1,038 episodes

Leveling Up is a weekly interview series with entrepreneurs and marketers on the latest in business and marketing. Learn actionable strategies & tactics on how you can make your business grow and mistakes to avoid during your journey. Learn from individuals who have founded billion dollar companies to best-selling authors. Entrepreneur and host Eric Siu also shares insights and learnings along the way.

Leveling Up with Eric Siu Eric Siu

    • Business

Leveling Up is a weekly interview series with entrepreneurs and marketers on the latest in business and marketing. Learn actionable strategies & tactics on how you can make your business grow and mistakes to avoid during your journey. Learn from individuals who have founded billion dollar companies to best-selling authors. Entrepreneur and host Eric Siu also shares insights and learnings along the way.

    How Deep Pocket Monster Is Building A Business Empire | Pat Flynn

    How Deep Pocket Monster Is Building A Business Empire | Pat Flynn

    Pat Flynn and Eric Siu share key insights for entrepreneurial success, emphasizing storytelling, overcoming comparison, and building community. They highlight the evolution of income reports and the importance of delegation in scaling businesses. Their wisdom extends to parenting as entrepreneurs, emphasizing patience and continuous learning.

    Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/Fcq5V2D-euI 

    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:


    (00:00) Introduction and deep pocket monster


    (02:22) Card party events


    (03:49) The fallacy of view chasing


    (06:28) Creating a community experience


    (09:31) Growing the event and world records


    (13:04) The cost and value of events


    (21:35) The power of long-form content


    (25:56) Gamifying the content experience


    (33:59) Building a story bank


    (38:38) The dangers of comparison and self-reflection


    (41:24) Overcoming scarcity mindset and taking risks


    (45:16) The success of the SwitchPod


    (51:56) The power of mastermind groups


    (56:02) Balancing time and priorities


    (58:25) Transitioning to community-powered courses


    (1:04:00) The benefits of community and recurring revenue


    (1:13:46) Driving webinar attendance through YouTube


    (1:17:57) The evolution of sharing income reports


    (1:19:21) Transitioning from income reports to case studies


    (1:20:12) The shift to a case study-based approach


    (1:21:38) Generating revenue from books and courses


    (1:24:58) The acquisition of Winning Edits


    (1:26:53) Creating partnerships and building a community


    (1:27:21) Equity and partnerships in business


    (1:29:12) The concept of Commander's Intent


    (1:30:09) Finding the balance between micromanaging and trust


    (1:31:06) Considering a rebrand for Smart Passive Income


    (1:34:53) The power of affiliate marketing


    (1:35:42) The importance of aligning affiliate products with audience goals


    (1:37:37) The value of advisors and partnerships


    (1:38:36) The importance of selectivity in speaking engagements


    (1:39:37) Parenting as an entrepreneur


    (1:51:52) Staying patient and focusing on the long game


    Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3owDdLk7HL1dyQnkoBuRew 






    What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here


    Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes


    Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed


     
    Connect with Eric Siu: 
     

    Growth Everywhere

    Single Grain

    Leveling Up

    Eric Siu on Twitter

    Eric Siu on Instagram



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 2 hrs 1 min
    How I Bought an $8 Million Company with a $1 Hat | Kevin Espiritu

    How I Bought an $8 Million Company with a $1 Hat | Kevin Espiritu

    Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening, shares his journey from starting a gardening blog to building a multi-million dollar business. He discusses the growth of his YouTube channel, the importance of SEO and content strategy, and the acquisition of other gardening blogs to expand his reach. 

    Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/dticDXdRuh8 

    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

    (00:00) Wearing the hat: winning the biggest deal

    (01:01) Building epic gardening

    (03:47) The botanical interests deal

    (05:14) How wearing the hat made a difference

    (06:06) The angle of the botanical interests deal

    (09:28) Getting into gardening

    (10:54) Finding a hobby outside of business

    (12:44) Going all-in on epic gardening

    (20:33) Acquiring blogs for growth

    (25:48) The future of SEO

    (27:09) The importance of email marketing

    (28:49) Testing offers and opt-in rates

    (30:12) The role of a president in scaling

    (31:35) Finding the right operations guru

    (32:04) Recruiting and hiring 10X talent

    (33:00) The role of private equity in business growth

    (33:26) The benefits of executive recruiting and acquisitions

    (34:15) The value of learning from others in business

    (34:41) The parallels between poker and business

    (35:37) Why entrepreneurs should consider playing poker

    (36:07) Lessons learned from playing poker

    (37:27) Exploring mold toxicity and health

    (37:56) Getting into gardening and wood carving

    (40:12) The journey of epic homesteading

    (41:30) The beginner's approach to gardening

    (42:27) The benefits of growing citrus trees

    (43:30) The connection between gardening and business

    (43:59) The analogy of asparagus and long-term thinking

    (48:10) The importance of mental models in entrepreneurship

    (49:47) The need for action and real-world testing

    (52:23) The shift from reading to doing

    (53:46) The revolt against short-form content

    (54:45) The purpose of the personal YouTube channel

    (57:00) The importance of health and wellness for entrepreneurs

    (58:21) The value of long-form content and building relationships



    Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3owDdLk7HL1dyQnkoBuRew 






    What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here


    Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes


    Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed


     
    Connect with Eric Siu: 
     

    Growth Everywhere

    Single Grain

    Leveling Up

    Eric Siu on Twitter

    Eric Siu on Instagram



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 6 min
    How Your Business Can Stay Relevant in an AI-Run World (From Greg Isenberg's YouTube Video)

    How Your Business Can Stay Relevant in an AI-Run World (From Greg Isenberg's YouTube Video)

    Watch the Video Version on Greg Isenberg's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVqjPqPx3e8&t=171s

    Eric Siu and Greg Isenberg discuss various business ideas, including the concept of pay-for-performance agencies and the potential for AI agents in customer service. They explore opportunities in different industries, such as finance and hospitality, where pay-for-performance models can thrive. Additionally, they delve into the role of smart contracts in marketing and the potential for gamification in various aspects of life. The conversation highlights the importance of focus and the potential for agency businesses to generate significant profits.

    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:


    (00:01) Pay for performance agency business model


    (02:04) Potential industries for pay for performance


    (03:41) AI agents for customer service


    (06:09) Using AI agents to close deals and capture more value


    (08:03) Pay per performance conversion rate optimization agency


    (09:01) The role of smart contracts in marketing


    (10:04) Speculation and trust in smart contracts


    (12:07) Gamifying tasks and rewards


    (13:09) Gamifying household chores and incentives


    (13:42) The potential for building gamification platforms


    (14:13) Early adoption of spatial computing


    (15:31) The importance of taste in product design


    (16:01) Challenges with longevity practitioners and supplements


    (16:55) The growing interest in sleep and health


    (17:41) Accessibility of health experts and AI assistance


    (18:08) Greg Isenberg shares his idea for a less annoying nightguard that also whitens teeth.


    (19:06) Discussion about using mouth tape to force breathing through the nose while wearing a nightguard.


    (20:05) Conversation about creating anti-sweat slippers using bamboo materials.


    (21:30) Idea for creating community-focused organizations similar to EO and YPO.


    (22:35) Discussion on the potential of agency businesses and building generational wealth.


    (24:18) Greg Isenberg and Eric Siu discuss the benefits of focusing on agency businesses.


    (25:32) Opportunities in AI transformation agencies, programmatic SEO, and creative agencies.


    Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3owDdLk7HL1dyQnkoBuRew 






    What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here


    Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes


    Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed


     
    Connect with Eric Siu: 
     

    Growth Everywhere

    Single Grain

    Leveling Up

    Eric Siu on Twitter

    Eric Siu on Instagram



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 29 min
    How I Built A 9 Figure Network At 17 Years Old

    How I Built A 9 Figure Network At 17 Years Old

    Eric Siu interviews Greg Isenberg, the CEO of Late Checkout, delving into the nuances of community building. Greg, a master in this domain, shares insights on fostering online communities for substantial growth. They explore the future of programming, the importance of design skills, and the power of social media. Greg also discusses the role of AI in entrepreneurship and the challenges of diversity and inclusion.

    Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/kdnX63OEP5I 

    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:


    (00:00) Greg Isenberg has built communities of various sizes, from dozens to millions of people.


    (06:24) Greg Isenberg shares a story of paying for an expensive dinner as a teenager.


    (08:41) Greg Isenberg recounts attending a party at a co-founder of PayPal's house.


    (10:02) Greg Isenberg talks about his experience with StumbleUpon and how it led to the sale of his company.


    (12:19) Greg Isenberg discusses his interest in AI and how it relates to his innovation agency, LCA.


    (14:44) Greg Isenberg explains his approach to starting businesses as Twitter accounts or Discord communities.


    (18:25) Greg Isenberg explains why solopreneurship may not work for everyone and the benefits of having a team.


    (20:28) Eric Siu and Greg Isenberg discuss the challenges and potential success of hiring CEOs and GMs for businesses.


    (22:23) Eric Siu and Greg Isenberg discuss the importance of experience and expertise in giving advice.


    (25:46) Eric and Greg discuss their approach to coaching and supporting the businesses they invest in.


    (27:26) Greg shares his perspective on the future of venture capital, emphasizing the value of adding more than just financing to startups.


    (33:53) Greg Isenberg explains why most digital communities fail.


    (35:04) Greg Isenberg compares building a community to building a religion and explains the need for a strong mission.


    (36:16) Greg Isenberg highlights the opportunity to build a product or service for the 50% of Gen Z who feel disconnected.


    (42:30) Greg Isenberg emphasizes the importance of paying community managers well and recognizing their value.


    (48:16) The power of DMs and reaching out to people you admire.


    (49:04) Meeting one of his heroes, Rivers Cuomo from Weezer, through Twitter.


    (1:01:37) Benefits of using School as a community platform


    (1:04:38) Greg Isenberg has met Sam Ovens.


    (1:09:26) Eric Siu and Greg Isenberg discuss the importance of brand and design in standing out.


    (1:13:10) Greg Isenberg advises against reading design books and instead encourages hands-on practice


    (1:17:42) Greg Isenberg shares his Twitter content creation process and the importance of genuine ideas


    (1:20:48) Greg Isenberg spends a few thousand dollars on content


    (1:32:19) Eric Siu asks Greg Isenberg about other ideas he's excited about


    (1:36:19) Greg Isenberg shares his website and social media handles


    Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube!






    What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here


    Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes


    Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed


     
    Connect with Eric Siu: 
     

    Growth Everywhere

    Single Grain

    Leveling Up

    Eric Siu on Twitter

    Eric Siu on Instagram


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 38 min
    $200M Founder's Unusual Approach to Relationships

    $200M Founder's Unusual Approach to Relationships

    Patrick Campbell shares his entrepreneur's perspective on relationships and the parallels between business management and marital success. This episode packs in revelations about the value of alignment in relationships, the importance of a partner's shared vision, and practical approaches to nurture a deeply bonded partnership.

    Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/ew91lnFKYyI 

    Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube!

    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:


    (00:00) Patrick Campbell's background and introduction to his expertise in relationships


    (03:12) Importance of weekly one-on-one meetings with your partner


    (04:08) Setting boundaries and shared vision in a relationship


    (07:00) Conducting off-site retreats to discuss goals and aspirations


    (10:01) Conclusion and benefits of implementing relationship frameworks


    (11:24) Importance of alignment and shared values


    (12:05) Finding peace and contentment in life


    (14:40) Money does not solve emotional problems


    (15:45) Cutting out toxic loved ones


    (18:18) Existential crisis after selling a company


    (19:37) Learning to navigate wealth and deploy capital


    (20:24) Anxiety around money even with significant wealth


    (23:09) The value of frugality for entrepreneurs


    (24:52) The importance of challenging hard and fast rules


    (27:05) Unconventional marketing strategies for awareness


    (30:06) Examples of marketing experiments that worked


    (31:50) Patrick Campbell shares the strategy behind their personalized email campaign.


