Today we'll talk about a guy in the Adirondacks who sells wood for $10 when everyone else around him sells it for $5. He sells 10x more wood than all his competitors and it's all due to being able to answer one question really well. We'll dig into that question and how you can leverage it to build your business on this week's Idea to Startup. Tacklebox MethodElephant water skiing on the Hudson RiverThe Effective Executive

The apartment I live in was on the market for a year without a bid, then sold in a bidding war for well above ask in a week. What the heck happened? Today's episode breaks down why people took action (and a framework to create it).  Tacklebox Method Sell The Position (🐐 episode)

People keep telling us they're stuck. The next three pods are stories that'll get your juices flowing. It'll be impossible to be stuck after them. Today's is about Selling The Position - it's probably the most helpful single concept we've ever discussed on the pod. Seth Godin - The Wrong BusTacklebox Method 

Lots of people come into our orbit because they'd like to get their startup to a point where they can quit their full-time job and transition over. Here's what you need to do before you quit - and what'll happen to you and your idea once you do. If you're looking for a kick in the ass, this might be it.Tacklebox MethodThe Artists Way  

We leverage Yu-kai Chou's Octalysis Framework to think through motivating customers. We test it out using a startup idea that's come across Brian's desk recently: a network of Airstream trailers, dropped on people's property, that digital nomads can subscribe to. How would we motivate these people to take action? What can we test? The framework leads the way as we kickstart the business. Tacklebox MethodYu-Kai Chou (Twitter)Yu-Kai Chou (Blog)Actionable Gamification

In part two of our Mailbag series, Brian answers listener questions on how to run lean, inexpensive, fast tests on an idea that seemingly has big up front costs (we launch tests for the pasta startup), how niche is too niche, and a framework to deal with stress as a founder.As always, thank you for the questions, and if you'd like to submit a question, email it to [email protected]  Notes:Tacklebox MethodThe roles available at Oar include: VP, Engineering: https://jobs.jobvite.com/newco/job/ohVGffwRVP, Product: https://jobs.jobvite.com/newco/job/oeUFffwMUI/UX Designer: https://jobs.jobvite.com/newco/job/oTUFffwrSoftware Engineer: https://jobs.jobvite.com/newco/job/oCUFffwaStrategy, Finance and Operations Director: https://jobs.jobvite.com/newco/job/otcRgfwwSocial Media and Outreach Specialist: https://jobs.jobvite.com/newco/job/oebRgfwg 

Brian answers emails from listeners on a startup ethos, examples of great marketing - leveraging behavioral economics to remove friction and The Rent Is Too Damn High guy, nootropics (sort of), and the best inputs for the best outputs. We also start a travel company for couples.   Tacklebox MethodAll the books I mentioned Podcasts How I Built ThisThe Dave Chang ShowNo Stupid QuestionsIndie Hackers

Lots of entrepreneurs spend their time trying to figure out if their startup idea is "good." They wonder if they can raise funding and build a team. But so much of our idea evaluation ignores the most fundamental building block of a startup - the magic moment that will spur organic growth. There is no funding or team or business without that initial magic, so maybe the best route is to reverse engineer a business from that moment?On today's episode, we talk through a startup where people gather together to tread water, comparing it to Peloton and Mirror, and talk about starting with a moment and working backwards.   Tacklebox Method (Podcast Listener Page)How Mirror GrewBooks on why people share:ContagiousMade to StickPredictably Irrational

Are you finding your startup's hidden lottery tickets? What are the opportunities hiding in plain sight that will drastically amplify your output? We talk through Bumble, vertical farms, poker, and derivatives trading, and set up prompts for you to identify hidden lottery tickets that'll catalyze your startup.The Tacklebox MethodFound a ska version of I Want It That Way - looking for something better

We are BACK.We talk through how to approach a startup idea in a space you aren't in expert in, how to build momentum and make decisions fast, and the problem mindset. We also talk through how everyone was wrong about Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken and what that means for Brian's vertical farm startup. The Tacklebox Method - link to discount for ITS listenersFounder Venn Diagram - free, in Foundations -> Founder Venn DiagramThe Growth Mindset Tom Eisenmann interview - Why Startups Fail  

Jeff Sheldon is the founder of Ugmonk, a company I have an enormous amount of admiration for. It's a thoughtful, purposeful, highly effective business that creates and curates beautifully designed products. Jeff has run and grown the business slowly and sustainably (without funding), building an incredibly engaged customer base. This strong customer affinity allows him to launch products through crowdfunding campaigns without a massive marketing budget.We talk through how he built Ugmonk, how he thinks about curation and design, and we go deep on his most recent Kickstarter campaign - a ~half million dollar raise for Analog.  UgmonkAnalogTacklebox Self Serve Accelerator

