Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Ever feel like you’re spending weeks—or even months—building something, only to launch it and hear… crickets? In this episode of Brian’s special 7-day solo series, he shares one of the most powerful (and uncomfortable) strategies he’s used across nearly every business he’s built: sell it before you create it. From his early days of online courses to launching Ops+AI, Brian breaks down how pre-selling not only saves time and money, but gives you the ultimate form of market validation—real people pulling out their credit cards. This episode will challenge your instincts and push you toward building what people actually want. 
✨ Why This Matters for You
This strategy flips the traditional “build first, sell later” mindset on its head:
 It eliminates wasted time building things nobody actually wants. 
 It gives you instant clarity on what the market values. 
 It reduces risk by validating ideas before heavy investment. 
 It forces you to think like a marketer and a strategist—not just a creator. 
📝 Key Takeaways
Market Validation Comes From Action, Not Opinions. Surveys and feedback are helpful—but the only validation that truly matters is someone paying for what you’re offering.
Sell First, Then Build With Confidence. Pre-selling ensures that your time, energy, and resources are being invested into something that already has demand.
Your First Version Doesn’t Need to Exist Yet. You can sell based on a clear vision, outline, or promise—as long as you deliver on it afterward.
Scarcity and Incentives Drive Early Buyers. Offer bonuses, discounts, or exclusive access to those who buy early—they’re taking the leap with you.
Pre-Selling Speeds Up Execution. When people have already paid, you move faster, focus more, and eliminate procrastination.
Your Customers Help Shape the Product. Early buyers aren’t just customers—they become collaborators in building something better.
🚀 Put It Into Action
Try this strategy in your own business:
 Think of one idea you’ve been sitting on (course, service, product, program). 
 Create a simple sales page outlining the value, outcomes, and pricing. 
 Offer a limited-time pre-sale with clear expectations and bonuses for early adopters. 
 Set a revenue or signup goal to validate the idea before building it. 
 Challenge yourself: pre-sell your next offer within the next 30 days before you create it. 
🔗 Stay Connected
 Subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s unconventional growth strategies 
 Get a FREE paperback copy of Brian’s book OPERATE!
→ Email [email protected] to claim yours 
 Connect with Brian on Instagram: @imetbrian
 Share this episode with someone who’s been building in silence instead of validating in public

Ever feel like you’re doing “all the right things”—sending emails, following up, staying consistent—but still not seeing real traction? In this episode of Brian’s special week-long solo series, he reveals what he believes is the ultimate growth unlock that most entrepreneurs completely miss: unconventional follow-ups. Drawing from real stories across his businesses—from goofy green screen proposal videos to personalized video messages and unexpected outreach—Brian shows how breaking the mold in your follow-ups can be the difference between being ignored and being unforgettable. 
✨ Why This Matters for You
If you’re getting some traction but not converting it into real growth, this is your missing link:
 Most businesses don’t fail from lack of attention—they fail from lack of effective follow-up. 
 In a world flooded with AI-generated messages, standing out is easier than ever… if you’re willing to be different. 
 Thoughtful, human follow-ups build trust faster than any marketing funnel. 
 The businesses that win aren’t the loudest—they’re the most memorable. 
📝 Key Takeaways
Outreach Gets Attention—Follow-Ups Drive Growth. You can generate leads all day, but if you’re not following up effectively, you’re leaving massive opportunities on the table.
Pattern Interrupts Win. Whether it’s a funny video, a voice memo, or something unexpected, breaking the norm is what gets people to actually pay attention.
Personalization Beats Automation. While everyone else is scaling generic messages, the real advantage comes from making people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Use Tools to Be More Human, Not Less. Tools like Bonjoro allow you to send quick, personalized video messages at scale—without losing authenticity.
Follow Up Based on Behavior. The goldmine isn’t just leads—it’s the people who almost convert. Clicked but didn’t buy? That’s your opportunity.
Do Things That Don’t Scale. Sending a custom video, voice memo, or even a small gift might not scale—but it’s exactly what builds a business worth scaling.
🚀 Put It Into Action
Start implementing unconventional follow-ups today:
 Identify your “almost yes” audience (clicked, engaged, replied—but didn’t convert). 
