The Koerner Office - Business Ideas, Advice & Deep Dives

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I are talking about business ideas and what's happening in our companies. In this episode, we discuss the business potential of Instagram's Close Friends feature, how influencers can use it to boost engagement, and how you could help.

We also cover the concept of Negative COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) - acquiring products for free or how you can get paid to acquire products and then sell them- with examples like EcoScraps. We talk about a lake weed removal business started by two college students, and how they scaled up with smart social media marketing. Finally, we share ideas for home service businesses that could benefit from time-lapse video marketing to go viral.

Learn more about Nik here:http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik
Timestamps below. Enjoy!
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Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
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00:00 Introduction
01:18 Close Friends Feature on Instagram
02:07 Leveraging Close Friends for Increased Engagement
03:23 Monetizing the Close Friends Feature
06:34 Scraping Instagram Followers for Business Opportunities
11:10 Exploring Negative COGS Business Ideas
15:15 The Lake Weed Removal Business
17:14 Chemical-Free Pond and Lake Cleaning
17:37 Going Viral on Social Media
18:23 A Generous Offer
18:38 Business Boom and Social Media Success
20:00 Franchising and Licensing Opportunities
20:21 Top 10 Media-Accelerated Home Services Businesses
21:28 Pressure Washing and Pool Cleaning
23:11 Home Cleaning and Tree Trimming
25:24 Painting and Landscaping
28:46 Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning
29:10 Carpet Cleaning and Business Strategy
29:49 Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth
31:56 Partnering with Nationwide Franchisors

HoldCo Bros are back! Nik and I discuss four exciting ideas, but in this first part, we talk about two main ideas: growing a subreddit as a powerful business tool and a creative business-in-a-box solution for wantrepreneurs. We talk about how to effectively use Reddit as a growth hack, including automation tools like Zapier and AI, and also brainstorm a comprehensive package for those starting side hustles, but this is only Part 1 - stay tuned for the Part 2 next week!
Learn more about Nik here: http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Introduction
02:50 Navigating Reddit for Growth
06:09 Leveraging AI and Automation
09:06 Practical Applications for Entrepreneurs
12:01 Creative Marketing Strategies
14:48 Innovative Business Ideas
18:10 Exploring New Monetization Opportunities
20:38 Business in a box idea

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Nick, the mastermind behind Huskybeard, a beard care products business.

Stay tuned as we uncover the three pivotal principles that transformed Huskybeard from a struggling venture into a thriving success story. We'll be exploring the power of exceptional customer service, the impact of offering quality products, and the importance of diligent due diligence. These principles are not just stories from the annals of Huskybeard but invaluable lessons that every entrepreneur can apply in their own business ventures.
Introduction:

• Brief overview of the episode's focus: Exploring the inspiring journey of Huskybeard and the essential principles that led to its success.

Part 1: Nick's Entrepreneurial Odyssey

• Introducing Nick, the entrepreneur behind Huskybeard, his background, and his motivation to acquire the business.
• Nick's journey as a serial entrepreneur and his search for a business that met specific criteria.

Part 2: The Three Principles of Success

Principle 1: Exceptional Customer Service

• Discussing the significance of exceptional customer service in building brand loyalty and trust.
• Highlighting Huskybeard’s approach to addressing customer concerns and fostering a positive customer experience.
• Concrete ways for businesses to implement outstanding customer service in their operations.

Principle 2: Quality Products

• Exploring the importance of offering high-quality products or services to establish a strong market presence.
• How Huskybeard’s focus on product quality contributed to customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
• Practical steps for businesses to ensure the quality of their offerings and continuously improve them.

Principle 3: Diligent Due Diligence

• Emphasizing the critical role of thorough research and due diligence in making informed business decisions.
• Discussing Nick's experience and the importance of verifying claims and assessing risks.
• Actionable tips for entrepreneurs on conducting diligent due diligence before significant business endeavors.

Conclusion:

• Summarizing the key takeaways: Exceptional customer service, quality products, and diligent due diligence as the pillars of business success.
• Encouragement for listeners to apply these principles in their own entrepreneurial journeys.
• Thanking listeners for tuning in and inviting them to stay connected for more insightful episodes.

Today, we have a fascinating journey to unpack – the story of Workspaces and the principles that turned it into a thriving success.

In the next few minutes, we'll dissect the secrets behind Workspaces' rise to fame. We'll explore how genuine relationships, consistency, and leveraging existing networks propelled this venture to remarkable heights. These principles aren't just confined to newsletters; they're universal truths that can transform any business.

So, buckle up and get ready to uncover the strategies that could shape your business journey. Whether you're a startup founder, a small business owner, or an aspiring entrepreneur, the lessons from Workspaces are bound to inspire and guide you.
Introduction:
In this episode of Startup Gems, we dive into the captivating journey of Workspaces, a newsletter that transformed into a business phenomenon. We explore the principles that powered Workspaces' success and how these lessons can be applied to any entrepreneurial venture.

Overview:

• Introducing Workspaces: A behind-the-scenes tour of entrepreneurs' workspaces.
• The story of Ryan Gilbert, the mastermind behind Workspaces.
• Preview of the key principles: Building Genuine Relationships, Prioritizing Consistency and Patience, and Leveraging Existing Networks.

Principle 1: Building Genuine Relationships for Organic Growth:

• How Ryan Gilbert used social media, especially Twitter, to build authentic connections.
• The ripple effect: Tagging individuals and their communities for increased visibility.
• Practical tips for entrepreneurs: Engaging sincerely with your audience for organic expansion.

Principle 2: Prioritizing Consistency and Patience Over Immediate Monetization:

• Ryan Gilbert's journey of publishing 117 editions without a sponsor, focusing on content quality and audience growth.
• The power of patience: Consistently delivering value to customers and fostering loyalty.
• Advice for entrepreneurs: Long-term vision and dedication as the keys to sustainable growth.

Principle 3: Leveraging Your Existing Network and Audience:

• Workspaces' monetization strategy: Tapping into the existing subscriber base for sponsorships.
• Exclusive deals and products for loyal customers: Maximizing the potential of your current network.
• Insights for business owners: Nurturing existing relationships to boost sales and create a strong business foundation.

Conclusion:

• Recap of the key principles: Building Genuine Relationships, Prioritizing Consistency and Patience, and Leveraging Existing Networks.
• Encouragement for entrepreneurs: Applying these principles to fuel their own business success stories.

I sat down with Edward Sturm, a viral growth marketing expert who's known for his Fake Celebrity prank in New York City that went viral with hundreds of millions of views. In this episode, Edward shares a brilliant idea to take over abandoned meetup groups for just $50-$100, giving you access to thousands of free leads and potential customers. We also discuss curious learner bias, unbundling large SaaS tools using AI, and creative ways to grow your business.
Learn more about Edward here:
https://www.instagram.com/edward.builds
https://www.youtube.com/@buildinpublic
Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Introduction to Edward Sturm and Viral Marketing
14:33 Innovative Business Ideas: Taking Over Meetup Groups
24:12 Networking and Meetups for Growth
26:36 The Curious Learner Bias
30:54 Content Creation and Engagement Strategies
34:39 Leveraging AI Tools for Development
39:26 Unbundling Features for Market Success
42:45 Bottom of Funnel SEO Strategies
45:07 YouTube Shorts and User-Generated Content