Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Ever feel like your business is stuck in a rut, doing the same things while the world changes around you? In this powerful episode, corporate anthropologist Dr. Andi Simon reveals how to see your business, your customers, and your market with a completely fresh lens. She breaks down why the "more of the same, but cheaper" model is a recipe for disaster and introduces the game-changing principles of Blue Ocean Strategy—creating entirely new markets where competition is irrelevant.This isn't just theory; it's a practical guide for wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs to stop guessing and start exploring. You'll learn how to apply the tools of an anthropologist to uncover what your customers really need (not just what you think they need), embrace change as an opportunity, and build a business with longevity and purpose. Dr. Andi's unique blend of human insight and strategic thinking will give you the objective perspective you need to innovate, scale, and thrive in 2026 and beyond.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to apply the mindset of a corporate anthropologist to see your business as a "small-scale society" and uncover hidden opportunities for growth.Why you need to get out of the office and "go exploring" to see how customers actually use your products and find their true unmet needs.The core principles of Blue Ocean Strategy and how to create new, uncontested market space instead of fighting bloody battles in a crowded "red ocean."Techniques to overcome your own biases and develop an objective perspective that allows you to see possibilities your competitors miss.How to embrace disruptive technologies like AI as powerful assets to expand your thinking and add innovative value, rather than viewing them as threats.The critical link between curiosity, purpose, and building a sustainable business that can adapt and thrive through changing times.📝 About Dr. Andi Simon Dr. Andi Simon is a corporate anthropologist, award-winning author, and the CEO of Simon Associates Management Consultants. After two decades as a successful executive in financial services and healthcare, Andi launched her own firm to help organizations see their challenges through a fresh lens to spark growth and innovation. She is the brilliant mind behind the books On the Brink, Rethink, and Women Mean Business, and the host of the top-ranked podcast On the Brink with Andi Simon. Andi’s unique gift is her ability to blend deep human observation with actionable business strategy, making her an invaluable guide for any entrepreneur looking to build something truly meaningful.🎯 Andi’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Follow your curiosity. It's telling you something... Listen to it. Don't delete your gut."📢 Memorable Quotes “What makes you think a business isn't a small scale society? When you begin to apply the theory methods and tools into a corporate setting, you discover that people are people.” – Dr. Andi Simon“In tumultuous times, it's not the tumult that gets you. It's trying to solve it with yesterday's solutions. Yesterday will not help you tomorrow.” – Dr. Andi Simon (quoting Peter Drucker)"If you can't see it, you can't do it. Visualizing what might happen... begins to make the brain open up objectively to what's possible." – Dr. Andi Simon🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Andi Simon’s websiteVisit SAMC's websiteConnect with Andi on LinkedInFollow Simon Associates Management Consultants on LinkedIn

Ever get lost in a chaotic group chat trying to plan a simple trip or event? Ankit Dave, a former Google software engineer and product manager, saw this exact problem and left his "golden handcuffs" to build the solution. In this episode, he unveils Farflung.ai, his AI-native platform designed to transform messy conversations into organized, actionable plans. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur on how to identify a universal problem and leverage cutting-edge technology to solve it. Drawing from his decade of experience building billion-user products at Google, Ankit shares invaluable insights on product development, go-to-market strategy, and the founder's mindset needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of AI.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessAI for Real-World Problems: Learn how to spot friction in everyday life (like fragmented group chats) and apply AI to create a seamless, valuable solution.User-Centric AI Design: Discover the core principles of building an AI product that empowers users by keeping them in control, rather than letting AI become an interruption.Niche-First Market Strategy: Understand why focusing on a single, powerful use case (like travel planning) is a brilliant way to gain initial traction and build a network effect for your app.Bootstrapping to Beta at Lightning Speed: Learn how Ankit went from an idea in March to a live beta on the app stores in just a few months, proving that rapid execution is key.Building Trust Through Privacy: Get tactical advice on how to design an AI platform with user privacy at its core, a crucial step for gaining customer trust and adoption.Seizing the AI Opportunity: Ankit makes a powerful case for why the current vacuum created by AI presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for entrepreneurs to build something new.