749 episodes

With 10M+ downloads and thousands of listener meetups worldwide, the TMBA Podcast is the hub for 7 & 8-figure founders who’ve built life-changing businesses while attaining personal freedom. New episodes every Thursday morning.

Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle Dan Andrews; Ian Schoen

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 456 Ratings

With 10M+ downloads and thousands of listener meetups worldwide, the TMBA Podcast is the hub for 7 & 8-figure founders who’ve built life-changing businesses while attaining personal freedom. New episodes every Thursday morning.

    #747 Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

    #747 Quiet Crypto, The Demand Question, and Difficult Decisions ft. Jordan Gal

    Dan talks to Jordan Gal, founder of Rally and co-host of the Bootsrapped Web podcast about challenges in the ecommerce space, product-market fit and demand, partnerships and veto power, the quietness of crypto, risking other people’s money, and more…


    There’s one thing that founders tend to really struggle with when it comes to growing their business and that’s getting the right team in place. Listen as Jordan shows Dan how and why he fires unfit team members.


    Dan & Ian’s Stuff:


    The Newsletter
    “The DC”
    DC Black
    Global events
    Hire remote talent
    Find a remote job
    Listen on YouTube
    Follow on Instagram
    @TropicalMBA
    @AnythingIan


    Chapters



    (00:04:22) News Update
    (00:05:58) From Player to Coach
    (00:06:50) Jack Welch
    (00:12:10) Bootstrapping vs Raising Money
    (00:15:52) Product-Market Fit and Adjustments
    (00:18:57) Partnerships and Veto Power
    (00:20:42) Deciding When to Pivot
    (00:36:27) Firing and Personnel Decisions
    (00:43:30) The Quietness of Crypto
    (00:48:05) Challenges in E-commerce
    (00:57:30) Impact of Having a Family


    Links:



    Bootsrapped Web podcast
    Jordan on Twitter
    Rally
    Winning


    Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree, Jordan Gal


    Additional episodes you might enjoy:


    A Shopify Software Business Success Story (Jordan Gal)


    How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway


    A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

    • 1 hr 1 min
    #746 “Full-Service Agencies Are Out” & Other Productized-Service Ideas

    #746 “Full-Service Agencies Are Out” & Other Productized-Service Ideas

    Dan & Ian talk to John Doherty, the founder of Editor Ninja, former owner of Credo, and cohost of the Working Sessions podcast about three major trends he’s seeing in the agency space that could impact your strategy and profitability for the year and beyond.


    John talks about the challenges of running a full-service agency, a shift towards specialization in productized services, the need for outsourced strategic layers, focusing on profitability, and more.


    Stick around for the guys to reveal six productized-service business ideas.


    Dan & Ian’s Stuff:


    The Newsletter
    “The DC”
    DC Black
    Global events
    Hire remote talent
    Find a remote job
    Listen on YouTube
    Follow on Instagram
    @TropicalMBA
    @AnythingIan


    Chapters



    (00:02:04) News with Dan & Ian
    (00:05:20) Introducing John Doherty
    (00:06:46) Starting Credo and EditorNinja
    (00:09:30) Trends in the Agency Space
    (00:11:27) Building a Strategic Program
    (00:28:10) Focus on Profitability
    (00:30:40) Importance of Work Quality
    (00:31:55) Categories for Business Opportunities
    (00:32:42) Software Quality Assurance as a Service
    (00:35:57) TikTok Titan: Leveraging TikTok for Business
    (00:38:54) SAAAS: Systems Automation as a Service
    (00:40:28) Managed VA Service for Social Media
    (00:43:57) Fractional Business Strategist
    (00:45:23) Financial Dashboard as a Service
    (00:50:44) Workbooks for Business Metrics


    Links:



    Find John on Twitter
    EditorNinja


    Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz, Greg Crabtree


    Additional episodes you might enjoy:


    “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree


    How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway


    A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

    • 54 min
    #745 “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

    #745 “3 Million in Revenue is a Death Zone" - Financial Strategy with Greg Crabtree

    Transitioning through the death zone requires careful execution and a focus on profitability. The $3 million dollar mark is a critical milestone for businesses, and many struggle to push through it.


    In this episode, Dan talks to Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! about how founders can push through the death zone (otherwise known as the messy middle) and grow their profit far beyond that $3M mark.


    Some of the common mistakes made by founders include not understanding profit truth, not investing in finance and accounting, and not effectively managing labor efficiency.


    Dan & Ian’s Stuff:


    The Newsletter
    “The DC”
    DC Black
    Global events
    Hire remote talent
    Find a remote job
    Listen on YouTube
    Follow on Instagram
    @TropicalMBA
    @AnythingIan


    Chapters



    (00:00:39) Introduction and the Death Zone
    (00:05:26) The Impact of Paying a Market-Based Wage
    (00:06:53) Behavioral Economics and Profit Truth
    (00:10:34) The Definition of a Fully Capitalized Business
    (00:12:39) Transitioning through the Death Zone
    (00:13:16) The Three Steps to Business Success
    (00:15:04) Remaining Profitable in the Death Zone
    (00:15:50) Different Capital Profiles and Cashflow
    (00:16:53) The Emotional Challenge of Spending in the Death Zone
    (00:19:52) The Executional Problem of Growth
    (00:20:27) Getting Through the Black Hole
    (00:21:51) The $3 Million Mark
    (00:23:15) The Worth of Going Through the Zone
    (00:26:22) Managing a Marketing Agency Past $5 Million
    (00:31:16) Common Mistakes Made by Founders
    (00:33:25) Understanding Profit Truth
    (00:40:23) Investing in Finance and Accounting


    Links:


    - Apply to win a free ticket to DC Mexico!



