In this episode, we explore secondary funding for your business. Learn the signs it's time to consider this option, the pros and cons, and how it impacts your acquisition timeline. We also discuss alternative funding methods like personal investments, loans, and revenue optimization. Key takeaways: be transparent with investors, believe in your business, and be prepared to continue operations post-funding. Timestamps: (00:00) Securing primary investment vs. secondary investment explained. (07:52...
Aug 07, 2024•28 min•Ep. 15
In this episode, Brad & Nate dive into company culture. They discuss leading by example, transparency, and investing in your team's growth. Your actions set the tone for the organization so tune in for insights on how to create a winning culture. Timestamps: (00:00) Your actions define who you are. (04:18) Leaders must be transparent, authentic, and accountable. (07:50) Struggling with micromanaging in leadership and communication. (12:19) Lead with empathy for better leadership impact. (14:...
Aug 01, 2024•25 min•Ep. 14
We open up Brad's personal Apple Notes file he's been keeping for years with key learning lessons building Elevar. Listen in as Brad and Nate discuss each and translate into tips you can implement for your own business. Timestamps: (00:00) Journal of learning lessons shared with listeners. (05:14) Founders may not receive honest feedback (09:00) Empowering leaders and cutting unnecessary expenses. (10:16) Frequent product changes require regular team training. (16:21) Focusing on CRM and automat...
Jul 24, 2024•28 min•Ep. 13
Dive into the essentials of content creation and audience building. We explore the importance of starting simple and staying consistent, focusing on authenticity, and the power of documenting daily activities. Discover why it's not about the polish, but the value and entertainment you provide. Hear insights on the significance of transparency and personal stories, like overcoming anxiety when posting on LinkedIn. This episode is all about providing value, connecting personally with your audience...
Jul 17, 2024•34 min•Ep. 12
Comparing NBA draft decisions to starting early vs founding later in life as an entrepreneur. Brad also shares his experience from Philip McKernan's Brave Soul retreat he just got back from with his wife. We explore the importance of understanding our past behaviors, using tools like the "why exercise" and the "mask exercise" to align our true selves with our goals. Tune in to learn tools about powerful personal development that can help in your family, personal, and professional worlds. Timesta...
Jul 10, 2024•51 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, co-hosts Nate Winkler and Brad Redding dig deep into the factors that enhance happiness, productivity, and efficiency both at work and at home. Timestamps: (00:00) Embracing a new work-life balance perspective. (06:39) Commit, discipline, work harder, outlast, eventually win. (10:17) Effort and results vs. changed workforce psychology. (11:43) "Work-life balance study shows positive impact." (16:40) Improving job satisfaction through energy audit. (18:43) AI implementation impac...
Jun 27, 2024•48 min•Ep. 10
In this episode, we dive deep into the hiring process and emphasizing the importance of structured onboarding to turn new hires from zero to hero in just 30 days. We also cover performance reviews, creating feedback-friendly environments, and energy audits to maintain team satisfaction. Plus, a hot debate on whether influencers should be paid in cash or equity for maximum impact. Timestamps: (00:00) Thoughts against influencer equity due to psychology reasons. (03:50) Influencer involvement in b...
Jun 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 9
Dive deep into the lessons learned from overcommitting and the importance of knowing your limits. Nate and Brad also explore how they are leveraging AI, especially GPT, for everything from daily routines, content creation, tutoring kids, fitness routines, and even building your own like advisory boards using knowledge from Buffet, Elon and more. Timestamps: (00:00) Focus on one startup for better success. (03:29) Gary V focuses on audience and platforms. (11:15) AI Use Cases --- Links: Learn mor...
Jun 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 8
This episode we dive deep into unique investment strategies according to our own investor DNA. We explored the benefits of whole life insurance for tax advantages and cash flow, the power of real estate for wealth building, and shared our experiences on balancing personal happiness and business success. We also discussed using AI tools for investment decisions and legal feedback. Remember, wealth isn't just money—it's about buying time for what truly matters to you in life. Timestamps: (00:00) D...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 7
Can dynamic equity help save failed founder partnerships? In this episode Brad and Nate discuss the good, bad, and ugly of the slicing pie framework and reality of partnerships when grinding out a new startup over many years. You'll hear how they navigated their own early partnership tension, examples of other businesses that have ended too early, and tips that you can apply to your own partnership. Timestamps: --- Links: Learn more about Brad Redding / Connect on LinkedIn and Instagram Connect ...
May 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 6
In this episode, we cover everything from the pitfalls of working late nights at the expense of quality and health, to the importance of making strategic, rather than emotional, business decisions. You'll hear stories about the value of forecasting, prioritizing mental health and discipline, and the significance of aligning yourself with mentors who are a few steps ahead of you on the ladder of success. We also discuss the impact of hiring decisions, the vitality of maintaining a humble mindset,...
May 22, 2024•23 min•Ep. 5
Brad and Nate share insights on planning backwards from a perfect exit, discussing key metrics that can make or break a deal, building the right team, and the pros and cons of VC funding vs. bootstrapping. You'll also hear intimate details about the journey of fostering a healthy partnership, discovering reasons for exit planning, and the challenges faced when bootstrapping. Timestamps: (04:37) Bootstrapping limited income, challenges attracting talent. (09:04) VC funding doesn't guarantee succe...
May 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 4
"Is it worth it?" This is a common question asked about holding our own customer conferences. Coming off of Elevar's 2nd customer conference, we'll share what goes into hosting your own event, including costs, content curation, attendee recruiting, vendor management, the stress, and more. Events aren't easy, and there are 7 different ways to apply events to your growth strategy. Tune in to hear our experience on all 7 that you can apply to your own business. Timestamps: (00:00) Event structure d...
May 09, 2024•53 min•Ep. 3
Today's episode focuses on how to drive growth in your business through operational efficiency, existing customers, and a strong partner program. This includes the strategic hiring of senior leaders, the prioritization of hiring in sales, marketing, customer support, and how and where you can collect customer data in your business to help accelerate growth through customer led marketing. Timestamps: (04:12) Company scorecards -- how to put to use (15:22) Professional services in SaaS? (16:53) Le...
May 03, 2024•47 min•Ep. 2
Founders, learn what goes into a mid 8-figure exit of a bootstrapped SaaS business and the key decisions that led up to this milestone. You'll discover how to position your business ahead of due diligence, the benefits of hiring a banker, the reasons that led to the decision to go to market, and what has changed after the first 90 days. (06:12) Reflecting on entrepreneurship and sharing lessons learned (12:50) Focus on doing one thing really well (15:27) Concerns about financial freedom and fund...
Apr 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 1
