Start It or Scrap It

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a competitor copies your product? For many entrepreneurs, it’s one of the most frustrating moments in business. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, our hosts Mike Terkanian and Gummi Sigurdarson discuss: • What to do when someone copies your product • When comparisons and demonstrations may fall under fair use • Why specialized legal advice matters in busine...

Send us Fan Mail What makes entrepreneurs think differently from everyone else? In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, hosts Mike Terkanian and Gummi Sigurdarson explore the mindset that separates entrepreneurs from the average professional. From risk tolerance and opportunity recognition to how founders evaluate decisions, the conversation breaks down why entrepreneurs often approach problems,...

Send us Fan Mail Most founders hire based on urgency. Smart founders hire based on stage. In Episode 63 of Start It or Scrap It, we break down: • When to hire generalists • When specialists become necessary • Why hiring timing determines your growth ceiling • How to validate startup ideas before building them If your business feels stuck, your hiring strategy might be the reason. Alt Titles When t...

Send us Fan Mail Most founders think their biggest problem is competition. It’s not. It’s control. In this episode, we break down Founder Syndrome — what it is, why it happens, and how it silently prevents businesses from scaling. We also talk about hiring, delegation, leadership psychology, and the hard truth every entrepreneur eventually learns: “If you can’t let go of control, you’ll never grow...

Send us Fan Mail Starting a business isn’t about certainty. It’s about judgment. In Episode 61 we break down: - Why market research isn’t a guarantee - How founders actually make decisions - Why marketing matters more than product early on - The difference between borrowing money vs giving equity - Why even well-tested ideas can fail If you’re building something and waiting for certainty… this epi...

Send us Fan Mail Most founders don’t fail because they lack ideas they fail because they make the wrong decisions too early. In Episode 60 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike Terkanian and Gummi Sigurdarson break down: - When you should automate instead of hiring - Why founders burn out trying to do everything themselves - The mental roller coaster of building without a playbook - Why racing to the bott...

Send us Fan Mail Most podcasts don’t fail because of bad microphones, bad cameras, or bad editing. They fail because founders misunderstand branding, audience, and consistency. In Episode 59 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike Terkanian and Gummi Sigurdarson break down: - Why most podcasts never make it past a few episodes - What “brand” actually means (and why it’s more than a logo) - The difference be...

Send us Fan Mail What if the goal wasn’t to close the deal today, but to become the person clients call for everything? In Episode 58 of Start It or Scrap It, we break down why long-term businesses win by prioritizing relationships over commissions, service over shortcuts, and trust over transactions. From travel agencies to professional services, we discuss: - Why helping even when you don’t get...

Send us Fan Mail Quitting your job is one thing. Figuring out what comes next is another. In episode 57 of Start It or Scrap It, we talk through the reality that hits after you walk away from a steady paycheck and try to launch your first product. The uncertainty. The fear. The slow starts. And the mindset shifts that actually matter if you want to survive the early stages of building something on...

Send us Fan Mail This is a special one. For the first time ever, Start It or Scrap It was recorded LIVE in front of a full student, alumni, and faculty audience at Saints Neumann Goretti High School in South Philadelphia. We were invited by School President Timothy Cairy to come in and not only record an episode but also teach students how a podcast is actually made: from setup, to lighting, to ma...

Send us Fan Mail FORM YOUR LLC in 2026 — the smart way, not the expensive way. In episode 55 of our show, Mike & Gummi break down the real differences between LLCs, S-Corps, DBAs, and C-Corps — and how to avoid the costly filing mistakes that destroy new businesses every year. We cover: - When you should start an LLC - When you absolutely should NOT - How to avoid predatory filing services - W...

Send us Fan Mail Most business owners think their problem is marketing. It’s not. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down why founders trust the wrong signals — platforms, tools, dashboards, and agencies — instead of focusing on what actually drives results. We talk about: Why ad platforms don’t tell you the full story The difference between tools and strategy Why throwing money at...

