
It’s not as simple as “make stuff, sell stuff.” Of course it can be, but there are other ways to make money on your own. Before you start your first (or next) business, listen to this episode.
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Jim
It looks like Jim from sales just got in from his client lunch and he's got receipts.
Team Member 1
His next meeting is in two minutes. The team is asking can he get through his expenses in that time?
Jim
He's going for it.
Team Member 2
Is that his phone?
Jim
He's snapping a pic.
Team Member 1
He's texting Ramp Jim is fast, but this is unheard of.
Team Member 2
That's it. He's done it. It's unbelievable.
Ramp
On ramp expenses are faster than ever. Just submit them with a text. Switch your business to ramp.com.
Omar Zenhom
Hey O. Welcome to the $100 MBA show. Business advice delivered on a silver platter every single day with our daily 10 minute business lessons for the real world. I'm your host, your coach, your teacher, Omar Zenholm.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I'm also the co founder of Webinar.
Omar Zenhom
Ninja, an independent software company I started with my co founder back in 2014. And in today's lesson, you will learn.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
How to choose a business model that works for you. Choosing the right business model is actually a very critical step in your journey as an entrepreneur. Sometimes we fall in love with our business idea. We forget that the business model is what's going to run our day to day life, what we have to do to make money. In today's lesson, I'm gonna break down in simple terms. What is a business model in the first place? What are the options out there when.
Omar Zenhom
It comes to the different kinds of.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Business models you can build your business around as well as some of the pros and cons of different business models you can choose from. My goal in today's lesson is to.
Omar Zenhom
Give you all the options to inform.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
You so that when you're choosing a business model or maybe even tweaking the.
Omar Zenhom
One you have right now, you could choose one that fits your skills, fits the things that you like to do and your lifestyle. So let's get into it. Let's get down to business. I want to start today's lesson by just breaking down what exactly is a.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Business model in the first place?
Omar Zenhom
It's such a jargony word that's used when people talk about business, but all.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
It really means is how you make money. How does your business make money?
Omar Zenhom
How do you acquire customers? How do you convince those customers that you have something of value? How do you sell to them?
N/A
How do.
Omar Zenhom
How do you capture that sale and earn money? How do you service that product and make sure it's delivered to the satisfaction of the customer?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
This, in essence, is your business model, how you're able to serve your customers and make money in the process.
Omar Zenhom
The most common business model that people think about when they think about business is creating a product and selling it. Like creating a T shirt with your.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Own customer design and selling it on.
Omar Zenhom
Your e commerce website.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
The model here is that you're creating.
Omar Zenhom
Something, you're offering it to your customers for a price. They give you that money, you deliver the T shirt. In this business model, you are responsible for creating something, something physical and delivering it physically to somebody's house, right? Or to somebody's address.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
But this is just one of many different business models out there. For example, many people make a living as an affiliate, meaning that they don't.
Omar Zenhom
Even sell a product that they have created.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
In fact, they don't even touch the product at all. They are recommending a product that exists.
Omar Zenhom
Out there in the market as an affiliate.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
They get an affiliate commission when a sale gets made. Their job is to promote that product.
Omar Zenhom
And to build a really healthy business around affiliate marketing. You're really a content marketer.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
You're building content around the topic or.
Omar Zenhom
Niche of the products. You're an affiliate of how you make money.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Well, you promote the product and you get a commission. That's how you make money.
Omar Zenhom
That's the business model.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Let me give you another business model, something you probably use every day. Spotify. How do they make money? Well, they actually can make money in a couple ways. One is through their free account and the other one is through their paid service.
Omar Zenhom
If you sign up for their free account, how do they make money?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Well, through ads.
Omar Zenhom
Advertisers want to run ads on Spotify. They pay Spotify and they expose those ads to people that are free users.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Now, if you're a paid user and you're paying a monthly or annual fee.
Omar Zenhom
Spotify collects that money from users and in exchange, they allow you to stream their music and podcasts. Now, remember, with music, there's a cost.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Here, not only just the technology of the streaming services and all that kind of stuff.
Omar Zenhom
But also there's some royalties you have to pay the artists that you are listening to. So with every business model there is.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Some costs involved and of course, revenue.
Omar Zenhom
How you actually earn money. So now that we got the definition.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Of business model out of the way.
Omar Zenhom
And I've given you some examples, what.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Does this mean for you? Well, the question really is, how do you want to earn your money? What do you want to do?
