Episodes

  • What I Learned Building Businesses That Failed vs. Ones That Made Millions

    What I Learned Building Businesses That Failed vs. Ones That Made Millions
    May 23 2025

    Learn from 20+ years of successes and failures: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=6HzWX8Igc_k

    Entrepreneur Simulator (Game) – https://firststepentrepreneur.com/sim/?utm_source=6HzWX8Igc_k

    After building businesses that both failed spectacularly and succeeded beyond expectations, I've identified what makes the difference.

    These aren't tactics or strategies - they're foundational approaches that determine whether you build something that crashes and burns or creates real value. Based on real experience with million-dollar wins and devastating losses.

    Chapters:

    00:00 - 3 Skill That Make Starting Easy

    00:21 - Audience

    02:50 - Smart Start

    04:50 - Entrepreneur Simulator

    05:36 - Feedback Cycle

    07:24 - Be an Entrepreneur

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    For capable people stuck between knowing and doing. Honest insights on building the confidence to take action from someone who's always taking a risk.

    🎯 Free Challenge: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/free-challenge/?utm_source=6HzWX8Igc_k

    🚀 Full Program: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=6HzWX8Igc_k
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    8 mins
  • The Early Mistake That Dooms Businesses (I Made It Too)

    The Early Mistake That Dooms Businesses (I Made It Too)
    Apr 9 2025

    Learn from expensive mistakes before making them: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=Wi2EDF3b3jY

    You're going to make bad decisions driven by fear, doubt, or vanity - we all do.

    This vulnerable admission reveals the pattern of early mistakes that derail new ventures and how basic human instincts often lead to years of headaches. Better to learn from someone else's expensive lessons than repeat them yourself.

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    For capable people stuck between knowing and doing. Honest insights on building the confidence to take action from someone who's always taking a risk.

    🎯 Free Challenge: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/free-challenge/?utm_source=Wi2EDF3b3jY

    🚀 Full Program: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=Wi2EDF3b3jY
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    Less than 1 minute
  • I Had a Billion Dollar Business (and blew it)

    I Had a Billion Dollar Business (and blew it)
    Mar 20 2025

    Want to hear about real failure? Buckle up: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=IdFbobpPuFo

    In my 20s, I made decisions that cost me billions - literally.

    I could have been Facebook. Instead, I'm one of the names nobody knows because we failed spectacularly. This isn't a pity party; it's proof that massive failure and massive success often look identical in the moment, and why your current struggles might be leading somewhere bigger than you realize.

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    For capable people stuck between knowing and doing. Honest insights on building the confidence to take action from someone who's always taking a risk.

    🎯 Free Challenge: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/free-challenge/?utm_source=IdFbobpPuFo

    🚀 Full Program: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=IdFbobpPuFo
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    4 mins
  • The Story That Made My Friend Cry at Dinner (And What It Taught Me)

    The Story That Made My Friend Cry at Dinner (And What It Taught Me)
    Feb 25 2025

    Want to understand the power of real storytelling? https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=video29

    My friend Elena broke down crying at dinner - and it wasn't what you'd expect.

    This raw story reveals something profound about human connection and why the most powerful communication isn't about technique - it's about being present to what's actually happening. A masterclass in authentic storytelling through lived experience.

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    For capable people stuck between knowing and doing. Honest insights on building the confidence to take action from someone who's always taking a risk.

    🎯 Free Challenge: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/free-challenge/?utm_source=RS9_L5SKp0g

    🚀 Full Program: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=RS9_L5SKp0g
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    8 mins
  • What If You’re Closer to Making It Than You Realize?

    What If You’re Closer to Making It Than You Realize?
    Feb 24 2025

    Exhausted from being in your own origin story? https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=wgY1KGRPzPc

    It's exhausting knowing you're somewhere within your own transformation but not knowing how close you are to breaking through.

    This honest reflection on being in the middle of your journey - not at the beginning, not at the success story ending - captures the unique psychological challenge of building something when you can't see the finish line. For anyone wondering if they should keep going.

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    For capable people stuck between knowing and doing. Honest insights on building the confidence to take action from someone who's always taking a risk.

    🎯 Free Challenge: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/free-challenge/?utm_source=wgY1KGRPzPc

    🚀 Full Program: https://www.firststepentrepreneur.com/?utm_source=wgY1KGRPzPc
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    6 mins
  • Defining and Achieving Personal Success

    Defining and Achieving Personal Success
    Oct 28 2024

    A few weeks ago, a friend confided in me about feeling stuck and unhappy with her level of success. She sought my advice, and it inspired me to create this episode. In this video, I'll share the essential questions you need to ask yourself to define what success means for you and how to take the first steps toward achieving it.

    First, it's crucial to understand your personal definition of success. Many of us chase promotions, money, or business ventures without knowing why. By asking yourself, "What am I motivated by?" and "What do I love doing?", you can gain clarity and align your goals with your true desires.

    Next, I emphasize the importance of taking immediate action and making the most of your available time. Often, we waste hours daily on trivial activities. By redirecting that time towards your goals, you can make significant progress. Fear is another major obstacle, but remember, failure is just a step towards learning and growth.