    Simple Numbers, Straight Talk. Big Profits!


    Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz


    Additional episodes you might enjoy:


    How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway


    A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome


    Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

    • 44 min
    #744 How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway

    #744 How Transparent Should You Be? Thoughts on Queen Bee Roles & a Ticket Giveaway

    This week Dan & Ian share a few thought experiments you can do to improve your business and reach your next breakthrough.


    They cover the value of a writing-first culture, the Queen Bee Role & how transparent should you be with your team?


    Plus, a ticket giveaway to one qualified founder.


    Dan & Ian’s Stuff:


    The Newsletter
    “The DC”
    DC Black
    Global events
    Hire remote talent
    Find a remote job
    Listen on YouTube
    Follow on Instagram
    @TropicalMBA
    @AnythingIan


    Show Notes



    (00:00:41) Intro
    (00:01:33) Business-changing events for founders
    (00:10:54) Writing is more important than you think
    (00:14:57) Writing culture vs meeting culture
    (00:20:49) The Queen Bee Role exercise
    (00:32:37) Thoughts about sharing revenue with team members


    Links:



    Apply to win a free ticket to DC Mexico!
    Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz


    Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz


    Additional episodes you might enjoy:


    The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition


    A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome


    Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

    • 41 min
    #743 Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

    #743 Spotting Taboo Business Ideas Through the Overton Window

    Going deeper on shiny object syndrome, Dan & Ian open the mailbag to read responses to last week’s episode. A listener shares his success story with shiny object syndrome, revealing how he pursues his entrepreneurial impulses without growing crazy. The listener emphasizes the value of muscle memory when it comes to going from zero to one successfully.


    Dan & Ian will also discuss how to use societal and scene shifts to gain traction on an idea and even build a successful business out of an idea that might seem a little stupid (to everyone else) at the time.


    Plus, we’re looking for our next TMBA team member! If you love reading and writing about business topics and think working alongside Dan & Ian might seem like fun (or a little stupid!), let's talk.


    Dan & Ian’s Stuff:


    The Newsletter
    “The DC”
    DC Black
    Global events
    Hire remote talent
    Find a remote job
    Listen on YouTube
    Follow on Instagram
    @TropicalMBA
    @AnythingIan


    Show Notes



    (00:00:54) Intro
    (00:01:13) If you love reading and writing about business, come work with us at the TMBA.
    (00:09:17) The two most popular roles that bootstrapped companies are hiring for right now and how much they're paying.
    (00:14:55) How founders get derailed by the Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect
    (00:19:50) Why even your heroes’ businesses are shit shows
    (00:20:33) How one listener channels his shiny object syndrome to grow his million-dollar business
    (00:26:27) What founders often regret about selling their business
    (00:30:30) Identifying societal disruptions can be a way for bootstrappers to be disruptive and successful
    (00:30:42) What Mark Manson, Patt Flynn, and Muhammad Ali have in common
    (00:39:54) Having a strong perspective could be what you’re missing


    Links:


    Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all)
    Join us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this May
    The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition
    Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon
    The score takes care of itself (Bill Walsh)
    You can have two Big Things, but not three


    Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz


    Additional episodes you might enjoy:


    Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings


    Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023


    End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

    • 53 min
    #742 A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

    #742 A Podcast About Shiny Object Syndrome

    Dan & Ian delve into the complexities of combating shiny object syndrome, a challenge that plagues all entrepreneurs at one time or another (or all the time).


    They’ll talk about six strategies for tackling “the syndrome” and how to harness your skill of going zero-to-one to grow your business to the next level.


    Dan & Ian’s Stuff:


    The Newsletter
    “The DC”
    DC Black
    Global events
    Hire remote talent
    Find a remote job
    Listen on YouTube
    Follow on Instagram
    @TropicalMBA
    @AnythingIan


    Show Notes:



    (00:00:33) Intro
    (00:03:05) How to connect with other founders by the beach (come to DC Mexico in May)
    (00:11:08) DC Black is now accepting new members year-round
    (00:17:54) Can shiny object syndrome be cured? Or am I doomed?
    (00:20:31) Why entrepreneurs are great at the 0 to 1, and how to apply that skill set towards the next phase of your goals
    (00:26:27) Six approaches to solving and harnessing your shiny object syndrome


    Links:


    Podcast producer job post
    Sign up for a DC Black Q&A virtual meeting (open to all)
    Join us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this May
    The Anti-Agency Agency + High ROI Customer Acquisition
    Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon
    The score takes care of itself (Bill Walsh)
    You can have two Big Things, but not three


    Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour, Nick Huber, Mike Michalowicz


    Additional episodes you might enjoy:


    Business Basics: Revenue Durability, “Small” Goals, & High-Leverage Meetings


    Non-Obvious Ways to Grow Your Business + Favorite Moments of 2023


    End-of-Year Brainstorming, Goal-Setting, and a Mexico Meltdown

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
456 Ratings

456 Ratings

ConcreteLion ,

Entertaining + Informative

Fun and interesting podcast even for the casual listener. (You don’t need an MBA!) Dan and the gang are both well-spoken and well-informed.

pffan22 ,

Great interview

Came across the interview with Sam @ Financial Samurai - loved it. Thanks for hosting!

Financial Samurai ,

Awesome

Fantastic podcast! Dan has been around forever and is one of the first people I started following in 2009. I see the longevity! -Sam

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