Hardcore Business Mode

I never finished my Bachelor’s Degree. I’ve done many years of education but I only ever finished an Associate’s of Applied Science in Communication Design. Basically a fancy piece of paper that means I know what looks good on graphics and video. After that, I went on to study Youth Ministry and Ministry Leadership. I never did finish though because I loved learning on the job and getting paid rather than going to school and me having to pay them.

The issue I have with the educational system is that they seem to just charge crazy amounts of money for jobs that either don’t exist or won’t accept you. That by the time you’re graduated with your degree, the job requires more education or more experience. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to jump into the workforce in the very area I wanted to major in. For my entire life, I’ve done it backwards. I had a job as a graphic designer, then got my Associates in that field. From there, I got a job as a Youth Pastor and then went to get the degree. It begs the question in my mind, so what is worth your time? Is it worth building up your education history? or is it better to build your work history?

For me, I spend my time studying and enjoy studying a variety of things. I call it “Hardcore Business Mode” because I zero in on my studies (which often is business focused) and just absorb information. It’s sometimes exhausting but I also love it because it’s a dedicated time to learn more things. And since I’m not going to college, it is in this “hardcore business mode” that I gain the skills or, I guess more so, knowledge that I utilize in my career advancement.

Watch History

The Money Making Expert

When I see headlines about “Money Making HACK” or the thumbnail text “turn $1 into $10,000”, I almost always disregard because it’s not actually practical advice. That being said, this time, I did watch! Because the title mentioned a principle I heard somewhere else and so I wanted to learn more. I learned about the 7, 11, 4 rule but I also really enjoyed the conversation. I have one gripe to share on the onset of this though. The answer to the video’s title is “create a personal brand and make that big so that people throw money at you.” I’m wrestling with that. Could it really be that to make wealth nowadays, you have to be an influencer? What happens if you don’t have the desire to be one? Are you just doomed? Surely not, because most millionaires are not popular influencers. They’re wandering around like average people. My response to this is further study to determine if my claim is accurate or not - if you really do need a personal brand in the current state of the world. Also, I do realize the irony that I am asking these questions while pursuing an avenue for sharing insights, therefore building my personal brand. I’m reconciling that.

Notes from the Episode:

In the pursuit of being an Entrepreneur: start by working for an entrepreneur, if not, be a co-founder with someone who has experience, if not, start a few side hustles.

Side hustle is an open and shut business case. 90 days to try a business. Not long term. Not ongoing. You can learn and reflect and then move forward having learned new things.
*I really liked this notion. Found it freeing in a way. Starting a side gig doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. Treat it as such, a side gig, learn, and then make plans for future endeavors in light of experience.

2024 shifted everything to long form unscripted podcasts. 

CEOs will need to become human and relatable. Start with small podcasts, go on 10-12 small ones (1-2 hours each) and talk about your business. You then can work your way up.

Communication frameworks

• Name: your name

• Same: what am I the same as that you already understand?

• Fame: what makes you interesting? What makes you stand out?

• Aim: what are you working at in the next 90 days?

• Game: what is the bigger vision? What do you want to achieve in 3-6 years?

Dunbar’s Numbers: Humans have a limited amount of people they remember. 1500 total, with 150 close relations.

You need to become one of those remembered people. Your customers or clients or audience need to spend time with you, have repetitions with you, and see you in multiple contexts.

7-11-4
7 hours
11 interactions
4 platforms

This develops what are called para-social relationships: 1 sided relationships. It’s the relationship you have with your favorite musical artist, celebrity, or influencer. You feel like you know them, even though they have no idea who you are.

You need to build these relationships at scale.

The conversation turned to some really helpful marketing practices.

5 things the brain will not delete:

1. Scary

2. Strange

3. Sexy

4. Free value

5. Familiar

Facebook ads (I thought this was really clever)

• run 10-20 variations of ads 

• All links go to a page with “This product no longer available. Click to join waiting list”

• Follow up key questions

  • Where am I now?

  • Where do you want to be?

  • What’s in the way?

  • What are you currently doing to fix it?

  • What price would you pay? What would be so cheap that you question its quality? What would be so expensive that it’s not worth it?

The entrepreneur sweet spot

• Passion

• Problem you are solving

• Payment people are willing to make

Extremes of any of those won’t work, find the middle ground between the 3 aspects.

The ideal business that meets the needs of people are teams of 6-12 with $1-3 million in revenue. 

• it’s a business built on being a nerd about a given topic.

• The next step goes up to 10-300 million but requires you to be a business geek.

50% of the worlds businesses are owned by baby boomers. They are going through a shift where they want to sell the business, move into advisory role, travel, etc. 

To be wealthy, it’s not just having money. Create a thing, build an audience around it, find investors, that accumulate wealth, sell it, do it over again.

Build a personal brand next to an elegant business model.

Growth is a result of passion and repetition.

Google: The Messy Middle

• Previously we thought it was a marketing funnel

  • Awareness, consideration, trust and commitment, to purchase

• Google found that that is not true

• It’s now:

  • Trigger (following a creator)

  • Explore and evaluation (seeing content about a product)

  • Trigger (joining waiting list)

• Purchase

Environment dictates performance

• if you’re in a place where nobody does personal branding, it will feel impossible

• If you’re where people do build brands, then it’ll feel doable

• If you’re where people think money is evil, you’ll never make money

• If you’re where people build businesses, you’ll be at home building a business

Add to Watch Later:

• This Is The Ultimate Guide To Buying A Business (Main Street Millionaire Summary)

• 3 Steps To Make Money On Social Media In 2025 | GaryVee Keynote — Newtown High School

• The #1 Sign That God is Preparing You For Something More

Psst. I made a Playlist on YouTube for the videos I’ve mentioned here so that you can always refer back to it!

Reading List

Crucial Conversations by Grenny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler, and Gregory

Many years ago, I had to work through a very messy situation between several parties and I didn’t have it in me to have some of the difficult conversations that needed to be had. This book was recommended to me at the time to learn how to have Crucial Conversations. I got the audiobook back then and listened to a bit of it but, now that I’m on this kick of reading books again, I picked it up at half price books and I’ve really been enjoying it. I think this is a valuable skill for everyone to learn, so if this is something you’re interested in then pick it up from the link below!

The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

Speaking of audio books, I also had The Infinite Game on my audible from years ago but never got around to listening through it. I took time this week to have this book on during my commutes and it’s a fantastic book. I’ve heard a lot of it through Simon’s content online but he does go a little more in depth with some case studies on companies who work in the Infinite Game and companies that work in the Finite Game. So, you can either go for a deep dive on Simon Sinek’s YouTube channel, or pick this up and have it all in one place.

Just to reiterate from the article a little while back, I love listening to Simon Sinek’s insights on leadership and I have found this idea of “The Infinite Game” as such a great concept for lead positioning. It’s a guiding principle for what marks a successful business or endeavor. Many compete with each other on finite metrics in the short term. Few consider the long term infinite game when making decisions for the company. This book shows you why the infinite game is the better game to play.

The Growth Log Library

I’ve compiled a list of the books that I mention in case you want to pick any of it up. Full disclosure, these are affiliate links. Doesn’t cost anything extra on your end, I just get a kickback if you use my link to make a purchase.