336: Building an Unbeatable Business with Square Co-Founder Jim McKelvey

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When my wife Annie first launched her side business, one of the most difficult parts of the process was making her business credit card ready.

If you’ve ever gone through this process for your own business, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

jim mckelvey

The paperwork, the contracts, the fees, who could make sense of it all? You might say it was a business model ripe for disruption.

Enter Jim McKelvey and Jack Dorsey, co-founders of Square.

For my wife, her business launch overlapped with the existence of Square, and it wasn’t long before we were canceling contracts and paying the accompanying penalties so that she could say “hello” to the gift-from-heaven that was Square.

Jim McKelvey has a new book out, released earlier this year, called The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time.

My biggest take-away from our conversation is not to count yourself out thinking you can’t do something just because no one else has yet. The world may in fact be waiting for you to make it happen.

Want to hear more? You know what to do. Click the play button below to join our conversation now, or keep scrolling for a summary.

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In today’s episode, Jim and I explore:

  • How Square managed to survive a challenge from Amazon
  • The meaning of an Innovation Stack and why it’s one of the most powerful assets a company can possess
  • The secret to finding the perfect mentors
  • And lots more!

Jim’s Book

You can order your copy of The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time right now.

Jim In Action

Books Jim Recommends

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

The books of Malcolm Gladwell

Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade by Robert Cialdini

Check Out These Additional Resources

Visit Jim’s website for more on him and his work.

Grab a copy of Jim’s book now.

Invite Jim to keynote your next event.

Connect with Jim on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Check out Jim’s non-profit Launch Code.

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Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”

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Categories: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Marketing, Podcast
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