Coffeez for Closers with Joe Shalaby

Episode Summary: Built Different ft. Brian Goldstein

Release Date: March 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Coffeez for Closers, host Joseph Shalaby welcomes Brian Goldstein, a seasoned serial entrepreneur known for scaling businesses across diverse industries such as e-commerce, healthcare, and third-party logistics. Brian, the founder of multiple successful ventures since high school, shares his no-nonsense strategies for breaking through business plateaus, emphasizes the importance of authentic leadership, and delves into balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with personal life.

Brian Goldstein’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Brian Goldstein begins by recounting his early foray into entrepreneurship. At a young age, he launched a detail shop in high school, driven by his passion for cars and a keen eye for business opportunities.

[04:30] Brian Goldstein: "I was passionate about cars. I saw an opportunity to take over a failing business and get it going really well."

His initial success, despite academic struggles, set the foundation for a 20-year-long entrepreneurial career, marked by multiple business exits and impressive revenue milestones, including scaling brands to over $100 million.

Scaling Smart: Strategies for Growth

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Brian’s expertise in scaling businesses efficiently. He emphasizes the necessity of removing emotions from decision-making processes to prioritize the company’s best interests.

[10:12] Brian Goldstein: "Remove emotions out of your decisions. You got to do what's best for the company, not for what feels right."

Brian shares a real-world example of advising a friend who let emotions hinder timely business decisions, resulting in delayed actions that could have mitigated larger issues. His approach advocates for objective analysis and swift action to overcome scaling challenges.

Additionally, Brian discusses the pitfalls of maintaining a "mom and pop" mentality beyond certain sales thresholds, advocating for delegation and outsourcing key operations to facilitate growth.

[11:02] Brian Goldstein: "You can't operate like mom and pop when you've passed a certain level of sales. You need to delegate and focus on strategic growth."

Embracing Failure as Education

Brian candidly addresses the inevitability of failure in the entrepreneurial journey. He reframes failure as an educational process, stressing the importance of leveraging failures to refine and improve business strategies.

[09:01] Brian Goldstein: "It's not even failure. It's education. What are you gonna do with that knowledge?"

This perspective encourages entrepreneurs to view setbacks not as endpoints but as opportunities for growth and adaptation, fostering resilience and continuous improvement.

Balancing Work and Personal Life

The dialogue transitions to the challenges of balancing entrepreneurial pursuits with family responsibilities. Brian shares his personal strategy of alternating focus between intense work periods and dedicated family time.

[14:10] Brian Goldstein: "I call that balance in my book. The days you have your kids, it's dedicated to them, and the days you don't, it's balls to the wall with work."

This structured approach allows Brian to maintain quality time with his children while driving his businesses forward, highlighting the importance of intentionality in achieving work-life balance.

Overcoming Personal Adversity

Brian opens up about his tumultuous upbringing, marked by violence and substance abuse, and a significant health challenge—a brain tumor during his youth. These experiences forged his resilient character and relentless drive in business.

[11:52] Brian Goldstein: "Coming from a household filled with violence and substance abuse, you grow up that way and you survive. Everything else is a cakewalk."

His ability to remain calm and collected, even under pressure, is a testament to the strength built through overcoming personal hardships.

Authenticity in Business

In discussing the importance of authenticity, Brian advises entrepreneurs to be genuine in their interactions while maintaining boundaries regarding personal matters.

[22:49] Brian Goldstein: "In life, you got to be authentic. But people are very quick to let their guard down. Gotta feel it out."

He underscores that while authenticity builds trust and loyalty, it’s crucial to keep personal issues private to maintain professionalism and focus within business relationships.

Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs

Brian offers actionable insights for those looking to scale their businesses:

1. Achieve Financial Stability Before Diving In:

   [21:03] Brian Goldstein: "Don't quit your day job until your entrepreneur income has passed substantially your paycheck."

2. Focus on High-Level Challenges:

   [21:16] Brian Goldstein: "I don't like working with clients that haven't gotten to high six, low sevens. I want to see where you're truly stuck."

3. Optimize Operations with Third-Party Logistics (3PL):

   [20:21] Brian Goldstein: "Why don't you have a 3PL managing your inventory instead of having a warehouse staff? Sit with a 3PL company for a month, train them, let that be their problem."

These strategies reflect Brian’s pragmatic approach to business growth, emphasizing financial prudence, strategic focus, and operational efficiency.

Personal and Family Goals

Towards the end of the episode, Brian outlines his aspirations across personal, family, and business spheres:

• Personal Goal: Improve health by eliminating seed oils and processed sugar, transitioning to reusable glass bottles, and enhancing overall wellness.

• Family Goal: Increase involvement in his daughter’s homeschooling, fostering a curriculum aligned with his values, and ensuring quality, intentional time with his children.

• Business Goal: Maintain a portfolio of 10 monthly scaling clients, each presenting unique challenges that keep his expertise sharp and his mind engaged.

These goals illustrate Brian’s commitment to continuous self-improvement, active parenting, and sustained business excellence.

Conclusion

Brian Goldstein’s episode on Coffeez for Closers offers a wealth of insights into the mind of a seasoned entrepreneur who has navigated the complexities of scaling businesses while managing personal challenges. His emphasis on authenticity, strategic decision-making devoid of emotional bias, and the relentless pursuit of growth provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. Balancing professional ambitions with family commitments, Brian exemplifies how resilience and intentionality can lead to both personal fulfillment and business success.

[27:08] Brian Goldstein: "Thank you, sir. God bless you, man."

Brian’s journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for those striving to build and sustain thriving enterprises without compromising personal well-being.

Notable Quotes

• On Removing Emotions from Business Decisions:

  Brian Goldstein [10:12]: "Remove emotions out of your decisions. You got to do what's best for the company, not for what feels right."

• On Failure as Education:

  Brian Goldstein [09:01]: "It's not even failure. It's education. What are you gonna do with that knowledge?"

• On Authenticity in Business:

  Brian Goldstein [22:49]: "In life, you got to be authentic. But people are very quick to let their guard down. Gotta feel it out."

• On Balancing Work and Family:

  Brian Goldstein [14:10]: "I call that balance in my book. The days you have your kids, it's dedicated to them, and the days you don't, it's balls to the wall with work."

This episode of Coffeez for Closers not only highlights Brian Goldstein’s expertise in scaling businesses but also provides a deep dive into the personal philosophies and life experiences that shape a successful entrepreneur. Listeners are equipped with practical strategies, motivational insights, and a profound understanding of the balance between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.