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The next generation of successful entrepreneurs will be both founders & creators, leveraging their own audience to launch, build, and scale multiple companies into millions based on their own personal hobbies & passions. This is the 'Personal Holding Company' philosophy. It's a lifestyle business on steroids: no venture capital investors, work whenever & wherever you want, turning your hobbies into businesses. First Class Founders explores this PHC philosophy with tactical tips & strategies ...
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Join Mike Shoss, a visionary leader and President of ShossX, as he navigates the dynamic world of holding companies in "HoldCo Strategy Sessions". Each week, Mike delves into the heart of business strategy, sharing invaluable insights from his current ventures: Epilogue, Milton Innovation, and LiteWorker. In "HoldCo Strategy Sessions", you'll get a front-row seat to weekly updates from these thriving enterprises, gaining a firsthand understanding of the challenges and triumphs of running div ...
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E75: Michael Girdley (@girdley) needs no introduction. He's a HoldCo legend. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with Michael to discuss how he has built a successful HoldCo. We talk about Michael's "Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission" framework, which he uses to build all of his businesses. Michael shares how to find the best …
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E74: Have you ever wondered how a person can flip their life's script from constant struggles to having a multi-million dollar business? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a rich conversation with successful entrepreneur Tim Stoddart (@TimStodz), the proud owner of Copyblogger Media. He discusses his incredible transition from a troubled yout…
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E73: Not many know it, but a lot of aspiring business owners run the risk of making expensive mistakes that could put their goals on hold before they ever take off. So, today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares eight important things he learned over eight years of building three businesses from the ground up. He shares how to have an expone…
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E72: When is the right time to exit a business? Sounds like a simple question, but the answer... isn't as simple. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with accomplished entrepreneur Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki), the Founder and CEO of Acquire.com. Andrew discusses the strategies behind successful exits and how to position your company to …
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E71: How do you design a personal brand that truly reflects you, stands out, and captivates your audience? Do you find yourself lost in the sea of design choices? Not sure how to align your website elements with your personal brand values? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by talented designer, Nate Kadlac (@kadlac). Nate will guide us…
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E70: Who doesn't like free or cheap stuff? Imagine getting more customers without spending money. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by an expert in PR and earned media, Christina Nicholson (@ChristinaAllDay), an award-winning journalist. Christina will discuss why small businesses should start with local media and why earned media's cr…
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Summary In this episode of Hold Co strategy sessions, Mike Shoss covers the week from January 29th to February 2nd. He discusses his work with a consulting client and a website redesign. He also talks about a meeting with an innovation district company and a doctor's appointment. Mike shares his content creation efforts and the launch of a new webs…
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Million Dollar Weekend: How To Launch A Successful Business In 48 Hours with Noah Kagan, CEO of AppSumo
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E69: Imagine creating a million dollar business in just 48 hours. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by a special guest Noah Kagan (@noahkagan), the CEO of AppSumo.com. Noah will discuss his new book "Million Dollar Weekend" and explain how he used these strategies and tactics to build AppSumo, a near 9-figure business. On today’s episo…
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Summary In this episode, Mike Shoss recaps the events of the week, including closing new partnerships for Milton Innovation and touring a potential co-working space. He discusses the importance of a content creation space and podcast studio, as well as seeking a partner for equipment sponsorship. Mike also analyzes business numbers and structure, p…
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E68: Ever wonder how to grow your business profits just by leveraging relationships and strategic partnerships? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is privileged to have a very special guest, Jay Abraham (@RealJayAbraham), the Owner of Abraham Group and America’s Highest Paid Marketing Consultant. Jay will discuss the concept of Relational Capital…
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Summary In this episode, Mike Shoss provides an overview of his week and the activities within his holding company. He discusses meetings with potential partners, catch-ups with co-founders, and participation in events such as angel investment meetings and small business pitch competitions. He also highlights the progress of Lightworker, which has …