The past 15 months kicked our butts. We all picked up some terrible habits, and we get a pass for it. But now it's time to dig ourselves out of the hole.This episode goes through three questions that'll help you refocus, tactics to find your North Star, and a framework to reset your inputs. There's never been a better time to build a startup, and if you haven't got an idea or are deciding between a few - this is the place to start. Spirited AwayTacklebox

Inertia is the tendency to not change. Everyone is on a path driven by inertia, which leads just about everyone to always repeat the same things. Which is a problem if you're starting a startup, since you need people to do something different (buy your thing).In this episode we talk through inertia and how to build startups that leverage it vs. fight it, with cameos from Javier the Hot Air Balloon Guy, Erin Andrews, and Donald Trump. SPONSOR: Bluprint + their Indiegogo campaign - the only coffee maker that cares about your entire dayTacklebox article: Don't Edit Your Deck, Edit Your InvestorsArticle on Erin Andrews + Donald Trump on social media  

Today we've got Tom Eisenmann on the pod. He's an entrepreneurship teacher at HBS and the author of the white-hot startup book "Why Startups Fail." We had a blast talking through all the mistakes startups make and the best ways to avoid them. We also talk through how to validate when you've got big up front costs, when domain experts are important (and when they're not), and how to start the gig-economy version of the private chef. Why Startups FailTacklebox Cohort 28 (Apply)Validate Your Startup Idea in a Weekend (Webinar)The Mom TestFour Steps to the Epiphany

There’s one decision that early stage founders make that can drastically tip the tables in their favor.  This is a tactical episode, helping you push through the critical question of what customer segment to target first. We delve into a framework to help you identify and evaluate customer segments as your startup evolves. Tacklebox Cohort 28 starts June 2 - apply by May 15Tacklebox Self-Serve no cohort, grow at your own pace

This week's ITS Classic covers whether your startup idea is any good. We talk through a failed startup Brian ran called Find Your Lobster, present a framework to ensure you choose the startup idea that best matches your skillset, and how to stay away from the dreaded Whisper Idea. Byldd is a venture studio that’s democratizing software entrepreneurship.Tacklebox Accelerator Cohort 28 starts June 2, applications are due May 15th.

I recently asked a good investor friend of mine what he thought the most underrated but important skill for entrepreneurs in 2021 was. He responded quickly - storytelling. The amount of compelling copy a startup needs to write in 2021 is astounding - from ads to emails to socials to pitch decks - and the base rate has gotten extremely high. A startup can only be as successful as it's messaging, and that all starts with a founder's ability to tell the story of their customer and their product. Today's ITS Classic episode talks through storytelling archetypes that'll help you write compelling copy and become a 10x better marketer.  Tacklebox Cohort 27 starts June 2, Apply by May 1Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling 

We revisit an episode from the early days of the podcast on an operating system for founders. Not everything I say here has stuck, and not everything I do I recommend. But the bones of this podcast are rock solid. Being thoughtful about how you work and what you work on is the key for building a startup in the margins. And, everyone has more margins now. If you're one of the people who isn't going to have to commute again, this is your chance. Build an internal operating system so you maximize your output without burning out or killing your creativity.Tacklebox Cohort 28 (Apply by May 1, starts June 2) Tacklebox Self-Serve (if you want to go through the cohort content at your own pace)  

Predicting a startup will fail is like betting every number on the roulette wheel except that green double zero and then puffing out your chest when one of your numbers hits. It's just not impressive to predict that something going up against overwhelming odds won't beat those odds.And yet.... Sometimes people build startups like horses asses. And in that case, they need to be called out.This podcast originally aired the day Quibi launched back in April of 2020 and gave the company 18 months to survive. It didn't come close. This podcast isn't dancing on the grave of a company that failed. It's pointing out all the completely predictable and avoidable mistakes the company made so you won't make them, too. Tacklebox Cohort 28 (June 2)  

We're told the curious entrepreneurs are the most successful. But we're also told we need to be experts for our startups to work. How do you balance being curious and learning with being seen as an expert?Today, we explore curiosity through one of the best founders to ever go through Tacklebox, and through another founder just getting started building something in the Space...space.Tacklebox Accelerator (next program June 2) Tacklebox Self-Paced Accelerator (next program whenever you'd like)Ted Lasso Darts Scene

You get startup advice constantly. Your ears probably perk up when it comes from an entrepreneur that's been successful. But what should you listen to? What's still relevant? How can you evaluate if the tactics an entrepreneur suggests are right for you? Today we talk through survivorship bias, how to take advice, how to check base rates, and how to decide on the right strategies for your startup. Plus, librarians, salespeople, and adultery. Tacklebox (Cohort starts March 31)Tacklebox Self-Serve (No cohort, your own pace)Don't Eat Before Reading This (Anthony Bourdain) 