Omar Zenhom
How do you want to spend your days in your business?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
For example, I used to run an e commerce website to sell physical products.
Omar Zenhom
Which were custom tailored clothing for men. This is one of my biggest online.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Businesses I had over 15 years ago. And my business model is basically people go on my website, they would order.
Omar Zenhom
A custom shirt, we would create the.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Shirt for them based on their measurements.
Omar Zenhom
And we would ship it out to them.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Now, in this business model, I have.
Omar Zenhom
To deal with my suppliers, people that supply me, the textiles, the clothing or.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
The cloth for the clothing and the.
Omar Zenhom
Buttons and the thread and all that kind of stuff.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I had to deal with labor, I.
Omar Zenhom
Had to deal with people that are actually sewing the shirts. I had to have staff for packaging these items properly.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I had to deal with shipping companies, international shipping companies. So if you're hearing this right now.
Omar Zenhom
And you're like, wow, that sounds like a lot of headache, then this is.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Not a good business model for you to pursue. Because you're going to have to deal.
Omar Zenhom
With these challenges day in and day out. If you don't like to manage staff, you don't like to manage suppliers, or have to deal with inventory and all that kind of stuff, then your physical business, as good or exciting as the.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Idea might be, might be not right.
Omar Zenhom
For you in terms of doing it.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Day in and day out.
Omar Zenhom
The actual practice, the practicality of running that business.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
But somebody who's in a similar business, like a clothing industry business, it doesn't mean they can't follow their dreams and be in this niche. They can change their business model.
Omar Zenhom
Instead of selling actual shirts like I.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Did, they can sell coaching on how.
Omar Zenhom
To dress more stylish. One of my favorite YouTubers and friends, Antonio Centeno, has a great YouTube channel called Real Men, Real Style.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
And it's all about this.
Omar Zenhom
He creates all this great content.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
He has this huge YouTube channel.
Omar Zenhom
He earns revenue on YouTube as a.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Partner, you know, through ads. He also sells courses and books and coaching.
Omar Zenhom
So he was in the same industry I was, but his business model was different.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
And that leads me to another business.
Omar Zenhom
Model you may want to consider which is digital products. Now, when I say digital products, I'm not talking about software.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I'm talking about courses or coaching or.
Omar Zenhom
Books or guides or templates. These are products that live online and.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Really have no costs to mass produce. Meaning if I create, let's say, an.
Omar Zenhom
Online course, once I can sell it.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
To one customer, I can sell it.
Omar Zenhom
To a thousand customers, and the price of reproduction is pretty much nothing.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
So with this business model, I invest time in building a product.
Omar Zenhom
I then sell it at scale over.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
And over and over to other customers. Now, in order for you to do.
Omar Zenhom
Well with this business model, you have to be comfortable teaching and explaining and being on camera.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Because again, these are courses.
Omar Zenhom
Because this is how you're going to.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Spend most of your time.
Omar Zenhom
You're going to be spending your most time marketing and writing copy or at.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Least hiring people to do that for you. So the point here is, understand when.
Omar Zenhom
You create your business and you say, okay, this is how I'm going to.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Create my product, this is how I'm.
Omar Zenhom
Going to sell it, this is my business model.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Think about what does that mean practically for you? Every day when you go to work.
Omar Zenhom
On your business, do you want to.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Be doing those activities?
Omar Zenhom
Is that something that's conducive to your life, your lifestyle situation with your family right now, or even just your personal preferences?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
My advice when it comes to choosing your business model is to really do.
Omar Zenhom
Something that you enjoy.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Because business is hard as it is. You don't need to make it harder on yourself by doing things you don't.
Omar Zenhom
Enjoy, things that you don't want to do when you get up in the morning.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
So for example, my background is in teaching. I was a teacher for over 13.
Omar Zenhom
Years in the classroom. I have a master's education. It's what I love to do.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
So I created a business model that.
Omar Zenhom
Allows me to teach as much as possible. I run a lot of webinars, I create video content where I'm teaching, I create live courses, I teach via email.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Through my email newsletters. I teach on this podcast. You get the point. So I have chosen a business model that allows me to do something that I enjoy.
Omar Zenhom
Because I know that business is going.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
To be a grind and some days it's hard. And what gets you to do it.
Omar Zenhom
Is that the things you have to do to get up and build your business and improve are things that you.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Really feel comfortable doing.
