Podcast
BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio
Hosted by Tyler Jorgenson · EN
For over 15 years, BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio has been the place where real entrepreneurs share the truth about building and scaling businesses. Host Tyler Jorgenson, entrepreneur, strategist, and Rich Dad® Expert on Business, dives into conversations with founders, authors, CEOs, marketers, and innovators who have turned ideas into empires.
In under 30 minutes you will get unfiltered insights, proven strategies, and behind-the-scenes stories from some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, including Tim Ferriss, Neil Patel, and Peter Shankman.
Whether you want to escape the rat race, grow your revenue, or uncover your next big idea, BizNinja is your shortcut to clarity, courage, and entrepreneurial freedom.
Broadcast weekly on ABC News Radio KMET-1490 and available everywhere you listen to podcasts.
👉 Learn more at BizNinjaRadio.com
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Entrepreneurial Journey to Becoming Fully Yourself
1w ago00:31:03Tap to summarizeWhat if success was never really about the money, the funnels, or the strategies? In this deeply personal and powerful episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Tyler Jorgenson sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and transformation coach Liz Benny for a conversation that goes far beyond business tactics. Together, they unpack identity, healing, purpose, entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to live a wealthy life on your own terms. Liz shares the unexpected beginnings of her entrepreneurial mindset, from mowing lawns on her family’s rose farm in New Zealand to navigating MLMs, learning online marketing, building successful businesses, and eventually creating her “Kapow” philosophy centered around connection, alignment, purpose, ownership, and wealth. But this episode is about more than entrepreneurship. It is about the internal work required to sustain growth. Liz opens up about battling perfectionism, depression, people-pleasing, and the pressure of external validation while learning how to fully embrace who she is without dimming her light for others. Tyler and Liz also explore future self identity, subconscious blocks, emotional healing, leadership, and why so many entrepreneurs feel disconnected even after achieving outward success. This conversation will challenge the way you think about wealth, success, and personal growth while reminding you that the greatest breakthroughs often come from reconnecting with yourself first. What You'll Learn How Liz Benny’s entrepreneurial journey began on a rose farm in New Zealand The biggest lessons she learned from MLM and online marketing Why understanding the “rules of the game” matters in business How she built her first successful online business and scaled it The story behind her “Kapow” philosophy and what it really means Why entrepreneurs often struggle with external validation The four core connections every entrepreneur needs to thrive How identity shapes income, leadership, and personal growth Why future self work can accelerate business success The connection between perfectionism, burnout, and healing How subconscious beliefs can quietly limit growth and fulfillment Why authentic self-expression is essential for long-term happiness Chapters 00:00 Welcome to BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio 01:13 The Moment Liz Benny Realized She Was an Entrepreneur 03:10 Lessons Learned From MLM and Early Business Ventures 06:12 Building an Online Business Through Social Media Marketing 08:59 Discovering Russell Brunson and Scaling Online Success 11:30 The Meaning Behind Kapow and Creating True Wealth 14:31 The Struggle With External Validation 15:52 The Four Connections Every Entrepreneur Needs 18:42 Becoming Your Future Self Now 22:11 Mental Health, Perfectionism, and Healing 26:15 Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs 27:53 Building a Life You Actually Love 29:25 Where to Connect With Liz Benny 29:50 Final Thoughts for Entrepreneurs
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Why Self Awareness Might Be the Ultimate Business Advantage
2w ago00:29:57Tap to summarizeWhat if the secret to success isn’t grinding harder… but learning how to become the best version of yourself first? In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Timm Chiusano joins Tyler Jorgenson for a conversation that goes far beyond business strategy. Timm opens up about leaving a 25-year corporate career, building a personal brand with millions of followers, and discovering that the most valuable thing he could offer wasn’t content or marketing expertise. It was perspective. From emotional intelligence and self-awareness to redefining success and creating a life that actually feels fulfilling, this episode is packed with the kind of wisdom that hits differently when you’ve been through a few seasons of life and business. Tyler and Timm also dive into parenting, social media, entrepreneurship, happiness, and why so many people are chasing goals they never stopped to question in the first place. If you’ve ever felt stuck between ambition and burnout, or wondered whether success is supposed to feel more meaningful than this, this conversation will challenge the way you think about