Send us Fan Mail Most founders don’t fail because their idea is bad — they fail because they try to do everything themselves. In episode 53 of Start It or Scrap It, we break down what it really means to buy back your time — and why delegation, hiring, and pricing correctly aren’t expenses… they’re leverage. We talk about: Why being busy ≠ being productive The difference between being self-employed...

Send us Fan Mail Most business owners don’t think they need a contract… until something goes wrong. In Episode 52 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi break down why contracts aren’t about being “formal” or “corporate” — they’re about clarity, protection, and survival. We cover: - Why verbal agreements fail when things get tense - The real cost of “we’re cool, we don’t need paperwork” - How con...

Send us Fan Mail Most small business owners waste thousands of dollars a year on tools they don’t need. In Episode 51 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi break down how to build the right tech stack for your business — one that actually supports your workflow instead of complicating it. In this episode we cover: 📌 Why most businesses overspend on software 📌 The 4 core tools every business tr...

Send us Fan Mail Everyone wants to “make money in gaming”… but most people chase the wrong business. In Episode 50 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi break down why the real profit in gaming isn’t streaming, esports, or selling gear — it’s offering gaming experiences that parents, neighborhoods, and event planners will actually pay for. We dig into: • How gaming trucks and mobile lounges real...

Send us Fan Mail Most people think entrepreneurship is: Start a business → get customers → make money → get rich. But that’s not the real story. In Episode 49, Mike & Gummi break down the actual realities of starting and running a business — the uncertainty, the financial pressure, the endless problem-solving, and why most people never see the months (or years) of work before a business even o...

Send us Fan Mail Every business owner has dealt with that customer — the one who emails angrily on a Friday, demands instant responses, or expects Amazon-level service from a small team. In this episode, Mike & Gummi dive into how to set boundaries, train your customers, and protect your sanity while keeping your business running smoothly. They also take questions from TikTok and Reddit, inclu...

Send us Fan Mail Why do the most boring businesses quietly make the most money? In this episode, Mike Terkanian and Gummi Sigurdarson break down why laundromats, pest control, and even septic tank companies can outperform flashier startups — and how real entrepreneurs find profit in the “unsexy” corners of business. They also dive into the rise of AI in small business — from a 60-year-old carpente...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi dive into how to know if your business idea is actually good — and why most entrepreneurs overthink originality. 💡 Topics we cover: - Why you don’t need a “brand new” idea to succeed — just a smart twist. - How AI (like GPT agents) is reshaping real business workflows. - What salespeople get wrong about “closing the deal.” -...

Send us Fan Mail ⏰ Are you busy all day but still not getting anywhere? You might be stuck in time sinks — the hidden traps that drain your focus, energy, and momentum. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi go beyond to break down the real reasons entrepreneurs waste time — and how to get that time back. They discuss: 💡 How to identify and eliminate your biggest time sinks 🧭 T...

Send us Fan Mail Golf isn’t just a game — it’s a playbook for business success. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi tee off on the parallels between golf and entrepreneurship — and why mastering patience, focus, and adaptability on the course can translate directly to your business. They also dig deeper into: 🏌️‍♂️ The hidden networking power of the golf course 📈 How golf teac...

Send us Fan Mail AI isn’t coming — it’s already here. And it’s transforming every industry. In Episode 43 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi dive into how AI, automation, and smarter tech are reshaping business ownership — from mergers and acquisitions to marketing, SEO, and even small-town visibility. They also cover: ✅ Why 80% of small businesses never sell (and what to do instead) ✅ How...

Send us Fan Mail Running a business = a constant battle with time. In Episode 42, Mike Terkanian and Gummi Sigurdarson break down real-world time-management strategies that actually work — from balancing deadlines to delegating effectively to automating the busy work. You’ll learn: ✅ How to stay on track when you wear 12 hats ✅ Why productivity isn’t about hours logged but results delivered ✅ T...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Start It or Scrap It! In this episode, we put a bold new business pitch under the microscope and ask the real question: Is this actually a good idea—or just another trap for entrepreneurs? We dive into: - Spotting the difference between opportunity and distraction - How to evaluate if a business idea has legs - The hidden risks that come with “shiny” pitches - What...