📝 About Ankit DaveAnkit Dave is the Founder and CEO of Farflung.ai. His journey is a testament to scrappy innovation, having moved from India to the U.S. and carving a path to Google, where he spent a decade as both a software engineer and a product manager. He played a key role in developing major projects like the Fuchsia OS and worked with Gemini, giving him a front-row seat to the AI revolution. In 2024, Ankit took the ultimate entrepreneurial leap, leaving his secure role at Google to build farflung.ai, an AI-native platform that turns talk into action. His unique blend of big-tech experience and a relentless founder’s spirit makes him an incredible guide for navigating the new AI landscape.🎯 Ankit’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs“Don't wait for the perfect time. If there's something that you want to do, do it. Jump, take that jump, because the perfect time may or may not come.”📢 Memorable Quotes“I personally believe that if you want to do something, don't let anything come in your way. There are always ways or things you can find out which will help you build the things that you want.” – Ankit Dave“Every single product that we are using today will go through this change, and I'm not sure when this type of opportunity will come in the future... It's a very good time to go out and build something.” – Ankit Dave"Any company which is trying to adapt quickly, I think would be more successful than people who are rigid to their roadmaps." – Ankit Dave🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Farflung’s websiteConnect with Ankit on LinkedInFollow Farflung AI on LinkedIn

Ever feel like you have too many ideas and not enough focus? Andrew Mathewes is here to show you why that might be your greatest strength. In this episode, Andrew shares his incredible journey of leaving a high-profile role at the National Civil Rights Museum to launch not one, but two completely different businesses simultaneously: Jehl Consulting, a tech consultancy for nonprofits, and Stomping Grounds, a massive brick-and-mortar play space for families. This episode is a masterclass in turning personal problems into powerful business ideas, leveraging AI as your strategic partner, and understanding why building community is the ultimate growth hack. Andrew’s story proves that the skills you’ve gathered throughout your career are more connected than you think, and they can fuel a multi-faceted entrepreneurial life that is both profitable and fulfilling.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessThe Anti-Focus Method: Discover how running two seemingly unrelated businesses (tech consulting and a brick-and-mortar) can create a powerful synergy that makes you a better strategist and CEO.Solve Your Own Problems: Learn how Andrew turned his frustrations as a dad of two toddlers into Stomping Grounds, a community-focused business that solved a real-world pain point he experienced every weekend.Bizanthropy 101: Uncover the strategies used by multi-billion dollar nonprofits like St. Jude to run their mission-driven organizations with the ruthless efficiency and marketing savvy of a top for-profit company.Why a 5-Year Plan is a Waste of Time: Embrace the power of "discovery-based planning" and a "test and learn" approach to stay agile and responsive in an uncertain market.📝 About Andrew Mathewes Andrew Mathewes is an entrepreneur who thrives at the intersection of data, technology, and community. After a distinguished 15-year career serving major organizations like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the National Civil Rights Museum, he took the entrepreneurial leap in a big way. Instead of choosing one path, he launched two: Jehl Consulting, which helps nonprofits leverage technology for greater impact, and Stomping Grounds, a 1.4-acre family-focused eatery and play space in Memphis. Andrew’s unique perspective comes from his ability to speak the language of both tech nerds and business leaders, making him a powerful connector and problem-solver.🎯 Andrew’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “I wouldn't be anywhere without a mentor. So if you're young in your career, if you're just stepping out to be an entrepreneur... I can't urge you to do that enough.”📢 Memorable Quotes“When everything is so uncertain, it's actually imprudent to plan that far ahead. And instead, you stay in test and learn mode.” – Andrew Mathewes“I could not have done it without where the tools are today in terms of AGI and ChatGPT. Doing this completely different business, I've never run a restaurant… I can just pull out my phone and run a deep research report.” – Andrew Mathewes“Both [businesses] are rooted in community and rebuilding... that impulse to go back to knowing our neighbors a little bit better.” – Andrew Mathewes🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Jehl Consulting’s websiteVisit Stomping Grounds’ websiteConnect with Andrew on LinkedInFollow Jehl Consulting on LinkedInFollow Stomping Grounds on LinkedIn

In this episode, fractional CMO and founder of Garde Haus Marketing, Cristin Padgett, breaks down the art and science of building a predictable, scalable marketing engine. She explains why relying on "vibes" is a surefire way to waste time and money, and how to shift to a data-driven, systematic approach. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur tired of inconsistent results. You'll learn how to leverage AI for more than just content creation, focus on the metrics that actually matter (like customer acquisition cost), and build a growth system that attracts customers and investors alike. Cristin’s unique ability to blend creative storytelling with operational rigor provides a clear roadmap for turning your vision into a revenue-generating machine.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business⚙️ How to build a scalable, repeatable marketing “engine” instead of relying on one-off tactics that don’t produce consistent results.📊 Why you must ditch the “vibes-based” marketing approach and embrace a data-driven, scientific method to find and attract your ideal customers.