Podcast
Retained Trust
Hosted by Karl Hughes · EN
Want to know what it takes to build, scale, and sell your agency?
Retained Trust is a weekly podcast where host Karl Hughes goes deep with digital service business owners to uncover the habits, tactics, and strategies they’ve learned to grow successful companies. Along the way, you’ll hear about Karl’s journey running and acquiring niche digital agencies as he learns from guests with a variety of backgrounds and experience levels.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP.12 - 12 Books That Shaped My Entrepreneurial Journey
Jan 14, 202500:22:54Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode of Retained Trust, host Karl Hughes takes a departure from his usual guest interviews to share a deeply personal and structured discussion on the 12 books that have most influenced his journey as an entrepreneur. Ranging from timeless classics to modern masterpieces, Karl reflects on how each book impacted his mindset, approach, and business strategies. From reshaping his understanding of productivity with The 4-Hour Work Week to conquering fear and embracing action with The Alchemist, this episode is packed with insights and practical takeaways. Tune in to discover how these powerful reads can help you grow, pivot, and achieve long-term success in your entrepreneurial endeavors. Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:00] Introduction to the solo episode and its purpose [00:01:14] The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss – early inspiration for productivity and freedom [00:04:00] How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – essential communication and rapport-building tips [00:06:05] The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick – validating business ideas the right way [00:08:12] Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert & The War of Art by Steven Pressfield – overcoming creative resistance and fear [00:10:00] The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber – building systems, not just products [00:12:17] The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday – reframing challenges as growth opportunities [00:13:25] How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen – defining success beyond financial gains [00:14:15] Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel – strategies for acquisition entrepreneurship [00:16:03] Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins – the cycle of belief, action, and results [00:17:35] The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy – rethinking success and progress [00:19:14] The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – the importance of belief, purpose, and overcoming fear [00:21:00] Final reflections and invitation for audience book recommendations Links: Karl Hughes on X: https://x.com/karllhughes Karl Hughes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karllhughes Retained Trust: https://retainedtrust.com/ Production and editing by The Podcast Consultant: https://thepodcastconsultant.com
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EP.11 - Exploring the Entrepreneurial Maze with Bob Tripathi
Jan 7, 202500:49:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Retained Trust, host Karl Hughes speaks with Bob Tripathi, founder of Digital Sparx Marketing, about his fascinating journey through corporate roles, entrepreneurial pivots, and building a thriving marketing agency. Bob reflects on lessons learned from startups and large companies, discusses the importance of patience and adaptability, and shares how he turned challenges like the pandemic into opportunities with resourcefulness and grit. From digital marketing innovations to launching a PPE business during a crisis, Bob’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Tune in for insights into agency growth, navigating business hurdles, and fostering genuine human connections in work and life. Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:00] Introduction to Bob Tripathi and his journey in marketing and entrepreneurship. [00:01:16] Bob introduces Digital Sparx Marketing and its data-driven approach. [00:03:06] The challenge of understanding the marketing funnel and utilizing data effectively. [00:05:13] Bob’s career shift from corporate giants like Discover to startups. [00:08:26] Differences in skillsets required for startups versus big corporations. [00:11:23] Developing patience as a key skill for agency success. [00:14:15] Founding Online Marketing Training and identifying a market gap. [00:18:08] Transitioning into running an agency despite initial reluctance. [00:24:19] Bob’s pivot during the pandemic to launch a successful PPE business. [00:30:23] Lessons from the pandemic-driven business experience. [00:36:54] The importance of continuous learning and curiosity. [00:39:35] Building a support network and valuing diverse perspectives. [00:44:04] Bob’s reflections on reading the Bhagavad Gita and staying present in life and business. Links: Bob Tripathi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobtripathi/ Digital Sparx: https://digitalsparxmarketing.com/ Karl Hughes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karllhughes Production and editing by The Podcast Consultant: https://thepodcastconsultant.com
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EP.10 - The Agathist Mindset: Kyle Shevlin on Balancing Passion and Profit in Agency Life
Dec 31, 202400:54:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Retained Trust, host Karl Hughes sits down with Kyle Shevlin, founder of Agathist, a software development agency specializing in React and React Native. Kyle shares his journey from freelancing and full-time development roles to establishing Agathist, focusing on creating "good software by good people." He delves into the challenges of transitioning from solo work to agency leadership, his philosophy of balancing profitability with passion, and the practical strategies he employs to build a sustainable business. The conversation highlights Agathist’s unique strengths, including deep technical expertise, client trust, and the importance of fostering a flexible, supportive work environment. Whether you're an agency owner or a developer considering the leap, this episode offers valuable insights into scaling with purpose and maintaining a personal touch in business.Key Points From This Episode:[00:00:44] Introduction to Kyle Shevlin and Agathist: "Good software by good people."[00:01:35] Kyle explains the origins of the Agathist name and its philosophical significance.[00:04:33] Transitioning from freelancing and full-time roles to building an agency.[00:06:44] The balance between passion-driven projects and profitability.[00:08:01] Neurodivergence and its role in shaping Kyle’s approach to business.[00:14:29] The importance of referrals in landing early clients.[00:17:00] Agathist’s differentiation: deep React/React Native expertise and project agility.[00:20:08] Balancing quality and speed while delivering software projects.[00:25:43] Agathist’s vision: building a small, cohesive, and impactful team.[00:33:13] Avoiding burnout and creating a sustainable work-life balance.[00:41:27] The privilege of support systems in entrepreneurship.[00:48:59] Kyle’s philosophical approach to growth and business sustainability.Links:Kyle Shevlin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleshevlin/Agathist: https://agath.ist/Karl Hughes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karllhughesProduction and editing by The Podcast Consultant: https://thepodcastconsultant.com
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