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

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.

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327: The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur with John Jantsch

I am so excited as Read to Lead celebrates an incredible milestone.

That’s right. The podcast officially turns seven this week, and what better way to celebrate than with a visit from the one and only, John Jantsch.

John Jantsch

John is the author of the bestselling Duct Tape Marketing and numerous other books, including the one we’re diving into today.

That book is The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business.

This book is filled with inspirational meditations that contain the thoughts and writings of notable American authors. It’s designed as a daily devotional, arranged in a calendar format, and features readings of transcendentalist literature and others.

Written for entrepreneurs, as well as anyone seeking to find a deeper meaning in their work and life, it’s a practical handbook for anyone seeking to embrace the practice of self-trust.

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322: The Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business with Mike Michalowicz

Author of Fix This Next

One of my favorite people (and not just one of my favorite authors) is this guy! The goofy-acting one in the pic below.

His name is Mike Michalowicz, and this episode marks his third appearance on the podcast. You can find those other two here and here (he also appeared as part of my Boss-Free Virtual Summit last year).

mike michalowicz

You know an author’s books are going to be solid when you realize that they spend about five years working on each of them.

It shows. Mike’s book are incredibly well researched and well written.

Mike’s latest book is called Fix This Next: Make the Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business.

In short, it’s the ultimate diagnostic tool for every entrepreneur and business owner. With simple, efficient, and powerful tips and teachings, you will immediately identify your business’s essential need and easily drive the results you desire most.

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316: Could You Survive Shark Tank?

One of my favorite things about creating content on a regular basis is the people I’m able to meet along the way.

Often times, those people I meet and I become friends. Occasionally, I get to invite those friends onto the show.

pierce marrs

Such is the case with today’s guest, Pierce Marrs.

Pierce has been hosting his own podcast longer than I have and, in it, covers the ins and outs of a popular TV show called Shark Tank.

His new book, written from his experiences covering the show for so long and interviewing many of the show’s guest business owners as well as the Sharks, is called Could You Survive Shark Tank?: The Sharks’ Top 7 Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer.

Get the answers to these seven questions down, and your business is all but guaranteed to succeed.

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290: Build Your Business, Quit Your Job, and Live Your Ideal Lifestyle

With Tom and Ariana Sylvester

I’ve never met today’s guests in person, but from the moment I began talking with them, I felt like I’d known them for years.

It is obvious from the get-go that they sincerely are all about helping others realize their lifestyle dreams.

tom and ariana sylvester

Their names are Tom and Ariana Sylvester and their brand new book is called Lifestyle Builders: Build Your Business, Quit Your Job, and Live Your Ideal Lifestyle.

They are here to help guide current and aspiring entrepreneurs through the major aspects of “making it happen” with a simple, step-by-step process.

They’ll provide the inspiration and clarity to unlock the secrets of making your ideal life a reality!

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