 Replace one generic follow-up this week with something unexpected (video, voice memo, personalized message). 
 Use context—reference something specific about them to show you’re paying attention. 
 Experiment with different formats: Instagram voice notes, selfie videos, even physical mail. 
 Challenge yourself: send 5 unconventional follow-ups this week and track the responses. 
🔗 Stay Connected
 Subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s unconventional growth strategies 
 Get a FREE paperback copy of Brian’s book OPERATE!
→ Email [email protected] to claim yours 
 Connect with Brian on Instagram: @imetbrian
 Share this episode with someone who’s getting leads—but not turning them into real growth

Ever feel like you’re chasing vanity metrics—followers, rankings, bestseller lists—only to realize none of it actually translates into real business growth? In this episode of Brian’s special 7-day solo series, he breaks down one of the most unconventional strategies he’s never shared publicly before. Instead of optimizing for status, he reveals how intentionally giving away his book for free became the foundation for building his audience, generating raving fans, and ultimately creating a six-figure online business. This episode flips traditional marketing on its head and shows you how to prioritize connection and service over short-term profit. 
✨ Why This Matters for You
This strategy challenges everything you’ve been told about growth:
 It proves that chasing recognition (like bestseller status) often comes at the expense of real impact. 
 It shows how giving value upfront can create deeper, longer-lasting relationships with your audience. 
 It turns one-time transactions into ongoing opportunities to serve, connect, and grow. 
 It’s a powerful reminder that who you reach matters more than what you earn per sale. 
📝 Key Takeaways
Stop Chasing Vanity Metrics. Bestseller lists, reviews, and rankings may look impressive—but they don’t necessarily build meaningful relationships or long-term business growth.
Connection Is More Valuable Than a Sale. Brian realized that making ~$6 per book sale was far less valuable than knowing who his readers were and being able to continue serving them.
Give First, Then Grow. By offering his book for free (and even mailing it himself), Brian created a powerful entry point into his ecosystem—turning strangers into loyal fans.
Build Your Own Funnel—Intentionally. Instead of relying on Amazon’s system, he created his own: free book → email capture → deeper relationship → future offers.
Create Memorable Experiences. Handwritten notes, physical products, and thoughtful touches stand out in a digital world—and build trust faster than any ad ever could.
You Don’t Need Thousands of Customers. A small percentage of a well-served audience can completely transform your business. Depth beats scale.
🚀 Put It Into Action
Take this unconventional approach and apply it to your business:
 What’s something valuable you can give away that showcases your expertise? (A book, guide, mini-course, toolkit, etc.) 
 Instead of selling it upfront, how can you use it to build relationships? 
 Create a simple landing page where people exchange their contact info for that value. 
 Think about the experience: how can you make it memorable, personal, or unexpected? 
 Challenge yourself: launch a “give-first” offer within the next 14 days and track the quality of relationships it creates. 
🔗 Stay Connected
 Subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s unconventional growth strategies 
 Get a FREE paperback copy of Brian’s book Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur!
→ Email [email protected] to claim yours 
 Connect with Brian on Instagram: @imetbrian
 Share this episode with someone who’s been chasing metrics instead of building real connections

Ever feel like you’re stuck trying to build an audience from scratch, wondering where your next customer will come from? In today's episode, Brian continues his special 7-day solo series by revealing one of the most powerful (and underrated) growth strategies he’s used across every business he’s built over the past 17 years. In this episode, he takes you all the way back to his dorm room days—starting with just three readers—and walks you through how leveraging other people’s audiences became the ultimate shortcut to growth. From guest posting and event sponsorships to podcast tours and course bundles, this episode is a masterclass in accelerating traction without waiting years to build your own platform. 
✨ Why This Matters for You
This isn’t just a tactic—it’s a mindset shift that can dramatically speed up your growth:
 You don’t need to build an audience from scratch to succeed—you can tap into ones that already exist. 
 It eliminates the slow, frustrating grind of trying to get attention in crowded spaces. 
 It creates win-win opportunities where you provide value and gain exposure. 
 It works across every business model—content, services, courses, and beyond. 
