lifespans14 Sep 202300:39:39

Today Greg is joined by Julien Smith, the CEO of Practice, bestselling author of The Flinch, and executive coach. In this episode, Greg and Julien talk about the podcasts, books, and x/twitter feeds that entrepreneurs should be reading and following. They also explore why you should think of your life in seven-year increments. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Julien Smith
https://twitter.com/julien
http://juliensmith.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
7:27 - The Silicon Valley info diet
13:47 - The network multiplier of high quality content
20:35 - How to play the content long-game
30:56 - Think of you life in 7-year increments

Model Context Protocol (MCP), clearly explained14 Mar 202500:20:31

I’m joined by Ras Mic to explain MCPs. Mic breaks down how MCPs essentially standardize  how LLMs connect with external tools and services. While LLMs alone can only predict text, connecting them to tools makes them more capable, but this integration has been cumbersome. MCPs create a unified layer that translates between LLMs and services, making it easier to build more powerful AI assistants.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:39 - The Evolution of LLMs: From Text Prediction to Tool Use
07:51 - MCPs explained
11:11 - MCP Ecosystem Overview
13:59 - Technical Challenges of MCP
15:18 - Conclusion on MCP's Potential
16:00 - Startup Ideas for Developers and Non-Technical Users

Key Points:

• MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standard that creates a unified layer between LLMs and external services/tools
• LLMs by themselves are limited to text prediction and cannot perform meaningful tasks without tools
• MCP solves the problem of connecting multiple tools to LLMs by creating a standardized communication protocol
• The MCP ecosystem consists of clients (like Tempo, Windsurf, Cursor), the protocol, servers, and services

1) What are MCPs and why should you care?

MCPs are NOT some complex physics theory - they're simply STANDARDS that help LLMs connect to external tools and services.

Think of them as universal translators between AI models and the tools they need to be truly useful.

This is HUGE for making AI assistants actually capable!

2) The Evolution of LLMs: From Text Prediction to Tool Use

Stage 1: Basic LLMs can only predict text
• Ask ChatGPT to send an email? "Sorry, I can't do that"
• They're glorified text predictors (if I say "My big fat Greek..." it knows "wedding" comes next)
• Limited to answering questions, not DOING things

3) The Current State: LLMs + Tools

Stage 2: LLMs connected to tools
• Companies like Perplexity connect LLMs to search engines
• This makes them more useful but creates problems
• Each tool = different "language" the LLM must learn
• Connecting multiple tools = engineering NIGHTMARE

This is why we don't have Jarvis-level assistants yet! 

4) Enter MCPs: The Game-Changer

MCPs create a UNIFIED LAYER between LLMs and external services.

Instead of your AI speaking 10 different "languages" to use 10 different tools, MCPs translate everything into ONE language.

Result? LLMs can easily access databases, APIs, and services without massive engineering headaches.

5) The MCP Ecosystem Explained

The MCP system has 4 key components:

• MCP Client: User-facing apps like @tempoai, Windsurf, Cursor
• Protocol: The standardized communication method
• MCP Server: Translates between client and services
• Service: The actual tool (database, search engine, etc.)

Brilliant move by Anthropic: SERVICES must build MCP servers!

6) Why This Matters For Builders

For technical folks:
• Opportunity to build tools like MCP app stores
• Easier integration between services
• Less engineering headaches

For non-technical folks:
• Watch closely as standards evolve
• When standards finalize, new business opportunities will emerge
• Think of MCPs as Lego pieces you'll stack to build powerful AI apps

Notable Quotes:

"LLMs by themselves are incapable of doing anything meaningful... The only thing an LLM in its current state is good at is predicting the next text." - Ross Mike

"Think of every tool that I have to connect to make my LLM valuable as a different language... MCP, you can consider it to be a layer between your LLM and the services and the tools." - Ross Mike

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire — a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND MIC ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/rasmickyy
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rasmic

How Holdco Legend Michael Girdley is Playing Multi-Decade Games (and Winning)07 Sep 202300:54:18

Today Greg is joined by Michael Girdley--who's spent the last 30 years building a $100M+ holding company. In this episode, Greg and Michael talk about whether holding companies should take sexy VC money and how to be a decades-long player in a world of base hitters. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Michael Girdley
https://twitter.com/girdley
https://girdley.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
4:32 - Finding great businesses to buy
7:22 - Does Michael think Greg made a mistake by turning down $30M?
15:15 - Do this one thing before making a big decision
25:27 - Scalepath, EverthingMarketplaces.com, Reforge and other companies doing communities right
33:15 - The story behind Alamo Fireworks
44:58 - How Michael Girdley is playing the long game

3 Non-Obvious Networking Strategies That Work31 Aug 202300:40:06

Today Greg is joined by Phil Toronto, a Partner at Vayner/RSE. In this episode, Greg and Phil share their biggest cheat codes for saying 'yes' to the right kind of events and why being the person who brings others together is the biggest value add of all. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Phil Toronto
https://twitter.com/philtoronto

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
5:16 - Say 'no' to networking events
11:06 - Greg says 'yes' to a Tony Robbins event
23:06 - The power of proximity to a big cultural events
27:00 - Be the host