work, growth, and yourself. What You’ll Learn Why Timm waited 25 years before starting his own business The unexpected social media comments that changed his life How emotional intelligence impacts leadership and long-term success Why self-awareness may be the most important business skill today The “value pyramid” framework Timm used before leaving corporate America How younger generations are redefining success and happiness Why most people skip the step of defining what they actually want The difference between your “daily best” and your true potential How kindness to yourself can improve your work, leadership, and relationships What entrepreneurship gave Timm beyond money or fame Chapters 00:00 Meet Corporate America’s “Mr. Rogers” 00:40 Why Timm Still Doesn’t Fully See Himself as an Entrepreneur 02:14 Building Creative Careers Inside Corporate America 04:06 Leaving Stability Behind to Build Something Bigger 04:35 The First Social Media Win That Actually Mattered 06:14 Thinking Like a Creator and a Marketing Executive 07:09 The “Value Pyramid” That Helped Timm Take the Leap 09:32 Helping People Become Kinder to Themselves 10:27 Why Corporate America Makes Life Harder Than It Needs to Be 12:21 The Power of Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence 14:15 Why Younger Generations Think About Success Differently 17:39 How Social Media Is Changing Self-Awareness 18:40 Happiness vs Achievement in Modern Life 19:38 Lessons Timm Wants the Next Generation to Learn 23:14 The Difference Between “Good Enough” and Your Real Best 24:41 Why Most People Never Define Their Dream Life 25:02 Timm’s Upcoming Book and Emotional Intelligence School 27:16 Using Entrepreneurship to Create More Family Time 28:36 Where to Follow Timm Online
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The Final 10% That Actually Gets People to Buy
3w ago00:29:27Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you realize your life is drifting in a direction you didn’t choose? For Sarah Allred, that moment came while sitting on the couch, eating Cheetos and watching The Bachelor… just days into her husband’s medical school journey. That wake-up call sparked something deeper. Not a desire for money, but a need for growth, purpose, and identity. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Sarah Allred to unpack her journey from teaching photography classes in a tiny apartment to building a business around what she calls the “final 10 percent” that actually gets people to take action. This conversation goes far beyond tactics. It is about identity, evolution, and the courage to let go of what once worked so you can step into what truly matters. What You’ll Learn The moment Sarah Allred realized she had to become an entrepreneur How she turned a simple skill into her first business What the “final 10 percent” means and why most businesses miss it Why storytelling is the real driver behind conversions and connection The hidden struggle behind visible success and what it taught her How to identify your unique edge instead of copying others The bold decision that completely transformed her business Why letting go of profitable work can unlock your next level Lessons from mentors who shaped her journey How autonomy plays a role in building the life you actually want Chapters 00:00 Meet Sarah Allred and why this conversation matters 01:34 The moment entrepreneurship became necessary 03:48 Her first step into business with photography 05:09 What she is building today and the “final 10 percent” 06:17 Why storytelling is the missing piece in business 07:24 Mentors who shaped her path 11:28 Navigating challenges and identity during tough seasons 13:20 Discovering her true strength and business breakthrough 15:08 The major shift that changed everything 17:05 Letting go of what no longer serves you 19:02 Reigniting passion and showing up differently 20:05 The idea behind her podcast and autonomy 24:25 Lessons from Detroit that changed her perspective 27:39 Final reflections and personal growth
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Why Relationships Beat Marketing Every Time in Business Growth
4w ago00:29:55Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to build a business that lasts nearly three decades without relying on traditional marketing? In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Pugmire, founder of ImprintCity, to unpack a journey that started with door-to-door hustling as a kid and evolved into a multi-service branding and print company serving clients across the country. Brandon shares how relationships, calculated risks, and a willingness to bet on himself shaped his success. We dig into the moments that could have ended his business, the unconventional decisions that saved it, and why he believes the future belongs to those who combine human connection with digital innovation. If you are building something long term and want to understand what actually sustains growth, this conversation delivers. In this episode, you’ll learn: The intrinsic wiring of entrepreneurs and how to identify that early drive. The blueprint Brandon used to scale ImprintCity through human connection and referrals. The critical, unconventional lesson that protected his business during a market downturn. Why standard approaches to promotional products often fail and how to fix them. How to navigate high-stakes risks without compromising your long-term position. The massive shifts currently transforming the landscape of print and branding. The specific strategy for using high-quality giveaways to drive lasting brand impact. What it takes to sustain growth while maintaining the integrity of a family-owned business. