Send us a text

Ever wondered if you've got what it takes to be your own boss? The truth about entrepreneurship is far more nuanced than Instagram highlights suggest.

In this reflective episode, Darren and Andy strip away the myths surrounding business ownership and serve up some startling realities. Did you know 80% of small businesses survive their first year? That might actually be better odds than keeping your corporate job long-term. However, the five-year survival rate drops to 50%—and the reasons why reveal what truly separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.

The hosts dive deep into what can't be bought with startup capital: grit. While funding matters, the entrepreneurial mindset is what carries business owners through inevitable challenges. They explore why pursuing business ownership purely for financial gain is a recipe for burnout, and why passion must fuel your venture.

From practical funding strategies (including tapping your retirement funds without penalties) to the realities of franchising, Darren and Andy provide actionable insights for those considering the leap. They share personal experiences about their first business moves—from forming LLCs to creating "absolute piece of crap" starter websites—proving that perfect beginnings aren't necessary for ultimate success.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is its honesty about entrepreneurial psychology. The hosts explore how successful business owners approach problems differently, viewing challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. They also emphasize the importance of surrounding yourself with trusted advisors who will "poke holes" in your ideas before you invest everything into them.

Ready to explore whether entrepreneurship might be your path? This episode offers both encouragement and a reality check that could save you years of misdirected effort. Connect with us through your podcast platform or the contact form in our show notes—we'd love to hear where you are in your entrepreneurial journey.

Send us a text

What does it take to walk away from a steady paycheck and bet everything on yourself? Ruben Perez, founder of RP Flooring, shares his extraordinary journey from frustrated corporate employee to thriving business owner in just eight months.

After years of building customer relationships and exceeding sales targets for someone else's company, Ruben faced the moment many dream of but few pursue—breaking free from corporate America's constraints to launch his own venture. The catalyst? A company that repeatedly failed to honor commitments and treated him as replaceable despite his outstanding performance. When his employer told him "if I knew you'd leave after five years, I never would have hired you," Ruben knew it was time to bet on himself.

The transition wasn't without challenges. Ruben candidly shares his early struggles with delegation, admitting he initially tried to handle everything from sales and installation to bookkeeping and inventory management. The breakthrough came when he realized his time was better spent leveraging his true strengths—building relationships and providing flooring expertise his customers couldn't get at big box retailers. "I could spend three hours balancing my checkbook, or I could land four or five jobs in that time," he explains.

What sets this conversation apart is Ruben's insight into the entrepreneurial mindset. He emphasizes how surrounding yourself with other business owners creates not just networking opportunities but neurological changes that enhance leadership capabilities. His customer-centric approach—sometimes turning down jobs when materials don't meet his standards—demonstrates how small businesses can outcompete corporate giants through personalization and genuine care.

Whether you're contemplating your own entrepreneurial leap or simply need inspiration to pursue what you're truly worth, this episode delivers powerful lessons about trusting yourself, delegating effectively, and building a business with reputation and relationships at its core.

Send us a text

The psychological toll of corporate work became unbearable for Ryan, who found himself in tears at his HR director's office—a breaking point that would ultimately transform his life. After years in manufacturing management positions at companies like General Mills, working second shift and missing precious family time, Ryan made a decision that would reshape his future and lead to unexpected entrepreneurial success.

When COVID hit and his employer slashed salaries by 50% while still requiring full-time office presence, Ryan reached his limit. With his wife's unexpected support, he invested in a PuroClean franchise, writing that nerve-wracking $55,000 check that marked his commitment to a new path. The timing proved fortuitous—just as he'd received a promotion at his corporate job, making the decision even more difficult.

What makes Ryan's story particularly fascinating is how one business decision snowballed into multiple ventures. Today, Ryan and his wife operate five separate business entities between them. His wife transformed from schoolteacher to running both a daycare for teachers' children (with all school holidays off) and a seasonal food truck. Meanwhile, Ryan expanded from restoration services into real estate, purchasing buildings with issues his restoration business could fix, creating a brilliant synergy between his ventures.

The mindset shift has been profound. "There's this part of you that kind of dies inside when all your efforts are for somebody else," Ryan explains. While he still works similar hours, the psychological difference is night and day. Even his relationship with money has completely transformed—from thinking $3-4K was significant to running $25K biweekly payrolls without blinking. His first million in sales left him "dumbfounded" as he adjusted to his new reality.

For entrepreneurs contemplating their own leap, Ryan's parting advice resonates with hard-earned wisdom: "Take the leap, hold on, and keep your head on a swivel—it's a wild ride." His journey proves that sometimes the scariest decisions lead to the most rewarding outcomes.