    Finally, I address the misconception that you need to be the best to succeed. Success doesn't mean being the top performer; it means achieving what works for you. By redefining success and setting realistic goals, you can find fulfillment and continuously aim higher.

    Join me in this journey of self-discovery and take the first step towards unlocking your true potential. If you need further guidance, feel free to reach out, and let's make your dreams a reality.
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    11 mins
  • Busting Confidence Myths: 8 Truths to Empower Your Life

    Busting Confidence Myths: 8 Truths to Empower Your Life
    Oct 21 2024
    Most of you don't actually lack confidence. You don't. You just might not understand what real confidence is. So today, I'm gonna break down eight of the biggest myths surrounding confidence. And I'm gonna show you how you can use this knowledge to your own advantage, to grow your confidence and to be more successful in life. Hey everybody, I'm Art. I'm a former founder. And by all accounts, I'm probably one of the most confident people that you will ever meet. But don't let that fool you. I've seen the other side. I've lived without confidence. I've had my businesses fail, I have seen so many rejections, and I've had to rebuild my confidence a number of times throughout my life. And the way that I've done it each and every time is I've just reminded myself of these eight things. And for me, all of them are effective. Number five tends to work really well for me, but I'm going to go through all of them one by one to make sure that you find the tips that work best for you, the myths that you're believing, and the real truth behind it. Every single person fails. Failure is not even the right word for it. Failure would be something that's permanent. But 99.9% of the time, the thing that you're actually afraid of isn't a true failure. It's something that may just not go according to plan. And it's true for me too. Anytime that I'm scared, I just ask myself, and you could do the same thing, what's the worst that could possibly happen? And the answer is usually something pretty trivial. They might say, no, I might not get a call back. Maybe I'll be a little embarrassed, but that's not actually a failure. That's just trying something, having it not work out, learning from it, learning what works and what doesn't work. So learn to embrace that. Understand that confidence comes from learning and learning happens when you actually try something. So not only will you build confidence from the new things that you've learned, you'll also grow confidence from knowing that you're someone who is willing to try and willing to experiment. That is something that is rare and special and something that you should be proud of and feel confident about. Listen, this might work for some people, but personally, I have my doubts. Looking into the mirror and saying, I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dogged on it, people like me. Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me. Probably isn't going to instantly give you the confidence that you want. If it does, more power to you. But more than likely, the reason that you're doing it in the first place is because subconsciously you don't actually believe it. That's why you need to think about the stories you tell about yourself in passing. Those are the stories that you actually want to change. You may not realize it immediately, but every single time you recount your childhood experiences or the past work things that you've done or failed at, you're shaping how you see yourself and how others see you. For me, I always tell people about how things just always seem to work out for me or about how luck follows me around no matter where I am. And do you know what? Even if I'm in the midst of a huge losing streak, I still believe those things to be true and I derive confidence from it. You should try it yourself. Just think about the stories you tell, change them, and really quickly you'll realize that you have a new belief in yourself. You get to pick these stories anyway. You get to choose the stories you tell about yourself when someone says, tell me about your childhood, tell me about your last job. So why not pick the good ones and start believing them? This one couldn't be further from the truth. No one can avoid rejection. It comes for all of us at any time. And confidence isn't about avoiding it. Confidence is about seeking it out and being able to keep moving forward when it actually happens to you. I probably shouldn't tell this story, but we're friends at this point. So here goes. When I was in college, I helped run the orientation for all the incoming freshmen. And to this day, I still remember watching a young guy, a guy that wasn't particularly handsome or didn't seem cool in any discernible way, work his way through a nightclub asking every single woman that he saw if they wanted to dance. He was rejected at least 20 straight times before he got a single yes. Now that is a massive, amazing amount of confidence. And if it's not confidence, then it's just really, really good understanding of math and probability. And the reason that I tell that story, the reason it sticks with me all these years later is because it reminds me that people are going to say no to you. They're going to say no to you for the job you want, no to your advances, no to you asking them to help you move. But that doesn't mean that you should avoid life and trying things because of it. You just have to accept that you're going to get some no's and be confident that ...
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    11 mins
  • Mastering Effective Communication

    Mastering Effective Communication
    Oct 14 2024

    Do you want to be right or do you want to get things done? It's a serious question that can change your approach to communication and productivity. If you're struggling to win people over to your ideas or to achieve your goals, it might be time for some hard truths. This episode dives into the importance of effective communication and how it can transform your work and personal life.

    We'll explore real-life examples, including the story of Shane, a smart individual who struggled to gain support for his ideas. Learn how focusing on goals rather than problems can shift the dynamics of your interactions, making it easier for others to align with your vision and collaborate effectively.

    Discover practical strategies to lead conversations with clear goals, invite feedback, and be open to new solutions. These techniques not only foster better relationships but also help you achieve your objectives with less frustration.

    Whether you're navigating workplace challenges or seeking personal growth, this episode provides actionable insights to help you communicate more effectively and get things done. Tune in and start transforming your communication today!
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    12 mins