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to BizNinja + Meet Brandon Pugmire 00:43 The First Signs of an Entrepreneurial Mindset 01:58 Building a Business from Scratch After College 03:05 Early Wins with Retail Stores and Embroidery 05:22 What ImprintCity Does Today 06:47 The Power of Relationships Over Marketing 08:18 How Referrals Built the Business 09:17 A Turning Point That Saved the Company 11:12 Lessons from Direct Response Marketing 13:08 Surviving Business Cycles and Client Dependency 14:33 Costly Mistakes and Lessons in Risk 16:04 Running a Family-Involved Business 17:28 Advice for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs 18:25 Industry Trends and the Rise of AI 19:18 Competing with Amazon Through Human Connection 20:17 Big Wins and Unexpected Opportunities 21:30 Memorable Projects and Product Innovation 23:20 The Shift Toward Premium Promotional Products 25:38 Creating a Life Beyond the Business 27:19 What’s Next for ImprintCity
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From High Ticket Sales to Building a Grit-Fueled Business
Apr 2700:31:30Tap to summarizeWhat happens when success hits its peak… and life forces you to rethink everything? In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, I sit down with my longtime friend Derek Wilson to unpack a journey that is anything but linear. From building a high ticket sales career inside the ClickFunnels world to walking away and rebuilding life on a ranch, Derek shares the raw truth behind entrepreneurship that most people never talk about. We dive into the realities of starting and scaling a physical product business, the lessons learned from failure, and how listening to the market transformed his company into a fast-growing brand. Derek also breaks down how grit, not hype, is what actually builds something that lasts. If you have ever felt like business is harder and slower than everyone else makes it seem, this conversation will hit home. What You’ll Learn Why entrepreneurship is both freeing and terrifying at the same time The early mistakes that nearly cost Derek his first business What high ticket sales teaches you about ownership and performance How a personal tragedy reshaped Derek’s priorities and direction The biggest difference between digital businesses and physical products Why most businesses fail during market shifts like 2008 or COVID How listening to customers led to a scalable subscription model The strategy behind turning excess product into a new revenue stream Why simplicity in offers can unlock growth and sustainability The truth about building a business that actually lasts Chapters 00:01 The Journey Begins: Meet Derek Wilson 00:45 The Moment He Knew He Was an Entrepreneur 01:23 Inside High Ticket Sales and the ClickFunnels Era 02:22 Losing It All in the 2008 Crash 03:15 Betting on Himself at 21 with a Loan from His Grandmother 05:23 Early Lessons in Marketing and Taking Ownership 07:13 Why One Weak Link Can Break Your Business 08:31 The Life-Changing Moment That Shifted Everything 11:23 Building a Beef Business from the Ground Up 12:29 The Hard Truth About Physical Product Businesses 13:49 The Gap Between Online Hype and Real Growth 14:54 Why Success Takes Longer Than You Think 16:00 Building a Brand Around Grit and Purpose 17:21 Redefining Success Through Family and Life Priorities
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Building a Business Around Podcasting and Digital Platforms
Mar 1600:28:49Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a successful entrepreneur sees a broken system and decides to fix it? In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, I sit down with Nathan Gwilliam, a serial entrepreneur and the founder behind some powerful digital platforms. Nathan shares the story behind building Adoption.com, one of the most widely used adoption platforms in the world, and how that early success shaped his entrepreneurial journey. We talk about the lessons that come from building businesses from the ground up, the mistakes many founders make with partnerships, and how entrepreneurs can identify their superpower and build teams around their weaknesses. Nathan also shares the vision behind PodUp, a platform designed to simplify podcasting and turn content into a true business engine. With dozens of integrated tools and powerful AI automation, PodUp is helping entrepreneurs create, repurpose, and monetize their content faster than ever. If you are building a business, launching a podcast, or trying to scale your impact online, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can use immediately. What You'll Learn • The surprising story behind the creation of Adoption.com • Why entrepreneurs should build businesses that make the world better • The biggest partnership mistake founders make early in business • How successful entrepreneurs identify and leverage their superpower • Why hiring the most experienced person is not always the best move • How podcasting can become a powerful content engine for your brand • The role AI is