    (33:14) Offering $250 Amazon gift cards as an incentive for a call.


    (33:45) Using creative tactics like offering a Peloton if the trial doesn't work.


    (34:10) Sending a box with earplugs and an AirPods box to grab attention.


    (34:39) Achieving a 25% count-to-call rate with the campaign.


    (35:21) The importance of focusing on the middle 60% of leads.


    (36:13) The danger of automating too early in the sales process.


    (37:07) Taking marketing budget out and focusing on demand generation.


    (39:42) Incentivizing BDRs by having them report to marketing.


    (42:05) Ran email sequences like a code base with controlled tests


    (45:01) Targeting the full spectrum of demand


    (46:59) Compensation structure for BDRs


    (49:35) Importance of early pitching for AEs


    (50:08) Philosophy on executives' first 90 days


    (51:36) Executives' process and framework for learning


    (52:27) Evaluating an executive's learning process during hiring


    (52:27) Referrals and challenges in the interview process


    (53:30) Importance of testing for specific skills in candidates


    (54:36) Using engineering challenges for hiring


    (56:04) The impact of chat as a channel


    (57:29) Patrick's plans for starting a new company in healthcare


    (58:55) Patrick's mindset and commitment to his new venture


    (59:00) Find more about Patrick Campbell online






    What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here


    Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes


    Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed


     
    Connect with Eric Siu: 
     

    Growth Everywhere

    Single Grain

    Leveling Up

    Eric Siu on Twitter

    Eric Siu on Instagram



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Why Young People Are Poorer Than Ever | Humphrey Yang

    Why Young People Are Poorer Than Ever | Humphrey Yang

    Humphrey Yang discusses the financial challenges faced by younger generations and offers insights on building wealth. He highlights the significance of saving and investing, recommending a focus on index funds. He explains the compounding effect of wealth and the benefits of reaching $100K net worth. 

    Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/V4iPHetTgaI

    Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube!

    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: 


    (00:00) Introduction to Humphrey Yang


    (03:04) Opportunities for making more money


    (04:56) The benefits of job hopping


    (06:47) Personal experiences with job changes


    (09:36) Building wealth through saving and investing


    (13:16) How to become rich


    (19:19) Strategies to reach $100K net worth


    (21:13) The importance of owning assets


    (23:40) Asset allocation and real estate


    (25:30) Diversification and portfolio concentration


    (28:18) The role of financial advisors


    (30:37) The number one wealth killer: new cars


    (31:59) Money-saving hacks


    (34:21) The influence of mindset on money


    (35:44) Taking risks and privilege


    (37:39) The benefits of living at home


    (38:38) The power of saving and investing


    (39:35) Evaluating the macro economy


    (41:25) The challenges of the middle class


    (43:12) The influence of gaming on life and business


    (45:32) The role of YouTube in financial education


    (49:45) The breakout of the YouTube channel


    (57:27) The challenges of YouTube and momentum


    (1:00:07) The business expansion and diversification


    (1:04:06) Growing a newsletter


    (1:05:01) Monetizing YouTube


    (1:05:57) Crypto experiences


    (1:08:15) Blind spots and risks


    (1:10:24) Personal finance YouTube community


    (1:11:47) Starting a business with minimal risk


    (1:13:10) Podcasting and content distribution


    (1:16:40) Charging for brand deals


    (1:17:37) Controversial takes on personal finance






    What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here


    Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes


    Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed


     
    Connect with Eric Siu: 
     

    Growth Everywhere

    Single Grain

    Leveling Up

    Eric Siu on Twitter

    Eric Siu on Instagram


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 38 min

Top Podcasts In Business

A Book with Legs
Smead Capital Management
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
DOAC
声动早咖啡
声动活泼
Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Stanford GSB
Money Talks
CNA
Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition
Bloomberg

You Might Also Like

Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips
iHeartPodcasts
The Game w/ Alex Hormozi
Alex Hormozi
Noah Kagan Presents
Noah Kagan
Where It Happens
Where It Happens
My First Million
Hubspot Media
Capitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran
Capitalism.com