Default Profitable

Welcome aboard another episode of Default Profitable, where we get real about the strategies that turn businesses into consistent cash machines. This time, I sat down with Mikkel Thorup, the expat expert who's bootstrapped his way from a tough school experience to running a 32-person team at ExpatMoney.com. We dive into his wild backstory—getting labeled with a learning disability as a kid, ditchi...

Hey folks, buckle up for a no-nonsense chat with Danny Bobrow, who's turned a string of "you're fired" moments into a powerhouse career helping dentists crush it in marketing and beyond. We dive into his wild ride starting back in '89, when dental marketing was basically a swear word, and how he built a niche empire by spotting what pros really needed—solid leads, killer phone skills, and a bigger...

Dive into this episode of Default Profitable where I chat with Mark Shriner, a globe-trotting entrepreneur who's turned his Asia-Pacific expertise into a thriving consulting gig and now leads Breeze Docs, an AI-powered platform that's revolutionizing how businesses tackle RFPs and security questionnaires. We cover everything from his wild ride building businesses across Asia to the hard-knock less...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to bootstrap a supplement line as a kid, then pivot to lingerie exports and construction gigs? What does it take to bounce back from near-bankruptcies and turn those lessons into an 8-phase blueprint that guarantees launches in 120 days? How can you snag SBA loans, nail competitive edges, and start cash-positive with pre-booked clients? And hey, Azgari's got t...

  In this episode of Default Profitable, Matt sits down with George Turkette, the guy behind Turchetti's, Indy's own USDA-certified wholesale salumeria cranking out top-notch charcuterie. We get into his wild ride from being a broke line cook in downtown restaurants to accidentally launching a business after a chance meeting – maybe with a little wine involved. George opens up about ditching the r...

What does it take to turn your passion into a thriving business? In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jason Barnaby, the dynamic founder of Firestarters Inc., to explore the rollercoaster journey of entrepreneurship. From his days as a ski bum in Colorado to running a coffee shop in Poland and founding a business fueled by his love for sales and peo...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, I sit down with Matt Hunckler, a serial entrepreneur who's turned bruises and breakthroughs into a thriving tech community powerhouse. We dive into his journey from digitizing vinyl records in high school to founding Powderkeg, chatting about the gritty realities of starting service businesses, navigating pivots, and scaling tech ecosystems right...

Matt Nettleton, Host of Default Profitable: Bootstrapped Businesses Don't Need a Plan—Just Guts and Adjustments In this milestone episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton takes a solo dive into the podcast's journey after 150 episodes, reflecting on the raw realities of bootstrapped businesses. Drawing from interviews with 143 Indianapolis entrepreneurs—from a lasagna chef turned commerc...

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Ashley Beck Cuellar, a sales powerhouse who's traded 17 years of slinging automotive direct mail for building her own coaching empire. We dive into the wild ride of leaving a cushy gig at Perk Marketing, the eye-opening realities of entrepreneurship, and why having an outside sales coach isn't just nice—it's a game-changer for ditching robotic...

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Mike Hurley, a lifelong Indianapolis resident who's turned his sales and marketing savvy into a thriving digital agency called WarmUp. We dive into his journey from side hustle to full-time venture, including the tough pivot after losing a co-founder during COVID, and how he's navigated the wild ride of entrepreneurship—balancing failures, fun...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Josh Brammer, a seasoned marketing veteran turned business coach, about the gritty realities of starting, running, and scaling creative businesses. Drawing from his experience managing four agencies, selling one, and now guiding solopreneurs through Lantern, Josh shares candid insights on entrepreneurial pitfalls, the importance...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton chats with longtime acquaintance Chris Theisen about the rollercoaster of building a marketing business in Indianapolis. They dive into Chris's 15-year evolution from social and digital marketing roles to founding Bullpen Consulting in early 2024, sparked by a corporate layoff. Key topics include navigating the shift from emplo...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Patrick O'Donnell, a serial entrepreneur who traded a stable corporate career in sales leadership for the unpredictable world of small business ownership. Patrick opens up about his transition from large public companies to launching a fractional sales leadership practice with Sales Xceleration in 2018 and co-owning Barringer's...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Chris Wilkey about the evolution of professional selling, drawing from Chris's eclectic career path that spans software sales, running a digital marketing agency and wedding DJ business, to leading Ball State's Center for Professional Selling. They dive into the misconceptions of sales as mere persuasion, the value of sales educ...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Daniel Herndon about the raw realities of launching, pivoting, and scaling a business. From his roots in a touring rock band to becoming a sought-after brand strategist, Daniel shares his journey of turning side hustles into sustainable ventures, emphasizing how charging upfront, embracing uncertainty, and focusing on problem-so...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Shane Nichols, a seasoned media sales veteran turned author, about his journey from traditional sales roles in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, and college sports sponsorships to launching a side hustle based on innovative B2B prospecting strategies. Shane shares how post-COVID challenges at Ball State University inspired him t...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he sits down with Eric Dunaway, an assistant professor of economics at Wabash College. They delve into the unique approach Wabash takes towards business education, emphasizing real-world experience over traditional classroom learning. Eric shares insights on the importance of critical thinking, the role of randomness in decision-making, and how poker can teach valuable...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he sits down with Andrew Johnson, co-founder of Northbrook Brewing in Arcadia, Indiana. Discover the inspiring journey of how Andrew transitioned from a special education teacher to a successful brewery owner. Learn about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Key Highlights: Andrew's background and the founding of Northbrook Brewing. The evolution...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Andrea Liebross to explore the intricacies of starting and growing a small business. Andrea shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of mindset, planning, and support systems. Key Takeaways: The significance of integrating business into life and the challenges of the...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Andrea Simpson, co-founder of Orngeli, a wellness bottle shop and community space. Andrea shares her journey of starting a specialty business with her sister, the challenges and successes they've faced, and the importance of building relationships in entrepreneurship. The inspiration behind Orangily and its rebra...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton talks with Derek Hammer, CEO of the Hammer Companies, to discuss the journey of starting and growing multiple businesses. From the inception of Hammer Lighting and Grip to the challenges faced during the pandemic, Derek shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of having a business plan, and the value of a supportive team. Key Points: Derek's transitio...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton interviews Jenn Lisak Golding. Jenn is Founder and CEO of Sapphire Strategy, a digital marketing agency that blends rich data with experienced-back intuition to optimize marketing performance for service-based businesses and nonprofits. An award-winning strategist, Jenn’s developed the Marketing Lifecycle Model: an evidence-based audit tool and blueprint for hig...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Darren Cooper, the founder of 1898 Creative. They discuss Darren's journey from musician to entrepreneur, the challenges of building a creative business, and the importance of mindset and finding a niche in content creation. Darren shares valuable insights on surrounding oneself with the right people, the necessity...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton interviews Andrew Curtis. Andrew is president and founder of FUEL VM. He and his company have been leaned on as a marketing leader for such organizations as Boy Scouts of America, Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. He’s a pragmatic marketing mind who embraces both creative talents and technical advancements in equal amo...

Chuck recommends a few books It's the Manager -   Jim Clifton and Jim Harter  (any Gallup Book is a must read)  The 7 Day Weekend - Ricardo Semler  (made me rethink culture) The Growth Delusion - David Pilling  (made me realize how what we measure matters) The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James  (Just oner of the best inspirational stories and a good movie) You can learn more about Chuck on linkedin...