playing in simplifying content creation and distribution • How entrepreneurs can turn a podcast into a scalable business platform Chapters 00:00 Welcome to BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio 00:35 Nathan's first experience with entrepreneurship 01:51 The creation of Adoption.com and a mission-driven business 03:15 Early lessons from building a successful startup 04:58 The partnership mistake many founders make 06:20 How to choose the right business partner 07:21 Exiting Adoption.com and what came next 08:16 Consulting for major entrepreneurs and digital platforms 10:29 Lessons learned from working with successful founders 12:36 Finding your entrepreneurial superpower 14:21 Hiring mistakes entrepreneurs often make 15:42 The origin story of PodUp 17:41 Building an all-in-one platform for podcasting businesses 19:25 The early challenges of building a podcast venture 21:10 Transitioning PodUp into a software-first company 23:09 AI tools that are transforming podcast content creation 26:36 How AI can launch a podcast in under an hour 26:59 Personal goals and life beyond entrepreneurship 28:01 Final thoughts and BizNinja takeaway
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Build Once. Earn Forever. The Power of Subscription in E-Commerce
Mar 900:28:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, Tyler Jorgenson sits down with Matthew Holman, subscription strategist and community builder behind Commerce Catalyst and The Subscription Doc. Matthew shares how he got into entrepreneurship and uncovered the massive opportunity within subscription commerce. From helping brands unlock recurring revenue to building communities that connect e-commerce founders, he breaks down why subscriptions are one of the most powerful ways to drive predictable growth and long-term customer value. 👉 Want to go deeper into subscription strategy? Check out Matthew’s Commerce Catalyst newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/CommerceCatalyst Tyler and Matthew also dive into the evolution of e-commerce, the rising costs of customer acquisition, and why truly understanding your customer remains the ultimate competitive advantage. They explore how AI and automation are reshaping personalization, retention, and the future of subscription brands. If you are building an e-commerce brand or thinking about launching one, this episode delivers practical insights on offers, retention, customer experience, and where subscription commerce is headed next. What You'll Learn • Why subscription is one of the most powerful business models in e-commerce • The biggest mistake new subscription brands make • Why your offer matters more than your retention strategy • How successful brands truly understand their customers • Why the first 7 to 10 days after purchase are critical • How bulk offers and bundles increase revenue and retention • The role of content, influencers, and community in modern e-commerce • How AI is shaping the future of personalized subscriptions Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Subscription Commerce 00:50 Matthew Holman's Entrepreneurial Journey 03:13 Building Commerce Catalyst and Subscription Communities 06:17 Major Changes in E-Commerce Over the Last Five Years 07:55 Why Knowing Your Customer Is Everything 09:06 Influencer Led Brands and Audience Connection 11:10 Unique and Surprising Subscription Businesses 12:41 The Power of Customer Experience and Product Adoption 16:40 Success Stories from Subscription Consulting 19:00 Why Offers Matter More Than Retention 19:33 Best Platforms for Customer Acquisition Today 20:10 Common Mistakes Early E-Commerce Brands Make 22:01 What Excites Matthew About the Future of E-Commerce 24:30 Using AI to Enable Entrepreneurs 25:03 Personal Goals and Life Outside Business 25:38 Where to Learn More About Matthew Holman 26:12 Advice for New E-Commerce Entrepreneurs
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Make Your Money Move: The Cash Flow Strategy Banks Don’t Teach
Feb 1600:29:51Tap to summarizeWhat if the key to financial freedom isn’t making more money… but using the money you already have differently?In this episode, I sit down with Howard Polansky, a former dentist turned “financial doctor”, who walks us through a strategy that completely reframes how we think about debt, cash flow, and leverage.We unpack a strategy that challenges conventional thinking about debt, interest rates, and liquidity. Instead of obsessing over percentages, this conversation reframes the focus to what really impacts your life and business every 30 days — payments and cash flow.You’ll learn how lines of credit can be used strategically, why discipline matters more than math, and how improving liquidity can accelerate your goals without increasing revenue.This episode isn’t about financial hacks.It’s about leverage, structure, and creating freedom sooner.If you want your money working as hard as you do, this one’s for you. What You’ll LearnWhy focusing on interest rates can cost you moreHow lines of credit actually functionThe risks involved and how to avoid themHow to improve cash flow without increasing revenueWhy liquidity matters more than most people realizeHow strategic leverage can accelerate life goals
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From Pandemic Pivot to Franchise Firestorm: The Real Story of Cookie Co.
