Success Story Podcast: Adam Biddlecombe - Mindstream Founder | Building an AI Media Business from $1K to Multi-Million Exit

Host: Scott D. Clary
Guest: Matt Village, Co-Founder of Mindstream
Release Date: May 6, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of the Success Story Podcast, hosted by Scott D. Clary, entrepreneur and business strategist Matt Village shares his transformative journey from being a struggling musician to founding Mindstream, an AI-focused media business that scaled from an initial investment of just $1,000 to a multi-million-dollar exit within 17 months.

From Musician to Entrepreneur

Matt Village begins by recounting his early career as a musician. “When I was a musician playing in a band, I thought I was like a rock star,” [02:13] he reflects. Despite his passion, the relentless effort to promote his band led to significant burnout. “I spent eight years in my professional career all the time begging people to come,” [02:13] Matt admits, highlighting the struggles of audience building in the competitive music industry.

The Birth of Mindstream

The pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which inadvertently became a catalyst for Matt’s entrepreneurial shift. “Being a successful musician was my dream. COVID almost gave me an opportunity to get out,” [02:28] he explains. Facing the collapse of his musical ambitions, Matt pivoted towards entrepreneurship, leading to the creation of Mindstream.

Launching the AI Newsletter

In [02:45], Matt shares the genesis of Mindstream: “I called my friend Matt Village and I told him, come around to my house, start a business. And I said, we're going to do this newsletter thing.” With minimal funding, they launched an AI newsletter from a garden shed, leveraging Matt’s copywriting skills and Scott’s sales expertise.

“Within two, three hours we'd started, everything was ready to go,” [02:45] Matt recalls, emphasizing the swift execution that set the foundation for rapid growth.

Early Growth Strategies

Matt and his co-founder focused heavily on LinkedIn to build their subscriber base. “I would spend a lot of time on LinkedIn engaging with posts and driving subscriptions,” [04:03] he notes. Their initial strategy involved organic engagement followed by leveraging Beehive Boosts—paid subscriber acquisition through newsletter cross-promotion.

“Within six weeks, we probably got like a thousand subscribers from LinkedIn,” [04:16] Matt highlights the effectiveness of their targeted approach, which provided the necessary runway to scale.

Overcoming Challenges and Scaling

As Mindstream grew, Matt faced the challenge of differentiating their newsletter in a crowded AI space. “There were more than a thousand AI newsletters on Beehive on our day one,” [39:25] he states. To stand out, they infused editorial insights and personalized opinions into their content, distinguishing Mindstream from mere news aggregators.

A significant breakthrough came through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Matt recounts merging with a fellow newsletter operator, skyrocketing their subscriber count from 15,000 to 110,000 overnight: “This took us from 15,000 subscribers, we went to 110,000,” [55:37] he shares. This critical mass not only enhanced their revenue streams but also attracted lucrative advertising deals from prominent companies like HubSpot.

Monetization: Sponsorships vs. Premium Models

Choosing the right monetization strategy was crucial for Mindstream’s success. Matt and his team opted for sponsorships, inspired by successful models like The Hustle and Milk Road. “We were trying to emulate The Hustle and Milk Road,” [73:53] Matt explains. This approach aligned with their content’s broad yet niche focus on AI, making sponsorships a natural fit over premium subscriptions.

“To monetize effectively, you need to understand your content’s unique value proposition,” [74:15] Matt advises, emphasizing that sponsorships worked well for their AI-curated and opinionated newsletter format.

Acquisition by HubSpot

The culmination of Mindstream’s rapid growth and strategic positioning led to its acquisition by HubSpot. Matt describes the process as unexpected but strategically sound: “HubSpot started advertising with us in February 2024 and then in April we had the first conversation about acquisition,” [77:08] he notes. By October, the deal was finalized, valuing Mindstream at approximately £400,000.

“What made us appealing to HubSpot was our editorial style aligning with their media network,” [78:29] Matt explains, highlighting the synergy between Mindstream’s content and HubSpot’s broader media strategy.

Lessons Learned

Matt Village imparts several key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. Bias for Action: “Having a bias for action is something I'm very, very grateful to have,” [34:06] he states. Taking decisive steps and maintaining momentum are critical for scaling a business.

2. Intentionality: “I'm working quite hard to analyze all aspects of my life and optimize and really work on life building,” [35:52] Matt emphasizes the importance of intentional decision-making to achieve both personal and professional success.

3. Niche Down: Differentiating in a crowded market requires a clear niche and unique value. Mindstream’s focus on AI with editorial insights set them apart from competitors.

4. Strategic Monetization: Choosing the right monetization path—whether sponsorships or premium models—depends on the newsletter’s content and audience engagement.

Advice for Creators

Matt advises creators to adopt a business mindset alongside their creative pursuits. “Don’t compare your day one to someone else’s year 10,” [23:27] he urges, emphasizing the importance of patience and strategic growth. Additionally, he highlights the necessity of building community rather than just an audience, fostering deeper connections and sustained engagement.

Final Wisdom: Plan Your Life with Intention

As the conversation wraps up, Matt shares his ultimate piece of advice: “Plan your life like it’s the priority. Be intentional with your days,” [87:52] he states. By applying business principles to life planning, individuals can achieve a balanced and fulfilling existence while pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions.

Connecting with Matt Village

For listeners inspired by Matt’s journey and looking to connect, Matt maintains an active presence on LinkedIn and can be reached through the Mindstream Newsletter. Engaging with his content provides further insights into AI trends, entrepreneurship, and life optimization strategies.

Conclusion

Matt Village’s story is a testament to the power of pivoting, strategic growth, and maintaining intentionality in both business and personal life. His journey from a struggling musician to the founder of a successful AI media business offers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs aiming to build and scale their ventures effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• “When Covid came, that was the end. And it also gave it almost gave me an opportunity to get out.” – Matt Village [02:28]
• “We had pretty humble goals at the start... Can we both quit our jobs before the end of the year?” – Matt Village [45:29]
• “Plan your life like it’s the priority. Be intentional with your days.” – Matt Village [87:52]
• “You have to choose your regrets.” – Matt Village [03:28]
• “We weren't moving forward... We weren't building that audience.” – Matt Village [02:28]

This episode encapsulates the essence of entrepreneurial resilience, strategic execution, and the importance of aligning business goals with personal fulfillment. Matt Village’s insights provide a roadmap for creators and entrepreneurs striving to build impactful and sustainable businesses.