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E67: What if I told you hiring the right operator for your PHC could supercharge your business? But get it wrong, and it could all go up in flames. Even worse, it could get swiped right from under you. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But believe me, I've lived that story. I've spent the last four years taking notes, testing strategies, and refining my hi…
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Summary In the first episode of Hold Co strategy sessions, Mike Shoss provides updates on his companies and projects, including ShossX, Epilogue, LiteWorker, and Milton Innovation. He shares personal reflections and challenges faced in his entrepreneurial journey. The updates include seeking new clients for Epilogue, building an AI consumer researc…
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From $0 to $10M ARR in Six Months: The Growth Playbook of Hunter Hammonds, Co-Founder & CEO of Assembly Ventures
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E66: How did Assembly Ventures, from nothing but dreams and passion, pull in a crazy $10 million in less than six months? Call it nuts. Call it ambitious. Call it a crazy result. But it happened, my friend, it happened. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down and spills the beans with Hunter Hammonds (@_hunterhammonds), the CEO and Co-Founde…
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E65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours. I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I ne…
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E64: In the world of startups, everyone wants that magic formula to get their business off the ground and scaling fast. But all too often, business plans end up as complicated, unwieldy documents that feel overwhelming to create and follow. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) goes behind the scenes with Brandon White (@BrandonCWhite). He generousl…
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From Hobby to Personal HoldCo: How I Built My Personal Holding Company (BONUS)
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E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week! I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's (@BrandonCWhite) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hour…
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E62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban …
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E61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey. Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with the amazin…
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E60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth? It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some …
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E59: What does it really take to go viral on social media? In our digital era, choosing the right platform for your business can be overwhelming. Founders face immense pressure to build a substantial online presence and audience. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a special guest, Michelle Thames (@michellelthames), a renowned Marketing and M…
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E58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that! Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong. Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs! When I started my po…
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From Bankruptcy to Millionaire in 2 Years: How Tibo Louis-Lucas Built and Sold TweetHunter & Taplio for Multi-Millions
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E57: How did a man who declared bankruptcy turn into a multi-millionaire in just 2 years? Our guest today did just that. His incredible journey is one of resilience, innovation, and true entrepreneurial spirit. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a very special guest, Tibo Louis-Lucas (@tibo_maker), the genius behind TweetHunter and Taplio. Ti…
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E56: Growing a newsletter is no cakewalk. There's the initial phase where growth is slow, and every subscriber feels like a hard-fought battle. Not to mention, the emotional and physical toll of relentless hours, strategizing, and moments of utter despair and frustration. The market is crowded, and it's tough to stand out. How do you gain traction …
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E55: Many content creators struggle with building a dedicated audience and effectively monetizing their content. Despite having quality content, they often lack the strategic framework to captivate and monetize an audience in a landscape saturated with creators. So, how do you sift through the noise? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung…
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Harnessing the Power of Twitter: How to Attract and Connect with Your Target Audience (BONUS)
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E54: Ever felt like a stranger at a party where everyone else knows each other? That's how Yong-Soo Chung felt when he first ventured onto X. Yong-Soo Chung stepped into X with 400 followers, hoping for connections and recognition. But instead, he found himself feeling isolated and alienated. Moreover, sharing personal tales became a venture fraugh…