Personal Holding Companies: Build vs. Buy?17 Aug 202300:39:21

Today Greg is joined by Nick Huber. In the last 9 months, Nick has co-founded 6 companies in addition to Bolt Storage. In this episode, Nick and Greg break down the inner workings of a personal holding company and how to grow it at max speed with minimal risk. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Nick Huber
https://sweatystartup.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
3:23 - Twitter as a network accelerant 
8:15 - Personal Holding Companies 101
12:10 - Buy vs. Build
20:22 - Nick asks Greg for constructive feedback
26:39 - Avoid mental overload as a multipreneur
30:27 - Substack vs. ConvertKit


How to Turn a Podcast into an Empire10 Aug 202300:43:58

Today Greg is joined by Chris Hutchins, the host of All the Hacks, a podcast to upgrade your life, money, and travel. In this episode, Greg and Chris talk about the best reason to start a podcast and how to grow it way beyond sponsorship revenue. 


►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Chris Hutchins
https://www.allthehacks.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
4:15 - How to launch a successful podcast
14:00 - How to think about listener data
21:03 - How to "hack" a profitable media company
37:19 - Social strategies for podcasters

Status Games, Fame, and the Truth about FIRE03 Aug 202300:50:11

Today Greg is joined by Nicolas Cole, the co-founder of Ship 30 for 30, a daily writing challenge. In this episode, Greg and Nicolas talk about how much money it really takes to be free and why it's better to be anonymously rich than it is to be internet famous with no customers. 


►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberga

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Nicolas Cole:
https://www.ship30for30.com/
https://twitter.com/Nicolascole77

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
4:37 - Someone somewhere is working harder than you
12:48 - A mental model for competition
20:32 - How much money does it take to be "rich"?
30:51 - Status games

Billion-dollar Acquisitions, Private Jets, and the Art + Science of Persuasion27 Jul 202300:44:52

Today Greg is joined by Andy Ellwood, a startup operator, sales genius, and all-around curious human. In this episode, Greg and Andy talk about how curiosity increases your surface area for luck, why journaling is an underrated life skill, and why you should be growing your business, not your burn rate. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Andy Ellwood:
https://www.andyellwood.com/
https://www.andyellwood.com/journalchallenge
https://twitter.com/andyellwood

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
6:00 - Increasing your luck
16:30 - What religion tells us about community
26:40 - Journaling for creativity and clarity
39:25 - Grow your business, not your burn rate

Multipreneurship 101 and Why It Matters20 Jul 202300:48:18

Today Greg is joined by Jesse Pujji, the founder of Gateway X, a venture studio and holding company that builds and launches companies from scratch. In this episode, Greg asks Jesse how unfair advantages are gained and leveraged.

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Jesse Pujji:
https://twitter.com/jspujji
https://www.gateway.xyz/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
5:00 - The truth about agencies
16:14 - Framework for a successful agency
22:09 - Unfair advantages
36:32 - When to quit
40:16 - Advice for multipreneurs

How to Sell Picks and Shovels in an AI World29 Jun 202300:39:53

Today Greg is joined by Emma Lawler, the founder of Velvet, an infrastructure provider for cross-platform app authentication and monetization. In this episode, Greg and Emma talk about what trends are worth attention in an post-web3 world and why the Pick-and-Shovel Play could be the most exciting opportunity right now. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Emma Lawler:
https://www.velvet.cash/
https://twitter.com/emmaryanlawler
https://www.emmalawler.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
7:53 - Takeaways from working at The Skimm
18:45 - Business trends to pay attention to
33:56 - Why your should build a "boring" business

I met this guy who is the million dollar content flywheel king22 Jun 202300:44:44

Today Greg is joined by Case Kenny, the host of New Mindset, Who Dis? and author of "That's Bold of You". In this episode, Greg asks Case how he was able to build a one-man content creator flywheel that involves a newsletter, SMS community, podcast, books and merch.

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Case Kenny:
https://twitter.com/thecasekenny
https://newmindsetwhodis.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Turn a podcast into a content flywheel
10:55 - Mission + Rituals = Community
25:56 - Turn content into products

Mental Models from a Shrink for Entrepreneurs15 Jun 202300:37:12

Today Greg is joined by Peter Shallard, The Shrink for Entrepreneurs. In this episode, they'll talk about conscious blind spots and cognitive biases particular to bootstrapped and venture-backed founders. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Peter Shallard:
https://www.petershallard.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
4:47 - How to practice focus
16:12 - Bootrapped vs. Ventrure-backed mindsets
30:14 - The business of coaching

Manus AI replaces your AI tech stack? (Full Demo)12 Mar 202501:03:44

I’m joined by Min Choi to test if Manus AI can replace your AI tech stack. Throughout the episode, we test Manus AI's capabilities by asking it to create a DocuSign clone, research startup ideas, and analyze website SEO.
Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:18 - What is Manus AI?
• 03:58 - Project 1: DocuSign clone
• 16:54 - Project 2: Research Greg’s top startup ideas
• 27:09 - Security concerns with Manus AI 
• 30:16 - Manus bug and reboot 
• 32:06 - Deploying DocuSign Clone
• 39:42 - Project 3: SEO Optimization 
• 44:14 - Discussion of Manus’s Limitations and Scaling issues
• 48:23 - Project 4: Build a Flight Simulator Video Game
• 49:48 - AI companies facing scaling issues
• 52:05 - Where does Manus excel? 
• 53:48 - What Manus was able to accomplish during the episode