Omar Zenhom
Something that you just know is in your wheelhouse. If you're a non confrontational person and.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
You don't want to deal with lots.
Omar Zenhom
Of employees or staff or suppliers, then think twice about your business model that incorporates these elements. I'm not saying it's impossible to run a business with a business model with.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Aspects that you don't enjoy. Of course you can do it. But why?
Omar Zenhom
Why would you put yourself through that?
Jim
And we're back, folks. It looks like Jim from sales just got in from his client lunch and he's got receipts.
Team Member 1
His next meeting is in two minutes. The team is asking, can he get through his expenses in that time?
Jim
He's going for it.
Team Member 2
Is that his phone?
Jim
He's snapping a pic. He's texting round.
Team Member 1
Jim is fast, but this is unheard of.
Team Member 2
That's it. He's done it. It's unbelievable.
Ramp
On ramp expenses are faster than ever. Just submit them with a text. Switch your business to ramp.com.
Omar Zenhom
I want to mention a couple of things that you can look out for when you're.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Choosing your business model.
Omar Zenhom
Think about the way you earn, cash or revenue. Are you comfortable earning your cash or earning your revenue with just a handful of customers?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Meaning if you have, let's say, a.
Omar Zenhom
Consulting firm and your contracts are about $100,000 for a year, and you're going to have three or four clients, and that's basically going to be your business, are you comfortable with only having three.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Or four clients or going after that.
Omar Zenhom
High price point and also understanding that if you lose one of your clients, it's a bit of a blow on your revenue?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Some people are comfortable with this because.
Omar Zenhom
They'Re okay with selling at a high price point because they just feel it's easier to sell to three or four people or a hundred thousand dollars, rather than, you know, thousands of people at.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
A few hundred dollars.
Omar Zenhom
Some people like to earn revenue at smaller price points, like a ebook, for example, that sells for $10. It's only $10, so they feel like.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
This is something they're more comfortable with selling.
Omar Zenhom
But also, if they lose a customer.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
It'S not a big deal, or one person doesn't buy, they lose that deal. They can get another customer easily. Now, obviously, you're going to have to have a lot more customers to earn a few hundred thousand dollars. But just keep this in mind.
Omar Zenhom
And of course, it doesn't have to.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Be these two extremes. It could be somewhere in between.
Omar Zenhom
Maybe you're selling a product that's $500 and you just need a few hundred people to buy that product every single year.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Now, remember, in this thought experiment, when.
Omar Zenhom
You'Re talking about the number of customers and Your price point.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Just remember your costs.
Omar Zenhom
If your costs are low, then that's a different story.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
You know, if you have a digital.
Omar Zenhom
Product, for example, but if your costs are high, like you create a product.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
From scratch, like T shirts, for example, where you have to pay suppliers, or let's say a software company where you.
Omar Zenhom
Gotta pay for servers and employees.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Don't confuse revenue with profit.
Omar Zenhom
Make sure that you're still profitable and you're getting enough customers to be profitable enough to make the business worth your while.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
One more tip.
Omar Zenhom
When it comes to this topic, some of us, we look at success stories, we look at heroes of ours, entrepreneurs.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
We look up to, and we say.
Omar Zenhom
I want to be like that person.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Because I like the result.
Omar Zenhom
I like what they, you know, what they look like right now, whether it's.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
The things they have in their life.
Omar Zenhom
Or the things they get to do, like speak on stages or be an expert or be a thought leader. But they don't actually look at what.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
They had to do to get there. What are the actions they had to do? And most of us, if they looked.
Omar Zenhom
At those actions, would feel like, well.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Maybe I don't want to be that person.
Omar Zenhom
Maybe I don't want to have that journey because that doesn't align with the things that I want or the way I like to live my life. Most people don't see the sacrifices that people make to get to a certain.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Point in their career.
Omar Zenhom
Now we're all gonna have to sacrifice.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
We're all gonna work hard.
Omar Zenhom
But not all sacrifices are the same for everybody. For example, somebody who is 22 years old and has no family or liabilities or people to take care of might not mind working 12, 13, 14 hours a day. They actually maybe are proud of that. If you're a social person and likes to talk to people every single day in person, maybe being a software developer and being behind the computer for 10 to 15 hours a day is something that is not conducive to you. So just think about what it took.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
To get to that level. What do they had to do?