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E53: Have you ever considered setting up a business structure that could save you taxes, protect your assets, and offer countless financial advantages? Picture this. One day, you wake up to see your bank account flooded with cash from your startup's exit. The question isn't about the money anymore; it's about what you do next. Do you jump into anot…
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E52: In today's digital age, entrepreneurs need a strong personal brand. Hands down. But how do you actually go about building one? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a conversation with Clifton Sellers (@LegacyBuilder__) founder of Legacy Builder, a successful ghostwriting agency. He's the unseen hand behind some of the best con…
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E51: Why is it that the richest people in the world work the same hours as we do, yet they make way more money than we do? What are they doing differently? The answer lies in the concept of leverage. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) takes us on a journey to uncover the secret behind the immense wealth and success of these successful entre…
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Mastering the Art of Navigating Unexpected Change for Success with Brad Stulberg, Best-Selling Author
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E50: Let's be honest, change can be a real challenge for us entrepreneurs. It's like trying to catch a fast-moving aircraft without a ticket - it's confusing and can make you feel like you're just reacting, not steering your ship. This can lead to burnout, frustration, and missed opportunities. On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) chat…
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Don't Make The Same Mistakes I Did — What I Wish I Knew About Content Creation and Personal Branding
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E49: Have you ever wondered why your content isn't hitting the mark? You're putting in all the hard work, creating content day in and day out, yet it feels like you're just shouting into the wind. Frustrating, right? I get it. Because I've been there. I thought that just putting out great content would be enough to make me a success. But boy, was I…
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Mastering the Art of Unsexy Entrepreneurship with Hold Co Owner Nick Huber, Founder of Bolt Storage & The Sweaty Startup
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E48: Ever wonder how an "unsexy" business could lead to mind-blowing success? What if I told you someone turned a student self-storage idea into a multi-million dollar empire? Today, Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Nick Huber (@sweatystartup), the mastermind behind the Sweaty Startup brand, the brilliant mind behind Bolt Storage, and a ho…
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E47: Have you ever wondered how some creators and entrepreneurs seem to achieve incredible results effortlessly while others struggle to gain traction? The answer lies in a concept that has revolutionized my approach to business – the Flywheel Effect. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) dives deep into the concept of a flywheel and why every…
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How to Succeed as a Creative Entrepreneur with Daren Smith, Film Producer & Author, Founder of Craftsman Creative
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E46: Ever find yourself stuck in the hamster wheel of creativity, pouring your heart into your craft, but struggling to turn a profit? It's a challenge many of us face – the journey from creator to successful entrepreneur can feel like an uphill battle. Get ready as Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Daren Smith (@DarenTSmith), the founder o…
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What the Best Creators Have in Common: Attracting Audiences, Making Your Own Luck, and Building a Strong Network
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E45: Have you ever wondered what sets successful founders and creators apart from the rest? The reality is, many budding entrepreneurs grapple with uncertainty, indecision, and the fear of failure. It's like navigating a maze blindfolded. Entrepreneurship isn't a walk in the park. It's a rollercoaster ride filled with challenges, doubts, and uncert…
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From Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarry
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E44: Ever wonder what it takes to skyrocket your newsletter from ground zero to an audience that hangs onto your every word? Many creators struggle with picking the perfect niche, nailing the right frequency, and snagging those elusive subscribers. But don't worry. Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) spoke to Matt McGarry (@JMatthewMcgarry), a newslette…
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E43: 'X' formerly known as Twitter, has a new rival in town. Led by Mark Zuckerberg, Threads has taken the world by storm, and while the initial rush has died down a bit, its impressive launch is worth a deeper dive. A platform where conversations feel more personal, intimate, and casual, like catching up with an old friend over coffee. That's exac…
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E42: Tyler Denk is the Founder & CEO of Beehiiv, an email service provider that's taking the newsletter industry by storm. If you are a regular listener, you already know that I use Beehiiv for the First Class Founders newsletter and I am incredibly happy with it. Tyler and I spoke about: His thoughts on the future of newsletters His role as the Gr…