🤖 The untapped power of AI for systematizing your marketing, improving timing, and automating workflows—saving you dozens of hours a year.💸 How to identify your marketing “North Star” metric (Customer Acquisition Cost) to ensure every dollar you spend is driving real growth.🧪 A framework for effective experimentation, knowing when to pivot, and why failing fast is critical for long-term success.🤝 Why marketing isn’t just about lead generation—it’s about creating a frictionless customer experience that drives conversions and retention.🧠 How to stay curious and continuously peel back the layers of your data to understand what’s working, what isn’t, and what to do next.📝 About Cristin Padgett Cristin Padgett is a fractional CMO and the founder of Guarde Haus Marketing, a strategy-first consultancy that helps early-stage and venture-backed startups build predictable growth systems. With a rich background working with giants like Palo Alto Networks and innovative startups, Cristin excels at the intersection of creative storytelling and operational excellence. Her expertise lies in transforming big ideas into scalable, investor-ready marketing engines that drive traction, credibility, and revenue. Cristin brings a unique, data-driven perspective that challenges founders to think beyond tactics and build a truly sustainable business.🎯 Cristin’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Stay curious. That is how you succeed." Cristin’s most powerful advice is to maintain a relentless sense of curiosity. It’s the driving force behind understanding your data, your customers, and your market.📢 Memorable Quotes “You shouldn't create a marketing strategy based off vibes. Let's put it like that. Don't just go off vibes. There's an art and a science to this.” – Cristin Padgett“Fail, fail often and fail fast... the longer it takes you to figure out you're going down the wrong path, the more it's going to cost you.” – Cristin Padgett"Marketing is an engine, and you need to develop the structure around it in order to create a scalable, repeatable engine.” – Cristin Padgett🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Garde Haus Marketing’s websiteConnect with Cristin on LinkedInFollow Garde Haus Marketing on LinkedIn

As the new year approaches, are you tired of setting the same old resolutions that fizzle out by February? It’s time to stop making wishes and start building a strategic roadmap. In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his completely evolved annual planning process — a powerful 6-layer framework he’s using to design his best year yet in 2026. Forget spreadsheets and simple goal-setting. Brian walks you through a holistic system that starts with who you need to become and ends with designing a life that fuels your business, not the other way around. This is the exact process for turning big ambitions into an actionable, quarter-by-quarter execution plan.✨ Why This Matters for YouThis isn't just another planning episode. This framework is designed to create alignment and momentum:It forces you to start with identity, ensuring your actions are aligned with the person you need to be to succeed.It connects your offers directly to your revenue goals, revealing gaps and opportunities in your business model.It helps you move beyond tactical chaos by defining high-level strategy before you get lost in the "how."It breaks down an entire year into manageable 90-day sprints, making big goals feel achievable.It integrates your life with your business, preventing burnout and ensuring your company serves your ideal lifestyle.📝 Key TakeawaysBrian breaks down his annual planning into six distinct layers that build on one another:The Identity Layer: Who do you need to become to achieve the results you want? It all starts with embodying the identity of the person who has already succeeded.The Offer Layer: A strategic look at your products and services. Do they align? Do they support each other? Do they create a clear path for your customers and your revenue goals?The Themes Layer: What are the 3-5 guiding principles for your year? Think "leverage over labor" or "visibility over obscurity." These themes act as your compass for every decision.The Strategy Layer: Before tactics, you need strategy. This is where you make the big-picture decisions about your focus, market positioning, and key milestones for the year.The Execution Layer: Translate your strategy into a concrete plan. This is where Brian maps out his quarterly focuses, turning a 12-month vision into 90-day actionable chunks.The Life Design Layer: Your business must support your life. This layer ensures you intentionally plan for health, relationships, rest, and creativity, building a sustainable foundation for success.🚀 Put It Into ActionThis week, grab a notebook and do a "6-Layer Audit" for your upcoming year:Identity: Who is the version of you that effortlessly achieves your goals? Write down three traits they embody.Offers: List all your current offers. Is there one you need to cut, evolve, or create to hit your goals?Themes: What’s one theme that feels absolutely essential for you this year?Strategy: What is the single most important strategic milestone that would make this year a massive success?Execution: What is the #1 focus for you in the first 90 days of the year?Life Design: What is one non-negotiable personal habit or activity you will protect this year?🔗 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the show so you never miss an episode.Want to share your plan or ask Brian a question? Send him a personal email at [email protected] with Brian on Instagram @imetbrian.Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who is ready to make next year their best year yet.