Omar Zenhom
And just see, is that something that you want to do as well?
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
We all have to compromise at some.
Omar Zenhom
Point and just find something or find the business model and the actions that.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Align with those business models that we're willing to do.
Omar Zenhom
They say that's worth it.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
It's worth it for me to do.
Omar Zenhom
Those things to get the result that I'm looking for. Thank you so much for listening to the 100 MBA show. Hope today's lesson helped. If it did Let us know. Leave us an Apple podcast review rating. You could do so on Spotify as well. Just make sure you're following us on those apps so that you can give.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Us a rating and review.
Omar Zenhom
Before I go, I want to leave you with this. I've built businesses where I thought it was a great idea. I got excited.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I just jumped right into it, started.
Omar Zenhom
Building, started selling, and I inherited a monster.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I basically inherited a job I hated.
Omar Zenhom
And even if you start out with the business model that is comfortable for you, you gotta check yourself because things can kind of change under your feet. You know, things can change slowly. You can start making decisions that will.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
Change the way you work and to.
Omar Zenhom
Change the way your business is set up.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
So reevaluate your business model, even if.
Omar Zenhom
You'Re an established business today, and see if there's things you want to change in that business model to make it more conducive to the way you want to live and the way you want to work. It's your job to stay on top of this. No one's going to do it for you. Thanks so much for listening and I'll check you in tomorrow's episode.
Co-founder of Webinar Ninja
I'll see you then.
Omar Zenhom
Take care.
Jim
And we're back, folks. It looks like Jim from sales just got in from his client lunch and he's got receipts.
Team Member 1
His next meeting is in two minutes. The team is asking, can he get through his expenses in that time?
Jim
He's going for it.
Team Member 2
Is that his phone?
Jim
He's snapping a pic. He's texting Ramp.
Team Member 1
Jim is fast, but this is unheard of.
Team Member 2
That's it. He's done it. It's unbelievable.
Ramp
On Ramp, expl expenses are faster than ever. Just submit them with a text. Switch your business to ramp.com.
Summary of "MBA2256 How to Choose a Business Model That Works For You"
The $100 MBA Show Episode MBA2256, titled "How to Choose a Business Model That Works For You," is a comprehensive guide delivered by host Omar Zenhom and his co-host, the co-founder of Webinar Ninja. Released on March 2, 2023, this episode delves into the critical process of selecting an appropriate business model tailored to an entrepreneur’s skills, interests, and lifestyle. Drawing from over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, Omar provides actionable insights to help listeners navigate the complexities of business model selection.
Omar Zenhom opens the episode by emphasizing the significance of understanding what a business model entails. He explains, “How do you make money? How do you acquire customers? How do you convince those customers that you have something of value? How do you sell to them? How do you capture that sale and earn money? How do you service that product and make sure it's delivered to the satisfaction of the customer?” (02:47). This breakdown sets the foundation for listeners to grasp the multifaceted nature of business models beyond mere revenue generation.
The co-founder of Webinar Ninja clarifies, “It really means is how you make money. How does your business make money?” (02:35). He underscores that a business model encompasses the entire process of serving customers while generating income. By dissecting various components such as product creation, customer acquisition, and revenue streams, listeners gain a clear understanding of the essential elements that constitute a viable business model.
Omar and his co-host explore several prevalent business models, highlighting their structures, advantages, and potential challenges.
Product-Based Model:
Affiliate Marketing:
Freemium Model (Using Spotify as an Example):
The discussion delves into the benefits and drawbacks inherent in each business model:
Product-Based Model:
Affiliate Marketing:
Freemium/Subscription Model:
Omar and his co-host emphasize the importance of aligning the business model with personal preferences and lifestyle. They discuss several critical considerations:
Personal Enjoyment and Skills:
Lifestyle Alignment:
Revenue and Customer Base Preferences:
The episode provides actionable advice to aid entrepreneurs in their decision-making process:
Evaluate Your Comfort Zone:
Consider Costs vs. Profitability:
Reevaluate and Adapt:
Omar warns against blindly following success stories without understanding the underlying efforts required:
Reality vs. Perception:
Sustainability:
In closing, Omar shares a personal anecdote to reinforce the importance of selecting the right business model:
Personal Experience:
Final Advice:
By meticulously considering these elements, entrepreneurs can select a business model that not only supports their financial objectives but also aligns seamlessly with their personal and professional aspirations.