Today we'll talk about how to pick what you work on - we need to ensure you're spending your time on things that'll actually matter. We'll do it through the lens of the greatest company ever built. We also wrap up Problems + Opportunities and get some guidance from Peter Drucker.  NewCo  - Reach out to [email protected] to pitch Tacklebox - New cohort for idea-stage founders starting March 31The Effective Executive - Drucker (🐐) 

Last week, we laid out the Problems vs. Opportunities (PVO) framework. This week, we dive deeper into the "vision" part of the framework, helping you identify and follow your North Star.We use This Too Shall Pasta, a gluten free DTC pasta company, to dig deeper into the PVO process. Tacklebox - Cohort 27 applications are openTacklebox self-serve accelerator programIdea to Startup Book Club!! 🤓First book: Extreme Ownership

Today we're talking about problems vs. opportunities. It's easy for entrepreneurs to spend their time putting out fires - they're often the only ones who will. But it's far more important to block off time to identify and pursue opportunities that'll create asymmetric value.We discuss a framework for identifying, prioritizing, and pursuing opportunities. Also, Steph Curry and how to say "razorblades" with a flawless Australian accent. Tacklebox - Cohort 27 applications are openTacklebox self-serve accelerator programThe Ivy Lee Method

Three numbers and a story show the path for startups during a uniquely difficult but opportunity filled time. The goal of today's podcast is grounding and motivation. And pizza dough.We talk through opportunities for compound interest, knowledge growth, and the $32 trillion dollars that will change the startup market. Tacklebox Application (Cohort starts March 31)Tacklebox Self-ServeAmazzoni.us- use code "Tacklebox" at checkout for the best craft gin in the world (according to 2018) 

What do you do when you stumble upon, or get smacked in the face by, a competitor? How do you react?  What do you focus on? What do you stop doing?Can you still... exist?We talk through exactly what to do with competitors and discuss the "Gift of Which."The goods: Tacklebox Application (March 31)Tacklebox Self Serve (whenever you'd like)Jojo Rabbit

What if you've got a product and no customer? We go through an email from a listener who makes the world's best protein bars but has absolutely no idea who to sell them to. We use storytelling archetypes to find the best possible customer to catalyze the business. The goods: Tacklebox Application (March 31)Tacklebox Self Serve (whenever you'd like)MindsetWhopper Commercial 

The third in our mini-series where we're starting a startup live on the pod. Today, we take what we learned from customer interviews and synthesize it into tests in real life. Step by step on customer, channel, landing page, and call-to-action.Plus, why atheists don't sell their soul and York Peppermint Patties.  The goods: Idea ResumeTacklebox Application (March 31)The Art of Doing Science & EngineeringCarrd (Landing Page Builder)The Sasquatch Problem (Are You Passionate Enough) York Peppermint Patty 

Episode Two of our miniseries "We're Starting a Startup" details our first seven days after we decided to pursue an idea live. We talk customer interview strategy and stack, get a bunch of lukewarm feedback, and play clips from some of the interviews we ran. We also talk about Baked By Melissa cupcakes an uncomfortable amount. Big thank you to the customers we interviewed, including:Happy MediumSoWell HealthAnd a few other things we mention: The Mom TestTacklebox (Cohort starts March 31)Tacklebox self serve (Get on waitlist)

It was bound to happen. We're starting a startup idea on... Idea to Startup. Someone reached out basically daring us to, and we couldn't say no.Today, we'll run three startup ideas through our Idea Resume framework that evaluates an idea at the earliest stages. Then, we'll pick the one we'll start over the next set of episodes.Idea Resume FrameworkFollow along on Instagram + Twitter - we'll post the ads, landing pages, etc.Start a Wine Company in 17 MinutesCohort 26 + Self Serve Business Guy Meme

Getting your first 1,000 customers is hard, particularly when you're thinking about it wrong.We talk through how Push for Pizza and Slice took different approaches to growth in the pizza space. * Tacklebox + Self-Serve ProductSlice First 1000 SubstackTacklebox + Self-Serve Product

We're told we need to be head over heels passionate about our startup for it to succeed. Is that... true?What if we haven't found something we're that passionate about - does that mean we shouldn't start it?How do you find something you're passionate enough about to build a company around?Is Sasquatch Real?  The answers to these and more on this week's Idea to Startup Pod. Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive)

We'll look back on 2021 as the best year to start a startup in the past 50. The world we're returning to will be a lot different from the one we left, and people will start meaningful companies to bridge that gap. Hopefully, one of those people is you.Here are three stories that'll help you position yourself and your startup to succeed in 2021. Show NotesTacklebox Self ServeTacklebox CohortPixar 22 Rules of Storytelling Madlib “I’m building X to capitalize on the confluence of these three trends - A, B, and C. I’m uniquely positioned to build X because of the perspective I gained from D, E, and F - (where D, E, and F are networks, experience, and skillsets that create a venn diagram very few other people sit in the middle of). The biggest assumption I’m making is G, and I’ve run K tests to start proving to myself that the risk is worth taking. I’m confident this is a problem that needs solving because of Z (where Z is an observed behavior of a specific customer you’ll start with and also the beachhead of a larger market).” 