Key Points:

• Testing Manus AI by asking it to autonomously research, plan, and execute complex tasks
• Having Manus create a DocuSign clone, research startup ideas, and analyze website SEO
• Manus AI functions as a multi-agent system that can browse websites, write code, and deploy applications with minimal prompting
• The tool has limitations including context windows, deployment issues, and daily usage limits

1) What makes Manus AI different?

Unlike ChatGPT or Claude, Manus is a TRUE AGENT system that:
• Researches, plans, and executes simultaneously
• Controls browsers to gather information autonomously
• Creates full applications from simple prompts
• Deploys working code with minimal guidance

"It's the closest thing to AGI yet" - Min Choi

2) The DocuSign Clone Experiment 

With just a 4-WORD PROMPT ("create a DocuSign clone"), Manus:
• Researched DocuSign's core features
• Created a complete project structure
• Built login, document upload & e-signature functionality
• Generated deployable code

All without templates or boilerplate code!

3) Human-in-the-loop capabilities 

One of the MOST IMPRESSIVE features:
• You can interrupt Manus WHILE it's working
• Refine requirements mid-process
• Add constraints or pivot direction

When they narrowed focus to "just e-signature features," Manus immediately adjusted its plan without starting over.

4) Multi-agent workflow 

Manus feels like having MULTIPLE EMPLOYEES working simultaneously:
• A researcher gathering information
• A PM creating specifications
• A developer writing code
• A marketer analyzing opportunities

It's like an entire team in one tool!

5) Beyond coding: Marketing & Growth 

Manus can also:
• Analyze websites for SEO improvements
• Target specific audiences (like executives)
• Create content strategies
• Scrape data for market research

It's not just about building - it's about GROWING your business too.

6) Current limitations

Manus isn't perfect (yet):
• Context length limitations on complex tasks
• Deployment issues with sophisticated apps
• Daily usage limits (currently ~10 sessions)
• Server load causing errors as popularity grows

It's still beta, but even with limitations, it's REVOLUTIONARY.

7) Security considerations

Since Manus is a Chinese company, there are valid concerns:
• Be mindful of what data you share
• Don't connect personal accounts or payment systems
• Use for learning & experimentation

Min's advice: "Always be careful with the data you share online."

The BIG TAKEAWAY: We're witnessing a fundamental shift in how businesses will be built.

What used to take weeks now takes MINUTES.
What required TEAMS now needs just ONE PERSON with AI.

This is just the beginning of the agent AI revolution.

Notable Quotes:

"I think that we're getting closer and closer to sort of the glimpse into what the AGI is gonna look like." - Min Choi

"It feels like we have like four employees working at the same time... We've got this marketing person. We've got this researcher. We've got this cracked PM slash developer." - Greg Isenberg

Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)

Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND MIN ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/minchoi

The IRL Tribes That Could Change Your Life01 Jun 202300:51:20

Today Greg is joined by Antonio Neves, the creator of the Man Morning Newsletter and community. In this episode, you'll hear how to build an IRL mastermind from nothing and the grittiness it takes to get into the most selective tribes in startupland. 

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Antonio Neves:
https://theantonioneves.com/
https://twitter.com/TheAntonioNeves
https://www.manmorning.com/

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
13:22 - Why proximity is a tool
25:54 - The good, the bad, and the ugly of Man Morning
35:50 - Greg answers community questions

How The Rideshare Guy Turned Uber, Lyft Drivers into a Media Empire25 May 202300:30:36

Today Greg is joined by Harry Campbell, the founder of The Rideshare Guy. In this episode, Greg finds out how Harry turned a blog into a media company that was built to sell.

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Harry Campbell:
https://twitter.com/TheRideshareGuy
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCwyU2RqlalzpKIrUhYWHfw

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
2:55 - Branding and The Guy Mafia
9:52 - The Rideshare Guy business model
13:30 - Media businesses built to sell
27:06 - Harry's wisest words




400k Followers in 100 Days in an AI World18 May 202300:44:00

Today Greg is joined by Roberto Nickson, the entrepreneur and designer building Eluna AI, Metav3rse & MV3. In this episode, Greg and Roberto talk about how to win the game of social media using AI.

►►Subscribe to Greg's weekly newsletter for insights on community,
creators and commerce.You'll also find out when new and exclusive
episodes come out from Where it Happens. And it's totally free.

https://latecheckout.substack.com

FIND ME ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@gregisenberg

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team:
https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com
Roberto Nickson:
https://www.youtube.com/@RobertoNickson
https://twitter.com/rpnickson

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
2:42 - Why you probably need an alt account
10:27 - Roberto's advice for new creators
19:26 - Go slow to go fast
30:33 - Roberto gazes into the AI crystal ball



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