Start It or Scrap It

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...

Send us Fan Mail Starting a business is exciting — but most people get it wrong. In this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we break down the real step-by-step process every entrepreneur should follow. From legal formation to branding to early marketing moves, we cover the crucial details that can save you time, money, and frustration. 🔥 What we cover in Episode 40: - The first legal step every fou...

Send us Fan Mail Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s built through action, feedback, and persistence. In Episode 39 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi break down: - Why confidence comes from small wins, not big leaps - The link between preparation and performance - How failure can actually build resilience (if you let it) - Real-world lessons from business, public speaking, and...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Start It or Scrap It! In Episode 38, Mike and Gummi tackle one of the biggest lies in entrepreneurship: “overnight success.” From flashy social media claims to misleading business coaches, we break down what it really takes to build a sustainable business. Along the way, we dive into: - Why “overnight success” is a dangerous myth - The rare exceptions (and why they...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 37 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi tackle the hidden trap that sinks more startups than bad ideas or lack of funding: shiny object syndrome. We break down: - Why chasing “the next thing” resets your business clock every time - Real-world examples of entrepreneurs spreading themselves too thin - How to pick one service or product and master it before expanding -...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 36 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi dive into the realities of starting and scaling — from side hustles and early hires to brand-new startup pitches straight from Reddit. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: -The real cost of your first hire (and what to do before you make it) - Why chasing “easy money” can derail your focus - Side hustles: which ones actual...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Start It or Scrap It, we tackle one of the most common (and toughest) questions in entrepreneurship: How do you grow a business the right way? Too often, founders focus on the wrong levers—more money, more people, more products—without a plan to sustain growth. We break down: - The difference between smart scaling vs. reckless expansion - Why growth without syst...

Send us Fan Mail You don’t have a time problem—you have a priorities problem. In Episode 34 of Start It or Scrap It, we break down why so many founders and professionals feel overwhelmed, unproductive, and stuck… and how to fix it. 🔥 Learn how to: - Stop wasting time on “fake work” - Set boundaries that protect your calendar - Recognize when you're just avoiding real decisions - Build a rout...

Send us Fan Mail Hiring a friend can feel like the perfect solution—built-in trust, easier communication, shared vision. But what happens when things go sideways? In Episode 33 of Start It or Scrap It, Mike and Gummi dig into one of the hardest business decisions: should you hire friends or family? From mismatched effort and pay issues to the potential for destroyed relationships, we break down re...

Send us Fan Mail The job market in 2025 is tough—but most people are making it even harder on themselves. In Episode 32 of Start It or Scrap It, we break down the biggest mistakes job seekers are making this year—from outdated resumes to invisible LinkedIn profiles. Whether you’re fresh out of school or trying to pivot careers, this episode delivers blunt, actionable advice to get hired faster. We...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Start It or Scrap It, the podcast where real startup ideas meet real critique. In Episode 31, we cover what so many early-stage founders get wrong: trying to protect a business idea before they’ve validated it. From NDAs and trademarks to the scalability of service businesses, this episode is packed with tactical insight. 🎯 You’ll learn: - When (and when not) to u...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about starting a business or growing one? This episode of Start It or Scrap It is all about how to actually succeed. From hiring your first employee to protecting your online presence, we cover real stories and strategies to help you avoid costly mistakes. ⏱️ Timestamps:   00:00 – Welcome to Ep 30   02:00 – How to really succeed in your first business   10:15 – Why your G...

Send us Fan Mail 🚀 Ready to launch your business? In Episode 29 of Start It or Scrap It, we break down real stories from entrepreneurs, including scams to avoid, what to watch for in contracts, bouncing back after failure, and how to build your network the RIGHT way. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Big Ideas 02:00 - Why relationships matter in business 10:00 - How a ‘business opportunity’ can...