That title is even spammier than last week. But it isn’t. Today, we’ll talk about how thinking through how to build a billion dollar business is actually a really useful exercise, too.Today, we’re going to fix Goodreads and drink a bunch of egg nog. Let’s see how that goes.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)  Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive)

That title sure does sound spammy. But it isn’t. Today, we’ll talk about how thinking through how you’d make $1,000 today is the best way to actually start a startup.This episode is for people who are stuck - people who want to start something but can’t figure out the best way to go about doing it. People who are overwhelmed by what starting a startup might entail.We make it easy for you.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)  Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive) 

Today we take a bunch of questions from ITS listeners. We talk through startup ideas for 2021, founder superpowers, and hutzpah.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)  Psychology of MoneyUpwork + DesignhillThe Books: Range, The Passion Economy, Essentialism, Boomtown, Three Body Problem, The Lost Man, Atomic Habits

This episode focuses on the 4 best emails written on Black Friday, and the framework each used to break through the clutter.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self ServeLolliEssentialism (read this)Contagious (read this, too) 

Entrepreneurs favorite questions all begin with “how will I know..”The real answer is, you never know anything for sure. This podcast is about the process of entrepreneurship - how to set up and run lightweight tests to get a unique perspective no one else does.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self ServeHow Will I Know (🐐 ) How to choose the right customer (pod)Jobs to be Done Theory

It’s easy to do everything but the thing that matters. Today we talk about how to identify the thing that matters and how to combat all of our instincts that tell us to push back against real reflection.We go through a few examples, including Ro.co, business school, and writing books, focusing on Motion vs. Action.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self ServeAtomic Habits + RangeDavid Foster Wallace - This Is Water

Imposter syndrome kills more startups than not finding a cofounder, competition, or  funding ever could.Today, we’re talking about whether you’re good enough to compete in the startup world. Can you really turn this into your livelihood? Can you thrive?What happens if you don’t?  Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve

Founders need to be resilient. It’s beaten into our heads over and over. But what resilience is - and how to be resilient - is misunderstood.Today we’ll talk about all the IOUs you consciously and unconsciously write all day, and how they’re sapping you of your best work. We’ll finish with tactics to combat these IOUs. Go get ‘em.Tacklebox Self-Serve ProgramAtlantic City - Bruce (🐐)

Meaningful differentiation is hard to come by. Most startups pay lip service to differentiation and pay the price through higher customer acquisition costs and lower retention rates. A truly differentiated product is necessary for a healthy funnel - acquisition, conversion, retention, referral.Today we talk through questions that’ll help you differentiate your startup with the help of On, an apparel company that leveraged business model innovation to create a truly differentiated product in a crowded space.Tacklebox Self ServeAnimals Keep Evolving Into Crabs, Which Is Somewhat Disturbing

Not all ideas start with the level of insight needed to build a differentiated company.Today, we’ll take a run of the mill idea and show you how to build a differentiated product. Specifically, we’ll launch the Tuesday Wine Company, a D2C wine brand that sells half bottles to people with dogs.LeadPages SiteUpwork

If you ever find yourself whispering your startup idea at a coffee shop, this podcast is for you. We dig in on what a good startup idea actually looks like and how to find the right idea for you.

You’ve got startup ideas. You want to pursue them. You want to take them seriously. But what, exactly, does that mean?This episode dives into what it looks like to take your startup idea seriously. How to give it a fair shake and see if it’s worth investing some time into.We use an example of a Jackfruit company that’s out to make Jackfruit the plant-based alternative for people removing meat from their diet everywhere.LeadpagesUnbounceOtter.ai 

On the first episode of season 3 we talk through the paradox of choice, how to facilitate decisions in your customers, how to build a brand, and bagels. We touch on Dan Ariely’s book Predictably Irrational, digging in on how architecting the environment for your customers will drastically increase your chances at conversion. We also talk about the two bagel shops that were next to each other in NYC, and why each wound up with a far stronger brand because the other existed.

Health Ade

QuibiTacklebox Virtual Cohort 23 starts June 15th, apply at www.gettacklebox.com