Collin Stewart joins this episode to share his journey from humble beginnings as a “geeky sales guy” to becoming a sought-after expert in achieving product-market fit. With a career spanning multiple startups and countless lessons learned, Collin’s insights are a must-hear for anyone building a business from the ground up.

Through candid stories and hard-won wisdom, Collin reveals the mistakes many entrepreneurs make when trying to scale too soon, as well as the key strategies for finding product-market fit. He explains why understanding your customers’ pain points is non-negotiable and how early-stage founders can use customer development to turn insights into revenue.

Collin doesn’t just talk theory—he provides a clear, actionable framework to help entrepreneurs identify real market opportunities, validate their products, and scale sustainably. His emphasis on listening to the market and aligning growth with timing offers a refreshing perspective for founders navigating the challenges of early-stage business.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur searching for direction or a founder ready to scale smartly, this episode is packed with value. Collin’s practical advice, combined with his no-nonsense delivery, will leave you inspired to rethink your approach to product-market fit.

Key Takeaways:
* Why product-market fit isn’t binary and how to measure it effectively.
* The dangers of premature scaling and how to avoid them.
* A step-by-step guide to using customer development as a foundation for growth.
* Real-life lessons on creating products the market can’t live without.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
2:01 - Common Mistakes: Collin highlights frequent entrepreneurial pitfalls, including ignoring market signals, rushing to scale, and failing to truly understand customer needs.
9:32 - Premature Scaling Risks: The dangers of scaling too early are laid bare as Collin explains why investing in sales teams or development too soon can drain resources without delivering results.
12:11 - Understanding Product-Market Fit: Collin breaks down product-market fit as a spectrum, where success depends on identifying market needs and crafting a solution that directly addresses them.
14:19 - Market Need Importance: Collin emphasizes that strong market demand—not personal passion—is the foundation for sustainable business success.
19:00 - Customer Development Process: A step-by-step framework for engaging with customers, uncovering their pain points, and refining your product to meet market demands.
35:00 - Outbound Sales Timing: Collin discusses the importance of timing outbound efforts to align with market readiness and long-term sales goals.
37:26 - Long-Term Thinking: Founders are urged to adopt a mindset of patience, focusing on sustainable growth and avoiding the trap of short-term gratification.

In this episode, Adam Torkildson dives into his fascinating journey from SEO pioneer and addiction recovery advocate to becoming a financial strategist and media entrepreneur. His story unfolds as he recalls navigating the "wild west" of early SEO, leveraging black hat tactics, and learning the hard way about ethics, growth, and reinvention.

Adam reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to business and life, including lessons from addiction recovery and the importance of giving back. He shares his transition into publishing and tax strategy consulting, revealing how he’s helped entrepreneurs and families legally reduce tax burdens and maximize wealth.

Throughout the episode, Adam highlights the power of systems, principles, and investments that align with long-term financial success. He offers insights into strategies like the Augusta Rule, family management companies, and Section 125 cafeteria plans, emphasizing their potential to transform how businesses manage taxes, health insurance, and financial planning.

Listeners will uncover Adam’s practical approach to setting up sustainable systems, making smarter investment decisions, and building generational wealth. His candid advice balances technical expertise with real-life stories of failure and resilience.

Key Takeaways:
* Discover how to leverage tax strategies like the Augusta Rule and family management companies.
* Learn the value of systems that "set and forget" for seamless financial management.
* Understand how principles like spending wisely and giving back contribute to long-term success.
* Gain insights into aligning investments with tax advantages and predictable cash flow.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:17 - From SEO to Financial Strategist: Adam recounts his early career navigating the "wild west" of SEO, experimenting with black hat tactics, and learning from failures that shaped his ethical and strategic approach to business.
09:00 - The Three Rules of Money: Adam lays out the foundational principles of wealth: spend money to make money, always spend less than you earn, and give back consistently through charitable contributions.
16:20 - Unlocking the Augusta Strategy: Adam explains this tax-saving method that allows business owners to rent their homes to their companies tax-free, potentially saving up to $100,000 a year.
21:39 - Family Management Companies Simplified: Adam introduces family management companies as a legal way to pay children tax-free, using the funds for family expenses like braces and vacations while teaching kids valuable life skills.
28:56 - Profitable Investments with Tax Advantages: Adam shares his investment philosophy focused on monthly cash flow and tax benefits, spotlighting his solar field investment that delivered a 130% tax advantage.
37:38 - Section 125 Plans for Health Insurance Savings: Adam delves into how Section 125 cafeteria plans lower taxable income for employees and save small business owners up to $500 per employee annually.
47:28 - Daily Tools for Success: Adam highlights personal practices like using the Insight Timer app for meditation and NanoHydrate for hydration, emphasizing the importance of a strong morning routine for success.

In this episode, Jenna delves into her unexpected journey from bartender and actor to becoming a social media strategist and entrepreneur. Her story unfolds as she recalls volunteering at a yoga studio in Toronto, where a chance opportunity to manage Instagram marked the beginning of her career pivot.

Jenna reflects on the challenges of transitioning from artistic aspirations to running a thriving social media agency. She shares insights into embracing change, leveraging creativity, and building a personal brand. Her practical advice emphasizes balancing authenticity with strategy, finding joy in content creation, and navigating the fast-paced world of digital marketing.

Throughout the episode, Jenna highlights the importance of understanding audience behavior and adapting content to meet evolving trends. From creating scroll-stopping hooks to planning effective growth campaigns, her expertise shines through as she explains how small businesses can thrive in competitive digital spaces without sacrificing their unique voice.

Listeners will uncover Jenna’s approach to engaging audiences through storytelling, community building, and structured growth. She offers actionable tips for content creation, including designing posts for engagement, mastering social media algorithms, and crafting impactful messaging that resonates with both B2B and B2C audiences.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* Discover how to transform unexpected opportunities into a fulfilling career.
* Learn practical strategies for creating engaging and authentic social media content.
* Understand the importance of balancing creativity with business goals.
* Gain insights into managing growth while maintaining a connection with your audience.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
4:20 - Accidental Career Pivot: Jenna shares how a reluctant $300 gig at a yoga studio turned into her first step toward a thriving Instagram marketing career, proving that opportunities can arise from the most unexpected places.
11:15 - Mastering Instagram's Algorithm: Jenna demystifies the ever-changing Instagram algorithm, emphasizing that the key to success lies in creating content designed to keep people engaged and interacting with your posts.
18:40 - The Power of Personal Branding: Jenna discusses how personal branding is crucial for service providers, explaining how authenticity and individuality can set a business apart in the crowded social media landscape.
23:30 - The Three Content Buckets: Jenna introduces her signature framework—growth, nurture, and sales content—and explains how balancing these categories can help businesses build trust and convert followers into clients.
35:05 - Breaking the Vanity Metrics Myth: Jenna addresses the obsession with follower counts, highlighting how even a small audience can generate significant results when the focus is on building genuine connections and conversions.
41:10 - Leveraging Past Success: Jenna reveals how a strategic sales post generated 10 sales calls in just three hours for one of her clients, showcasing the power of well-crafted content to drive immediate results.
54:20 - Fun as a Growth Strategy: Jenna explains the importance of finding joy in social media marketing, sharing how focusing on creativity and experimentation leads to better content and long-term success.