Feb 900:29:52Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you launch a dessert brand in the middle of a global shutdown… scale it to 31 locations… and then face economic whiplash, legal chaos, and a near-hostile takeover?In this episode, I sit down with Matt Thomas, co-founder of Cookie Co., to unpack one of the most honest entrepreneurial journeys we’ve ever had on BizNinja. This isn’t just about cookies. It’s about resilience, leadership under pressure, and what it really takes to rebuild when everything feels like it’s unraveling.Matt didn’t plan to build a national cookie brand during a pandemic. But when his branding agency collapsed in March 2020, he and his wife Elise went all-in on Cookie Co.—a passion project born from her lifelong love of baking.From selling cookies out of their garage (while neighbors suspected something sketchy) to hitting $1.3M in year one, the growth was explosive. Franchise interest poured in. Within a few years, they reached 31 locations across multiple states.Then the economy shifted.Eggs and butter doubled. Inflation soared. Franchisees struggled. A strategic partnership turned into a legal nightmare involving system lockouts and reputational damage.Through it all, Matt shares what he’s learned about resilience, leadership, ego, and the brutal honesty entrepreneurship demands.This episode is about grit. And it’s about evolving before the market forces you to. What You'll LearnWhy door-to-door sales is one of the best entrepreneurial training groundsHow Cookie Co. scaled to 31 locations during economic uncertaintyThe hidden complexities of franchisingWhat happens when inflation crushes your margins overnightHow to navigate lawsuits, PR damage, and operational chaosWhy listening to customers is your most underrated growth strategyThe mindset shift required to survive and rebuildChapters00:00 Welcome to BizNinja02:40 Matt’s Early Entrepreneurial Roots06:30 Launching Cookie Co During COVID10:00 The Leap Into Franchising15:50 Inflation Hits and the Real Struggles Begin19:05 Strategic Partnership Turns Hostile23:10 The Power of Pivoting and Listening to Customers27:20 Business as a Vehicle for Life
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Analog is the New Advantage: Building Deeper Customer Experiences with Mark Stern
Feb 200:29:40Tap to summarizeWhat if the thing that helps you stand out in a digital world… isn’t more digital?In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Mark Stern, founder of Custom Box Agency, to unpack how physical products are making a serious comeback in business. From flipping Furbies as a teenager to building immersive onboarding experiences for lawyers, authors, and SaaS companies, Mark shares how analog experiences are becoming the secret weapon in a world flooded with AI and digital noise.We talk about the lessons he learned in corporate America at Deloitte, why being a generalist can hold entrepreneurs back, and how stepping into your zone of genius unlocks true growth. Mark also walks through how physical products like card decks, game boards, and custom boxes can increase acquisition, retention, and lifetime value.If you’re building a brand and want to create deeper connection, stronger engagement, and real-world impact, this conversation will stretch how you think.What You'll LearnHow corporate structure can actually prepare you for entrepreneurshipWhy physical products are gaining power in the age of AIThe mistake most entrepreneurs make when scaling their businessHow to use physical experiences for customer acquisition and retentionWhy gamifying onboarding increases results and engagementThe power of dynamic QR codes and hyper-personalizationHow a simple card deck can become a powerful front-end offerWhy analog experiences create emotional connection and memorability
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