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E41: Today, I reveal how I built my business, which generated $20 million in sales with my proprietary MAPS Framework – Mindset, Audience, Product, and Scaling. It's everything I know about entrepreneurship distilled down to one simple framework which you can use to build your own business. Today, I'll cover: My MAPS Framework and its Components Wh…
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E40: What would you learn if you had the chance to speak to over 2,000 startup entrepreneurs including the founders of Airbnb, Reddit, and Zapier? We are talking to Andrew Warner, the serial entrepreneur, storyteller, podcast host, and author extraordinaire. After conducting over 2,000 interviews from startup founders, Andrew recently published a b…
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E39: Imagine your work has contributed to a quarter billion dollars in sales. You read that right. Quarter of a billion dollars. That’s $250 million. Today, we’re joined by Colin Chung, a copywriter who not only knows how to write amazing direct response copy, but he knows how to get the largest clients in the business. Over the last 15 years, Coli…
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How the Top 0.1% of Newsletter Creators Are Skyrocketing Their Growth with Chenell Basilio of Growth in Reverse
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E38: Want to know how the top 0.1% of creators grow their newsletter? Today, we’re joined by Chenell Basilio, the creator behind Growth in Reverse. Growth in Reverse is a newsletter that deep dives into newsletter creators with over 50,000 subscribers. Chenell spends over 40 hours per week researching one creator each week. During my conversation w…
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From Investment Banker to Creator: The Story of How Khe Hy Carved Out His Unconventional Entrepreneurial Path
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E37: Khe Hy and I have A LOT in common. Khe is also the son of immigrant parents. And like me, Khe also decided to quit his Wall Street finance job to venture off into entrepreneurship. My conversation with Khe proved to be incredibly illuminating and I found his life to be a rich treasure trove of stories and life-lessons. I spoke to Khe about his…
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E36: What's it like to go from 0 to 300k+ followers in 2 years? Clint Murphy, the host and creator of The Growth Guide podcast and newsletter, did exactly that. Clint is the Chief Financial Officer at Mosaic Homes, a Real Estate Development company. But, what I’m most impressed by is Clint’s audience growth, which has skyrocketed over the past 2-3 …
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E35: Today, I am sharing my learnings growing my newsletter. I'll tell you five key lessons from my journey to getting 3,000 subscribers in just 5 months for the First Class Founders newsletter so that you don't have make costly mistakes. I'll lay out specific and actionable tips about what to look for while promoting your newsletter, how to spend …
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E34: Today's episode is a masterclass in audience building by none other than podcast legend David Hooper. He's worked with big clients including AT&T, RunDMC, Victoria's Secret, and Fedex. David and I spoke at length about how his career shaped up over the years and discussed several things, such as how living and growing up in the Music City infl…
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Surprising Lessons From Top Creators: Insights from Jennifer Phan, Founder & CEO of Passionfroot
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E33: Today's guest is Jennifer Phan, Founder & CEO of Passionfroot, a platform which is aiming to become the operating system for creators. Jennifer has worked with some of the biggest creators including Arvid Kahl, Michael Houck, and Ali Abdaal. Being at the epicenter of the creator economy, she knows a thing or two about becoming a successful cre…
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Musician to Serial Entrepreneur to LinkedIn Creator: How Sam Browne Grew His Audience 100X in 1 Year
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E32: Sam Browne is a musician at heart and an entrepreneur by trade. Sam is also the founder of Haro SEO, which is a search engine optimization firm that involves getting backlinks from high quality domains by helping a reporter out. Sam is also a well known LinkedIn creator who grew from 500 to 50,000 followers in just one year. He's now planning …
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From Pool Store Boy to Serial Entrepreneur: How Matt Giovanisci Built a Multi-Million Dollar Niche Business
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E31: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work FOREVER in the same industry where you got your first-ever job? Well, Matt Giovanisci doesn't need to imagine it. Because that is exactly what he has been doing since he was 13 years old. Over the years, Matt grew steadily within this industry and eventually ended up launching Swim Universit…
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E30: Ever since ChatGPT was released to the public, people have used it for a wide variety of interesting experiments. Today, I'm speaking to Jackson Fall, the man behind the recent success of HustleGPT. At the time of recording, Jackson's Twitter thread about HustleGPT, his unique entrepreneurial experiment with ChatGPT had nearly 16,000 retweets,…
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