📝 Key Takeaways
Leverage Beats Starting From Zero. You don’t need to wait until you “have an audience.” Growth accelerates when you plug into audiences that already exist.
Guest Content Is a Growth Engine. Whether it’s blog posts, podcasts, or webinars, contributing valuable content to others’ platforms is one of the fastest ways to get discovered.
Solve Their Problem First. Brian’s success with guest posting came from understanding one key pain point: content creators always need more content. Lead with value.
Partnerships Create Shortcuts. From sponsoring events to joining course bundles, strategic partnerships can instantly put you in front of qualified audiences.
Exposure Over Immediate Revenue. Sometimes the smartest move is to sacrifice short-term income (like free course bundles) in exchange for long-term audience growth.
Repeatable Across Every Stage. From his first blog to his podcast and beyond, Brian has used this same strategy over and over—it’s not a one-time trick, it’s a core playbook.
🚀 Put It Into Action
Start leveraging other people’s audiences today:
 Identify 5 platforms (podcasts, blogs, communities) that already serve your ideal customer. 
 Reach out with a specific value offer—a tailored topic, article, or training just for their audience. 
 Think win-win: how does your contribution make their platform better? 
 Don’t overcomplicate it—your first opportunity could come from a simple, thoughtful email. 
 Challenge yourself: secure at least one collaboration or guest opportunity within the next 14 days. 
🔗 Stay Connected
 Subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s unconventional growth strategies 
 Get a FREE paperback copy of Brian’s book Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur!
→ Email [email protected] to claim yours 
 Connect with Brian on Instagram: @imetbrian
 Share this episode with someone who’s tired of trying to grow alone and needs a smarter path forward

Ever feel like you’re lost in a sea of conflicting advice, trying to compete with millions of others on social media? This week, Brian is kicking off a special 7-day series, pulling back the curtain on the unconventional, timeless strategies that have actually worked to grow his businesses over the past 17 years. In this first episode, he shares the powerful story of how he and his business partner went from awkwardly walking into a local sandwich shop to cracking the code on client acquisition. Discover the “selling to a room” strategy—a method that positions you as an expert, builds instant trust, and is just as effective for a local service business as it is for a global online course empire.
✨ Why This Matters for You 
This isn't just a story; it’s a playbook that can change how you get clients forever:
It’s a way to stand out in a noisy market by creating your own platform instead of renting space on someone else’s.
It flips the sales dynamic—you become the sought-after expert people line up to work with, not the solicitor knocking on doors.
It builds genuine relationships at scale, turning a room of strangers into warm leads in under an hour.
It works across industries. Whether you sell services, software, or online courses, leading with education is a winning formula.
📝 Key Takeaways
Education Is the Best Sales Tool. The most effective way to sell is to stop pitching and start teaching. When you solve a problem for free, people will gladly pay you to solve the bigger one.
Create Your Own Stage. Don’t just be another face in the crowd at networking events. The real leverage comes from being the person at the front of the room that everyone came to see.
Your “Room” Can Be Anywhere. This strategy isn’t limited to a physical space. Brian successfully translated his in-person workshop model into highly profitable online webinars to sell his courses.
Leverage Strategic Partnerships. Brian partnered with a local electrician for a free venue. Who in your network has an audience or a space that could be a win-win for both of you?
Momentum Follows Action. Brian and his partner didn’t have a perfect plan when they started, but their willingness to walk into businesses and talk to people created the momentum that led to their breakthrough idea.
🚀 Put It Into Action 
This week, start building your own “room” with these steps:
What’s one topic you can teach that solves a pressing problem for your ideal customer?
Brainstorm your "venue." Could you host a lunch-and-learn at a local Chamber of Commerce? A free 45-minute webinar on Zoom? A live Q&A on Instagram?
Outline a short presentation focused 90% on pure, actionable value. The sale should be the logical next step, not the entire focus.
Challenge yourself: Schedule your first event in the next 30 days. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to happen.
🔗 Stay Connected
Subscribe to the show so you don't miss any of the 7 unconventional growth strategies this week!
Get a FREE paperback copy of Brian's book, Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur! He found a stash during his move and wants to mail you one. Just email him at [email protected] to claim your copy.
Connect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrian
Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs a fresh, effective way to get more clients.